Innocence Won

Prologue: The Second Chance

I, Mjoll The Lioness have just received the worst news of this year. I just found out Grelod is dead! I am so saddened because of that innocent boy Aventus Aretino. He sadly succeeded in summoning a killer and linking his name to criminality. He hasn't actually committed any real crimes, but he is now associated.

I am deeply disturbed by this news. I have FAILED at my job as protector. How could I have let the Dark Brotherhood scare me away from saving that innocent child. I don't think I can live with myself. I have to go get some mead.

As I tremble like the billowing trees in the storm, I ride up slowly from my chair and with much distress I slowly walk to my front door. I am looking around and everything is blurry. Even a rugged woman like me is broken and I cannot see beyond my tears. My face flush with sadness and hate. I swear I will get my vengeance on the dark brotherhood. I swear it. I walk a few more steps and slowly twist the doorknob and the door creak was slightly distracting.

I make my way outside to fetch a drink. As I walk, I see the tavern just up ahead. The ground feeling harsh on my feet, I am unable to carry my legs high enough off the ground. The night sky is only reminding me of the darkness that poor Aventus is in. That lonely child, that need MY protection. I am the only one with morals it seems. I just wanted him to be safe, and now he's infamous for his supposed link to criminality. I still put my money on it he is still not bad or corrupted. Just misunderstood and ignored.

I am at arms reach of the door. I open it and am greeted by my friends. Them noticing how upset I am, ask me why I am the way I am. I tell them I don't want to talk about that poor kid. He is too innocent to deal with what he had dealt with. I ask the bar tender to pass me the mead, and make it three. I down my first bottle and second before anyone can lift theirs to toast. As I pick up the third, I ask for three more. Downing the sticky fire water senselessly.

Now I am feeling the effects. I sink my head for a minute, and ask for four more. The bar tender was not too sure but I got the coin and I wasn't gonna take no for an answer. I drink my seventh and eighth, and as it gets harder to swallow. I pause, letting the effects catch up to me. I hear a voice on my left mention that name. That poor forsaken name. I couldn't handle that, nor could handle his fame. He is too young for any kind of admiration or worship. I stood up and smashed the empty bottle on his face. As he stood screaming and bleeding with the stuck shards only making it worse. He cried whhhhyyyy. I told him never to promote the idea of Aventus' corruption and I defended the boy's honor and Innocence. I believe he just didn't want to go back to that abusive orphanage. I should've dealt with Grelod The Kind a long time ago.

As the man was bleeding, I gave everyone a cold glare and warned them to never slander Aventus Aretino EVER. I feel the rush of adrenaline kick in and swig my last two bottles. Then I walked angrily out the door, throwing the two last bottles at the windows. I turn around one last time as if to say "Don't even think about reporting me". No one wanted to face me. I was hell bent on Avenging EVERY innocent person alive.

I am outside again, only this time I am sweating and its not even hot. As I wobble in my stupor, I am getting those intrusive thoughts. And it pains me to say why. I am definitely calling it a night. My heart is racing like man on fire. I feel like taking myself from this world. But that's cowardice. I want to save the innocent people of Skyrim. I don't want to see anyone else get hurt. I have to make some time tomorrow. I need to talk to dear Aventus and check up on him. I hope atleast he's doing alright. I no longer feel the same pain I did when walking earlier. Due to my drinking, I can't feel anything.

I make it back to my house and see a sleeping Aerin. I just need to crash right now. I will solve this tomorrow. As I nod off, the thoughts keep coming. I soon realize I can't sleep. This painful situation has a hold on my sanity. I need to avenge Aventus, morally of course. I don't want more blood spilled because of him. I will decide to walk around the region and hope to have an answer. I unlock my door and head out swiftly. I need a mountainous space and solitude.