Chapter Thirty-Six
~Arryn~
The trip into Falkreath had helped me clear my head. I had bought various supplies that Milly had requested for around the house. When I walked into the house I was surprised and relieved to see Ralof sitting at the table, talking to Sissel. He looked present as he told her a story.
"Your da tripped and flopped right over the bridge, into the water. Took me near an hour to fish him out. He kept swimming away, bellowing 'I'm a salmon!' like a madman." He said. She giggled. I rolled my eyes, recalling that night.
"Da!" Sissel cried happily. "Uncle Ralof was telling me about the time you drank too much!"
I smiled. "I see this." I ruffled her hair. "Hey Ral." I said softly.
"'Lo Arryn." He said, giving me a tight smile. "Milly said we're off tomorrow to Riverwood."
I nodded. "Alright to do that?" I asked.
"Have to be." He said with a shrug. "Had never let me mope for long."
"No he didn't. You've always been so broody. Had his work cut out for him." I teased gently.
He smiled sadly, looking at his hands. "It's been a week, but I keep expecting to wake up and have him here."
"Just be patient." Sissel said.
"Isn't it past your bedtime little one?" I asked.
"But da!" She protested with an exaggerated frown.
"No buts. Where's Milly?" I asked, looking around for my maid.
"She and mum went to bed. Something scared her by the lake but she won't say what. Mum was heaving all night." She told me with a grimace. I mirrored her expression.
"Well go on with you. It's late." I gave her a hug before she scampered up the stairs. I turned back to Ralof. He was staring into the fire, looking deep in thought.
"You should get some sleep." I told him.
"Can't. I've only been sleeping from the ale. Haven't had any today." He told me miserably.
"That's no way to live anyways." I said with a sigh, falling into the chair next to him.
"Your maid said as much. You know she's mad?" He grumbled.
"She's odd, but harmless." I said with a smirk.
"What do I tell Sigrid when she asks why I didn't save him?" He whispered suddenly.
"Ralof, this wasn't your fault. There's nothing you could have done." I told him, my brows knitted together.
"Arryn, I should have done something. It was my job to protect him." He told me, looking ashamed. His pain brought out my own shame. I felt a lump in my throat.
"I shouldn't have dragged him there on a damn lark. Elves? I killed my brother for some elves." I choked out.
Ralof clasped my shoulder. I took a steadying breath. "I'm so sorry Ral."
"You have nothing to be sorry for Ryn."
"You should try to sleep." I whispered.
"I will. We'll be setting out in the morning." He told me. I nodded.
"Goodnight brother." I said.
Milly and Ralof were gone before Jordis and I woke up the next morning. Sissel was in her room reading a book, so Jordis prepared a quick meal for us all. As we sat down to eat, Sissel asked if we could eat lunch by the lake as a family. I looked at them and was nearly overwhelmed by how fortunate I was to have them.
"That sounds wonderful. Arryn?" Jordis asked me.
"I've no plans for today. I couldn't ask for two more beautiful companions." I said with a smile. Jordis smiled brightly for a moment before she covered her mouth and ran for the door.
"Ew." Sissel said quietly. I nodded.
"Let's work on your letters Sissel." I said, changing the subject.
"Alright!" She cried, running to the other room to gather up her supplies. We sat at the table for hours. While she copied phrases from "The Yellow Book of Riddles", Jordis prepared a meal. I stood by the kitchen door and watched her. She hummed quietly as she moved about the hearth.
I snuck up behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist. "You look so beautiful." I whispered. A smile lit up her face, a blush creeping into her cheeks.
"I'm a bloated cow." She complained, swatting at my hands. I kissed the side of her neck and began to pack up the food into a basket. I caught her beaming at me from the corner of my eye.
The lake was beautiful, as always. Sissel and Jordis tied up their skirts and played in the water, for a few minutes before I decided to join them. I pulled off my shirt and waded into the water. We were splashing when Jordis froze.
"Arryn!" She whispered. She pointed up towards the manor. A woman was descending the hill gracefully.
She was unlike anything I had ever seen. Her skin was a very pale shade of gray, her hair whiter than any snow I had ever seen. She wore a blood red dress, with a matching hood. She was barefoot and she smiled brightly.
"Who is she?" Jordis asked quietly. "What is she?"
"I think she's a Snow Elf." I said, openly staring. The strange woman reached the shore of the lake and lifted her arm in greeting. I waded towards the shore, and Jordis was right behind me.
"Hello!" She chirped cheerfully.
"Hello." I replied gruffly.
"It's so beautiful out here! Look at this grass! Look at this sky!" She called brightly, large emerald green eyes sparkling.
"How can we help you?" Jordis asked pointedly.
The beautiful woman smiled prettily. "Oh! My apologies! I haven't ever left Triminacia before, and this place is just so breathtaking! So warm!" She sighed, squeezing her eyes closed in delight. "I am here because I have something that belongs to you. I apologize for the delay but there were some complications."
"What?" Jordis asked, her face twisted in irritation.
"Follow me please!" Those green eyes were absolutely enormous. We made our way up the hill and I nearly fell back down it.
"Uncle Hadvar!" Sissel called in delight. Hadvar was seated on the steps of my house, looking pale and in pain, but alive. His leg was stretched out in front of him, in a primitive looking splint.
"His leg is broken in three places. I had to get him out of the city in secret, so that's the very best I could do. I'm no healer I'm afraid." The woman told me sadly.
"Let me get him some healing potions!" Jordis cried, flying around the house to the side door.
I crushed the small woman to me, overwhelmed by gratitude. "Thank you." I muttered.
"You're welcome. Your friend looked so sad that he had fallen into the game trap." She said. "Is he here too?" She asked.
"Ralof!" I gasped, looking at her with wide eyes.
"No. I am Lilyarel." She said in earnest. Jordis was helping Hadvar take the healing potions.
"No. Ralof is Hadvars love. And he thinks he's dead. He's going to tell Hadvars family." Sissel explained, looking cross."Nobody listens when I tell them things."
"It's hard being the youngest isn't it?" Lilyarel asked Sissel. "I'm only six hundred years old, so no one takes me seriously. That's why I snuck here. That and I've never seen the sun before. It's so lovely!"
"Do you want to see Mums garden? There's lots of flowers!" Sissel asked excitedly.
"I would love to!" Lilyarel cried, taking Sissels hand. They skipped over to the garden. I cod hear them chattering, even from that distance.
I say down next to Hadvar, who was looking slightly less pained. I wrapped my arm around his shoulder. "Had. Gods." I said. I couldn't put into words how happy I was to see him.
"Takes more than falling into a giant hole to kill me." He said with a pained smirk. "I landed right on top of a dead elk. I might've been dead otherwise. Busted up my leg pretty good though, knocked myself out."
"I'm so sorry Hadvar. We should have tried to get you out. The elves in the city..." I trailed off.
"Not the friendliest bunch are they? Lilyarel was worried they would find me and throw me in a dungeon. You should have seen my face when I finally woke up. I thought she was a ghost!" He laughed.
"He screamed like a girl. He yelled the same thing you did. Rahhh Lufff. What is that again?" Lilyarel asked. She and Sissel had returned, unnoticed.
"He's my uncle." Sissel answered.
"Ahhh." Lilyarel said with a nod. "So he is Hadvars husband?"
"Very nearly." Sissel agreed.
"Ralof is on his way to Riverwood with Milly now. He's going to tell Alvor and Sigrid you've died. I need to catch up to them!" I remembered suddenly.
"I'll come with you." Hadvar said, trying to stand.
"Had, you're in no shape." I protested, watching him wobble.
"Put him on a horse Arryn. Ralof needs to see him." Jordis interrupted. "You should have seen that man." She told Hadvar. "Milly had to force him out of bed. He was a wreck. Milly was worried for him."
"Oh Ral." Hadvar sighed. "I didn't mean to worry you all." I helped him hobble over to the horses. Once he was up, I got on my own horse.
"You didn't fall into that damned pit on purpose Hadvar. It was my fault for bringing you there." I assured him. He shook his head in disagreement. "Jordis, take Sissel and Lilyarel inside and don't leave the house until we return. I love you." I commanded.
"And I love you. Now hurry!" She insisted. I watched them file into the house. Jordis turned to blow me a kiss. I smiled.
"I've missed him." Hadvar told me.
"He's missed you desperately." I replied, urging my horse forward.