Oh man, has anyone else been playing Mass Effect Andromeda? It's both awesome and annoying. Having huge problems with the stupid menu and change in tactics. Thankfully I have Skyrim to fall back on when it becomes too infuriating.
I am more impressed that I was able to get this chapter out so quickly after posting my first chapter. This will most likely be a rare occurrence. The chapter is primarily to setup my OC and her adventures with the Dragonborn and Bishop as well as a bit of back filler on her history.
As before, I do not own any of the characters other than my OC
Enjoy
After making it to Whiterun and being introduced to both Jarl Balgruuf the Greater and Jorrvaskr and the Companions (thus learning that Daraen is not only the Thane of Whiterun but the Harbinger of the Companions) I was actually settling down nicely in Daraen's home, Breezehome. Farkas and Vilkas even offered me a place with the Companions. I politely declined as I wanted to learn more about Skyrim before joining anything officially; a warning expressly given to me by Daraen. He definitely regrets joining the Stormcloak's. Lydia, Daraen's housecarl, helped me adjust to my new lifestyle. Practicing my sword play and archery in the morning (sometimes being joined by Farkas, Vilkas, Daraen or all three), spending the afternoon learning the language of Skyrim from Daraen, and then joining them all either at Jorrvaskr with the rest of the Companions or at the Bannered Mare Inn. Life was pretty great.
I take that back, its great but I forgot to include the ever present shadow that stalks Daraen and I. The stupid ranger that we picked up in Riverwood would stand in the corner and either gives a stupid smirk or a stupid scowl. Ugh everything he does is just….stupid. Gotta think of a better word than stupid. Daraen had promised Bishop that we would travel to find his companion Karnwyr, who had been kidnapped. Unfortunately Daraen had been too busy with orders from Ulfric and Balgruuf that he hasn't made the time. Which is slowly pissing Bishop off, meaning that the stupid scowl is more present that the smirk; regardless both looks are stupid. Ugh yep, need a better word.
It was during one my morning training session with Lydia that we were interrupted by one of the children that run around Whiterun; his cries reached my ears as I was drawing back on my bow. I quickly stuck the arrow into the ground and placed my bow on the stand and started to head towards the child crying, I noticed that a group of adults had started to congregate around the child but it appeared that nobody knew what was wrong. I broke through the circle to find the child crying over a little girl who had apparently fainted. I reached the girl and proceeded to turn her onto her back. Gods, the child wasn't breathing. My first aid training kicked in and I proceeded to perform CPR on the child after calling for someone to get the healer "What is she doing?"
Lydia had reached for the boy that was crying and held him in her arms attempting to quiet his cries. After 3 rounds of compressions the girl proceeded to breath on her own and I started treating her for shock. I heard startled gasps from the circle of onlookers as they gave me looks of disbelief at the supposed miracle I had performed. Where is that damn healer? Attempting to survey the crowd for this supposed healer my eyes made contact with Bishop, who was also giving me a look of disbelief. I averted my eyes back to the girl in my arms, making the decision to bring her somewhere less crowded so that I could monitor her. I then scooped her up and proceeded to head to Breezehome.
Breaking from the crowd I was met with a contingency of soldiers and Jarl Balgruuf, I paused in my steps, unsure as how to proceed. Thankfully the Jarl made the decision for me, scooping the child out of my arms and into his own; cradling the child to his chest. I gave an inquisitive look to the Jarl. "My daughter, Dagny, and my son, Frothar. Please follow me to Dragonsreach." Turning from me he proceeded back to his hold with his soldiers in tow and Lydia his son, Frothar, and I behind.
Sometime after explaining my actions and how I saved the Jarl's daughter, and declining any type of reward, Lydia and I were released to return home. Turning to leave Dragonsreach we were met by Daraen and Bishop mounting the top of the stair case. Giving a silent sigh, knowing I'll have to explain my actions all over again, I waited for them to reach us.
"Ah, Dragonborn, glad you could join us. I was just attempting to bestow a gift of honour to your companion, Olivia, for the service she had performed to save my daughter."
"Yes, Bishop has informed me. I have assumed that, from the tone of your voice she has declined any and all gifts."
"Yes she had. Maybe you could convince her otherwise."
"I am afraid I will be unable to do so, she is her own woman, and a stubborn one at times. It appears that now is one such time" Daraen replied with a slight chuckle.
I felt the colour rise in my cheeks at this comment. Why am I blushing? I did what any normal person would do for a child in need. I made eye contact with Bishop while attempting to temper my blush, unfortunately it would appear that was a futile attempt, as the smirk and small crinkles around his eyes spoke that he was enjoying my embarrassment. That stupid smirk again. Gods, why am I blushing even more, when did it become too hot in here? It's stifling.
Attempting to clear the oppressing atmosphere and calm my blush, I cleared my throat. "Yes, well. If there is nothing further, please excuse me."
"Actually, if you could stay I have something to discuss with the Jarl regarding yourself" Daraen requested. I gave a slight nod of my head. Collecting myself and finally getting the blush off my cheeks I turned back to the Jarl and waiting for Daraen to proceed.
"My Jarl, as you are probably aware I have completed the task that you had requested of me. The Norther Watch Tower is no longer under threat of the giants. I have now come to you to inform you that I will be leaving Whiterun this afternoon in order to head to High Hrothgar. I intend to bring Olivia and Bishop along, however I will be leaving Lydia, my housecarl, to tend to Breezehome and any requests of the Thane during my absence."
"Of course, you are a busy man Dragonborn. Should I require anything I will direct it through Lydia. I wish you and your companions well on your journey. Know that I am jealous of your adventure up the 7000 steps to meet the old Greybeards, especially with such a beautiful woman and strong companion at your side."
Daraen gave a polite nod of his head and a slight upturn on his lips. Bishop just rolled his eyes and gave a small huff while crossing his arms over his chest. Damn, am I blushing again? Very rarely was I called beautiful in my own world, but here, I had been called beautiful not only by my original travelling trio (Daraen, Farkas and Vilkas when I first met them) but also by some of the people of Whiterun. And now apparently the Jarl as well.
Lydia had told me one morning that people were stunned by my long silver hair, as she worded it: "it looks like the full moon in all it silver glory" that earned her an eye roll. But apparently it wasn't just my hair but my bright emerald green eyes, and pale unblemished skin, and again as Lydia stated: petite frame. I had never looked upon myself as being beautiful, just an average woman that happened to have freaky silver hair and green eyes, who enjoyed sword play and archery and had aspirations of becoming a doctor. Lydia had just answered with a slight chuckle and warning, "Daraen will have to keep an eye on you, he'll have to beat all your would-be suitors away." Apparently I will have to take this warning more seriously.
After going through the Market and collecting the various essentials we would need for our journey, after much convincing on the Jarl's part to allow the purchases be charged to him in compensation for my apparent "heroic" deeds this morning. We all congregated at Breezehome. I packed my satchel with my essentials and proceeded to strap on my new leather armour that was commissioned for me by Vilkas; once completed I grabbed my sword and quiver and bow and proceeded down to the fire pit. Bishop and Daraen were currently waiting for me. Lydia pulled me into a quick hug and wished me luck and to be careful on my journey. She then proceeded to gift me with an alchemy and healer book and another satchel full of what appeared to be ingredients.
"You were brilliant with helping Dagny. Read through this its basic alchemy and healing, you already seem to know a lot but it never hurts to know more" I slipped the satchel over my shoulder to join my other and pulled Lydia into a tight hug. Thanking her for her kindness.
"Oi, Princess if your done being all sappy let's get a move on" that earned Bishop a glare from Lydia.
With another quick hug, I followed Bishop and Daraen out of Breezehome and Whiterun.
"So, what's the plan? Head straight to High Hrothgar?" I inquired with Daraen
"Actually we will be taking the long route to High Hrothgar, we will be going to the location that Bishop has marked where his companion Karnwyr was taken and retrieve him. After which we will head to Ivarstead where the 7000 stairs that lead to High Hrothgar are located. We will spend some time there; once my duty is done there I will head to Windhelm to answer a summons by Jarl Ulfric. Bishop and yourself may be excused to not follow me to Windhelm should you choose."
"Once I get Karnwyr, I will decide if I will follow you, your lordship. But the princess if more than welcome to follow me" Bishop answered with a leer directed at me, as he did a once over my body from my head to my toes and back to my head again. I shivered in response to the molten look that he directed towards me. Why am I reacting this way? He is obviously a pig that only wants a woman to warm his bed.
"If you don't mind Daraen, I would like to follow you to Windhelm. I would like to know what Windhelm is like in comparison to Whiterun"
"Of course, though we might not be there for long. I tend to be sent out on assignments by Ulfric in the name of the Stormcloak's regularly"
"That's fine. I can manage."
Silence then proceeded for the remaining part of our journey until night began to fall. In all honesty I was beginning to become tired, attempting to stifle my yawns so to not hinder my travelling companions. Apparently it did not go unnoticed. Damn Bishop.
"It appears that the Princess has grown weary should we find a cozy Inn to bunk in tonight?"
"I'm fine" apparently I had slurred the words together so it sounded more like Imma fene. Damn way to embarrass yourself even more, Olivia.
"There is a small grove ahead that I have used before; we will stop there to rest for the night. Another 20-30 minute walk" Daraen replied with a small chuckle at my childlike response to Bishops instigation.
Upon reaching the grove, we all laid out our bedrolls and Daraen proceeded to make a small fire. I passed him the cooking supplies for a small stew, and then excused myself to head to the small lake next to the camp. I stripped off my armour and leggings but left my tunic on. I then proceeded to wade into the lake until the water was about mid-thigh. I released my hair from the leather band that held it behind my head and shook it out so that it rested just about my waist. I dipped a wash cloth that Lydia had so kindly packed for me and rubbed some of the lavender soap and proceeded to wash my face, reveling in the cool water. I heard a twig snap from behind me and quickly spun around to face my stalker.
"You know, it' considered rude to sneak up on a lady as she bathes. What if I was indecent?" I inquired of my stalker, as I proceeded to walk back to my armour and out of the water. His liquid gold eyes ravaged over my now exposed legs, his eyes darkening even further. His tongue swept over his bottom lip and a large smirk spread across his face, exposing his sharp canine teeth.
"Unfortunately Princess, you are far too decent for my tastes. I would much prefer this little rendezvous to be a bit more indecent. But I don't think his lordship will look kindly on that type of tryst."
That earned him a raised eyebrow from me. "Would it be considered a tryst if only one side instigates it? Besides even if there was to be a tryst, I don't recall inviting you."
"Oh princess, how your words wound me. Should such a tryst take place, even if not invited I would love to observe the kind of woman you are. Do you moan? Do you scream? Whose name would it be to leave your lips? I assure you if such a tryst between us were to occur any and all thereafter will result in only my name being repeated, princess. Of that I can guarantee."
"If such a thing was to occur I can assure you that your name might be spoken but not in pleasure, but rather in wrath. As it would most likely be a one sided tryst at that."
That earned me a deep throated chuckle from him, and flashes of something to cross his eyes. Was that desire? Perhaps not. "You tell yourself that, but I can see the red rising in your cheeks even as we speak of such illicit things. Does my filthy words make you wet, does it create the blush that rises in your body from the insinuations?"
Wait…am I blushing? Again? Why am I blushing? I should be infuriated at his insinuating words. To think I'm some tavern wench that he can bed at a whim. Some prostitute to take for the night.
I gave a small snort at that his last comment, attempting to cover up that he was close to hitting the mark with his words. It's been so long since I last had a man, the smallest things could probably turn me on. I looked back to his eyes to see that that stupid smirk had spread even further. Oh he thinks he has won this little battle has he? Well, we can't have that can we? I licked my lips slowly and as sensually as possible while maintaining eye contact with him. I took three small steps towards him with one leg slightly infront of the other and bent at the knee to show off my long legs in the pale moonlight. Let him choke on his words.
"See that is where you are wrong, Bishop" saying his name on a breathless sigh. Oh I am good. I should have been an actress. "As it is not your name that will escape my lips, nor is it your words that appear to turn me on. But rather the thought that you have to instigate this conversation proves that it will be my name rolling off your lips and my filthy mouth that has your blood rushing through your veins."
The desire that is reflected in his eyes towards me fills me with a feminine confidence I had only ever heard of. This heady feeling filled me, I am quite enjoying myself. Huh, didn't think that would happen.
"It will be when you realize that this game we are playing, you are losing. And quite poorly at that it would seem. You will have to try much harder than just words to have my knees buckle. As I said before, if you want to play this game, you have to learn the steps." I then swooped down and picked up my discarded armour and promptly turned and headed back to camp. Choke on that, stupid. I gave a slight chuckle, because as I straightened to head back to camp I saw the look of confusion and then dawning of the epiphany that he was losing this little game cross his face, wiping off that smug smirk.
Olivia 2, Bishop 0.
I reached the campsite where Daraen gave me an inquisitive look at my state of undress. I gave a small shrug and proceeded to place my armour beside my bedroll and done my leggings again. I laid in my bedroll attempting to sleep when I heard Bishop return to camp, my own smug little smirk still in place.
"Just wait Princess, soon you will be wishing to forfeit the game" Bishop whispered to me while passing my bedroll
I huffed and rolled away from his eyes. The same molten eyes that had burrowed into my body as they observed me, shown me how he had desired me. I will never admit defeat, even if he was speaking the truth. Closing my eyes, I willed myself to sleep and prayed to whatever gods there were in this universe that I do not dream of him in the glade and even more so that I do not talk in my sleep.
Olivia 2, Bishop 1
Whew that's a long chapter. This one kind of ran away on me, not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing.
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