Sry for the delay; life turned a little hectic and not for the best sadly.
I hope this chapter doesn't strike as weird… I don't know why but this chapter gave me a lot of trouble; I didn't like how it turned out; I have modified it way too many times, so before I have a little mental breakdown I guess I should just release it now.
Hopefully the next one won't give me so much trouble…
Have a nice week-end.
As I walked up the stone stairs towards my uncle's keep, all I could think of were the words Lestat and Carcette had said.
A conflict was coming… two vampire clans were fighting each other; and soon, their conflict would pull all of Skyrim towards it.
I sighed deeply.
"Lady Lydia! It's good to see you back." One of the guards beside the door of the keep said bowing and saluting me, while the other one pushed open the heavy wooden doors.
I smiled slightly for the guards and bowed my head.
As soon as both doors were open and I was walking under the arch, I saw that the guardsman that had opened the doors was now jogging up the wooden stairs that lead to the main hall.
Once the guard cleared the stairs he announced me.
"My Jarl! Housecarl Lydia Battle-Born has returned!" The guard said as loud as he could so that his voice wasn't lost over the sounds of my uncle's court.
I walked up the wooden stairs and felt all the eyes in the main hall falling on me; all the heads of the guards and nobles turning to take a better look at me.
The feeling was unnerving to say the least…
"Lydia!" A voice boomed from behind a wall of people; suddenly a large gap opened among the wall of men and women and Jarl Balgruuf appeared walking fast towards me.
Behind him, Irileth walked closely with her right hand resting on the pommel of her sword.
At the sight I smiled briefly. Irileth… an exemplar Housecarl.
I knew that as long as she was in charge of the Jarl's protection, no one would ever be able to harm my uncle.
When Jarl Balgruuf's eyes made contact with mine I suddenly felt incredibly small; my mouth seemed to dry and I struggled to say anything.
"My Jar…" My voice broke and turned into a muffled gasp as all the air in my chest was squeezed out of me by my uncle's bear hug.
"Lydia! I was so worried about you! Especially after the letters telling of the attack on Rorikstead arrived! Thank the Divines you're finally here!" Jarl Balgruuf said as he let go of his embrace and warm air with the scent of burning pine wood rushed in my nose.
I dropped to one knee before my uncle, and after a couple deep breaths I saluted the Jarl placing my right fist over my heart.
"My Jarl; I bring news… and they aren't very good." I said, noticing how the Jarl and everyone close enough to hear, tensed slightly.
"Get up child!" Balgruuf said as he extended a hand for me to take.
Once I was up, Jarl Balgruuf nodded in Proventus' direction and signaled me to follow him; I thought we would go to Farengar's study or at least to the war council chamber in the second floor. But my uncle walked back to his throne and sat there.
I stood right in front of the throne while the Jarl was flanked by Irileth and his steward.
The only sounds that were heard in the main hall were the crackling of firewood and the deep breaths of the Jarl's court.
Suddenly my uncle's voice echoed throughout the hall.
"Well Lydia… tell us what news you bear." Jarl Balgruuf commanded.
"My Jarl… I…" my voice seemed to betray me once more as I hesitated in telling what I knew. After all, I wasn't sure that the whole court should know every detail of what I had to say… nobles always gossip too much.
"Is there something wrong Housecarl?" Proventus asked taking a small step forward.
"No, no; there, there's nothing wrong; it's just that…" I began saying but was cut off by my uncle.
"What's the matter Lydia?" Jarl Balgruuf asked leaning forward on his throne.
"It's just that I thought we would discuss this in private…" I said and immediately regretted saying it in the first place after watching the Jarl's face harden.
I was expecting a reprimand; or at least my uncle raising his voice in anger.
Everyone knew Jarl Balgruuf was a temperamental man… especially when his commands were questioned.
When his reply came I was thankful to the gods for sparing me a public dismissal or chastisement.
Although… I'm sure I earned myself a lecture from Irileth; no Divine will save me from that. I thought, after witnessing the glare my former mentor shot my way.
"Nonsense Lydia! Every man and woman in this hall is concerned with the security and wellbeing of the Hold and all the people living in it!" My uncle said in a tone that left no chance to argue.
"And with that in mind, I strongly believe that all of us need to know what we are up against." Jarl Balgruuf said with a serious voice; but his face showed no anger. I was glad for that.
"So now… tell us what news you have."
I took a deep breath and retold the story from when the Dawnguard arrived to Rorikstead, up until Ralof, Faendal the guards and I arrived at Broken Fang Cave.
All the people present were quiet; everyone always felt fear when one spoke of vampires… but hearing that some vampires had made an army… well, that was something you didn't hear every day. The simple thought was enough to produce nightmares; but the fact that this was no bad dream or the inane babblings of a drunken man made the information so much worse.
"Vampires creating an undead army… it seems more like the act of a Daedric Prince than something even a necromancer might wish for." Jarl Balgruuf said; he looked older than he really was.
The toll of several restless nights and many long days no doubt…
My uncle's plate was already full with troubles and worries; and yet here I was… adding more things to be worried about.
The Jarl left out a deep and heavy sigh.
"A civil war tearing Skyrim apart, Thalmor hunting people in the night, the return of the dragons, a missing Thane who is also the Dragonborn, three spoiled and ungrateful brats to look after; and on top of this, we now have vampires coming out of their covens and rising undead armies… and in my hold no less!" Jarl Balgruuf said with exasperation raising his arms towards the ceiling…
"Have the Divines no mercy?!" My uncle said letting both his arms drop.
Damn… and he hasn't even heard about Lestat... I thought bitterly after seeing his reaction.
After a few moments in silence the Jarl's brother, Hrongar, asked a question I really didn't want to answer.
"Is that all we should know Housecarl?" Hrongar asked as he crossed his arms and pierced me with his eyes.
I couldn't answer at first; I felt heavy and I couldn't seem to find my voice. I really didn't want to be a bearer of ill news.
I turned my head back and saw the faces of the nobles and guards gathered in the Jarl's hall; I wished I hadn't looked back.
Seeing the fear and worry etched in the faces of everyone made me feel even worse at what I was about to say… it was bad enough that there were vampires rising undead; but to have two vampire clans waging war against one another and against mortals… it was outright terrifying and difficult to comprehend.
"No; the… there's more… and, and it's worse." I managed to blurt out to both the faces of disbelief of Irileth, Proventus and the Jarl, and a massive gasp from the people gathered behind me.
Seeing the clash of fear, tiredness and hopelessness in my uncle's face was terrible; I had just added a very heavy burden to the Jarl. And I felt terrible for doing so.
"Continue." Irileth commanded.
When I turned my eyes to see her, I noticed that she was now standing closer to the Jarl.
I nodded and told everyone what I had seen and done in Broken Fang Cave; needless to say, by the end of my tale the Jarl seemed like fainting… and so did the court.
Over the eerie silence; a smug voice spoke from the second level of the hall... a voice I knew well.
I looked up, as did most people; and there he was, clad in a blue robe with his hood barely showing his face. Whiterun's court wizard… Farengar Secret-Fire.
Farengar was well known for being condescending and arrogant to those who wasted his time according to himself.
And yet, Farengar had always showed the outmost respect towards the Jarl.
Almost as a rule, nords shun magic and those who cast it. I count myself among the nords who think like this... of course, some of those old beliefs have been slowly disappearing thanks to my Thane.
Even if he insists that he is not a real mage, he has been the closest I have ever been to magic.
Of course Irileth can cast some spells; but being my mentor, she only ever showed me the art of combat with iron and steel.
After all I don't have any magika.
One would think that with me being brought up in the keep; that I would have become friends or at the very least acquainted with almost everyone in here.
But Farengar always seemed so… distant; always reading and writing.
The few times I spoke with him were usually in the morning for breakfast and at supper; for the dinner, he usually had servants deliver his food to his study.
Still… he usually smiled when he saw me… perhaps I shouldn't be so harsh on him…
"Lestat of Larzzaeus? Of the Valhair Clan...?" Farengar questioned looking down at us from the second floor.
Before I could reply, my uncle spoke.
"Farengar, get down here! Don't make me look up." Jarl Balgruuf commanded.
A few moments later Farengar appeared beside Irileth.
"Do you know anything about this?" The Jarl asked.
"Yes my lord… but it seems impossible…?" Farengar said as he scratched his chin.
"What is impossible? Don't speak to me in riddles Farengar." The Jarl said looking slightly annoyed.
The court wizard bowed and said an apology. After his words my uncle nodded and motioned him to continue speaking.
After this, Farengar continued.
"As you all know…" Farengar began saying, but stopped abruptly and turned to take a look at everyone in the hall; "… or maybe just a few of you know… there are many kinds of vampires; from the lowliest lesser vampires, to the purebloods spawns of the Daedric Prince Molag Bal."
A loud gasp echoed throughout the keep; a gasp that ended as soon as it came… everyone knew that uttering the name of a Daedric Prince was to invite trouble.
Of course there are some who say that such beliefs are just myths and superstitious talk to scare young children… most mages believe so, and Farengar was one of them.
Those who study the arcane arts should know better; the power of words is not something that should be looked down upon; the Thu'um is one clear example… the dragon tongue harbors great power.
"Farengar explain in more detail! Cursed spell caster…" Hrongar yelled from where he stood behind me; of course the last part he said in a barely audible voice.
I tried to not laugh at this.
"I was just getting to that; of course if you had been just a little bit more patient Hrongar, you would have…"
"Farengar! Can you just say what you know?!" Jarl Balgruuf asked with a face that bordered between anger and boredom.
Farengar bowed and Hrongar knew better than to continue arguing.
"This vampire that the Housecarl found is not only very ancient; but it is also a pureblood; that makes him a spawn of Molag Bal… therefore a very deadly foe." Farengar said crossing his arms; he then turned his face to look at me.
"Housecarl…" the court wizard said with a low voice; "can you repeat what Lestat said? Do you remember his exact words?" Farengar asked shifting the attention of everyone to me once more.
I tensed when I felt the eyes of the entire keep on me.
I reached for the satchel on my right hip, and from it I took my diary; a small and thin book covered in red and dark brown leather.
When we got back to Rorikstead, after clearing Broken Fang Cave, I wrote the words of Lestat in my diary so I didn't forget them; as I wrote each of the words the vampire had said, I felt the same ancient and strange prophetic aura I felt when he first uttered those words.
It was precisely after this that I began to actually ponder about the power of words.
I opened my diary and found the page where I had made the notes… I cleared my throat and began to read.
"The prowlers of the night shall herald the dawn of the Dark Age; the harmony that existed between gods, men and mer shall cease once more, and darkness shall fall upon the land… not will the firstborn devour the world; for his fire shall not rival the fires of the void; the world shall be set ablaze; heed my words! The gods themselves shall stand powerless as their might fades away into nothingness; whilst the stars, the very symbols of that might, shall fall as stones from the heavens."
As I read, the same feeling of dread washed over me once more; I could see that those around me actually took some steps back; their faces showed the same surprise and disbelief I saw on my friends when we first heard these words.
The meaning of this prophecy was somewhat clear; it talked of the end of the world, the rise of the night stalkers… the rise of the vampires.
It also seemed to talk about a firstborn… but whose firstborn it meant was not clear; it seemed that whoever it was would fail at devouring the world which was something good I suppose.
Of course that also meant another unknown threat… and the other worrying part was the one that made allusion to the "harmony" between men, mer and gods… maybe this meant the beginning of a new Great War against the Dominion; a second war between men and mer for the gods each side believed in… "Sigh."
"That didn't sound very good…" Farengar said tilting his head to the side.
No; you really think that?! I thought bitterly, biting down on my lower lip.
"By order of the Jarl the walls of Whiterun must be completely repaired by the next month; every able bodied citizen must help in their repairs.
The drawbridge will be lifted every day at midnight; past this hour no one will leave or enter the city; for those who live outside the walls there will be a curfew at this same hour and all the patrols will be doubled.
This measures are being taken for the security of the city and its people; make no mistake citizens of Whiterun; dragons, vampires and this war between the Empire and Stormcloaks loom on the horizon… only by our own sweat, courage and strength can we ensure the security of our home and our families. All of us must do our part; may the winds of Kynareth accompany us through these hard times." With this small prayer Commander Caius, the Guard Captain of Whiterun, finished his announcement and rallying cry.
The people that had gathered around the Gildergreen in the Wind District finally began to walk away; probably with heavy hearts and a worried mind after hearing Caius' words.
"Well, it is done." Commander Caius said looking back at me. "This measures your uncle has taken seem a little steep; but this are unknown and difficult times ahead of us." Caius said with a wry smile.
I nodded but kept silent; my mind had once more wandered to Laniüs.
Where on Nirn are you…?
"Lydia? Are you alright?" Caius asked looking into my eyes.
I answered with a weak yes, avoiding looking the commander in the eye; I turned around and with no further words, began the walk back to the keep.
Tonight would mark two weeks since Laniüs disappeared; two weeks of knowing nothing about where he was or what was he doing… I sighed heavily.
Two weeks without any news; two weeks praying to every Divine to keep my Thane safe… two weeks of restless sleep and somber thoughts.
Just in the last two days I had thought of Laniüs lying dead somewhere in Skyrim due to bandits, wildlife, dragons; him trapped in a snowstorm, a blocked cave, an ancient ruin.
My thoughts went from the most stupid thing like him slipping and hitting his head, to the most elaborated and stupid stories I could come up with; things like him meeting a beautiful and curvy Redguard woman and leaving with her to Hammerfell.
I felt so useless. My Thane disappeared right under my nose… I was sleeping pleasantly in the second floor of the inn while Laniüs and his merry followers ran amok through Whiterun.
Granted he didn't like the idea of being the Dragonborn… but he wouldn't just leave like that; especially not with his helpful and honorable nature.
But with each passing day more and more insane ideas invaded my mind; each one less likely than the one before.
"Lydia!" Someone cried from behind me.
I turned around and saw Ria stopping right in front of me; she was panting heavily.
"Ria, catch your breath; what's the matter?" I asked.
Ria took a few seconds to breathe normally once more. "Have you found your Thane?" She asked staring at me.
Once more I lowered my sight and shook my head.
"I'm sorry to hear that…" Ria said. "Are you leaving to find him once more?" she suddenly said.
At her words I felt anger… my uncle had prohibited me from leaving the city.
Hamvirgg, Faendal, Hadvar and Ralof had been paid the one hundred septims accorded from coming with me in search of Laniüs. Apart from that, Jarl Balgruuf had given them five hundred septims for their efforts in the defense of Rorikstead.
After that, Ralof returned to Riverwood; Hadvar went to Solitude to deliver a report to General Tullius; Hamvirgg was promoted to sergeant and sent back to his post in the Western Watchtower to oversee the repairs and serve as commander to the men posted there since the previous sergeant had fallen to the dragon.
Faendal on the other hand joined Whiterun's army and was sent with a small archer company to reinforce Rorikstead.
Before he did that, he wrote a letter for Camilla and entrusted it to me so that I would deliver it… but with the Jarl's prohibitions I couldn't go and deliver it.
The letter now sat in my room; I could send it with a courier but Faendal had given it to me to deliver; it would be an insult to his trust if I didn't delivered it personally.
So now I was trapped in a city; a very large cage, but a cage none the less.
A Housecarl with no Thane… what a pitiful sight.
"No; I'm forbidden of leaving Whiterun." I said bitterly; "I'm trapped in the city. Laniüs is somewhere in Skyrim and I'm here doing absolutely nothing about it!"
I took a deep breath to steady myself.
"You love him." Ria said.
I felt frozen; not because she said so, but because the way she said it… it wasn't a question.
My face felt very warm and my voice seemed to hide in my throat.
Ria smiled broadly and chuckled. "Lydia…" she began laughing after saying my name; "… you should see your face! You just turned crimson!" Ria finished with a face full of glee.
I tried to say something but my tongue seemed to be tied in a knot; Ria was still smiling and laughing.
"Don't worry Lydia, I won't tell anyone." The imperial young woman said.
"Actually I think you two would make a very good couple."
Her words made my face feel as if it was under a flame spell; but at the same time a broad smile crept to my lips. However, the same thought that appeared whenever I thought of Laniüs and I as a couple, assaulted my mind; and before I actually thought of it, it found its way to my mouth.
"But it is forbidden…" I said in a low voice; once I heard myself say it, my smile faded.
"Ohh Lydia, that's nonsense!" Ria said rather quickly. Then she turned and looked around as if searching for someone.
At her antics I asked what was she searching for.
"Just making sure Aela isn't nearby." Ria replied after making sure the redhead wasn't anywhere around us.
Before I could ask why, Ria spoke again.
"Those are just stupid rules; that a Thane can't love his or her Housecarl or the other way around is pure nonsense!" Rias said with a firm voice.
"Even amongst the Companions such rules have been abandoned; Aela told me herself… although she denied she loved someone; but that has nothing to do with this right now.
What I mean, is that it is impossible that feelings don't blossom between two warriors when both of them look after each other. The bonds that are formed between two people fighting side by side are very deep; even more so when both would kill and die for the other. It is impossible that no feelings grow between two after something like that. Especially since you have already pledged your life to Laniüs." Ria said with a knowing face and a strong conviction.
I suddenly felt new admiration for the Imperial woman; and her words seemed to dissipate any doubts that I might still had.
If the Companions had abandoned those rules, then there was no wrong in a relation between Housecarl and Thane.
After all, the Companions precede any city, hold or title of nobility.
Without thinking, I smiled broadly once more and hugged Ria.
The imperial woman was probably confused but nevertheless hugged back.
"Thank you!" I told Ria. She just smiled and nodded.
Then I remembered the promise I had made to her. When I had found Laniüs I would come back to help her clean the disaster that was Jorrvaskr… I had forgotten about this after everything that happened from that day to this one.
But it had been two weeks already…
"Damn it! I forgot." I cursed under my breath; still, Ria heard me and asked what was wrong.
I apologized for not helping her and for forgetting I had promised to help her in the first place.
"Well, actually… Kodlak and Skjor haven't returned yet; it seems that a strong blizzard has prevented any carts from leaving Dawnstar; but it seems that the storm has passed; they will arrive in three or four days at the most." Ria replied.
"Do you need help for anything?" I asked, wondering if after two weeks there would be anything left to repair.
"Well, we have already cleared the main hall from mammoth bones and ashes; new tables and chairs are already being made and almost ready; but we still need to mop the floor and clean the bookshelves and walls from soot before Kodlak and Skjor arrive." Ria said.
"I will help; when do we start, today or tomorrow?" I asked Ria while I stretched.
"Let's start tomorrow; you just arrived today and must be tired; rest and let's meet after breakfast in front of Jorrvaskr." Ria replied.
"Good; then it's settled, until tomorrow Ria." I said and waved her goodbye; she did the same and walked back to the hall of the Companions.
I began walking back to Dragonsreach; I felt better than when I left to accompany Caius deliver the orders of my uncle.
I can't leave the city, but at least I have something to do and Ria's words made me feel better. I guess that the only thing left to do is hope that Laniüs feels the same for me.
