Four weeks doing nothing. This was going to be torture.

Tala was already thinking it was torture after ten days into the light bed rest. The only things she did were eating, reading the four books she owned, eating again, and letting her thoughts consume her sanity before going to sleep... in that exact order. The calming and serenity scrolls from the Mages Guild remarkably worked and her mind went completely void at night, giving her the much-needed break from her nightmare and getting the sound sleep she was looking for. But that was the only good thing coming out of this. As the days passed and every morning began with a better night's sleep, Tala had more determination to get out of the house... and she couldn't. She couldn't go off and search for Nirnroot. She couldn't take odd jobs at the Fighter's Guild to keep her skills sharp. She couldn't even cook, not unless she wanted to get smacked with a wooden spoon by Eyja. She just spent the hours up in her chambers, reading the books until she could practically remember them by heart, and then sit and think about her life afterwards... past, present, and future. She had plenty of time to think about her situation with the baby, and came to the conclusion that she needed to repair the damage she had caused. She needed to talk to Jauffre and the Blades. She needed to apologize for her actions. Which meant she needed to make the journey to Cloud Ruler Temple. But she couldn't. She was stuck in the manor so she could just sit and think about it.

This never-ending cycle got old and maddening. Fast.

By day fourteen- two full weeks into the rest- Tala grew extremely bored and impatient, and began begging Eyja for a reprieve.

"I can't keep doing this." She whined at midday supper. "I have to go do something other than eat and sleep. Can't I just go out of the city and get some fresh air? Maybe admire the vineyards?"

"Afraid not, milady. You need to stay here and get your rest." Eyja simply commented before biting into her Shepard's Pie.

"I have been getting rest. Plenty of it. That's my problem."

"Sister Marie said four weeks. You have another two weeks to go and then you're free to stroll wherever to want."

Tala responded to that by folding her arms on the dining table and burying her face in them as she let out a wordless groan.

"Hey, be glad you only have to be on light bed rest." Eyja asserted. "She could've put you on permanent bed rest and you'd be stuck in bed, not allowed to even come downstairs to eat. I'd be bringing you your meals while you remain immobile until... say, when did Marie say the baby will be born?"

Tala lifted her head slightly to look at the Nord through a mess of blue tresses. "She didn't, actually. She just guessed I was around ten to fourteen weeks along." She then ran her hand through her hair to pull it away from her face and sat upright in her chair. "You know... that is a good question..." she slyly began as she slowly slid out of the seat towards the door. "Maybe I ought to go visit Marie at the Chapel and get a definitive date..."

"You're not going anywhere!" Eyja scolded.

Tala simply narrowed her eyes at her and gradually sat back down with a disapproving frown.

"So you'd be somewhere between twelve and sixteen weeks now. Speak honestly here, how far along do you think you are?"

Tala stared at her hesitantly for a moment. She then put a protective hand over her stomach, which had become a little more extended and noticeable as the days passed. Eventually, she shut her eyes and sighed. "Honestly... I'm pretty sure that I'm sixteen weeks." When Eyja started silently counting fingers to try and do the math, Tala broke her train of thought by sighing again and grudgingly adding, "I'm due around the end of Morning Star."

Eyja's eyes widened and her mouth partially opened. "So Marie did tell you!" She exclaimed, pointing her dinner fork at her in a reprimanding kind of way.

"No." Tala dully replied. "I've just had enough time to think about it and figure it out on my own."

"Then why did you want to go ask Sister Marie?"

Tala gave her a sideways glance. "I want out of the house. Isn't it obvious?"

Eyja's chiding frown softened and it was her turn to let out a sigh. "I can tell this isn't easy, but you've been doing really well these last two weeks. Once this is over, you can check with Sister Marie and go back to your normal routine, provided you don't overexert yourself."

Tala let out another short sigh- this time through her nose- as she took a bite of her food. There had been a pause to chew her food before she spoke again. "I just want out." She lamented. "In doing nothing, I'm left alone with my thoughts and its driving me insane. It will be great to leave the house and return to my life so I can get my thoughts better organized and have some things taken care of while I still can."

"Hopefully you're returning to your alchemic studies and not planning to take on jobs at the Fighter's Guild."

"Yes, I'll just stick to hunting Nirnroot for as long as I can. Although... what I need to do once I'm able to travel is not plant scavenging. I need to make the journey up north to Bruma."

Eyja's hazel eyes slowly and perplexingly blinked. "Why? What's in Bruma?"

"I need to visit Cloud Ruler Temple and talk to Jauffre. He's... the Grandmaster of the Blades."

That answer only caused Eyja's blinking to increase to a short flutter. "Why do you need to talk to the Blades?"

Now it was Tala's turn to stare at her, bemused. "Eyja, I did tell you that I was a member of the Blades, right?"

Eyja's jaw dropped. "No, you didn't. I learned that you were the Champion of Cyrodiil from other people after you had left for Leyawiin, but you've never told me directly."

The Breton slowly frowned. "Oh... that's right. My apologies. I didn't really want to bring it up when we first met. That title doesn't come with a lot of pride for me, so I didn't really want to talk about it if I didn't have to."

"Why would being the savior of Cyrodiil- Tamriel even- be something to be ashamed of?"

Tala's frown only deepened. "I... I don't feel as if I deserve the title. I didn't save Tamriel... Martin did. I was just his Champion to claim the title in his absence."

Eyja didn't know how to respond to that. They both were very quiet for an awkwardly long while before the young Nord gently asked, "So... you're a Blade?"

Tala nodded. "Yes... at least I think I still am. I haven't spoken to them in months. The last I saw Jauffre, some words were said that created an even bigger rift between the Blades and me... and I wish to see him and apologize for it. I feel as if I should do it soon, rather than stay quiet like I have been for all this time. And... I think they all deserve to know about my child."

"Is that why you won't talk about him, the father of your baby? Was he a Blade as well?"

Tala remained very still before she took a painfully deep breath and slowly let it out. "Eyja, I hope your promise to me has been kept and that you haven't told anyone."

"I swear, milady. I would never betray the kindness and trust you've given me." Eyja responded fiercely.

"Then can you swear to keep another secret?"

"I swear I will remain silent, whatever your secret is. That's a sacred thing amongst Nords- our oaths will never be broken. I'll let people torture me before I'd tell anyone!"

"By Talos, I believe you." Tala tittered. While she found Eyja's undying pledge a little much, she trusted her word. But yet, she still hesitated to speak up. Should I tell her? Or should I remain silent and only tell Jauffre?

Before she could finally spit it out, she was saved by a knock at the door. Eyja quickly stood from her seat and went to answer it, leaving Tala to let out another sigh- this time, one of relief. She really couldn't bring herself to tell anyone the truth yet. She needed to work up more courage first.

She heard the door open, silence, then Eyja's voice loudly proclaiming, "Milady, you have a visitor."

"Is it a good visitor?" Tala blurted out of panic. Because if not, I need to hide.

And as she was getting ready to dart away into the kitchen, she saw silver eyes and hair with golden skin bearing a friendly, tight-lipped smile approach the dining room archway, carrying a satchel around his shoulders and a couple of books tucked up underneath one arm. "I'd like to think I'm not a nuisance... but then again, I've heard Erina thinks otherwise." Sinderion joked.

To see Sinderion standing in her hallway came as a welcoming surprise. Tala's smile couldn't have gotten any wider as she quickly stood up from her seat and rushed over to greet him. "This is a pleasant surprise! Normally I'm the one coming to you."

"Well I have been busy with my studies. Thanks to you, I have lots of Nirnroot to occupy me in between my other projects. But I had heard from your housekeeper that you've been shut indoors for awhile, so I feel I should pay you a visit." He then walked past her to the table so he could set the books and the satchel down. "These books are a part of my alchemical collection. These two- A Game At Dinner and Song of the Alchemist are very rare, so please be careful with them. The others are good reads, especially 2029 Heartfire- it might teach you a thing or two about conjuration."

Tala stared at the books for a moment before she looked up at the Altmer with a puzzled expression. "Why... are you giving me rare books?"

Sinderion looked at her with a blank stare before gesturing to Eyja behind her. "She said something about you having a limited library and you were getting bored with your books? I figured I'd let you borrow some of mine for the time being. I also have this..." He then opened his satchel and pulled out a couple of glass beakers filled with lavender-colored liquid. "These are elixirs that will help calm the mind and increase stamina so you don't feel as exhausted. They can help with your troubled sleep. Before you ask, I have cross-referenced and made sure to not include any ingredients that you cannot consume right now. It took a lot of thought and a good twelve hours to create, but I'm confident they will be helpful, should you use them."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "You... you took time away from your research to make this for me?"

"As I've said before, it's the least I could do for all your hard work as my little field researcher." He said with a complacent smile.

Tala gave him a trembling smile in return as a couple of tears leaked out of her eyes. She softly laughed as she wiped them away and said, "Thank you so much. I'm sorry for being overly emotional. I can't control it some days."

Sinderion shook his head. "There's not a need to apologize. While I am sad to realize that you won't be bringing me Nirnroot for quite a long time, I do have enough of them to keep me submerged in my studies until you're feeling up to it."

"Well I'm hoping to be returning to my search for Nirnroot once I'm relieved of bed rest. I enjoy the challenge. I just need to take care of some things in Bruma before I get back out into the field."

Sinderion's complacent smile went slack. "You sure you want to be traveling around Cyrodiil in your delicate condition?"

"Personally, I don't think she should." Eyja commented behind him. "But lady Tala doesn't seem to know when to quit."

Tala shot a quick glower at Eyja before focusing on the guest in her dining room. "It's a much needed distraction. I'm happy to do it. I doubt me tromping through the fields and marshes is going to be of any concern."

Sinderion pursed his lips and furrowed his brow. He didn't seem convinced, but he chose not to argue. "Suit yourself. Don't feel as if you have to rush back out there at the cost of your health on my account. Like I said, I'm plenty busy with what you gave me."

In the midst of the back and forth between Tala and Sinderion, Eyja stood off to the side, watching her mistress intently. Tala noticed the young woman getting more and more antsy, which seemed a little unusual. Initially, she expected Eyja to tell her what was on her mind after Sinderion left, but instead the brunette suddenly piped up when the conversation ended.

"Milady?" She began to inquire. "I feel as if I should ask... but what is it that compels you to feel the need to travel around and avoid your thoughts?"

Tala turned slightly so she could narrow her eyes at her housekeeper. "I don't want to talk about it." She flatly stated.

"Does it have anything to do with your trip to Bruma to see the Blades?" Eyja persisted.

"Well... yes. But..." Tala hesitated again. A part of her wanted to say, but the need to keep everything hidden held her back. "I don't want to discuss it."

Normally Eyja would passively shut down and not press her any further. This time, the Nord suddenly got more brazen. "Please, lady Tala. I can see that something has been bothering you from the moment I met you. You began to tell me something before Sinderion came to the door. Now, you're hesitant to talk. You can tell us. You trusted us with your first secret and neither one of us has told a soul about the baby. We are your friends. We would never violate your trust."

Tala began to snarl and came close to shouting at Eyja to stop interrogating her, but she stopped herself. Eyja was right: she and Sinderion were the only friends Tala had right now. To shut them out like she shut everyone else out wouldn't be the best idea, especially when Dagail told her that she needed to take any help that was offered to her. Her anger drained from her face and sorrow replaced it. She suddenly felt the need to cry again, so she took deep breaths to control the tears.

"Now, now. If she doesn't wish to talk about it, that's her choice." Sinderion diplomatically responded.

Tala looked at him and shook her head. "No... Eyja's right... I need to talk about it with someone rather than suppress it. I... was just hoping to maybe discuss this with the Blades first, but maybe I should come out and say what's on my mind. You're the only people I've got left... and I don't know if I'll ever be accepted back at Cloud Ruler anyway. I won't know for sure until I arrive at its gates."

"What did you do to make the Blades angry with you?" Eyja asked.

"It's... complicated to explain. To simply put it, I turned my back on them. I witnessed the destruction of the Imperial City, I saw a Daedric Prince try to emerge into our world, and I lost someone I loved all in one moment. That traumatized me. When it was all over, I isolated myself and stopped speaking to the Blades. The last time I spoke to Jauffre... I spurned him and turned my back on him as well. I'm sure it hasn't gone over well with my comrades in arms. After everything I did for them and the cause, just to simply walk away and never speak to them again. I've refused to talk about this to anyone... until now."

"I'm so sorry, milady." Eyja sympathized. "So the man you loved... he was a Blade... and he died in the Crisis?"

"No... the man I loved... was who the Blades were sworn to protect... and he sacrificed himself to end the Crisis."

Eyja's brow furrowed. "I don't understand."

While the caretaker was befuddled, the alchemist caught on to what Tala was getting at. "Hang on... are you saying that you... and the emperor... were...?"

Tala shut her eyes and nodded.

Eyja then stopped being confused and went to straight astonished. "YOU AND EMPEROR MARTIN?" She loudly exclaimed.

"Don't say that so loud next to the windows and doors!" Tala hushed. "All of Skingrad might hear you!"

"So in other words... the father of your child... is... Martin Septim?" Eyja exclaimed, her voice in a much lower register.

"Yes." Tala simply stated.

Eyja just stood there with her eyes and jaw wide open for the longest moment before placing a hand over her throat as if she were being suffocated. Sinderion's eyes had been as equally wide as Eyja's, but his mouth didn't gape the way hers did. As they both stared in stunned silence, Tala felt as if she made a horrible mistake in telling anyone.

"That's a big deal, Tala." Sinderion said, breaking the silence. "This isn't something you just need to tell the Blades. This is something you need to tell the Elder Council."

"That's why I need to talk to the Blades." Tala replied. "I'm not sure if I want to tell to the Elder Council."

"Why wouldn't you want to tell the Elder Council?" Eyja started. "We're without an heir to the throne. Everyone thinks Martin Septim was the last of the bloodline and the Fourth Era will end as of Evening Star. Your child will continue the dynasty. This is like a gift from the Divines!"

"Now hang on." Tala sternly retorted. "I want you to know that the two of you are not to breathe a single word about this to anyone. I'm telling you this in the utmost confidence as my friends."

"I haven't said anything to anyone." Sinderion responded. "I spend my days alone with my research. Who would I tell even if you said I could say something?"

"I said I'd swear to keep your secrets. I meant them." Eyja said. "But why wouldn't you say something before?"

Tala got quiet for a second before softly replying, "I think about that moment every day, and dream about it every night. That's why I enjoy my ventures out. I need a distraction that doesn't involve doing anything that reminds me of my title as Champion of Cyrodiil... and reminds me of that day. If I don't go out and do something... it's all I have to think about." Her voice suddenly became cracked as the need to cry returned. "I have nights where it affects the dreams to the point where I wake up catching my breath and shaking... and the fact that I can't escape the memories drives me insane. I just wanted to forget it all, start anew, and move on." She then ran her hands across her extended abdomen before folding her arms across her stomach to hug herself, "Now... I have this... and I can't move on and forget those memories even if I could. I know I need to tell the Elder Council... but I feel I should tell the Blades first. They watched over Martin long before the Council ever met him, and for a winter's season we all became close-knit, like a family. They deserve to know before Ocato or the Elder Council."

Her two friends remained sensitively silent for a moment, unsure of how to respond. Tala hated how overly emotional she was getting and just wanted to be able to talk about it with them, rather than weep on them. But judging on the looks on their faces, she could tell that they weren't bothered by it.

"I am honored that you shared this with us." Eyja finally said. "I won't say a word until you tell me to."

Sinderion simply nodded, concurring with Eyja's statement.

"Thank you both." Tala said as she let out a deep breath. "Let me get some things straightened out first, then I will let you know if it's okay to talk."

"There's no need to." Eyja assured. "If you never want us to talk about it, I would take it to my grave."

Tala turned to look from the young Nord to the older Altmer standing next to her dining table. He just stood there with his arms folded across his chest, staring at the two women rather enigmatically. While that was an expression Tala had been used to seeing on his face, she felt the need to seek verbal reassurance. "Are you alright with keeping this a secret for now?" She asked him.

"Of course. I'm... just thinking maybe I needed to add more Cinnabar caps and allowed more time for those calming elixirs to percolate. Given what you're dealing with, they might not be potent enough."

Tala chuckled. "I think they'll work just fine. You are a master alchemist, after all." Then a thought came into her head and she decided to change the topic of discussion. "Say, Sinderion... you wouldn't be willing to teach me a few lessons in alchemy as a way for me to pass some time, would you?"

His expression remained enigmatic as he contemplated the idea for a brief second. "Hmmm... I'm afraid that's not my area of expertise."

Tala gave him a pleading pout. "Oh, please? Could you make an exception for your best field researcher?"

There was another pensive hum as he gave it more thought. "Well, I suppose I could make an exception for you."

"Really? Thank you! I would happily pay you for your time if you wanted. However much gold you'd like."

Sinderion waved his hand dismissively. "I'm not interested in monetary payment."

Tala tilted her head inquisitively at the way he had responded. "But you do want a little compensation, right? What would you accept as payment?"

"She's not going out to find more Nirnroot." Eyja interjected.

Sinderion frowned at the brunette. "No, I wouldn't ask for that." He then looked back at Tala and added, "Before you were helping me with my research in Nirnroot, I was very focused on wines, you see. Wonderful thing, wine. It's all about the balance, the flavor, the bouquet, the consistency... just wonderful!" He paused for a long moment, seeming to be merrily in thought before snapping back to reality. "I'm sorry... where was I? Training... right. If I could get my hands on a bottle of each of the best wines from Skingrad, I would consider that better than gold."

"Each of the best wines?" Tala asked slowly.

"Yes. Both vineyards, Tamika's and the Surilie Brothers. Vintage 399... oh, what a good year that was."

Tala initially thought that would be rather tricky, but a revelation clicked in her mind and she realized what he was asking was easier than she thought. "Oh... by Stendarr, I think I might already have those wines!" She then enthusiastically slammed the back of her fist into her open palm and briskly walked to the wine cabinet on the other end of the dining room.

"Take it easy, lady Tala!" Eyja warned. "Don't rush and stress yourself!"

Tala ignored Eyja as she knelt down to the bottom shelf where she kept her unique wines and started looking at the labels. Sure enough, she had one bottle of Tamika's 399 and two bottles of Surilie Brother's 399. In the past, she had her moments of grabbing valuable things and immediately selling them for some change in her pocket, but every once in a while she hung on to rare items just for fun. It would seem that desire to hold on to a simple treasure or two would work in her favor today.

"Here!" Tala gleefully said as she set the three bottles on the table. "One from Tamika and two from Surilie in the year you desire. I also have a Tamika's Vintage from 415 if you wanted. But these are yours, in exchange for your time and knowledge."

Sinderion's marveling stare reminded her strongly of the looks on the faces of the Blades when she brought the armor of Tiber Septim to Cloud Ruler. He then picked up one the bottles and inspected it with that great admiration. "Look... at... this! How wonderful! Simply wonderful... Oh, I'm hesitant to even open the bottles!" He looked at Tala and gave her the brightest and warmest smile she had ever seen on him. "Thank you for these."

"Its my pleasure." Tala replied with an equally warm smile.

Sinderion set the bottle on the table and inspected all three wines. "You can keep your second bottle of Surilie Brothers. I am beyond delighted to have just one bottle of each. And like I said, you've done so much for me for so long, I would feel greedy taking both of them. I may not be the greatest teacher, but I am willing to share my expertise and take you under my guidance."

Tala's eyes lit up and she excitedly clasped her hands together. "Terrific! I'm looking forward to the lessons."

Sinderion then let out the softest of chuckles. "That's the spirit. I suppose I could gather some of my alchemy equipment and bring them here to begin the first lesson. In reading the books I loaned you, you should learn some very handy skills that we can use in later lessons. I will take my wine back to the cellar and return later this afternoon." With that, he packed his bottles of wine in his satchel and let Eyja show him out the door.

After Tala put away her vintage wine bottle, she looked at Eyja and noticed that she looked anxious again; she wanted to say something, but couldn't find the words.

"What is it?" Tala warily asked.

Eyja hesitated, but ultimately shook her head. "Its nothing, really. I just feel grateful for you opening up and trusting us like that. I feel great sorrow for you, but I assume you don't want to think about your troubles anymore and would like to leave it alone for now."

"You would be correct to assume that." Tala said. She paused for a moment to walk around the table to her friend and caretaker so she could place a gentle hand on her shoulder. "But I thank you for being obdurate and getting me talk about it. I think it's about time I throw away the notion that I can go through this on my own and be just fine. I realize its been making me sick to say nothing and keep this to myself. It's only caused me more grief and got me to the point where I was at risk of putting my child in danger, forcing me into this light bed rest I'm now on. I just need to swallow my damn insecurities and do what I need to do to take care of myself."

Eyja responded by putting her hand on Tala's shoulder and patted it reassuringly. "It's about time you noticed."

Both girls laughed for a moment; while Eyja's had been comical, Tala's was one of gratitude. She remembered how cautious she was of letting Eyja in, and now she was glad she did.

"So, at dinner, did you want to share anything else that's been troubling you?" Eyja asked.

Tala thought about it for a moment before replying with, "No, what I said to you and Sinderion is all that's been troubling me."

"Well... did you want to talk about anything from your past that was pleasant? Rather than talk about the things that were unpleasant?"

The Breton raised a suspicious eyebrow. "I take it you want to know more about my life." She said with a smirk.

"I would love to know more about your life."

"Well how about we talk about it now, rather than at dinner?"

Eyja responded by grabbing a chair and pulling it away from the table before motioning Tala to take a seat. As the Lady of the manor did as she was silently instructed, the young Nord eagerly asked, "Can I ask you more about your time with the Blades?"

Tala looked up at her with a soft smile. "Sure. What would you like to know?"