Introduction
I've been living with limited WiFi for the past 6 months and I thought to myself, what's a great offline game I could play right now? So I booted up my laptop and fell in love with Skyrim all over again. I don't really know where I'm going with this story but I just wanted to create imaginary fillers for my characters as I go through this play-through. ES6 is still a while away but I can't wait to see what Bethesda will come up with this time!
Enjoy the fic.
XxXxX
"This is the proclaimed Dragonborn of legend? Arrogant, bull-headed and completely void of manners! He's to be in my charge? I feel like bashing his teeth in!" Lydia angrily whispers to Poventus as they watch the Jarl exalt their guest of honor from the stairs across the great table.
"I know he isn't exactly the hero we thought he would be," Poventus grimaces. Their eyes still glued to the pair. " but he did slay that dragon, possibly saving countless lives. The least you can do is speak on his behalf and carry a few of his things." Poventus then walks off for the last time to do whatever it is stewards do. Lydia doesn't care too much to know.
"This is downright humiliating.." Lydia groans.
The Jarl then presents the soot covered man with a well crafted sword and a large hand on his shoulder. The Dragonborn was by no means a man of smaller stature but he seemed to be dwarfed by the towering figure before him. Although intimidating, the larger man appeared a little too enthusiastic despite conversing with someone of seemingly lower status. A sight far too ridiculous for Lydia to accept.
"Gods, why don't you have the palace painter capture the moment while you're at it too." Lydia grumbled.
After another brief exchange of words, the pair began to walk towards the mage's study. Meanwhile a disgruntled Lydia descends the flight of stairs and towards the great doors where she begrudgingly awaits her new thane. As she walks toward the grand entryway, she spots a familiar face and smiles.
"Ivar!" Lydia exclaims as she waves toward the palace guard.
The man offers a meek smile back and a courteous salute with his battle axe. He was a larger man with plump, ever flushed cheeks. Stockier build but by no means physically incapable. Less than a decade older than her, but still she considers him her senior. He proudly dons his reach's colors which oddly cast a warm and friendly aura about him. Always eager to greet a nearby passerby.
It was a welcome sight for Lydia, as she continuously received unwanted news throughout her day. She and Ivar had been friends for as long as she had been staying at Dragonsreach. During her training days at the palace, she would often eat her meals at the courtyard near the barracks where she was able to interact with a few of the personnel. When they first met, the two would occasionally exchange greetings and eventually spar together at the training grounds. As time went on, they would spend their free time at the Bannered Mare and share a nice warm mug of mead where they talked about their daily troubles and Ivar would offer his best advice as they unwinded in the tavern. Every now and then, they would stumble into his house and his wife, Eira would have two drunkards to look after that night. They have never been able to conceive, so Lydia felt as if she filled a void for them in a child's stead. For the past couple of years, Lydia really did consider them a second family.
"How's it going Lydia?" Ivar responds as his friend approaches.
"Well my journey as a glorified combat housemaid is finally about to begin. Oh and I have the honor to be working for none other than the esteemed Dragonborn himself!" Lydia says with heavy sarcasm in her voice.
"You don't seem too keen on the idea. A multitude of people would yearn to be in the position you are in right now." Ivar says with one side of his lips slightly upturned. "What's wrong?"
"What's wrong is that the guy I'm supposed to be working for, is the biggest asshole in all the realms! He looks worse for wear and seeing as he's an escaped convict, he isn't exactly a model citizen. Is that really someone I would be willing to give my life for?!" Lydia waves her hands erratically to further express her displease as she paces in front of her friend. Her attitude quickly changing from friendly to distressed.
"Listen I understand your frustration but-" Ivar attempts to console her.
"No you don't!" Lydia interjects "You don't know how it feels to have years of your life fighting to be the best, having my superiors waiting for someone worthy that I can serve, on someone like that! I wouldn't be surprised if I took my own life before something else does when I'm traveling with him. My duties far exceed that of a measly palace guard!"
She immediately regrets her words, hoping she didn't offend her friend. She knows he takes pride in what he does for a living.
A period of silence passes between the two.
"I-I'm sorry I shouldn't have lashed out on you like that, I-" Lydia tried to explain on the brink of tears. The embarrassment and frustration threatening to overtake her.
*Sigh*
Ivar takes off his helmet and sets his axe against the wall. He then moves forward to hug Lydia who promptly squeezes back.
"First off, you shouldn't be joking about taking your own life like that." Ivar says still in the embrace "Second, you're right. I don't know how it feels. But I do know that whatever happens, whoever you work for, or whatever you do after today, you won't stay defeated for long. You've always been the best at whatever you do and you always find a way to come out on top, no matter the situation. So keep your head up and I know you'll do great things some day. I'll always be proud of you."
The pair separates, each with a smile on their face.
"But what do I know, I'm just a measly palace guard." Ivar says sarcastically, with a stuck out tongue.
Lydia is relieved he was able to take her outburst in stride. He always knew what to say to her when she needed a shoulder to lean on. He truly is a good man.
"Thanks Ivar" said Lydia
"Anytime kiddo, and don't be afraid to reach out to Eira or myself here in Whiterun if you ever need anything. And don't be a stranger. Our door is always open to you." said Ivar
"I will Ivar. And thank you for all that you've done for me" said Lydia with full sincerity.
Lydia had never been good at goodbyes, and Ivar is aware of this. They both understood this last interaction would suffice for a farewell. Lydia knows she would return, but it will do little to diminish her longing for the place she called home.
"Anytime" said Ivar with a sheepish smile.
The pair then see a lone figure descending the stairs and Ivar scrambles to put his gear back on. Lydia's heart drops and attempts to muster a light smile as she walks over to the man.
"Hello I'm-"
"I need you to carry this." The Dragonborn hands her some parchment, a small leather bag, and the sword that was gifted to him by the Jarl. He then gruffly brushes aside the struggling woman and walks toward the exit.
"Now where can a guy get something to eat in this town?" The Dragonborn asks himself as he walks out the doors
Lydia looks over to Ivar who clearly rushed to put on his lopsided helmet. He wore a shocked expression. She then looks back towards the open exit.
*Sigh*
"I am sworn to carry your burdens.."