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: I agree, Stenvar is a keeper. And yes, Lili is the sort of person to form lasting relationships with her hirelings - if she's going to trust them with her life, it makes sense to her that they be friends (at least). The two particular hirelings that stand out in her memory (Za'taba the Khajiit and Tamira Saren the Dunmer) became very close with Lili over the years. Her prior experience with other sellswords including those two is deep enough that she feels Stenvar has potential to become her next long term relationship.

@Lena: Nord Tribal Armor (Clothing) is the inspiration for Lili's new outfit from Hermir. Thought you might like to see it for yourself!

@SubRosa: I was delighted to have the opportunity to contrast both the perception of time and of physical norms between Bosmer and Nords. It was a fun episode to write!

@Grits: Lili has always taken the view that if you take care of your hirelings, they will take care of you. It's a view that has been proven in the past, as we have seen with Za'taba and Tamira Saren. On a deeper note, it helps her to deal with the void left behind by the loss she experienced so many years ago (as we will eventually learn more about).

@Renee: I think Lili was just observant - she noticed snowberries being left at tombs (remember Yngol's Tomb) and in crypts, so she felt it was appropriate in lieu of flowers. And keep reading, the "gentle jabbing" will progress into something more! Eventually.

@ghastley: My finger measurement is that used by horsemen - four fingers equals a hand, which is the unit of measurement of a horse's height. So yes, it's transverse, aka two fingers of Scotch, not longitudinal. As for short term vs long term, Stenvar's term of employment is currently for a month, and she'll reassess at the end of that month whether or not she wants to keep him on, and also it's long enough for him to decide if he wants to continue working for her. The idea that she's already considering keeping him on for years rather than a month does suggest that she likes his style, personality and intelligence.

And having gotten Sten into new britches armor and Lili into a more practical cave-delving outfit, it's time to venture out on their first real quest together! Which shall it be - Forsaken Cave for the White Phial, or Cronvangr Cave for Queen Freydis's sword? Let's find out!

*********************
Middas 20 Last Seed - A Cold Walk

Ma,

I’ve got new armor to go with my new blade now! The smith sent it over before breakfast this morning. I still can’t believe it. The smith’s apprentice told me I’ve outgrown Da’s plate. I still don’t understand it, but she says it’s because I’ve been a fighter for more years than Da has been.

We are off to a cave today to look for a magical vial. Apparently the old alchemist in town, Nurelion, has traveled all over looking for it, and now that he knows where it is, he’s too ill to go find it himself. So Boss said we would go and look for it.

It’s a good opportunity to break in this new armor. I’ll let you know how it goes.

“Oh, Lili, you look fabulous!� Susanna’s voice reached Sten from the common hall upstairs. “Where did you get these clothes?�

Sten barely heard Lili’s response. She must still be in her room. “Hermir gave it to me - it hasn’t fit her since she was twelve.�

“Hermir? I can’t recall that she was ever as small as you,� Susanna mused. “But then, she’s lived in Windhelm all her life, I must have arrived right after she apprenticed to Oengul. She was a tall one, even at fourteen!�

“She did have to take this in a little bit to make it fit,� Lilisfina’s voice became clearer as she apparently stepped out into the hallway. Sten shrugged the new armor over his shoulders to settle the plate, then turned for the stairs that led up from the cellar.

Sten reached the top of the stairs in time to see Lilisfina secure the white cowl around her shoulders. The soft green tabard beneath fell to her knees, and dark brown boots trimmed in white fur reached up to the slanted hemline. Her face had that lop sided smile as Susanna fingered the leather and exclaimed over the details. She does look good in that outfit.

Sten paused as Star pranced down the hall to nudge his hand. Lilisfina’s green gaze slid to his and lit up. “Looks like you’ll be considerably warmer in that outfit than when we went to The Winter War,� he said gruffly. “Good call by Hermir, it’s a lot more practical for delving in caves and crypts and what else you may get into here.�

Susanna turned around and gasped as she took in Sten’s appearance. “You too, Stenvar?� she exclaimed as she walked up to him, her eyes roving over his form with a look he remembered rather well. “You look so good in this plate,� she continued, her hands coming up to check the fit of his armor. “And you’ve got the padded tunic, too. Smart!�

“Might be too warm,� Sten mock grumbled. “But Hermir’s insistent I wear it beneath the armor.� He reached up and caught her hands before they became too familiar. No. Those days are past now. He smiled at her fondly. “So you think it looks good on me?�

“More like you look good in it,� Susanna exclaimed, turning to glance at Lilisfina over her shoulder. “Would you agree, Lili?� She stepped aside to give Lilisfina full view.

Sten caught the mischievous glint in her eyes as she motioned for him to spin in place. As he obediently turned around, flexing his biceps, he heard her chuckle. “I would agree, Susanna,� she said wryly. “Are we ready, then?�

“Got your backpacks? Susanna asked. Lili picked up her own backpack in response.

“I’ve got everything we need in this,� she said. “Stennvar needs freedom of movement.�

“I can fight with a backpack on,� Sten protested. “I’ve done it before.�

“And it’s like the cloak, more of a hindrance than an asset,� Lilisfina shook her head. “Besides, I’ve got the feather spell, I can use it on myself if needed.�

“I’m still taking mine,� Sten held up his own battered pack. “I’ll just drop it at the entrance when we go in.�

Lilisfina considered him a moment, then nodded. “Fair enough.�

“Did Nils give you your rations?� Susanna asked the two of them. They nodded, and Lilisfina smiled down at Star. “And a bone for the dog, too?�

“Of course,� Lilisfina responded. “In my pack along with our food and drink!�

“Best pack that fur cloak, too,� Sten remarked. “Looks like we’ll have a snowstorm soon.�

“Ugh,� Lilisfina made a face, but disappeared into her room. A moment later she was back, fur cloak rolled up on top of her backpack. “Better safe than sorry, yes?�

“Indeed,� Sten walked up to her, Star dancing back and forth between them. “Ready to go, ma’am?�

In short order they turned west on the road outside the city gates. While it ran down the hill to follow the White River, Sten glanced up at the sky ahead as they trudged over the snow-covered stones. Does look like stormy weather later - those clouds aren’t yet dark enough but it sure feels like snow. Here where the path was relatively clear, Lilisfina walked at his left side, Star between them. Snow everywhere gleamed in the subdued sunlight. She had her hood up, so he couldn’t see her face.

A sudden remembrance slid into Sten’s thoughts. “Mind if I ask you a question, boss?� Boss? Not so formal as ma’am. Got to be careful.

“Boss?� Lilisfina countered. “Hmm, I do like the sound of that. What’s your question?�

“Would you prefer I address you as ma’am?� Sten asked. “And my question has to do with something you said yesterday.�

“Just Lili is fine, actually.� Lilisfina turned her face to peer at him around the edge of her hood. “And what did I say yesterday?�

“You said there was so much death in Corrium’s house,� Sten cast his glance at the sky, trying to recall her words. “But when we were in the crypts, you didn’t seem so uncomfortable.�

“Hmm, you’d think I’d be more uncomfortable in the crypts because there are actual dead there?� Lilisfina turned her face forward. “Death comes in different forms, right?� she said after a few steps. “Old age, disease, war, murder, and so on.�

“Right,� Sten matched his strides to hers. “But it all comes to the same place, no?�

“No, not really,� Lilisfina responded. “The crypt and graveyard in Windhelm, the dead are quiet there. Peaceful. The smell is merely that of decomposing flesh and bone.�

Sten considered her words. “And in Corrium’s house?�

“It reminds me of zombies and other necromantic entities,� Lilisfina’s voice grew soft, as if to speak of such things aloud would summon them. “Undead, rotting but not really decaying into dust. Held together by evil magic.�

“Are you saying Corrium is a necromancer?�

“Not sure,� Lilisfina shook her head. “It could be the house itself, it could be a necromancer once lived and practiced there, and the scent is soaked into the fabric of the house itself.�

“And you’ve encountered such beings before?� Sten asked as they approached the junction with the River Yorgrim.

“Yes, I have,� Lilisfina responded. Sten waited to see if she would say more, but the Wood Elf remained silent. They crossed the bridge over the White River where it ran north before turning east to flow past Windhelm. The River Yorgrim spilled from the western hills and ran into the White. The road continued past the two rivers and followed the River Yorgrim toward the waterfalls.

Another road, this following the White River where it flowed down from the southern mountains, joined the east-west road. A tall narrow bluff towered over the intersection. Sten glanced up at the statue at the top of the bluff.

“Who’s that?� Lilisfina’s voice reached him.

“That’s Talos,� Sten responded. “Those statues mark his shrines all over Skyrim.�

“Hmm,� Lilisfina’s tone turned musing. “What are you, Stormcloak or Imperial? No offense intended, just curious.�

“Nord, Empire, Talos,� Sten dropped his gaze from the stern statue above. “Who cares?� He shook his head. “Such a silly reason for a civil war.�

“You think?� Lilisfina paused beside a snowberry bush and swiftly stripped it of its red berries. “Some folk might argue with you about that. Banning Talos worship is like waving a red flag at a Minotaur.�

“What do you mean, waving a red flag?� Sten asked.

“If you’re stupid enough to wave a red flag at a Minotaur, those things will charge you and kill you. And they’re intelligent, so you have to watch out for the shamans - the magic users.�

“I’m not stupid, so it doesn’t sound like something I’d do.� Sten shrugged. “And of course, I don’t belittle Talos worship, especially in a place like Windhelm.�

“No, I don’t think you’re stupid,� Lilisfina strode down the road toward the bridge that crossed the River Yorgrim. “But we’ve all done stupid things when we were young.�

Sten opened his mouth to protest, but laughter came out instead. “And what was the stupidest thing you did as a young child?� He walked a few steps before he realized Lilisfina was no longer at his side. He turned to see the Wood Elf standing, hands on hips, her green gaze piercing his. Uh oh, have I overstepped my bounds?