Under the light of a full moon, Skoref, a young Nord walked along a trail heading to Falkreath. Coming home after a successful night of gathering herbs for his grandmother. A hefty pack slung over the shoulder filled with lavender, mountain flowers, nightshade. A typical day in Skoref's life. Every once in a while, he looked to the sky in hopes of something more.
"Maker. If you're listening, I have a question. Am I destined to live in this town for the rest of my life? I know I can offer so much more to the world. Can you give a me a sign? Or at least tell me that I'll be making tea for granny until the day she dies? If so, at least I can accept my place in Tamriel."
A haunting moan caused him to halt. Head turning from right to left to find the source. Being surrounded by large bushes of grass, you could be attacked from anywhere by anything. A rabid animal. A plotting bandit. Or worse, a spriggan. The moans grew louder from behind him. Drawing an iron dagger from his hip, Skoref prepared for an attack, despite never being in a real fight. The grass shuffled and a female wood elf stumbled out. Naked and covered in mud. With a zombie esqe walk, the elf got closer towards Skoref. Blade at the ready, he was stuck between confusion and curiosity.
"Hel-" She whispered.
"Wh-what?" He uttered.
"Help...me." She fell forward into Skoref, who caught her through natural instinct. What an awkward position to be in. He couldn't leave a beaten woman on the road. Then again, wherever she came from, there could be a dangerous enemy following close by. One quick look around to make sure no one else was there and he carried the woman back to Falkreath.
Two days had passed, and the elven woman had still not woken. Skoref, along with the help of his granny Edna, got her properly cleaned up. Edna inspected her body for wounds. A few bruises on the arm. Deep red marks around the neck. Either hung or possibly strangled. Other than that, she continued to breath. Due to their small home, Skoref slept on the floor, giving their guest his bed. He often watched her sleep, entranced by her beauty. Wondering when she would awake and what kind of tale would be told. Little did he know, it would a be tale unlike he had ever heard. On the fourth day, her eyes finally opened. A pleasant scent of lavender and snowberries filled the air. It took a moment to realize where she was, eventually noticing two people eating at a table.
"Hello?" She murmured in a low, rough voice. Skoref's ears perked up, turning around in excitement. He leapt from his seat, tripping on an axe for woodcutting.
"Please control yourself child." Said Edna.
"Sorry granny." Skoref brushed himself off. He went over and kneeled next to the bed. "I can't believe it. You're finally awake!"
She silently stared at this man with the messy black hair and thin mustache. Still groggy, she asked, "Who are you?"
"Oh, yes. I am Skoref Dorn of Falkreath. I found you um...nude and injured just outside of town. I brought you back home. My granny Edna helped tend to your wounds."
"Wounds?" The elf sat up. She wrung her hands. Twisting her fingers. Sniffing her arms, grabbing at strands of hair. She tried to speak but the words still came out harsh. Edna trotted over with a cup of hot tea.
"Here you are sweetheart. You must be parched."
The elf appeared to be scared. Frightened. Even so she accepted the beverage. Taking a small sip of tea and glaring at the two Nords. Her hands were noticeably shaking. Things began to get uncomfortable.
"Listen, we mean you no harm." Said Skoref. "I just wanted to help. If there's anything we can do, don't hesitate to ask."
"What day is it?" Upon speaking, the elf's eyes grew wide. The tea cured her sore throat to reveal a more soft-spoken tone. She seemed surprised.
"It's the third day of Midyear child." Answered Edna.
"Do you...have a mirror?"
An odd request but one that can easily be fulfilled. Skoref rose to his feet, walking over to a dresser. He pulled out a small piece of square glass, handing it to the elf. She gazed into it, seeing a cream skinned elf, with honey brown hair that went to her back. With this realization, she dropped a banshee like scream. Edna and Skoref jumped back in shock. She threw down the mirror, which shattered into pieces. She rolled onto the floor. Screaming and pulling hair. Skoref sprang into action, applying a light sleeper hold. Careful as to not injure the elf any further.
"What is your problem woman!"
"NO! NO! THIS ISN'T REAL!" She hollered. "THE MAKER HAS CURSED ME!"
Skoref used his body weight to fall on top of her. The elf screamed in pain as hitting the floor agitated her wounds. Edna stood there, not showing any emotion, only observing. Pinned to the ground, she tried to wiggle free, but the effort was fruitless. Her body was thin, and frail compared to Skoref's. Not to mention being worn down from whatever hell hole she escaped from.
Skoref tried getting through to her. "Look elf. We went through a lot of trouble to nurse you. The least you could do is give us a proper explanation of what's wrong!"
Her rage started to settle. Bringing the intensity to a minimum. She declared through heavy breaths, "I'm NOT an elf."
Skoref squinted, unsure of what he heard. "Come again?"
"I said, I'm NOT an elf. BOY!" She repeated in a more aggressive tone.
He looked at Edna. "Granny do you hear this?"
Edna calmly told him, "Let her go."
"What?"
"Let her go Skoref. This woman has something she wants to tell us."
"Granny are sure we should trust her. I'm starting to regret my decision to help. Who knows what kind of nonsense she could spew?"
"Quiet Skoref. I told you to let her go."
"Yes granny. Elf, don't try anything." Skoref stood up and moved towards Edna in a protective stance. The elf also stood, nodding to Edna.
"Bless you kind woman. Apologies for my outburst. I just-" She grabbed her face, trying not to panic. "What's going through my mind right now, isn't making any sense to me."
"We live in a strange world dear." Said Edna. "Regardless of if I believe you, it can't hurt to hear you out. Now young lady, can we start with your name?"
"My name is Braxen Thor. Captain of Jarl Ulfric's Stormcloak army."
