A/N: Got an iPad keyboard so now I can write fanfics a whole lot easier. This is my first Elder Scrolls fanfiction so go a little easy on me. Some background information just because. Her name is Adalaide, she was a vampire for about ten years in a secluded lair before she started the main questline (that's my backstory for her along with some mods to help with that... Live a New Life) so yeah. She went to the College and became the Archmage but handed the role over to Tolfdir after realizing she wasn't good enough. That's my backstory, all you need to know. Also main quest isn't completed yet, she hasn't gone to get the horn yet, she told them it would take awhile. Now enjoy.

I lean back in my chair praying to every one of the Eight Divines that I figure how the paralytic ingredient to my poison. Oh no matter what I don't count Talos as an Aedra, because of the fact that he's a Nord. I don't specifically have a problem with Nords but most are racist. I know that maybe I shouldn't jump to conclusions, but the Nords have ruined Talos for me. Anyway, about my potion, I want to make it so it ends up pausing every single thing in the body, but that's for the expert. I'm just trying to make something the paralyses the opponent. But that's my goal. There isn't any decent alchemist in all of Skyrim. Honestly. Everyone here thinks they're the best just because they brew up a little curative tonics and charge 300 septims for it. When I try to sell mine they just say it's worth about 93. I understand they want to make a profit... but honestly. Most of them, their only good potion is an invisibility, but I make better ones, since I find better ingredients. But whatever. I need a real trainer. I get up, abandoning my alchemy books on the table on top of the other books that were in here when I got the place. I haven't even opened them or moved them onto the bookshelf. I go into the foyer and sit down in front of the fire. It's warm. I sit there, just relaxing, until Lydia comes down.

"My thane, I have some news, there's some... reports of... incidents in Windhelm." she sternly stats.

"Lydia, you can call me Adalaide, I really hate formalities. You more of a friend then a housecarl."

She nods, though this has happened before, "Of course A-A-Adalaide. Adalaide." she stammers, as if it hurts to say the name. I've asked her about ten times, but she reverts back to her "my Thane," thing after a week.

"Well news?" I ask. Lydia likes to tell me local rumors or big rumors. It's nice to know, since I enjoy checking them out.

"A boy in Windhelm ran away from Honorhall Orphanage, went back to his family's old house and apparently is doing the Black Sacrament. He has no idea what he's doing." she explains.

"Who is the contracted kill. I'd assume it would be against the person who killed his parents if they didn't die of natural causes."

"No, from everything I heard his father isn't around, and his mother died of an illness." Lydia claims.

"Well, we shouldn't jump to any conclusions. Whether or not that's true, kids can be unpredictable. I remember when I was a kid... when I was about eleven I used to run away from home for a few days when things got rough. It wasn't good." I murmer.

"Well, my tha - Adalaide, would you like to investigate?" she inquires so formally.

"Sure, Lyd. I think we should be prepared. Can you grab my satchel of ingredients from my lab. I think we might need a vial or two in case this thing goes violent. Grab any weapons or armor you'll need and potions from the chest. I have everything I need. I'll meet you by the carriage."

I attempt to make small talk with the carriage driver. I had been sitting for about ten minutes until I see Lydia running around holding a sword and a warhammer, holding my satchel. She climbs in and I sling the satchel over my shoulder.

"Let's go. To Windhelm, remember." I ordered through gritted teeth. He was sort of mean earlier, demanding that I pay more if I have to wait any longer for Lydia.

Once we arrive we go into the walls.

"This is a beautiful city. If only the snow didn't mar the stone and amazing buildings." Lydia exclaims.

"Trust me, Lydia, this isn't the most beautiful place in the world. I like Markarth and Solitude." I whisper, knowing the word Solitude will have the townspeople running at me with pitchforks.

"Okay, we have to look for the Aretino residence. The boys name is Aventus." Lydia points out.

"Okay, got it. Now, let's ask someone."

I spy a priest. I tap her on the shoulder.

"Yes, how may I guide you in the path of Talos." she grins, obviously hoping for a sermon.

I shake my head, "No, I was wondering where the house is where the boy is trying to summon the Dark Brotherhood. I don't want to go near it."

She explains a long amount of directions, and Lydia seems to understand. "Thank you for you time. Talos guide you." I say. Once I turn around I roll my eyes.

"Can you ever just swallow your religious pain?" Lydia says taking the lead.

"No, I just can't stand Nords. Especially their racism towards the Argonians, Khajiit, the Altmers and the Dunmers. Talos probably wasn't that bad, but the Nords have made me have a strong dislike of Talos." I explain to her.

"I'm a Nord, in case you haven't realized. You know, only some Nords are racist. What if Breton's didn't like any race but their own, but you weren't like that, how would you feel."

"Lyd, I'm not talking about that. You're like my best friend here in Skyrim. I haven't really found any other person here that really is nice that would accompany me here." I admit.

"Oh, but that's just because I was assigned to you." she giggles.

Lydia stops in her tracks.

"Is this it."

"Yeah."

The door looks so normal. I walk over and attempt to open it, but it's locked. Right when I'm about to bend down, Lydia walks over, sticks in the shiv and a lockpick and easily turns it open. She opens the door and looks at me.

"After you." she grins.

"So full of yourself." I laugh, walking upstairs. I put a finger to my lips to make sure Lydia doesn't come in stomping. We run up to the main room of the house and I hear the Aretino boy.

"Sweet Mother, sweet Mother, send you child..."

We walk into his room where there is a horror of a scene.

A skeleton, human flesh, a heart, surrounded by candles. A nightshade leaf lays on a book, while Aventus repeatedly stabs the arm bone while speaking the chant.

"Aventus?" I ask. He jumps.

"It worked! I knew you'd come, I just knew it! I did the Black Sacrament, over and over. With the body and the... the things. And then you came! An assassin from the Dark Brotherhood." he literally screams with joy.

"I'm sorry, boy, but I'm not who you think I am." I kindly respond.

"Of course you are! I prayed, and you came, and now you'll accept my contract."

I remain silent, completely confused about this whole thing.

"My mother, she... she died. I... I'm all alone now. So they sent me to that terrible orphanage in Riften. Honorhall. THe headmistress is an evil, cruel woman. They call her Grelod the Kind. But she's not kind. She's terrible. To all of us. So I ran away, and came home. And performed the Black Sacrament. Now you're here! And you can kill Grelod the Kind." he yells.

"Are you sure about this, Aventus killing someone won't make you happy. One day you'll feel guilty and regret everything!"

"She locks us in this closet with nothing but straw when ask her for anything. Won't let us get adopted. She won't let us do anything. You're supposed to be an assassin-"

"I'm not-"

"You are! Now go! Go kill her now!" he yells, showing us to the door.

We complied and went outside.

"He won't believe me!" I sigh.

"Look, I know you won't kill her, but if she's locking children in a closet, maybe we should tell the Jarl." Lydia explains.

"Laila Law-Giver won't do anything. She'll say it's not true. Grelod the Kind obviously has some sort of influence there or something like that."

"We could attempt to get her fired, or make sure she never goes there again. We could bribe her."

"We'll see. We should head to Riften tomorrow. I got money for two rooms. Let's get to Candlehearth Hall and sleep on it."

A/N: Thanks to usep, the best Elder Scrolls website. It tells you everything, and it really comes in handy for those names you forget, those important lines. Most dialogue between Aventus and Adalaide was pulled straight from the game, it's on usep. Anyway, hope you enjoyed. This is sort of like a Dark Brotherhood story, but more personalized.