Gray Heart: A Skyrim Tale of Family

Chapter Three

Kedev grew quickly with the care Sareen provided her. She was of a larger frame, but not in a wide way, and was gifted with strength and speed, and most importantly, how to make others smile in a perilous time. Ulfric Stormcloak had been struck down in his palace, in front of his supporters and warriors by the Dragonborn's hand. It brought a celebration to the Dunmer, and the few Nords living in Windhelm that saw the plight and pity of the Dark Elves in the city, but had made those who were devoted to keeping them in their place had lashed out.

They had killed two Dunmer, Aval and Luaffyn, but the mob of Nords had made their mistake then. Showing themselves, and killing senselessly during the day under tight observation and patrol of Imperial soldiers had been their downfall. Those that were not killed, were kept in prison, and their houses had been given to the family or friends of the Dunmer they had killed, and their own families sent to live in Gray-Quarter. But unfortunately and thankfully, none of Sareen's friends had been killed.

Even so, they were payed a hefty sum, and were able to add a new room to their house, freshly paint everything, and replace all of the broken and old furniture. They now each had their own bedroom, and a wardrobe of clothes, and trinkets decorating their rooms. After all of the tragedies happening in Winterhold, and the money they had been given , things were finally starting to look up. The Grey-Quarter was no longer plagued at night by the ruckus and rumble of a drunken Rolff Stone-Fist and his friends storming up and down the corridor screaming vile insults and throwing stones.

But even though the harsh words against the Dark Elves had been hushed, there were many disapproving thoughts and looks of Sareen and Kedev. Even the Imperials there were hesitant to let Sareen keep her. In fact, the other Dunmer didn't like it much either. She still had friends, but every other month someone would find a new way to subtly hint that she should let the Nords raise the Nords, and the Dunmer raise the Dunmer. Revyn was the only one to not complain about it. Well, not after the first time.~

Sareen sat on the steps in front of Candlehearth Hall with Catherine, a Breton woman, the wife in a young couple, and watched Kedev play tag with the other child, braids trailing behind. Catherine was not terribly intelligent, but she was good of heart, and always truthful. She sighed with a flowery look in her eyes, which seemed to brighten the dull light that breached the walls of Winterhold. "Look at them. They look so happy. I wish I could be a child again.", she told Sareen dreamily. "You are still a child. You're only eighteen.", Sareen replied surprised.

Catherine gave her a playful look. "I mean a small child, like Kedev, or Eirid's little sister." "You mean Illyda?" Catherine nodded. "It must be wonderful to not have responsibilities. To get to play all of the time." "Well, if you're that hung up on children, why don't you have some?", Sareen joked. Catherine didn't catch it. "I'd have to get my husband away from The White Phial in order to do that. I had doubts about him being the apprentice here, because I knew I wouldn't get to see him much. He's just so... obsessive. But this... This is even less than I thought I would! He used to be like that with me."

"Don't get me wrong. He's kind, and sweet, and not any where near as chauvinistic with me as my father was to my mother, and he has such a way with words..." She paused a moment, trying to remember why she was upset. "But I wish he'd spend more time with me, and less time over an alchemy lab. Maybe if I go in there and tell him to make me potion for increased fertility, he'll take a hint." "I wouldn't count on it. That husband of yours is rather oblivious." Sareen stopped, and then added ,"But, a girl can hope."

They watched the girls play a while longer. "So, when are you going to settle down?", Catherine asked suddenly. Sareen was taken aback by the abrupt question, and then thought about it deeply. "Well, none of the men here are ready yet.", Sareen answered for the sake of answering. Catherine frowned. "I- I mean... Well... The Nord men just don't attract me, and i'm fairly certain I don't attract them. Most of the people here aren't exactly open to that kind of marriage anyway. I can wait a few more years. They'll be ready then."

Catherine nodded, clearly not listening anymore. "You know what? I'm going to do it. I'm going to go there right now and get a fertility potion. I'll tell you how it goes. See you later!", she said determinedly, jumping up. Sareen waved goodbye, and reflected on their conversation. "Actually, they'll be ready in about five years", She thought to herself. "Maybe I should start thinking about it." She snapped back to reality, and saw that Kedev was standing right beside her with a beautiful grin on her face.

She was eight now, and the happiness she brought was getting brighter and brighter. You couldn't help but be elated in her presence. It wasn't magic. Happiness from magic felt different, muddled. This was pure innocent happiness, the kind that can only come from someone around you that is truly happy. That made Sareen feel even better. She was doing a wonderful job as a mother, if she was able to keep Kedev happy in poverty. "Look at my scratch mommy!", Kedev told her gleefully. "It doesn't hurt. Now I have a battle scar, just like Aldrissar!"

Sareen rolled her eyes with a smile. Kedev had chosen the Dragonborn as her personal idol, and was always getting in trouble and playing pretend games. Usually she made Illyda be the dragon. Kedev babbled on about her game until her stomach growled. "I'm hungry, mommy!", she announced. "Well, we'd better go fill you up, then. How does sausage and cheese sound?", Sareen said to her, taking her hand. "Again?", Kedev whined. "It's either that or cabbage soup.", Sareen told her. Kedev sulked a little.