AN: I thoroughly enjoyed writing this one. I took some of the game's dialogue and rearranged it in a way that made sense to me and tweaked a few things. I'm trying to make it so Lydia some impact to the game's plot.
Enjoy!
RUDE
After another day of travel, the village of Ivarstead is finally within view. Lydia and the Dragonborn sigh in relief. After their eventful trip, they are walking side by side, with proportional loads on their shoulders. Not much is said between them, but there is a newfound air of mutual respect between the two as they are now operating as a team.. For the most part.
As they step into the village limits, Lydia stops.
"Before we go any further, I want to set a few ground rules." Lydia says
Varick turns around.
"Sorry lady. Last time I checked, you worked for me. And since I just saved your life, I don't think you're in a position to be making demands. I'm already helping you carry our stuff." Varick says
Rude.
"This is exactly why I'm setting ground rules. I'm grateful that you saved my life, but you can't talk to me like that. I'll assist you with whatever you need me to do, within reason, but I didn't waste 4 of years training to be a slave. You should be carrying your own stuff anyways." Lydia says
"Aren't you sworn to carry my burdens?" Varick says in a mocking tone " Besides, what good did that training get you, when you don't even know how to create a simple frostbite anti-venom?"
RUDE!
"First off, I don't mean 'carry your burdens' in a literal sense. Second, alchemy isn't part of my training curricula. And if I did know how to make an anti-venom, I wouldn't have had time to make one! Why are you such an entitled brat!" Lydia exclaims
"Why are YOU such a needy cow." Varick retorts
"Jerk!"
"Priss."
"Asshole!"
"Leech."
"MORON!"
"Bitch."
Lydia's face glows red with anger. She reaches back with a mighty hand.
*SLAP*
The echoes could be heard throughout Skyrim and beyond. All commotion in Tamriel halts for a moment, and the warriors of Sovngarde prepare a seat at the great table for their new brother.
The pair walks down the main road of the village, taking in the sights and deciding what they will do next.
"There's only a couple hours of daylight left. We can spend the night here and rest up before we make the climb. Let's stop by the base of the 7,000 Steps first and ask the pilgrims about what we can expect before we get to the top." Varick says, still rubbing his puffed up red cheek.
"I already suggested the idea.. But I agree with the part about asking the pilgrims." Lydia says with both hands on the straps of her pack.
"Look, you don't have t-"
"Reyda! Reyda! Have you seen my Reyda!?" Says a man dressed in worn out rags as he clutches Varick's arm.
"Hey what the- what's wrong with you?" Varick says as he tries to shake off the insane beggar.
Lydia stomps on Varick's foot and pries the beggar off him. She sternly grabs the beggar's arms and tries to console him.
"OW!" Varick yelps
"Please calm down. Can you tell me who Reyda is?" Lydia tries in a soothing voice.
"Reyda is Narfi's sister. With father, Narfi said goodbye. With mother, Narfi said goodbye. Reyda leaves and Narfi can't say goodbye. Makes Narfi very, very sad. Narfi needs Reyda to say goodbye.." said the beggar, still in Lydia's firm grasp. Tears now rolling down his face.
"We will try to look for her. We'll ask around town and we'll bring her back to you ok?" Lydia says
"If you see Reyda, tell her that Narfi misses her and to come home soon... very soon. Soon... soon, like the moon!" Narfi says as he takes off down the road.
…
"Well that was weird… You know she's probably dead right?" Varick says
Lydia looks at Varick with an annoyed expression. She couldn't believe how bluntly he delivered his words.
"I know. But I have to give him SOMETHING to hope for." Lydia says.
"I think that's kinda fucked don't you? Leading him on, thinking his sister will come back someday. Someone's gotta set him straight." Varick says with a more serious tone in his voice.
"Being a jerk to everyone around you isn't going to solve any problems." Lydia says
"Whatever." Varick says.
The pair walk through the town and as they approach the base of the steps, they see a man coming towards them.
"Great. Here we go again." Varick says.
Lydia elbows Varick in the ribs and he gasps in pain.
"Excuse me, but do you have a moment?" The elderly man says
"Of course sir, what do you need?" Lydia says
"Well you see, I deliver supplies to the Graybeards every once in a while. Trouble is, my legs aren't what they used to be, and climbing the 7,000 Steps takes its toll." The man says
"What do you get in return?" Varick asks, still rubbing his tender side.
"Well, it's kind of an understanding between us. I mean, it just wouldn't feel right to charge them for a bit of preserved food." The man says
"I'm heading up there tomorrow. Anything dangerous on the way up?" Varick says
"Well, there's the occasional wolf pack or stray, but that's all I've ever had to deal with. Shouldn't be a problem for the likes of you. Other than that, watch your footing. In these wintry conditions, the stairs can be quite treacherous." The man says
"I could do it for you.. For a price." Varick says.
"Varick!" Lydia exclaims. She looks at him in exasperation.
"Oh, well I don't have any coin to give you right now, but I'm sure I will come up with something upon your return." The man says
"I want 500 gold pieces when I return. And don't try to worm your way out of this." Varick says as he takes the bag of supplies from the man. "I'll be back in a few days." He says as he walks back toward the town.
Lydia jogs after him.
"What in oblivion was that Varick? You're clearly taking advantage of a poor old man." Lydia says
"You heard it yourself, it's a dangerous climb. I'm not about to risk my life for free." Varick says
Lydia stands there dumbfounded as he continues to walk to the local inn. Was there no end to his cruelty? He is the most selfish, obscene, and greedy person she has ever come across. Why the Gods blessed him with such powers is a mystery to her. In her eyes, he is definitely NOT a hero. She follows his suit and makes her way into the inn.
Lydia finds Varick waiting by the door inside the inn. They were instantly greeted with the smell of food, the sound of raucous laughter and nonsensical chatter. The floor seemed to be bustling with tourists. Glancing at the full tables and happy faces was a welcome sight to both of them. The giant spit roast in the middle of the room made their mouths water in anticipation. It gave life to the establishment. They walk together to the inkeep's table.
"Welcome to the Vilemyr Inn. My name is Wilhelm. How may I help you today?" The innkeep says with a warm smile.
"Two rooms please." Varick asks
"I'm sorry but I'm afraid that with all the traffic from the annual pilgrimages we only have one available for the evening." The inkeep says
'Greeat. I'm going to be spending another night sleeping next to him'
Varick takes out a large bag and slams it on the table. Lydia's eyes grow wide with surprise.
"How much would I have to pay you to kick one of these guys out." Varick utters with a dead look on his face.
"Sir, I'm afraid I can't do that. Everyone here is a paying customer. If you wouldn't like to stay here, then you could take your business elsewhere. Just know, we are the ONLY inn in the area." Wilhelm somehow says in a hospitable manner while his features change to a more smug demeanor.
...
"Fine.. We'll take the one room.." Varick sneers at the innkeep and takes out 10 gold pieces from his bag.
Wilhelm reverts back to his original smile.
"Excellent, I'll show you to your room. Right this way."
After eating to their hearts' content and enjoying a song or two or three from the local bard, the pair make their way back to their room already in their lounge wear and ready for bed.
"Man, I am stuffed." Varick says, rubbing his belly as they burst into the room.
"I don't even think I can fit into my armor anymore" said Lydia in agreement as she closes the door behind them.
"As my Housecarl, I demand you roll me up the 7,000 Steps tomorrow!" Varick says
They begin to laugh at their own banter. This is the first time the pair shared such a lighthearted moment with one another. It was a moment of endearment, and Lydia wished their conversations would be like this more often. All it took was some good food and music after a stressful and weary two days of travel to lift their spirits.
As their laughter died down, Lydia asks.
"Where did you get that much money anyways? Didn't you escape your execution like a week ago?"
"I pawned the sword I got from the Jarl. I'm more of a bow kind of guy anyways." Varick responds
'Of course he did'
Varick walks over to his pack and pulls out his bedroll and makes his way to the other side of the room, parallel to the bed. He sets it on the ground and lays in it.
Lydia looks at him confused.
"Aren't you going to fight me for the bed or something?" Lydia asks
"Or something.." Varick says on his back with both his hands behind his head. "You're still recovering, and I wouldn't be a very good Thane if I treated my Housecarl like a dog right? Besides. I like sleeping on the cold, hard ground. It's good for my back." he says with slight sarcasm
His answer caught Lydia off guard as she isn't used to seeing this side of him. Maybe he wasn't that much of an asshole after all. She doesn't argue as she looks at the bed with her worn out eyes, the warm and inviting covers enticing her to lay in them.
She freshens up at the washbowl over on the dresser near the front of the door, and blows out the candles before she walks over to the bed. Under the sheets, she strips into just her undergarments and attempts to fall asleep.
…
They both lie in a state of restlessness, still lost in thought over the events that transpired in the recent week. With neither of them able to sleep, Varick breaks the silence.
"Why aren't you sleeping? We have a hard day tomorrow."
"How did you know I was awake?" Lydia asks as she sits up from the bed.
"You snore like a troll." Varick says
Lydia takes one of the pillows and throws it at him.
"Why are you such an asshole Varick?" Lydia lays back down and gazes at the ceiling. "I mean, I know you're capable of being kind, I've seen it. But you choose to be a jerk. Why?" Lydia asks not in a condescending way, but with sincerity.
*Sigh*
"I'm sure you know my history, before everybody made me out to be this 'great hero'. It's true I am an escaped criminal, but I was arrested because I just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. I was trying to escape Skyrim for a reason. Even before I was incarcerated, I was on my own. I just needed to get out of here.." Varick says with his hands still behind his head.
They both lay in silence. A single ray of moonlight piercing through their cracked window, illuminating the room ever so slightly. The inn had long since been quiet as it's patrons retired to their rooms for the night.
For Lydia, this is the first time he has ever opened up to her, and she was glad that he was able to expose himself like he did. She knows there is probably more to his past, but she doesn't pry any more than he is willing to give. She would just have to be content with his answer.
"I'm really sorry. And thank you for sharing that with me. But I want you to know that you don't have to be alone anymore. You and I could be friends, and with a little change in attitude I'm sure you'll make more. It wouldn't kill you to be a little nicer to people." Lydia says
A few moments pass as she waits for a response. She looks over the side of the bed and sees that he had already fallen asleep. A smile forms on her face.
Asshole...
The morning light shines through the window of the room and onto Lydia's face. She sits up from the bed and looks around the room and sees that her companion is once again nowhere to be found.
"This seems familiar. Where are the giant spiders?" Lydia jokes to herself.
After equipping her gear, Lydia walks out into the main banquet hall of the inn. The room was not as rowdy as it was the night before. She notices only the few early birds and the barkeep going about their business. After grabbing some food, she sits down at a table to eat her breakfast. After she finishes, with her partner still nowhere to be seen, she leaves the inn, in hopes of finding him out in town.
Down the road, just a little past the inn, Lydia spots Varick with the beggar from the previous day just beyond earshot. Varick presents Narfi with a necklace and the beggar begins to cry. Varick takes the grieving man into an embrace and he hugs him back. As they separate, Varick removes a coin purse and gives it to Narfi. With one final exchange of words the two separate and Narfi walks off into the distance, leaving Varick to look on after him.
Lydia walks up to Varick and taps him on the shoulder. He jumps, slightly startled.
"I saw what you did." Lydia says with a hand on her hip.
"I have no clue what you're talking about." Varick says through flushed cheeks as his eyes frantically dart around.
"You can't deny it, I knew there's a good person somewhere inside there." Lydia says with a cocky grin.
"Did you leave our stuff at the inn?! Gods, you are the most useless pack mule!" Varick says as he storms off, clearly attempting to escape the conversation.
'Well, like I said, he's somewhere in there.'