"Going up the seven thousand steps today, Klimmek?" the optimistic Bosmer, Gwilin, asks.
"Nah, no need. The Dragonborn took some supplies up for me. I'm good for a few days yet."
Klimmek and Gwilin stand on the bridge in the town of Ivarstead which leads to the Seven Thousand Steps, just passing the time with conversation.
"Must be dangerous going up there, if only from the icy stone steps and a nasty fall."
"Just the occasional wolf."
"Oh! Here's your new friend now!"
Lydia and Lux are approaching them.
"I wanted words with this guy." Lux says to Lydia out of the side of her mouth.
"You've been a good friend to me. That means something." Klimmek says to Lux as they arrive.
"Really..." Lux says, crossing her arms and standing defensively.
"Uhh... yea. You took some supplies up to High Hrothgar for me."
"Indeed. And what did you say to me?"
"Uhh... the Greybeards know the way of the Thu'um?"
"And..?"
"Uhh..." Klimmek responds, unsure of the accusation or if there is indeed one.
"You said, 'wolves'. 'Oh there's only the occasional wolf', he says. By the Nine!"
"What?"
"I didn't get up the first few hundred steps and a bear leapt out at me. A bear!"
"Oh."
"Then. Then! Two ice wraiths, followed by a frost troll, more bears, a frost spider and then, and only then, finally! A wolf. One. Single. Wolf!"
"I've never had any trouble with..."
"Oh don't talk rot. That frost troll had made his lair years ago."
"Really? Can't say I've ever noticed."
"Agh, I can understand now why I thought the way I did about the Nords when I was a vampire."
"What?"
"Never mind, Klimmek. Just in future, if anyone's going up there? You tell them, 'Be careful! There's damn near every type of beast in Skyrim up there!' Ugh, come on, Lyd!"
"Right behind you, my thane."
The bemused pair on the bridge watch the Dragonborn and her follower walk away towards the Seven Thousand Steps.
"That was weird." Klimmek says.
"You never noticed this troll's lair she spoke of?"
"No! Never."
"Hm."
Even Gwilin's optimistic outlook is dimmed as he finds himself agreeing with Lux's implied assessment of the Nords.
"What? We just walked all the way up here, had to fight off all those stupid beasts, and now you're just going to stand outside?!" Lux says to Lydia.
"Well... yes! I've made the walk, meditated on the blessings, I'm happy just to wait for you, my thane."
"Are you superstitious about the Greybeards or something?"
"They are most eminent persons. I wouldn't know what to say!"
"Oh they're just old, beardy blokes in robes. And the way they look at me? I reckon they'd love to meet you!"
"I'm fine, my thane. I'll just wait here."
"Okay then. Your choice. But take my cloak at least. It's getting quite windy out here now."
"That's okay, I don't really feel the cold."
"Take it anyway. Give the old boys something to gawk at, eh?" she says with a cheeky smile.
Lux takes off her cloak and passes it to Lydia, adjusts her Basque to form an impressive cleavage then looks down at it.
"Alright, you reckon?" she asks Lydia.
"Umm... yes! If that's what you're going for."
"Good! See you in a mo!"
After her meeting with the Greybeards, Lux and Lydia are returning to Ivarstead town in the evening, just strolling back across the bridge.
"Never bloody simple these things!" Lux rants. "Up the mountain, down the mountain, over to here, over to there, kill this thing, fetch that thing, do this, do that! I don't know why I bother sometimes! Do I get thanks? Does anyone really care? I'm the damn Archmage of the College of Winterhold! Does that get me respect? Does it? No! That Altmer, Nirya, she just cringes and fawns around me while the rest just want me to do their bidding or something while they have petty squabbles! Nice pad at the college though, we should go hang out there some time."
"Your duties must be a burden at times, my thane."
"I'm not complaining. Well okay, I am but... arranging and chairing a summit between Ulfric and General Tullius? I'm not sure I'm up for that kind of thing."
"You are most charming, my thane. I think you would do better than most. And with your reputation as Dragonborn, surely all will listen to your wise counsel?"
"Awww, that's really sweet, Lyd. Thanks! Anyway, it's getting late. Let's just get a mead or two in the Vilemyr Inn here and get silly, eh? May as well stay the night here as well, no point heading anywhere now."
"That sounds nice, my thane."
"Oh Lyd. I do really wish you'd loosen up a little. Let's see what a few meads do to you, eh?"
"I can take my mead, don't you worry about that."
"Another challenge..?"
"I'm not sure we should. As you say, we've a lot to do tomorrow."
"Fair enough but that challenge needs to be met sometime."
They arrive at the tavern and Lux offers her housecarl the door and Lydia pauses.
"Oh after you, my thane."
"Ugh, okay then, uptighty woman."
The tavern is quite empty, with only Wilhelm the tavern owner, a bard and one patron.
"This place is deeeaaad." Lux comments.
"Would you like to hear me play my lute, m'lady?" the bard, Lynly Star-Sung, asks Lux.
"Oooh, m'lady, eh? Nice. Yea, sure! But, please, none of those depressing ones about the Dragonborn or the war."
"Of course, m'lady."
Lynly plays a lively jig while Lux and Lydia get themselves settled at a table with a tankard of mead each from Wilhelm. Lux throws back her drink, spilling some over her chin and down her front, laughs at her own clumsiness, then chugs back some more.
"The sit down is nice after all that walking." Lydia comments.
"You said it, Lyd! My feet are burning up here. I'm taking these boots off. Give me a hand will you?"
Lux points at foot at Lydia, who heaves off the thigh-length boot.
"Uuuh, that's better. Now the other one, if you would please, Lydiaaa."
Lydia obliges again.
"Aaah! So. Another round, Wilhelm!"
"You've finished that one already?"
"I was thirsty from the walk! Wimp."
"Oh no. You're not dragging me into a drinking contest like that."
"Can't blame a girl for trying. But this is a catchy number." Lux is tapping her hand on her thigh in time to the music, then all of a sudden jumps up and begins skipping and dancing around the tavern fire to the tune, her bare feet slapping on the stone floor.
Lydia laughs at the spontaneity of the free-spirited girl and claps in time with the music. Once she completes another circuit, Lux holds out her hands to Lydia.
"Come on, Lyd!"
"Oh no, my thane. I'm not much of a dancer."
"Oh come ooon! Dance with me!"
Lux takes her hands and starts pulling her out of her chair and once Lydia is stood, twirls and spins around in front of her. It is quite infectious and Lydia cannot help but begin letting her body move to the rhythm of the music and her friend.