A/N: Here's another one. I'm trying to make sure the chapters are longer now that we're getting into the story. I've got a few things I want to say though.
Firstly, thank you to Zabaniya, M1stymix, Laplase. Xedornox, LordBak, kukuhimanpr, EngineerGaming1, D3Diton, end5, and Zelathin. Thank you for commenting and leaving reviews. It really helps to see what you guys think of the story and each chapter.
Secondly, pairings. I've been thinking about it and your comments as I wrote this chapter, and I don't think I'm going to go the harem route. Romance will not be a primary component to the story, but I am not against having it there. Bell and Ais are a pretty important driving force for the canon, and I'll be going with that. As for any other potential pairings with other characters, please let me know what you guys think might work.
Thirdly, this chapter has my first minor fuckabout with the timeline. It's not a big one, but you'll see. I do hope that part is entertaining. Let me know what you think about it.
Hearthfire
Chapter 6
Eina
Eina sighed as she stepped out of the guild building for a breath of fresh air. It got so stuffy in there sometimes and today was even worse. She'd been worried and nervous all day because today was Bell's first attempt at tackling the Dungeon solo. She'd been reluctant to agree to him facing the first 5 floors alone but had been convinced by Bell's teacher, Mr. Torrhen.
The first Level 10 in history. The one who's very existence didn't make sense and who's status she'd helped hide from the public. She hadn't done anything illegal or wrong, of course, but it was still nerve-wracking. Still, she supposed, he was a very nice man. Serious, but a very good teacher. He'd been so adamant that, provided nothing abnormal happened, Bell could handle the first 5 floors alone. Bell had looked so hopeful when he'd said that, and his stats certainly supported it, so she'd given her permission.
Bell had very quickly become her favorite adventurer. Not just because of how absolutely adorable he was, but because he took everything she told him so seriously. He was the only adventurer she knew who didn't ignore their advisor. If Eina said Bell wasn't ready for something, he didn't do it. He did his research properly and, aside from a single stupid mistake he'd made on his first day, he never did anything reckless. She knew she had Mr. Torrhen to thank for Bell's diligent, cautious attitude, but that didn't make her any less fond of him. It just made her appreciate Mr. Torrhen's input more. He really was a very good teacher.
"Ms. Eina!" She heard from behind her. That was Bell's voice!
Eina turned quickly, glad to hear his voice. "Bell! I'm glad you made it back okaaaaAAAAAH!" He was covered in blood! Eina rushed towards him. "What happened to you?!" She exclaimed.
"I got attacked by a minotaur and saved by this beautiful blonde lady!" He said, happily. Eina thought she was going to faint.
After dragging Bell inside and forcing him into one of the showers in the back of the guild office, she finally got the full story out of him. When he tried to apologize about his ruined armor, she had waved it aside. It had done its job and saved him, so she promised to take him shopping for new armor after Monsterphilia.
When he had finished the story, she let out a great sigh. She was relieved that he hadn't deliberately gone looking for trouble, but it was still a terrifying story. A minotaur on Level 5? They were all lucky nobody had been killed. Bell almost had been!
"Do you know who the blonde lady who saved me was?" His eyes shining hopefully.
"It sounds like Ais Wallenstein, of the Loki Familia."
"Ais Wallenstein," Bell said with wonder. "What's she like?"
"Well, she is a Level 5 executive of the Loki Familia. In fact, after the triumvirate that leads them, she is their highest-ranking member. She is also the best or perhaps second-best sword in Orario. Maybe third now, with your teacher around. She has been given the moniker "Sword Princess" by the gods.
"I don't mean that!" Bell said. "I mean what does she like to eat? What are her hobbies? Things like that." Bell trailed off and stared down at his knees, blushing.
Oh. OH. He had a crush on his savior. "I'm sorry, Bell but I don't know. Plus…" She was conflicted. "I'm sorry but a relationship between you two is very unlikely. She's on the verge of Level 6 and has years under her belt while you're Level 1 and have barely even started. Not only that but dating and marriage between Familia is very difficult at the best of times. Even if your Familia are of equal standing, if your gods don't get along, they can forbid you from dating."
The poor boy looked crushed. "Then again," she really shouldn't do this, "If you somehow manage to catch up to her in levels and increase the size and standing of your Familia, it may be possible." She'd done it anyway. Bell was looking at her as though he was dying of thirst, and she'd given him a bottle of water.
He stood suddenly. "Thank you, Ms. Eina!" He shouted, bolting out of the building. "You're the best!" He called back to her as he ran.
"Oh dear," she muttered to herself. "I hope no trouble comes of that."
Bell
Bell was running through the streets with a new determination. Ais Wallenstein. He would catch up to her. He would build up his Familia. He would get far stronger. Strong enough to stand at her side. Strong enough to repay her for saving his life. He was so caught up in his thoughts that he hadn't paid attention to where he was going. He was dragged back to reality when he slammed into another person, knocking something out of their hands and onto the ground.
"Ouch!" The person said, trying to catch their balance.
"I'm so sorry!" Bell said, bowing up and down as fast as he could. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," the person, now revealed to be a silver-haired girl, said. She was wearing a green uniform of some kind, with an apron. "I'm a bit upset about my ruined dinner though," she said, looking at the box he'd accidentally knocked to the ground. Its contents strewn all over the road.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Bell repeated, bowing up and down as fast as he could once again. "Is there any way I can make it up to you?"
The girl had a sudden mischievous glint in her eye. "Well," she said. "I suppose you can make it up to be by having dinner here tomorrow night."
"Huh?" Bell was confused.
The girl pointed at the building behind her. Looking up, Bell realized it was a tavern. "This is the Hostess of Fertility," the girl said. "I work here. We're slammed full tonight, but you can pay be back by coming here to have dinner tomorrow night."
Bell, thrilled to be able to make up for his clumsiness, accepted. "I'll come; I promise!" He paused. "Can I bring a member of my Familia? There are only two of us and my goddess is having dinner with some other gods tomorrow night."
"Sure!" The girl said. "The more the merrier! I'm Syr, by the way. Syr Flova."
"Bell Cranel!" He replied, happily.
Torrhen
Torrhen sat on the couch in the church basement, watching as Hestia updated Bell's status. He had to admit, this was not how he expected the day would end. Bell had been doing fantastically in the Dungeon, so he thought the kid was ready to go solo. Since the kid was on his own, Torrhen had spent part of the day working with the builders. The Goibniu Familia had sent over a team of builders who were working on the renovations to the church, trying to turn it into a proper home. They had already constructed his forge and his laboratory building, so he spent quite a bit of time today making enchanting and alchemy tables and setting everything up.
He and Hestia had even spent some time brainstorming ideas on what to call their new home once it was finished. The living quarters were supposed to be ready by the end of the month, with everything else being on the back burner until that was done. The rest of the renovation would take another month to be completed once that was finished.
He'd been talking with Hestia about the few forging materials he still had from Skyrim when Bell had burst in the door, grinning like a madman, and gleefully declared that he'd promised some girl he'd eat at her restaurant the next night and that he'd been attacked by a minotaur. Torrhen had thought, just for a moment that, somehow, Sheogorath had sent Bell into a fever dream or something.
After getting Bell to calm down and explain what happened in the proper order, he finally understood. He was relieved the boy was alright and thrilled that Bell had taken his lessons to heart. Torrhen was honestly impressed that he had managed to cut off the minotaur's hand, considering how strong they were supposed to be.
He was definitely irritated by when he heard that Bell's armor had shattered, but that was alleviated by the fact that, after being told about it, Eina had offered to take him shopping for new armor. Torrhen hadn't had the time to go shopping for smithing supplies and only had a few small pieces of ore left over from his forge in Skyrim. Bell's stunt with the minotaur's hand had also badly damaged his dagger.
Now, Torrhen could do something about that. He had just enough materials to make a really nice dagger. Something that would grow with the kid. He'd made a few growth weapons before, for his kids, but with Hestia here… He would need to think about it some more, but he might just be able to make something really special with what he had on hand.
Hestia suddenly caught his attention. She was still sitting on Bell's back, manipulating his status, but her eyes had gone wide like dinner plates. She visibly calmed herself down and finished Bell's update. Transferring it to a sheet, she handed it to Bell.
"Nicely done, Bell. I guess being in danger like that gave you a bit of an extra boost."
Bell looked excited as he read his status. "What's this on the skill section?" He asked.
"Oh?" Hestia said. "I'm sorry, my hand must have slipped. It's still empty as usual." Hestia was a good liar, but not good enough to get by him.
"Why don't you throw your clothes back on and go pick up something for dinner, Bell?" Torrhen asked. He and Hestia needed to talk.
"You got it!" Bell said as he grabbed his shirt and went running out of the door.
Torrhen turned to Hestia, suddenly serious. "What did you see?" He asked.
Hestia sighed. "I should have guessed you'd notice something was off." She hesitated. "Bell has developed a skill, but I'm not sure he should know about it." She picked up the paper again and handed it to him. Taking the status sheet, Torrhen read it as the hidden words became visible once again.
Bell Cranel
Race: Human
LEVEL: 1
STR: E-403
VIT: I-199
DEX: E-412
AGI: D-521
MAG: I-0
TOTAL = 1535
SKILLS:
Liaris Freese: Increase in experience gain corresponding to the desires of the bearer. Correlates directly with the strength of the desire. Side effects: Immune to godly charms. Limit breaker.
MAGIC: NONE
Torrhen let out a low whistle. He could see why Hestia had hidden this. Skills and effects that relied on emotion were dangerously tricky. It could easily lead to obsession or, in some cases, knowing about the skill could lead the feeling that powered it to fade, thereby leaving the skill inert. Plus, combined with his own experience gain skill, the Bell's progression would skyrocket.
"You were right to hide this." He said. "It could be detrimental to Bell's growth if he knew about it and downright dangerous if somebody else found out about it."
Hestia looked relieved. "I'm glad you agree with me," she said. "Us arguing about it would tip Bell of that something was up. Speaking of Bell," she leaned back onto the couch, "I don't think he should go anywhere near the dungeon for the next few days."
"Agreed," Torrhen said. "He needs some time to wind down after the experience he had today."
"You're apparently going to dinner with him tomorrow," she said. "Monsterphilia is the day after that so, we'll all be out together then. Didn't his advisor say she would take him shopping for armor?"
"She did. The day after Monsterphilia," Torrhen said.
"That's a relief," Hestia sighed. "I'm worried about his weapon though. That dagger you gave him is not looking good."
"I actually had an idea about that," Torrhen said, "I'm going to work on it tomorrow, but I'll need your help. If it works, we'll never have to replace his weapon again."
"But didn't you say that giving him a powerful weapon would be bad for him?"
Torrhen shook his head. "It won't be powerful. Not from the start, at least. Back in Tamriel, I figured out how to make weapons that grow into their power with their wielder. I made them for my children, and the weapons grew in strength as they did. If you help me though, I think I can make one even better than the ones I gave them."
"How?" She seemed intrigued. "What would you need me to do?"
"There are few things as powerful as the blood of a god," Torrhen said. "I have quicksilver, ebony, and powdered dragon bone which I can use for the metals, but a single drop of your blood during the forging process and another during the quenching could make something really special. We could bind it so that only members of your Familia could ever use the blade. For anybody else, it would be like trying to fight with a dry twig."
Hestia looked excited. "Are you sure this will work?" She asked.
"I'm certain I can get it right, but I'll need your help. Bell can hold things and be my assistant while I work."
When Bell returned with dinner, the two told him about their plans. To say Bell was thrilled beyond belief was an understatement. "You will still need to go with Eina to find new armor though," Torrhen told him. "I haven't gotten the materials to make armor yet, and this process doesn't work for armor anyway." Bell said he had no problem with that. He was just thrilled to be getting such a cool weapon.
The Next Morning
Torrhen stood in his forge, staring at the glowing coals. Hestia stood to the side, looking nervous. Bell was standing at the door, watching the sky. It was his job to shout at the very second the sun peeked out over the horizon. That was one of the tricks to working with ebony. It didn't matter how long the forging took, but the process had to begin as the sun rose. Trying to begin the process at any other time would leave it brittle and useless. He had sworn both Bell and Hestia to secrecy about the technique he was about to use. It was one he had created, and the didn't want any information leaking.
Torrhen had already been up for some time prepping the materials, carving the handle, and stoking his forge. He had already spot-welded the billet he was going to use and attached a rod, careful not to allow anything hot to directly touch the ebony within the billet. The ebony was encased by the quicksilver, but the color and durability would come out during the forging process. He would be using powdered dragon bone from Tamriel as flux during the forge-welding.
Bell's cry rang from the door. Sucking in a deep breath, Torrhen let out, "MUL QAH DIIV" and plunged the billet into the coals as the flickering armor of Dragon Aspect formed around him. Bell frantically ran over and began to pump the larger bellows. Dragon Aspect, while primarily a combat shout, and his trump card at that, had an interesting secondary effect. It allowed him to draw out what little divine energy flowed through his body. An energy he slowly pushed through his hands, into his hammer and down the rod into the billet that had begun to glow in the forge. He stared as Bell furiously pumped the bellows, watching the billet. Finally, he drew it out and placed it on his anvil.
Hestia stepped close and, pricking her finger, allowed a single drop of blood to fall onto the molten metal. Before the steam could rise, Torrhen poured the dragon bone flux over the billet and struck it three times with the hammer before plunging it back into the forge and pouring as much energy as he could into the metal.
Now began the difficult but normal process of forge-welding. Torrhen would draw the billet from the forge and strike, fusing the metals together before placing it back into the forge before it could get too cold. It was a long process but eventually, as Dragon Aspect faded, the billet was done, and the shaping could begin. Cutting off the guiding rod, Torrhen quickly formed the tang before focusing on the blade. Torrhen struck methodically, years of practice ensuring that each strike was perfectly placed and with just enough power as he formed the blade. A straight spine with a single edge that curved at the tip.
It was almost noon by the time Hestia stepped forward again. Pricking her finger, she let a single drop fall into the oil bath, just as Torrhen plunged the glowing metal into the quench. Golden flames sparked and flew from the point of contact. Holding for just a moment, Torrhen pulled the blade from the bath and placed it upright in his vice, held by the tang. He stared, searching for any sign of cracking, or warping as steam rolled off the now darkened blade. It was perfect.
All that was left now, was to attach the handle, sharpen and polish the blade. Carefully heating the tang, Torrhen drew it down into the blackened dragon bone handle he had carved and wrapped in dremora leather. That finished, he took the blade to his grinding wheel to ensure it was sharpened and polished. When at last it was done, Torrhen lifted the blade to examine it. It was gorgeous. One of his greatest creations. Across the dark blade were characters in Dovahzul and ancient Orarian Runes, forming Hestia's name as they danced across the spine.
He stood, wiping sweat from his brow, and slowly handed the blade to Bell. "This blade bears the blood and the name of Hestia. Goddess of Hearth and Home. Treat it well, and with respect, and it will always lead you home."
Bell took the Hestia Knife, reverently. As his hands closed over the hilt, the runes flashed and for a moment the blade seemed to glow as the weapon bound itself to him.
That Evening.
Despite the fact that Bell had been almost conned into coming here, Torrhen was looking forward to sitting down at this tavern he was being dragged to and having a meal. The forging process had taken most of the day and had left him drained. He'd be fine by morning, but right now he was hungry.
As they entered the Hostess of Fertility, Torrhen spied the silver haired girl Bell had told him about. Spotting them, she rushed over and greeted Bell.
"Hi Syr!" Bell said. "This is my teacher, Mr. Torrhen. He's the other member of my Familia I told you about."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, sir!" The girl said, happily. Torrhen had barely returned the sentiment before Syr had dragged them over to the bar and started bustling about.
Torrhen's voice pulled her to a stop. "We'll have two of the specials," he gestured to the board on the wall and dropped several coins on the counter. "Some mead for me and keep it coming. Plus, whatever the kid wants to drink."
"Hah!" A booming voice came from the dwarf woman behind the bar. "I like a customer who knows what he likes." She walked up to them. "So, you're the kid who spilled poor Syr's dinner," she said, addressing Bell who could only nod. He seemed a bit frightened. She looked to Torrhen. "Ain't seen you before. You the kid's babysitter?"
Torrhen laughed and she plunked a tankard in front of him. He liked this woman. She reminded him of Orgnar after Delphine had finally sold him the Inn. "I'm his mentor, Torrhen of the Hestia Familia. The kid is Bell. I take it you're the owner of this place?" He asked.
"That's right! The name's Mia, but most call me Mama or Mama Mia."
Torrhen raised his tankard. "It's a pleasure to meet you Mia," he said. He and Bell spent the next little while eating and chatting with Mama Mia and Syr when she had a moment to spare. They were about halfway through their meal when the door was pushed open and a large party came through, let by a petite redhead in an outfit that really didn't work with her physique.
"Who..who are they?" He heard Bell ask. Turning, he noticed Bell was staring, transfixed at the blonde at the back of the party. Syr answered him as the group got themselves settled at a table and called out their orders.
"That's the Loki Familia. They're one of the top two Familia's in the city. The redhead is Goddess Loki."
So, this was the Loki Familia. That would mean that the blonde woman was Ais Wallenstein. The girl who'd saved Bell's life yesterday. He needed to make sure Bell thanked her for that before they left. Turning back to the counter, they continued to eat and chat, having a pretty good time overall. Unfortunately, it was interrupted by the werewolf of the Loki Familia's extremely drunken voice rising up over the crowd.
"Oi! Ais'h! Don' you thnk yuh should tell errybody bout wha happnd yesterday? Hah, it ws sho funny." Torrhen looked over. The werewolf was practically falling over in his seat! They hadn't been there for more than 20 minutes. How was he so drunk already?
"Lightweight." Torrhen scoffed in his mind as he drained his tankard. He was a Nord. Nord's had no respect for someone who couldn't hold their booze.
The golden-haired girl spoke up. "What are you talking about, Bete?" She asked.
"C'mon yuh know! The Tomato Kid! The lil wimp wth the minotaur!" The drunken werewolf replied. Torrhen watched as Ais's eyes went hard and she glared at the werewolf. The green haired elf was also glaring, and the redheaded goddess had gone quiet. The others at the table were looking away, embarrassed. Torrhen could feel Bell about to bolt and put a hand on his shoulder, holding him in his seat.
"So 'nyway," the drunken fool continued, "Thisn minotaur runs away frm us an' up tuh the 5th floor, right? An' it finds th's wimpy lil dork. The lil prick don'even try tuh fight, he jus runs, screamin. Sho Ais shwoops in'n saves 'im. An..an this lil wimp gets cmpletely covred in blood. 'n, lookin like a f'ck'n tomato! Then 'e jus runs away screamin fr'm thuh one that saved 'im!" The fool howled with laughter, oblivious to the fact that nobody at his table or around the room was laughing with him. The few who might have, sufficiently cowed by the icy glares Ais and the green haired elf were directing at the werewolf. "Thuh lil bast'rd must've pissed 'is pants!" The werewolf howled with laughter again.
"That's not what happened, Bete." Ais said, firmly.
"Hah?!" The werewolf said, glaring.
The green haired elf spoke up. "The young man in question had to have been a Level 1. He did very well to survive at all. You are doing nothing but embarrassing yourself, acting like this, Bete."
"Shut it, Hag!" the now named Bete, shouted.
Ais spoke up again. "He did more than just survive, Riveria. He managed to wound the minotaur before it caught him."
"Oh?" The elf looked intrigued. "How badly?"
"He managed to cut off one of its hands. If he'd been able to dodge that last blow, he may have even won."
The elf and several others at the table looked impressed. Suddenly the redheaded goddess spoke up. "Nearly beating a minotaur at Level 1 is pretty damn impressive. I don't remember you doing anything nearly so cool when you were a Level 1, Bete. Is somebody feeling jealous?" The goddess teased.
The werewolf bristled with anger, oblivious to the dwarf of the group standing up to move behind him. Bete stood and slammed his hand down on the table, cracking it down the center. "Shu't up you lil..." He was unable to finish his sentence as the dwarf brought his armored fist down on the fools' head, knocking him cold.
Goddess Loki raised a hand. "Sorry about that everybody! The lightweight doesn't know when to quit! Mia, send us a bill for the table, will ya?
Torrhen continued to observe the Loki Familia as the dwarf dragged the unconscious werewolf out of the tavern. Overall, he was impressed by their attitudes. Bell was being very quiet, but he supposed that was to be expected. He had gone from being insulted by a drunk to being defended by the very person who had saved his life. That was probably a bit much to deal with at once for him.
Bidding their farewells to Mama Mia and Syr, Torrhen guided Bell out and back down the road towards the church. They could both use some sleep.
Babel
Freya stared down at the city in fascination. She had found something truly wonderful. She stared, enraptured, as the older of the two led the younger down the street. Their souls were marvelous! One shone with a unique, golden light. She could almost feel Akatosh's power radiating from it. How fascinating. But the other? Oh, the other! She had never seen a soul that shone so brightly! So purely! "Oh, yes." She thought to herself. She had found something truly marvelous indeed.
A/N: And that's that! There's a lot of dialogue in this one so I'm hoping I got the personalities right. I know I'm editing some personalities a little bit, but I hope it works for you.
Was the drunk talk, ok? I don't know if I'm going to do it again, but I'd like to hear your opinions.
Did you like the forging scene? I've always liked the idea of the dragonborn using shouts to augment the forge, so I hope it worked.
Translations: Mul Qah Diiv (Strength Armor Wyrm) Dovahzul (Dragon Tongue)