I noticed I misspelled some words in the last chapter and I am sorry if it bothered anyone. English isn't my first language but I hope it's readable. I'm also new here and I forgot to add an autor's note... So, sorry again. I hope for a review from some of you... Constructive criticism is always welcome! And let me know if you like it. Thanks for reading! :D

II

Rumarin woke up with a loud banging in his head. He could barely open his eyes to look at his surroundings. He was in a spacious room next to a fire on a soft and big bed. The room seemed nice and warm, when he uncovered the blanket and looked down his clothes were missing, the bandages went from his left leg to his stomach, only cotton pants on him. Where the hell was he? He tried to stand up but winced in pain as he just fell over on his back.

"You know, you shouldn't be moving right now." A woman spoke and as he lifted his head and he saw the same woman that saved him clad in her black armor leaning against the door. He winced again sitting up to face her.

"Well, I couldn't resist the opportunity to make a fool out of myself." His voice was groggy much to his displeasure.

The woman in black moved to a small table lifting a silver tray and handing it to him. He looked at her in disbelief. He didn't know much, he avoided towns in general and preferred to trade with Khajiit caravans who didn't accuse him of being Thalmor, but he knew that she was Dragonborn and general of the Stormcloaks, what he didn't get was why she was helping him. Nords didn't like mer folk, especially Altmer and apparently it was vice versa. As a Stormcloak she should be trying to torch him, not give him food. He looked at the tray. There was meat with cheese, potatoes and fresh vegetables and a glass of water. Rumarin looked at the Dragonborn and all he could muster was a thank you.

He could see her eyes smiling as she nodded her head at him. She turned to the table and sat down, her silver eyes focusing at him. "You were injured badly. Lost a lot of blood. I managed to heal you somehow but it will take a couple of days for you to make a proper recovery." Rumarin listened. She didn't have the typical Nordic accent and she phrased her words well. He could see she wasn't just a dumb barbarian. That put him somewhat at ease.

"Why save me?" Rumarin blurred out. He saw her frown, biting his tongue he continued "I mean, not that I'm ungrateful, I am, very much so. I owe you my life. But what I meant to say was. Why save an elf? You are in the rebellion, aren't you?"

She chuckled lightly. "Well, you are the first person to state my political status instead of pointing his finger and saying 'Look it's the Dragonborn!'." He felt her smile once more. "Well, I am in the rebellion, but somehow I never got around to Ulfric's concept of Skyrim for the Nords. I'm not saying the Thalmor aren't evil, I'm saying that just because someone has pointed ears, he or she shouldn't be the subject of ridicule or harassment. And besides I needed to stop the war because of Alduin, Ulfric just seemed like a lesser evil at the time." As she spoke in a light but husky voice, Rumarin couldn't keep but wondering why he ever depicted her as a barbarian with an ice cold personality, she was the first non-racist Nord he met in ages.

Rumarin smiled. Intrigued by her words and personality. "Ulfric must have been ecstatic by your opinion of him and his ideals." He took a sip of water. "Well, nice to chat about politics but could you tell me where we are?"

"We are about an hour away from Dawnstar." She said, darting her silver eyes around the room and then quickly back at him.

He tried to get up again, but just fell on his back with an irritated glare on his leg. "As much as I would like to get out of your hair, it seems that my leg… well forgot how to be a leg. Maybe we could cut it off and replace it with a broomstick." He made a really bad joke. "I always wanted to be a pirate."

She shook her head and smiled at his overly imaginative rant but remained her cool. "You shouldn't be going anywhere. You need to rest for a couple of days. Besides I could use time here at the house. You are welcomed to stay…" She trailed off remembering that she didn't know his name. "What's your name?"

"Rumarin." He said, smiling politely at her. "Professional adventurer, blade binder and grave robber at your service." He said with a grin at the end.

Her eyes narrowed at the grave robber bit. "Well, I am the Dragonborn, as I'm sure you noticed." She debated whether or not to tell him her real name. Well she would be stuck for a while with him and she didn't like the idea of being referred to as Dragonborn. The title made her head hurt. "But please call me Avalon."

What an odd and beautiful name. Rumarin thought. Simple and pronounceable yet he never heard it before. If only she would take that hood off her face. All he knew about the mysterious Dovahkiin was her name and a few details he could pick up while observing… like her silver eyes and the black tint around that made them stand out even more. They were a little eerie, almond shaped but deep and wise, made her look older, but her husky voice was one of a young woman. A slight scar went over her left eye and brow. Her brows were thicker, dark and always arched giving her an intimidating look. Something about her made Rumarin nervous. She was tall, reaching probably to his nose, curvy but lean at the same time and with that black armor and hood she gave out a strange chilling aura, saying that she was a force to be reckoned with. Different was a word best suited.

Clearing his throat he said "Thank you, Avalon. I may be forced to impose a little longer." He hated the fact that he was hurt and had to be a parasite to someone, especially to her. She was generous enough to save him let alone babysit him, feed him or dress his injuring all the while letting him stay here. He smiled sheepishly trying to get out of the awkward situation with humor. "And just so you know people say that my incredibly insufferable personality has a way of growing on them. The other day a farmer threw a dagger at me. I guess he couldn't let me leave without a nice present."

Avalon felt a small laugh escaping her mouth. He was a strange elf, made her laugh like a child with his twisted sense of humor. He was an odd one. Traveling through Skyrim she met a few high elves. They were usually so stuck up, rude and boring, always stating their superiority, except for Runil and some mages back at the College. But Rumarin wasn't anything like the majority of his kin in Skyrim. He wasn't snobbish, instead he joked on his own expense, he was easygoing and that made her smile. Avalon couldn't remember the last time she was alone in a room with a younger man without him trying to make a move on her. And I can't remember the last time someone made me smile… also she noted, getting a little nervous at the thought.

"As long as you don't make me slay a dragon or go to war, everything is fine."

Rumarin wanted to make another stupid joke but he was short of wit. He liked making her laugh, she was the only person in Skyrim who offered him any kindness, the only one that laughed at his jokes or even looked at him like a man instead of a skeever or monster. "That means you're ok with draugr overlords?" He mustered.

She smiled under that hood and picked up a bucket with a linen wrap. "It's time for new bandages." She ceremonially said as she sat next to him. He moved a little trying to give her room.

She was unnerving. Rumarin couldn't quite pinpoint what he thought about her. She was magnetic, he couldn't resist looking and studying her but at the same time there was something that made him want to take a few steps back. He saw her like a nightshade, beautiful in her uniqueness but at the same time deadly. He couldn't make up his mind and that was scary to him.

Avalon moved her hands to his exposed stomach; she managed to take the bandage off but stopped as she made contact with his skin. She felt uneasy, nauseous even. He was so warm compared to her deadly cold hands. She looked up at him and she swore time stopped as they shared a long look. His golden eyes stared at her silver once. Gold and Silver. She was cold, he was warm. He was inviting, she was not. They were two different worlds, so why did he fascinate her so much? She didn't even like men. Well, to be fair, she didn't really like anyone including herself. So why did she fell warm as she looked at this elf? He was handsome, with ash hair the same color as his short chin beard, the rest of his cheeks were covered in short stubble, his body tall and covered in lean muscle. His features were perfectly symmetrical, with a narrow nose, wide mouth and high cheekbones. But it wasn't his face that fazed her; it was his strangeness and his gold eyes.

Snapping out of her daydream Avalon started to dress his wounds. She felt his gaze on her, knew he was studying curiously but she focused on his injuries and not starting another conversation. It was a very comfortable silence between the two of them. Rumarin saw the shocked look when she gazed at him but thought little of it. It was uncomfortable that he was being touched so much by a woman he barely knew, a woman who was a puzzle for him. Her hands were cold but she addressed the wounds gently, something he didn't expect. She didn't have soft hands; they were calloused and hard, hands of a true warrior. He didn't mind the silence and he let her work in peace, wincing once in a while.

She used up a lot of healing potions and continued to heal him and stitch him for a couple of hours. They conversed about a little politics and the weather. She brought him more food urging him to eat so he would regain his strength, but he didn't feel any hunger but promised her he would take it.

It was nearing midnight. Avalon stood up from the bed and looked at him "I need to excuse myself. It's late." She was shocked when he grabbed her by her arm. He wasn't being ruff, just wanted to get her attention. But still her eyes went wide at the unexpected touch.

Rumarin swallowed a lump. "Avalon, thank you…" She wanted to say something but he cut her off "If it wasn't for your help I would have died, you saved me and showed me kindness. And for that you have my gratitude and my loyalty."

This night was getting a little too overwhelming for her. Her face turned red in embarrassment as she was lost for words. "You are welcome." She managed to muster. "Good night, Rumarin." She quickly darted out of the room.

"Goodnight, Avalon." He whispered silently, feeling the exhausting catching up to him.