17th of Frostfall, 4E 190
In the dead of night, Honorhall Orphanage stood as dark as the shadows that danced in the thin torchlight held by the two wandering guards. A burly silhouette perched on the mossy stone wall of Riften, sharp eyes glittering in the faint moonlight. The exhausted guards paid no attention to statue-like silhouette as they made their rounds, minds thinking of the future. When the torches left the silhouette in darkness, the illusion broke. The figure moved, reaching down to help another shadowed figure up to the wall. Together, the two were statues and watched the guards until they were hidden by sleeping buildings. Sliding down the wall and landing with soft thud on the leaf-littered ground, the burly shadow darted in alleys, a thin shadow in tow. Soft steps barely made the wooden bridges creak as the shadows dodged dying lanterns. Thieves and beggars alike, hidden in the darkest corners of the corrupted city, passed off the shadows and soft noises as tricks of light and a simple breeze.
The two shadows stood at the entrance of the orphanage, staring up at the sign that slept in darkness. The thin shadow held a bundle of blankets protectively, tightening the grip around the bundle as time passed by. The burly shadow's glittering eyes darted this way and that, on the lookout for anything threatening. The two stood in silence for a moment with quiet breaths, savoring the moment.
The burly shadow finally broke the silence, turning towards the thin figure. "Can I… hold her before…?" a rough voice rumbled from behind the mask, almost silent in the dead of night.
The thin shadow relinquished the hold on the blankets, carefully handing it over. "Be quick. We shouldn't linger."
The burly shadow stood silently, gazing down at that warm bundle. In one smooth movement, the shadow placed the small bundle in the front of the orphanage. The thin shadow looked away as the burly shadow raised a fist to the door, pausing briefly. Glittering eyes glanced towards the thin shadow, soft and loving. "Say goodbye."
The thin shadow placed a hand over the mask, removing it. Bending over, one kiss was given on the forehead of a young girl sleeping in the bundle of blankets. A note was tucked in the folds of the blankets. The thin shadow's lips parted in a small, sorrowful smile. "Goodbye, my fair Runa. Sweet dreams." The mask was slipped back on. "I love you."
With two loud, forceful hits to the door, the shadowy figures became the night once again.
Moment later, the door creaked open, revealing a drowsy but quite annoyed dark haired woman. She glanced around, squinting in the darkness. She disappeared back inside the dark building, reappearing with a lit candle. She squinted again, looking for the reason of the hard knocking. Stepping forward, her foot connected with the bundle of blankets. Sighing, she step back and shut her eyes and offered a silent prayer to any of the Divines that were listening—no more abandoned children appearing on this doorstep as long as she was alive. Snuffing out the candle, she hastily put it back and scooped up the child, locking the door as she went back inside for the final time that night.
Inside the orphanage, a dying fire crackled softly, letting out just enough light to see where one was walking. There were four beds in the large room, all unoccupied. The woman carried the young child to one of the beds, unwrapping her gently. She took the note and put it in a pocket of her shorts, reminding herself to read it tomorrow. She huffed as she tucked the blonde girl in furs and the blankets she had come in, leaning back and placing a hand on her swollen belly. She had to stay strong for her own child. She would not leave it alone in this cruel world. She checked the young girl's forehead, relived to find no fever. The child breathed evenly and peacefully. The woman brushed blonde locks out of the girl's eyes. She smiled softly down at the abandoned child before retiring to her room.
In the morning, she unfolded the note and learned the child's name. Runa Fair-Shield. She folded the note back up and tucked it away in her drawers. Resting a hand on her child-filled belly, she decided she would raise Runa like her own. She would have two children to look after, once her own child was born. Those thoughts made her happy, and she cheerfully, yet quietly, hummed her way out of her room. It was time to make introductions for her new daughter.
3rd of Sun's Dawn, 4E 191
Blood pooled through the fur blankets and hay, dripping onto the floor. A newly born baby boy screamed in a young Imperial girl's arms. An older Nord woman with graying hair grumbled under her breath as she wiped the blood off of her hands on one of the soiled blankets.
"Shut that brat up and clean up this mess," the woman snapped at the frozen Imperial girl. "Call in the guards if you must."
Tears were running down the young girl's cheeks as she attempted to choke back her sobs. "Y-y-yes, Gr-Grelod."
The old woman grunted and disappeared into her large room, shutting the door tightly behind her. The crying baby, the young girl, and the still bleeding body of a young woman were left behind. The Imperial girl broke down into sobs as she transferred the baby boy to the crook of one of her arms and attempted to cover the body with blood soaked furs. Once the body was covered, she could not take it anymore. She collapsed with her back to the wall, facing the bed, and cried. Her sobs caused the boy to cry even more. They cried together, knowing they had both lost something dear to them.
Runa had been there for all of it. She had hid a small, dirty, dusty closet once the screaming had begun. It had quieted, briefly, and Runa poked her head out to watch as life was taken from the painted red woman and given to the now screaming, wet bundle. She recognized that woman on that bed. The one that had spoken to her kindly, fed her, given her a nice bed to sleep in. That woman comforted when she cried. Runa believed that woman was her mother, but the woman never said that she was. Runa wondered why the furs were red and why there was so much crying. She wondered if the woman could breathe underneath those furs. Runa oftentimes would pull the furs over her head and find it hard to catch her breath after a long time under them, so she would stick her nose out and breathe in the crisp air outside.
Runa glanced over at the crying girl and the crying baby. She watched them for a little while before becoming bored, and slightly afraid, so she ducked back inside of the dusty, tiny room. She shut the door and sat in the darkness, thinking up games to play until the crying settled down. She would show the new games to the woman after she woke up from her nap under the red furs. Runa grinned to herself as she gathered some rotting hay pieces. The woman would be so happy to learn about Runa's new games!
22nd of Evening Star, 4E 193
Runa played outside, alone and free but a little chilled, until Constance Michel called her in. The young Nord ran inside, fearing the belt from Grelod if the older woman found her outside just a second after her hour was up. Samuel cooed from Constance's arms, sucking on his little thumb, as Runa rushed inside as fast as her little legs would allow her. She looked up at the two year old, quickly, before averting her gaze when she saw angry red scrapes on his arms. Even he was not safe from Grelod's wrath; he would be hit if he cried too much and Constance was unable to shut him up before Grelod snapped.
Constance placed Samuel on the bed. Runa sat beside the young boy and played with him gently as Constance made dinner. A knock at the door interrupted their quiet, fear-free moments. Runa held Samuel close, watching with wide eyes as Constance softly opened the door. A young, dark-haired Nord boy smiled and introduced himself as Sorri. He explained he was an orphan, and he heard that this was the only orphanage in Skryim. Constance hummed nervously before letting the teenager in. She fixed an extra plate, and they ate together. Runa loved Sorri's cheerfulness. It made her feel light inside. She grinned around Sorri until her cheeks hurt. She kept smiling. She even laughed a couple times.
Sorri was gone by the end of the week. Runa cried, her smiles and happy feelings crushed out of her. She missed her friend and his happiness. She was given extra lashes.
3rd of Sun's Dawn, 4E 196
Five years ago, Runa was barely a year old. Five years old, to this day, Samuel had been born. His mother had died.
Constance Michel would always light an extra candle on this day. When Runa would see three candles on the dining table instead of two, she would send a tiny prayer up to the Divines, wishing Mavia a safe and peaceful time up in the stars even though she had not known the Imperial woman for as long as Constance had. She would always wonder if Samuel noticed that extra candle, and if he thought of his mother often. Grelod the Kind never noticed the extra candle, which was for the best. If the angry caretaker learned of this small act, she would beat Runa and Samuel for 'wasting resources,' and Constance would attempt to put a stop to the beatings. A regular occurrence that Runa hated. She hated Grelod the Kind with her whole, small being. Sometimes the terror and hatred she felt towards the old Nord woman would make her shake and cry, silently, of course. Grelod should never hear crying. Crying meant punishment.
Samuel was tucked into bed as dusk began to fall, burrowed underneath furs in his small bed that had once held his mother's body. Grelod had fallen asleep hours ago, her door shut tight and locked. Constance Michel was still awake, cleaning the dining table and putting out the candles. Runa could not sleep, so she stayed awake, helping the gentle Imperial woman clean up after dinner. She brushed crumbs of bread off the table and swept them into a corner with a broom.
A heavy knock came to the door. Runa immediately glanced towards Samuel, relived that he slept soundly. She followed Constance towards the door, hiding behind the Imperial's skirts. A gust of cold air made Runa grasp the dress tighter, and she shut her eyes as Constance spoke to whoever stood at the door.
"Yes?" Constance sighed heavily.
"Found this kid by 'imself. Prolly a orp'an. Calls 'imself Hroar," a gruff voice, muffled slightly, spoke tiredly.
"Ah…" Constance's dress shifted in Runa's fists. "Thank you. I'll take him. Come, Hroar."
Runa peeked out to see a brown haired Nord boy, staring at his feet as Constance gently pulled him towards her. A Riften guard, face masked by a helmet, nodded and turned around as Constance shut the door carefully.
She gathered her dress, carefully peeling it away from Runa's fists. The young girl stared at her new roommate, trying to catch his gaze. His eyes remained fixed on the floor. Runa frowned, looking up at Constance for reassurance. The Imperial woman smiled sweetly and slowly walked Hroar to an unoccupied bed, tucking him in and kissing his cheek. Runa noticed that he was crying. She hoped he would learn crying was a bad thing to do.
12th of Hearthfire, 4E 199
Runa awoke to hushed voices and the sound of a door closing. She rolled over in her bed, opening her eyes to the dim light of dawn filtering into the room. Hroar and Samuel stood side by side near the dining room table, whispering to each other. She sighed and shut her eyes, trying to get back to sleep since Grelod would soon be up and yelling at them to finish their chores. When the door closed, not gently, Runa opened her eyes with annoyance. She slid out of bed and padded over to the whispering boys to see what was so interesting. Before them stood Constance, holding the hand of a new arrival: a filthy, young boy with a mop of dark hair. The Imperial woman smiled at the three orphans before her.
"Children, this is Aventus Aretino," she introduced the boy. "His mother died recently, so be kind to him." He looked up from the floor, his dark eyes hardened with some indistinguishable emotion. Runa felt vaguely chilled by his expression, and she noticed Hroar shift slightly behind Samuel. Constance continued with introductions, gesturing to each child as she spoke their names. "This is Samuel, Hroar, and Runa Fair-Shield. I am Constance Michel, and Grelod the Kind is the… caretaker of Honorhall. She's currently asleep. I'll wash you up, and you can meet her when she wakes."
"Don't be bad, or she'll beat you senseless," Runa muttered, directed more towards herself than anyone.
Aventus clearly heard her, his eyes widening at her words. Hroar flinched and Samuel stared at the wooden floor, mumbling something about his chores. Hroar quickly followed him towards the cleaning supplies. Constance smiled thinly, a silent warning as well as sorrow in her eyes, before she ushered Aventus out of the orphanage towards the wash bucket. Before the door closed, Aventus shot another look towards Runa. She ignored him and wandered over towards the dead fire, crouching and poking the ashes with her finger. She debated how fast she was and if she could run outside and grab firewood without Grelod waking and discovering her outside, alone. The headmistress's door unlocked loudly. Runa brushed ashes off of her hand and stood, heading towards the lonely broom in the corner. Later, perhaps, she would risk her chances. She would not give a bad example for the new arrival so soon.
1st of Morning Star, 4E 200
When Runa begrudgingly opened the door at the knock, she blinked in surprise as a tall, fully armored person stood at the entrance with a light-haired Imperial boy standing in front of her. She looked at them without much emotion except her blink, first observing the furs and metals wrapped around the armored person then switching her gaze towards the younger boy. He seemed as if he was around her age, the light of joy still dancing in his brown eyes. Her blue gaze swept over them once more before she called, quietly, for Constance Michel. When the kindly Imperial woman appeared, Runa disappeared back into the orphanage to sit on her bed and watch Samuel help Hroar finish up cleaning the fireplace. Aventus sat silently in a dark corner as usual, hugging his knees to his chest. Grelod, thankfully, had decided to take a walk around Riften, and the moments that she was gone were ones of near-peace.
"Hi, this's Honorhall?" came a smooth, beautiful voice from the entrance. Runa's attention shifted from the boys towards the entrance at the sound of it, wanting to listen to more of the lovely sound.
"Yes, ma'am," Constance spoke faintly.
"Ah, good, I couldn't see the sign, y'see. Do you mind if I leave this little guy with you for a while?"
"Um…"
"I'll come back and get 'im, don't you worry. His name's Francois Beaufort."
There was a moment of silence broken by the child's voice. "Bye, mummy! I'll always be waiting for you."
The smooth voice had a faint, guarded tone to it. "I'll get you soon, Francois. Don't worry."
Runa knew, at those last words, that the fully armored lady lied. She would never come back for her son. The young Imperial was being abandoned. Out of the corner of her eye, she noted Samuel watching at her. She turned towards him, exchanging a knowing look. Aventus watched their silent conversation, understanding dawning on his features. He burrowed deeper into the darkness of his corner, hiding his face behind his arms.
Runa understood the want to hide away from the cruel world. All the orphans had been abandoned in one way or another—either by death or dumped on the steps of Oblivion-cursed Honorhall. It was different to hear abandonment verbally and watch it happen. Many orphans had come and go in the ten years Runa had lived here, but they had all been dropped off by the guards or wandered in by themselves; none had been abandoned on the doorstep of Honorhall by the ones they called mother and father. All those orphans had all reached sixteen years, and left. Thrown straight in the world that had first rejected them.
Constance came around the corner with the happy, blond Imperial. She introduced all the orphans one by one, and they nodded at the new arrival. None told him the truth. They had not wanted to crack his cheerful smile. Happiness lacked here at Honorhall. They all missed that light, beautiful feeling. They missed it dearly.
13th of Sun's Dawn, 4E 200
Grelod's screaming jolted Runa awake. Fearing the belt, she hurriedly shot out of bed and dressed for the day. Samuel, already awake, was attempting to calm Hroar's crying by holding his hand over the other boy's mouth. Francois, quiet anxiety in his eyes, sat at the edge of his bed as he watched the situation. Grelod the Kind was not standing at the entrance, screaming at the orphans. Since she was not in the room, they were safe. For now. Runa paused her rushed dressing, slipping on only one of her tattered socks as she directed her attention towards Grelod's voice.
"Get her out of here!" the headmistress screamed. Runa imagined spit flying out of her mouth, hitting a faceless Nord, and the Nord wiped off the spit with disgust. She blinked when the daydream ended. "I will not be taking any more of those useless orphans! I have enough I tell you, enough!"
Someone touched Runa's shoulder, and she spun around to see Aventus standing behind her solemnly. He looked past her, not meeting her gaze. When he moved towards the door, she slipped in front of him; together, they peeked around the doorframe at the screaming headmistress and the open door. At the entrance stood a guard with a child—possibly a year younger than Runa. The poor girl's lovely face was dirty and streaked with tears as she ducked behind the guard. Grelod kept screaming how sick she was of orphans until the guard promptly pulled the door shut in her face. Runa knew Grelod's anger would soon be turned against the orphans she housed, so she hurried away to start her chores before the headmistress could beat her for watching.
Aventus was not quick enough, and Samuel could not stop Hroar's crying in time. They all received extra beatings.
30th of Midyear, 4E 201
Under the cover of darkness and stars, Aventus ran away. Now, Runa was locked in the room, bleeding. Tomorrow, it would be Samuel's turn in the room with the belt. Then, Hroar's. Then, Francois's. She felt utterly defeated as she shut her eyes, trying to ignore the pain as well as the awkward position of being chained to the wall. All she could do was hope, hope that Aventus could contact the Dark Brotherhood. Hope they could be saved.