#gildergreen

Back in Whiterun tonight. Today was mostly quiet, but there were places I wanted to explore and I didn't dare hurt the sapling.

I noticed this morning that it got dinged up a little fighting ghosts in that prison. It was fine, but I feel a bit guilty about it.

Anyway, the weather was beautiful this morning! After we struck camp I went over and ordered some logs from Gilfre, then got back on the road.

As we walked, Valdimar told me there'd been a scuffle in the night. The commotion had woken him up, but Lydia said she "handled it". I saw what she meant as we walked by the severed head of a bandit in the road. His body was not far past that, halfway into some brush.

The walk back was mostly quiet, but as I said, I saw a few caves and such that I wanted to explore, but didn't. We didn't even have any animals attacking us, because for some reason the road was sort of crowded! There were always people around, either other adventurers or travelers on their way somewhere, and every time bandits or something came out to attack, the others would get to them before we could.

Valtheim Towers was no exception. We came up to it in the middle of a fight! Almost the entire group of adventurers had been killed, except for a mage who was trying to Ward off a volley of arrows.

Of course, we couldn't let the lone mage face off against all those bandits, so we ran to help him.

Septim was up the stairs of the tower like lightning, and I had to put away my axe so I could run fast enough to catch up to him! He was mauling an archer on the narrow bridge when their leader came up swinging a greatsword. I wasn't able to Shout him off the edge like I wanted to, but at least I stopped him from slicing Septim in half!

He lifted his sword again, but before he could do anything to me, an arrow got him in the shoulder and he staggered. Not a breath later a handful of Ice Spikes flew from behind me on both sides to fill up his chest. He fell before he could even start swinging his sword.

I turned, and saw Erandur and Valdimar standing side by side on the platform at the end of the bridge. Erandur had his staff for Ice Spike armed in his right hand, and Valdimar's left hand was up, ready to cast the spell again. I saw Lydia on the steps coming up the side of the tower, with her bow at the ready.

It was then an arrow hit me in the back. There was an archer hiding in the rocks on the other side! The others let loose, and Septim bolted once again. I ran after him and got my Flame Atronach ready. As soon as I was close enough, I summoned it on the rocks and let it chase the archer down, along with Septim.

That was all of them. The other adventurers had taken care of the rest before we got there. The leftover mage had run off at some point while we fought.

There was a nice haul, though! A full set of Nordic carved armor on their leader, lots of potions, food, and of course their "toll" takings.

As we left the towers, I counted nine adventurers gathered around the bodies in the road.

It really was busy on the road today. Best we could come up with was the nice weather tempting people out.

We got to Whiterun with no trouble after that, and stopped at Adrienne's right away to sell the haul. I'm so glad her shop's right there!

I do wish she had more things, though.

We went to give the sapling to Danica and found her in the marketplace buying food for the Temple. She wasn't thrilled about the sapling. It's not very… Inspiring, given that it's so small. But I told her what Maurice said about renewal and such, and she said that sometimes Kynareth can be heard to hear over the people in the temple. She took the little tree, and hurried back to the Temple. We still had some goods to sell, so I went into Belethor's to get rid of everything that Adrienne wasn't interested in.

Belethor was much less of a creep now that Lydia was looming behind me in her Ebony armor like some sort of harbinger of death.

I mean, she sort of is a harbinger of death. Unless you're one of us, seeing her with her sword out is usually bad news for you.

I took a moment to recharge our enchantments, and realized that we're almost entirely out of soul gems. Empty AND filled ones! As much as I can't stand Farengar, we went to Dragonsreach so I could buy a few more.

Jarl Bulgruf was talking with his children, and gave me a slight wave as I walked in. I gave him a little bow back, and gestured towards Farengar's… Study? Workroom? Anyway, it was enough to let him know that I was just dropping in.

Irileth went up to Lydia and I heard her make some approving comments about her new armor. While Lydia told her about how we'd helped Danica I went to buy soul gems. Lydia later told me that Bulgruf was especially pleased that his city would have a new Gildergreen soon.

Irileth ignored Erandur and Valdimar, which is just as well, as far as I'm concerned.

Our purse is… Not happy. We're not much closer to our goal after spending all that, but those enchantments have saved our lives more than once, so it's worth it!

You know, I usually find soul gems in crypts, but we haven't been to any of those lately.

The cellar will be free to wash up in, soon. I'm going to get my things together for that.

-/-/-/-/-/-

All right, done doing Lydia's hair, so I can finish this up while she does mine.

We came back here and took some time to sort through our things, but we've mostly been resting, having a nice dinner, washing up, that sort of thing.

We did talk a bit about what to do next. I'm not sure what to do, but we still need a pile of gold to buy Proudspire.

We also need to return the ring to Frida, so I guess we'll do that tomorrow, then head to the Manor.

I'm eager to get back there. This place is nice, but I feel like we can't be "together" in here. There's no big table to sit around and talk at, and it's really dark in here, too.

-/-/-/-/-/-

All right - Hair is done, so I'm off to bed.

Tomorrow we'll be back home, and hopefully make some sort of plan.

---

𝔸 ℂ𝕒𝕝𝕞 𝔻𝕒𝕪 𝕚𝕟 𝕎𝕙𝕚𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕦𝕟

Prompt used- Both

@tes-summer-fest

Wordcount- 1484

Warnings- None

A successful job that turns to a bit of sweetness at the end (hinting at spicy after).  Set in early-game Skyrim.

***

I looked up from my book as Ria stuck her head through our doorway and asked. “Did you hear about the party tomorrow night?” 

“No? Who’s having a party?” 

“They’re having a planting ceremony for that new Gildergreen tree we brought back. It’s going to be a big celebration for the whole city. We need to go! After all, we did make it all happen!” She twirled, presenting a rather official-looking missive with a flourish. “Look, they sent the Companions an invitation!”  

“This sounds like fun,” I agreed, looking over the paper. “I don’t have anything besides my regular clothes to wear, but I suppose that’s fine. We can still have a good time.”

“Oh no, we will go and find you something nice to wear. We’re going down to the market and we are going to find you an outfit right now. You cannot be a guest of honor in armor and travel-stained clothes.” She put her hands on her hips. “Besides, it’ll be fun. Sometimes I like that bit of change, like putting on a costume and being someone else.”

“Okay, okay, you’ve convinced me! Let’s do it. I could stand to have some nice clothes.”

 ***

 About half an hour later, standing in a tailor’s shop, I began to have misgivings. Mother Morwha, what have I gotten myself into? Ria seemed to have a rather specific idea of what I should get, and it was obvious now that her and I were not on the same page. 

I stood in front of a body-length mirror, looking at myself in a soft, blue dress overlaid with a brown girdle and apron. The dress had long sleeves, but the neckline was off-the-shoulder and quite low. The girdle pushed my bust up, and I worried about spilling out if I leaned over. 

“I don’t think this is for me.” I frowned at my reflection.

“Divines above, you’re picky.” Ria shook her head. “Let’s see what else we can find.”

A few outfits later I discovered one I liked. This one was more layers, too. An underdress of grey with elbow-length sleeves, over which went a dark yellow, sleeveless overdress that reminded me of a tabard. Over all of this went a blue apron the length of the overdress that was decorated with Nordic scrollwork in a dull gold. The whole works was belted together around the waist and finished with a fur shoulder-cape held with two large pins and a chain between them. 

“Okay, that one actually really works on you,” Ria admitted. 

And so that was the one I bought. I thanked Tall Papa that I’d just gotten off a good job, and had the extra coin for it, because it was a little pricey. But it was nice to have it. 

 ***

 Ria insisted we get ready together the next day, and I was more than happy to do so. I certainly wasn’t going to do so with Njada, who still gave me poisonous looks when she passed and sneered in my general direction. 

After we dressed, Ria began to brush her hair into an elaborate, Cyrodilian style. I braided mine in two plaits, starting from the front all the way to the back. I coiled the braids at the back of my head, pinning them down. Once done, I helped Ria finish hers. Then I smiled. 

"We look good!" 

 "Good?' She adjusted her soft, green girdle, pushing up her cleavage a little more. "We look great! Let's go see if everyone else is ready!" 

 The hall was almost empty as we reached the top of the stairs. Only Aela was left, standing by the door wearing a massive cloak of pure, white fur held by elaborate gold pins. She gave us a wry smile. 

 "The others have gone ahead. I… I just need a moment before I join in. This is the first celebration I will be attending alone in some time." 

 "I understand. Take all the time you need." I wondered then if Skjor had given her the cloak, or if they’d hunted its source together.  

 "You two should go. The others are waiting for you outside. After all, this is your doing. You should be out there receiving the glory you deserve." She shooed us off toward the door. 

 As we began to descend the stairs from Jorrvaskr down to where the large, ancient tree had once stood, all eyes fell on us. I took a deep breath, not relishing being the sudden center of attention. And it wasn’t just the Companions waiting for us. Practically all of Whiterun was in the process of gathering for the planting. It really would be a city-wide event. It filled me with warmth to see, even if so many eyes looking in my direction made me nervous. 

 It was better once we got to the bottom and folded in with the rest of the Companions. Everyone looked so nice, and it made me glad that Ria had insisted on new clothes. Kodlak greeted us both warmly, resplendent in fur-trimmed finery in white and dark blue. 

 “Ah, you’ve arrived, Sisters! And just in time, the priestess will be starting soon, and this honor is yours, after all!” He clapped us both on the back. 

 “The honor is for us all, for the glory of the Companions,” I replied. 

 “Well, today you two are the guests of the hour, we’re just here by association.” He smiled. “Your own honor is just as important, my dear, as the group’s. Don’t be humble.”

 Ria was happy to mingle and talk up the citizens. Soon she was out in the crowd recounting the tale of our adventure. I stayed back a bit, talking with Ulfberth and Adrianne instead. When they moved on, I began to wander. The rest of our brothers and sisters had dissipated into the throng, leaving me alone. It made me realize that I didn’t know as many people in Whiterun yet as I thought I did. 

 It was near the turnoff into the Temple of Kynareth that I finally spotted some familiar faces. A tall fellow and what appeared to be a couple of his friends were talking with the twins, who looked quite dashing in dark, fur trimmed cloaks over belted tunics thickly embroidered with gold thread. Vilkas was in deep green, Farkas in rich burgundy. I headed toward them a little hesitantly, not wanting to interrupt. 

 But Vilkas caught sight of me anyway. He frowned a little, then broke into a laugh. “Sister, I hardly recognized you! Come and join us. Avulstein, this is our Shield-Sister Besharat. Besharat, this is Eorlund’s son.” 

 “Well met,” I said graciously as we shook hands. Then he and Vilkas were back into whatever they’d been discussing and I stepped back and let them continue. 

 I found myself standing beside Farkas and on the periphery of the ongoing conversation. He was staring at me as if I’d transformed into Leki herself, and my face suddenly felt very warm. I could only hope I wasn’t blushing too obviously. My heart sped up as he reached out and took my hand in his. When he started to step back, I followed. 

 He led me up alongside the wall of the temple, until we found a quiet spot. Now it was just the two of us. 

 “You look so beautiful tonight.” His hand slid around my waist, resting in the small of my back. 

 I flustered badly. “You’re too kind.”

 “I see it every day. This just makes everyone see it.” He tilted my chin up with gentle fingers, brushing them along my jaw as he leaned down to kiss me. My body reacted more strongly than I anticipated, arching itself against him as my hands slipped around those big, broad shoulders. 

 If only it could’ve lasted forever. But eventually, he pulled away. Our eyes met, and I was enraptured. I drowned in their silver depths, lost to the outside world.

 “Besharat…”

 “Farkas?” I wanted so badly to drag him back to the hall right this moment and finally give in to my desire. Even right here would’ve been fine, despite the lack of privacy. 

 “I’ve been wanting to do that for a long time.” The low growl of his voice made my whole body ache in the most frustratingly delicious way. 

 “Me, too.” 

 “Besharat, when we get back to Jorrvaskr, would you…?”

 “Sweet Mother Morwha, yes.” I interrupted. 

 A sudden hush fell out in the crowd, and we heard the priestess, Danica, begin to speak. We looked at one another, then wordlessly made our way back. It wouldn’t do to miss the ceremony, after all. And they’d notice if we weren’t there. We’d just make up for it later.     

What Ancano hears first as he approaches the Gildergreen is not Dayla's voice, but the bitter one of an elderly woman.

"Your behavior, dear child, is outright ridiculous, not to say dangerous for all of us! After all, that elf is a Thalmor. You know what they did to me. To my family!"

Ancano pauses and listens. He recognizes the voice; it's Fralia Gray-Mane. The old lady has been giving him poisoned glances ever since his arrival to Whiterun, sometimes spitting out when he passes her by. Nobody in this town has shown more open hostility towards him then she has.

Of course Dayla would listen to her now, Ancano thinks, swallowing hard. Carefully, he moves a little bit closer, still hidden from view by the Gildergreen's trunk.

He catches a hint of Dayla's voice as she replies to Fralia, but he can't quite understand what she says.

"You send him away while you have the chance to," Fralia answers, her words clear and sharp. "We do appreciate you a lot in this town, Dragonborn, but this esteem has limits. If you continue to mess arround with that Thalmor bastard, the day might come where you're no longer welcome in Whiterun."

Ancano freezes next to the tree, holding his breath.

I don't want to hear what Dayla says, he thinks. I couldn't stand to know …

But he already hears her voice, loud and clear this time.

"Trying to blackmail me, Fralia? You should know better than that. Don't make me choose between Ancano and Whiterun. Because if you do, rest assured that I wouldn't choose Whiterun."