Lucia bit back a shudder as the carriage she rode in crossed the last hill before the city of Whiterun came into view. She pushed her brown hair out of her eyes as she observed the city.
"Looks like they finally cleaned up from the battle with the Stormcloaks." The young Imperial woman muttered at the end of her check.
"Yes, the Jarl finally got some men around to it a few years ago." The carriage driver replied. Lucia gulped, she had not thought she could be heard. "Been some time since you were here I guess?"
Lucia nodded, her brown eyes sad. "Yeah, I lived near Solitude for some time. And then in it when I was studying at the Bard's College. But I lived here in Whiterun hold for my first ten years."
"Ah, I see. I was wondering why an Imperial had been here before." There was no malice in the man's voice, just curiosity.
"Half Imperial, technically. My mother was an Imperial soldier who decided to settle here after her service ended. She married my dad, who was a Nord born and raised on the family farm. Of course, his family didn't approve."
"I'm sorry to hear that. Blood purity is a nasty habit some families just cannot kick. What became of your parents?"
"My father was killed by a couple of Stormcloak supporters, right before Ulfric killed the High King. He refused to enlist in their cause and was guilty of 'laying with the enemy.'" She shuddered. "My mother died not long after. She worked herself to the bone to keep the farm going without him. We both did. She got sick and well… she didn't get better."
She heard a sniff from the driver as he wiped a tear from his eye. "I'm really sorry to hear miss. Let me guess, your father's family didn't take you in, did they?"
Lucia laughed, the very idea amusing. "As if. My Aunt cast me out on my ear. They were Stormcloak supporters, you know. Turned our wheat farm into the pasture to raise cows for the war. I cried my eyes out when I saw what they did to the fields. I was begging for a few weeks in the center of Whiterun. Thankfully, the Companions were very generous with their gold. I had enough to eat and rent a bed each night. The barkeep always made sure there was a room open for me."
"What happened after that?"
Lucia smiled true warmth in her expression. "A kind redheaded Breton woman gave me a coin. She had piercing green eyes, the kindest I had ever seen. She was wearing leather armor with a hood and had no weapons on her, but she was headed toward the Companions. She asked me why I was begging and the whole story came out. Next thing I know, she's got me in her arms as I cry. And she took me down to Breezehome, the small house in Whiterun. She introduced me to her wife, Senna, another Breton lady. Next thing I knew, I had two new Mama's who loved me."
The carriage driver had stopped, having reached the stables and he was crying harder now, tears pouring from his eyes. "That is a beautiful story. If more couples took in the poor orphans, Skyrim would be a friendlier place."
"I took the Surname of my redheaded Mama, I love my birth parents but I connected with Mama the way I never really had with my mother. We moved around a lot and Mama was always traveling. She did a lot for Skyrim, you know. Well, we are here. I need to be going." She rose and passed a sack of coins to the driver.
"Miss Arco, thank you for your story. And the music when we camped. You have truly mastered your art."
Lucia smiled as she got down and adjusted her Lyre, her instrument of choice. Her sword clinked on her other hip. "Thank you, though I do have to deal with people trying to bed me. Just became I am a bard does not mean my affections are negotiable. Though Mama Senna did teach me some of the Dibellan arts."
The driver had the decency to blush. "You are very lovely miss. Whoever wins your heart will be a lucky man or woman. Oh, I never did ask. What brings you to Whiterun now, after everything?"
As he said this, a woman approaching middle age stepped out of the shadows, her long blazing red hair in a long braid down her back. She wore a modest outfit that showed her body was still slim and hit. Her eyes were bright green.
"I'm here for my sister's wedding. Runa Fair-Shield is marrying Lars Battle-Born. As her maid of honor and bard for the occasion, I couldn't possibly miss it."
The man grinned as the woman approached them. "Well, it's been a pleasure hearing your story, Miss Arco. Wish your sister luck for me. The Battle-Borns is an overwhelming lot."
Lucia inclined her hand. "I'll do so. Farewell." She waved and then rushed into the arms of the woman whom she kissed on the cheek. "Mama! I'm home."
Her mother kissed her forehead. "Welcome home, my daughter. You must tell me about your travels."
They headed towards the city and Lucia grinned at her mother. To Skyrim, she was the Dragonborn. The legendary hero who saved the world. But to her, she was her Mama. The road to this point had hurt, but she would walk it all again, beg for every coin, so she could have her Mama. Lucia would not trade her life for any other on Nirn.
Notes: I have always adopted Luica, in all my playthroughs. So it makes sense in my canon RP, I would have her be my Breton Dragonborns child.