I got distracted from my dragon age story by Skyrim coming out and found myself writing this short story. The song raised by wolves by falling in reverse as well as game elder scrolls Skyrim inspired this story.
Rated M for language and explicit situations the following story is not suitable for children of any age 17+
Chapter one
I returned to Jorrvaskr from Ysgramor's tomb with a heavy heart. Kodlak's spirit was now at peace in Sovngarde, and I was the new Harbinger. I walked quickly through the mead hall avoiding the gazes of my comrades, descended the stairwell quickly and disappeared down into the corridors below. My eyes glittered with unshed tears as I wound my way through the lower quarters to Kodlak's chamber - no, my chambers now. The room was just as he had left it. I sighed and sank onto the side of the bed. In a short amount of time, the man had become like a second father to me, but I could not understand his decision to choose me over other worthier candidates.
"Why me?" I wondered. "Isn't it enough that I am the Dragonborn?" That responsibility already weighed heavily on my shoulders, not to mention the demands from the College of Winterhold and being the Thane of several settlements. Was I not already spreading myself too thin? Now I carried the responsibilities for the Companions as well. What had Kodlak been thinking?
There was a heavy knock on the doorframe. I looked up to see Farkas's solid form blocking the whole doorway. "Vilkas said you were the new Kodlak. I don't know what that means but I thought it might mean you would be in here." His eyebrows knitted together as if the thought had pained him.
"I guess saying I am the new Kodlak might be the easiest way to describe it." I shook my head, Farkas's twin brother Vilkas could be such an ass sometimes. Just because his brother did not understand things the way everyone else did, did not mean he did not understand at all. "Your brother was just saying I am the new Harbinger of the Companions now that Kodlak is in Sovngarde."
He stared at me, his eyes blinking slowly, "Oh." He then turned and walked away without saying another word. Tired, I rubbed my eyes. I needed sleep, and I would have to return to my old bed and find my chest before being able to rest for the night. The thought made me even wearier.
"Milady?" Tilma called from the doorway, her gray-covered head peeking into the room.
"Yes?"
"I had the linens in here cleaned after we received word of your new status. We also had your chest placed at the end of the bed. I didn't have any of Kodlak's things moved in case you wanted to go through them."
I nodded my head. "Thank you Tilma."
"Will you need anything else this evening, milady?" she asked.
"No, wait; actually, could you have a glass of mulled wine and some bread and cheese brought to my chambers? It's been a long night and I don't feel much like joining everyone in the main hall."
"Yes mistress." She smiled. "I've also brought you a jug of hot water to cleanse yourself with. I'll just put it over here."
I nodded, giving her my thanks, while she put the jug next to the cleaning basin and left the room. Slowly, I removed my boots and armor hanging them on a stand for cleaning and polishing later.
Clad only in my undergarments, I filled the basin and began to wash. The water turned muddy red from the blood and grime coating my skin. At that moment, I wished for a real bath, but it was too late in the evening to call for one. My shoulder-length, raven hair clung to my freshly scrubbed skin and I gave in and washed my hair. Using the remaining water with some lavender and lye, I scrubbed the dirt and other things from my tresses.
Once finished, I crossed to my chest and pulled out a white nightshift and a pair of slippers. The shift clung to my long, tan frame. Taking a wide, wooden comb through my locks of hair for a moment, I forgot about being a warrior and all my other responsibilities and focused on being a woman instead.
There was a soft knock on the door and I answered, "Enter," assuming it was Tilma. I turned around, my eyes going wide as, Vilkas stood just inside the doorway with my dinner tray in hand. His eyes traced the curve of my body from my feet to my eyes, his expression growing dark and heated.
Every time I was around him, I felt like an adolescent child learning to walk. He watched me intensely and so closely that I always felt as if I were on display. More recently, his gaze had been almost smoldering as he followed my movements, and I often felt like I would catch on fire if he stared to long.
I crossed my arms over my chest awkwardly, trying to cover myself. "May I help you Vilkas?"
He cleared his throat, a blush creeping up his neck. "Um…yes, Tilma had to help in the kitchen so I offered to bring this to you." He set the tray on the desk.
"That was kind of you," I said turning my back to him, grabbing a dress from inside my chest, and sliding it quickly over my head. Unfortunately, I was not paying attention to what I had grabbed and discovered the dress had laces up the back.
"Let me help you with that," Vilkas offered, his voice thick as his large, calloused hands deftly tightened the laces before I could decline his offer. When he finished, he turned me slowly in his hands so I was facing him.
This close to him, I could feel the warmth of his breath caressing my face. His strong hands held my arms gently, the heat of his skin warming the coolness of mine. His pale blue eyes stared intently into my amber ones. Despite how much he and his brother looked alike, I was always able to tell them apart even without them speaking. To me, they were as different as night and day, complete opposites in everything except how they both could make my heart flutter and my knees weak.
Vilkas reached up and brushed a stray strand of hair behind my ear. "You're not exactly what I would have expected for our Harbinger, but I respected Kodlak and will respect his choice." His crass words cut the tenderness of the moment.
Taken aback by his words, I stepped back away from him. "Thank you for your honesty and for bringing me my dinner. You may leave now."
Dumbfounded, he reached for me, "Arianna wait, please, that came out wrong."
"I get it, Vilkas. You expected Kodlak to hand the reins over to you. Damn it, everyone did; you were his protégé his closest companion this last year. If anyone should have filled his shoes, it should have been you. Unfortunately, it is not. It's my job now, and I get that you all think I'm not fit for it, but here we are."
"Now wait just a damn minute woman," he said, wrapping his long fingers around my wrist and pulling me into his arms. His gaze searched mine. "What I meant was just because you aren't what I expected didn't mean you aren't what we need. You're strong, smart, brave, kind, fair, firm and wise; everything we need in good leader, and beautiful…so beautiful." His lips descended slowly. The touch was so gentle it surprised me; my mouth opened and a small, "Oh," escaped just before his tongue touched mine. His hands held my face firmly but delicately as the kiss deepened. I pressed against him, aching for his touch. His hands slid down my body, pulling me as tightly against him as possible. My fingers found their way into his chin-length shaggy brown hair. I moaned against his mouth as his fingers found my nipples through my dress.
Vilkas tore his lips from mine, his breathing ragged. I watched him through half-open eyelids, my body burning against him and his stupid armor, which was in my way. His hands released me, and he turned curtly away. Frowning, I reached for him but he left the room with nary a word. I sank into the desk chair my hand on my swollen lips.
"Have I done something wrong?" I wondered, taking a long drink of wine. I knew my experience was limited in this area, but I just could not see where anything we had done was wrong. I touched my lips at the memory of his on mine. A wave of raw desire surged though my loins, and every fiber of my being wanted him to come back, but I could not bring myself to go after him.
I sat there in confusion, eating slowly, the movement automatic. I was finishing the last of my wine when I heard a soft sound from the doorway, which still stood open. Vilkas stood there, freshly washed, no longer in his armor. Instead, he wore a tunic and breeches.
"Forgive…?" he started but could not finish, for I launched myself into his arms. My mouth fused to his, our tongues dancing against each other. His arms locked around me, lifting me against him. Vilkas shut the door with a loud slam, and he pinned me between the door and his body, his hips holding me as his fingers slid the lock into place.
"Arianna," he murmured against my full lips, his fingers sliding up my thigh and pressing against the sensitive spot between my legs. I cried out in pleasure, wetness pooling between my thighs.
"Mine," he growled against my neck, yanked my dress up, tore my undergarments off, and dropped his breeches. I felt the cold rush of air, and then his body pressed against mine, he bit my neck, and slid into me. I cried out both in pleasure and pain. He froze and lifted his head to look me in the face.
"You're a maiden?" he asked incredulously.
I took deep breaths, trying to focus on his question. "Um, yes." The pain began to subside.
"Ach, lass, you should have told me. Are you all right? Do you want me to stop?"
"Please don't stop," I begged, kissing him softly and rolling my hips against his.
"Lass," he groaned and pulled out of me slowly, fighting against my legs, which were locked behind his back. "Love, I'm not stopping, but you're going to have to loosen your grip so I can move."
"Oh!" I exclaimed, unlocking my ankles. He chuckled softly and I groaned against him, arching my hips. He stopped laughing, and his expression went dark. His fingers tightened on my hips, pulling me onto him roughly. His mouth found mine, and his tongue moved in and out of my mouth as he moved in and out of me. Each thrust of his hips pushed me closer to the edge. My legs began to quiver, and his pace quickened.
"You feel so amazing," he murmured, kissing my neck.
My breath hitched in my throat. It was too much; the sensations overwhelmed me and I came hard, thrashing against him and the door. I cried out and let the waves of pleasure crash over me. Vilkas cried out in ecstasy as he pumped himself into me.
I sagged against him, spent. He used the last of his strength to maneuver us on to the bed. With my legs still wrapped around his waist and him still inside of me, I drifted off into oblivion.
A special thanks to JadziaCee and AshJen2010 for grammar check and edits one who is a fan (love your support) the other has offered to be my beta tester. Between the three of us we will make sure this story continues to be a enjoyable read for everyone : D
A big thanks to Wendy for taking even more time to help me really make this story into a novel with her sugestions and editing. :)