Skyrim V: Shadow over Markarth

Chapter Two: Trade Halt

 It was about two in the morning as I sat in dining room with Aaiden. He had woken me up screaming. I had groggily picked him up and nursed him, but he didn't go back to sleep. So, while Sinding was asleep(He fell asleep very quickly after dinner), I left our room so he and Lucia wouldn't wake up by the baby's fits. I sat in one of the chairs as Aaiden looked at me, his eyes taking me in. Even after being only in this world for two weeks, he knew the sight of me and would get quiet and calm. He was considered premature as Danica had said, so he was smaller than most babies. But she said that birth in Skyrim was a good thing, especially in this war. So even though it concerned me how small he was, I knew he was alright. I touched head gently. Even if it was very light, he took after Sinding's Nordic features of the lighter hair and stronger features. But he had my ears. I leaned my head back against the back of the chair, feeling exhausted. Aaiden make a little squeak. "What is it, sweetheart?" I said, as held him closer to me.
  "Is everything alright?" 
I turn towards the bedroom door as Sinding came out of the room. He looked at me and the baby and gave a sleepy smile. "I didn't hear him, or I would of taken care of it-"
"You worked all day, and have to go back to the Skyforge in a few hours," I say, "I wasn't going to wake you up, my love." 
  He pulled up one of the kitchen chairs and gently took the baby from my arms. He rested Aaiden against his bare chest and looked up at me. "You look absolutely exhausted." he said. I lean my head against my hand and I say. "Just....adjusting is harder than I thought." 
  Aaiden yawned and his eyes started to doze off and on. I smile at him. "Court....it's not like adventuring, or following Aela and Skjor on a mission. That, and being a mother...." I look at him and say, "I love being a mother...but I'm so afraid that I'm not doing anything right. And by taking care of Aaiden so much, that I'm neglecting Lucia." Sinding's gaze softened and he shook his head. "You are a wonderful mother, Tanii. You are wonderful for both Lucia and Aaiden." 
 "And, I worry that you won't find me beautiful anymore....that I'm failing as a Thane in Whiterun." Tears started to trickle down my face and I use a hand to roughly wipe them away. Sinding stands up and gently puts the now sleeping Aaiden in one of his cribs we kept in the dining room and came back over and wrapped me against his bare chest. I start to sob and I didn't even know why. Why I felt so sad, so worthless, so inadequite.
"I'm sorry," I said, muffled against him. 
"You have nothing to be sorry for, my love." Sinding said, speaking into my hair. "You are doing very well as Thane. I couldn't sit in court for hours like you do, and as a mother, you are amazing. Lucia adores you and I see the way Aaiden's eyes light up when he sees you." He kisses the top of my head and gently tilts my face to look up at him. "And you will always be beautiful to me, Taniiaae. You are as beautiful as the day I first saw you, and you will always be beautiful to me. Your smile, your laugh, your spirit, your heart, and those pointy ears-" he winked and I started to laugh. "Will always make my heart sing. Never think that I won't love you, ever."  He leans forward and our lips meet. I feel the fear and anxiety leave my heart as we embrace in each other's love and warmth. The sound of Aaiden whimpered in his sleep made us pull apart as we turned towards the crib to see our baby, who was still sleeping in the crib. "Danica told me separately when she saw me in town early," Sinding said, "that you could be dealing with something that happens to many new mothers. She said that bouts of fear, anxiety and sorrow can be the main symptoms." 
  "Do you think I have it?" I ask. 
Sinding gave me a sad smile and then kissed me on the forehead. "Yes, but you don't have to deal with it alone. I'll be here with you, every step of the way my love." I took his hand as he cupped it against my face and closed my eyes against the warmth, taking the comfort of his touch and words to heart.
.............................................................

      The next morning I didn't have to go to court, as we would be continuing our case with the Jarl the following day. So I stayed home, per Sinding's request. He still left to go help Eorlund, but I stay home with the children to do chores around the homestead. Ronthil, a former member of the Volkihar coven like Serana, but now cured like her, went into town to pick up some alchemy ingredients from Arcadia's in Whiterun. He had said he wanted to make a potion to help with the crops, as the garden was suffering currently. The rest of staff did various things around the house. I sat at the kitchen table, with Lucia and was trying to teach her how to read the Daedric Alphabet. Aaiden was asleep in his crib besides us. 
And Arodil sat on the other side, carving something. 
  "So...why do I need to learn this language, Mama?" Lucia asked. "I thought you and Papa said you hated the Daedra."
  Smart girl. 
I nodded, "We do, sweetheart, but we were talking, and considering all the situations your father and I have been in, we thought it would be good to teach you some of the language. That way, if you are ever involved with them, which I pray, you are not, that you could at least read the language." 
Arodil smiled from his seat, whittling away at a piece of wood.  He didn't say anything, only smiled. "I didn't know you liked working with woodwork, brother." I say. 
Arodil looked up at me, and his smile reached his gold eyes. "I never was able to do much with it as a child, due to Vulono." 
  We both share a look, but Vulono continues. "But even when I was able to hide away, to be by myself, I would find a small whittling knife and a piece of wood, and carve little figures."
"What did you make, Uncle?" Lucia asked, probably happy to get away from her language lessons. 
 "The first figure I made was a hand carved, wooden bird." Arodil said. "That one took me about two months to make, because I wanted it perfect...." His eyes glazed over to a far away look and then he said, "Vulono destroyed that along with many things." His eyes met mine. "Why do you think losing two of my fingers was so devastating? Other than the obvious reasons...."
I close my eyes in sorrow. Vulono knew what he was doing when he disciplined my brother, he did it to hurt him deeply as well as physically. He wanted to take away his gift, his enjoyment in life. One of the only reasons to survive in the Thalmor army. 
I get up and give my brother a side hug. "I'm sorry." 
He returned the embrace. "It's alright, we are both free now." 
"Yes, we are." I say, nodding. 
 The door to outside opens and Serana walks in. I watch as Arodil's face reddens and I smile, taking a seat back by my daughter. 
  "Teaching your girl the Daedric Language?" Serana smirks as she sits down at the end of the table. 
  "Just preparing her is all." I say. "Is everything ok?" 
Serana shook her head, "There are no more crops, Taniiaae." 
"I know we are suffering, and that there is a shortage in supplies...." I say when Serana shakes her head. "No, Tanii. The Thalmor have stopped all trades between all four quarters of Skyrim."
"What?" I squawk, standing up as Serana nods. "How....how?" 
Serana's face was stone as she said. "A traveling farmer passed by the Homestead while I was outside. He said that the Thalmor have stopped all trade from the holds in Skyrim, and that desperate people will start doing desperate things." 
  I swallow. "I'm going to saddle up my horse. I need to go to Whiterun and speak to Balgruuf." 
Arodil stands with me. "I'll go with you." 
"I have a feeling the Nords won't like seeing a former Thalmor after this news." Serana says, her arms crossed. 
 "Indeed, that's why I must show my loyalty to the Dragonborn." Arodil said, nodding at me. 
 I look at Lucia and Aaiden. Lucia smiles at me.
"We are going to go to Whiterun, my loves." I say. "I need to speak to the Jarl." 
................................................................
 
  The doors to Dragonsreach opened as I, followed by Arodil and Serana enter the Throne Room. Aaiden was in my arms, followed by Lucia, but before we went up to the throne, she whispered. "I can hold Aaiden, Mama." 
I smile and give her a kiss on the head. She goes and sits at the long table in the court room and takes Aaiden gently as I hand him to her. I kiss her head again. "Thank you sweetheart." She nods and I move pass the Jarl's throne and upstairs where his War Room was. At the top of the stairs, to the side, with his back to the Great Porch, he was poured over his maps. Besides him was Proventus and his bodyguard, Irileth. The Dunmer looked alarmed and then slacked when she saw it was just me, but seeing Arodil follow behind me, she grew cautious again. On the other side of the table, was Vilkas and Aela. They smiled when they saw me. Serana stood by my side while Arodil backed up behind me. 
  "Jarl Balgruuf." I say, my voice clear. "Lady Serana just received word from a traveler that the Thalmor have halted all trade routes between the four corners of Skyrim." 
 Balgruuf nodded, the crown on his head looking heavy. "I know, we just received word from a mutual friend." He gestured to a person cloaked in the corner. The cloaked traveler approached and removed their hood. I sucked my teeth. "Hello Delphine." 
  Delphine, the woman who was so bent on the Thalmor causing the return of Dragonborn. The woman who wanted me to throw away the words of the Greybeards and kill Paarthunaax, the ancient dragon. The woman who said she would no longer aide me due to my decision of sparing the old dragon. And here she was.
 "Dragonborn," Delphine mused, her eyes lit with her own emotions. "It's been a long time. I didn't think I would ever see you again after that last mistake."
"You wanted me to kill the ancient leader of the Greybeards. Just because he is a dragon." I say, leaning forward against the table to stare at her. "I don't regret my decision."
  Delphine smirks, and she rises up to stare at Serana and Arodil. "And who are these two?"
Serana gave her a sweet smile and stepped forward, "Lady Serana, former princess of Castle Volkihar, last heir to Lord Harkon." 
 Delphine looks at me, "Making friends in high places, Dragonborn?"
I give her a snotty glare. "If that's what you think, Delphine."
"And who is this Thalmor? He shouldn't even be here." Delphine said, staring at Arodil.
Before I could speak, Arodil stepped forward and gave a polite bow. "Arodil, brother of the Dragonborn." 
  I felt my cheeks warm. But I keep my tongue in check as I see Delphine narrow her grey eyes. She opens her mouth to say something when Jarl Balgruuf waves a hand. "Enough of the bantering, Delphine." He turns to me, "You came at a critical time, Dragonborn." he says. "We were just discussing matters how of how we must now handle this." 
   "Have you come to a decision on what to do with Ulfric and the Empire?" Serana asked. 
"I think the wise thing would be is to have a meeting with them and discuss the Thalmor problem." Vilkas said, "What do you think, Sire?" 
Balgruuf is quiet when he nods. "Aye, I think that is the best course of action. Because with the Aldermari Dominion cutting off trade in all of Skyrim, it hurts both Solitude, and Windhelm along with all the other cities."
"That makes us allies in a time of crisis, much like when Dragon Crisis was here a year ago." Aela said. 
"And where, do you think would be a good place of us to meet?" I ask. 
"Markarth." Proventus says. 
"Markarth?" I repeat. "That's where the Forsworn are near, and Ulfric wants Markarth."
"Who's idea was that?" Vilkas asks. 
"It was Tullius's." Delphine said, crossing her arms. "Tullius asked me to relay a message."
"What were you doing in Solitude?" I ask. 
"I was hoping to find Malborn, since he usually spent time in the Winking Skeever. But how I spoke to the General is my own business." Delphine said.
"Ha!" I blurt out and Serana and Arodil jump. "You actually care about Malborn? After you left him to fend for himself after he got caught in the Embassy?"
 The room went quiet, and I shook my head. 
"More than you know, Dragonborn. I care for him more than you know." Delphine said, finally. 
"Well, it doesn't seem like it. He's been staying with my family for over a year now as my steward." I say. 
I turn to the Jarl, ignoring the stunned Delphine, "Do you feel safe going to Markarth? And who of our city will be there?"
  Balgruuf looked Vilkas, and then me. "I was hoping that you Dragonborn would be there, along with the Harbigner of the Companions. I will be making the trip with Irileth, Proventus will be here." 
I nodded. "And who of Ulfric and Tullius's legions will be there?"
"Ulfric and his second Galmar Stone-Fist, and General Tullius and Legate Rikke." Irileth said. "Jarl Igmund is a staunch Imperial supporter, he will be there as well."  
I nodded. "And what of you Delphine? Are you coming? What about Esbern?"
Delphine turned to me and said, "Esbern will be remaining at Sky Haven Temple. I will be negotiating for the Blades." She said. 
 I look at the Jarl, "Since I am obligated to come, I wanted to ask if I can bring my family? I said I wouldn't be leaving my children for a long period of time again."
"Well, I actually don't think-" Delphine starts to say when Balgruuf holds up a hand. "As Dragonborn and Thane of my court, whatever is the most agreeable to you. Your husband has also been a valued member of this city. You bring as much as your household as needed be." 
I bow my head. "thank you." 
  "I will join as well." Vilkas said, turning to Aela, "I want you and Farkas to keep an eye of Jorrvasker." Aela smirks, "Of course. You don't have to worry about me. Only if Farkas sets the place on fire." 
   Balgruuf smiled. "I appreciate your willingness to join us at such a bad time, we have a week to respond to the Jarls and then we will leave for Markarth."