Missing in Action

"All I can think about is my son, my Thorald… they say that he was killed, but I know better. I know my son is alive! Those Battle-Born... they're in with the Imperials. They know it too, and yet they lie to my very face!"

How do you know they're lying? "It's not wise to discuss it here. Please, if you truly wish to help, meet me at my home. I'll tell you the whole story."

How can you be sure your son is alive? "I just... I just know it. I can feel it in my heart. You have to believe me. Please, visit me at my home. I can tell you the whole story."

Can you tell me more about your missing son? "Not here. Let's speak at my home, where we can be alone, unwatched." (If outside of House Gray-Mane.)

"Who are you? What are you doing here? Are you working for the Battle-Borns? Speak now before I put you in the ground!"

I don't know what you're talking about "A likely story. They won't even do their own dirty work now, eh? Well, you won't get the better of me! Now tell me where my brother is!"

I don't know your brother. "Thorald. Thorald Gray-Mane? Fighting for the Stormcloaks, disappeared and believed dead? You really don't know anything about this, do you?"

Calm down. I'm not working for anyone. "No? So you don't know anything about my brother? Then what are you doing here?"

I didn't mean to alarm you. Why are you so tense? "Because they've got Thorald locked away somewhere, and if they find me here I'll disappear too! I am not going to let that happen!"

Sounds like you need some help "I can't do this all on my own. Are you... are you offering to help me?"

Yes, absolutely. What can I do? "I know that Thorald is not dead. I just know it. The Imperials have him, and are keeping him somewhere. But I don't know where. Those damned Battle-Borns... they know something. They're hiding it. They practically taunt us with it. They must have some sort of proof! There's got to be something in that house of theirs. I just know it. I don't dare leave the house myself. So I need your help."

I'll find that proof you need. "Anything, anything at all would be a start. Then we can figure out how to get to him. I'm sorry for doubting you, friend. You have my thanks."

I'm not sure I want to get involved in this. "Please, I'm desperate. This is my brother's life! I won't let them take it away! I beg of you, look for proff of Thorald's capture. The Battle-Borns have it, I just know it."

I'm not even sure what's going on. "My brother, Thorald. He was fighting for the Stormcloaks, and went missing. Everyone assumes his dead. But he's not. I just know it. The Imperials captured him, and they're holding him someplace. The Battle-Borns know where. I'd go and search their house for proof, but they want me too. I'd be captured, and then we'll never know what happened to him. So I need someone to find that proof for me."

What kind of proof do you need? "Anything that confirms that Thorald isn't dead, but is being held captive. I know those Battle-Borns have it. They'd be hiding it, of course. Wouldn't want it to get out that they've been lying this whole time. But you might be able to butter them up enough to lower their guard."

Why do you think the Battle-Borns are involved? "The Battle-Borns. The Emperor's biggest boot-lickers here in Whiterun. Their connections to the Empire and the Legion are well-known. When Thorald didn't return home, there was no question in my mind. They knew Thorald supported the Stormcloaks, knew he was going to aid them in battle. Made sure he didn't come back. Locked him up someplace to get back at my family. I'm sure of it."

How can you be sure Thorald is still alive? "He's my son. I just... I feel it in my heart. You'd understand if you had children."

Can you tell me more about your missing son? "Thorald's disappearance has been hard on all of us, but Avulstein has taken it badly. He's afraid of being taken as well, so he hasn't left the house. All he talks about is Thorald. Please, help Avulstein if you can. Something has to be done, or we're all going to lose our minds."

I found your letter to Olfina. "You what? Oh no. No, no, no. This can't be happening. Please, you can't tell anyone. It must remain a secret! I'll do whatever you want."

I want to know about Thorald Gray-Mane "What makes you think I know anything? Everyone knows he's dead and gone!"

Shall we see what your father thinks of this letter? "Okay, okay! All I know is that Idolaf made some effort to find out what happened to him, but was told to stop asking questions. He got some letter from the Legion and has left it alone since then. I'll prove it to you, all right? I'll get you the letter. Just... meet me at the statue of Talos, and don't tell anyone about this."

I have proof that Thorald lives. "I knew it! Let me see, please! The Thalmor? By the Nine, it's worse than I thought. So... Northwatch Keep. Then we know where to hit them."

You're going to assault Northwatch Keep? "I'll do anything if it means saving my brother. You'll join us, won't you? Thorald can't be left to those... monsters."

Of course I'll join you. "I'll round up what men I can, and meet you outside Northwatch Keep. We'll get in and out as fast as possible. I'll see you there."

Let me see if I can bring him back on my own. Without bloodshed. "What? You, alone, reasoning with the Thalmor? That's madness, friend. You're serious, aren't you?"

I'm sure. I'll bring him back myself. "Very well. I'll give you a chance. But if you can't do it, I will."

You stay hidden. I'll take are of this. "Are you sure? I doubt you stand a chance against the Thalmor. I can have a group of men ready at a moment's notice. Many would be willing to help rescue my brother."

You're right. We should work together. "Exactly. Together we stand more of a chance of making this work. Make your way to Northwatch Keep in Haafingar. I'll meet you there, and we'll plan our assault."

I'm sure. I'll bring him back myself. "Very well. I'll give you a chance. But if you can't do it, I will."

I'm here for Thorald Gray-Mane. "Are you joking? Even if we did have a prisoner by that name, the only way he'd be released is by order of the Imperial legion. Now I suggest you turn around and go back the way you came."

I need a prisoner released from Northwatch Keep. "The Thalmor? Do you have any idea what you're asking? I'm sorry, that's just not possible. It would cause far too many problems."

We're here to rescue you. "I never thought I'd see another friendly face again. We need to get to safety as soon as possible. Let's move."

What do the Thalmor want with you? "I'm not sure. At first they accused me of being a Stormcloak, a secret Talos worshipper.. They wanted a confession. To what didn't matter, they simply wanted me to admit to something. I think they wanted to break me. Use me as a way to get to the rest of the Gray-Mane family. I have them no such pleasure."

How long have you been chained up? "Gods, I've lost count of the days. It felt like an age has passed. I wish I could believe that I'd have held out forever against their torture, but I can't be so sure. Now thanks to you I needn't worry anymore."

You should be safe now. "I cannot thank you enough for rescuing me from this place. I suspect I'd never again see the light of day otherwise. But why would you risk your life for me, a stranger?"

Your family was concerned for you. "Of course. I should have known. This was all Avulstein's idea, wasn't it? Where is he?" (If Avulstein is present: "Of course. I should've known. Avulstein was behind this, wasn't he?" No response from Dragonborn.)

Your brother talked me into it. "I've never known Avulstein to be that convincing! Where is that little scamp?" (If Avulstein is present: "He must of been very convincing." No response from Dragonborn.)

I told him to wait in Whiterun "A wise decision, but I feat he may not be safe there anymore. They'll go looking for me, and Whiterun will be the first place they search."

"I cannot stay. Not here, not in Whiterun. It likely won't be safe for Avulstein, either. Our best hope now is to fall in with the ranks of the Stormcloaks. But would you do me a favour? Tell my mother to suffer the winter's cold, for it bears aloft next summer's seeds. She'll know what it means. I thank you again, friend. You've given me my life back."

Thorald is safe. "Is he? You've saved him?! I must see him at once!"

I'm afraid he's not here. He didn't think it was safe to return. "What? After all this, I can't even see him? How... How do I know you're telling me the truth, and not just what I want to hear?"

He said to tell you to "suffer the winter's cold wind." "...for it bears aloft next summer's seeds." That't my boy. So it's true, then. For now, it's enough to know that he's alive. I can find peace in that. Thank you, dear friend. You've given me back my son. I'd had Eorlund forge this for Thorald. It was to be a present for his return. I suppose he can't have it now. Why don't you take it? We can always make another for the day when this war ends and Thorald can come home." (If Eorlund is dead: "With Eorlund gone, I'm afraid I can't offer you much in the way of thanks. But please, take this. It's the least I can do.")