CHAPTER 10: HIS STRENGTH

"We should stick to the main roads..." Marina pressed her finger into the map. Farkas brushed her hand aside, sliding his own across the parchment in an invisible trail.

"Through the mountain would save us two days." He began taking his own path forcing Marina to chose to go her own way, or follow him. He knew his way would be harder, but the faster they reached Ivarstead the better. Time already wasn't on their side; this needed to be completed before the dragons had time to gather enough force to truly strike. Marina had to reach High Hrothgar before then.

Rolling the map up swiftly she placed herself in front of the Nord effectively stopping him. "We're taking the main road." Her tone was serious and dead set. She wasn't sure why she was so hostile and wanting her way without listening to his own opinions. Time was important, she knew that, but it didn't do much to change her mind on the matter.

"Fine." Was all Farkas said before heading to the road in the distance. Marina let out a shaky sigh running her hand over her eyes. She gave the small speck of Whiterun a last glance before she ran to catch up to her companion.

It would have been wise to listen to him. After all he knew more about Skyrim that she did. But taking the main road shouldn't be so much of an issue as he made it seem. It would be safe, and less likely to get lost up the side of a mountain with blistering cold winds. Then again all of Skyrim seemed stuck in a perpetual winter.

The air crisp and frozen. Everything about the land was harsh, but beautiful at the same time. A deadly beauty that would strike when your guard was dropped for a moment.

The Nords all knew that, and yet they lived comfortably. That is until recent events. Between the on going civil war and now dragons.

Life was continuing though. For the moment at the very least.

"Farkas," The bulky man made a slight noise after a few moments. "I don't know what's come over me. I'm sorry." She finally worked up the nerve to apologize to the man. "For everything I've said and done this past week."

"No worries." He quickly dismissed it, it had never really bothered him to begin with. She was dealing with so many changes at once that it was bound to make her angry for various reasons. He couldn't hold it against her. He understood her confusion completely. It was something that the two of them could sympathize together on.

She still didn't know what his reasons were. Not at this time and hopefully she wouldn't have to know. He was thankful for the fact she didn't remember anything from the fight with the dragon, especially his transformation into a wolf.

"You're... I don't know... different..." She began again, and he wondered just how long she had been talking and he not listening. Stopping fully he turned to look at her with a pair of questioning eyes. Hoping that she would repeat what she had said in the first place. Laughing lightly she continued past him. "Never mind, I'm talking nonsense now." Waving it off she continued with him trailing behind her.

He to brushed it off, it was potentially nothing important anyway.

Besides they were traveling now. He could ponder on random events later. Not here and now. The three wolves staring down from the top of a bolder reminding him of that fact. One hard glace is all he gave them, and they returned it right back. The alpha male's ears pined back against his head as his nose lifted to the air.

He knew.

Farkas pulled Marina into his side covering her mouth silencing her yelp. Her hands clutched around his arm as he removed it from her mouth to rest around her waist. The growing pack of wolves followed from the top of the hill curiously wondering just who had trespassed on their territory. The wolf not-wolf kept in their sight the entire time.

"Farkas?" She whispered leaning forward to get a good glimpse of the pack following after them. Her breath hitched in her throat as she gasped.

"Stay close to me." He knew if his scent overpowered hers, the chance the wolves would leave them be even greater.

He didn't want to hurt them if he didn't have to, but if they chose to attack there would be no room for second thoughts. He heard their paws come to a pattering stop at the small cliff to his side. The alpha let one small howl escape, and waited for Farkas' reply. He only slightly turned his head to see the wolf give a flick of his tail, turn the other direction and vanish into the darkness of the trees.

"What was that about?" She whispered up to the dark haired Nord. Turning she looked to the vacant cliff top seeing nothing in that location.

Fully releasing his hold on her she set into matching his long strides at the same pace. "They were just curious." He shrugged as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. Rolling her eyes she just nodded her head; he was the Nord who lived his entire life here, he should know best.

"Wait here." He quickly said before taking off at a run and throwing himself up the rocky landscape. Armor and sword rattling loudly as he climbed. Marina was sure if he were trying to sneak up on someone, that little element of surprise was already long lost.

Folding her arms against her chest she waited, and waited... waited some more. Just where had that man gone to this time? Had he just decided to up and ditch her after coming this far, or was it something else.

Perhaps he needed to relieve himself?... The thought quickly brought a blush to her face. Shaking her head she tried to think of something different. Turning her attention to an elk she watched it graze at some distance. So long as she stayed perfectly still it wouldn't even notice her and continue on with it's peaceful existence.

She soon lost interest in the animal, and scanned about the area again. She could hear water rushing not to far away,it had to be the river flowing through the valley near by.

Just what was Farkas doing... There her thoughts returned to the man again. And her mind quickly turned to what Ria had been talking to her about the previous night.

She was alone. With Farkas. Once again.

Cursing Ria under her breath she leaned back against the small mountain. Her face began to quickly attempt to outmatch her hair in color once again. If Farkas saw her there would be no denying the simple fact that she was going to end up staring. He would quite possibly just be confused, and concerned that the chill in the air was getting to her. Hopefully, that's what he would think.

Gods, I've never acted like this before! She covered her cheeks with leather covered hands. She needed to pull herself together before he returned, if he returned. Rolling her eyes she dismissed that thought. Since when have I been so embarrassed by a man... Narrowing her eyes she sighed. Since when have I spent so much time with a man in the first place...

She slid down to sit at the edge of the road, continuing her mental argument. She wasn't sure if she liked it, recent events not withstanding, or if it just irritated her to no end.

Marina thought he was an imbecile, but held some kind of ancient wisdom at the same time. He was a giant brute, but at the same time insufferably sweet. She felt her lips tug slightly until she could no longer contain it. She thought her face would crack under the grin.

The longer she thought about it the sillier she thought herself. But she liked the weird pull at her heart. Sighing heavily she needed to pull herself together. If he saw her like that, he would think she finally cracked under the pressure and weight placed on her.

There sat the dragonborn, grinning like an insane lunatic... As funny as she thought it was, she knew he wouldn't find it so humorous.

"What are you staring at? Let's go." She jumped surprised that he had snuck up on her so quietly. From the way he had left she assumed that she would have long sense heard him. His giant hand nearly blocked her entire field of vision as he held it down to her. More daintily than she intended she placed her hand in his.

Effortlessly, he pulled her to her feet, and continued onward. Farther down the road she could see two weather beaten tower luming in the distance. A bridge connected the two over the roaring river below.

"Keep your eyes forward." Farkas reminded her again as she stared on at the towers as they passed. Doing as she was ordered her eyes snapped ahead.

After several hours of walking, Farkas had finally decided it was time to rest. Marina gladly obliged and fell onto her back panting heavily from the day long hike. She had never walked so far and long in her life. Even the trip to BleakFalls Barrow wasn't anything like this, nor as long. And by what Farkas had said they were no where near Ivarstead. There was still at least another day and and a half of walking.

Farkas himself could have kept going, but the look on Marina's face made him stop. He couldn't push her any farther, but she hadn't complained once. They both had nibbled on dried meats and cheeses as they walked. And barely said another word to the other. They were content to keep their thoughts to themselves as they journeyed.

And what a journey it was turning out to become.

Once Farkas had the fire started he relaxed himself, letting his sore muscles stretch out and loosen up. Cracking his back he leaned against the rock behind him, and began sharpening his sword for lack of anything better to do.

"What do you know about the Grey-Beards?" Marina asked sleepily staring up at the star lit sky though half lidded eyes. She folded her hands on her stomach waiting for a reply other than the scraping of his sword.

"Only that I've never seen them come from the mountain." Stories floated around, each differing with the area they were told. Some said they were immortal monks, others said they could kill a man with just one word, and others said they were just crazy old coots living together. All Nords respected the monks even if they knew nothing about them. The outsiders though had different opinions on the old men.

Marina closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. "Farkas."

"Yes?"

"Would it be bad... If I said that I'm afraid." She whispered hoping that he may not have heard her speaking. He just sat in silence waiting for her to elaborate on what she was 'afraid' of. Her eyes opened slowly again, and she watched as the stars remained stationary and immoveable. She reached a hand upward to the sky, blocking out her view of the bright lights behind it.

They were permanent ageless beacons of hope. Lights to guide those who were lost in the darkness.

Letting her hand fall limply to her side she simply lay motionless. "Why me? Wouldn't someone else be better suited for this... to be Dragonborn." She mused. "Someone like you."

"You're afraid of failure?" He stabbed his sword in the ground and stood. He saw her head nod as his answer. It only took him two long strides to stand beside her, and kneel down. "Don't be. I'm right here, and I will remain." He promised.

She leaned up on her arms staring him right in the eyes. How could something so simple give her so much confidence?

"Someone up there," He nodded his head up to the sky. "thought that you would be the savior of us all. I can see it in you as well. And soon, all of Skyrim will be witness to it." He clenched his fist tightly before him empathizing his point. If he could lend just an ounce of his strength to keep her going, he would give everything.

And he was right, people were going to be counting on her. Families with children, wives and husbands. His little speech instilled as much courage as fear. But those who came before her and fought had to be afraid, afraid of what would happen to them if they succeeded or worse yet if they were to fail. But they went out anyway, bravery wasn't having no fear, but going on despite the danger.

Smiling widely at him she sat up fully. His confidence in her was all she needed to keep going. The long journey wouldn't feel lonely with him by her side. His promise and confidence meant more to her than anything.

"Thank you." He nodded his head, a small smug smile on his face.

He hadn't moved, just continued to kneel beside her. She thought he wouldn't move unless he was told to, but Marina didn't want him to go back to his spot on the other side of the camp. She wanted him right where he was, right where he promised he would stay. Beside her.

She watched from under her lashes as his face relaxed into a more neutral expression. His Adams-apple rise quickly in his throat. Her own heart felt like it jumped into her throat as he leaned down toward her. She felt his hand rest beside her on the ground as he loomed over her. The cold leather of his other hand rested on her cheek, covering her ear and most of the back of her head.

Both knew they needed this to end, but neither wanted to say the words. Both became increasingly aware of the others closeness as their breath hit one another. If she asked him to, he would pull back and beg for her forgiveness, but she was silent. His lips ghosted over hers so gently she didn't think it would be possible for him.

His stubble scratched and poked against her smooth skin, but she found she liked it. Far more than she should. The chaste kiss was broken abruptly and Farkas leaned back removing his hand from her. He knew he shouldn't have done it, he must have caused the teetering friendship between the two to break. Now it would be imposable to repair.

"I'm sorry." He whispered beginning to stand. Her hand on his arm stopped him, and he looked down at her hopefully.

She knew now that Ria was right. He was a good man. One that she was hopelessly falling for.

Yay for sugary sweet fluffyness! Derp, hope I didn't rush it...