Snow Elf's Path

"What is this place?" Asked Arlond. The Companions brought them to what seems to be a ruin, not too far from Whiterun. For 25 years, even though Arlond didn't live in big Kingdoms or any villages, he didn't get the opportunity to visit unique places. While this is a ruin, it's popularity is large. So it isn't the best idea to visit this place. Especially considering that it's a few kilometers away from Whiterun.

"This. My friend is Hamvir's rest!" Explained Harbinger Alemes. She kept a smile on her face when she expressed this pride, but there is a big burden in her heart. A burden of which started ever since she escaped Whiterun with her Companions. That burden, only got heavier and showed no sign of decreasing, no sign of retreat. Long before Arlond made an appearance in Whiterun, the Companions took an oath. To do whatever it takes to Protect the Snow Elves. Today they left Seeril and the other 4 behind, a sacrifice of which fate forced them to do. The situation left them no other choice. The 8 divines know if they will ever make it alive out of there. Her heart pained for Seeril the most.

"Where have I heard this name before? Hamvir. It rings a bell but i can't figure it out." Asked Alena. Even though she lived in Whiterun throughout her entire life, rumors although common in an inn, Hamvir's rest wasn't exactly mentioned much, not enough for this place to ring a stronger bell.

To shed light on their raging questions, Harbinger Alemes told them. "Ever heard of the Headless Hors.e.m.e.n? This is his ruin."

Yelling her sentences due to her strong nervousness. "The headless Horseman. I hope he is just a myth. Paranormal activity scares the crap out of me." Said Alena while holding on to Arlond's arm tight. 

Feeling comfortable enough to tease his lady. Arlond told her. "Oh wow. A strong tall(5.8ft) Nordic Women who helped me take out over 10 Guards as if they were Chickens, is scared of Ghosts?" The teasing clear but the love crystal clear. Teasing her harmlessly like this, is how he showed love to her. Even if fate brought them to a situation where a Ghost would attack them, Arlond would put his neck at risk for her. But another reason which caused this teasing, was the fact that when she clung onto his arm, his heart skipped not one beat but two out of shyness. So to hide his own blush, he made her blush.

But to make Alena's Paranoia even worse, Alemes decided to become scholarish about. She didn't aim at all to spook Alena though. "Oh the Headless Hors.e.m.e.n is very real. I saw him once or twice. He is harmless so no need to swing a Silver Dagger towards him." She finished off in a sarcastic tone and added, "What makes this place a perfect hiding spot is because of the hidden door. Seeril discovered this about 9 years ago and shared it with me first." The fact that he shared it with her first, was a strong self pride in her eyes. Thinking about the fact that he is most likely dead now, kept killing her mood. 

"But how does this make sense if you claimed it under "Companion Property" as you mentioned." Asked Alena. It would make no sense to claim this if the Whiterun officials don't know of the hidden passage. Under what could it be claimed for?"

"We claimed it as a strict religious property. After faking some "ancient history books", we convinced the officials that the "The Headless Horseman is a prophet of Hircine. Hircine blessed us with the gift of being a Werewolf. The gift of the hunt. Due to our reputation it was easier to claim this place as our own, we made it possible for commoners to have restricted access. Random people can't visit this place. Which makes it perfect to hide Snow Elves." Explained Harbinger Alemes with a low tone. It was hard to focus on that tone. It felt lifeless. It was a bit clearer that even though she was explaining a rather complex past task, her mind was somewhere else. Are all Companions like this? Well Seeril's tone sounded so thick and filled with life. Perhaps this is just her personality, her tone wasn't so different at the first time they met.

Noticing the fact that Whiterun officials know about this "place of worship", Arlond felt quite concerned. This situation can really turn for the worst. "But after we caused Havoc in Whiterun, the first thing that Olaf will do is send Guards here. What if they find the hidden door?" Recent events have left him with Traumas. With such situations, he can't help but ask questions concerning safety.

"We got you covered. To enter what's behind that door, they would need to move this large boulder you see in front of you. Seeril could move it before and so could 4 or 5 Guards. But after we made some adjustments from the other side, even the 8 divines can't move this Boulder with brute force."

"Open the door!" Yelled one Companion from the outside, cutting the explanation short and urging some ale.

Soon a paranormal voice whispered across their ears, with its source coming from the boulder. At such a scene, Alena took a few steps back and moved behind Arlond in a blink of an eye. This door must be enchanted. Like the doors of the Dark Brotherhood maybe? "What is the meaning of life?"

"The Hunt my Shield Brother." Whispered a Companion. Once a Newcomer joins the Companions, they will have the chance to choose between being a Werewolf or just avoiding to be one. Being one, gives them access to this secret chamber.

The Boulder started going upwards and floated in actual mid air as a blue light surrounded it. Imagine seeing a 10 foot long and 15 foot wide boulder just floating in mid air. Whatever spell they were using, it's working overtime.

"It's an enchantment by that mage who we lost in battle. This floating boulder is what we can remember him for." Added Alemes in Grief and continued. "Alright let's get in!"

As they entered the opening underneath the floating rock, they met a narrow walkway. much like stairs but they were made out of stone and were poorly cut here and there, half of the stairs were shattered. This Chamber must be a couple thousand years old from the looks of it. Being cracked here and there and being covered with moss brought up such assumptions. It gave an instant ruin vibe. After they all entered, the floating boulder gently reached the ground again and the opening was sealed shut. It wouldn't be easy to keep it a secret if the boulder fell against the ground fast, with all that weight causing possible earthquakes.

As they were walking down the seemingly long staircase. Alena pointed out a fact they didn't really have time to think about due to the recent events. "The Companions could of helped the Snow Elves without the King having a word about it, but Olaf broke that pact when he ordered his Guards to attack the Companions."

"That won't affect him much. He is already the Jarl(King) of Whiterun, soon to be a High King. Us however, we have a big bounty over our heads. Whiterun isn't for us at the moment. Our home shall be here for now." Pointed out Alena. Since she lived in Whiterun all her life, she had a good knowledge about the politics there.

Nearing the end of the staircase, they found 14 Snow Elves in the scene. Last time Arlond saw so many Snow Elves all in one place was when they were attacked by the Nords. And now there are 14 of them, standing before Arlond, welcoming him with smiles on their faces and not arrows on their head.

"Why don't I do a small introduction of all of these Snow Elv...." Her sentence was interrupted by Seeril who walked in the scene with the Wizard on his shoulder. The actual Wizard who enchanted the floating boulder. "Hello. I hope y'all didn't miss me too much."

"Seeril!" Yelled Harbinger Alemes out of joy. This sounds like the first time for her voice to be with such life. She ran towards Seeril and hugged him tightly. Forgetting the man over his shoulder. As a 6 foot tall Nordic Woman she did seem quite helpless in his arms. Or arm. He is holding a man on his shoulder after all. "I thought you were a goner. What about the rest?"

While gently patting her shoulder, aiming to calm her down and reduce her actual tears that she seemed to have been holding back. "They didn't make it. But neither did the Guards. Olaf was escorted by the Guards. They had to drag him out but I feel he is still alive. Our Wizard Zaber though, he was just knocked out but he does need a Strong Healing spell."