Fire & Ice

by Vivifriend

Summary:

Madena promised to never use her magic against others. So, when the Imperials take Dawnstar, she keeps that promise and petitions the new Jarl to allow her to stay on as her court wizard.
Jarl Brina's housecarl is suspicious of her sincerity, but an event that puts one of Dawnstar's families in danger allows him to see her in a new light.

"Madena. You have a duty to your Jarl to help us fight back the Imperials," Skald snarled, glaring at her from his throne.

"I will not," she responded, hiding her trembling hands in her sleeves, refusing to let him see her fear. "My duty is to the people of Dawnstar as a whole." Imperial or Stormcloak. They are my neighbors, and I will not kill any of them.

"Then you are working with the Imperials?" He demanded.

"No."

"Then fight them. You were trained as a Battlemage. Use your magic for the good of Dawnstar."

It is because of my training and time with the Legion that I will not fight. Not for you. Not for anyone. "I made it clear when I joined your court that I would not fight."

"I have no use for a pacifist. Jod! Barricade her in her quarters. We will deal with her after we've defended the city."

Jod nodded, moving toward her and she expertly moved away from his grasp. "I know the way," she said firmly, moving toward her quarters herself, the Housecarl following close behind. 

He said nothing as they walked, Madena content to maintain the silence, certain that now she was away from Skald her voice would betray her roiling emotions. His expression did not change when they reached her quarters and she stepped inside, closing the door in his face and leaning against it, trying to steady her rapid heartbeat.

The sound of heavy furniture being dragged in front of her door almost made her laugh. I told them I had no desire to fight, and they still don't believe me.

Knowing she'd be able to hear the sounds of fighting eventually she moved around the room, layering curtains over her window to block out any sound, pushing them to the side and resting her hand on the icy windowsill for a moment, trying to use the cold to calm herself. Shaking her head she pushed them back into place, grabbing one of her heaviest blankets and draping it over her bed, creating an almost tent-like shelter.

Memories she'd spent decades burying rose when she heard the muffled sound of a Legion horn and she crawled under her blanket, drawing her legs up to her chest and closing her eyes, determined to wait it out. 

 

The sound of the furniture being dragged away drew her out of her memories and she slipped out of the blanket tent swiftly, yanking the blanket down so it lay flat on the mattress, sitting down, fiddling with her robes.

The door opened and she winced at the torchlight. I should have lit something before hiding.

"Who are you?" A masculine voice demanded, an Imperial stepping into her room, a legate by the markings on his armor.

"I am Madena. The Court Wizard," she responded honestly.

"Why were you barricaded in your rooms?"

"I told Skald my duty was to the people of Dawnstar and that I would not fight."

He snorted. "Skald is on his way to Windhelm with his tail tucked between his legs. Will you work with the new Jarl? Or do we need to send you after him?"

"My duty is to the people of Dawnstar," she repeated. "I will see if the new Jarl will allow me to continue my work." 

"Walk with me then," he demanded, gesturing for her to move ahead of them.

She was almost surprised to see Bulfrek sweeping the floor, nodding slightly to him as they passed. He talked so often of leaving to join the Stormcloaks. Did he really want to? Or was he wanting to get away from Skald?

Coming into the main hall she smiled on seeing who sat on the Jarl's throne. Brina Merilis. A sensible choice. Her gaze tracked to the Nord standing next to the throne, scowling at her. Horik Halfhand, I am not surprised. "Jarl," she greeted, tilting her head politely.

"Madena. I had wondered where you were. You did not join Skald's defense," Brina said.

"No."

"Why is that?"

She frowned, folding her arms. "I will not kill."

"You were in the Legion were you not? A talented Battlemage I recall."

"I was, Jarl," she responded, holding her back straight.

"Stationed in Imperial City."

"Yes, Jarl."

"A bloody time. You served with distinction."

"It is a time I prefer to forget."

"I understand. What can you offer me as Court Wizard?"

Horik startled, scowling, leaning in to whisper something to Brina. She shook her head, watching Madena.

"I wish only to help the people here," she said. "Peace is sorely lacking in Dawnstar but the people here could use it."

"I agree. It will take hard work to rebuild."

"That is to be expected."

"Welcome to my court Madena. I expect you to keep me abreast of your experiments."

"Yes, Jarl," she responded, trying not to let her relief show. I did not want to have to find a new home.

"Good," the Legate muttered. "That's one less headache to deal with."

 

"Watch yourself mage."

Madena sighed, looking up at Horik, snow swirling around them, coming in thick, promising to be a blizzard. "Is that a threat, Horik?" She asked mildly, shifting her basket to her hip.

"Brina may have accepted your pacifist claims but I find them hard to believe."

"That's on you," she responded firmly. 

"I'll be watching you."

"As expected."

He snorted, scowling as he let her pass, a glance when she neared the White Hall telling her he watched her still. I'm sure it's good for a Housecarl to be suspicious but he takes it a bit too far some days.

 

"You're limping Horik," Madena observed, lifting a potion bottle toward the light, twisting it to find the impurities.

"What of it?" He grumbled, pausing in the doorway, watching her with a scowl.

"I've seen it before." She lowered the potion, giving him a level look. "I know some spells or poultices that could help."

"No thank you," he growled. "Keep your magics and potions to yourself."

"If you insist," she responded, shaking her head and turning back to her alchemy table. Another overture rejected. He's as cold as Dawnstar some days. What would it take to change that?

---

Madena wasn’t sure who sounded the alarm, but she was out of bed, hastily pulling boots over her stocking feet and charging toward the door before Bulfrek had even reached the Jarl, not bothering to grab cloak or scarf. She had a horrible feeling that she knew whose house was ablaze and the sight that greeted her on the porch of the White Hall verified it. Please Mara, let them be safe.

She stopped just long enough to be sure she wouldn’t slip on a patch of ice and started running, the cold air chilling her through. I’ll be warm soon enough if there’s anyone in there. Mara, please let there be no one in there. 

Seren had just had her Thalia three days before, and Madena well knew the brain fog that could accompany caring for an infant. Her own brother had nearly lost his own family to a blaze when, tired from a fussy baby, his wife had knocked a full lantern over. I had hoped to never face such a scenario again.

Seren, wavering on her feet was being braced by two of the guard, screaming for her husband and daughter, and Madena felt a new chill that had nothing to do with the cold. 

“What’s the situation?” She demanded.

“Rustleif dragged Seren out then went in after the baby," one of the guard's explained, other guards and newly woken townsfolk running toward the sea, buckets in hand.

Madena nodded and turned to face the house. Mara give me strength. Calling frost spells to her hands she ran forward, the heat from the smithy warming her swiftly, her frost taming the fire by the door, allowing her entry. 

Smoke threatened to choke her, and she formed a cool barrier of frost in front of her mouth, unable to do anything for the burning in her eyes, pushing through, searching for Rustleif.

Seconds later a tiny sound drew her into the bedroom, and she found Rustleif curled in the corner, obviously trying to shelter Thalia with his bulk. 

She knelt by him, pleased when he looked at her. “I am going to break a hole. Can you stand?”

He nodded and she set her hands against the thick wood, casting the strongest frost spell she could muster, shattering the wood apart, gesturing for him to run out ahead of her, the fire creeping along the ceiling gaining strength with the influx of air. 

Staggering out after Rustleif, she followed him around to the front, casting a healing spell on him, his infant and his wife. 

She knew they spoke. She knew they thanked her, but she was too tired to hear them and managed only a wan smile, turning back toward the smithy, relieved to see Brina and Horik heading the water brigade. Brina was the best thing that ever happened to Dawnstar. I just wish Horik would reign in his suspicions.

Tiredly she moved toward the smithy, casting more frost spells to keep the fire from spreading, watching until there was nothing left but brightly smoldering embers. 

“Madena.” 

She turned. “Yes, Horik?” What is it now?

He grumbled something she couldn’t hear and shook his head, pulling his cloak off and stepping forward, swirling it around her shoulders, something almost warm in his expression. “Fire’s about done. You should go back to bed.”

She blinked up at him, touched by the gesture, the heavy cloak easing the shivers she’d barely realized she had. “Thank you, Horik. I shall do that.”

He nodded sharply then turned and strode away.

So, there is more to him than his gruffness suggests. I had hoped that was the case. Turning back toward the Hall, she tugged his cloak a little closer and started walking. 

Once inside she made her way back to her room and tugged the cloak off, frowning to see the smudges of soot, rooting through her drawers for a stiff brush to clean it, stepping back and nodding when she was done before turning attention to herself. Her nightgown was a lost cause, and she sighed over it, stripping it off and pouring water into her washbasin. Scrubbing her hands, arms and face clean she leaned against the basin and frowned, staring into the sooty water. Everything turned out alright this time. Luckily none of them inhaled a lethal amount of smoke, but it will take them time to rebuild and until then we’ll be without a smith. There are worse outcomes.

Pulling a fresh nightgown over her head, she tugged her hair over her shoulder and began untying her braid, pausing when someone rapped on her door.

Curious, she stepped over and opened it. “Ah, Horik. You must be wanting your cloak.”

“How did Rustleif and Thalia get out?” He asked, stepping into her room.

“I broke a wall in the smithy," she responded, lifting it and offering it to him.

“You went into a burning building," he said, accepting the cloak with a slight nod.

“I’ve told you multiple times that protecting the people of Dawnstar is my duty.”

He frowned. “You’re not a guard.”

“I’m aware.”

He scowled, pushing her door closed and she folded her arms over her chest. “Are you planning to lecture me Horik?”

“No.” He stepped forward, lifting a hand toward her and grasping a bit of her hair between his fingers, frowning at the soot it left, shaking his head as he released it. “It takes bravery of the highest order to enter a burning building.”

“I’m not sure it was bravery that drove Rustleif but the blind desire of a parent to save his child. And they’ll be alright. I’m relieved by it.”

“Madena.” He frowned down at her. “I was talking about you.”

“Oh.” She flushed, feeling ridiculous for doing so at her age. “It’s not the first time I’ve seen a house fire.”

“I am glad to see you unharmed. You are an exceptional Court Wizard, and it would be a terrible thing to lose you.”

“Horik. I’m touched," she said, smiling up at him. “I thought you still didn’t trust me.”

He shifted his weight uncomfortably. “It took some time for me to understand why you would put up with Skald for so long.”

“My loyalty has been to the people of Dawnstar since the day I moved here," she said softly. 

“I understand that now. And I…”

“Do I have your approval?” She asked, inordinately pleased at the notion she’d no longer have to worry about him questioning her judgement. 

He nodded. “You do.” 

“So, about that leg treatment.”

He laughed, his face softening, eyes bright. “One step at a time.”

“I can accept that," she agreed, suddenly very aware of his proximity. Who knew he had such a warm laugh?

He cleared his throat. “I should be going. I am pleased to have come to more of an agreement.”

She turned her attention back to her hair, glad of the distraction. “I will see you in the morning.”

He nodded, moving away.

Madena tugged at her hair as the door closed behind him, unable to stop a small smile. That was unexpected. I feel almost... giddy. Why does his approval mean so much to me?

---

“Horik. You’re limping again,” Madena said quietly, moving to match pace with the Housecarl.

“It’s winter Madena. Of course I’m limping.”

“Are you planning to patrol with a stiff leg?”

He sighed, shaking his head. “Were you heading out?”

“I want to check in on Rustleif, Seren and Thalia. See how the rebuilding is progressing. And then I need to see Frida. She’s been resistant at the idea of taking an apprentice, but her cough is troublesome. Dawnstar cannot afford to be without an alchemist.”

He chuckled, holding the door open for her. “Isn’t that the purview of the Jarl?”

“You know better than I how capable Jarl Brina is, but she has more than enough on her hands with the reports she was brought yesterday.”

“That’s true," he agreed. “Walk with me. I planned to check on our blacksmiths as well.”

“Perhaps I could work out a fireproofing spell," she mused, almost missing the small smile the housecarl gave her. 

“I’m certain they’d sleep more comfortably.”

“Provided Seren hasn’t convinced Rustleif that Hammerfell would be a better place to raise their child.”

“You know a lot about the people," he observed. “I thought you spent all your time in your quarters.”

“You thought wrong.” She slipped, losing traction on a patch of ice, startled when Horik caught her before she could flail, his grip on her arm firm enough to stabilize her but surprisingly gentle. 

“Are you alright?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

He nodded, not relinquishing his hold on her wrist and she quirked an eyebrow, trying to control her flush. 

With a small nod he lifted her arm and threaded it through his. “The road is icier than usual these past few days. Probably to do with the fire.”

She blushed hard, her ears burning. “Likely.”

“Have I made you uncomfortable?”

She shook her head. “No.”

“You seem to have turned a bit red. I was concerned I had embarrassed you.”

“I am a mere mortal Horik. I am not immune to your charms.”

He paused, looking down at her, red on his cheeks now. “My charms? It has been some years since someone accused me of being charming.”

She glanced away, face burning. Blushing like a girl with her first crush. Ridiculous.

Seren and Rustleif were happy to see them, the couple profusely thanking Madena, the mage’s ears burning hotter than before, her discomfort with their effusive gratitude evident to all but the relieved couple.

Thoughtfully, Horik drew them into a conversation about smithing, allowing Madena the chance to excuse herself and make for the apothecary.

 

"Madena."

She turned, looking at Horik. "Frida has agreed to think over an apprentice. She says the fire made her realize she needs assistance."

He nodded. "Brina will be relieved." Pausing in front of her, he folded his arms. "I wished to speak with you."

Snowflakes swirled around him, another blizzard threatening, and she stepped a touch closer. "About?"

"I had never considered the bravery that pacifism could take," he said, slowly lowering his arms.

"You would be the first to call it bravery here," she said, curious what had led him to seek her out.

"Nords are not renowned for our pacifism. Although there are outliers."

"I've heard."

"I have dedicated my life to protecting Brina. She is the closest thing I have to a family. But..."

"But?"

He reached a hand out, gently tucking a strand of wayward hair over her ear. "I have watched you since the day Brina took over the White Hall. You are honest to a fault, and you've weathered much from those who suspected you of duplicity."

"I'm used to it," she responded, not shying away from his touch, the snow falling thicker, swirling around them, isolating their conversation.

"There is something I would ask of you."

"And that is?"

"Let me shield you. Let me speak in your defense. You are a proud woman Madena. But please, grant me this request. It's the least I can do for adding fuel to the fires of suspicion."

"I am a mage Horik. Nords will always suspect me of duplicity," she pointed out, shivering slightly when the wind began to pick up.

"Let me help counter them."

"You're really leaning into your charm now," she said, smiling to soften her words, meeting his gaze. "I will agree to your request. On one condition."

"Which is?"

"Don't let your pride keep you from treating pain. Nothing aggravates me more than someone refusing healing because they're trying to tough it out."

He nodded, lowering his hand, hooking her arm in his. "I'll try."

She smiled, walking with him back toward the White Hall, his steps sure, pausing every now and again to balance her against the icy winds.

Entering the White Hall, they paused in the entryway to shake the snow from their gear, turning when footsteps approached.

"Ah, there you are," Brina greeted, giving them a friendly smile. "I was beginning to worry I would have to send Gregor out to find you both."

"No, Jarl, we were just checking up on the town," Madena said.

"You both do it so well apart, think of what you'll accomplish working together."

Madena flushed, glad the red from the cold disguised it, Horik making a small sound in his throat.

"Indeed Jarl," Horik managed.

She laughed. "Sounds like the wind is picking up."

Madena seized on the change in topic. "It is. Another blizzard, Jarl. I'll keep an ear on it from my workroom."

"Do. I had hoped to get away to check on Seren and Rustleif. I assume you both visited them?"

"Yes, Jarl," Horik responded. "They are doing well, Thalia as well."

"I'm glad to hear it." She smiled. "Well, I best be getting back to my paperwork. With a blizzard out there, I may even be able to catch up on this round of missives."

They watched her go, Horik turning toward her. "Perhaps we could speak this evening?"

"I'd like that."

"I will see you after dinner then." He nodded, huffing out a soft breath and nodding again, moving after the Jarl.

Madena watched him go, leaning against the wall for a moment. His uncertainty is endearing. To be sure, this is not the kind of warmth I expected to find under his icy demeanor. She smiled, content to stay a moment longer. I'm not sure what surprises me more. That he would make romantic overtures or that I would welcome them. Straightening, she headed toward her workroom. I wanted peace when I came here. And with Brina in charge, I think I'll finally get that. And maybe more than I ever expected.

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 5 of Disconnected Skyrim Short fics