Okay, so here is another Skyrim fanfic- this time its current to the games events (unlike my Child of Misfortune fic)
First two chapters are basically introductory chapters, so you can get to know the two main characters.
First up, we have Larunda!
Disclaimer: I don't own Skyrim ((well, I do own a copy of it)) Bethesda legally owns it.
I own Larunda/Lara and Jovita/Tavi/Jovi (along with Roe and Evora- whom you'll meet in later chapters).
Date Uncertain, 4E 198
How long had I been asleep? Was I even still alive? It hurt to breathe and I feared to even open my eyes. The coldness around me stung, like an attack from a nature Spriggan. As I lay there, I could hear the faint dripping of water, and a distant rush of a river.
I must be alive….
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I slowly opened my eyes- blinking profusely as I attempted to get used to the light around me, even if it were minimal. Glancing about slowly, a raw groan escaped my throat.
I was still alive.
Why had the Divines done this? Had they forsaken me, after all these years? But why- what had I done to deserve such wrath of the Divines? Shouldn't they be looking after me? I would expect this treatment from Daedra- not from the Divines.
'Dibella…. Mara… Kynareth….Stendarr... Julianos...'
I lay there, in silence, my eyes closed- praying one last time- hoping that at least one of them heard my plea for help. Nothing. A tear fell from the corner of my eye, as I began to give up once more. There had to be a way to end this.
"Bestill my child- I hear your cries."
I choked back a scream, as my eyes shot open in surprise. Looking around the empty room, I saw no one there; no source of the voice.
Was I hearing things? Perhaps the Daedra were messing with my mind. Sounds like something they would do…. That's when I saw it. An orb of light- smaller than a torch bug- hoovering five feet away, glowing like the moons on a dark night. Slowly, I rolled over onto my stomach- and cautiously crept closer. My curiosity always got me into trouble, but it was something I could never help. Pebbles on the floor dug into my skin as I moved, but I paid the pain- or the cold of the floor- no attention; my mind remained focus on the bright light.
Was this it? Was this finally my end—an end I had prayed for many times before?
I stopped short, a bit uncertain if I should get any closer. I knew that magicka users were dangerous… if this were a trap, I could be harmed in ways I never imagined. Could even be a trap by one off the Daedra, for all I knew.
"Do not worry, my child. Come closer."
That voice… I recognized it. From where? Then, as if I were reliving my past, it all came back to me- a flood of memories.
"Lady…. Dibella…."
"Yes my child. I have heard your plea for help. Worry not, I have always watched over you."
For some reason, that simple sentence caused a jolt of energy through me, and I began to feel anger.
"Always?" I questioned," But then… why have you let me rot here?! I've prayed for your help for so long! Yet you never answered! You left me for dead, here in a locked cell—for how long now?! How…. Why…." The anger had subsided, and now I could only feel sadness- tears trickling down my cheeks as I knelt before the orb.
"Such was your punishment."
My eyes widened in surprise. What in Tamriel could she mean?
"Have you not lived a life of thievery since you left home? Have you not forsaken prayer for ale?"
Realization dawned on me as she explained. I bowed my head in shame, letting my waist length dark brown hair fall around my face like a curtain.
"Yes."
Now, I saw- clear as day. I deserved every bit of this- every ounce of punishment the Divines gave me. The puddle of rainwater in front of me mirrored my reflection back at me- and for the first time I got a good look at myself. I was a hollow shell of the girl I used to be. Pale white skin- lacking the warmth of the sunlight; brown hair, dirty and unkempt from a life on the run; blue eyes, once so energetic- now void of emotion and dull.
'Even if it means leaving me here to die a slow death,' I thought, as a tear fell onto my rested hands,' I deserve every bit of it.'
"Fear not, my child. I ensure you've learned your lesson- hence I will aid you in escaping your confines."
Hope welled within me- as I peered up at the bright white orb.
"Thank you, Lady Dibella! How could I ever repay you?"
"Easily. Change your current path. Live life differently than you have as of late—be true to yourself; be true to the Divines."
I nodded in understanding. The Divines were giving me a second chance- a chance I would not screw up.
"Now, go forth my child- and remember; we are always watching over you."
With that- the glowing orb disappeared, leaving the room feeling colder than before. However- this coldness didn't bother me anymore. I knew I wasn't alone anymore- I never truly was. A soft click sound reverberated behind me, setting things into motion.
Standing up on shaking legs- I looked towards the barred door and saw that it was now inching open, slowly setting me free.
'Thank you, Lady Dibella….. Thank you.'
