Skyrim: Shieldmaiden of Jorrvasker.

Part Four: A Time in Need.

I.

It had been a fortnight when I finally had the courage to tell Aela that Sinding and I were to be married. After the death of her beloved Skjor, I was afraid of the anger and hurt that would follow if I told her that I was going to be stepping forward in my life with Sinding. I feared her wrath more than anything....along with my own guilt.
I felt bad for accepting the proposal not long after Skjor's funeral, but I loved Sinding with my whole being, and hadn't felt that way towards anyone before. But I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. He had been talking to me nightly about my upbringing, said he was trying to help me heal old wounds, like I had done his.
Honestly, I think I had a harder time talking about my past then he did his own.
I stood across from Aela while we were scouting the borders of Whiterun that night. Kodlak said it would be good for us. Ever since Skjor had been killed, Aela became distant. She seemed almost angry at me, like it was my fault that Skjor was gone.
Maybe it was....after all, the woman who killed him worked under Vulono, my biological father.
Aela studied me. "So you and Sinding plan to be wed as soon as you receive word back from the priest of Mara?"
I kept my head low. "Yes, Sinding received the letter today, we are to be wed on the first Sundas of the Evening Star." Aela lifted my chin up in her hand and gave me a small smile, "That doesn't give you two very long, does it?"
I nod, "Less than eight days."
Aela smiled, "Why so quickly?"
Taniiaae, "It wasn't going to be so quickly.....but something has come up and we figured it would be better this way."
Aela tilts her head, "You are with child."
I whip my head up, my cheeks burning. "How-"
Aela laughs. "I've known you for years. And people talk. Ysolda was in the Temple of Kynereth while you were speaking to the high priestess about your morning sickness and emotions, and had heard the conversation." I blush.
"Does Sinding know he is to be a father?" Aela says softly.
I meet her eyes, "He does. He was with me when I went. I think he suspected that's why I had been so ill lately. He's afraid though."
"Because of his incident in Falkreath?"
I nod, "That's mainly it. But he is also afraid of being a father, since his father died when he was young. And since mine own.....so we decided it was better to be wed before gossip came up."
Aela nods. "Smart.....why didn't you tell me sooner about the matrimony? I've seen the Amulets of Mara hanging on your bed posts. And Sinding wears his regularly, even if he tried to conceal it. You have done the same." I exhale. "I wanted to tell you. I truly did....but I didn't want to hurt you."
Aela shakes her head, "Tanii, you could never hurt me. I know that I lashed out on you the night Skjor was killed, and I am sorry for that."
"You don't have to apologize for that night." I say, "You lost the man you loved and I understand that now. And I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner about Sinding and I...I just...just..." "You didn't want to hurt me. I understand." Aela hugs me. The embrace is strange, but comforting. "I'm very happy for you both. More then you realize."

...................................................
I sat in the Bannered Mare at a vacant table. I watched as some of the townsfolk laughed and drank. I saw the passing glances between Jon Battle-Born and Olfina Grey-Mayne. Then I turn my attension to Saadia, the Redguard barmaid. She was beautiful. Amid her dark hair and skin, she had piercing blue eyes. They stood out like the shimmering sea. It was the most noticeable thing about her.
Other than her long scar on her pretty face.
I remembered the two Redguard men who caught me at the gate over two weeks ago. I hadn't reached out back to them, because I was still studying Saadia. She didn't seem dangerous to me, she was sultry and flirtatious and seemed to be a bit lazy at times compared to Olfina and the barkeep Hulda, but she didn't seem to be a threat.
I had to make my move.
She was serving the desperate bard Mikael his drink when I snuck behind her. Like everyone, she knew who I was, and who I associated myself with. "Ah, what brings a Companion to me tonight, my darling?" She purrs. I ignore the niceties and whisper, "Are you aware that there were two men looking for you?"
Saadia's hands slip and she drops her tray of mead all over Mikael's shoes. The bard whines about how his footwear will now smell of ale for weeks. Saadia bends down to pickup the mugs. As she does so, I crouch down to help her and she grabs my wrist tightly, "Go wait upstairs, I will be up in a moment, so then we can talk." I nod, and she releases me.
I go up through the left handed side of the rafters, where the staff sleeps. I walk into a vacant room and just as I turn my back, I feel a cold knife at my throat.
"So....they found me eh? And what did they offer you? My head? Money from the old country? A palace?! If you lay a hand on me, I'll cut off your hands!" Saadia hisses in my ear. I keep my calm. "Pretty words for someone who is in the same predicament yet not attaching." I says softly.
With that Saadia releases me and I take a few steps back. I do not pull out a weapon. I need her to know I'm neutral. She still has her steel knife pointed at me. "Who are you?" She seethes. I tilt my head, "Like you said, one of the Companions. And no, if I wanted to drag you to these men, I would of done it, instead of letting you know that you were on their agenda."
I cross my arms over my chest. Saadia slowly lowers her knife. "Look. I'm sorry, I just didn't know if I could trust you. You are the maiden with the former criminal as a lover, aren't you?"
My face goes hot. I don't like it when others talk about Sinding's past. Especially when I have worked very hard to help him forgive himself. And the fact that the town knew that we were mad for each other made me feel protective.
I had the keep my Wolf down so I wouldn't snap.
I didn't feel like placating. "I don't like taking actions until I get the full story." I say. "So....Saadia... I figured I'd let you know that I was confronted by these two Redguard men about a fortnight ago. They weren't from Skyrim, as their attire was of Hammerfell's climate. They didn't give me much information, but said that they weren't welcome here in Whiterun, but needed help looking for a Redguard woman. I obliged them that I would 'look', but haven't done anything yet....until I met you tonight." I think about how some gold would be helpful for my dowry and for Sinding and I to find a little home if need be. Especially now that I was expecting. Saadia slowly sheathes her dagger. "I need your help then."
I take a seat. I find myself getting tired from standing. And I felt famished. The smell of Hulda's beef stew topped with Mammoth cheese was making my mouth water.
Saadia stands were she was and says, "My name isn't Saadia, but Iman. I was the princess of Hammerfell. I spoke out against the Aldermari Dominion, and since I've been on the run for my life. Those men you met, want to exchange my blood for gold. And they take orders from Kematu, the leader of this band of Assassins."
I try to recall what the men had told me, and line it up with 'Iman' and her story. She seems very afraid, why wouldn't she be? I remember the name Kematu.
"Why haven't you asked the Whiterun guards, or the Jarl, or even my leader, Kodlak Whitemayne?" I inquire.
"Ha! Do you think I would let any of those foolish men help me? They wouldn't understand!" Saadia sneers. I'm surprised by her bitterness, especially towards Kodlak or Balgruuf, who have always been good men and leaders in my eyes. "No, I need your help, Taniiaae. I've heard of your kind heart and you proved that when you warned me before you gave me up. Because of that, I'm in your debt. And I can counter the gold and more from what those bastards have offered you! I know that you and your new husband will be in need of it soon." Saadia says, her voice begging. I nod, "Alright, I'll help you. What do you need me to do?"
I'm a Companion, I'm not going to leave a woman in need to the mercy of bad men.
Saadia leans up close to me, I can smell the exotic perfume she wears. "I need you to go speak to one of the Redguards. He is currently locked up down in the dungeon. And after you get him to talk, come back to me."