Man, I really am on a roll. How many chapters is that in a 24-hour period? hah. Anyway.
What do you think? Is feiry Tavi the Dragonborn? Or is it lovable Larunda? Or neither- maybe its Rohesia or Evora? hmmmm, decisions decisions...
OH! Warning: Contains sexual implications (damn you Jovita haha) and possible foul language!
Disclaimer: I don't own Skyrim- Bethesda does. If i owned it- Ralof would be marriable... and so would so many other characters... Pffff If i owned it then Skyrim wouldn't be the same haha
I do however own Jovita and Larunda ((and later Rohesia and Evora))
Not a grey cloud in sight. It truly was a beautiful day, even if it was chilly- it could always be worse. For Larunda it had been worse, just three years prior. Even to this day, she could still remember the cold, damp cell in which she had been imprisoned.
"Thank the Divines for the chance they gave me. I will make the most of it, I promise Lady Dibella."
She stood there, leaning against the stone wall of Arcadia's Cauldron. Unlike many of her comrades, Larunda had no problem admitting that she needed a potion every now and then. Closing her eyes as a cold breeze blew past, the brunette was about to head back to Jorrvaskr when something grabbed her attention. Or rather, someone. The blonde was walking around, looking at everything in the Plains district of Whiterun. For a split second, the two made eye contact- and it sent shivers down Larunda's spine.
'I will not allow anyone to bring harm to the city of Whiterun. I owe a great deal to the Jarl and a lot of the people within these walls… without them, I would have no family…. It's up to me to keep my family safe.' With this new resolve, the brunette pushed up off against the building and slowly ambled towards Fralia Grey-Mane's stall, where this newcomer was now standing, admiring the jewelry.
"Eorlund make anything new as of late, Fralia?"
"Ah, Lara! Evening dear. Yes- yes, indeed he has. This necklace here in fact," the elder nodded, a bright smile full of love on her face, as she showed off the emerald-imbedded necklace.
"It's beautiful. That will make a lady very happy. Oh, if either of you need any help with anything, you know you can ask me, right? No matter what it is. I still owe you a great debt—"
"Nonsense child! It's been years, and I am sure that you've helped plenty as a Companion," Fralia argued, a motherly smile on her face.
"Still yet- I never forget my debts. Whatever you need, okay?"
"I see there will be no changing your mind on this. Very well- I shall let you know if anything arises."
"Thank you," Lara smiled- and noticing that the odd newcomer had moved on- moved to the next stall.
'There's an eerie feeling she radiates… I don't like it.' Soon enough, the blonde headed towards the steps, walking up to the second level of Whiterun- the Wind district. As Lara made to follow, Belethor stepped in her line of sight.
"Fine day, Lara. Haven't seen you around the shop lately." He smiled his typical 'charming' smile, but the Companion dismissed him effortlessly.
"Busy keeping your heart beating is a full time job," Lara replied, side-stepping the dumbfounded Breton and almost running up the steps. Due to Belethor's interruption, she had lost sight of the blonde newcomer. Coming to a halt at the top, the brunette's charcoal gaze swept the clearing, but didn't see a single sign of the blonde.
"You know, if you're gonna tail someone- at least make it an effort to try to be low-key."
Turning to her right, Lara saw the blonde leaning against the stone wall. Swallowing a lump in her throat, she thought of what to say- but was coming up empty.
"Don't try to deny it- I had you pegged from the moment you walked over to the old hag's stand."
"Don't you dare insult-!"
"Chill. If I meant any ill in my words, I would have called her worse than a hag," the blonde informed, and then pushing off the wall she stepped a few feet towards Lara," Why were you tailing me, anyway?"
"Honest truth? You're new to the city- I've never seen you in my few years here—and I don't like the feeling of unease that you give me."
"Don't hold back, do you?" the blonde chuckled.
"I learned the hard way that life is taken for granted. We all assume there will be a tomorrow, and so we act upon it. Keep thoughts quiet until tomorrow, leave tasks uncompleted—all assuming we can finish tomorrow. Why? Why do tomorrow- what you can easily do today? So- I say what's on my mind now, because I may not be able to say it tomorrow. I do tasks I can today, because I may not be able to do them tomorrow. I live for today."
"Funny way of looking at it, but you are correct. I know all too well that life can… easily be taken away."
Something about the way the blonde said that simple statement caused an ill feeling within Lara. Shaking her head, she kept the newcomer talking.
"So, what are you doing here- anyway?"
"Not that it's any of your business… I was asked to tell the Jarl of Whiterun something for an acquaintance. Still deciding if I will or not, though…"
"Why wouldn't you?"
"I'm pretty sure you know—from your feeling of Ill that I give you, as you say," the blonde grinned," I'm not exactly a team player… or a nice person." Lara frowned, eyeing the blonde even more suspiciously.
"Maybe it's time to change then," Lara suggested," A new start, perhaps?"
"What would you know about new starts?" scoffed the blonde, as she sat down on one of the benches around the giant Gildergreen tree.
"Plenty," Lara explained, her eyes narrowing," Not that I need to explain myself to you. I still don't trust you."
"Probably best. I wouldn't trust me either."
"Wh—"
"Lara! We've got a new job- you want to join us on this hunt?" Aela asked, as she walked up beside the brunette. The twins' stood behind her- and as Lara avoided their gaze, she shook her head.
"Thanks, but I have… another matter... to attend to. Next time, perhaps."
"Very well," Aela nodded, noticing her shield sisters' eyes on the unknown blonde. After the group of Companions walked off, the blonde scoffed slightly.
"Well well, that was interesting. Which of the two do you fancy then—or is it perhaps the lady? Maybe even fancy a threesome or foursome?"
Lara's eyes widened as her cheeks gained a bit of color," What?! I—I don't… I mean…"
Her outburst caused the blonde to outright laugh- her melodic voice slightly hypnotizing.
"Look—just see the Jarl and tell him your message or leave Whiterun," Lara scowled- not liking that she had gotten outed by this stranger.
"My my, seems I have touched a nerve. Maybe I'll just stick around?"
"I'm not messing with you—now," Lara warned, placing a hand on the dagger at her waist. The blonde instantly tensed- her eyes darkening and her whole demeanor changing.
"Let me give you a piece of advice," the blonde warned, her voice dark with malice," Don't. Threaten. Me." The two stared at each other for a few quiet moments, before a guard stopped nearby.
"Is there a problem here?"
"I don't know. Is there?" The blonde spat, glaring at Lara. The Companion took a deep breath and released the hold on her dagger.
"Nope. Not for the time being, anyway."
"Then no lollygagging." With that, the guard walked away, disappearing down the steps.
"Tch. Guards. All the same," the blonde muttered, leaning back against the bench. She noticed that Lara hadn't moved yet, and sighed in slight annoyance. "You're not gonna let up, are you?"
"Not even for a second."
"Fine. Let's go tell the lovable Jarl this Gods forsaken message, and I'll leave."
"After you," Lara motioned, as the two began the climb to Dragons Reach. The trek was silent, as both females were upset at the other- for their own reasons. After reaching the top of the stairs and crossing to the double doors- they entered the palace. Briefly pausing to allow their eyes to adjust to the lighting within, Lara motioned once more for the blonde to go first.
'It'll be interesting to see how Irileth takes to having a stranger approach Jarl Balgruuf,' Lara chuckled to herself, following close behind the newcomer. They had barely gotten to the top of the short stairs, before Lara noticed the dark elf grab her sword and begin stalking towards them defensively.
"What's the meaning of this?! Jarl Balgruuf isn't receiving visitors!"
"I merely have a message from Riverwood- that someone asked I give to the Jarl."
"Any message you have for Jarl Balgruuf- you can give to me!"
"Fine, it's not like I care," the blonde frowned," Riverwood calls for the Jarls aid to defend them from the big bad dragon that destroyed Helgen."
"You know about Helgen?! Come—the Jarl will want to speak to you immediately." Irileth sheathed her sword and walked back towards the man in question.
"But I don't-"
"Give it up," Lara said, as the blonde sighed in defeat," The sooner you get it over with- the sooner I will leave you alone." The blonde rolled her eyes as she followed the dark elf, coming to a stop on the steps in front of the throne.
"Irileth says you have information about Helgen?"
"Not necessarily. As I told her," the blonde said, irritation evident in her voice," a resident in Riverwood asked me to come here, and ask the Jarl to give aid to Riverwood- against the Dragon that attacked Helgen."
"How do you know what happened at Helgen?"
"Simple. I was there."
Lara's eyes widened in surprise. She had been at Helgen—and survived? There was definitely something more to this blonde then met the eye.
"You survived Helgen? Tell me—what exactly happened?" Jarl Balgruuf asked.
"Before they tried to execute me- or after the Dragon interrupted my execution?"
"Well, you're certainly forthcoming about your criminal past. But it's not my business- who the Empire decides to execute. What—"
"I never said I was a criminal. You merely assume that the Empire only executes guilty parties." Everyone stood there, shocked, that the blonde dare interrupts the Jarl. He quickly recomposed himself, though, and continued.
"You have a point. I apologize for my assumptions. Now, please—briefly explain what happened in Helgen."
"Easy. During the executions- a big black dragon came out of nowhere and attacked. Whole town went up in flames and people scattered. Last I saw, the damned beast was headed this way."
"By Ysmir! Irileth was right!" Jarl Balgruuf commented, turning his attention to his right, where an older man stood. "What do you say now, Preventus? Should we continue to trust in the strength of our walls? Against a dragon?"
"My Lord- we should send troops to Riverwood at once," Irileth suggested," It's in the most immediate danger, if that dragon is lurking in the mountains…"
"The Jarl of Falkreath will view that as a provocation! He'll assume we're preparing to join Ulfrics' side and attack him! We should not-"Preventus interjected.
"Enough!" All eyes turned to Jarl Balgruuf, as he spoke up," I'll not stand idly by while a dragon burns my hold and slaughters my people! Irileth, send a detachment to Riverwood at once."
"Yes, my Jarl."
"If you'll excuse me- I'll return to my duties," Preventus said, crossing his arms politely and walking away.
"That would be best," Jarl Balgruuf agreed, and then turned to the two subjects before him. One he had grown to know—Lara had become as close of a daughter as one could imagine. The other- Jarl Balgruuf would admit that he had never seen before.
"Well done, you sought me out and aided the people of Whiterun hold. Here- as a small token of my esteem—"Jarl Balgruuf said to the blonde before him, handing her a small bag of coin. Lara watched as she took it and seemed to check the weight. The blonde frowned ever so slightly- not too happy with the amount.
"There is… another thing you could do for me. Suitable for someone with your particular talents, perhaps?" That statement caused the blonde to immediately look up- her distain evident.
"Woah there—I only came up here to begin with because this one—"the blonde said, gesturing rudely towards Lara—" Wouldn't let me alone until I did. So, now I believe I will just take my leave—"
"Oi—don't insult Jarl Balgruuf you ungrateful—"Lara began, but stopped when the Nordic Jarl held up a hand to silence her.
"It's alright, Lara. It would seem our new friend here doesn't want much in the means of company. Perhaps, though- I can sweeten the deal by offering more gold?"
"Jarl—"
"Lara," Jarl Balgruuf warned, causing the brunette to clamp her mouth shut. Her worry was evident, but it only caused the blonde to smile in pleasure.
"How sweet are we talking here?"
"500 gold and a gift from my personal armory."
"Make it 750 gold—and I'll at least entertain the thought of helping." The two stared each other down, both refusing to back down easily. Jarl Balgruuf smirked to himself, as he rubbed his bearded chin. It wasn't often someone got the better of him.
"What's your name, friend?"
"What's it matter- I am no friend of yours."
"I give credit where it is due- and it would appear you have bested me in such a short time. At least do me the honor of telling me your name."
"I tell you my name—I get the gold?"
"So long as you at least hear me out." It was silent for a few moments, as the blonde seemed to debate her situation. Though, after some time, she smirked to herself and nodded.
"Jovita."
"Welcome to Whiterun, Jovita," the older male nodded as he stood up, "Come, let us go see my Court Wizard- Farengar. He's been looking into a matter related to these dragons and…. Rumors of dragons."