All right, we're back in Ivarstead and we managed to take care of Fastred's problem before dinner!

  I admit, I was sort of looking forward to having a girl's night with Fastred, Lydia and myself, but she wanted us to get things taken care of right away, so we did.

  Anyway, we got up this morning, had a quick breakfast, then set on our way.

  We followed the road along the shoreline until we reached a sawmill just over a stone bridge. I didn't see any workers around, but I did see a Rift guard and a child. Before I could ask the boy where the mill worker was, a robber came out of the woods and ambushed the guard!

  Luckily we were able to fight him off, but the boy had run off and the Rift guard didn't know anything about the mill.

  The road seemed to circle back around to the other side of the lake, so we decided to walk along the river's edge until we found another road or hit Ivarstead. Either way, we'd get there.

  The way was fairly quiet, interrupted only by bears and wolves and those damned signposts.

  And I did so well last time, too.

  At least Lydia and I have something to talk about once the guys go to bed!

  We passed three signposts, all told, and when I saw the first one in the distance, I almost froze in my tracks.

  Lydia saw me hesitate, and I tried to keep going like nothing happened, but then she saw the signpost, too.

  I feel so stupid, and not in the fun way.

  I mean, I'm the godsdamn Dragonborn! I've killed dragons! I've fought probably hundreds of draugr by now! I killed the Wolf Queen!

  And there I was, starting to shake because of a painted piece of wood.

  I know it's nothing to be ashamed of. Old Tarquin was terrified of snakes, even little ones; he wouldn't serve you if you were wearing a ring or a bracelet shaped like one. Hells, the man didn't even like vines because a snake could hide in them easily.

  Anyway, Lydia and the rest of them quickly took up their normal spots, and that helped more than I care to admit. I was shaking, but I didn't slow down, and I managed to keep my breath steady.

  The next one was a lot harder. I had to close my eyes when we got close and have Erandur guide me! By the time we were past it, I was fighting to breathe, and we had to stop so I could get it together.

  The last one was the worst, but considering what happened, it was worth it.

  Lydia suggested that I try looking at the ground before we got to the signpost. She thought that maybe I wouldn't be bothered if I didn't see it at all. It wasn't a bad idea, but not knowing actually made it worse! All I could think about was what if I looked up and suddenly the gates to Helgen were right there? I know that's impossible, but the thoughts just wouldn't leave my head! My stomach started to twist up in knots, and I had to stop or else I was going to heave.

  I couldn't really explain it at the time, but it's not the signposts that I'm afraid of. It's the reminder that I'm headed towards Helgen.

  We kept going once I could move again, and Valdimar tried his best to distract me with random facts about the Dwemer. It worked for a bit, but eventually I started shaking and I could feel my heart start to race.

  Erandur took my hand, and he must have gestured for Valdimar to stop because it got quiet, and then he started to sing.

  The song was in Dunmeri, and had a sort of soft, swaying sound to it. I couldn't understand half the words, but before I could figure it out, Erandur stopped. He looked embarrassed, and said he was sorry he couldn't remember anything besides the first verse and the chorus. It was a song his mother used to sing.

  And then - DIVINES I wish Lydia had seen Erandur's face! - Valdimar started to sing the next verse!

  Erandur went from shock to pure joy. I've never seen him smile like that before! He stopped in his tracks, but Valdimar gestured for us to keep moving, so we did.

  I saw Erandur wipe away some tears as we kept walking, and I made sure to give his hand a little squeeze. He did it back, and managed to pull himself together in time to join Valdimar in singing the chorus. Valdimar was even able to jog his memory enough so they could finish the song together.

  They sound so good together! Valdimar really does have a nice voice, too. He could easily be a Bard.

  Anyway, I was too busy trying not to gush over those two that I didn't even realize we'd passed the signpost until the song was over. It was right about then Ivarstead came into view.

  We fell back into our normal pattern, with me up front by Lydia, Septim running ahead, and Erandur back next to Valdimar. He complimented Valdimar's voice, and asked where he learned the song.

  Valdimar said that he learned it from one of his classmates. I could tell the compliment got the big guy a little flustered from how he sounded! I wonder if he was blushing? He doesn't do it easily.

  Erandur asked if it was the same classmate who taught him about corprus, and Valdimar said it was.

  He got quiet after that, but we got into town before any of us could ask him more questions.

  We came here first, but couldn't find Fastred. I got us rooms and lunch at least, and while we were waiting for Lynly to serve our food Klimmek came over to chat. He wondered how I was doing; the last time he saw me I was practically being carried inside!

  I let him know I was fine, and asked him if he'd seen any sign of more cultists hanging around. He hadn't, but said that he'd keep a look out, just in case.

  Lynly came over with our food, and when she went back to the bar, I overheard Klimmek try to flirt with her. She wasn't interested, though.

  We finished our food, and left the inn to go look for Fastred. We walked down the street, and as we got near the mill, a bear came over the bridge from High Hrothgar and started to run towards Gwilin!

  His back was to the animal, and he was too focused on chopping wood to notice it charging him. I think the sound of the waterfall and the mill drowned out the noise.

  Septim flung himself between them, and knocked Gwilin over in the process. He kept the bear occupied while the elf scrambled to safety, and we got our weapons out. We took care of it with magic, arrows, and a little help from Temba.

  She really hates bears.

  Valdimar offered to skin it for her while Erandur checked Gwilin over for injuries. He just had a cut from landing on his axe, and Erandur was able to take care of that easily.

  That's when we met Fastred. She'd come over to look at the bear's carcass from the farm across the road, and I heard her father, Jofthor, call her by name when he yelled at her to stay away from it. Her mother, Boti, scolded him for that. It's not like it was going to jump up and bite!

  I told her that we'd been looking for her, and she wasn't surprised at all. She told us how Mara came to her in a dream and said that a stranger would come to help her. She didn't want to talk where her parents might overhear, so we walked over to the bridge where the water would cover everything.

  She explained that Bassianus wanted to marry her, but her parents weren't happy. She's pretty sure she's in love with him, but he wants to move to Riften. Her father won't allow it, though.

  Hearing that she thought she loved him was interesting, and with a bit of prodding, Fastred confessed that she used to have a thing for Klimmek.

  I said we'd speak with her parents, and she asked us to please hurry. She couldn't stand waiting much longer, and she just couldn't decide between the two of them!

  So, I went over to the field where her parents were working and went to talk with Jofthor. Her father thinks her crush on Bassianus will pass just like it did with Klimmek. He doesn't want her to leave because Ivarstead is on its way to becoming a ghost town. I mean, he's not wrong about that, but trying to force her to stay isn't right!

  Jofthor also wished that Klimmek had a bit more backbone. He's certain that if he approached her with the same boldness as Bassianus, she'd pick him.

  Luckily her mother's more understanding. She just wants Fastred to be happy, even if she leaves town with Bassianus. She doesn't have a problem with the guy, but he's terrified of Jofthor. He's afraid Jofthor will come after him if he leaves town with her.

  I don't blame him. Jofthor's got a temper, and I've only spoken with him once!

  Boti said that if they ran off together, she'd be able to handle Jofthor and calm him down. Will he be happy? No, but he won't be out for Bassianus' blood.

  I thanked her, and the four of us (plus Septim) came back here to the Inn to talk. We'd just seen Klimmek try to woo Lynly earlier, so he's clearly over Fastred, or at least over her enough to start looking at other options.

  Then again, I've seen this before. I had friends who wanted to leave the Capital and see the world, and they tied themselves to the first person who said they could get them out of there.

  I have no idea how things turned out; I never saw them again, so I hope they're happy, wherever they are.

  Anyway, while we were talking, Bassianus came in and I overheard Wilhelm ask him about Fastred. Bassianus said that he wanted to "sweep her off her feet" and take her to Riften, but instead of admitting that he was afraid of what Jofthor would do to him, he claimed that Klimmek was the one holding him back. He said Klimmek had a lot to learn, but Wilhelm saw through that excuse and told him to just go and do it.

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  I went to the bar for a refill and asked Wilhelm to explain. Apparently Bassianus lived with Klimmek! I had no idea! Wilhelm told me that Bassianus isn't from around here. He and Klimmek are both fishermen, and he moved in with Klimmek a while ago.

  Being a fisherman explains why he'd want to move to Riften. I imagine it's a lot better there than out here.

  I took my wine back and told the others what I'd learned. They told me to talk with Bassianus and see what he has to say about it.

  Bassianus was a bit rude, but I could tell he was annoyed by Wilhelm getting on him about Fastred. I told him what Boti told me, and he was thrilled! He was so excited that he wouldn't have to worry about Jofthor anymore that he ran out of the Inn.

  We followed him, and watched as he caught Fastred before she went into her house. Her parents were already inside. We kept our distance, but from how excited she looked, I could tell that she was going to go with him.

  Good for them. Klimmek will be all right, I'm sure. Lynly said she wasn't looking for a relationship right now, but who knows? Maybe she'll change her mind in the future.

  As for us, we're having a quiet night in. I asked the others what the song Erandur sang translated to, and it was really nice. It's about the stars on a beautiful night, and enjoying them with your friends. A neat thing about it is that the singer is expected to change the lyrics to have the song be about stargazing with whoever they want. It won't mess anything up, so you can sing about friends, family, or your lover, of course.

  Lydia especially liked it, because it's a love song that you can sing to or with your friends. She complained that there's not a lot of those that aren't loud drinking songs, and she's right!

  Of course once Valdimar and Erandur went to their rooms, Lydia and I had to gush about the two of them. Lynly overheard us giggling about it and came over to gossip with us. Even she's noticed how Valdimar looks at him.

  That was fun, and we talked about more, but we've got seven thousand steps to climb tomorrow. We're going to finish our drinks, then turn in.

  I wonder if the Greybeards will teach me a new Shout?

  So, we're back at The Bee and Barb in Riften, and it's been a long, LONG day. I went up the seven thousand steps, got Shouted at, came back down the seven thousand steps, hunted for a body in the river during a lightning storm, damn near froze to death, then, once we were all dry, got another mission from Mara.

  I am so looking forward to this meal! I'm ordering a White-Gold Tower, too. I deserve it, dammit.

  Last night I made the mistake of telling Lydia I wanted to get up early, so she woke me up when she does: With the sun!

  After a quick but filling breakfast, we started our climb up to High Hrothgar.

  It started to snow not too far into the hike, and got cold, quick. We did make sure to read all the tablets on the way up, though. We got that great blessing again!

  We didn't meet any people up there, just a bunch of bears, goats, and three frost trolls. There was a dead hunter, sadly, so Erandur made sure to say some words for him. We made sure to tell Wilhelm where the man was when we got back.

  Anyway, we got to High Hrothgar, and gave Arngeir the Horn.

  He was glad to have it, and said that they had to "formally recognize" me as Dragonborn. First, Master Wulfgar taught me the last part of the Unrelenting Force Shout, "Dah." Like before, he whispered a rune onto the floor, and then magically shared the understanding of it with me.

  I can't wait to try it out!

  I was in the center of the main room while I was learning the Shout, and the other Greybeards came up. I'll be honest, I felt a bit nervous when I realized I was surrounded, and I caught Lydia's feet shifting into a fighting stance out of the corner of my eye.

  Arngeir said that they were going to speak to me. Not just him, but all of them! That was their ceremony for recognizing me as Dragonborn.

  Then, they spoke to me in the Dragon Tongue all at once! The force of their voices shook the ground under my feet. It felt like I was inside a huge drum that was being pounded on! My vision blurred, and I staggered, but I didn't fall. I was aware that Valdimar and Erandur both stepped forward to grab me, but I just barely heard Lydia say, "She can take it!" Septim was barking, but he didn't come to me. I think one of the others was holding him back.

  When the Greybeards stopped talking and I could see straight again, Arngeir called me Dovahkiin. I'd proven myself by surviving their combined Voices unharmed, and he said that I was now officially a Dragonborn. Not only that, but High Hrothgar is now "Open to me," whatever that means.

  I asked him what that ceremony was all about, and he laughed and said that he forgot I couldn't understand the Dragon Tongue. He translated it for me, and the gist of it was that I'm now the bearer of the Stormcrown (?) and that I'm also Ysmir, the "Dragon of the North."

  As in, Ysmir, Ysmir?

  I'm still not entirely sure what that means, but I thanked them, then we left to make our way back down.

  Thanks to the blessing, all we had to worry about was the cold.

  -/-/-/-/-/-

  Had to stop for dinner!

  That was some damn good fish. Say what you want about Khajiit chefs; Argonians have fish down to an art, trust me.

  Anyway, The weather only got worse on the way down, turning to rain shortly before the base. As before, the goats we passed didn't mind us, and just went on eating grass and doing normal goat things.

  The rain was soft at first, but quickly turned to a raging storm! Lightning cracked right over our heads, and I wanted to get us to shelter as soon as I could. I noticed a ruined house by the river, across from the mill, and we made our way down to it. I thought we were alone, but I was surprised by a man wearing ragged clothes and babbling about saying goodbye to his parents and someone named Reyda.

  We'd seen him before as we were walking around in Ivarstead, but since we always saw him near the water I'd just assumed he was another fisherman.

  I spoke with him, and I gathered that his name was Narfi, and he was waiting for his sister to come home. She left to gather plants and never came back, and he was sad that he couldn't say goodbye to her. He was convinced that she would come home because Wilhelm said she would.

  So, we went to talk to Wilhelm about Narfi's sister, and he said that he was pretty sure Reyda was dead. He told me that Reyda used to hunt for ingredients on the island with Geirmund's Tomb. He admitted that he lied to Narfi just to make him feel better.

  He knew it wasn't right, but what else could he do? He suggested that if we found some clue or maybe even Reyda's body, Narfi might calm down. Wilhelm was afraid that he might go off into the woods to look for her, and with all the bears around he was bound to get himself killed.

  The others (especially Lydia) weren't sure about it. Sure, we had to get to Riften, but I pointed out that we had plenty of time. It was barely mid-afternoon.

  Besides, that poor man, soaked to the bone in the storm and calling out for his sister like he was afraid for her to be out in it just stuck with me. I couldn't ignore it, so I decided to go out to the island and see what I could find.

  I'd also seen the telltale glow of a nirnroot out there, and we need to get a bunch of them for Ingun!

  I got the nirnroot, but we didn't find anything on the island, or around the tomb's entrance. We all agreed that she probably wouldn't go in there. Everyone in town seems skittish of haunted things. There were a lot of slaughterfish eggs along the shore, though, so I stood where I'd grabbed the nirnroot and looked towards town, trying to figure out where she would have gone.

  If I were Reyda, I would've swam from that spot to a place near the bridge. So, I dove into the water (it was freezing!) and started to make my way across. I made sure to stay under as much as I could to see what I could find.

  The river is lousy with slaughterfish, by the way, and I'm glad Septim likes chasing them! He took care of several of them, and I know I saw one get hit with an arrow, too.

  But I found a skeleton. There was a leather satchel on it, somehow miraculously intact, and a necklace. I took the necklace and what was in the satchel - The bag fell to pieces once I opened it out of the water - And headed back to Narfi.

  I was hoping that he wouldn't recognize the necklace, but we were almost certain it was Reyda's.

  Sure enough, he recognized it as soon as I gave it to him. He asked if I'd seen her, and if she had any words for him.

  -/-/-/-/-/-

  It was my turn to wash up, and I feel amazing! I finally got the chill out of my bones from earlier. Lydia's going to braid my hair once she's done with her bath.

  Back to Narfi. I didn't know what to do. I could do like Wilhelm did and tell him that Reyda was coming home soon, or just tell him the truth.

  I looked at the others. Lydia and Valdimar both shrugged, but Erandur just put his hand on his heart, and nodded.

  Right.

  So, I told Narfi the truth. He was sad, obviously, and we gave him what comfort we could, out there in the rain. Still, he was glad to have her necklace, even though he didn't get to say goodbye like he did with his parents. He gifted me some alchemy ingredients, though, and I gave him some coins.

  We were all cold, so we ducked into the Inn to warm up before setting off for here.

  As we crossed the bridge and saw the signpost for Riften, I got nervous. I asked if we could stay off the road this time, and follow the water's edge? The others agreed, even though Lydia said that she was sick of being soaked. Erandur smugly reminded her that she was the one who promised to get nirnroot for Ingun, and it does grow by the water.

  Lydia grumbled about that, but we left the road and started on our way.

  It was freezing! I was cold and wet and it was just a miserable slog. As we walked, I kept having to use Wolfskin and Bask. I am SO thankful for that blessing we got on the mountain! I didn't have to worry about using up my magicka reserves fighting off the half dozen bears we came across.

  We did find some nirnroot, though.

  When we got to Riften, I was shaking and could hardly walk. Erandur wasn't doing much better. His Flame ability didn't do much good for either of us in the rain, but at least we had torches. It was coming down so hard there wasn't a point in making a fire; it wouldn't have done us any good, assuming we'd even get it to light. Lydia and Valdimar decided that our best bet was to move as fast as we could and hope we got to Riften before Erandur and I froze to death.

  As soon as we were through the gates Erandur tried to head toward the temple, but Lydia and Valdimar bundled us into the Bee and Barb, and dragged us to the fireplace. Lydia got us rooms, and Valdimar ordered us some warm drinks.

  Once we were dry and warm, Erandur pointed out that it wasn't too late to go to the temple. So, we went to see Dinya and let her know that we'd taken care of Fastred. Maramal was sitting on a bench, talking with Briehl, their Acolyte, and was icy as ever. He spoke in that clipped way people do when they'd rather you just get the Hell out of their face. Still, he was glad that we'd saved him the trip.

  We found Dinya in the back, resting with a book, and she was thrilled at the possibility of hosting Fastred's wedding soon. She wasn't surprised, though. She knew we'd succeeded because she had another vision.

  Dinya told us to go to Markarth, because - get this - Calcelmo had asked for the goddesses help!

  YES, THAT CALCELMO!

  Valdimar's excited to go back to Markarth. We never did get a chance to visit the Dwemer museum, so I promised him that we'd go see what the old man had on display once we'd helped him.

  I tossed some coins in the charity box on the way out, then we came back here and had dinner.

  -/-/-/-/-/-

  It was my turn to braid Lydia's hair. Speaking of, Erandur asked Valdimar to come with him before his bath to check on a possible spot of corprus. Valdimar said it wasn't, just some irritation from his armor.

  Of course, Lydia and I had to wonder if that's all Erandur wanted him for, but he came back too quick for it to be anything else.

  Damn.

  Anyway, Lydia scolded me for nearly dying of exposure. Strange how she never scolds Erandur, but whatever.

  We took turns taking warm baths once dinner was over, and once we were all clean we took our drinks into my room (it's the biggest) to go over the plan.

  You know, I think Erandur likes it when Valdimar does his hair. He remembered his kit this time, and he's sitting on the floor in front of Valdimar while he braids.

  As usual, Valdimar had to tease Erandur a bit when he thanked him again for taking care of the braids. Valdimar said it was no trouble at all because he likes seeing him between his knees!

  Thanks to Valdimar, I now have a wine stain on my night shirt. He swears he can get it out, though.

  Anyway, the best part was that Erandur couldn't really do anything about it because Valdimar was in the middle of a braid! He just sputtered and complained while Lydia and I cackled.

  I feel sort of bad, but it's too damn funny! I know Valdimar would stop if he asked him to, but he hasn't, so I'm going to enjoy the show until then.

  Anyway, the plan is to sell off our goods in the morning, then set off for Windhelm to tell Aventus that Grelod's not a problem anymore. After that, we'll head back home, then on to Markarth.

  I really want to get to Saarthal, though. I know the last piece of the Gauldur amulet's probably not going anywhere anytime soon, but I want to see what's up with those Cultists from Solstheim. If there's another Dragonborn and he's already got himself an actual Cult carrying out his orders, I think we're in trouble.

  Not just us, but possibly all of Skyrim, and maybe even the rest of the Empire.

  We've fought cultists and Dragonborn before with Potema, but she wasn't at full power and mostly controlled the dead. Who knows what this Miraak guy can do?

  More than me, I'm sure.

  Hells, I'm thinking too hard. Lydia and the others have already left for bed, and my candle's getting low. I'm going to try and get some sleep.