My writing will improve I swear! Thanks for reading!

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The Rogue Altmer

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An Altmer stood tall in row of men and women wearing imperial uniforms. Though she rivaled the mens heights and dwarfed the few other women, she still managed to look the weakest of all of them. She couldn't help but notice her arms were a third of the size of the man next to her, but she then remembered him as being one of the men to prefer a great sword, and she could barely swing one of those accursed things. The she elf returned her attention to the man who stood facing the line currently announcing the new position of one of the men he called up, today was the day the imperial trainees graduated into guards and soldiers. She was nervous, waiting for her name to be called. She would be assigned her future roll as apart of the Imperial Legion. Not that she wanted to be a part of it, it just happened to be the first job offer she received upon moving to Skyrim.

"Amarathine," the captain's voice finally announced. It was time. Please be guard duty, please be guard duty she chanted in her mind. Perhaps Auri-el would hear her prayers.

"Yes sir." The elf answered before stepping out. It was only a year ago she managed to escape from her father and her home, Alinor. Of course Skyrim was her destination, she had heard wonderous stories of all the different people who lived there. Skyrim was a haven for all races to coexist. Or so it was, until the day she stepped foot of the boat and into Solitude and realized all was not as it was told.

The Altmer received a Imperial sword and bow, as well as a helmet. "You, Amarathine, are hereby assigned to the town of Helgen as guard. You have shown your potential with the sword, but lack what it takes to be a true warrior of the Imperial Legion. You are welcome to continue your training in Helgen and return in a years time to reapply." He put a hand on her shoulder. She was the same height as him. "And I think a guards life would be what you prefer anyway," he added in a softer tone.

She smiled at him. "Thank you, sir." He nodded his head as she turned to rejoin the line, some men glanced at her mockingly, a gesture she was used to. Not only was she a woman, but an Altmer as well. Many still didn't approve of her. It was nothing new, she was treated just the same back home. She rebelled the Altmer's ways since she was a child, refusing to cut her black hair and wear it up at the top of her head. She snuck into the library and read books she was not allowed to read. She even refused to wear makeup to make her appear more "pure blooded".

The dull ceremony ended an hour later. General Tullius even came out at the end to give a long inspirational speech about defeating the Stormcloaks, nord rebels lead by a man named Ulfric, who had killed the high king only two months ago.

There was going to be a feast later that night, so Amarathine rushed back to the Winking Skeever where she had lived since she first arrived. She needed to change and re tie her hair to better cover her ears that were starting to poke out again. Often she wore a hood during her time off training, her skin was not as golden as most Altmer so many paid her no heed if she hid her face and ears.

She pulled the heavy door closed behind her only to be bombarded by the Inn keeper, Corpulus. "So what's the verdict young lady?" It took her a long time before she stopped wincing at his loud voice everytime he spoke to her. Men here spoke too loud.

"Guard duty." she replied flatly sliding onto a bar stool in front of him. There was a buzz of idle chatter in the background.

Corpulus grinned, "Exactly what you wanted!" He pushed a candle closer to her noticing she was trying to warm up her hands. "So where'd ya get stationed?"

Amarathine put her hands over the candle. "Over in Helgen, though I don't know where it is."

The Innkeeper blinked "Do you know where Falkreath is?" Why was he talking so quietly? Her face dropped when realization hit her.

"You mean it's that far away?" She exclaimed in disbelief. Falkreath was on the other end of Skyrim, the furthest from Solitude she had ever been was the stables.

He nodded.

The elf sighed, "well at least I'll finally get to see Skyrim.." She looked back at Corpulus. "You think I can afford a horse?"

Giving her a strained smile he shook his head. "Not bloody likely."

Amarathine let her head fall back and moaned. It was at least a months journey to Falkreath without a horse. Well, at least she wasn't put in Riften. After more pointless chatter she excused herself she made for her room towards the back of the Inn, greeting those she passed on the way.

Her room was small but she liked it, she made a point of keeping the fire going all the time so it was still warm when she got back. She sat at her desk across from the fireplace and undid her hair. She looked into her small vanity mirror propped against the stone wall to assess the damage. Her hair was a mess, between helmet head and the wind it was flat on the top and the ends stuck out matted. It was painful to brush, but Amarathine refused to cut it. She thought of the other two Altmer women who lived in Solitude, Endarie and Taarie, both coming up with reasons to cut it every time she visited their shop. What those two Altmer women were doing in Skyrim, Amarathine had no idea, exiled for insulting someone of higher status was her first guess.

Amarathine put down her old wooden comb and re tied her hair into a braid at the nape of her neck. Pushing aside the feeling of impending doom, she changed out of her light armor and put on a simple dress and shoes before slipping on her cloak and heading back out into the chilly Hearthfire evening.

After the feast she once again made it back to the Inn, it was now full of people loudly talking and singing. Even the Argonian Gulum-Ei who visited once a week, was up dancing to the bard's enthusiastic drum beat. She was fascinated by him. Never in her life had she seen one, and according to the books in the library back home Argonians were nothing more than walking lizards who could not speak let alone sing or dance. She once tried to talk to him, but he made it clear he wanted nothing to do with her. Perhaps she would meet another Argonian one day. And possibly a Khajiit too.

Back in her room she packed the few belongings she had. She planned to leave first light and head for Dragon Bridge. Corpulus told her the fastest way was through Rorickstead and to turn east just after Lake Klinalth.

She packed only what she could fit in her fur backpack, a dress and tunic, a book, a spare ribbon for her ebony hair. The rest of the space was needed for fruit and a block of fire starter. Tomorrow was going to be the start of an adventure. She always dreamed of traveling Skyrim but finally being there made her scared of what she might encounter on the way. Amarathine only left the city walls of Solitude a few times, and only when on training missions with other trainees. This time she would be alone in the cold vastness of Skyrim. She would need torches too, she remembered. Fire was said to help ward off wildlife at night. Suddenly she imagined herself being attacked by a bear. Would she be able to kill it? She let out a long sigh.

"I'm going to die." She looked around her cozy room once more, thinking of things she forgot to pack. "I'm not even going to make it to the bridge.." she added hopelessly.

Getting up off the stone floor, she put another piece of wood in the fire before crawling into bed. Strange how much more warm and comfortable it was tonight she thought staring into the fire as it slowly started to engulf the newly added log. She felt her nerves set in again.

"Maybe I should just go home."

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