The Bears Shortcoming

Chapter 13- Our Reunion

                  

(4E 201 10th of Evening Star)

(AIDENS POV)

I woke up. Or at least I thought I did. All I could see was darkness, it was pitch black all around me, I tried to move but my body wouldn't obey, it was as if I was paralysed. I couldn't feel a thing. There was muffled voice gradually getting louder, it was familiar but my mind was fuzzy and I couldn't think properly. I thought I tasted blood, but then the taste went away.

"Lass...wake up" the voice was getting louder.

"Please..." a different voice this time "You can't do this to us! She's not waking up Brynjolf, you said she was going to wake up!"

Brynjolf...where have I heard that name before?

"Vex wait! Stay here!" I could hear footsteps "Come on lass. We need you"

Vex...?

I felt a tingling sensation right in the core of my body, I tried to focus on the sensation and it spread out throughout my entire being. I could feel my hands again, my feet, my toes, my head, my lips. I took a deep breath and my eyes snapped open.

I was lying down and the familiar smell of sewage and dirt filled my nostrils, I could hear water running in the background. I felt alive again. I looked up to see a man with emerald green eyes and red hair that fell past his shoulders, a man I thought I might never get to see again.

Brynjolf.

My eyes widened and I gasped. Then the realisation hit me. Everything that had happened the last time I was conscious. I forgot all of it for a second when I looked upon my dearest friend.

"Brynjolf!" I squealed. I wrapped my arms around him tightly and wished I could hold on forever.

"Gods Lass...You had us all worried for a while there"

"I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused Bryn. I'll explain everything, but first, how did I end up here?"

"An old carriage driver dumped you on the road outside the gates to Riften. I don't know why he brought you here but we're lucky that Vex found you and brought you down to the guild. I don't know if you'd still be with us otherwise. You had two arrows in you and we couldn't count the layers of dried blood that were collecting on your wounds. The gods must have been smiling on you, because I'm not sure that you should be alive"

My eyes widened and I remembered the carriage driver I begged just before I passed out. I wished I could thank him. "Where's Vex?" I said quietly.

"In the Flagon. I'm sure she'll be happy to see you" Brynjolf chuckled "come and talk to me later lass, I need to know what's going on with you."

I gave him a quick nod before walking over to the Ragged Flagon; I smiled at the thought of seeing Vex again. I had missed her so much.

I walked into the room and spotted Vex slouching in the corner, tears had dried on her cheeks and she held a large bottle of black briar mead in her hand. No doubt this was because of me. I felt guilty, but then I suppose I couldn't help being shot.

"Drinking away your sorrows eh?" I said loudly.

Vex looked up in disbelief. She didn't say a word; she just ran over and gave me the tightest hug I've ever received from anyone. Her strong embrace reminded me of Ulfric, and I felt a pang of sadness.

"Gods..." Vex whispered "Am I happy to see you"

"The same goes for me" I chuckled "How are you?"

"I've missed having you around. The guild is so damned boring without our most annoying resident"

"I missed you too" I whispered back "but I can't stay"

Vex looked up at me, a hurt expression on her face. "Follow me and I'll explain" I said to her, before heading towards the cistern.

I found Brynjolf and sat down with my two dearest friends. I explained to them how the job in Windhelm had gone terribly wrong and I explained the decision I had to make and how Jarl Ulfric had showed me mercy.

I explained how I got Brynjolf's letter but how I didn't write back because I worried for the guilds safety. And I explained what happened on that terrible night in Whiterun.

"And that's why I can't stay" I finished "I have to return to Windhelm and fight for what I believe in. Ulfric is a good man and...I can't let him down."

"You love him" Vex said bluntly

"What?" Brynjolf and I both answered simultaneously.

Vex shrugged her shoulders "I can tell by the way you talk about him, I just hope you're making the right decision"

"Me too" I answered, pulling both of my friends into a tight hug, knowing deep down that this was probably our last. "I'll be back" I said with a sad smile.

"Don't forget about us lass" Brynjolf held my face in his hands and kissed me on the forehead. He smiled at me, but I could see sadness in his deep green eyes.

A single tear ran down my cheek "Never"

At this, I turned on my heels and walked straight out of the guild. I didn't look back.

We will meet again.