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]

@Acadian: Thank you, dear paladin, for continuing to read this. I had a good chuckle over the future patent/invention of Leifgard's descendants! Perhaps we will see the beginnings of such a system in the next book or two! Star is a pretty cool character to write. And yes, we will continue to learn more about Lili's past as we progress through this book.

@SubRosa: Hmmm, that's a perceptive question you ask, Sage Rose! We will find out if Lili can differentiate between the various odors of dead and undead soon! Like the next day in this book! Bookending this episode like this with Calixto's house and Nilsine's mourning as you pointed out was a happy accident, the best kind!

@Grits: I'm glad both you and Sage Rose hit upon the use of snowberries. Lili has become adept at observing and respecting the local customs in her own way, and the snowberries is just the latest touch. And your comments brought back joyful memories of Sai in Miscarcand! And yes, writing this story progresses, one foot in front of the other.

Previously Sten and Lili paid their final respects to Leifgard and Einar, and Lili shared a bit of Valenwood funereal customs. They also met Nilsine Shatter-Shield, and Lili was able to begin to form a relationship with the bereaved family.

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Tirdas 19 Last Seed - New Armor

Star chased the snowflakes on their way to the marketplace. His joy in the falling snow was so contagious Stenvar gathered up a few balls and tossed them to the Skyrim Husky. He’s bonding with Star. Is that going to be a good thing? Lili wondered if Star would choose to stay with Stenvar when they parted ways. Don’t know when, but chances are we won’t be together long. She shook her head, recalling the sellswords she had hired in the past. There was Za’taba in Anequina, we traveled together for twenty eight years before he retired. Then Tamira Saren from Morrowind, she was with me for sixteen years. They were good companions, and I learned much from them. She drew the bearskin cloak closer around her shoulders. This was a good gift from him. It’s come in handy already.

They reached the smithy in time to see a well dressed Nord in deep conversation with Oengul, who nodded curtly at intervals. Hermir looked up from the forge and caught Lili’s gaze and grinned. She waved them over to her with a finger on her lips.

“Best to let them have it out,� she whispered, her voice barely audible over the growling forge. “That Torbjorn pays well, but he always tries Oengul’s patience.�

Lili heard Stenvar’s chuckle and turned to watch the two men, the smith hunched over the tempering table and the pudgy noble nattering on. “Likes the sound of his own voice, does he?�

“Oh, by Talos he does!� Hermir exclaimed softly. “I’m glad Oengul’s the master, not me!� Her gaze shifted from the two men to Stenvar. “And we’ve got some thoughts for you, Stenvar,� she stepped back from the forge and waved the two inside the smithy. “I know it’s warm near the forge, but we need to talk quietly, and inside’s warmer!� She nodded at Lili with a smile.

“Oh, thank you very much for your consideration,� Lili remarked. Where is Hermir going with this? “What can Stennvar do for you?� She ignored Stenvar’s quick glance at her.

“Well, put on your armor, and let me check the fit,� Hermir held out the breastplate. It looked only slightly less battered than before, and Lili frowned at it. “We are trying it with new lining, but there’s a few things we’ve noticed.�

Stenvar buckled the breastplate over his woolen shirt and shrugged his shoulders to settle the armor. “What of it?�

“Hmmm,� Hermir walked around him, her eyes roving over him and her hands tugging here and there. Is she ogling him right now? “These straps are worn in a couple of places - looks like you used to buckle up more than you do now, right?� Her tone remained businesslike.

“Yes, I was just eighteen when I left home and started selling my sword arm,� Stenvar responded. He tugged at the straps as if he could make them longer. “I’ve replaced them once, about eight years ago. Do they need replacing again?�

“Actually, no, that won’t work anymore,� Hermir responded. “You’ve outgrown this armor - the plate is too small for you now.� She tilted her head to one side. “Haven’t you noticed how it’s fraying your shirt over the shoulders, and along the ribs?� She ran one finger beneath the edge of the plate down his side. Stenvar flinched. Oh ho, he’s ticklish! Hermir looked over at Lili. “Do you see what I’m talking about?�

Lili shook her head. “I’m no expert when it comes to armor. I rather trust my sellswords’ judgment since they’re the ones wearing it!�

“And mine?� Hermir tipped her head at Lili, who responded with a grin. I think I see where she is going with this now. The apprentice gestured for Stenvar to remove his breastplate.

“But this is Da’s armor!� Stenvar protested while obeying Hermir’s unspoken instructions. “It can’t be too small for me!�

“I don’t know how big your Da was,� Hermir countered, “but I doubt he was as big as you are now from all your fighting.� She set the iron breastplate down and picked up another piece of armor. “Now this one I think is more your size. Try it on, let’s see how it fits.� Her briskness overcame Stenvar’s reluctance and soon the buckles were fastened, and once again Hermir walked around the sellsword, assessing the fit of the new plate.

“Wait,� Stenvar looked down at the carved steel, “Isn’t this Black Cleitus’s armor?�

Hermir stepped back and crossed her arms with a glance at Lili. “Move around in it, pretend you’re swinging that shiny new zwei-hander of yours. Let’s see how it feels.�

Still Stenvar hesitated, glancing at Lili. “Do you have an issue with wearing a dead man’s armor, Stennvar?� she asked him.

“No, that’s not it,� Stenvar shook his head, his gaze returning to the scuffed iron plate resting on the table. “I still have to save up the coin for something like this . . . “

“Don’t worry about it, it’s yours by right of combat,� Lili assured him. “What matters is does it fit you? How does it feel?�

“Heavier,� Stenvar admitted. “But not by much.�

“Now that I see you in both,� Lili remarked, “Hermir’s comments do make sense. This looks better on you, Stenvar. And I’m not talking about beauty, either.�

Stenvar snorted. “Call me what you like, just don’t call me a pretty boy.�

Lili laughed. “I save that for the Mer, actually. All you Nords are just . . . big.�

Hermir scoffed. “That’s relative, lass,� She cast a speculating eye at Stenvar. “Very well, that armor just needs a bit more work and it’ll be ready. Just a new lining of leather. I do recommend you get a padded tunic to wear beneath that armor, though. It will minimize the chafing better, and you won’t run through so many wool shirts.� Now she slid a sly glance at Lili. “And it’ll keep you warmer, too, without the need for a cloak.�

In spite of herself, Lili shivered. “I love this cloak, thank you very much,� she responded. “Stenvar gave it to me, and cut it down to fit.�

Hermir grinned. “And that’s something else I want to talk about,� she added. “You can’t go adventuring in a dress, not in Skyrim.�

“What’s wrong with this dress?� Lili looked down at the blue-green wool.

“Oh, it’s fine for around town,� Hermir took the steel breastplate back from Stenvar and set it aside. “But when you’re spelunking through caves and exploring ruined crypts, which I hear you’ll be doing soon, it will just tangle around your legs and slow you down. A short robe and trousers will work just as well.�

“I don’t want to wear armor,� Lili protested. This time it was Stenvar’s turn to smile at her discomfort.

“I’m not talking about armor at all,� Hermir responded. “I know mages don’t wear armor. I also know mages in Skyrim don’t wear dresses, either. Not in this cold.� She shook her finger at Lili. “But I think I might have something that would fit.� She turned to Stenvar. “Now shoo. Shatter-Shield should be done, and if he’s not, Oengul will be happy if you interrupted. Smith needs to know we’re to finish up this steel armor by tomorrow.�

Stenvar caught Lili’s gaze. “Are you certain, ma’am? I’d be happy to pay you back.�

“As long as you keep me alive that’s worth the value,� Lili assured him. “Like your zwei-hander, it’s an investment in you.�

Stenvar regarded her silently for a few breaths, then murmured thanks to Hermir and left the smithy. As the door closed behind him, Hermir turned to a chest near the hearth. “My ma made this for me when I turned twelve,� she opened the lid and pulled out a bundle wrapped in faded brown linen. “It was before I apprenticed to Oengul and started bulking up. It wasn’t long before I outgrew it, but I’ve hung onto it.� She unwrapped the bundle to reveal forest green and white leather, fur trimmings and simple metal buckles. “Try this on, let’s see how it fits.�

Lili didn’t breathe as Hermir shook out the robe and held it against her shoulders. Her hands came up to touch the soft leather as Hermir cast her eye up and down Lili’s figure. “It should work for you. Here, let’s put this on first - take your dress off first.� She held out a dark brown under-tunic made of thick wool, incredibly soft against her arms and body. It fell from a round neckline to knees, sleeves reaching halfway down her forearms.

Hermir checked the fit, and muttered to herself. “Take in a little bit here at the waist, take up the sleeves two fingers, and it will fit you just fine,� she declared confidently. “Now the robe.�

The tabard itself, a soft pine green, had contrasting gold trim at the collar, the short sleeves, and along the the bias cut hem and up the sides to the waistline. Again, Hermir decided it needed to be taken in at the waist, but the length suited the Bosmer just fine. “And one more piece - the bodice.� She took the wide leather, the same deep brown as the under-tunic, and held it against Lili’s torso. It extended from just below her small breasts down to the top of her hip bones. “You’re shorter in the torso, Lili. Not a problem, just a couple of fingers off the bottom of this and it’s ready to go.�

She nodded to herself with satisfaction. “Yes, that will do. And it’s not armor, Lili. It’s just more resilient, practical and warmer for adventuring than that dress you’ve got!�

“I can’t - I can’t take this,� Lili stammered. “Your mother made it for you . . . “

“And I grew up too fast to get full wear out of it!� Hermir exclaimed. “No, you take it, you wear it, and that will best honor my Ma.�

“How much do you want for it?� Lili looked down at herself again. “And how soon can you make the modifications?�

“Oengul can work on Stenvar’s new armor, and I’ll work on this outfit for you,� Hermir put her hands on her hips. “We’ll have both ready for you tomorrow after breakfast!� She held up her hand. “And this is no charge. Mind you, if you were to wear it out, come back to me and I’ll make up a new set for you, and that’ll cost you fair!�