CHAPTER EIGHT
Hrongar and Greeta slept later than usual, putting them a couple hours behind their departure. That meant it would be after dark when they arrived at Darkwater Crossing. Halfway into their trip the sky began to darken.
"Looks like it's going to storm." Greeta observed
"Hopefully it will hold off until we reach Darkwater." Hrongar said as he looked up.
They picked up their pace. It wasn't long until their mounts started acting up.
"They smell something they don't like." Hrongar said trying to settle his horse. Suddenly, a huge saber cat leaped out of the brush onto the hindquarters of his horse. The horse screamed as it went to the ground. Hrongar was able to throw himself away from his horse so that he wouldn't be crushed underneath it. His landing was hard and his battle axe gashed his shoulder. Greeta pulled up her bow and sent an arrow into the cat's flank. The beast looked up, eyeing Hrongar close by, and prepared to pounce. Greeta let loose another arrow hitting the cat behind its foreleg and into its heart. Hrongar's horse was down and dying a slow agonizing death. Greeta drew her dagger and slit the animal's throat. She raced over to Hrongar, pulling out a vial of healing potion. She dumped it into his wound. While he waited for the potion to work, Greeta unpacked the dead horse and put everything onto hers. With the extra weight on her horse, they would have to walk and lead the horse behind them. Finally, Hrongar's wound was healed enough to begin their trek again. They had walked for an hour when the clouds broke.
"Great!" Hrongar roared. "If losing my horse wasn't bad enough, now we have to walk to Darkwater in the pouring rain.
"You're such a bear." Greeta teased, trying to lighten the mood.
By the time they reached Darkwater Crossing, it was well after dark. They were exhausted, cold, and soaked to the bone. Hrongar put the horse in an enclosure with a cow and unpacked their bags. They walked up to the main cabin and Greeta knocked on the door. An elderly man opened the door and upon seeing them, exclaimed.
"By the nines, you two look like a couple of drowned skeevers! Come in, come in. Go stand in front of the fire, I'll go find you some dry clothing." He scurried to the basement.
Greeta and Hrongar laid out their bags on one side of the fire and their boots on the other to dry out. The elderly man returned with two sets of clothing and a large blanket.
"Here these should fit. I'll step into the other room so you can change." The old man said.
When he left, Hrongar held up the blanket like a curtain so Greeta could change. Then he changed and wrapped the blanket around them as they sat in front of the hearth.
"We're decent." Hrongar called.
The man came out with a tray full of food and a large jug of mead.
"You two must be hungry. Here you go." He set the meal down in front of them. "You're welcome to stay as long as you need."
"We really appreciate your kindness." Greeta said.
"You're quite welcome."
After everyone finished their supper, they all retired for the night. The man went to his room and Greeta and Hrongar to the floor in front of the fire.
It rained all the next day, so the two stayed with the old man and told stories and drank mead. When the rain stopped Hrongar packed the horse, while Greeta went to pay the old man for letting them stay.
"No need for that, missy." The old man said. "Your company was payment enough."
Hrongar and Greeta started their return trip to Whiterun again. They made it to Valtheim Towers without incident. The two were greeted by the guards Irileth had stationed there after getting Hrongar's letter. When they reached Honningbrew Meadery, Hrongar looked up at Dragonsreach.
"I hate to admit it, but I was beginning to miss this place." He laughed.
Proventus and Jarl Balgruuf were standing on the great porch looking out over the plains. It was near sunset when they seen the two travelers nearing the Meadery.
"My Jarl, I believe that's Hrongar and the Dragonborn. What happened to their horse?"
"I figure we will find out when they get here, Proventus." Jarl Balgruuf retorted.
"Ah, brother! You have returned and our Thane as well." Jarl Balgruuf said as he met them halfway. "I am glad you are safely back here at home."
The cook brought two hot meals and sat them down on the table. Balgruuf told them eat and get settled in, he would speak to them afterwards. Balgruuf left for his quarters. The two ate hungrily then took their belongings to Greeta's room. Hrongar then left to speak with Balgruuf in his quarters. Greeta undressed and slid into bed. She waited to go to sleep until after Hrongar returned. When he did, he undressed and slip into bed with her.
"What did you tell your brother?" She asked.
"I told him of our trip and what the Greybeards had said and the task they gave you. Then I told him we wanted to go to Riften and get married as soon as it was possible."
"What did he say?"
"He said no brother of his was getting married in Riften. He ordered us to have the wedding here at Dragonsreach and it would take place in a week." Hrongar informed her as he laughed. "Announcements will be sent out tomorrow."