Chapter Six: Solitude (Middas, 24th of Hearthfire thru Tirdus, 30th of Hearthfire)
Solitude was a beautiful city, and Elain found herself wishing for a time that fate had brought her there instead of Windhelm. The sun was warm, the sky clear, and the air smelled of the sea. The buildings were beautiful, echoing the Imperial style, and while Windhelm's architecture was beautiful in a different way, here blinding snow squalls didn't interrupt her ability to admire it.
Elain found the marketplace quite easily and got directions for the Bard's College from a woman who was browsing the stands. The college was an ornate building with guilded, stained glass windows, and she made her way inside, stopping in the reception area. At first glance, she didn't see anyone around, so she pulled a chord near the door after reading the sign asking visitors to ring the bell.
The low peel of a bell sounded, and soon she was joined in the room by an Altmer man with bright red hair. He smiled at her.
"Welcome to the Bard's College. I am Viarmo, headmaster," he stated. "What can I do for you?"
"I'm actually here to see someone," she replied, not certain how willing the man would be to give up information on one of his students. "Steffen."
The high elf raised an eyebrow and seemed to study her more closely. "Of course," he replied. "I will go and retrieve him for you."
Elain sighed in relief and took a seat on one of the wooden benches while she waited. It wasn't long before her brother made his appearance.
"Elain!" he gasped, rushing to her. They embraced when she stood.
Elain was pleased by her brother's appearance. He looked healthy and well-groomed and had thankfully gained back the weight he had lost while being starved and tortured in Thalmor custody.
"How did you find me?" he asked.
"A man called Jorgen in Morthal," she replied.
He turned toward the headmaster who was lingering nearby, obviously making sure the visitor was someone Steffen wished to see and not an unwelcomed guest. "Viarmo, this is one of my sisters, Elain. We were separated upon arriving in Skyrim, and I wasn't sure what had become of her."
Viarmo smiled. "This is a joyful reunion then," he commented. "I'll leave you both to catch up."
Steffen thanked him and joined Elain on the bench she had previously been sitting on. "You were in Morthal?"
Elain nodded. "Aerenwen and I were just passing through," she explained, "and we met Jorgen at the inn. He recognized our names from you telling him about us, so he approached and told us where you were. Aerenwen sends her regards but was unable to make the trip at this time. She's a member of the Companions in Whiterun and doing quite well for herself. She's earned herself the title of Thane and owns a home there. She adopted a young boy who was orphaned at Helgen and has found a life partner in one of her fellow Companions. They haven't said as much, and it's a bit soon, but I suspect we'll all be attending a wedding ceremony before too long. I've never seen Aerenwen so smitten, and Aela clearly returns her affections. She's a good woman and a good match for our sister."
Steffen grinned. "Do you have news of any of the others?"
"All of them," Elain replied, smiling at his relief. "Nesta has found a home in Riften. She's a member of the Thieves Guild," she added quietly, "and also doing quite well. She was in Windhelm on business and has been staying at my home."
"You own a home in Windhelm?" Steffen asked.
Elain nodded and explained to her brother what had transpired in her life since their separation.
"What about the others? Glenys?"
"She's well," Elain answered. "She's Thane of the Reach and has a home in Markarth where she lives with her housecarl and a warrior who has won her heart. Both strong, loyal men. She's being well taken care of and is absolutely in her element with all the history in the city.
"Mari has been in Falkreath, but I just left her a few days ago, and she's planning to travel north to Winterhold at the end of the month," she continued. "She's hoping to be accepted at the mage's college there in order to finish her studies."
Steffen sighed. "I am so glad everyone is alive and doing so well," he stated, his relief evident. "I have worried about you all immensely and have been stricken with guilt. We wouldn't be in this mess if it weren't for me."
Elain silenced him. "Don't take this all on yourself. In truth, if it weren't for our family's history, we wouldn't have all been implicated by your actions. The blame isn't necessarily any one of ours, nor our parents', and if it weren't for the Thalmor, this wouldn't be an issue. They're the ones at fault behind this. Not us."
Steffen nodded.
"No one holds you accountable, Steffen," Elain assured him. "I think we all are in agreement that fate has brought us to Skyrim for a reason and that our separation was a necessary hardship in order to find our own paths. Now we know that we're all finding success in doing so, and we'll continue on living our separate lives, touching base when we're able. Now tell me. How did you end up here?"
"I got lost," he replied with a shrug. "I didn't know where any of you were, and I was walking in circles. I came across a bard called Talsgar the Wanderer, and he told me what happened with the dragon at Helgen, so I feared you all dead. I traveled with him, and when we got here, I applied to the college. I thought, perhaps, I'd finally found a place where my talents would actually be useful. I've never been a warrior or an adventurer like you, Aerenwen, and Nesta, and I'm not nearly as book smart as Glenys or as talented with magicka as Mari. I've finally found a place where my musical talent and ability to weave a good tale will help me find success, and I'm thriving."
Elain was thrilled by this and wrapped her arm around her brother affectionately.
A clock in the corner chimed, indicating the hour, and Steffen stood. "I have class soon," he informed her. "I'm afraid I can't invite you in any further. Only members of the college and staff are allowed beyond the reception area, but I'll pay for a room for you at the inn."
Elain assured him that she had plenty of coin and that wasn't necessary. They made plans to meet at the inn for dinner, and Elain wandered outside into the beautiful weather, eager to explore the city.
Steffen surprised his sister by arriving at the inn with another person in tow. Illdi was a pretty young Nord woman with dark hair and a nice figure, and while her brother had introduced her as a dear friend, Elain gathered, based on the girl's sidelong glances at her brother and the affection she saw in his eyes, that there was more brewing there than simple friendship. She discovered that Illdi was Jorgen's daughter, and the reason Steffen had traveled to Morthal to spend Harvest's End.
The three sat at a secluded table in the corner and caught up, laughing and sharing tales well into the night.
Elain spent a week in Solitude, getting to know the city and spending all the time she could with her brother, and sometimes Illdi, whenever their class schedules allowed it. She explored some caves and took out a few bandits for the bounty, and she staked out the Thalmor Embassy on a nearby mountain. It was good to be familiar with your enemy's location after all. She sent word via currier to all her sisters, informing them of Steffen's location and that they were all accounted for.
She planned to return home the following day, a week after arriving in Skyrim's capital, and after sharing a final dinner with Steffen and Illdi, she retired to her room at the inn. All evening she'd had an odd feeling, as if she were being watched, and she was eager to head out at sun's first light.
Author's Note: That's the end of the second part of Elain's story. Glenys is up next. It may take me a little longer on updates for this portion as I'm still working on it and only have the first few chapters completed.
