A/N: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, and all characters that are a part of it, are not mine. I mainly use its world to make fun stories. The two characters of Aisling and Breskan (you'll meet them later) are mine. Please leave a review so I know what you think!
Lucia turned the key in the old iron lock, hearing the tumblers click in a familiar cadence. Her hands briefly rested on the handle, remembering the first time she had gone into Lakeview Manor. It was still one of the most nerve-wracking moments of her life. Her initial impressions of Pa didn't help. Still, looking back at the last 15 years, she wouldn't trade them away for anything.
She opened the door to the home, the mixed smells of damp earth and baking bread ever a comfort. "Pa? Ma? I'm home!"
A middle aged Bosmer woman made the turn into the entryway, a smile creeping onto her features. "Lucia? Welcome back!" The wood elf strode forward and embraced the Imperial woman, Lucia relaxing in turn.
"It's good to see you again Ma. Is Pa around?"
"Downstairs, banging away on some metal. He couldn't decide between a battle axe or a bracelet, and has been tinkering since breakfast."
"Sounds about right. I'm going to peek in, and then catch you up on my latest news."
"Alright love, but do bring him up with you. I'm growing tired of bandaging those fingers of his."
Lucia smiled, knowing Pa would simply say that those singed and bashed fingers are moments of pride. She made her way to the cellar door, lowering her way down the steps. When she got to the bottom, she looked across the room to see her Pa's face glowing in the forge's light. It brought her back to the day she first saw him, a seeming lifetime ago.
"Can you please spare a septim?" Lucia didn't hold her hand out. Hands out meant hands slapped away. Hands in meant better chance of simply being ignored.
Lucia tried to not let the ignorance hurt. Better ignorance than scorn. Better scorn than fake pity. That's what she told herself. Even if it didn't help fill her belly.
This was her life these days. If she was lucky, she received a few coins, enough for a simple meal. If unlucky, then hunger. Brenuin may have given guidance, but that was it. All she could do was hope for some kindness.
The guard in front of her just kept walking. Whether willful or not, she recognized their ignorance of her presence. Just as she was about to sit down again, she hears the guard speak.
"Mind yourself orc."
Lucia doesn't know what to do. She's heard stories of orcs in their strongholds, of how they go into a frenzy in battle. Dare she even attempt to ask for alms? Just then she feels a shadow cover her. Slowly she turns, and immediately has to look up to see the face of the one before her. "Can you please spare a coin?"
His face is different from any other she's seen before. Those fangs definitely stick out, and the skin is a dark green she didn't think possible. Most of his head is hidden by a hood, but she sees a little twinkle where his eyes must be. He reaches to his side, where she sees a dagger sheathed. Oh Divines, not that! Lucia closes her eyes, expecting the worst. When nothing happens, she opens her eyes to see a large callused hand holding 5 septims.
"Well?" The orc asks, looking at her expectantly.
Lucia swallows her fear down and slowly retrieves the coins, almost disbelieving what just happened. When she has the last of them, the orc turns to leave. It's not until he's almost out of the plaza that she calls after him. "Thank you mister!" She may have imagined it, but she thinks she sees him look back at her over his shoulder.
It had been a couple of weeks since the kind orc gave her those coins. She still had one left, managing to make 4 septims stretch as far as possible. The weather had taken a turn for the better, so she found herself enjoying the shade of the Gildergreen.
"May I join you?"
Lucia looked up to see where the gruff voice came from, seeing the hooded orc again. Too startled for words, Lucia hurriedly shuffled over on the bench, shifting her gaze to the ground. She felt the bench sink some under his weight, and heard a soft 'thump' as something was put on the ground. She looked over to see the orc shuffling through a rucksack. After a moment, he leaned back, holding a loaf of bread, two apples, and a waterskin. Lucia tried not to stare, instead becoming interested in her shoes, until she felt a nudge on her shoulder.
"Here." The orc was holding one of the apples towards her, eyeing her expectantly.
Again, Lucia felt hesitant. Could she really trust this orc? After all, none of the adults seem to like them. But he had given her money, and was now offering food. Having decided, she took the fruit and started chewing, trying not to go too fast. Next to her, she heard her companion do the same. After a few minutes, both apples were gone, her hunger a little farther away.
Lucia was about to say 'thank you' when she saw the orc take the loaf of bread and tear it in two, turning to her and offering her half (noticeably, the larger one). She didn't question this time and just accepted, eating at a slower pace than she did with the apple. No words were exchanged, but Lucia started to feel comfortable.
She started to see how some of the townsfolk snuck glances and whispered to their companions, but paid no mind. She was used to being stared at. Why would this be any different?
After they finished the bread, the orc handed her the waterskin, open and ready for someone to drink. Lucia put her lips to it and took a gulp, surprised to find cider inside. Normally she was lucky to just get stale water. She tried to not drink too greedily. At one point she started to offer it back to the orc, only to find him already drinking from his own skin.
The minutes passed, silence stretching on, but not uncomfortably so. After awhile, the orc stood up, slinging his pack over his shoulder. He reached into a pocket, and pulled out 5 more septims, handing them to the orphan. As he turned to leave, Lucia leapt to her feet. "My name is Lucia!" She held out her hand, trying not to shake.
The orc turned and considered her for a moment, before taking her hand in his own, much larger, hand. "Breskan."
It continued like that for a couple of months. Breskan would find Lucia somewhere in Whiterun, and share a meal with her. Sometimes it was a simple meal of bread and fruit, other times there was a shared cut of freshly cooked meat. A couple times he would hand her a bowl and take out a small clay jug, only to pour warm soup into the waiting dish. She especially liked when he would bring a small treat along with, like a fresh made sweet roll. And after every time, he would give her a few septims so she could eat for the next few days.
The only thing she treasured more than the food and coin, though, were the stories. She quickly learned that Breskan told the best stories. Some involved dragons, others Daedric princes, and still others about thieves, mages, and warriors. It made her feel like she was out there adventuring herself. Over time, a level of trust grew between them. She told them about why she lived on the streets. He would never lower his hood, but it didn't bother her. She couldn't call him intimidating. Too many good experiences to let her do that.
It wasn't even surprising when she started to imagine him as more than a friendly traveler. After all, she never got to know her father, and her uncle had never cared about her. Lucia started to think of Breskan as "Pa" before long, though she swore she'd never tell him that.
Until she did.
It happened purely by accident. It was a warm afternoon, sitting on the parapets around the town, both of them finishing their meals. Breskan began cleaning up, making ready to head out again. "How was the roasted fish?"
"It was excellent! Thank you Pa!"
It felt like the world had stopped. Lucia was sure the look of shock on Breskan's face was reflected on her own. She didn't know why she actually said it, but was sure that wasn't what he wanted. After all, he aunt and uncle didn't want her, why would he? So, before giving Breskan a chance to answer, Lucia did the first thing she could think of.
She ran. Ran deep into the town and didn't look back. She didn't hear Breskan follow, or even protest her actions.
She wishes he had.