Hello again everyone, today's story is part one of a series set in the fictional land of Skyrim (© Bethesda). It is a cold, mountainous region filled with tall pine trees, sparkling rivers, beautiful vistas, and dangerous critters. The Nordic inhabitants are a strong and independent, but mostly good-hearted people. They are facing a particularly dangerous time, however, as dragons have returned to the skies above their ancient home. And now the future is uncertain, especially for the young girl in our story. Her name is Lucia, and she is an orphan who's parents had been farmers before their untimely deaths left her alone. Now she yearns to fit in to her new home and be a part of a family that she can trust to take care of her. But will the family she found be what she needs? Or will its dark secret end up being too much for the girl who lost it all? Only one way to find out, as we read...

Lakeview Manor

A Skyrim Story (part one)

            The wagon jolted and Lucia’s eyes popped open. It had been a long ride from Whiterun, and somewhere along the way she must have fallen asleep. It was noon when they left, but now the sun had sunk low toward the west, and its orange light cast long shadows from the tall pines that lined the road. She stretched and twisted around to loosen her back. The hard wood of the wagon’s bench wasn’t the most comfortable surface to nap on, but the warm sunlight, monotonous scenery and rhythmic clopping of the horse’s hooves had done its work despite all that.

With a sigh she looked across at her new sister who also lay asleep on the far bench. Sophie’s life had been similar to her own, before the man who had become their father found her on the streets of Windhelm and brought her back to live with Lucia and him in Whiterun. Sophie had been quiet about her past, but Lucia could guess. She still remembered how it had been when her aunt and uncle took over her family’s farm after her parents died, and how they kicked her out of her own home, saying she was useless. It had stung worse than anything, even more painful than her parents’ death, to then be told she was worthless and kicked out of the only home she’d ever known.

She’d made her way to Whiterun after that and lived on the streets for a few months, taking coins from anyone who would give her one. Then one day she’d met him, the man who would become her father. He was new in town, and he had a wild sort of look about him like one who had just escaped death. He wore dented steel armor that had obviously seen its share of action; and he carried a wicked-looking greatsword on his back. At first she was afraid to even approach him. But hunger drove her desperation, and one day she called out as he walked by, asking for a coin. To her surprise he’d stopped and turned a pair of bright blue eyes toward her, and she’d found his face held kindness in it. He gave her a coin and asked why she was begging. She told him her story, and his eyes flashed with a sudden anger that startled her. “No one should treat a child that way,” he said, and she found herself believing he actually meant it. Then he nodded to her, “I have business to attend to, but perhaps we shall meet again.”

Lucia smiled at the memory, as in her mind’s eye she saw him running up the steps to the Jarl’s hold, Dragon’s Reach. She had wondered at what kind of man he was and found herself watching for him each day. It was nearly a week before she saw him again, and then… she shuddered. That was the day the dragon attacked. There were panicked reports about a giant dragon outside the city to the west. She’d crouched behind a bench and watched a group of the Jarl’s warriors run out to face it, and much to her surprise she’d seen the man with the greatsword running with them. They charged out of the city and she’d wondered nervously if they would return. But they did. Somehow they defeated the dragon and came back, and they were calling the man by a strange name. They called him, Dovahkiin. She didn’t know what it meant, but figured it probably was something like Dragon-Slayer. She’d watched in amazement as he strode up the steps to Dragon’s Reach victorious. Soon the whole town knew him, and the Jarl even proclaimed him Thane of the city. In the days following he bought a house and settled in. She remembered then the first stirrings of hope she’d felt in a long time. It had been summer then, but as Last Seed came to and end she knew she wasn’t likely to survive the winter ahead without a home. Perhaps she could convince him to let her stay in his new place.

The wagon jolted again and brought her out of her reverie. She craned her neck to get a look at where they were going. It was hard to see over the bundle of sacks and boxes in the wagon, but she could make out the plume of her new father’s helmet and the spiked black armor on his shoulders. If anything, he looked more fearsome now than before. The wicked Orcish armor he had now made him look like a monster. But beneath it all she knew was the same kind face, and so she feared not. She knew it was his enemies that had to fear, not her. There was a quiet comfort to that, and it made her smile.

Sophie stirred across from her and Lucia looked over, wondering how her new sister could still be asleep. She seemed to be able to sleep through anything. Lucia smiled, remembering when her new father had first brought the girl home. It was in the middle of Sun’s Dusk. Lucia had been living at his house in Whiterun for about a month, and one day, as the nights were growing longer and the temperature fell, he came home with a shadow in tow. Sophie was thin and frail when she first arrived, but with a warm bed and some hot meals she’d regained her strength in no time. The man’s wife, a skilled huntress named Aela with blue war paint on her face, had taken a surprising liking to the girl and made sure she was welcomed and well cared-for.

The little house in Whiterun became a bustling home as the new family came together. By the end of the month the man and his wife had finalized the adoption papers and both girls were now officially part of the family. It had filled Lucia with joy, and she went to bed each night, thankful to the Nine that she had a home once again.

But it wasn’t long before their little house began to feel overcrowded. With the man, his wife, the two girls, and the housecarl Lydia, every available space was taken. One night she’d woken up to hear her new father and mother arguing about it in the living room. They had discussed it for some time, then finally he’d agreed they needed a bigger house. The following morning he’d left, saying he had a lot of work to do, and for the next few weeks she barely saw him at all. He would come home late, if at all, and leave early the next morning. But finally he came back, as the spring sun began to melt snow in the city, and said it was time to move. They were going out to live by the lake in a special house he’d built. She had been nervous, but excited as well, and the idea of living out in the forest by the lake was one to make her mind race with the possibilities.

With that memory fresh in her head she craned her neck to get a look at the lake, but it wasn’t quite visible yet. To the right of the wagon road a steep hill rose up, and to the left the trees ran off as far as the eye could see. It was a pretty remote place, she thought. Then a smile crossed her face. At least out here they wouldn’t be bothered by that bully Braith! The girl had been insufferable, taunting her each day. Lucia could take it, but it had been especially hard on Sophie, who was a lot more sensitive to harsh treatment. But all that was behind them now. She could hardly wait.

With a final jolt the wagon came to a stop, and Lucia jumped to her feet even as Sophie stirred awake. Ahead of them the road curved to the left, and there in front was a great tall house standing among the trees. Its foundation was solid stone, and it had huge wooden beams running up the sides of white walls. To the right the ground rose up in a steeply sloped hill, and nestled between the house and the rock was a garden, and beyond that she could make out the shapes of a furnace and metal forge. She heard a snort and looked around to her left. There was a stable there, and a horse! Her heart raced as she turned back to face her sister. Their eyes met, and they both grinned as it began to sink in. This was their new home!

With a whoop they jumped out of the wagon and raced across the ground to the new house, their little feet barely touching the frozen soil. There was so much to explore! Then sun was almost gone, but she wasn’t tired anymore. She’d slept most of the way out and now was full of energy as she ran. The cool air was fresh, and the scent of pine was strong. Suddenly she heard her sister yell, “Hey! There’s a balcony over here!” And she raced around the corner to see.

Sure enough around the left side of the house there was a set of stairs leading up to a large porch-like balcony. She took the steps two at a time and found Sophie standing by the railing, staring out through the trees. Running up next to her, Lucia looked out to see what had her attention, and her breath caught. “Whoa…” she whispered in awe. Through the trees there was a brilliant blue, glinting in the light of the fading sun. It was the lake, stretching away to the northwest. The bright blue water shimmered as tiny waves moved across its surface, dotted here and there with patches of white where the ice hadn’t melted yet. She wondered what kind of fish were in the lake, and if it would be safe to swim. Turning to her sister she caught her eye once more and they both grinned again. This would be such a fun place to live, she thought.

Just then the wood creaked behind them and she turned, half expecting to see her father coming up to see the view. Instead, she saw a woman with frightfully dark skin, hard iron armor, and two wicked scimitars strapped to her belt. And in a moment of panic she screamed, Sophie’s voice joining hers as she turned and saw the fearsome figure. Was this a bandit!? she thought, waiting to kill and rob them? And where is papa?

As if in response her father suddenly appeared at the top of the stairs, his piercing blue eyes darting around for the cause of the screaming. Then he quickly crossed to them and placed his hands on their shoulders, seeming not to even notice the fierce dark figure. He looked into their eyes. “It’s ok girls,” he said stepping back, his voice calm. Behind him the woman was standing, her arms crossed on her chest and a frown on her face. Puzzled, Lucia looked to her father, the realization coming to her that this probably wasn’t a bandit after all.

He father nodded then, understanding. “Lucia, Sophie, this is Rayya. She is my housecarl from Falkreath, and she is the steward of my house…” he paused, then corrected, “of our house.” Stepping aside, he gestured with his powerful hands allowing the girls and Rayya to get a proper look at each other. “She helped me procure supplies to build this house,” he continued, “and she stays here to protect it when I am away. Know that with her around, you will be in no danger from bandits or other threats.”

Lucia looked up at him suddenly, a pang of sadness passing over her. “You mean you won’t always be here papa?” she asked.

He shook his head, “not yet my girls. There is still a danger out there, and it is my duty to see it dealt with.”

“You mean the dragons,” said Lucia quietly.

“Yes the dragons,” her father replied, “and… other things. But don’t you worry about that. You will be safe and happy here. We will fill this house with music and laughter, and our family will grow strong here.” He squatted down and looked them both in the eyes. “And I will always come back to you. I promise.”

            As they both smiled he reached out and pulled them into a big hug, and Lucia closed her eyes feeling a warmth she hadn’t known in over a year. She wanted that moment to last forever. But too soon it was passed and her father was nudging them back toward the stairs. “Now go and get your things from the wagon. I imagine you’ll want to check out your new bedrooms inside.” 

           Sophie whooped with excitement, and Lucia had to run to keep up with her. As they dashed back down the stairs the man stood up to watch them go. This is a good house, he thought. They will do well here. He sighed, his gaze drifting over to Aela who stood some distance off, sniffing the breeze like she’d caught the scent of something disturbing. A line of worry furrowed the man’s brow as he considered what lay ahead. And I pray the remoteness keeps our secret so the girls never have to face the one thing they cannot be allowed to know. Turning back to the railing he gazed out at the lake as the last ray of sunlight disappeared below the horizon. Lakeview Manor, he smiled grimly, Indeed.