Linda CBBE_CBBE 3BA_BHUNP or Default-Body. Racemenu Preset SE

Linda Hermosa

Her face has been sculpted based on a real face requested by Ennion3

---Backstory by Ennion3---

Linda Hermosa was the child of thieves.  She was a pretty good one, too.  Unfortunately, the lovely teenager wasn't as good as she thought, for she'd been caught in the act of climbing out of a Whiterun home's first-floor window.  Treed by an alert mastiff hound that she hadn't figured upon, she'd been unable to find a way out of the house without being savaged by the ferocious dog.  The mastiff's baying had roused the entire household and alerted the Night Watch.  Arrested, she'd been frog-marched to the Whiterun Jail where she'd been tossed into a cell.

Linda's remarkable beauty had soon become known to all who lived and worked in Dragonsreach, for the off-duty guards were notorious gossips.  Eventually, the rumors of Linda's remarkable beauty reached Jarl Balgruuf.  Intrigued, Balgruuf wanted to see this young woman.  "Bring this Linda Hermosa to me," he decreed one morning as walked onto the raised dais that held his throne.  "Clean her up before you bring her hence.  I don't want to have to guess at her appearance."

Taken from her cell, Linda was provided with a bucket of water, soap, and a towel.  Her face and hands washed, she was escorted by two burly guards who took their prisoner up the back stairs that led to Dragonsreach.  Despite her filthy clothes, she dropped an elegant curtsey when she reached the Jarl's august presence.  Bold as brass, she made eye contact with the Jarl and didn't look away.

Taken by her remarkable beauty and her boldness, Jarl Balgruuf was more than inclined to be lenient.  Sitting in judgement of her, Balgruuf stroked his beard as he pondered how to save her life, yet put her out of the thieving business.  Suddenly, something that his Housecarl, Irileth, often said came to mind.  "It takes a thief to catch a thief," was one of Irilith's old saws.   Yes!  He'd make this brunette beauty an offer that she couldn't refuse.

"Linda Hermosa, you were caught in the act of thievery," he told the trembling young woman who stood barefoot before him.  "I have no choice but to find you guilty.  You shall be punished for your crime.  However, since I am not a bloodthirsty man I shall be merciful.  Accordingly, I hereby offer you one of two punishments.  Chose wisely, lass.  You may have your right hand chopped off to mark you as a thief.  Or..., you may join my guard force where you will become my Chief Thief Catcher.  Which do you choose?"

"I chose to keep my hand, Sire," Linda replied with a calmness that she did not feel.  "I will join your guard force, and gladly."