Hello my friends, this chapter will be the start for our two dashing stars. This is where the real adventure begins. Please R&R, comments are very appreciated… (Thanks Elf!)
I sat up and stared at Duvaithor. He solely held his stare with the sky.
"Duvaithor, you, you…" I stammered.
"Saved your life? Yes, it would appear so…" he said simple-mindedly. I eyed him, confused by his actions. He muttered something not meant for my ears, let alone anyone else's. My amazement showed on my face as I watched him. How had he done that? He had to have thought so quickly, so carefully to do the right spell. I stared at his white eyes that seemed motionless as he squinted.
"Well," I coughed, regaining his attention. "I believe you have repaid your debt in full. Either we are even, or I owe you now." I stood, offering my hand to my thane. He looked at it and smirked.
"Perhaps this will never stop, you save me, I save you sort of thing," he grabbed my hand and stepped into me, making our stomachs touch as he whispered in my ear.
"Perhaps...perhaps, my dear, it shouldn't stop." He stepped away and walked to the road, heading toward Ivarstead. I sprinted toward him to catch up. He continued at a mild pace. He was turned away from me, but I could tell that he was grinning deeply to himself.
I shook my head slowly, smiling as well. I may have been wrong about the Dunmer. They really aren't that bad. Or at least the dark elf standing beside me. He had his little-and major-flaws, but he did have his moments where maybe, just maybe, he was a good, down to earth man.
The heat from where our stomachs had touched still burned bright as I walked, even if that touch had been through two sets of armor. I pulled my dark hair up, severing the bond between my sticky wet hair and my sweaty neck. I snuck a glance at Duvaithor. The weird, sudden occurrence of heat had him shaken as well. Perspiration lined his curved brows, begging to be swiped away, only to be replaced by fresh moisture.
"We should nearing the turn to head to Ivarstead, where the '7000 steps to High Hrothgar' are," He said slowly, as if he wasn't actually sure that this was indeed correct. I nodded, pretending to agree that yes, we actually were on the right path to our destination, when truthfully, I wasn't completely sure how to get to Valtheim tower from Whiterun, even though we had just came from that exact location. Duvaithor eyed me suspiciously. "Lydia?"
"Hmm?" I mumbled, trying not to seem interested in what he was about to say next.
"Are you…? No, uh, never mind," I snapped my head around, abandoning the bored act. He shook his head tensely. "No, no. Not my place and never will be… Here! That's the turn, right here. Come, we really should hurry." I couldn't help but notice the way he dodged the conversation. What did he want to ask? Reluctantly, I followed.
"There's a Falmer cave down that way," He said pointing as if this were a tour. "Called Darkwater pass." I nodded, not knowing how else to respond. I didn't know much about the falmer, only that they were once the Snow Elves, but then blinded by being underground. Duvaithor seemed to know more about them, but I didn't feel inclined to ask.
"You seem to really know your way around," I said slowly. He nodded once. We walked for a moment in silence. In the distance a woman could be seen. As she neared I tried to put a name to her face, but came up short. The woman was no one I knew or had seen before, but Duvaithor seemed to know her. She giggled as she passed and Duvaithor turned and walked backwards, whistling at her.
"Why don't you come by Ivarstead sometime baby, I'd love to catch up?" She blew him a kiss and kept walking. My ears went deadly hot. I grinded my teeth from pure hatred toward the woman. My hands turned into clenched fists.
"Friend of yours?" I tried to keep my tone even. He smiled.
"Nope. Never seen her in my life." He smirked. "Jealous are we?" That only made me more furious.
"Me? JEALOUS? You're on some sort of skooma, because I could care less for you." Duvaithor stopped and glared at me.
"Oh really?" he smirked.
"Really!" I hissed. "Oh don't tell me you meant to do that! What, you wanted me to be jealous?" I laughed. "Duvaithor, all the hell you cared about that woman was getting under her sheets. So sorry if I wasn't wishing I was being practically undressed with your eyes." I spat.
"Oh trust me darling, someone would have to pay me a hell of a lot of money for me to even look at a petty housecarl like that. Please. I want someone who isn't already my property." He smirked evilly. I held my tongue and my tears.
"Property…" I spat the vile word through a whisper. "Well, good luck with the whole Dragonborn thing," I turned and stomped away.
"Where do you think you're going? I didn't dismiss you!" He yelled after me. I couldn't turn to yell at him. The tears were already falling down my face and my throat was in pain from holding my sobs at bay.
I began to run, and run. Soon enough I was completely and utterly lost. I sat down on a rock and let my cries drown out everything. My chest seemed to have a mammoth standing on it. I couldn't breathe, or even think. I clutched my chest and stomach, unfamiliar with this pain. I panted and heaved, trying to shake the sickness away. I felt like I was going to throw up, yet not, all at the same time. Why did I suddenly get sick? Since when did emotions make you feel ill? I sighed, wanting to curl up in a little ball and die. I wanted to go home, and to have never met Duvaithor. My uncle would never stand for me to just walk up to him after he ordered me to be Duvaithor's undying follower. Well I screwed that up too…
I jolted awake suddenly. How had I fallen asleep?
The sun burned bright, indicating that it was a brand new morning. It seemed like hours upon hours as I sat there on that rock on the mountain, contemplating how I had dozed off. My tears were long gone by this time but I was still in pain. I was nauseous. The type where if you did anything you would surely blow, though I knew I wouldn't.
I slowly stood, not knowing what way I came from. I rubbed my eyes continuously, trying to catch my bearings in the bright snow on the mountain.
Slowly, I began to walk, hopefully towards Whiterun, though this was highly unlikely. I looked around; at least I was heading down the mountain. That had to mean something.
After a long walk, I had finally made my way down to ground level. I walked through a small meadow, steering clear of a giant camp about a mile away.
Suddenly, a fox jumped out a bush, nearly scaring me to death. I sunk to the ground, shaking my head. Why the hell had I left him? I stood then. I knew why I had. No one and I mean no one called me property. I was more than some pet. I was a warrior. Well, in training…
I raised my head just in time to see three figures crossing a bridge nearly thirty feet away.
"Aela! Vilkas! Farkas! Wait!" I yelled running after them. The companions turned to face me.
"Ah, hello Lydia, good to see you. What are you doing here?" Aela the Huntress asked curiously.
"Oh, I'm just making my way back. I, uh...yeah, but what are you all doing? A job I'm assuming? Yes, what job?" I said wishing to change the subject.
"Oh, we have gotten word that some elf got kidnapped by Falmer last night. The Jarl has sent us personally to find him." Vilkas answered. I froze. My mind went completely blank as my fingers and toes numbed. Duvaithor…
"Elf, you said?" I whispered, trying to mask my fear.
"Uh, yeah, dark elf, actually, your uncle was worried about you too. I don't know why, seeing that you're not with him." Farkas added. I swallowed harshly, my knees wobbling.
"Erm, well, where is he?" I asked slowly.
"Darkwater Pass." Aela stated bluntly.
I gulped deeply. I had abandoned Duvaithor… and now he had been kidnapped… by salvage falmer.
"I'm coming with you, NOW!" I yelled. They jumped as I shouted.
"Oh, well… alright." We began jogging towards the cave area. My heart was pounding like a bard's drum.
I'm coming Duvaithor…
Well, don't you hate it when that happened? Well! Sorry it took a while, but I got there eventually! Hopefully I'll have something more soon! Byeeeee!