Chapter One: The Loss of a Heart

The stories of Skyrim told over a warm fire and a good jug of ale at the end of a long day, were that of your wildest dreams. Bandit raids, mighty kings, monstrous beasts, and dragons. Tales of love and heartache, or magic and courage, the smallest of people defeating the mightiest of foes. These were the things the small Nord children of Skyrim grew up with, these are the tales that I myself listened to night after night.

My name is Argis, I am son to Ylva and Frald the Stone and brother to Dyfrinna. On this night of the Second Seed my family and a scattering of the neighboring farmers gather under our small roof to drink and sing and tell of many wondrous tales. Tales to excite the dreams that slide into our heads as we lay upon the bed tonight.

My mother's small frame stands and she takes hold of my father's hand. I watch as he glances up at her in awe. I will never understand the looks he gives to her, as if the goddess herself stood before him. Her wise grey eyes scanned the company that we held within our walls, a sudden silence fell over them in blankets. She has always had that effect on people. For they knew when she was to tell a tale, you had better listen and listen well.

My mother was and always has been the storyteller, for as long as I could ever remember. Her words put pictures in your head filled with glory and wonder. It was as if she had magic within her lips, with every opening of her mouth came a spell that overtook your imagination and sent you on a trip with a brave hero.

Everyone sat waiting, their eyes glued to her. "What better tale to tell this fine night than that of the mighty hero Gunjar?" She began, her soft voice easing us into the adventure that was sure to unfold. "Everyone knows the story of his son, Bern who killed many a beast with his bare hands, but what of the man who raised him? Well this story begins not far from this very location. Gunjar dwelled within a valley, caring for his crops and cattle. That's right, this man made his start as a humble farmer. He would rise each morning with the sun, do his work with strong steady hands then retire to his bed chamber not long after the sun had fallen behind the horizon.

"It was on one exceptionally cold day that while he worked to care for a late calf's birth, he heard the cry of a wolf, not far off from his valley. Now Gunjar was no stupid man, he well knew that even if it happened to be just one wolf, it would be much too dangerous for his livestock to let it be." Many of the men with livestock themselves nodded in agreement, already quite enjoying the story. "So Gunjar put away his animals and slipped on the armor that waited in a closet near his bed. He took hold of his aged axe and shield, then left his home in search of the wolf.

"It wasn't long before Gunjar found himself hopelessly lost within the thick woods that surrounded his valley. Now this was something that came as quite the shock to Gunjar, for he traveled through the forests quite often to hunt and to get to the nearby town to sell his crops to the shops. However try as he might he couldn't seem to decipher which way was which. And just when he thought he had lost all hope, that he would die out in this labyrinthine forest he heard a sound. As to what sound he actually heard, no one is quite sure. Some say it was the howl of the wolf he hunted, others say it was the singing of a beautiful woman, and others still have said it was something of an even deadlier sort.

"So our hero followed the sounds through the woods, until he saw a light, coming through the trees into a clearing he saw a beautiful castle. Covered in twinkling gems of every color it almost blinded him. He covered his eyes and moved closer. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed a swish of a tail, moving around the castle wall. Gunjar gripped his axe tighter, remembering his task at hand.

"Taking slow careful steps around the glittering walls Gunjar held his breath. The wall seemed to go on forever. He held his left hand against the jewels to help guide him, however once his skin made contact with the smooth gems the entire building went to smoke, evaporating into the sky. Gunjar fell back in shock for in place of the castle stood at least one hundred pure white wolves, their liquid blue eyes watching him intently.

"Now it is plain to see that at this point in our story Gunjar surely thought himself a goner. However when the wolves began to take slow steps towards him he kneeled to the ground. His body seemed to be moving against his better judgment, he laid his weapon to the ground and lowered his head as in prayer. He could hear the soft trodding steps of the creatures surrounding him, and though he should be shaking in fear instead he felt relief and peace.

"What happened next in our tale is something truly remarkable, for one by one the pale wolves began to change their forms to that of beautiful women wearing nothing but the skin of their births. It is said that Gunjar laid with every single one of those naked beauties that night, however it is also said that Gunjar had simply eaten a few Blisterwort by mistake. What really happened that night no one is sure, but what happened because of it will never be disputed." The men around the table whispered to each other, I could hear them tell of their wish to lay with many beautiful women as Gunjar had. I for one, found the idea of Blisterwort hallucinations to be far more likely. Boredom was setting in, don't get me wrong, I loved my mother's tales, but anything dealing with a farmer was likely to bore me to tears within minutes. My thoughts quieted as she continued.

"It seemed of all the women, there was but one that Gunjar truly cared for. He loved her with all his heart and had to have her as his own for if he had to let her go, he would surely die. When he asked her name and requested for her hand in marriage, her soft lips kissed his cheek 'My dearest I will give you as you ask, but you'll need to do three things for me.' He quickly accepted, willing to do anything he must to make her his own. 'I need proof of your strength, so travel to the mountains of Bjarminal and defeat the evil warrior Maltak. Next a proof of your intelligence, so make your way to the shrine of Zenithar and ask the shrine keeper for a duel of the minds. Lastly, proof of your devotion.' Gunjar nodded but then took her hand in his own. 'How do you wish me to prove my devotion to you my love?' Her eyes softened and she looked down on him, 'That is for your imagination. Now my dear, close your eyes and sleep' So Gunjar did as he was asked and fell asleep on the dirt

"His journey truly began in the morning, where he found himself neatly tucked away in his own warm bed. But the next part of this tale is rather long. A story told over multiple nights it seems." My mother smiled as the men and women grumbled in protest. I sighed in relief, my body was tired and I no longer wished to listen to the tale of farmer Gunjar the Dull.

"Well ladies and gentlemen I wish you all a restful sleep tonight and bid you a farewell." My father stood with her and they made their way to the bedchamber. Slowly the other farms men and women that lived near us filed out of our home. I stood and stretched my limbs then glanced at my older sister.

"Are you heading to bed Dyfrinna?" I asked her, hoping she would say yes. Although I would never say it out loud, I had trouble sleeping when left alone in our room. She nodded her head and rose from her seat, I tried to hide my look of relief.

"Come little brother, I'll tuck you in." Dyfrinna was always very kind to me, and we were very close. I followed her to the room and sat on the bed. "Did you like tonight's story?" She asked while getting comfortable beneath the skins of creatures used to warm us at night.

"To be honest, not particularly…" I felt almost ashamed to say it, but then again I never was very fond of any story involving simple people.

My sister nodded in understanding, she closed her eyes and a small smile appeared on her lips. "I didn't think you would. You won't grow old here on this farm will you Argis?"

"Not if I can help it." I answered swiftly with a scowl on my face. I had thought about this many a night. I knew it would crush mother and father for me to leave them behind, but it was my destiny I am sure of it.

"I didn't think so. I'd hope you won't leave too early little brother, I will miss your company." Her eyes were open again, her grey orbs filled with concern for me. "I know you have a restless heart Argis, but I worry that you will leave one day and I'll never hear from you again." I could understand her fears, the lands of Skyrim were at peace, but who knew how long that would last?

"You need not worry for me sister, I don't plan to leave any time soon. Maybe when I turn ten and five of year's father will see me as a man and allow me to seek my future." I could see that her already very pale skin turned even paler.

She sat up in her bed her black hair that seemed to be made of silk fell around her shoulders and pooled at her legs. She had the longest hair of any girl I had seen, many said it was luck father let her grow it to such a length. 'For a farmer's daughter was better off with hair short and tidy, something that wouldn't be in the way of her work.' I knew that father did not dare cut a single hair on her head, for it was of such beauty that even a Jarl's wife would be jealous of it.

"That is too soon!" Her voice was high pitched and filled with worry. That was Dyfrinna, she watched over everyone and cared for all of their health. She had even gotten into the trade of herbalism, and while she was not much older than I, she had become very skilled. People came to her for treatments of all sorts of ailments and she worked her magic to cure them.

I laughed off her concern, "It is still three more years Dyfrinna that is plenty of time. Besides by that point you will probably have taken over the work of the farm for mother and father. You may even have a husband and you will certainly be too busy to worry of me."

Her eyebrows raised at me and she placed a delicate hand on her chest, "I'm shocked that you'd think so little of me…" she shook her head and laid her head back on the bedding. "No brother, no matter how busy I become, you will always be an important aspect of my life." she sighed and turned on her side, it wasn't long till I heard her soft feminine snores from her side of the room.

In the light of the rising sun I opened my eyes and began my chores for the day. Feed the cattle, fetch the eggs from the nests, and pull nasty prickled weeds. I hated this life and would be glad when I was far from it. When I had any free time between the works, I would go behind the house and find a large stick. As soon as I took hold of the branch it would transform before my very eyes to a long great sword, or a powerful bow and I would destroy all my enemies with brute force and cunning.

It was on a bright morning, but two days after the 10 and 3rd anniversary of my birth while I practiced my skills that I heard my sister's high screams. At first I thought it my imagination- getting too deeply involved in my play fighting. However when I heard it again, followed by a cry of "Mother! Mother no!" I dropped the stick and rushed to give aid. Turning sharply around my home my clothing snagged on the sharp stone and tore. I whispered a small curse under my breath and pulled free, Dyfrinna needed me.

My blood went cold and I halted in my pursuit when I opened the door of my home. What few valuables that we had were gone, and my mother, my poor mother lay dead in front of the hearth fire. I watched as the light within her wise eyes drained, her pale skin turning to the shade of a whisp. Her soft features were contorted in the pain of her death and her legs laid in an unnatural position.

My sister fell to her knees, covering herself in our mother's blood as she gripped her cold shoulders and cried. I heard the heavy steps of my father behind me, but I couldn't find myself able to turn from the scene of murder.

My father heaved a heavy sigh and kneeled next to Dyfrinna, "Ylva, my beautiful Ylva…" his usual stern and steady voice shook with grief. A thief had walked right in under our noses and stole not only the few coins of gold held to our name, but also our dear mother's life. "Send for the guards Argis." Frold reached out and softly touched my mother's cheek, not bothering to glance at me.

My body stayed stuck in its position, like I was in a trance. I felt like my limbs were made of a heavy steel, too heavy for me to move. My father's angry glare was seared in my mind as he looked at me. "Get the guards boy!" His raised voice released the hold on my body and I slowly backed out of the home. No not home, it is no longer a home with her gone. Just four walls and a roof.

I allowed the tears to fall as I ran down the path, my heart beat faster and faster till I thought it was likely to burst. I followed the dirt path till I could see the shine of the guards chained metal armor. I was but another few paces from the man when I lost my footing and tripped, laying in the dirt at his feet. "Careful boy, where you headed in such a hurry?" his voice was rough and his hand hurt when it gripped my arm, helping me to my feet. He noticed my tears and torn clothes, his brows raised along with his interest. "What's the matter? Out with it then."

"My… she…" I couldn't seem to form the words between my hiccups and tears. "There!" I relented to simply pointing in the direction of my house. The guard wasted no time in making his way there, with his hand still wrapped around my arm he pulled me along at his side. He entered my doorway and let me go, pulling in a sharp intake of breath.

"By the gods. Who has done this?" He questioned my father, who held her limp body against him. His eyes were vacant as he looked up to the guard.

"A thief stole my heart…"

We held a funeral three days later. All of the farmers and their wives in the area gathered to say farewell to Ylva the Story Maiden. We placed her on a tower of hot fire wood and her spirit flew while her body burned. My father had lost all his light. He loved my mother so dearly that with her gone he was only a fragment of his former self. When she died, she took his heart with her.

So it seemed we were to go back to our usual routines, but I found it to be harder and harder to focus on the task at hand. All I could think of were my mother's story of Gunjar, all I felt was guilt for not pursuing her to finish that tale. Her last story.

Night came and my sister and I made our way to bed. But as I sat I couldn't help but speak out my thoughts. "You remember mother's tale of Gunjar right Dyfrinna?" she glanced back at me as she placed her work apron in the chest near the foot of her bed.

"Of course I do. Why do you bring that up now?" her tone was weary. She had worked long and hard these days while mother was gone. Taking up the work as the woman of the house. Her hair had slowly began to lose its shine, due to her stressed mind and body.

"Well I was thinking maybe it was a sign for me. Maybe Gunjar the simple farmer is me. Maybe I am destined for adventure as he was. Perhaps he went on the wolf-ladies quest and came back a warrior filled with adventure. What's to say that I couldn't do the same?" I couldn't stop the excitement that filled my voice with every word I spoke.

Dyfrinna sat on the edge of her bed, her eyes watching me with sadness, "Or perhaps he never made it back, perhaps the lady of the wolves lived out her days in grief from sending her lover to his doom." She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Mother never did finish the tale…" She must have been truly tired to speak so cynically. My sister always gave words of encouragement never of the opposite.

"Come now sister! This is my chance! I know I did not wait the full three years of yet, but I can just feel the wind calling me. It tells me I need to go." Her sigh was heavy and almost seemed angry.

"I will not have this. I just lost mother, I refuse to let you go too. It is too soon. "She laid back on her bedding and closed her eyes.

I felt anger fill me, "You may be the new lady of the house, but you are not the boss of me Dyfrinna!" I slammed my body against the bed and turned to face away from her, "I refuse to be dictated by your sorrow. I will be speaking to father about it in the morning." Silence from her side of the room was my answer. I knew she was well aware that father would never let me leave, but she was unaware of the trick I held in my sleeve. For if I were to prove to him my strength, courage, and skill surely he would let me go.

I waited, wide awake for her snores to fill the room before I rose to my feet. Padding softly like an assassin towards my father's bedchamber, I squinted looking for my prize. There sitting upon his bedside table his gleaming sword lay waiting for me. I took hold of its handle and pulled it towards me. The blade fell to the floor with a heavy thud and I froze. My father's breathing continued on, even and undisturbed. I let out the breath I hadn't realized I was holding and strapped the heavy weapon to my waist.

This was but the first step of my Destiny.

XOXOXO

That's is for today. The next step in Argis's story is soon to come. Tell me your thoughts.

Your Humble Writer,

Smoldering Thoughts