A Wood Elf in Windhelm, Stranger in a Strange Land? Options

[haute ecole rider]

Welp it has been a few years (yikes, almost EIGHT??) since I last posted anything in the Fan Fiction forum. I've taken up writing once again now that I have a couple of voices talking in my head once again. I hope y'all enjoy this one . . .

Sundas 17 Last Seed - Candlehearth Hall

“Child!� Lili turned her gaze toward the source of the voice. “Get that mangy mutt out of here! And go home to your parents!�

Here we go again. Lili lowered her hood to show her face, lean, sharp featured and highlighted by slanted eyes. She lowered her hand to touch the dog’s ears, just as pointed as her own. “Forgive me, ma’am,� she kept her voice soft, pitched to carry across the room to the Nord innkeeper behind her counter. “I’ve traveled from across the sea. This dog followed me from the docks. I seek food, a bath, and a bed for both of us. And I assure you Star has been cleansed of any fleas or lice or other vermin. But if you wish,� she half turned to the door behind her, “I’ll go seek lodging somewhere else.�

“Wait!� The woman stepped from behind the counter and approached Lili, gesturing her to step into the pool of light from a nearby sconce. “Forgive me, given your size I thought . . .�

“I take it you don’t see many Bosmer here in Windhelm,� Lili countered softly. “It’s an honest mistake, ma’am.� She looked down at Star’s bright blue eyes. “I can pay for both of us, but I also have a pair of fat salmon -� she held up two fish from beneath her cloak “- I fished up off the docks this afternoon. If you’ll let me use your kitchen for a little while, I can cook it up for us.�

“Salmon?� The woman exclaimed. “Nonsense! Nils!� She called over her shoulder down the hallway extending to the rear of the inn. “My name’s Elda Early-Dawn, I run this inn.� She glanced warily at the black and white dog. “We typically don’t serve dogs in here . . .�

“I’m Lilisfina. That’s why I offered to cook for the both of us,� Lili assured her. “I did clean him up before we came up from the docks.�

“Wait, isn’t he the stray dog the Argonians feed from time to time?� Elda put her hands on her hips. “He’s not filthy, is he?�

“Not anymore,� Lili smiled at him and ruffled his scruff. “I made sure of it.�

Elda narrowed her eyes at the slight Bosmer. “How?� She leaned down slightly and sniffed audibly. “He doesn’t smell fishy, or wet.�

Lili sent a faint wave of restoration magic down his body. Elda gasped and hastily stepped back. Her hand crept to her throat and grasped a small amulet.

“I’ve been traveling all over Tamriel as healer,� Lili explained softly. “And learning as much as I can from fellow healers and mages.�

“Magic?� Elda exclaimed. “Goodness! Not here, nothing dangerous like that! That’s all best kept up at the College of Winterhold.�

Lili pulled the coin purse from her belt. “May I pay for a room, a bath, and the use of your kitchen, ma’am?�

A scruffy man appeared at Elda’s shoulder. “You called, ma’am?�

“Give Nils the salmon,� Elda took a deep breath and met Lili’s gaze. “You can have your choice from our menu, if you want to give that dog something other than fish. We’ll put the salmon on our menu for tonight, or you can have it prepared your way for yourself.� Lili turned to the wizened older man and held the fish to him. “As for the room and the bath, it would be ten drakes for the room and three for the bath.� Her gaze flickered to the dog. “It’d be extra if you bathe the dog too.�

Nils hefted the fish thoughtfully, then grinned in satisfaction at their weight. Lili smiled back, then turned to Elda. “The dog won’t appreciate the bath, but if you have a nice mutton bone left over from that stew I smell cooking he wouldn’t mind that.�

“That’s nice salmon, mind,� Nils exclaimed softly as he met Lili’s gaze. “Salmon my way, salmon your way, or our mutton stew?�

“Let me try the stew,� Lili answered. “I’ve had nothing but smoked fish on the way here.� She counted out the drakes and handed them to Elda. “And here’s three for the bath, and twenty for two nights in the room. Would that be acceptable?�

“Of course,� Elda exclaimed, palming the coins into the purse at her waist. Here’s a woman who knows the value of a good coin. “Follow me, ma’am.� She turned and followed Nils into the back hallway. While he continued down to the rear of the structure, Elda stopped at the first door on the left. She drew a key from her pocket, unlocked it and swung it open. “Does this suit you and your dog?�

“He’s not really my dog,� Lili remarked as she stepped in. “But he decided to follow me.�

“Likely because you fed him,� Elda muttered as Star followed after Lili, his white tipped tail waving over his back as he explored the room with his nose. “Well, do you want your bath first, or eat first?�

“It’s cold outside,� Lili set her pack onto the bed, “and it will take time to get a hot bath ready. I think I’ll eat that stew first.�

“And what would you like to drink?�

“Mead?� Lili asked. “I’ve heard so much about it, and I’d like to try some.�

“Mead it is!� Elda nodded emphatically. “Mind you, be careful with it until you get used to it.�

“I’m Bosmer,� Lili smiled. “Grew up on jagga and rotmeth.� Elda pulled a face. She’s actually tasted jagga or rotmeth?

“Head upstairs, and I’ll have Susanna bring you your meal,� she nodded at Star, “and a bone for that dog. He’d better behave himself!�

“Thank you very much, ma’am,� Lili cast a lock spell on her bag, then followed the Nord innkeeper out. At the taller woman’s gesture, she headed up the wide stairs to the main hall above.

The large space, tucked beneath the high steep roof, took up the entire length of the inn. A large flagstone hearth, its chimney holding up the centerline of the roof, took up the center of the room. The part of the room adjacent to the open stairway held three tables, all three occupied. Chairs were placed along the walls and around the fireplace. On the other side, to the rear, a slender Dunmer plucked at a lute, a plaintive melody drifting from her long fingers.

“Hello!� Another Nord woman, this one a bit younger, her abundant curves highlighted by a rather lightweight outfit, approached Lili. “I’m Susanna the Wicked. Have you already ordered something to eat or drink, ma’am?�

“Elda will be sending something up shortly,� Lili replied. “I’m Lilisfina. You don’t seem very wicked to me, Susanna.�

“Are you new to Skyrim, ma’am?� Susanna tucked her tray beneath one arm. At Lili’s nod, she leaned down slightly to speak softly. “Here in Skyrim, nicknames are meant to be ironic. They call Elda Early-Dawn because, well, she sleeps late most days.� She nodded at a slouched Nord, his winter cap askew over his ears. “And Rolff Stone-Fist, because he has a glass hand. Jaw, too, to tell the truth.� She touched the side of her nose with her finger. “I didn’t tell you that.�

Lili smiled back at her and mirrored her gesture. “Tell me what?� She looked around the room again.

“You’ll have to share a table with one of those men,� Susanna straightened up. She eyed Lili thoughtfully.

“Which one do you suggest?� Lili asked. “I don’t want to inconvenience anyone.�

“Hmm, the black beard nearest us is Captain Lonely-Gale. He’s nice enough, but he’s being - aggressively - pursued by a certain spinster. That makes him cranky when she’s been on him, and she should be coming in here soon.� She shook her head warningly. “Not good company then.� Her gaze shifted to the front wall. “The older gentleman in the left corner behind the stairwell is Adonato Leotelli. He’s a writer, and when he’s writing . . .�

Lili took in the bent head, the quivering quill and the sheets of parchment scattered across the table. “Resents any distraction?�

“And did Elda say you could bring your dog here?� Susanna tipped her head at the Skyrim Husky, who regarded the room from his seated position at Lili’s side. “Because Leotelli will complain about misbehaving dogs, barking and panting and breaking up his concentration.�

“He’s not my dog,� Lili corrected. “But I understand what you mean. I definitely wouldn’t want to interrupt the creative process.�

Susanna snorted softly. “Now that big one with the shaved head and fierce face,� she indicated the man in the opposite corner, scratched iron glimmering in the candlelight with each slow breath, “Stenvar’s a sellsword. Strongest sword arm in the North, if you believe him.� She regarded him with a fond expression. “He’s rough, and looks like an absolute brute, but I assure you, he’s a good man to know. He won’t mind your - the dog, either. If he’s got a temper, I haven’t seen it yet.�

“How would he feel about sharing a table with an Elf?� Lili asked. Susanna glanced sharply at her. “Oh, I heard Rolff Stone-Fist and one other man giving a Dunmer lady a hard time before I came in. Sounded like there’s a fair bit of resentment about them here in Windhelm.�

Susanna laid a finger on her lips. “We can talk about that another time, Lilisfina.� She waved toward the mercenary’s table. “Go on, sit there. I’ll bring you your meal right away!�

Lili and Star wove their way between the chairs toward the indicated table. She noticed the round shield and war axe leaning against a chair at the side of the table, then the hilt of a zwei-hander over the sellsword’s shoulder. He raised his blue gaze from his mug as she stopped beside the chair opposite him.

“May I?� Lili rested her hand on the back of the chair in question.

“Of course,� Stenvar straightened his shoulders slightly and waved his free hand in open invitation. As she took her seat, he clenched his hand and tapped his iron cuirass in greeting. “I’m Stenvar.�

“Lilisfina,� she put her palms together in front of her own chest and nodded once. “My pleasure.�

“Are you certain?� Stenvar’s voice rumbled softly, his eyes glinting with good humor. “I’d argue the pleasure is mine. It’s not often I get a beautiful lass ask to sit at my table.�

Lili regarded him thoughtfully. “Somehow I get the feeling plenty of beautiful ladies do more than just sit with you, sir.� She kept her tone light and soft, and lifted her right brow in challenge.

Stenvar grinned, then shook his head with a chuckle. “Not as many as you’d think, ma’am.�

[haute ecole rider]

Sundas 17 Last Seed - Stenvar

Ma,

Just finished another job with Ma’dran and his caravan. It was an uneventful walk from Solitude back to Windhelm. I’m sending along twenty five drakes from that job, hopefully it will help to hire extra hands for the harvest. I’ll send more as I get more work.

Right now I’m back at Candlehearth Hall in Windhelm. Susanna has been looking after my trunk of belongings - everything is still in there. I trust her with it when I’m out on a job.

In your last letter you mentioned that Temba is advertising for someone to reduce the population of bears around Ivarstead. You know I won’t take coin from family, and I don’t feel right going there and getting paid for something I would do for free anyway. Next time I’m out that way I’ll see what I can do.

My fellow sellsword Leifgard took a few days to go fishing. He was getting tired of mutton, mutton, mutton every day. That’s all Elda our innkeeper would pay coin for. Leifgard thought if he caught enough fish, we both could have something different to eat for a change. I’m keeping an eye on his gear until he returns.

I’ll write again when I have more coin to send on. Give Halla my love, and hugs to old Fang.

Sten

Sten watched Susanna return to their table with a plate of the interminable mutton stew and a mug of mead. Beneath one arm she held a long object wrapped in a thin hide against her side. After serving Lilisfina the food, she unwrapped the mutton leg bone from the hide and handed it to the dog. As Sten listened to the sound of teeth grinding on bone, Lilisfina leaned forward and inhaled deeply of the stew. “Smells good, Susanna. Thanks.�

“You’re welcome!� Susanna replied cheerfully. She caught Sten’s gaze. “Do you want something to eat, Stenvar? We got some salmon that Nils is cooking up.� She gestured toward the Wood Elf. “Lili traded salmon she caught this afternoon for the stew and the dog’s bone.�

“Salmon?� Stenvar glanced from the Wood Elf to Susanna. “That’s a fair trade, ma’am.� And a good change from mutton, mutton, and more mutton. “I’ll have a portion of that then, thanks. And more ale, too, please.� As Susanna moved away, Stenvar caught Lilisfina watching him with those slightly unsettling green eyes. “Mutton is all we get to eat here.�

“Doesn’t Elda buy fish on the docks?� Lilisfina asked him. “You’d think she’d want to switch up from time to time.�

“She’s too stingy with her coin for that,� Sten answered. “To be fair, they charge a lot for the fish down there - they make more drakes selling them inland.� He finished his ale. “Most folk here, if they want fish, they go fishing for themselves.�

“Hmmm,� Lilisfina worked her way through the stew with hearty gusto. “This is actually quite good,� her green gaze flashed toward him. “Of course, all I’ve had to eat is smoked salmon since leaving Blacklight!�

Sten regarded her for a few breaths. Vvardenfell, huh? It’s a week’s travel by road from Blacklight, not much faster by ship. “Just arrived in Skyrim then?� He paused when Susanna reappeared to refresh his ale. “Boat or road?�

“Boat,� Lilisfina replied. “Got delayed by a bad winter storm, but I’m finally here.�

“Storms at sea are not for the faint of heart,� Sten remarked.

Lilisfina pulled a face and reached for her mead. “You’re absolutely right,� she agreed. She regarded the liquid within her mug, sniffing in the aroma. “So this is mead.�

“Never had it before?� Sten watched her as she sipped experimentally at it. “The taste is beguiling, the kick comes later. Be careful.�

Her eyes grew distant as her mouth worked the liquid around before she swallowed. “It does pack a bit of a wallop,� she admitted.

“Enjoy it, then,� Sten lifted his own mug in a toast. “Welcome to Skyrim, ma’am.�

Lilisfina sopped up the last of the gravy with the chunk of bread. As she popped it into her mouth, her gaze slid to his. Sten noticed the curiosity in her eyes. She swallowed, then spoke, “What is it you do, Stennvar? I’m told you’re a sellsword, is that right?�

“The strongest sword arm in all of Skyrim,� Sten flexed first his right biceps, then his left. “You’ll not find a better sellsword than me.� He shrugged self-mockingly. “Not that I’m bragging.�

“He’s not!� Susanna exclaimed as she set a platter of pink fish in front of Stenvar. “Here you go, big man.�

“Thanks, Susanna,� Sten inhaled the buttery aroma of the fresh salmon. “Tell Nils this looks great.� Susanna waited while he dug into the flaky fish and took his first bite. Ahhh, this is so damned delicious! “Tastes great, too,� he said around the food. He became aware of Lilisfina’s gaze on him.

“Good, huh?� She asked him.

“Better than a sevenday of mutton stew!� Sten met Lilisfina’s gaze. “Are you going to keep trading fish for mutton stew?�

Her smile lit up the right side of her face, Sten noticed. “It might not be a bad idea,� she placed her left elbow on the table and rested her jaw in her hand. “I need to figure my next step. This might buy me the time I need to do that.�

“Buy time?� Sten repeated. Buy time for what? “Why did you come to Skyrim, may I ask?�

“You can ask,� Lilisfina responded lightly. “I traveled the long way from Valenwood, and this is the first time I’ve seen snow.� She shuddered dramatically. “I know it’s cold where there’s snow, but I never expected it to be this cold!�

Sten couldn’t stifle his laughter. “Cold?� He repeated. “This isn’t cold, it’s still summer!�

Lilisfina stared at him. “It gets colder?�

“Once we get into winter, you’ll find out what cold really means,� Sten warned her cheerfully. He watched dismay flicker over her face, then she put on a thoughtful air.

“Oh dear,� she remarked with an ironic air. “That does present a problem.� Lilisfina’s expression turned serious. “I hope to travel to Winterhold, but I’m cringing at the thought of going out of the city in this cold. The braziers around here are barely enough to keep me warm!� She rubbed her hands together. “I spent as much time at the fires as I did fishing on the docks!�

“Well,� Sten mused thoughtfully. “You can’t get there by boat - they never repaired the docks after the Great Collapse forty years ago. So that leaves walking, post carriage or horseback riding.� Why does she want to go to Winterhold anyway? Jarl up there’s even more Elf-phobic than Ulfric Stormcloak! The only Elves there are at the College of Winterhold - are there even Wood Elves there? “Why do you want to go there anyway?�

“I’m hoping to enroll in the College there,� Lilisfina responded quietly.

“You’re a mage?� Sten found it difficult to hide his surprise. “I thought Wood Elves are hunters!�

“Most of us are,� Lilisfina agreed. “But not me! I’m terrible with weapons, and I can’t aim straight.� She pointed at her eyes. “And my far vision is no good.� She shook her head. “My talents are more magical than physical.�

“Really?� Sten thoughtfully stroked his close-cropped beard. I’ve got to trim this again soon - it’s getting scruffy. “Any particular school?�

“Restoration,� Lilisfina responded. “Though I’ve had to learn a few destruction spells over the years.� She leaned back and pushed her plate away. “I’ve paid my own way by doing odd jobs, and sometimes that involves danger. Not much different from yours.� Her green eyes held his for a few moments. “I’ve actually hired sellswords, like yourself, in the past to handle the physical part of these jobs.�

Is she making me an offer? Sten regarded her. “I’m available if you need someone to bash skulls,� he remarked, making a show of flexing his biceps a second time.

Again that lopsided smile. Lilisfina leaned back and reached down to the dog at her side. Sten heard the gnawing stop momentarily. “I don’t know much about this dog, but I had the thought that he might be useful in dangerous situations.� She shrugged. “But the only things I know about Star,� again her eyes flickered down to the Husky, “is that he’ll eat anything I offer him, and that he chose to come with me when I asked him to.�

“He might not be useful in a fight, you mean?� Sten asked her. Lilisfina nodded. “Do you want to find out?�

“Maybe,� her voice trailed off, and her gaze drifted to the side of the table, where the shield and war axe leaned against the empty chair. “I see you have a zwei-hander,� Well, she knows the proper term for my blade. Most people call it a greatsword. “So why do you also have a shield and war axe?�

“That’s not mine,� Sten was impressed. Not many folk know you can’t use a shield with a zwei-hander. “Those belong to Leifgard. He left them with me three days ago to go fishing.�

Her expressive eyes sparked. “Got tired of mutton stew too?� She rested both elbows on the table. “He should be returning with a double armful of salmon and cod soon, then.�

That was the plan. But . . . “He was supposed to be back yesterday, but that storm -“ Sten paused and swallowed a gulp of ale to hide his sudden anxiety, “- likely the same one that delayed you, may have caught him too.�

Lilisfina’s face sobered. “Where would he have gone fishing? He can’t have gone far.�

“His cousin has a small fishing camp about half a day’s walk north of the city,� Sten replied. “He was going to stay there two nights and come back last night.�

Lilisfina was silent for several breaths. Sten could see thoughts moving behind her eyes. “Perhaps we can be of mutual benefit to each other,� she said finally. “I had an interesting conversation with a gentleman named Brunwulf Free-Winter earlier this afternoon. He mentioned a group of reavers on a wreck called The Winter War. Do you know where that is?�

“Aye, that I do,� Sten nodded. “It’s across the sound from that fishing camp.�

“I’m a healer,� Lilisfina laid her left palm against her chest, then pointed toward Sten, “and you’re a fighter - the strongest swordarm in all of Skyrim.� She paused thoughtfully. “What if I hire you to help me clear out The Winter War for the bounty, and I help you look for Leifgard, make certain he’s unharmed?�

How would that work? Me against a group of seasoned reavers? That’d be a challenge, if not outright insanity. She can’t fight, she said so. “They’re a nasty group, and there’s only one of me,� Sten said aloud.

“True,� Lilisfina nodded. “But I’ve been in battles with sellswords before, and I have ways to keep you alive in a fight.� She shrugged. “I’m good with tactics, and I’m used to having the odds against us.�

“How are you thinking of doing this then?�

Lilisfina regarded him. “Leave at first light tomorrow.� she responded. “Go first to the wreck and we’ll take care of the bandits. Try to take them on one by one, rather than as a group.� She rolled the pewter mug between her hands. “That will probably get us to mid-afternoon or evening. We can cross to the fishing camp and look for your comrade and his cousin. Spend the night there if we have to - I’m used to camping outdoors.� She looked up from her mead. “How does that sound, Stennvar?�

“Stenvar,� he corrected. “And yes, that sounds good. “ He nodded at her lightweight blue gown. “But you’ll need furs to stay warm. And we should hope for good weather too.�

“Let’s decide at first light in the morning then,� Lilisfina responded. “And I did pick up warmer clothing on my way up from the docks, I’ll be sure to wear them.� She drank the last of her mead and set the mug down. “I’ll head down to my bed and bath then. Make it an early night, yes?�