“You’re sure you don’t want to come with us?” Gaeolin asked. It was probably the third time, he had lost count. All he knew was that he felt he owed Bai’lira more than he could ever repay. The woman gave a toothy smile, her green tail swishing playfully.
“This one cannot keep up with the three of you for any longer than she has. You all get into as many scrapes as you can, traipse halfway across Skyrim and back in an unnatural amount of time. Bai’lira is tired, and has neglected her work for long enough.” She looked every bit as exhausted as she claimed. “But before you go, this one has a gift for you.”
She handed him a bundle of cloth. When he took it, he could feel that there was something wrapped inside. It was a bottle, filled with a still warm batch of Bai’lira’s special wine. He looked up at her, not sure if he could ever say anything that would make her know how much he appreciated her. “Thank you, Bai’lira.”
“No, this one thanks you. All of you. She hasn’t met others like you. Hopefully, Bai’lira can be of service again.” She gave a mischievous smirk. “Just make sure not to ask for a few months.”
“We will miss you.” Inigo bowed. Auroth gave her a nod.
“Make sure to keep your spiders under control. Those things are horrifying.”
She giggled. “Someday, she will show you how to summon them. May you walk on warm sands, friends.”
Gaeolin led the way out of the house, preparing to leave on the carriage. Asulfur stopped him.
“Gaeolin, did your comrades pass on my lady’s request?”
He shook his head. “No, what was it that Jarl Idgrod wanted?”
“She wanted to extend an invitation for you to become her Thane.” He chuckled. “Out here, it’s more of an honorary title, but being a member of the court does have advantages. Considering your adventures that we have heard of so far, surely you would have some use for them.”
Gaeolin was taken by surprise. “But… I didn’t do anything to deserve it.”
“You slayed a dragon which attacked the village, you discovered the truth about Alva, and in doing so destroyed Movarth Piquine.” He grinned. “I can think of no one else who has done as much for Morthal in years. Lady Idgrod does ask that you continue to do great deeds for her people. When you return, she will grant you the title.” He bowed. “Safe travels, Milord.” He handed him a large bag of coins. “And here is your reward for slaying the Vampire. It is the least we could do.”
Gaeolin flushed. “This… is too much.” He tried to give the money back. “Your town could use this gold.”
Asulfur pushed back. “We are not going to take no for an answer. The sense of safety you have brought the people is worth the price.” He left before the bosmer could argue further. Seeing nothing more to keep him, Gaeolin joined Inigo and Auroth on the cart, sitting just as they began moving.
*********************
A pine thrush sang, hopping across the Lakeview Manor terrace in the midday light. The bird took flight with a shrill call. It had seen Ma’isha running up the steps, a white fox in tow. She rushed down the other side and past Faendal, who was busy tending the Apiary. He barely managed to catch the honey jar he carried. The elf followed the girl with his eyes, shaking his head at her abundance of energy. He was almost to the door on the terrace when he saw the carriage coming through the trees from the south. Auroth, Inigo, and Gaeolin sat in the cart. His master wore no hood or headgear, making him let out a sigh. ‘Finally, he managed to cure himself.’
He entered the hall, setting the jar on the table. Ma’isha was back in her room, the fox curled up at her feet. He stepped in far enough that she saw him. “Tabby, what are you doing?”
She looked up at him with a smile. Faendal had given her the nickname not long after she had started living at the house. “Just playing with Moy.” She pet the animal fondly. “I hope Papa doesn’t mind that I took him in. He’s so sweet.” The fox nuzzled her, yawning as it curled in her lap.
“Well, why don’t you ask him?” Faendal gave a grin. “He’s probably coming in any second now.” No sooner than he said this did the sound of the front door reach her ears. Her eyes grew wide, pushing Moy out of her lap before running from the room.
“Papa! Papa! You’re home!” She skidded into the entrance hall, stopping just short of him.
Gaeolin got down on her level, smiling wider than Inigo had ever seen. He held his arms wide for her. The girl saw his eyes, blue and bright like she had always known them to be. Without a second thought, she ran to him, gripping him in a firm hug.
“I have missed you so much, Ma’isha.” He buried his face in the fur of her cheek. As she let go, he kissed her forehead. “Have you been a good girl?”
She nodded, her eyes watery. “Are you feeling better, Papa?”
“Much, now that I am home.” He stood, reaching in his bag. “I brought you a present.”
“Really?” Her ears perked up, those sinfully cute eyes enormous. “What did you bring me?”
He produced a doll. It was small, made from a spare bit of burlap that he had found in his knapsack. A few bits of leather strip held on a tiny linen dress. The eyes were repurposed buttons, a painted face smiling underneath a head of straw blonde hair. He held it out to her, watching as she took it. “I’ve never made anything like this before, so I’m sorry if it isn’t the nicest toy…”
She held it close to her, smiling at it with twitching whiskers. “I love her, Papa. Thank you.”
Faendal leaned in the door jam, watching the scene with a little smile. “Don’t forget, Tabby. You need to tell him before he finds out on his own.” The girl put an ear back, looking at the steward.
“Papa, I brought home a friend.” She clicked her tongue, summoning the fox from the other room. It sauntered in, sitting next to Ma’isha. Gaeolin stared at him. The fox winked, starting to gnaw at it’s chest fur.
“Um… Sweetheart…” Gaeolin tried to decide how he wanted to respond. “A pet is a big responsibility.”
“I promise Moy won’t be any trouble.” She pleaded.
“Ma’isha…”
Inigo was of no help, reaching down to start scratching between Moy’s ears. “But he’s so cute….”
Gaeolin felt himself starting to give in. He looked back to the fox. It yawned at him with a squeak. “Fine… You can keep him.”
The girl beamed, leading her new pet back into the house. Gaeolin dropped his bag to the floor, sending Faendal an exasperated look. “Cuidiú leat go raibh tú ann …”[1]
“Ní fheicim fadhb leis. Tá sé dea-iompar.”[2] Faendal gave a smirk. “Besides, it’ll be good for her.”
Gaeolin rubbed his temple. “Maybe. Gods know she deserves something to keep her company while I’m not home.”
“Aside from me, of course.” Faendal nodded.
“Of course.”
Auroth sat on the bench, peeling off his boots. “It’s good to be off the road for a while.” He turned to Gaeolin. “Are you sure it’s alright for us to intrude on your family like this? Inigo and I could have stayed in Falkreath.”
Gaeolin looked confused. “You and Inigo are family.”
Inigo grinned. “Yes. You are one of us now. No point trying to avoid the side effects.”
Auroth looked mildly uncomfortable. “Then I thank you for your hospitality.”
Gaeolin watched him for a moment, wondering why his friend was acting so strangely. He decided not to press the issue. He turned to speak to Faendal, only to see an empty doorway. “Now where did he go?”
“I think he was heading out toward the garden.” Inigo offered. “He probably didn’t want to interrupt us to go through the front.”
Gaeolin frowned. “You two make yourselves comfortable. I have things I need to talk to him about.” Inigo made to follow, stopping when Gaeolin turned. “Alone, please.” The khajiit nodded. Gaeolin thanked him, opening the door to the afternoon breeze.
Around the right side of the house, Faendal sat in the shade of the garden. He rested an arm on his knee, staring at the soil in thought. Gaeolin knelt beside him. Neither seemed inclined to speak first.
“Look, we have to talk about this.”
“Uimh…” Faendal replied. His tone was flat, his body tense.
Gaeolin persisted. “Faendal… We have to.” He sat in the dirt with him. “Ever since I left, I’ve heard what you said. I think I deserve to know the truth.” Faendal closed his eyes. Gaeolin noticed a bit of color starting on the back of his neck.
“I suppose you won’t accept that it was just a slip off the tongue?”
“Ní dócha.”[3] Gaeolin chuckled, though only half-heartedly. “Please, just talk to me about this.”
Faendal sighed. “What do you want me to say?”
“I guess we could start with when it first began.”
“So I guess we’re talking about three years ago then…”
“Gods, you’ve been sitting on this for a while.”
Faendal’s color deepened. “It wasn’t the same as it is now. I suppose I didn’t see what was happening until after your advice about Camilla.”
Gaeolin felt a bit awkward now. He hadn’t thought this would get brought up. “I am sorry about that.”
“Don’t be. You were right. She found out that I wrote that letter, not Sven. And just like you said when you told me you wouldn’t deliver it, it destroyed her trust in me.”
“You had someone else take it to her?” Gaeolin silently scolded himself. He might have saved him the trouble had he simply taken the note and kept it.
Faendal shrugged. “I think it was safe to say it wouldn’t have worked out between us anyway. I was more of a friend to her than anything.” He turned to Gaeolin with a smile. “Besides, Lucan never really liked me.”
“That’s not true.” Gaeolin argued. “He respected you very much. After all, before Inigo and I, you were his main source of fresh game.”
Faendal looked out into the forest, quiet for a while. “Mar sin … Má deirim go raibh sé i gceist agam …” He turned to face him. “Cad a chiallaíonn sé duitsa?”[4] Gaeolin picked at the cuffs of his shirt.Time seemed to move at a sluggish pace. A slight tint came over his cheeks. After a moment, he replied.
“Níl a fhios agam … is gá dom roinnt ama.”[5]
Translated lines:
- Some help you were there…
- I don’t see a problem with him. He’s well behaved.
- Not likely.
- So… If I say I Meant it… What does it mean for you?
- I don’t know… I need some time.
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