Journey of Truth, The Journal of Tandilwen, thread 1 Options

[Lady Syl]

Prologue
Anvil
25 Sun's Dawn 3E 433

As my father lay dying, I closed my eyes and got up from the chair beside his bed, barely able to comprehend what he had just revealed to me. When he took his last breath, I stood across the chamber unable to look at him, while my aunt, Carahil, stood beside the bed holding his hand. I knew the moment his life force left his body—I felt it, almost like a heavy sigh breathed in a moment of great relief. And then I heard my aunt say, in a solemn voice, “It is done. He is beyond the reach of Nirn, in the Realm of Spirits.”

Carahil was a strong and serious person. I had always known that, ever since I was a child. She tried never to show too much emotion in any situation. That was the high elf way, so my father had always told me, and he expected me to be the same, even though my mother had been a wood elf. And I was good at it. I made my father proud. But never had I seen one so good at hiding her true emotions as my aunt Carahil. Rarely did her composure ever falter. The day my father died, however, I could hear it in her voice—a slight tremble which betrayed the pain of loss she felt for the brother with whom she had shared a womb.

Holding back tears, Carahil turned to face me, and finally I looked at my father—now just a corpse. The sight caused me to shudder, and I had to close my eyes again as a single tear slipped down my cheek. He was a man I barely even knew, and yet I had loved him like any girl loves her father. But more than that, the tear was for the truth that he had just told me—a confession on his death bed which would forever alter the course of my life. Nothing could ever be the same after what he told me that day. Nor could I love him quite the same as I had loved him before; he had betrayed my trust.

“Where are you going?” Carahil asked in alarm when I opened the door.

Stopping to look at her from the corner of my eyes, I answered with quiet determination, “To the Imperial City. Only the gods know where I’ll end up from there.”

And then I left, never to return.

This post has been edited by Lady Syl: May 12 2011, 10:41 PM

[TrisRed]

Ooooh! What an amazing prolouge to what i'm certain will be a riviting story!
I enjoyed the amount of emotion that went into the prologue, very simple yet highly powerful.
I also love the inclusion of Carahil as the protagonists aunt; a character we know so well given more depth due to your impressive skills!

And what is this secret? And why the imperial city?

You've got a very intreagued reader here!
Good work

[SubRosa]

Does this mean you have given up on Syl's story?

In any case, you gave us a strong beginning with Tandilwen at her father's death bed. Giving us just enough so that we know who are protagonist is, and to feel empathy for her. The addition of Carahil was a nice touch, tying Tandilwen solidly into Cyrodiil.

However, the ending felt strange to me. Why on Nirn would the death of someone's father prompt them to run off to the Imperial City, with no apparent idea of what to do once there? At least I inferred the latter from "Only the gods know where I’ll end up from there." That makes me think Tandilwen is simply casting her fate to the wind.

Unless of course there is nothing at all random about the choice of the IC, or her designs there? This early on, it is difficult to speculate. Except that perhaps some form of revenge for her father's death might be had there? In any case, I will be watching for the next episode of the Tandilwen show.

[Lady Syl]

Well, I am glad to see my prologue doing so well! I must say I wasn't sure how it would be received. It is actually something I started before starting Syl's story, but it had a lot that needed to be fixed, and I got so involved with Syl's memoirs that I dropped it for awhile. However, I thought now was a good time to pick back up on it.

@SubRosa--Worry not, my dear, for Syl's story is still my priority. It shall not end until her very life is over with.

And not to worry, these mysteries will come to be revealed in due time!

[Lady Syl]

Chapter 1.1--Summer of Love

3E 429—Four years earlier…

Rain’s Hand. A cool spring breeze blew through the air, rustling the leaves. The sun was warm as it danced through the trees, and Tandilwen couldn’t help but smile as she walked leisurely through the streets of Anvil, a gleaming white city in the west of Cyrodiil, situated on the coast of the Abecean Sea. It was the city she had called home since the year her mother died, and she had always been happy there—where the sky touched the sea, and there was nothing more beautiful than watching the sunset over the bay. In a word, it was bliss.

“Tandilwen!”

Hearing her name called from behind her, the tall, fair-haired elf turned to see her best friend running toward her with a smile on her face that was so big it could likely be seen from the top of the lighthouse! Tandilwen smiled to greet her friend, a Redguard named Clesa, who she had known for most of her life.

Upon drawing near, Clesa threw out her arms and wrapped them around Tandilwen in a tight squeeze, speaking in a rushed manner, “Oh, Tandilwen, today is the best day of my life! Ernest has asked me to marry him! And I said yes!”

Tandilwen gasped in delight and squeezed her friend back, saying, “Oh, Clesa, I am so happy for you! When will you be getting married?”

“Well, we are thinking of having the wedding in Mid-Year, just before my birthday.”

“Mid-Year, of this year?”

Clesa nodded. “Why wait?”

“Well, you are only seventeen, for one thing.”

“And your point is…?” Clesa asked, crossing her arms over her chest and raising one brow.

“Well, you are still so young… Wouldn’t you rather wait a year or two?”

“What for?” Clesa asked with a laugh. “We humans don’t have centuries to decide on a mate, like you elves do. We’ve got to start young, or we would die out!”

“Alright, I guess that’s a good point,” she replied, smiling again. “Still, if I were getting married—and it will be a long time for me, if ever—I would at least want a few months or so to get it all planned out. I mean, two months doesn’t give you much time.”

Clesa shrugged. “It doesn’t matter to me. Tandilwen, I’m so in love I could get married right this day, in sack-cloth, for all I care!”

Tandilwen laughed, shaking her head, and saying, “Oh, Clesa, you are really something else, you know that? Ernest is going to be one lucky man.”

“He sure is,” Clesa agreed. Then she asked, “So, where are you headed? Another rendezvous with Maximus?”

An instant smile crossed her lips, and she blushed a bit, the moment she heard his name, and Tandilwen stopped in the street again. “As a matter of fact, Clesa; yes, I am. Is that a crime?”

“It will be if his mother ever finds out,” said Clesa, raising her brows. “Countess Umbranox is pretty set on finding someone of noble lineage to marry the heir to County Anvil—and that won’t be as easy if word gets out that he’s already taking a sample of an elven commoner….”

“What she doesn’t know can’t hurt her,” Tandilwen said with a mischievous smile.

“Ooh, rebellion,” said Clesa. “You are a naughty elven commoner… No wonder Max Umbranox likes you so much!”

The two laughed for a moment, but when the laughter died down, Clesa let out a sigh. “Ah, well—I’ll leave you to go meet your noble lover-boy, and I’ll go return to my lover-boy. Perhaps we can meet up later, for supper at the Count’s Arms? Wilbur’s wife is such a good cook.”

“Okay, sounds good,” said Tandilwen, waving goodbye as she walked away. “See you.”

She let out a sigh as she continued to walk toward the gates, nodding politely when the guards greeted her before pulling open the heavy doors. Passing through, she found it amusing, somewhat, that they were unknowingly helping her commit a bit of a crime against their Countess. Not that that’s what made her do it. The son of Millona Umbranox was handsome and charming, and she had known him for many years. They practically grew up together, though they hardly moved in the same circles.

Tandilwen wasn’t from a poor family—not by any means. But she was certainly not a noblewoman, and her passionate interludes with the Countess’s son could get her into loads of trouble, if ever they were caught. If nothing else, it would certainly be looked down upon, and her reputation in Anvil would be ruined. But that was something she preferred not to think about, and she was willing to take the risk to be in the arms of Max Umbranox.

When she reached the little cave, at the base of the cliff upon which the castle sits, Tandilwen carefully made her way inside, blinking in the darkness for a moment while her eyes took their time to adjust. The cave was flooded a little, and there were some old, musty crates and barrels which had once been stored in the cave by pirates. Now they sat there forgotten, beneath the glittering castle that was home to County Anvil’s most noble family.

The only light inside the cave came from some natural light that managed to trickle in from some small holes in the rock. The light reflected off the water, casting an ethereal glow upon the walls and ceiling of the cavern, and Tandilwen was always left in a sense of awe when she saw that enchanting vision.

She stepped forward into the cave just a bit, wondering if Maximus was there yet. Perhaps she was early? But as she began to look around, she felt someone grab her from behind, covering her mouth with a gloved hand to muffle her scream…

[SubRosa]

I liked how you contrasted the differences in racial aging between Tandilwen and Clesa, most especially of Tandilwen's taking the long view on things.

So Tandilwen is engaged in a treasonous love affair with the studly Count-to-be? Nice to see the very natural teenage girl's hormones taking precedence over that long view! Else surely she would know that she has no future with Maximus. Meeting in the smuggler's cave under the castle was a delightful touch. Well, until she was kidnapped!


nits:
As with the beginning of Memoirs of a Madwoman, you are doing some telling rather than showing here. For example, telling us where Anvil is, or that Clesa was her best friend. Simply infer these things from your descriptions and dialogue and it will come out much more naturally.

This post has been edited by SubRosa: May 14 2011, 10:01 PM

[TrisRed]

This was absoutley amazing!

I loved the encounter between Tandilwen amd her BFF.
I also like Clesa, her personality reminds me of another Anvilian Redguard but no, you put alot of character into her and Tandilwen. I loved it!

P.S as Lissa would say, 'ooh, Plot Twist!'
... Okay, maybe its not a twist that the cliffhanger is... Or is it a twist? This talk of twists is making my head spin!

Really good write

[mALX]

Like SubRosa, I loved your use of the secret entrance to the castle through the Smugglers cave - that added a great touch that would also give the story behind how that mat comes to be in the outer portion of that cave, etc. Great idea !!

[Lady Syl]

SubRosa:Thanks! Tandilwen likes to enjoy things while they last, so she definitely takes advantage of her affair with him for a time... Somehow, I don't think Aunt Carahil would approve, though. Of course, you never know...

Thanks also for pointing out that I was telling rather than showing--I made sure to keep that in mind while writing the next scene, as I caught myself doing it again!

Rihanae: Oh my, well thank you! Now that you mention it, Clesa is similar to Lissa, isn't she? Do you think they could be cousins or something?

mALX:At first, I wasn't sure where they were going to meet, but then i remembered that cave and it just seemed perfect--not to mention, I can't help finding the idea of a partially-flooded cave as a meeting place for lovers as romantic!



Chapter 1.2--Summer of Love

Maximus Umbranox was tall and handsome, with an athletic build and incredible blue eyes, the color of Anvil bay at the height of the afternoon. Everyone was in love with him, or so it seemed. But no one loved him more than his noble mother. Countess Umbranox doted on all of her children, but especially her eldest child and son, Maximus.

On that perfect spring day, Maximus was hurriedly trying to finish up the essay that his tutor had assigned him a week earlier. He had neglected to write his essay until the very day that it was due, and he knew that if it was not in on time, his tutor would go to his mother about it—and that was the last thing he wanted. So, he hastily scrawled a half-legible essay on the Battle of Ionith, hoping that his stern Imperial tutor would go easy on him.

After writing the concluding paragraph to his essay, Maximus threw down his quill, grabbed his riding hat and cape, and ran down to his tutor’s office to deliver the essay. The aged Altmer looked up from his massive writing desk, squinting harsh grey eyes at the young man, and saying, “You are late by exactly one minute. I expected your essay to be turned in promptly at three on the hour—no more, no less. That will be five points penalty, Maximus.”

Maximus groaned, rolling his eyes, and saying, “Come on, what difference does one minute make? None at all! How can you penalize me for being one minute late?”

“Your mother—the Countess of Anvil, need I remind you, young man—has charged me with your education. Part of a good, noble education is learning how to be on time.”

“By the Nine, you are an impossible old shrew!”

“Are you asking for another five points of penalty, young master?”

“Oh, you have got to be joking! You’re mad!”

“Very well, detract five more points, and let us see how you did on the actual assignment.”

Maximus sighed, and mumbled, “Oh, I don’t have time for this! You know what, I’m leaving. I have an appointment, and since you are so determined that I should never be late for anything, surely you will understand.”

“Fine, then you are dismissed.”

“Good riddance,” Maximus said to himself, throwing on his cape and walking hastily down the corridor. But before he was able to get very far, he heard a familiar voice behind him, saying, “Maximus? Where are you going?”

The young viscount stopped in his tracks and let out another sigh, asking himself why it seemed that everyone was trying to hold him up that day? Turning around to face his mother, he forced a smile, and said, “Mother. I am going out for a ride in the countryside….”

“Without a bodyguard?” asked the Countess, stopping before him and holding his face. “Maximus, you know how I worry about you. And for good reason.”

“Yes, Mother, I know…but I’ll be fine. I won’t go far, I promise. I just need some peace and solitude outside these constraining walls….”

The Countess sighed, lowering her face, tears stinging at her eyes. “I’m sorry, Maximus. I know I’ve been hard on you lately, but…ever since your father… Well, I want to see you succeed where others have failed. I only want the very best for you.”

“And I intend to make you proud, Mother,” he replied, struggling not to drop his plans just to ease his beloved mother’s worries. “But I can’t stay cooped up inside the castle for the rest of my life. I feel like I can barely breathe.”

Countess Umbranox lowered her head again, and said, “Then go… I cannot force you to stay. But...be careful, my son. Were anything to happen to you, Maximus, I couldn’t bear it!”

“Do not worry, Mother,” he said, gently touching her cheek. “The gods will look after me.”

Maximus missed his father, and he knew that his mother had been deeply pained by his unexplained disappearance. He was sure that his restless and irresponsible father had run off with a loose woman or something. This is part of what made him so soft to his mother, and prone to doing whatever she asked of him. But he was still a young man, after all—a young man with an infatuation for a beautiful, feisty young elf. And now he was sure he would be late for their tryst beneath the castle….

******

Countess Umbranox nodded, forcing a smile, and then watched her son go. When he was no longer in sight, she walked to her quarters and sat at the large oak desk that had once been her husband’s. Looking up at his portrait, which hung over the mantle of the fireplace, she let out a sigh, and said, “Oh, Corvus… Has it really been six long years since you left me here, all alone, to raise four children and look after the county? Were all those beautiful years we had together only a lie?”

She leaned her elbow upon the desk and rested her head in her hand, closing her eyes to flush away her tears. Corvus Umbranox had disappeared without a trace, leaving everyone in Anvil to wonder what had happened to their Count….


This post has been edited by Lady Syl: May 23 2011, 02:00 AM

[TrisRed]

Again, wonderful chapter!

I enjoyed that this chapter focused on Maximus; it gave us a good look at the man Tandilwen was infactuated with and you have created a very likeable character.

I couldnt help but giggle at Maximus's tutor and his points!

I also love who you didnt continue with the cliffhanger you left us with in the last chapter.

Brilliant write!

[SubRosa]

So Maximus is a procrastinator, and does not get along well with his stuffy tutor. That entire exchange was fun to read.


nits:
You hopped heads again at the end, shifting from the pov of Maximus and going to the Countess, then back again to Maximus. You need to end the scene completely when you change pov characters. Put a divider between the lines where it changes, so people have warning of what is going on, then start a new scene from the pov of the new character.

[Lady Syl]

Rihanae: Thanks! As you noticed, it was definitely my intention to leave you hanging, while also taking the chance to introduce you to that gorgeous and somewhat comical heir to the County of Anvil!

SubRosa:Yay, I'm glad you found it humorous! I hoped it would come across that way, but I'm never very confident about the scenes I write with a humorous side, because I've never considered myself very funny. I guess I am, though, when it pays to be!

Also, thanks for noting that pov thing--I went back and changed it.



Chapter 1.3--Summer of Love

Tandilwen was terrified, but she was determined not to show her fear, and she began struggling. But her captor leaned forward to whisper in her ear, “You would be wise not to do that, you filthy half-breed.”

She stopped resisting and nearly gasped when she recognized the voice of her captor. He knew she had recognized him, so he released her with a smug look on his face as she spun around to face him. It was Claudius Langley, the self-involved and often lazy captain of the guard. Tandilwen had always hated that man.

As she glared at Captain Langley, he tilted his head to the side, and said, “What? Are you surprised that I figured out what Maximus has been up to? I must say, I hadn’t quite expected it to be you I would find here. I would have expected someone of a more honorable lineage.”

“Just because you are Captain of the guard, it does not give you the right to insult me and my family. I am proud of my heritage. Better a half-breed elf than an Imperial pig.”

“You watch your tongue, girl. You’re lucky I don’t arrest you for your treasonous affair with Maximus Umbranox. You know, he is betrothed to the noble daughter of the Count of Kvatch. Countess Umbranox would likely have you whipped for being involved with her son.”

“Maximus can do as he pleases. Until he is wed, he is a free man. And everyone knows that it will be an arranged marriage. He doesn’t love her.”

“Oh, I see. You think he is in love with you?”

Tandilwen felt her face flush, but she answered, “No. I do not presume to know what is in his heart. I know that he does not love Venicia Goldwine because he told me this himself.”

Langley chuckled. “You are a very foolish girl.”

“What do you want?”

“Oh, I don’t know…more money would be nice. Say…50 drakes a month? Pay me, and I won’t tell the Countess about your little intrigues with her son.”

“You are trying to blackmail me, Captain Langley?” she asked with some amusement. “What if I tell the Countess about your little intrigues with Dairihill? I don’t think she would be very pleased with you dallying with her steward.”

Langley scoffed. “You think the Countess would care about me and Dairihill when you are sneaking around with Maximus? I think, of the two of us, it is you who is committing the bigger offense.”

“Oh, I’m not so sure about that,” Tandilwen replied. “You are a married man, and part of Dairihill’s contract is that she must remain chaste until she is wed. Everyone knows that.”

“You snitch,” said Langly, pulling out his dagger. “I can make you disappear, Tandilwen. So, I would watch it if I were you.”

Tandilwen realized she had backed herself into a trap when her back hit the cave wall, and the point of Langley’s dagger was still in her face. She was terrible at casting destruction spells, and she didn’t have a weapon—as if she would even know how to wield one if she did. Now she could no longer hide her fear, and she was visibly shaken.

“So, what’ll it be?” he asked, continuing to hold his dagger in her face. “Pay me 50 drakes a month to keep your secret, or I will cut out your tongue and bury you alive down here, and no one will ever find you.”

Suddenly, they were surprised when another voice was heard from the ledge up above them, “I would be careful who you are threatening, Captain Langley.” Maximus jumped down, his boots splashing into the water, and he pointed the tip of his silver long-sword in Langley’s face, as he continued, “You wouldn’t want to scar that pretty face of yours, now would you?”

“So, the delinquent viscount comes to save the day,” said Langley. “How touching.”

Moving to stand next to Tandilwen, his sword still pointed outward, Maximus said, “You dare to threaten a friend of your future count, Captain?”

“We both know she is more than a friend to you, Maximus.”

“It hardly matters now—I think my mother would side with me if I told her you were attempting to blackmail one of her subjects, and threatening her life in order to hide your own shameful relationship with her steward.”

“Point taken, milord,” Langley answered spitefully. “I think I will be returning to my duties now.”

“I think that that would be a wise decision, Captain.”

Langley hurried out of the cave, and Maximus sheathed his sword. When he turned to Tandilwen, she threw her arms around his neck and thanked him. Maximus smiled and pulled her chin up to kiss her lips, and replied, “You know I would never let anyone hurt you, Tandilwen. And if that greedy vulture tries anything with you again, I want you to tell me right away. I will stand by you to get him removed from his post and locked away for the rest of his miserable life, if need be.”

She smiled and reached up to kiss him again. Then he took her by the hand and led her up to dry ground, where they sat on an old rug together, gazing at each other fondly. Tandilwen always felt her stomach flutter when he looked at her that way, and she wondered if this was what love felt like. When he kissed her, she felt like a candle left out in the heat of the sun, and she melted into his embrace.

After tenderly making love, they talked together until he had to return to the castle, taking a secret passage that few even know exists. Their parting was sorrowful as always, and Tandilwen had to use all of her strength not to shed tears at their last tender kiss. She knew that by the end of the summer, it would be over for good, because Maximus was too good a man to be unfaithful in marriage. But for now, she would try to enjoy what little time they had together, and remain strong when it all came to a necessary end.

This post has been edited by Lady Syl: May 23 2011, 06:35 PM

[SubRosa]

It was Claudius Langley.
And with that last name, the spymaster of the Countess no doubt!

part of Dairihill’s contract is that she must remain chaste until she is wed.
An excellent bit of research on your part. Typically someone like her could only be married if the Countess permits it as well. Boffing her would be an act of treason, as well as an insult to the Countess.



nits:
And if that greedy honoured user tries anything with you again
The forum swear filter strikes again!

[TrisRed]

I am slowly falling in love with Tandilwen! How brave of her to.stand up for herself whilst being at a knifes point!

Langley is one nasty piece of work; good job on characterising such a loathable villain!

And what great imagry with Maximus rescuing Tandilwen!

Loved every word

[Lady Syl]

SubRosa:Stupid filter... lol. Thank you for pointing that out... I thought the "bass-turd" word was allowed, but I guess it's not... "honoured user..." It is definitely teaching me to search for other words that can have a similar effect without being offensive to some!

And of course, thank you for reading and enjoying Tandilwen's story.

Rihanae:I am so glad! I was hoping for my readers to fall in love with her feistiness! She is still very naive, as of now, but she will turn out to be one you wouldn't want to mess with, for sure! Once she takes wing, she will soar to new and unexpected heights--and she will certainly out-do some of her ancestors!


Chapter 2.1--Family Matters

After her rendezvous with Maximus, Tandilwen went to the Mages Guild hall, looking for her aunt. Carahil was upstairs in the library, studying as usual, dressed in fine violet silk attire, her golden hair loosely flowing down her back all the way to her slender waist. Tandilwen had always admired her youthful-looking aunt, and she could see why Arch-Magister Hannibal Traven found her so intriguing—apart from the fact that they were both book-worms with a thirst for knowledge and learning that was nearly unquenchable….

With her fine-tuned hearing, Carahil heard her niece approaching even before she had opened the door in the foyer, but she remained absorbed in her book until the moment Tandilwen stopped beside her. Then she stopped reading and said, “By the Nine, you smell like a mudcrab! Where have you been?”

“Do I?” asked Tandilwen, looking down at herself and sniffing her dress, which was damp with seawater. “Ugh, I do! Sorry…I was out looking for seashells to add to my collection.”

“I didn’t know you were still collecting them,” answered Carahil. “I was under the impression you hadn’t continued adding to your collection since you were a child.”

Tandilwen felt her face flush a little, and said, “I…still pick them up from time to time, if I have nothing better to do….”

“Too much time on your hands? You know, I could always talk to Hannibal about having you organize and dust these books once in awhile, if you need something to do.”

That’s my aunt, thought Tandilwen with the hint of a smile. Always thinking about responsibility and duty rather than excitement—unless she’s with Traven, that is….

“I suppose I could do that sometimes,” said Tandilwen. “But most of the time I keep myself busy….”

“You know, your father’s ship is due back in the harbor today,” said Carahil, changing the subject. “He told me in his last letter that he had a surprise for you.”

Tandilwen rolled her eyes. “He always has something to surprise us with when he returns from his adventures…. What will it be this time? Will he stop running off for once and stay home with his family?”

“Your father loves all of you, Tandilwen. He has never stayed put in one place for very long. It is not in his nature, I suppose. Even when we were children, he was always off on adventures, exploring the countryside and finding treasures to surprise our parents with.”

She had a smile on her face, reminiscing, and Tandilwen wondered what her grandparents were like. She had never met any of her grandparents, but whenever her aunt spoke of them, there was a fondness in her tone that made Tandilwen wish she had known her father’s parents, at least. Her mother’s parents were entirely a mystery to her—what little she did know made her think it was best she had never met them….

Carahil let out a sigh and rose to stretch, yawning slightly. Then she said, “Well, what time is it, anyway? I suppose it is almost time for us to go to the docks and meet your father when his ship arrives? Where is your sister, Tandilwen? She should be there, too.”

“Yes, can’t greet father without Hasathil, his favorite!”

“You know that is not true, Tandilwen,” said Carahil, grabbing her cloak and heading for the door with Tandilwen in tow. “He loves all of you equally. Hasathil is just better behaved.”

Tandilwen was aware that her aunt was only teasing, though it was mostly true. Her youngest sister had always been meek and obedient, her gentle nature seeming to match perfectly Hasathil’s tiny, mouse-like frame. Tandilwen was fond of her younger sister, though she was not nearly as good-natured as their eldest sister, Ohtesse. Of course, nobody is as good as Ohtesse, she thought with a smile.

When they arrived at the fine house that stood next to old Benirus Manor, near the Chapel of Dibella, Tandilwen waited outside while her aunt went inside to fetch Hasathil. She let out a sigh and looked up at the massive cathedral, as the bells began to toll, announcing the hour. It should be about five now, and the sun was getting low in the sky—soon it would be setting.

The loud creak of an old metal door startled Tandilwen, and she turned around to see the sea-captain, Heinrich Oaken-Hull, come out from his house across the street. He nodded politely to her and began heading toward the castle, likely to dine with the Countess and her family, as usual. But then he stopped suddenly and came back toward her, with a question on his mind.

“Afternoon,” he greeted her, smiling with his warm brown eyes. “Is your sister home?”

“Hasathil?” she asked, wondering why in Nirn he would inquire about her. “She is inside, I believe. My aunt just went in to fetch her so we can go to the docks and greet my father when his ship arrives.”

“Ah, yes,” Heinrich replied. “So, old Soruman returns from his travels once again. It is truly a wonder your father spends more time away from Anvil than even me. But then, from what I have heard, he has always been that way.”

“Yes, that is what my aunt tells me,” answered Tandilwen.

“Well, it’s high time he returns,” said Heinrich. “I have been wanting to speak with him for quite some time now, but he has been away for so long this time.”

“Indeed,” she replied, looking at him thoughtfully.

Just then, Carahil emerged from the house, with Hasathil following close behind her. The blossoming young elf blushed slightly when she saw Heinrich Oaken-Hull standing nearby, and she cast her eyes to the ground, seeming to almost hide behind Carahil.

“Good day,” said Carahil, nodding at Heinrich as she drew near. “Is there something we can do for you?”

“No, I am fine,” said Heinrich, tilting his head to the side to look at Hasathil. “Hello there.”

Hasathil peeked out from behind her aunt very shyly, and said, “Oh, hello Mr. Oaken-Hull….”

“It is good to see you again, Hasathil.”

She forced a smile but continued looking downward, and Tandilwen could tell that he made her sister uncomfortable. Stepping forward, she said, “Well, we should really be going. Father’s ship should be arriving very soon.”

Heinrich nodded as the three women turned to leave. Then he went about his business, as Hasathil peered back over her shoulder at him. Walking very close to her sister, Hasathil whispered, “Thanks. He makes me so nervous, Tandilwen.”

“I know,” Tandilwen said with a smile. “I think he is interested in you.”

“Oh, I hope not!” Hasathil exclaimed. “He’s twice my age, at least!”

Tandilwen chuckled and slipped her arm around her sister as they continued following Carahil toward the docks to greet their father.

[Captain Hammer]

I've just gotten caught up on this.

I am constantly reminded why it pays to try and keep up with new works appearing on this forum, and this is no exception. Tandilwen is an amazing, down-to-earth heroine with a good head on her shoulders and a great sense of perception.

I must admit to identifying with Maximus's propensity for procrastination, and his witty reply to his tutor once he wishes to go.

I am eagerly looking forward to more of this. Even if we know how some of this will turn out (Oaken-Hull's future elven bride, for example), you still keep it enthralling and entertaining.

[mALX]

ROFL !!! The two women fighting over who's affair is the most disgusting, ROFL !!! That had me in stitches! Great Write !!

[TrisRed]

Again, a fabulous write

I cannot tell you how much I love how Carahil is Tadilwen's aunt; a good and believable familial bond has been created.

I also love the sisterly bond between Tandilwen and Hastahil. Very opposite personalities but a beautiful relationship.

I'm eager for more!

[Lady Syl]

Finally got around to posting these. Sorry about the poor quality...

Tandilwen

Dinner at the guild hall

Niece and Aunt

[mALX]

Finally got around to posting these. Sorry about the poor quality...

Tandilwen

Dinner at the guild hall

Niece and Aunt

Isn't taking the screens fun? After playing the game on the 360 for four years - finally getting the game working on my PC, I love being able to do that !!!