I am Laeilwyn Riverpool (A Skyrim Adventure)

Chapter Seven: Love Drunk

I got back from Goldenglow late that night. Erandur and everyone else were sleeping. Mercer had left for the night, retreating back into Riftweald manor, gifted to him by the Black Briars.  The only light I could see when I entered the Cistern came from the Flagon. I took off my Guild hood and bracers and threw them on my bed. I crept towards the door to the Flagon. I saw a head of bright red hair sitting alone at the bar, tankard of mead in hand. 

"Brynjolf?" I whispered. 

Brynjolf reacted quickly, considering the number of empty tankards surrounding him at the counter. He drew his dagger and looked around, eyes darting back and forth.

"Who's there?" His voice was scratchy and his words somewhat slurred. 

"Brynjolf. You drink too much." I said, emerging from the shadows. 

"Elle. You know better than to sneak up on a thief." 

"And you know better than to draw a dagger when you've been drinking more mead than the rest of the city combined." 

"Bah. I finished my work. I'm reaping my rewards. How did Goldenglow go?" He sheathed his dagger and poured me a tankard. 

"Well. Easier than expected. I thought coming back would make it harder on me." I took a long drink out of the tankard. I made a face. Ugh, it's going to take awhile to get used to this disgustingly sweet stuff the Black Briars call 'mead'.

"Did you... You know, kill Aringoth?" Brynjolf asked. 

"Why does it matter? You said I didn't have to." I stiffened. 

"I know, I know, I was just wondering." Brynjolf said, defensively. We sat in the silence for a few moments before Brynjolf spoke again. "So... you didn't do it then?" 

I sighed, exasperated by his persistence. "No Brynjolf, I did not."

For the second time that night, we sat in the silence, until Brynjolf spoke again. 

"Elle?"

"Yes?"

"I've really missed you."

"I've missed you too, Bryn."

"Elle, you don't understand." He turned in his stool to face me. "I've missed you more than anything. My only wish all these years was to have you back." He placed his hand on top of mine and looked into my eyes. "Are you single?" 

"Brynjolf... It's complicated."

"Is it that dark elf, what's his name, Errand Boy or something?" He said, looking a bit angry. 

"Erandur. And no, it's not him." 

"Then what is it? What is keeping us from being together again?" 

"Life in Skyrim is short, Brynjolf. Our jobs put us in danger everyday. It's better not to be in a relationship." 

"That wasn't your mentality eight years ago..." Brynjolf chuckled. "In fact, I think you and I 'formed a relationship' in this very bar seven years ago..." He gestured to the bartop. 

I punched him in the arm. "Brynjolf! Shut up, you're disgusting!" 

Brynjolf laughed. "Embarrassed to to talk about me now?"

"You mean as usual?" I joked back. "I never told anyone!" 

"Me either. For your safety though, NOT because I was embarrassed, unlike someone..." Brynjolf looked at me dramatically. 

I shook my head and hopped off my stool. "Goodnight Brynjolf, always a pleasure talking with you." I began to walk back into the Cistern.

"Hey! Wait Elle, I've got one more question." He caught up with me. "What is the deal with you and Errand Boy anyways?"

I shook my head. "Erandur. We're just good companions." Brynjolf looked at me skeptically. "I'm serious! Ask him if you don't believe me."

"Maybe tomorrow. I sure hope he says the same thing. I would hate for us to compete for your affection. Poor Errand Boy doesn't stand a chance..." 

I rolled my eyes. "Nobody is competing for my affection Bryn! I told you. Danger. Job. Money. No relationship. Now go to bed you drunken braggart!" I pushed him in the direction of his bed, and headed the opposite way to mine.