I am Laeilwyn Riverpool (A Skyrim Adventure)

Chapter Fifteen: The (Un)Gift of Speech

-Laeilwyn's Perspective-

I was shaken awake by Vex. 

"Get up Elle, you lazy elf!" She commanded jokingly. "Your carriage leaves in an hour and you aren't even dressed!" 

"Can't I just sleep into Sun's Height?" I rubbed my eyes and groggily sat up in bed. 

"Maybe we could get more done around here if you did sleep for a month or so!" She laughed. "Now, I've got something I want you to pick up while you're in the city." 

I groaned. "What's in it for me?" 

"The satisfaction of helping a friend?" She suggested. I stared at her, unimpressed. "Fine, fine. A copious amount of gold." 

"That's more like it. What am I looking for?" I asked, casting aside my robes and changing into my Guild armor. 

"I need a Jeweled Flagon from Addvar's house." 

"I can do that. What's my cut?"

"Whatever I decide to give you!" She said defensively. 

"C'mon Vex!" 

"30%?" She offered. 

I made a face. "Never have I worked for so little. Alright, 30%." We shook hands and she went back into the Flagon while I packed my things. I brought my bow with me this time, a quiver full of arrows, the mace I was going to sell, my set of amulets and a gold and emerald circlet I found one day while Erandur and I were checking out a Nordic tomb. He helped me enchant it to suit a marksman's skills. Not that I needed it often, but it helped me more than you might think. I tucked the mace in it's hides under my arm and pulled on my hood. I said goodbye to all in the Flagon, and went out the mausoleum entrance. I was met at the top of the stairs by Brynjolf. 

"Lass! You're leaving already?" He smelled of strange mead. It was quite overwhelming.

"Yeah, have to be in Solitude... by the eve of Fredas... by the Twelve Brynjolf, what have you been drinking?" I coughed and tried to wave away some of the smell. 

"Oh that? Do you like it? It's mead with juniper berries. Quite enticing. Would you like to try some?" He held up a goblet full of the stuff. 

I stepped around him. "Thank you Brynjolf, but no thank you. Maybe when I get back I can try some of your dainty, fruited mead. What is with you Nords and sweetening what's already perfectly fermented?"

He laughed. "Oh Elle, this is why we keep you around! Such a whimsical elf." He patted me on the head. He leaned in for a kiss and almost fell down the stairs when I leaned away. I caught him and helped him to the ladder. 

"Oh Brynjolf, how many times am I going to have to help you home when you're too inebriated to walk?" I opened the trap door and called down, "hey, Vipir, help me out here!"

"Elle, you're a fine lass, you know that? So talented and definitely not hard on the eyes!" He laughed loudly and hiccuped.

"Alright now, Brynjolf, come on. I'll help you to the Flagon." Vipir said, guiding him down the ladder.

"Goodnight Brynjolf. I'll see you on Tirdas." I thanked Vipir, and closed the trapdoor before exiting the mausoleum. 

Upon reaching the city gates, I saw Erandur in Sigaar's carriage, ready to go. "There you are! Sleep in a bit did we?" Erandur teased. 

"Only a bit." I admitted sheepishly. 

"Miss Elle must be tired. She only just got back and now she's running off across the province again before the night is up." Sigaar pointed out. He seemed more jovial and much less solemn than when we first met.