It might have been the anger. It might have been the sadness. It might have been the shock, or it might have been all three. Aryll could not quite place the emotion that caused her to finally croak out what she did.

"Let's go."

"What?" Despite the fact that Gwilin looked exhausted by all accounts, he had remained by her side. "Go where? And now?"

"You've been in the area. Are there any towns nearby?"

"I mean, I've heard of Riverwood; though I've never been there."

"Great. Let's go, try to find some supplies, and start back towards home."

"You're kidding."

"Nope." She stood up, trying to hide the dizziness. She hadn't realized how much she had drained herself between the shouting and the screaming and the crying. "And yes – now. Let's go."

"I mean…" Gwilin rose and was about to put a hand on her shoulder to steady her, but Aryll stopped him. That's enough visible weakness for today, I think, she grimaced. "If you're sure, I'll go get the others."

"No."

"No?"

"Just you and me."

"Without saying a word?"

"Exactly." This isn't difficult to understand… gosh, my head, she thought. Through her slightly blurry vision, she could see Gwilin take a step back.

"No," he said.

"Why not?"

"There are several reasons." And, he ticked each of them off on his fingers. "For one, you are in no condition to begin a strenuous journey."

"You said Riverwood was nearby."

"It's still a long walk, and you're still swaying. For another," he went on, "we went through all the trouble of helping these people – helping your brother, nonetheless – and we are not just going to leave them here."

"Why?"

"Because…" His tone was incredulous. "That would be wrong."

"Not to me."

"Yeah, no – you're not well enough to travel if you can't see what's wrong with this."

"He left me. Why shouldn't I do the same to him?" Anger, she decided, definitely anger.

"I thought you said you were a pacifist."

"I'm not saying we kill them. I'm saying we just leave them here."

"Leaving unarmed people in the middle of Skyrim's wilderness is just as bad as killing them," Gwilin said. "You know what's out here!"

"Keep your voice quiet," she whispered. "We don't want them to know."

"No. Absolutely not."

"They aren't unarmed: he has a shield."

"I'm not leaving them, and I know you aren't either. You're too good for that."

"I just used a shout outside of the monastery to purposely fight something. I don't think I'm too good for anything at this point."

"Well, I do." Gwilin folded his arms. "If you want to run off on your own, that's fine. But, I'm staying here."

"I thought you were on my side!"

"I am – as long as you choose to be reasonable."

"This is reasonable."

"No: this is petty. And cowardly," he said. Aryll fumed at this. "Running from something that scares you is not going to help you move past it."

"I am not scared."

"Really? Well then, why don't you go back into that cave and actually talk to him? Why don't you tell him how you feel, instead of shouting at me?"

"I shouldn't have to."

"Then, good luck getting home by yourself," said Gwilin. "I hope you liked breaking the monastery's rules and using your shout for violence, because that's the only method of defense you will have at this time of night."

"Don't try to scare me out of it."

"Right, because informing you of the high rates of wild predators and thieves along the road at this late hour is simply a scare tactic," he deadpanned. Aryll bit her lip and tried to convince herself that he was just trying to dissuade her. He's right though, she inwardly huffed. She hadn't enjoyed using her shouts in violence, even if it was against Alduin. And if there really are so many dangers out here, I wouldn't be able to make it. She could still feel herself recovering from shouting at Helgen.

"We leave tomorrow morning," she said.

"With Link and Zelda," Gwilin pressed, "or it's no deal."

"They could totally handle themselves."

"Ary."

"Fine. I'll go back to the cave. We'll bring them along with us. But, don't expect me to be happy about it. And," Aryll added as she stormed (more like stumbled) back, "don't expect me to talk to them." She could see Link sitting just inside the cave with his shield. But, she didn't even look at him as she made her way past him towards an empty spot by the campfire, collapsed to the earth – Completely on purpose, she thought – and curled up, wrapping the folds of Fastred's dress tightly around her legs to keep herself warm. She could hear Gwilin stepping softly back into the cave and telling Link to leave the watch to him.

"You don't have a weapon," Link said.

"I'll manage. You need sleep."

"No. This is all my fault. The least I can do is watch for danger." Aryll rolled to face the cave wall and took a deep breath, not sure what to think or even how to feel.

"You were nearly executed," Gwilin said, "and you've been badly injured. I'll take the watch, and you get some rest. Tomorrow morning, we find a town with proper supplies. Hopefully, we can pick up some healing salves and potions."

"But…"

"If you don't let me relieve you of your duty, I will stand here, arguing with you all night and making you feel increasingly uncomfortable." Aryll couldn't help but smirk a little at this. Link must have been reconsidering, because he had gone silent.

"Fine," he sighed. "But, if you're going to keep an eye out, at least take this. It's all we've got." She didn't need to look to know he was giving Gwilin his shield. "Thank you." There was some mild crunching as Link made his way to the campfire and lay down on the rocky ground. The tingling on Aryll's neck told her that he was watching her, and she curled up tighter in response.

"Oh yeah," Gwilin muttered, "you're definitely related. I've never met anyone as stubborn and headstrong as the pair of you." He exhaled softly and mumbled even softer, "Looks like I have my work cut out for me."

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Gwilin had woken everyone up at sunrise to get them moving towards Riverwood. When Link opened his eyes, he saw that Aryll was already on her feet, readjusting her dress and muttering under her breath about a "dumb snake".

It still baffled him to see her as an adult. The last time he had seen her, she had only come to his chest in height. Her ears had been larger than most Hylians, and he remembered her running home to their father one day, because one of the local boys had teased her about it. And, he remembered how often she smiled. The townspeople all knew her by name and greeted her every morning as she sat on her perch on the clocktower.

This Aryll was completely foreign. Embarrassingly enough for Link, she was a few inches taller than him. She had grown into all of her features, including her ears, and it seemed that a smile from her would be as rare as finding a diamond in a common ore deposit. Furthermore, he remembered how carefree his baby sister used to be. This woman was all business: she stood straight, spoke with a steady firmness, and refused assistance from others as often as she could. If it weren't for how she had reacted last night, Link would have thought her to be full of nothing but confidence. But, I was there, he thought, and I know otherwise.

She studied him for a moment, but didn't say a word to him.

"Riverwood isn't far from here," Gwilin said, whilst putting out the final coals of last night's fire. "But, we'll want to start out early if we want any hope of getting a good bargain for supplies at its general store. Also, it may be likely that we won't have enough coin for everything we need, which might mean taking up an odd job or so. Those will be easier to find earlier in the morning than in the afternoon."

"That sounds exciting," Zelda smiled.

"It will most likely be chopping firewood and picking potatoes."

"And you think that will dissuade me?" she asked. At this, Aryll groaned and mumbled something about Gwilin's "new girlfriend" and the "Temple of Mara" (whatever that was).

"With that kind of attitude," Gwilin said to Zelda, ignoring Aryll, "you would be an excellent apprentice. Right then: out we go. Aryll, with me."

"Thank the Nine," the woman grunted, this time loud enough for everyone to hear. Gwilin shot her a look, but Aryll was completely unrepentant as she sidled up beside him and matched his pace. Link's shoulders fell. I don't know what I was expecting, he thought.

Just then, a familiar hand intertwined with his.

"Remember: don't give up," Zelda whispered. He met her eyes and managed a small smile before they began following their new companions.

Gwilin had not been joking: it was a long walk. While they could see the town from the top of the mountain range merely five minutes after they had set out, they would have to follow the winding road as it weaved down the side of the steep, grassy slopes. The view from the range gave Link a new perspective on their position however, and he took the opportunity to ask Gwilin (and hopefully Aryll) about any landmarks he noticed.

"What's up there?" He pointed to a strangely shaped structure on the other side of the valley.

"You know, I'm not actually sure," Gwilin said. "I mean, I'm not sure what it's called exactly. My guess is that it's one of the old Nordic crypts. Apparently, most of them look like that – all twisted stone."

"Haven't you ever been to one?"

"No, and I would rather not do so until I get buried there myself." Despite the morbid comment, Gwilin was smiling, and Link knew in that moment that he was going to like this man.

Aryll ignored the whole exchange.

Eventually, the group had come across a group of rounded columns. "Standing Stones," Gwilin said. "I've heard about these. Each one represents one of the celestial signs, special constellations linked to the Divines. Legend has it that if you touch one, you will receive its enhanced powers for a short period of time."

"What kind of enhanced powers?" Zelda asked.

"It depends on which you choose. For instance, these three stones represent the Warrior, the Mage, and the Thief. The Warrior Stone should enhance your fighting prowess. If you were born with magicka, or you're a wizard by trade, then the Mage enhances your spellcasting abilities. The Thief enhances stealth abilities."

"Why would anyone in this land need enhanced stealth abilities?"

"Well, for travelers, it could help them avoid danger, make them less detectable by bandits and dangerous wild animals. Unfortunately, it could also be used by thieves to make them less conspicuous to their marks. Although, really, any of the Standing Stones could be used for good or evil respectively."

"Fascinating," said Zelda, as she examined each of the pillars. "And, I can only touch one?"

"You can touch multiple, but you will supposedly only hold the power of the last stone you made contact with," Gwilin said. He had walked up to the Stones and was now glancing at each of them. "There are thirteen of these spread out across the land. That's what Ri'saad told me anyways. And, the Khajiit get around, so I have every reason to believe it." He touched the Warrior Stone. "I wonder how accurate those legends are." Zelda slowly reached out to touch the Mage Stone, and Link leaned on the Thief Stone, staring at the intricate carvings. He noticed that Aryll had not joined them.

"Which one would you choose?" he asked. The woman ignored him and looked straight at Gwilin.

"We should get a move on, if what you said about finding a good trade is true," she said.

"Come on, Ary," Gwilin said. "Humor us."

"My Stone isn't here," she said simply and turned to face the path ahead of them. Gwilin sighed and exchanged glances with Link. I tried, he seemed to say.

Ten minutes after this interaction, the four approached the gateway to Riverwood. Link was surprised and pleased to find a very familiar animal strutting across the way. I wonder if I can use them to fly the way I did back home, he thought, mischievously eyeing the cuckoo.

"Don't try it," came a voice. Aryll had not turned, but she had clearly been the one to speak. "Skyrim's citizens don't take well to strangers that manhandle their livestock." He wanted to respond to this, but she had already marched towards a building with a sign marked "Riverwood Trader". At least, she said something to me, he thought.

"We go in," Gwilin said, "see what we can afford, and get out."

This proved easier said than done.

As soon as the company entered the general store, they were met with the sound of a man and woman arguing with only a counter to separate them.

"Well one of us has to do something!" the woman said.

"I said no! No one is leaving Riverwood. No one is going after them. It's too dangerous," the man replied.

"So, we're just going to let them take it?"

"I'm sorry – I'm missing this invisible army we have to help us otherwise."

"We don't need an army, just a few strong fighters."

"It's not worth it. Besides, I could trust paid mercenaries as far as I could throw them."

"But…"

"We're done talking about this, Camilla. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have customers."

"Fine, but don't think I've let this go." Camilla stomped to the other side of the store, picked up a broom, and began to aggressively sweep the floor. The shopkeeper sighed and turned to the group.

"I'm sorry you had to hear that," he said. "How can I help you?"

"We need food and medical supplies," Gwilin said, reaching into his pocket for a small pouch and emptying its contents into his hand. "What can this get us?"

"What kind of medical supplies are you looking for?"

"Just something for his hands," Zelda said, gently nudging Link. The latter held up his fingers, causing the shopkeeper to wince.

"Did you try to melt yourself?" he asked.

"Sort of," Link admitted. The man shook his head and mumbled "Kids these days" before turning to look at his inventory.

"I'm not a medic, but a standard healing salve should do the trick," he said, "along with linen bandages. That should run you up about a third of what you have."

"That's not bad," Zelda said.

"That's only two of the items on our list," Gwilin said. "And, after food, we won't have enough to buy even one iron dagger to protect us."

"So, either we go without eating," Aryll said.

"Or we go without protection," Gwilin agreed.

"I can probably live without the bandages," Link told them, to which Aryll mumbled, "You can live without a lot of things."

"No, we're treating you. We're treating him," Gwilin said to the shopkeeper. "We'll take both the salve and the bandages, please." The man returned to the counter with the items and began counting out their coin.

"I bet I could get either Sven or Faendel to retrieve it for us," commented Camilla from the hearth.

"No," the shopkeeper repeated. "Although, that would narrow down your choice in husbands."

"I'm serious."

"I'm seriously in the middle of a transaction. This can wait."

"What needs to be retrieved?" Link found himself asking.

"Nothing," the shopkeeper sighed. "It's not important. A family heirloom was recently stolen by bandits, and now my sister wants someone to go into a bloody battle and take back what is ours."

"What was it?"

"I would rather not get into it…"

"A golden claw," Camilla butt in. "It has three talons and emblems of a bear, butterfly, and owl."

"Keep sweeping, will ya?" the shopkeeper grumbled.

"It's not even that far away," she said. "The bandits in question ran in the direction of Bleak Falls Barrow." She pointed out the door.

"The tomb on that mountainside?" Link asked. Camilla nodded.

"It doesn't matter," said the shopkeeper, "because these kids are not going up to face their deaths for a useless artifact."

"But, it's been in the family…" she started.

"Camilla."

"You said you wanted help."

"You said you wanted help. I said to let it go." In the middle of this argument, Gwilin took the salve and linens off the counter and motioned for the others to gather around him.

"We don't have enough for everything we need," he muttered.

"We also don't have any experience with fighting bandits," Aryll said. "And, I am not using my shouts again."

"You won't need to, because we won't need to fight them. Tombs aren't usually that well-lit, which means there are plenty of shadows. All we would have to do to get the claw back is be extra sneaky."

"Yeah, we don't have experience for that either. At least, you and I don't. And considering the fact that these two," she gestured to Link and Zelda, "were immediately caught by Imperial soldiers and nearly executed, I would guess they don't have it either."

"Actually, I do," Link said. When he and Zelda met eyes, he knew she was remembering the story he had told her about the Thunder Helm and the Yiga Clan.

"Of course, you do," Aryll huffed.

"It will be difficult, but not impossible," Link said. "We'll have to use a lot of misdirection tactics; and like Gwilin said, we'll have to keep to the shadows. But, if we play our cards right, it could be completely feasible."

"Let's see if we can make a trade," Zelda suggested. "The return of the claw for supplies."

"It sounds like the vote is three to four," said Gwilin, turning to Aryll.

"If you think for one moment that I will ever be in favor of voluntary endangerment, you are sorely mistaken," she said. "Helgen was an emergency. This is practically suicide."

"It's the only way for us to get what we need to travel back home."

"We didn't even ask if anyone needed help chopping firewood."

"I guarantee that chopping firewood would not cover the charges of everything we need. Besides," Gwilin knowingly smiled, "I saw a pair of trousers on the back shelf. We could add those to the deal." Link watched Aryll's eyes widen. Apparently, this was very important to her.

"If I die in this getup," she mumbled, "I'm taking you with me."

"Noted."

"For the last time," the shopkeeper was practically shouting, "stop scaring off my customers…"

"We'll do it," Gwilin interrupted. Both the man and Camilla froze and stared at them. "We'll do it. If we bring it back though, could we please exchange it for the rest of our supplies?"

"I… but…" The man was at a loss for words. Meanwhile, Camilla was beaming.

"What all do you need?" she asked, reaching for a quill and piece of parchment on the mantle and bringing both to the counter to write.

"We're traveling light, so not much," Gwilin said before briefly describing their needs. When he was done, Camilla reviewed the list and smiled.

"That's more than a fair trade," she said. "My brother will even throw in some extra gold for your troubles. It's the least we can do for such generosity. Isn't that right, Lucan?"

"I doubt any amount of gold will compensate for severe injury or death," the shopkeeper – Lucan must have been his name – said. "But, if you're serious about this… I suppose it would be more than reasonable."

"And, I would be happy to accompany you," Camilla added.

"Oh no you won't. That's where I draw the line. If you want to go to the edge of town and point them in the general direction, that's fine; but I'd just as soon become a singing and dancing bard than have you run off into danger like that." Camilla looked ready to argue. Instead, she exhaled slowly.

"Very well then," she said. "I suppose that's better than nothing."

"In that case," Gwilin turned back to the shopkeeper with the rest of his coin, "may we also have an iron dagger?"