Chapter 7: Wolves and Reunions

"I'm glad you folks decided to come with me," Ralof said with a grin. "We're almost to Riverwood."

"I'm glad to hear it." Silva smiled.

"Me too," Kriger said. "My feet are killing me."

Arliss nodded enthusiastically. "It will be most beneficial to rest awhile at an inn."

Just as they were beginning to look forward to a much awaited rest a howl shot through the air. "Wolves!" Ralof warned. At once they were on alert. Their eyes scanned the woods around them warily.

The rustling of leaves got Arliss' attention. Among the foliage he caught a glimpse of black fur. 'Wolves with black fur?!' Memories of large dark beasts flashed through his mind. "Hellhounds!" He cried. Just then another howl could be heard and a black wolf leapt out at him.

Luckily for Arliss, the Arisen was swift with a bow, and the wolf was dead before it landed. She observed it. 'Tis definitely not large enough to be a hellhound.' She sighed in relief.

Unbeknownst to her another was aiming to attack her from behind. "Watch out!" Arliss shot an ingle at it. "Wolves hunt in packs!"

Kriger let out a snort. "Is that so?" He said sarcastically as he stabbed a wolf with a sword he picked up in Helgen keep. Another lunged at him, but he held up his weapon defensively. The wolf bit down onto his blade. Kriger's brow furrowed in surprise, and anger. "Let go," He said through clenched teeth. He tried pulling out the blade, but the wolf had a surprisingly strong grip. It's teeth were becoming bloody, but it still didn't yield. Gripping tightly with both hands he managed to loosen it's hold of the blade. The sword cut cleanly through it's mouth. "Mangy mutt." He muttered under his breath.

Ralof cleaved through another with his axe. "That's another one down."

It wasn't long afore all the wolves were dealt with. "We have triumphed!" Said Arliss.

"Damn straight!" Ralof laughed.

Kriger looked at the mage strangely. "What was that you said earlier?" He asked. "Something about hellhounds?"

Arliss was taken aback by the question. 'Tis' true I was too reckless with my words.' He cursed his carelessness. "I was mistaken," He said simply.

"That's right." Ralof sounded as if he had reached a realization. "You did say something like that." He laughed. "You were pretty jumpy. Good for us eh?"

"Tell me about these hellhounds of yours," Said Kriger. He recalled the way the two foreigners arrived, and was suspicious of them. 'First you fall from the sky, and not long after a dragon of all things comes at the perfect time to save your lives.' His eyes narrowed. 'That's way too convenient to be a coincidence.'

"Now that you mention it-" Ralof began. "I'm curious about them too."

Arliss gave the Arisen an apologetic look. She sighed. 'It seems they're not going to let the matter go.' Glancing at their expectant faces made her think. 'They already know that we're foreign to these lands.' After a moment of consideration she spoke. "Very well. Back in Gransys we fought large, ash colored wolves that could spit, and breath fire." She began explaining the way that the beasts fought, how they would drag you away the moment they had an opportunity to do so.

Kriger let out a grunt. "Interesting," He said rubbing his dark stubble.

"I'm glad we don't have anything like that in Skyrim," Ralof said. "Anyway, let's skin these wolves and get outta here." After skinning the wolves he spoke up. "I'd like to hear more of this Gransys place of yours. If you don't mind maybe you could tell us more of your homeland on the way to Riverwood?"

Silva gave a small smiled. "It would be a pleasure Sir.Ralo- I mean Ralof."

Along the way she told them of her home, of Cassardis. She told them how the gentle waves caressed the warm sands, of the delicious fish the village sold, and the way the friendly people of Cassardis treated each other like family. Remembering those happy days filled her with a sense of nostalgia, and sadness. As much as she was glad to be in a world, and not a rift, she couldn't stop her longing for those days. She missed Cassardis. She missed her friends, the chief who treated her as his own, and her best friend who was like a sister to her. Before she knew it, her vision became blurry with tears, and a sob escaped her throat.

"Master, are you all right?" Arliss had already placed his hand on her shoulder for support.

"What's wrong?" Ralof asked worried.

"I can never go back," She said through sobs.

"You managed to get here didn't you?" Kriger asked. "There must be a way for you to return," He suggested. He was beginning to feel guilty for his suspicion. 'Maybe they didn't mean to come here. Maybe it wasn't their fault.' He began to think. 'Even if they didn't do it purposely, they still could be responsible for bringing that dragon here.' He shook his head, he really didn't know what to think. This mystery was something he felt he had to unravel.

She shook her head. "Even if I could return tis' too late." 'The people I knew, and loved died lifetimes ago.' She knew it all too well, she had watched it from her throne. Everyone she knew withered away long ago.

"Hey, cheer up," Ralof began. "I don't know what your situation is, but Riverwood is really close now. My sister and I, we'll help you. I promise."

Silva felt absolutely pathetic. 'Why am I breaking down now?' She asked herself. Knowing that if she remained in this state she would be nothing but burdening her new friends she steeled herself. Bringing herself back to her feet she wiped her eyes, and did her best to regain her composure. "I'm sorry." Her voice shook. "Let us proceed." She did her best to speak in a reticent tone.

She avoided their gaze, and walked ahead of the group, trying to ignore the feeling of stares upon her back.

Soon Riverwood came into view. "What did I tell you? That there is Riverwood," Ralof said with a large smile. It looked like a nice little village from what the others could see.

"We have arrived!" Arliss exclaimed loudly as they came into the town. Hearing him shout a few villagers turned to the incoming group and gave them odd looks.

The two nords of the group suppressed the urge to knock some sense into the clueless mage. "Sorry about that," Ralof said to the onlookers with an awkward laugh. He then turned to Arliss and hushed him. "Could you keep it down?"

"Most people don't shout like that, when coming into a town," Kriger snickered.

"That's right," Ralof agreed. "You'll disturb the peace."

"I see," Arliss nodded. "Thank you for this valuable lesson. I have learned aught of behavior."

Ralof raised a confused eyebrow, while Kriger furrowed his in bewilderment. Before they could say anything they were interrupted by the sound of laughter. "I'm sorry," Silva said through giggles. "Tis' an amusing predicament." She raised her hand to try to stifle her laugh to no avail. "Your faces were rather humorous."

"I'm glad to see you well Master." Arliss smiled.

Ralof laughed. "That's true." He grinned. "It's good to see you're in better spirits."

Kriger was a bit annoyed that she found the situation funny, but he did agree with them.

"Ralof is that you?" A womans voice interrupted them. Turning to the source of the voice they saw a blonde woman, worry etched on her face. Her bright blue eyes looked as if they would burst to tears. "What are you doing here? Are you alright?" She ran to him and began carefully looking over him for wounds.

"Gerdur." Ralof spoke in a calming tone. The others knew instantly that this was the sister he spoke of. "Gerdur I'm fine." The two embraced.

Kriger coughed. "As much as I don't want to ruin your moment.." He paused. "We have some important things that we need to talk about." He caught view of another blonde woman sweeping the front of what he guessed was the towns inn. She seemed to be observing them. "Preferably somewhere private." He added.

Gerdur seemed to notice where he was looking and nodded. She didn't have to turn to confirm it. She knew that Delphine, like most innkeepers tended to be nosy. Though she had a feeling that Delphine was more observant than most. She gave her brother a key. "Take them to the house," She said. "I'll get Hod, and meet you there."

Ralof led the others to his sister's home, and they hurried inside. Soon Gerdur came as promised. Behind her was a tall, blonde man with a beard. They learned that this man was Hod; Gerdur's husband. They were followed by a young boy, they could tell without being told that he was their son.

"Uncle Ralof!" The boy ran up to Ralof and excitedly bombarded him with questions.

"Frodnar." Gerdur called the boy sternly. "Go watch the south road and run back and warn us if you see any Imperial soldiers." She ordered.

Frodnar turned to her in disappointment. "Aww, but Mama, I want to stay here and talk with uncle Ralof."

Ralof ruffled the boy's hair. "Look at you. You're taller than the last time I saw you. It won't be long till you're ready to join the fight to free Skyrim yourself."

"That's right!" Frodnar puffed in pride. "Don't worry uncle Ralof. I won't let those Imperials sneak up on you." He ran out the door followed by his loyal dog stump.

After he left they remained in a cold uncomfortable silence. "So Ralof, what brings you here?" Hod finally asked. "I have a feeling this is more than just a friendly visit."

Ralof sighed. "I won't beat around the bush. We're gonna need your help."

"We?" Hod asked, warily observing the three strangers Ralof brought into his house.

Gerdur gave Hod a reprimanding look. "Are these people your comrades?" She asked.

Ralof looked to the three behind him. "Not comrades yet, but friends. I owe them my life in fact."

Gerdur gave them a warm smile. "Any friend of Ralof's is a friend of mine. We'll be glad to help you, and your friends."

Ralof gave her a grateful smile. "Thank you Gerdur." His face quickly turned to one of sadness. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to put your family in danger."

"Nonsense." She reprimanded. "I'm happy to help."

Hod sighed. He knew that once Gerdur made up her mind there was no changing it. "Alright we'll help you," He said defeated. "But, we need to know what's going on."

The three strangers continued to let Ralof do the talking. They knew Gerdur's generosity for complete strangers was mostly due to Ralof's influence. The couple's eyes went wide when he told them of the dragon attack in Helgen. "You don't mean a real, live-" Gerdur's shaken voice couldn't even finish the sentence. The pale couple glanced at the somber strangers, and knew instantly that he was telling the truth.

Hod's curiosity overtook his fear. "What was it like?" He asked in an almost excited tone. "As big as a house?"

"Even larger than that," Said Kriger. "As big as the inn."

Hod whistled. "That sounds like a sight to see." His face went from impressed to nervous in an instant. "Not that i'd actually want to see one mind you."

Ralof gestured to his new friends. "They're all foreigners to Skyrim, do you think you could help them get adjusted?"

"Foreigners?" Gurder eyed Kriger. She could tell by their clothes that the woman, and mage were foreign, but was surprised to hear that he too was new to skyrim. In his Stormcloak armor he appeared to be a perfect example of a Nord.

"Aye," Said the nord stranger. "I am Kriger, and was on my way here from Cyrodil when we met."

Seeing his sister's surprise Ralof laughed. "That armor suits you so well, she couldn't tell you weren't born, and raised here." Before the other two strangers could introduce themselves Ralof did it for them. "This is Silvana, also known as Silva the Arisen." He pat her hard on the back pushing her forward towards his sister. "And this mage here is Arliss." He practically pulled him forward. "He called himself a main something. Couldn't have been a squeeze was it?" He laughed.

Arliss blinked in confusion. "What's that?" He asked. His obliviousness earned him some surprised looks, which quickly turned into laughs. Specifically Ralof's, Hod's, and even a chuckle from Kriger. He tilted his head, trying to understand the situation. "Is there aught amusing?" Unfortunately this only made them laugh harder.

A flustered Silva resisted the urge to say something. She guiltily watched them tease her poor pawn. She hated when people were cruel to, or badmouthed her pawns. Unfortunately the situation would only worsen if she intervened now. Thankfully Gerdur stepped in.

"Alright, that's enough!" The nord woman yelled. "Leave the poor lad alone." She ordered.

"I was only teasing," Ralof defended.

"Yes, yes. We're well aware of how much of a joke you like to be." She turned to her still laughing husband. "That goes for you too."

"Oh come on," Hod protested. "You have to admit it was pretty funny."

Before the situation could escalate further Frodnar returned. "What's going on?" He asked through the open door.

"Frodnar, close the door." She ordered. As soon as he did she anxiously asked "Did you see any soldiers?"

He shook his head. "Nope, and it was getting dark, and boring. Anyway I don't think they'll come tonight." He sat down at the table. "When's dinner? I'm starving."

Chapter 7: Wolves and Reunions End

Authors Notes: I hope the characters, and dialogue aren't too odd; if you notice anything that really stands out please let me know so I can fix it. I'm constantly trying to improve, and often go back to edit older chapters even if it takes me awhile to do.

I'm making a few small edits. Before I had cut chapter 4 in half, but I decided it would be better to just rename chapter 4.2 into chapter 5. I figured it would be less confusing that way.

While re-reading my story I noticed a glitch or other where if I put Sir with an e it will disappear. So I had to go back and change them to an i. Let's hope it fixes it.

Thank you again annjames for your kind and generous words. I really can't thank you enough. You have no idea how happy reading your review made me. You don't have to worry. I won't give up on my story. I intend to complete it eventually even if it takes me awhile to get there.

Thank you so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed yourself. See you next chapter!