A/N: So, I sooo meant to update this earlier. Yeah, that happened. Anyways, I hope you enjoy!
Chapter Two: Dutiful
"Now, one more time, Lady Lydia, 'As my Thane'," Proventus commanded.
"As my Thane," I repeated
"'I am sworn',"
"I am sworn,"
"'To protect you',"
"To protect you,"
"'And all you own',"
"And all you own,"
"'With my life'."
"With my life."
Proventus sighed, "Well, that's as good as it's going to be," he said as I frowned, "Now, remember, you must keep your emotions in check. You are there as a servant and as a warrior, not as a friend or as a companion. You do as your Thane says, when your Thane says to do it, no back-talk, no complaining, no bargaining and no refusals. If he asks of you something beyond your ability, you apologize. If he asks you to fight on his behalf, you must. If he asks you to carry something he cannot:"
"I am sworn to carry your burdens," I recited as blankly and stoically as I could manage.
"Very good."
…
The Dragonborn arrived.
I wasn't sure what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn't this- this Nord in far too heavy plate armor and ridiculous-looking helmet, racing up the hall of Dragonsreach, as if it were any long, dusty road or unpleasant bar of Windhelm. Not that I've ever been to Windhelm, but my uncle's told me terrible things about it.
He ran right up to the Jarl before speaking to him, not even offering a bow of respect when given such an honored title and set off again running, with me in tow.
He ran down the hall, up the Jarl's tables, sending plates and goblets and wine bottles flying, thankfully nothing breaking. That probably would have come out of my salary.
I followed silently, as ordered by my lord the Jarl, and watched as he gleefully stole every apple out of the Dragonsreach stores.
I was right when I told Farengar this was the worst job ever.
…
The lock gave easily, turning with almost no effort with the pair of picks helping it along. My Thane shrugged as if it was nothing.
However, the house's occupant was not nearly as pleased.
"Can't a man get a bit of privacy?" a voice growled from the bed near the hearth, "Get out!"
My Thane turned to me, as if expecting something.
"You're not supposed to be here!" I cried. Wasn't it obvious?
Panic raced through me. I didn't want to be caught by the guard- and I definitely didn't want to find out what my Uncle would say if that happened! But still, I was assigned as housecarl to my Thane, it was my duty and my job to protect him no matter what. But did that mean trespassing on someone else's property?
Just keep calm and you'll get through this, I sighed to myself, taking a deep breath, Hopefully in one piece!
…
"Ahh, dead body!" the girl cried, "Wait, what's he doing?" she asked, noticing my Thane picking through the bodies and taking what he wanted from their cupboards.
"He's… a bit of a rogue," I explained uneasily as he took the briar's heart for himself and shoved it unceremoniously in a pocket.
…
Adrianne had to have it easier than this! I thought, trudging up the mountain, stumbling to find footholds in the craggy surface, occasionally throwing a longing look to the smooth, paved, cobblestone road I'd left behind, following my Thane.
70 pounds of stolen armor and jewelry, 30 of heavy food and 10 on a stupid weapon neither of us will use, I grumbled to myself, How far is home from here? How far is the city?
"Look, Lydia, can you see it from here?" My Thane pointed across the way.
There, nestled into the fold of a mountain's arms and the sea was an ocean of lights, candles, torches and lanterns that lit up the dark, wooded night. There below was the city of High Kings and lowly bards alike, the capital of the province, Solitude.
It was the most amazing thing I'd ever seen.
"If we hurry now, we'll be there by morning," the Dragonborn murmured, taking note of the slowly graying skies, "Come on."
A/N: Leave a review if you liked!
