Well, this one is a little heavier in my opinion. I know I'm not staying true to Rumarin as a character, but I just want to give him more dept. And he is a lot different around Avalon. In later chapters he will return to his sarcastic self, I promise :D I hope to get some feedback. It would mean a lot. Anyways thanks for reading!

III

Rumarin drifted to sleep not long after Avalon left. The nightmare in which he found himself felt surreal. He could see his parents dancing joyfully in front of the many jesters, actors, magicians and musicians of every race. Nord, Argonian, Khajiit, Imperial, and Elf they were all equal. Travelling artists that had music instead of hatred in their hearts, the only thing that mattered to them was how to play the lute to Ragnar the Red, but all that changed one night. It was dark and they were just ready to set camp near a small town on the border of Cyrodiil and Skyrim. The music died down, everyone was yawning and then he could feel his mother's hand on his shoulder.

He turned around to face her as she patted him gently on the head, his father standing next to her. He was small, around ten at the time and he could remember looking up to his parents and they looked so tall towering over him. His father was broad and rugged with a long beard the color of ebony, while his mother always seemed gentle with her willowy tall figure, her long ash hair spilling over her shoulders and her warm gold eyes smiled at him. Rumarin didn't think he was handsome but right there he felt proud that he inherited their features. His parents were beautiful, but standing side by side they were perfect. He smiled at them hugging their legs and running off to collect firewood by the stream just as any other night.

He didn't stray too far and just in the middle of his nightly chores Rumarin could hear the blood chilling screams, he turned around seeing the whole camp going up in flames. Disoriented his little heart started pounding wildly as he started running "Momma!" He cried out as the screams became louder. He could barely see from the smoke as it crawled into his air pipes, making him violently cough, tears spilling down to his cheeks. "Momma! Papa!" He cried and cried, as he desperately started to sob, his little chest filling with smoke. They were nowhere but he could see people running, screaming, corpses lying on the ground as the flames rose to swallow the whole camp. Just as he felt he was about to pass out a strong set of hands grabbed him by his waist carrying him out of the hysteria, he looked up exhausted as he saw his mentor, an old fat Nord jester named Otero. His breathing coming in gasps trying to carry Rumarin's little body to safety. "No!" Rumarin shrieked extending his arms to the camp wanting to see his beautiful mother and father.

He seemed helpless and weak, where were they? he thought as he started crying. Praying to the divines to save them, praying for their hands around him, praying for safety and the smell of home and love that came with them. Just outside the camp he could hear a scream "Rumarin!" His mother wailed. Otero stopped and set the boy down on the grass. They both looked at the camp. A couple of yards away, his mother was on her knees, tears streaming down her face as she wailed, cradling his father's lifeless body. Rumarin tried to get up but stopped dead in his tracks as two big bodies appeared behind her, bandits, one of them, a Redguard grabbed her golden hair and started dragging the woman around like a ragdoll shouting insults "Elven whore!" Rumarin tried to get up, tried to run and save her but Otero's huge hand shoved him back. "STAY!" He roared, drawing a greatsword and started running towards the men, he swung at the Redguard but the other one, an Imperial slashed Otero's back, making the old man fall to his knees. "Rumarin!" His mother wailed again just as he saw, frozen, the Imperial's sword swing swiftly slicing up her throat. Blood started oozing everywhere, Rumarin's heart nearly stopped as he started crawling in their direction. Otero looked at Rumarin and started shouting "Run! Run, Rumarin! Run as fast as your legs carry you!" And then he too, got his throat slashed.

Rumarin couldn't breathe, couldn't think all he could hear in his head was buzzing as he automatically started running. He felt like a coward but he was so afraid and cold. Sweat and tears started to mix on his face as he ran as fast as his legs took him. He was the fastest in the camp, but at one point he felt his knees buckle as he crashed into the ground from exhaustion. He curled up in the middle of those woods that night and cried himself to sleep.

Shrieks filled the halls as Avalon jumped out of bed. The hair on her arms rose and she stared around in bewilderment. She heard the blood chilling shrieking, like someone was being skinned alive or burned. Then it hit her. It was coming from the room Rumarin was in. Her heartbeat was racing and then she started sprinting… kicking the door with her foot. He was laying in the bed kicking and screaming as if someone was restraining him and torturing. Too much blood was spilling from his wounds, soaking the sheets. Avalon tensed and panicked, realizing that he was dreaming, she grabbed his arm trying to shake him out of it "Rumarin!" she screamed at him "Wake up!" She slapped his face. Nothing. He was still kicking and screaming in agony. His golden skin was glistening with sweat, his short ash hair wet. Avalon didn't know what to do. She tried shaking at him again, trying to find something helpful in the room. An idea came to her when she saw a bucket with water she used for tending his wounds.

Cold water woke up Rumarin as he jolted up in a sitting position. He stared, his breathing was turned to gasping for air, and then he saw a woman. Frantically she stood above him. She was absolutely stunning. Her dark red hair spilling in waves to her breasts, with a small nose and red full lips she looked young but then he looked into her silver eyes and was taken back as he realized that was his hooded savior. Her face turned red as she exhaled deeply. "Finally you're up. I couldn't get you to wake up." She was panicking, and looking around the room. "You are bleeding!" He managed to look down at the bloody mess of his leg. It was like five gallons of blood. Avalon pushed the sheets away starting to add pressure on his leg and stomach. He felt dizzy but couldn't pry his eyes away from her face. Rumarin also noted there was no black tint and now she was dressed in a sleeveless tunic and a pair of cotton pants. Angry scars decorated her arms and the majority of her face. She was as beautiful as a goddess but with scars of a true warrior. It took some time for the bleeding to stop and dress the injuries again. He was in awe of her and felt completely mute.

With a sigh Avalon stood up throwing the bloody rags away. "You woke me up with your screaming." She said calmly.

"I'm sorry." Was all he could say, still in shock and awe.

She shook her head like that wasn't her point. "Does this happen often?"

His heart sunk. Rumarin wasn't an aggressive man but he never dared to talk about his nightmares and became quite violent when someone pried in his business. It wasn't something he liked anyone to know. He had a dark past and saw no point in sharing it with anyone. "Yes." Flatly and coldly he responded. It was all he was willing to share.

She nodded her head in understanding. "Nightshade and deathbell mixed with void salts." Rumarin looked confused at her. "It keeps nightmares and dreams away." That was all she said as she walked out of the room.

The next chapter will be longer and of course if there are any suggestions I am willing to listen! I am really trying to concentrate on my grammar, but if I make a mistake I hope it doesn't bother anyone. Thanks! :D