if you read the book about the stones (i think theres 1 in aradias cauldron in whiterun) the author is talking about how no matter how many times he touches the stones nothing ever happens, so he will wait at the stones and keep trying while waiting for someone to come who can use them, and also on the run to Riverwood after leaving Helgen, your choice of guide will comment about people touching the stones in the hopes they would work again, but have not in a long time. Basically just saying they work for the Dragonborn but not your average person. too bad, it would be nice to add one to your follower lol