A/N: I just want to apologize ahead of time.

Also, I kind of fast-forwarded the traveling a bit. If nothing else, consider it a reference to fast-travel. I just felt it would drag a bit, and there wasn't much I could include during that time.

Disclaimer: I don't own Oblivion.

Oreyn, hearing of our accomplishment with the mage, soon had another contract for us to fill.

I suppose he also wanted us out of Chorrol after I botched the matchmaking thing.

There was trouble at the Forsaken Mine in Leyawiin. If the name wasn't warning enough, we'd probably actually have to fight this time. We were taking a large group with the possibility of a troll infestation, Viranus and I taking up the rear or center. Simplistic, but effective. I can respect that.

The trip there consisted of the same routine. We'd ride during the day, and set up camp for the night. Viranus and I made a habit of sneaking glances, testing our boundaries. I slept near him, as close as I would dare, and we'd wake early and go look for herbs. Really, that consisted of poking at each other and "forgetting" the attributes of a specific plant that might have knocked him out for a few seconds.

No one else noticed, thinking him childish and myself playing along. They didn't spare a glance. It gave us a lot of time to ourselves, and plenty of moments to steal.

It was the best time I'd ever had traveling.

Well, we met a man along the way.

An Imperial Forester who was on his way to Leyawiin happened to join us just before we got there. He made for interesting conversation, and I rode beside him. Perhaps I was getting too used to testing my boundaries, but he didn't even seem the Legion type.

He didn't even wear Legion armor, just regular leather armor. I hadn't thought about it much, but I guess you don't want to be called on off-duty just because you forgot to change clothes.

"My cousin was in the Guild for a while, before he fell off his horse. Broke his knee and just couldn't walk the same again." He explained, "Said it was the best time of his life though, and the Fighters were a great bunch."

I nodded, "It's different, when everyone is practically your sibling." I was never really part of the group past eating with the Orcs that had trained me. Of course, not many people made a habit of eating with Orcs, so that could have had something to do with it.

"So what are you doing in Leyawiin?"

"Some farmers are reporting trolls around Forsaken Mine. We're supposed to go in and handle it." I answered.

He was quiet for a few minutes, and then he made a decision.

"You know what, I think I'll help you guys out with that."

I smiled, "Might want to ask the others, but I'm fine with that." I ran a hand through my hair, again noting I'd forgotten to cut it. It was getting much too long, but the padding in my armor and my somewhat rasping voice helped me avoid questioning.

Our group went from nine to an even ten, and I worried considerably less about Viranus' safety. We passed through Bravil, and while it wasn't a terrible city, something about it seemed… nefarious. I was glad we didn't stop to explore.

And thus, the days passed.

We didn't enter Leyawiin, for suspicion of the Blackwood Company. This many Fighters could send the wrong message, whether or not they discovered our true intentions. The mission was supposed to be easy, get in, kill the trolls, and get out.

It was supposed to be easy.

I stepped into the mine last. In the darkness, I placed a hand on Viranus' bicep, where his armor didn't quite cover. The ground smelled of trolls, and the air was thick and musty.

As we approached the door to the next part of the mine, I hoped they'd each be that easy. But, sure enough, we began to hear strange noises: clawing, scraping, and the occasional grunt. I admit to jumping at most of them, though as a bodyguard I tried to keep a straight face and not scream.

By the time an elf's hand was on the door, we weren't sure if they were in front of or behind us.

The Forester spoke up, "We should leave some behind, just in case. Six will be plenty."

Halfway through the second tunnel, we were convinced that the trolls weren't going to emerge.

Two-thirds through, and we heard the first, awful roar. Curses followed, from so many voices…

We ran straight into a troll. The Forester, ever-prepared, started firing arrows faster than I could believe. I held Viranus back on purpose, knowing we wouldn't be much help.

But then it kept attacking.

And just…wouldn't stop moving.

Nothing would stop.

I knew trolls could hunt, I knew they were feared, but I knew this wasn't right.

Once it was dead we hurried into the final passages, encouraged by our companions to go and hold up from there.

I don't remember the run through those caverns. I keep trying to, just to glimpse that feeling of adrenaline and know exactly what happened?

Then there was a wall.

We stood for a moment, catching our breaths. I adjusted my sword, noting the Forester had dropped his bow in favor of a short sword, though it was evident he rarely used it from his awkward, though effective, grip.

I spoke as clear as my voice would let me, "We'll hold them off here, just like they told us. They'll just have to catch up."

The Forester nodded, a determined look crossing his features.

Viranus looked calmer than I'd ever seen him, but he didn't know…

I hope I was thinking about him when the first troll came in.

The Forester immediately went to work, and I stayed far out of range for my own attacks. Viranus was inexperienced, but could do damage.

I hope I kept fighting when the first Blackwood Company member stormed in.

The Forester was startled, and was flung to the side by the troll. He moved to stand, and I continued stabbing at the troll. It fell on a pile of others, and I had to wonder when did so many die?

The Blackwood Company member stopped for less than a second.

And then he was upon us.

I stabbed at his neck, and he fell to the ground, blood pouring out. He continued to struggle blindly, so much like the trolls did. These trolls weren't hunting. These men couldn't be hunting.

We have a few seconds of reprieve. The Forester stood. My arms were suddenly made of iron, falling limply at my side. I smelled blood; I felt it on my skin. Viranus was clutching his side, a dent in the metal. His broadsword was splattered with blood. I looked down at my own.

That's funny, there's blood here too.

I looked up, my face absolutely devastated. There's blood there too. Where isn't it?

The first troll in that wave we take out in a daze.

The second one kills the Forester.

He's knocked to the ground by the first, and when he stands… A huge paw just comes down on his shoulder and tears through the worn leather and skin down to sinew and bone.

The third is the last of that bunch.

I forced the door shut again, closing the latch with shaking fingers. It didn't matter that it wouldn't hold. Then I turned and knelt by the Forester.

I knew he was dying. I didn't pretend.

I was amazed he could still speak, but speak he did.

"Run… There's a back entrance to these mines… Just leave…"

"Good, good. Thank you. You've done such a great job." I said through sobs. When did I start crying?

"No I haven't… I'm just a mercenary…"

"That doesn't matter."

His face made some bastardization of a smile. "I… saved someone…"

"Yes, thank you. Thank you so, so much."

I never got his name.

30 seconds after he stops breathing, we could hear trolls again.

Viranus slumped to the ground.

We both made it behind a rock, sitting as close as we wanted, though still not close enough.

"He said…" I wet my lips, "There's a way out. We can run."

Viranus' face falls.

It's then I realize he can't get up.

I wanted to pretend.

I started to say something, but he cut me off.

"The horses are in that direction. You can run past the trolls that have made their way outside." I shook my head through all of it, tears still running down my cheeks. "Take your horse; it's the fastest I've ever seen. Mother won't know. The Forester, he's an Imperial, but they won't know the difference." I had to stop denying it then, the nameless man's last words all too clear.

I embraced him, kissing him one last time. His arms wrapped around me, but he knew I had to go.

I broke away, "I love you. Please… Just…"

His smile was still blinding, "I love you too, Margeurite. Always remember that."

I whispered those words to him one last time.

It took too little time to find the way out. It hadn't been used in a long, long time, but that couldn't scare me. Nothing could. I was numb.

I turned back one last time, seeing that Viranus had pulled out a little book. He was writing something, and I flashed back to evenings when he would pull it out. I never asked what it was, but I kept that image in my mind.

And then I was outside, running. I could hear the savage trolls, but I reached Black before the fear could spike again.

I can't really remember that run either.

I was exhausted in no time, and I couldn't tell what was blood, and what was dirt. My vision was cloudy, but something up ahead caught my eye. A figure that made my pack seem lighter than it should be.

"Nocturnal…" I croaked. I was almost to the Shrine when they spotted me.

I barely recognized Mor, the priest, but he had heard my voice. In a moment, he knew me. "Marguerite, what…"

And then the world was dark.