Aerelin stayed with the Guild for a week, handling her business regarding some new recruits and a stack of contracts on her desk. For an illegal outfit, there was a surprising amount of paperwork. She trained a few of the new people and talked with the veterans, careful to avoid her fellow Nightingales, and before long she was making her way back towards Dawnstar. She was stopped along the way by a courier, pausing long enough to find she had to change her course towards the Reach to meet with Esbern and Delphine. They had a few tasks for her, and by the time she was actually able to make it back to her home, she was hurt and exhausted. Shuffling down the steps, she was grateful everyone appeared to be asleep, grabbing some linens on her way to her room. She was distracted by taking care of herself when she looked up to see Cicero in the doorway, giving her a concerned look.

"Oh, Listener! What happened?" Though he was careful to keep his voice down, the usual exuberance was still there. He seemed to hesitate in the doorway until she waved him in.

"I'm okay, Cicero. Make sure the door is closed." He did as asked, moving to her side. His hands hovered over a deep scratch she'd gotten from the dragon Esbern had sent her after before hurrying across the room and rummaging through her chest. He came back with what looked like a sewing kit, and she swallowed.

"You didn't answer Cicero's question, Listener." His voice was calmer than she had ever heard it, and she looked to him in surprise. His gaze was trained on the cut as he began to sew it closed.

"It was a dragon." His hands never faltered, and she was grateful for that. He was silent until he finished, tying it off and cutting the line. Looking to her, she could see the worry in his eyes, and was quick to reassure him. "It's okay, Cicero, it's...kind of something I deal with a lot." His eyes were wide, and she sighed, wondering if she would feel better to get some of the weight of the world off her shoulders. No one at the Guild knew and certainly no one in the Sanctuary was aware, but she had preferred it that way. If either knew exactly who their leader was, she couldn't guarantee they would be happy about it.

"Aerelin, you know you can trust Cicero, yes?" It was the first time in awhile that he'd used her name, and it crumbled her resolve. Sighing, she dropped her gaze to the linens in front of her, intent to finish her work with her wounds. To her surprise, Cicero plucked his gloves off and took over for her.

"Cicero, I will tell you, but you must keep this between us." She waited until he had nodded. "I'm...the Dragonborn." His hands only hesitated in their movements for a moment as his eyes met hers, surprise there. "It's my duty to fight the dragons that now terrorize Skyrim. To make sure they are truly dead, forever." He nodded slowly again, moving his gaze to his work again. Now that she had started, she found she couldn't stop talking about it, wanting to get it all off her chest. "I absorb power from every dragon I kill. I train with an ancient dragon to learn their language. And one day, I will have to fight Alduin himself. I'm so worried...I may not survive." Her voice cracking, she ducked her gaze, relief filling her at finally being able to tell someone of her struggle. She could never tell Esbern or Delphine of her fear, nor Paarthurnax; as the hero they all seemed to rely on, she couldn't afford to show weakness. To her surprise, Cicero pulled her into a hug, pressing her face to his chest as his hand rubbed soothing circles into her back. Slowly, she wrapped her own arms around his middle, taking in the comfort he offered.

"Oh, dear Listener. Surely, you know your Family would never think less of you or turn against you for this." She sighed, nodding slowly.

"I suppose I'm more worried that something will happen to you all." Cicero moved to run a hand over her hair, soothing her further. "I know what will happen should I fail…"

"Cicero knows you won't fail." There was a conviction in his voice that boosted her own confidence. "Kind Aerelin will succeed and kill all the nasty dragons. And Cicero can help." Her eyes widened, and she pulled back enough to look up at him. He seemed eager, and it made her stomach turn.

"No, Cicero. It's too dangerous." He was already shaking his head and she pulled away fully, standing and beginning to pace with her agitation. "I'm serious. I couldn't live with myself if any of you was killed during my-"

"Listener." Aerelin jumped, cut off by the Night Mother's voice in her head. Giving a small curse, she stopped her pacing. "I always knew you were destined for greatness. I provided you this Family for a reason." Her brow furrowed as the Mother continued, with Cicero watching with interest. "You will have all the help you need to not only survive, but win this battle. Trust in us…" The voice faded, leaving a sense of calm over Aerelin as she rethought her reality. Sithis was not the only Daedra that she served; perhaps the others would help as well.

"Aerelin?" Cicero's voice snapped her from her thoughts, and she looked up to see him standing closer than she remembered. "Cicero will help the Listener with her troubles. It's what Family does." She couldn't stop a small smile from forming as she nodded, noting the smile that graced his features as well.

"Very well. If you, and the Night Mother, insist." Gathering the supplies and his gloves, Cicero began to pack up. "Cicero?" Waiting until he turned around, she moved to give him another hug. "Thank you."

"Of course, Listener." With one last squeeze, Cicero took his leave, and Aerelin made her way to bed. She knew in the morning she would head for the Nightingale Sanctuary, to speak with Nocturnal herself.