Chapter 3

It was sometime in the afternoon. Sara had been napping for a little while but was now awake and she stared out at the Rift with a tired expression. Something caught her attention from the corner of her eye and she lifted her head, turning it to the right.

"What's over there?"

Rogan grunted as he turned his head as well, bringing it dangerously close to Sara's face. He hastily turned away and continued walking.

"It's a farmstead."

"Farm? Hey, maybe they'd have shoes for me..."

Rogan ignored her comment and kept walking.

"Rogan, did you hear me?"

"Of course I heard you."

"Then why don't we go there?"

"They probably don't have anything," Rogan argued.

"Where even is the nearest Inn? You can't keep carrying me like this-"

"Hello?"

Rogan froze, and his hand instinctively went to the sword on his hip. Sara craned her neck around and spotted an older man standing by a birch tree. He held a shovel in his hands and he reached up to wipe his sweaty brow with the sleeve of his tunic.

"Hello," Sara called back.

"I couldn't help but overhear you two arguing," the man laughed. "Are you in need of anything?"

Sara started to squirm until Rogan sighed and released his hold on her. This time she was prepared and Sara grasped his arms with both hands before she could topple backward.

"Oh my, what happened to your arm?"

The man had stepped closer, and he stared at Sara with a concerned expression.

"It's alright, honest. Just a scratch."

"I'm taking her to Riften," Rogan explained hastily, wishing to be as quick as possible. "But we're in need of some clothes, and boots."

"I can see that," the farmer replied warmly as he regarded Rogan. "Why do you look so familiar..."

Rogan shuffled his feet with a silent scowl, feeling uncomfortable. Suddenly the man's face lit up and he rushed forward to shake Rogan's hand.

"That's right, you're the one who helped us with that wolf problem last year!"

"It was nothing," Rogan mumbled, and he shot Sara a small glare when he found her smiling at him.

"It had gotten so bad, I lost so many sheep."

"Has there been a problem since?"

"No, none at all. Thank you..."

"Rogan."

"Rogan," the man laughed, and he nodded. "Right, right. I'm Danus."

"I'm Sara," Sara chimed in.

"Sara, a pleasure to meet you. Please... come inside. My wife can scrounge up some clothes for you."

"Thank you so much," Sara sighed, feeling relieved.

The pair started to follow Danus, weaving through the trees until they reached a small trail leading to a quaint looking cottage. The entire property was surrounded by a low stone wall. One side was dedicated to growing vegetables and the other contained various animals including sheep and chicken. Sara could tell that Rogan was uncomfortable returning to the farm because Danus continued to praise him while they walked. It was apparent that the compliments were too much for him to handle as he silently sent little death glares her way but Sara was pleased with herself.

As everyone reached the little farm the door opened and a middle-aged woman stepped outside. She wrapped her shawl tighter around her shoulders and peered at the newcomers with a curious expression.

"I heard voices, Danus. Who are these visitors?"

"You remember Rogan," Danus replied warmly. "He helped us with that wolf problem last year."

"That you did, it's nice to see you again dear."

"And this is Sara."

"Oh my goodness, what has happened to you?"

"It's not as bad as it looks," Sara replied as the woman stepped towards her and touched her arm. "I'm quite alright."

"Well you are in dire need of some footwear, come inside dear and I'll get you all cleaned up."

"Thank you..." Sara paused as she realized she didn't know the woman's name.

"Call me Junia."

"Junia, thank you."

Junia's smile was contagious as she ushered Sara into their comfy little home. Rogan opted to stay outside with Danus. Inside, the one-story cottage was modestly furnished. A firepit dominated the middle of the room and it gave off a considerable amount of warmth as the fire happily crackled away. Something delicious smelling bubbled in a large cooking pot hanging over the fire and Junia gestured to it as they walked by.

"You're just in time for dinner, too."

"Oh," Sara stammered. "You don't have to feed us-"

"Nonsense! I'd feed Rogan and his friend any day, he helped us out when we needed it."

"That's nice, I don't actually know him."

"You don't?" Junia replied as she brought Sara behind a privacy screen, revealing a large wooden tub.

"Yeah, we met yesterday. He's just helping me get to Riften."

"Well, he's a good Orc to have on your side. You'll at least be safe."

"True," Sara chuckled.

"Take those clothes off, I'll get the tub filled."

While Junia was busy filling the wooden tub with hot water, Sara began stripping off her filthy pajamas. They were beyond repair, and a part of her felt sad as she dumped her shirt on the floor with a small sigh. It was the only link she had to Earth, and as Sara thought about her life back home a lump formed in her throat. Tears pricked at the corner of her eyes but she hastily blinked them away and focused on getting undressed.

When she was finished undressing, Sara pulled at the bandage around her arm. She was surprised to see that underneath her skin was free of any scar, and she had to remind herself that the healing potion was probably responsible for that.

Nice, Sara thought to herself as she rubbed her finger across her skin. Very nice.

"There you go dearie, take your time."

"Thank you."

Junia rested the empty bucket against her hip and smiled at Holly before disappearing back to the firepit.

Sara knelt and removed the bandage from her foot, groaning quietly as her aching muscles protested against the movement. She had spent the greater part of the day piggy-back riding a massive Orc and her body was unused to such movement.

When she was finished, Sara wandered over to the tub and dipped her hand in the steaming bath water to test the temperature. Then she slipped into the warm liquid with a loud sigh of content as she sunk until she was submerged up to her chin. After spending the night on a hard bedroll, her body welcomed the hot water that soothed her aching limbs.

Grateful for the alone time, Sara soaked in the tub for a long while with just her thoughts. She was both baffled by all that had happened in the last twenty-four hours and fascinated. If she really was in Skyrim or living out a fantasy because she was in a coma back home, Sara had no idea to know what was true. But what felt real was the ground beneath her bare feet, the wind brushing lightly at her face, and the soapy washcloth that washed over her as Sara started to scrub her arms. It felt entirely all too real.

Eventually, the water grew too tepid. Sara hastily washed her hair and rinsed it off before getting out from the tub. Water splashed against the wooden floor and she almost slipped once before finding her footing. The air inside the cottage was warm but the water on her skin started to cool and so she shivered as she dried herself off.

Junia had placed a warm set of clothes and a pair of soft leather boots on a little table nearby. Sara picked up the first article, scrutinizing it for a moment. It was a thick black tunic with tiny white stitching. She shoved it over her head, pleased that there was lots of room. The breeches were a little tight but Sara managed to make it work, and she finished the ensemble off with a beautifully braided leather belt and the boots.

"I hope everything fits you, dear," Junia called out from behind the privacy screen.

"It does," Sara replied, and she smiled when the woman appeared from behind the screen.

"They're my daughter's clothes. She's grown now, and lives in Solitude."

"Oh, I don't want to take her clothes-"

"Nonsense!" Junia laughed, and she waved her hand. "She has no use for them now. Please, they're yours."

Junia patted Sara's cheek affectionately, and Sara smiled at her with a soft expression. She had only known the husband and wife for around an hour and she liked them immensely.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome sweetheart, go around and take a seat by the fire. I'll get this tub ready for Rogan."

Sara nodded, and she walked around the privacy screen. Rogan was inside now and his pack was resting against the wall beside the door. He leaned against the back of a chair with his arms crossed and he gazed out at nothing, his thoughts far away. When Sara drew closer, his eyes snapped up to her face, and then they gazed down at the rest of her body, inspecting the new clothes. Sara rubbed her arm, feeling a bit nervous as Rogan silently studied at her for an uncomfortably long amount of time.

"Must you stare?" Sara finally muttered.

Rogan finally tore his eyes away from her. He let out a small grunt and began to stand up. Sara turned away from him and wandered over to a comfortable looking chair near the fire, unaware that Rogan stared at her behind as well.

"What are you doing?" Rogan growled as Sara took a seat.

"Waiting."

"For what?"

"Rogan," Junia called out from behind the privacy screen, and a moment she appeared. "The bath is ready for you dear."

"I... what," Rogan stammered, and Sara could have sworn he blushed as his cheeks darkened considerably.

"You're a traveler, I know that much. Please, you must not get the chance to bathe very often. Take your time."

Rogan looked like he wanted to argue, but after a long moment he let out the breath he had been holding in and, with a sigh of defeat he began walking towards the privacy screen. Once he had disappeared, Junia and Sara exchanged a silent glance with one another and Sara could see the amusement in her eyes. A few minutes later she could hear the sounds of water splashing as Rogan reluctantly stripped off his armor and sunk into the steaming hot water with a small growl.

While Rogan was washing up, Sara helped Junia set the table for dinner. A little while after she had finished placing the cutlery around the table, Danus walked inside and promptly walked over to the wash basin to clean his hands.

"Take a seat dear, do you like tea?"

"Oh, yes I do," Sara replied as she sat down in one of the worn wooden chairs.

Danus smiled at Sara as he took a seat beside her.

"You look refreshed."

"I am, thank you."

"We don't have much, but we're glad to help out as much as we can."

"I appreciate it."

A few minutes later Rogan appeared looking mighty refreshed as well. His hair was free from its braid and hung down well past his shoulders to his lower back. He quietly adjusted one of the straps across his waist when he joined the table and ignored Sara's stares as he sat down.

Junia served everyone a hearty bowl of stew. It smelled divine, and Sara's mouth watered at the sight of it as a bowl was placed in front of her. There was also some soft cheeses, butter, and freshly baked bread to compliment the meal.

"It smells wonderful," Sara complimented.

"Dig in, you must be hungry," Junia encouraged warmly as she sat down across from them.

Sara knew that Rogan was annoyed with her for agreeing to go to the farmstead, but in the end, she was glad they did. She got to see a side of Rogan she had a feeling was a scarce sight.

Despite his grumpy mood, Rogan was utterly polite as they ate dinner. He conversed with Danus and Junia as nicely as possible, and he seemed genuinely concerned about their wellbeing. It started to make more sense to Sara why he had ultimately decided to help her as well.

When dinner was finished, Sara attempted to help Junia clean up but was quickly shooed away. After a quick clean-up, Junia dished out sweetrolls and more tea for everyone, which was happily consumed.

"I take it we can't convince you to stay the night?" Danus started.

Rogan leaned back in his chair and shook his head with a small sigh.

"I'm afraid not. We should make some more headway before the sun sets."

"Well, that's alright. It's good to see you again."

A small smile graced Rogan's lips before his expression became serious again, and Sara could have sworn he almost looked sad. Feeling uncomfortable, Rogan lightly coughed and began standing up from the table. His massive frame dwarfed Sara, who was sitting beside him, and he began walking towards the front door. He paused to pick up his satchel and swung it over his back, realizing for the first time that he didn't need to carry her anymore.

"Well, thank you for everything," Sara started, and she began to stand up as well.

"It was our pleasure," Junia replied, and the couple followed her to the door.

Outside, the sun was just beginning its descent behind the mountain. It was still light out, but it wouldn't last for much longer. Rogan stood a couple paces up the trail, and he shuffled his feet as he waited for Sara to say goodbye.

"Take care sweetheart."

Junia wrapped her arms around Holly in a tight hug.

"Good luck," she whispered in her ear with a small chuckle.

"Thank you," Sara laughed, and she hugged her back.

Danus shook hands with Rogan once more and they exchanged a few words before he returned to the porch with his wife. They watched as Sara wandered after Rogan, who had already started to walk away. She turned back once and waved at them with a warm smile before she turned back around and jogged after Rogan.

As soon as they were far enough away not to be overheard, Sara caught up to Rogan and tried to match his stride. It was a difficult thing to do when his legs were so much longer.

"That wasn't so bad now, was it?" Sara huffed, and she craned her neck to look up at him. "You don't have to carry me anymore."

Rogan's only response was a small grunt and he shrugged his shoulders.

"Must you walk so fast?"

"I don't have time to waste," Rogan growled quietly, and he shot Sara a small glare. "You've already set me back with the farmer and his wife."

"Well sorry for getting us a nice meal and myself some proper clothes," Sara shot back.

Rogan suddenly stopped walking. Sara wasn't prepared and she ended up walking into his side.

"W-what are you-"

"You don't get it, do you?" Rogan snarled, and he spun around to face her. "You think that if their daughter moved away, she wouldn't have taken her clothes with her?"

Sara stared up at Rogan with a confused expression.

"I don't... understand..."

"She didn't move to Solitude, idiot... a werewolf killed her."

The truth hit Sara like a brick to the gut and she took a few steps back. She stared up at Rogan in utter shock, and he glared at her with barely controlled anger.

"Junia is obviously in denial about what happened, and her husband acts like it was a normal wolf problem."

Rogan's hands shook as he told Sara what had really happened, and she was stunned into silence. The ordeal had affected him significantly.

It was a calculated attack," he continued, his voice almost a snarl. "By an out of control werewolf that I hunted and killed last year but I was... was unable to save their daughter. I was too late."

Before Sara could even think of a response, Rogan spun around again and began striding away from her. She scrambled after him, feeling numb as she struggled to comprehend what he had said. Sara stared down at her tunic while she walked, suddenly feeling uncomfortable to be wearing the clothes and boots Junia had given her.

"Hurry up," Rogan called out.

Sara blinked and realized that she had stopped walking to stare down at her boots. Her head snapped up and she found Rogan standing near a tall birch tree with a dark expression on his already grim face. He reached up to rub at his cheek for a moment.

"Are you deaf?"

"Coming," Sara whispered, and she jogged after him.

"And next time I tell you no, I mean it."

"Okay. Whatever you say."

Sara knew it wasn't a conversation that she could keep going. Rogan ignored her for the rest of the day and they were both quiet until it was too dark to keep walking. They encountered a bear just before dusk but Rogan was more interested in leaving it alone, and so they managed to sneak away unnoticed. Once he found a suitable place to sleep, Rogan gathered wood to build a fire and they had a small bite to eat before going to bed.

Rogan wandered around the perimeter of their camp, setting up his magical precautions while Sara slipped her boots off and pulled the cover to their bedroll back. She couldn't help but have a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach as she stared at the footwear for a moment.

They seemed so happy... so normal, Sara thought to herself, and she idly chewed on her bottom lip, suddenly feeling unsure of everything.

Tears pricked at her eyes, but she hastily blinked them away when she heard Rogan approaching. After removing his sword from the belt around his hips, He plopped down on the bedroll with a loud sigh and tugged his boots with a small growl. Sara slipped under the covers and laid down on her side, facing the fire. She wanted to talk to Rogan; she desired a deep conversation about many things, but as always she bit her tongue.

A few moments after closing her eyes, she felt Rogan moving behind her. They resumed the same position as the night before, with his arm slung across her waist, but there was no fondness in his touch and within minutes he was fast asleep. Sara lay awake for a long while, listening to the sound of an owl calling out from somewhere high up in the trees, her thoughts filled with too many things.