A Lovely Letter

The next morning, Lydia and I headed to the market to buy some supplies for our journey to High Hrothgar. I approached Carlotta and bought some apples from her.

"Hey, Carlotta, what's the matter?" I asked, noticing the irate look on her face. "Is someone or something giving you trouble?"

"Oh, hey, Svanhild. Life's hard enough with all of these men propositioning me, but that bard, Mikael, is the worst."

"What kind of things has he been saying or doing?"

"I've heard him boasting at the Bannered Mare, saying he'll 'conquer me as a true Nord conquers any harsh beast.' Hmph."

"What if I talk to him?"

"If you want to try, go right ahead," she chuckled. "I don't think anything will get through that thick skull of his, though. Idiots like him will never understand that no amount of flowers and honeyed words are going to change my mind. Right now, all I care about is my daughter, Mila. No man is going to get between me and my little girl."

I entered the Bannered Mare and saw Mikael sitting on a bench near the fire.

"So, Mikael, huh," I greeted him.

"That I am, milady," the scrawny milk-drinker replied. "Mind if I sing you a little tune?"

"That's not what I'm here for, but I would appreciate a little favor of you," I grabbed his shirt and said with a growl: "Leave. Carlotta. Alone."

"Ha," Mikael laughed. "She put you up to this, didn't she? I'm sorry, but that fiery widow is mine. She just doesn't know it yet."

His comment made my blood boil, so I raised my voice and tightened my grip on his shirt: "I'll have you know that I've been in Carlotta's shoes myself. Just like her, I've dealt with pigs who wouldn't take "no" for an answer. If I have to knock some sense into you in order to get you to stop harassing Carlotta, so be it," I drew my fist back, threatening to punch him in the face.

"Whoa, hey there," Mikael put his hands up. "I didn't mean to make you upset. On my honor, I won't bother Carlotta again."

"Good," I snapped before I let go. "One more thing: I'm also the Thane of Whiterun, so if you think you can play the victim and get the guards to help you, I'll inform them that you've been stalking women here, so I strongly advise that you watch your back."

I returned to Carlotta and told her that Mikael would leave her alone from now on.

"Really?" she smiled. "You convinced the lute-player to stop chasing me? I'd thank the gods, but I'll settle for thanking you. Here's some coin for your help. My bread and produce are on the house too." she handed me a bag of 250 septims.

"Listen, you have a hungry child to feed," I protested. "Please keep some of it," I took out a handful of coins and handed them back to Carlotta.

"You're too kind," she smiled. "How about you give some to Lucia, that street urchin over there at Arcadia's. Poor girl, she must have been through a lot. If I had another bed, I would've adopted her by now."

I approached the little girl who looked up at me pitifully. She had messy blonde hair and wore a dirty green dress.

"Miss, could you spare a coin?" she whimpered. I handed her a septim.

"Oh, thank you. Divines, bless your kind heart." she smiled.

"What's a little girl like you doing out here on the streets?" I asked.

"It's..." she paused. "it's what Brenuin said I should do. He's the only one that's been nice to me since... since mama...Since she died. My aunt and uncle took over our farm and threw me out. They said I wasn't good for anything. I wound up here, but... I.. I don't know what to do. I miss her so much..."

My heart went out to this girl. Her story brought tears to my eyes as it did to hers. "Gods, that's awful. I wish I could take you under my wing, but I don't have a home. Well, I live up in Jorrvaskr, but I don't think the Companions have any time for children. So please, hang in there and don't give up hope. Okay?"

"Okay, and thank you," Lucia smiled and hugged me.

I took the path to Riverwood, with Lydia in tow. Along the way, a male Dark Elf in black and red armor ambushed me, his daggers meeting my shield as I held it over my head. That was when Lydia thrust her sword through his side, and he dropped to the ground dead.

"I could've handled that myself, but thank you," I told her.

"Like what I told you before, I'm sworn to you and will protect you with my life."

"You should consider joining the Companions. They sure could do with another shield-sibling."

"Maybe."

When we reached the village, I saw Hadvar sitting on a bench outside his uncle's house.

"Oh, hey, Svanhild," he greeted. "Did you hear that sound yesterday? They say it was the Greybeards. They haven't done anything like that for hundreds of years."

"I know," I replied. "I'm the Dragonborn."

"Dragonborn, huh? Was it your ma or your pa that was the dragon?" Hadvar chuckled.

"Haha, very funny," I rolled my eyes. "Anyway, did you get talking to Camilla?"

"To be honest, no," the young legionnaire said sadly. "I may look tough, but deep down, I'm a nervous wreck when it comes to women; what if Camilla doesn't feel the same way about me, or worse, Faendal or Sven beat me to her."

"I'm sure she will," I patted his shoulder. The truth is that I knew that Camilla had a crush on Hadvar; I wanted to keep it a secret for the time being.

I made my way to the mill where Faendal was working.

"Did I see you talking to Sven?" he asked. "Never mind, but I'd stay away from him if I were you."

"Why?" I asked.

"He's a bard, so he says. Occasionally he finds time to do his job here at the mill. He thinks his ballads and sonnets are going to convince Camilla Valerius to marry him. As if she would say 'yes.' An intelligent, beautiful woman like her wouldn't fall for that nonsense... I hope."

"You don't sound so convinced."

"I've been thinking... maybe Camilla needs a little help seeing Sven for what he is. Could you... could you give her this letter, and say it's from Sven? I think I've matched that Nord's lack of cleverness perfectly." he handed me a letter saying:

"My Dearest Camilla,

I yearn to have you as my own,

Washing my linens,

And my fine blond hair,

To cook my dinner from my stove,

And tend to my house while I wander.

Yours Truly, Sven."

I then headed over to the Sleeping Giant, where Sven had finished singing a tune on his lute.

"Oh, hello again," he greeted.

"Hi," I answered. "I hear that you and Faendal like the same girl,"

"Camilla Valerius knows I'm the best man in Riverwood. That elf is kidding himself if he thinks she would choose him over me. I've seen him sneaking over to the Riverwood Trader to speak with her when I'm not around. He's wasting his time."

"He sounds persistent. Why not do something about it?"

"You may be right. Camilla may see Faendal as little more than a friend, but why take chances? Here. Give Camilla this letter. It's full of venomous nonsense. Tell her it's from Faendal." he handed me a letter that said:

"Dear Camilla,

I know I have called upon you at your house many times, and while we may be growing close, I need you to put any desires you may have for me aside. I am a true-born son of Valenwood, and I could never befoul my bloodline by courting an Imperial. I hope we can remain true friends, provided you understand your people's place in the Aldmeri Dominion and respect me as such.

Sincerely, Faendal"

I made my way to the Riverwood Trader, and as usual, Lucan was behind the counter.

"Hi, again, Svanhild," he greeted. "What can I help you with today?"

"Hi, is Camilla here?"

"No, she said she'd be down by the river."

I headed to the river where Camilla was sitting.

"Good to see you again, Svanhild." she greeted.

"Sven wanted to trick you into believing this letter was from Faendal." I handed her Sven's letter.

"What are you talking about? What's in the letter? Oh my. He... he wanted me to think Faendal wrote this? Thank you for telling me the truth. Could you talk to Faendal, as well? I'm sure he'll want to thank you for standing up for him."

"Faendal's no better; he asked me to give you this letter and say it was from Sven." I handed her Faendal's letter.

"Why that jealous idiot. Thank you for telling me this. Could you talk to Hadvar as well? I'm sure he'll be glad to know that he won't have to worry about those two idiots anymore."

As Lydia and I enjoyed some bottles of mead at the Sleeping Giant when Sven approached me.

"What in Oblivion, Svanhild?" he growled. "How can you betray me like that? Camilla was my one and only love and now she hates me!"

"What did you expect?" I snapped. "You two are constantly bickering over Camilla's affection. But do either of you stop to think who she well and truly wanted? No! Women don't like blowhards like you and Faendal. They want men who can act like themselves around them. Besides, apart from your petty feud over Camilla, what's stopping you two from becoming good friends?"

"I see your point," Sven sighed. "I guess it wouldn't kill us to put aside our differences and forgive each other. Women come, and women go, but we're both still here, and that's the only thing that matters."

"Exactly," I answered before I took another sip of my mead.

I approached Hadvar again and said: "It seems like Camilla won't be spending any more time with Faendal or Sven anymore."

"Thank you, Svanhild, thank you," he hugged me. "I owe you a lot."

"No problem," I assured him. "That's what friends are for."