Chapter Three

Argis spent the next few hours keeping pace with Ionuin, trudging next to her through rivers, up mountains, and into forests. It was obvious that she didn't have any clear destination in mind, and he was dead convinced she was just trying to wear him out for the fun of it. Late in the afternoon, Argis stopped walking and glared at her.

"What?" she asked.

"Are we going to stop and eat anytime soon, or are we going to keep aimlessly wandering around because you're too stubborn to admit that you're lost?" he responded.

"I'm not lost."

"Oh, no?" he growled, "Then why not fill me in on exactly where we're headed, Tutz, because I'm damn hungry and fucking tired of climbing, swimming, and hiking."

"I never once said you couldn't eat."

"No, you never said it, but while you've been munching on pastries all day I've been over here letting my stomach eat itself because you didn't feel like giving me a bite or two."

"What in the hell are you talking about, Argis?"

"I'm talking about you, Tutz! Forgive me for not ripping the fucking taffy out of your hand!"

"Is your opinion of me really that low?" she asked. Argis just stared back at her blankly. She sighed. "I put food in your pack before I left this morning, Argis. I thought you knew."

"You've got to be fucking kidding me," he mumbled removing his pack and opening it to see assorted dried meats, pastries, and a skein of water. Pushing aside the sweet rolls and pulled taffy, he removed a package of dried venison and ate it between sips of water. Ionuin dropped her pack to the ground next to his.

"We should probably stop for the night anyway," she said. "This is as good a place as any to set up camp. We can stay here the next few days and get a feel for each other's fighting preferences."

"Sure thing, Tutz," he responded, "I'll go grab some fire wood."

"Um, there's a stream over that way a bit," she gestured. "It sort of, uh, creates a little pool of water and I was just going to head that way and, um, I'm going to uh…"

"Get a bath," he finished for her and watched as a deep blush spread from her neck to cheeks.

By Talos she's shy. You'd think she's never been with a man, he thought watching her walk away. I could follow her. Try to see what it is she's hiding under all that armor. All this climbing and fighting has likely given her a damn fine body. Too bad my Father raised me better than all that.

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Ionuin walked back to the camp picking berries along the way and smelling something delicious cooking. As she walked into the clearing they had chosen to set up camp in, she noticed that a rabbit had been skinned as was cooking above a fire, but Argis was nowhere in sight. Mouth watering, she took a few steps toward the fire before she was roughly grabbed from behind. Ionuin froze and swallowed deeply, feeling the knife knick her neck as she did so.

"And easy as that, you're dead," she felt rather than heard her attacker whisper into her ear, sending a chill down her spine.

"Argis," she breathed out a sigh of relief, "Let me go."

"No," he grumbled behind her tightening his grip. "We are training together, and first I need to know that you can defend yourself. Get to it. Defend."

Ionuin could feel the anxiety building within her. She hated being trapped, hated closed spaces. Argis' strong arms prevented her from moving, and were making her feel helpless and weak. She risked a deep breath to help settle her nerves, feeling the knife tight against her skin but not cutting this time. She took hold of the arm around her chest, and ignoring the knife, let out a grunt as she flipped Argis over her back and onto the ground in front of her. Still holding onto his arm, she applied pressure to the sensitive area next to his thumb and watched in satisfaction as he dropped the knife.

"Well done," he chuckled.

"Mmmhmm," she smiled back, popping a few berries into her mouth and gesturing towards the rabbit, "smells good."

After eating, they took turns showing each other a few things with the bow and sharing some close combat maneuvers and techniques.

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"You rely too heavily on magic," Argis was saying, "Allowing yourself to get tired too quickly. Once the magic runs out, you need to be able to back it up with force."

"Really? And brute force doesn't tire you out quickly at all," she responded sarcastically.

"I'm just trying to help you out, Tutz. Magic is good, but in close combat like this, you'll get stabbed and then what?"

"Then I'll heal myself."

"And get stabbed again. Now you're out of magic. Then what?"

I hate that he's right, shethought. I rely too much on magic and stealth, tactics that have gotten me far with the thieves' guild, but leave me open and vulnerable when faced with open combat. Far too many times she had found herself in a fight struggling to keep up, combining shouts with magic and barely getting out alive. She was clumsy, at best, with a sword, and even worse with hammers and battle axes.

Argis took her silence as an opening, "Look, Tutz, when it comes to stealth and the bow, you've got me beat a hundred times over again, but I'm a better fighter than you and you know it. Now stop being stubborn and listen to me. Spread your feet further apart, and open your shoulders wider. You want to appear inviting, drawing the attack and tiring your opponent out."

"OK," she responded, staring at his feet to see what his next move would be.

He poked her chest with the point of his sword. "And now you're dead. Stop watching my feet."

"You told me to watch your feet!" she exclaimed.

"Watch my feet and stare at my feet are two different things. You need to learn to read body language, not just by watching my feet. Again."

This is insane! We've been at it for hours, and he just doesn't let up! Again, Again, Again! Fucking shut up! He was driving her nuts. She knew he was right, and that she had a lot to learn, but it had been three days and she was still fumbling with the sword, while he had been quick to learn more advanced sneaking tactics and was decent with the bow. Clenching her teeth, Ionuin let the anger build up inside her and set her feet apart in preparation for his advance. This time though, she met his stare with her own and was able to defend his attack. Blow for blow she parried, matching his steps with her own.

"That's it! Now try advancing yourself," he instructed. Making sure she didn't remove her eyes from his, she swung her mock-sword wide, hoping to catch him off guard and knock against his side. Instead, she received a sharp blow to the arm, causing her to drop her sword.

"Aghhhhhhhhh!" she screamed, picking up the weapon and throwing it into the woods. She stood panting, staring defiantly at where it had landed in amongst the thickets.

"Well that was uncalled for," he rumbled from next to her, "Maybe we should stop and rest for a bit. Grab a bite to eat."

Without thinking, she turned around and punched him square in the jaw before stalking into the woods in the opposite direction. Asshole, she thought, feeling her knuckles, now I've hurt my hand.

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Argis sat by the fire occasionally stirring the pot of stew to prevent it from burning. He had followed the Dovahkiin for a while, putting some of her lessons on stealth to good use, but had returned to camp when she stopped by a pool of water and started removing her clothes. I was raised better than that, he thought to himself, remembering the temptation he had felt at the site of her twisting and unbuckling the armor at her side. He hadn't so much as glimpsed an inch of bare skin, and the memory of it still left him slightly short of breath. Tenderly, he raised his hand to rub his jaw. Well at least she can throw a punch.

He turned at the sound of leaves crunching behind him. Ionuin walked calmly into the clearing and settled herself across the fire from him.

"Stew?" she asked.

"Yep," he responded, not sure what else to say.

"Smells good."

"Yep."

"I lost my temper."

Argis didn't respond. What does she want me to say? That she's a fucking lunatic?

Ionuin cleared her throat. "Right, so um, I was thinking we could head to White Run tomorrow. Visit the Sky Forge. Check for work. Get a good night's sleep."

"Sure thing, Tutz," he said, handing her a bowl of stew and grabbing his bags. "I'm going to get cleaned up, yell if you need me."

As he walked away into the night he overheard her mutter, "And stop calling me Tutz."

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They walked into White Run around lunchtime the next day, Argis walking by Ionuin's side. She took the lead when they entered the city and led him to her house. Lydia was there to greet her at the front door.

"It is good to see you, My Thane…and you've brought a friend. A handsome one."

Oh Talos, not this shit again. Ionuin thought, pushing aside memories of Lydia endlessly fawning over the last follower she had brought to White Run with her, Erik the Slayer.

"Argis the Bulwark," she heard Argis introduce himself with a smile.

Lydia was all blushes and batting eyes, "And I'm Lydia, the Dragonborn's housecarl here in White Run. So happy to meet you, I've heard great things around town. How long have you two been traveling together?"

Time to nip this shit in the bud.

"Lydia, Argis and I have some errands to run. Please make up a bed for him, we'll be spending the night here." Turning to Argis, she continued, "I'm going upstairs to change out of this armor. There is a room behind the stairs and to the left with an apothecary station, Lydia will be setting it up with a bed for you, but until then you can use it to get changed into something more comfortable. We'll be heading out in 20 minutes."

Up in her room, Ionuin knelt in front of the chest and started rummaging through for something more comfortable. Before she realized what she was doing, she had removed one of her most revealing dresses and put it on. What am I doing? I'm acting like a jealous barmaid trying to get the attention of the most eligible bachelor. Still, she couldn't deny that the dress made her look good, and she blushed at the thought of Argis' eyes on her body. She quickly ran a brush through her hair and was out the door and down the stairs before she could change her mind.

"He's delicious," Lydia said from beside the fire, "Where did you find him?"

"Hands off, Lydia."

She pouted, "Just let me have him for a little, I'll give him back."

"He's a person, not a possession. And no, I'll not have my housecarls getting involved with one another."

"I see, perhaps you want this one for your own amusement?" Lydia questioned.

The door opened behind her, and out walked Argis, wearing loose fitting linen pants and shirt. Of course, he's probably been listening to this entire conversation. Mother fucker, why the hell is he so hot?

"We're leaving, Lydia, I expect a bed set up by the time we return." Without waiting for a response, Ionuin stalked out the door and up the street, Argis trotting to catch up.

"Well she's a friendly one," he commented walking along beside her, "A little forward for my taste, but friendly nonetheless."

Ionuin ignored him.

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Honest to God, I'm not sure she realizes just how fucking sexy she is, Argis thought as he followed her around town, first to the Arcadia's Cauldron to restock on potions, then to Belethor's General Goods, where they were now. She was ruthless, bargaining until she was certain that she had gotten the very best price before making her purchase. Hearing the bell above the door chime behind him, Argis turned just in time to see Lydia walk in. Oh this is going to be good.

"My Thane, I wasn't expecting to see you here," Lydia started in mock surprise.

She's a horrible actor.

"Lydia," Ionuin started.

"Oh and you're here as well, Argis!" Lydia interrupted, walking to his side and boldly gripping his upper arm, "Oh my, you ARE muscular!"

Argis cleared his throat and gently pulled his arm away. Is she serious with this shit?

"Lydia. Glad you are here. Carry these back to Breezehome." Ionuin loaded her up with items and stalked out of the shop without a backwards glance.

Lydia sighed and looked at Argis guiltily, "I am sworn to carry her burdens.

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"Where to, Darlin'?" Argis asked.

"Check in with the Companions, then the Jarl."

Argis spent the rest of the day meeting the Companions, watching in fascination as Ionuin made conversation, hugged, and laughed with the men housed in Jorrvaskr. From the moment she entered the hall, her face had lit up. She introduced Argis to Farkas and Vilkas, the joking brothers, as well as Eorlund the Sky Forge blacksmith. Ionuin left him to train with the men as she went off with Ria, deep in conversation about the happenings of the past few months.

Vilkas and Farkas approached Argis carrying blunt weapons, "So, you're her latest follower, eh?"

Argis took the blunt weapon offered him, and squared off to spar with the two, "Have there been many?"

"Oh, there's been a few," Farkas smirked.

"Don't listen to him. There has not," Vilkas chimed in, "You're only her third."

Argis ducking a blow from Vilkas, "Third time's a charm, they say."

"The last one broke her heart, I think," said Farkas.

Vilkas gave him a disapproving look, "You've got an imagination, that's for sure. Ionuin could never have loved that boy, he wasn't yet a man."

"Was so a man. He was certainly built like one. Called himself 'Erik the Slayer,'" Farkas laughed.

Erik the Slayer? What the hell kind of name is that?

Farkas didn't miss the expression that passed across Argis' face, and laughed even harder, "It was just as bad as it sounds. Poor kid had never seen a fight in his life and gave himself the name. Ionuin brought him under her wing to try and teach him a thing or two."

"Actually turned out to be a pretty good fighter," Vilkas added, "Followed her around for a while."

Farkas laugh again, "Until he fell in love with her!"

Argis ducked low and swung his weapon, knocking the feet out from under the laughing Farkas and causing Vilkas to start laughing and fall on the ground beside him.

Argis stood catching his breath above the two, "Fell in love with her?"

"Yep," Vilkas said between guffaws, "Started asking when she would start wearing the Amulet of Mara."

Farkas sat up, "She sent him home within days. Too much of a pretty-boy for her taste if you ask me. Fun to be around for a bit, but the kind of guy that can get on your nerves real quick. Full of wonder and amazement and not an ounce of experience."

"She needs someone a little more rough around the edges, the kind of guy who's been through hell and back again and isn't afraid to call her on her shit," Vilkas eyed Argis, who cleared his throat.

"And her other follower?" he asked.

"Lydia!" they answered in unison, falling back on the ground in laughter.

I'll bet that was interesting.

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Later that night, Ionuin was startled awake by the sound of her bedroom door creaking open. Argis entered clumsily, carrying with him a bedroll and tripping over the boots she had left strewn across the floor. What in the hell is he doing?

"Ouch, damnit," he muttered.

"What the fuck, Argis?"

"Oh, good, you're awake. I'm sleeping in here tonight. Turn on a light, will ya? I can't see a damn thing."

"Um…" she clutched the blanket up tighter to her chin, suddenly aware of the fact that she had stripped off her clothing and crawled into bed wearing only her undergarments. Well now isn't this just a pickle. A man in my room and me laying here practically naked. Mom would be so proud.

Argis heard the hesitancy in her voice and glanced her way, "Don't worry, Darlin', I'm only here for sanctuary. Lydia has been whispering at my door for the past hour, and I'd like to actually sleep tonight."

"So you came to my room?"

"Yeah, well, the girl's persistent. Wouldn't give it up until I hinted at spending the night with you." This time he could practically hear the blush that flushed her face. He settled into his bedroll and shifted around until he found a comfortable position, "Night, Darlin'."

"Seriously Argis, get the fuck out."

"Nope."

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Sorry it took me a while to update, it's been a crazy couple of weeks. I'm back now Thanks for reading!

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