If I might ask how did you get past the animal puzzle with the claw? I've tried every comibnation I could think of and no luck. Thanks!
You're probably not going to enjoy this game if the puzzles get any harder. That puzzle alone has everything explained to you in very clear terms.
As for getting back to Riverwood I had a similar problem, but I fast travelled back to the Jarl as I had business there. When I loaded in a guard stopped me and put me under arrest, it cost me 40 Septims. I don't know what I did, as far as I know I did absolutely nothing, but I was fined 40 Septims right there.