Skyrim V: Shadow over Markarth

Chapter Ten: The Visitor

  I laid down on my side on my flat bed roll. I wanted to be out of this prison, and be back home with my children. I close my eyes as I ball my fists up to my chest. I could feel my breathing start to quicken. I wasn't going to cry. It was going to be fine. Some of the lanterns had gone in, and left me in the darkness of the open cell I was staying in. I wonder how Lucia was feeling, her mother abandoning her again, and how was Aaiden, he was only a few weeks old, not old enough to be away from her. I started to sob quietly, my body tremoring. I use my hands to cover my voice, not wanting the other prisoners or even Sinding to hear. It was bad enough he was in this with me. 
I closed my eyes, trying to push the tears out of my sisters but they kept flowing. "Stupid you!" I say, "You always have to put yourself into trouble." I continue to weep when I feel strong hands grip my shoulder. "Shhhhhhh...." Sinding says as he wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me to his chest, my back to him. I start to sob more as Sinding comforts me and holds me. "This is all my fault...." I whimper.
"How is this your fault, my love?" Sinding says softly, as he kisses my hair. 
"If I had never agreed to go to Markarth or even asked for a truce in the war...." I wept as Sinding held me tighter to his chest. "Shhhh, this isn't your fault, none of this is, my darling Taniiaae." Sinding said as I cried. "You are trying to prevent more casualties and even another war brewing. This, this isn't your fault." 
 I turned in his arms to face him. He looked exhausted, but calm. "I'm sure Lucia hates me." He used his thumb to wipe away my tears and he said. "No, she's doesn't. I know she doesn't."
"But I'm never around, what kind of mother leaves her child to go adventuring around Skyrim?" I say. 
"One who is Dragonborn. You have alot of responsibility on your shoulders, my love." He held me to his chest and I sniffed against it. "We are going to get out of here.....your grandfather has made sure of that." 
"I don't even know if we should refer to him like that." I say as I rest my head on my husband's chest. "I just don't even know what to think of him, he killed many people during his reign."
"He did, there is no excuse for that, or to anyone who has taken a life, but you love me, and I am know innocent." Sinding says softly. 
"You didn't mean to do what you did," I say, "And you didn't kill a whole city as a king." 
"Maybe Madanach didn't want to kill innocents either, Tanii." Sinding held me close. "I think when we get out of here, and follow them to safety, maybe you need to speak to him and ask him truly where his motives are.....and-" Sinding added, kissing me. "Maybe you could get some closure in regards to your mother." 
I remember when Sinding and I first shared our first kiss, it was in the Hall of the Dead of Whiterun. I had told him about my mother passing from a sickness. I wish she was still alive today, so she could meet him and our children.  But considering that I was a younger teenager when she passed, I really didn't know too much about her. 
"Maybe you're right." I say, "After we get out of here, I will ask him about my mother. I don't plan on joining his little cause though."
"You can respect who you are and what your heritage is, my love, and not agree with it." Sinding kissed my neck. I close my eyes, feeling sleep pulling me under. "Maybe you are right.....maybe it's not my fault...and maybe Lucia doesn't hate me...and maybe...."  I didn't remember anything else I said after I murmured off to sleep. 

     The next morning, the guards didn't expect a thing. But to everyone's surprise, someone from the outside world was visiting. Someone wanted to speak to Sinding and I. 
The guards hadn't notice Grisvar's body, which was good. But they weren't gentle when I they put the both of us in an isolated cell. Sinding was chained to the wall with long chains for him to move a little, but not lunge out, and I was cuffed to the chair I was sitting in. I looked at Sinding after the guards locked the cell door to bring the visitor and I say. "If I get pawed anymore but these guards, I might have to Shout him away." 
Sinding smiled. "Once the prison break starts, I won't stop you from exacting your revenge, my love. After all, they say fury is nothing like a woman's scorn."  
  I smirk at his comment as the cell door  unlocks and the guard pushes in the visitor. Sinding and I steel our expressions as Vilkas steps into the cell. It locks behind him as the guard, Velin says. "When you are done speaking, call for us. Also, if anyone attacks, especially the little bitch there," He glares at me, "Just let me know and I'll take care of her." I give him a look but say nothing. He looks over me in a lewd way and I want nothing to do but to tear his eyes out. I hear Sinding pull against his chains. "Don't look at her that way." He growls. Velin smirks. "I'll make sure I'll keep you alive so you can watch me-"
"You can leave now, sir." Vilkas said, turning outside of the cell. "I rather speak to these two 'without them' getting so irate." 
Velin spat and turned away from the cell. Once he was gone, Vilkas turned to us, his eyes angry. "It took every ounce of my will not punch his teeth in." 
"I've been wanting to do that since he hurt Tanii." Sinding said and Vilkas's eyes widened. 
"Is that why are you all bruised on the side of the face and your ear is all cut up?" Vilkas asked. 
I nodded. "My ear still rings." 
Vilkas looks out the bars and crouches closer to where we are chained. "Once we get you out of here, we will have you both and the elf checked out for any more injuries." 
 "When will we get out? Madanach is planning a prison break in now three nights." Sinding said and Vilkas nodded. 
"I met the daughter of one of the Forsworn Prisoners, her name is Uaile. She is helping orchestrate this prison break. Once I leave here, I will report to her and we will try to get to Balgruuf and prepare him to be ready in three nights." 
  "What about my children? Lucia and Aaiden...." My voice breaks and Vilkas says, "They are will Serana and Ronthil up in the Forsworn Camp, Karthspire, that's where we will be going to after we break everyone out." 
 Sinding sighs in relief, "I appreciate you coming to warn us, Vilkas... it's been bad." 
Vilkas nods, "I wish I could of came sooner. But even coming here in commoner's clothing instead of my wolf armor, I knew I was taking a risk of being recognized."
  "Don't apologize, you are doing what you  can." Sinding said, nodding. 
 Vilkas gave a sad smile and turned to look out of the bars. "I will be waiting in the Markarth Ruins with Uaile and Kaie, the two Forsworn who came up with this plan. I plan to be there with Jarl Balgruuf and Irileth and we can all escape together." 
 "What happened to Delphine?" I ask. 
Vilkas blinks, "The Blades woman? I'm not sure actually. Was told she got away."
 I swallow back any anger I felt towards her as I say in a soft and deadly voice. "Of course...she did. If she plans to meet with the Court of Whiterun again, I will make sure she isn't allowed." Vilkas nodded. "Agreed." He looked around cautiously before he came over and slid out a small knife. Since my hands were bound to the chair he slid it to Sinding who had a little more freedom with his hands than me. "Hide this, and only use it if you have to. I don't trust all these Forsworn, despite the King being the Grandsire to your wife. So use it only if you have." I watched as Sinding nodded and quickly hid the knife away in one of pocked inside his old prison garbed shirt. "I rather not lose any of you in this. So stay alive. Even if it's only three more nights, please do. And keep that elf brother of yours alive as well, someone is waiting for him on the other side." Vilkas said, approaching the bars. 
I turn to look at Sinding, confusion on both our faces, "Who is waiting for him?" 
  Vilkas called out to the jailer and said, "I'm done talking to the prisoners, please let them out of here once I'm gone, they look pitiful." 
 He quickly turned as the sound of boots came towards the cell and mouthed one word. 
"Serana."