Disclaimer: I don't own Morrowind or any of the characters in it.

Nels Llendo leant against the tree trunk and let out a contented sigh. From his position on the high up branch he had a clear view of the road stretching from Pelagiad to Vivec. Perfect for spotting potential targets. The day was fine and clear, so there was a good chance that a couple of traders would take this road out of the capital city, perhaps hoping to sell their wares in Balmora or Ebonheart. All Nels had to do was sit back and wait, which he did now. He crossed his arms over his chest and made himself comfortable.

It wasn't long before someone came along. Nels leant forwards, trying to get a closer look without drawing too much attention to himself. It was a Dunmer, like himself. A woman. She wasn't a trader, that much was clear from her simple peasant garb. But Nels wasn't entirely sure that she was a peasant, either. Unlike most Dunmer women, she seemed to have rejected a skirt in favour of a pair of trousers that wouldn't have looked out of place on a farmhand. Although the trousers were a faded olive colour, her shirt was a light blue and the tight fitting waistcoat worn over it was a vivid purple. As she got closer, Nels could hear that she was humming to herself.

When she reached the tree in which he was hiding, she paused and looked around. Casually, still humming, she bent down and plucked a small rock off the dusty road. She turned it over carefully in her hands, inspecting it and brushing off the dirt that clung to it. When she appeared to be satisfied, she spun around and launched the rock at Nels. Nels, too shocked to react in time, was caught in the middle of his forehead. He let out a strangled cry and lost his balance on the branch, falling off and landing in a tangled bush. Still too stunned to move, he lay on his back looking up at the azure sky. A shadow fell over his face.

The Dunmer woman was standing at his side, a small smile playing around the corners of her lips. As she leant down, Nels got his first proper look at her face. Unusually, her eyes weren't red, but a deep purple. A small scar was etched into the skin of her left cheek, but this didn't lessen the prettiness of her features. Although her blue-black hair was swept back into traditional wind braids of the Ashlanders, something about her made him think that she wasn't a native of Morrowind. When she spoke a few seconds later, her voice was slightly accented. Nels knew that the accent must be a bane to her in such a xenophobic land, but he didn't care about it. Her voice had a musical quality to it; almost enchanting. Much more pleasant to the ear than the snarling insults hurled at him by the women he usually met. A small frown crossed her face and he realised that he hadn't answered her.

"Are you alright?" She repeated, holding her hand out to him. "I didn't hurt you too much, did I?"

Nels took her hand, enjoying the feel of her skin against his. He got to his feet, not moving his eyes from her face the entire time. Her frown deepened and he realised that he still hadn't given her an answer. Say something, s'wit, He silently cursed himself. Before you scare the girl away. He flashed her his most charming smile and bowed deeply. "Please forgive me, muthsera. I was only momentarily stunned."

The woman's smile returned and she looked relieved. "Well that's good to know. I'm sorry about that." She gestured over at the tree. "I just like to be careful; I've been surprised more than once by beasts lurking in the branches."

Nels shook his head. "No harm done."

"Are you sure?" She asked. "I feel awful."

He nodded firmly. "I'm sure. I could never stay angry at such a beautiful woman." He suppressed a chuckle as a tinge of red spread through her cheeks. Holding out his hand, he introduced himself. "I'm Nels Llendo." His fingers tingled as she slid her hand into his.

"I'm Miri." Her brow creased slightly. "Nels Llendo… I think I've heard that name before."

Nels sighed and averted his eyes. "I'm rather famous around these parts, but not for anything worth celebrating."

Miri raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"I'm a highwayman. But you don't have anything to fear from me!" He hurriedly added as she pulled her hand away and began to retreat. "I won't hurt you."

Miri paused but remained wary, her hand hovering over the sword sheathed at her side. "How do I know that?" Her eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"My dear," He smirked. "If I wanted to rob you, by now I'd be halfway to Pelagiad with your gold jingling in my pocket."

"Right." She snorted. "I'd like to see how far you get with another head injury." Nels was pleased to see that, although she still regarded him with some suspicion, she had relaxed a lot. They were both silent for a while, staring at each other. Then, finally, Miri, asked. "Why Pelagiad?"

"Pardon?" Nels asked, confused by the sudden change of topic.

"You said you'd be halfway to Pelagiad. Why Pelagiad? Do you live there?"

Nels nodded. "Most of the time. I take my lodgings at the village's only inn."

"That's where I'm heading."

"To Pelagiad?" He asked, slightly stunned. Pelagiad was a tiny village; he couldn't imagine what business she would have there. "What for?"

Miri shrugged. "Just passing through."

"Then I must insist on escorting you there! The roads can be dangerous, especially for a young woman such as yourself."

She couldn't help but laugh. "This from a highwayman?"

Nels staggered backwards, clutching at his chest. "You injure me, good lady!" He gasped. This only served to increase her giggles, sending her almost into full blown hysterics. When she finally calmed down, she wiped her streaming eyes and sighed.

"Alright. You can escort me. But don't try anything funny!"

The journey to Pelagiad seemed to fly by all too quickly for Nels, but by the time they reached their destination the sun had sunk low in the sky. He hadn't spoken much when they were traveling, preferring instead to listen to the sound of Miri's voice and find out as much about her as he could. She was, as he had already guessed, new to Morrowind, having arrived on a prison boat only a few days earlier. When he had asked her what she was doing on a prison boat, she'd just shrugged and jerked her head non-comitally

Miri had no family that she knew of. She had no childhood memories of her parents, or any siblings, and had never thought of marrying and having children of her own. Of course, being an outlander in Morrowind, she was certainly short of friends. She complained to Nels of the behaviour of the native Dunmer. She hadn't been so naïve as to expect open armed welcomes, but she thought she would at least be greeted with cordiality. Instead she found only hostility; the Dunmer who had lived in Morrowind their entire lives detested the Dunmer who committed the awful crime of being born somewhere else. Everywhere she went they spat at her feet and hissed n'wah!

When they finally reached Pelagiad, Miri didn't insist that they part ways like Nels thought she would. He was more than thrilled when she accompanied him into the Halfway Tavern. After helping her secure a room for the night, they took the table nearest to the fire and continued their conversation. By the time that Miri pushed her glass of ale away and announced that it was time she got some sleep, the fire had died down completely and the only other person in the room was an irate barmaid, who was thinking longingly of her own bed.

Miri stood up and stretched, trying to suppress a yawn. She looked anxiously at the clock hanging on the wall. "I really need to get some sleep."

Nel's face fell. "Must you leave me so soon?"

She nodded. "I'm afraid so. I have to be up with the sun tomorrow."

He sighed resignedly. "Will I see you in the morning?" His voice was hopeful.

"If you're awake early enough."

"Incase I'm not, may I have a souvenir to remember you by?"

Miri grinned crookedly. "Sure. I think I still have the rock I hit you with in my pocket…"

Nels grimaced and touched his fingers to his forehead. "Although all my memories of you are pleasant, I'd prefer to treasure one that doesn't make my head ache."

She crossed her arms and leant against the stone wall. "Well, what do you want then?"

He pushed himself up from his chair, feeling slightly woozy because of the several tankards of ale he had drained, but managing to retain his balance. Moving around the table, he sauntered over to Miri. "I would like," He whispered, moving his face closer to hers. "A kiss from the fair lady." He closed his eyes and braced himself for the slap he was sure he was about to receive. Instead he felt her arms snaking around his waist, and then her soft lips pressing against his. The kiss only lasted a few seconds, barely giving him time to recover from his initial shock. Suddenly it was over. Miri had pushed past him and was flying up the stairs.

For several moments he stood in a silent daze, trying to burn the way she felt and how she tasted into his memory. The barmaid watched him, growing more and more annoyed.

"Oi!" She eventually shouted. "Are you going to go to bed or are you going to stand there with your head in the clouds for the rest of the night?"

The next morning, Nels rose and headed down the stairs bright and early. He bounded into the tavern hopefully, longing to see Miri again. Instead he was greeted by the barmaid from the previous night, who looked as surly as ever. She was wiping down the bar with a dirty rag, muttering under her breath as she worked. When she caught sight of Nels, she looked up sharply and let out a torrent of abused.

"Your friend," She growled as she pointed at him with a shaking finger. "Your friend has some nerve."

Nels frowned. "What's she done?"

The barmaid narrowed her eyes. "After keeping me up half the night, she dragged me out of bed before the sun was even up."

"She did?" Nels asked, his spirits rising. "So she's awake, then?"

"Awake?" She snorted. "She's already gone."

It took Nels a few seconds to realise what the barmaid had just said. "Gone?" He asked quietly.

"Left over an hour ago."

"Did she say where she was going?"

She shook her head, confused. "Why would she?" Nels didn't reply. He crossed the tavern to the table they had shared the night before, and dropped down heavily into a chair. How could Miri be gone? Last night he'd hardly been able to sleep. He'd paced his rooms for hours, thinking about her. When he eventually dozed off, she was in his dreams. If that's what happened to him when they were parted for mere hours, how would he feel if he never saw her again? He didn't like to think about it.

As he shifted in his seat, something on the floor caught his eye. A crumpled, torn piece of parchment. He reached down and picked it up. Carefully, not wanting to rip it, he unfolded the paper. Written on it were three words. Redoran. Neminda. Ald'ruhn. This was where Miri had sat last night. They were the last people to leave for bed, so no one else could have taken the seat after her. Was this paper hers? Was she going to Ald'ruhn?

He rose to his feet and refolded the paper, tucking it safely in his back pocket. He disappeared up the stairs and when he entered the bar again a few minutes later, a sack was slung over his shoulder. The barmaid regarded him suspiciously. "You're not in trouble with the guards again, Nels?"

Nels smiled at her sweetly. "No, I'm not on the run. I just feel like going on a little trip."

"Where to?"

"Ald'ruhn!" He called over his shoulder as he left the Halfway Tavern.