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]

@Grits: This conversation between the two ladies kind of ran away from me - they were determined to learn from each other and totally ignored me (and Sten)! It was fun listening in on them, though!

@Sage Rose: I did a bit of browsing in the Lore because of things presented in ESO over the years, so I found some interesting information about Arkay and Y'ffre. Lili was all too happy to share! The ritual itself is something I came up with, so I'm glad you liked it. I tried to respect the nature of rituals with this one.

@Acadian: Thank you for validating my decision to let the two ladies own this segment, even though it was Sten's POV. He enjoyed it too, I think. And thanks for catching that nit - fixed!

Now we meet again with Brunwulf Free-Winter and collect that damn bounty!

*****************************

Morndas 18 Last Seed - Bounty and Dinner

Free-Winter looked up as Lili and Stenvar, Star trailing them, returned the cart to the docks. He waved at the row of corpses laid out at his feet. “This looks like all of them,� he said gruffly. “And that’s Black Cleitus, all right.� He nudged the large body with his foot. “Looks like you took his armor, lass?�

“It’s valuable, yes,� Lili agreed. “And definitely of value to me. He no longer has need of it.�

“You’re right, lass,� Free-Winter grunted his agreement. He moved over to two bodies. “These are savaged beyond recognition - was that you?�

“Horkers,� Lili shrugged. Free-Winter shot her a sharp glance. “They fell.�

“Horrible way to die,� Free-Winter turned to look at the water past the docks, black in the night. “Still, they inflicted worse on their victims.�

“There are worse ways to die,� Lili said flatly. “You did mention a bounty, Thane?�

“Yes, the bounty offered by Jarl Stormcloak was five hundred drakes.� Free-Winter turned back to the reaver chief’s body. “But Black Cleitus has long been a thorn in Ulfric’s side, and I’m certain I can talk him into doubling the bounty for him. And you keep whatever loot you have collected.� He lifted his gaze to both Lili and Stenvar. “That’s good work. Everyone, Dunmer and Nord alike, will be a lot safer with them gone. I can teach you something about wearing heavy armor, save you some aches on a long march.�

“I’m not likely to wear armor of any kind,� Lili held up a hand. She nodded at Stenvar. “But my friend here might appreciate trading tips. I can wait for you in the inn for the bounty.�

“Yes, of course.� Free-Winter tipped his head at Stenvar. “Do you have a few moments?�

“Do it, Stennvar,� Lili encouraged him. “I want to take the gear we collected over to the marketplace and see what value they have.� She cast a feather spell on the heavy bag still in the cart and lifted it over her shoulder. She whistled at Star and left a bemused Stenvar with a grinning Free-Winter.

In the marketplace on the other side of town, Lili found the aged blacksmith sharpening a new sword. At the forge a young Nord woman, strong and muscular through the shoulders, worked the bellows. Apprentice. Competent, by the look of those muscles. Lili dropped the bag beside the blacksmith with a clatter that drew his attention.

“Got some work for us, lassie?� He rose stiffly from the bench and stretched his back with a stifled groan.

“If you’re any good a blacksmith as I hear?� Lili responded.

“Name’s Oengul War-Anvil,� he spoke gruffly. “Everyone says Eorlund Gray-Mane is the best smith in Skyrim. I intend to change a few minds about that.�

“Smith, you might set my mind on that,� Lili smiled. “I have some heavy armor here I have no use for. Mind taking a look and letting me know the value you’d put on it?�

“Hermir, girl, come here and lend me a hand.� Oengul reached down for the sack and heaved it onto the tempering bench. Together blacksmith and apprentice drew out the pieces and examined them carefully. “Where did you get these, lass?� Oengul glanced at Lili.

“That was Black Cleitus’s armor,� Lili answered. “Stennvar tells me that’s good quality - I suspect he’s a better judge of heavy armor than I am.�

Now both Nords stared at her, jaws agape. Oengul recovered first and cleared his throat. “You went to The Winter War?�

“Stennvar and I did, yes,� Lili touched Star’s ears as the Husky sat beside her. “For the bounty. We didn’t know who the reavers were until after they were all dead.�

“All of them?� Hermir gasped. “Really?�

“Stennvar’s a very good fighter, but I’m no expert.� Lili smiled at their expressions. “He does claim to be the best sword arm in all of Skyrim, and so far I’ve not seen otherwise.�

“But one man, even Stenvar, against how many reavers? Led by Black Cleitus, the scourge of the Sea of Ghosts?� Hermir shook her head. “That’s a tale I’d like to hear!�

“So, Smith, what of the armor?�

Oengul resumed his perusal of the steel. “That’s good smithing here, and very good condition, lass. I’d say for the lot - cuirass, bracers and boots - worth one hundred and fifty drakes, easy.�

“What if I wanted it adjusted to fit someone else?� Lili asked. “Say, Stennvar?�

Oengul lifted the cuirass by the shoulders and examined it again with an experienced eye. “Stenvar’s a big man,� he said. “It shouldn’t take much to make it fit.� He glanced over at Hermir, who nodded agreement.

“We can do it,� Hermir said. “Be better if we could have him here to fit it.�

But I want to surprise him! “How about looking at his current armor?� Lili asked. “I’ve heard some of the best Orsimer smiths can craft a new set of armor using an old set as a template.�

“Yes, that can be done, too, for fifty drakes.� Oengul laid the cuirass back on the table. “But how do you plan on getting Stenvar to part with his iron plate?�

A challenge. One I accept. “Leave that to me,� Lili responded with a grin. “May I leave these with you then?�

“Of course, lass,� Oengul nodded to Hermir, who began to wrap the steel plates in burlap. “We’ll keep them inside the smithy until you can get Stenvar or his irons here.�

Lili nodded, then paused. “Oh, and do you have a good steel zwei-hander I can purchase from you?�

“Of course!� Oengul nodded emphatically. “I have one I could let you have for one hundred drakes.� Hermir shot him a sharp glance.

Is that my imagination or is Hermir surprised by the value Oengul put on that blade? “One hundred drakes for the zwei-hander, and one hundred for reconditioning that armor to fit Stenvar, sound good?�

“It’s a deal, lass!�

Lili smiled up at him. “I will see you tomorrow.�

Star gamboled ahead of Lili as they walked back to the inn. Snow began falling around them, and Lili blew clouds into the air before her face. How can one’s breath be visible? How can rain be solid? How can one walk on water? This cold is incredible, if it weren’t so - cold.

Lili and Star were at table, Lili spooning up hot stew, and Star gnawing on a fresh mutton bone, when Stenvar and Free-Winter entered the common room. Susanna greeted both men fondly, and disappeared into the kitchen after the sellsword spoke briefly with her. Wonder if there’s more between those two than just the usual business interactions.

Stenvar took his customary seat, and Free-Winter brought a chair over from the adjacent table. He dropped a leather coin bag on the table, and sat down. “I spoke to Jarl Stormcloak,� he said. “He was his usual self, but his face lit up when I told him it was Black Cleitus laying dead on the docks. He didn’t flinch when I suggested doubling the bounty.� He waved at the bag between them. “That’s a thousand good drakes in there.�

A thousand drakes! That gives me an idea . . . “Thank you for speaking on our behalf,� Lili glanced at Stenvar. “We’ll divide it up later, after we’ve eaten.�

“Both of you have earned it,� Free-Winter leaned back until the chair creaked under his weight. “The gods were smiling the day I met you in the Gray Quarter, lass.�

“It was fortunate we met when we did,� Lili responded. “This will go a long way towards paying our way.�

“What will you do next?� Free-Winter asked. Lili shrugged as she swiped up some gravy with bread.

“I’m headed to Winterhold,� she remarked softly. “But I’m not quite ready for the trip, I suspect.�

“Then these drakes will go a long way toward getting you there, lass.� Free-Winter rose to his feet. “May I suggest you get to know some of the folk here in Windhelm first? Visit our alchemist - one of the best in all of Skyrim, for all that he’s a cranky old Altmer. And take the rest of that armor from the reavers to Oengul, he’ll pay for scrap.�

“Considering the condition of at least two of those reavers,� Stenvar remarked, “that’s about all the value they have. But a good smith like Oengul can turn them to good use.�

“That’s what I was thinking, too,� Lili nodded. “Thank you again, Thane, and have a good night.�

“I hope to see more of you here in the next few days,� Free-Winter tipped his head in salute before he strolled away. Susanna passed him and brought Stenvar a plate of stew and a tankard of ale.

“No more salmon?� Stenvar asked plaintively. Lili glanced at him with a chuckle.

“I suppose I should go fishing again in the morning,� she remarked. As Stenvar started working on his plate, Lili reached across with her fork and tapped the worn iron of his bracer. “Does your armor need repairing, Stennvar? It’s looking rather beat up.� Time to find out how attached he is to this old plate.

“Nothing a quick visit to Oengul can’t fix,� Stenvar shrugged. “Depends on how you plan on splitting the bounty.�

“Hmm,� Lili leaned back and laid her fork down on the now empty plate. She reached down and touched Star’s back. “You fought well today, Stennvar.�

“I told you I’m the best sword arm in all of Skyrim, ma’am,� Stenvar responded. “I wasn’t boasting, either.�

“I’m not an expert,� Lili sipped at the mead. “But one of the reavers, and Black Cleitus himself, looked like they knew how to fight. Am I right?�

“Yes,� Stenvar nodded as he cleaned the last of the gravy with his bread. “But they weren’t as good as me.� He’s not bragging, at all. He met Lili’s gaze. “But I’ll not deny that you were of some help there. Good tactics pulling them out one after the other to thin their numbers. The one that we caught sleeping outside Cleitus’s door had been drinking, and I thought I smelled skooma too.�

“Drink and skooma do not mix well,� Lili mused. “And yes, I thought he was slow to react to you and Star.�

“Star wasn’t afraid to jump in,� Stenvar grinned when the dog whined at the sound of his name. “That’s a good dog in a fight, mind you.�

“He was helpful, wasn’t he?� Lili leaned forward and rested her cheek on one upraised hand. “What’s next for you, Stennvar?�

The big Nord shrugged. “I’ll get this repaired,� he tapped his iron clad chest, “sharpen my blade, and rest up for the next job.�

“I’ll probably stay in Windhelm a bit longer, try to save up some coin before I travel again,� Lili said. “I’ll be looking for odd jobs, and if I pick up any involving fighting, would you be interested in hiring out with me?�

“Of course!� Stenvar nodded. “Mostly I escort the Khajiit traders from city to city, but such jobs are few and far between, and aren’t always consistent in their schedules.�

“There are Khajiit traders here in Skyrim?� Lili raised her brows in surprise. “I’ll have to meet them.�

“You’ll have to look outside the big cities to find them,� Stenvar responded, his tone turning sour. “Folks won’t let them inside the city walls, so they’re stuck on the roads and trading from tents.�

“That sounds cold, even for Khajiit and their fur!�

“And unfair, if you ask me,� Stenvar muttered into his ale. “Folk accuse them of thieving and killing, but they’re just like us, trying to survive in a harsh land.�

“Things have become harder everywhere, not just in Skyrim,� Lili nodded. “Famine, drought, the Thalmor.�

“Tell me, ma’am,� Stenvar shook his head when Susanna approached with an offer of refills. “Are all High Elves Thalmor?�

“No,� Lili shook her head. He’s curious. I like that. “The Thalmor are a faction that is in control of the government in the Summerset Isles now. Their worldview is based on a very archaic religion that has been out of favor for many generations.�

“Religion?� Stenvar repeated. “How do they see the world?�

“They claim that Altmeri are superior to all other races, and believe they are direct descendants of the old Aldmeri gods.� The last of the mead tasted sour as Lili pushed away bitter memories. “All other races must be subjugated to them.�

“Including other Elves?� Stenvar asked quietly, his eyes on the table.

“Including other Mer,� Lili concurred. She met Stenvar’s gaze. “Have you finished your meal?�

“Yes,� Stenvar laid his fork across the plate and set the tankard beside it.

“Let’s head down to my room,� Lili suggested. “We’ll divide the loot there.� She shook a finger at his wily glance. Ah ah! “We’ll discuss our future, nothing more!�

He laughed. “Understood, ma’am!�


This post has been edited by haute ecole rider: Aug 2 2024, 06:40 PM