Chapter 20: Comfort in Company

Gelebor...

I had never expected to find my kind. After Vythur's death, I truly thought that I was alone. Then, I found them, but... they were not how I thought they were. The Snow Elves I was with were not the people I knew long ago. They were changed, that much was true. How or why I did not know, but my suspicions lead to the Dwemer. Even though they had long since passed from the world, their cruelty had dwelled deep within the Snow Elves' hearts like an sickness. I saw it in their eyes. The Snow Elves we had found may have had the appearance of my people, may have even acted like them in some ways, but they were not the same proud people. I did not know how much the taint of the Dwemer had corrupted them and their purpose, but maybe there was some hope for them.

Maybe if they were reunited with Auri-El once again then they could get some form of themselves back.

"Gelebor?" a voice uttered from the shadow. I knew who it was. Slowly, the form stepped out of the darkness of the balcony and into the light. She was hesitant to come closer; that was obvious when she couldn't hold my gaze for more than a few heartbeats.

I gave her a small smile and gestured to my side with an outstretched hand. "You have nothing to fear, Emelin. Please, join me. It would be nice to have some company."

She glanced over her shoulder to make sure no one was there and then stood by my side. The muscles in her shoulders relaxed slightly and she leaned her elbows over the stone pillars.

We stood there for quite sometime; silent yet content with each others company. It was a cold night, as was expected yet there were no clouds out, but instead a clear sky with the twin moons shadowing the distant hills. There was a calmness to the wind that reminded me of the Chantry. It was so peaceful there and with all the trouble that had happened in the last few days, it was a welcomed change.

"You're so quiet," Emelin whispered. "I thought you'd be happy to find your people but you seem more alone than you were before." She drew her hand in the air and watched the specks of ice fall through her open fingers. "Nirithur is excited to see you. He's unlike the others I've met here. He saved me you know. When the betrayed took me. I would have drowned, or maybe died from the poison if it wasn't for him."

I felt the pang of guilt again. It seemed to be a constant reminder that just wouldn't disappear. "Emelin-"

"It was not your fault," she interrupted. Her dark eyes flashed to mine in a heartbeat, but I could not hold her gaze. As soon as she blinked, I looked away. Curse my guilt. "I know it probably weighs on your mind. You're the sort of person that would worry about these things."

"You know me too well," I said.

"Like a book, you could say."

I sighed and looked out over the mountains. Even they were not much of a distraction.

"I could have, you know," I said. "If I wasn't too preoccupied with the betrayed. If my anger hadn't blinded me, then maybe I could have gotten to you in time."

I felt the cold fade from my hand and, when I looked down, I saw the blue hand that covered it. There was a smile on her face, only a small smile but it was enough to make some ounce of my guilt disappear, at least for a time.

"It's in the past," she said. "There's no use in remembering it. We found each other, didn't we? We're safe now."

"Maybe so, but for how long? I do not think the Snow Elves here will tolerate us for long."

"Snow Elves?" she repeated and arched an eyebrow. "You mean your kin."

Regrettably, I shook my head. "These are not my kin. My kin died many centuries ago."

"But they are."

"No, they're not."

She frowned. "Why? Why are you so against them?"

"I'm not against them, Emelin. I'm simply concerned about who they've become." I shook my head and leaned back against the wall. "Their anger towards outsiders is unexpected. The anger that weighs in their hearts isn't something that occurred overnight. Whatever led them to this, they're different now. I'm surprised they've allowed us to stay here at all."

"You know, they're not that different."

"They were willing to condemn us to death. If you had not spoken some sense into them, then I fear we would not be here having this conversation."

"But we are, so they're not so lost. It's fear and fear makes people do some strange things. Don't lose hope on them."

"What other alternative have I?" I asked. "I cannot leave them." A thought crossed my mind. I stepped away from the balcony and touched my chin. "Maybe reuniting them with Auri-El will help shed some light on why they're this way, or maybe it will encourage them to see the better of others outside of their community."

"I bet they will, Gelebor."

I swore to Auri-El that the Dunmer's smile and spirit was contagious. Yet, I could only wonder how she sustained such hope, even when there barely was any. Which led me to wonder...

"Thank you, Emelin. I do not think that I could've made it this far without you or your companions, yet I must ask you something, if you will allow me."

"Sure," she said. "What is it?"

"What will you do now that you have found this place?"

Her smile faded, as did the light in her eyes. She leaned further over the pillars and looked down. "I... I don't know to tell you the truth. Sometimes I wonder. My adventures lead me to many strange places, but I am never out of things to do. There is always something, like saving Skyrim." She chuckled, then frowned. "But, now... I don't know."

"You could stay here," I suggested.

I placed my hands close to hers and leaned over the pillar. I wasn't quite sure why, but I felt at peace when I was with her, like all my troubles had swept away with the passing wind. At first, I believed it was simply because of the company, but then I began to notice the simple things about her that I didn't notice before. There were many scars on her skin, most likely from battles she had never mentioned. Some were larger and deeper than others, yet each told some form of a tale that I hoped she would one day share. The cold weather didn't seem to affect her like it did before. Instead, it was like she was born for it. It complimented her, in a way. It brought out the darkness of her eyes, a rare quality that few had, and made her skin blend into the night.

My gaze swept over her neck where strands of hair had come lose from the bun. Slowly, I reached out and curled the stray strands around my finger and then tucked them behind her ear. Surprisingly, she leaned into the touch. Even more surprising, I could not find it in myself to pull away.

"I am glad that you are here," I whispered.

"I know," she said and leaned into the touch.

"So, what will you do?"

"I'm your guide, aren't I?" she said and placed her hand on my cheek. I tried to swallow, but it was difficult. I watched the way her eyes drifted to my chin and then back to my eyes. "It'd be terrible if I left you behind."

...

I am so sorry about the wait, but thank you for reading! I've been busy lately and haven't been able to update regularly. This is only short but I hope it's alright.