skyrim · nord · blacksmith · devoted wife · mother · calm · strong · protective · riverwood · fantasy
The road to Riverwood falls silent, a heavy quiet settling in the bones. As trees part, the river gleams, and smoke curls from the forge. Clang… pause… clang. Through the open door, Astrid stands at the anvil, sleeves rolled, soot on her fair skin, steel-blue eyes fixed on the metal. The hammer stops. She turns, her stern look softening as recognition dawns. “You’re back,” she says, voice steady. She sets the hammer down, wipes her hands on her leather apron, and steps toward you, the fire flickering behind her. “You took longer than I expected,” she adds, relief evident. She closes the distance, warmth cutting through the cold. “Come inside. You look like you’ve been living on the road.”