Chapter 1: The Soldier

Argis had lost himself in his third bottle of mead. His eyes stared down at the brown bottle nestled between his large hands and his thoughts drowned out the raucous that was the many voices in the crowded inn. The Silver-Blood Inn had become his go-to place whenever he wanted to escape the cold silence of his home as it sat on a small hill outside the city. He loved his home, it was quaint and he would often gaze out the windows and over the edge of the hill to see the jagged rocks that structured the mountains and the misty low and grassy areas where a cluster of small farm houses rested between hills sides. But on this night, he could not appreciate the beauty of the Reach. He only saw an empty bed.

It was these lonely nightssitting at the bar that he wondered what his life would be now if he had not become a soldier at such a young age. His hand absently rubbed the scars on his face, remembering the many battles he had fought for the rebellion. He had given his all for Ulfric and his fellow Stormcloaks, leading squads of men into bloody victories. He closed his eyes tightly and downed the rest of the mead before ordering another from the busy innkeeper. He had resumed his thoughts when the sound of the doors being thrown open broke into his daydreams.

He lazily looked up only to experience a small jolt of surprise at what he saw. A Redguard woman stood at the bar engaging in a heated conversation with the innkeeper. His drink was forgotten as his good eye took in the way her leather armor clung to every curve of her body. Her black hair fell in waves around her shoulders and he drank in her large eyes and full lips.

He had never seen this woman before and he surprised himself when he rose from his seat in the hopes of approaching her. But before he could take a single step towards the woman, she turned away from the innkeeper angrily and stomped out into Markarth's cold air, the doors slamming behind her.

Argis slumped back down into his seat and returned to his warming mead. He decided against questioning the innkeeper about who the woman was. He was certain he would never see her again.

XxX

The first early morning rays shone through the dirty windows, creating bright slashes of light over Argis's home. Laying in bed, he turned his head away from the light and breathed heavy as his headache throbbed painfully. He was unsure how much more he had drank last night, but as he slowly sat up and groaned, he knew it was too much. He was content sitting in a bed and would have been for the rest of the morning had it not been for the sudden and urgent knocking that came at his door. He chose to ignore it and laid back covering his face with his sheet. The knocking continued until a furious Argis tore himself from his bed and took the few steps to his door. He swung the door opento find a guard posted outside.

"Argis the Bulwark?"

"Yes?"

"Jarl Igmund has commanded that you present yourself at Understone Keep immediately."

"What is this about?" But the guard had already turned away and was heading towards his horse.

It had been years since he had traveled this far into Markarth and much longer since he had stepped foot into the Keep. He entered moving towards the throne room, quietly admiring the intricate patterns carved into stone walls. He was dressed in his best armor and he had combed through his thick ginger hair and shaven back his beard. He stood before the mournful throne a warrior and not the failed soldier he was known as throughout the Reach.

Jarl Igmund lounged on his throne as if the day had already taken a toll on him and Argis's presence did nothing to ease the tension in his back and neck. He looked down the bridge of his nose at the warrior.

"Argis the Bulwark."

He bowed his head respectfully. "Jarl Igmund."

"How long has it been since you last stood before my throne?"

"Nearly a decade my Jarl."

"What have you done with yourself these ten years?"

Argis fought the urge to shift his footing. He stood as straight as he could with his head held high. "Mercenary work."

The Jarl failed to hide a satisfied grin. "It's a shame that a man of your talents should be wasted in such a way."

Argis remained silent. The jarl seemed to regard him for a moment.

"I have appointed a new Thane that will reside in Vlindrel Hall. I am also appointing you as housecarl."

His heart sank and he almost asked Igmund to repeat himself. Despite his shock, he continued to listen to the Jarl's announcement.

"You will stay at the hall unless your master dismisses you. It has not been occupied in some time so I suggest you ready the place before your Thane's arrival."

"Why me?"

"Well Argis, I believe you are the best man for the job, as long as you do not fail my Thane as you did the Stormcloaks."

His fists tightened at his sides, "No my Jarl, I will not fail."

"Good, you are dismissed."

XxX

Vlindrel Hall had served as home for Markarth's Thanes for years. Thanes and housecarls came and went (many perished in battle) but the stone walls still stood.

Stepping inside, it seemed most of the furnishings had already been purchased for the home and Argis quickly left the hall only to soon return with several crates of food. He stocked the shelves and lit a fire that finally seemed to warm the place. He would not send for his personal things unless he was certain that his Thane would allow him to also reside in the hall. The house ready and presentable, Argis spent the next hour trying to wrap his mind around how quickly his life had turned around.

The whole thing was a mystery to him. A housecarl! He knew there were younger soldiers that would have been a better fit. And how could he possibly protect and serve his Thane when he could hardly look after himself? He hadn't seen the Jarl in ten years! How could he know that he was the right man for this?

Argis was so overwhelmed with his new position that he didn't think to consider who his master was or what he would be like. He heard keys at the door before he got the chance and he quickly stood from his seat beside the fire. He waited.

He could just make out his Thane standing at the end of the entrance hall. He was completely covered in steel armor and walked heavily down the hall and into the living room. He had stepped within range of the fire light when he pulled off his helmet with a sigh.

Dark hair cascaded from the helmet to fall wildly around armored shoulders. Argis's mouth fell open when he saw the same brown eyes and lips that had haunted him the night before.

His Thane was...a woman? That woman?!

As his Thane continued to disrobe in the middle of the room, he was amazed to discover that she had yet to see him. Her eyes were half closed and every movement of her body told a tale of exhaustion. He now noticed how filthy her armor was with dirt and the blood of gods knew what. As more of her was revealed before him, he marveled at her size. Redgaurds were known as fierce warriors but this one was different. There was an elegance about her he wasn't expecting.

He was all too aware of the awkward position he was in and was relieved when she moved toward the bedrooms. He saw her climb the steps, still struggling with her armor and move to the room on her right. Unsatisfied she walked into the correct room on her left and closed the doors behind her. Argis continued to stand by the fire listening to his Thane rummage about her room. He ran his hand through his hair and laughed silently at the absurdity of it all before heading to his room, closing the doors quietly behind him.

A/N: I love reviews that let me know i'm on the right track. I'll make sure to respond. :)