The sky over Ivarstead was a purple bruise still waiting for the sun, when two fully armored women slipped out of the inn.

Around them the village slept, and as they walked the only sounds they could hear were the rushing river and the chirring pre-dawn chorus of thousands of insects. It was a peaceful mix, and it soothed Merrin's aching heart even as it contradicted it.

They crossed the stone bridge leading up to the Steps, with Ria peering down at the waterfalls churning below as she did, and passed the first familiar wayshrine where it headed off the path – fringed on one side by spruce and poplar, and deceptively easy to start. Merrin knew the etched-in words by heart, and couldn't help but smile a bit when she heard Ria mumbling them.

'...blot out the Sky, and flood the Land.' The Imperial turned to her, eyes alight with curiosity.

'What is that thing?'

'A wayshrine. They were put there for the pilgrims to meditate on, while they climb up the Steps.'

'Put there?' Ria's nose crinkled. 'By who? How many are there?'

'The original Greybeards, supposedly. And there are ten, all in all.'

'Huh. So, you've made the climb before, then?'

Merrin looked down at the worn, irregular steps they climbed, carved straight from the mountain side, and nodded. The question sparked a memory, and it widened her smile.

'Yeah. Growing up, Fastred and I were always dying to climb the Steps and see the monastery, but of course we weren't allowed. Klimmek's a few years older, and he was the first to make the trip, taking over from his da when he died.'

'Taking over?'

'Oh – yeah. Old Kothon used to be the one who delivered the Greybeards their dry goods – someone from the village has always done it, out of respect. When Kothon died, Klimmek took over.'

'Oh, alright. I get you.'

'So like I was saying, Klimmek was the first of us to go, and when he did I was so jealous I could've split his lip over it. I'm the youngest of the three of us, and as soon as I had my seventeenth name day, Fastred and I planned a trip to go up together. Our first real excursion.' She snorted.

'Never mind the fact that the scariest thing either of us knew how to use was a belt-knife.'

'What was it like?' Ria's voice was all curiosity again, overlapped by the bright, raucous singing of nearby birds. Merrin shook her head.

'I don't know what it would've been like, if we'd left the way we planned. Klimmek walked in on us packing our bags, and tore a strip out of both of us.' She smiled fondly at the memory.

'He tried to talk us out of going, but nothing would have stopped us. So he packed up a bag of his own, and came with. Good thing, too, because we ran into a sabre-cat about half way up.'

Ria blanched, but Merrin waved her off.

'We were fine. Klimmek's nearly as handy with a spear as he is with a fishing pole. But Fastred and I would've been cat food, if he hadn't insisted on coming with us.'

Ria whistled and shook her head, long brown tresses swaying.

'Sounds like you were lucky to have him.'

'I love him. He's a good man.'

Normally, she would've left it at that. But to Merrin's surprise, she felt more words coming up, spilling out of their own accord.

'That was the last year that we were all just kids. Klimmek confessed his feelings that fall, and Fastred told him it was about gods-damned time. They got married the next spring, and Leifur came along not long after.'

'That's...a good thing, right?'

Merrin glanced over at the other woman's cautious tone and sighed, biting her lip.

'Of course it is. They'd always belonged together. But...' she struggled for the right words, scrunched up her brow.

'Something can be good, and still have parts that are bad. Fastred wanted to see the world – talked about it constantly. And I knew she was stir-crazy – so was I. It's hard not to be, in a tiny backwater. It's just...hard sometimes, knowing that the most exciting thing she ever did was marry Klimmek and have his children. No matter how great he is. Can you even imagine?'

...Had she really just said that?

Merrin sucked in a sharp little breath, eyes slamming shut as she looked away abruptly, wishing she could snatch the words out of Ria's ears and cram them back down her own throat.

In twelve years, she'd never voiced those feelings – not even to Fastred, whose speaking looks and bittersweet smiles told her she already knew.

But Ria surprised her. The brunette made a measured hmmm in the back of her throat, and nodded, even though she knew Merrin couldn't see.

'I can imagine. It's a big part of why I left home – I wasn't going to let motherhood be my only adventure. No matter what.'

The back of Merrin's neck prickled, and she felt a stab of guilt when she suddenly remembered.

'You're right – of course. The arranged marriage. I'm an idiot.' If anybody would understand how marriage could be a cage, it was the woman beside her.

Ria chuckled, a bright sound, and gave her a nudge.

'You're not an idiot – you just love your friends.' Her voice was kind when she said it, and she gave another little hum as she kicked a pebble ineffectually up the well-worn steps ahead of them.

'It must be hard, loving someone and seeing they've given up on their old dreams, when you went ahead and chased them.'

It was such an astute observation that it had Merrin sucking in another breath, and turning to Ria with watchful brown eyes. A creeping prick of shame chased right behind, and she frowned as she squeezed the straps of her pack.

'You're right. I know it's ridiculous, but sometimes I can't help but feel like I...left her behind. Even though I love Klimmek. Even though she's happy. I'll always know there was that something she wanted, and didn't get.'

Beside her, Ria clucked her tongue.

'You should try not to think that way – I'd bet any money that she doesn't. We don't always get what we want, it's true. But there's more than one way to be happy in life.'

Merrin pursed her lips on that, holding back a sigh, and nodded before murmuring agreement. Memory had her lost in thought, and both of them grew quiet.

They trekked the stone steps in silence for some time, sharing a waterskin of lukewarm raana so sweet it would've made most people gag, and watching the morning sun crest the forest far below. The leaves were catching the light like a sea of golden flame and creeping toward the mountain when Ria suddenly spoke.

'So...who is Kjeld?'

Merrin stopped short on a weather-worn step, frozen and startled, and Ria turned to her looking innocent – too innocent. She stared back hard for several beats, thinking fast. And then finally she let out a harsh, gusting sigh, and a quiet curse with no heat.

'I tell you this, and it stays between us – got it? I don't need just anybody knowing.'

Ria was already nodding emphatically.

'I swear – I won't breathe a word.' Her eyes were wide and sincere as they entreated Merrin, and another sigh ripped its way loose as Merrin raked a hand through her hair. Then she nodded once.

'Fine.' She pushed the skin of raana back into Ria's hand, and started walking again – forcing the lanky brunette to catch up. Merrin chewed her lip while Ria couldn't see, carefully selecting her words before she spoke them.

'Kjeld Mojenson is Wilhelm's much younger cousin – about our age. He came to Ivarstead five years back when Wilhelm wrote him, telling him it would be a good place to own land. We met as soon as he got here, and struck up a friendship.'

'What was he like?' Ria asked curiously.

Merrin turned to her and arched a brow. 'Nice. Hard-working...dependable.'

'Okay...' Ria sounded a bit confused, but Merrin pressed on.

'I was at a point in my life where I was only focused on work. I was running the smithy by then, so my da could take things easy. Kjeld came with nothing but money and basics, and didn't have any of the tools he needed, so he hired me out to make them. We spent a lot of time together, in those first few months. And I was obviously alone and available. So was he.'

'Oh...oh.'

Merrin grimaced. 'One night, I overheard Wilhelm say to my da what a blessing it would be if Kjeld and I got married. At first my da laughed at him – then he said it would be nice if I had a good man.'

She huffed, and shook her head. 'And Kjeld is a good man. A fortnight after I overheard them, he came to my smithy and proposed.'

'Merrin.' Ria had fallen a step behind, and was looking shocked.

'You said no, of course!'

A firming of lips and a pointed stare had the Imperial looking even more staggered.

'You said yes?!'

Merrin looked up at the steps ahead, and smiled grimly as she nodded. 'I said yes.'

'So Kjeld is...is your – '

'Was my betrothed. Yeah.'

When Ria spoke next, she sounded very careful.

'Did you...love him?'

'No.' It was a harsh enough answer, but honest nonetheless. By now, most of the accompanying sting had even faded.

'I never loved him.'

'But then, why did you say yes? I can't imagine...'

Merrin thought again of Ria's story – her loveless engagement, and her unhappy sister – and nodded.

'I'm not surprised by that.' Then she turned her head to seek Ria's eyes, and gave her a wan smile.

'But I wasn't always exactly the woman you're talking to now. I've changed.'

The other woman considered those words, and then seemed to accept them, nodding.

'So why, then?'

Merrin chose her words carefully again.

'I didn't love Kjeld, but I liked him just fine. I'd liked him straightaway. Even now, I'm sure he would've been a good husband. And at that point in life, I had no reason to believe that I'd ever stray far from Ivarstead.'

Ria looked surprised again at this, but Merrin kept talking.

'I had the smithy, and was doing well enough for myself. My friends had already settled down, and started a family of their own. I had long set aside any notion of taking off, and being some kind of adventurer. And then there was my da, saying how nice it'd be if I would settle down, too.' She shrugged.

'I told myself that I could be happy with Kjeld, and the life we could make together. That it was the right decision. So when he came to me with a ring, I said yes.'

Ria took her time digesting this, and for a while the only sounds were the chirping of the birds. When she spoke, she was quiet.

'...I think I understand. But then, what happened? Why aren't you married?' Suddenly, she flushed.

'If you don't mind me asking, of course.'

'You're fine.' Merrin looked up at the morning sky, and couldn't curb another grimace. Remembering this part still stung.

'What happened is that my da died, not long after. And I guess you could say that I went a bit crazy. I realized I'd been lying to myself, and couldn't live that life anymore. I broke off the engagement, packed my things, and left not long after burying him. I just...had to go. And have hardly looked back, since.'

There was a moment of silence when she'd finished. Then Ria let out a low whistle.

'...Wow.'

The single word made Merrin chuckle, and she nodded.

'Yep. And that's basically all there is to it – my sad, sordid tale.' A half-smile tugged at her, full of chagrin.

'You don't regret it.' The way Ria said it made a statement, not a question.

'No, I don't. It had to be done. Kjeld deserved better – I couldn't be what he needed. And the same goes for me. I needed space, to make my own way. Not a man.'

'For the best, then. I can't imagine it went well at the time, though.'

Merrin winced at that, and let out a quiet whistle, remembering.

'No, it did not.'

Ria made yet another thoughtful sound; when Merrin cast her a glance, she looked sad, and lost in thought.

'I hope he finds real happiness too, eventually. That's rough.' A split second later she flushed, and stumbled as she met Merrin's eyes, looking embarrassed.

'Uh – no offense, of course. It's just – '

'Relax, Ria.' Merrin swung out an elbow, and nudged her. 'I get it. You're fine. I hope it for him, too.'

'A-alright.'

Silence fell in again after that, and as they hiked, Merrin let the memories stir and rise. Some of them hurt, but most of them didn't. There was something strange about walking this path, and thinking about the past.

It was several minutes before Ria broke their silence with a titter, apparently recovered from her worry.

'Romance.' She said it dryly. 'Seems like it's rough more often than it's not.' Merrin laughed, and the dark-haired Imperial turned to eye her as she swatted her hand.

'And what about now? Four years is a long time,' she said, tone teasing.

'Do you still need space, and not a man? Or has anybody caught your eye?'

The question caught Merrin off guard, and unbidden, a memory of Farkas' smiling face came flashing to the front of her mind. This made her stomach do a somersault, and she violently shoved the image away, shaking her head harder than she needed to.

'What?! No.'

She'd said it pretty defensively, and she knew it. When Ria waggled her brows and shot her a lecherous grin, she felt her cheeks begin to burn, and she huffed.

'I'm serious!'

The Imperial laughed wickedly, but when she saw the look on Merrin's face, she reeled it in and held up her hands.

'Alright, alright. I'll believe you – for now.'

'Good.' Her heart had started pounding, hard and fast, and internally Merrin cursed and questioned her traitor brain. Why would it make Farkas pop up, at a time like that? Irritated, she shook her head, and focused on slowing her pulse. She barely heard it at first, when Ria gusted a sigh.

'Besides, if you really mean it, you're a world smarter than me, anyway.'

That had Merrin starting, and looking at her. When she did, Ria arched her brows, and shot her a rueful smile.

'What do you mean?' Merrin slowed her pace as she stared. 'You've got your eye on someone?'

'Yup.' She popped the 'p', and chuckled. 'Unfortunately. I've got it bad – like a total sucker.'

This was news to Merrin – instantly, she wanted to know. She kept her eyes riveted to her friend's face, and hoped she didn't trip while she walked.

'Who?'

Ria blushed, but kept her head held high, looking at the stairs ahead.

'Someone you know.'

'A Companion?'

'Mhmmm.'

'Well, which one?' Merrin pressed – and then went with what seemed like the obvious guess.

'Is it Athis?'

'No.' Ria chuckled, and shook her head as she smiled.

'It's not Athis. He's a great friend, but nothing more.'

'Torvar? Farkas?' It did not twinge to say the second name, and when the lanky brunette shook her head, there was not a pang of relief.

'Both sweet guys – but I like my men a bit more furnished upstairs, if you catch my drift.'

It was on the tip of her tongue to insist that Farkas was plenty 'furnished'. But then Merrin remembered Ria's dancing eyes and leering grin, and just snorted instead.

'Well, Brill is nice, but I think he's a touch old for you. Don't tell me it's Njada.'

'Pah!' A bright, whooping laugh burst from the Imperial, and her brown eyes danced in her ruddy face as she turned to smack Merrin's arm, mouth open and grinning. Then she collected herself some, and shrugged with a tip of her head.

'She is pretty! Maybe, if she wasn't so rude and snarly.' Slender fingers stroked a pointed chin, as if she were thinking hard about it. Merrin rolled her eyes.

'Har, har. Looks can only take you so far in life. But you're dodging the question – that is, unless you are harboring a secret burning passion for Brill.' She was dying to know by now.

'Out with it!'

Ria shook her head beside her, and gave another long sigh.

'Gods, I almost wish I were.' She met Merrin's pointed stare, and raised one hand to her face as if to cover her eyes.

'But you're forgetting someone.'

'Who? Who am I...?' For a drawn out second, there was only confusion – then a whisper of a thought, that immediately had her blanching. She stopped walking altogether, and stared at Ria in disbelief.

'...No.'

Instantly, Ria's blushed deepened, crawling down her neck and disappearing into her armor. She steepled her fingers over her eyes, and shot Merrin a smile that was more of a grimace.

'Aaand, now you're there.'

'Uh-uh.' Merrin shook her head. 'I can't be.'

'Judging by your expression, I'm pretty sure you are.'

Her brain was already shouting it now – she had to be sure.

'Vilkas?'

The name came out in the tone one would use to ask if someone had venereal disease. But as she watched, Ria's head bobbed up and down, once, twice – an unmistakable nod. Her expression was one of pure chagrin, but she met Merrin's stare head-on.

'The one and only.'

Merrin stood there, shocked and dumbfounded, staring and silent. Her mind was awhirl with what she'd just heard, but the words wouldn't settle into sense. She could feel her mouth hanging open, but couldn't seem to close it. Finally, she made a stuttering sound, and snapped it shut as she blinked and shook her head.

'But – why? Vilkas is...he's – '

'Damn near insufferable, I know.' Ria said it so matter-of-factly.

'Then why?' Merrin's voice had gone unnaturally high – she had to stop herself from wringing her hands. It wasn't dignified, but she couldn't make herself care; she was too shocked and dismayed!

Ria cracked another smile, letting her arms drop from where they'd been raised, and wrapped them around herself instead.

'I knew you would take it well,' she chuckled.

'And I don't know – I guess a part of me likes the challenge. He's...complicated. I like complicated.'

'He's an asshole!' Merrin sputtered. She could hardly believe what she was hearing. Really? Vilkas?!

Ria chuckled. 'Sometimes, yeah. But not always. There are lots of good things about him, too.'

Merrin glared at her friend, at a loss.

'So I've heard. I guess I'm just always missing them.'

'Maybe.' Ria's voice went musing then – her expression speculative.

'Then again, you two seem to bring out the worst in each other. I'm not surprised you haven't seen his good side.'

I'm not sold on the fact that there is one!

She wanted to say the words, but bit them back on a growl. Despair was settling in for her friend – grabbing both of Ria's arms, she gave the woman a little shake.

'Ria, you're damn-near the nicest person that I've ever met. You could have anybody you wanted, I'm sure! Anybody. Why choose him?'

Ria laughed – laughed – at her expression, and gave one of her hands a pat where it gripped beneath her shoulder. Then she shrugged.

'I didn't choose, silly. The heart wants what it wants. We don't get to decide.'

She couldn't argue with that – but she wanted to. Groaning, she let Ria go, and gave her head another shake. A new question crossed her mind, and she asked it.

'For how long?'

The blush that had finally started to fade flared up, as Ria ducked her chin.

'Not long after I joined with the Companions. So, months now.'

Merrin tsked in aggrieved disbelief. Then something suddenly occurred to her, and she grimaced all over again.

'Wait. Companions. You're both Companions. Would that even be...I don't know...allowed?'

In the two seconds she'd been wondering, it seemed like a reasonable question. But Ria scoffed a sudden laugh, and looked at her like she was being slow.

'Of course it's allowed. Maybe not ideal, since either of you could die any day...but it's definitely allowed. Look at Aela and Skjor.'

Merrin opened her mouth to ask what about them – and then snapped it shut as the realization hit. Now she was feeling slow. For a second she forgot all about Vilkas, and her hands came clapping together before she jabbed both pointer fingers at Ria.

'I knew it,' she crowed. 'Oh, I knew there was something up with them! I noticed it the first day I got there.' Ria was smiling and chuckling at her, and she smiled back, feeling vindicated.

'How long have those two been a couple?'

'Pfft. Don't ask me. Only the Circle knows.'

'Huh?' Merrin's brow furrowed. 'Why?'

'Because they don't talk about it. They won't even actually admit it. Now, c'mon. We've stood around here long enough.'

Ria grabbed the straps of her pack and turned around then, restarting up the path ahead and leaving Merrin behind.

She just squinted in confusion as Ria walked away. This was too much news and gossip at once – now it was her turn to catch up. After a couple long moments of gawking, she finally found her voice.

'H-hey, hang on! Wait up. Ria!'

Ria looked like she was holding back a laugh when Merrin pulled up beside her again, and she shot the Imperial a half-hearted glower. Her curiosity still had the better of her, though.

'What do you mean, they won't admit it? Isn't it obvious?'

Ria nodded. 'Of course it is. But not because they try to make it that way. We think they try to keep it a secret. We all see it, but they're too stubborn to admit it.'

'But why?'

'Who knows?' The Imperial shrugged. 'Maybe they see it as a weakness, if other people know. I heard Njada ask Aela about it once, and Aela actually threatened her. Maybe they just don't want people talking.'

Merrin scrunched her nose and frowned.

'That doesn't make...any sense.'

Ria laughed. 'We all know it. Maybe one day they'll catch up.' She glanced over at Merrin's face, and chuckled again.

'So to call your question answered, yes. Companions can be together, no problem.'

Then suddenly, like drawing a curtain, her sunny expression faded. She kicked another pebble off the side of the trail, and shook her head.

'Not like that matters, in my case. When it comes to that, Vilkas hardly knows I exist.'

The mention of Vilkas had Merrin's thoughts snapping back, and she scowled all over again.

'You're not doing anything to help his case, you know.' The look on Ria's face was making her want to plow a fist into his.

'I know. And I didn't expect you to approve.' Slowly, Ria shook her head.

'It's just been a long time, and I wanted to tell somebody. You, in particular.'

That startled Merrin.

'You haven't told anybody else?'

'Nope. Just you.' She gave one short, mirthless laugh. 'I don't think I need to explain why I can't trust the guys with this one.'

'No, you don't.' Merrin stared long at her friend, looking so downcast and rueful, before putting a gentle hand on her shoulder. She knew she was grimacing still, and did her best to smooth her expression, gusting a sigh.

'Listen...while I can't say I approve, or understand, I can promise that your secret will be safe with me. Alright?'

Ria met her stare, and gave a tiny smile. 'Alright.'

Merrin wanted to see the smile grow, and chase away the shadows on her friend's face. Taking a chance, she rolled her eyes. She pulled a hard-done-by expression, and threw both hands up into the air as Ria watched. She didn't have to try very hard, to put it on.

'But gods – what a secret to have to keep! Ria, are you sure it has to be Vilkas? Have you tried just – I don't know, not wanting him?'

It worked; Ria gave a sudden snorting laugh, and smacked Merrin's chestplate.

'You know that's not how it works.'

'Too bad!' She groaned. Then she nudged Ria, teasing, and shot her a sly smile.

'It's no wonder you don't like poor Anoriath – he's way too nice for your tastes.'

That earned her another swat. But when Ria turned to look at her, her eyes were dancing again.

'I thought that'd already be obvious. Look at the type of friends I keep!'

Merrin's mouth fell open, but no words came out – she really couldn't argue. So she let herself laugh instead, and Ria joined in for a while. Then the Imperial slowly shook her head, and gave a long, low whistle.

'Look at us. Quite the pair we make – one runs away from a willing man, and the other probably couldn't snare the one she wanted even if she left out traps.'

Sympathy panged in Merrin's chest; she pursed her lips and shook her head, as she reached out to grab Ria's hand and squeeze it.

'Hey. Enough of that. Anything that isn't snared by your charm isn't worth the price of rope.'

Ria squeezed her back, and smiled as she looked at her.

'You're probably right.'

The day wore on as they continued to climb, and then started to wear away altogether. So did the illusion of peace, and safety; as the hours had passed, the path had gone from steep to treacherous – from challenging to spiteful.

There were spots where the stairs had been beaten by sleet, howling wind and time into little more than ripples on an incline, and you didn't hike so much as scramble to heave yourself up. There were places where chunks of the mountainside had fallen away long ago, and the path was so narrow that they went single-file. They would press themselves against the rock when they had to, and try not to think about the fathomless drop just a few inches away – so far to fall that on the rare occasion they snuck a glance, all they saw was swirling white. The cold had risen to bite at them somewhere around noon, and now they gripped at heavy cloaks they'd had to don against a whipping wind, shivering as they climbed, cursing when they slipped in the snow.

But the worst part was easily the fighting. It hadn't been long after their conversation ended, when a trio of wolves had come bearing down on them from nowhere. And not long after they'd dispatched them, that a sabre cat gave it a try. And then two sabre cats, hunting together. The Steps were dangerous enough when they were quiet – having to fight for your life while you climbed could make them deadly.

But such was the way of wild nature. If the mountain was a cold white queen, then the beasts were her sentinel guard.

Merrin knew it. That didn't mean she had to like it.

When a troll attacked themin a glacier canyon, they'd had to fight tooth and nail to come out on top. By the time the roaring brute finally keeled, she'd been sweating – not good, in this cold – fuming, and cursing. She'd yanked her arrows so hard from its hide that she accidentally snapped a few shafts, rendering them worthless, and that just made her angrier. She'd spit on the corpse in disgust, and turned back to Ria with a growl. The lanky brunette had stared wide-eyed at Merrin; as she'd used clumps of snow to scrub tar-black blood off her armor, she'd shouted over the wind.

'Alright, I'm officially scared for Klimmek! It's crazy up here!'

Merrin had snorted, feeling crazed herself, and shook her head as she shouted back.

'Crazy? No, didn't I tell you? According to Balgruuf, this is a wonderful place! Peaceful! Great for contem—plation!' She grunted as she hauled off, and kicked a ball of ice over the side of the mountain with a curse.

'We should feel lucky to be here!'

'I doubt he meant the climb, Merrin!'

'I don't give a skeever's ass what he meant! If we see another troll, I'm sending it his way!'

But they didn't have to fight any more trolls – or anything, for that matter. They didn't have far to go, after leaving the canyon.

As night fell over them like a navy blanket, a hush fell over the mountain. The driving wind fell down to a whisper, and the snow that had pelted their faces like sling shot fizzled to nothing in the sky. In a matter of minutes the storm was nothing but a memory, and the loudest sound around was the crunching of their boots in the snow.

It was an awe-inspiring shift. As the first stars twinkled into view high above them, Ria pointed and exclaimed with delight. Merrin smiled at her friend, at the sudden beauty laid before them, and felt her anger start to ebb away, replaced with humility – and nerves. She'd come a long way in the search for answers, and soon she could very well have them. For better or for worse.

They walked for a minute in that pristine, frosted silence before Ria blew out a heavy breath.

'Please tell me that it's not much farther.'

'It's not much farther.'

'Wait – really?'

She smiled grimly. 'Really.'

It was the truth. If memory served, their struggle up the Seven Thousand Steps was almost over – leaving nothing between them, and the home of the Greybeards. Just as Ria sighed a tired 'thank gods', the two of them rounded a final bend, and Merrin saw that her memory served just fine. Beside her, Ria gasped.

There, nestled beneath the very peak of the Throat of The World, was High Hrothgar in all its stark glory. This was a world of very few colors – black and white, greys and blues, with only the occasional burst of crimson, orange or violet. And the monastery stood as a dark monolith, spearing up from the jagged rock towards the open sky; a stoic ruler, overseeing its remote and frosted kingdom. The last stretch of the path before them had been swept bare by the recent wind, and the final step of the Seven Thousand came to rest at the base of the monastery's staircase, branching into two curving arms that rejoined in front of high metal doors sheltered by a hulking pavilion. The windows of the monastery were tall and narrow, and through them they could see twinkling lights – beckoning them out of the cold.

'Kynareth's breath,' Ria whispered. 'It's...'

'Beautiful,' Merrin murmured. 'Yeah.' She knew Ria had no idea how close her exclamation came to hitting the mark – if you believed the legends. Nothing had changed about the monastery in the years since she'd seen it, at least that she could tell. But her memory of it still went pale, beside the striking reality.

'Let's go – I'm freezing.'

As the two of them walked close together down the path and the monastery loomed larger overhead, Ria shivered.

'What is it like, inside?'

Merrin shook her head. 'I don't know,' she confessed.

'When the three of us came up, we spent the night in a tent beneath the pavilion. They hardly ever let pilgrims come inside – only Klimmek's ever seen them, and only twice.'

'Oh.' Ria sounded surprised, and spoke in a hush. 'So you have no idea what to expect?'

'Old guys in grey robes, with grey beards.' Merrin snorted. 'Klimmek's not the most descriptive story-teller.'

'Well...shit. Now I'm nervous.'

Only now? Merrin grimaced at her friend, and shook her head.

'One way or another, we're about to find out.'

They'd passed the final wayshrine as they talked, and now they were at the very foot of the monastery. It was absolutely silent as they climbed one of the staircases, and the pavilion cast them into deep shadow when they made the landing. Before she knew it, Merrin was standing in front of the doors themselves – iron, and ornately carved to depict shimmering spirits in the sky. A heavy ring hung affixed to each door, and Merrin steeled her nerves before she grabbed the nearest one and brought it down on the door with a ringing clang – once, twice, three times.

The sound echoed within, and then faded. For a second, there was nothing but silence.

Then from within the monastery, they heard a man's voice, clear and strong. It said one word, as it called out to them, and that one word rang.

'Bex.'

Open.

Instantly, she recognized that the word hadn't been spoken in Common, and all of the hairs on the back of Merrin's neck stood straight on end. With a heavy clang, both of the doors in front of them came swinging open, throwing the light of several burning sconces onto the pavilion, and them. But there was nobody standing in the threshold – there was nobody even in sight. Simultaneously, the two dark-haired women turned to look at one another. Ria's eyes were wide as they met hers, and she looked very unsure.

'Merrin?' She whispered. 'Are we sure about this?'

'We can't go back now,' Merrin whispered back.

'Did Klimmek say whether the Greybeards were friendly?'

But before Merrin could answer, the same voice spoke again, calling to them – this time in the common tongue.

'You may enter. Come.'

The pair shared an urgent, speaking look, and then Merrin grabbed hold of both her courage and Ria's arm, and marched them over the threshold. There's no turning back, she reminded herself fiercely.

The entryway they'd come into was shallow, partly thrown into shadow, and beyond a thick square pillar of stone they could see a much larger room. As they stepped past the pillar, the doors swept shut behind them with a bang, and Ria jumped.

This was obviously the front room of the monastery. It was big, made to feel even more so by the soaring cathedral ceilings, and made of the same dark stone as the outside of the structure. A brazier as big as a man built into the far wall was the main source of light in the room, dancing and flickering over the walls and glinting off the glass in the windows. But despite that, and several smaller braziers lining the walls, the space was somewhat dim; shadowy around the corners, and in the thresholds of four doorways leaving the room. On either side of the brazier, there was a hallway, arching high and austere and leading to some other part of the monastery. But the light in the room was insufficient, and those passages were swallowed by shadow. It was intimidating...and it was empty. Whoever had opened the doors and beckoned them inside was nowhere to be seen.

All of this was taken in quickly by her roving eyes. But the thing that struck her most about the space was the feeling in the air. It was all but thrumming with a sort of energy, and something about it was familiar to her. It felt quiet somehow, and yet...powerful.

Before either of them could say or do more, they were startled by movement at the far end of the room; from a shadowed corridor, a hooded figure had suddenly emerged. She felt Ria jolt beside her, and had to stop herself from doing the same.

It could only be one of the Greybeards; the robed stranger moved without any sound, seeming almost to glide toward them, with hands clasped together hidden in long sleeves, and a face that was shrouded by a deep grey cowl. She could feel eyes on her, even though she couldn't see them.

With several long strides still between them, the monk stopped in front of the central brazier. And then he spoke.

'Late is the hour, and odd is the sound of stranger's footsteps, landing on our threshold. Tell me, pilgrims – why do you seek entry?'

It was the same voice that had opened the doors. And hearing it now, Merrin felt it; power, ringing through every word, filling the space between them in the room, as present as a living thing. Like the words of Alduin in her terrible dream, the words of this monk seemed to push against her, like invisible hands.

Tensing, steeling her courage, Merrin took a step forward. Then, thinking it appropriate, she dropped to one knee on the flagstone. She held the gaze that she felt so keenly, and kept her face upturned to him. When she spoke, her voice betrayed no fear.

'I am here to answer your summons, master monk. You called down the mountain to the Dragonborn, three days past. And I...' She paused, but only for the briefest space, before making herself continue.

'I have cause to believe that I may be the one you're looking for.'

Her words were met with silence, that stretched from one beat into several. The monk tipped his shrouded head to one side, and she waited, still as stone. And then –

'You believe you may be? The dragonblood is definitive. One either possesses it, or does not. Those who may Speak are never quiet for long.'

Was that a hint of...amusement, in his voice? Before she could form a reply, the monk continued.

'If you are the Dragonborn, then we have heard you already. The Voice will tell all. Come, stranger – let us taste of your Voice, so that we may know you.'

Taste of her voice? For a second, Merrin was confused. Then it dawned on her, and she grimaced.

'I'm not sure that I know how.'

It was the truth. That first Shout on the plains had come tearing out of her, more than anything else – she hadn't been in control. And she'd made no attempt to summon it, since. Ria had tried to persuade her, more than once on the road. But Merrin had resisted. It had felt like something best left alone, until the Greybeards had seen her...now, kneeling on the cold, hard stone, she wasn't nearly so sure.

'Hmmm.' The Greybeard cleared his throat, and then unclasped his hands, only to re-link them behind his back.

'I see. Please, stand.'

She came surging to her feet. Beneath her armor, her skin was prickling with nerves, and her shoulder blades itched.

'But you do claim to have Shouted before? That it was you we heard, in the plains below?'

She nodded. 'Yes.'

'So that is where we start, then. Tell me, how did it feel, when you Shouted?'

Frowning, she cast about for the right words.

'It felt like...pressure building. Like I was a shaken bottle, with the cork still in. Just before it happened, I was afraid I was going to burst.'

Across the room, he nodded. 'And where specifically was this feeling?'

'In...my chest, mostly. My throat. And there was chanting, in my head. Chanting voices.'

Another nod, and this time he spread his feet a little where they planted on the stone, widening his stance, as if he were in anticipation – which, really, made fair sense.

'This sounds promising. Often when a new Word is learned, it crowds a mind unsteeled. Heed me, then. To access your Voice within you, you must attune yourself to the parts of you that comprise the gift – throat. Lungs. Diaphragm. Still your mind, to feel your body. Be aware of the breath that Kynareth gave you. Try.'

Try... Feeling self-conscious and foolish, Merrin bit back a sigh and did as she was told – closing her eyes, and taking a deep breath, with arms out to her sides. It took a while to wrangle insistent thoughts, like this is stupid, and am I doing it right?

But around her, the room had gone utterly quiet, save for the gentle crackle of the fires, and nobody broke in to rush her. With effort, she gradually blanked her mind.

Her breath came evenly, and in that quiet, it was easy to feel the way it travelled into her, and then left her. Muscles moved, lungs expanded. There was rhythm to it, like the beating of her heart.

'Yes – like that.' Gently, the Greybeard reentered her space. But it didn't phase her. His voice had the quality of water over rocks – soothing and mild.

'Now, slowly and with purpose, think of the Word you wish to bring forth. Only that Word.'

In her mind, she could see it again, now. Force.

'Hold the Word in your mind. Meditate on it. Understand it. True understanding takes time, but try to break past the word, into the spirit of the meaning. The Voice depends on spirit, almost entirely.'

The words themselves weren't helpful, but Merrin tried anyway. What was the meaning of force? Couldn't it mean a lot of things? She forced the breath in and out of her lungs. She forced her mind to quiet. She forced her way in the world, sometimes. In a way, force was...power. And she could feel the power in this space around her, as keenly as her heart, or her lungs. In the bottom of her chest, something started to tingle, and she exhaled deeply on the feeling.

'Lastly, you must use the Word. Take hold of it within you, and bridle it. This is magic, you're attempting – a magic innate to all Kynareth's children, lying dormant. Dormant magic must be roused. If there is a pulling happening in you, encourage it. Let the three parties meet, and mingle – body, power, knowledge. It takes all three to unleash the Thu'um.'

There was a pulling feeling, more than just tingling, stirring up from her core. Intuitively she leaned into the feeling, and it answered in kind – building, rising, expanding. Somewhere in the back of her mind, it scared her. But something deeper in her felt...recognition. Exhilaration.

She could see why he'd called it 'bridling'; her breaths were coming in and out like the tide now, and almost imperceptibly, she'd started rocking with them, forward, then back. Taking this power in hand had her body thrumming with a crackling energy unlike any other. She couldn't be sure, but as the seconds passed imperceptibly, she felt like it was starting to emanate from her, too – a humming all around that was felt instead of heard.

Dimly now, she heard the Greybeard's voice beyond her.

'You are gathering. Now bend, and release.'

Bend. Bend. Shutting the man out completely, she turned her mind inward instead; with all of her focus, she pulled at the energy filling her. She willed it to gather where she wanted it – in her chest, and throat, where it had gathered once before. Remembering that feeling, she willed it back, commanding. Bending. She felt it in every fibre, when the something inside of her came reaching up in reply. She felt herself expanding with more than just air, and a piercing thrill of triumph enmeshed itself with the focus that had gone from tide to tsunami.

It had narrowed onto that one word – fus – and now with every breath, it grew. Understanding came singing through her, stronger than mere comprehension. Force was fusing into her as two pieces of white-hot metal, to be one forever more. No longer separate. The same. She didn't know force – she was force.

Her power was her will. And her will was her action.

'FUS!'

Merrin's eyes came flying open as the Shout came barrelling from her, and she only just managed to keep her feet. In one chaotic instant, she was sucked from inward to outward – so she saw the effects.

Loud as a thunderclap in the stone chamber, the force of her will hurtled out like an invisble wall. Urns of many sizes smashed as it passed, sending glass and earth flying in an outward spray. Every brazier along the left-hand wall was snuffed, as if they were no more than candles. As the ringing wall met the Greybeard before her, he bent at the knee, in a warrior's stance. A Shout of his own came booming out, and he threw his arms out to either side.

'GOL!'

Ground!

As her Shout slammed into his, it seemed to shatter, losing the drive that made it lethal. She could feel the change in the air as his power went rending through her own.

And yet, even so, he stumbled back one full step as it passed. The buffeting force tore his hood right from his head, and in the same instant, it hit the main brazier behind him with such strength that the blaze was guttered. It sputtered for an interminable moment, nearly snuffed like the others, before rising back up with a crackling surge.

After the din of their Shouts, the sudden silence nearly buzzed in the room. Her powerful breathing had turned into a ragged pant, and her whole body tingled from the magic she'd just summoned. Mouth hanging open, she swiped the back of one arm over her face, and found it damp.

The room had been cast into deeper shadow than ever, and her eyes darted keenly from place to place, taking in the damage she'd done. Then, as if drawn by some power beyond her, they settled on the man across from her. He was bathed in silhouette by the brazier behind him, but enough light remained in the dim room for her to make out some features. Firelight caught in a long, silver beard, and a short crop of hair the same color. The face seemed long, and maybe haggard. But most commanding by far were the eyes. They pierced through the shadows in the room, brighter than Man's eyes should be, and rooted her where she stood. They were not unkind – moreso, they were alive withenergy the likes of which she now recognized in the deepest part of herself. They were shimmering with...spirit. And power.

He took a sudden step toward her – and then another. Slow, graceful, and noiseless, the powerful monk approached her. She registered a gasp from Ria behind her, and without so much as looking back, Merrin shook her head.

'It's fine, Ria,' she breathed on an exhale. Somehow, she was sure of it. Her heart raced in her chest as she watched him come, but she felt a sudden surge of resolve, and reined her breathing in. If he could be calm, then so could she. She felt no shock, at what she'd just done – just a quiet, flickering burn.

'It's fine.'

'That was – that was incredohgods!' The Imperial had sounded breathless herself, but then cut short on a sudden squawk, and didn't make another sound. For a split second Merrin didn't know why – and then she saw them.

She'd been so intent on the Greybeard's gaze and reeling through the aftershocks of the magic, that she'd failed to notice several more monks come sliding from the shadows, and into the room. They must have heard the Shouting, her brain offered dimly. Now they were four, flanking the first. And all of them were staring right at her. For a moment, there was silence as deep and rich as a cavern, and it was all she could do not to falter, under stares that held so much weight.

And then the first of the monks reached both arms out to her, in unmistakable greeting, and his weathered face broke into a smile.

'And so, you come – at this moment, in the turning of the age. Welcome, Dragonborn, to High Hrothgar.'