Chapter 12

Sheogorath

The evening had been long and tiring for Aurelia. The banquet full of suitors had been an overwhelming experience. She couldn't wait to return to her chambers and begin studying the spell tome Ondolemar had gifted her earlier that day. Telekinesis, he had called it a practical spell one that would in his words, "save you the trouble of climbing onto the furniture or relying on others, given your shall we say, modest stature."

Aurelia blushed to herself, recalling what he was referring to. One afternoon, when she thought she was alone in the palace library. A history book on Nordic traditions was at the very top of the absurdly tall bookshelves and she was determined to have it. But the ladder was no where to be seen. Carefully and as quietly as she could she scooted a nearby chair to the bookshelf and stood on it to get more reach. But even that was not enough, she stood on her toes, her fingers stretching trying to reach the book. Before she knew what was happening she lost her balance, falling flat on the floor.

Then Ondolemar, who Aurelia hadn't even noticed, had been sitting in a chair in the corner of the library said, "I did not realize clumsiness was apart of your royal training, princess."

She quickly stood up, smoothing out her dress. Her cheeks were burning red, but she tried to ignore it as she quipped "It's a.. secret talent. We only show those we trust."

To her surprise, he had smirked at that. "Then I am honored to be considered trustworthy."

Aurelia's cheeks flushed again as she smiled recalling the memory.

Once she had entered her chambers, Aurelia noticed a stack of envelopes placed on her desk. Most likely birthday wishes from potential suitors, she thought as she thumbed through the mail. She paused when she noticed a particular envelope with a blue wax seal, bearing the imprint of the Stormcloak bear.

In the envelope was a letter that read,

Lady Aurelia,

I write to you with great respect and warm regards on this momentous occasion of your coming of age. It is a time to reflect on who you have become and the path that lies before you-a path I have no doubt will be marked by wisdom and strength.

I've sent a pair of Nordic daggers, forged in Windhelm, a gift to honor your heritage and the steadfast spirit of our people. May they serve you well as both tools and reminders of the strength within you.

May your path ahead be guided by honor and purpose.

With Respect,

Ulfric Stormcloak

Jarl of Windhelm

Aurelia placed the letter down as she saw the small package placed on the corner of her desk. When she opened it she saw two Nordic daggers. She traced the leather hilt of the swords as she admired the intricate Nordic engravings on the blades. "Father would never approve," she thought to herself as she smiled. She placed the daggers under her bed for the time being. Keeping them hidden, "I'm sure Elenwen would love writing a report on the gift I received from jarl Ulfric. Nordic daggers, she would lose her mind," Aurelia chuckled to herself.

She placed the letter in her music box on her desk. A hidden place she had started keeping letters and trinkets she valued, but desired to keep away from prying eyes.

With the spell time in hand, Aurelia made her way to her favorite chair by the window. She wrapped herself in a blanket and began to study the new spell. It wasn't long before Aurelia had fallen asleep in her chair with the book in her arms.

As Aurelia drifted into sleep, her dreams began in the familiarity of her chamber. Setting on her desk was her spell tome, glowing with a magical light. As she reached out touch it the book began to float off the table, spinning in midair, before bursting into a hundred cheese wheels.

"Oh. Bravo, my dear! A spellbinding performance!"

Aurelia turned, startled, to find a man sitting in her favorite chair. He wore a mismatched outfit of vibrant colors, his silver hair was wild and untamed, and his expression teetered between delight and madness.

"Allow me to introduce myself," he said, standing and bowing with an exaggerated flair. "Sheogorath, Prince of madness, King of cheese wheels, and patron of poorly thought-out decisions! And you, my dear, must be Lady Aurelia. A pleasure, truly!"

The Madgod paused and looked around, "I must say your dreams are… utterly dull! They could use a bit more pizzazz, wouldn't you agree?" Sheogorath snapped his fingers and cheese wheels began rolling across the floor from the fireplace, "Cheese! Of course!"

Aurelia raised an eyebrow, "Cheese? Is this your idea of an improvement?"

"Cheese is Always an improvement!" He proclaimed. "But if you have a better idea,by all means, suggest away."

"I'll keep that in mind," Aurelia said.

"I'm sure you're wondering why I'm here," Sheogorath continued, ignoring the chaos that surrounded them. "You've caught my eye, you see. Such a curious little mortal. Caught between two worlds. So many paths! So many possibilities! How could I resist paying a visit?"

He leaned closer, his eyes glinting with mischief, "now don't fret, my dear. I'm not here to cause trouble-at least not that much. Just a little nudge in the right direction… or the wrong one. Who's to say?"

Aurelia tilted her head, meeting his gaze with cool defiance, "and I suppose you're the expert on what direction I should take?"

"Expert?" Sheogorath clutched his heart as if wounded. "Why my dear, I am the direction. Left, right, sideways-I offer all the choices you never knew you wanted." He grinned, wide and wild.

Aurelia crossed her arms, "I think I'll choose my own path. One with less cheese wheels rolling from my fireplace." She stopped a moment before asking, "should I be concerned about what this says about my subconscious?"

"Oh. Not at all, my dear. You've just got an excellent taste in dairy products."

"Well, thank you good sir." She said, a playful smirk on her face.

The Madgod chuckled, "I like you, dear princess! But remember when madness comes knocking, as it always does, I'll be here, waiting, watching. And perhaps sharing a wheel of cheese or two."

With a snap of his fingers the dream dissolved into nothingness, and Aurelia woke abruptly in her chair, the faintest smell of cheese lingering in the air.