I am Laeilwyn Riverpool (A Skyrim Adventure)

Chapter Twenty Two: A Night to Remember

-Laeilwyn's Perspective-

"It pains me to see this locket... to be reminded of Fjolti once more, but I'm glad it's back where it belongs." Torsten said when we handed the locket to him, seated around his table at the fire. "Tell Delvin that if he still desires to have my support for the Thieves guild in Windhelm, he's got it."

We stood up and shook his hand. "Thank you for your business Cruel-Sea." Brynjolf began, but tipped over the back of his chair and fell flat on his ass! As everyone rushed over to help, I realized it was my cue to place the circlet. I slid it into their bedside table and closed the drawer.

"Oh Brynjolf, how much have you had to drink tonight?" I teased.

"Apparently too much! Quite sorry about that. We'd best be off. Got an early start tomorrow morning. Thanks again!" We closed the door behind us. "Did you do it?" He asked.

"Of course I did. Now let's get to the Hearth so I can warm up." I said rubbing my hands together. "Windhelm is absolutely freezing. I don't know how you people tolerate it."

"You know, a great way to warm up is to get naked and..."

"Don't finish that sentence."

"Fine, maybe not naked, but kissing would be a start..."

"I don't want your kiss now!" I smacked his arm.

"Alright lass, at the end of the night, as promised. You sure are a sore loser." He laughed.

"I just wanted my arrows!" I pouted.

We approached the gates to the city where the same guards were posted. They opened the door for us (quite a different reception from the first time we met), but before we went in, Brynjolf informed them that the Cruel-Seas were seen carrying a stolen circlet into their farmhouse, and the property should be searched immediately.

"Thanks for the tip, thief." The first guard said.

"No problem lads, have a good night!" Brynjolf replied, taking my arm and escorting me to the Hearth.

"You know I can walk perfectly well by myself." I said, trying to wiggle out of his grasp.

He held on tight. "Nonsense, my dearest Laeilwyn. It would be unchivalrous of me not to escort you to our lovely date night."

"You sure are milking this for all it's worth aren't you?" I said, opening the door to the Candlehearth. He simply grinned, and showed me to a table in the corner, dimly lit with candles and decorated with a vase of freshly cut purple mountain flower, my favourite. How did he remember that?

"Here you are lass. This is our table for the night!" He pulled out the chair for me to sit in. "I'll be right back, I just have to speak with Susanna for a brief moment."

I nodded, spinning the wine bottle already sitting on the table around so I could read the label.

"Surilie Brother's Wine? Brynjolf, where did you get this?" I asked as he was sitting down.

"When you work a business like ours, you meet lots of people. Sometimes those people just have the right connections, and come in handy when I want alcoholic beverages smuggled in from Cyrodiil." He popped open the cork and poured some into the goblets. "A toast! To the Guild, to our companions, and to two former star crossed lovers!"

"And to Mara, who I pray will give me strength to not kill my good friend tonight in his sleep." I said, sipping the wine. It was wonderfully smooth, not too bitter and not too sweet.

"Do you like it?" Brynjolf asked.

"It's amazing. I still can't believe you got a bottle."

"If you liked that, you'll love this evening. I've got a few more surprises for you."