Some of you might recognize this story if you've been with me for a while. I found it in some of my old files but the first two chapters are missing…so I have to rewrite the beginning. I had a lot going for this story, I had the watchers of the time tell me who she should end up with but upon re-reading it I decided to take it in another direction. I have it titled as Challenged in my computer but I tend to change the title a few times.

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Prologue

She watches the thief over the rim of her bottle. Lucile chuckles dryly and swings her boots from where they sat crossed on the table. Uthgerd the Unbroken watches her with a smirk, "Looking for another fight?"

"I'm always looking for a fight," Lucile says haughtily. She saunters up to the bald man and sits beside him at the bar. "Please, get some fine ale for my friend here."

The thief stiffens as the bottle gets slapped down in front of him. The bar maid is, as usual, too busy trying to get her server in line to pay attention to anything going on around her. Lucile peaks at the thief through the corner of her eye, "What brings you to Whiterun, stranger?"

The thief swallows and straightens up, "Business," he says with a stuffy accent.

She takes another swig with a hum. After a small pause she says, "Are you sure that's smart?"

The thief coughs a few times and turns to face her on his seat, "Are you threatening me?"

"No, simply asking a question, your opinion, if you will, on whether or not you're making a smart decision." She gulps down the last of her drink and sighs, "But…if you steal from anyone in this town I'll cut your throat and sell your meat to the butcher, understood?"

The man laughs, "I wouldn't threaten me, I have friends in high places."

"Is that how you see it? I have friends too, and our job is to protect those who can't protect themselves. I've fought dragons and saber cats." She motions for another drink, "And I've fought mudcrabs more threatening than you."

The thief sighs and gets to his feet, "You'll have to take it up with my boss. I'm sure he'll hear your complaint."

"Who's your boss?"

"Mercer Fray…or Brynjolf, depending on who you meet first…or who you can get up with." He smirks and tries to walk off but she stands fast, knocking back her chair and reaching out an arm in front of him, "Do I have to escort you back to Riften myself?"

He lifts his hands, "Nonsense, I'll walk back on my own…but I will be back, and you can't stop it."

"Wanna put money on it?"

The thief looks her over then shoves past, leaving her with an amused look.

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She pulls on her horse's reigns and stares down the guards at the front gate of Riften. "I'm not giving you any money, not even a penny."

The guards exchange looks then step to the side. She dismounts her horse and strides to the gate, grabbing the handle and swinging it open on her own. She doesn't have to do much to gain attention, Storming in with a chip on her shoulder was good enough. She searches over the curious looking faces until she sees a woman dressed in the same armor as the man who came into the Bannered Mare. She walks up to the woman and inserts herself between the man she's terrorizing and herself. "I need to speak to your boss.."

The woman sneers and pops out her hand like she thinks she can hit Lucile. However, Lucile grabs her fist and spins her around, tipping her over the railing, "Tell me or I'll break your arm and throw you into the drink."

The woman splutters and looks towards the massive man leaning against a column, but he turns his head away.

"Looks like you're not his problem," Lucile hisses. The woman groans and tries to fight but to no avail.

"Alright fine!"

Lucile laughs and pulls her back, "Alright then."

"You want to find the boss, tough luck he's out of town, but Brynjolf is over there, he's basically our leader." She points towards an auburn headed man standing at a stall.

"That's your leader? A merchant?"

"Looks can be deceiving," the woman spits as she readjusts her armor.

Lucile shoves her roughly then looks behind her at the little man who smells like horse shite, "And whatever this poor sod did, forget it."

The woman snarls but doesn't disagree as she marches off to warn her boss who's coming.

Lucile lifts one of the bottles and puts a finger against Brynjolf's chest, "You know it's interesting that someone such as yourself is standing in a stall…in this heat even, dressed like that."

Brynjolf lets out a breath, "You're the one that's been making those threats then eh, Lass?"

She smiles and shrugs nonchalantly, "Yeah. That's what I do for a living, make threats…and of course…" she steps closer, "back them up."

Brynjolf holds up his hands, "Fine fine…then what is it you want?"

She folds her arms and stares at him hard, "I want you to keep your thieves out of Whiterun."

"Will do Lass, I didn't know Whiterun had a watchdog," he chuckles dryly.

She scowls and steps forward until his back is against the half wall, "I mean it, scum, you don't want to mess with me."

Brynjolf chuckles and looks behind her, "You really shouldn't make threats, Lass."

Lucile sighs and turns, the woman from the bridge was joined by two others, a huge hulking man with a mean face and a slightly smaller Nord who almost looked too sweet to be standing there.

"And this is the part where you lot give me a lesson in where to stick my nose, eh?"

Brynjolf smiles coyly and shrugs, "Really shouldn't Lass."

She laughs, "You really shouldn't underestimate me, Brynjolf."

The all attack at once so she lets her body drop and swerves to the side, rolling out of the way. The smaller Nord is the first one to realize she's gone and turns on his heel, preparing to run at her.

She rolls her eyes and grabs his hand as he punches at her and twists. It pops out of place and he drops, screaming. The next to come hard at her is the big guy she moves to the side and sticks out a leg which he promptly trips over and goes sprawling into the well in the middle of the marketplace. She grabs his legs and heaves him over. Sapphire stops in place as she starts towards her. Before Sapphire could make a sound Lucile lifts her leg in a high kick and knocks the girl backwards, she hits her head on the half wall and sinks down, her eyes fluttering close.

Lucile looks at Brynjolf with a smirk, "You get the message yet?"

Scowling he nods, "Perfectly clear Lass."

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It's been three years since she made a threat on the thieves' guild. A lot has changed since then. First she grew up, being only 18 at the time she now feels like she's accomplished a great deal of maturing…well sort of. Then there was the whole Dragonborn thing and defeating Alduin. She also joined the companions, which was a nice point on her growth, she became the leader too. She made few trips to Riften, only going when someone needs her help and even then it was rarely her that went. She seldom had troubles with the thieves' guild, which was ok, since the whole group wants her head.