Blackbeak Bluff Will you hang me out to dry?

He can see his sweet mothers face fall — clearly expressing concern and sadness for being unable to help him. At this point Alduin doesn’t think anyone even will be able to — probably besides @The Listener. Even then, Alduin knows Banesteppe is a vile, powerful creature — vengeful and greedy. Alduin doesn’t believe he can be stopped by any mere mortal or living person. 

So at his mothers words he sighs, looking away temporarily. He wants her to know that it is not her fault. Simmik cannot be blamed for Banesteppe, nor for the misfortunes life threw at him in childhood.

So he moves to placate her.

“It’s fine, mother.” He rumbles genuinely. Only to reply to her question a second later. “Perhaps. Perhaps not.” He says cryptically, not wanting to disclose much to her about Blackwater despite his doubtless  trust in her.