Legends of Tamriel (Skyrim Extras)

Tale 1: "Important Things"

NOTE (4/21/15) This thing is really old, and I'm sorry if the fight between Idala and Brynjolf was offensive to anyone. I'd meant it to be a tussle between thieves, not to mention Nordic culture seems entirely fine with two people breaking out into a fistfight just over an insult or a petty bet. As it is, I don't even ship these two romantically anymore.

Well, this is the first little one-shot for my Legends of Tamriel compilation! I quite enjoyed writing this, and might do more with Idala in the future. Hope you all enjoy this little detour! Also, this little thing came into my mind thanks to a conversation with Thunder, so I'd like to dedicate it to her for giving me the idea. :3

Warning: This contains some Thieves' Guild questline spoilers. Though I'd let you all know!

(So sorry if there are any errors or awkward transitions, I wrote this as quickly as I could. XD)

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I now had everything I'd never even dreamed I would be lucky enough to receive. Loyal friends, a stable, well, relatively stable, income, and I had the honor of Guildmaster under my belt to boot. I, and I alone, was now one of the most powerful people in Riften, the very heart of the Thieves Guild. They had become my family, and I somehow managed to make my way to the top of it all.

I was wonderfully set up, with a life many would kill for. Yet I felt somewhat hollow, as if all my achievements, though great, were lacking.

It was most likely because my feats were completely lost on the one I strove to impress with them the most.

This particular person had been the one who'd led me into the Guild about two years ago, finding me in the Bee and Barb sitting by myself with barely a coin to my name. What made him single me out, Divines know, but he did. He asked me to assist him with the job of slipping some poor soul a stolen ring in order to frame them, and promised to pay me well for it. Of course, I'd do anything to keep from straight out begging, and even then I found him somewhat attractive, so I agreed to it, and did my job. The look of approval on his face once I'd finished up was practically as good as the payment I received, and when he told me to seek out the Ragged Flagon, what else could I do?

Of course, I was both naïve and desperate back then, considering how utterly foolish it was of me to follow the advice of a stranger, but it certainly paid off in the end. True, there were painful realizations, betrayals, and more near-death experiences than I would've liked to have participated in, but in the end, it was most certainly worth it. Or it would be, should he ever acknowledge me with more than just mild pleasantries from time to time.

Even as Guildmaster, sometimes it felt as if Brynjolf didn't even know I was alive, and it was killing me.

And of course, my traitor of a heart would fall for someone who wouldn't give me the time of day. But I couldn't help but wonder, what had happened since the days that he was actually supportive of me, when he told me that he believed I could help save the Guild. Had I done something wrong?

No, you haven't. He's not worth your time. Let him be self-important and cold. People change, let him go, Idala, my common sense urged, though, unfortunately, it did little to settle the cold, hopeless feeling in my gut.

Sighing, I stretched slightly in the uncomfortable wooden chair I was currently sitting in, trying to keep my nerves from falling asleep. Today was relatively slow, and most of my friends and colleagues were just milling about, gambling and exchanging stories. It wasn't a bad day, to be sure, but I didn't know how much longer I could deal with my mixed feelings concerning that particular red-haired Nord.