A/N: Hello! This is another story idea I've had kicking around for a while. This will be a somewhat lengthy project, so if you decide to pick this up, please bear with me. The route I have taken is making Runa Fair-Shield (one of the adoptable children in Hearthfire) the protagonist here. She is an older teenager, and in order to make this story make sense, I have adjusted the age of a few characters to fit my needs. Even so, please be warned of some mild May/December pairings. I hope you enjoy!
The Fairest Shield
Chapter One
Runa Fair-Shield had been a girl not wholly unfamiliar with a life of privilege and luxury. She was orphaned at a young age when her parents had been killed by an untimely bout of Brain Rot, which Runa had always suspected was the work of a particularly malicious hagraven, not that she was in any position to do anything about it as she was shipped off to Honorhall Orphanage on the next carriage. Despite the continuous onslaught of abuse and neglect of the orphanage's matron, Grelod the Kind, Runa had been allowed to maintain her family surname and she survived Honorhall Orphanage and its wicked matron with thanks mostly due to her innate strength, cunning, and endurance. In fact, she had been the main driving force to convince Aventus Arentino to escape and perform the Black Sacrament.
The combined prayers and the sacrament was answered. Grelod the Kind was no more.
Constance rightfully took over the orphanage and opened Honorhall's doors for prospective parents immediately.
Runa watched all the potential parents with a critical eye. She hated being in the orphanage, yes, but she would not settle for anything less than a life she deserved. And finally, her time came.
When Alduin was defeated and the final vestiges of Skyrim's civil war had ended, the renowned Dragonborn had decided it was time to settle into the quiet domestic life in the countryside with her new husband. Word spread like rabid dragonfire that the Dragonborn had her eyes set on adopting.
When she came to Honorhall, Runa presented herself in full title, stood as straight as she could, and promised she would not disappoint. The Dragonborn looked intrigued, her eyes flashing as if she recognized a kindred spirit in Runa, a spirit willing and able to fight and conquer. There was no hesitation on the Dragonborn's part. She quickly chose Runa Fair-Shield.
The Dragonborn's husband, a Companion named Farkas, had his pick next. Farkas desired a boy, and impressed with one child's battle-lion roar, Hroar became Runa's brother within the next moment. Runa and Hroar quickly went to pack their meager possessions, and were carted off once more to the Dragonborn's favorite summer home, Lakeview Manor.
Runa Fair-Shield was not disappointed with her new life. She thrived under the Dragonborn's tutelage, who was rich and had a home in nearly every hold. They would move occasionally, but Runa was once again privileged with a life of luxury. Her new mother had even taken to training her in combat and other skills, such as blacksmithing and a bit of alchemy. Hroar, though a Nord boy of simple taste, surprisingly found himself drawn to the arcane arts, which, as would have it, the Dragonborn was not only Harbinger of the Companions, but also Arch-Mage of the College of Winterhold. Their mother was a master in every skill it would seem, her widespread influence over Skyrim undeniable. She also taught Hroar in the magical arts.
The wealth of her mother knew no bounds, but despite visiting the holds, it would seem that Lakeview Manor remained a favorite, and they almost always would return for the summer to its buzzing insects and sparkling waters across the way.
As time passed, Runa found herself gifted with the war axe and often dreamed of joining the Companions as her mother, father, and Uncle Vilkas all had. She practiced with her war axe every day. She would be great like her mother.
But, it would seem, that Runa Fair-Shield's weakness was her heart.
A sign of a wealthy family was usually determined by the presence of a steward. They were not wholly uncommon in Skyrim. Carriage drivers were moreso. And even rarer was a household bard. A bard was typically paid in predetermined stipends, given room and board, and meals free of charge, at least the bards of the Dragonborn enjoyed such a life. The Dragonborn had three bards for each of her manors. There was Oriella of Heljarchen Manor and Sonir of Windstad Manor. But because they stayed at Lakeview so much, that made Llewellyn the Nightingale the Dragonborn's favorite.
And, as it happened, he was also Runa's favorite.
Llewellyn was young for a bard and hired just when Runa turned twelve. He became a permanent installation of Lakeview just like Rayya and Gunjar. When Runa turned sixteen, she found herself lingering at the dinner table or in doorways whenever she heard him singing or strumming on his lute. She stared at him for much longer than she used to.
And he began noticing those stares.
He might have been a younger bard, but he still eclipsed Runa in age. When she was sixteen, he would often unwittingly return her unfocused stares before catching himself and tearing his gaze away, as if recalling the impropriety of such a scandal. But with every time he turned away, his cheeks would redden just a bit brighter.
By the time she was seventeen, his good sense of propriety had been dashed. He became brave, bold even. He invited her on innocent rides through the forest where they would lie in wildflower glens. He would sing to her as the brilliant sun warmed their skin. She would feel the ghost of his fingertips tracing her shoulders and arms. Runa would close her eyes, relishing in the warmth.
Even so, the rides would never been enough to compel Llewellyn to brave anything more. This left Runa largely dissatisfied, but she didn't complain much.
In the middle of her seventeenth summer, the Dragonborn was called to urgent business in Solitude. Runa returned one afternoon after her ride with Llewellyn to discover Rayya quickly and efficiently packing their things as Gunjar helped load their trunks into the carriage.
Runa watched the busy scene before her, feeling her heart cracking at the idea of a robbed summer with Llewellyn who had went ahead to Falkreath to buy a shipment of soul gems Hroar was expecting before returning home.
"What's this, Mother?" Runa asked quietly entering the bedroom.
The Dragonborn turned suddenly, as if lost in deep thought. She blinked at Runa and offered a distracted smile. "Elisif has requested my presence. She would not explain why in her letter. I do not expect we will be gone long, though."
Runa inwardly crumbled. So was the busy life of the Dragonborn, always called to some business or other. Mother could promise that the excursion wouldn't be long, but the promise was usually empty. "Solitude?" she said. "But it's the summer. We usually stay here."
The Dragonborn reached for Runa's hands. "I know, my love. But I'm afraid I really must go."
Runa sighed, her eyes cutting to the side, quickly thinking. "Can't I stay here instead while you're gone? You said yourself that it was almost time for my trial in the Companions. I'd rather finish my training here than in the snow."
The Dragonborn's eyes flashed peculiarly, but she was pretty adept at restraining her impatience. Mother, for all of her generosity and compassion, never liked being questioned or challenged. "Don't be silly. It doesn't snow in Solitude in the summer. It's not Windhelm or Dawnstar."
"It'll still be cold," Runa continued pouting. "Can't I please stay here?"
Mother shifted her weight to her other foot. It was at that moment that Hroar entered the room and joined the conversation. "Yes, I'd like to stay here too. I'd rather get one last warm summer in before going off to the College." He stretched out on his bed, and his tall, lanky frame hung over the mattress. He looked entirely too big for it.
The sight was enough to make Mother smile. "Oh, all right. Both of you can stay here while I finish my business in Solitude. Though, I will certainly miss the both of you." She hugged Runa tight then. "I don't mean to make you unhappy by taking you with me. I just enjoy your company."
Runa returned the hug fiercely. "Thank you, Mother," she said in earnest.
Mother and Father left on the carriage the next morning. Runa waved goodbye to them from above the armory. Hroar had elected to sleep in.
Runa watched the carriage disappear over the hills. Meanwhile, she could see Llewellyn in the stables, saddling Frost for their ride. Runa's heart surged as she ran back inside. Rayya was busy at the hearth, preparing breakfast.
"Rayya, don't worry about me. I'm just going to grab a slice of bread and then go riding today." Rayya nodded, grumbling something under her breath about how Hroar would eat enough for both of them. She ran to the bedroom she shared with Hroar to quickly lace up her boots.
Hroar, to her surprise, was awake, watching her carefully. "I know what you're doing."
She froze but did not return his gaze. "What are you talking about?" She attempted to sound nonplussed but now her heart was racing.
Hroar straightened. "Don't worry. No one else has noticed yet. But you should be careful. Mother might not be too happy to find out."
Runa looked at him evenly. "Find out about what?"
"Don't play stupid. You and Llewellyn."
"What about me and Llewellyn?" she asked, feigning innocence.
"You know what. You both go riding at the same time. Any idiot could figure it out if they just looked at the two of you together."
"Oh please," she hissed, face suddenly reddening. "You think Mother would be angry? It's common knowledge that she's cheated on Father with Uncle Vilkas."
Hroar gave a careless shrug. "Maybe, maybe not. I wouldn't point that out to her, of course. Take care of yourself, Runa. She pays Llewellyn to sing, not to bed her daughter."
She waved him off, disappearing outside. But her steps turned timid with trepidation. Her nervousness completely vanished when she saw Llewellyn waiting for her, Frost's reins in his hands.
Their ride that day was longer, venturing deeper into the forest. They found an abandoned, crumbling tower, free of roaming bandits and animals, secured the horses to a post, and ventured inside. The tower had perhaps been once a guardpost, given the remaining frames of the furniture. The staircase leading to the roof was still intact and they scaled it to look at the lush green forest around them.
Runa laughed breathlessly, and Llewellyn set his lute aside. Without the ever-present shadow of the Dragonborn nearby, he became even bolder. Her cradled her face and they shared their first kiss.
It wasn't anything like she imagined it would have been. It was fierce and intense. His mouth crushed against hers in breathless heat. She could feel his body pressing against hers, and it seemed to swallow her whole. He held nothing back this time, and she willingly gave him anything he asked for.
The Dragonborn was called away for weeks. Runa and Llewellyn met for their tryst every day in the tower. They were careful every minute they were in Lakeview Manor, under Hroar's watchful eyes. But it was hard to deny the innate magnetism she felt toward him. She would be drawn to every room he occupied. Her hand would twitch toward his. Rayya would ask about her training, and Runa would supply her with fake narratives. Hroar said nothing else to her, but his eyes would always glare in suspicion in frequent moments.
But Runa did not care. She fell in love with Llewellyn.
One day after a few weeks, Runa was panting against his sweaty side, his arm curled around her back. Then he said the fateful words, "I want to marry you."
She eagerly accepted. And they decided to run away and elope that night. They would return to Lakeview to pack a few things.
When they rounded the corner of Pinewatch, however, they discovered that the Dragonborn had returned to Falkreath. Llewellyn tensed at her side, and she stroked his hand with her thumb. "This doesn't change anything," she reminded him sternly.
He nodded, but it was stiff. She was suddenly unconvinced of his resolve but pressed on. They disengaged their hands and continued inside.
Mother regaled them with news of Solitude over dinner. Runa forced the mechanical nods at the appropriate intervals. Llewellyn, meanwhile, refused to look at her as he sang The Dragonborn Comes when Rayya served them sides of beef.
Runa continued the plan. In the small hours before dawn, she arose and quietly gathered a few things before creeping outside to the stables. The darkness seemed to permeate everything. And it took a little bit for Runa to navigate the short distance. Once she made it, she felt around for her saddle.
A spell was suddenly cast, illuminating the shadows of the stables. Magelight. The horses protested in surprise.
Mother was standing there, looking all powerful in her tall stature and thoroughly unhappy. Llewellyn was standing in front of her, head hanging in shame, refusing to look at Runa.
"Runa, please tell me what is happening," the Dragonborn ordered smoothly.
Runa stood her ground. "We're getting married."
"You're running away?" she clarified in a sharper voice.
Runa said nothing. Her silence was confirmation enough, as was the incriminating evidence before them.
"Did you think I would not approve?" Mother challenged icily. Everything in her voice and body language suggested that she would not. "You would be correct." She turned to Llewellyn. "I pay you handsomely, give you a bed and food in your belly. And this is how you repay me?"
Llewellyn said nothing.
She turned to Runa, her fury shining in full force. "And you. I adopt you from the slums of Skyrim. I feed you and put the clothes on your back. I've trained you and equipped you with knowledge and tools that normal people can never dream of. And this is how you repay me?"
"It's not about repaying you," Runa countered weakly. "It's not even about you. I love him. He loves me. This is about us, not you."
"You love each other?" The Dragonborn laughed then in a shrill voice Runa had never heard before, showing a cruel facet of her personality. "You're a silly girl. You don't know the first thing about love. And you—you see a pretty maid and you think you can take her for yourself?"
"Mother, stop!" Runa exclaimed. "This is enough. Please, just let us go."
Mother's mouth curled into a smile full of malice. "Fine, have it your way." She looked at Llewellyn the Nightingale. "I give you a choice, sir. It would be in your best interest to choose wisely. I will continue to employ your services here at Lakeview Manor, but you must renounce this silly claim of marrying my daughter. You must deny any sort of scandal or dalliance occurred. You are to forget her entirely and pretend that she is nothing more than a ghost of a shadow and never speak a single word to her. Or you are free to leave and pursue your dreams of marrying Runa. However, in doing so, you are breaking your contract. Not only will you stop receiving your pay, you will be no longer welcome at Lakeview Manor. And, as per your contract, you would owe me every single gold coin that I've paid you in the time you've worked here. That's five years' worth of salary that you would be in debt, and that's no way to start a married life. So, what will it be, Llewellyn?"
Runa's chest was tight, and her stomach churned. The passion of the past several weeks was ever-present against her flushed skin, even in that moment. She hoped, she prayed to Talos and Dibella and Mara that Llewellyn similarly remembered their time together in that moment. They could pay back the exorbitant debt. They could make it together. They could. They would.
They wouldn't.
He closed his eyes, and his voice shook. "I'm sorry, Runa." His decision was made.
Mother's next smile turned victorious. "Now, go back inside, Runa. I will decide what to do with you later."
The heat of the memory of the passion she had shared with Llewellyn turned into rage. Her face boiled. "No, this is ridiculous! You can't do this to him! You can't do this to us! You can't do this to me!" He voice turned pleading on the last word. Tears sprang to her eyes and threatened to spill over.
Mother was not to be merciful that night. "I can do this and I am. I am his employer, and I am your mother."
Runa's teeth ground together. "No, you're not. You're not my mother, not my real mother. You're some proud champion that decided to fill the bill for your charity work. I am Runa Fair-Shield, and you are not a Fair-Shield."
The Dragonborn's eyes flashed angrily, storm clouds brewing in the brightness reflected in the magelight. "So be it then. If I am not your mother, then get off of my property. Leave, Runa Fair-Shield, for you are no longer welcome here or in any house of mine."
Runa, just now realizing the consequences of her words, panicked. "No, wait, please—"
"I said leave, Runa Fair-Shield. And never come back."
And Runa Fair-Shield left.