Lake Hairan

[aeronwen]

14th of Heartfire, 427 3E

Lately it seems like each day brings something that I didn't expect. Or perhaps if I'm honest with myself I really did see part of this day coming. No matter. Whatever the case I don't think there was any real harm done.

Another weekend has arrived giving us a couple of days to do whatever we want. For today Neldor and I decided to ride to Lake Hairan, which is is southeast of Pelagiad, and do some fishing. While we were saddling the horses and preparing to set out I noticed that there was no sign of Rey although he had accompanied me over to Neldor's barn shortly after I had eaten some breakfast.

Gently placing the bit in Gloria's mouth, I commented to Neldor, "I suppose the older Rey gets the more he will go wandering off on his own."

Neldor agreed, "Yes, he will. He's not a domestic dog, but he's still pretty young so I think it will be a while before he wants to return to the wild entirely."

Ready to pull myself into the saddle, I stated, "I've been telling myself that since the day I found him; that he will leave sooner or later, but I have a feeling that such mental preparation won't make it easier when the time comes."

After we had each mounted our horses, Neldor smiled and said gently as he turned Garland toward the barn's front gate, "Try to look at this way; when Rey does choose to live a life in the wild, he'll have that life because you took him in when he wasn't quite old enough to survive on his own."

Before riding over to the lake we went to the Pelagid grocer to purchase bait, which consisted of an assortment of dried meats and overripe fruits and vegetables. We had just left the grocer's when we heard a familiar shrill voice yell, "We didn't do it!"

Yes, Enrandre and his Khajiit pal RiData struck again. With a furious Imperial guard hot on their heels, the pair of skooma heads raced away from the fort and right through the market center.



Erandre repeated, "We didn't do it! We were hired as nude models! Yeah, that's it! We were hired as new models for the Art Barn! Right, RiData!"

As usual, RiData's response was a deep, "Moooooooon sugaaarrrrrrr!"



Widening my eyes, I stated, "I really really hope that they never show up at the Art Barn, naked or otherwise. I'll never feel comfortable there again."

Neldor surprised me by saying, "Now I wish that those kagoutimi were still roaming the Ascadian Isles. They might have squashed those two trouble-makers into jelly and ground them into the dirt! Everyone would then be better off!"



Raising an eyebrow, I commented softly, "That's a bit harsh."

Clenching and unclenching his fists, he replied, "They...are the reason I'm here on Vvardenfell." Softening his town, he looked at me and said after a moment's hesitation, "Let's get to the lake and do some fishing and then...I'll explain."

"All right."

Now with fishing bait as well as some food and drink to have for lunch, we mounted our horses and set off at a brisk trot. Once we were outside of town and there was no danger of running into anyone, we let our horses move at a canter. Noticing how briskly Garland was stepping, I commented, "He seems particularly cheerful."

Glancing back at me with a grin, Neldor replied, "Of course. He now has a beautiful golden lady-friend to keep him company. I can understand his feelings completely."

His response caught me off guard and I couldn't stop myself from uttering a flustered laugh as I felt myself blush. Riding along through the beautiful Ascadian Isles I could almost forget that not long ago I had been fearing for my life as I waited to hear whether or not the Emperor would order by execution....all for a misunderstanding.

Traveling by horse it didn't take us long to reach Lake Hairan which connects to a pair of rivers which eventually lead down to the Inner Sea. Here in there around the lake small picnic areas had been set up. We choose one that had a hitching post and water trough so that the horses would be able to refresh themselves. Once Gloria and Garland were unsaddled, Neldor and I walked to the edge of the lake and began fishing.



After about an hour has passed we heard some yipping and turned to see Rey playing with a young female gray fox. My little Rey had obviously found a friend while exploring the nearby wilderness.



Pleased for him, yet wistful at the same time, I commented, "And so it starts; the beginning of the end."

With an expression of amusement, Neldor replied as he watched the foxes, "Yes, but they're both pretty young. They're not quite ready to want to start a den yet."

While we were fishing, Neldor told me about Valenwood, sharing the lore of his homeland, including telling me about the Silvenar and the Green Lady who represent the spiritual and physical sides of the Bosmer people. Neldor also dsecribed the beautiful but deadly senche tigers that roam the forest, some of which are white with black stripes.

I commented, "You really seem to love your homeland."

Abruptly becoming somber, Neldor replied, "I do, and that's making you wonder why I'm here on Vvardenfell, isn't it?"

I admitted, "Yes, but I don't want to pry."

Stepping back from the water, he drew a deep breath and said, "Let's take a break and sit in the shade. I guess it is time for me to tell you what happened. You'll either accept my explanation or you won't."

He was making it sound like I might not want anything to do with him. Admittedly I haven't known Neldor for long, but I really can't imagine him doing something that would make me dislike him.

We sat down on the ground in front of one of the benches for a long moment Neldor just stared down at the dirt with his keens drawn up. Finally he stated, "My first encounter with Erandre and RiData was when I was visiting Cyrodiil. You see, there was a music festival there near the beginning of this year and my brother Thorinor and I decided to attend, so we made the trip out of Valenwood and traveled to the Imperial City. While we were there, my brother became smitten with a lady Dunmer who is from Morrowind. She's the daughter of a Telvanni Mage Lord."

"Well that sounds risky," I commented.

With a small smile, Neldor replied, "That's what I told my brother. Anyway, I let them have some time together and went for a stroll outside the city walls. Right outside the gate, not far from the stable, is an extremely steep and dangerous hill that leads down to the bridge that takes a person away from the city isle. So there I was, minding my own business, when Erandre and RiData came running out of the city after causing some sort of trouble. Well, a farmer had left an apple cart near the gate, and Erandre decided to use the cart to aide their escape. For reasons that only the gods know, Erandre and RiData grabbed me and tossed me into the apple cart before jumping into it themselves. We then rolled at full speed down that treacherous hill."

I stated, "That sounds terrifying."

Following a brief nod, he agreed, "It was. I honestly thought we were all going to be killed, and I became even more certain of that when we met with a big fancy carriage on the bridge. With no way to stop or even slow the cart, we crashed into the carriage. Apples went everywhere. I'm sure the carriage horses would have liked them if they hadn't been spooked by the collision. No one was seriously hurt, but Erandre and RiData were arrested, and so was I along with them."

"Oh no!"

Neldor continued, "I tried to tell the guards that I was not involved in the theft of the cart, that I had basically been kidnapped, but since I had been walking around alone outside the city there were no witnesses." He grimaced before adding, "I'm not sure how long I was locked inside the prison. It was a number of months."



I inquired, "How did you get out?"

He answered, "That's the odd part. Officials started coming to my cell and asking me questions about what sign I was born under and if I was sure that my parents really are my parents, which I am. Finally one day the guards took Erandre, RiData and I from our cells and told us we were being taken to Morrowind. Vvardenfell to be exact. I was given a package and told to deliver it to a man who lives in Balmora."

This part of his tale surprised me for obvious reasons. After a moment I asked, "Who was the Imperial?"

He pondered a moment before answering, answered, "Cosades. Caius Cosades. I'm kind of surprised I remember it because admittedly I wasn't paying much attention. I was just so angry about what had happened to me, to be thrown into prison for something I didn't do." He gave me a rueful smile as he continued, "And that's how the three of us came to Vvardenfell. Erandre and RiData were turned loose to wreck havoc here. I went to Balmora, dropped the package on the recipient's doorstep, then walked away. Since then I've been just trying to survive here. Because of the quarantine I can't barter for passage on a ship back to the mainland and work my way back to Valenwood."

When he fell silent, I said, "I'm sorry this happened to you."

Closing his eyes, he asked hesitantly, "So...you still want to stick around?"

"Why wouldn't I?"

He answered, "Because I was held in the Imperial City prison, I'm sure there are records of that, and you have only my say so that I am innocent of what I was accused of."

Giving him a sympathetic smile, I assured him gently, "I believe you. You're no criminal."



Appearing surprised, he finally looked at me and asked, "Just like that?"

At that point it was my turn to explain how I came to Vvardenfell. Of course I omitted the part about my father being the King and that I was once the Crown Princess. I merely told Neldor that my father believed that I had attempted to steal an enchanted heirloom dagger and had disowned me and sent me to Vvardenfell to fend for myself.

Appearing stunned, Neldor replied, "Damn, that's harsh! While I can understand an heirloom being important to someone, I would never value an object over my own child. I'd most certainly never cast them out to fend for themselves, leaving them alone in the world. And your father sent you to a place that's quarantined. Like me, you can't leave."

"So that's why I believe you. I know what it's like to be punished and have your life turned upside down for something you didn't do."

He suddenly appeared far more relaxed and that made me realize just how fearful he had been that I would not want anything to do with "convict". With a nervous laugh, Neldor said stated softly, "I've been such an angry person since I was arrested and sent here."

I commented, "It's hard for me to imagine you as an angry person."

"Oh, but I was," Neldor assured me. Looking at me sidelong, he continued, "But I seemed to forget that I was angry after I saw you. At that point I stopped thinking that the gods had played a cruel joke on me. It was an unpleasant journey, but had I not been thrown into prison I wouldn't have been sent here, which means I never would have met you."

His words were flattering, but caused me to feel awkward. Pulling the hem of my skirt down more over my knees, I stated softly, "Somehow I doubt I'm worth spending a couple of months in a prison cell for."

"Let me be the judge of that," he said with a small smile. Looking over at the lake, he continued, "I know that the past couple of days I've felt much happier about ending up on Vvardenfell."

He was so open and trusting that I immediately felt bad for not letting him know that my father wasn't simply a "Dunmer noble". Another thing that was nagging at me was the fact that, like me, Neldor had been instructed to deliver a package to "an Imperial in Balmora".

Neldor obviously noticed that I was suddenly deep in thought about something, for he asked curiously, "What's on your mind?"

Now a bit fearful, I explained, "It's about the man you had to deliver the package to; Caius Cosades. I met him once. In fact, when I was sent here I was also instructed to deliver a package to him, which I did."

A look of confusion appeared on Neldor's face as as he inquired, "Really? Who is he and why were we both instructed to deliver something to him before going on our way here on Vvardenfell?"

I glanced around and moved a bit closer to him before explaining softly, "Caius is the ranking Blade on Vvardenfell. He's the Emperor's Spymaster. The Emperor wanted Caius to induct me into the Blades and he probably wanted to do the same with you."

That was obviously not an answer that Neldor was expected. Widening his eyes, he exclaimed softly, "The Blades?! You mean the Emperor wanted us to be spies? Why? That doesn't make sense! I'm not spy material, and...no offense, but you don't seem to be either."

"I'm not, and Caius said as much," I replied before telling him about Caius' "wet being the ears" remark and that I needed to go out and get training before I could be trusted with any orders. Wincing, I added, "I agreed to be a part of the Blades because I thought I had no choice. For days I had feared I was going to be executed, so I was desperate to hold onto my life."

Stunned, Neldor held up his hands and said, "Wait, hold on. Back up...Executed? In Y'ffe's name, why?"

Now fearful that Neldor would either not believe me or would consider me too dangerous to keep company with, I answered miserably, "My father is not just a mere noble. He's...he's Hlaalu Helseth, King of Morrowind. I look like a Bosmer because my mother was one. Well, half-Bosmer. Her mother was full-blooded Bosmer." When Neldor didn't reply, I added, "With my father being the King, stealing from him - which I did not do - is considered treason. That's why the Emperor was the one to decide how I was to be punished. Ultimately his decision was for me to be banished to Vvardenfell, and to be sent to Caius. I don't know why. I'm just grateful to still be alive."

For what seemed like a long time, Neldor simply stared at me. Finally he asked softly, "...The King?"

"You don't believe me, do you?" I asked fearfully.

Without hesitation, Neldor answered, "I believe you. That's why I feel so stupid."

"Stupid? Why should you feel stupid?"

Looking out over the lake, he answered, "Because I've been trying to court you and I'm a commoner Bosmer who at the moment lives in a barn! That's why I feel stupid!"

Reaching out and gently touching his shoulder, I stressed, "I'm not a princess anymore. I'm just...Aeronwen...a commoner and a mud crab hunter."

Appearing genuinely distressed, Neldor asked, "But how could you ever be happy with someone like me? I'm not a prince!"

"You are to me," I responded softly.

He again blushed a bit before saying, "You know what I mean. I'm not even the son of a treethane. I'll probably never be a wealthy mer. What I have now is...all I have to offer."

With a small smile, I said, "Neldor, I went from living in a palace to being homeless. Homeless. That experience gives a person an appreciation for a simple, humble, honest life, believe me!"

Finally turning his green eyes toward me, he replied, "Still, could you really consider someone like me after the upbringing you've had?"

With a soft, brief laugh, I explained, "Oh, Neldor, being a princess isn't simply about wearing expensive clothes, fancy jeweled circlets and residing in a palace. That is just on the surface. My life was not my own. My body was not my own. Everything about my life, down to the most private detail, was a matter of state. I could do nothing without the King's permission. I grew up dreading the day when I would be placed in an arranged marriage because I knew I would likely would be married to someone I didn't know and didn't love. And once the wedding took place I would not be allowed to resist or protest, but would have to submit and allow a stranger to intimately use me as often as he wished to get heirs. My fear of the dreaded wedding night was so great that at times it made me sick."

Neldor looked at me with a sickened expression. Finally he asked, "So you...truly don't want to return to your old life and be a princess again?"

I answered slowly, "I thought I did. During my first couple of weeks here while I was so scared, homeless, and hungry, I did in fact want to return to what was familiar to me, but now that I've found a new life here...I can't go back to that gilded cage. You, Rey and I feel more like a family to me than anything I've ever known during my life in the palace. The King doesn't look on me as a daughter so much as he does a political pawn."

Staring at the lake, Neldor said softly, "It's just that...if we end up staying together, I don't want you to someday look at me and what little I have and wish that you were...back there."

Spreading my hands, I asked, "Back there where I would sooner or later be given to a stuffy noble husband who would see me as nothing more than a broodmare who gives him a connection to the King? No thank you." Touching his shoulder, I continued, "I didn't tell you about my background to make you uncomfortable. I told you because you've become my friend, and if we're going to continue to follow the road together, you have a right to know who I am...Who I was."

With a very small smile, Neldor looked at me and said, "Forgive me if I seemed to panic. I just...wanted to make sure I wasn't pursuing something that's off limits to me. I like you a lot and...if I we get to know each other even more and become closer, and then have to separate after all that...that's going to hurt."

I assured him, "I have no intention of going anywhere. I am hoping that Caius decides we're both hopeless and never sends anyone to find us. Or that the Emperor finds someone who is far more qualified to be a spy than we are and can serve whatever purpose he has in mind."

With a soft laugh, Neldor commented, "The Emperor must really be desperate for new Blades if he wanted to add a pair of 'wet behind the ears' elves like us to the ranks."

I had to laugh at that as well, but within moment I became somber as I pondered over the situation we were both in. Wincing, I said, "The longer we're here and the more experience we gain as far as surviving and taking care of ourselves, the more likely it is that Caius might expect us to return and accept orders. I...I hate the thought of either of us being placed in a dangerous situations. Neither of us did anything to deserve this."

Neldor again stared across the lake with a somber expression before saying, "Shortly before we met I was giving some thought to traveling to Solsthiem. We can't take a ship back to the mainland, but for some reason it's possible to travel with Solsthiem, even with the quarantine in place." Turning toward me, he continued, "It would take a bit for us to get used to the cold, but that might not be a bad place to lay low until the Emperor decides he has no use for us."

Blinking in surprise at such a suggestion, I merely responded softy, "....Solsthiem."

Pulling a leaflet from his satchel, Neldor said hopefully, "We would have to travel up north to Khuul. From there we could take a ship either to Fort Frostmoth or to Lokken, which is a small island west of Solsthiem." Offering the leaflet to me, he added, "I'm not crazy about the way this describes hunting, especially the part about 'staring into the eyes of your terrified quarry', but at least we know the place is open to visitors."

I read the leaflet which said;

Visit Lokken Island!
The ultimate destination for your hunting expedition!

As Chieftain of Lokken Island, it is my pleasure to welcome paying guests to my splendid forests.
Acres of beautiful landscapes, teeming with wild bears & wolves.
Experience the danger of the hunt, and the thrill of the kill.
Relish the power as you stare into the terrified eyes of your quarry.
Spend the evenings relaxing in Lokken's Main Hall, the ideal place for the tired hunter to relax, sample Lokken hospitality, and, or course, our local mead!

Passage to Lokken can be arranged through Shipmaster Helmer at Fort Frostmouth docks.
Please note: All visitors must report on arrival to the Throne Room at Lokken Castle

Ragnar Fire Hair
Chieftain of Lokken
Provider of excellent hunting for valued paying guests.

Handing the leaflet back, I agreed, "The hunting part sounds brutal and cruel, but the rest of it sounds pleasant." Furrowing my brow, I continued, "But the ship's fare will likely be very expensive. We have the two horses and Rey. Possibly his gray fox friend if she decides to stick around. We can't leave them."

Neldor agreed, "We can't and we won't. Plus if we're going to be on Solsthiem a long time we're going to need to take just about everything we own, plus warmer clothing. We'll need to get a pack animal. There's a small farm near Ebonheart that sells donkeys. We can get one there." Grimacing, he added, "So there will be another large animal we'll need to book passage for."

Watching Rey and the gray vixen, who were stiffing around nearby, probably looking for field mice, I inquired, "How long would it take to save up enough money for all of us to get on the ship?"

After pondering a few moments, Neldor answered, "A few weeks. Maybe a month. We just need to keep our heads down, keep hunting the mudcrabs and selling the meat and hopefully we can get to Solsthiem before anyone around here thinks to come looking for either of us."

"That's all we can do," I agreed.

Turning to face me as we sat on the ground, he suggested, "If you don't think it's too unseemly, you and Rey could always move into the empty farmhand quarters behind the barn. That way you wouldn't have to pay rent for the huts anymore. The farmhand quarters are small, but there's a bed and bathroom in it, plus a little wood-stove to keep the place warm."

With a soft laugh, I replied, "Not long ago I would have indeed wrung my hands and called such an arrangement unseemly, but I don't think anyone around here cares about what we do." Looking at him fondly, I added as I reached up and pushed a tendril of his long brown hair away from his face, "So far you've been a perfect gentlemer."



An impish twinkle appeared in Neldor's eyes as he said, "My intentions are indeed honorable, my lady, but I confess that my thoughts are not always pure."

His words made me feel flustered but not offended. With a shy laugh I lowered my eyes and that was when Neldor gently placed his hands on the side of my face and kissed me. I allowed it without a murmur of protest.



When he slowly drew back, he asked awkwardly, "Uh, was that all right? You're...not offended or anything?"

I assured him, "No, I'm not offended. Yes, it was all right. If I seem shy it's because...no one has ever kissed me before. I never wanted anyone to do so...until now."

With the way he blushed at my words I suddenly got the feeling that Neldor really isn't much more experienced in romance. Either that or he is a talented actor who should be performing in the theater.

Taking my hands in his, he looked at me and said earnestly, "We'll figure this out. Let the Emperor choose from the many glory-seeking adventurers who are roaming Vvardenfell if he really needs more Blades." Grinning, he added, "You and I will continue to be a couple of 'wet behind the ears' nobodies who are not worthy of notice."

We continued on with our day, doing a little more fishing before taking another break for lunch. I noticed that Rey's gray fox friend continued to stick around and we saw her again in the early evening when we had all returned to the barn-house.

Now in the late evening as I sit at the tiny table in my rented sleeping hut, it occurs to me that we'll have to think of a name for the gray vixen if she continues to stick around. It's possible that she is nearby, outside somewhere. Rey on the other hand is in here, sound asleep on the bed. He will indeed want to return to the wild someday...but not yet.

*~*~*