Bjorlam had taken Rin as far as he could, dropping her off in Morthal. He was reluctant to leave her alone, but she assured him that she would be alright. Finding herself a room at the inn, Rin settled in and tried to find work in town to keep her mind off of things.
Working her way up, Rin was able to become Thane and purchased a plot of land to the north of Morthal. With the help of her housecarl, Valdimar, she began construction on her new home. After just a few weeks of hard work, the steading of Windstad Manor was finished. It was complete with a main hall, entryway, cellar, bedrooms, kitchen, storage room, stables, fish hatchery, a garden, and an area near her personal quarry where she kept a smelter, grindstone, and workbench.
One day in the first week of First Seed, Rin and Valdimar were tending the animals. The frost was finally lifting and the animals were aching to get out of their stables and roam the property.
"With the frost lifting, my Thane, perhaps it is time for your spirits to lift as well." Valdimar said, looking at Rin.
Rin sighed as she brushed the newest arrival to their herd- a healthy young calf who was as strong as her mother. "My grandfather was the only family I had left. I couldn't even have been there when he died or for his funeral. I just feel like I failed him."
"You cannot change the past, no matter how much we wish that we could." Valdimar looked from her towards the road, noticing they had a visitor. "My thane, a visitor."
Rin followed his gaze. "So it would seem."
"Shall I greet them?"
"If you wouldn't mind?"
Valdimar nodded, going down the hill to meet the visitor. "Good day, lad. What brings you out into the marshes?"
"I'm looking for a friend. I was told I could find her here."
"And who might you be?"
"Argis."
"Argis the Bulwark? From Markarth?"
Argis nodded. "Aye. Is Rin here?"
"Aye, that she is. Come with me."
Argis followed Valdimar up the hill.
"Your timing couldn't be better, lad." Valdimar said. "Thane Rinsly has been in poor spirits for weeks. Perhaps a familiar face will lift them once more."
"How has she been?"
"I assume you know of her grandfather's death?"
Argis nodded.
"She hasn't been taking it well. She busies herself with work around the steading, keeping her grief at bay." Valdimar sighed, then called out to Rin as they reached the top of the hill. "My Thane, the visitor is here for you."
Rin stood, coming out of the stable and stopped when she saw who it was. "Argis? What are you doing here?"
"I came to find you, make sure that you were alright." He said, coming to stand in front of her. "You never wrote."
Rin's face fell. "I'm sorry... a lot happened... it slipped my mind..." She reached down and grabbed a basket, making her way to the chicken hut.
Valdimar looked between her and Argis. "My Thane, why don't I take the herd out to the marsh?"
Rin looked at him and nodded. "Thank you, Valdimar. They've been anxious to stretch their legs."
Valdimar bowed, leaning in towards Argis as he passed by. "Talk to her lad."
Argis watched as Valdimar took the herd down the hill to the waters of the marsh and turned his attention back to Rin. "Rin, I'm sorry about your grandfather."
Rin collected the eggs and stood, sighing. "I appreciate the condolences, but I'm fine." She looked at him. "Why don't you come in? I'll make you some tea."
Argis followed her into the manor, looking around as they made their way through the entryway and into the main hall. "This place is amazing."
"Thank you. Valdimar helped me build it shortly after I was named Thane."
"You built this?"
"Yes." Rin looked around her home, a proud smile growing. "It took lots of hard work, but it paid off in the end."
Argis followed her into the kitchen and took a seat at the table within as Rin set the eggs to the side and set about making tea.
After a few moments of silence, Rin looked at Argis. "I'm sorry."
Argis looked at her surprised. "For what?"
"For not writing." She took the kettle from the fireplace and poured the tea into a mug, adding a bit of honey to it before bringing the tea over to the table. "I should have let someone know I was OK."
Argis took the mug as she sat across from him. "I understand why you didn't. You had a lot on your mind." He took a sip, looking at her over the rim of the mug. "You had me really worried, though."
"I've worried a lot of people..." Rin stared down at her hands.
"My Thane?"
Rin looked up as Valdimar came into the kitchen. "What is it?"
"The herd is back in the stables."
"Thank you."
"I'm going into town now. I'll return in the morning. Did you need anything while I'm there?"
Rin shook her head. "No, it's alright. Thank you though."
"I shall see you tomorrow morning, then." Valdimar bowed, then looked to Argis. "It was a pleasure to meet you as well, Argis." He gave him a bow as well before leaving the manor.
Rin stood and went over to the cabinet, busying herself with organizing the dishes that had finished drying from that morning. "What do you plan to do next?" She asked, glancing at Argis.
Argis finished his tea and stood to bring the mug over to the washbasin. "I don't know. I didn't think past finding you and making sure you were alright."
Rin blushed as he leaned in to hang the rinsed out mug on the stand to dry. "You're welcome to stay the night, if you'd like." She looked up at him, her blush deepening. "Or longer, if you need."
Argis managed a small smile. "I think I'll take you up on that offer."
Rin cleared her throat and turned away, putting the eggs away with the rest of the food. "It'll be good to catch up. It's been too long since we last saw each other."
"True." Argis watched as she tried to busy herself and hide her flushed cheeks from him, which only made his smile grow. "Do you need any help around the steading?"
Rin thought a moment. "Actually, we're running low on firewood and I could use some help with a few repairs."
"I'd be honored to assist you."
Rin's cheeks burned even more as he gave her a small bow, his smile growing and a twinkle in his eye. 'Divines preserve me...'
