Elarie had been happy to see Tolfdir, and thanked him profusely for saving her life. The wizard had told her that she could thank him by coming to visit, to which she agreed. Only Teldryn and Tobias detected the faint hesitation in her manner. Recovering from near death again and those Altmer manners were still there, the mercenary noted. Some things would never change.

Shortly after the wizard had left, Elarie asked to return to Whiterun. Tolfdir had cleared her for careful travel, and she was anxious to release the burden of her care from Alvor and Sigrid, despite their protests to the contrary.

Tobias was unsure, but the mercenary had staunchly backed the mage. It would be better for her, he pointed out, to be somewhere she felt more comfortable. She thought that she had imposed too long on the kind smith and his family and that alone would make her uncomfortable. The Dragonborn nodded, seeing sense in his argument, and they soon left for Lakeview Manor, on Tobias's suggestion. The Manor was close by, larger than Breezehome, and protected by housecarl and steward. The latter, Ghorbash the Iron Hand, would send the carriage for them.

Elarie had wanted to ride and not be in a wagon, but Tobias had insisted. So she'd backed down. She looked unhappy, but it was for her own good. The mercenary knew she hated being ill, thinking of the independent spirit she'd been when they first met.

Teldryn had much time to think over what the college wizard had said in their last conversation. Elarie was drowsing in the wagon and he took the opportunity to sidle up to his friend at the front of the party.

"Tobias."

The Dragonborn looked at his friend. He knew something serious was coming by the mercenary's tone.

"The man who Elarie wasn't interested in," Teldryn started. "Was it Savos?"

The Dragonborn nodded. "He offered again to marry her, and she said no. How did you know? Tolfdir?"

"Yes," he responded. "Did you know that they'd had a big argument when she left for Whiterun?"

Tobias' eyes widened. "No. Is that why they argued? They never said. I thought it was something personal." He frowned. "Ellie assured me that there was no issues with her being there. Oh Divines, it was my fault."

"It wasn't your fault, oaf. It's not all about you." The mercenary retorted. "I think your asking saved her." He looked straight ahead while his friend looked questioningly at him.

Teldryn gathered his thoughts. "Our last night at Raven Rock. That's when she told me about Savos, being a bridal prospect and how he'd given her his protection. Then she cried over him. She thought maybe she should have married him, to help save him from himself, to make him happier." The mercenary paused. "When you said the same to me about being set up with her – I felt the ghost of Savos over my shoulder. Was she only thinking that she was saving me from myself? She seemed willing to give up her own being for Savos, even though they didn't match. I don't match."

The mercenary shook his head. "It hurt, thinking that my old friend had a prior claim on her. That he'd commanded her attentions and that if he hadn't died, that she'd be married to him. I felt like I was betraying him, even though he's not here." He took a breath, then continued. "Am I competing against a dead friend for her affection? Does she think she can 'save' me?"

Tobias rode in silence for some moments before replying. "If Essie…" he paused, thinking about his wife who had died far too young. With effort, he continued. "If Essie had lived, I'd be with her. But she's gone, though that love will never go away. And I'm glad Marelle took a chance on me. She said I saved her, but I know she saved me. I love her. Both kinds of love can co-exist." The Dunmer clapped a hand on his shoulder, the Nord appreciating the show of support.

The Dragonborn continued. "But Ellie walked away from Savos. You should talk to her. We all know that Ellie is in charge of her own feelings, and not afraid to say what she thinks. She'd be honest."

The mercenary considered his words. "I suppose you have your smart moments, oaf," he said, finally.

"I've got the soul of a dragon, old man," was the response. "But I'm smarter than you anyway." The mercenary gave him a small smile before kicking him and dropping back to check on Elarie.

He found the mage sitting up, leaning against the side of the wagon. "Is that the manor?" she asked, pointing to a building in the distance, lake waters visible in the background. At his nod, she looked relieved. "Thank Azura we're almost there."

"Would you still have preferred to ride?" The mercenary asked. She nodded. "I feel more of an invalid here, although the driver is excellent," she added, in case the driver could hear.

Teldryn smiled. She always kept her manners. He called for the wagon to stop. Tobias turned around, wondering what was going on. He then saw Teldryn ride up to the side of the wagon, swing out of the saddle to sit behind it, and with little effort, pick Elarie up and sat her in his place, put his arms around her to reach the horn and support her from behind. She looked shocked at first, then delighted to be on the horse.

The Dunmer smiled at the mage. His helmet was off so she could see his face. "I can't keep you here too long, Little Altmer, as it's not good for the horse. But he can handle a few minutes." She looked up at him and smiled her thanks.

Tobias thought they made a pretty picture. Ellie was smiling and looking at the scenery, and Teldryn looked unusually contented. Until they drew alongside and the Dunmer said, "Can't keep a seat after a few years, eh milk drinker?"

The Dragonborn roared with laughter while Elarie sighed. She didn't want to know.

They'd only just settled in for the night when Teldryn heard a noise. It was soft, barely there but he'd seen a lithe shadow moving through the dining room.

"Stop right there," he hissed, holding a knife to the intruder's back.

"Impressive," the black-clad woman responded. "No one has caught me in years. Teldryn Sero, I presume?" The mercenary twisted his knife in reply. "I'm Marelle, here to see Tobias. It's important."

Ah, the Dunmer thought. The mysterious girlfriend. "Slowly take down your mask and cowl," he said. Marelle nodded and raised her arms to comply. She noted the knife in one hand and the ball of fire enveloping the other, waiting to be released.

A mix of Altmer and Nord features, she could've been Elarie's big sister, she even had the brown hair. Teldryn put down the knife. "Tobias is upstairs."

Marelle headed straight for Tobias' area and woke the Dragonborn carefully. Teldryn turned away at their reunion and headed back to the lower level. They'd come and get him when they were ready.