Chapter two

"I saw that, you know," Hod said shrewdly as Ralof joined him at the table, handing the battered soldier a tankard of mead.

"Saw what?" Ralof asked his brother in law innocently.

"Don't play coy to me Ralof, you're worse than my wife," he said downing the dregs from his own tankard "You're sweet on the girl aren't you? Though I don't see why, I mean she's sweet enough to look at but she must be dumb struck, haven't even heard her say a word.

"She's simply a friend, one that saved my life in fact," Ralof countered "and whilst I doubt she's dumb, she certainly has been mute. Even in the cart taking us to Helgen, she didn't say a word. I think it was out of fear though, once she's had some rest, I'm sure she'll be in better sorts."

"One can only hope my friend," Hod grunted, pushing off the wooden chair he sat on. "I'm going to stop by the Trader to pick up some extra things for dinner, I trust your friend won't make any trouble."

"She's well asleep Hod, I doubt she'll be any harm. Besides, if she was intent on that she would have done so already, I'm sure."

"You know, for a soldier you really are a soft touch," the older Nord snorted. "Alright, I'll be back in a while, help yourself to anything you might need."

"Thank you Hod."

"It's no trouble, we're family after all. Though you may want to take a leaf out of your friends book and get some rest, I wasn't lying when I said you looked done in."

Ralof roughly rubbed at his face, feeling the exhaustion he'd so keenly ignored creep up on him none the less.

"Maybe you're right, some sleep wouldn't go amiss at this point."

"Get yourself to bed son, before I have to knock you out and put you there myself," Hod joked. "Gerdur and I will probably spend the night at the Sleeping Giant, so if you and that little Breton do get up to anything..."

"Hod! I've barely known her three days and she was unconscious for two of them!" Ralof laughed at the presumption the man had drawn and almost worried the girl would wake and hear this ridiculous talk. "I think it's safe to say nothing will happen."

"Fine, fine, I meant no offense, just stating what I saw," Hod answered with a smirk, opening the door to leave "but just so you know where we are. Only seems right to give you two a space to rest at least."

Ralof shook his head, the man was insufferably but he meant well.

"Thank you again Hod. We really appreciate this."

"And like I said, it's no trouble." He replied as he closed the door.

Alunaaz was so deeply asleep she didn't even hear this raucous banter, her body so completely drained it didn't have the energy to dream. For this she was actually grateful, since she was sure all she would have dreamed would be dark, leathery wings black and wide enough to eclipse the sky. A terrible maw dripping with the blood of hundreds, if not thousands of living things, which would open, like the jaws of Oblivion itself and incinerate everything until there was nought left but embers.

But there was nothing and it was a blessed respite.

She began to feel an uncomfortable heat though and kicking of the furs had not been enough to cool her, her mouth dry as the Alik'r desert. She reluctantly began to open her eyes, the throbbing in her head much less than it was at the beginning of this endeavour.

"Ah, so you decided to rise and come back amongst the living," she heard Ralof say light heartedly. "Though I must admit, I was beginning to worry if you would actually wake up; you've been out for nearly three days."

She twisted her body from lying on her stomach to sitting upright. She looked at her newfound friend who now walked towards her with a platter in his hands.

"Here, you must be hungry after that," passing the board to her.

The bowl balanced on it was full of stew, venison from the smell of it and half a heel of bread was placed on the tray. The smell of it began to moisten her still dry mouth but as she tried to breath in the delicious aroma, she began to choke on her dehydrated tongue. Ralof hurriedly handed her a mug of water to quieting her coughing fit. When she regained her composure she gave Ralof an appreciative nod, picked up a spoon and began to eat.

"Try to eat it all, Gods know you need some meat on you, almost nothing but bone you are. If you're still hungry after, don't be afraid to ask for more, there's plenty left in the pot."

Ralof played the mother hen to perfection, something she wouldn't have expected of a Nord. She had heard that some "Men of the North" almost pride themselves on their ability to badly treat their women but maybe she was lucky in having met only hospitable ones. She continued to eat, managing to polish off three bowls of stew before her starving belly protested at the sudden intrusion. Even if it was uncomfortable she took what food was given as she wasn't sure when her next meal would be.

Sated, if a little tender from her swollen belly, Alunaaz rose from the bed taking her tray and placing it on the table where Ralof had sat himself.

"Feel a bit better now, little Breton?" he asked obvious concern.

The time to remain silent had passed, she thought, these people have been nothing but kind and it would be rude of me to continue this petulant quiet.

"Yes, I feel much better now, thank you."

A massive grin broke out on Ralofs face, a short bark of a laugh compounding his surprise.

"Well, would you look at that, not only does she speak but she's the epitome of manners!"

Alunaaz shrank at his words, suddenly feeling foolish and somewhat ashamed of her behaviour.

"I didn't mean to hold my tongue through our episode in Helgen, I was simply wary. Overly so, perhaps, but I didn't know any of you. I was in pain, confused and frightened, being quite and drawing as little attention to myself seemed like the best idea at the time."

"You don't need to explain yourself to me little Breton, I understand what you mean. But as you've finally started talking how about we start with the simple stuff, hmm?"

"I don't understand," she said with knitted brows.

"You're name would be a good place to start, don't you think?" Ralof replied with a lopsided smirk.

"Oh! Oh no, indeed you're right. I'm sorry," she fumbled with her words and apologies, feeling more foolish than ever. "Forgive me, my name is Alunaaz."

"Alunaaz," Ralof repeated, trying the new name for the first time. "A strange namesake and certainly not Breton, from the sounds of it."

She merely shrugged. "I am the name my mother gave me, what it means or where it comes from I do not know. She never told me."

Ralof nodded in acceptance, names were names and they didn't always have to mean something special or ulterior.

"I was wondering if you could answer some questions for me Ralof," Alunaaz began quietly "there are things I should remember, the events before Helgen and our transportation there but I can't seem to recall anything. Is there anything you could tell me about before our capture that could refresh my memory?"

"Well, like I said to Gerdur and Hod, we were captured at Darkwater crossing but if you're asking me if I knew you before that? No, this is the first time we have met."

Alunaaazs face fell with disappointment. She had suspected as much but to have the chance to regain what was lost so early from the only man who seemed to know was a bitter thing.

"I see, I thought that may be the case but there must have been something that made me forget my past. It's not something that just disappears of its own volition."

"Well, considering that blow you took to the head when we were first captured, I'm not surprised that you're memories were knocked out of you," Ralof tried to say jovially but the sentiment fell flat on its face, so he abandoned trying to be flippant about the situation. "But maybe you're just recovering from being struck so hard?"

"It's a reasonable conclusion, receiving head trauma or a concussion does impair brain function and symptoms do include confusion and amnesia," Alunaaz murmured almost to herself, however, catching the look of confusion on Ralofs face she tried to reiterate. "Perhaps it will simply come back to me in time or at least that's how these things seem to right themselves."

Suddenly understanding her meaning Ralof smiled, hoping that she was right and she would remember who was or at least something that could lead her in the right direction to finding those answers.

"But for now, I think it is best I take my leave," the Breton said, rising to stand, placing the chair she sat on under the table.

"So soon?" Ralof queried in disbelief.

"Oh, please don't misunderstand me; I have nothing but appreciation for you and your family. You have done much for me, giving me shelter, food and not least of all, saving me from a rather unpleasant demise, dragon and headsman alike," she said, honestly overwhelmed by the gratitude she felt for these people. "But I cannot help that by being here I am putting you further into trouble, I feel disquieted by this feeling. I do not know how else to describe it."

"If you are worried about the Imperials that will come looking for us," her friend interjected.

"No, it is not that, it is something else entirely. This anxiety I feel comes from me, as if I know the trouble that would follow me, just not what it might be. Besides, your sister has asked me to pass on the message of the dragons return to this holds Jarl, after all she security she has given me the least I can do is return it in kind."

"So you're intent on going to Whiterun then?" he asked lightly.

She simply nodded, almost sorry to leave him to face his journey from here on his own.

"Well, if that's the path you're set on taking I'll not keep you from it," he sighed. Whilst he was disheartened she wouldn't go with him to join the Stormcloak rebellion, he understood that it wouldn't be right to hold her to such a cause when there were other things she had to do. "If that's the road you're on though, once you reach the city there may be someone who can help you with your memory. If I recall correctly, there's a temple of Kynareth in Whiterun. No doubt there could be a healer that could help your condition."

She smiled at the Nord, who now looked away, staring at his boots as if they were infinitely more interesting. Always so ready to help and never has he asked for anything in return for it, Alunaaz thought to herself.

She moved from leaning against the back of the chair to place herself in front of him. Stubbornly retaining his gaze on the floor, he only saw her move out of the corner of his eye. He did, however, see her raise her hand and cautiously placed them under his unshaven chin and tilted his head to face her. She took a small amount of pleasure in the baffled look he gave her as she ghosted her finger tips from his jaw to rest upon his cheek.

"Alunaaz, what are you doing?" Ralof asked uncertainly.

She gave no reply. She simply bent her head down, pressing a delicate, undemanding kiss to his forehead, slackening the skin there as Ralof closed his eyes with a sigh. It was a soft touch of skin, no more than a shadow but it was a comforting feeling none the less. Removing her lips from his brow, she curved her neck and rested her head against his shoulder placing her arms about his neck in an easy embrace. Unsure of how to respond, Ralof lifted his arms to return her cradling touch, grasping her back gingerly.

"You have been a dear friend to me Ralof," Alunaaz whispered sadly by his ear "but I must move on. You cannot protect me from this, however much you may wish to. When you move on to Windhelm I will make sure to visit you, maybe even see about joining the call of the Stormcloaks, not that I know if they would take a Breton into their ranks as I'm no "True Daughter of Skyrim". I simply hope you understand why I cannot go with you now as it is not that I wish to leave, just that I must."

Pulling herself away from him, she smiled but it did not reach her eyes.

"Of course I understand, little Breton," Ralof replied "and like I said, you have no need to try and justify yourself, least of all to me. Gods know I'm hardly one to judge given the circumstances!"

She moved about the house, gathering what little she had accumulated through their "jaunt" in Helgen. She placed her hood back about her head, obscuring her face from people who might peer too closely. After her short itinerary check she stood before Ralof once more, holding a pouch of coins in the palm of her hands.

"What's this?" he asked suspiciously.

"It's half the coin I found Helgen. I'd like you to have it."

"I can't take that from you Alunaaz; you have little enough to get by on. I refuse to accept it."

"Half this coin belongs to your anyway, as I wouldn't have made it free of that place without your help. Think of it as a commission of sorts. Besides, I would at least like you to have some coin to put towards safe travel to Windhelm. I would like to see you again and in a single piece if that can be helped."

"Alunaaz," Ralof gave a rankled groan.

"I'll not argue this point any further, you're taking the coin and that's final," she said definitely, forcing it into his hands and folding his fingers about the small bag. "And must you insist on calling me by my full name? It's far too formal. Just call me Al, everyone who gets tired of my name does."

Rolling his eyes, Ralof placed the pocket of coins on the table. Taking both of Als hands in his own, he held them as he looked at her.

"Very well Al," he said pointedly, with a laugh "why Al and not something more, I don't know feminine like Ala?"

Alunaaz scoffed at the thought "Ralof, you have seen my face haven't you? I'm hardly a pinnacle of womanly beauty, best to stick with the assertions people will make and keep my name androgynous as well."

"Whatever you say, little Breton. Now, I'm not very good at this farewell business so I'll simply wish you all the best for your future path. May the Gods watch over you battles friend."

"And Talos guide you through yours, my friend."

Giving her hands a final, warm squeeze, he let her withdraw them from his grasp.

He merely watched as she grabbed the latch, opening the entrance and with a final goodbye, closed the door behind her.

Authors Note:

Short chapter is short. I do realise I could have continued it further but it seemed the right place to stop to allow the story to develop on it's own, into what it's meant to be. Also, props to my Beta and friend Raven554 of Deviantart who has been patient and offered great advice on how to proceed with this story. I'm also drawing up a bust of Alunaaz so there will be a clearer picture of how she looks. I shall link it up on my profile once it's done 8D

Edit: just gone over the chapter and fixed some little errors and spelling mistakes, so the dialogue should flow better without those niggling slips.