Valentine, Memoirs of a Skyrim Soldier Options

[TrisRed]

I've always wanted to do a Skyrim story, but I haven't felt the time was right. I did attempt a SKyrim story a while back but it kind of lost it's way.

Then came Valentine.

Valentine is a feisty red-headed nord with a new lease of life. I won't say to much as I have a habit of spoiling the story whilst introducing the character, so I will let her story speak for itself.

Also this is kind of an experiment for me. Valentine is my first charachter that doesnt have a pre-planned story, so I will basically write as I explore with her, which is extremley exiting. The only thing Pre-planned was the backstory, which is the 'Prologue'.

I hope you enjoy

0.1 Prologue: A day in the life of Valentine

I woke up and looked to my left. My lover, Arthur, was still fast asleep as I saw a glimpse of the morning sky through the window of my house, Honeyside.

It was going to be another Riften day; dull, dreary and most likely boring.

I climbed out of bed carefully, not wanting to wake Arthur, and headed to the dining area. I buttered myself a slice of bread and sat down, taking a book from the shelf a reading it.

Just as I was getting into ‘The Lusty Argonian Maid’ I heard a knock at the door. I put down my book and breakfast and hastily put some clothes on before answering the door.

"Hello, Valentine."

"Good morning, Jenassa." I said to the Dunmer stood in my doorway.

"Not quite as good as you would think, I'm afraid I have some bad news. May I come in?"

I nodded and she entered. She sat at the table and I joined her.

"Everything okay?" I asked her, a little concerned.

"Not really, no. It appears the Jarl has ordered for my removal from the Co-Captain role. Therefore I must leave Riften and find a new purpose in life."

I laughed, but Jenassa didn't. I looked at Jenassa, stunned. Her tone was so deadpan it seemed like it was a joke, but it wasn't.

"Wait, what? She can't do that? Did you hear her right? The Jarl is getting on in years? Maybe you heard FIRED when she said... tired?" I said to her, convinced she must have been mistaken.

"There is no doubt about it. I have been ordered to leave my position. Apparently Dunmer arne't welcome as guards of Skyrim."

"WHAT? But you are MY Co-Captain. I am captain! I should choose the Co-captain to my captain!" I stood up. "I'm going to talk to the Jarl."

"I'm afraid that will not be of any use."

I stared Jenassa in the eye. "This is NOT fair."

"This land belongs to the Nords. If they choose I don't belong, then who am I to argue?"

I laughed in disbelief.

"Have you SEEN Riften? It is the most multi-racial city in Skyrim! Why would you think you don't belong?"

Jenassa looked at me and then smiled. She stood up and hugged me. She released me from the hug and held my arms.

"I must go."

"Where?" I asked her, my tone sounding meek and pathetic.

She shook her head. "I do not know. But know this. You are a wonderful captain and a true friend. Don't let ANYONE put you down. Always remember to trust your instincts to come out on top, Okay?"

I could feel a tear welling. The fact that Jenassa, my trusted friend, would be leaving without any reason or a place to go broke my heart. I wasn't sure if I would ever see her again.

As she left my house something bothered me. The way she said not to let anyone put me down. Did she mean in general... or a specific person?

***

That same night Arthur and I sat in the Bee and Barb for our mothly date. I decided it was the perfect time as I needed cheering up.

"This is nice. We hardly ever do things like this." I told him, holding his hand across the table.

He smiled at me with his blonde, blue eyed, sexy ruggedness. "You have an intense job. I understand that you can't be free all the time."

"Well you have an intense job too. I mean, you're a stormcloak. Fighting the empire has gotta be tougher than fighting skeevers."

He laughed. He then looked to the bar and saw the bar matron, Keerava, approach us with two plates of delicious looking food.

"Enjoy." She said, placing the food on the table.

"Thank you." I said to her.

Before she headed back to the bar, though, the asked me a question.

"I was wondering if I could ask you something? A favour, if you will."

I looked at Arthur, unsure if he would be happy with work talk during our date. The reassuring look on his face convinced me he was perfectly fine.

"Of course you can, Keerava; what is it?"

"Well my problem is that I've been waking up in the morning to find my inventory and some of the guests private things have depleted overnight. I worry that someone on the inside is using the master key to steal from us as there appears to be no signs of forced entry anywhere. It doesn't appear to be your average theif."

I thought about her problem for a short while before coming up with a suitable soloution. "Don't worry about it, I'll make sure to have hourly patrols near the Inn for any suspicious behaviour as well as a guard on twenty four hour watch inside the building itself. How about that?"

She smiled with elation. "Thank you Captain, thank you so much! Please, your meal is on me!"

I smiled and shook my head, "Oh no there isn't any need for that. I'm just doing my job."

"I refuse to take no for an answer! Either you accept the free meal or you never eat here again!"

I laughed, "Okay, well thank you Keerava, that's very kind."

Keerava bowed with gratitude then headed back to the bar. I looked at Arthur, who gazed at me with a loving look in his eyes. I smiled.

"What?" I asked him.

There was a short moment of silence before he responded.

"You're amazing, do you know that?"

I didn't reply, only blushed, trying not to smile too much. I changed the subject.

"Eat your stew, It's getting cold."

***

"How was the patrol of the northern sector?" I asked Gunter, one of my guards.

"No signs of any trouble." He informed me.

I nodded. "Good work, soldier. Back to your position."

"Cap'n." He replied before scurrying off to guard the main gate.

I began to wander round the city, greeting the citizens who walked past me. I liked the fact that I had garnered a lot of respect from my position. I would always get the occasional free piece of fruit or bottle of mead. I was convinced it was through my position, but Arthur remained convinced that it was because I was just a nice person. Either way, I couldn't complain.

"Ahh, Captain Valentine!" Greeted Haelga as I walked past her bunkhouse. "How are you?"

"I'm very well thank you, Haelga, yourself?"

Her face suddenly dropped. She folded her arms.

"I am well, apart from the fact that I cannot help but wonder where the guard with the beautiful eyes has gone..."

I laughed. " Who Sinding? I'm afraid he left the guard a few weeks ago. He went to live in Falkreath."

Her eyes widened. "What? Oh no, what a shame... well I best get back to work..."

She smiled solemnly and then turned to walk back into her bunkhouse.

"You do know about her reputation, don't you?"

I recognised the voice instantly. I turned to see Sapphire stood behind me. The raven haired nord stood leaning against a wall, her arms folded.

"Her reputation has nothing to do with me. Sapphire." I assured her.

She smirked sarcastically.

"If I were you, I'd keep an eye on your man. I've overheard Haelga claiming that the moment you and Arthur break up, she's going to swoop in."

I smiled at her. I wasn't in the mood to play her games, so I just put her down with a witty comeback instead.

"I wouldn't worry if I were you. Arthur and I are engaged now. That's more than enough reason for me to trust him."

She gave a look which suggested she was impressed with my comeback, so she decided to verbally stab me with words that equalled a very sharp blade.

"Was that Jenassa I saw leaving the other day? You finally fired the useless lump."

Whatever Sapphire's problem was I wasn't in the mood to deal with it. Before I had a chance to make any kind of response, though, she'd already turned and walked away, heading to the bee and barb.

Although it had been three days since Jenassa left Riften, the pain she left in my heart was still raw. Not only was she my trusted colleague, she was also my best friend. Ever since my dad died she was the only person I trusted...

Yet she didn't trust me enough to tell me why she so willingly left? That makes no sense...

"Miss Valentine. Should you be standing around? Don't you have a job to do?"

I looked up to see Maven Black-Brair stood before me. I smiled a false smile. I despised the woman and her perfect, prissy lalala-ness. She was heartless, cold, evil, manipulative, EVERYTHING.

"Hello Maven, How wonderful to see you!"

"Please be quiet. I'm not here to chat; I have an job of extreme urgency for you."

"Oh yeah?" I said, curious.

"Fort Greenwall. My son had been doing some research there and he left some very important papers behind. Unfortunately he managed to land himself in jail-"

"He didn't 'land himself'. You put him in there." I reminded her.

She performed a half smile and then continued her story.

"I have to many errands to run and I need someone trustworthy to fetch them for me. The information on those papers are too important to be read by any normal citizen. Can you do this for me?"

I thought about it for a second. I had a job I needed to do here; I couldn't just up and leave for anything. Then again, Maven was the most respected and possibly the most powerful woman in Riften, maybe even more powerful than the Jarl.

I smiled and nodded without saying a word.

"I will be away until tomorrow evening so bring them to me then. I highly suggest you go at 6pm as I return at 7pm and I will need them immediately as you get them. As I said before, I can't risk the papers getting into the hands of civilians. The less time you have with them the better. Here is the key to room where the papers are kept,"
She handed me the key, then looked at me again.

"Goodbye." She said rather bluntly.

She started to walk away. I could have just imagined it, but there was something sinister about the look in her eyes when she bid be farewell.

This post has been edited by Rihanae: Jul 16 2012, 02:51 PM

[TrisRed]

I've had a rather busy week this week and only managed to squeeze in posting this, I will be sure to read your stories ASAP

Acadian: I'm glad you see the importance of Constance in Valentine's life right now. It's important she has a close friend at this particular time. I'm so thrilled you liked the sunshine segment. It's wonderful that Valentine got such comfort and strength from it. She'll need it

mALX: Thank you so much What an amazing compliment, one I am very pleased to get

Previously on Valentine: Valentine accepts the death of Arthur and tries to grieve.

After the funeral she thinks about ending her life, but a sudden burst of sunshine convinces her that Arthur thinks it is a bad idea.

3. I know who killed me.

"Are you sure you're ready to return to work?" Constance asked me as we wandered through the market place.

I nodded, "Yeah, I think so. It's been a month now. I've grieved all I can and apart from this scar I'm all healed and tip top fabulous. As far as I'm aware there's no reason not to go back."

Constance had a look of uncertainty on her face. "Okay... well if you're sure-"

She was interrupted by Maven, who barged right through us to head to the castle, Mistveil Keep.

Gotknockeddownarthurblockedattack

"Woah..." I said, touching my head as my head began to rush.

"Are you okay?" Constance asked me.

"Yeah i-i'm fine. Just had a flashback of... you know."

I looked at Maven as she walked. "C'mon, lets go see the Jarl."

We continued to Mistveil keep, and once we were inside, We approached Jarl Laila, with Constance keeping her distance.

"Captain Valentine, how wonderful it is to see you up and about!" Greeted the Jarl.

"Thank you, Ma'am. I've come to bring you good news," I smiled. "I'm ready to re-join the guard."

The Jarl's face dropped. "Oh... I see..."

I smiled, yet was terribly worried at the same time, "Is everything okay?"

"Um..." The Jarl struggled to come up with the words to say.

As if from nowhere, Maven appeared from behind the Jarl and approached the seat next to the Jarl's. "Unfortunatly that position has already been filled, but you're more than welcome to be an underling."

"Position? what position?" I asked. She was confusing me with what she was saying.

"With you being out for so long we were forced to replace you. He is arriving from solitude and should be here-"

I interrupted the uncaring Maven, "Hold on, Miss, what are you saying?"

Maven gave me a look which could kill, "You are no longer needed Miss Valentine."

She continued to glare at me. Shocked I looked at the Jarl. She looked so apologetic, yet refused to do anything.

Then it happened. My head began to hurt again, but this time it was worth it.

Ithoughtitwasthatblackbriarwomanthathiredus...

blackbriarhiredusblackbriarhiredus

BLACKBRIARBLACKBRIARASSASSINS!

In that moment, looking into Mavens pasty eyes i managed to remember that the men were assassins; and that they were hired by Maven.

I glared at her, all the anger I had bubbling away like stew, causing my body to leap off the ground and lunge for Maven. "YOU DID THAT! YOU HIRED THOSE ASSASSINS TO KILL ME!"

I grabbed her by the collar and pinned her to the floor. Everyone began to scream in panic; but no-one actually did anything straight away. Every one probably enjoyed the fact that Maven was getting what she what everyone had thought about doing; but only for a moment.

"What are you doing?!" The Jarl screamed.

I turned to her. "Maven tried to kill me!" Then back to Maven. "YOU KILLED ARTHUR!"

Suddenly the guard dragged me off Maven and held me against the wall. Maven stood up and brushed herself off.

Maven then glared at me, "You better think carefully before you accuse me of such lies." she said. I saw a sly smile.

I tried to break free from the guards grip but failed miserably. The Jarl then looked at Maven and then slowly approached me.

"Are you telling me that Maven set up for you to be killed the day of your attack?" She asked.

"Yes, she did." I smiled. The Jarl believed me, I knew it.

"Why do you think she wanted you dead?" The Jarl asked me.

I knew the answer right away. "Because I don't take any of her garbage. I don't respect her and she hates it. She hates that I’m the only person in Riften she has absolutely NO control over."

The Jarl then walked away from me and headed toward Maven. "Maven..." she started. I smiled at Maven, she was getting her comeuppance. "I'm sorry you've been accused of such outlandish lies."

"WHAT?" I bellowed.

The Jarl turned to me. "Without a shred of proof this is slander. It is a crime of honour and I will not have a silly little girl destroy the reputation of a good woman. Now, either you apologize to Maven, or I will be forced to exile you from Riften until you do. You won’t leave a criminal, but you WILL leave an enemy."

I looked at the Jarl in disbelief. She was useless. She trusted the judgement of a civilian rather than her trusted friend.

I sighed and then looked at the guards, MY guards, then back at the Jarl. "Fine."

The Jarl gave them a hand gesture and they let me go. I approached Maven and the Jarl. I didn't say anything for a while.

I looked the Jarl in the eye, "I guess I'll be leaving Riften then."

The Jarl said nothing.

Maven looked at me, victory showing in her subtle smile, "I think that's wise."

I turned around, bumping into the guards that stood directly behind me, they attempted to grab me again, but I stopped them, "Okay Mr Macho, I'm leaving."

I brushed past them and headed for the castle door, Constance following close behind.

Before I opened it I turned to say my final piece. "You're making a huge mistake, Laila. I hope you realise that."

***

I sat by Arthurs grave, looking at the tombstone.

"Hey honey." I started. "I'm sorry I haven’t visited more often. Lots of things have been going down. You know how it is; someone tries to kill you, everybody loves them."

I placed some flowers on his grave.

"I have to go away for a while. I don't know when I'll be back, or even if I will be back. Seeing as Maven's turned everyone against me I very much doubt I'll be welcomed back anytime soon."

I continued to stare at his grave stone. I then stroked it gently,

"I wish you were still here. Now more than ever. I don't know what I'm going to do. I've never been on my own before..."

I then reached into my pocket and took out the engagement necklaces I forgot we had until I found them at home that day. I took the amethyst one and put it on his grave. I put my Garnet one around my neck.

I then stood up. "I'll come back soon my love."

I turned to slowly walk away, only to literally bump into Constance.

"Oh, Constance, hi. You made me jump!" I said to her.

"Sorry." She laughed.

We looked at each other a moment. I then nodded and walked past her, heading home to get whatever I needed, despite that fact I had no idea what I would need. I'd never been exiled before.

"Are you really going?" She asked me, following me to my home.

I nodded, "I'm not about to apologize to that murderous hound anytime soon."

"Are you certain that it was her that killed Arthur?" Constance asked me.

I had to be honest. "About ninety-eight per cent. One of the assassins said he was hired by the 'Black-Briar woman'. There are only two Black-Briar's in town and I highly doubt it was Ingun... unless she's still bitter about the fact I stole her doll when we were five."

There was a short silence before Constance spoke up. "Maybe you should say sorry..."

I knew what she meant, but I decided to make a joke. "I'm sure Ingun's over it by now... although, saying that, she was very close to that doll..."

Constance didn't appreciate the joke.

"Seriously Honey, maybe you should, even if you don't mean it." Constance suggested. "At least you'll get to stay?"

I laughed at her, "No. That is NEVER going to happen. I'd rather have a mace to the face- OH wait! She's done that already."

We continued to walk to Honeyside, when I saw a sight that filled me with utter shock and incredible rage.

Guards were throwing all of my stuff from Honeyside into the murky water that the city rested upon. Everything I owned was being tossed away. I ran toward the Guards, but they wouldn't let me get into my house.

"Bertha?" I said to the guard by the door. "What are you doing?"

"I'm sorry Capt- I'm sorry Miss Valentine, but it is by order of the Jarl that we take ownership of your house."

"But... it's MY house? It's nothing to do with the Jarl! I bought it with MY money!"

Bertha didn't seem to have a response; only another order she repeated. "We've also been ordered to escort you out of the city the next time we saw you; which I suppose would be now." She grabbed my arm, "I'm sorry."

She led me to the city gate, Constance trailing behind arguing with Bertha.

"Surely you can let her take a few things? All she has is her Chapel dress and shoes! That can't be appropriate attire for the harsh weather outside-"

Bertha stopped walking and turned to Constance, "Unless you want to be executed for stalling the removal of a criminal, I suggest you go home."

I looked at Bertha, horrified. "Criminal? The Jarl told me I wasn't a criminal!"

"She's had a change of heart." She told me.

She means Maven managed to get her own way again.

Bertha continued to drag me out of the city. I looked humiliated as citizens that once respected me gawped and laughed. I was a joke. Everything I'd worked for had turned to nothing. Just as Bertha opened the city gate i heard Constance shout at me.

"GO TO SHOR'S STONE! FIND SYLGJA, MY FRIEND! SHE'LL HELP YOU!"

Before I had a chance to reply Bertha literally threw me to the ground outside the city gate. I struggled to get back on my feet. Once I did i turned to see the city gate firmly shut.

I stood and looked at the gate for a while.

"I suggest you take Constance's advice and find Sylgja." spoke an unknown voice.

I turned to look at the speaker, but there was nobody there. I brushed it off as my imagination. Until she spoke again.

"You won't see me. I'm not of physical form. I'm a Guardian spirit, you see. I’m all ethereal."

I looked at my necklace. Madesi told me that the garnet was a Guardian Stone. It must have granted me the ability to speak to my guardian spirit. It was odd, but I was too angry to be freaked out.

I turned away from the city gate and looked in front of me. The landscape of the Rift looking mighty and open; all the possibilities waiting for me. But I didn't want possibilities. I wanted my old life back.

"But that's never going to happen."

"... I know."

There was a moment of silence as I continued to stare at the mass of land. I'd never gone further than fort greenwall before. Whatever was waiting for me was going to be new. Terrifying. Exciting.

"What's your name?" I asked my guardian spirit.

"My name?" She said. "My name is Alice."

I didn't reply. I only smiled. Although my life was over, it had only just begun.

My only wish was that it could begin with Arthur at my side.

This post has been edited by Rihanae: Jul 27 2012, 04:17 PM