Chapter 1: An Arranged Marriage

The more that the day progressed, the more Melina was beginning to feel discouraged. Looking out of her window, all that the eye could see was a cold grey sky hovering over the towering valley of white mountains. The town of Whiterun seemed minor compared to the overwhelming army of thunderous mountains that stretched above the clouds, into the grey abyss.

Melina looked away from her window and back to her bedside table, where she sat on the top floor of her home and looked intriguingly at the parchment paper laying in front of her, with a quill besides it. Melina bundled herself up with some fur and proofread the paper she had just finished writing.

To whomever it may entail,

My name is Melina, a resident of a farm outside the city of Whiterun, a 20 year old Breton woman who has always had interest in the art of magic. I'm writing to you today because my entire life, I have wanted to study at the College of Winterhold. It has been a dream of mine that I have held dear for many years, but due to increasing political and cultural pressure, have neglected to seek training in.

Enclosed, I have attached a letter written by the court mage of the Whiterun court, Danica Pure-Spring. She has given me a few lessons in the arts, but I know that I cannot learn my craft here any longer; I must go to the college.

It is my dearest dream to study magic and bring its secrets to the people of Tamriel. Allowing me to attend your college will likely bring a stable peace between Winterhold and Whiterun, and you will be granted a student that I'm confident will make you proud. I hope you will consider my acceptance, and wish you a good day.

-Melina

Melina set the letter back down, and closed her eyes. For now, nobody could know that she wanted to pursue magic. Should the word get out, her parents would likely be questioned heavily by the Jarl, which would result in bad luck for the family's business.

Melina and her family lived close to Whiterun, on their own plantation. Melina's father and his hired workers took care of crops that are delivered to Whiterun and fed to the entire city, which brought much profit for the family and made them on wonderful standing with Jarl Balgruuf. Melina's actions however, would impede strongly on her family's standing, and could potentially jeopardize the entire family. But Melina was encouraged to apply by her close friend and mentor, Danica, who was the priest at Whiterun's temple to Kynareth.

'You have much potential, Melina. Do not let it go to waste. Apply.'

Currently, Melina father was on a trip to visit his friend in Riften, but he was due to return that very same day. Melina wanted to mail her letter before he would return home, so once she had sealed her letter with Danica's recommendation enclosed, she went down the stairs to her small home.

Melina lived in a small farmhouse, suitable for living but not the most comfortable of places. The smell of cow manure filled up the house on most days, which is followed then by a cold draft of Skyrim's chilling cold. It was nothing like where Melina grew up.

Melina was born in the Imperial province of Cyrodiil, where was raised on a farm close to the city of Cheydinhal. Melina loved it there, as did her entire family. The Count paid her father well, far more than Jarl Balgruuf, and the weather was always nicer for crops to grow. But sadly, the weather was damaged when the tragedy struck in Morrowind.

The eruption of Red Mountain sent the entire west side of Cyrodiil ablaze with ash. It wasn't as bad as Vvardenfell, but it wasn't far from it. The year the mountain erupted, the crops had just been planted, and the ash ruined the soil- turning it into a filthy layer of soot. The Count soon had to get the town's food supply from the southern cities like Bravil, putting Melina's family at a loss, and forcing them to head north.

The journey north was dreadful. Melina was only 12 years old when it happened, and she always remembered the carriage being filled with snow 24/7, spending days crying for a warm fire. When work was finally needed in Whiterun, the family was able to set up right at the start of the season, but conditions were never the same.

When she walked out of her home to mail her letter, Melina was astonished when she heard the pitter-patter of a horse and carriage coming from the distance. Realizing it was her father, Melina hid her letter inside her back pocket, as the horse quickly pulled up in front of her.

Melina was overjoyed to see her father. When he got out of his carriage, Melina jumped to him and gave him a loving hug, as he laughed and beckoned the carriage to leave.

"Welcome home, Papa!" Melina said happily bowing to her father, who looked very awake and lively.

"Thank you dear, I have much to tell you about my trip! But first, let me give you this-"Melina's father reached into his pocket and pulled out a necklace, a beautiful brown and green necklace that was aligned with green gems along the entire neckline, centering with a gleaming gem that Melina could hardly believe.

"Oh father- It's beautiful. How did you afford it?"

Melina's father chuckled, placing the necklace around his daughter's neck. "Oh my dear, it didn't cost me a single septim. I have another close friend in Riften who makes jewelry, he gave this to me free of charge my dear."

Melina was astonished by the beauty of the necklace, it matched her blue dress perfectly and made her shine radiantly, which Melina couldn't get enough of.

"Now, my dear, I have so much to tell you about my- Oh look!" his father said, hearing footsteps behind him. A man was approaching the farm, a tall handsome Nord wearing fine fur clothing, who bowed to Melina's father. "To what do you we owe the pleasure, Sir Traven?"

"Traven? Son of the aristocratic family that lives in the city?" Melina asked, feeling timid at a stranger approaching so unexpected.

"Yes, it is a pleasure to meet you my dear." Traven said, taking Melina's hand and kissing it, making her feel quite awkward. "I've just come on behalf of the Jarl, he sent me to see how your- Oh my, that is a lovely Amulet of Mara you wear around your neck, m'lady." Traven said, stepping closer to Melina to decrease the distance.

"Amulet of- Mara? The Divine?" Melina said, looking towards her father for clarification. But her father wasn't moving, rather he was standing and smiling.

"Yes, what is your name my dear?" Traven asked, starting to touch Melina's hands awkwardly. Melina felt very intruded and kept looking to her father for help, but he was obviously just watching, as if it wasn't a surprise.

"Melina." She said sternly.

"Melina…" Traven repeated, trying to be poetic, but his thick Nordic accent wasn't making it possible. "Dear Melina, I would be honored if you would be my wife."

Melina practically had a heart attack; she wasn't sure what was even going on. At first she thought she was dreaming, but a quick feel to the earth beneath her re-assured her that wasn't the case. Melina turned to her father once again, who finally decided to butt into the conversation.

"Oh my boy, yes! Yes of course!" Melina's father declared. Melina pulled her hand away, and started to panic. "What is it my dear?"

"H-Hold on…who are you?! I don't even know you-"

"Yes, but we will surely get to know each other soon enough, don't you think?" Traven said, almost sounding creepy by how assured he was that this was a good idea.

Melina couldn't believe what was happening, a stranger just asked her to marry her and her father just agreed for her. She felt like she was either going to faint, or somebody was going to jump out of a barrel and say that it was a prank all along.

"I…I…" Melina stuttered her words, having none.

"It's decided then! Traven my boy, run along and tell your family of the arrangement. Oh this will be simply MARVELOUS, we will have the ceremony as soon as possible! Don't you agree Melina?"

Melina couldn't speak. In fear of fainting, Melina turned around and dashed for the farmhouse, pulling open the wooden door and shutting it loud behind her. Melina came into the kitchen and sat down, panting in angry and in shock. When her father came in, Melina almost screamed.

"Now now my dear, calm down." Melina's father said when he entered the farmhouse.

Melina slammed her fist on the table. "Calm down? CALM DOWN? Father, you just made the most important decision of my life, MY LIFE, in mere seconds- I can't even begin to-"

Melina's father touched her shoulder gently, trying to get her to calm down. He sat on the chair next to her, and started to help her breathe normally. "This will be a good thing. The family will get more influence, it will be your job to get connected with their tree of influence. Do you understand? You're doing this for the family."

"Father, I-"

"He is a fine man, the best you could possibly find, my love. Marriage is not something you should wait on, dear. You never know when a dragon will swoop down and kill us all, eh?"

Her father's dark humor didn't help at all. Melina was still confused and angry. "I wanted to fall in love- now you-"

"You could find love in Traven, after you all haven't even met him-"

"Exactly father, EXACTLY!" Melina screamed, standing up and storming out of her house and slamming her door.

Melina was dead set on sending her application letter. She walked fast paced to the messenger who was just outside the city, and told him to send the letter to the College of Winterhold. She paid the messenger 20 septims, and he rode off on his horse to the north.

Melina sat on a rock nearby, collecting everything that had just happened. Now, if she gets accepted into the college, she'll have to deal with the stress of having a husband and leaving him to study. Her plans were beginning to crumble, her entire life was being set up for her, and her dreams were becoming impossible to see.