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

[Grits]

I got a good chuckle out of the double entendres around Stenvar’s big heavy blade. Susanna is a delight!

“So if he isn’t the Jarl of Windhelm, the Stormcloaks would just be a group of rebels?”

Nice assessment of the situation from an outsider.

Leek soup! Yum!! It’s always soup season in snowy Windhelm.

“I’ve been told it’s a place where you can go and look at things,” Stenvar said.

I nearly spit out my tea. I am an insatiable museum-goer, and Stenvar’s words will be with me the next time I’m in awe over some artifact. I did indeed go here to look at a thing.

Lili and Star’s reaction to the House of Creepiness fell right in line with their previous neighborhood tour. Politics aren’t the only stink in Windhelm it seems. Well, apart from the docks.

Stenvar had to move fast to get to pay for something, but he got it done! Nice to see the pair sharing a laugh over Ysgramor’s Soup Spoon!

[Renee]

Kynesgrove is one of those quests none of mine ever got around to in Skyrim, even after all these years, although my traveling elf (Celest Eaal) just picked that quest up. I'm also wondering if Lili will get involved with the Windhelm murders but shhh.... don't want to influence the story with rambling speculations!

Indeed, The Rift has lots of deciduous trees, not so many conifers. 🌲

Stenvar seems pleased Lili is dedicated to learning local terrain & locations & government structure.

Is Stenvar getting his armor repaired and times goes by? If so, I do this. Use the Wait button, that is. Repairing stuff takes time. You're probably roleplaying that though; vanilla Skyrim doesn't include degradation.

I want the Dancer's Pipe! I could see that being useful in our modern world. Not to win wars but to calm down fighting kids on the playground.

Why did Lili (seem to) force herself to walk, not bolt, out of the museum? Oh, cause of "odors".

[haute ecole rider]

@Acadian: You're welcome! Lili isn't as food obsessed as our former Legion pilus but she certainly knows how to appreciate good cooking! Lili had fun rolling with Sten on the flirting, until Susanna questioned their relationship. That reminded her that she's the boss - officially. Heh. And House of Curiosities might as well be a trip to the Shivering Isles!

@Sage Rose: Writing that bit between Lili and Sten was fun, and yes, Lili is quite taken by her investment. And yes, Calixto's house did cause the spidey sense to tingle while she was in there. I always enjoy the tour in the museum, it never fails to make me chuckle.

@Grits: I'm glad you enjoy the doublespeak and Susanna's perception here. She is an absolute delight to write. Like you and me and every Skyrim character I ever rolled, museum going is a thrill. I love going to those historical places and seeing how people lived in the olden days. It really brings your senses back to the past in unforeseen ways.

@Renee: This fiction, like my others, is inspired by my game play through, but does not follow the play through exactly. So Sten's armor being repaired is writer's license, not strict gameplay. Yes, I know there are mods that make time pass for everything you do, but I prefer to just use my imagination for things like these.

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

Tirdas 19 Last Seed - Mourning

Da’s blade is wearing out! I’m told it is showing signs of failure, though I can’t quite hear the change in tone. But it looks like Boss and Star can. In any case, I retired it and put it away in the chest with my winter clothing that you sent me over the summer. I now have a new steel zwei-hander. Boss paid for it, so I can still save up for that steel armor. It’s a beaut, Ma. Good size and weight, and well-balanced too. I’m looking forward to breaking it in on our next outing.

We took some time to visit a place called Calixto’s House of Curiosities. It’s supposed to be a collection of rare artifacts, but I doubt that’s really the case. We both found it funny and had a good laugh afterwards. Now we are going to Leifgard’s final interment. I’ve stopped by the inn and picked up his gear so we can bury it with him. Looking forward to getting my armor back so I can start earning my pay. I will write more when I have more to tell. Give my love to Halla and Old Fang.

Sten

Lilisfina turned as Sten approached with the shield and war axe. She met his gaze briefly. “Is that everything?”

“Yes, Leifgard didn’t leave much behind. I’ve already sent the contents of his chest to his family in Morthal.”

“I’m glad you did that,” Lilisfina nodded. “Shall we go?”

“Yes, let’s get this over with.” Sten opened the door and let Lilisfina and Star through into the snowy afternoon. “I’d like to stop by the smithy afterwards to check on the progress of my armor,” he added.

“Bit impatient, are we?” Lilisfina chided him. “Oengul did say a day or two.”

Sten huffed visible breath between the snowflakes. “That’s too long,” he commented. “Not used to waiting.”

“I thought you did a lot of waiting in that inn,” Lilisfina remarked with a smile. “Seemed like you and Susanna know each other quite well.”

Sten felt his cheeks warm at certain memories. “I’ve been staying at the inn long enough,” he said. “And while I’m used to waiting for jobs, I’m not used to waiting for armor while I have jobs to do.”

“Understandable,” the Wood Elf remarked. “I apologize for lining up work so quickly for us, but I’d prefer to delay those until I know for certain we’ll both come back whole and healthy.” She paused to face him, hands on hips. “And the best way to ensure that is to make certain your armor is up to the task!”

“Not going to argue with that,” Sten responded as they wove their way between the gravestones toward the Hall of the Dead. This time Lilisfina reached the door first and held it open for the other two.

Sten stomped the snow from his boots and brushed it off his woolen shirt. Star shook the snowflakes from his black and white coat. Lilisfina lowered her fur cowl and shook out the cloak he had cut down for her. She is definitely getting a lot more use out of that fur than I ever did! He appreciated how she seemed to pull it closer around her when they were out in the cold air. But here she removed it and threw it over one arm.

Helgird greeted them at the entrance to her preparation area. She led them deeper into the crypt, past carved slots in the walls which held wrapped bodies in various states of decay. Wonder how this smells compared to Corrium’s museum? The idle thought passed through Sten’s head, and he regarded the Wood Elf’s expression. He did not see the distinct discomfort she had earlier. Have to ask. Later.

Leifgard and his cousin Einar had been interred side by side. A worn fishing rod and tattered hand net rested beside the aged fisherman’s body. Helgird stopped before Leifgard and gestured Sten to place his comrade’s gear within.

Sten took time to set the war axe at the body’s right side, ready to hand if needed, and placed the shield gently over the torso. He stepped back to pray.

The Wood Elf surprised both Sten and Helgird when she stepped forward and placed two bundles of snowberries beside each. Does she know snowberries are considered protective against evil spirits? Another thing to ask. Later.

“That is not part of Arkay’s rituals,” Helgird remarked softly. Lilisfina turned and glanced at her. “The use of snowberry is older than Ysgramor.”

“It’s not part of Y’ffre’s rituals, either,” Lilisfina said after a moment. “But we have a similar tradition in Valenwood to place holly vines with our dead to ward off predatory spirits.” She cast her gaze around the stone crypts. “We bury our dead at the base of graht-oaks, and cover their graves with the vines.” Now she met Sten’s gaze. “And I noticed Yngol’s tomb had snowberries on the altar. I’m thinking it has similar meaning here.” Now she turned back to Helgird. “My intention is the same here, so unless Arkay objects?”

“He has nothing to say on that subject,” Helgird responded with a smile. “And I’m certain our dead here appreciate your kindness.”

Star, Lilisfina and Sten stood quietly as Helgird spoke the final interment prayers over the two corpses. Once she completed the ritual, Helgird turned to Lilisfina, all business again. “Those reavers you brought back,” she said softly, “have been committed to the fire. When I stripped them I sent their gear up to Oengul - I had heard that’s what you intended to do with them. He is holding that for you, so you should visit him before the supper hour.”

Sten watched surprise pass over Lilisfina’s sharp features. Something’s off with her face - left side doesn’t move with the right side. Wonder what happened? Something else to ask about. Later. Maybe. If the right time comes up.

“Thank you very much, Helgird,” the Wood Elf murmured. Her head turned toward a corridor that branched off the main hallway and ran deeper into the structure. “We’re not alone here?”

Helgird tipped her head at Lilisfina’s question. “Nilsine Shatter-Shield is here with her sister,” she said finally.

Star startled them by dashing down the corridor, his white tipped tail flashing in the gloom. Lilisfina exclaimed softly and started after him, Sten on her heels. Uh oh.

It wasn’t long before Sten heard sobbing. He reached for Lilisfina’s shoulder. “Maybe we should . . . “

“Shh,” she lifted her fingers to her lips. Lilisfina moved around the corner silently, and paused. When Sten joined her, he spotted the tall Nord woman, her shoulders slumped and trembling, standing before a niche filled with candles, silks and silver jewelry.

Star reached the woman’s side and nudged her hand gently with his nose. As she turned to look at him, the Husky sat down before her and whined softly. He nudged her hand again, then licked her fingers. Star, you silly dog.

With a sob the woman knelt down and wrapped her arms around Star, hugging him tightly. Sten watched with his heart in his mouth as the dog, who just the day before had so fiercely attacked brutal reavers, leaned into the woman and licked her face.

“Please forgive Star,” Lilisfina stepped forward. “We did not mean to disturb you . . .”

Nilsine half sobbed, half laughed and lifted her face from the Husky’s fur. She wiped the tears away and rubbed the Husky’s ears fondly. “Oh no, he was just what I needed, at just the right time.”

“Nilsine Shatter-Shield,” Sten said gently, “my condolences.”

“Thank you, Stenvar,” Nilsine released Star and rose to her feet. She almost matched his height. Her light blue eyes, red-trimmed with tears, moved from his to the Wood Elf. “You’re new here, yes?”

“I’m Lilisfina,” the smaller woman nodded. “I just arrived in Windhelm a couple of days ago.”

Nilsine sniffled back tears. “Please forgive me, it’s been difficult for me lately. Have you ever lost anyone close to you?”

“I have,” Lilisfina’s voice roughened. “I heard about your twin sister. I’m so sorry you lost her. How are you and your parents doing?”

“Not good,” Nilsine shook her head sadly. “Da’s been spending more time in the inn, drinking and drinking. And Ma’s been spending all her time in the Temple of Talos with Jora.” She shrugged, but Sten could still see the pain in her expression. “Neither will speak with me, so I’m pretty much on my own these days.”

“It’s hard for all of you,” Lilisfina assured the Nord. “And each of us have our own ways of dealing with our grief.” She was silent a moment longer. Wonder what memories are coming up for her? “What helped me was putting one foot in front of the other,” she offered softly.

Nilsine regarded her for a few moments. “Literally?”

A soft chuckle. “Both literally and spiritually. I still find it hard some days, and some nights too.”

“Thank you,” Nilsine said finally. “I appreciate your kindness.” She met Sten’s gaze. “And yours, as well, Sten.” She gave a final pat to Star and moved past them toward the main corridor. Lilisfina and Sten watched her go, grief still stooping the taller woman’s shoulders. After a few moments Lilisfina sighed.

“Too many memories of your own, ma’am?” Sten asked her softly. She nodded. “Well, what would you like to do next?”

“Let’s visit the marketplace and see what Oengul has to say about the reavers’ gear.” The Wood Elf’s tone turned brisk.

[Acadian]

I laughed that Sten, in his letter home, refers to Lili as ‘Boss’. I see the flirting is not over as Lili tweaks Sten a bit about Susanna.

Touching last rites for Sten’s friend, Leifgard. Perhaps his heirs will invent a home system to prevent leaves from fouling gutters and name it after him.

Nice info on the Nord customs and I welcomed hearing Lili sharing a touch of how things are done in Valenwood.

Who knew that Star was such a consoler as he steals the first part of the scene with Nilsine?

Lili reveals she is not a stranger to grief. I wonder if we’ll learn more about that.

[SubRosa]

I too find myself wondering if the Halls of the Dead smell much different from Calixto's house to Lil's elf nose?

The snowberries and the dead are once more a nice world-building touch, sort of like lilies and funerals IRL.

And we run into Nilsine. I liked that you juxtaposed meeting with her at the end, with the reference to Calixto's house earlier in the episode.

[Grits]

That was a nice touch with the snowberries. I like Lili’s confidence in adding it to their ritual. She is after all a part of things now even as an outsider.

When Star ran off I hoped he wouldn’t come back with a bone. But he made a friend!

Like Sten I am even more curious about Lili. Now off to the smithy, one foot in front of the other.