It was late in the afternoon, the sun going down as the light gleamed through the trees. Lost deep in thought, he waited. For what, he didn't quite know yet. All he knew was that he couldn't go off and save his best friend. He was skilled but not that skilled. When it came to surviving the wilds, it was easy, when it came to handling a bow, way too easy. Single-handedly taking on a group of low-life bandits. He would most likely come out wishing for death if he wasn't killed in the process.

So, he waited. For something, anything to answer his dilemma. To help him save the one being he had left that gave meaning in his life.

He was so close to escaping the civilized life to live off in the wilderness with his faithful companion. Until they got separated, he wasn't anything if not loyal. He'd be damned, if not by the divines, then by himself if he left his companion for dead. The very thought made his entire core burn with a raging desire for blood.

He was almost ready to say, 'Fuck it!' and go. Until...

"Oye, Oye! Look at this fine lass!-"

He heard the two drunkards at it again with their sad display of flirtations with whatever pair of legs decided to walk by them. A few moments of watching them make utter fools of themselves shouldn't hurt too bad as far as wasting time goes. It was always the most fun watching idiots in their natural habitats while under the influence.

A lot of it was pretty much them trying to woo her, but it eventually turned into who could get her first. There was more fight in it this time than the other times he heard them go at it. Which only intrigued him even more.

"A fair maiden like her would be a waste for a man like you!"

The bitterness of it all was that he couldn't see what it was they were so into it about. He couldn't see her since she was facing them, and the opposite from where he was standing from. It was definitely obvious that it was a woman by her figure, his amber eyes admired her curves that were in all the right places. The armor she wore only complemented that fact, which was surprising for being ancient nordic armor. She was covered in it from head to toe. Though she might have the body, she most certainly doesn't have brains. She actually stopped and listened to those fools' banter about her.

He couldn't even begin to understand why, most just walk on with their day and ignore them. But here she was fully listening and laughing about it. Though he couldn't hear her laugh he could tell by the way her shoulders bounced in a delicate way that she was amused. Once they finished bantering she just gave them a bow and turned his way.

This was it, he was finally going to see what the fuss was about. She had her head down as she watched her feet going up the steps. This was even better, she was about to walk past him into the Sleeping Giant Inn.

The anticipation got him all excited, though he wasn't so sure how much he would get to see from that helmet. She finally lifted her head only to completely miss a step and fell face first towards the ground.

Every instinct inside of him wanted to let her fall, but his body disagreed as he swooped in to keep her from going down. Even though he couldn't take back his sudden heroism he could at least make a snark about her clumsiness.

"Damn woman, I was going to say you were either someone who doesn't like to lip wrestle or you looking for someone to kiss those nordic boots of yours. But now I'm not so sure about the second one considering you can't walk in them."

"It's not the boots that are the problem, it's my feet, I've been walking on them for days. I can hardly feel them."

She laughs as she politely pats his shoulder still looking down at her feet. He practically shoved her off of him once she was back on her feet. He thought she was going to go down again, but she was surprisingly stiff and barely budged.

Then there was finally eye contact, and he was completely entranced in her eyes. They were breathtaking, the colors of silver that faded into the most beautiful of blues. Considering her helmet took up the majority of her face, all that was left to compliment was her lips. She had the most kissable lips he had ever seen; they looked soft too.

"Thanks for the save! I honestly was ready to have to pull my head out of my helmet just to pry the horns out of the wood. Though, I can't help but feel a little rude. I don't fully understand what you said when you caught me. You said... Lip wrestling?"

He finally shook himself back to his senses and tried everything he could to avoid her eyes. In fear of losing his train of thought, so he settled on her nose.

ahem* "Right so, are you so used to those kinds of comments that you turn up your nose at all of them like some damn noble? You just sat there and listened to them only laugh at them and walk away. Like you could care less."

"Wait, they were talking about me?!"

"What?"

He was honestly in shock.

"I'm sorry, usually nobody says those kinds of things to me. I laughed because I couldn't wait to get as wasted as they were. I came here in hopes to get drunk and sleep the night away. I had no idea I was who they were talking about, though now it makes a lot more sense considering they kept making eye contact with me."

He could do nothing but stare in awe at her stupidity.

"Well anyway, I'm sorry princess, if you wanted their attention I could give you the stage back if it bothers you so much."

"Wha… princess?! Those two could only wish they could work up the courage to whistle at me. I'll be fine, you can keep your 'stage'. They have been harassing every pair of legs that have crossed their path for days. Yesterday they got so drunk that they wolf whistled the blacksmith! You're the first they've been right to admire though…"

'Despite your pretty little oblivious self'

ahem*

"Anyway, just give them a wide berth."

"Thanks for the heads up, but I just want to get my drink. So if you don't mind, why don't you give me a wide berth."

"You know, I was just leaving, but now I feel like I need to bother you a little more."

She sighed with frustration as she crossed her arms below her breasts making them perk up a bit more under the support.

He lost his train of thought but it wasn't what he feared would cause it. It was worse…

'Mmmm I'd like to get a drink from those tankards… FOCUS! Bishop, focus!'

"I was… tracking my wolf, Karnwyr, around here. We were separated while hunting a week ago. I've been hearing rumors of bandits holding pit fights somewhere this side of Skyrim. He's all I've got, and that's my only lead. So I'm off to shut them down before something happens to him."

She looked at him with a look of both surprise and excitement.

"Your wolf doesn't happen to be brown and a total sweetheart?"

He practically jumped off the wall from anticipation.

"Wait, what?! You found him?"

"I hope so! I left him by my horse just outside of Riverwood. I was about to ask the inkeep if he could come in with me considering he was being antsy and I didn't want him alone since we've been traveling for days sharing my tent. C'mon I'll bring you to him."

He didn't have to be asked twice; he followed her so quickly he might as well have been the one leading her. He didn't care to think if he could trust her; it was his hope in seeing his wolf safe that motivated him to follow suit.

Sure enough he heard the familiar bark of his companion, he bent down to embrace his old friend after finally reuniting.

"Ah, there you are, you mutt! I was so worried about you."

"Now I know why he was so antsy, he probably sniffed you out and wanted to find you. Though he didn't have to stay when I told him to, I would have loved to give him back to his owner. Even though he has grown on me in the past couple of days."

She kneeled down beside him to pet Karnwyr. He lovingly embraced her hand soaking up the attention, he even went as far as to leave his grasp to nuzzle into hers.

'Traitor.'

"How did you find him?"

"Well long story short, I was investigating a ruin, killed some draugr, probably the same one more than once thanks to a vengeful necromancer. Once I cleared it I heard some howls and went to investigate. I killed the bandits, freed the wolves trying to avoid getting eaten. Then I opened this guy's cage and he didn't fight me, In fact he fought alongside me. I figured he belonged to someone so I went from town to town, some camping in between, to hopefully find his owner. And well… here we are."

He was completely dumbfounded. This woman went though, not only a draugr ruin but a group of bandits single handedly with Karnwyr. Both unharmed and proceeded to sit here kissing all over his wolf and telling him the story like it wasn't even a big deal!

'WHO EVEN IS THIS WOMAN!?'

"Your fucking with me."

She looked at him with amusement.

"You wish."
"Haha, no… I don't get it. In fact I don't buy it. I don't trust anyone, not even the man pouring my drink. So you really can't expect me to believe you did all that and decide to search for his owner out of the kindness of your heart. You must want some kind of payment for all these lies you're trying to sell me."
"No payment, there's no price
for family, none can compare to how happy you both were being together again. That is payment enough. And as far as my life is concerned, it's my business. I don't care if you believe my motives or actions. All that matters is that I can say I've done them and you get your wolf back, right?"
"Well…"
'She's not wrong…'
It was all silent until Karnwyr snapped his jaws on the nordic helmet's horns and ripped the helmet clean off, while knocking the woman on her back.
He didn't have time to process what he saw before him. She sat up revealing her silver white locks that flowed down her shoulders with luscious curls. Her eyes and lips complimented her heart shaped face and long elven ears. Her face glowed a lovely shade of pink as she stared at him with bewilderment.
"Heheh sorry, he uh… seems to think my helmet is a chew toy. I'm surprised you didn't notice the teeth marks already."
She stated as she tried and failed to snatch the helmet from him, as he was obviously wanting to play a game of chase with the helmet settled in his mouth.
She obviously was fooled into it because she was chasing him around trying to get a grip on her helmet. All Bishop could do, was laugh.
"Give it here!"
He darts again.
"Hey!"
And again.
Bishop could only laugh harder at the sight before him. He had to admit she wasn't horrible company. She had a sense of humor, she could handle herself, and Karnwyr liked her. Which led him to ask this question as she finally got a grip and was in the middle of a tug-of-war with Karnwyr growling with excitement.
"Are you in need of a ranger?"
"Huh?"
She looked over to him right when Karnwyr completely let go of the helmet causing her to fall back once again with a 'oof'. He laughed as he stood up, walked over to her, and met eyes with her as she lay on the ground and he stood before her.
"I'm asking if you need a ranger to watch your back."
She crossed her arms and remained in the dirt with a look of one deep in thought.
"But I thought you didn't trust anyone."
"OH, I don't. All I trust is me and my wolf. Though if I remember correctly I didn't say I trusted you, but I did say I wouldn't mind traveling with you. So, do you want my help or not?"
He raised his hand out to pull her up, which she hesitated in accepting. Once she was back on her feet, she raised an eyebrow with a smirk.
"What makes you think I need help?"
"Your lack of weapons for one. What do you fight with?"
"Uhhhhh… my dagger."
She walks to her horse and pulls out from her saddle a small iron dagger.
"That's it!? You can't fight off an entire ruin AND bandits AND wolves with that! There's no way!"
"Well, I didn't say I did it all at once and within a single day. It took a lot of sneaking AND patience AND strategy to eventually kill them all… with a dagger."
"WHAT WAS THE POINT IN ALL OF THAT THEN?!?"
"Experience…"
She said softly as she sunk into her shoulders. He sighed deeply in frustration as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Ladyship, please tell me your not that stupid."
"I only know sneaking and speechcraft, the rest is self taught."
"Alright, that's it! I'm coming whether you like it or not, I'm going to teach you all that I know so I won't develop a guilty conscience later for letting you go off and kill yourself."
She stared wide-eyed into his eyes and he could tell deep down she knew she couldn't say no.
"If that's what you wanna do. I could… use the company."
She mumbled as she walked past him back to the inn and both he and Karnwyr followed behind. That was all that was said as she bought her room for the night, skipping her drink and going straight to bed. He heard her mumble to herself the whole way and as she closed the door. He was about to turn in too, till he heard her door open once more. She spoke softly but swiftly.
"Elaine."
"What was that?"
She sighed then spoke slower.
"My name… is Elaine."
A small smile escaped his lips.
"Bishop."
"Goodnight… Bishop."
"Goodnight, Elaine."
The door shut softly as she mumbled once again to herself.
This is going to be either a good idea or a really bad one. As odd as she may be, he had to admit he was intrigued and he couldn't wait to find out which.

Elaine's POV

'I won't survive this journey…'

As soon as she saw those amber eyes…

That stumbled face…

That perfectly imperfect scar on his cheek…

That broad shouldered hunk of a man!

She couldn't say no to him if he asked to join. She didn't want to put anyone at risk with her little adventures, but the good thing is she didn't have to worry if he couldn't handle himself. He definitely looks capable. In more than one activity...

'Pervert...'

'Gosh if I didn't have such a dirty mind, damn it, Ve, it's all your fault!"

A dirty mind was the least of her troubles, she had to make up for the fibs she told him.

She knew she would regret saying the things she said. She couldn't let him know that she was actually giggling like a little girl because she was getting called pretty by those drunkards. Nobody considered her pretty while a dirty beggar.

Now that, she definitely could tell him.

She couldn't let him see how she has lived most of her life on the streets of a city, in and out of the Riften orphanage. How she has barely been able to survive and only recently has she picked herself up and looks somewhat decent.

Lastly that she is half imperial and the other half is one of the last remaining of a long dead race… a Snow Elf. She knew nothing of her heritage but she knew that she could keep up the lie of,

'Oh, I'm just a really pale Elf.'

She really didn't want to see the disappointed look on that handsome face when she eventually tells him the truth. She was good at persuading, but she was no liar.

He couldn't let anyone look down on her like that. It wasn't about pride, it was shame.

She would have to tell him all her little surprises eventually. That is if he stays that long. Hopefully with all that in mind there is nothing else she could possibly surprise him with.

'I hope…'

A/N

Okay so I decided to make it to where she's the DragonBorn after they meet. I know the mod story line makes you a DragonBorn before all that. As I played through even before the DragonBorn quest they still called me that. I guess they assumed you would already be mainly done with the main quest line once you talk to Bishop. That or Bishop doesn't really care what the DragonBorn is and could care less as long as she is a smoke'n hot babe. Cause when he was there when I first got introduced as the Dragonborn he had no dialog, not even one comment about it. So I decided to make it this way so I can make him make a comment about it. MUWAHAHAHAHA! *DIABOLICAL PINKY GRACES THE CORNER OF MY DIABOLICAL LIP*

I'M PAWSITIVELY EVIL!

Haha…

Anyway…

Until next time my lovelies!