The next few days were awkward between Samuel and Runa. Samuel would have liked Runa to yell at him, argue with him, get angry at him, something like that instead of what she did. She drew away from him, speaking to him only when she had to and not letting him get too near her. He hated that she seemed afraid of him now. He blamed himself. He shouldn't have told her she got a family because of him. He should have kept his peace and let her come close to him on her own instead of trying to force it by making her indebted to him. Samuel was sure he had blown any chance he had with her. He'd thought about leaving her home, but he couldn't do that. Her home was technically his home, would have been by rights anyway. He wouldn't leave no matter how uncomfortable it made her.

As Runa withdrew, Samuel's anger towards Haming grew. Everything would have been fine if the blasted hunter hadn't been the fly in the ointment. He was an obstacle that needed to be removed, the pebble in the horse's foot. But Samuel hadn't figured out how to remove him...yet. Everything he contemplated led to one answer and even in his anger he was terrified of it.

He climbed the stairs to breakfast one morning and found Ely alone. She nodded to him and he sat down at the table to eat. "Where's everyone else?" he asked while chewing a biscuit.

Ely continued to wash plates and didn't look back at him. "In the smithy."

Samuel slowed his chewing. Runa was alone with Haming again, then. What did she see in the hunter? Samuel had observed him keenly and could find nothing of such value that Haming would catch her interest.

Samuel picked up his second biscuit and stood. "I'll take lunch at the inn today," he said. He'd told Merek he'd come in and help out with the lunch crowd. Ely nodded as Samuel left the house. He walked carefully to the edge of the smithy, wanting to listen before being seen.

"You just came back last week," Runa was saying.

"I know. Cedric's having a big banquet, people coming in for it. He wants the best cuts. I'll earn a good bit of coin." Samuel slowly smiled. So Haming was going hunting again. Good.

"I don't want to be alone here," Runa pleaded.

Samuel grit his teeth.

"You have Ely and Samuel."

"I...I know...but..."

Samuel's chest constricted. Would Runa tell Haming about their argument?

"There's nothing to worry about," Haming assured her.

"I want you near me."

"Soon. I almost have enough money to decorate the upper loft and...buy a bigger bed."

Samuel ground his teeth.

Runa laughed softly. "You shouldn't say things like that with mother nearby!"

"She's washing up," Haming defended. "Runa...this trip will bring in the money I need. The faster I go, the sooner you'll never have to live without me again."

Samuel's pulse raced.

"Go then," Runa spoke so lowly Samuel hardly heard her. "And come back as soon as you can."

"I will."

Samuel heard a rustling and quiet and assumed they were embracing. His mind whirled. Haming needed just this hunting trip to make the money and claim Runa as his forever. He couldn't let him do this. He needed more time. He strode into the smithy, acting and not thinking.

Runa pulled back from Haming when she saw Samuel. "Oh. Samuel. Good morning."

Samuel nodded once.

Haming turned to him. "Morning."

Samuel gestured at Haming's sword and bow. "Going hunting again?"

Haming nodded. "Got a big order. It's challenging, but I like a challenge."

"Need help?"

Haming looked over to Runa, then turned back to Samuel. "Uh...I wouldn't mind the help, but do you hunt?"

Samuel felt chagrined. "I've...hunted small game. But I can shoot well."

Haming nodded. "That's true. I guess it couldn't hurt. Sure, come along."

"I'll be right back. I need to talk to Merek."

"Alright."

Samuel turned on his heel, walking towards the inn. He wasn't sure why he had offered to go along. Actually, he feared to answer the question why. He didn't trust himself. But he'd seen the way Runa looked at him when he said he'd go with Haming. She was relieved. She wouldn't have to be around him and that alone inspired all the desire he needed to get Haming one on one.

Samuel strode through the inn door and straight up to Merek at the bar. "I'm going to be out of town for a few days."

"What?" Merek asked, thumping a clean glass down on the bar.

"Look, I know you've got Quinn to help you." Quinn was a new boy, young, but hardworking. "He can fill in for the next few days."

"Where you goin'?" Merek asked, staring at him intently.

"Hunting."

"Hunting? You?"

"Yeah. What's it to you?"

Merek slowly smiled. "Gonna talk to the hunter man to man, eh?"

Samuel swallowed. "Maybe."

"I get it. But...you ain't skippin' out on me? You'll be back?"

"I'll be back."

"Just so's I know I ain't losing my number one man."

Samuel laughed shortly. "I'm not near that important to you and you know it."

"You're more important than you know. Good help's hard to find. Just promise me you'll be back."

"I already said I would," Samuel insisted.

"Fine, then. Go kill whatever you need to."

Samuel turned back around to exit the inn, Merek's last words ringing in his ears.

Samuel crouched down next to Haming when the hunter gestured downwards with his palm. They'd been tracking an elk since the morning. Haming had shown him the indications that it was near: light tracks, broken limbs and pine needles knocked off overhead branches. Samuel had to work to not be impressed. Haming was patient to a fault. He would have made a good thief if he'd ever been bent that way. He moved carefully to the prey, sensing its patterns and waiting for the right moment of attack. Even so, Samuel had no desire to make hunting his own way of life. It was annoying that your prey kept moving. At least in thieving you usually knew what you were after and approximately where it was located.

"See him?" Haming whispered under his breath. "Flash of horn over there."

Samuel nodded.

"You do it."

Samuel firmed his jaw. He'd been out with Haming for two days and so far he'd only managed to kill rabbits. Haming was the better shot by far when it came to real game. Samuel had perhaps annoyed the deer, but Haming knew where to aim and how animals behaved. He was good at his work. Samuel nodded. He wanted to take just one down.

Samuel held his bow out, fitted the arrow, drew.

"Remember. Behind the back-line of the front leg."

Samuel aimed as Haming had explained. He felt his hand along his jaw. Patience...patience...he let the arrow fly. The elk bolted and Samuel angrily dropped the bow. But Haming whooped. "Got him!" Indeed, the elk had only taken two steps after turning and was down. "Good work."

"Thanks," Samuel muttered. He was proud he'd earned Haming's praise and this annoyed him.

Samuel followed Haming, then helped him haul the animal back to Haming's wagon. So far they had two deer, the elk and a plethora of rabbits. Haming sighed and wiped his brow. "Let's get back to camp and dress it."

Samuel climbed up next to the hunter as he jumped in and took the reins, directing his horse back to their base camp. "Do we have enough?" Samuel questioned.

"I'd like one more elk," Haming said, eyes on the forest. "I need the pay."

Yes. The pay. One more elk and then back to Helgen. Then Haming would get his coin, pay for the decorating of his loft and bring Runa into his home. A few times in the last two days, Samuel had thought if circumstances were different, Haming could have been a friend, but that couldn't happen, not when Runa was involved. Samuel had given up his chance for a good home; he wouldn't give up the only woman he'd ever cared for.

Samuel's hand brushed the dagger under his cloak. The last two nights he'd stared at Haming when he went to sleep. He hadn't attempted to talk the hunter out of his desire for Runa. Samuel was sure he wouldn't back off if asked. That left only one option. It would be so easily done. He could dump the body in the river, weight it with rocks, and no one would be the wiser. Or he could say Haming had fallen into the river going after prey.

Samuel jumped down when the wagon made it back to camp and helped the hunter pull out the elk. Haming then went to work dressing the animal. Or maybe Haming could fall on his own sword. An accident in the hunt. Samuel rubbed his hand over his face. He'd never killed a man. He'd never been tasked with such a thing. It was a good thing. Every time he thought like this, his stomach rejected him. He knew that the only way to get Haming out of the picture forever was to make sure he didn't return from this hunt. Samuel had no leverage, all he had was his dagger and bow.

Dinner that night was a bit of roasted elk. Samuel ate slowly.

"Dig in," Haming encouraged. "He was your kill."

"I'm not hungry," Samuel said.

"Suit yourself."

Samuel contemplated the hunter. Why did he have to be so decent? If he was beating Runa or forcing her will, he could have killed him in a heartbeat.

Haming said nothing else. They hadn't been chummy this trip. Neither had much in common, really, and Samuel was so preoccupied with his own thoughts he didn't initiate conversation. Haming finished, then bedded down for the night, wishing Samuel a good sleep. Samuel nodded as he picked at his meat. The hunter went to sleep in minutes. Samuel had noted how easy it was for him to nod off at night.

Samuel set his meat down. He worked his jaw for a time, his heart pounding. He withdrew his dagger and slowly crept up to Haming's bedroll. The hunter lay on his back, mouth slightly open, breathing in and out deeply. A quick slice across the throat. How hard could it be? Samuel stalled. He should do it quickly, before he lost his nerve. He couldn't make his arm move. He looked down. His dagger shook, his hand trembling.

Samuel blinked, then turned, shoving the dagger back into its sheath. He walked over to a tree and kicked it, then leaned against it, staring at the hunter. He couldn't do it. His grey heart wouldn't let him. Brynjolf would mock him if he could see him. He knew the Guildmaster had killed before. Not on a job, as far as Samuel knew, but he'd said there were times it had to be done.

Samuel glanced back over at the slumbering Haming. Thieving was a way to even the score in an unfair world, Brynjolf had said. And killing was the same, he'd added once when Samuel had inquired about the Thieves Guild's ties to the Dark Brotherhood. "We even by spreading out the wealth; they do it by meting out death." Samuel stewed inside, Brynjolf's voice arguing with him as he made his way to his own bedroll. He lay down and closed his eyes against the fire and the hunter on the other side.

By mid-afternoon the next day they still hadn't found any elk. Samuel could tell Haming was getting frustrated. Samuel didn't care. He was still trying to figure out some way to delay Haming's marriage to Runa. He'd been tortured all night by his cowardice to do what needed to be done and his grey heart questioning the rightness of even thinking such thoughts. He was tired and irritable.

"Finally!" Haming declared. He turned to Samuel and pointed to the ground. Samuel moved close to him and saw an elk's tracks. Haming scanned the surrounding forest. He pointed at some broken low lying branches. "Up this way."

Samuel lagged behind and soon lost sight of the hunter. You can't do it. You're a failure. Runa doesn't care one snitch about you. Samuel clenched his hands into fists. If she only knew how much he cared about her, all he'd gone through to try and live without her. How it had been enduring two more years of Grelod just so she could have a family.

A cry cut the air, then a shout of, "Back! Back!"

Samuel raced ahead and froze when he saw Haming several yards ahead. A bear was reared up on its hind legs in front of the hunter, growling loudly. Haming stood against rock, barred in on all sides. He had his sword drawn, but his bow and quiver lay behind the bear, ripped off, Samuel presumed. He could see part of Haming's back had been exposed. He must have been attacked from behind.

Samuel quickly drew his own bow and an arrow, heart pounding. He notched the arrow and pulled back as far as he could, aiming for the bear Haming slashed at. This is your chance, lad, Brynjolf's voice sounded in his mind. Samuel hesitated. He didn't have to kill Haming. The bear could do it. Samuel shook as Haming jumped back from the bear when it snapped his jaws at him.

"Shoot him!" Haming yelled, glancing at Samuel.

If I hadn't come, he would have been attacked anyway. He was fated to die. Samuel's mind raced. It was fate. Only fate.The bear swiped a hand at the hunter and Haming's sword tumbled out of his grip. He looked to Samuel again. Samuel blinked, then lowered his bow. He felt sick to his stomach as Haming's face fell, horror and understanding gracing it. Samuel backed up the way he had come.

The bear growled ferociously. Samuel turned and ran. He couldn't hear this. Haming was shouting over the bear. Then there was a terrible scream of pain. Samuel's legs suddenly became jelly. He pitched forwards to the ground, catching himself with his palms. Haming continued to scream. Samuel shook and his stomach heaved. He looked to his right at the bow he'd dropped.

Samuel closed his eyes for a moment, shaking his head clear. He opened them and snapped up the bow. He managed to get to his feet and run towards the sounds of death. Haming was under the bear when he reached him. Samuel drew an arrow, set it to the bow and fired. A direct hit in the bear's side. It let go its prey and turned to its side, pawing at it. Samuel had already let another arrow fly. This one hit the bear in the neck. It roared and stumbled backwards, then made for its attacker, charging towards Samuel. Samuel tried to aim for its chest as it came. He hit his mark. The bear collapsed and he backed up as it slid to a stop in front of him. He still snuffled, but someone cried out. Samuel looked up to see Haming, his sword slashing deep into the animal. The bear breathed once more and stilled.

Samuel blinked and looked over the beast at Haming. He was a mess. The back of his shirt and sleeves were ripped up, claw and bite marks dripping blood. He must have balled himself up when the bear had him in his grip. His hair was matted with blood, his forehead boasting a large cut. Samuel couldn't breathe. His chest ached. Haming was staring at him, his eyes a fury.

"We need to get back to town," Samuel whispered.

Haming stalked around the bear and right up to Samuel. Without any warning, a solid punch landed to Samuel's head. Samuel hit the ground, the side of his head throbbing. Before he could recover, a kick landed in his stomach and he doubled over. He felt his arms wrenched backwards. He struggled against the hunter, shocked that even in his state Haming was so strong.

"Let me up!" Samuel shouted.

"We're going back to town," Haming strained out. "And you're going bound."

Before Samuel knew it, Haming had trussed him up like one his game, hands bound behind his back, ankles tied together. The hunter dragged him by his wrists for several yards until he reached the wagon. He hefted Samuel into the back of it next to the felled elk wrapped in cheesecloth, breath shallow, chest heaving.

"I saved your life!" Samuel yelled.

Haming gripped the back of Samuel's head and thrust his face into Samuel's. "You...didn't want...to," he managed between labored breaths. Samuel noted how pale he was. He let Samuel fall back into the wagon and slammed the back gate. As the wagon began to move, Samuel fought against angry tears. He should have let the hunter die! What would Runa think of him now?

Samuel struggled against the hunter's secure bonds. He had to get out of here, before they made it to Helgen and Haming revealed the farce that he was. He wasn't sure how long they'd been in the wagon. It felt like hours and his wrists burned with twisting them so much. He heard a sudden shout and not from the front of the wagon, somewhere a ways ahead. He heard the pounding of a horse's hooves, then a shake and the wagon slowed.

"There's one in the back, too!" an accented voice called out.

Samuel heard the back of the wagon open and someone pulled at his ankles and drew him out of the wagon, setting him upright. He looked into the face of an older, weather-beaten Imperial soldier.

"You attacked by bandits?" the soldier asked.

Samuel glanced at the front of the wagon. Another soldier was sitting in the front, young and large. Haming must have been lying down on the seat; Samuel could see his hand peeking out from the side.

"Hey, Lief! How's the one in the front?"

"Alive...but not by much. This doesn't look like bandits."

The older soldier eyed Samuel suspiciously. Haming must have passed out at some point, Samuel realized, the horse pulling the wagon aimlessly. "Yes, bandits," Samuel spoke quickly, infusing as much confidence in his voice as he could. Samuel nodded to the wagon. "He was attacked by a bear and we tried to get back to Helgen, then bandits showed up. Tied me up and then he managed to fight them off."

The soldier's eyes widened. "Attacked by a bear and bandits. You must have done something to make the divines mad. Why didn't your friend unbind you?"

"He fell unconscious," Samuel replied as if this were obvious.

"Brave man, your friend."

"Yeah," Samuel mumbled.

"Cassius! Help me!" the younger soldier, Lief, called out.

Cassius left Samuel standing bound and walked to the front of the wagon. Samuel hopped around the edge, resting against the side of the wagon to see the soldiers carrying Haming over to a horse. He was deathly pale, eyes closed. Lief mounted the horse and then lifted Haming up while Cassius helped from below.

"We'll catch up," Cassius said. Lief nodded and took off, galloping towards Helgen. The older soldier paced back over to Samuel, still regarding him warily. "So, need to get back to Helgen."

Samuel nodded. "Yes."

"I'll see you there," Cassius said as he started untying Samuel's wrists and ankles.

Samuel hesitated. "I don't need you to come along. I can get back on my own."

"No trouble," the soldier said. "I was headed to Helgen anyway. Reassignment."

Samuel knew that to protest again would rouse the soldier's suspicions. After he was free, the soldier gestured to the front of the wagon. Samuel climbed up and the soldier followed, snapping up the reins and slapping them against the horse's back to get it moving.

The road to Helgen was too long in Samuel's mind. He had too much time to think and worry. Haming could be dead when he arrived. Then Samuel would be in the clear to pursue Runa, but he already felt the burden of bitter guilt. He didn't know if he could live with himself if Haming died. But if he lived...then Runa would find out the truth. Samuel vacillated throughout the ride between wanting Haming to die and wanting Haming to live.

When they reached Helgen, Samuel directed the soldier to Runa's home. They climbed out of the wagon and Samuel walked to the door, but paused.

"Something wrong?" Cassius asked, eyes narrowed.

Samuel shot an angry look at the suspicious soldier. "I have to tell my friend's love that he might die."

The soldier raised his eyebrows. Samuel took a breath and entered the home, the soldier following behind. Runa was sitting at the table, a book open before her. Ely sat by the fire, sewing something. Runa looked up.

"You're back," she said, standing. Then she saw the soldier. She glanced over Samuel's shoulder out the door.

Samuel swallowed. "There was...an attack."

Runa's eyes lit up with fear. Samuel felt his stomach lurch. He'd seen that look before―when Runa knew her doom and Grelod was about to beat her. "What...happened?"

"A bear attacked Haming."

"He's...he's...dead?" Runa's eyes were filling with tears.

"I don't know. Another soldier brought him back."

"So you know this man?" Cassius said, thumb jerking to Samuel.

Runa didn't answer, her hands to her mouth.

"He lives here," Ely answered instead. "He went hunting with Haming."

The soldier nodded to Runa. "I'm sorry, miss. Lief brought him here. I'd go to the alchemist's."

Runa rushed out the door, followed by Ely who had dropped her sewing into her chair.

"Guess you're telling the truth about the bear attack," Cassius said to Samuel.

Samuel jerked his head to him. "I am." Well, Haming was attacked. "Thank you for your help."

"You're welcome." Cassius left the house, Samuel following him. The soldier headed to the barracks. Samuel plodded to the alchemist's.

When Samuel reached the young healer's residence, he saw the door was open. He peered inside. No one was in the main room. He paced inside and heard a commotion in a room to the right. He moved over to it, standing in the doorway. Haming lay on a bed, still pale. The alchemist was rubbing salves on his wounds.

"Is that enough?" Runa was asking. She was kneeling by the bed holding Haming's hand.

"I gave him a potion when he arrived as well," the young woman answered.

"Will he live?"

"He's not out of the woods, but I have hope," the alchemist spoke kindly.

Ely, who was standing behind Runa, put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I want to stay," Runa insisted.

"Of course you can," the alchemist said. "I'll be back with more salve." She stood and walked passed Samuel into the main room and across to a shelf.

Samuel pulled back from the door and walked over to her. "What do you really think? Will he survive?"

The young woman's hand froze on a jar and she looked over to him, her green eyes registering the first sign of indecision. "He's lost a lot of blood...I just...don't know." She went back to pulling down jars, then set them out on a table and began mixing ingredients.

Samuel walked back to the room. Runa's shoulders shook. She was crying. Samuel coughed from the doorframe. "I'm sorry, Runa," he muttered. She looked over to him, her cheeks wet with tears. "I'm sorry."

Runa nodded weakly and turned back to her love. Ely sat down in a chair, eyes moist, arms crossed tightly into her chest.

Samuel drew back from the door and walked away, exiting the alchemist's. He strode back to Runa's house, rushed down to the basement and retrieved his knapsack from the room they'd lent him. He climbed back up the stairs, left the building and walked to The Chopping Block. He stepped through the door. Merek was at a patron's table, but he looked over to see who he could entice next. His eyebrows raised when he saw Samuel. "Back earlier than I thought you'd be. How'd it go?"

Samuel blinked. "Not good. You have an empty room?"

Merek tilted his head at him. "Only the chopping room. You need..."

"I need time alone," Samuel spoke unequivocally.

Merek nodded thoughtfully. "You can stay in there unless someone claims it." Samuel walked towards the room. Merek grasped his arm as he passed. Samuel shook him off, annoyed. Merek spoke, voice low. "He won't leave your woman alone, eh?"

Samuel ground his jaw. "He was attacked by a bear. He may not live."

"Ah," Merek said. "Unfortunate."

"Yeah." Samuel turned and stomped to the end of the inn and the chopping room. He threw open the double doors, stepped through, then shut them just as forcefully. He dropped his knapsack on a table and then sank onto the large bed, putting his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands.