Im glad everyone likes the story so far, I promise to keep doing everyone proud I will provide Melendil's backstory at some point and will introduce the other Black-Briars in this chapter anyway lets keep on…

As Sweet As Her Mead

Chapter 3 - Meet The Black-Briars

I managed to get into Riften without any problems from guards this time, they were on the lookout for the elf that tricked them and were under orders to just let me in without question, that way I was able to walk into Riften bearing a very smug look as I wandered into the ever so lovely city, my first priority was to visit Elgrims Elixers and pay a visit to Ingun the girl who was in my thoughts for the entire journey, even during the interval when I was attacked by a dark brotherhood assassin, his battle technique was clumsy and I saw him coming a mile off all I had to do was hold out my blade and he basically ran into it, so much for the master assassins of the dark brotherhood.

I walked gingerly into the shop and looked around I saw Elgrim in the corner at the alchemy table and Hafjorg was at the desk she smiled happily as she recognised my face. "Ah dear Melendil its a pleasure to see you again." I smiled back as I politely bowed, I always bowed to women it was a sign of respect and something my mother insisted I do.

"Pleasure to you to Hafjorg, Is Ingun here?" Hafjorg nodded her head and pointed round the corner of the shop.

"She's practising her new experiment, but be silent in case she botches this next one…again." Hafjorg said this loud enough for her husband to intentionally hear, I rolled my eyes, old love I suppose.

"Thanks." I said quickly as I went slowly around the corner and saw Ingun grinding up some leaves into a fine dust and mixing them with a pale grey liquid, I cleared my throat making her jump slightly as she nearly dropped what she was doing.

"You fool! You nearly made me drop what I was….." Her rant was cut short when she found herself staring at me again and vice versa. "Melendil!" She squeaked excitedly. "Did you bring my ingredients?"

I smiled as I handed her the satchel. "Everything you asked for is in there and a little something I picked up on the way here." She rummaged through the bag and took out a red rose, she beamed at it before walked up to me so we were very close.

"I don't know what to say, this is the kindest thing anyone has ever done for me." She was nearly giddy, I rolled my eyes.

"I bet it isn't, Im sure there are other lads here that would do the same as myself for you." Ingun was flattered but she looked a little glum as she spoke.

"No most men stay away from me, they think Im too dangerous with my power mad mother and my experiments." I held her chin with my hand and lifted her head so her eyes were level with mine.

"You are dangerous…. I like dangerous." As I said this Ingun bit her lip and quickly raised her head and gave me a quick peck on my lips, we stopped for one second before Ingun started to speak.

"How can I repay the favour?" She asked in a deliberately adorable way, she was blushing too, but before I could answer she spoke again. "Actually! How about you come over to the Manor for supper, mother wont mind." I nodded without though still mesmerised from the brief feel of Inguns lips.

"Great, I'll go now and tell her to set another place, don't be late." I still stood in the shop, trying to remember the sweet taste of mead and honey…

(-Black-Briar Manor (Evening)-)

I stood outside the manor of the Black-Briars, I had dressed in my best leather trousers and my green velvet shirt, it was the only fancy outfit I had, I also tied my long blonde hair back to look a little bit tidier, I eventually worked up the courage to knock twice before the door was readily answered by Ingun.

"Hey you!" She pulled me in for a hug which I quickly returned. "Come in we've all just sat down theres a place for you next to me." I smirked as I walked inside, of course she made it so I was sat next to her.

I walked into the dining room and saw the poker face of Maven Black-Briar, the scowl of Sibbi Black-Briar, and the Oddball look of Hemming Black-Briar, I always did love a cheerful atmosphere but if this house got any more livelier a funeral would've broken out, I sat down as several servants from the kitchen brought in everyone food, I was quite content with what I had, made a change from food I had burgled off of bandits and priests.

"So Melendil." Maven piped up as we ate. "Do you know of the thieves guild?" I was snapped out of my trance and quickly answered.

"Yes, before I arrived I talked to Brynjolf about joining, the guy said I would have a task to complete tomorrow when I report to the ragged flagon." Mavens mouth curved, turns out she didn't even need to convince the elf to join he had already auditioned.

"Well Melendil I wish you luck, Brynjolf is very picky about who gets to join."

I smirked. "I know I was the reason one of his last initiates failed, he was trying to escape Riften and without any effort I tripped him up and he fell flat on his face." I heard Maven smirk but no laugh, of course not this woman was stoic to a point where talos himself would be jealous.

"Well done." She simply said. "I also hear your the dragonborn too."

I groaned as she said this. "Id rather not talk about that."

"Why not?" Sibbi Black-Briar piped up rudely.

I sighed as I prepared for my story. "Well I prefer my privacy, to be left alone and not be part of a crowd, this whole dragonborn fiasco exacerbated that, I am the dragonborn yes, but now I have a destiny to defeat this dragon Alduin, the world eater."

"So go kill him then." Sibbi commented without thought, I felt my IQ drop a little.

"Remind me to take you with me the next time I go to kill a dragon, I will show you that it is easier said than done."

Hemming decided to speak. "I remember seeing the lists of prisoners at Helgen before the dragon attack, your name was on there who did you end up in that predicament?" Now all eyes were truly on me, I decided to tell them the whole story.

"Well I was hunting close to the skyrim morrowind border, I let loose an arrow meant for deer, instead it missed and impales an imperial officer head I get branded as a murderer and thrown on a cart with a horse thief a stormcloak soldier and Ulfric Stormcloak himself, but before I could be sent to the block a dragon attacks and I managed to get free I escaped with another imperial soldier, and I signed up at solitude."

Maven leant in. "If the imperials were executing you, then why did you join them afterwards?"

"Because I was pardoned of all crimes and plus have you seen how Ulfric treats Argonians and Elven kind, its sickening the man is a traitorous, discriminating cur." I could see that Maven was enjoying everything I was saying as she pouted her lips a little at me. Ingun didn't notice…..

(-Manor Balcony-)

I sat with Ingun on the balcony as we put away bottles of Black-Briar mead and told each other stories often ending with laughing, we held hands the entire time. "You know Melendil Im so glad to have met you." She said as she edged closer to me.

"Me too, you are a very fascinating and captivating young woman." As I said this she cuddled up next to me and rested her head on my shoulder, then she fired a question at me I wasn't prepared for.

"Do you like me?" My heartbeat quickened, as I looked into her eyes again.

"Ye..yes Ingun I do.. I really do." With this she came closer and crushed her lips with mine, the kiss lasted for what seemed like hours as we lay down on the balcony floor tasting each others lips and embracing, I realised just how much I missed the companionship of another woman since Helgen it had been too long, after we broke apart Ingun went back to resting her head on my shoulder.

"You know I think my family really like you." I felt a pang of relief.

"Why?" I simply asked.

"Well Hemming thinks your unwillingness to brag about being dragonborn is respectable, Sibbi says as long as you take him with you on one of your adventures he will like you and mother thinks you're cute, its too bad your mine."

I was nearly frightened I couldn't begin to imagine what Maven would do to a guy like me, she would probably rip me to pieces if we ever decided to get to know each other better, Maven reminded me of a lioness or a sabre cat, only cute when treated properly and could easily scratch you to pieces with her razor sharp claws, which made me glad that I was on Mavens do not destroy list. "Well thats a relief, but I wouldn't have minded so long as you like me."

"Aww bless you Melendil, you have the charm of a high elf."

I laughed. "But thankfully not the disregard for others, thats why I never joined the thalmor, they were too uppity for my liking, you couldn't make friends or even trust anyone."

We kissed again as the mead continued to flow…

(-Outside-)

I had said my good-byes to everyone and gave Ingun a goodnight kiss before I left the manor, oddly though as I went back to the bee and barb I head my name being called, I turned my head to see Maven hurrying after me. "Wait Ive needed to say something to you since you arrived."

I didn't have time to answer as she grabbed me by my collar and dragged my into an ally where she pushed herself against me rather tightly. "I just wanted to say that Im here anytime you want anything from me, you have my blessing." She punctuated the last part by kissing me on the cheek, I tried to push her away but she was quite strong, I then noticed her slip something into my pocket, I went to look but she stopped me. "Not yet when you get back to your room darling, now go I will see you tomorrow yes?"

I nodded in confusion, she then quickly walked back to the manor, as I staggered back to the bee and barb, I clambered up the stairs and collapsed on my bed then I remembered what Maven had stuffed in my pocket, i nearly fainted at what I took out.

It was a pair of Mavens smallclothes, with a small note that read,

Remember Anytime, Anywhere

Im yours 3 M

I groaned as I put the note down I would have to show Ingun at some point, I didn't want to disappoint Maven but I certainly didn't want to be unfaithful towards Ingun I liked her truly, I just found Maven to be good looking despite her age, I yawned tiredly as I relaxed Maven was definitely like a lioness…..

Well there we go poor Melendil, but he will be able to sort out this predicament, or will he? I will build up to it and please keep reading and reviewing thanks very much I will update soon :)