Chapter 133 The Soldier and the Flower Girl
My name is Eldvar. I have been part of the Stormcloak for five years. I started from the very bottom doing menial tasks like running errands and cleaning horses. But now, I have risen to become ordinary soldier.
Still, I have not given up. A Nord man will always strive to climb higher. That is why I kept pushing forward, again and again… and at last, my prayers have been answered.
Eldvar was standing guard at the entrance to the Palace of the Kings. He let out a long yawn. "Haaam… this is really boring."
After a moment, he drew his sword and gave it a few swings through the air. "I might as well train while standing watch… it's quiet anyway."
He began practicing, repeatedly swinging his blade with steady focus.
Then, after a short while, a sound came from the doors of the Palace of the Kings. Eldvar immediately stopped, sheathed his sword, and returned to a ready stance, alert once more.
He looked up and realized that the one stepping out was Galmar Stone-Fist. A flicker of nervousness ran through him. (Damn… good thing I wasn't caught. If I get caught, I'm dead…)
Eldvar quickly composed himself, standing like a proper guard and greeting him, "Good evening, sir."
Galmar glanced in Eldvar's direction, then began walking toward him.
Eldvar panicked. (What? He's suddenly coming this way did he notice that I slacked off? Damn it!!!)
Inside his Stormcloak armor, Eldvar could feel sweat forming as fear crept in terrified that he hadn't been guarding the entrance to the Palace of the Kings properly.
"Hey, you're Eldvar, right? Deliver this letter to the Dragonborn."
Galmar Stone-Fist handed a sealed scroll to Eldvar.
Eldvar felt both confused and relieved that he wasn't being scolded. Still, a question lingered in his mind why would they need a soldier just to deliver a letter?
"Is this letter really that important… that it has to be entrusted to a soldier?"
Galmar's expression hardened slightly, a hint of irritation in his voice. "Why are you asking something so unimportant? Just do as you're ordered understood?"
Eldvar immediately felt a pang of guilt. He lowered his head slightly and apologized, "Ah… forgive me, sir."
He then glanced back at Galmar Stone-Fist, while thinking to himself, (Why am I so stupid… questioning an order from Galmar, Ulfric's right-hand man. He's even rumored to be ruthless… and a bit harsh.)
Galmar Stone-Fist shot Eldvar a sharp glare, but didn't scold him further.
Eldvar met his gaze, his heart pounding. (This is the end for me…)
But after a moment, Galmar's expression softened back to normal. He scratched his head and said, "Actually… you can refuse this task if you want. But if you accept it and successfully deliver this letter to the Dragonborn I might recommend you to Ulfric. You could even be promoted into the core ranks."
Eldvar's eyes lit up with a spark of hope. (Really? I can rise in rank and join the core unit? All this time, I couldn't move up I thought I'd remain an ordinary soldier forever… and now, Talos has blessed me with this opportunity. I truly am blessed.)
He quickly straightened himself and replied, "No no, I would never refuse. Of course, an order must be carried out."
Galmar Stone-Fist looked at him again, making sure. "Are you certain? Rumors about scouts who never returned are already spreading. This letter is crucial it could turn the tide of the war. You might become a target for the enemy. Are you still sure?"
Eldvar met his gaze, his eyes still bright with determination. "Don't worry. Ever since I became a soldier, I haven't just stood around waiting for orders I've been training my swordsmanship and archery. So you have nothing to worry about."
Galmar Stone-Fist looked at him, thinking, (Hmm… true enough. Even if he didn't take this task, he'd likely be promoted to the core ranks soon anyway, given how much his skills have improved. Still… there's no harm in having him owe me a favor.)
"Very well then. May Talos be with you."
Eldvar smiled. "Yes thank you, sir"
Galmar let out a small chuckle. "Just finish your task first. Then we'll have a drink afterward."
Hearing that, Eldvar was overjoyed. (What? Treating me to a drink? Have I finally been noticed?)
"Thank you very much, sir!" he said eagerly, before turning and heading off.
Galmar Stone-Fist was still worried, but he chose to trust him once more. (Yeah… I have to trust him. He's a soldier personally recommended by Ulfric himself. You could say he isn't especially talented but his hard work has paid off. I've even seen him practicing sword swings late at night. That's the kind of true soldier Lord Ulfric notices. Hah… the Stormcloaks are being blessed by Talos… no, we've always been blessed by Talos. May another diamond rise among us.)
Eldvar prepared himself to head for Whiterun, packing enough supplies for the journey. Once ready, he made his way toward the gates of Windhelm.
Near the massive gate, Eldvar's steps slowed as something caught his attention. Through the swirling snow and biting wind, he spotted a small figure standing alone a young girl clutching a bundle of flowers. The petals trembled in the cold, just like her thin shoulders, yet she remained there, stubbornly trying to sell them.
Eldvar frowned slightly, his brows knitting together as concern crept into his expression. He adjusted his cloak and walked toward her, his boots crunching against the snow.
"Sofie… aren't you cold?" he asked, his tone softer than before. "Selling flowers in weather like this?"
Sofie turned at the sound of his voice. For a split second, she looked surprised but then her face brightened instantly, her lips curling into a warm, familiar smile despite the cold. "Ah, Uncle Eldvar! Are you going on another mission?" she asked, tilting her head slightly, her breath visible in the frigid air.
Eldvar straightened unconsciously, a hint of pride showing in the way he lifted his chin. "Of course," he replied confidently, placing a hand on his hip. "And if I succeed… they say I might get promoted."
Sofie's eyes widened, sparkling with excitement. Her entire face lit up, as if the cold no longer touched her. "Really? Congratulations, Uncle!" she said, her voice filled with genuine happiness, even giving a small, excited bounce where she stood.
Eldvar felt warmth spread through his chest at her reaction. A faint smile tugged at his lips as he reached into his pouch, the soft clink of coins breaking the quiet. He pulled out 15 gold coins and crouched slightly so he could meet her at eye level, gently placing them into her small hands.
"Here," he said, his voice gentle. "This is for you. I'm in a good mood today."
Sofie's eyes widened again, this time in surprise. She carefully held the coins as if they were something precious, her fingers curling around them tightly. "Thank you, Uncle!" she said brightly. Then, tilting her head again, she lifted the flowers slightly. "Do you want to trade them for flowers? I recommend this" then sofie pick the snowdrop flower for Eldvar.
Eldvar chuckled softly, he then take the flower and smile to sofie "thank you so much sofie but I don't know this flower will still bloom after the mission" he said then sofie smile "then if it wilts you can buy it from me again" Eldvar laughed hearing that and said "good girl, you have become a small businessman huh?" sofie than laughed embarrassedly. Eldvar expression softened again as he glanced at the darkening sky and the thickening snowfall. "And you should take a break for now… it looks like the snow is going to get worse."
Sofie followed his gaze for a moment before looking back at him. She nodded obediently, a gentle smile still on her face, her eyes filled with quiet gratitude.
Eldvar looked at Sofie with pity. (If my income were higher, I would adopt her… but a soldier's pay isn't enough to make two living, and I don't even have a home for her to live in. I can't adopt her like this. But everything will change if I get promoted my salary will be enough to save for a house and support both my life and Sofie's.)
Eldvar slowly reached out, his gloved hand hesitating for a brief moment before gently resting on Sofie's head. He ruffled her hair with a soft, careful motion, as if afraid the cold might make her even more fragile.
"Pray for me, alright?" he said, his voice quieter now, carrying a hint of warmth beneath the usual firmness of a soldier. "I hope this mission goes well… and when I get back, I'll buy you plenty of food. The good kind, okay?"
Sofie's eyes lit up instantly, her small hands clutching the flowers she carried as she nodded eagerly. "Promise, Uncle okay!" she said, her voice bright despite the cold, her smile wide and genuine.
Eldvar let out a soft chuckle, the tension in his shoulders easing as he looked at her. He nodded firmly this time, a reassuring smile forming on his lips. "Yeah… I promise."
For a brief moment, he lingered, his hand falling back to his side as if reluctant to leave. Then, with a quiet breath, he turned away and began to walk.
As he put some distance between them, he raised a hand without looking back at first but then paused, glancing over his shoulder. Sofie was still there, waving at him enthusiastically, her small figure standing against the falling snow.
Eldvar's expression softened. He lifted his hand higher and waved back, holding it there a second longer before finally turning forward again and continuing on his path.
After that, Eldvar headed toward a carriage. "Hey, take me to Whiterun," he said.
The driver looked at him and replied, "Ah… with the weather getting worse, the trip might take longer than usual, and the fare will increase. Hmm… let's see, it'll be 100 gold coins."
Eldvar let out a sigh, then put on a pleading expression. "Come on, uncle, give me a discount. After all, I'm a soldier serving this hold."
The driver snorted. "Hah, a soldier who still bargains, huh? Fine how about 90 gold coins?"
Eldvar countered, "70."
"85," the driver replied.
"75," Eldvar shot back.
The driver gave his final offer. "80 and not a coin less."
Eldvar agreed immediately. "Alright, deal."
He then climbed onto the carriage and prepared for the journey to Whiterun, unaware that this trip would change his life forever.
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