The doors to the Blue Palace opened and Elisif perked up when she heard the sound of carefully placed footsteps. It was Maren, Elisif could tell by the way she walked. She placed every step as if making minimal noise was second nature to her and wore these leather shoes that didn’t give a harsh clicking sound across the floor.
Sure enough Maren then appeared at the top of the stairs, “The bandits have been taken care of, Jarl.” She said simply, she didn’t have any injuries so that was a relief to the Jarl.
“Good to hear, Thane Maren, Falk has payment for you.” Falk stood as Maren strode over to him. He gave her the sack of gold with a smile and she sat down with the other thanes after selecting a book to read.
There was general movement around all around the court. Erikur impatiently pacing egarly awaiting the next job, a courier came in with letters for Falk which he was now sorting through, the Jarl was listening and responding kindly to the problems her people were facing and Bolgeir was standing next to the Jarl in a threatening maner.
Everything was peaceful until Falk stood and approached the Jarl with caution. Maren looked up from her book as he placed a small pile of letters on the arm of the chair.
“What are these?” She picked one up and opened it. Maren watched, curious to see that the letters were, when she saw Elisif scrunch up the letter and throw it to the floor before standing up and walking away Maren felt raw fear in her stomach. She went to close her book and follow the upset Nord but Erikur had already rushed after her.
“What are they?” Maren asked Falk as he picked up the letters, which had fallen to the floor.
“Marriage proposals.” Maren felt her heart sink but then gave herself a mental slap.
“But High King-”
“I know, but a someone like her is very influential, powerful and also vulnerable. She’s an ideal candidate for people wanting to marry up, there’s even a proposal from Ulfric Stormcloak.”
“But he killed-”
“Yep.” They both laughed at the stupidity of the entire thing.
Soon both Jarl and Thane returned, Elisif clearly still angry but calmed down somewhat. She mentioned nothing of the letters again and no one dared bring the subject up.
Maren returned to reading and after a while became so lost in her book she didn’t even notice just about everyone else leave. She eventually looked up and found Bolgeir and Elisif were the only others in the room.
Bolgeir bid the women goodnight and left.
“I suppose I should be going home as well.” Maren said with a small laugh.
“What were you reading?”
“Oh, um Herbalist’s Guide to Skyrim.” She said closing the book and showing Elisif.
“Alchemy?” Maren stood.
“Well I think knowing how to make healing potions would be… beneficial to me.” They both laughed
“I suppose you saw the little spat I had.” Maren simply smiled at her.
“It’s understandable.” She told her, they began walking rather slowly towards Elisif’s chambers.
“Regardless, I’m a Jarl and shouldn’t be lose my control like that.” She sighed. “I suppose it’s inevitable, maybe next time it’ll be better…”
“You didn’t enjoy being married to Torygg?”
“He was lovely, sweet really but he seemed interested in other things. I never really got to love him though, just as I was beginning to he was gone.” She admitted for what seemed like the first time. The two stopped and stood out the front of Elisif’s door. “I think he swung the other way though, he seemed a bit too close to the leader of the Stormcloak rebellion himse- oh god why am I saying this? You can never repeat this to anyone!”
“Of course!” She replied hastily in an attempt to calm the Jarl. Elsif took a breath and then looked at the floor with guilt. She seemed to hold such innocence and Maren felt her body fighting against her mind. After a few agonising moments with images of Elsif pressed against the door Maren’s mind won over.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, and don’t worry your secret is safe with me, always.” She gave a short wave as she walked away mentally cursing herself for even thinking such thoughts while she was still clearing in mourning.

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This was originally meant to be short but I'm really bad at that, so my bad.... things do get more interesting soon :)