Here's chapter two. What do you think is going to happen when they get back to camp? I guess we'll have to see!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Skyrim or the Elder Scrolls series.

Chapter 2

"Why do I see an imperial in my camp?" It was pretty clear that Glamar was not happy after seeing Hadvar in the outpost.

"I know sir, but he's one of old friends," I replied as Linda and I dragged Hadvar to the medical tent. Galmar stood in front of the tent with his arms crossed and the fires of Oblivion burning in his eyes.

"Didn't I tell you that every imperial is now an enemy regardless of how you know him in the past?" He hissed back.

Linda adjusted her grip on Hadvar's arm and glared up at Galmar. "Galmar, trust me, he's trustworthy! He saved my life back at Helgen!"

"I don't give a damn of what he did!" He roared back. "He could be faking this just to get documents on our movements! He's a spy!"

We went on about him not being a spy or faking his injures by showing the wound and bruises on his stomach, but Galmar didn't buy any of it. Stubborn old fool. At this point, the other soldiers from the raid told him how he fought off five Forsworn single-handedly. He couldn't care any less.

Linda finally lost her temper and started going off on why he needs put his hatred aside. Galmar shot back at her saying that he will never forgive the empire after the White-Gold Concordant. Linda, then, threatened Galmar that she would use her Unrelenting Force Shout on him unless he lets Hadvar in the camp. Galmar's expression was priceless, it almost made me burst out laughing. He paused and gritted his teeth. Finally, he said fine. It was hilarious to see Galmar, a stone-cold, tougher than nails Nord, with a frightened face. I've never seen him like that. Anyways, we walked into the tent, thanks to Linda.

We carefully set Hadvar onto a table. For the past two days, he's been completely out cold and Linda has been tending to his wounds, using her healing hands to keep him alive. I hope he will pull through, he better. After all, he's my oldest best friend.

I didn't know the first thing about healing, so all I did was help sharpen swords, forge weapons, craft arrows, and strengthen armor. Thankfully, I learned all my crafting skills from Alvor, Hadvar's uncle. Just the thought of it made my gut feel like there was a skeaver scratching my insides. I wish that this war didn't split us apart like this. Divines.. I hope this all works out fine.

"Ralof, can you get me some water?" Linda shouted from the tent.

"Sure, be right there." I picked up a bucket of water and walked over to the tent. I brushed through the bearskin entry and place the bucket next to her, as well as giving her a smile.

"Thanks Ralof," she said with a relaxed smile. By the Nine, she had the most beautiful smile I had ever seen.. I can look into those emerald eyes all day if the chance presented itself.

"Ralof? You all right?" She had a puzzled expression on her face.

Damn! She caught me staring again. "Oh uh sorry, I was just... Thinking." Thinking? Damn it Ralof! Wake up! Couldn't I have said something better than that?She started to slowly form a smirk and crossed her arms.

"Oh okay, what's on your mind?" Shit.. I was out of ideas..

"I uh.. was thinking about.." think of something Ralof! "..Riverwood. If Gerdur is alright." Sounded good enough except for the hesitation.

"Oh." She frowned a little bit. "I'm sure she's fine Ralof. Y'know, the Stormcloaks control Riverwood." she responded. Now that I think of it, why would I worry about that?

She looked back at Hadvar who was still unconscious. Hadvar, if only you and your family understood the meaning of this rebellion..

"Well I'll be outside if you need me Linda." With that, I exited the tent and looked out around at the stunning view of the Reach. I started to walk off from the camp just to have a little alone time. Linda was right, the Reach is one beautiful landscape. Dangerous but beautiful. I see why the Forsworn fight to reclaim the land, but the way they're attempting sure isn't right.

"Ralof, may I join you?" Linda came out of nowhere. Gods, I forgot how good she was at sneaking up on people. She giggled at my jump.

"Yeah sure, I mean you don't need my permission, you are my superior," I replied with a smirk. She chuckled. "So Linda.."

"Yeah?"

"What are you going to do after this war?" I asked sheepishly. She looked at me with a puzzled expression, sat on a log next to us and crossed her legs. I sat down next to her hesitantly.

"I don't know really, I haven't really thought of it that much. I might join the Dawnguard. I've seen too many vampires lately. Seems like they are up to something." She has a point, there have been to many reports of vampire attacks all across Skyrim. Maybe I'll tag along if Ulfric doesn't need me after the war. Hopefully.

"Yeah, if Fort Dawnguard needs anyone, it would be you Linda." She blushed slightly and gave me an embarrassed smile." I might join up you if that's okay?" Hopefully she would love to have me come with her.

"Yeah absolutely. It's always good to have a friend tag along on an adventure, but hunting vampires is going to be quite difficult, they are nothing like the imperial soldiers we are fighting now." She seemed very convinced about what she was talking about. She picked up her head and looked right into my eyes in the dearest way. Actually, dearest may be an understatement. "Ralof, I don't know what I would do if I lost you, especially to those vampires." She looked away and gave out a deep exhale.

"Linda, I won't let that happen. I will be just fine, I promise you." She looked at me with a forming smile but that sense of concern still lingered in her eyes. Suddenly, I was becoming obsessed at just looking at them.

"Well first, let's finish this Gods' forsaken war," she joked and lowered her head. Then she looked back at me with that serious face again. "Then you make that promise."

"Alright," was all I can say. A comforting smile started to form across her face. I knew that she knew I was staring. At this point, I didn't care anymore. Those eyes.. are just.. so.. beautiful. It's like looking into the eyes of Diabella herself, perhaps even more than that and I don't care if it's blasphemy to think this.

"Ralof." She finally said calmly, almost a whisper.

"Linda," was all I could reply back to her.

"Why are you so kind to me?" she asked suddenly. I was caught off guard. Not again..

"Uhh.. Because, you are.." I choked.. Damn.. I began scratching my hair. My mind started to go into a panic state.

"I am what?"she asked forming a smile. She raised her eyebrows at my sudden pause.

"You are.. very nice, fair, and you fight for what you believe in," I responded. I lowered my head and looked away from her, "...'cause you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my life." It was barely a whisper. It sort of slipped out. I've been wanting to say that to her since I saw her open her eyes on the wagon to Helgen. She is my one and only. I couldn't tell if she heard me or not. Part of me wanted her to hear that, but the other hoped to Talos that she didn't. My gut squirmed and tossed over and over.

"What Ralof? You mumbled that last part." I slowly picked up my head. She seemed eager for me to repeat myself, but I still couldn't tell if she heard me or not.

"Um, I.." I sighed and looked off into the distance. "Nothing, never mind." I lowered my head and looked at my hands. What on Tamriel are you doing Ralof?! Don't choke on this one! She's sitting right here, next to you! She's waiting for you! Waiting for you to say something as clear as crystal!

It's no use scolding myself over this. I just couldn't get myself to repeat it clearly. I felt unworthy to say it.

"Are you sure? I don't think I heard you right," she pleaded. Her eyes were glued to my face, I can feel it like a dagger in my back. I looked down at the ground in shame. I didn't respond back, I was too afraid to, unworthy. "Well Ralof," she sighed and got up to her feet, "I'm going to my tent. I'll see you in the morning." Her tone made it pretty clear that she was crushed. I didn't blame her. She looked at me once more, patted my shoulder and walked back to tent, leaving me lost in my thoughts and regrets.

I took out my personal amulet of Talos, held it tightly in my hand and looked up. The Reach. Such a beautiful place. Like Linda.. "Talos please guide me. Please give me confidence and strength. Help out a fellow Nord. I know I can't create the same feats as you when you were a man. I just ask that you help me become the man that I was destined to be, please." I know that Talos is the god of war, but I figured that if one prays to the god of war then they are asking for confidence, to not fear death or in this case, rejection and embarrassment.

I shouldn't sit here all night and wish for good things to happen. I need rest, surely Galmar would have an assignment for me tomorrow. But if not, I'm going to confess my strong feelings to Linda.

So what do you think? Is Ralof worthy of being with Linda or not? I think he's just over thinking about all this. Well I guess we'll have to see where this takes him next chapter. Please review and give your opinions!