An Elf Like No Other
Chapter 9 - Heavy Heart, Bloody Hands
Her path set, Elewiese sent Lydia and Shaudrey to Breezehome, trusting them to oversee the preparations for what provisions they would be bringing on their respective journeys. Opening the door to Arcadia's Cauldron once more, she found the alchemist huddled over her alembic, the young girl by her side and paying close attention. Elewiese couldn't see what Arcadia was working on as she was too distracted by how cute Lucia looked with that same flower printed apron from before around her waist. Her closing of the door however drew both of their attentions.
Lucia beamed at her. "Elewiese! Come look at this. Alchemy is amazing!" She ran over to grab her hand, and began pulling her over to Arcadia.
"Ah, enjoying alchemy are we? Perhaps I'll teach you about it."
Lucia perked up at that. "You know about alchemy?"
"A bit." Elewiese's humble response was enough to warrant a chuckle from Arcadia. Lucia nodded enthusiastically to her inquiry, making her smile. "Then that settles it. When I return, I'll teach you everything there is to know about it."
Lucia's enthusiasm stuttered. "Where are you going?"
"I'll be traveling. There are tasks that I must complete; that I am responsible for." Elewiese spoke truly, but Lucia's expression made her drop to her knees, down to the girl's level, once more.
Lucia's lip quivered. "You're leaving?"
"I have to, sweetheart. My quest concerns the safety of all, even you, though you may not realize." Despite her soft and reassuring words, a few tears slipped from the girl's eyes. Elewiese pulled her into an embrace.
Lucia couldn't help it. Here she had found a new home when she'd never expected to find one at all, and now the woman who had given her all of this was embarking on what was most likely a dangerous journey. She might've gotten further upset if she hadn't remembered Shaudrey's words.
She is very, very important. Try to remember that when the time comes.
So this is what she meant when she said that. It didn't make it hurt any less, but Lucia knew Elewiese had to do this. "I-I understand…" She said with her face buried in the elf's chest. Elewiese was surprised Lucia could accept her departure so easily, but she had more to say. Lucia leaned back from the embrace to look her in those red and gold eyes. "Just promise you'll come back. Promise you won't die like my…like my…" Lucia tried, but couldn't.
Lucia realized that Elewiese understood though. Whatever she had say, Elewiese already knew. As fresh tears fell down her cheeks, Elewiese reached up and wiped them free of tears with both her hands. She then cupped her cheeks and looked directly at her. "I will always return." She vowed before placing a kiss on the girl's forehead.
It was enough. Lucia nodded even though her heart clenched with worry, and she could already feel the loneliness creeping back, and even though nothing was certain, all because Elewiese's promise was enough. The elf stood after stroking the girl's hair once more and wiping a tear from her own eye she hoped no one had seen.
Arcadia tried not to let the emotions she felt from watching the scene leak into her voice as she chimed in. "How long will you be gone, My Lady."
"I can't be certain." She said truly. There was no telling what trouble this 'friend' could be or how long it would take to plan the infiltration of the Thieves Guild. "I'll try to avoid being gone longer than a week at most. Do you have everything you need for my absence?"
Arcadia straightened and nodded with confidence. "Of course, My Lady. You can count on us."
Us. Elewiese glanced down at Lucia who tried to maintain a brave face for her. She liked that. Elewiese reached the door of the shop and glanced back once more. Arcadia had her hands on Lucia's shoulders. Holding that image in her mind, she managed a smile and was off on her next adventure.
Lydia and Shaudrey stood ready outside Breezehome. Elewiese merely walked past them, and they followed without a word. They wisely knew better than to ask what happened after seeing the elf's pained expression. They passed through the gates and followed the path down the hill. When they reached the stables, Elewiese shook head and cleared her throat to remove the lump there. "Alright, who's taking the horse?"
Lydia grimaced, wanting to selfishly raise her hand, but she knew Shaudrey had the longer journey. However, Shaudrey had her own opinion on the matter. "You should take it Little Lady. Time is of the essence, and the longer those thieves have their grubby hands on that package, the more danger that it's been breached."
Elewiese sighed. "But we need to establish our supply lines. You've heard the rumors, same as I. Dragon attacks and sightings in the countryside are becoming more frequent. We're running out of maneuverability." The both of them grimaced, trying to find a work around to their problem.
Lydia glanced at the stables and noticed another equine next to her Thane's bay horse. This one's mane was a pitch black, and its flanks were well muscled. Lydia noticed Jervar Sable-Hilt filling the animals' trough, and an idea occurred. "Hey, Jervar!" Lydia ran over to the man, bewildering her companions.
The son of the stable's owner turned and immediately blushed when he saw it was Lydia who had called his name. His cheeks further reddened when she laughed and clasped his shoulder softly. "Ah…Lydia… Nice to see you again." A wood elf approached looking to Lydia questioningly. Jervar had seen the woman when she walked back from slaying the dragon that attacked the western watchtower and had since heard the subsequent rumors. "Thane Elewiese!" He quickly bowed. "It's an honor to meet you." The elf nodded her thanks.
"Jervar, it's been so long! How have you been?" Lydia bat her eyelashes at the man, making him chuckle nervously.
"I've been well, I suppose… Is there something I can do to assist you?" He stretched the collar of his shirt, trying to avoid embarrassing himself in front of Lydia or her Thane.
Lydia audibly gasped and her eyes went wide. "Of course! Thane, Jervar and his father raise the greatest steeds in all of Skyrim. I'm sure he'd be willing to help us out!"
Elewiese was bewildered by Lydia's behavior but quickly caught on. Smirking, she addressed the man. "I see, and you say you are friends with my Housecarl, Jervar?"
"Errr…" The man was flustered, especially when Lydia giggled and hugged his arm. "I suppose we are."
"Then any friend of Lydia's is a friend of mine. Perhaps you'd be willing to lend us a hand. We are on an urgent quest concerning the return of the dragons." Elewiese spoke truly.
Jervar's eyes widened. He'd spoken with his father about getting out in the world, possibly fighting the dragons. Skulvar had laughed the idea off, but here he was, possibly helping the Dragonborn do just that. "How could I possibly help you?"
"We seek another steed. Our party is splitting up to pursue different objectives and time is of the essence. Will you help us?"
Jervar paled a little. "The only horse we're currently holding has been reserved by another customer. They promised my father 1500 gold for her." He looked to Lydia, desperately wanting to help her.
Elewiese grimaced and made a downward scratching motion on her nose while making eye contact with Lydia. Understanding the message, the Nord maiden squeezed Jervar's arm. "Oh, Jervar! Please help us! If you do, I'll have a mount for when we go riding like you've been asking." Lydia offered with a dazzling smile.
Jervar got a dreamy look on his just thinking about it. "Well… I really couldn't let her go for than a thousand-"
"Sold." Elewiese said plopping a coin purse into the man's arms.
"Errr, right… Let me just grab the title papers…" Jervar carried the gold into the hut, slightly confused as to what had happened.
"Well done, Lydia." Shaudrey said genuinely impressed. "Say, Little Lady. How much did that put you back?"
Elewiese opened up her now feather light coin purse and counted it out. "I have twelve gold pieces." She said to which Shaudrey facepalmed.
Lydia lightly panicked. "I'm sorry, my Thane! If I had known, I wouldn't have suggested-"
Elewiese merely raised a calming hand with a chuckle. "Settle down, Lydia, it's fine. What's the point of having money if you're not going to spend it?"
Shaudrey growled in irritation. "I swear Elewiese, if it wasn't for my husband running the finances, you'd have bankrupted yourself into the ground." Elewiese stuck her tongue out at Shaudrey for that one.
The Housecarl sighed, still miffed that she hadn't run her plan by her Thane first. "Let's just be sure to make the most of it."
"I don't know," Elewiese said with a light laugh. "A ride across the planes of Whiterun with a nice, handsome, young man? Sounds like Lydia will certainly make the most of it."
Shaudrey spotted Lydia frowning at that sentiment. "What's the matter, Lydia? Not your type?"
Lydia shook her head. "I seek a warrior, a hero, a protector. Someone like…" Her eyes drifted towards Elewiese who had her back turned as Jervar exited the hut with the papers. A blush spread across her cheeks that she was glad no one saw.
Elewiese thanked the stable boy once more and the trio mounted up, Lydia & Elewiese on the black horse and Shaudrey hoisting herself up onto the bay. They kicked off, the horses galloping at top speed towards Riverwood. Elewiese shouted over the wind as they wound their way up the road. "Be back as soon as you are able Shaudrey! We'll need to begin arranging and organizing regular shipments!"
Shaudrey laughed challengingly. "I bet I'll make it back to Whiterun before you!"
Elewiese shared her smirk. "It's a race then!" They held each other's gaze a moment before reaching over to grasp one another's hands. After a feint squeeze, and once they'd passed under the parapets of Riverwood's outer protective wall, Elewiese reigned in her horse, coming to a stop just outside the Sleeping Giant Inn. Lydia and Elewiese dismounted, both watching Shaudrey shrink down the road until she could no longer be seen. Elewiese sighed, disappointed to see her go as always, but smiled when Lydia gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
They turned their determined gaze to the door of the inn. Embry, the local drunk, was taking a breather on the porch, swooning back and forth while humming a bardic tale silently to himself. It was quiet inside, apart from the light thrumming of a lute. "Wait a minute to follow me in." Elewiese whispered to Lydia.
The Housecarl nodded in understanding and took a seat on the bench. She ended up pushing the drunk to the ground when Embry leaned on her shoulder and began smelling her. Elewiese stepped through the threshold of the inn, smirking when Sven glared at her. He was likely still upset at her ruining his chances with Camilla. A traveler or two sat around the hearth, warming themselves while they nursed their drinks. Could one of them be this 'friend'? Elewiese spotted whom she assumed was the proprietor of the inn, a hardy middle aged Nord woman with platinum blonde hair and striking blue eyes. When the elf approached, she raised an eyebrow. "Can I help you?"
The first thing Elewiese had noticed when walking into the inn? There was NO attic. Rolling her eyes at how stupid she must sound, another thing this 'friend' would answer for, she cleared her throat and spoke loudly. "I would like to rent the attic room." She watched the travelers' reactions as she said it, and to their credit, they acted as most would: looking at her likely she was crazy. The bartender snorted, and the innkeeper merely raised an eyebrow. "Well, we don't have an attic room," She said quite obviously. "But you can have the first one on the left."
Elewiese sighed deeply, shaking her head as she placed the money in her open hand, leaving her with literally two coins to rub together. As she walked toward the open room, she heard the door to the tavern open again, and the familiar clanking of Lydia's steel armor soon followed. Elewiese sat in the chair provided inside the room she'd rented. Despite being well rested and feeling eager for the tasks ahead of her, she closed her eyes and let out a weary breath. Was she truly any closer to understanding the dragons? Mirmulnir had attacked the western watchtower more than a week ago. At this rate, Elewiese would never uncover the truth.
The innkeeper's footsteps made her open her eyes. "Sorry, but I don't wish to be disturbed. I'm waiting for someone." Elewiese stated.
The Nord seemed to be sizing her up. "So you're the Dragonborn I've been hearing so much about?"
Elewiese's brows furrowed deeply. "What are you-" She stopped mid-sentence when the innkeeper dropped a ceremonial war horn of ancient make into her lap. The horn of Jurgen Windcaller.
"I think you're looking for this." The woman, whomever she was, seemed to take great amusement in Elewiese's confusion. "We need to talk." Her expression turned serious and she waved a hand towards her. "Follow me." She began walking into the main hall leaving Elewiese little choice but to tail her.
They waded past a traveler who seemed to be regaling another with news of a vampire attack near one of the main cities. Lydia looked to be listening in, when Elewiese and the mystery woman strolled past. She made to stand, but the elf quickly shook her head for her to stay seated. Lydia obeyed tried to seem as interested in the conversation happening next to her as possible, but when Elewiese returned her attention to her guide, she noticed her body language seemed tougher, more rigid. It disappeared so fast however, that Elewiese was unsure if she had seen it at all.
She followed the Nord into the inn's main suite, where she walked over to seemingly normal wardrobe. "Close the door." She said, nodding to the entrance behind Elewiese. The elf raised an eyebrow but complied. The innkeeper merely smiled as she opened the empty wardrobe and grasped the hidden handle to slide the false back panel aside. A passageway and a set of stairs were revealed. "Now we can talk." She began walking down the steps.
Elewiese groaned. Was she seriously about to follow this stranger into some sort of secret murder dungeon? She wasn't left with much choice though. The ceiling was low, even for a wood elf, so she ducked to avoid hitting her head. The passage ended into an underground box basement. The weapon racks and table in the center of the room with a knife slammed into it didn't much dissuade her murder theory. "So, now that we're in the creepy basement, what's-" She was cut off as the innkeeper pinned her back to the wall and held a knife to her throat.
"Who are you working for?"
Elewiese looked to the woman incredulously. "Seriously?"
"I saw your companion." She whispered in a harsh tone and pressed the knife into her neck a bit harder. "Who are you?"
The elf grew indignant. "So you steal from a tomb you have no right to enter, leave a note asking to meet with me, and threaten to kill me when I show up? What in Oblivion is wrong with you?!"
The Nord narrowed her eyes. "Last chance. Tell me or die."
Elewiese sighed, deciding enough was enough. "You stole my line."
The innkeeper's demeanor grew confused. "What- nngh!" The growl was light but clearly displayed that she was now painfully aware of the dagger Elewiese had managed to pick up off the end table behind her and dig into the woman's leg just a bit. The innkeeper looked down, noticing the blade was right over her femoral artery. Was it a lucky strike? No, she decided. The aim of the dagger was surgical and precise. This elf was clearly well trained. "I can still cut your throat." She tried threatening.
Elewiese shrugged. She planned to use her Unrelenting Force Shout to push the woman off her after she had cut the vital point in her leg to bleed her out, but it wasn't a guarantee. "I guess that means we're both gonna die. Before we do though, mind telling me why I came all the way out here?"
The innkeeper held her glare on the elf for a long time, weighing whether or not to trust her. Eventually she backed off, dropping her knife on the table. Likewise, Elewiese let the dagger fall from the woman's flesh and did not pursue her, returning the dagger she'd picked up to the surface she'd found it on. "You want me to take a look at that?" She gestured to the woman's leg that bled, but only superficially.
The Nord grunted in humor. "It's fine. I've had much worse." Hiking up her dress a bit, she reached over to the table behind her and grabbed some gauze from a pretty standard medical kit. Elewiese blushed at the woman's lack of dignity and looked around room as she finished wrapping her thigh. "So," She said, smoothing out her skirt. "Mind telling me who your friend is?"
"She's just that. A friend." Elewiese crossed her arms. "You're a fool if you thought I would come here alone. That was you who took the horn, yes?"
The Nord chuckled lightly. "Surprised? I guess I'm getting pretty good at my harmless innkeeper act."
"Enough." Elewiese held up her hand, her irritation returning. "Who are you really, and what do you want with me?"
"My name is Delphine," She said exasperated, as though telling the truth was painful for her. "And for now, that's all you need to know." Elewiese gave her the look that she wasn't buying it. "Look, I didn't go to all this trouble on a whim. I needed to make sure it wasn't a Thalmor trap. I'm not your enemy. I already gave you the horn." Delphine wrung out her hands. "I'm actually trying to help you! I just need you to hear me out."
"Speak you're mind, but if I don't like what I hear or I think you're giving me the run around, I'll walk." Elewiese spoke calmly, even though this was going about as smoothly as she'd predicted, and sat a chair behind her.
Delphine looked as though she were biting back one of her angrier retorts and breathed steadily. "I'm part of a group that's been looking for you... well, someone like you, for a very long time. If you really are Dragonborn, that is. For now that's really all I can say on that." Elewiese sighed but nodded for her to continue. "I knew the Greybeards would send you there if they thought you were one. They're nothing if not predictable. When you showed up here, I knew you were the one the Greybeards sent, and not some Thalmor plant."
Elewiese raised an eyebrow at her mentioning the agents of the Aldmeri Dominion again. "What's your beef with the Thalmor? I mean, don't get me wrong. If you've ruffled their feathers, my hat's off to you, but why the cloak and dagger?"
Delphine's demeanor grew dark as old memories were brought up. "We're very old enemies. And if my suspicions are correct, they might have something to do with the dragons returning." Elewiese's expression turned shocked. "But that isn't important right now. What is important is that you might be Dragonborn."
As much as Elewiese wanted to hear what evidence she had of the Thalmor's involvement in the dragons' return, she would let her have her say first. "Why are you looking for a Dragonborn?"
Delphine picked up a book from the table in the middle of the room. Elewiese immediately recognized it by its familiar black binding and Imperial insignia on the front; the Book of the Dragonborn. "We remember what most don't - that the Dragonborn is the ultimate dragonslayer. You're the only one that can kill a dragon permanently by devouring its soul." She had been flipping through the pages but stopped to eye the elf again. "Can you do it? Can you devour a dragon's soul?"
Elewiese's expression turned sad for moment. "I absorb some kind of power from dragons. That's all I can say. Regardless, it's my business, not yours."
"You're wrong!" Delphine slammed the book back down and quickly rounded the table. "It is my business. You're either the only one that can stop these dragons, or you aren't." Delphine finally noticed the elf's surprised & confused demeanor, and quickly regained her composure. "But I'll see for myself soon enough."
"Just what is it that you aren't telling me?"
Delphine leaned back on the table and sighed, like this next part would be hard to swallow. "Dragons aren't just coming back, they're coming back to life. They weren't gone somewhere for all these years. They were dead, killed off centuries ago by my predecessors. Now something's happening to bring them back to life. And I need you to help me stop it."
Elewiese stood abruptly. "What?" She asked quietly. Delphine went on to speak about knowing how crazy it all sounded, and how she'd said just that to an old colleague a long time ago, but Elewiese wasn't listening anymore. She had just admitted her group was responsible for the murder and extinction of dragonkind. Who did this filthy woman think she was? Delphine had her back to Elewiese as she was rummaging through a chest. The dagger was still next to her as well. Actually, forget the dagger. What Elewiese really wanted to do was sink her teeth into this petty mortal, devour her from head to toe and breathe fire on everything she loves and holds dear-
"Dragonborn?" Elewiese jolted as Delphine roused her from her thoughts. Looking down, she realized her knuckles were white from gripping the arms of her chair. She let go of them and rubbed her arms, realizing she'd broken out into a cold sweat. "Are you alright?"
Elewiese laughed nervously. "Of course, I apologize. I think I may have caught a cold, Ataxia perhaps." Delphine raised an eyebrow.
Internally, a mental debate raged within Elewiese. Never in all her life had she experienced such a profound and unwarranted murderous rage, not even in her full werefox form. That wasn't surprising though. Hircine assured her she would not encounter the same compulsion of hunger that befell lesser lycanthropes. However, it wasn't even a hunger. She just wanted to destroy this woman, with teeth and claws and fire. As a monster would. As a dragon would. This epiphany that occurred to Elewiese, while disturbing, helped to reign in the remaining desire to harm Delphine, at least for now. Elewiese still needed her help after all. "So, what makes you think dragons are coming back to life?"
Delphine raised an eyebrow, knowing something was wrong but not what, so she moved on as though nothing had happened. She had retrieved some kind of papyrus rubbing from the chest and set it on the table. "I know they are. I've visited their ancient burial mounds and found them empty. And I've figured out where the next one will come back to life. We're going to go there, and you're going to kill that dragon." Elewiese had to fight to not clench her fists at that. "If we succeed, I'll tell you anything you want to know."
"How did you figure any of this out? My inquiries into the matter have only produced Nordic folklore and myth." Elewiese growled, irritated.
A chuckle, perhaps the most carefree sound Elewiese had heard from the woman thus far, erupted from Delphine. "Yes, we Nords do love to embellish our stories. My organization has a long history with the dragons. While most of it has been lost, I managed to scrounge up enough to piece together where to start looking. That's where we first met." Elewiese gave her a confused look. "You should know. You got the map for me. The dragonstone you got for Farengar, remember?"
Elewiese went wide eyed remembering the mysterious leather bound stranger whom had been the court wizard's contact. "That was you at Dragonsreach!"
Delphine merely smiled. "I'm glad you were paying attention. The dragonstone was a map of ancient dragon burial sites. I've looked at which ones are now empty. The pattern is pretty clear. It seems to be spreading from the southeast, down in the Jeralls near Riften."
"Okay." Elewiese took a deep breath and concentrated on logistics, planning out the next move. "When and where is this happening?"
Delphine pointed at the map, a circled point at the end of a line of 'X's. "Kynesgrove. There's an ancient dragon burial near there. Whatever has been happening seems to occur every three days if you sort through all the sighting and reports of attacks correctly. The next dragon will resurrect two days from now, if the pattern holds. I'm hoping we can get there before it happens. Maybe we'll learn how to stop it."
The angry voice that had murder on its mind and boiled in her blood told Elewiese that stopping it was the last thing she wanted. Despite being afraid of that new side of herself, she actually agreed with it. Perhaps witnessing the process of a dragon's resurrection would provide insight into some new form of magic, and if the process could be repeated, the dragons could make a recovery.
Elewiese quickly shook her head at that thought. What if the dragons were every bit as ferocious as in the tales? Did she really have the right to set them loose upon the world? Her head was hurting. "I have business in Riften. I'll meet you in Kynesgrove, two days from now." She said standing and heading for the entrance to the secret basement.
Delphine quickly grabbed her arm. "Riften?! Are you serious? This dragon isn't going to wait for you to finish with your wedding or whatever it is you have planned there. We need to go now."
Elewiese merely glanced back at Delphine, letting the full extent of her feelings and the voice that was in her blood show in one horrifying glare. The innkeeper recoiled and let go of her arm, backing up so the knife on the table was in her arm's reach. Elewiese merely returned her attention to the top of the stairs and began ascending them. "I'll be there. You damn well better be there too."
Lydia sat gripping her tankard harshly. She'd yet to hear any commotion from the room her Thane had disappeared into, but that didn't mean nothing was wrong. This whole setup didn't sit right with Lydia, and she doubted it did with Elewiese, but they both understood they didn't really have a choice. Still, it'd been some time. No sooner had Lydia resolved to bust into the room did the door finally opened to reveal Elewiese. The Housecarl's relief quickly died however as she noticed the elf's demeanor. She quickly brushed passed Lydia and out into the evening air, the warrior in tow.
Elewiese's head throbbed and her eyes grew misty. She hated it. All of it. She didn't want to be Dragonborn. She didn't want to go to Kynesgrove to kill a dragon. She didn't want the dragons to hurt anybody. And above all else, she didn't want these thoughts. Elewiese wanted to stop thinking; to stop the thoughts that we're racing through her head, tearing it to shreds. She couldn't even tell which were hers or which were hers. A shudder ran through her body and she gripped the railing on the inn's porch. Her skin was clammy and quickly turned cold in the frigid evening air.
A warm hand lay lightly on her back. "Lady Elewiese?" It was the softest she'd ever heard Lydia speak. She wanted nothing more than to go back to that morning, spending time as a clique with Shaudrey, Lydia, and Lucia. But there was no time.
Elewiese let out a sigh before sniffling. "Mount up." Her voice was horse and left no room for debate.
Lydia looked sadly to the back of Elewiese's head. As with most situations, she did not know what to say. She cursed herself, wishing more than ever that she was the kind of person who could just cheer people up and make them smile. She wished she could be more like Elewiese. Instead, she untethered the horse from the post and pulled herself up. She offered her Thane a hand and pretended not to see her wipe tears from her cheeks before accepting the hand and hoisting herself up behind Lydia. "Riften, Lydia. We have to make it in a day."
She nodded. It would be a tough ride, no doubt, but Lydia would not fail her. "Heeyah!" She yelled, spurring the horse into a full gallop and racing out of Riverwood. Lydia concentrated in the road, keeping a keen eye out for any source of danger. It served as a distraction from the lump in her throat that formed when Elewiese wrapped her arms around her waist and sobbed herself to sleep.
Ellewiese's childhood home in Valenwood was fairly unique in that it was one of the few places, at least so deep in the forest, where the jungle canopy was open to the sky. It was prime real estate to be honest, although few would want to live so remotely. From late morning to early afternoon, the sun shone down on the small clearing with the shadows of the jungle right on the edge of the homestead. The architecture was that of most forest floor houses: small and no space was wasted. Elewiese would barely walk twenty steps to reach the kitchen from her bedroom, and that number only grew smaller as she grew taller.
She stood outside the home, rubbing the wood frame of the door with an affectionate hand. The triangular shape of the hut made it look like a big wooden tent with extruded windows. She'd experienced much wealth and refinery since living here, but never encountered a roomier or cozier environment than her childhood home. It was most certainly nepotism, but isn't that the point?
Elewiese's expression grew confused and she stepped away from her home. Wait, how did I get to Valenwood? Aren't I in Skyrim? A spade being shoved into the soil sounded from the corralled garden that nestled against the house. Elewiese gasped when she looked over. A woman with gray-streaked auburn red hair sat on her haunches, digging in the dirt. Her skin was scarred but fair and soft around the old wounds. Hands that had seen much action, be it in battle or in gardening, carefully transplanted the roots and stalk of an embrium plant, a rare medicinal flower, into the freshly dug divot. She hummed a tune that had been one of Elewiese's earliest memories.
"Momma?" Of course it was a little odd for an adult to address their mother in such a childlike way, but Elewiese never gave it a second thought. Especially not when the woman's ears twitched and she looked up. She was beautiful. Age had marked her, even as an elf with an extraordinary lifespan, but the few lines that were scarcely noticeable didn't subtract from how gorgeous she was. Her eyes were a warm hazel color, but there was something in them Elewiese had only seen a few times in her life.
Growing up, she had noted the sullen, empty and dark look her mother's eyes held when Elewiese had fed her, bathed her, or helped her in and out of her clothes. But then, every once in a while, there would be a light. A mischievous, glamorous, life-loving light that glimmered in her eyes when her mother sang to her, hand fed her a blueberry muffin, or just looked at her like she was the most precious thing she had ever laid eyes on. And it was there, in her eyes, now. "Elewiese…"
Just the way she said her name… Elewiese knew that light represented who her mother truly was; what had been taken away from her in that terrible place. She wanted that light to be in her mother's eyes forever. Elewiese covered her mouth and tears ran down her cheeks as she fell to her knees. Her mother's eyes grew sad, but her smile remained strong. "Sweetheart, go to the temple."
Elewiese blinked a few tears away. "What? Where?" Her voice cracked and she shook her head, not knowing what her mother was talking about. The Bosmer matron merely smiled the smile that Elewiese yearned for and hoped to see more and more, everyday her mother spent catatonic.
Elewiese held her mother's gaze for as long as she could. Perhaps subconsciously, she knew this dream had nothing more to tell her. She memorized every detail of her beautiful face until her eyes burned, and she was forced to blink. When she opened her eyes again, the scene was gone, and Elewiese woke up.
Early morning light spilled through tress with red and gold leaves. Elewiese opened her eyes that held similar hues of color and stretched. A blanket rolled off her chest as she sat up to take in her surroundings. There wasn't much of anything in sight. The trees here reminded her of fall in Valenwood. Her horse was hitched to the trunk of one of the trees. Lydia lay a few feet away, curled up and hugging herself to try and stay warm. Elewiese felt guilty about having the blanket now. She felt guilty that Lydia had been assigned to her and how her duty forced her to help such a lost cause like Elewiese.
Sighing, Elewiese picked herself up and stumbled over to a nearby relatively clean rain puddle. She splashed some water in her face and waited for the surface to settle. The reflection she was met with was about as attractive as she felt. Despite a restful night's sleep, dark circles rimmed under her eyes. Her red pupils seemed to be bleeding into her gold irises, the tiny bloodshot veins prominently displayed. Even her naturally tanned Bosmer skin seemed especially pale. Reaching up a hand to her forehead, she confirmed that her headache was indeed still present. She was unwell. That much was clear, but there was so much to do.
A twig snapping to her right made Elewiese look up. While she didn't spot the source of the commotion, she could see the road in the distance. I sign signified the Riften was but a mile along the path.
I see. Lydia must have stopped here to await my decision on how to best enter the city, Elewiese thought to herself. She's a good woman. The sentiment only made her sadder though, given the circumstances.
Elewiese glanced at the sign again, and then to Lydia's sleeping form. Coming to a decision, she snuck over to the pack next to her slumbering Housecarl to retrieve the specific garments she'd packed. Elewiese changed into the black robes, removing everything except her small clothes and her bandolier as it was easy hide under the dark fabric, all while keeping her furry ears perked for lookyloos or movement from Lydia. She began walking towards the road and in the direction of Riften, deciding Lydia deserved the sleep. More importantly, she deserved someone who wouldn't abuse her Housecarlship the way Elewiese had been doing.
It wasn't long before the walls of the city came into view. The Bosmer ducked behind a tree and pulled the potion from the top slot in her bandolier. She threw up the hood of her cloak she'd brought, and fixed the mask she'd also retrieved from the pack over her eyes, leaving her mouth and nose visible. She was left looking like a barefoot wandering beggar, which would allow her to move through the city unseen, something she'd surmised from the less fortunate in the Cyrodillic Capitol. The mask was sure to raise a few eyebrows, but she didn't want to risk anyone identifying her in a city rumored to be bought and paid for by the Thieves Guild; the same Guild she was here to rile up.
Any credible crime organization would have a lookout, maybe a dirty guard, to notify them of any strange newcomers waltzing into town. Therefor the front gate was out of the question. Elewiese drank her invisibility potion and jumped from the shadows. It took her a minute to find a section of the city wall that she could scale, and other minute to actually climb it. She'd skipped her morning routine of stretches and exercises, and she was paying for it. All her joints ached, though she suspected that was more from how she was feeling.
Elewiese dropped into an empty alley way in between a couple of buildings. Good thing too, as her potion wore off as soon as her feet touched the ground. She began moving through the maze of walls and buildings, encountering more and more people as she got closer to the city's center. Riften's layout was interesting, with the canal snaking its way through the city, separating the lower class hovels that lined it from the richer more prominent street level mansions. Eventually a man turned the corner of the ally Elewiese was traversing and began walking directly towards her. She quickly lowered to the ground, sat crosslegged, and hung her head while holding her hands up in an asking fashion.
The man stopped in front of her, making her tense and weigh whether or not she should bolt. Then she felt him place a coin in the palm of her open hand. His voice was calm and gentle when he spoke. "Here, poor soul. I hope it helps." He smelled of fresh water and fish, like he spent a lot of time at the docks. He began walking away, but turned once at the end of the alley. "You should come to the service at the temple today! Lady Mara cherishes all, you know!"
Elewiese's eyes widened and she looked to the man, but he was already gone. The temple? She recalled her mother's words from her dream: Sweetheart, go to the temple. It was a dream…wasn't it?
Elewiese found herself walking towards the city center, whether by her own will or someone else's, she was unsure. She found the city market place. Beggars dressed even more poorly than her sat pitifully in the shadows. Elewiese walked along until she found a structure built higher than all others, dwarfed only by the city's keep. The Temple of Mara's entrance was flanked by two large braziers that seemed to beckon onlookers with a sort of divine glow. Elewiese gulped and ascended the stairs. Uncertainty stayed her hand as she pressed it against the temple's door, but eventually she managed to push it open and entered.
The interior was very warm and greeting. Light from several candles and more braziers made the environment a cozy one, probably to keep people from leaving during boring sermons and whatnot. You might've picked up on this, but Elewiese was not a temple girl. She'd never been one to ask for help from on high, and given recent events of learning she was in fact the daughter of a divine bastard-
Elewiese winced as her head throbbed. She brought a hand up to squeeze her sinuses, but it had little effect. Elewiese wanted to leave and continue on with her mission. Instead she found herself taking a seat in the furthest pew in the back of the temple. She let out a frustrated, miserable sigh. She hated how angry she was. Of course, she had every right to be, but it was so against who she was. Elewiese had always been carefree, whimsical, and compassionate. Not a murderer, not a dragon slayer, but a healer. All she wanted was peace.
Glancing around, Elewiese was surprised to find no one inside the temple, not even a priest. Reaching up to remove her mask, she supposed there wouldn't be an abundance of the faithful in city of thieves. The solitude was not unwelcome though. Coupled with the serene environment of the temple, Elewiese finally had a place to vent. "Go to the temple? Why?" She muttered to herself. The elf slid down in her seat so that her head could rest on the top of the pew's back. She stared past the ceiling above her. "I don't suppose any of you are going to tell me how to live with murder?" The silence that followed was expected but irritating all the same. "I didn't think so."
"I suspect that even if they did reply, they would not have an answer for you."
Elewiese yelped and fell out of the pew, she was so startled. Her mask clattered to the floor, falling at the feet of the woman who had spoken and was sitting right next to her. She was a human, clearly, but one who seemed to be a mix of Imperial and Nord, so it was hard to tell. She was beautiful; black hair and soft, glowing skin. Her face was marred by tears that fell freely from her dazzling hazel eyes, even though she was holding a handkerchief. She wore a regal, fanciful dress and a shawl to match it. Her prominent smile distracted Elewiese while she offered her hand.
Recognizing the gesture, Elewiese tried to stand of her own accord. "I didn't mean-" She bumped her head on the pew in front of theirs as she stood and rubbed the bump that was quickly forming.
The woman's eyes went wide with worry. "Are you alright?"
Elewiese's head shook of its own volition as she bit her lip, but she quickly refuted any injury. "I'm fine." After regaining her sense, she was quick to cover her earlier carelessness. "And really, I was only kidding when I said I wasn't a murderer… I'm mean I'm not! I mean I'm not a murderer!" Elewiese facepalmed, having completely failed in explaining herself. She'd be lucky to make it to the edge of hold before a bounty was issued for her.
"Are you?"
The question was so calm, Elewiese couldn't help but look to the woman, bewildered. She realized the woman wasn't afraid at all. Oddly the enough the only emotion her face displayed was curiosity; odd, considering tears still streamed down her cheeks. It was the way she said it too. She wasn't so much asking her if she was. Rather, she was asking Elewiese to ask herself.
For more than a week, all throughout her journey thus far, Elewiese had been carrying around a guilt ever since Mirmulnir. The act of absorbing a dragon's soul, while euphoric, was taboo, cannibalistic, and heinous beyond comparison. She felt that way with all of her heart, but if that was true, then why was the Dragonborn given this terrible power? Elewiese recalled the body of the Whiterun Guard Mirmulnir had dropped from his talons while soaring through the sky, and the way he simply refused to yield when Elewiese had defeated him. He would not have changed. He would have kept killing, more and more innocents.
Elewiese swallowed hard as she sat back down next to the mysterious woman. "No." She said with certainty. "I'm not a murderer." The woman smiled and Elewiese felt as though a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Funny how you can know something, and fail to understand its meaning. Elewiese began scrutinizing the woman who brought her to this simple revelation. "Who are you?"
Dabbing her eyes with the handkerchief, she laughed lightly. "Oh, I'm just an empathetic mother and wife, dear. No need to worry."
Elewiese tilted her head at that but remembered what she had said. "What did you mean they wouldn't have an answer for me?"
The woman put a finger to her chin in thought for a minute. "Well look at things from their perspective. Mortals live such fragile lives already. Why does a man hasten the inevitable of another over something as petty as greed or pride?" She shrugged, clueless.
"Not all blood is shed over selfish reasons." Elewiese defended.
"Of course, dear." She pat the elf's hand with her own. "All I meant to say was death is death, nothing else."
Elewiese frowned, struggling for an answer. "But how is someone supposed to live when death follows in their wake?" She thought of all the fearful rumors circulating about the dragons and the few hopeful whispers that the Dragonborn would stop them. Could anyone really ask her to kill them? "How is anyone supposed to live when death is expected of them?"
The woman met her eyes, yet said nothing of their uniqueness. "That depends on the strength of the individual, both of their hands and of their heart." She said holding Elewiese fingers, then pointing to her chest. "Who is the better soldier? She whose hand shakes at the memories of lives she has taken, or she who sheds tears over those whom she could not protect? I cannot truly say. However, one still has loved ones willing to carry her pain with her."
Elewiese's eyes grew misty once more. "And if she didn't choose to be a soldier, what then? What if she was just born with death in her blood?"
"Then it's by her will, and her will alone, to stay that death." The woman encouraged. Elewiese looked confused as a tear rolled down her cheek. "It's up to the bringer of death to show mercy when needed, and any who would disagree with her decision must defer to her birthright."
The elf's eyes glimmered. "Mercy?"
"Yes."
Of course… Of course! Elewiese didn't have to kill anyone! She could stay her hand when able. Everyone assumed it was kill or be killed with the dragons, but if she could make peace with them… If she had just asked why Mirmulnir was attacking, perhaps they could have come to some sort of agreement. Elewiese had been so worried about what people would say if they found out their savior's true disposition towards the dragons, that she didn't seek their demise, that she had completely glossed over the fact that the choice was hers alone. She could spare any dragon who yielded, and any who would question her decision would just have to live with the fact that she was Dragonborn. She, and she alone. The dragons deserved to live too, and Elewiese would give them that chance.
Elewiese heaved a few relaxing breaths, no longer burdened by her throbbing head or heavy heart. She felt a sense peace with what she was, for the time being at least. "Wow," She exhaled again, this time with a small laugh. "You're really good at this." The woman merely smiled. "Seriously, thank you."
She pat the elf's hands that she still held. "I cherish all." Was her humble response. Elewiese raised an eyebrow. "You should be on your way now, dear. A resourceful young woman like you must be very busy."
She was right of course, but Elewiese felt slightly guilty when she nodded and stood, slipping her hands out of the comforting woman's. After all, she still had no idea why this sweet, caring woman was crying so profusely, even as she helped set Elewiese's heart at ease. However, if she ever hoped to see if the dragons were truly capable of redemption, she would need to meet the one rising in Kynesgrove, which meant leaving, right now.
Elewiese replaced her mask, setting it on her face once more, and had just set her hand on the temple's door when the woman spoke again. "Oh, and Elewiese? Do try and show mercy while dealing with those thieves as well."
"What?!" Elewiese's bewilderment and utter shock caused her voice to come out with nearly the force of a Shout. Unfortunate considering the temple was now full of people. The elf's jaw dropped as all eyes turned upon her; the friends and family lining the pews, the bride & groom at the end of the isle, and the priest who stood behind the shrine officiating the wedding. Surprised stares turned to angry glares, and Elewiese was again stumbling for words. "I-I'm sorry! I thought this was, errr…the inn, or something…I'll just be leaving now-"
Then she caught her eye. Standing behind the priest was the same woman Elewiese had been sitting by in the empty temple only moments ago, only now she was eight feet tall and made of brass. The statue was identical down to the face, the clothes, even the tears. Elewiese realized then why she had looked so familiar, only now she realized the smile in all of the divine's depictions was slightly more devious then she likely let on.
It was Lady Mara.
Lore Notes -
So, while visions of the divines aren't unheard of, they don't typically appear before people outright. Whether that's because they're so weak from their involvement in the creation of Nirn, or if it's because they simply don't care, I leave that up to the discretion of the reader. However, our girl isn't any regular Jane Doe, so a little nudge of encouragement from the forces that seek to preserve Nirn here and there won't ruffle too many of my lore whore feathers.
Warning! False visions of the divine may result from contact with daedra or dangerous flora. If visions persist for more than four hours, contact your local priest and alchemist immediately.
