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Posted by
Nordic Origin April 5, 2015 -
594 views
"Merlas, your father and I expect you to behave in the upmost way while we are at the dinner tonight", my mother said. She had a soft ring to her voice that had just enough call for authority, yet not as arrogant as most Altmer usually are.
"Yes mother. You've told me a million times. When will you stop reminding me?", I responded. I had known about this dinner for weeks and was pretty excited to be able to go with mother and father.
"When you finally don't see it as a joke. This dinner is very important to your father. The Dominion doesn't want to see a dysfunctional family. It could cost him the promotion he may very well receive in a few weeks" I sighed. Father was an esteemed lieutenant in the Dominion and he had worked his way up from nothing. This promotion was everything to him. I hoped to follow in his footsteps one day, but until I was 18 I just had to be, an ordinary boy. I just wish that he would spend a little more time with Mother and I.
"Why can't father be home everyday to eat supper?", I asked my mother, who was quietly preparing tomorrow nights meal.
"Your father is just constantly busy, and with the war in Skyrim raging, he hasn't had much time to really be home. The Dominion needs him Merlas."
"I understand mother. One day when I join the Dominion, I'm gonna be as rich and mighty as father is!"
My mother chuckled. "All right Merlas, but before you do, make sure you finish school first."
My face fell. I hated school. The people were kind enough, but I always saw it as a snooze fest rather than a learning opportunity. Magic came natural to all Altmer, but I was already refined enough to the point where I could have easily joined the Mages Guild in Cyrodiil. Illusion was a particular favorite of mine. I had heard stories of mages casting illusion spells that could put man against man. Ever since then, I have invested a lot of my time in studying that school of magic. The only spell I knew without fail, was muffle. It was rather useless as I wasn't a thief, but it did come in handy when I had midnight cravings and I didn't want to wake up mother or father if he was here.
My mother told me to get dressed for the evening dinner and I did as instructed, donning my most elaborate clothes that was sure to impress. My mother looked me over with joy and pride.
"You look so handsome Merlas! Your father will be very impressed." I felt my cheeks warm a little and I smiled. I loved my mother so much, and it always brought me joy when she complemented me. "Alright did you remember to call the carriage driver to pick us up?", my mother asked me.
"Of course mother, I would not forget something like that. He is waiting just outside" "Thats my boy. Let's be off then", she said.
We lived about 15 minutes away from the castle by carriage. The city of Alinor was massive. My father's position in the Dominion had netted us quite the chunk of land and our place of residence was certainly nothing to scoff at. I helped my mother onto the carriage and we sat down and talked.
"Mother have you ever been to the castle?", I asked.
"Only once, but that was a long time ago when I first met your father", she responded.
"Is the castle big?", I said.
Mother just smiled to herself and said,
"You will see very soon" As the carriage made its way to the castle, I looked around. The hustle and bustle of the city was entertaining. Children playing close to their parents, workers hauling things onto carts to be transported to who knows where. I sat in amazement at what life I had been given. I was incredibly happy in this moment. Minutes later my mother lightly tapped me on the shoulder.
"Merlas.... Look"
The castle had come into view. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen in my life. Hundreds of towers that swirled straight into the sky that could have hypnotized anyone. Battlements filled with Thalmor soldiers overlooking the city. The towers were made completely of elven glass. The towers and battlements glistened as the sun caught them. Millions of gemstones were embezzled in the magnificent structure. We got closer and I could see everything.
"Whoa", was all I could muster. My mother gave a slight chuckle and I could see the spark in her eyes as she looked at the castle as well.
The carriage came to a stop and the driver helped us off with a friendly smile. "I shall wait until you have concluded your business here."
"Thank you.", my mother responded. She gave him medium sized coin purse. She directed me toward the castle entrance.
"Are you ready Merlas?" I was very nervous, but infinitely excited. "Yes mother." I responded excitedly. "Ok let's go", she said as we entered the castle.
I thought the facade of the castle was magnificent. Boy was I wrong. I stepped inside the castle and was immediately greeted by intrinsic wall carvings of glass and gold. The space was enormous. The guard showed us to where we needed to be and my mother guided me in the direction of the dining hall. We passed suits of glass armor, complete shields. The Aldmeri Dominion certainly spared no expense with everything they built. I was extremely impressed. I made my way to the dining hall and I saw my father. My eyes lit up. I hadn't seen father for two weeks because of the war in skyrim. I rushed to him and gave him a big hug.
"I missed you father!", I said with excitement.
"I missed you too son. Have you been taking care of your mother?", he asked.
"Yes sir I have!", I said proudly. My father smiled and let out a joyful chuckle. I could hear my mother chuckle to herself as well. The dining hall quickly filled up and the dinner had begun. The dinner was boring to say the least. I did what was expected and kept my mouth shut. My father was busy talking to some ambassador the entire time and my mother had conversed with another woman that sat next to her. It seemed like a millennia of nothing but sitting. The only thing that really kept me entertained was the amount of food we were served. I had never had a six-course meal before, and it was delicious. Finally, after 4 hours of nothing but eating and sitting, the dinner had concluded and we were directed to the entrance of the castle. The carriage ride home was quiet and I soon drifted off to sleep.
