Into Solstheim

By:CrashingPetals

Summary: Yvonne finds herself in Solstheim on a hunt to uncover the strange going ons that initially brought her there. She meant her stay as a way of starting anew, without the confines of being the Dragonborn. What she hadn't expected was to find love. Follow my Dragonborn, Yvonne, as she travels across Solstheim and discovers adventure, new Shouts, and the love of Captain Veleth. Story will proceed in Vignettes that are loosely connected.

Disclaimer: I don't own The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, or the DLC Dragonborn. D:


Vignette One

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The moment she stepped off the ship, Yvonne could tell that Solstheim would be a hard place to get to know. It was apparent from the first conversation she had - with a Dunmer who claimed to be in a high position on the Solstheim 'court' - to the moment she stepped into the Retching Netch later that evening for a room and a drink.

"You're not from Solstheim, are you?" the owner drawled, shooting her a crimson gaze that screamed out with distrust. It wasn't altogether unkind, however, and so Yvonne didn't feel too bad about taking a seat at the bar.

"What gave it away?" she quipped, sending him a dry smile. "Give me the best you've got."

And he raised his eyebrows at this. "The best? You sure you can pay for it? Outlanders usually aren't exactly - "

"I can pay," she interrupted, raising her brows right back and challenging him with her gaze, which was intense and wild and untamed as the Skyrim sky. Which was an analogy that none of these Dunmer really understood, as most of them had never been to Skyrim or even heard of her accomplishments there.

The Dunmer, which she later discovered was named Geldis Sadri, heaved a clay pot of something onto the counter and poured her a glass of it before shoving it toward her. Yvonne stared at it with the sort of distrusting look she'd been receiving all day, and then glanced back up at Geldis. "What is it?" she wondered, because it didn't smell like anything she'd ever had before. It was spicy, musky, and sweet all at the same time. When she took a small sip, she thought it was delicious.

"That's Sujamma. Bought it off of a merchant from Blacklight." The Dunmer started cleaning a couple of glasses with a rag. "Made with spices grown specifically in Morrowind."

Yvonne made a noise and nodded. "It's good." And then she said, "So what's the problem with the island? I heard people are disappearing. Thought I might be able to help out."

Geldis scoffed and leaned forward. His sharp face leered at her, his eyes returning to their former distrust. Yvonne raised an eyebrow at him, but remained silent. "What could an Outlander do to help us? You Nords are always trying to meddle with other people's affairs. Just go back to Skyrim where you belong."

She wasn't really hurt by his words. Yvonne had a tough outer skin. Later, when she was alone, she'd think about the annoyed angle of his face, and the suspicion in his eyes, and she'd wonder why she was being treated with such contempt. But for now she could hold her own. She was strong.

"I'm bored of Skyrim. I've already discovered Skyrim. This place is new, though, and if there's a chance to help you then I will. Not because I feel sorry for you, but because I've got nothing better to do." It was true, even though Geldis obviously didn't appreciate said truth. There really was no other reason for Yvonne to stay here. She just wanted the adventure. She craved it, yearned for it.

Already she could feel it beckoning to her, telling her to go explore the island, see what it had to offer. She never cared for charity work, though she did it often back in Skyrim. What she cared for was the wild, untamed landscape and becoming a part of it. What she cared for was freedom.

She slapped a bursting coin purse onto the counter, a purse that held much more than was needed for a bottle of Sujamma, and said, "Here. Looks like you need it more than I do. This place is a mess, you know."

And before he could give it back, Yvonne was standing, grabbing the half finished Sujamma, and strolling to a back room to collapse in bed. Whatever the people here claimed, they needed her. And she didn't care if they didn't want her help. They were going to get it regardless.

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The next day started bright and early for Yvonne. She was up before the sun rose, was dressed in her form fitting draugr armor and was out the door before most people were awake. It was better this way, she thought, and besides, she'd get an early start while exploring the island.

The day before, she'd purchased a map of Solstheim, and had already begun to decide on a course of action. She wanted to travel along the coast today, and be in Tel Mithryn by the afternoon. She'd heard a few people talking about the strange place and wanted to see it for herself. Her other main destination was the Skaal village.

Her light boots fell softly into the ash covered ground as she made her way through the gates of Raven Rock. The Redoran guard who leaned against the bulwark didn't say anything as she passed. The ugly helmet he was wearing made it impossible to tell if the guard was displeased at the sight of her or simply exhausted. Maybe both.

Yvonne clamored on down the path, staring wistfully in the direction of her homeland as she walked. She wondered what her fellow Companions were up to, if Vilkas and Farkas were causing any trouble, if Lydia was finding something to do with herself in Yvonne's absence. She missed them all, and had been tempted to bring one of them with her on her trip to this strange new world. But she ruled out the desire soon after it had been thought up. She had to do this alone. She wanted a fresh start, and bringing a companion with her wouldn't allow her that wish.

The clang a steel brought her out of her inner thoughts in a rather harsh manner, and Yvonne frowned as she glanced ahead of her. She was so near to Raven Rock that she'd doubted she would encounter any trouble, but sure enough there was a fight going on. And it wasn't in her nature to sit back and watch, so Yvonne unsheathed her Blades sword and charged into the fray to help the Bonemold wearing Dunmer kill the strange creatures.

They were made of ash, it seemed. Every hit they took caused a part of them to collapse on itself. It would have been an easy kill, except the damn things were quite tenacious. It took four or five good swings to bring one down, and there were three of them. So Yvonne settled for a harsh and loud, "YOL!" to come tearing from her throat, alighting the ash beasts on fire and making them shrivel up quite effectively.

"Thank you…stranger…" the Dunmer heaved. He was injured, very obviously. He was clutching his arm as he stood hunched over, leaning heavily on one of the railings of the burnt down farmhouse nearby. "I don't know if I'd been able to take 'em down alone."

Yvonne frowned and leaned in to touch his arm. "Don't worry about it," she muttered softly, and then looked into his eyes. For a moment, the world shut down. It was inexplicable, strange, but Yvonne felt a certain warmth shoot through her. It was probably because he was handsome, for a Dunmer. She'd never been attracted to Dunmer, but he seemed different. Good. "I know Restoration, if you'd let me have a look."

He stared for a moment, and then seemed to shake whatever he was feeling off. He straightened up and said, "I've got some potions with me, but thank you for the offer regardless. You're a fierce warrior, for a Nord." He didn't mention her Voice, though she knew he was thinking about it. Wondering what sort of power could make her breath fire. Had he not heard of the Dragonborn? But surely he must have, if Miraak was on this island.

"I've had a lot of practice," she said, and smiled a little secretively, thinking about just how much practice she'd had. She wasn't always this skilled in battle, but that was before she'd fully taken on her responsibility as Dragonborn.

"So it seems," the Dunmer said, taking note of her smile and finding himself wondering where it came from, and why. This Nord woman confused him.

"Well, did you need further assistance? If not, I'll be on my way. Exploring," she added in a cheeky voice, and smiled that strange smile again. It was a mix of secrecy and intellect; impishness and wit. Odd, for a Nord.

"Well, if you're not terribly busy, maybe you could help me with an issue I've been dealing with lately," he said. She seemed like a fearless woman. That was good. She could help him route out the problem regarding the Ash Spawn, maybe even help save Raven Rock in the process. He'd seen her walking around the day before, and knew the whispers that were being said about her. Captain Veleth didn't much like the busybody quality of Raven Rock. If, perhaps, he could help this woman become more accepted, he'd feel better. He couldn't really say why he'd feel better, but he would.

She raised an eyebrow, "Really? You're the first person I've encountered so far that's wanted an Outsider's help. I'm surprised."

He shrugged and smiled a tiny bit. "Well, I'm sure people 'round Raven Rock will warm up to you in time. I myself happen to be desperate, otherwise I wouldn't have asked in the first place." And they shared a strange sort of smile. Amid the ash spawn remains, amid the burnt farmhouse, with the sound of crashing waves rustling up onto the shore.

It was the beginning of a…different relationship. But different was good. Different was fresh. Just what Yvonne needed.

She held out her hand and said, "I'm Yvonne. I'll help."

The Captain smiled an honest smile.


:D Review please? I'm not sure if other people find Captain Veleth to be as utterly smut-tastic as I do, but hopefully people like the new fic anyway lol I'm going to try posting a new chapter once a day, since they're so easy to write up. Let me know what you think!