I was near Ivarstead on my way to Nilheim tower to take out a bandit leader for the Jarl of Riften when suddenly I got a message that that quest was completed. I went to the tower anyway and nearly killed a guard that was sleeping there before I realized that he was non hostile. So much for that fight. I was looking forward to it. Damn it, that was MY bandit leader. At least a dragon popped up and attacked us all so it wasn't a completely wasted trip.