I can't get Malborn to take any weapons from me..he says thanks then walks away, leaving me no weapons at the party..am I missing something? I've tried to give him stuff OVER AND OVER!
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Stop right there criminal scum. Our The Elders Scrolls V Skyrim Walkthrough provides strategies for the main quest, crafting tips, and secrets about guilds.
Speak with Brynjolf and he will lead you into the Cistern of the Ragged Flagon. You'll be introduced to Mercer Frey who has new tasks for you. Your goal will be to Goldenglow Estate, which is slightly north-west of Riften. Before leaving have a handy fire spell ready or go and buy a few torches.
The estate is surrounded by water, allowing you to sneak by most of the guards by swimming to the outer shores and into the lightly guarded bee hive collection. If you're lucky a dragon may also appear, which will of course grab all of the guards' attention as they simply ignore you. Take out your torch or fire spell and burn down three and only three hives. You might get caught at this point, so either fight it our or run to the nearby sewer entrances.
Now you'll need to get into the estate yourself. You can pick the lock behind the house which is at expert level, or you can even barge through the front. However, this method will very likely get you spotted, so prepare to fight off the simple guards. Once inside the estate, sneak or fight your way to the second floor and locate the main bedroom where Aringoth awaits. If you really want to avoid the possible mercenaries wear light gear, muffle your movements and use a slow time shout if you have it.
Either way you'll need to get the key off Aringoth. The guild would highly prefer that you pickpocket it from him, though you can also use the brutal approach of killing Aringoth and looting his body. You can also loot the room for some good treasure, including the Queen Bee Statue sitting near the owner's bed. Once you have the key by either means head down into the basement. Once again kill or sneak by the guards down here. If you really want to be careful use a potion of invisibility or use the hilarious cheat of placing wide baskets over the mercenaries' heads. Out of sight out of mind for these creepy fake digital guards. Then is also the option of just outrunning the enemy, as the world will stop around you as you break open the safe.
Regardless of how you get into the basement, head to the quest marker and unlock the safe with your key. This safe cannot be picked so you will need the key from Aringoth. With your bounty collected return to Beynjolf in Riften for a reward.