You guys, I can't read some of the reviews. I realize English may not be the first language for some but please make a little effort or post in your native language. I'll figure it out.
Disclaimer: I don't own Skyrim nor any characters except Rivaine and even then barely.
Please enjoy.
To Protect My Family
Vilkas could swear the hall went silent. For a moment the usually noisy mead hall had no sound. All at once there was a great clang of metal as weapons were drawn. Vilkas stepped forward, blood heating even further at the sight of this man who'd dare to threaten his wife, his mate. The old man glared back at them all, hardly batting an eye as he evaluated first Vilkas' shield siblings, then Vilkas himself. The fact that the old warrior leaned back, relaxed his guard, and smirked- actually smirked- spoke volumes of what he thought of Vilkas.
Gritting his teeth Vilkas held his ebony greatsword Rivaine had given him. He brandished it at the older male, the threat clear and he felt the rest of Jorvaskr fall into place behind him. "Who are you?" He demanded.
The old man didn't even bat an eye. In fact after his initial dramatic entrance, he seemed almost bored. "It is clear you would protect your Harbinger." He commented idly, his voice harsh. "Fear not, I merely wish to speak with her."
"You didn't answer the question."
The old man's good eye swiveled and focused on Vilkas. He grunted, clearly unimpressed. "And who are you to demand that information from me, boy?"
Vilkas tightened his hold on his weapon, failing miserably at keeping his anger from rising. "I am acting second in command for the Harbinger and Rivaine's husband." He bit out and was proud of himself for not threatening the man outright.
The other's eyebrows rose and his eye widened. "Her husband?" He asked, seemingly lost in his own thoughts. "She remarried?"
"Remarried?" Vilkas felt himself lower his sword, the righteous anger in his gut turning back into insecurity making it clench and his blood run cold. "What do you mean?"
"Where is she?"
"I don't kn-"
"Her property in Falkreath." Aela answered for him. "I went out hunting the other day and smelled her there on the wind."
Vilkas sheathed his weapon and everyone followed suit. "Take us there."
Rivaine sat cross legged on her front step watching the birds fly over head. The movers had arrived with her furniture and she was staying out of the way. She had been working in the gardens earlier and the smell of the earth, damp and musty and familiar, clung to her fingertips. She smiled and leaned back as the sun warmed her face. She could hear the clang of metal on metal and vaguely wondered what Lydia was crafting this time. Or was it Rayya this time? She wasn't sure.
"What are you making?" She called out idly, her eyes slipping closed.
"Just sharpening my sword, my thane." It was Rayya then. "Am I disturbing you ma'am?"
"No. Just thinking."
She felt Lydia plop down next to her. Hearing the crunch of an apple, Rivaine grinned and automatically held her hand out. Something smooth was pressed into her hand and she cracked an eye open to inspect the green apple Lydia had given her. Finding no faults with it she took a bite.
"What has got you so lost in thought?" Lydia asked nudging her with her elbow.
"I miss my family." Rivaine admitted.
"Your husband?" Rayya had come to sit on Rivaine's other side. Rivaine frowned. Did she mean her husband? It was true she loved Vilkas dearly, he had that annoying ability to make her heart pound like a green maiden, but no. She missed...
The sound of the pounding drums and twittering flutes filled the air. The enormous bon fire crackled mirthfully as her clan danced and laughed and ate around it. Rivaine smiled lovingly as Mila chased another child around with sticks. Her daughter enjoyed the harvest festival almost as much as Rivaine did. Rivaine laughed as a dancer stumbled in drunken stupor. Frowned as she caught sight of her scarred husband as he roared with laughter as his hunting buddies told exaggerated tales. Her scowl deepened as she watched him slap a young maiden on the rump. The man was shameless.
"What has you so upset tonight, my daughter?" Rivaine turned around to see her father. She smiled at his grizzled appearance. Her father was the greatest warrior of the clan, and the chieftain of their clan. "Tonight is supposed to be a joyous occasion."
Rivaine ran to hug the old warrior. "Papa!" She murmured nuzzling him. "You are back from meeting the Jarl!"
He chuckled and patted her head. Rivaine was a tall woman to begin with, but her father was easily taller by a head. Chuckling he said, "Nothing could keep me away from my family tonight. I'm just sorry I wasn't here sooner."
She smiled up into his eye. "You are here, that is enough."
"Where is my granddaughter?" Rivaine pointed her out. Mila was currently listening to her father tell stories with a group of boys. Rivaine's father guided to her to his side. "Come, let us visit your mother."
Taking her father's arm, they walked away from the bonfire and past huts gathered here and there. The farther they walked from the celebration the more quiet and still the night became. Rivaine enjoyed these precious moments with her father. They were far and few in between and she treasured everyone, knowing, with her father's age and the battles and hunts he insisted on leading his men into, they could be his last. She observed the old man out of the corner of her eye. His hair was thinning an patchy. His face was battle scarred and lined with age. His arms were thick and corded with muscle. His left eye was missing. She loved him anyway.
They came to a grassy clearing with a single headstone. Her mother's name was inscribed there. Rivaine knelt before it and her father followed suit. "Spanna," was all her father said and they lapsed into an easy silence. The wind, calm and sweet smelling, brushed the hair from her shoulders and silently she sent her thoughts to her mother and asked the gods for her protection in the afterlife. Wordlessly, she knew her father was doing the same. She stared at the starry sky and before she knew she was doing it, she was begging Akatosh - whom she believed her patron god- for true happiness.
Loud screams echoed from the village and an eerie cry echoed. Rivaine and her father leaped to their feet and started sprinting. They reached the outskirts and froze. Their clansmen were scurrying about, women scooping up their children and trying to flee burning huts and hunters aiming their bows into the sky. Another roar made Rivaine look up into the sky. Her blood ran cold. An enormous black dragon hung there, its dark wings unfurled and beating at the sky effortlessly. As it snarled down at them and fear crept into her bones, Rivaine's father grabbed her arm tightly. She looked to him.
His stern warrior face gave her comfort. "Rivaine, now isn't the time to be afraid. Find Mila. Run, hide!" The dragon swooped overhead. "Do this for me Rivaine, keep safe." And then he was off into the battle, roaring his own cries.
Rivaine turned and ran through the village searching for her daughter. "Mama!" Rivaine turned and nearly cried in relief. Mila was running up to her about a yard away. She was about to start running toward her daughter when an enormous black talon curled itself around her daughter. Her daughter screamed and Rivaine suddenly wished very much she had her bow. But she didn't. She had to watch as the dragon hoisted Mila high into the night sky and fling her down, like a doll. Rivaine couldn't hear the crack, but she felt it.
Someone was screaming close to her ear. It took her a moment to realize it was her. Everything stilled for a moment and then she was running toward the limp corpse of her daughter. Glassy eyes looked up at her, still frozen in shock and fear. Shaking she lowered the eyelids of her daughter, as the dragon roared overhead. Kissing Mila's forehead one final time, she rose and fled into the trees.
"Hey!" Fingers snapped in Rivaine's face and she blinked. Lydia was looking at her with some degree of concern. "Are you ok? You were gone for a moment there and then you started crying."
Wet tracks were making their way down her cheeks and she swiped at them. "Just a sad memory." She mumbled and turned away.