When I wake up I can't help yawning, my nap seeming to drain me instead of renewing me. I slowly stand and adjust my robes, the keys to my rooms clanking against my Amulet of Julianos. I adjust the three strings before checking outside to see the time. It's morning, and I need to decide what to do with Aealynn. It's probably a good idea to get her citizenship legalized, The Legion doesn't take kindly to foreigners begin on their land. I decide that's a good plan and begin straightening myself out. I fix my mane, adjust my robes, and make myself presentable in general. When I'm ready I go over to the Aealynn's room and knock on the door. I hear the woman moving around inside, and after a few seconds she tells me, "I'm here.". I unlock her door and the Breton slowly walks out, her gaze never resting on one thing as she takes in all of her environment. I cough to get her attention and explain to her, "We need to legalize you as a citizen of Skyrim. If you'll follow me, then we'll go down to the office at The Blue Palace and get your paper work filled out.". The Breton's brows furrow and she tells me, "I don't want to be a citizen of Skyrim. I'm a citizen of High Rock.". She's just made everything a thousand times harder, but I assure her, "Fine, they'll fill out your forms and send it to the capital of High Rock. You'll be here on a temporary pass, but if that's what you want I'll give it to you.".
The Breton nods and I tell her, "I'm going to trust you and let you keep your hands free. Please, don't make me think I'm misplacing this small amount of trust.". The woman simply nods and begins following me as I walk away. The drinks from last night have worn off, and everyone's once again giving us wide berths. Probably for the best, the Breton's paranoia seems to have settled in once again. She follows me out of the inn, but I can see hesitation in her eyes. I can't even begin to imagine just how terrifying this is for her. She's awoken from hundreds of years of sleep by a stranger, she has no idea where she is, and so much has changed it's impossible to tell what's what. I try to have a little more sympathy as she lags behind me, still taking in the sights and looking around her. When we finally reach the palace the guards block our path, but I easily persuade them to let us in. Once we're inside I find Sybille, the woman in her room and reaching some book in a foreign language. I clear my throat and the woman holds up a finger, looking up at me once she's finished the page. "Hm?". I step to the side to reveal Aealynn. The Nord eyes her before asking, "That the one that went insane in the streets?". When I nod the queen's adviser says, "Interesting. Go away.". Sybille goes back to ready, and it's only then I'm reminded how bitter the woman is.
I clear my throat again and Sybille looks up, deeply sighing before asking, "Yes?". I once again motion at Aealynn and explain, "She isn't a citizen of any province. Can you please get her filed as a citizen of High Rock, and give her a visitor's pass to be in Skyrim?". The Nord shrugs and tells me, "I easily could. It would only take a few minutes, and I could have a bird sent to High Rock within an hour.". When she goes back to reading I grind my teeth, then calm myself down and ask, "Can you please do that for us?". Sybille puts the book to the side and makes a big deal out of it, finally yanking a piece of parchment and a quill from somewhere.
The Nord motions for the Breton to sit down and tells her, "I need to ask you a few questions before I can send your papers to High Rock.". Aealynn eyes the chair and hesitantly sits down, looking around the room and never allowing her eyes to settle. Before they start I ask the Breton, "Do you want me in the room for this? She might ask some personal questions.". The Breton suspiciously looks at me before telling me, "I would prefer it if you weren't here.". I nod in understanding and assure her, "I'll be waiting right outside for you when you're done.". I leave the room and shut the door, then lean against the wall and patiently wait for Sybille to be done questioning Aealynn about who knows what.
It takes about half an hour, but eventually they're done. Aealynn walks out of the room and looks a little surprised to see me, but doesn't try to escape or fight me. I push off of the wall and ask, "Did the paper work get sent? Are you officially legal?". A curt nod is my only reply, but I also notice the woman fiddling with a bit of paper in her pocket. I've already been thinking about what to do next, so I offer the woman, "Would you like to come back to Winterhold with me?". The Breton has never stopped looking at me, and asks, "Do I really have a choice?".
I shake my head and admit, "Winterhold is where I need to go, and I get a feeling it's also where you need to go. No place is safer, and it's the best place for me to do my research. I'll also be able to get you a little caught up to speed on the world, and introduce you to some natives of Skyrim.". The woman curls up her nose a little and assures me, "I'm not sure I want to meet any more natives of Skyrim.". I chuckle and agree, "I know how you feel. Now, are you ready to leave?". She nods and I begin walking away, trusting the woman to follow me. My trust isn't misplaced in this matter. The woman easily follows me, and eventually I don't feel the need to constantly look over my shoulder and check for her. I pay for a carriage and tell the Breton, "Be careful getting up, the step is lose.".
She doesn't acknowledge me, but she's careful getting up into the carriage. Once we're both settled the man slaps his horse on the ass, the carriage beginning to move as we head towards Winterhold. Both of us are silent as the horse and cart rumble down the track, the beautiful Skyrim scenery passing around us. I take a moment to admire the surrounding area, and I can't help wondering what Aealynn must be thinking. What must this be like for her? I can't imagine how lonely, fearful, and uncomfortable this entire experience must be. I also can't imagine what it's like to be as uneducated as she is. She has no idea what's been going on since the first era.
She missed The Oblivion Crisis, the reincarnation of Lord Indoril Nerevar, and everything else that's happened in this world. I'll have to fill her in on what happened eventually. She didn't choose to be frozen in time for hundreds of years, and she deserves to be caught up on the history of the world. However, I'll have to start small. Right now the woman doesn't even trust me, and I can't teach her anything if she's glaring at me the whole time. I'll have to allow her to slowly warm up to me until she can stand my presence, then I can start the process of catching her up on the ways of the world. Our carriage comes to a halt and I get out, instinctively offering the woman my hand to help her down. The Breton ignores it and nearly bust her knee open when she trips getting down, the icy ground unforgiving to anyone who doesn't know it.
Aealynn quickly stands, glaring at the ground at her minor sign of weakness. I ignore her actions in the hopes of sparing her pride, instead leading her up to the college. Halfway across the bridge Faralda stops us, the Altmer shivering in the winds as she asks, "Who goes there?!". I chuckle a little and tell her, "The damned Arch-Mage of the college you guard.". The woman realizes it's me and smiles. "It's about time you got back! Half the college is wondering where you went.". She sees the Breton and questions, "Who in oblivion is that?". I wave off her concerns and explain, "For right now she's simply my friend, but I promise I'll fill you in later.". Faralda shrugs and steps to the side, allowing us to pass. I turn to say something to Aealynn, but I stop at an accusing look on her face.
Odd, but I don't know what to expect from the woman. We're stopped one more time on our way to my room. Nirya and Enthir stop us, both of them greeting me in a friendly manner. Enthir hands me some ingredients from his home province of Valenwood and tells me, "A gift.". Nirya playfully brushes my shoulder with her golden hand and tells me, "It's been a wile since I've seen you, Arch-Mage. I almost forgot how good you looked. I hope you realize who was always supporting you.". I roll my eyes at the obvious bribe, both of the scholars have been trying to get on my good side for weeks now. When they're gone I take my supplies and once again resume walking up to my room, Aealynn eyeing me harder than ever.
When we're in my room I place my supplies down and motion around the place. "Make yourself at home, but please don't mess with any of my stuff. I have them in certain places for specific reasons, and if you move things I won't be able to find them.". The Breton nods and looks at my windows as she asks, "Can I explore the campus?". I sigh and tell her, "I was afraid you would as that.". I walk over to my desk, pull out a bracelet my predecessor used on unruly students, and walk over to her. I show her the band and explain, "It tracks you, and sets up an invisible fence. I can tell wherever you are at any given time, and it won't let you past certain points. It's also alert me if you continually press against the fence in an attempt to escape.".
The Breton looks at the band and asks, "Is that really a require precaution to make sure I don't get away?". I nod and elaborate, "It's important that you stay on campus ground, and I have to make sure you don't leave. It might seem a bit over the top, but it's necessary. Please don't make this any harder than it has to be.". The Breton sighs and holds out her wrist, an obvious approval to go ahead and place it on her. I thank her and put it on her. I pat her wrist and tell her, "Feel free to explore the campus, but it looks like a storm is coming in. If it hits you need to stay wherever you are for safety, but there's no rule stopping you from walking around in a blizzard if you wish.". The woman nods and quickly disappears, leaving me to my thoughts.
Due to Christmas, the next chapter will be delayed.