Vigor for Life

 [Signe is bundled up, shifting through the snow and calling the name ‘Butterscotch’. It wasn’t her cat, but her mothers, jolting from the house and getting lost in a frightening windstorm that happened overnight. She hears the sounds of sobbing. A mer is holding a small creature in his arms, before Signe is able to say anything he notices her and speaks] Oh... oh by Kyne--Yes! That’s my ma’s cat. Are you...[she pauses for a moment deciding not to ask if he was crying.] How did you find her? 

‘He’s’...that was interesting, but Signe wasn’t quite sure why. Weapons could commonly be refereed to by ‘he’s’ or ‘she’s’. Especially if they were reliable.  “True, very true. Sometimes you end up sharpenin’ a sword until there isn’t much else left to it.” Signe smirked at the boast, now this was a mer that she could relate to. “...oh but, the toughest? Really now?” The nord rapped her knuckles over the top of the hammer, Signe’s knowledge of the forge colored her impressed. That was a rather extraordinarily crafted tool. Her doubtful expression suddenly faded.   “Well... damn. This is a nice find isn’t it? I know those folk aren’t around anymore, but this is some smithin’ that I’d have respect for.”

Signe propped the door open with her hips and hauled the goods inside. “I’ll help ma get started then. Unless you want me to come with you? Trust me there is good night’s worth of catching up. I’ll break out the ales.” Volsung laughed, interjecting. “Don’t get too out-of-hand, children. You need to take care of me and Ma, Kyne knows we have a few too many after Saturalia and the next year’s festivals. It would be nice to see Rugar again, and I’ll let Sigrun know to set out a few more plates if you decide to come by.” 

“Oh, tell me about it.” Signe rolled her eyes, her parents were getting old and restless. Volsung’s grin was innocuously agreeing with Brielle as he overheard the conversation. He would love to embarrass his daughter’s lovers and ask for grandchildren to spoil.  Signe stopped her father as he reached for the covered boxes of apple pies. Disguising his plans with a gracious consideration to help her carry them inside. He did want to help, but he would ask for a slice before dinner in return...Signe’s mother would not have that. “Signe’s a grown woman now, stubborn and unable to listen to anyone but herself, just like her mother. Its a good thing too because they’re both usually right.”  Signe grinned in return, securing the goods to deliver to her mother in one piece. “Alright, Da. Then I’m tellin’ you to keep your hands off these pies until after dinner then, okay? Bri, did you have any plans tonight, then? I’d love to see Rugar again and meet his lady. We got more then enough food here ‘cause Ma and Da like to cook everything they get their hands on. Could feed an army- the two.”  

“Rugar does? Color me impressed!” Signe chuckled, a puff of steam escaped her mouth. “A forge, a house, and a lover. Looks like he’s done good for himself then. I started to dabble in blacksmithing a bit too but just to get what I needed done.”  The sun was setting, and the warm glow of each houses’ hearth came to life. At least it was clear, Dawnstar could be a constant flurry all winter long. A man with long locks of grey breathed out wisps of smoke and nodded his head towards Bri and Signe. He leaned against the post supporting the home, taking a break for fresh air while Signe’s mother, Sigrun, roasted a rack of quail inside. Volsung smiled, hobbling towards the two with his sturdy cane. “Well, look who it is. My daughter found trouble again, didn’t she?” 

“Well you know my ma, didn’t need any help hauling an elk back home after a hunt. Folks think I’m kiddin’ when I tell them that now.” Signe motioned for Brielle to follower her while she walked, she had to get groceries home after-all. The nostalgia was uncanny, knowing that the two traced over these steps years ago. “I left right after you did, joined the companions until I earned enough to start my own farm and inn. I’ve had it for about four...five years now? ‘Tween Rorikstead and Whiterun city...gotta say my fire’s simmered down to coals these days.” Signe had so many memories worth the gap that that Brielle and Rugar had not seen her. She was quite a different person, even Anvindr was surprised.  “Is he about too? We should all get everyone together!” 

“I was lookin’ at that. Nice piece you got there. Did you find it yourself or make it? It’s got a personal touch, I can tell.” Signe wasn’t particularly intuitive, but something about the fire in the mer’s eyes matched the spirit of the weapon she wielded.  “All fools, good thing you showed them how to keep their hands to themselves. I can always tell who’s more practical and hardworkin’ by what kind of tools the wield, too. Anyone with an axe and hammer’s got more business to do then killin’. Far more faithful then a sword out in the wilds, that’s for damn sure.” 

Send me “🎁” to see what my muse would give yours as a Christmas present.