Homecoming
“WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?” Vilkas shouted at a just waking Sonin, curled up in her bed in Jorrvaskr.
“Sonin?” Lydia ran up and embraced her thane.
“Sonin!” Farkas followed, wrapping his burly arms around both women.
“Don’t get sappy,” Sonin laughed and pushed them off playfully, “I wasn’t gone that long.”
“It’s been two weeks Sonin,” Lydia replied, “We petitioned the Jarl to send men to look for you.”
“Two-what? No, no, no,” Sonin shook her head, “I was at the Mare with- doesn’t matter- I was only gone two days.”
“Where were you?” Vilkas questioned, keeping a distance.
“Oh um,” Sonin rubbed the back of her head, not sure how anyone would take this, “You wouldn’t believe me.”
“Try us,” Farkas replied.
“I was...tricked by Sanguine,” She answered.
“The daedric prince?” Lydia gasped.
Sonin nodded, “Sheogorath too. They’re friends.”
“If you don’t want to tell us where you were then don’t make up shit,” Vilkas snapped.
“I’m telling the truth! I was in a realm of Oblivion. It was...amazing,” Sonin explained.
“Sounds like she got into some bad mead,” Farkas spoke to the others.
“I’m serious!” Sonin raised her voice.
“I’ll inform the Jarl she is back,” Lydia stated, standing to leave.
“Was he worried?” Sonin was curious.
“A little,” Lydia knowingly smiled.
“I need a bath,” Sonin sighed.
…
After a nice soak in some steamy water, Sonin was getting dressed and readying to meet with the Jarl. Lydia said she was summoned for dinner, in honor of her return. There was no telling what Lydia actually told the Jarl had happened. Lydia helped Sonin into a fine, corseted gown that cinched her waist. Dining publicly with a Jarl required proper attire.
“So you were serious?” Lydia’s eyes went wide, “And they...with you?”
“Yes. It was...damn Lydia it was amazing and awful all at once. You must keep this between us!”
“Of course, my Thane,” Lydia bowed her head and punched her arm across her chest in fealty.
“If you ever get a chance with a Prince, you should take it,” Sonin smirked at her housecarl.
“I’m not sure about that,” Lydia frowned.
“Oh ho ho,” Sonin winked, “I’m sure.”
“You’re horrible,” she replied.
“But satisfied,” Sonin laughed, “Oh wow. This is pretty!”
Sonin twirled side to side in her looking glass. The dress was a tundra cotton with a deep forest green corset. The color brought out the specks of green in her hazel eyes. Lydia stood beside her in her full steel plated armor, smiling at her thane. She was beautiful with fresh green vine wrapped up in her crown braid. Sonin finished off the look with a pair of emerald dangling earrings that nearly touched her collar.
“All you need is an amulet of Mara and you’d have even the Jarl at your feet,” Lydia smirked.
“Not a bad image,” Sonin imagined the Jarl, naked and kissing her bare legs.
“He’s old enough to be your father,” Lydia scolded.
“Experienced. That’s the word you’re looking for,” Sonin countered, “I already have one too many proposals as is. I’m good.”
“Vilkas?” She questioned.
“Gods yes,” Sonin sighed, “I can’t handle him. I have enough on my plate.”
“Then cut him off?” Lydia suggested.
“No. I do love the man...I just don’t know if he’s the one I want to settle with,” Sonin explained.
“So long as it’s not the thief,” Lydia scrunched her nose, “Then I accept them.”
“You know,” Sonin replied somber, “It would have been Argis, most likely.”
“He was a great man,” Lydia agreed.
“Enough of this,” Sonin smacked her hands, “Let’s go get some food.”
…
The hall was well decorated for the Dragonborn’s visit. Lanterns hung and lit along with several hearths. It was warm enough for Sonin to not need her coat. Lydia stood behind her Thane, exchanging glances with Hrongar. Sonin picked up on the exchange and smirked to herself.
“Amused?” Balgruuf questioned.
Sonin leaned over to whisper to him, “Don’t look now, but your brother and my housecarl seem to fancy each other.”
“I see,” he stroked his beard, “I’m sure they both could use a night off.”
“Lydia always needs a day off from me,” Sonin laughed and Lydia grunted.
“Not when you disappear for two weeks!” Lydia sighed.
“Where were you, if I may ask?” He questioned.
“Entertaining Daedric princes it seems,” Sonin giggled at his look of horror, “I was tricked, but not harmed. It was Sanguine’s idea, thankfully.”
“Divines,” Jarl Balgruuf exhaled, “You do live an adventurous life.”
“So did you, if history has been told correctly,” Sonin replied.
“Once upon a time,” Balgruuf sounded distant.
“I could take you out, if you’re feeling a need to get out of the city,” Sonin offered with a smile, liking the way his face lit up.
“I don’t think so,” Irileth crossed her arms.
“Oh let the man live a little,” Sonin pouted.
“He can live all he wants, in the city’s walls,” she countered.
“I guess there is always fun to be had here,” Sonin eyed the older Nord, “If you know where to look.” She took a long sip of her wine and locked eyes with the Jarl.
“Don’t you have Dragonborn business to handle?” Balgruuf cleared his throat and asked with no malice, “More than to worry about an old Nord’s entertainment.”
“I’ve received alarming correspondence from someone claiming to be a Blade,” Sonin admitted, “I have been putting off visiting with this alleged Blade, at least until I can prove the truth to her letters.”
“A Blade in Skyrim,” Balgruuf looked with far away eyes, “Surely you will meet with them?”
“Eventually,” Sonin sighed and stabbed some stewed meat on her fork, “They think they know of the Dragons return, but won’t reply to any letters I’ve sent. Could be a Thalmor trap.”
“Damned elves,” Hrongar replied.
“Hey,” Sonin snapped, “Nothing wrong with the elves.”
“Why do you care?” he asked.
“I’m half Breton. I wouldn’t be here without elves,” Sonin explained, “Plus, racism is just bad. You’re as bad as Ulfric sometimes.”
“You know Ulfric?” Balgruuf asked.
Sonin blushed a bit but hid the tone of embarrassment, “We’ve met a few times.” Lydia snorted.
“I see,” Balgruuf looked jealous to Sonin, “Will you be picking a side in this war?”
“I will always be on Whiterun’s side, my Jarl,” Sonin bowed her head slightly to the man, earning a broad smile, “Wherever that takes me.”
“I know I will be forced to pick a side,” Balgruuf continued, “Can I trust you’ll stand beside me when that time comes?”
“Of course,” Sonin returned his smile, “Whiterun is my home.”
The rest of dinner went smoothly with conversations aplenty. Balgruuf learned that Sonin did not like green vegetables but could down her own body weight in sweet rolls. This, of course, is all important information. At times he considered what she would look like as his own personal sweet roll, spread out and dripping his icing. He cast those thoughts aside for later in the privacy of his own quarters, knowing she could never be interested in an old Nord like him. Jarl or not.
“Does the night have to be over?” Sonin questioned the Jarl as he led her to the doors, she and he the last of the line of guests.
“Surely you wish to be home,” the Jarl spoke.
“Bed would be nice,” she smiled at him and leaned a bit closer, “But I could go for a little more wine.”
“We could retire to my quarters-”
“My Jarl!” His steward rushed to him, “I just received a letter that needs your attention.”
Sonin put a hand on his arm, enjoying the sinewy muscles there, “Another night then, my Jarl.”
…
“You’re going to Falkreath? Now?” Farkas questions as Sonin packs her bags.
“Jarl Siddgeir sent word, asking for me directly. I would see his summons answered,” Sonin replied.
“But you only just got back,” Farkas whined, pulling her from her pack and kissing her forehead.
“It’s a bandit problem,” Sonin responded, “I think I have to handle this.”
“Then take me or Vilkas with you, you don’t need to go alone,” he insisted.
“I’m going alone because I would like some travelling to myself. Just me and Ennoonan. It’s been too long since I took him out for a long ride,” Sonin sighed, “I love that damned beast.”
“Last time I remember you taking him for a big ride was when you turned into a cat,” Farkas remembered well.
“I wasn’t really a cat, but yes,” Sonin smirked, “It’s a trick of the light really. I summoned a cat familiar to distract you, which is why it smelt like me. I was actually right behind it, bending the light around me to appear invisible.”
“You’d make a great thief,” Farkas said.
“Or assassin,” she added with a wink. “Come now, give me a hug and wish me best travels.”
…
“Ah!” A bandit yelled as he burst into flames.
Sonin was not holding back. She didn’t like how sleazy Jarl Siddgeir was to do business with them, even if he was very easy on the eyes. Quickly she shouted two men from their bridge. They hit the ground with sickening, bone crunching thuds.
“I’ll gut you for that, bitch!” The leader made himself clear, an orc with a bad temper wielding two greatswords and clearly overcompensating.
Sonin didn’t even quip back, bringing forth lightning from her hands and striking him dead. His heart gave out from the voltage long before he reached her. Sonin brushed the little dirt on herself off and made her way to collect any valuables off the men before returning to the Jarl.
“They’re all dead, my Jarl,” She spoke as she walked in the hall.
“Excellent. Teach them to hold out on me. Now, I think I wish to make you a Thane, but there is one more thing you must do for me,” Siddgeir replied and leaned back in his throne, “There has been a dragon spotted in the forest close to town. Slay it and bring me its head and I shall grant you the title Thane.”
“As you wish,” Sonin turned heel, much happier to deal with a dragon than with bandits.
It was a young blood dragon, circling the woods clearly looking for deer or elk to eat. Sonin felt comfortable, even though this would be her first dragon taken alone in months. Memories of Argis flooded her mind, drawing a shaky breath and a tear. Sonin shook her head of the gore filled memory, she missed him but couldn’t let those thoughts get her distracted and killed too.
“kiir, luft zu'u!” Sonin shouted.
The dragon’s head swiveled her direction and it quickly dived to her area, “wo kos hi wah luft zu'u?” Its voice boomed as it landed.
“Dovahkiin!” She shouted, her thu’um sending its head backwards.
Sonin quickly rushed toward the stunned dragon. In one hand she readied her lightning and in the other ice shards. As the dragon tried to bring himself from the ground, she sent the shards through its wings. The beast practically howled as the lightning was then sent through.
Now at arms reach, Sonin summoned her bound blade and pierced the young dragon’s heart. It toppled over easily. Sonin leaned her head back as she took its soul, her shouts feeling stronger than ever. She had lost count of how many souls she had taken now. With a sigh, she wrestled the head of the skeleton free and headed back to the Jarl. He would owe her land after all this trouble.