Whitney Writes…

She found herself unwilling to let go. To let him go. Adelais pulled Alistair back to her, pressing her face into the soft, well-worn leather of his vest. His fingers catching in her long, black hair as his grip tightened around her waist.

“Adelais,” he whispered into her ear, “I must go, my love.” She could hear the gentle smile in his voice. “It is a long journey back to Windhelm, and my father is expecting me in only a few days’ time.”

“Don’t leave me here,” Adelais pleaded.

“It will be the last time, my sweet.”  He pulled her chin up to gaze into her velvety brown eyes.  “By the Nine I swear to you,” Alistair said gently, “this will be the last time I leave you here.”

“Don’t make promises you cannot keep,” she murmured, avoiding his gaze.

Alistair gave her chin a gentle squeeze, “With Talos himself as my witness, I shall return for you, Adelais.”  Finally she looked up at him.  His sparkling blue eyes were pleading with her to believe him.  So finally she smiled at him, a forced, fake smile.

“If you say so, milord,” she murmured, and dipped her head in a mock bow.

“In a fortnight,” he continued, “I will return for you.  And I shall take you away from this retched place once and for all.  I shall set you free, my love.”

“And where shall you take me?” Adelais inquired, raising a dark brow.

He thought a moment, rubbing his lightly bearded chin.  “The plains of Whiterun,” he said finally.  “I see you prospering there.”  She couldn’t help but smile widely at him and clasp his hand in hers.

“Oh, Alistair,” she breathed, “they say you can see all the way to Sovngarde there!”

“You can,” he chuckled, “and you will.  As soon as I return for you, we shall depart straight away.”

An hour after Alistair had finally departed, Adelais felt the familiar gloom settling in over her.  She looked around her at the four walls of her usual room at The Bee & The Barb.  They seemed to be slowly closing in around her.  She changed into her blue dress, stuffing the silver one for Alistair in her satchel.  She fastened her cloak, glanced longingly around the empty room and finally exited into the hall.

The steps creaked as Adelais descended to the dining hall of the Bee.  At the bottom of the steps, the young Nordic woman that went by Sapphire was staring openly at Adelais as she approached.  She could feel her skin crawling under the young woman’s scrutiny as her blue eyes raked over her.  Adelais attempted to smile at her, but felt her lips tighten into a nervous grimace.  She sensed this Sapphire could snap her in half if she so chose.

“There’s my little cotton blossom!” called a jovial voice.  Adelais smiled gratefully as Talen-Jei, one of the Argonian proprietors of the Bee, appeared around the bottom of the stairs beside her.

“Morning, Talen,” she said brightly, ignoring the Sapphire girl.

“Sleep well?  Care for a nice hot breakfast?”

“Don’t be spoiling her, Jei!” Keerava called over, “You always forget she has to return to that hovel.”

“I do not forget,” Talen protested, “I just wish her weekends here with us to be as happy for her as they can be!”

Adelais smiled at them both, “I’m fine,” she laughed, “really, Rava, and I’m not that hungry.”

“A sweet roll for the road at least?” Talen offered.

“Oh, if you’re going to insist, I suppose,” she said with a grin.

“How is Haelga treating you these days?” Keerava inquired, that maternal concern seeping out of her.

“Good,” Adelais shrugged, “she’s a lot better than Grelod was.”  Keerava hissed at the sound of the orphanage matron’s name.  “Oh, Rava,” Adelais sighed, “you can’t hold grudges forever.”

“I most certainly can!  If it weren’t for that retched wench, you could have had a happy childhood here with Jei and me,” Keerava spat. “But no, that hag decided we weren’t fit to adopt a human child, telling us to stick within our own race.”

“Love cannot determine between races, sun ray,” Talen said soothingly to his mate.  “We cannot say the same of the beings who feel that love.”

“Well… she’s a racist twat,” Keerava swore angrily.

Adelais kissed the woman’s nose, “And that is why Mara blessed me with the two of you.”  She squeezed Talen’s hand, “I learned nothing of that dreadful woman’s hatred and cruelty thanks to you two.”

“That is the base of all we could have asked for,” Talen said approvingly.  He handed Adelais a sweet roll and a flagon of Cliff Racer, one of his specialties.  “See you next weekend, little one,” he kissed her cheek and headed off for his kitchen.

Keerava eyed Adelais for quite some time.  “Swear to me, on the power of the Hist tree, that Haelga is good to you, my child.”

“I swear to you, Rava, before your gods and my own, Haelga is good to me,” Adelais swore.  At least as good as she can be.  “She makes certain I am fed, clothed, that I have a roof over my head and a pillow under it.  She even gives me the companionship of her niece, who is only a few months older than I, remember?”

“Yes, yes; very well,” Keerava sighed, “I suppose I mustn’t keep you any longer.”  The Argonian cracked a rare smile, “May the sun shine warmly on your skin, True-of-Heart.”

Adelais smiled at Keerava’s use of the Argonian name she and Talen had bestowed upon her years ago when they had been in the midst of trying to adopt her.  She embraced Keerava, as warmly as a mother, and then departed the inn for the city streets.

The grand plaza was flocked full with the wealthy gentry of Riften browsing the various shop stalls.  It was a fine afternoon; the sun was bright and overhead, a light breeze fluttered the out-reaching branches of the high oak trees.

“Adi!” a voice called excitedly.

Ingun Black-Briar was scurrying through the crowd toward her through the throng of townsfolk, ducking under out stretched arms and dodging around carts.  “I thought you weren’t going to hear me!” Ingun exclaimed happily, linking her arm through Adelais’.

“How could I not, Ingun?” Adelais laughed, poking her friend’s side, “For one so small, you are incredibly loud!”

Ingun made a face, “I am not that loud.”

“Right,” Adelais rolled her eyes as the two wandered aimlessly about the plaza.

“How was your weekend with you lover,” Ingun asked sweetly.

Adelais shot her a warning glare.  “How is your grandmother?” she shot back, ignoring Ingun’s question.

“Beautiful day, isn’t it?” Ingun quickly quipped, changing the subject away from dangerous topics.

“Quite, I can hardly believe there was snow just a few weeks back,” Adelais mused.

“They say it’s warming up because dragons are returning and they’re heating up Mundus.”

“But… they’re reptiles, so they’re cold blooded.  That makes no sense, Pestle.”

It was Ingun’s turn to roll her eyes, “They breathe fire, Adi. Jeeze, you’d think you lived with the Moth Priests or something.”

“What about the ones that hold the power of ice and bolts of lightning?  And if you lived with the Moth Priests, you might actually know something,” Adelais chuckled.

“Show off,” Ingun snipped at her.

“Slacker,” Adelais retorted, grinning.

They walked along in companionable silence for a few moments.  “Seriously, Ingun, how’s Maven?” Adelais finally asked.

“She still has your petition if that’s why you’re asking,” Ingun sighed, trying and failing to suppress her irritation.

“Has she presented it to the Jarl yet?” Adelais pressed.

Ingun eyed her best friend warily, then jerked her down a side alley.  “I don’t know, we don’t talk about that kind of stuff.  Why the rush all of a sudden?”

“I just want to know as soon as the Jarl declares me legally independent and free of both Haelga and Grelod.”

“If she names you,” Ingun clarified, “it should be next week when Maven shows it to her.”     Adelais tried to remain calm, “But, Ingun, she’s had my petition for three months, I’m running out of time.”

“Running out of time for what, exactly?” Ingun asked, raising an eyebrow.

She debated whether to tell Ingun the truth or not; Adelais knew she would find out eventually.  And it would probably be best to warn her that Alistair intended to whisk her away in a fortnight. She knew Ingun would not be pleased, better she hear about it in advance. And from Adelais herself.

“You cannot tell anyone what I am about to tell you, Pestle; swear to me,” Adelais said in a hushed tone.

“I swear, Adelais,” Ingun whispered, extending her pinky in their childhood tradition. Also noting the sudden return of Adelais’ childhood nickname for her.

Adelais peaked back behind them into the streets to make certain no one was eavesdropping.  She linked her pinky with Ingun’s, “Alistair is taking me away from Riften,” she said finally.  “We’re going to buy some land in the plains of Whiterun.” 

Ingun studied her friend’s face.  Adelais seemed certain this time.  “Well,” Ingun began slowly; she didn’t want to come across as preachy, but she didn’t want to see Adelais hurt either.  “As long as he actually follows through this time,” she said gently, caressing her friend’s arm, “I hate to see you disappointed, Adi.” This wasn’t the first time this Alistair had promised Adelais this.

“He will,” Adelais said, smiling confidently, “I’m certain of it, Ingun.”

“I just have one request.”

“Anything for you, Pestle.”

“I get to finally meet him before he whisks you away from all this,” Ingun stated, motioning to the hectic streets behind them.

Adelais grinned, wrapping Ingun in a tight hug, “Done,” she exclaimed, “he said he’ll be back in a fortnight to collect me, we’ll have dinner before we go.  And of course you’ll come to visit us, won’t you?”

“Dragons couldn’t keep me away,” Ingun said, returning her smile.  “So, Whiterun, huh?” Ingun murmured, leading the two of them back into the bustling street.  “Are you going to be a proper mistress of the house?”

“I’ve always wanted horses,” Adelais sighed dreamily.

“I’m sure you’ll get them.”  Ingun winced as even she heard the slight downturn to her tone. Then she noticed the time on the bell tower of the chapel, “Oh Divines help me,” she cried.

“What is it?” Adelais asked lazily as she eyed an emerald necklace at Madesi’s stall.

“I’m late for my shift!” Ingun wailed, “Stendarr help me, Elgrim’s going to kill me!”  She kissed Adelais gently on the cheek, “Come over for dinner tonight?  We can pester Maven about your petition.”

“Certainly,” Adelais nodded, “shall I be over at dusk as usual?”

Ingun nodded frantically as she was already racing off toward Elgrim’s Elixirs.  Adelais waved and drifted back around the plaza towards Haelga’s.  She was dreading returning there, she never knew the state of the moods she would find.

The bunkhouse smelled of stale mead and burnt bread; the stench was enough to nearly send Adelais careening back into the street.  She had forgotten how poorly the bunkhouse’s dining hall smelled.  The hall was sparsely populated: Svana was operating the counter, and by ‘operating’ that meant browsing a fashion catalogue from a shop in Solitude; Tythis, a Dunmer employee of the Riften Fishery, was racing out the door, nearly spilling his soup on Adelais, late for his shift yet again; and Wujeeta and Niluva sat huddled in a shadowed corner, arguing in hushed voices, about skooma, no doubt.

Svana tapped her fingers on the counter as she turned a page.  “I see the princess has finally graced us with her presence,” Svana said tartly without looking up.

“Is Haelga in?” Adelais asked, ignoring Svana’s remark.

“She’s gone for brunch with…” Svana finally looked up, trying to remember.

“It’s difficult to keep them all straight, isn’t it?” Adelais asked, cracking a smile.

“You’d think she would have run out of eligible men by now,” Svana giggled.

“By ‘eligible’ you mean alive, right?” Adelais covered her mouth to suppress a bubbling laugh; she missed this, it was like the old days, how things used to be before Alistair appeared in Riften.

“I think she’s moved on to married men these days,” Svana whispered, leaning forward as her eyes widened with the thrill of gossip.  “I could have sworn I heard Bolli from the Fishery in her room the other night,” she motioned to the door behind her.

“Poor Bolli,” Adelais sighed, “he must have found out about Nirenor’s sneaking around then.”

Svana shook her head irritably, “Poor bastard, indeed,” she sighed, “one of the kindest men in Riften and he has to go and wed that hag.”

“I see you two are on friendly terms once again,” came a simpering voice from behind Adelais.  She didn’t have to turn around to know it was Haelga returned.  “It stinks in here,” Haelga continued, “what in Mara’s name happened this morning?”

“It always smells like this, Aunt Haelga,” Svana sighed, rolling her eyes.

“Don’t you take that tone with me, young lady,” Haelga snapped.

“Don’t be so touchy, Auntie,” Svana replied lightly.  “What happened, did your date go poorly?”

Haelga’s face reddened; from embarrassment or anger, Adelais could not tell.  “Bolli dumped me,” she snapped again.  “Something about him being exhausted from… uh, lying to his wife.”  Haelga glanced away from the girls, glaring at the ceiling.  “Why that two-timing little imp; he was just using me to get back at that hag of a wife of his!” She smashed the leftover morning bread on the counter with her fist, “And that little daedra spawn said he’d leave her for me!  Divines be damned, he will pay for this!” Haelga flung her cloak to the floor, “Svana, scrub this floor!  It’s disgusting, it makes me want to vomit!”

She stormed to her bedroom behind the counter and slammed the door so hard dust fell from the rafters above.

“Such a tantrum,” Adelais sighed, looking back to Svana.

“You would do the same with a broken heart!” Svana snapped, “But the dainty little princess wouldn’t know anything about one of those, would she?”

Adelais flinched at the harsh words; their moment of friendship had been just that, a moment, and it was clearly over.  She turned on her heel and smartly exited the bunkhouse without another word to Svana.

Adelais raised her hand to shield her eyes from the blazing afternoon sun.  She decided she would visit Shadr at the stables to keep her mind from her pointless existence.

Shadr was grooming one of their famous dappled grey horses as Adelais approached the stables.

“Afternoon, Adelais!” He called as he plated part of the mare’s mane with a blue ribbon streaming through the strands, “You just can’t stay away from me, can you?”

Adelais grinned, “I can’t, and you’ve found me out.  They’re just so beautiful, I’m drawn to their majestic grace.” She held out her palm to the mare, “Hello, sweet girl,” she murmured.  “Mind if I help you?” Adelais asked, looking up at Shadr.

“Not at all!  You just know my master still cannot pay you, right?”

“Of course,” she said with a smile, taking the brush from him.  “This is all the payment I need.”

Shadr grinned back, “Don’t let Hofgrir hear you say that,” he chuckled.  “Otherwise he will expect me to start working for payment by horse snuggles.”

“We can’t have that, now can we?”

“Not if I’m to ever get my younger sisters here from Hammerfell,” Shadr smiled at her.

“I didn’t know you have sisters,” Adelais said with a smile.

“I do,” Shadr said proudly, “three younger sisters; Maraya is the eldest, Lakana is the middle sister, and Zarifah is the youngest.”

“What beautiful names,” Adelais mused.

“My father would be pleased to hear that, they’re all three named after queens of old of Hammerfell.”

“Is your mother no longer with you?”

“No, she unfortunately succumbed to her family’s inherited drinking problem.”  Shadr shrugged, “But my father has been more than enough for us.  Thus why I came here to Skyrim, to find work to help pay for my sisters’ educations so hopefully my father can retire soon and they can all move here with me.”  Adelais smiled at the amount of pride in Shadr’s voice, he was proud of his family and what he could do for them.

“Well I’m sorry about your mother, but at least you have a reliable father.”

Shadr smiled, “I do.”  He regarded Adelais cautiously for a moment over the mare’s back, “It must have been difficult growing up without anyone.”

“It was,” Adelais nodded; in all their afternoons together, they had never ventured into talking about family.  “But I at least had Talen and Rava, they’ve been like the parents I never had.”

“The Argonians from The Bee & The Barb?”  Shadr raised an eyebrow.

“The very ones,” she smiled at his surprise.  “They raised me more than Grelod ever could have. Without their love… I would have been a very different woman.”  She stroked the mare’s gray mane, “What is this lovely lady’s name?”

“Orla,” Shadr said softly, “I named her for my mother, and her eyes remind me of her somehow.”

“Orla,” Adelais whispered, “it’s beautiful.”

The afternoon passed in companionable silence after that and Adelais only departed when she would be acceptably early to the Black-Briar residence.  She thanked Shadr and Hofgrir for their hospitality and headed back through the city gates.  With the setting of the sun, the social status of the people in the town plaza had changed drastically.  The wealthy shoppers had given way to the middle class, which were now being over-run by the homeless beggars seeping up from the Ratways below the city.  Adelais made certain to keep to the eastern boardwalk, hoping to avoid the city’s out-pouring of scum.

She rang the bell of Black-Briar Manor and hissed for Maul to hurry up under her breath.  Finally the massive Nord opened the door, bathing Adelais in a pool of warm golden light.  She and Ingun had a wager going that Maven’s Housecarl was really her lover or some unknown member of the Black-Briar family.  Maven was oddly fond of him for Maul simply being one of her dozens of servants.

“Evening, Maul!” Adelais said brightly.

“The Lady didn’t say nothing about you being here this evening,” he stated.

“Ingun invited me this morning,” she began to explain awkwardly.

“Who is it, Maul, dear?” Maven’s voice drifted over Maul’s shoulder, “Why are you lollygagging with the door wide open at this time of night?”

“It’s me, ma’am,” Adelais called inside to Maven Black-Briar.

“Adelais!” Maven exclaimed; suddenly she appeared at Maul’s side and gently moved him aside.  “My dear girl,” she cooed, “are you joining us for dinner this evening?”

Adelais bowed her head in mild embarrassment, wishing for the thousandth time that Maven would not treat her like a charity case.  “If that’s alright, ma’am,” she murmured, “Ingun invited me this morning.”

“Of course, my dear! Ingun is just always so busy at the shop, you know, she never has the time to inform me of these social engagements she makes so last minute.” Maven exclaimed again, Adelais tried to ignore the woman’s joint jab at both her granddaughter and Adelais, wrapping her arm around Adelais and ushering into her oddly shaped reception room, “But, you know you are always welcome here with us.  One of these days Maul will remember that.”  She winked at Adelais, squeezing her shoulders.  “Come,” she said, “join me in the parlor for a drink by the fire, Ingun hasn’t returned home just yet.”

Maven offered her a fine, soft cushioned chair by the blazing fire and pressed a gold goblet of Black-Briar Reserve into her hand, “I’m actually glad Ingun isn’t home yet, it means we can have a little private time, you and I; I have been meaning to speak with you,” Maven said as she slowly lowered herself into her own chair.  Could it be, Maven Black-Briar was finally feeling her age?  “Your petition of independence, what has brought that about?  Ingun has given me the impression that things have been better since you’ve moved to Haelga’s.”

“It has been better, milady,” Adelais said carefully.  “But Haelga’s mood swings… I don’t think she’s stable, just this morning she ordered her niece to scrub the floor on her hands and knees for being concerned about her day’s date.  And speaking of Svana, she has become rather hostile with me.”

“Well, everyone knows Haelga is two septims short of pint of ale,” Maven chuckled, “but she would never harm you, dearest.  And I thought you and Svana got along?”

Adelais considered her answer, not wanting to seem overly impulsive.  “I know Haelga would never purposefully hurt anyone, but she just seems to lose touch with reality; if you say the wrong thing at the wrong time, she snaps on you.  And she works poor Svana like her own personal slave.”

“Any truth to the rumors that Haelga has been openly practicing devotions to Dibella?” Maven asked casually, trying not to sound overly interested.

“Oh yes,” Adelais quickly agreed; spotting her opportunity, she grasped it, “she conducts herself in such a poor manner with the men of the city.  And she flaunts it openly.  Especially in front of Svana and me.  She makes no effort to keep their activities quiet.”

Maven made a tsk-ing sound, “That’s no way to raise teenaged girls,” she chided.  “It will be a Divine miracle if neither of you end up with a child before you’re wed at this rate.” Maven pursed her lips, growing visibly irritated. She may not be the Jarl of Riften, but Maven ran the city. “What of you and Svana?  Is there no remedying the relationship?”

“I have no idea what she’s on about, ma’am,” Adelais flat out lied.

“Oh?  I had heard rumor you two had a falling out over a boy,” Maven said casually.

“I honestly do not know what Svana’s complaint is with me, ma’am,” Adelais murmured. Damn Ingun, she never could keep a secret from her grandmother!  “The only boy I know of Svana being interested in is your grandson; and no offense intended, ma’am, but Sibbi isn’t my type,” Adelais forced her voice to sound regretful.  Honestly she thought Svana was quite dense for having suddenly becoming besotted with a suspected murderer.

Maven chuckled softly, “He is an acquired taste, my dear.”  Her smile died and her face turned serious, “I wish you to be honest with me, Adelais.”

“Always, ma’am,” she stammered.

“Are you seeking independence so you can leave Riften?” Maven asked plainly.

Adelais breathed deeply, drawing confidence from within herself; she could answer this.  “Yes, Maven,” she answered simply.  “I don’t feel as though I belong here, I never have.”  A sad smile spread across her lips, “When people look at me here, they all have that same look in their eyes: they pity me.  It’s similar to how you’re looking at me now.”

“I’m sorry, but everyone knows your story here, Adelais,” Maven said gently.  “You were found hidden in a basket, secreted away under the floorboards of a burnt down farmhouse.  Your parents are no doubt long dead, dear.”

“Yes, Maven,” Adelais murmured, forcing a smile and trying to keep level toned, “I’m certain they are.”  She paused, gathering her thoughts, “That is part of the problem; no one here sees me, they only see what happened to me.  Going somewhere new, I could be someone new.  People could finally see me, Maven.”

Maven nodded, steeping her fingers below her chin, listening intently.  “And what of Ingun, my dear?” Maven finally asked.

Adelais was taken aback, “What about her, ma’am?”  It was just like Maven, turn someone else’s problem into something that would somehow affect a member of the Black-Briar clan.

“Are you two not close?”

“Of course, Maven!” Adelais exclaimed; she could feel annoyance rising like steam within her.  What was the purpose of this line of questions?  “She’s my best friend in all the world, you know that.  We couldn’t be closer if we were sisters, distance shall never alter that.”

“But she shall be alone.”

“She has you and the rest of the Black-Briar clan,” Adelais could not keep her annoyance hidden from her voice any longer.  “She’s an apprentice alchemist at Elgrim’s. She shows great talent.  I only have her and Talen and Keerava.  No one in Riften will hire me for fear of dealing with Grelod or Haelga, and I suspect… even you.” Adelais had the pleasure of seeing Maven look briefly startled, the older woman was not used to being caught out and called out in her conniving plans. “The only thing I want to do with my life is work with animals.  And the only thing here in Riften that offers that is the stables, and Hofgrir has made it very plain he cannot afford me.”  Adelais shrugged, “I do not see what else I can do.”

“Very well,” Maven sighed, “I shall present it to Laila in the morning.  With me sponsoring you, she should have no problem approving it.  I just wanted to be certain it wasn’t because of some boy.  Now, in the meantime, you’d best figure out the name you wish to carry with you for the rest of your life.  Or at least until you marry.”

A week later Adelais was signing a role of parchment in Jarl Laila’s hall.  She signed her new name: Adelais True-Heart.  Over her shoulder she could hear Keerava sniffling and was aware of both she and Talen dashing away tears; they were touched she was incorporating the Argonian name they had bestowed upon her all those years ago as her new name.  Both Maven Black-Briar and Haelga Far-Shield acted as witnesses as Jarl Laila declared Adelais legally independent.

Her first act of independence was moving out of Haelga’s ratty bunkhouse and into her usual room at The Bee & The Barb.  Keerava hired her on as a server in their dining hall, so she was actually paying to stay for once.  Soon Adelais was becoming self-sufficient and was developing a nice little stash of gold.  It was three days past Alistair’s deadline before Adelais realized a fortnight had come and gone.