HELLO! X)

Hi, everyone! I'm here with yet, a new Elder Scrolls fan-fic! I hope to make this into a new big project, just like "Runaway With My Heart" but there's no way I can reach to another 100 chapters x(

As promised, a Byrnjolf fan-fic! This will turn into post-Skyrim, just so you know. This story took up months of planning, at which was I was still doing other fics. So, it's time to get to this story!

Summary: Carissa is a Breton, a native of Riften. In order to leave her childhood behind, she becomes a thief and assassin. Soon, she returns to Riften to join the Thieves Guild, hoping to be part of something. Her aggressive ways does not sit to well with most, but she was reliable. And maybe, just maybe, the second-in-command might be taking an interest in her.

Genre: Romance, Adventure, Action, Angst, Hurt&Comfort, Family

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – Brynjolf and Carissa –"Stealing Hearts"

"Halt! Before I let you into Riften, you'll have to pay the visitor's tax!"

"… Excuse me? But WHATEVER for?!"

"For the privilege of entering the city! Why does it matter?"

"One: I don't want to waste my gold on this shakedown, and two… I don't think a citizen of Riften should have to pay to enter her own city. So, are you going to let me through, or am I going to have to kill you with your own helmet?"

"You're a citizen of Riften? I have never seen you before,"

"And nobody is going to see the both of you anymore if you two keep this up. So, are you going to let me through… or not?"

Location: Riften
21st Mid Year, 4E 201
8:15pm

Visitor's tax… BAH. Who did they think they were?

Well, well… Riften. It's been a while, hasn't it? And from what I understand, many things have changed there. But now that little Rissa's here, things are going to get a lot more interesting…

"I don't know you. You in Riften lookin' for trouble?"

The Breton stopped in her tracks and turned her head to find a male Nord, clad in steel armor. His already-threatening demeanor was supported by him folding those massive arms across his chest, and glaring at her as if she had done something wrong.

"No, because I am from Riften, honey. And it may have been a while, but I don't know you either. So let's leave it at that, shall we?"

"Wrong answer, short stuff," He said in reference to the Breton's small size. "The last thing the Black-Briars need is some big shot meddling in their affairs."

Black-Briars? Well, that was new to the Breton. She held her small smile. "The Black-Briars? You say it like I should know it. Who are they?"

"The Black-Briars have Riften in their pocket and the Thieves Guild watchin' their back, so keep your nose out of their business." He warned, taking a few steps towards her. "Me? I'm Maul. I watch the streets for 'em. So if you need dirt on anythin', I'm your guy… but it'll cost ya."

The Breton scratched the back of her head. "Of course it will, but you can just tell it to me for free, you know."

"Nothing is free in this world, small stuff. Deal with it," He continued to growl.

She sighed. "Fine. But I want information. On just one thing. What'll that cost me?"

"For you? 100 gold,"

"Ouch!" She continued to grin. "Are you trying to break my heart, Maul? Come on!"

"You want your information or not, short stuff?"

She huffed. "Fine. Take it." She tossed him a small purse. "Now tell me about the Thieves Guild. Are they down on their luck as I've heard they were?"

"Oh yeah," Maul nodded. "In fact, I was a former member. Left after it began to decline because it wasn't pretty. I was offered a job working for Maven Black-Briar and accepted it. It was better than being stuck down there in the Ratways." He said. "My brother Dierge continues to work for them though. You thinkin' of joining?"

"Yeah. So how do I do that?" She asked. "And I swear to the Divines, if you ask me for another 100 gold for it…"

"Calm down, short stuff," He waved his hand. "You'll want to talk to Brynjolf. He runs a stall in the marketplace. As of now, you can find him in the Bee and Barb,"

"Brynjolf, eh?" She smiled at that. "Sounds handsome. How would I know who he is?"

"A red-headed Nord. You can't miss him. No woman in this city has,"

Location: The Bee and Barb

She ambled into the Bee and Barb, her electric blue eyes trying to find that little red-head known as Brynjolf, who can apparently show her the way to the Thieves Guild. It should not be too hard to find a red-head. And sure enough, standing at a corner with his arms across his chest, was a crimson-haired Nord in blue find clothes.

Hm. Tall, well-built and handsome, just as I thought. And that's a very, very dangerous combination. Smirking to herself, she made her way to him, which of course, caught his attention. "Now either my sources are lying, or your name is Brynjolf. Is that true?"

Half of her expected him to appear threatened and turn cold, but instead, he produced a smirk. "Maybe it is, lass. But first, who's askin'?"

'Lass'? Interesting, just like the accent. His accent was unique, one that she had never heard before. "Carissa."

"Just Carissa?"

"Maybe if I know you well enough, I'll give you my last name," She said. "So. Are you Brynjolf?"

"The one and only. So," he kept his smile. "What can I do for you, lass?"

"I would say, but… I think you might prefer if we talked in private," Carissa said.

"Well, if you insist. But I think I know where this is going. Shall we?" He hung his hand out, motioning for her to go exit first.

"So gentlemanly of you, Brynjolf,"

Location: Marketplace

"Now, it's not every day I get a woman coming up to me, telling me she wants to join the Guild," Brynjolf started out , arms across his chest.

Carissa gasped, pleasantly surprised at that. "Wow. You are good! How did you know that?"

"If you've been in this line of work for as long as I have, lass, you can tell easily from the way one talks, walks or even dresses." He let that smirk of his hang from his lips.

Carissa glanced down at her outfit: a set of adapt robes. "Well, I don't know… what my attire tells you but yes, Brynjolf: I do want to join the Guild. I hear this is where they operate."

"Well, you heard right, lass," Brynjolf assured. "We're operating down in the Ratways. Now, if you do want to join, I'll have to see what you're made off. A little test, if you will,"

"Sure," She said without hesitation. "What do you want me to do? Say it, and it's done."

"Confident as well as straight to the point, eh? A rare trait these days," He commented. "Here's how it's going to go, lass: tomorrow, I'm going to cause a little distraction. I want you to steal Madesi's ring from his strongbox under his stall. His stall is over there." He pointed it out for her. "Then, sneak over to the elf running his own stall over there, his name is Brand-Shei, and plop it in his pocket."

"Stealing plus planting? I like it!" She beamed. "Consider it done, handsome."

"You won't disappoint me, will you?" He asked.

She shook her head. "Been doing this for 25 years. This is child's play." She reached up and patted his cheek. "Don't worry, handsome. I'll make you proud of me. Just… make sure you give me that distraction, alright? Don't let me down."

"Oh? 25 years? That's a long time. Well, let's see if you show off those years of experience tomorrow then." He brought back that bright smile.

"Tomorrow then." Carissa nodded. "Have a good night, Brynjolf." She opened the door for the Bee and Barb.

"And you, lass."

Tomorrow was going to be fun.

A/N: Well, here it is! I swear, I'll try very hard to improve my writing!

Please review! :)