We Are One and the Same: A Skyrim Story

Chapter Two: The Time Has Come

It had been a rough past few days.

As I got ready to explain what had happened, I felt the exhaustion of the recent events seep into my bones. I let my head fall back against the smooth stone wall before beginning my story.

"Well, I was looking for a place to stay, since I had been traveling for three days straight. I found an inn and decided to hole up there, get some food and rest. Little did I know that I was going to be framed for stealing an expensive vase from the inn..."

I sighed heavily, gritting my teeth as my nose wrinkled up in a silent snarl. I clenched my fists, knowing that it would do no good to get worked up again. With a long exhale, I continued.

"The guards woke me up in the middle of the night with their swords pointed at my throat, screaming nonsense about how I had committed crimes against Skyrim... I was weak from lack of sleep and they got me before I could even try to fight back. They wouldn't even listen to me as I tried to tell them that it wasn't me..."

Pausing, I heard the man exhale sharply, as if he was angry. I muttered the last of my explanation furiously.

"I don't know who framed me, but whoever it was is a lowly coward with no respect for other races..."

Silence settled upon our cells and I closed my eyes, slumping against the wall. The man soon began speaking, and his soft voice calmed me.

"I wish that I could see you as I speak to you. It's rather odd to talk to someone but have no idea what they look like."

His statement made a faint smile tug at my lips. I heard a few quiet scuffling sounds coming from his room before his voice sounded out again, a bit clearer this time, as if he was standing near his doorway. "Come to the door."

I got up as well, making my way to the iron bars and resting a hand on one of the cold poles.

"It's like you read my mind..." I muttered, more to myself than anyone.

A loud slam and the sound of heavy footsteps coming our way made my body tense and my ears sharpen. A brute of a guard stopped at my cell, using an old-looking skeleton key to unlock the barred door. Before I could even think about doing anything, the man jerked me roughly out of the tiny room and slapped a pair of thick shackles onto my wrists.

I hissed in pain as he squeezed my forearm, trying to tug away from him. He chained my wrists to a nearby pole and spoke to me, his voice uncaring and blunt.

"Shut up and stay there. Your time has come."

I blinked, fear shooting through my limbs.

My time?

What does he mean, my time?

I swallowed, trying to calm my racing heart as I watched the giant guard unlock the man's cell next to mine. As he stepped out and even larger shackles were slammed onto his wrists, I almost forgot how to breathe. Reality flew out of my mind like a bird, and I completely forgot about the situation we were in.

Just like I had thought, he was a Nord; I could tell by his strong, chiseled features and tanned skin. Shoulder-length, dark brown hair was pushed back away from his forehead, other than one braid on the right side of his face. A light stubble followed his jawline, and a rugged goatee outlined his lips and covered his chin. When his eyes met mine, I was barely able to stifle a gasp; they were such a pure shade of piercing blue that they almost seemed white.

My bewildered stare looked over his muscular body soon afterwards; he was tall, with powerful arms, calloused hands, broad shoulders, and a lean but toned figure.

When I realized that my staring had turned into gawking, I felt my cheeks grow hot and I looked away. The guard's booming voice snapped me back to the present.

"Move." The armored beast shoved me forward and I looked back at the other prisoner behind me, fear obvious in my golden eyes. With a calm and collected expression on his face, the male mouthed silently to me, "Don't be afraid. I will protect you."

And with that, the frightened shine in my eyes disappeared into thin air.