Apologies, I can't seem to shorten chapters!

It had been only a few hours since Teldryn had got the news of Elarie's illness. Hadvar had brought the bad news directly to Vilkas on his way back to his unit, unable to do anything more for his stricken friend. The mercenary had quickly bolted to Riverwood with a plethora of potions and ingredients, leaving Vilkas to fend for himself at Whiterun. The Nord had expected it, and prayed for both his and Elarie's safe return.

A few hours after the mercenary had left, Tobias entered Breezehome to find it empty. He was exhausted, but Alduin had been defeated and he'd reported to Balgruuf as soon as Odahving had landed at the palace. He'd been looking forward to sleeping in his own home and collapsed on the large bed.

Lydia found him snoring. The jarl had sent news to Jorrvaskar where a cheer had erupted and she'd hastened to Breezehome to meet her Thane. Despite the news of his friends, she decided to let him sleep a bit longer. He'd need it.

The housecarl gently awakened the Thane after some time had passed. He'd awoken slowly, bleary eyed. But after she'd broken the news, he'd jumped up and readied to leave for Riverwood himself. He packed a few amulets he had stored in his old trunk and went to meet his friends.

Tobias found Teldryn and Elarie at Alvor's home. The smith had gladly taken in the two Mer, he said they'd caused quite a scene at the Sleeping Giant Inn. But Elarie couldn't be moved far, and the Dunmer refused to leave her side. Alvor and his wife Sigrid had taken care of Tobias while he'd had amnesia and had traveled there with Hadvar, so he trusted the family had taken good care of his friends. He was glad that Teldryn had recognized their names and allowed them to help. He entered the home, his face grim when he saw Ellie lying still on a bed, with Teldryn sitting next to her, head bowed.

Alvor had told him what he'd told the mercenary – the town had been celebrating with Elarie after the two dragons had been killed. The majority of the townspeople were at the Sleeping Giant Inn when Elarie had started to feel faint. She'd clutched at her stomach before collapsing onto the ground. People around her had screamed and some tried to look for any food or drink she might have had but everything was lost in the panic to get out of the building. Nothing had come out of her stomach even though she'd retched horribly.

She'd been moved into a room, Sigrid and her daughter Dorthe stayed with her. They'd given her health potions when she woke up coughing blood while they waited for help from Whiterun. Which came in the form of Teldryn Sero, who'd come tearing into town looking for the mage.

He'd made quite a commotion at the inn after meeting the proprietress Delphine. They'd argued loudly. Teldryn was going to have her moved to Whiterun but Sigrid had intervened, mentioning the coughed up blood and offering to keep her at their home. The Dunmer had asked her name, then agreed.

Tobias touched his friend on the shoulder. The mercenary woke instantly. "Tobias," he said, rising and gripping the Nord's shoulder. "Welcome back. Alduin?"

"Dead," the Dragonborn replied. "It's done." He looked at the sleeping Elarie. "How is she?"

The Dunmer shook his head. "Not well. The health potions are only prolonging her agony. There are no clues as to what caused this, or who." He ran a hand through his strip of hair. "I'm not an alchemist, and no alchemist seems to know why she isn't getting better. I've tried all sorts of potion combinations and spells and nothing works." Tobias could almost physically feel his frustration. "I don't know what to do. It's nothing I can hit or battle against. And with everything I do, still she suffers!" He put his fist against the wall and willed himself to calm down. "Savos might've been able to help, if he was alive," the mercenary continued. "I sent a courier to his Orc librarian to see if there was anything in his books that might help."

Tobias nodded. "Good thinking," he said. He motioned to Sigrid who was on the other side of the room. "Sigrid has offered to sit with Ellie, so you are going to take a walk with me. No arguments." The Dunmer looked at his friend. He took a look at Elarie and Sigrid's determined face, and relented.

Tobias led them to the river. "You look like Oblivion."

The Dunmer gave a mirthless laugh. He sat heavily on the riverbank and looked around. "This place is pretty," he said abruptly. "Somewhere I wouldn't mind living, in better circumstances."

Tobias sat next to his friend. "You've done all you could," he told his friend. "We'll wait for Urag's reply - he's liKe a catalogue of all bis books. he may come up with something."

Teldryn nodded. "I know. I just can't stand to see her just lying there."

"And?" The Nord prodded his friend. "There's something else bothering you."

Teldryn glared at him. "It's a damn curse that you know me so well." The Dunmer took a few breaths before continuing. "We haven't resolved our misunderstanding yet."

Tobias groaned. "I've been gone all that time and you couldn't even clear that up? Weren't you at Breezehome together?"

"There was never a good time," Teldryn said defensively. "The jarl, court wizard, Companions, your housecarl– they were around almost all the time. Plus you know, we had a few dragons to take care of here and there."

The Dragonborn shook his head. Before he could say anything, Teldryn tore into him.

"I already know the type of man she wants," he said bitterly. "Someone like you, like Modyn Veleth, Savos. Someone who she finds an upstanding member of society. It suits her Altmer character. I don't fit the bill. Even the damned jarl of Whiterun comes to have a drink with her!"

"But she didn't marry Savos. Or moon after Veleth," his friend pointed out. "And Balgruuf likes to sneak out of the palace. It's safe for him to be at Breezehome."

The mercenary blanched at him. "I don't even know why I like her."

Tobias sighed. "Listen to me, you stubborn, pig headed old s'wit," he said. "You like her because she's tough. She can handle herself in battle and would even take you on. Because she doesn't let you get away with any of your crap. You like her because she makes you laugh. And, if you didn't care for her, you wouldn't be here acting like a lovesick idiot because you think she might die."

"I am not a lovesick idiot," was the angry response. "Just because you moon over your girlfriend doesn't mean we all need one."

"Then why are you here? Vilkas and Lydia said you took off like a rabbit when you got the news."

"I was the person who could get here the quickest."

The Nord laughed. "Really? You haven't ridden a horse like that in years. I'm surprised you could even keep your seat. You aren't an alchemist, though you brought potions and ingredients." Tobias looked at his friend. "If you don't care for her that way, you're able to leave. I'm here now, I can wait for Urag's reply and help Alvor and Sigrid. I'm sure Vilkas would appreciate your return."

The mercenary was silent for several heartbeats. "I'm not leaving. I'm still her friend."

Tobias ran his hands through his hair. He didn't know why his friend was so resistant. It was obvious to everyone but the two of them that they belonged together.

"I met many heroes of old in Sovngarde, old man," the Dragonborn started. The mercenary looked up at his friend. "Ysgramor and Kodlak Whitemane among them."

Tobias was silent for a moment. "All warriors, drinking together, telling tales of their exploits. But I was looking for my wife and daughter. Hoping they would be somewhere. But they weren't there." Tobias looked over the river, then closed his eyes. "I've been told I'll be welcomed back in Sovngarde when my time comes. But if Essie wasn't there, and Marelle isn't a full Nord, where will that leave me in the afterlife? Can you travel between realms in Aetherius? Else I'll only have my memories. So I'll take happiness while I can."

The mercenary stood up and gripped his friend's shoulder. "The gods aren't done with you yet, Tobias. For all you have done and will do, your reward will be great. I have no doubt of that. Dunmer go to the Otherworld. But I'm sure Mara allows movement between realms for love." He gave a short laugh. "Maybe you need to visit Erandur. I hear he's still at Dawnstar. Maybe I should, too," he added as an afterthought. "If he doesn't keep apologizing for his past."

Tobias smiled, glad for each other's support. They walked slowly back to Alvor and Sigrid's home, lost in their own thoughts.

•••••

In the house, the Dunmer approached Elarie. She was sweating. The conversation with Tobias was still echoing in his head when he held her hand and brushed her hair. "Little Altmer, you are going to fight this, you understand? You are going to live!"

He nearly jumped when he felt a slight squeeze in his hand. He looked at her in astonishment. "Tel-," came a whisper of her voice, her eyes still closed.

The mercenary dropped to his knees next to the bed. He didn't care who was watching him, he'd forgotten others were even there. He felt another faint squeeze and clasped her hand with both of his. Her face scrunched with effort. "Jah… root… fath…" and she slipped into unconsciousness again.

The mercenary could feel his Nord friend come up behind him. "What did she say?"

Teldryn stood, one hand still holding Elarie's. "Something about a root. Think she was trying to say 'father.' Did she tell you how her father was poisoned?"

The Dragonborn shook his head. "She never said. But I know someone we can ask."