So I recovered the map and went to it's marked location to mine it but upon returning to the village, it won't let me "talk to him". He just keeps mentioning how the elder died, etc.

Help?

Next time complete the quest before you complete the Dragonborn main quest.

I haven't completed the MQ. I still have to unlock the final word for the shout/get another dragon soul. So...yeah.

Have you started the quest gardener of men? If you have then you should complete the main quest and see if that helps. Gardener of men has a bug associated with it, either you do the stahlrim quest before or after that point.

You have to complete the main quest in order to complete the Stahlrim quest.

Alright I'll complete the MQ ASAP. Still have alot of exploring to do.

If I run into a dragon I'll just absorb it's soul and complete the MQ. Hope it works!

I play on the xbox, but as far as I know, the quests are the same. I know that after I got the map, i had to complete the main quest and then after all was said and done, I could then return the map, and he becomes a merchant.

Good luck in your adventures.

Worked just as you said.