Chapter 4: Unexpected Company

Gelebor...

I was right about the storm. Within a few hours the weather had changed from calm and peaceful to unruly and deadly. The snow battered the Chantry's walls and the wind lashed against the mountainside. I moved my belongings further into the Sanctum. The fire was still lit; small embers flew in all directions. I wrapped the furs tighter around myself and turned another page in my book.

Footsteps caught my attention. They grew closer. I hid behind a half-broken pillar and unsheathed my dagger. Peeking round the corner, I saw a cloaked figure kneel by the fire. As the figure began to stand I quickly stood behind them and held the dagger just a few inches from the back of their neck.

"I don't know what brought you here, but I suggest you leave." I warned, tightening my grip. The figure held up their hands. A loud bark came from my right and I looked down; a black and white dog with a crimson jacket on bearing it's fangs and growling threateningly.

"Sceolang, down boy!" A familiar voice commanded, getting the dog to calm, though it's eyes were still fixed on me.

I withdrew my blade as the person pulled their hood down.

My eyes widened in surprise. "Emelin?"

Clustered snowflakes clung to her unruly hair, leaving thick and fine strands covering her face. Her mostly soft features paled from the cold, but a light blush was evident in her cheeks and at the tips of her elven ears. Her lips shook as the rest of her shivered. Dark circles lay under her shadowed eyes; most likely from a lack of sleep. I had come across quite a few Dunmer in my time, but I had never met one with eyes like hers; demonic and yet they seemed to be friendly and kind.

I smiled apologetically and sheathed my dagger. "Forgive me; I thought you were someone else."

She smiled and shrugged. "It's no problem."

I motioned to the fire. "Please, join me by the fire."

She nodded in thanks and sat against one of the pillars, her dog laid beside her. I joined. "So, what brings you here my friend?"

"Hmm? Oh, yes I almost forgot." She tugged at the object that was held over her shoulder and handed it to me. I immediately recognised it as Auri-El's bow, but my eyebrows narrowed in confusion. Why was she giving it to me? "I came to return it. It belongs here, right?"

My eyes flickered from the bow to her. "You misunderstand. The bow belongs to you now. You earned it."

"But I don't need it anymore. I have no use for it."

I shook my head and gave the bow back. "I'm afraid I cannot take the bow from you. It is yours now."

She sighed and placed it on the floor.

"So..." she began, eyes wondering around the room. "You moved everything up here?"

"Yes, though I am still collecting supplies."

She gazed at the belongings I had managed to obtain since her last visit. I had to admit, it wasn't much. There was an old wooden desk that carried a silver and wooden plate, a tankard, three ruined books, linen wraps and a candle, while on the floor was a tattered fur rug and the book I had read for the fifth time.

"You like to read?" She asked, motioning to the book on the floor.

"It passes the time."

Her eyebrows knitted together in thought before she spoke. "You know, I travel a lot to the College of Winterhold. They have a library there with all sorts of books. I could bring some back, if you'd like?"

I was taken aback. I didn't expect her to offer, or that she would even consider returning after this visit. "That would be most appreciated, if it isn't too much trouble-"

"It's no trouble at all! It's something to do."

"Thank you. You are too kind."

The wind had died down a fraction. Emelin stood and took a look around the corner.

"You can stay for the night if you'd like. It's the least I can do and it would be unwise to travel in this weather."

She paused for a moment before replying. "Sure, thanks for having me."

We sat in silence for quite some time. I was sat a few metres away; one arm rested on my knee while the other held the book at a distance. I leant against the stone wall. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted her patting her dog lightly on the head. I had to wonder where she had gotten him from.

"I got him from the Dawnguard. I don't like travelling alone." I nodded in understanding. "I guess I just can't stand the thought of being alone. Ever since I arrived in Skyrim, I've always had someone with me. Travelling alone... I hate it. There's no one to talk to. I feel safe with someone around, even if that someone is just a dog."

I chuckled. "Well he seems good company."

"He is. Annoying at times, but good to have."

My eyes drifted back to my book, but I thought over what she had said. She was lucky, to have the choice.

"Can I ask you something?"

I smiled warmly and nodded. "By all means."

I saw her hesitation as she bit her lip; most likely a nervous habit. "Who were your people?"

Ah. A question I was far too familiar with and had answered countless times before. "We were once a wealthy and prosperous society that occupied a portion of Skyrim. Unfortunately, we were constantly at war with the Nords who claimed the land as their ancestral home. We had always maintained an uneasy alliance with the underground-dwelling dwarves, and when faced with extinction we turned to them for help. Surprisingly, they agreed to protect us but demanded a terrible price... the blinding of our race. There were splinter groups that resisted the agreement, and even some that sought alternate alliances. But when it was all said and done, those elves were either slaughtered, vanished or gave up and took the dwarves' bargain."

"I...I'm sorry."
"That's quite alright."

"What turned them into what they are now?"

I sighed. "I've often asked myself that very same question. The blinding of my race was supposedly accomplished with a toxin. Certainly not enough to devolve them into the sad and twisted beings they've become. The Chantry is quite isolated, so it took some time for word of the dwarves' offer to reach us here. By the time the compact had been completed, it was too late for us to even attempt to intervene."

"Is that why you still have your sight?"

"Correct. We only numbered perhaps a hundred at a time, so our presence remained a secret to the dwarves and the Nords. Ironically, our undoing came at the hands of our own people."

"Are you referring to the Betrayed?"

"Yes. They swarmed the Chantry in vast numbers until we were completely overrun." My eyes fell to the floor. "We never really stood a chance."

"I'm sure there are more snow elves out there. You just need to find them."

I smiled at the thought, but doubted that was true.

The rest of the night had been quiet between us, and she soon fell asleep. The weather outside had calmed and the fire started to go out. It wasn't long before my eyes grew heavy and sleep overcame me.