Meme Announcements!
Oct. 29th, 2011 12:36 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
skyrimkinkmemeANNOUNCEMENTS: UPDATED 12/16/2017
Happy Holidays, fellow Kinkmemers! I have returned and have no reasonable excuse for my absence except LIFE. I will be working on updating the archives. If anyone sees anything amiss, please let me know.
I am also hoping to find another Mod and an Archivist.
The more dedicated people we have in this Meme the less chance of it dying. I admit that being the sole keeper of the Meme is not great for the fandom. If something were to happen to me, for good, this place would go the way of the Fallout Kink Meme. Let's not let that happen! If anyone would be interested in Modding/Archiving, please drop me a line. Thanks! <3
Struggle (7a/?)
Date: 2013-03-13 09:38 pm (UTC)"I just remembered something." Marcurio said as they left the Temple. "Raven was supposed to do a favor for the Jarl here, Elisif."
"Then we should probably let her know what's happened." Ysolda said. "Where does Elisif stay?"
"The Blue Palace," Marcurio answered. "It's not far from here. Follow me." He lead her down the street, past a strange beggar who seemed to be ranting about something, and into a courtyard that looked somewhat untended. The Blue Palace was large and had a sense of foreboding, as if some dark secret was hidden there. They entered and asked for an audience, and waited patiently until Jarl Elisif could see them.
Jarl Elisif the Fair, Ysolda thought, was far more than fair. In fact, she was quite beautiful, and very young for a Queen. Despite being so young, she had the burdens of a large hold to run on top of dealing with her husband's recent death. She looked as if she hadn't slept well, and Ysolda understood her plight. If Raven had not survived his encounter with a werewolf, Ysolda didn't know what she would do.
"My name is Ysolda, and I hail from Whiterun." Ysolda dropped to a knee, as did Marcurio. Elisif smiled.
"Please, you don't need to do that. You're Raven's wife, correct? He speaks very highly of you. But what brings you to Solitude? It's so far from Whiterun."
"Raven brings me here." Ysolda answered. "He's...Currently incapacitated at the Temple of Kynareth, in Whiterun. He was attacked by a werewolf on his way back to the city. He..." She paused, composing herself. It was still difficult to talk about, despite Danica's assurance that Raven would recover. "He nearly died." As Ysolda looked into Elisif's eyes, she saw a kind of sympathy only a wife could give. Elisif had lost her husband, and she didn't wish it on anyone else. She knew how Ysolda felt, and more.
"I'm so sorry. But, at least he is alive. Is there word on his recovery?" Elisif asked delicately.
"As of right now, no. But Danica Pure-Spring, the priestess of Kynareth, is confident he will make a full recovery. That is why I'm here, in Solitude. He will recover, but it will take a lot of time. I came here to pray to the Divines, in the hopes that they will help him-" She paused. "Help us. I hate to sound selfish, but I need just as much strength as he does right now." Elisif gave her a sad, knowing smile.
"And I'm going to guess that when you came to the Temple, you were disappointed that one God was missing." At Ysolda's shocked look, she let out a small, sad chuckle. "I know how you feel. The worship of Talos may be banned by the Empire, but in the hearts of all Nords, he is still one of our Gods. When Torygg died, I prayed to all of the Divines...Except for Talos." She paused, looking away briefly, as if to compose herself. Ysolda swore she saw tears glittering in Elisif's eyes. "I know of one Shrine. It's in the plains just northeast of Whiterun, in fact. I...But, if you go there, may I ask you a favor?"
"Of course." Ysolda nodded firmly. "What can I do for you, my Jarl?"
"As we all know, Talos is, in essence, a God of war. However, he was also capable of much compassion in his life. Torygg owned a war horn that was very precious to him, passed down by his father, from his father, and so forth. When I prayed to the Divines, I left offerings for each. But, I saved this for Talos." She reached behind her throne, and found a cloth bundle. Ysolda accepted it, and she pulled the cloth away to reveal a beautiful, golden horn, jewel-encrusted and weary with time.
"Please, take this." Elisif asked. "Take this to Talos,. Pray for his blessing."
Struggle (7b/?)
Date: 2013-03-13 09:55 pm (UTC)"As a wife, I know your grief. And knowing Raven, if anything ever happened to you or anyone else he cares for, he would pray to Talos, too. I believe Talos still mourns for all of his fallen sons, even if they're not Nords, or have forsaken him. Torygg held his belief in Talos close to his heart, as well. He and I both believed that one day, we will push the Thalmor away, and Talos will return to his former glory. Until then, we merely need to bide our time. But I want Talos to know we haven't forgotten him. And we will not use his name for murder." She paused, realizing she spoke too much. Her voice burned with hatred for her husband's murderer. "My apologies. My emotions sometimes get the better of me when I speak of such things. Thank you for accepting my favor, and let Raven know, when he wakes, I will reward you both accordingly. You and your husband are doing more for me, and for the people of Solitude, than anyone can possibly realize. You have my gratitude, and my prayers. I hope Raven makes a full recovery very soon."
"Thank you, Elisif." Ysolda bowed. "I am honored to do this for you. As a wife, I know for certain that Torygg is proud of you, and your strength. But remember, it's alright to crumble once in a while." Elisif gave her a knowing smile, and once more, tears glittered in her eyes.
"Thank you. It's nice to find someone who still understands such things."
Ysolda and Marcurio were treated to lunch with Elisif, and Ysolda began to think of her as far more than a Jarl, more than the future High Queen of Skyrim. Ysolda began to consider her a friend. When they left Solitude, Elisif insisted on seeing them off. She'd marked on the worn map Ysolda carried, which belonged to Raven, the location of the shrine.
"Be safe." She said. "The Thalmor are heavily patrolling the area around Whiterun, looking for any Stormcloak soldiers left behind in the siege. If you encounter them, no matter what they say or do to you, do not give them the luxury of seeing every emotion you carry. They don't only search for Talos worshipers. They search out anyone they deem "unfit." And they judge who is unfit by their own terms."
"I understand," Ysolda gently held Elisif's hand, grateful for her warning. "I'm confident we will be alright, as long as the Divines will it." They said their goodbyes, and Ysolda and Marcurio departed on horseback, the beautiful stallions paid for by Elisif, who insisted that Ysolda and Marcurio accept these gifts, at least for the duration of their journey. Elisif was nothing if not generous, and Ysolda believed she was truly worthy of being called the High Queen.
The journey back to Whiterun was more eventful than the journey to Solitude, especially when they took to the plains. Sabre Cats had made the plains their hunting grounds, and they'd had many close calls. Marcurio defended Ysolda fiercely, not only out of responsibility, but out of friendship. Raven was a good friend to him, and in time, Ysolda became one as well. If he failed Ysolda as, in his mind, he failed Raven, Marcurio could never forgive himself.
Eventually they decided to rest their horses and continue to the shrine on foot. They didn't wish to be found by anything, and the horses were quite noisy. As they began to hike the hills toward the shrine, Ysolda saw something she prayed she wouldn't see during the entire trip: A Thalmor patrol.
Struggle (7c/?)
Date: 2013-03-13 10:20 pm (UTC)"Please, let us pass." Ysolda spoke. "My sister lives just over these hills, and she's very ill. I must see her."
"A likely story," The Justiciar stepped forward, blocking Ysolda's way. "Does this sister of yours happen to be a worshiper of Talos?" He sneered. "Living so close to a shrine of Talos, she must be."
"She is not." Ysolda answered firmly. "She is merely a poor farmer." Ysolda thought her story would be a good one, but the Justiciar's eyes seemed to pry into her soul. It was as if he somehow knew she was lying. She didn't like the way his guards looked at her, either. But she needed to stand strong, for Raven, if for no one else.
"You know," The Justiciar's sneer turned to a smirk once more. "We just came from over those hills, and we saw no cabins or farmland." Shit, Ysolda thought. They really did know that she was lying.
"She's in a grove of trees, very secluded. You likely would not have seen it." The implication that the Thalmor were not paying attention to their surroundings seemed to anger them, and the Justiciar fiercely grabbed her chin. She winced, his bony fingers digging into her skin.
"I think you're lying. Do you know what we Thalmor do to liars, and heathens?" He asked.
"Let go of her!" Marcurio snarled, a hand beginning to crackle with lightning. The Elven guards drew their blades.
"Marcurio, stop!" Ysolda said firmly, though her voice shook with her body. "It's all right. I did not mean any insult in my words." The Justiciar held her there for a moment longer, staring into her eyes, searching for anything that would give him enough cause to arrest her.
"Hmph. Just remember, girl, that the Thalmor are always watching." His voice lowered, the smirk soon returning as he looked over her body. "And we have ways of finding out what you really are." He let go of her, signaling his guards to sheathe their weapons and follow him, leaving Ysolda and Marcurio alone in the wilderness.
"If Raven were here," Marcurio muttered. "He would've slit that bastard's throat." He moved to Ysolda. "Did he hurt you?" He asked, genuinely concerned. Ysolda shook her head.
"Thank you for coming to my defense. But, remember what Elisif said. They were looking for any reason to take us captive. But when you treat them with respect, and don't lash out, there's nothing they can do to you." She looked over the hills, and she could see the cave where the shrine should be. "Let's go. It's not much further now."
They arrived at the shrine with no further interruption. She knelt before the statue of Talos, and looked up at his face as she delicately placed Torygg’s Horn in front of the shrine.
"I give to you a tribute from Jarl Elisif the Fair," she began her prayer. "Please watch over her husband, High King Torygg, and protect his people and Elisif as if they were your own children." She reached into a satchel on her hip, and removed twenty septims. She then removed her wedding ring, to Marcurio's surprise.
"What are you-" She hushed him, and he stepped back, giving her peace.
"This is from me. Ysolda, of Whiterun. Wife of Raven, the Dragonborn." She placed the ring and the gold in a small silver dish before the shrine. "I know it’s not much, but I hope this offering can show you how much I care for my husband. We have been troubled recently. I was going to sell this ring in an attempt to fix the problems we've been having." Marcurio let out a small gasp at that revelation.
"Raven's undying loyalty to me, and to his friends, reminded me that some things are worth more than gold. If I should give this ring to anyone, it should be given in tribute to a Divine, because the Divines are the only beings that can know the worth of something that is priceless. Please accept my tribute, and watch over Raven. As a fellow Dragonborn, he needs your guidance and favor now more than ever. Please, guide him to a full and speedy recovery, and give me the strength to handle whatever struggles may come our way."