Missing in Action

Meet Fralia in her home

 * Fralia Gray-Mane:
 * Avulstein, put that down! She's here to help us find Thorald!


 * Avulstein Gray-Mane:
 * How do we know she's not spying for the Battle-Born? This was foolish!
 * We can't trust anyone! Who knows what they'll do if they find me here.


 * Fralia Gray-Mane:
 * I can't take any more of this. No weapons, please. Let's just talk.


 * Dragonborn:
 * Are you pleased to see the Stormcloaks in charge?


 * Fralia Gray-Mane:
 * Pleased enough, I suppose. At least they appreciate the ways and traditions of the Nord people.
 * Can't say I ever much liked the idea of the Empire telling us what to do an' how to do it.


 * Dragonborn:
 * Can you tell me anything else about what's going on?


 * Fralia Gray-Mane:
 * 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.

Find evidence of Thorald's fate
Go to the house of the Battle-Born clan to find what you need. The evidence will be in the form of a book called Imperial Missive, and you will find it behind the first door on the left on the desk of the locked room (expert).

Deliver proof to Avulstein
Head back to the house of the Gray-Manes and give the proof to Avulstein. The proof discloses that Thorald is at Northwatch Keep.

Meet Avulstein at Northwatch Keep
At this point, you are given three different choices to take on the rest of the side quest. You make your decision when you talk to Avulstein about the proof. Your decisions are:
 * 1. Join Avulstein to assault the keep
 * Choice: "Of course I'll join you"


 * 2. Bring back Thorald in a peaceful manner
 * Choice: "Let me see if I can bring him back on my own. Without bloodshed."


 * 3. Assault the keep by yourself
 * Choice: "You stay hidden. I'll take care of this."

Then, no matter what choice you make, you need to go to Northwatch keep to continue.

Find a way to release Thorald from Thalmor custody
Should the Dragonborn decide to release Thorald without the help of Avulstein, and choose to go the peaceful path then some form of Thalmor convincing would need to be done.

Bug: Alas this is not possible due to a bug and the Dragonborn will have to take out the Northwatch Keep the violent way.

Rescue Thorald from Northwatch Keep
Assault the Northwatch Keep and take out all the Northwatch Guards (×4) and Archers (×3) outside, then enter the keep and continue the job on more Northwatch Guards (×6), Archers (×3), Mages (×2) and one Interrogator. One mage has the Northwatch Captain's Key on him.

Lead Thorald to safety
Finally the Dragonborn should have found Thorald Gray-Mane and freed him. If the clean-up was already done, accompanying Thorald to the outside of the keep (there are two exists) should be a breeze.

Speak to Thorald Gray-Mane
Once outside, Thorald will thank the Dragonborn for saving him, but decide not to return to his family in Whiterun, because that is where his captors would look first. Instead Thorald will join the Stormcloaks, leaving the Dragonborn with a message for his mother.

Return to Fralia Gray-Mane
Return to Whiterun and bring Fralia Gray-Mane the good news. She will reward the Dragonborn with a weapon forged by her husband initially intended for Thorald.

Der Vermisste