Chapter Two: Windhelm (Seventh thru Thirteenth of Frostfall)

The ancient city of Windhelm was frigid, and its residents weren't any warmer. When Mari first arrived, she'd had a difficult time getting anyone to talk to her without some sort of racial slur, let alone give her any information on where to find her sister. She'd finally found a fellow Altmer manning a stall in the market, a woman by the name of Niranye, who was polite enough if not a bit condescending. She'd pointed Mari in the direction of Elain's home, and though the young elf had gotten lost a few times in the city's labirynth of streets, she found it and had been received warmly by its owner.

Elain had been both surprised and thrilled to see her younger sister. She'd quickly introduced her to her stoic housecarl, making sure the man knew that Mari was more than welcomed to stay there as long as she liked whether his Thane was at home or not.

"I don't trust him," Mari commented when the man had been dismissed from the home to allow the women to catch up in private, "and obviously you don't either. Aerenwen never felt the need to make Lydia leave the premises in order to discuss anything."

Elain shrugged. "He serves a purpose," she replied simply. "His loyalty is with Stormcloak, not with me. Right now, there is no reason to worry, but I would rather he not know my secrets. He assumes that Nesta is with the Thieves' Guild, but that gives Stormcloak nothing to hold over my head. I'd rather he not know about our history or the fact that Aerenwen is Dragonborn, however."

Mari tilted her head in curiosity. "Why not?"

"He knows I do not sympathize with the Thalmor, but I don't trust him to not give away my location if it benefited him once he learned of my felony status," she explained, "and I've heard and seen, first hand, of how he uses Nord legends and pride to strengthen his cause. The Dragonborn is one of those things, and having Aerenwen support his cause would, no doubt, bolster it. I don't trust him to not try to force her into doing so, even if it meant using me for leverage."

Mari frowned at the information. "So you don't discuss anything in your housecarl's presence that you don't want to get back to the Jarl," she surmised.

"Correct," Elain replied. "I don't really discuss anything in his presence. He guards my home and my belongings, and I have no doubt that if there were a threat to my welfare while I'm here, he would defend me. It would bring shame to him if his Thane was harmed under his watch. I trust him with those things, but aside from that, we're not friends. I'm probably a mystery to him, but I'm away a lot and as long as he does his job in my absence, I've no reason to bring shame upon him by dismissing him."

Mari nodded her understanding.

"Now tell me, how did leaving the barmaid go?" Elain wondered.

Mari shrugged. "She was hurt."

"You knew she would be."

"Yes, but I left with her knowing not to wait for me," she continued. "There's a good man who frequents the inn, a Nord hunter, who fancies her. I have hope that she will find what she's looking for in him now that I'm gone."

Elain nodded. "And how was Whiterun?"

"Good. It's a beautiful city," Mari replied. "I would've liked to stay longer. The people are kind."

Her sister nodded her agreement. "This city would be just as beautiful, if not more so, if not for its miserable weather and hostile inhabitants. Let it be known that you're my sister while you're here. They respect me. Nesta had a lot more luck in getting people to accept her while she was staying here once they knew of our connection."

"How is Nesta?" Mari asked.

"She's Nesta," Elain replied with a chuckle. "Causing loads of trouble and yet still winning people's hearts."

Mari giggled. That was an apt description of their sister. Though Nesta had probably caused more trouble and broken more laws in her life than all of the other siblings combined, it was rare to come across someone who disliked her.

"She finished up her business here in Windhelm with raging success," Elain continued. "The Thieves' Guilds presence is once again alive and well in this city, and she's off to continue earning their fear and respect back in other locales. She'll probably be running the organization before she's done."

"I can't wait to see her," Mari stated. "Aerenwen told me you'd been to see Steffen as well."

Elain nodded. "He's doing very well and is quite happy in his studies. He's gained back all the weight he lost while imprisoned and looks more like himself. He has some friends and is safe in Solitude."

"I hope we can all get together before the year is out," Mari stated with a sigh. "I'm glad to see any of you whenever I can, but it's so odd to not be able to gather as a group from time to time."

"I'm sure it will happen in time," her sister reassured her.

Their conversations continued well into the night. Later, they stood outside the two bedrooms on the second floor of the home.

"I'll probably be gone before you rise in the morning," Elain said. "I will be out of town for a few days. You're welcome to stay here as long as you like, and I hope you're still here when I return."

"I can probably stay for a week or so," Mari offered. "Where are you going?"

"Here and there," her sister answered cryptically. "I suggest you visit Nurelion at his alchemist shop in the market. I have no doubt you'll find him fascinating. The Gray Quarter, where the Dunmer live, is also worth a visit."

Mari nodded. "Safe travels, sister."


Nurelion had, indeed, turned out to be a fascinating man. He was an aged Altmer with red hair and ran his shop, The White Phial, off Windhelm's marketplace along with his apprentice, a young Imperial man named Quintus. According to Quintus, Nurelion's reputation had brought him to Skyrim, and once she got to know the quick-tempered and surly old elf, she could understand why. She'd read some of his writings during her studies, and he was, quite possibly, the most knowledgeable alchemist she'd ever met, aside from her professors.

The old man's time was mostly spent on researching an artifact known as The White Phial, which he had named his shop after. It was apparently an ancient bottle that would magically replenish any substance kept within it. His fascination with the artifact was what had brought him to Skyrim, and he'd used it as a namesake for his shop hoping that anyone with any knowledge on the Phial's location would be drawn there. Unfortunately, despite decades of research, he'd yet to ascertain its whereabouts, but he was nothing if not determined.

Mari spent some time aiding him in his research and promised to look into whether or not anyone at the college had any knowledge of it once she'd arrived.

The Gray Quarter, despite its filth and disrepair, was probably her most favorite place within the harsh city. The Dunmer residents were friendlier than the Nords, and despite the history of animosity between them and her own race, within the walls of Windhelm, all elves shared a kinship because of the discrimination they faced from the local Nords.

Of special interest within the Gray Quarter was the New Gnisis Cornerclub, and, more specifically, a particular Dunmer sailor by the name of Voldsea Giryon. She sailed aboard a ship called the North Wind which was laying ground in Windhelm to undergo some repairs. Voldsea had short red hair and a flirtatious nature, and for once, Mari had found herself being wooed instead of the other way around.

Voldsea had bought her a drink and told her tales of adventure, and it wasn't long before they were falling together in the bed Mari was using while staying at her sister's house. During her week in Windhelm, Mari would share her bed with Voldsea every night after that first time, and found herself fascinated by the charcoal-colored skin and bright red eyes of the Dunmer. She'd never bedded a Dunmer woman before.

Like her, Voldsea had little interest in pursuing a relationship or developing feelings. Her career as a sailor had her at sea more often than not, and she seemed thrilled to have found someone who was willing to sate her needs while on dry land without looking for any sort of future together.

Elain had returned home on one of these nights, entering her kitchen to find her younger sister sprawled out on the table in the kitchen with her skirt around her waist and a Dunmer's head between her legs. She'd simply raised a dark eyebrow at Mari who smirked at her in response and waved a hand at her as if it to tell her to leave the room before her companion sensed her presence and stopped doing what she was doing to her. She'd then cried out and slammed her golden-eyes shut when Voldsea found just the right spot with her talented tongue, and Elain had sighed and shook her head before turning and leaving the room. It wasn't the first time the sisters had walked in on each other in the throes of passion, and Mari doubted it would be the last.

Spending time with Voldsea was refreshing and was much more Mari's speed than the time she had spent with Narri in Falkreath. They explored Windhelm, shared drinks, and the Dunmer even showed Mari around the ship she called home, but they didn't discuss their personal lives or their plans for the future. Their families and pasts were a mystery to each other, despite the fact that Elain was Mari's sister (she'd introduced the two women, though only out of necessity since she was currently staying in Elain's home). They laughed and teased. They flirted and fucked. But they knew after they parted ways when Mari continued her journey to Winterhold, there was an excellent chance they'd never see each other again, and both were more than fine with that.

Elain had disappeared again after returning home the first time, and Mari suspected her eldest sister was up to something. She had no idea what, but the dark-haired Altmer was being more secretive than ever, and Mari worried about what trouble she was getting herself into.

As they left the city, walking toward the stables where a carriage waited to bring Mari the rest of the way to Winterhold, she decided to question the other woman.

"What are you up to?" she asked, eyes narrowed.

Elain smirked at her but didn't reply.

Mari knew her sister well enough to know that she wasn't going to get any answers that Elain didn't want to reveal. If anyone had any chance of getting information out of her, it would have been Nesta, or maybe even Aerenwen, but definitely not Mari or any of the others. Even with those she was closest to, it was always unlikely for Elain to share something she didn't want to.

"Just tell me you're staying safe," Mari instructed with a sigh, "promise you're being careful, and by the gods, tell me it has nothing to do with the Necromancer's Amulet."

Elain chuckled and shook her head. "I don't know why you all and Mother were always so convinced I was going to end up a necromancer. While I may feel that the practice has some uses and shouldn't be outlawed, it doesn't mean I have any uses for it or am going to start using it. My fascination with that school is no different than you than your own desire to learn more about poisons."

Mari frowned but conceded that her sister had a point. "I just worry. We all do. You have a darkness about you sometimes, Lani, and I'm not just talking about your hair."

Elain rolled her golden eyes. "I'm being careful, and I'm staying safe. Don't waste your worries on me, Mari. Focus on your studies and that dark beauty who has become so fond of burying her head between your legs."

Mari frowned. "I won't see Voldsea again."

Her sister smirked and nodded toward the stables where a familiar woman stood leaned against a post in the falling snow. "That's why she came to see you off then?" Elain winked. "Safe travels, sister. Send word when you're all settled into your new home."

Mari hugged her sister and watched for a moment as she made her way back toward the city gates. She then turned and wandered over to Voldsea. "I'm surprised to see you here."

The Dunmer smirked and trailed her red eyes up and down Mari's figure. "You know, like yourself, I don't do relationships, Mari, but I have thoroughly enjoyed passing my time with you and wished to say a proper goodbye. I won't lie. I hope someday our paths cross again."

Mari smiled and stepped toward the other woman. Despite the fact that most Altmer were taller than Dunmer, Mari was shorter than average and stood in equal height to the taller than average Dunmer. "I would not be opposed to that," she replied as she wrapped her arms around Voldsea's waist. "If you're ever in Winterhold, look me up."

"I can guarantee, if my travels ever take me ashore there, I will most definitely be doing that," Voldsea replied. "You are a fascinating woman Mariwen. I hope, for my sake, no one ever convinces you to settle down so that if we do meet again, you'll be available for some more enjoyment."

This caused Mari to laugh, and the darker elf stole a kiss from her smiling lips.

"Safe travels, Mari," Voldsea offered as she stepped away.

Mari climbed into the carriage and sent the other woman a small wave and a wink.

Author's Note: Apparently when the stomach flu doesn't have me sleeping or curled up in the fetal position, it gives me time to write. I've been particularly inspired lately and already have this portion of Mari's story finished as well as Nesta's and only have one chapter left of Elain's - they just need to be edited before posting. So over my next week of vacation, you can expect a chapter posted almost daily rather than just once a week. :)