The city guards had done a fair job of unpacking my home for me. Well, unloading rather than unpacking. My things, as well as my parents', were in their moving crates stacked neatly in the living space at the back of the main room. Atop them was a note sealed with a stamp that I knew far too well. Hesitantly, I picked up the message and broke the seal.

Niece

I just heard news from my courier about my brother and his wife.

While my role as Jarl keeps me from leaving the Rift, my heart is with you in Whiterun as we both must go on through this family tragedy.

Please send word if you need anything, or if you wish to return to the Rift and live with me.

Yours forevermore,

Auntie Ma

I laughed at the letter. My aunt Maven, always only caring for appearances. I doubted the note was even written by her. I looked at the signature and laughed lightly once, to myself. "Auntie Ma." It had been a name I called her when I was little, when I couldn't even add the "ven" to her name. Oh, how she hated being called that. Now, whether it was the Auntie or the Ma was anyone's guess. With a sigh, I folded back the note allegedly from my father's sister and sunk into the chair by the fire.

Without even meaning to, I broke into a sob. I brought my knees to my chest and just cried and cried. It took everything to not crumple up the note and throw it into the fire. "If you need anything." That's all anyone said! My aunt, the Jarl, the Priestess. The vendor, Carlotta, the two men from earlier, Jon and Vilkas. Everyone was so sure that I needed their help, almost just as if I was no more than the beggars who shuffled around town.

I sniffled my now and rubbed away the tears. No. Not any more. Not tonight, at least. Setting down my aunt's letter, I stood and walked to the crates. Tonight, I would be moving in. A fresh start. I started with the smaller crates, trying to only take upstairs what I needed upstairs. Going to the second floor, I saw the second bedroom. Before moving on, I shut the doors. I couldn't bare to see an empty bed. Not another reminder that I was here in the house alone. Unpacking the last boxes in the main bedroom, I laid down on the bed.

"Tomorrow will be better," I promised myself as I curled up, slipping under the covers.. "Tomorrow will be a different day."

AN: Sorry for the shortness. Trying to keep the chapters by place rather than necessarily by time or day. Hope that you're enjoying it so far, please review and let me know what you think and/or what you'd like to see!