I have taken a bit of creative freedom here, and while I know it is not the best (stress, moving, blahblahblah) so forgive me. Also, I know it is not the strongest end for a chapter, but it does help set up the next chapter...kind of...a little...I hope...just remind me, 'kay? X-x

Language (of course!) and some slightly suggestive allusions await. Enjoooy.

She sat in the Bee and Barb nursing her fourth bottle of Black-Briar. While it had not stopped the awkward, nauseous ache that had settled somewhere between her heart and her stomach, it at least made it a little easier to ignore. As she did her best to drown out...well, whatever the hell was wrong with her, Lydia dropped into the chair next to her. Eris glanced up, eying her friend.

"You look like shit, love. Want another drink to set you right?" she asked. Not bothering to wait for the answer, she flagged down the barkeep. "Oy, could we get a few more bottles and two bowls of potato soup?" With that, she turned back to Lydia, who sullenly glared at her.

"Must you really be so loud?" Lydia grumbled.

Eris snorted, shaking her head. "You know, for a Nord, you sure cannot handle booze well."

"Not my fault that you are the illegitimate spawn of Sanguine, you twat." Lydia snapped.

Taken aback, Eris blinked several times. Wondering if her housecarl had been visited by Vaermina the night before, she shook her head as their food and drink was placed before them. Both women grumbled thanks.

"You know, Lyds...I have a few health potions upstairs. I figure taking one could help you...you know...be less of a raging bitch," Eris finished with a hesitant, playful smile.

Lydia paused, looking up at her than with bleary, red-ringed eyes, and slowly nodded. "That would be greatly appreciated, my Tha-...Eris. Thank you."

"I will go get it, and I overheard one of the guards mention there are bandits camped out not too far from here. Think slaughtering a bunch of pillaging dipshits would help you feel better too?"

An almost feral look crossed Lydia's face, and she chuckled. "You sweet talker, you; how did you know? Of course it would."

After their lunch (and Lydia had chugged the health potion without hesitation) they left the Inn and headed towards the smithy. Balimund was at the workbench. As they approached, Eris hung back, watching him work. As his hands gently worked the leather, his shirt would hug his muscles. She swallowed, her face flushed as she eyed the skillful way he manipulated the material before him. I wonder how good his hands are at other things... she thought, nibbling her lower lip before being swatted by Lydia.

"Stop drooling and go get your damned armor already," Lydia hissed. Glaring, she stood by the tanning rack, arms crossed. Eris inhaled deeply, then went and tapped Balimund's arm. He grunted, stopping to look up at her. A small, almost knowing smile graced his soot smeared face. Her breath caught in her throat and her stomach resumed its pesky fluttery feeling, a bashful grin creeping out.

"Well hello there. I was just finishing up here." He made a few quick, minor adjustments, then gathered the material into his arms. Turning around completely, he lovingly placed the armor into her waiting embrace. She marveled at the craftsmanship; the armor was strong yet supple, the leather smooth as Frost Spider silk.

"Balimund, this is absolutely amazing, so much better than I could have ever done. Please, if there is anything I can do for you, let me know and I will gladly do it," she said, then felt a blush rise after she realized what she had said. Clearing her throat, she attempted to save face. "What I meant was, do you need any more supplies that you do not have the time to get yourself? I would be glad to fetch them for you." Behind her, Lydia scoffed and Eris popped her foot, catching her in the shin.

Balimund considered, then nodded. "Now that you mention it, I could use some help. Smithing's been in my blood for generations. I owe my success to my forefathers and their recipe for flame. My secret is my forge. It consumes fire salts, a strange mineral that burns as hot as Red Mountain lava. Sadly, this forge is dying and I have used the last of my fire salts. If I cannot feed it soon, it may grow cold."

"I can get them for you! I can definitely get them for you!" Eris replied enthusiastically, eager to help. "I mean, this is your livelihood, and besides; where am I to create armor if your forge goes out?" she finished lamely, embarrassed by her outburst. Nonchalance around this man was really hard to achieve.

Balimund chuckled, and the deep grating rumble set her recently settled stomach into fits once more. "Thank you. Ten pinches of fire salts should give me all I need to bring this forge back to life."

Eris nodded, not trusting herself to speak. Fortunately, Lydia came forward and spoke for her as she took the pile of armor into her own arms. "Thank you so much for your hard work for my Thane, but I am afraid that we have to go now. She needs to enchant her armor immediately if we are to make it on time to an important meeting we have to attend. Come along, my Thane," she finished, turning and walking toward the Keep.

Eris shook her head to clear it, and turned to follow. Suddenly, she heard Balimund move. She felt a large warm hand upon her wrist, and she froze. She turned her head enough to look at him from over her shoulder. An almost seductive smirk graced his lips, and suddenly Eris could no longer breathe. Her lungs and chest ached but she just could not do it and maybe it was not just lack of oxygen making her feel that way but something else and- "Next time you come back, you should see me about training for smithing. I would love to teach you everything I know." he said, his voice as seductive as the smirk. She did her best to keep her knees from buckling as his fingers lightly trailed down her wrist and across the back of her hand, caressing her fingers with his.

Swallowing nervously, Eris nodded and slowly stepped away, belatedly following her housecarl. As she walked, she could feel his eyes on her back, watching her. Oh by the nine, what in Oblivion have I gotten myself into this time?

See? Not necessarily a strong ending, but it does open up so many lovely little possibilities, eh? ;D