HELLO ONCE AGAIN! X)

So this is something I've been working on for a month on and off because of writer's block. As much as I wanted this to be a one-shot, this will most likely be a two-shot.

Summary: Based on the Skyrim DLC, "Hearthfire". Months after defeating Alduin, The Dragonborn simply travels and offers training in weapons. But when Laurine takes in a child begging on the streets out of compassion, the Breton wonders if she should finally settle down, be a wife and mother. Although she couldn't find her other half, she was more than happy to adopt children to care for. However, things will change, when she reconnects with an old companion from her quest to defeat Alduin.

Genre: Family/Romance


The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Laurine Durand "Home"


Laurine Durand took her time to travel to Whiterun. She was heading there to deliver some supplies from an Imperial in Solitude. She wanted to get there before the Sun sat and thankfully, the rider of the carriage was making good time.

The Breton took in a deep breath, savouring the crisp air. Laurine wondered why she did not come to Skyrim sooner. What she should have done was escape her life back in High Rock and come here. Of course, she hadn't expected to be… taken for a Stormcloak during her journey to Skyrim and almost get her head chopped off by Imperials.

And by the Gods, she also had not expected to be the legendary Dragonborn. She was sure that Akatosh made a mistake somewhere when deciding who should save the world.

However, although this was unexpected, she took her destiny seriously, since it was given to her. Many months had passed since Alduin's defeat in Sovngarde, and Laurine had just begun living.

Laurine sighed, as she ran a hand through her chocolate-brown hair. She could see the city of Whiterun coming up.


Location: Whiterun
1
th of Hearthfire, 4E 202
5:02pm

Even though Laurine had always loved the ever peaceful and loving city of Whiterun, she purchased a house in Solitude and was currently living here. Not that she was siding with the Imperials; it was just that she preferred the city of Solitude. That city was lively, yet serene… if you minus the chopping block at the entrance.

After delivering the supplies to Arcadia's Cauldron, she exited the store and chose to spend the night in the Bannered Mare, before making her journey back to Solitude. She was offering weapons training there and business was doing well. But since the Sun was still out, she decided to take a little tour around the city, after missing it for a while.

"Just one gold! Please?"

Laurine heard the voice of a little girl, when she arrived at the Gildergreen Tree. There, she found a black-haired Imperial girl, dressed in a green dress, begging to the people who were simply walking past her.

"Hi, sweetheart." Laurine walked up to her, smiling sweetly.

"Please, miss! I just need one gold to last me for the day!" The little girl pleaded with her huge eyes.

Laurine smiled compassionately at her. "I have a better idea, love: why don't we head down to the Bannered Mare?"


Location: The Bannered Mare

"You're awfully too kind, miss. Thank you so much!" The little girl nibbled on the Sweetroll.

Laurine smiled, and adjusted her Scaled Armour before she sat next to the Imperial. "Not a problem. So tell me, dear: what's your name, and why in the world are you begging on the streets?"

"Well, my name's Lucia." The Imperial saddened. "And it's not like I want to beg but it's… it's what Brenuin said I should do." That was the Redguard beggar she would always see wondering around Whiterun. "He's the only one that's been since to me since… since Mama…"

Laurine furrowed her eyebrows. "What happened to your mother, Lucia?"

Lucia kept the half-eaten Sweetroll back on the plate. "She… she died. Of an illness. My aunt and uncle took over our farm and threw me out. Said I wasn't good for anything."

Laurine was appalled to hear that. First thing she was going to do was tie them to a tree for treating an innocent girl like that.

"I ended up in Whiterun a few weeks ago, and all I've done is beg." She said dejectedly. "I can't do anything. I just… I just miss my mother… so much…"

Laurine's heart sank so low that she was sure she could never find it again. The Breton wanted to do something to make this innocent Imperial feel better. There was no way she could allow her to beg on the streets anymore. No child should do that.

Biting her lower lip, Laurine did something she had never thought she would do. "Lucia, sweetheart… how about this?" She took both of the little girl's hands. "Why don't you come back to Solitude with me, and stay with me?"

Lucia's eyes widened. "W-what?"

"I live in Proudspire Manor. It's a really big house, so it's a little lonely back there," She said. "I have an extra room where I keep some stuff, but I'll gladly turn it into a bedroom, if you'll agree to move in with me."

"Dragonborn… are you… saying you wanna adopt me?" Lucia had tears glistening in her eyes.

Laurine was more than proud to say her next sentence. "I am… daughter."

The next thing the Breton knew, she was enveloped in a killer hug, given to her by her new daughter, who was also thanking her profusely.

"An innocent thing like you shouldn't be on the streets, Lucia," Laurine pulled back and cupped her cheeks. "You belong to me now. From this day, until the day I die, you're my daughter, and I'm your mother. Alright?"

Lucia just nodded, unable to express any new words.

Laurine smiled, and then stood up. "Come on. Let's go home." She held out her hand to her. Screw spending the night here; she wanted to take her daughter home as soon as possible.

Lucia was more than honoured to clasp her hand.


Location: Proudspire Manor, Solitude
4th of Hearthfire
5:48pm

Laurine had never admitted it, but she was lonely. After Alduin's defeat, she dismissed her only companion, an Imperial wizard, after seeing that there was no more adventure for the both of them to have. Even though he was feisty and sassy, and a little arrogant, she liked him. They had a… flirtatious relationship, so to speak. They argued often, but enjoyed being around each other. She hated to say goodbye to him.

Little did she know that he felt the same way.

"Alright!" Laurine arched her back. "Your room's done! Finally! It's a huge room, but since you're the only one, you can have it to yourself."

Lucia jumped onto the bed, elated. "Well, then maybe you should adopt more kids, Mama!"

Laurine did not really comprehend that. "What do you mean, Luci?"

She sat on the bed, turning to her. "I mean, if you think I could always share this room with someone else, why not?" She laughed. "There are other kids here in Solitude for me to play with, but none for me to take home with." She joked.

Laurine had never thought of that. "Ha, you're right…" She then smiled back at her. "Enjoy your new room, dear. I'll go start on dinner. What would you like to have?" She asked.

Lucia smiled gratefully at her new mother. "Anything, Mama, as long as you cook it."

Laurine smiled back. "Now come on. Since you came here, that's all you've been saying to me. Surely you have some sort of favourite dish?"

"Yeah but…" Lucia looked at the ground. "I'd eat anything you cook because… you make it with love."

Laurine could not prevent a tear from surfacing.

"You only knew me for… an extremely short while. It wasn't even a day. And you immediately decided to take me in, even though you didn't have to." She said. "I never asked why you did, because nobody, other than you, ever cared about me."

Laurine wiped away that tear, and then sat beside her daughter. "Well, Lucia," She wrapped an arm around her. "Just like you, I had nobody. I grew up with a father who would drink day in and day out. He never provided for me. Hey, I don't even think he knew I existed… Unless he needed gold, of course. Gold that I had earned from toiling away at the local mill. Sometimes, he would disappear for days together, and it would be a while before I would see him."

'What happened to him?" Lucia asked.

"I don't know," She answered, as if it was a normal answer to give. "I really, truly, don't know. And don't care," Laurine said. "Because that man never loved me. He never loved my mother. After she died when I was 10, I had to care for myself. So then I decided," She cleared her throat. "I decided that the next time he would go missing, I would leave. Leave, and never come back. I journeyed all over High Rock, which was my own home, and Cyrodiil and… all the places you can imagine. I had learnt to handle all sorts of weapons, learnt to forge... everything."

Lucia listened intently.

"But I never truly had anybody, you know? Alone in this world, without real family…" She said. "Just like you, Luci. But now, we have each other, don't we?"

Lucia grinned widely and nodded. "Yep! And that's good enough for me!"

However, Lucia's remark of adopting more children had Laurine thinking. A lot. It would be nice for Lucia to have some more company and Laurine did not mind at all, giving her home to children who needed it - to children to needed love. Laurine had missed out on it herself. Other innocents should not have to. As far as Laurine was concerned, she had a home and plenty of love for children who needed it.

So after talking to Lucia, who was more than excited with the idea, the two were headed to the Honorhall Orphanage in Riften.


Location: Honorhall Orphanage, Riften
6th of Hearthfire
2:21pm

"Well, I must say that this is honour! To have the Dragonborn here!" Constance Michel, the young Imperial in charge of the orphanage, greeted Laurine warmly. "Are you looking to adopt, Miss Durand?"

"Yes, actually, I am," Laurine smiled, holding Lucia close to her. "Lucia and I thought it would be nice to have a little more company in our home. I live in Proudspire Manor in Solitude and it's a rather large mansion. Her room is really huge so I can move in at least two more beds. I offer weapons training in Solitude and was travelling from time to time, but I stopped for Lucia. Business is good, so I'm able to provide for all of us."

Constance smiled. "Well, that's great news! It must have been hard giving up adventuring for Lucia here. I know it's a part of you,"

Laurine chuckled. "Ah well… the moment I laid eyes on Lucia," She glance at her. "I couldn't leave her out on the streets like that. And plus, I was lonely and since I had a home: why not?"

"You must really adore children," She said.

She nodded. "I do, actually,"

"Was there an incident that caused you to want to protect children?"

"I grew up without any real parental love, Constance," Laurine answered. "My mother died when I was 10 and my father was a drunkard. And, uh…" Laurine faked a smile at her next sentence. She did not think she would have to reveal it, but if it would help explain why she wanted to raise children, she was willing to say it. "I… can't have any children,"

Constance widened her eyes at that, as did Lucia.

"There was an… accident when I was young and… that was it. I wasn't capable of having children of my own," She explained. "It killed me to know that I couldn't be a mother. But I knew, that I could adopt and care for other children who needed love. So if my past of losing out on love could relate to them somehow, then why not? If they were willing to let me love them, then I'll do it. And I'll give up everything for them."

That warmed Constance's heart. "You don't have to do through those 9 months just to be a mother, Miss Durand. If one had a pure heart like yours? That would be good enough."

Laurine smiled and looked at Lucia, who grinned back.

"Come. Let's go meet the children in the next room," Constance said. "Ever since Grelod the Kind passed on, I was able to allow adoptions. So many people have been so kind. I only have two children left. Their names are Runa Fair-Shield and Samuel. Come meet them."

In the next room, the two Nord children were sitting in their separate beds. They turned their heads to see Constance, Laurine and little Lucia enter.

"Laurine Durand, these are Runa Fair-Shield and Samuel. Children, this is Laurine and her daughter, Lucia." Constance introduced them.

"Whoa!" Samuel gasped. "Aren't you the Dragonborn?"

"The same one," She smiled at him and then sat behind him on his bed. "Hello, Samuel. Why don't you tell me about yourself?"

"Never met my parents," The Imperial started out. "Grelod said my mother worked here, but she died when I was born." He then saddened at the thought of his mother. "Constance and the others were nice enough but… I wanted to have a real family."

Laurine smiled. "Say no more, Samuel," She stroked his head. "You're coming home with me."

"Wow, really?" He was elated to hear that. "Thanks, Mama!"

She giggled at that, and then glanced at Runa, who was sitting on the bed next to Samuel's. "Runa, sweetie, what can you tell me about yourself?"

"I used to be the only girl here, so the boys made me to all the chores…" She folded her arms at that. "But I became strong and fast and smart because of that. I can do ANYTHING better than the boys!"

Laurine chuckled at that. "I'll bet. Runa, would you mind having Lucia and Samuel as your siblings?" She wrapped her arms around them both.

Runa broke into smiles. "As long as you are my mother!"

"Then it's settled, then!" Laurine glanced back at Constance. "I'll adopt them both."


Location: The Bee and Barb

There was only one sweet memory to the Bee and Barb in Riften. And if she was lucky, he was still here.

And he was, in all his Imperial glory.

Laurine smirked and then turned to her three children. "Hey. Why don't you three head over to the counter and get anything you like? It's going to be a long journey back."

"Sure!" They headed for the counter.

"And order me a Sweetroll, please!"

"Alright!"

She smiled at the trio, before turning her attention back to the Imperial wizard. He was just as pleased to see her, if not happy. Laurine walked up to him, and he got up from his seat to greet her. "Last time I remember, you didn't have three younglings attached to you,"

"Well, it's been a while and things change," She held her smile for him; a certain kind of smile that she would produce only for him. "How are you, Marcurio?" She asked sweetly.

"Well, considering how things have been going around here… I'd say you're the best thing that's happened thus far." He answered, giving her his own smile. "The… only good thing to happen thus far…"

She giggled at that, something that only her former follower could bring out of her.

"How about you, Laurine?" He asked.

"I'm… great!" She smiled. "As you can see, I've adopted three lovely children,"

"I knew you said you've always wanted children, but…"

"I did! Hence, the adoption." She said. "They're wonderful. Believe me. And it's so lonely back at home. They are great company."

Wasn't I good enough? "I see. I uh…" He scratched the back of his head. "I've miss you, Laurine. I mean, even though we've argued and fought…"

"Oh, that just happens in a relationship, right?" She said. "We were close. You've been with me every step of the way through this… perilous journey of mine, and there were many times you could have just turned around and left, you didn't. You stayed."

"We're friends, Laurine." Marcurio said. "I won't leave you." Marcurio was feisty and arrogant, but he was not a cruel man, to leave his friend on her own.

She smiled. "Yeah, I know you won't… You love me too much." She laughed.

He laughed as well. Yeah… "I guess."

For the next few seconds, they were unable to look at each other in the eye. Despite their constant bickering, they were protective of each other. They had grown close during those months that they were adventuring during Laurine's quest to defeat Alduin. There had… been a lot of tension between them as well. Mainly, growing feelings that neither of them were courageous enough to act on.

"Mama! Are we ready to go?" Lucia called out from behind Laurine.

Laurine briefly turned her head to acknowledge her children. "Yeah! Yeah, I'll be there, you three." She glanced back at Marcurio. "I guess we'd better head back. Listen, I'm staying in Solitude. In Proudspire Manor. If you ever come by… do visit me. Us."

He smiled. "You can bet on it, Laurine. Take care of yourself."

"Yeah, you too, Marcurio." With that, she leaned in and kissed him on his cheek and left the inn with Runa, Samuel and Lucia, leaving Marcurio alone, with his thoughts and regrets.

"You missed your chance again, Marcurio." He mentally slapped himself.


Location: Proudspire Manor, Solitude
7th of Hearthfire
8:12am

The next day, Laurine got up early, bathed and made breakfast for her three children. They were still asleep after the long ride home from Riften. Once she was done, she woke them up and prepared a bath for them. Then, the children joined their mother in their first breakfast as a whole family.

"This is great, Mama!" Samuel commented, munching on a piece of Apple Pie.

"Thank you!" Laurine smiled. "After Alduin's defeat, I had a lot of free time."

"I thought you said you spent most of it adventuring, Mama?" Lucia said.

"I did. I adventured, I learnt to cook, and now I'm making a living giving weapons training to provide for us all," She said. "In fact, I was thinking of also giving magic training."

"Go for it, Mama!" Runa encouraged with a smile. "I bet you're great with magic!"

Laurine laughed. "Actually, I used to be clumsy with magic. I knew only a few spells, but I wasn't an expert or anything. But then, Marcurio came along. Or rather, I came to Riften,"

"Marcurio? That Imperial Wizard, right?" Samuel asked.

"Yep. He was better than me; that went without saying," She said. "But luckily, despite all the arguments, bickering, and… embarrassingly enough… flirting,"

The trio giggled to themselves.

"He protected me. He taught me what he knew and I was a quick learner. Despite the outlook of our relationship, we… got along very well." She poked her piece of venison with her fork.

"Did you like him, Mama?" Runa asked, head on her hand.

Laurine looked up, her cheeks flushing. "Uh well uh…" She cleared her throat. "Maybe…" She left that word to hang in the air. "I mean, we've been travelling together and all so it's natural, right?"

The trio could only giggle amongst themselves as they witness their loving mother blush intensely.

"ALLLLLRIGHT!" Laurine got up from her seat with a huge grin. "Who wants desert?!"

"…At breakfast?"


A/N: I try to avoid one-shots containing more than 4000 words. Hence the separation. I STILL wanna get Hearthfire, but the lack of Microsoft Points is stopping me ;_;

Anyways, I hope you liked this! And the next and last chapter will follow in a couple of days :)