Hi :3 I hope I put enough deliciousness in this. I felt I needed to bring some drama into this to make the story less boring.

FEAST ON THIS! :D

Disclaimer: I don't own Skyrim, Elder Scrolls, or anything to do with that. I own the main heroine in this story, but I do not own Ondolemar, sadly. :')

Ondolemar never saw Marina again for the next few weeks. Only after a month and a half had passed, he came across her. It was arrive early in the morning, and Marina wanted hang about the Keep until the afternoon. Then she would go to the market and somtimes buy something. Or she would head down to the tavern and sing along with the bards for fun. Ogmund wasn't there anymore. He'd been gone a few days after the "favor" Marina did for the Thalmor. Marina had no exact idea what could have happened to him, and to be honest, she really didn't want to know.

She had come to see the Jarl and ask him for a job. But he turned her down. He told her that he honestly had no jobs to give, and she nodded, secretly knowing that she was still too unfit for any job he could give to some warrior maiden. She had tiptoed down the stairs in a pitiful manner, watching her feet as she descended, and looked up just in time to see Ondolemar glancing her way with his stuck-up ensemble. They all glared at Marina, as their superior curiously raised a brow.

Marina blushed faintly and gave him a smile and a wave. Ondolemar looked back at his Justiciars and gave them a look of...disapproval? They were taken aback, and ceased their silent snickering as he approached the blushing woman.

"Good morning, Commander." She adressed him politely, not wanting to annoy the mer as he nodded back at her. She smiled nervously and rubbed her neck. He noticed that her skin wasn't shiny or covered in sweat and grime. It was pale and clean, and her hair was washed, tied up high with a long dangling braid. Marina cleared her throat and brought his attention back to what she had to say.

"I, um...I went to see the Jarl this morning..." She said awkwardly. He raised a brow once more. Marina bit her lip.

"He told me he had no jobs for me to do." She stated.

"Neither do I, girl." He replied. Marina's face fell. He seemed so cold today, even though she cleaned herself up just to impress him.

Her eyes watered. He did not even remember her name?

"I guessed as much. I just...well...erm...I just wanted to talk to you. Hear your voice." The words left her mouth before she could stop them. She never meant to say that aloud! Ondolemars stern experssion softened slightly only for a second, before glaring at her.

He was about to say something, but then realized he had nothing to say to counter her statement. For an instant, he panicked, worried that he'd look the fool. But then he held his expression and decided to not give her the satisfaction of hearing his voice any longer. He nodded at her once, and motioned for his Justiciars to follow him. He walked off, all the while Marina's heart breaking as his followers bombarded her with glares and silent taunts. It was all Marina could do to not cry in embarrassment. She dragged herself out of the Keep, and made her way down to the Silver-Blood Inn.

"Are all men sharp, Frabbi?" Marina asked, her arms upon each other, pillowing her head as it lay on the counter. She tapped the wood surface with her finger as the silver-haired maiden made her way towards the girl, a broom in her hand, and a scowl on her face.

"Depends on what ye mean by sharp, dear." The rude woman replied. At Marina's examples, Frabbi's grip on the broom tightened with each word, as she overheard her husband, Kleppr, badmouthing her loudly in the next room. Her grip was so tight it seemed as if the broom would snap.

"Well, erm, rough...bitter...jarring...incompatible-" Marina began.

"Incompatible?" Frabbi interrupted.

"Yes. He and I-"

"Who's 'he'?"

"-are so incompatible, that it is not even funny. He's handsome, and superior, and fit, and strong, and arrogant, and rude, conceited, and a fool, and an ass, and-!"

"Marina what has gotten into you?!" Hroki bellowed as she stormed into the inn, having heard one of her favorite customers raising her voice. Marina never spoke foul language, either. Hroki grabbed her by the shoulders.

"What is with all the ruckus?! Who has done you wrong?!" The young girl yelled. Marina felt her eyes water and spoke through her tears.

"You've...he didn't...not a clue...thought how...hard it is!" She choked. Hroki held her close and shushed her.

"I don't have any idea what you just said..." She smiled a bit, hearing the poor woman laugh slightly at her statement. Hroki backed away and crossed her arms, willing the young lady to speak. Marina sniffled and cleared her throat as she pulled back, inhaling deeply.

"You've no idea what I've been through today. He's pulling on my heartstrings, Hroki. I cleaned myself up for him, and he didn't care. He has not a clue how I feel. He's so arrogant, and rude, and cruel...A-and these past few weeks, I thought how nice it would be...to be with him. I don't have a desirable figure, a pretty face, a strong personality, or even a decent voice! And I have to wake up every day and face those facts! It's horrible! You have no idea how hard it is!" Marina cried.

All of a sudden, Frabbi slapped Marina across the face and grabbed her by the chin.

"You listen to me, girl! I don't know who you're talking about or why you're so concerned, but you're completely deluded! You do nothing to stop the boring streak that you call life! You should live it, breathe it, and enjoy it, instead of obsessing over your appearance! You're a pretty young lady and you have a good figure. Who wants to be an emaciated young lady with a beautiful face like yours? You'd look contrasted and horrific. Your smile could brighten anyone's day and your eyes sparkle every time you get excited. Your voice is different and nice and unique in its own way. You shouldn't want to be like every other woman out there. Be different, be yourself." She explained with a scowl. Marina's eyes widened at Frabbi's words.

Frabbi nodded once before going about dusting the tavern floors once more. Marina touched her cheek where Frabbi had slapped it, and smiled, blinking her tears out.

"Frabbi is right, you know," Hroki added with a smirk. "You're too pretty to ruin your face with those tears and frowns. Frowning causes wrinkles. And you would not look good with wrinkles. Come on. Have some ale with me and cheer up, eh?" She winked. Marina smiled at her, and nodded, wiping her tears with her sleeve.

After a long moment of peace, the door of the inn suddenly burst open. A rather handsome young burly man with pale blue eyes and light blonde, shoulder length hair walked in with heavy steel armor and a strange horned helmet upon his head. He glanced around as he strolled up to Hroki, who raised a brow at him.

"Good afternoon, my fair lady. Would you care to assist me?" He gave an alluring smile, to which Hroki ignored. The young girl glared at the man and inhaled deeply, before bellowing,

"MOTHER! FATHER!"

In an instant, the feuding couple were wrestling to get through one of the many narrow doorways of the inn. The both of them had been arguing in the other room for quite some time, until Hroki had called to them.

"Get out of my way, you loathsome buffoon!" Frabbi snapped.

"My dear, your repulsive being is in myway, not the other way around." Kleppr replied. Frabbi gasped and pulled back, freeing herself and her husband, only to punch the other in the jaw.

"You hateful bastard!" She growled, and walked up to the stranger in armor.

"What do ye want with my daughter? My teenageddaughter?" She spat. The man's eyes widened before shaking his head and waving his hands in front of his face.

"No, Ma'am, it wasn't like that! I simply need someone's aid, please. That's all! I just...I'm sorry!" He said, his voice growing higher and higher with his fear of the woman before him. Hroki smirked and rolled her eyes.

"Some hero that guy must be, hm?" She joked, taking a seat next to Marina, who smiled and closed her eyes, pillowing her head once more upon her arms.

"Well, what in Oblivion are ye quivering for? State your business or hit the gods-damned road, you sod!" Frabbi yelled, her arms crossed and her eyes flaring with rage. The man nodded and swallowed.

"I need some assistance, you see. I must find a man named Kleppr. I have a letter from Bolli in Riften...stating...," the man removed the letter from his pack and unfolded it, reading aloud,

"Purchase Agreement

This agreement certifies that Kleppr, owner of the Silver Blood Inn within the City of Markarth, will pay Bolli, owner of the Riften Fishery within the City of Riften, the sum of three septims per bushel of fish. Payment is expected upon delivery and product is guaranteed to be fresh.

Bolli"

He finished, and handed the letter to Kleppr, who brushed the dust from the floor off of his clothes and stood, glaring at the man as he took the letter, re-reading it for himself.

"I see. Very well. It's about time Bolli sent me this. I've been waiting weeks for any word from him. I thank you." He said, turning around and walking back behind the counter to take his spot back. He removed a cloth from his belt and proceeded to wipe the counters down. The armored man held a confused expression as he stood there. Frabbi glared at him.

"Well, ye got what ye wanted! Now get!" She snapped. Marina yawned and looked over to them.

"I believe he deserves payment, Kleppr. He came all the way from...Riften, yes? Give him some coin." She said with a smile. The man looked at her and smiled back once she closed her eyes again.

"Oh...right. How could I forget? Here. For your work." Klepper groaned, handing the man a coin purse. The man smiled gratefully and put it in his pack. Marina stood.

"Well, thank you for cheering me up, everyone. I feel rather fatigued...I think I'll turn in for the day." She said with a smile.

"But it's only midday!" Hroki complained. Marina sighed.

"Yes, but I am tired, Hroki. I think I shall visit the market for a moment before heading home, alright? I must speak to Kerah, anyway." She said. She made her way outside, and soon after was followed by the man with the horned helmet. He gazed at her as she spoke to Kerah and another woman with a blue dress and short brown hair.

He was about to turn around and walk out when he saw a man in miner's clothing pull out a dagger and creep towards the woman in the blue dress. Before the armored man could do anything, he saw Marina turn around and shriek,

"Margret, look out!"

She pushed the woman, Margret, out of the way just as the man made to stab her. To his own horror, he struck Marina with the dagger, piercing her all the way through her back and coming up through her abdomen. Her eyes went wide with sudden paralysis, and they rolled to the back of her head as the blood sprayed in all directions. Margret and Kerah screamed bloody murder, and the miner pulled his dagger out just as guards began to appear. Marina fell to the ground in a filthy, bloody mess, motionless and pale. Before the miner could make another move to strike Margret, he fell to the ground, pelted by many arrows.

"The Reach belongs to the Forsworn." He muttered as he took his last breath. Margret and Kerah looked at one another as the guards approached.

"Did that man really try to murder me...?" Margret asked. Kerah squeezed her hand in response as the reality of the situation finally settled in. Margret looked at Kerah, who was crying violently. Kerah knelt down next to Marina's body and wept. Margret looked at her with slight confusion. Kerah then looked up into Margret's eyes and sobbed,

"...He killed Marina...right in front of me..."

Don't you worry. This isn't the end. :D I've got quite a few tricks up my sleeve ^.^ Thanks for reading!

~Noodle12