Disclaimer: Don't own it.

A/N: I'm glad everyone's liking this so far. I can't wait till Freya and Silas get to Dragon Bridge. ;) Anyway, please review. I love you all. Enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 8

As always, the mists of Sovngarde surrounded me as I ran. The earth shook as the two goliaths battled for supremacy. Alduin and the ancient dragon attacked each other with a ferocity I had never seen before. Teeth flashed as they ripped at flesh, and claws grated on scales. Thrashing wings kept the mists at bay.

I skidded to a stop at the edge of the mists, watching the dueling dragons. Alduin roared and tore a gash in the ancient dragon's wing, eliciting an anguished cry from the injured dragon. I caught a glimpse of its eyes as it snaked its head towards Alduin's exposed throat. They reminded me of someone I knew…

I woke with a start, and whipped my head to stare at Silas. It couldn't be… I shook my head vigorously, trying to rid my mind of the images from my dream. Silas shifted in his sleep. I stared at him, thinking that he couldn't possibly be the ancient dragon from my dream.

I slipped from the bed, deciding to find something to eat since I was already up. Argis was sitting at the table, eating a chunk of bread. I grabbed a piece of bread and a cup of water, choosing to eat outside. Stepping through the doorway, I was greeted by the rays of sunlight peeking above the city's walls.

The sky, dusted with a few wispy clouds, was colored with many shades of pink, orange, and yellow. I munched on my bread, watching the colors fade to a light blue. The door opened behind me, and Silas stepped up next to me.

"Morning," I greeted, taking a gulp of water. The bread made my mouth dry, and it was starting to stick to the roof of my mouth.

"Morning," he replied. "What are our plans for today?"

"I was thinking of heading to Dragon Bridge," I stated. "Have you ever been there before?"

"No. My father kept me well away from towns and cities. I've only been to Riverwood, Whiterun, and now Markarth." I nodded.

"Dragon Bridge it is." We returned inside to get ready to leave. I donned my armor and gathered a few things from the chest at the end of the bed. I reluctantly pulled out a coin purse I had been saving for a while. It had well over 1,000 septims in it, and I was determined to buy a horse.

I stuffed a pack with cured meat, several bottles of mead, and other various things needed for the trip. I strapped two bedrolls to the sides of the pack, and slung the pack over my shoulder. I left Dawnbreaker, choosing instead a Daedric sword I had looted off a dead Dremora.

I went to my stash of arrows, and grabbed thirty Ebony and eighteen Elven, knowing I would need them eventually. With my weapons strapped at my sides, I plucked my Ebony bow up from where I had left it leaning against a wall and left Vlindrel Hall. Once outside the gates, I turned to look at the city for possibly the last time. I tried not to think about it too hard.

I approached the stable master, inquiring of a horse for sale. He said he had one all saddled up and ready to go. I handed over my pouch full of septims, and he handed me the reins of a piebald poop machine. I looped the straps of my pack around the horn of the saddle and was leading the horse along the path when I noticed Silas staring.

"What?" I asked.

"You paid 1000 septims for a horse so that it could carry your pack." He looked at me like I was stupid. "You could have just asked me."

"Yeah, well, it gave me an excuse to buy a horse," I snapped rubbing the horse's nose. "What should we call you, huh girl?"

The horse snorted and stretched its neck down to nibble the grass on the side of the road. I stood for a moment, thinking of a good name.

"How about Jala?" I asked. The horse lifted its muzzle from the grass and fixed one eye on me. I took it as a yes, and resumed walking.

We followed the river for most of the day, Jala ambling amiably at my side. Silas was quiet, and I wondered if he was remembering his childhood. I felt horrible for bringing it up last night, but I'd been curious about how he'd gotten that scar.

I was about to call for a lunch break when Jala shied to the left, shoving me into the river. I panicked, scrambling to get my feet underneath me, and heard Silas shout something at me. I couldn't seem to find the bottom, and my head slipped under the surface.

I fought desperately to reach the surface, but I didn't know which way was up. I couldn't see anything but bubbles. I wanted to scream, but knew it was a bad idea to waste what little breath I had left. Everything was dark and gloomy. My heavy armor caused me to sink more. I gave up struggling to get to the surface, and just hung there in the water, sinking slowly.

I had just about given up all hope when I heard a splash and felt strong arms around my midsection. My head broke the surface of the water, and I gasped for air, trying to fill my lungs. I vaguely felt solid earth under my back. The sun was bright, blinding me yet again.

A face blocked out the brightness. I blinked rapidly, trying to focus. I couldn't breathe. My armor was ripped off over my head. I felt something on my chest. It pushed hard into my ribcage, and water came gurgling up my windpipe and out of my mouth. I lay sputtering for a moment, shaking in fear.

Silas picked me up and carried me away from the river. My arms snaked around his neck and I buried my face in his chest. A few seconds that felt like hours passed, and I was again on the ground. Silas sat down behind me, wrapping his arms around me and rubbing my back. I shivered from the cold and fear.

After a few minutes, I leaned into his body, reveling in the warmth and strength. He ceased moving and leaned back against the trunk of a nearby tree, holding me to him like I was going to evaporate. A few minutes of silence later, he spoke.

"Why didn't you tell me you can't swim?" His quiet question pierced through me like a knife. Because the Dragonborn should be infallible... Because my stupid pride won't let me admit it…. Because I'm weak.

I chose not to answer, instead burrowing deeper into the blanket and snuggling closer to him. At the moment, I felt safe. Like even Alduin couldn't touch me. My heart wasn't racing anymore, though my throat burned like dragon's fire.

"Thank you," I whispered. We sat there beneath the small tree and watched the shadows grow long. Then, to my great embarrassment, my stomach growled like an angry cave bear. I lifted my head from the crook of Silas' neck and smiled sheepishly up at him.

I stood and searched for Jala. I found her standing by a bush a few feet away, and rummaged through the pack for some food. After tying her reins to the bush, I returned to the tree and sat down in front of Silas and offered him a piece of cured venison. We ate in silence, looking anywhere but at each other.

"Could you teach me?" I asked after a while. "To swim, I mean."

Silas looked up at me, his dark hair falling into his face. "Sure," he said eventually.

"We can follow this river to Dragon Bridge, and you can teach me along the way," I suggested. He nodded. I gathered my armor and carried it away from the water's edge. I returned to Jala and took the bedrolls off of the pack.

I brought one to Silas, and laid mine out on the ground. Silas spread his out next to mine, and then wandered off. I turned to watch the sunset, my thoughts turning inevitably to Silas. I wondered if every woman felt as safe in their man's arms as I did in Silas'