Chapter 2: Awaiting the Response
Three months had gone by since Melina's 18th birthday. Melina had gone through with the wedding to keep her Father pleased, and to hopefully bring a stronger harmony between the farm and Whiterun. But Melina was not at all satisfied or happy. Not only had she been thrown into a marriage with a practical stranger, but three months had passed since she had sent her letter to the College of Winterhold. The messenger had returned saying the journey went smoothly, and they took her letter with the message "you will be informed within the coming days."
It was unlike the college to outwardly refuse somebody without saying anything, but the depression inside Melina led her to believe their silence as a no. But still, the hope in her was not missing, but it was very small and depleted.
Melina walked into the streets of Whiterun to go shopping for a nice new garment for her to wear. Traven had given her 100 septims to do buy whatever she pleased. He took care of most of the money in the family, splitting it equally with her father and giving it to her when he felt it "possible". She decided to pay a visit to the Warmaiden's armory just to browse, they occasionally also had the rare dress from Radiant Raiment in Solitude lying around the store.
Ulfberth greeted her nonchalantly while he hung up war-axes onto the weapon hanger to show off to the customers. Melina greeted, "Good afternoon Ulfberth, do you have anything unique today?"
Ulfberth turned his head, as if he had just noticed she was there. "Unique? Yeah I got some. But nothin' you'd really like. All just fancy magic stuff a wonderer traded in here 'few days back."
Melina's eyes grew wide with excitement. "Magic? Oh please let me see, please."
Ulfberth looked strangely at Melina at first, then turned around and dug around a chest sitting behind the counter, and brought out two beautiful purple hooded mage robes, which gleamed blue with the power of Magicka.
"Odd things, these two. Not entirely sure what it is they do, the seller had mention-"
"They're enchanted. The blue light shows a mage had imbued them with a certain quantity of Magicka so the wearer of the robe is granted the bonus." Melina told Ulfberth confidently, touching the robes gently to feel the fabric. "They've not been worn once, oh my they look powerful. The people at the college would certainly be-"
"100 Septims for them both." Ulfberth interrupted. He didn't seem to have much of an appreciation for magic at all. "This is an armory. Stuff like this belongs somewhere like Solitude."
Melina practically jumped for joy, her blonde hair flying in the air. "Sold!" She declared, throwing all her Septims on the counter and leaving the shop with the robes.
Proudly and confidently, Melina rushed home and put on one of the robes. It felt like a perfect, probably the work of the mage who enchanted it. She could feel a rush of Magicka she hadn't felt before, and in celebration conjured up 2 flame atronachs to join in the celebration.
It wasn't long though, before Traven entered the home, his face was scuffled and he dripped in sweat. "What's this? What are these things? Where did they-"He said with loss of breath. "Those robes…did you just buy those?"
"Yes I did, do you like them? They were on sale at Warmaidens; I just had to buy them so I could practice my magic in them." Melina said happily with joy and in her voice.
Traven rolled his eyes and then faked a grin. "Yes dear, if it makes you happy. Now I'm going to need the change I gave you today, one of our horses was attacked by a bear and needs to be replaced."
"Change? I…these two robes cost me the entire 100 septims…I'm sorry." Melina said, dismissing her conjured friends.
"TWO? You mean to say you bought another?" Traven said begrudgingly.
"Yes, I couldn't pass them up. If I get into the college, they will surely see these as a rare enchantment and welcome me with open arms."
"Dammit Melina… that money was not meant to be spend on trinkets! I thought you were going to spend that money on a dress or a pretty necklace but…THIS?" Traven snapped frustratingly at Melina leaving her without defense.
"I'm sorry… I'm just so afraid the college declined me that I've been wanting a new spring in my magic for so long I… I…"
Traven smashed his fist on the table. "You AREN'T going to the College of Winterhold, you idiot!" He bellowed loudly, "You're a simple farm girl with no recommendations from any local mages except the god damn chapel priestess. Why on earth would they accept you?"
Melina began to cry at Traven's harsh words, her tears rolled off her chin onto her new robe. "You're wrong, I AM getting into the college you'll see… It's been my dream!"
"Oh to hell with dreams, Melina! I dreamt of running away to Windhelm and joining the stormcloaks, but I can't don't you see? Our place is here, in Whiterun. Get your head out of the clouds and back down to Tamriel for god's sake!"
Melina didn't respond, when Traven finished his harsh speech she ran out of the home and into the courtyard by the great tree. She sat on the bench while people walked by and gawked at her for crying in public.
Soon though, Danica from the temple of Kynareth heard her tears and came out to comfort her. She put her arms around her and wiped away her tears, "My child, what troubles you?"
"Nothing ma'am…" She said, trying to stop crying to save her pride.
Danica rubbed Melina's back and took the hood off of her head. "This is about your letter to the college, isn't it?"
Melina started to cry a bit more. "It's been 3 months, why haven't I heard anything? They've obviously declined my entry…"
"That's not true my child. The wilds of Skyrim are fierce; something could have happened to the messenger delivering here. Don't give up faith dear."
Melina swallowed the rest of her tears and started to come to grips with herself. "Then the divines must not want me in the college then. It's official."
Danica helped Melina to her feet and began to walk her into the temple. "Come with me, I want to show you something" she said quietly. Soon they were in the middle of the shrine, beneath the sunlight of the rooftop shining down on the radiant statue before them. "The divines watch over this world for great reasons my dear. But their actions are always within reason, and you should look to their decision and see if you can decipher their message."
"Message?" Melina said, looking around the temple. "The only message I see is that I don't belong in the college. My place resides here in Whiterun."
"The divines may interject your course, child, but they cannot control what you do. I think if you were destined to remain in Whiterun, things wouldn't be so tragic for you at the moment, dear."
Melina began to understand what was being said. "Maybe you're right. They wouldn't punish me like this…would they?"
"No dear, punishing is for the Deadra. I can sense Kynareth has planted a seed within you, Melina, and she trusts you to make that seed grow. Whiterun has plenty of sunlight, but a seed planted by Kynareth requires much more. Don't you see?" Danica said encouragingly to Melina.
"So if I want to be in the College of Winterhold…I should just go. No more waiting for their acceptance. I'm getting into that college whether they like me or not!" Melina said with a sudden rush of confidence. "Traven can't keep me here, plus I don't need to stay that long. A month at the most. Maybe I can get a job working for the Jarl as his mage!"
"Now you're feeling it! You speak the confidence of our divine lady. Now go, Melina, the time to claim your future is now!"
Melina nodded her head, and within the instant she rushed out of the temple and back to her home. Traven was gone, just as Melina had hoped. Looking around her home, she could feel the suffering over the past few months of being with him. She needed an escape, so she took out a roll of paper and quill to write him a note:
Dear Traven, Mama & Papa,
I am tired of waiting for the messenger to arrive saying whether or not I've been accepted into the college. This is my life, and there is no more time for waiting. I have left for Winterhold, and shall return in a month's time to continue my duties in the city, but I cannot be stopped on this mission. Do not fret, I will return before my absence is even noticed.
I wish you all the luck in the coming month,
Melina
