Outside the Snow Elven Chapel to Auri-El deep within the snowy paradise known as the Forgotten Vale hugs were being handed out gleefully but remorsefully. Knight-Paladin Gelebor was saying farewell to his daughter. She wanted to see the world, leave the isolation of the Vale and he could do little more than let his dove leave her cage.
He gripped her shoulders and looked her in the eyes fiercely, her ice white irises glistening with tears.
“Now remember, Lilith, you are different to people you will meet in Skyrim, you will stand out like a sore thumb. Keep your hood up and your head low. They won’t understand seeing an imperial with snow elven features; your mother is the only person who met our kind in our true glory.” He breathed in and sighed sympathetically “I do not want you hurt.”
Lilith raised her hood as acknowledgement. “I am 37, father, I have been training in Auri-El’s light since I was eight. I won’t get hurt that easily.”
“37 years of a lifespan that could last thousands. Do not throw yourself away.”
“I promise I won’t.” she gave him a kiss on the cheek and slung her snowy sabrecat-pelt backpack on her back. It was adorned with a tent roll, a torch, a cooking pot and a woodcutter’s axe. It matched her ancient Falmer armour
“Lilith, I have a gift for you. It should protect you on your journeys.” From behind a pillar he took a small silver shield, Auriel’s Shield. Her eyes grew wide and her lips spread in glistening joy. “But father, that’s a sacred artifact.” She said while tenderly taking it, trying to sustain her greed.
“An artifact of battle, not to adorn a wall in the Chapel for eternity. Now fly my dove. See Skyrim for yourself.”
One last hug and a long pause passed between them before Lilith Odkiin set off down the wintry lane to the wayshrine.
Gelebor sighed and made a silent prayer to Auri-El to guide her carefully and watch over her.
“Everyone is hurt eventually, Gelebor.” Leaning against a pillar stood the Daughter of Coldharbour; Serana, her vampiric eyes glowed apathetically “You and I both know that. Look at your deceased wife, the dragonborn. You have been keeping her here safe for her whole life religiously, why let her go now?”
Gelebor entered the temple barely glancing at the nord, pale features high and noble as always. “Let’s just say I had a dream which showed her fulfilling my final wish, before I pass on to Aetherius. I am old Serana, as old as you are. But I am not immortal like you; I am coming to the end of my days. I’d rather she is out of the Vale when I leave Nirn.”
Serana mused “How Noble, I’d nearly say you were altmeri. I have a Clan to look after. I will see you round.”
“Serana!” Gelebor yelled after her “Keep an eye on her.”
Without turning around she waved approval.
Daylight was blinding after the pitch darkness of Darkfall Cave, her falmer eyes had quickly adjusted to the black but were having a hard time reverting. She stared around in awe. She had seen mountains before, they bordered and closed off the Vale but the mountains of the Reach were green, jagged and steep. One miss step and you could be falling down into the rapid and violent Karth River. Carefully she followed it because it led to the closest settlement, Dragonsbridge. She wanted to see Skyrim’s Capital: Solitude and to get to Solitude she had to pass Dragonsbridge.
The goats in the Reach were a fascination to her, their beige shaggy pelts and curling horns, their pathetic bleating made her laugh delighted. Before she neared Dragonsbridge she raised her hood. She was starving and had little more than bread and deer jerky in her pack.
The Bridge was a sight she would not soon forget. A huge arching bridge of volcanic rock shaped like the skeletal back ribs of a dragon, even a carved head. Intimidating yet majestic.
She entered the four shields tavern and ordered herself a beef stew. She had never had beef as there were no cows in the Vale. The most meat she had was deer. It was richer in flavor to deer and you could taste it was les wild, she wasn’t sure if that fact disappointed her as it was delicious.
A young Nord with a wild blonde mane advanced on the unsuspecting hybrid, he wore clothing befit of a Jarl and had a crest of a bear embroidered on his coat as well as a belt buckle.
The Tavern hushed and lowered their head as the young Nord with his charismatic grin passed by in submission.
“Welcome to the Four Shields Tavern, fair lass, how may I be of service since you must not be from around.” He said in a very thick Nordic accent.
Lilith looked away, remembering her fathers advice, “Uh, yeah.”
The Nord realized he had slightly tougher bait “May I offer you a drink?”
“No thanks, I have.”
Whispers were crossing through the Tavern. What was with him?
“May I know your name?” He pleaded.
“Lilith”
“A fine name, Cyrodiilic?”
“Yeah.”
“Don’t you care to know mine?”
“Not in the slightest.” Lilith was starting to realize how persistent Nords were. Father was right on how stubborn they were.
Another Nord, very young, raised his voice, “Watch your tongue, Imperial! That is your High Prince Galmar Stormcloak.”
Galmar laughed, “Hush Lodvar, don’t need to scare the lass.”
“Well you aren’t my prince.” Lilith sad smugly, still shying her face behind her hood.
“An Imperial! She must be a spy of the Thalmor!”
“I am not part of the empire, Lodvar.” Thickheaded Nords
Galmar came closer trying to get a look past the hood, to no avail. “If you’re not part of the empire and you are in my father’s country, then I am your prince.”
“As I said, you aren’t my prince. Thank you for wasting your time on me. I hope it amused you. I have to get going on wih my travels.” She dropped a pouch of septims on the counter but the Innkeeper looked confused. “These are septims, Skyrim hasn’t used that currency for three decades.”
Galmar took out a pouch with a bunch of silver coins in it. “I think 45 storms should be enough.”
As the prince was paying for her she thought it be high time to leave. However she wasn’t a minute outside Dragonsbridge or the prince had caught up with her. In the golden afternoon light he looked quite attractive, very bear like, wasn’t entirely her type. By his side he had a Nordic carved axe.
“Heading to Solitude?” He sighed “I’ll join you, you aren’t armed. A shield won’t doo you any good without a weapon.
She held out her hand, a purple abyss swirling in it. She gripped it, letting her magicka be sucked in she let go out of thin air the essence of a daedric sword floated before her so she could take it.
“Woah! Woah! Watch the Magic, Lilith!”
“Watch your tongue, prince. I am the dragonborn’s daughter and if your father is Ulfric, he owes my mother for conquering Skyrim.”
He grabbed her hood roughly and tugged it down. Her pale elven features were revealed. “Gods! What are you?”
“A half-elf, thank you.” Now are we getting to Solitude your Highness?” She lightly raised her hood again. She should lower her hood more often, it shut him up.
Serana watched from up high in a pine tree. A glisten of amusement crossed her face. But she was pleased that she did not have to interfere. This half-elf really was stirring up the peaceful Nords and she liked that.
I hope you enjoyed, comments would be appreciated.
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