Etain had awakened, she opened her eyes and the first thing she saw was Rosenlyn, sitting there watching over her. “Good morning Rosenlyn, what are you doing here?” Rosenlyn giggled, then said, “Well you see my friend, my lady thought considering recent events that she have me keep an eye on you while you slept. Just to insure you get the rest you need.”
By the way, I have decided to share your bath with you. I really need to freshen up a bit and well, she won’t let me go back to the campsite yet so…” Etain quietly said, “You know how modest I am. And do we really want rumors to spread?” Rosenlyn said, “Really they would do that? I mean they do know that you want to fall in love, get married and have many children right. I mean how could you do that if we…” Well you know what I mean.”
Rosenlyn thought and said, “Alea and Danica can come in too and I will assume residence on the opposite side of the bath. I promise, I’ll even keep my eyes close when you enter the waters. Plus, I need my robes cleaned while I bath, they can do that right!” Alea laughed, “You would make a fine Companion you know.” Rosenlyn said, “Well Azuara might take offense at me taking on some of your more esoteric practices. Although maybe I would be more attractive with some fur, what do you think?”
Alea laughed hardily, “Your friend here Etain is quite the tease isn’t she?” Then one of the servants came out of the bathing room and said, everything is ready. They walked in and Rosenlyn just disrobed handed it to the servant and then walked into the tub disrobed and found a nice corner to lay down and rest her head.
Etain commented, “Well, you certainly don’t suffer from any of the same reservations as I do!” Rosenlyn laughed and said, “Come on Etain, I skinny dip in the lake all the time near my campsite. I mean, I provide quite the show for some of the old hunters in the area. I am surprise they don’t have heart failure of something! “
They all laughed and Rosenlyn said, “My eyes are closed, hurry up now or I might fall asleep. Now I know why you spend so much in here. It feels quite good doesn’t it?” Etain disrobed too and the other ladies turned while she took off her underclothing then dipped below the waters and began to relax .“
Etain had fallen asleep again. Rosenlyn sat there for a while in the bathing area watching Etain, Then she asked have my robes been brought back. Alea said, yes, just behind you there. Ready to go. Rosenlyn did not have the modesty issues that Etain did, and she rose out of the bathing area, dried herself off and dress in both her underclothing and robes that had been cleaned. She strapped her bow back on her back and slid her long knife into its sheath along her calf.
She walked around where Etain was and whispered, “You know someday she is going knock the socks off of some hero type somewhere. She is quite pretty when she’s not angry about something isn’t she?” She reached for a picture of cold water and said to the others, “Watch let’s see what she does.”
Rosenlyn took the picture of icy cold water and began to slowly drip it on her forehead it wasn’t long before Etain opened one eye and said, “I figured it had to be you. Your parents must have had a fun time keeping up with you while you were growing up!” Rosenlyn said, “Come on, we need to do some planning about what to do next. I know you have your own ideas. But I think it might be wise to listen to everyone else’s counsel too!”
Etain smiled, “Good idea, I want them to know they have a voice in this and that I hear them. “ Etain then said, “Now shush so I can get dried off and dressed. Rosenlyn teased her, “ I am hurt, you mean you don’t wont to parade in front of us?” Etain looked embarrassed. Rosenlyn, said, “Don’t worry, you know I want to have some children someday too. Well, at least a daughter. Who knows, I might even name her after you.”
The all laughed and Rosenlyn said, “I’ll be waiting outside the door with our stiff neck never laugh Knights of Stendarr.” Etain said, “Be nice to them Rosenlyn.” She was dressed, prepared, her sword placed on her back and her tiara set in her hair. She had two new hair pins that were actually carefully crafted to be thrown like daggers. A gift from Jarl Elisif of Solitude.
Rosenlyn, Etain, and her two Knights of Stendarr guards all went to the outdoor area and met with the company short of General Tullius. Legate Rikke was there still. She smiled at Etain and asked, “May I have a word with you?” Etain said, “Of course, let’s take a walk over there and we can speak in privacy.”
They walked over to a set of hay bales that were staked there. She looked at Legate Rikke and said, “ What can I do for you Legate?” I wanted to let you know that it is likely the Imperial Legion in Cyrodiil as well as the counsel in the Imperial City will hear of what you did to General Tullius. I am not telling you what you did was wrong. I would never have pledge my sword and service to you if I didn’t believe you were right. However, I am warning you that your list of enemies may multiply more after that. Tullius may have not been many people’s favorite, but he was a good soldier and someone they knew they, being the political parties could control.”
Etain said to her, “Thank you Legate Rikke for that honest assessment. I will need a lot more of it before this journey is over. So, please don’t hesitate to pull me aside when you think I need a little talk to advise or provide guidance for course correction. I know I will make mistakes, how could I not, but I look to you and others to help me, to advise me. In whatever comes in the future, my intent is to be sure everyone has a voice, that not only are you heard, but respected and listened to with honor. “
Legate Rikke said, “You truly are an unusual person Etain. To have so much power at your command you restrain and hesitate at every step you take to try and not cause harm to others. That is rare Etain, just keep being you!” Then she said, “Come on, I believe the Jarls and their Stewards are waiting for us.”
Etain and the Legate rejoined the table with the others. Everyone sat down and Etain then spoke. “Before we join in the wonderful array of bountiful food and drink prepared before us. Let me begin a new tradition.”
Etain bowed her head and she reached out to those to the left and right of her and held their hands. She waited and silence finally settled into the space where they all sat together. Then Etain said, “Here I sit at a table of friends; some are new, some are old, but each of you bring something unique to our world. I want to give thanks to all of you for being here, for sharing the bounty of all those who serve you, serve us, and serve this land to provide for us, to protect us, and sometimes just to hug us in our most desperate hour.”
Etain paused a moment to let it sink in. “ Let us also not forget the divines for they are all part of this incredible world of Nirn in which we are blessed to live, to love, to have children, to live out our lives together. Long ago, in some far away past of mine I was taught a creed, old it is, but if you wonder why it matters so much to me, and to the future of Nirn, then listed to its word.
“In dusk’s embrace, where shadows meet the light,
A warrior mage with heart ablaze takes flight.
With robes that billow, woven from the stars,
She walks the path where honor heals our scars.
O’er fields of sorrow, where the meek reside,
She stands as a guardian, with love as her guide.
In the whispers of the wind, her vows resound,
For every tear that falls, a promise bound.
With sword of ancient tales, and eyes of fire,
She conjures strength from deep within her soul’s desire.
Through storms of doubt, in battles fierce and cold,
Her loyalty is forged in bonds of gold.
She bears the truth, its sacred weight profound,
In every fragile heart, her grace is found.
For kindness is her armor, gentle yet strong,
In every whispered prayer, it leads her on.
Though shadows loom, and darkness claims the night,
She faces fears with courage, heart alight.
To shield the weak, to guard the weary plight,
In every inch of struggle, she embodies light.
Together, side by side, through trials we weave,
In the tapestry of life, we learn to believe.
For in the heart of this protector, we see,
The way of love and justice, our shared decree.
So let our echoes ring through valleys and above,
In honor, loyalty, truth, and kindness’ love.
For in the arms of grace, our spirits will find.
A world transformed, where every heart’s aligned.”
She let the weight of her words settle into each person, become a living, breathing part of each and every one there. “If you want to know what drives my heart then now you know. Thank you all, I am humbled by you all. May happiness follow you always and may this creed guide you in all things.”
Then she released the hands that she grasped and said, “Come on our food and my tea is getting cold!” Rosenlyn tuned and wrapped her arms around her, leaned her head, onto her shoulder and said, “Thank you brave warrior!”