Of Fond Memories (Skyrim Oneshots) [Requests Closed]

(Lydia) A Tough Exterior

Art by Vandrell, from deviantart
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Lydia never expected after this many years of setting her mind on her goals and ambitions, that she would end up being in love. When she was about a teen, she would shy away from any romances so that she would grow up to be a capable warrior and a protect for those she loved the most. It was successful, she grew up, achieved many accomplishments and became a hero's housecarl. But not just any hero, but Akatosh's blessed slayer of Dragons. Lydia knew that as a housecarl she would have to face countless challenges and fight the savagest of foes but she didn't expected to be hopelessly in love with her own Thane. So much so that finding him just glancing at her would make her hands shake and her heart race.
It all started when the rumors of dragons surfaced to be true, the entire Whiterun desperately reinforced their warriors and attempted their very best to fend off the dragon. Until the would be Thane of Whiterun entered the Dragonsreach, flames burned in those (e/c) eyes, as his contained and calm demeanor sang of glory.
Lydia, just as she laid her eyes on him, had felt different. She had thought that she left her anxious and shy self in her childhood but it surfaced again when she saw him.
Lydia, as a warrior had stared vicious beasts in the eyes and fought berserk warriors with an undaunted composure but now? Her heart raced and she felt clumsier than ever, she felt if she would move then she would fall but then she felt as if moving was impossible as her feet were frozen. A part of her didn't want to be around him, as feeling so much in love made her feel vulnerable and her other part wanted to be as close to him as possible, because she didn't want someone who made her feel head over heels to go away.
But in the end, Lydia ended up being the Dragonborn's housecarl. When he first arrived at the Dragonsreach, and the Jarl appointed Lydia to be his housecarl, she was so nervous that she was lost in her own mind to approach him. Instead the Dragonborn approached her and unintentionally startled her.
"Oh my... I apologize if I startled you" he apologetically smiled, his voice was quiet but bold, gentle but tenacious
"Um... uh..." Lydia stuttered for the right words but it seemed like words had even disappeared from her mind.
The Thane blinked his eyes a couple of times, resulting in Lydia to quickly speak up "uh, no! No, absolutely not... I had just been up all night to protect the city gates just in case it is under attack by a dragon..." she laughed nervously
"Indeed, this dragon matters has kept everyone up at night out of paranoia" he replied "but I'm glad that the capable warriors of Whiterun helped me fend off that dragon" he smiled.
It was the Dragonborn in actuality that helped the warriors instead, but he was humble and polite even after knowing that he was the Dragonborn.
"I'm (y/n), just in case it slipped my mind to introduce myself" he stretched out his hand
"I'm... Lydia, your housecarl" Lydia quickly said and shook his hand, feeling a soothing presence in her mind when she did so. "Just how much magical does he have to be now? As if he already isn't dreamy enough" Lydia thought before she realized that the handshake had been going on for too long now, she slightly gasped before letting him go
"A housecarl? What is their job?" (Y/n) asked
"As you are a hero, a Thane, it is my duty to protect you from all dangers... even if it means putting my life in line" Lydia replied, earning a smile from (y/n)
"If you want to protect me then it's great but I'd hate to put anyone's life in line for me... and I'd especially regret it if a rather beautiful woman's life was in line" he smirked, maybe seeing Lydia blush in his words.
"Well, I believe a lot of dragons are awaiting a combat... and I intend to fight them... shall we Lydia?" (Y/n) looked at the open gates of Dragonsreach, it seemed like he could hear the vicious roars of the dragons from here
"Of course, Thane... let us go" Lydia replied smiling.

Soon they were far away from Whiterun, in a rather unpopulated area and the sky had been growing gray, with snow falling every now and then. Lydia sensed that something was wrong, it was too quiet.
"Thane... I think something is wrong..." she said, nervously looking at the sky
"I think so too..." he narrowed his eyes when he saw a shadow in the clouds, flying towards the land with tremendous speed. (Y/n) realized that it was a dragon, and turned to Lydia "take a few steps back, its a dragon that's heading here" he warned but before any actions could be taken, the dragon had landed on a nearby structure causing the ground to shake
"Brace yourself Lydia!" (Y/n) said before charging towards the dragon, Lydia understood that she would have to resort to doing ranged damage to the dragon but the problem is that she wasn't good at all with a bow.
But she would try, it's better to try than being an inconvenience she thought.
In the entire combat, she couldn't even hit the dragon even once and even a few times her arrows almost hit (y/n). The Thane had to defeat the dragon entirely alone before he turned to Lydia
"Why the arrows? Were you trying to shoot the dragon or me?" He asked, surprised
"The dragon of course! Why would I want to hurt you?" She replied, looking at him like a kitten
"You could've helped me with melee, rather than being ranged" he sighed
"I didn't want to become an inconvenience in the battle... I'm sorry I was just trying to help" she replied, disappointed in herself
"You seem like you are having a little trouble with keeping your composure" (y/n) asked, looking at Lydia's hand that held the bow
"C-Composure?!" Her eyes widened "no! I'm absolutely fine!" She tried to laugh normally but it sounded nervous.
The housecarl was taken by surprise when the Thane held her shoulders and walked a little closer "look into my eyes" he said quietly. Lydia was already nervous and being so close to him only caused her become more flustered, she chuckled and tried to look in his eyes she couldn't keep her gaze still
"Yes you are very nervous right now... your body is shaking..." he said, concerned
"I'm alright t-thane, I appreciate the concern" she smiled to look okay
"No you aren't, there seems to be a little conversation we need at the moment" he said and sat down, telling Lydia to do so as well.
Lydia sat beside him and wondered what she would tell him...
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(A/N: there's a part two of this chapter already under editing. I just stopped there because the chapter was getting too lengthy. I hope this was enjoyable to read)