I doubt many people are still reading, but whatever. I'm planning on posting new chapters at least 3 times a week.

While Shadow trotted home casually, Alese thought of the cart. Whoever was travelling in there must be dead by now. Skyrim was dangerous these days, another reason not to go adventuring. As soon as she arrived home, she gathered her bow and arrows and then set off into the woods before dark. She was always cautious in the woods, forever raising her bow at the slightest noise, bandits, and trolls; could be lurking around every corner. Her movement made the leaves beneath her feet crunch; the warm summer breeze blew wisps of her brunette hair into her eyes. Even though she could feel beads of sweat on her forehead, and her fingers were almost too sweaty to hold her bow, she loved being away from home. It was nice to be able to get away from all the memories of her parents.

An Elk slowly walked past her, it was quite far away. However Alese new she could hit and kill it in one shot . It'd be enough to keep her and Meeko going for a while. She drew her bow, and looked down the arrow, and pointed it at the Elks heart. The arrow sliced clean through the elks heart, it freaked out for a few seconds then lay down on the floor twitching. Just as she hurried over to inspect the elk, she heard one of her rabbit snares activate. Meeko was eating tonight.

Grabbing some rope from her knapsack, and tying it around the elk. The rope started to cause a lot of friction on her hands when she attempted to haul it home. Despite her multiple attempts, the elk would only move a few inches. Slumping against a tree, she tried to come up with some brilliant idea to move it, with no luck. She heard rustling in the trees nearby, probably wolves or a bear, so she drew her bow once more. Alese shot an arrow at a tree to try and scare the animal, then rushed over to the elk and quickly tried to pull it once more.

"Need some help?" A young man appeared from the tree's, he was holding a shield and sword. Alese held her bow up to him, with an arrow drawn.

"I won't hurt you, see...there I've put my weapons down" He smiled at her, as if he was mocking her. He glanced over to the dead animal, walking over to it, he proceeded to take the rope off the animal. He then explained how the rope was wrapped around the wrong part of the elk, making it more difficult to pull.

"So, where are we dragging this to? Hunters Rest?" He slung the rope over his shoulder, and flashed Alese a gorgeous smile. She thought her heart would melt.

"Uh, no. My farm isn't far from here. This way." Alese grabbed hold of the other end of the rope and helped the man pull. They headed about half a mile north. Niether of them said a word on the way there. By the time they arrived it was dark; the man hung the elk over his strong bulky shoulders and carried it to the cellar. Alese had some gold ready for him when he came back up. She handed it to him.

"Here, it's all I have right now."

"I'm not going to take your money, I was just helping out." He laughed, but Alese felt guilty, this man had helped her carry an elk almost a mile uphill.

"If you won't accept my money, let me make you a meal, to say thanks?" She said hopefully.

"It doesn't seem like I have much of a choice" There was something about his smile that made her warm inside. He then removed his helmet and ginger strands of hair burst out.

She begun by dicing carrots, onions, cabbage, tomato and crushing garlic. She threw it all into the cooking pot, and then she hastily went down to the cellar, and chopped a hunk of venison meat from the elk. Meeko was in the cellar waiting for his supper, he barked and jumped up.

"Okay boy, I've got you some rabbit" Meeko's eyes lit up.

While skinning the rabbit, she heard heavy footsteps approaching the cellar. A pot fell from the ceiling and clashed on the stone floor.

"Damn, sorry, I didn't mean to, uh. I'm Loy, and you are?" He sounded embarrassed and nervous, she found it cute.

"Alese, nice to meet you." He plunked himself down on a stool and stroked Meeko.

When Alese had finished preparing the meat, she whistled for Meeko, and he followed. So did Loy. After supper, she offered for Loy to rest for the night in her spare bed, it was late and she knew it'd be treacherous to send him on his way now. Even though she didn't know him, but deep inside her she felt that she could trust him. Besides, he looked like he'd travelled a lot, she wanted to know more about his travels.

"Are you sure? I can go over to the Hunters Rest, or maybe Falkreath, it's no problem"

"No, stay here and get a good night's rest. You deserve it." They exchanged smiles and both went to bed, Alese quickly looked at him when he had his eyes shut, his features were almost perfect. His red hair fell below his chin, and a few freckles stood out on his cheeks.

Loy was woken by something falling from his bed, he leaned over to see what it was. It looked like some sort of journal. He left it there, it wasn't right to invade Alese's privacy like that…