Skyrim belongs to Bethesta Studios. I own nothing. This story is still semi on hiatus but I'm going to update it as often as I can. This is short but I wanted to go ahead and update. The next chapter will be longer.
Adrianne spoke up, "Give us a chance. I may not be Eourland Graymane, but I have fine steel fit for the Jarl himself".
Lydia hesitated and scenting a sale Adrianne rushed over the full weapon rack standing in front of War Maidens. Lydia reluctantly stepped over to browse. Lydia was thinking Alistair would love these handcrafted weapons. She noticed a Steel Greatsword and grasped it firmly in two hands to lift it off the rank.
But then she gasped as she stumbled back a step almost falling on her butt. She had overcompensated for its weight and the momentum carried her back. Drawing from her longsword training with Alistair, Lydia balanced herself took a few swings testing the blade.
Lydia stared at the sword in her hands with disbelief. This thing should weigh three to seven pounds but it was no heavier than a butter knife and perfectly balanced. She could even weld it single highhandedly. Then she laughed at herself this was a dream. The laws of physics don't apply in dreamland. She was much stronger here.
"If you buy it I can check it into the armory for you," said Adrianne. Lydia jumped slightly she had forgotten the other woman was standing there. Adrianne must have noticed her confusion and hastened to explain, "Outsiders check their weapons at the gate damsel. Except for the bow, only the guards and The Companions are allowed to have weapons in the city." "
Lydia put the sword back, "I'll think about it" she said.
Ulfbert was watching her speculatively, "You're quite expert with that greatsword damsel. Where were you trained?" he asked.
"Kent's Society For the Preservation of Historic Swordsmanship," She answered truthfully.
He inclined his head and said, "Good Day damsel."
Taking that as her cue to leave Lydia wondered past Breeze House. She began to notice some differences. This Whiterun had more houses. A two story stone structure stood behind the Guard Barracks. Down by the market stalls she made a game of identifying people. They all looked different than their in game counterparts.
Carlotta Valentia turned out to be a bewitching beauty. Her vivid green eyes a sharp contrast to jet black glossy hair. Ysolda's facial features were similar but more refined than in game. Her hair fell half way down her back and she was heavily pregnant.
Anoriath was a shock. Lydia knew elves existed in Skyrim, but to see a living breathing one was a unique experience. There was something regal about him that she couldn't put a finger on.
Fralia Gray-Mane was talking and joking withe Olfrid Battle-Born. Apparently there was no family feud.
There was a new building just past the alleyway between the inn and Acadia's Cauldron. Lydia went to investigate but a guard told her the bathing house was closed. Through the door she could see what looked like a stone swimming pool.
Lydia went back to the market stalls and hung around the listening to gossip. Apparently the Jarl was getting a new court mage. Farengar Secret-Fire was to replace the recently deceased Ellyn the Wise.
Lydia's heart started pounding. Ellyn the Wise? Wasn't that the witch who gave the pendant to Alistair? She told herself to calm down and remember she was dreaming. But she couldn't shake an uneasy feeling. To distract herself she went to the Cloud District. The Gildergreen was full of lush green leaves. The Shrine of talos was still there without a priest
Lydia tried to visit Jorrvaskr but the doors were locked. She skipped the sky forge. The city guards barred the steps to Dragons Reach. She was told she couldn't just walk into the palace uninvited unless the Jarl was holding court. So she spent her time wandering around enjoying the Skyrim experience.
Soon it was almost dusk and the vendors were packing up for the day. It was starting to drizzle and Lydia was at loose ends. Idly she wondered what her character would do and snorted under her breath. The dragonborn would go out and exp. An actual human would be better off finding lodging for the night. Lydia walked over to the Bannered Mare opened the door and walked inside.
Warmth enveloped her and the slightly smoky air stung her eyes. The interior was exactly as depicted in game. She noticed a couple sitting at the table by the kitchen. The only other patron was a slim man sitting on one of the bar stools. Lydia perched on the bar stool next to him and ordered food and drink.
Hulda a bubbly woman with laugh lines sat a large bowl of soup and two chunk of french bread in front of Lydia. She poured mead into a ironstone mug to go with the meal. Lydia dug through her carry-on bag for her portable jewelry case and laid it out on the counter so the contents were visible.
"What would you take for the food and a room for the night? she asked.
Hulda frowned slightly, "That's thirteen septims. If you don't have the gold maybe Belethor here will trade with you.
Lydia looked Belethor who was looking at her jewelry, "If you send some of this out to be enchanted at the college it would be a lot more valuable. I'll give you 40 for the lot."
Hulda pushed the jewelry back towards Lydia, "Don't let him cheat you that's fine craftsmanship even without enchantments. Talk to Fralia in the market she will trade honestly with you."
Lydia gathered her things and said, "Then I can't pay you. May I sit by your fire?".
Hulda sighed, "I would trade for your hosiery."
Lydia frowned at glanced down at her overnight bag where a pair of thick socks were hanging out. She handed them to Hulda. The woman all but snatched them and was staring at them in wonder. "What a fine weave on this," she gushed.
Lydia looked down at her own clothes, basic jeans, over-sized turtle neck shirt. she carried her suede coat with a detachable fleece lining. On her feet she wore a pair of Uggs. She found it ironic that her clothes were more valuable than expensive jewelry.
Lydia was pensive as she took a bite of her stew. It was finally sinking in that this was not a dream. First of all this place was way to detailed to be a dream. Second of all she'd been here hours without waking up. Then there was all the fuss about Farengar Secret-Fire replacing Ellyn the Wise. Apparently the woman who sent her here had died taking her secrets with her.
"When you are ready, I will show you to your room," said Hulda pulling her out of her thoughts.
It occurred to Lydia she would have to find a way to support herself. "I'm looking for work," she told Hulda.
The woman reached under the bar and pulled out a parchment, "Take a look at this the Jarl has put out a bounty on the bandit leader at White River Watch."
Lydia felt sick. Bandits or not these would be living people not some computer generated image. She just couldn't see herself running around killing real people. Maybe she could become a hunter and sell game.
Belethor spoke up, "Not your thing damsel? The regimentals are ending tomorrow. Maybe you should try out."
"Regimentals?" she asked.
Belethor smirked at her, " Commander Ciaus is holding tryouts for the city guard posts. If you get in you could be sent anywhere in the hold. There is no guarantee you would stay here in Whiterun."
Lydia thought it was a good idea to sleep on it. "I'm ready for that room now," she told Hulda and followed the woman up the familiar ladder into the loft room. Hulda placed a stack of folded cloths on the bed,"This will get you into the bath damsel."
Lydia amused herself by sitting on the loft watching patrons fill up the tavern. The bards arrived and the dancing began. Lydia found herself thinking it wasn't that different than a modern bar scene. Eventually she went to bed. She was used to sleeping with the television on so all the noise from downstairs didn't bother her. The bed was surprisingly comfortable and she drifted to sleep.
Lydia wasn't sure what woke her. Diffused sunlight coming through the boards of the roof made patterns on the bed. Everything was quiet so she figured it had to be early. She climbed out of bed knocking the folded cloths from last night on the floor. Upon closer examination they were some type of towels wrapped around a rough looking white bar of soap.
Oh a bath would be heavenly maybe she could have the place to herself. Lydia shipped into her two piece swimsuit and wrapped one of the towels around her. It would be weird bathing in a swimsuit but she didn't remember the bathing pools having a door. she imagined there was a privacy curtain to show the room was occupied but she wasn't taking any chances. She really didn't want to flash anyone.
Grabbing the soap and extra towel she quietly went down the ladder and out the door. Not a soul was around when she made her way into the bathing enclosure. She came to an abrupt stop. Standing waist deep in the water, wet black hair slicked back, stem from the water rising around him like a mist was Vilkas. Lydia squealed and slapped her hand over her mouth. "Oh I am so sorry." she said through her fingers.
He reacted by instantly tensing up and looking around, "What's the matter damsel? is there danger?" he asked in a deep baritone.
Lydia just stared at him. Why was he standing there like this was perfectly normal? Then she thought maybe it was. In the middle ages it was considered normal for males to bathe out in the open.
"Is she addled Vilkas?" asked a female voice. She looked over and saw Fralia with an older man probably Eourland. It appeared he had been helping wash her hair. Fraila was wearing a cloth wrapped around her body. It was tied under her arm and was split on the side allowing access for bathing. The man was in the buff fortunately the water covered him.
Suddenly it was just to much. Lydia didn't want to adjust to a medieval culture. She wanted to go home.
A/N: Please feel free to leave me some feedback and let me know what you think. Thank you for reading this.