10

Arken descended the ladder below the deck of the Midsummer's Storm. There was a storm brewing up above and Arken was in no mood to get wet. With how much he had paid for their passage back to Cyrodill, he'd purchased the captain's loyalties for a long time. He stepped down onto the deck and looked back through the rows of hammocks. He found his wife in the last hammock in the left row, and walked down the row to kneel down next to her. She was asleep, softly dreaming in a world of peace. Arken smiled and gently brushed some locks of hair away from her face. She stirred when he brushed her cheek and blinked her eyes open.

Merrenda looked over at Arken and smiled, "There you are, love."

Arken continued to run his fingers through her hair, "Sorry I woke you."

"I wasn't sleeping deeply anyway." She sat up and stretched briefly before leaning over and kissing her husband. They came apart and she leaned her forehead against his.

Arken looked deep into her crystal garnet eyes, "Now that I've found you, it feels like happiness has returned again." He paused for a moment as he thought, "How did you ever wind up in that dive anyway?"

Merrenda sat up and looked down, almost ashamedly, "Well, after you were taken, Fynix's parents came to the house and found me. The Legion's first stop was arresting Fynix, so they knew you weren't far behind. They got be back on my feet. Since you were gone, I tried to go back to House Redoran, but…"

Arken raised his eyebrows, "But what?"

Merrenda looked like she was fighting back tears, "Father said that I had left the House and married into another family…that I was no longer a part of House Redoran and that he was bound by the old traditions to uphold that ruling."

Arken frowned, "Remind me to pay him a visit next time I'm in Morrowind."

"Arken." She brushed away a tear and looked at him sternly, "Father may be stubborn and sometimes foolish, but he's still my father, and no matter what he's said or done to me, I love him as my father."

Arken put his hand on Merrenda's shoulder and caressed her neck with his fingertips, "It takes a strong woman to say that."

"Anyway, I heard there were some jobs in Vivec, so I went there hoping I could find work. But there wasn't anything. For the first month, I had to sell most of my wardrobe just to buy food until I wound up in that pit in the Foreign Quarter. I thought I'd be stuck there the rest of my life…until you show up out of nowhere and romantically whisk me away like the knight in shining armor I always took you for." She patted a hand on Arken's shiny glass cuirass lying next to the hammock.

Arken just starred at Merrenda for a long moment, enough to make her feel self-conscious, "What is it?"

Arken's mouth quivered slightly, "Seeing you alive, it's just so..." He paused and took a shaky breath, "I thought you were dead. I watched you…held you as you died. How did you survive?"

Merrenda shrugged, "By all rights, I should have died, but Fynix's parents found me first. I don't remember any of it. I must have blacked out after they shot me. The next thing I knew, I woke up on a bed in their house with Mistress Nylim and her servant standing over me. They nursed me back to health. That arrow didn't leave me without a little parting memory, though." She raised her shirt slightly to reveal a small circular scar on the lower left of her belly.

Arken touched the scar with his fingertips and shook his head, "I'm sorry, Merrenda."

She looked at him quizzically, "Sorry for what, beloved?"

"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you when you needed me most. I'm sorry I let this happen to you. I should have fought harder, kept them at bay. I should have protected you." Arken hung his head, "I'm sorry."

Merrenda raised Arken's head to meet her gaze, "There are some things in life that no one can stop, Arken. Some things are just meant to come to pass. No matter how hard you try to stop them, they will happen." She smiled beautifully at him, "You know you don't need to apologize to me."

Arken took her hand and pressed her palm against his cheek, "You don't know what it means to me to hear you say that."

She nodded to him, "Yes, I do." Merrenda scooted over on the hammock to make room and Arken slid up to joined her. They laid there with each other, Arken with his arm around Merrenda and her resting her head on his shoulder.

Merrenda looked up into Arken's eyes, "You remember the day we met?"

Arken snickered and smiled, "How could I forget?" It all came back to him so fast. Arken was standing in the House Redoran hall in Skar wearing his chitin armor, waiting to be admitted into the chamber. After what felt like an eternity, the door opened and the domo stepped out.

"The lord will see you, Master Dralkes." Arken nodded to him as he stepped through the door into a large and lavishly decorated stateroom. Standing further back into the room was an older Dunmer man, well into his third century, adorned in the long and extravagant robes of a nobleman.

He noticed Arken as he walked in and motioned him further into the room, "Ah, Master Dralkes. Please, come in, come in."

Arken did as he was bidden and stood before the lord, regarding him with a shallow bow, "Lord Redoran."

The lord set a scroll he was reading down on a desk and turned his attention to Arken, "I assume by your presence that the task is complete."

Arken nodded, "Yes, ma'serra. I've convinced the merchants you specified to sign on with the new trade commission. Also the Hlaalu official you mentioned has been…'deprived' of those finance records you wanted." Arken handed the Dunmer a small scroll with a Hlaalu seal stamped on it.

Lord Redoran accepted the scroll, "Excellent. You have proven yourself once again, Master Dralkes." He turned toward his desk and started sifting through some parchments, "You have done well for yourself in the short time you have been with the House, Master Dralkes. It is not often we find a young man of your talents."

"I seek only to better myself and the Great House Redoran, milord." Arken suppressed a cringe. The only thing he hated more than losing was schmoozing.

"I have no doubt." He pulled out a particular parchment and glanced it over, "I believe it is overdue that we recognized your many accomplishments for the House." He turned and handed Arken the scroll, "By this order, I have secured your appointment to Lawman in House Redoran and reward you with this stipend." He handed Arken a sizable pouch of gold.

Arken accepted both items and bowed, "Milord is most generous."

"Father."

Lord Redoran was about to comment when his attention turned to the young Dunmer woman who just entered the room.

"I found the book you were looking for."

Lord Redoran accepted a large volume from the girl, "Ah, yes. This is it. Thank you, my dear." She gave a big smile as her father kissed her on the cheek.

Arken nearly had to make a physical effort not to stare. He was looking at what he was sure was the most beautiful Dark Elf woman he'd ever seen. She had long black hair in a ponytail that hung to her lower shoulder blades and eyes that sparkled like garnet gems. She was a very attractive young woman, without a doubt. Either she saw through Arken's attempts not to gawk, or she noticed him of her own accord, but either way, the young woman's attentions found Arken.

"Oh. Father, who might this handsome young gentleman be?"

"I don't believe you've met our most recent Lawman yet." He motioned toward Arken, "Merrenda, this is Arken Dralkes, Lawman of House Redoran. Master Dralkes, this is my lovely daughter, Merrenda Redoran."

She blushed and shrank away from Lord Redoran, "Father, please. You're embarrassing me." In spite of her father, Merrenda followed protocol and extended her hand to Arken

Arken came to his senses when he realized he was being addressed, "The pleasure of this meeting is entirely mine, milady." He bowed, accepting her hand and kissing it, winning a little giggle from her, "And if I may be so bold to say that the lady's beauty knows no bounds."

Merrenda retracted her hand, "Well, you are quite the charmer, aren't you, Master Dralkes?"

Arken raised his eyebrows, "Merely stating the truth, milady." He looked at Lord Redoran, "Perhaps the lord might permit me to grace his lovely daughter with a gift, a small token from a humble lawman."

Lord Redoran looked between the two briefly, "Well, by all means, Master Dralkes."

Arken nodded and held his hands in front of him. He showed both sides before briefly brushing his palms together and a glittering star-cut emerald appearing in his fingers.

He handed the gem to Merrenda, "A small token, milady, though I will say its beauty is paled in comparison to your own."

Merrenda's eyes widened as she accepted the emerald, "Why, thank you, Master Dralkes."

Arken nodded to her, "Again, the pleasure is mine, milady." He looked at Lord Redoran again, "Sadly, I have pressing business of my own I must attend to. With the lord's permission, I will take my leave of you."

Lord Redoran thought for a moment, "Very well. But please remain available. I shall have something for you soon."

Arken bowed to them both, "Thank you, milord. Milady." He turned and left the stateroom. Merrenda's gaze followed him through the door before she looked back at the emerald Arken had given her.

Lord Redoran broke the silence that hung in the air, "He is quite an interesting man. Wouldn't you say, my dear?"

Merrenda's eyes went misty, "He is. He is very interesting, and quite charming, father."

The lord regarded her out of the corner of his eye, "I hope not too charming."

Merrenda rolled her eyes, "Father, I simply said that he's a charming young man. What harm is there in that?"

"A great deal. I know you, Merrenda. I know how you disagree with the old traditions. I've said it once; I've said it a hundred times: You cannot marry outside of your position of kinswoman noble to the House."

Merrenda placed the gem in her pocket, "I still don't see why marriage must be dictated by politics and protocol rather than love."

Lord Redoran sat down at his desk, "Some of us have to make sacrifices so our ways may live on. We all have our places in this world, Merrenda."

She turned to look at her father, "Were you happy in your place when politics forced you to marry mother?"

The lord stopped what he was doing and hung his head slightly. He turned his seat to look at her.

"I found happiness. I grew to love your mother, and you and I both know she would say the same about me. It wasn't easy, but we worked with what we had. Today, I wouldn't give up my relationship with your mother for all the wealth of Tamriel." He stood up and walked to his daughter, taking her hands in his, "My dear, you were born into a world of wealth and comfort. As your father, I want you to have the best I can give you. This world of luxury is the best I can give you, but it has its price. All I ask is that you accept that price, please."

Merrenda looked up and met her father's gaze, "Somehow, father, all the wealth and splendor of Morrowind would seem vain if I couldn't enjoy it with a man that I love."

Lord Redoran breathed a heavy sighed, "Once again, we'll just have to agree to disagree. Now run along, dear. You have duties in the library to attend to."

Merrenda nodded somberly, "Yes, father." She kissed her father's cheek before walking out of the room. Lord Redoran watched her leave, shaking his head and wondering if he would ever get through to her.

Arken looked down at Merrenda, "It's like it was yesterday."

Merrenda brushed some hair away from Arken's forehead, "You still are quite the charming rogue."

Arken shrugged, "'Rogue', yes. 'Charming'…well, that's because you saw Oblivion knows what in me that you liked."

She sat up and looked at him, "Oh, stop that. You're very charming, love. You know how to turn it on when you need to."

Arken snickered and laid his head back, thinking back to past memories.

He picked his head up and looked at her again, "Is that what you thought when I asked you to marry me?" Arken remembered that night very vividly. He and Merrenda were walking hand-in-hand along the outer walkway of the Vivec Temple District. The sky was clear that night and the stars shone brightly in the heavens. Many subsequent meetings had allowed Arken and Merrenda to grow very fond of each other. Tonight would see that change in a grand way.

Merrenda looked up at the night sky and sighed, "Aren't the stars beautiful, Arken?"

Arken looked up, then at her, "You know what I'm going to say."

She rolled her eyes, "I know. Not as beautiful as me. You say that every time."

"And I mean it every time, Merrenda." She shook her head and they let the silence hang in the air for several minutes as they walked.

Arken finally broke the quiet, "Merrenda, I've told you some of my tales, right. The times when I've escaped death with barely my skin."

She nodded, "You've told me and I've seen you. You're either the bravest or the stupidest man I know. I haven't decided which yet."

Arken snickered and returned her nod, "I've seen some creepy stuff. Facing down packs of kagoutis, wild guar, flocks of cliff racers. Fighting bandits, marauders, even daedra sometimes." He paused for a moment as they stopped walking, "But it took me a long time to work up the courage for tonight."

Merrenda looked at him quizzically, "What do you mean?"

"I mean this." Arken went to one knee and held her hand in his, "Merrenda…will you marry me?"

Merrenda gasped as her eyes widened and she raised her free hand to cover her mouth. She choked on her own voice for several moments, too shocked to speak.

She stammered over her words when she found her voice again, "Oh, Arken, you know I would…but…" She withdrew her hand and turned away from Arken with her arms crossed and her head down.

Arken stood up, confused by her response, "What is it? What's wrong?" He walked up close behind her and put his hands on her shoulders.

Merrenda turned her head to look away from him, intentionally avoiding his gaze, "Arken, you know that I love you, it's just that…it's my father."

"What about him?"

Merrenda took a deep breath to steady her nerves, "My father is firmly set in the ancient traditions. He refuses to let me marry outside of my position."

Arken shrugged, "Can't you talk to him?"

She nodded, "I have, many times, but every time it ends in our agreeing to disagree. He's a stubborn man, Arken. I come by it honestly."

Arken leaned his head over her shoulder to try to look at her, "I'll talk to him. Maybe there's something I can do, some position I can be promoted to that will make him change his mind."

Merrenda shook her head, "You would have to be a kinsman noble. In other words, you'd have to have been born into House Redoran, Arken."

Arken shook his head, refusing to be defeated, "There has to be some way."

Merrenda's head came up as she thought something, "There is a way. You could never meet my father's criteria to allow me to marry you," She turned to face him, "which is why I will step down from my position in the House."

Arken saw the determination in her eyes and shook his head, "No. I won't let you. There has to be another way."

"There is no other way, Arken. I was born into a world of wealth and comfort, but all of that is empty if I can't enjoy it with the man I love. This is my choice. I love you, Arken Dralkes, and I would rather have you than all the wealth of Morrowind."

The scarce tear graced Arken's eye as he looked into Merrenda's eyes, "You would do that for me?"

Merrenda smiled at him, "Without a second thought."

The two closed the gap between them and kissed one another for the first time, wrapping their arms around each other and holding tight. After a long moment, they came apart and Merrenda rested her head on Arken's chest.

Arken ran his fingers through her long black hair and looked down at her, "I promise that I will fulfill my duties to you as your husband. I swear on my parent's graves, I will take care of you and I won't let anything harm you."

Merrenda looked up at him, "You don't need to make that promise. I know you, and I know you'll do your best."

Arken nodded his head subtly as he recalled the fond memory, "You have no idea what it meant to me to know you would be willing to step down so you could marry me."

Merrenda just smiled and laid her head on his shoulder, "Nothing is worth giving you up, love."

Arken scoffed lightly, "I'm a bloody thief, Merrenda. You could have picked a lot better."

Merrenda looked up into his eyes again, "Arken, I married you for who you are, not what you are. What you are is a product of the circumstances you go through in your life. Who you are is who you chose to be in spite of those circumstances. You may be a thief, but you're a good man who's been force to do some awful things in your life. But you chose not to sink into your circumstances and to rise above them." She nestled down into Arken's side, "And that's the part of you that I love, dear."

Arken smiled at his wife and laid his head back. He raised his head again and looked at Merrenda to make another comment, but she had fallen asleep on his shoulder. Careful not to disturb her, Arken pulled a blanket from his pack and laid it over her. He then laid his head back and closed his eyes, seeking sleep that was easily found.