Elle had been awake for a while now, staring up at the ceiling thoughtfully. She had expected to get a good night's rest after the day she had, but her sleep was fitful and riddled with a strange dream that repeated itself, though it was slightly different every time.
That same dragon, the large black one with the ruby red eyes, was viciously attacking someone with no face, and somehow, this person seemed to be holding their own, managing to keep the wyvern at bay. The setting in which the battle took place was unfamiliar and almost surreal looking in a sense, though it was offset by the intense storm of thunder and lightening raging in the dark sky overhead. Again and again the beast attacked and each time the shrouded individual countered until they were both too tired to continue. Then they turned to look at her and both shouted loudly and the dreamscape shifted.
She was standing on top of a mountain, so high up that the clouds partially obscured the land below. Snow blanketed everything and the sky above was swirled and very stormy. There were dragons everywhere, all wheeling and diving and calling to one another high above her head. Watching them, there was something in her heart, her soul even, that wanted nothing more than to be able to join them, that felt horribly trapped and dissatisfied on the ground. Then there came that black dragon again, scattering the smaller wyverns and speaking in what she could only guess was dragon tongue. Then they all looked at her once more and shouted, and then she woke up.
This had repeated so many times, Elle had lost count. Whether it had a meaning or not, she was much too tired to dwell on it and there were more important things that needed tending to. She gave up on thinking about it, blinking when a ray of sunshine streaked through the window and landed on her face. Morning at last, she thought, getting up and pulling on the armor she had acquired the day before. She missed her pretty set of light leather armor with the matching hood, but she could easily have something similar made later on when she put some money back in her pocket.
After grabbing the other little odds and ends she had picked up during the escape from Helgen, and putting her messy auburn hair in a braid, she exited the little room and walked into the main hall. A few other bleary eyed individuals drifting from their respective quarters. However, Nilovas was nowhere to be seen. She was going to assume he wasn't still asleep, so where had he gone?
Honestly, the dunmer puzzled her. One minute he was blabbering on about his disdain for the whole situation and acting like he owned the place, and the next he was volunteering to accompany her to Whiterun. He must have a reason other than he had nothing better to do. Did she have something he wanted? No, that couldn't be it, he knew she only had what he saw. Maybe he simply had business in Whiterun or something he needed along the way. Whatever the reason, she decided it wasn't her business, for now. No doubt her curiosity would get the better of her and she would ask later.
She walked up to the counter, the Innkeeper standing behind it polishing a mug. He looked up with a slight smile and a nod of greeting, "Can I help you?"
"I was just wondering if you saw a dunmer walk out of here earlier," she said, about to launch into an explanation when Org replied, "Ah, that horned fellow? Yes, he left a few minutes ago without so much as a word," he explained, nodding toward the door.
Elle pursed her lip but smiled and nodded, "Thank you, the stay was lovely," she turned to go with a small wave.
"You're welcome back any time," he replied, as she exited the Inn.
Elle stepped out into the morning sun, the air crisp and rich with the smell of pine and dew. The river could be heard tripping cheerfully over the rocks as it made its way into the hills beyond and the native birds twittered a herald to the arrival of the day. Overall, a perfect day for traveling.
Riverwood was slowly waking up, its inhabitants emerging from the cozy homes and daily life beginning its cycle once more. But there was still no sign of Nil. Elle furrowed her brow. Did he decide to tai off after all, or was he still somewhere in town? Honestly there wasn't really anywhere else to go here except for the general goods. She was about to decide on her next move when her unlikely companion appeared and started straight for her. Her face lit up with a smile as she met him half way.
"Good morning," she greeted, "Early start, I see. Ready to head out?" she asked, tilting her head slightly to the side.