Chaper 3
Kili had almost forgotten how comfortable a bed could feel. It has been years since she had seen one yet alone sleep in one. Of course finding sleep was another thing. Sleep just could not seem to find her, no matter what she tried. She tossed and turned, but nothing, her mind just couldn't stop racing.
Gerdur had asked her when she left tomorrow to talk to the Jarl in Whiterun to send soldiers to protect the village. Kili agreed for it was the best she could do for them taking care of her for about a week now. Hopefully Alvor had her great sword done by tomorrow, she paid him for his best work, and he said it would be done in time for her to head to Whiterun.
Frustrated with not being able to find sleep, she quietly rolled out of bed and slipped outside into the cool night. She wondered on the outer part of town near the river stopping at the stump where Ralof explained to his sister what had happened the week before, and looked up at Bleak Falls Barrow on the hoops of the mountain. She shuttered and gave a grim smirk as she remembered.
A few days ago, when she when she agreed to help Lucan get his 'special' golden claw back, the memory of the Draugr's furry sent chills down her spine. They were no problem of course, but there was still a fear when she hear the undeads moans, and saw the glow in their eyes.
After finally getting through the bloody place she saw a wall covered in worn out writing. She closed her eyes and remembered that only one word was visible...and strangely she could read the word, no felt the word inside her very being. As soon as the word was uttered from her lips the coffin behind her opened and she had one last fight with the undead, ending the battle quickly by slicing the damned thing in half. Afterwards she searched the remains and his resting place, taking a very interesting tablet and rich dragon claw out of that forsaken place.
"So this is where you go when you can't sleep?"
Kili turned her head towards Ralof as he sat down beside her. "Yeah, you caught me."
"Memories giving you a hard time?" he asked
"Of killing the already dead?" Kili shook her head, denying the idea. "Naah...just couldn't get my head to wrap around the idea of sleep. Kind of worried about tomorrow." she confessed. "What if the Jarl doesn't send soldiers to the towns' aid?"
"He will Kili, he believes in protecting his people to the fullest. Besides it's not like he's going to send you into a tomb looking for a piece of junk."
"Still sour about that?" Kili raised a dark eyebrow in light amusement, "Come on Ralof I said I was sorry."
"It's not you I'm mad at. It's that good for nothing salesman who can fight his own battles..." he growled out.
"Ralof, he's a milk-drinker, he can't help it. Besides, I offered to help. It's what I do." She said softly, looking up to the sky.
Ralof chuckled softly. "You my dear girl are one of a kind. Truely."
Kili smiled and glanced at the her friend. "Mother said, I had the love of Mara, and the strength of Talos. Back then I didn't understand, but now...after finally thinking about it longer than a few minutes I guess now I do...Funny how that works out, huh?"
"Aya, you would be surprised what you understand when your parents are no longer with you."
Kili giggled and looked up at the sky. "Thank you for what you've done for me..."
Ralof simply smiled and looked up at the sky with her.
"When do you think I should join the Stormcloaks?" Kili asked, erupting the silence that had fell between the two.
"Whenever you think is the right time...just don't wait too long."
"For some reason...I feel like...this dragon problem needs to be taken care of first..."
"Then see what you can do...send for me when you make to Windhelm lass, I'll head back there when you are ready."
"You're a great friend Ralof...I only wish I could do more."
He his expression looked as if he was thinking about asking a tough question, he suddenly sighed, as if giving into his weakness, "There's a girl in Whiterun..."
'Oh here we go...' Kili though to herself, trying to contain the teasing thoughts she had.
"Here name is Runa, could you...tell her I'll be here if she ever wants to see me?" he finished up softly.
"What's your relation to Ms. Runa?"
"I'm...trying to be sweet on her...Though I'm scared to...I don't want her to end up like Kailen." Ralof said sadly.
"That the one from Helgen?"
Ralof only nodded. "I told you she was killed did I not?" Kili nodded. "She dyed protecting me from the Imperials, with her last breath she told me to move on and be happy with life, but promise to never forget her. In the long run I guess I have moved on, I'm just scared...By gaining Runa, I may also lose her, at least till this war is over."
Kili placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I'll tell her."
"Thanks lass, means a lot."
Kili stood up and stretch, "All right my friend , I think I'm going to try and get some sleep, no since traveling tired. Goodnight."
"Goodnight Kili."
After sleep had finally found Kili the night before, Gerdur got her up around eleven that morning, saying the blacksmith had her sword ready. She quickly packed her things into a small nap sack, though that blasted tablet was a pain to carry around. After leaving the house she went off to find Alvor to pay for her blade, then head towers the bridge out of town.
"Kili! Wait!"
Kili turned to see Frodnar running after her. She knelt down to his level has he stopped in front of her.
"You were going to leave...without a good bye?" he huffed as pushed the words out trying to get his breath back.
"I'm no good at good byes' kid, besides I said I was leaving yesterday. Don't you remember?" she chuckled as she ruffled his hair.
The boy pouted and looked up at her with sad eyes. "I wanted to give you something."
"Oh really? And what might you give me?"
He pushed her hand off his hand and started digging around in his pockets and pulled out a small coin purse. "Here, you need it more than I do." He said practically forcing it on to her.
"Frodnar, I can't take this you earned this yourself, besides your mother gave me payment for helping out at the mill. I think I'll be okay."
"But I want you to have them. It's not much gold but, there's a few stones in there that I bet you could sell, and use that money for food. I have no use for them since the store here barely makes enough as it is. Please take it Kili, please." he begged.
Kili sighed and shook her head. If this kid was anything like his mother or uncle, it was useless to argue with him. "All right kid..."
"Thank you Kili!" he shouted and latched on to her neck like a few nights ago. "I'll miss you, please come visit when you can!"
"I will, and I'll keep my promise." she said as she returned the hug, "Now head on home before your parents start to worry you ran off with me."
He released himself from her neck and took off towards the house waving, and shouting endless good byes'. Kili waved once before turning back towards Whiterun, and the gray storm clouds ahead.
To be Continued...
