"Um, hi. I'd like to rent the attic room. Please."

The blonde, middle-aged Breton stopped her sweeping and looked up at her. "Attic room, eh? Well... we don't have an attic room, but you can have the one on the left. Make yourself at home."

Aurelia took a quick glance at the note in her hand "This is the Sleeping Giant Inn, right?"

"It is. Just take the one on the left."

Aurelia furrowed her brow and pursed her lips, but went to the room on the left. She sat down on a wooden chair, and reread the note. In spite of her ineptitude at navigation, she was fairly certain that this was Riverwood and that this was the Sleeping Giant Inn. But before she could wonder what went wrong, the Breton came into her room.

"So you're the Dragonborn I've been hearing so much about. I think you're looking for this." The Breton dropped the horn of Jurgen Windcaller into her hands "We need to talk. Follow me."

"Wait, who are you?" Aurelia hastily stuck the horn in her bag and got up to follow her.

"Not here. Follow me."

Aurelia scowled but kept walking. She grew even more suspicious when the Breton led her into another room and asked her to close the door. And yet, for a reason she couldn't quite put her finger on, she didn't find herself feeling threatened by the woman. Perhaps it was the way she seemed so on edge, as if she was the vulnerable one, not Aurelia. Or perhaps it was because she looked vaguely familiar.

The Breton knocked a false panel out from the back of the closet and descended the stairs that lie beyond. Aurelia followed cautiously to find an entire war room at the bottom.

"The Greybeards seem to think you're the Dragonborn. I hope they're right."

"This is quite an impressive setup you have here. So you're the one who took the horn?"

"Surprised? I guess I'm getting pretty good at my harmless innkeeper act."

"You are aware that all this cloak and dagger is making you look suspicious, are you not?"

"You can't be too careful. Thalmor spies are everywhere."

Aurelia shrugged "Fair enough. There are few now days that don't consider themselves an enemy of the Thalmor. So what do you want?"

"I didn't go to all this trouble on a whim. I needed to make sure it wasn't a Thalmor trap. I'm not your enemy. I already gave you the horn. I'm actually trying to help you. I just need you to hear me out."

"I'm listening."

"I'm part of a group that's been looking for you... well, someone like you, for a very long time. If you really are Dragonborn, that is. Before I tell you any more, I need to make sure I can trust you."

Aurelia raised an eyebrow "How do I know I can trust you?"

"If you don't trust me, you were a fool to walk in here in the first place."

"By that logic, weren't you also a fool to drag me down here, if you don't trust me and have no idea what I'm capable of? You must fancy yourself a hard woman to kill."

The Breton smirked "You have no idea."

"Perhaps we should introduce ourselves. My name is Aurelia Ventus."

"Delphine."

"So why did you take the horn?"

"I knew the Greybeards would send you there if they thought you were Dragonborn. They're nothing if not predictable. When you showed up here, I knew you were the one the Greybeards sent, and not some Thalmor plant."

"So you're looking for the Dragonborn? Why?"

"We remember what most don't - that the Dragonborn is the ultimate dragonslayer. You're the only one that can kill a dragon permanently by devouring its soul. Can you do it? Can you devour a dragon's soul?"

"Yes, that's how I first learned I was Dragonborn."

"Good. And you'll have a chance to prove it to me soon enough."

"Oh?"

"Dragons aren't just coming back, they're coming back to life. They weren't gone somewhere for all these years. They were dead, killed off centuries ago by my predecessors. Now something's happening to bring them back to life. And I need you to help me stop it."

"Coming back to life? Are you serious?"

"I've visited their ancient burial mounds and found them empty. And I've figured out where and when the next one will come back to life. We're going to go there, and you're going to kill that dragon. If we succeed, I'll tell you anything you want to know."

"Ok, where and when?"

"Near Kynesgrove, the eleventh of Sun's Dusk. I was actually afraid you wouldn't show up in time, but it looks like you have a month to spare."

Aurelia regarded the map on the table that Delphine was hovering over "This is impressive, how did you figure all this out?"

Delphine's serious tone turned to amusement "You should know. You got the map for me. The dragonstone you got for Farengar, remember? The dragonstone was a map of ancient dragon burial sites."

"Oh, so that's where I recognize you from."

"I've looked at which ones are now empty. The pattern is pretty clear. It seems to be spreading from the southeast, down in the Jeralls near Riften. The one at Kynesgrove is next if the pattern holds."

"Ok, I have some business to attend to that hopefully shouldn't take more than a month, so I should leave soon. But I'll make sure I'm at Kynesgrove before the eleventh of Sun's Dusk."

"Thank you."

Aurelia turned to leave, but then stopped.

"So you're a Blade then?"

Delphine's eyes bulged "How did you…"

"Well, you weren't exactly hiding it well. You're hiding from the Thalmor, you claimed that your predecessors killed off all the dragons, and you're looking for a Dragonborn. Doesn't take a genius to put the pieces together. The fact that I happen to be a genius is irrelevant."
"But how did you know all these things? Most people have forgotten about us."

Aurelia laughed "Oh please, I come from the Imperial City, where education is of utmost importance. My history lessons on the Great War were especially thorough, since my parents lived through it. So I'm aware of the Blades' history as well their place in the war. The incident where a Thalmor agent upended a cart full of Blades' heads in front of the Emperor used to give me nightmares as a child."

Aurelia couldn't tell if fear or anger was the dominant expression on Delphine's face.

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. Especially not the Thalmor. In fact, the Great War is the reason I basically have no extended family left, so my parents definitely hold a grudge and have raised me to despise them as well."

Delphine's expression softened slightly, but still looked guarded "I guess I have no choice but to hold you to that."

/

Since Ivarstead was just on the other side of the Throat of the World from Riverwood, Aurelia figured it would be wise to return the horn to the Greybeards before returning to Whiterun, especially considering she had no idea how long her trip to Solsteim would take.

It was around noon when she reached Ivarstead, plenty of time to stop by Fellstar Farm and say hello. As expected, Boti and Jofthor were still hard at work in the fields, but she didn't see Fastred anywhere.

"Oh, hi Aurelia. I'm really glad you showed up today. I'm sure you're here to go to High Hrothgar, but it would mean a lot if you saw Fastred before you left. Maybe you can cheer her up." Boti said as she looked up from the plant she was crouched in front of.

"Did something happen?"

"Vampires attacked Ivarstead a few days ago. Both Klimmek and Bassianus were killed." Jofthor said.

Aurelia's eyes widened and she clapped a hand to her mouth "Oh gods! How awful!"

"She's inside. She's hardly eaten since then. Maybe you can get her to eat something?" Jofthor said.

"I can certainly try."

She went inside and found Fastred curled up on her bed.

"Aurelia?" she said as she sat up.

"Hey, Fastred," She said gently as she sat down on the bed next to her "I was just visiting on my way to High Hrothgar. I, um, heard about what happened."

Fastred clung to her and wept a torrent of tears. "Oh, gods, I didn't know I could be in this much pain! I didn't want to give up Bassianus, you know. I was hoping I could go on an adventure with you, and then marry him when we were done. I don't know, we never got a chance to talk about it. Oh, and Klimmek! He was such a sweet man, he didn't deserve this!"

Aurelia could think of nothing to say, so she just held Fastred's shuddering body against her own. Aurelia had never grieved before. Of course, she knew people who had died, but there were few people in her life who were close enough to her that their death would have an impact.

"You should eat something, it will help you feel better." Aurelia said after it seemed like Fastred had cried herself out.

"Not hungry."

Aurelia got up and picked up a bowl of porridge that had been left out on the table, no doubt for her "I can even heat it up for you."

Aurelia's hands warmed with magicka-generated fire.

"Still not hungry."

"Come on, if those vampires attack again, you'll need your strength to fight them."

"Hmph, what chance does a human have against vampires?" Fastred took the bowl, but just stared into it.

"Plenty of chance! You've heard of the Dawnguard, right? They're a group dedicated to fighting vampires, I think they're based somewhere near Riften."

"Is that so?" Fastred took a slow bite of the porridge.

"There you go! Don't you feel better now that you have some food in you?"

"I guess so." She took another spoonful.

"Good, good. Listen, I have to go to High Hrothgar before it gets too late, but I'll see you again when I come down, ok?"

Fastred continued eating "Ok."

After telling Boti and Jofthor that she had gotten Fastred to eat, she began her ascent. Her joy of this feat was quickly replaced with a feeling she couldn't quite identify as she was left alone with her thoughts. Fastred had been so lively to the point that she was even a little vexing when she first met her, but to see her in the complete opposite state was far more vexing. Is this what grief does to people? Destroys them to the point that they are unrecognizable? Is this what would happen to her if Lydia, Athis, or Divines forbid, Farkas died? Maybe it was a mistake to let herself get close to so many people. It had only been a little over a month since she came to Skyrim, maybe it wasn't too late. She could leave the Companions, and let Lydia go.

And yet, she knew she wouldn't. It was too late. The thought of never having another drink with Torvar, or another friendly sparring session with Ria gave her more grief than she cared to admit. There was no longer any reason to fear she would change beyond recognition, she already had. She didn't know how to feel about this, because, well, she wasn't unhappy. She had found a new kind of joy in a place that she didn't believe would be possible for her. But what did this mean for her? What should she do, if anything? She came to no conclusions going up to High Hrothgar, and she came to no conclusions going back down either.

When she crossed the bridge to get back into Ivarstead, Jofthor and Boti were waiting for her on the other side.

"Um, hi Boti, Jofthor, you look tense, did something happen?"

"It's Fastred, she… she's run away." Jofthor said, voice slightly cracking.

"W-what?"

"She left this note." Boti handed it to her.

I've left to join the Dawnguard. Please don't come after me. I will return home when the vampire problem is dealt with. Mother, Father, Aurelia, I love you all so much. Please stay safe until my return.

-Fastred

"Oh gods. I am so sorry." Aurelia said.

"My dear, you don't have to apologize." Boti said.

"I do. I may have inadvertently put the idea in her head. I just mentioned that the Dawnguard exist. I thought it would give her hope, I… I didn't think she'd… Oh gods, I'm so sorry!" Aurelia's eyes were stinging, and she knew that if she blinked, the tears would release.

Boti's hand landed gently on her shoulder "I don't blame you at all, my dear. Fastred was always looking for an excuse to leave this place. It would have happened sooner or later. But please, if you do come across her in your travels, please look after her."

Aurelia put her hand on top of Boti's and squeezed it "Of course. If it makes you feel better, I've heard that the Dawnguard are actually very good at training new recruits. And since they need strength in numbers, they won't be reckless with her. I'm sure they wouldn't even send her out until she's been trained well enough. I've only trained with her a little bit, but I sincerely think she has potential. All those hours working out here have made her very strong."

"It does help, thank you, Aurelia." Jofthor said.

/

It was nighttime when she arrived back in Whiterun, and her mind was no more at ease than it was that morning. In spite of certain misgivings, she found herself wandering back to Jorrvaskr, hoping Farkas had returned from his job. She knocked on the door to his room and was relieved when he opened the door and greeted her with a smile.

"Aurelia! Come in, sounds like we need to catch up. Vilkas told me you were attacked while I was gone?"

"Yeah, I'll probably be heading to Solsteim tomorrow to deal with it." She took a seat at the table while Farkas looked through his personal bar for an ale to give her "Because now, I have a time limit. I met with the person who took the horn. Turns out she's a Bl- er, she's someone who's trying to stop the dragons, so we're going to work together. She says there's going to be a dragon attack near Kynesgrove on the 11th of Sun's Dusk."

"Sounds intense. Well, I'll go with you to Solsteim and make sure you come back in time." Farkas said as he handed her an ale.

"You don't have to do that."

Farkas sat down across from her "I know."

"Well, if you want to come with, I won't stop you." She said as she stared listlessly at her ale.

"What's wrong?" Farkas said after a slight pause.

"What? Nothing!"

"Aurelia, I can tell something's wrong. You haven't touched your ale. You love ale."

Aurelia sighed "Oh nothing, just having an existential crisis."

Farkas gave her a blank look.

"It means I no longer know who I am or what I want out of life."

He only continued to stare blankly, but curiously at her.

"Never mind, it's stupid anyway."

"No, tell me."

Aurelia bit her lip in thought "If you are sitting in your room reading and someone comes by and locks you in your room. You don't know if they have done it and you are happy where you are. Are you still free?"

"I don't know. What does this have to do with anything?"

"Everything!" Her desperation began leaking through her façade of thoughtful contemplation. "Freedom is the key to my happiness, always has been and it always will be, but I don't know what it means to be free anymore! I read this scenario in a book by a philosopher once and back then, the answer was clear. Of course you weren't free, because what if you changed your mind and decided you didn't want to be in the room reading? But now, it's like, what if I go my whole life without ever wanting to leave?"

But Farkas only continued to stare blankly at her. Aurelia sighed. Farkas was a straightforward kind of man, she should have known she wouldn't get through to him speaking in metaphors. Maybe she should just tell him exactly what was on her mind.

"I just… I'm changing, Farkas, and I don't know if it's a good thing or not. I'm starting to want things I've never wanted before, and I'm afraid wanting these things make me weaker."

He continued to stare at her, but this time with interest and comprehension in his expression. He gave her a nod as if urging her to go on.

"I've always associated freedom with being unattached, that's why I've never had any friends until now. But now I do, I have you, and Lydia, and Fastred and the rest of the Companions. And if something happened to any of you, I'd be weakened. But I've also come to realize that having people at your back also makes you strong. I feel like I'm trapped. If I leave you all, then I will no longer be attached, and I will be free. But then again, I don't want to leave you, and if I'm doing something I don't want to do, then I'm not free. No matter what I think to do, it feels wrong."

There was a small pause between when Aurelia ran out of words and Farkas spoke up.

"Maybe you're thinking too much."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I've never thought much about things like this, and I've never had any problems like this. Maybe you won't find the answer by thinking, maybe you'll find them by just living."

"But when I change so drastically in such a short time, it's impossible not to take notice."

"I know, I'm not telling you not to notice it, I just think things will work themselves out if you don't worry about it. And you know, maybe you're not really changing, maybe you're just discovering a part of yourself that you never knew was there before. Think of it as an adventure. You like adventures, don't you?"

There was another pause before it was broken by Aurelia's soft giggling that eventually morphed into full-blown laughter. Farkas looked embarrassed, and when Aurelia noticed this, she spoke.

"You really are amazing, you know that, Farkas? You see things so much differently than I do. It makes me feel safe, like if my head's in a fog, you'll be able to make sure I'm going the right way."

Farkas smiled warmly at her. Even if she was speaking in metaphors again, it was clear she appreciated him and that was a good feeling. "So, are you feeling better then?"

She smiled back at him "I suppose. I guess I'll accept this change for what it is. An adventure into myself it will be then. Wherever this new life takes me, it can't be that bad, can it? After all, it led me to you."

Farkas's face went hot at her words. "Uh huh." He managed to get out.

Aurelia, who was aware of his blushing, said "Er, um, I should head home now. We have a long day of travel tomorrow. I'll be back here at 8 in the morning, ok? You can tell me how your last job went on the trip, ok?"

"Ok, tomorrow then."

Aurelia walked out the door and started heading back to Breezehome. Her own face went hot at her words as well. She had never spoken to someone like that before. But then again, she had never felt about anyone the way she did about Farkas. Could it be she was falling for him? The thought almost made her stop dead in her tracks. Naw, it couldn't be possible. She already tried a romance once, and it failed miserably. There's no way she could be happy with a romance. Then again, she also believed she couldn't be happy with friendship, and she turned out to be wrong on that account. Who knew what her heart was capable of? But for her own sanity, she decided to discard these thoughts for the time being.