AN: This chapter is a little longer and I don't know if I'm happy with it or not. It would be extremely helpfull if some of you were to share your thoughts with me and I would be over the moon if you guys reviewed! Please? :D


IV

Rumarin tossed and turned for three solid hours. The blood loss made him feel weak but sleep wouldn't come. He wanted to run out of this house. He was uncomfortable seeing her after the recent events. Nightshade, Deathbell and Void Salts. Great, now she knew he was damaged goods. Embarrassment washed over him. She was beautiful and needed no one, she was a hero and in contrast to her he looked like a lowly beggar who wasn't able to do anything by himself. But he couldn't leave. He meant what he said, he truly owed her his life, his morals may be loose but when someone is kind as her, they deserved to be put on a pedestal. He was a high elf in Skyrim, and everywhere he went he was greeted, at best with an angry stare. People spit at him, called him names and even tried to kill him. Anyone else would have let him be dragon food.

Avalon started avoiding him, coming in only to help him with his wounds and bring him food, always silent like a grave. Rumarin on one hand felt relieved, she didn't ask about the nightmares, except greet him, but on the other hand it made him even more nervous. He didn't really know if she was being this way because something happened or because of him. Maybe she finally realized what a waste of space Rumarin was. It passed a few days, until he worked up the nerve to try and converse with her. He could even walk about now, with a limp sure, but at least he wasn't in bed going mad staring at the walls. He felt like a prisoner, convicted to stay in this room for days with barely any human contact now that she was ignoring him.

He scoffed as he felt the dull pain in his leg but managed to get up. On the nightstand were pair of robes he dressed himself in and headed towards the door, dragging his leg.


Avalon was exhausted. There wasn't a trace of the vampires and the worst part was that Miraak started haunting her dreams. She had nightmares even as a child, suffered from terrible night terrors, that's why she told Rumarin what worked. And it did, but somehow Miraak couldn't be chased away even with her special ingredients. He kept coming in her sleep, telling her how unworthy she was to bear the title of Dragonborn, what a pathetic and replaceable weakling she was. I will prevail, Dragonborn. She could feel herself shiver with the thought of a free Miraak. She needed to know where he was and she swore that she will not stop until she destroys him.

It was late, about midnight, and her head was buzzing from the lack of sleep. She was sitting at the huge dining room table, facing the library. The light was dim and all she could think was how to get herself out of her current situation. Dwelling on Miraak and the vampire war, she felt her mind wandering to Rumarin. It has been five days since their last normal conversation, the one regarding his nightmares. She felt her guilt sting; biting her lower lip she recalled his tortured face, struggling with whatever haunted him. Poor Rumarin, she didn't know what to offer him in comfort, if she had a remedy for the past, she wouldn't be here, in the midst of these wretched wars. She knew the elf for a couple of days and spoke little with him, but there was this undeniable energy between them, they were nothing alike, but the pain from their pasts suffocated them both. The strongest bonds are forged by shared pain, he father's voice rang in her head. She could remember the time when she was a girl, chasing butterflies and picking flowers, her father returning from the war, tears started falling form her face as Avalon's small frame hugged his legs. He looked horrible, the remainders of war engraved on his face, he smiled, stroked her cheek and said "My beautiful Avalon, I hope this world doesn't break you." His silver eyes, the same color as her own, narrowed in a serious face. "Stay innocent and pure. Stay true to your heart."

She smiled bitterly at the irony. Oh, if only he could see her now… Nothing was left of her besides a sad and jaded human being, struggling to keep a part of her humanity. Jaded… Yes, that was the perfect word. And by the Nine did she hate herself because of it. She gave up from any form of happiness long ago, the moment her father died just before her fourteenth birthday. She knew happiness wasn't a part of her destiny, but still she felt warm and calm when Rumarin was around. She didn't know why but being in his presence she could smile, she could feel sympathy and became kind and gentle. And in reality, she was nothing like that. She recalled Ulfric calling her as cold as ice and as inhumane as the dragons she slayed, but at the same time angry as fire. She was a killer, taking lives was somewhat a second nature, always calculated, fueling herself by the only emotion she dared show, anger. Rumarin unknowingly resurrected a part of her she wanted to keep buried, and she resented him a little for it. She didn't want to face him fearing she will appear weak.

She was taken back when she heard someone's throat clear. Rumarin stood leaning on a nearby chair, blue robes on him, staring directly at her. Automatically she stood up. "You shouldn't be up!" Worry was evident in her voice and she took the time to silently curse herself for it. Weakling. Miraak was right. She was sure Rumarin knew too. Since when do you care what people think?

Rumarin shifted uncomfortably from the way her voice came out harsh, almost anxious. And she looked terrible. She was a pale woman, even for a Nord, but her skin didn't seem to glow, instead it had an unhealthy ash color. There was no black tint again, instead dark purple-greenish circles were under her eyes, which seemed hallow and darker, not silver but steel. Her cheeks held no color and her lips that were usually a pretty pink color were now almost blue. "Avalon, what happened?" He couldn't stop himself, the worry that washed over him.

Avalon wanted to die from the worry shown in his gold eyes. Why, oh, why did he have this effect on her? "Nothing." Her voice came out in a growl. "Why are you up?"

She bit her tongue when she saw the flash of shock in his eyes. Avalon knew she was being an asshole. All he did was ask her a questing and she reacted like a caged animal. She sighed. "Sorry, I didn't mean to be so…" She trailed off, thinking of an appropriate word. "… crass. I just have a lot on my mind." She looked at the ground, not able to face him. Facing a dragon seemed easier than him.

He smiled lightly at her. And she felt relieved a little. "It's ok. I have a tendency to stick my nose where it doesn't belong." He cleared his throat again. "I'm sorry I'm bothering you… And I'm sorry if I upset you in any way… If you want I will leave you alone…" He trailed off, sounding apologetic.

Avalon felt like a monster. She didn't think he would take her absence as a sign he was unwanted. Was he wanted here? She honestly didn't know. His presence made things difficult, but she didn't mind in a way. What she didn't like was the way she acted around him. "No." She said, her voice sounding softer. "It's not your fault. It's me. I'm on edge. But it isn't because of you." It sounded sincere, but not the whole truth. "You are welcome here."

Rumarin was surprised at her sudden words. He didn't know her all that well, but she always seemed to talk matter-of-factly, he guessed that this was a new level for her. He gave her a tight lipped smile, a little forced. "I told you I was insufferable and I tend to talk till your ears bleed." She returned him a smile, a weak and tiered one, but one never the less. "I thought I was going to go mad staring at the walls."

"It's my fault… I haven't been a good host I'm afraid." Rumarin was about to tell her that she was wrong but she cut him off abruptly. "Can we talk about something uplifting?"

He nodded, happy for her sudden change of heart. He sat down as she followed sitting across from him. "Well, there was this time I got chased by a guard."

Avalon arched her eyebrows. "What's so good about that?"

He smiled starting one of his stories. "I wondered into an inn one night, had more coin then necessary. A group of mercenaries were there, I could see that they didn't like my presence but as soon as I started buying mead for all… they warmed up. The whole inn got drunk. The bard started forgetting the songs. There were brawls, the majority of the lot started yelling the words to a song and some even started vomiting. They almost destroyed the whole inn. The barkeep was infuriated at the damage. It was chaotic and I swear on my life I can't remember how I ended up butt naked next to some Argonian woman."

Avalon leaned in closer, dragged into his story. She put her elbows on the table, taking in her chin in her hands. Her skin started glowing again, rosy flush on her cheeks. Rumarin was confused why that made his heart full. "And then?" She asked. In that moment Rumarin saw a girl looking straight at him, doe-eyed and curious and realized that she wasn't older than twenty two. Life just made her grow up fasted then she deserved.

He chuckled. "Well, the Argonian started telling me how sweet I was. How I confessed my undying love to her. She told me I even went so far as to buy her a cow. How she couldn't live with her spouse anymore and how she had an urge to run away with me." Her eyes widened as she listened carefully. "It was awkward. I didn't even know her name. I couldn't find my clothes and it wasn't long after someone started barging through the bedroom door. Sure enough, it was her spouse…"

Avalon looked at him, surprised. "By the Nine. He must have beaten you senseless!"

Rumarin laughed. "No, and it wasn't a he, but a she. Her wife… She was the leader of those mercenaries I got drunk with. And she was this tall huge Nord woman, I think her nickname was Bone-breaker or something like that…"

"No…"Avalon said just as she started laughing.

"Oh, yes and she was pissed off. I knew she wanted my head and it didn't help when the Argonian pushed me towards the other exit and shouted 'Run my love!' the other woman started running towards me. That's when the guard recognized me as the idiot who stole a cow from the nearby farm. So the towns' people saw that day a high elf running naked for the hills, while guards and an angry woman were chasing after him. And that's the story of how I got banished from Rorikstead."

By the time he was finished she was laughing, covering her face. Flushed and out of breath she added. "I think you should stay away from mead." She couldn't contain her laughter. And it wasn't long before he joined in. "How did you manage to find some clothes?" She asked between gasps.

"Luckily for me a Khajiit caravan I traded a lot with were not far from the town. I was their regular and when they saw me running like crazy completely naked they roared with laughter and gave me some armor. If it wasn't for them I would have traveled to Windhelm to my friend's house naked."

Avalon shook her head, tears of laughter on her cheeks. "I guess there isn't a dull moment with you."

Rumarin felt his breathing stop as he looked at the woman before him. She was such a mystery. Her beauty shined in the dining room dim light. She still looked tiered but happier and he couldn't stop feeling prideful that he was the one who made her laugh and flush. She eyes came back to silver again, her lips red and her face flushed. The only thing wrong, were the dark circles. Her flaming hair fell on her face as he suppressed the urge to brush the stands away. By the Divines she was beautiful. Rumarin mentally slapped himself. He never acted this way around any woman. He had lovers but only when he felt the need and he usually bedded women with loose morals and low self-esteem. Women were usually uninteresting to him and the ones willing to have him were more or less dimwitted and left him with a bitter feeling in his gut. Avalon was unique and mysterious, and even if he hadn't known her for too long the spell this woman had on him was insane. He wasn't stupid, he knew that she was unreachable to him, but he couldn't help but wonder what it would be like with her. Complicating but interesting his guess was.

"Thank you, Rumarin." Her voice was soft, child-like.

He blinked unsure how to respond. "What for?"

"For calming me. I needed to get my mind off of the constant worrying." Rumarin could see a slight blush. She dropped her head avoiding his gaze.

"You're welcome." He simply said. "But if you need to vent a negative thing out. It's ok." Constructive advice, you can't follow yourself, idiot. He snapped at himself.

He could see her surprise and just as she opened her mouth a loud knock interrupted them. It was coming from the main door of the house. They both looked up. Avalon got up, opening the door. There was a man standing there. Imperial, Rumarin noted. He looked no older then eighteen. "Avalon?" The boy's voice squeaked.

"Yes." She answered her voice harsher now.

The man started balancing his weight from one leg to the other nervously. Rumarin arched his eyebrow at him. "I have a message for you. It's from a Serana." The poor boy's voice crack again ad he handed her a letter.

She smiled coldly at the boy, gave him a sew septims for his troubles and dismissed him. Closing the door and looking at the letter like she was seeing a ghost. Rumarin wanted to ask what was wrong but bit his tongue, remembering how she reacted the last time he showed concern. She would talk when she's ready… if that ever happens that is. The woman was a walking puzzle and she valued her privacy more than anything. She opened the letter, her eyes going wide as the swept over the words. She visibly stiffened, looking back to Rumarin. "Excuse me. I have business to attend to." She said and without another word heading upstairs to her bedroom leaving Rumarin alone in the dim dining room.