Valentina grinned as she locked the door to her room at the inn. Today was the big day. In a matter of hours, she would make her grand debut as the fortunate, talented, and gorgeous Court Tour bard. Despite her nerves from last night, she couldn't stop the excitement from bubbling inside of her. She was prepared, well-rested, and, most importantly, she looked breathtaking in the lovely golden dress she bought at Radiant Raiment.
Before she went to Dragonsreach, she needed to meet with Vilkas and Farkas. The Imperial wondered which of the twins she should bring to her performance. It came down to what reaction she wanted. Did she want to perform an impromptu love song and make Farkas blush, or did she want to make Vilkas seethe as she sang about him?
The bard arrived at Jorrvaskr and found a tall blonde woman guarding the door. The Companions' brows were furrowed, and her nose was scrunched as though she smelled something rotten. Not unlike Vilkas, she seemed to have a perpetual scowl etched onto her face. That didn't waver as Valentina approached her, offering the stern woman a charming smile.
"Great. What do you want? Are you another one that wants to get into Vilkas' bed?" she growled.
Valentina chuckled. "While I'd love the chance, that's not why I'm here. I don't know if you've been informed, but I'm the fabulous bard that brought all those men and women to Vilkas' doorstep."
"You?" the Nord snarled. "I should throw you out on your ass! Do you know how annoying it's been dealing with the hordes of fans on a daily basis?"
"I offer my sincerest apologies, Companion," the bard answered, bowing her head. "As I told your shield-brother two days ago, I'm sure it's been very difficult on you."
"Hold on. You're the one who sniped at Athis?"
"The Dunmer? Red hair? Tall? Attractive?"
"Yep. That's him, but not the attractive part," the Nord said, although she averted her gaze from Val's.
"Ah yes. I recall I gave him an earful."
The Companion gave her a crooked grin. "You know what? You're not half bad. Go on in."
"Thank you. You're much more affable than your shield-brother."
"Eh. I like giving him shit, so it's great when someone else does it." The Companion opened the door for the Imperial. "If you need to give him shit again, tell him Njada backs you up."
Valentina promised she would and made her way to Vilkas and Farkas. The twins sat at the banquet table, eating breakfast. She wanted to interrupt them, but their conversation caught her attention.
"I'm telling you, Vil. I haven't slept that well in so long," Farkas said.
Wait one piping hot second. What did he just say about getting a good night's sleep? Was it possible that the reason that Farkas had a restful slumber was because of the lute? That opened up a whole new series of questions and… no. The bard didn't want to get ahead of herself. There was no telling if she caused it.
"Good. You'll be rested to deal with the Imperial today," Vilkas answered.
Valentina was about to mention that she was right there when Farkas added, "I swore I heard music. Reminded me a little of Tilma's lullabies, except better."
That was when Valentina was sure that it wasn't a coincidence; Farkas' sleep was definitely a result of the lute. The bard was exhilarated for a moment until the confusion settled in. Why did it work on Farkas for something so mundane, yet it failed her in a critical moment? Did it have something to do with how calm she was? If so she should have been able to get all the sweetrolls she wanted, not to mention the gold!
"Alright, Imperial. How long have you been standing around for?" Vilkas asked.
His voice snapped her out of her thoughts. She debated telling him she used the lute for a millisecond, but decided against it. If her broody Nord bodyguard suspected she was using it after she promised she wouldn't, he wouldn't hesitate to chide her. The Imperial opted to give him a sweet smile and said, "Time goes by so quickly when I'm in your smoldering presence."
Farkas snorted as Vilkas rolled his eyes. The grumpy Companion groaned, "It's too early for this bullshit. Just tell me, are you ready for the Jarl or what?"
"Of course I'm ready. I've even brought the enchanted lute for one of you to watch over. The question is, which one of you strapping lads is coming with me to Dragonsreach?"
"Seeing as you're so rested, brother, why don't you accompany her?" Vilkas suggested.
Farkas smirked. "You should go. Jarl Balgruuf's gonna have tons of questions about your adventure. Val, I'll guard the lute."
"Farkas, I swear to the Nine I will…"
"What a wonderful idea!" Valentina exclaimed, clapping her hands. She approached Farkas with the lute and said, "Guard it well."
Farkas took the instrument from her and gave her a knowing grin. Valentina admitted that the journey with Farkas wouldn't be as agonizing as she assumed. So long as they both agreed to torment Vilkas at every turn, she could start viewing him as a friend.
"Now come along, my valiant companion. I need to return to the inn and get my lute. Perhaps I can also persuade you to listen to me practice. Call it a sneak peek," Valentina said.
Vilkas glared at Farkas one last time and followed the Imperial to The Bannered Mare. Valentina felt him seething the entire walk. It brought her more joy than it should have. The man was so easy to annoy, so she chattered along the way.
"Did you want to come inside my room? I could always use some company," Valentina suggested, giving him a wink.
"Not a chance. Go inside, get your shit, and come back out," Vilkas ordered.
Valentina twisted the doorknob, and the door opened with ease—wait, she locked it. It shouldn't have opened. Ice dripped down her veins. Fuck. The Imperial rushed through the threshold and shrieked. She ran in and noticed the bits of parchment, some torn, others singed. Worst of all, someone took her lute and snapped in several pieces, the jagged wood sticking out like thorns.
She flung herself to the ground, trying to salvage whatever she could, but to no avail. She couldn't breathe anymore. Whoever did this had no qualms ruining the lute, or her work. Maybe they even wanted to hurt her. The thought was enough to send her already throbbing heart into overdrive and she trembled. The bard held onto a fragment of the broken lute. It was the lute she bought with Elisif's patronage, her first expensive and high-quality lute. Someone ruined it, just like they did her work.
"Valentina," Vilkas called out, his voice gentle.
She looked up at Vilkas, whose usually grumpy expression turned to concern. He offered her his hand, which she accepted. The Nord pulled her back up, easing her onto her feet. In a better state of mind, she might have made a comment on how gentlemanly he was being and that he had a soft spot for her.
He laid a tentative hand on her shoulder. "We will figure this out. I promise."
Valentina nodded, stiff, still frozen. She heard the moment Hulda came into the room gasping at the sight, but Valentina didn't care. Vilkas, to his great credit, did all the talking for her while she remained frozen. Why would anyone do this? For a tour? No matter how competitive she was or how much she boasted, she could never imagine, not even in her most terrible thoughts, inflicting this onto another being.
"I'm so sorry for this, love," Hulda apologized. "I'll refund you the full amount for your stay and alert the guards to what happened. With any luck, they can catch your culprit."
"Thank you, Hulda. The Companions will incur the damages, and we'll have Valentina stay with us for her last night in Whiterun. Better that she remain close to us so she can feel safe," Vilkas said.
The older Nord woman frowned at Valentina. "This is the best I can do, unfortunately, though it doesn't feel like much."
Valentina finally found her voice again and said, "You've done a lot already, Hulda. Thank you."
"Come on, bard. Let's get your stuff moved into Jorrvaskr for the night," Vilkas said.
For once in her life, Valentina offered no word of protest.
...
Once she settled into what Vilkas called the "whelps' quarters," she sorted through all of her belongings. She opened up the case of the magic lute and breathed out a sigh of relief. It was wise of her to create backup sheet music of her songs and stick them in the lute's case. All of her work wasn't lost. The shock ebbed away and replaced with some relief. Whoever destroyed her room hadn't counted on her being cautious or knew she had a second lute.
Still, there were no words to describe the pain that tore through her. It didn't matter she had an extra lute, or that she was smart enough to carry the final versions of her songs on her person instead of leaving them at the inn. It didn't change the fact that someone picked the lock to her door. Someone thought those drafts on her table were her final versions, and destroyed them. The message was clear: they didn't want her going on the tour. The realization froze her right to the core.
"You look like you're about to retch."
Valentina glared at Njada, who raised her hands in surrender and added, "Just saying if you are, do it on Athis' bed. The one to the corner of the room."
The bard snorted and cracked a tiny grin.
"I overheard Vilkas and Farkas talking about the break-in in your room at the inn. Thought you could use this," Njada said, handing the Imperial a cup. "It's tea, but if you want it spiked, I can make that happen."
"I almost wish it were mead."
The Companion smirked. "How about after your performance, if you still want to do that."
"Are you still planning on going to Dragonsreach?" a new voice asked.
Vilkas entered the room, Farkas following not far behind him. The pair looked less than pleased at the prospect of the bard performing, with Farkas frowning and Vilkas' mouth set into a tight line. She wasn't sure how much Vilkas told his twin, but it must have been enough to get him worried too.
When the bard didn't speak, Vilkas seized the opportunity to make his case. "I understand the tour is important, but you can't go on at the expense of your life. If you write to Viarmo to postpone the rest of the tour, we can have the guards investigate the matter with our help."
Valentina scowled. "Hold guards do nothing. Trust me."
"That doesn't mean you shouldn't reconsider the tour. Whoever did this doesn't want you going on the tour and doesn't have any scruples about threatening you in order to make sure that happens."
"And what happens if I still want to go?" the Imperial asked.
Farkas' frown deepened. "I don't like the sound of that. If this is what's happening on your first stop, what's going to happen to you on the others?"
"That's why I hired both of you," Valentina snapped.
"Don't mistake it, bard. It's not that we can't protect you. We will, but not unless you understand the tremendous risk you're taking by going on this tour in the first place," Vilkas insisted.
"She's smart enough to know that," Njada said. When the twins glared at her, she shrugged. "I've got a feeling she can put people in their places."
"You barely know her, Njada," Vilkas said.
"Hmm, let's see what I do know," the woman said, and stuck up a finger, "One, she has no problems answering either of you back when most people wouldn't. Two, she sassed Athis. Three, she had no problem facing me when I was a bitch. Oh, and four, she's not cowering behind her lute. So, I don't know about you, but that makes her tougher than what you're both giving her credit for."
Vilkas sighed. "While your insight is… appreciated, would you mind leaving us alone for a moment so we can talk some sense in the bard?"
"Fine, but I'm telling you she'll be okay. The bitch is gutsier than you think. And you," she said, turning to Val, "Prove me right."
A small smirk played on the bard's lips and she nodded. Satisfied, Njada left the room. Two against one, Valentina mused. Now it was a matter of convincing the twins that she would be fine to take on the tour. If I persuaded the deans and Viarmo, I can do it here too.
"Val, there's no shame in postponing your performances if you're scared," Farkas urged, his grey eyes filled with worry. Valentina's heart wrenched. He shouldn't be worried about her. Shit, when he looks at me like that, it almost makes me want to backtrack so I don't worry him.
Her destroyed room at the inn came back into her mind. Vilkas was right; someone wanted to intimidate her by tearing through her room the way they had. Her stomach was still in knots from the terrifying sight. But whenever she imagined someone ripping her hard work and shattering the lute, she seethed. If she walked away from the tour, they would win. They could try wrenching the opportunity away from her hands if they wanted to, but Valentina determined she wouldn't let them succeed.
"If that bastard, bitch, asshole, or whatever the fuck they are thinks they can scare me into not performing, they're wrong," Valentina declared.
"Val, please. Think it over. If you're not up to it after seeing your room…"
"I am up to it," she cut in. Her gaze met Farkas' as she said, "I'm no fool. I understand someone wanted to make a point, and they made it. It shook me, but I refuse to let my fear rule me."
"This isn't one of those situations where backing out is cowardly. It would be wiser to cancel it altogether, for your safety," Vilkas pressed.
"No, I'm not cancelling and I'm not postponing. Do you understand what it's like to pine for something your entire life and being right on the cusp of achieving your dream?"
"Wait. What do you mean?" Farkas asked, his brow furrowed.
"This tour. It isn't just about performing for the Jarls." Valentina rubbed her eyes, trying to stop the prickling from getting worse. "Until a few months ago, the Bards College was just a dream. I was in debt. I paid it off, but it's not like I had the money lying around to go to Solitude. I worked so hard and my parents… my parents gave me a lot of gold to get to Haafingar, gold they were saving for themselves."
"That's no small gift," Vilkas noted.
"No, it isn't. They didn't even want me to pay them back. Whatever was leftover of my patronage money after I spent it on my supplies for the college, I sent to them. My parents believed in me and my dreams. They made something that I thought would remain a fantasy become a reality. The Court Tour is a chance for me to become the bard I've always wanted to be, but succeeding is a chance to prove to them that their faith in me was worth it."
She was surprised the words came out of her. It wasn't that she wasn't grateful to Yva and Drenr. Her parents meant everything to her, and the gold they provided was a blessing. It shamed her that she needed their hard-earned Septims. I'll never understand why they love me the way they do after everything I've put them through. She tried to gage what the twins were thinking. All she hoped was they didn't ask her too many questions about her debts.
Much to her surprise, the twins shared a look and nodded before Farkas asked, "What are you missing to perform?"
"Nothing, really. I kept backups of all of my original songs in the magic lute's case. And for the other songs, I've memorized them. Gods know that Pantea, Giraud, and Igne wouldn't let me leave the college without knowing them by heart."
"But what about the lute?"
"I have to play with this one," Val answered, pointing to the enchanted lute.
"Are you sure that's wise?" Vilkas asked. "We still don't know how it works."
"I don't have much of a choice. The lute at the inn isn't reparable, and Belethor doesn't get lutes all the time. And it doesn't seem like playing it can cause any harm."
"And how do you know that for sure?" Vilkas asked, crossing his arms.
Valentina suspected he already knew the answer, but she replied, "I played with it a couple of times at the inn and nothing happened." Well, something happened, but it wasn't major enough to warrant any explanation. Vilkas didn't need to know that, though. When Vilkas scowled at her in disbelief, she said, "You require proof. Watch."
Valentina pulled the lute from its case, settled in, and started singing:
Give me gold and give me one thousand honey nut treats
And also the head of the asshole who broke my last lute
Riiiiiiiight noooooow.
"See?" Valentina said, waving to the room. "No gold, no honey nut treats, and no head on a platter."
"Yes, but that's all absurd," Vilkas protested.
"No more absurd than hypnotizing a bunch of draugr. And hey! What's so absurd about wanting a bit more gold in my purse and some dessert? Don't you think I've earned those?"
"More important than that, it doesn't seem that anything changed," Farkas observed.
"And we know the lute acts immediately. Hmm…" Vilkas narrowed his eyes, contemplating his next words. "If it stays like this, it can't hurt to use it."
"So what I'm hearing is that you're both still fine with me going on the tour?" Valentina asked. The hope swelled in her chest again. Maybe she had done enough to convince them that this was still a good idea.
"Yes, but there are two conditions," Vilkas said.
"Go on."
"First, you need to write to Viarmo explaining what happened. He needs to be made aware that there's someone who's after you."
Vilkas never specified when she needed to write to Viarmo, so she decided she would do so after her performance. As the headmaster explained to Valentina, the Jarls reported back to the College on the bard's success, or lack thereof. When she impressed Balgruuf, because of course she would, the Jarl would write a wonderful letter singing her praises. And word got around quickly in Skyrim. The other Jarls would be insulted if they didn't have the chance to host one of the college's finest applicants. The headmaster wouldn't want to insult the jarls and would send Valentina around Skyrim, anyway. It was a perfect plan, if she said so herself.
"I will," Valentina agreed. "What's the second condition?"
"You will work with us to figure out who's after you. If you perform in front of the Jarl today, you are making a statement. You are telling whoever this is that you don't care about their threats. Brave as that might be, I doubt whoever is behind breaking into your room will take it in kind," Vilkas explained, and Farkas nodded.
"Vil and I will handle looking into this. We have a good nose for sniffing people out. We'll get to the bottom of it, but if you've got any ideas, you gotta come forward," Farkas urged.
"I do, and I accept your conditions."
"Then it's settled. I'd say carry your dagger, but that measly thing will only get you so far. Take this. Eorlund crafted it this morning," Vilkas said, handing her a new dagger. "Farkas and I figured you could make use of it."
Although Val wasn't one to appreciate weapons, she beamed at the sight of the new blade. This is Skyforge steel. She was tempted to run her fingers along the blade, just to see how sharp it was. With her luck, she would probably cut herself and she couldn't afford injuring her hands before such a crucial performance. She smiled at the twins and said, "It's beautiful. Thank you."
"No need. I hope there's no reason for you to use it," Farkas said, and Vilkas nodded in agreement.
"I hope not either."
"Get cleaned up and meet us when you're ready to go to Dragonsreach. In the meantime, we'll update Kodlak on the situation."
As soon as the twins left her alone, she gave herself a quick look over. So what if someone broke into her room and ruined her shit? She was alive, and everything she needed was intact. They might have hoped they could scare her away, but they were wrong. Valentina would perform in front of Jarl Balgruuf and she would succeed on this tour, whether they liked it or not. And as soon as she found out who was behind it, she would make sure they suffered.
...
Valentina said nothing on the way to Dragonsreach. Her mind flashed back to her room at the inn, revisiting every detail of the terrible sight. It wasn't fair. She wanted to be as excited as she was earlier that morning, bursting with energy. Instead, all she felt was dread as they walked up the steps to the Jarl's palace. Whoever destroyed her things wanted to rob her of her joy. They wouldn't be able to stop her from performing, but they made her question whether she should do it at all.
Vilkas and Farkas stayed close to her, not prodding her for answers. If the tour happened in any other year under typical circumstances, the bard would have been confident to go by herself. It wasn't as if she couldn't wield a dagger or make a calculated retreat. But Viarmo was right about needing to make sure she and the magic lute were protected. Not only that, but the twin's presence felt reassuring after everything she went through that morning.
A guard stopped them as they arrived at Dragonsreach's wooden doors.
"State your business," the guard demanded.
Alright Val. It's showtime. The shift was as instantaneous as lighting a candle wick. Valentina gave the guard a charming smile and answered, "I'm here to perform for the Jarl."
"And the Companions?"
"Here as my protection. A woman can't be too cautious in these strange times. Although I must say, the guards in Whiterun have a penchant for making even the most fragile bard safe."
The Imperial was sure that she saw the guard stand a little straighter and prouder. "Ah well, thank you, miss. Do you have official documents?"
"All right here. If you have any further questions, I would be happy to answer them."
She handed the guard Viarmo's documents. A couple of seconds later, the guard said, "Ah, so you're the new bard that everyone's talking about. Are you the one who wrote about King Olaf's tomb?"
"I am, and this is the man from the song himself," Valentina said, pointing at Vilkas. Vilkas glared at her, and she imagined he was cursing her in his head. He already threatened to throw her into Dead Men's Respite and throw away the ruby claw so she never escaped. Her teasing made Vilkas that much more likely to deliver on his promise.
"By the Gods! It's an honor to stand in your presence. Come in. Jarl Balgruuf's been expecting you all," the guard said, allowing the trio entrance. "Do you think you'll perform your song today?"
"Ah, perhaps. You'll just have to find out, won't you? Though I can always be tempted to take requests of any sort," the bard said, a coy grin on her face. The guard blushed as she winked at him, her two Companions following close behind her.
"Ysmir's beard, woman. Will you flirt with any man you see?" Vilkas grumbled.
"Flirt, Companion?" Valentina scoffed. "I only offer my services with the utmost sincerity."
Vilkas rolled his eyes, but he lacked any of his usual ire. If anything, she saw some relief. Was he that concerned for me earlier? The idea made her happier than she cared to admit. He most definitely had a soft spot for her, no matter how much he made a show of how annoying he found her. Who could blame him? She was loveable. I can name at least three people who disagree with that, but they don't matter.
Giraud's lessons came back to her. He told her to be aware of who was a part of the Jarl's court, and who would be in attendance. She swore she saw some of those haughty Battle-Borns prowling around as if they owned the place, and members of the Gray-Mane family. Other citizens of Whiterun were in attendance as well, and she noticed that the Harbinger himself was there. Valentina saw him give her a small smile as she approached the Jarl.
She studied the Jarl's face—he was easy to look at, so it helped, but that wasn't the point. The man had proud features and bright blue eyes, and a surprisingly warm expression. He might be warm, but this was the man who pushed back against both the Empire and Stormcloaks demanding that he pick a side. She didn't want to imagine what it was like crossing him. She thought back to all the etiquette lessons that Giraud drilled into her before she left. When you meet a Jarl, you will curtsy, address them by their title, and mention how much of an honor it is to be in their court. If you feel you can pay a sincere compliment, do so, but don't push your luck.
"Companions," the Jarl greeted, then his gaze fell on Valentina. "And you must be the Bard College's newest applicant."
Valentina curtsied and said, "It is an honor to be invited to your court, my Jarl. Dragonsreach is as grand as people say it is."
The bard meant that. She liked Dragonsreach's tall ceilings and spacious throne room. Not to mention that dragon skull on the wall was a pleasant touch. She suppressed a grin. This was where Olaf trapped Numinex, or where Olaf trapped himself if her modifications to Svaknir's verse were anything to go by. Now that she thought of it, having Olaf turn into Numinex in the lost verse was a little convoluted…
"And it's a great honor to have you here. Viarmo's praise has been nothing but glowing. Ah, but enough conversation. You're beginning with your own song, yes?"
"I am." Valentina pulled the lute, and she saw the panic on Vilkas' face. It wasn't as if they had much of a choice. She just hoped the instrument didn't decide to act on its own accord. "This song is not only an ode to Kynareth, but to one of Whiterun's many attractions—the Gildergreen. The venerable Danica Pure-Springs told me this story once, and I believe it makes for the perfect song."
Valentina sang, opting to keep her voice soft to start off with, and a little breathy.
She whispers through her branches,
Her voice as soft as the breeze.
Let her speak through her branches.
Let her voice put you at ease.
Valentina still strummed her lute, but addressed her audience, "And yet as you know, there's a story about this tree. There was a time that the people of Whiterun couldn't hear the goddess' voice."
Lightning struck its branches
And set the tree aflame.
Her glory burned to a stump,
Harrowed, reduced to shame.
All was not lost for the tree. Valentina told a tale about a brave soul who travelled to the Eldergreen sanctuary with the cursed weapon Nettlebane. The hero intended on using the blade to gather the tree's sap. Faced with the task of harming the sacred tree, the hero opted for a peaceful solution. The Eldergreen granted the hero a sapling, and it grew into the stunning tree that Whiterun came to know as the Gildergreen.
Valentina adored the tale and the tree itself. She remembered sitting beneath the tree that first day she was in Whiterun, enjoying the shade of its branches while writing a verse. It was one of her fondest memories of her first visit to Whiterun, along with that first time she dragged Vilkas to her room at the inn to kill some spiders. It was also one of her favorite songs that she wrote for the tour. She found the perfect balance between reverent and intriguing. And as she watched the audience's faces, she knew that the folks of Whiterun reflected on their own experience with the tree.
"My Jarl," Valentina said after she sang her final verse. "No matter our walks of life, or where we come from, the Gildergreen is something that unites all the citizens of Whiterun. It remains proud and glorious, and remains a symbol of hope and renewal, even in such dark times."
She expected nothing less than a roaring applause, and she got it. The Jarl was on his feet, as were the rest of the attendees. A satisfied grin came on her face. Whoever was behind what happened at the inn thought they could steal the joy that came from performing, but they were wrong.
She turned to the twins. Farkas gave her a grin and flashed her a thumbs up, whereas Vilkas had a tug of a smile playing on his lips, but it was all in his eyes. Something about those two never failed to get her to beam like a magelight.
"Well done, lass. I've never listened to a finer tribute to Whiterun. And speaking of Whiterun, your song about Olaf's tomb is one of my favorites. It would please me greatly to hear you, its creator, perform it," the Jarl requested.
Valentina bowed and said, "It would be my honor."
Despite the song kick-starting her career, she had little time to perform it while she prepared for the tour. Her professors pushed her to focus on the newer pieces, arguing that she already had the song under control. Truth be told, she never expected she would sing it in front of Vilkas. She always pictured herself adding a couple of flairs here and there, teasing him with some minor lyric changes. But as she felt the Companion's eyes on her, no such thing happened.
As the lyrics and notes came back to her, she infused new life into the song. This wasn't about her glory, or proving a point to Aia, or going on the tour. Vilkas may not have known it, but she dedicated it to him. There was no one else in the room that she cared about at that moment. No matter how much they clashed or butted heads, they had a connection. This was their adventure, and she would never forget that. And when she finished, greeted with the sounds of her audience's approval, she looked to him. There was no ire present on his face. Instead, he gave her the most curious look, as if he were seeing her for the first time.
There wasn't any time to question it. The Jarl requested another song soon after, promising to learn more about the details from Vilkas later on. And Valentina played song after song, watching as those in attendance reveled in her music. The intruder in her room at the inn was forgotten, at least for a moment. She performed as if she didn't have a care in the world. And though the day took a turn earlier, she recaptured that buoyant energy from that morning. This was what she was meant to do, and no one would take that away from her.