A/N: Hi guys! This is my very first story on this account and since I've always enjoyed the Elder Scrolls series I figured I would write a story. I apologize if I'm a little off on some of the information. I'm always open to ideas and critique so let me know what you think of this!
Prologue
It was the 15th of Sun's Dawn, E4 174, about a month and a half since the Khajiit caravan had arrived in Skyrim. Business hadn't been going very well for the first few weeks but they had just made a break when a band of mercenaries happened by in need of a great deal of supplies and weapons. This left the caravan with a hefty amount of gold. After the struck of good luck it was needless to say, this called for celebrating. The party had gone on for hours into the night; they were sure the furless folk in Riften could hear their rambunctious party going on. The abundance of skooma and moon sugar resulted in an awry of intoxicated fun for the feline people. Ma'randru-jo began to shamelessly court his traveling companion, Atanbah. She was unimpressed with his effort, "So this is why you have yet to find your mate" her condescending tone evident in her thick accent. "Ohh come on Ata…-" Atanbah's left ear twitched at his pet name which she hated so much.
"I think you know I've already found her" he came close to her face, Atanbah could feel herself becoming flustered by his forward actions. What does this fool think he's doing?! She internally screamed at herself to move, but did she really want to? Right as Ma'randru-jo's face was an inch apart from her own he quickly shifted so that he could see behind her "Isn't that right Zaynabi?" he yelled drunkenly. Zaynabi just looked at the two with a bored expression on her face and turned back to the three leaders who were in discussion before being interrupted by the young Khajiit. As they started back on their conversation the sound of Atanbah unleashing her wrath on Ma'randru-jo could be heard behind them, unfortunately for him nobody bothered to pay attention to his suffering.
Ri'saad, the eldest of the three was the first to continue the conversation, "Ma'dran, are you certain of this?". "Yes, I hear there is talks of an uprising in the Reach by the breton people". "If this news is true it might mean a good amount of gold to come our way, reasonably priced weapons and armor are very hard to come by for a regular citizen" responded Ma'dran. Ahkari seemed to be slightly on edge, both Ri'saad and Ma'dran could clearly see that. "We should get a move on westward soon if we are to find the right clientele, our travels won't be easy since these nord bastards wont allow us in their shithole cities. I do have some reservations though…" Ri'saad looked at his companion with curiosity "What would they be?". Ahkari sighed deeply, his body language could show what he was going to say what if this is just a pointless rumor that will be a waste of time and coin. Ma'dran had found his voice, hissing at Ahkari "You are an idiot Ahka, this is a fortune waiting to come!". The rising argument had caught the attention of the remaining caravan members, who all discretely listened in. Before an argument could ensue, Ri'saad lifted his paw as to silence them. "We should gather more information before moving everyone west, let's stay near Riften and collect more coin in the meantime".
After their conversation was over the party continued on until the sun broke over lake Honrich. For the next few days everyone tried their best to sell goods to the people of the Rift. By the time Tirdas had arrived they found that the rebellion in the west was more than a rumor and began to pack. The next day they were halfway to Ivarstead when they heard a very strange wailing sound in the brush a few feet from where they were walking, "What is that pestering noise?" Zaynabi seethed. The noise became almost unbearable, "I will go and see what it is" volunteered Ma'dran. While the rest of the caravan decided it was a good time to take a break, the male Khajiit began his investigation behind the bushes. When he made it through he discovered something peculiar, something wrapped in a cloth, a package perhaps? He decided to further his investigation and come closer. As he did so however, the package began to move and a tiny whimper followed. Uh oh I hope this is not what I think it is. He crouched on the ground and gently picked up the wrap and upon closer observation, it was exactly what he had feared a baby, a bosmer baby to be precise. The babe was staring into Ma'dran's soul possibly smelling his fear, but to his disbelief the little elf broke into a big gummy smile and began to giggle.
"Ma'dran! Did you find it?" called Ra'zhinda, one of the guards. Ma'dran didn't respond still in shock and feeling an emotion he had never felt before. He held the baby close to him as he walked out to the group. Everyone looked at what was in arms. "What is that thing?" hissed Atahbah. "A bosmer cub" he simply replied. "Well put it back, it's mother or father must be around here somewhere" Ma'dran ignored Atanbah's ranting and raving and sat down on a boulder to admire the tiny thing in his arms. Neither Ahkari nor Ri'saad had said a word yet, they just observed the situation quietly. While Ma'dran continued to inspect the bosmer baby, he didn't notice Ra'zinda walk behind him to evaluate the enigma herself. "Funny looking thing" he looked up at her and saw a small smile with great fondness showing in her eyes. Khayla joined the two, curiosity showing in her bright eyes "Is it male or female?".
Ma'dran blinked "I...don't know, how can you tell on someone who is not Khajiit?" Khayla chortled and motioned for him to hand the baby over, which he did with no hesitation. He knew she had cubs of her own and that she was a great mother to them in Elsweyr, unfortunately bandits had raided and killed most of the cubs about a few years back. Khayla sat on the ground will her legs folded to support the child as she unwrapped the cloth to reveal the gender. To her surprise not only did she find the sex but the baby was not the only thing wrapped in the cloth. There was also a small envelope and a beautiful wood carved amulet with the symbol of Valenwood. "This one is female said Khayla, handing the other items to Ma'dran. "This must be from whoever birthed the cub" she stood and cradled the the child. On the envelope wrote one word, "Wren… that must be her name" Ma'dran carefully pulled it open only to find the letter was written in Elvish dialect. "Damn, maybe we can find someone to read this?" he said half asking. "That's where I'll stop you there" interrupted Ri'saad "We are here to make a profit, not to raise strange children we find in the woods. We cannot waste time finding this childs family, put it back and be done with it". Ma'dran's jaw tightened "I put the burden on myself and nobody else, I will find who this child's family is on my own, then afterwards I will rejoin you in Markarth" everyone seemed shocked that Ma'dran would do something so selfless for someone who was not of his own kind. Ri'saad seemed to be in thought before speaking again, "If that is your will then so be it, just don't take forever". "Ma'jhad and I will join you Ma'dran" Ra'zhinda spoke, Ma'jhad nodded as to agree with her. With that the three were off in the direction of the nearest village.
It had taken a few weeks before they had found another wood elf in the town of Riverwood. A mill worker by the name of Faendal who was the first customer of the day. "Warm sands, friend. How may I help you?" Ma'dran spoke in his very thick accent, careful to not switch to his own language. "Greetings, I heard a Khajiit caravan had come to Skyrim, but I had never expected to actually see one so soon. You wouldn't happen to have bow strings would you? Oh! and possibly something for a female friend" Faendal thought his love interest Camilla might appreciate a new piece of jewelry. "Ah yes I do have good tough strings that will last you years to come and this…" Ma'dran pulled out a gold necklace with a cut ruby in the middle. "H-how much is it?" asked Faendal worrying it might be too expensive. "Usually this would sell for about 350 gold but for you I only charge one third of price and I'll throw in the bow strings free, but you must do something for me in exchange for this deal of a lifetime" Ma'dran could see the wood elf visibly tense for a moment and took that as a sign to continue. "I will give you deal if you translate this for me" he handed the envelope over to Faendal. "O-oh okay I can do that" he relaxed some and took the letter out of its envelope, inspecting the paper front and back.
"It looks as if one side is a letter to the child and one is to whoever finds the child" Faendal stated, Ma'dran stroked his chin in thought. "On second thought I will give you an even better deal to translate both sides to words I can understand so that I may show Wren when she is old enough, and that she may understand" Faendal agreed to translate the script and promised it would be done within the week.
A/N: I'm going to try to update as much as possible. Also, if the khajiit seem to not talk like they do in the Elder Scrolls it's because they are talking to each other in their native tongue. I tried to emphasize that when Ma'dran switched to I guess whatever English would be called in Skyrim!