Tales of Skyrim: Grohiik the Wanderer
Chapter 12: Morning
Lydia woke up feeling stiff, sore and dreary, but altogether better than she felt yesterday. The soft, new skin on her stomach felt uncomfortable from the cold, giving a strange sensation as the rest of her skin was more attuned to it. Lydia stretched her arms and slowly got out of bed to stretch her legs and back.
After a short morning routine, Lydia heard her stomach growl like a Frost Troll. 'Divines, am I hungry' she thought to herself, 'I wonder if Grohiik is up?'
Lydia cast a glance towards Grohiik's bed and saw it was empty. Absently, she wondered where he was and why he was up so early. Though, her thoughts were cast aside when she inspected her armor.
The steel chest plate had a few dents, scratches and distortions marring it, but overall it was in fine condition. Her bracers were hardly touched, though some of the leather was falling apart. Worst of all was the fauld (guards the lower stomach and waist), which was tattered and scorched beyond repair.
Lydia let a deep sigh out, her armor would take some time to repair; time which she doubted she had. Lydia was sure that if she were in her Thane's boots she would want to get to High Hrothgar as fast as possible. The honor of seeing the Greybeards alone would lead her up the Seven-thousand steps and the fact of a personal summon would only speed her on her journey.
Lydia tossed her armor into the heap it had been in, then decided to look around for Grohiik… and breakfast, and not necessarily in that order.
The rotting wooden door creaked open in a loud and obnoxious manner, making Lydia cringe. The hall sat hollow, cold and empty almost dead; Lydia felt a shiver creep down her spine. 'Stop being a milk-drinker Lydia' she scolded herself internally. She lightly skipped down the hall to avoid contact with the icy floor, as she was unprepared and barefoot.
When she finally stopped on a fur spread out across the stony floor. Her feet rejoiced in relief and she let her shoulders slump in relaxation. Faintly, Lydia caught a whiff of meat cooking and a woodfire burning. Her stomach rumbled in yearning, her nose rejoiced in joy and her feet trembled in fear. Her feet were ignored though, as she sprinted towards the smell.
Lydia slowed down as she approached the room with a soft glow emanating from the doorway. Curiously, she peeked around the doorframe; the room was coated in a soft orange-yellow glow, giving the room a homey feel. Standing over an open fire and kettle was Grohiik, stirring the source of the smell. Lydia's mouth watered and her stomach growled like a Sabre Cat, loud and ferocious.
Grohiik turned his head and looked questioningly at Lydia, who found herself still half-hiding behind the doorway, causing her to redden in embarrassment. She slunk into the room and sat down on the wooden carved bench, eagerly waiting to be fed.
"Are you cold?" Grohiik asked as he continued stirring the meal in the kettle.
Confused, Lydia answered "No?"
Grohiik smirked, but kept staring at the stew, "Really, I would have thought you would be cold."
"Well, my feet were cold in the hall…" Lydia looked down at her feet and realized what Grohiik was hinting at; she was only wearing her undergarments and the bandages around her chest. Lydia felt her face flush in embarrassment, and she crossed her legs and wrapped her arms around herself in an attempt at keeping some decency.
As Lydia tried to get her embarrassment under control, she felt something drape over her shoulders. Lydia turned her head to see Grohiik without his strange leather jacket, and looking down; she saw it had enveloped her. Instantly, she buckled the straps in the front to prevent further embarrassment.
Lydia lightly cleared her throat, "Thanks."
Grohiik chuckled, "No problem at all."
Lydia shifted in her seat trying to get into a more comfortable position as Grohiik poured some of the stew into a bowl. Neither spoke as he poured some stew into a second bowl and picked up both before sitting down next Lydia.
She fought to keep a level head as she felt the relative heat of Grohiik's body next to her. Stoically, she accepted the wooden bowl filled with heavenly-smelling stew. Her emotions faded away as she filled her stomach with whatever it was Grohiik had made. Lydia let out a deep sigh, satisfied by the stew in her stomach.
"Satisfied?" Grohiik asked jokingly.
Lydia laid her head on his shoulder, and used a begging face to say, "No… I'd like more please."
… ….
Grohiik chuckled, not at Lydia's reaction to his stew, but to keep himself on the ground. Lydia was a fall breeze and he was a crisp autumn leaf, waiting to be blown away. He couldn't track anything with her around; it was like she had cast a spell on him.
Grohiik stood, taking Lydia's bowl and moved to pour her some more stew. Personally he didn't think his cooking was even above average, but Lydia seemed to love it, that or she was just starving. Both were good, and if she was comfortable eating this much, that meant she was recovering well. Perhaps if Lieth had recovered well also, they could make for Ivarstead.
Grohiik sighed; he still had only a very vague idea of why he was going on this journey, or what he was even supposed to do along the journey. He had faith though, that the Greybeards would have at least a few answer to his many questions.
AS Grohiik poured one last spoon-full of venison stew into Lydia's bowl, he heard footsteps at the doorway. Turning to the new arrival, Grohiik smiled and warmly greeted her, "Good morning Lieth."
After handing Lydia's bowl of stew back to her, Grohiik moved to pour Lieth a bowl of her own. Luckily enough, Grohiik had packed a few extra necessities in the event that a situation should occur, as it did. Lieth accepted the bowl with a hungry stare and sat gently next to Lydia.
Grohiik sat on the opposite side of Lydia, keeping a polite distance while getting as close as he wanted. Lydia was enjoying her second bowl of venison and Lieth began downing her first. The peace was calming and relaxing, perfect after waking up from an uneasy night following an exhausting day.
Lieth was first to disturb the silence commenting on something she apparently was trying not to, "So… Lydia, do you always rely on others to give you their clothes in the morning?"
Lydia flushed a deep red and tried to bow her head out of sight, weakly retorting, "I was tired…"
"Mm-hm…" Lieth replied, sarcastically, "So tired you forgot to get dressed. Grohiik must be luck; you look like you tire easily." She snickered and Grohiik coughed while trying to hold down his own laughter, which may have been no better as Lydia punched him in the arm with all her might.
At that Lieth burst out in laughter, and Lydia tried to hide herself like a mud-crab. Lieth wiped a tear from her eye as Grohiik gently rubbed his arm with a healing spell, then calmed down enough to speak. "Sorry Lydia, but that opportunity was too perfect to pass up, you are wearing Grohiik's jacket after all. I promise on my honor as a mage, I will not tease you – much – more."
Lydia only huffed in reply.
Grohiik sensed a good time to intervene, "Sorry to interrupt but I would like to know, do you two feel up to travelling today?"
Lydia coughed and replied, "Yes, I can travel, after I pack my armor."
Lieth responded "Travelling sounds good."
One less thing to worry about, "Alright I'll pack for the journey."
As Grohiik stood and made his way down the hall, Lieth called out "Oh, just so you know the bandits did have some horses when I was first brought here!"
… …
Lydia shifted uncomfortably, and worked on finishing the rest of Grohiik's delicious stew. Lieth slowly eat hers and looked at Lydia with an interested look, which Lydia tried to hide from. Lydia didn't know why Lieth had teased her so badly, and she wasn't exactly jumping at the opportunity to be alone with her. Lydia felt threatened by Lieth, she was vastly more attractive than Lydia, she was much bolder and she already seemed at ease with a situation that Lydia should be more at ease with.
"Lydia?" Lieth questioned.
"Mm-hm…" Was all that Lydia felt like responding with.
"I was just kidding, you know that right? You are actually very lucky. And I don't want any animosities between us, especially since you saved my life."
"I didn't save your life, Grohiik did." Lydia said dejectedly.
"Not yesterday, it was you who gave me healing potions, so you did in fact save my life. And because I can still sense you haven't quite forgiven me, I am truly sorry if I offended you earlier, but I don't exactly have anything else to do to lift my spirits."
Lydia sighed and thought about what Lieth was saying, "Alright I forgive you – but, that doesn't mean I like you right now, I only tolerate you."
Lieth laughed, "Alright Lydia, but before we reach Ivarstead, you and I will be great friends. That I promise."
Lydia only huffed and returned to her soup.
… …
Grohiik had prepared most of the supplies for travel, and had everything of his own ready, the only things left belonged to Lydia and Lieth, of course those were few in number as Lieth had been a prisoner and Lydia insisted on traveling light in order to carry his supplies.
The horses Lieth had mentioned were Skyrim-bred, shorter and stouter than Cyrodillic-bred, but they were much more hardy. Grohiik had given them a fresh bale of hay and they seemed to instantly take a liking to him. They looked almost pitiful for their breed, but still they were stronger-looking than most horses elsewhere.
Grohiik had finished all he needed to do outside, then had hurriedly come back inside. Grohiik was even more susceptible to the cold without his leather jacket. Lydia still had it though, and he was fine with letting her have it, he just wished he could have it himself too.
Thinking of Lydia, Grohiik was still unsure of the path he was going to take, but he had decided he would make decision like that when they came up and not beforehand. Lydia was many things, but someone who tolerated others making decisions about her without her own input did not fit her. And Grohiik admitted, he was intrigued by her, to say the least; maybe it was a story tale love-at-first-sight, but those didn't happen in real life.
Grohiik quieted his mind and went back to preparing for the road ahead, The Throat of the World was a rough road enough to make even the fool-hardy wary.
…
A/N: … Uh, Hi? …
Been a while, and I need to kick myself back into gear. So, yeah, I need to remember where this is going… An excuse to play Skyrim again I suppose…
As always, please rate and/or comment, constructive criticism and motivation* accepted.
*Motivation: Telling me to get my butt into shape and finish this story.