Truly // Brynjolf

Chapter Seven

Lydia's POV

I was walking back to Dragonsreach from the Bannered Mare when a courier ran up to me.

"I've been looking for you." He said. "Got something I'm supposed to deliver -- your hands only. Let's see here. Ah, a letter from Riften." He handed it to me and left. I opened it and read it as I sat on a bench.

Lydia,

Hello, I'm a friend of Ruoma. I'm writing to tell you that she misses you dearly. I'd like you to come and see her. I hate to see her so depressed, and I'd love to see her happy. She's very important to me. Meet me at the Bee and Barb when you get in Riften. I'll take you to your beloved. I believe we have met once before.

-Brynjolf

I smiled, tears coming to my eyes. I decided to leave immediately. I ran to the stables and paid 20 septims to get a ride to Riften. I was nearly overflowing with happiness.

Ruoma's POV

I sat down with a drink I ordered from Vekel and sighed softly.

"Where's Brynjolf?" I asked Delvin.

"He said he had a job to do." I nodded and took a drink. I heard the door to the ratway open and Brynjolf walked in. I smiled at him and he returned my smile. My joy turned into a mix of excitement, surprise, and anger when I saw Lydia behind him.

"Ruoma!" She gasped as she ran to me. I hugged her tightly and breathed her in.

"L-Lydia.." I whispered in disbelief. "Why are you here?"

"Brynjolf sent for me." She said. "He said you missed me deeply."

"I-I do." I mumbled, glaring at Bryn over her shoulder. "Excuse me for a moment." I walked over to him and dragged him to a private place.

"I wanted to see you happy again." He explained. "I read your letter you threw away. I had to do it, lass."

"Bryn..." I sighed. "I was happy. You were making me happy. Now I just... I feel betrayed that you went behind my back." I leaned against the wall behind me.

"You should be happy." He said, leaning against the opposite wall. "You have your love here now." I stepped closer to him.

"Brynjolf, I appreciate your concern." I admitted. "But-"

"Just go and be with her." He insisted. "I'm not stopping you." He walked into the cistern without another word. I growled and punched the wall, thanking the gods I had my gloves on. I walked back to Lydia.

"Lydia." I said. "I love you, but you shouldn't be here."

"I know, but I needed to see you." She spoke softly.

"Lydia-"

"You're the love of my life, and I'm not letting you go again." She whispered.

"Well, I have to let you go." I sighed. She simply stared at me in disbelief.

"But he said-"

"He read a letter I was going to send you." I said. "Saying I miss you and love you very much. But I have to be honest with you." She widened her eyes.

"Did... Did you ever love me?" She whimpered.

"Yes, I loved you with all my heart." I answered, getting closer. "I always will have love for you. But..."

"But what?" She raised her voice. "What did I do wrong? Was the hunt just a lie?"

"No, it wasn't." I snapped. "The Battle-Borns want me dead!" She stepped back.

"Then what is the problem?!" She begged for an answer. "Tell me!"

"I'm in love with Brynjolf!" I yelled. "I didn't plan on this, at all." I sighed.

"B-but..." She whimpered.

"Goodbye, Lydia." I said. "Tell Lucia that I'm sorry." A tear escaped my eye as I walked into the cistern to find Brynjolf. He had to have left, because I couldn't find him anywhere. I walked up the ladder and looked around as I came out of the ground. I felt a sharp pain in my side and I could no longer move. I saw two people walking in my blurred vision.

"Found you." I heard an eerily happy, sing-song voice in my ear before I was lifted off of the ground and carried away. I tried to call out for Brynjolf, but I had no voice. I was numb all over and I was scared for my life.