That night, Crystal was busy getting ready for bed. The only night-clothes that were given to her was a diaphanous nightgown and a robe. After she put on her night-clothes, she proceeded to brush her hair. Suddenly, she saw a ruffian with hide armour and a silver sword.

"Well, well..." The bandit said. He continued, "It seems we still have one more Companion..."

Three more came out of hiding.

"Hey, I know this one..." The second bandit said. He continued, "She's the stupid one's consort."

"His name was Farkas..." Crystal replied. She continued, "... and just because his brains weren't his strong suit doesn't mean he was stupid!"

"Oh, a feisty one, aren't you?" The first bandit said.

"Let's have some fun with this one first!" The third bandit piped up.

Crystal was able to let out a loud, shrill scream before one of the bandits decided to pin her down and cover her mouth. She attempted to fight back, but was pinned down by the other bandits.

"You know, it's a shame you're a Companion..." The bandit leader said. He got closer and whispered in her ear, "You'd make a better whore..."

Then they heard a voice.

"Unhand her if you wish to leave here alive."

They turned to see Ondolemar standing in the doorway, sword in one hand, sparks of lightning magic dancing on the other.

"Mind your business, elf!" The bandit leader barked.

"The girl IS my business..." Ondolemar responded. He continued, "My job right now is to protect her, and I'll be damned if I let you ruffians have your way with her!"

With that, a fight ensued. One of the bandits charged at Ondolemar with his silver sword, only to be met with a ZZZZAAAP! from Ondolemar's lightning spell.

Another bandit managed to wound him with a slash to the back, eliciting only a gasp of pain from the Altmer. Clutching his shoulder, Ondolemar spun around and slashed the bandit's neck, a crimson fountain pouring from the front.

Another bandit slashed him on the front and stabbed him in the stomach. Ondolemar did his best to muscle through the pain, frying the bandit with his lightning spell before beheading him. He collapsed after that.

The bandit leader poised to kill Ondolemar. Crystal quickly grabbed one of the silver swords from one of his fallen comrades, and dug the blade into the shoulder. Thanks to her strength, it went in deeper than she thought. The bandit leader, wounded and bleeding, turned towards Crystal to attack her.

"You little bitch..." He sputtered. He continued, advancing towards her, "...You shouldn't have done that. You should've stayed in hiding like a good little slut."

"I'm not a slut, you silver wielding bastard!" Crystal yelled.

As the bandit advanced towards Crystal, he was suddenly zapped with lightning magic until he crumpled to the ground dead. Crystal then rushed to Ondolemar's side.

"You're hurt..." Crystal murmured. Then she shouted, "HELP! ONDOLEMAR'S HURT!"

She then used her healing magic to try to minimise the wounds, if not heal them. Then, a couple of guards and Na'Mir ran in.

"What has happened here?" Na'Mir asked.

"The Silver Hand..." Crystal replied. She continued, "They tried to assault me, but Ondolemar interfered. I need some gauze, ointment, a rag, and some hot water."

"Right away." Na'Mir said as he ran.

Not much later, Na'Mir returned with the supplies Crystal had requested. Ondolemar still had wounds due to the limits on Crystal's magicka.

"Thank you, Na'Mir." Crystal said.

"No..." Na'Mir responded. He continued, "Thank you... you saved my master's life. As far as High Elves go, Ondolemar was quite nice to Na'Mir."

At that moment, Star, Tetra, and Ma'Ori all ran into the room.

"Are you okay, Crystal?" Ma'Ori asked.

"She is fine, little one." Na'Mir replied. He continued, "Ondolemar saved her from some brigands."

Star watched as Crystal cleaned Ondolemar's almost-healed wounds. Crystal did her best to be gentle. Then Crystal gently sat him up and cleaned what remained of the gash across his back. Then she took the ointment and meticulously smeared it on the wounds. Then she gently wrapped gauze around the wounds, using many layers to cover them. She tied the gauze in a firm knot.

She then laid him down gently and covered him up with the blanket. Crystal then gently placed her hand on his cheek.

The next day, Ondolemar woke up. He winced at the pain from his wounds. The sound woke Crystal up, who was wearing the robe over her nightgown.

"Oh, you're awake..." Crystal said, a concerned smile upon her face.

Ondolemar then noticed the bandages.

"Sorry I couldn't heal you all the way." Crystal apologised. She continued, "At least you're not in danger of bleeding out anymore..."

"It's all right..." Ondolemar responded.

"I need to change your dressings." Crystal said.

And with that, Crystal washed her hands and then grabbed some gauze, shears, a cloth, some water and ointment. She cut the dressings, sponging them with the wet rag to loosen the gauze from the wounds. Her hands were gentle.

Ondolemar could not stop himself from staring at her. She was beautiful, even for a human. The sun danced in the medium curls of her ginger blond hair. Her brilliant sapphire blue eyes were softened with kindness and empathy. Her lips were full, rosy, and youthful. He could have sworn that she had the curves of Dibella, but he felt it would be blasphemy.

Ondolemar felt the sting of the hot water as Crystal cleaned his wounds. She tended to them as gently as she could.

"Shh... shh..." Crystal calmly murmured.

Sure enough, her touch was enough to dull the pain a little. Her hands, despite her having been a warrior, were soft and gentle. Then he felt her carefully slather on some ointment.

"Crystal..." Ondolemar said.

"Hmm?" Crystal asked.

"Why did you choose to save me?" Ondolemar asked her. He continued, "You could've left me for dead."

"Because it wasn't right..." Crystal replied. She continued, "I am a follower of Mara, and as such, I must abide by her teachings of compassion, love, and forgiveness."

This confused Ondolemar even more. What would humans have to do with Mara?

"Thank you..." Crystal started. She continued, "... for saving my life."

Her voice was another thing he couldn't help but enjoy. She spoke with a calm, dulcet tone when not angered. Her laughter was like melodic bells.

Then she was done with the bandages.

"Y-you're welcome..." Ondolemar said.