Jattewood
Loading Screen… The easternmost holding of Skyrim is an iceberg infused to the land called The Iceberg Island or The Old Hold…
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Dawn split over the nebulae as Dibella and Krest ventured into the southeastern region of the Old Kingdom. After they'd gotten the scroll, Dibella summoned a whale which they rode in, docking near the sunken remains of Vindheim and its man-eating giants. Then, they trekked through the remainder of the iceberg and betwixt marshes, natural saunas, and warm brooks of the eastern marches and Stoney Springs. They didn't say much, just walked in silent footsteps as the eeriness encroached around them. A dense mutated holt. The gangly but spicy smelling plants pluming at them. Krest stepped onto something, and red fruit gushed out beneath his feet. Dibella sampled a fruitlet hanging from a tall plant.
"Mmm, delish." She lipped the traces of it off her lip and Krest shuddered. They both stopped to do some stretches, having journeyed all night. "We'll find a park or something and take a break."
"Sounds good to me." Krest touched his toes, feeling quite exhausted.
This hold was called New Mereth, the coziest and most temperate queendom in Skyrim. The snow here was almost pink in colour and barely an inch in thickness. The flakes were like fluffy little balls of cloud rather than actual crystallized water-droplets. The deeper they went the larger the canopies overhead grew. Pine trees transitioned into towering, gold forestry. The Golden Forest as it was known, was one of the mosttitanic, densest old-growth forests in all of existence. The aspen trees here were absolutely monstrous in size, and each one's leaves were the colour of bright gleaming gold that reflected beautifully in the rising sun. So much sheer, unbridled beauty. If Anu was the artist, this was His magnum opus. This area of Skyrim was the most sacred, highest preserved, and held virtually no monsters though that was precisely why it was kept so well intact, as there was only one settlement here much deeper in, towards the heart of the timberland. Dibella looked and saw some sort of tree-inn and a puddle where peddlers sold skooma. Some of the trees spoke too, and some called Graht-Oaks moved. There were flowers here that stood as tall as ordinary birches, even giant flowers that walked and talked called Zaney-Blooms, smoking long pipes of tabac. Mushrooms that glowed a magenta consistency were rooted along with tall yellow grass, the sound of woodpeckers and scent of fresh honey.
Gold was everywhere, from yellow strands of wheatgrass to bushels of aureate leaves decorating the pinkish-white groundcover near blackberry bushes as Bhuria lurked in shadows. Bhurias were Daedra that inhabited children's drawings and came to life to haunt the woods. Harmless just a bit frightening. The one that followed them for a few miles appeared to be composed mainly of squiggles.
Krest seemed like a child as he gazed around with baby eyes.
"Hut two, hut two, hut two," announced a group of gnomes as they marched together through the mystical woods. Tall red hats, a short, stocky stature, and beards that swept the floor. Nests of birds living in their facial hair.
Spriggans, tree-spirits, and the occasional Ent could also be found here. Dibella found a calm collection of hot springs for them to rest with a cute waterfall spreading over a cave entrance, the place shrouded by golden-leaved trees on all sides and the lagoon bubbling with steam. Krest sat down on a bench-shaped boulder, his face falling back into that dull, lifeless stare. The same one he usually wore, as if he were a harmless zombie or robot. She'd been there before so she wasn't gonna judge.
"We should probably wash up and rest a bit." Dibella knelt onto the flattened rock and looked him in the eyes. "I'm sorry about the way I treated you. I just…"
"It's alright. To be fair, you weren't really all that mean or anything." Krest stared at the fallen leaves, cheeks reddening.
She wanted to scoop him up in her arms and keep him safe. She grabbed the boy's wrist and dragged him over to the boulder of the springs, pinning him by the shoulders and shoving him against the stone base. He imbibed his saliva and let his gaze travel to the simmering mists of nature's steam room. Autumnshade Clearing. Dibella smelled the roses nearby, though Krest had the strong scent of cherry and citrusy zest. She clasped both his hands in her own, interlocking their fingers as the roses spilled out onto the hot pond, flourishing it with a deep red tone. Krest's knees began quivering when she neared his cheek, her nose tingling his smooth skin.
Dibella flashed a hand over his nose, and he flinched. "Look, I stole your nose." She hovered her empty fist near his face. "Maybe if you give me a kiss, I might give you back your little nose." He was frozen. It seemed like he couldn't tell if this was for real or some elaborate prank. God, he really has never been with a woman, has he. Krest trembled, pecking her on the jaw and quickly backing away, heartbeat so loud she could hear its thumps. He was doing his best to appear neutral but the cracks beneath the veneer were beginning to show. Dibella rainbowed her palm across his mouth. "You're even cuter with your little nose." She rubbed her nose in a babying way against the tip of his. "You're my baby, aren't you?"
Neglected men and their mother fetishes. And Krest fell for it, hook, line, and sinker. Well, I kinda like babying him as well.
A few plush toys dotted the area, odd as it was. She cupped his hand and led them back around the white, he followed her like she was his mother leading him through a busy city.
"Go ahead and bathe. I'll go hunting so we can eat. I won't be too far." Dibella smiled at him, and he seemed to be blinking in disbelief.
"Dibella, I… I really appreciate you." Krest shuddered nervously. "A lot."
"And I appreciate you." Dibella beamed again.
Later she came back, an elk hoisted over her shoulder, setting it down near the stones. The steams of the hot springs clouded around and Dibella yawned. She removed her armor and undershirt, leaving her privates covered and stepped into the vapor. Krest was massaging the natural soap suds over his skin. His body was hairless and toned. He had the tact to leave his loincloth on, but Dibella wasn't interested in taking his innocence.
He's so young. Bittersweetness tugged at her lips when she remembered Saadia. He deserves to be cheered up.
She came up behind him and coiled her arms over his obliques and chest. Krest seized up as she nuzzled her nose into his neck and hugged him tight. "I've got you, baby. I won't hurt you." The warming waterfall thrashed onto them as Dibella sucked his neck-skin into her teeth. She tickled him a bit and he broke out into hysterics as she held him tightly, seeing him smile for the first time. "You're mine now and forever." She embraced him skin-tight as he melted like putty in her arms, squirming. "Only mine."
Krest moaned quietly and leaned back against her, feeling the groove of her forearms. She let go and held his hand, leading him towards the bank. Dibella sat down there, and Krest got on his knees in front of her. Dibella removed the lily from her temple and tucked it in his dark-brown locks.
Krest washed her feet with the water, kissing them gently. Dibella kissed his forehead, combing her fingers through his beautiful strands of hair. "Such a good boy." She pulled him up, staring into his icy-azure eyes.
Krest nodded and an expression of fear marred his visage. "I, uh…"
"Hey." She held up his chin. "I will always protect you. "
A forest with trees the size of the White-Gold Tower, Wood Elves living on the top. Trees varied from a range of different species but were all the same color, golden-yellow. There were also giant blue fungi growing on natural, slanted wooden walls and rosewood bushes. Cute woodland creatures wandered about the thickets in harmony. Rabbits, racoons, foxes and more. An abandoned castle, made of grey malachite eclipsed her view.
A hare hopped past her, leading the way ahead. I'll kill Talos myself, Saadia deserves vengeance. She looked over and saw Krest glaring at some lavender.
Dibella seized his hand and forced him to look at her. She kissed his hand as he pointed to a huge mahogany towering structure with leaves interspersed throughout it. It was one of the biggest trees in the world, bigger than any tree in the Rift Forest, the city of Jattewood. It was as tall and sturdy as a small mountain. Wood Elves could be seen spindling down on pullies. Dibella and Krest shuffled through the man-sized bushes onto the white-cobblestone path. Signs pointed to Jattewood as giant bees produced honeycombs in their house-sized hives. The canopy above was a bullion, leafed roof, sunshine poking through wherever possible. Jattewood, Dibella noticed, was red rather than gold. The only red tree here.
"I love this place," Krest said.
They slowed down to appreciate the scenery as Bosmer men wearing women's clothing passed by. Krest watched them, staring at the plaid patterns of their feminine outfits.
"Oh, you're confused about that?" Dibella pointed to a Wood Elven woman who was eating the remains of her fallen husband, her other three husbands behind her. The Wood Elven women were bigger and more muscular than the Wood Elven men. "During the Wild Hunt a lot of Bosmer migrated here from Valenwood. Nordenbjorg under Ulfric and his forefathers' rule was a heavily patriarchal society whereas Jattewood was the opposite, matriarchal, since Bosmer society is ruled by women." She played with his hair a bit.
"That's really interesting." Krest nodded. "I imagine the Nords here aren't hateful of elves either then."
They tiptoed around a few more Gnomes stationed at a checkpoint, following deeper into the wilderness. As they passed by Clearspring Tarn, it began to rain, the only thing was the raindrops were warm. Compared to the relative temperateness of Cyrodiil and bland nature of High Rock, Skyrim was otherworldly like its neighbor, Morrowind. She saw the gleam of light over the thick coverings of leaves likened to lampshades. The yellow trees that guarded New Mereth increased in density as they went further in.
The city of Jattewood resided in Vermin Dell, with the wide Treva River carving through the forested hillsides. Giant bats loitered on the banks near small caves across Lake Honnith, which lay in the center of the Stony Basin far off upland. Contrasting the giant tree which laid within an oval-circular shape, the Hive-Queen's Keep at the top, elevated above the rest, peering over the whole queendom, rivaled only by the Velothi Mountains in the east. A cove was on the other side of the lake as well, near some Dwemer ruins. Even from here she could see the congregation of Wood Orcs, Nereids, and wyverns.
"We'll take a train," Dibella declared as they approached an armored gate, crossing a short bridge that covered a marble mote. Wooden, pristine, and decorated with elaborate twigs. The giant on guard spared them a stare. Dibella noted the royal gear the behemoth was outfitted with. They strode past into the carved underbody of the colossal perennial. Jattewood city center had services and a city square built into the wood and stilted openings that poured outside for denizens to enjoy the view. Looking down the glass laundry chutes, a sewer system connected to Treva River, fortified with bricks.
"The Ratway and the Ragged Flagon must be down there." Krest's zircons stared into the passage. "I heard the Thieves Guild makes its home there."
They ascended a curving ramp that spiraled the circumference of the tree, making their way near the top, they stopped at one of the elven cafes shaped like a beehive called the Bee and the Barb and purchased some coffee there from the Argonian bartender, Talen-Jei. The elves here living inside homes either like squirrel holes or on branches like bird nests alongside the local Avian. A Dwemer lift took them higher still. Stepping out onto the high point to view the thousands of gold trees furling below what seemed like hundreds of feet away. She drew her tongue over her teeth, wiping away the residue of dark coffee. Her teeth felt warm against her tongue, the scent of coffee tickling her nose. The scenery was addictive, she could spend all day standing there observing the sheer beauty of it next to Krest. An ocean of gold. A jungle of auric make. It seemed she was as entranced by it as he. The boy set down his empty mug and sat down. Dibella approached him.
"I'll be back." She ruffled her hair. "I'm going to freshen up a bit before we leave." She prowled off the deck in the direction of the bathhouses, attracting the attention of many men.
Dibella could only sigh and roll her eyes. The sequoia this city was in was one of the biggest conifers on the planet, dwarfing Cyrodiil's white tower. Dibella chewed on her lip and drew a thumb over her chin. I'm surprised this city isn't one of the towers.
A man who'd been ogling her while heaving buckets of cabbages and radishes stopped to stalk her and bumped into the bark, spilling his assorted vegetables as they made a prison escape, rolling off the ends of the balcony, soaring to the mists of aurum below. "MY CABBAGES!" The merchant yelled.
Next, she saw a black-maned woman storm down the tree, guardsmen in tow. She wore a crown, royal cape, and fine clothes. The Hive-Queen, Maven Black-Briar in all likelihood. "You're absolutely sure they want me at Hrothgar now? I don't care if the gods themselves are requesting my attendance, I answer to no one."
So, Akatosh is going to expose Talos to the whole world. About time.
Dibella returned, her face more radiant and hair wet. Krest was shooing something away. It looked like he had been listening to someone annoying. "Who were you talking to?"
Krest's blue gaze fell on her. "Pierre Guimard. He's one of my fellow Praetorians."
"Right, anyways, do you want some water?" Her expression melted as he stood up and pushed his chair in. "Come on, we'll grab some from the café then board a train."
She noticed a sign hanging above one of the cubicles that had a train logo imprinted on it. They stepped in, pushing aside the thatched door. A Breton woman with brown hair resided at the counter, examining her appearance in a hand-held mirror. - The carriage office composed of treen, a rug, and that was about it.
"We need to take a train to Hrothgar," Dibella explained.
"Of course. I'm Sorine Jurard by the way." The manmer pulled a book from beneath the counter and ran her fingers over her tongue to help her turn the page. She scrolled through before saying, "sixty septims." Dibella offered over the exact amount and Sorine opened a different book that was already on the counter, dipping a quill-pin in some ink. "The train station is below the city but above the Ratway. Just take the lift down."
Dibella saw some Thalmor, and various others lined up outside the train station gateway. While in line she cast another look around the lower, underground portion of the settlement. Sanded and painted wood, flowers in windowsills, and housing units akin to rabbit burrows. A few elves practicing archery while a Bosmer woman and her trio of male-concubines crossed the landing. She entered the Dwarven steam train's coach with Krest. They got adjusted in their own cubby as did others, including Maven and her entourage along with the Thalmor agents.
Dibella closed the blinds to the hallways and unshackled the blankets and pillows laid out for them. It was going to be a long journey up to the Throat of the World. A few members of the Scholar's Guild from Cyrodiil chattered outside their compartment, loud enough to hear through the sliding door.
"Preposterous, Delphine," said an old, nordic voice just outside their compartment.
"Esbern…"
The train zoomed up tracks, curving its way through the Golden Forest and under waterfalls, hours reading or gazing out the window passing by as night descended and starlight reappeared. Climbing the steady slope up the biggest mountain in Tamriel began. Krest fell into Dibella's arms, and she pulled a thick fur blanket over them both. The Dwemeri locomotive pounding the rails beneath them into the darkness.
Dibella hummed him a lullaby to sleep. The lights closed off and soon only the stars shone as sources of brightness. Dibella kicked her feet up on the big, interred, fluffy couch, snuggling Krest closer to her chest, holding his legs with her own. Her head tucked on his as she too passed out asleep. Krest shivered against her, but a light calm spell and they were both snoozing softly again.
"Time to rest, baby boy. I'll keep you safe tonight," she yawned, finally dozing off…
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A/N: To the readers on archive of our own. It isn't hard to leave a review on a story that was written for you for free. So, stop being so stingy with the reviews.