A/N- This is the first chapter In my first published Fanfic please review if you like it or have any constructive criticism.

This started as a companion piece for a character I am thinking about writing a more developed story for but we will see how this one goes first.

It is set 4E 171 at the start of The Great War and follows a Nord who has recently emigrated to Cyrodiil and found love and a new life when war threatens to destroy everything she has built for herself.

Rated M for sex and violence.

Skyrim belongs to the amazing Bethesda, characters are my own creation.

(I could not find exact information regarding dates and details on the war so I have done what i think fits. if you have any suggestions or information that is not on the wiki let me know.)

Love and War

The incline to Bruma grew steeper as the carriage struggled upward on the frozen terrain. Snowflakes lazily danced in the crisp air, it was already growing dark. Winter was closing in, had she delayed her return even a few days more the pass may well have been impossible to make. She was desperate to feel the embrace of her lover again. Seven years they had been married but three weeks without him felt closer to three years.

Seven years ago, it was such a long time but still she remembered the day they had met like it was yesterday.


She was 19 and had recently arrived in Cyrodiil with her older sister, Ingrid. They had been so excited to leave Skyrim, to escape the mundane life of working on the farm with their mother. But farming was all Freyja knew and if she was honest it was really all Ingrids idea to leave. Ingrid had grown to be a headstrong business woman, all those years trading goods with the merchants had inspired her to run her own shop. But her ambitions were great and her heart was set on the trading capital of Tamriel, Imperial City.

Bruma was the first town on their road, built in the shadow of the mighty Jerall Mountains it wasn't much different from Skyrim. It was bitter cold and the skies were clouded over, snow piled up in the corners of every wall, winter clung to this place even now in late spring. The houses themselves looked much the same as home, wooden beamed constructs with low walls and high roofs. The town was populated mainly by Nords as well, some like Freyja had emigrated south, others were born here in Cyrodiil but still of Nord blood.

They decided to make this their temporary home, so Ingrid could make contact with The Office of Imperial Commerce. It wasn't far from the boarder and if things didn't work out they could always return home.

The first few days were quiet for Freyja, Ingrid was busy bartering with the local shop keepers and gathering information. Freyja visited the Great Chapel of Talos, She had never seen anything so magnificent to have been carved by the hands of men. The chapels in Skyrim were humble in comparison to this, its front was a huge spire towering easily 50ft supported by four spiked columns. Its large stained glass windows depicted images of the Divine Talos. The building behind the tower was slightly smaller but no less impressive with its green copper roof, expert masonry and lined with more beautiful windows representing the other eight Divines. She pushed the large wooden doors open and entered the chapel, a smell of incense filled the hall. It seemed even bigger inside, the high ceiling was supported by eight stone columns down the center of the hall. Either side of the columns were rows of wooden pews facing towards a large stone alter. The air was warm and dry, dust drifted through coloured rays of light that shone through the windows projecting their images onto the wooden floor. Every thing was still and quiet, she took a seat at the front of the hall and cleared her mind of thought, content with the peace from the bustling town outside.

She returned to the Inn for dinner, the din of chatter and music caused her head to throb. She saw Ingrid sitting at a table at the back of the Inn picking over a basket of bread rolls, squeezing and sniffing each roll and went to sit with her. Ingrid had already ordered them some stew and it was quickly put down in front of her. As she tucked into the hearty meal a cold wind caught her hair whipping it around her face. turning to see what had interrupted her meal she saw a group of soldiers heading to the bar, as she watched them taking their seats one of the men had caught her eye and she could not withdraw her gaze. What a sight he was, not like the cold, hard men of Skyrim she had known before. He was dark and exotic his skin was rich and tanned, his black beard and tied back hair gave him a roguish look like she had never seen. He was new and different. His armour was heavy plated, crafted of dark metal and adorned with gold finishing's, underneath he wore a shirt of deep blue silk. She thought he must have been someone of importance, a royal guard perhaps? Ingrid had stopped eating as well now and was looking between Freyja and the men.

"They are Blades" Ingrid said "Emperors bodyguards, they are stationed up at Cloud Ruler Temple, its not far from here so they come by a lot."

"How do you know all that?" Freyja questioned skeptically

"By speaking to people, Freyja. You should try it sometime." she replied shortly, not liking her sisters tone. Freyja was intrigued, a blade, she had to know this man. She looked back over and this time he caught her gaze, she quickly spun round and stared into her stew cheeks burning. Ingrid scoffed and went back to her meal.

Feyja sat alone the the following night for Ingrid was busy making plans. As she was finishing her meal she saw him enter the Inn, alone also and out of armour. She could make out the form of his muscles under his thin shirt when he removed his cloak. She watched him from her table as her plates were being cleared away. He had noticed her and kept her in the corner of his eye as he sat at the bar. The seconds felt like hours, she felt as though he was pulling her to him across the room and could barely take it a moment longer. She rose from her seat unsure whether to approach him or leave, he was smirking at her across the bar now, she blushed and coyly smiled back. He approached her with a hand out and bowed his head in respect as she put her hand in his. The touch of his hand gave her butterflies in her stomach and blushed again.

He led her out of the Inn to the quiet of the street where the snow glowed with orange from the lamps and everything seemed hazy.

"My name is Taran, and it is truly a pleasure to meet a woman as fair as yourself here in Bruma," Freyja beamed at the compliment, though she tried to hide it, she had never been complimented so by a man before. "Please tell me, by what name does a beauty such as yourself go by?" She was surely bright red by now she just preyed that the glow from the lamps was enough to disguise it.

"Freyja" was all she could manage.


The carriage jolted to a sudden stop pulling her back from her daydream, the carriage driver helped her down and took her bags. She briskly walked the road up to where her home was, a glow from the window indicated he was inside she ran the up the wooden steps to her door and flung it open.

"Taran, I'm home!" she called searching the front rooms and dropping her cloak. An intentional cough caught her attention and she looked back to the door where the carriage driver stood, a bag in each arm. "Oh, sorry." She said, gesturing him to drop the bags at the door and gave him a few bits to see him off. She closed the door taking the lamp from the table that had been left to burn and headed upstairs. She entered their bedroom and saw him sitting at the writing desk in then dim room, head in his hands. "What troubles you, my love?" she questioned crouching beside him and placing the lamp on the desk. He handed her the note without a word and she quickly skimmed over it.

It was news from the south the Aldmeri Dominion has declared war and has slain the blades based in Summerset and Valenwood.

"Why do they attack The Blades?" she asked hand covering her mouth in shock,

"I Know not." Taran replied simply. "I must return to Cloud Ruler first thing tomorrow and I will not be able to return as often, the Temple must be protected"

"I understand" she spoke numbly still trying to take it all in, we were at war. She was not sad that he was leaving, she did understand, it was his duty.

"Well," she said with a sigh and shrugged off the feeling of woe "we should make the most of tonight." Taran looked up at her with a sly smile and the flame from the lamp danced in his dark eyes.

"You certainly know how to send a man off to his fate," he said devilishly. He cupped her face with his hands and kissed her passionately, his mouth smothered hers as he tangled his hands in her long golden hair. Slowly they stood up together and with one hand resting on her jaw he helped to slide her free of her dress, letting it drop to the floor. Only now did he release her from his kiss to step back and admire her pale flesh in the soft light. The gentle curves of her body he committed to memory, Gods only knew how long it would be until he saw her again. He removed his shirt, his toned body and dark skin drew her to him. She coiled her fingers in his chest hair as she kissed his hot pulsing neck. She inhaled deeply taking in his scent of sweet spices it warmed her heart. He kissed the top of her head and brought his arms around her pulling her into his chest. It had been too long since she had felt his warmth, how long would she have to wait after tonight?

He released his grip on her and they walked to the bed where they both lay down. She stared into his dark eyes and he stared back, his emotions washed over her like a wave crashing on the sand as he took her mouth in his own again. Lips crushed together and tongues danced as their kiss deepened. Their bodies pressed together and she could feel his arousal through his breeches. He delicately brought one hand up the inside of her thigh. He stroked his thumb over her clit which elicited a slight moan from her, again and again and stoked her until she could hold back no more and let out a whimper into his mouth. She was ready but he was still a gentleman, first he slipped his middle finger into her, in and out a few times as she tightened around him. Then the index and another moan, he pushed into her deeper this time and held it there. Slowly he began to stimulate her with his thumb, the pressure was building in her and her breathing was heavy. Finally she cried out as the feeling swept through her and she contracted around his fingers he slid out from her and pulled off his breeches. He climbed on top of her with his arms at either side of her head holding his weight with his elbows. She reached up with one hand and knotted her fingers in his. They held each others gaze as he pushed into her slowly using every ounce of self control he had, not to hurt her. She arched her back to accommodate his size but it was still a little uncomfortable and she winced slightly as he filled her entirely. He paused at her distress but she smiled lazily and kissed him letting him know to go on. Carefully he pulled out his length and slid back into her as she clenched around him, their kiss intensified as his trusting became faster and harder until she had her legs entwined with his and his thrusts became short and fast. The pressure of orgasm built in both of them, she came first becoming instantly tighter as he thrust his last deep push into her and let out his own deep moan of release.

They lay together under the blankets for the rest of the evening talking and cuddling unwilling to leave one another's company until they both fell asleep.

When Taran awoke the next morning Freyja was already up and had his armour set out and polished. She had a pack made up for him and was ready to serve up some oatmeal with honey.

"Looks like you can't wait to see the back of me." He jested,

"Well someone had to get your things ready since you seemed content to sleep until noon!" she joked back, a little serious.

After he had eaten she helped to get him into his armour, while she whittled off what she had packed for him. There wasn't much else he needed and decided just to go with what she had packed, he still had a lot of things at Cloud Ruler Temple for when he is stationed there and this pack was mainly for the road along with a few home comforts.

They became silent as she walked him out to the town gates there where a few more men had gathered,all had been on leave and had also been called upon. Their women were crying and making a scene, call themselves Nords.

Freyja gave him a kiss and said her goodbyes quietly,

"Farewell my love, come back to me soon." she said handing him a token of a blue handkerchief with a dab of her perfume. He beamed at her, his dark eyes shone with the reflection of the snow.

"I shall return as often as possible and write you once a week." He gave her one last kiss and left through the gate with rest of the men. Freyja turned to walk back to her home and fought back her tears. As soon as the door closed behind her she fell back against it for support and let her tears flow freely but silently. After only a few minutes she wiped them away and began to clear up the mess from the morning.