The Dragon's Heart

1

Riften, 10 Years Ago

Verona Ashfire looked up shyly at Grelod the Kind as Anuriel explained to Grelod Verona would be staying at Honorhall. Grelod snorted and nodded. "Fine! I'll take her!" Grelod grumbled. Anuriel nodded her thanks and said her goodbyes before departing the orphanage. The moment Anuriel was gone, Grelod spun around to face her, her face curled into a snarl. "Listen hear you little brat! You sleep on the floor! Until one of the other brats is of age and leaves- your on the floor!" Verona shrunk back, and winced as Grelod grasped her auburn colored hair and dragged her into the main area where several beds were set out and some children were sitting around the fire eating whilst Grelod's new assistant, Constance Michel watched over them. Everyone glanced up as Verona was pushed into the room. "Another mouth to feed... Just what we need..." Grelod muttered stomping off. Verona hung her head and pulled her knees to her chest. She was terrified. She was all alone in the world. With her mama and papa gone, she was alone. "Hi," A voice said.  Verona looked up to see a boy with ginger hair, slightly older than her, maybe a year or two. She sniffed and looked up at him. His medium length ginger hair framed his face nicely and his eyes showed nothing but kindness. Verona smiled and whispered softly, "hi." The boy sat down next to her and handed her his cup of soup. "Here- you need it more than I do." Verona nodded her thanks and took the soup from him, sipping it slowly. It tasted like the beef stew her mother used to make. She frowned. Home. Mama. Papa. Everything just gone. The boy looked confused. "Are you okay?" He asked. Verona sighed, "My mama and papa. They- they died and Anuriel sent me here..." The boy nodded, "Yeah, that's kinda how it works I guess." Verona's eyes widened. What did he mean? Seeing her confusion he began to explain. "See, when your parents die- the Jarl Of the hold will have someone escort you here to Honorhall. It's supposed to be an orphanage- but Grelod makes it more of an Oblivion." Verona sighed. "So I'm not going to go home? Ever?" She whimpered. The boy shrugged. "Well once your sixteen, you have to leave this place. Whatever property your parents owned is automatically yours. Take me for example- after my parents died when I was seven, I was sent here. But once I'm sixteen- I can go back home and do whatever I want with the place." Verona's eyes widened, "Really? Whatever you want?" She breathed. He nodded, "Yeah- at least that's what Mercer always said." Verona looked confused. "Who's Mercer?" She asked. "The boy smiled, "Oh- he just turned sixteen, and when you turn sixteen that's when you leave here." Verona nodded, "So once I'm sixteen I don't have to stay here anymore?" She whispered. The boy nodded, "Yeah, pretty much." Verona sighed, "But that's going to be forever." The boy opened his mouth to reply but was cut off by Constance Michel. "Alright children, bedtime." She said, the children all filed into their respective beds, leaving only Verona and the boy. Verona sighed and moved to a corner laying down. The boy looked confused, "What are you doing?" He asked. Verona shrugged "making a bed." She said. The boy frowned walking over and grabbing her arm, hoisting her to her feet. "Hey! What're you doing?!" Verona squeaked. The boy said nothing but escorted her over towards the one empty bed and sat her down. "We can share." He said. Verona smiled and laid down on her half, watching as the boy did the same. He smiled at her. "I'm Brynjolf." He said softly. Verona smiled. "I'm Verona."

Present

Verona Ashfire strolled through the market, waiting for the perfect mark. She stopped in her tracks when she saw the new young argonian shopkeeper, Madesi, pull out some very expensive looking jewelry. The fourteen year old licked her lips glancing around before making her way over. She flipped her auburn blonde hair and plastered a smile on her face before leaning on the stand. "Hi Madesi..." She purred. The Young argonian smiled warmly at her. "Oh, hello Verona. Come to see the new jewelry?" He asked holding a magnificent diamond and golden necklace. Verona's eyes widened at the sight. That would fetch a pretty price with Mercer. But it would also look drop dead gorgeous on her. Verona stared, "I know I can't afford it, but how much is that?" She asked pointing to the necklace. Madesi chuckled. "This could be at least eight hundred gold septims." Verona sighed, she only had twenty. And she knew there was no way she'd be able to steal something that valuable. A blur of red suddenly ran past, snatching the gold diamond necklace out of Madesi's hand, as well as swiping some rings on display. Verona staggered backwards and cursed under her breath. She quietly slipped away as Madesi flipped out and began yelling for the guards. As she walked around Mistveil Keep, she let out a small squeak as she was suddenly grabbed from behind. She began flailing aimlessly, feeling her nail make contact with her assailant before hearing an all to familiar grunt. She gasped and stopped immediately seeing Brynjolf glaring at her, a red mark next to his eye. "Bryn! I'm so sorry!" She exclaimed. Brynjolf rolled his eyes at his friend. "It's fine, lass. Just a scratch." Verona leaned back against the stone wall of the keep with a sigh. Bryn raised an eyebrow at her. She snorted. "Don't act like you don't know Bryn- I couldn't steal a septim if my life depended on it." Brynjolf chuckled. "That's why your the distraction, Rona. I steal, and your the distraction." Verona shook her head. "I don't know Bryn, I'm just not cut out for thievery." Brynjolf frowned. "But you like doing it. You just need more practice. Pretty soon you'll be just as good as me." Verona smiled, "Your right Bryn. I do like doing it. It's fun. But I started helping you the second I turned eight" Brynjolf nodded. "You've been helping me for six years, lass. Your just a late bloomer." They heard a snort beside them. "Late bloomer my ass." They turned to see Mercer, a hood over his head as he glared at them coldly. Verona shrunk back in shame. Brynjolf stepped forward and handed Mercer a decent sized coin purse. Mercer frowned at it. "This is my cut? This is pathetic, Brynjolf. The deal is I get half and you two get half." Brynjolf glared. "No- I get twenty five percent and so do you and Rona. It's even." Mercer growled, "Brynjolf, don't argue with your mentor." Brynjolf glared. "I may be your protegee, Mercer- but I won't let myself or Verona to be subjected to that stupid cut." Mercer growled softly. "Hmm smarter than I thought you were, Brynjolf. Lesson six, never agree to a bargain that leaves you with less." Brynjolf nodded. "Alright... Makes some sense, I guess." Verona rolled her eyes. Bryn was being such a pushover. But then again whenever it came to Mercer Frey, Brynjolf was always a milk drinker. A coward. Verona was disgusted whenever the man showed his wretched face. Must have been the reason the Guild Master of the Thieves Guild made him wear that hood. Verona cleared her throat grabbing Brynjolf's arm. "So sorry to interrupt you boys- but it's time for Bryn and I to go." Brynjolf opened his mouth to rebel, but stopped as he saw his friend's pissed off expression. Brynjolf sighed and looked over to Mercer. "Anyways Mercer, we best be leaving. We need to get back to the orphanage before Grelod gives up our share of food." Mercer nodded, "Alright. I'll be getting your bed in the Cistern set up within the next few days Brynjolf. Grelod's going to be throwing you out soon you know that?" Brynjolf nodded. "Aye. Wouldn't be surprised if she tosses me out when we get back." Verona looked away from her friend, biting her lip to hold back her tears. Brynjolf wasn't going to be around soon, and she would be all alone. He would be long gone. She wouldn't see him around town, he'd be somewhere else in Skyrim being a thief. She jumped as she felt a hand on her shoulder. "Lass? Are you alright?" Brynjolf asked, slightly concerned for her silence. Verona turned around and leapt into his arms. "I'm going to miss you so much when you leave- cause it's just- I'll never see you again. You'll be somewhere in Skyrim while I'm just- here. Alone." Brynjolf pulled away and smiled at her, shaking his head. "Verona- I don't plan on leaving Riften without you. Not unless I absolutely have to." Verona smiled at him, her amber eyes staring into his. "Promise?" She whispered. Brynjolf smiled, nodding. "I promise."