Behind the Scenes
Rating: M [For Later Scenes]
Summary: Everything once again seems at peace in the province of Skyrim. The looming threat of the war has been eradicated along with the Stormcloak rebellion, the World-Eater is no more, and the populace of hostile dragons is dwindling. The Dragonborn still journeys, but not far as she makes her home in Whiterun with her steadfast housecarl Lydia, and her life is rather dull in comparison to her previous life-style, or so it seems. Vie Avenir, Bosmer [Wood Elf], Dragonborn, and a Companion to boot, does not truly live such a boring life, but what secrets does the Thane of Whiterun and Riften have to hide?
Disclaimer: I do not own Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim nor do I take credit for the non-playable characters from the game that may, or may not, be mentioned within the content of this writing.
I woke to rays of light gleaming in from the slits in the ceiling, my black eyes opening slowly as I pushed myself into an upright position. Glancing over to the table and chairs that reside in the corner of my room, I find the space empty. I know not to worry even though my preferred housecarl abandons her usual perch, she is downstairs preparing a morning meal; I can scent cooking food.
Swinging my lightly tanned legs over the edge of the bed after peeling back the bear skin blanket previously draped over my body in slumber, my bare feet touch the cool wood floor. As I stand from my sitting position on the edge of the bed, I run a calloused hand through my shoulder length black hair from which the very tips of my pointed ears can be seen, my fingers brushing over the braid on the left side of my face. After stretching myself out, I opt to strip out of my sleeping garb to change into my everyday wear, a set of fine clothes and fine boots. I soon find myself slipping a gold, emerald encrusted ring onto my finger and placing a tri-point, sapphire encrusted necklace around my neck; they are both enchanted items. After picking up my coin purse and securing it in one of the pockets of my clothing, I conceal my enchanted ebony dagger in yet another pocket before finally making my way to the lower level.
"Good morning my Thane," Lydia greets me as I make my way down the ladder having heard my footsteps. The fair skinned woman was leaning over the cooking pot slightly as she stirred some stew, her brown eyes gazing up to check the food being cooked over the fire on a spit.
The gleam of the fire cast from her shiny armor customary to every housecarl met my eyes for a brief moment before I looked away to avoid damage to my vision, but I did not remain silent, "Good morning to you as well Lydia. I thank you for preparing a meal, I'm rather hungry." I spoke the words just before disappearing into the alchemy lab room and removing yet another few items from the chest there; my enchanted ebony sword and a few soul gems.
Lydia chuckled softly as she knew already where I had gone and for what purpose; she always said I could never sit still for long. "I noticed you hadn't eaten before bed my Thane," she responded after her light laughter died.
As I returned from the alchemy lab, I noticed the stew already done, the state of the food made obvious as Lydia poured some of the aromatic mixture into two separate bowls. A spoon was already placed in each of the bowls, and the two of us soon sat in the chairs on both sides of the cooking pot. "Ah, yes. I've been busy with the Court since Jarl Balgruff is ill. The Thanes have been responsible for dealing with political affairs and the things of similar nature. Once I returned, it was very near moon rise and I lacked the energy to do much more than climb upstairs for sleep."
"That's no reason for you not to eat my Thane! Your well being may very well depend on one meal, and for you to skip out on them is unacceptable!" the dark haired warrior exclaimed. The rise in her voice was not due to anger, no, it was due to worry for even beyond her duty as a housecarl, she deeply cared for her liege.
My lips quirked into a smile, my eyes closing briefly as I lowered my spoon filled with the stew I was about to consume back to the bowl. "Lydia, dear, I promise you I will not fall, stricken by some disease," I made sure my voice held sincerity, for it was the truth; I was the Harbinger of the Companions after all. I cast my gaze to the now silent woman, before turning my attention back to the bowl held in my lap. Closing my eyes and lifting my spoon to my mouth, I would shake my head and emit a light laugh and utter, "Nords, so passionate," before taking the spoon into my mouth and allowing the meats and vegetables to melt in my mouth; Lydia was an astounding cook, which, I admit, surprised me when I first learned of her natural finesse in the kitchen.
Lydia remained quiet berating herself for her outburst I supposed. I wouldn't break the silence as we continued to eat, and soon we both finished our meal. Taking my bowl, the sullen woman would go outside with the water bucket, washing the dirtied dishes.
As the skillful warrior left to tend the dishes, I stood from my seat so as to move the the cupboard nearest the door. From there I opened the cupboard, pulling open a hidden compartment that contained a letter; I'd had to stash it before I was able to read the print due to being so incredibly tired. The note read as:
Dear Vie,
You were supposed to have bought the necklace ages ago! I had Belethor order it specially, and I'm sure he's waiting on you. That thing was expensive and since my dear Belethor had to use his own funds, he's certainly anxious to turn it around for profit. Just ask him how much it costs, give him the coin, and bring me the necklace!
-T
I shook my head as a laugh rattled my ribcage. "Such a demanding letter," I continued to laugh, before shaking my head and folding the letter. I placed the slip of parchment into my pocket before turning to face the ladder on the other side of the fire pit. Walking over to the makeshift stairs, I climbed the wooden structure to the upper level and made the short journey to my room. Closing the bedroom door and crouching a few paces in front of the chest in the room, I would pull up a panel to the floor to reveal yet another chest. Reaching into the crevice, I pulled the chest up and unlocked it with a key that not even Lydia had a copy of. From this chest I removed a simple pouch which I pushed into my pocket before closing the chest and returning it to it's place. I put the floor panel in it's rightful spot, tapping it down securely before I left the room and returned to where I previously sat.
Minutes after settling back into the chair, Lydia returned, securing the door behind her as she placed the water bucket and, now clean, dishes in their designated places. "Don't fret Lydia. I'm not upset with you, there is no need for you self-pity," I finally speak to the Nord woman who had yet to allow the grief to fade from her face.
"I..." she gave a soft, almost defeated, sigh. "Deepest apologies Thane. I should not have spoken out like I did."
"Don't mind it. It's in the past and no one has been harmed so let it remain where it rest," I spoke softly, hoping to convince her that things were perfectly alright.
"Thank you my Thane," she finally responded after a few moments of silence, her words dispelling the slight tension that had taken the liberty of settling in the air around us.
Giving a slight nod as she looked to my person, I would very soon stand to my feet and move to leave the home. "Oh, Lydia? Prepare to travel to Riften. We will be there for a while for I'd like to make use of the space in the Riften home."
Standing to her feet as well, Lydia moved to follow behind me so as to carry anything I might need help with, "By your wish Thane," she'd spoke simply.
"Gather things here and pay the carriage for the ride, if you will. I'll take care of the rations we might need along the way since I'm headed out towards the market at any rate. I'll meet you at the stables fast away once I finish what I must," I dismissed her from my immediate service with a glance into her eyes before leaving the home.
A wolfish smile threatened to force it's way upon my face as I walked the stone pathway to the market area. I finally manage to shake away the tell-tale smile threatening my features as I held up a hand in greeting to the merchants and market-goers. Turning from the rather lively sells-area, I would make my way to the back door of Belethor's General Goods to stray from the gaze of the other patrons of the market. A sly smile came to rest upon my lips as I found the door locked, my hand instinctively moving to grab something from the pouch in my pocket.
A/N: This is my first story based off of any video game so tell me what you think thus far. If I made any mistakes with the misspelling of names from the game feel free to let me know so I can correct them ^^ Well, that's it for now.
Until next time~
