Nahlot had been following Gaius Maro for a few days now. She had stolen his traveling scheduale and tracked him down to Whiterun. She sat outside the city waiting for him to leave. Nahlot's plan was to follow him out of the city and kill him along the road. She wasn't disappointed as he left the city she started off after him.
After following Gaius for a few miles to a rather deserted road Nahlot grabbed her bow and notched an arrow. She aimed for her target and held her breath. Once she released the arrow she disappeared into the shadows and headed back to the Sanctuary.
Nahlot walked into the Sanctuary and noticed Astrid wasn't standing in the doorway nor was she sitting by the table with the map. The Dark Elf assassin was worried. She walked off into the inner Sanctuary and found Astrid standing with Nazir and Babette. They were tending to the Argonian's wounds. Nahlot rushed over to the blonde and pulled her into her arms. Everyone gave the Dark Elf a surprised look except for Nazir, he glared his disapproval. Astrid pulled away from her lover.
"Astrid what happened?"
"That fool, Cicero. He attacked me, Veezara jumped in and saved us."
"Yes you were very brave Veezara."
The young vampire smiled at Veezara. Nahlot clenched her hands into fists and quickly scanned the room. She noticed Festus, Gabriella and Arjnborn weren't here. Astrid noticed the Dark Elf looking around and assumed she was looking for Gabriella. She crossed her arms and looked away from Nahlot, to hide her hurt look.
"Gabriella and Festus are upstairs making potions to heal Veezara. Arnbjorn ran off after the fool..."
"I'll go get him."
Astrid looked surprised by Nahlot's offer. She noticed Nazir was about to object, but was rebuffed by Babette. Nahlot walked off towards the entrance with Astrid following after her. The blonde grabbed her arm and pulled her to stop. Nahlot turned to her.
"Krii wait."
"No. I never trusted Cicero, and now this. I'm going after him. Besides Arnbjorn might need help..."
"I don't want you to get hurt because of me Krii!"
Nahlot saw the tears that formed in her leader's eyes. She took a step closer to her and reached out to the blonde. Gently caressing Astrid's cheek Nahlot leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her leader's temple. Astrid's shining blue eyes searched the Dark Elf's crimson ones.
"I know I told you we could end it... I want you to be happy Krii, I just..."
"Don't worry Astrid. I've always known how you felt, whether you said it or not. I would do anything for you. Astrid I love you and nothing will change that. I'm going to track down Cicero, let Gabriella know that I killed Gaius Maro for me?"
Astrid reluctantly nodded. She told the Listener that Cicero was most likely at the Dawnstar Sanctuary and gave her the password for the door before puling her into a kiss. Nahlot broke the kiss and smiled at her leader before turning to rush out of the Sanctuary. Astrid hollered out to her and told her to take Shadowmere, her horse. Nahlot thanked her as she left.
Astrid leaned against the doorway and sighed. She looked over towards the entrance and hoped nothing would happen to Nahlot. The blonde turned when she felt a soft hand on her shoulder. Gabriella noticed her leader was upset and offered her a comforting smile. The blonde forced a smile in return. She hated how she had let herself become undone by one person, one woman. Gabriella removed her hand and looked away from Astrid.
"I'm sure Nahlot will bring Arnbojon back. She is the Listener after all, and quite a skilled woman."
"I know. She wanted me to tell you that Gaius Maro is dead. Heh, from my source they said she shot him with an arrow a few hours after he left Whiterun on one of the less traveled roads."
"I'll be sure to give her her bonus when she returns then."
Gabriella couldn't hep her smile as she turned and headed back into the inner most of the Sanctuary. Astrid clenched her hands into fists as she turned away from the door. Damnit Krii. Please come back to me in one piece...
Nahlot rode up to Dawnstar on Shadowmere's back. She rode him throught the town and along a coast line until she found the door to the Sanctuary. The Dark Elf dismounted Shadowmere and stroked his mane telling him to wait for her here. She walked up to the door and saw Arnbjorn sitting on the ground, his hand covering a knife wound on his stomach. Nahlot knelt next to him. He forced a chuckle.
"Bastard got me and ran inside."
"Looks bad..."
The Dark Elf couldn't help but think that if she left him here, or better yet finished him off before she went after Cicero she could return and live a happy life with Astrid. Nahlot sighed and pushed the thought to the back of her mind, she knew she couldn't do it. She may be the Listener of the Dark brotherhood and an assassin, but she wasn't low enough to kill a decent man for a chance with the woman she loved.
Nahlot reached out and instructed Arnbjorn to move his hand. He did as was instructed and the Dark Elf let a soft, golden glow emit from her hands to knit his flesh back together. Arnbjorn sighed in relief and thanked the Listener. She stood and helped him to his feet.
"You should head back, Astrid's worried about you. I can deal with the fool."
"Alright, thank you. You're a good person Nahlot."
The Dark Elf watched Arnbjorn limp away before turning to the door and speaking the password. She entered the Sanctuary in search of Cicero. Disarming traps, fighting spirits and looting a few chests Nahlot finally stood face to face with the fool. He was laying on the ground complaining that the wolf had gotten him. Nahlot didn't believe it for a second. She reached over and grabbed the fool by his collar pulling him to his feet.
"Why did you attack Astrid?"
"Yes, I attacked that strumpet Astrid. I'd do it again. Anything for our mother. But listen, Listener, go back to that pretender and tell her I am dead. Tell her you strangled me with my own intestines, but lie. Lie and let me live!"
"I won't allow you to harm my Astrid, fool."
"I am the fool? Because I believe in our mother? Yet it is you who blindly follows after the pretender who holds your leash. Kill me if you must, I have no will any longer to resist."
Nahlot dropped the fool to the floor and let out a frustrated scream. She hated how complicated her life had become. The Dark Elf paced the floor for a few moments weighing her options. If she killed Cicero now it'd be over and done with. But what if they needed him in the future. Nahlot turned and started to walk away from the fool. She ignored his thank you as she left the Sanctuary and found Shadowmere, riding him back to the Falkreath Sanctuary.
Astrid stood near the forge listening to her husband tell the others about Nahlot saving him from bleeding out. Gabriella and Babette smiled and agreed that she was a good person. Nazir seemed shocked, but then again he was the only person who knew about what when on between the Listener and their leader. They all turned when Nahlot walked in. She seemed surprised that everyone was happy to see her. Nahlot forced a smile and greeted her family.
Gabriella walked over and embraced the Listener, happy to see her lover. Nahlot leaned in and kissed the other Dark Elf's cheek before glancing over at Astrid. The blonde turned to her husband and told him he should get some rest. He shurgged off her complaints and went back to work. Astrid walked off towards the entrance. Nahlot excused herelf from everyone and walked off after their leader. Gabriella noticed Nazir muttering about the Listener and Astrid. She realized she hadn't given Nahlot Olava's token and walked off after her.
Nahlot picked Astrid up and sat her on the table as they kissed. the blonde had been so worried that her Listener wouldn't return to her. The Dark Elf had even surprised her by saving her husband, the very man that stood in the way of their relationship. Astrid broke the kiss and held Nahlot's face in her hands, their eyes locked onto one another's.
"Krii I'm sorry."
"Don't be. You're our leader, and my lover. I'll protect you no matter what."
"I have to say I was surprised when Arnborjn stumbled in here and told everyone about how you had saved him."
"To be honest I had thought about letting him bleed out... or ending it right there. But I couldn't. I don't know why you stay with him, but if he is what you want I can't allow someone to take that from you."
Astrid smiled at her Listener before pulling her into a kiss. The Dark Elf held the blonde close, happy that she could at least hold this woman again. Gabriella held her hand to her mouth to surpress a sob. She had heard every word of their conversation and wished she hadn't. The Dark Elf mage walked off to the assassin's bedroom and laid down, silently crying for the love she probably never had.
Nahlot had heard something drop near the door way and pulled away from Astrid. The blonde was about to question the Dark Elf as to what was wrong, when Nahlot walked over and picked up a coin. She brought it over and showed it to her leader. Astrid's heart sank. It was the token Gabriella was to give to Nahlot as her bonus. She realized that the older Dark Elf must have heard their conversation, or at least saw them kissing. Astrid looked to Nahlot, worrying her bottom lip.
"That's the token Gabriella was supposed to give you..."
"Fuck. I-I should go talk to her... Astrid, answer something for me first?"
"Anything Krii."
"Are we still... I mean did you mean it when we ended it before?"
"Go comfort Gabriella. We can talk about this someother time."
"No. I need to know before."
Astrid sighed. She wasn't sure of anything any more. Nahlot made her question almost every choice she made, She wanted nothing more then for her and the Dark Elf to lead the Dark brotherhood, to restore them to their former glory, together. The blonde looked away from her lover. Nahlot stood near her, but wouldn't reach out to her like she always did.
"Astrid, I love you. If you want to end things fine, I'll go patch things up with Gabriella. But I am not going to go after her if we are going to continue things. I decided on my ride back here today that I'm done hurting those I care about. I will not become..."
"For the first time in a while I am unsure Krii. I was unsure when we ended things. I don't know what to tell you. We can end things, but you know us saying it won't stop us... just like it didn't today. So make your choice, pick your lover."
"Heh, so it's back to this... just like when we first met... fine. I'll go explain things to Gabriella, but just so you know I chose you."
Nahlot walked off to find Gabriella, leaving her leader alone with her thoughts. Astrid had realized today that the only person she had been worried about was Nahlot. Her husband could have been dead, had been wounded and the only person she cared to know if they were alright was Nahlot. The blonde chuckled. She had made her choice it would seem as well. Her own words came back to haunt her.
Nahlot sat down on the edge of Gabriella's bed. She wasn unsure of what she should say. All she did know was she was going to be completely honest with her, Gabriella always had been with her. She owed her this much. Nahlot placed her hand on the older Dark Elf's side. Gabriella rolled over to see who was in her bed. She looked at Nahlot and wanted to hit the younger Dark Elf. Nahlot looked down at her hands.
"Gabriella... I wanted to tell you everything."
"About you and Astrid?"
"Yeah. We, we've been... I don't know what we are or what we have... but we've been sleeping with one another since I joined. Well a little bit after I joined. But, I'd only slept with her once while you and I were together. Just so you know. You mean a lot to me... but whatever it is Astrid and I have... we won't, can't stop... I-I'm so sorr-"
Gabriella smacked Nahlot's face. She had never felt so angry at someone. Nahlot was surprised, but knew she deserved much worse for leading the older Dark Elf on. Gabriella reached out and pulled Nahlot into an embrace, crying on her shoulder. Nahlot held the older Dark Elf, unsure of what she should do. Gabriella moved away enough to press her lips to Nahlot's, briefly.
"I was happy to have someone I thought would love me and would be with me... Nahlot, you could have lied, denied everything... I would've believed you. Why, why did you tell me the truth?"
"Because I care about you. In my mind I love you, the same way I love Astrid... I couldn't keep hurting you. I'm so sorry Gabriella."
"Am I the only person who knows about you two?"
"No, Nazir does... he once threatened to tell Arnborjn... That's, that's when you had confessed to me..."
The older Dark Elf understood the implication, but didn't really care. She loved being with Nahlot, and she had believed that the younger Dark Elf had been happy with her as well. Nahlot had acted differently when they started spending more time together; she seemed more relaxed, cofmortable. Gabriella rested her head against the Listener's shoulder.
"Are you telling me all of this because you want to end things?"
Nahlot was surprised. She had assumed things were already ended. That she was just here to offer an explaination to keep a friendship between her and her fellow asssassin. Nahlot gently rubbed the older Dark Elf's back before embracing her. She realized she was just as confused as Astrid. The Dark Elf thought she had only wanted to be with Astrid, it was the whole reason she had joined the Dark brotherhood after all. But after everything she'd been through with this group, with everyone apart of it, Nahlot realized she'd found the family she'd been searching for. That being accepted here, not being judged by anyone for doing what she was good at, meant more to her then anything.
The Listener let a few tears slip. She tightened her grip on the older Dark Elf as she silently cried. Gabriella realized the Listener was crying and held her, stroking her hair and whispring words of comfort to her. She wondered why the younger Dark Elf ws upset, surely it couldn't have been because of her. Maybe Astrid ended things for good this time. Gabriella doubted her thoughts, but silently hoped they were true. Nahlot composed herself and sat up, letting the older Dark Elf wipe her tears away.
"Gabriella I-I thought you had already decided to end things since you saw Astrid and I together. I came to explain things to hopefully at least keep a friendship between us. I can't ask you to be with me if I can't be faithful to you. So anything you choose to do with me... is up to you, I-I'm not going to beg you to stay with me nor will I ask for forgivness. I do love you, but-"
"But you chose Astrid. I can't say I'm pleased that the woman I've come to love chose another... though I do love you and am happy you feel the same. I doubt Astrid will ever leave Arnbjorn, I don't know why he's a nice man and a caring husband... but I never thought there was anything there for a lasting marriage... It's her choice. Nahlot, I will be here with you until you give up on her. Just know that I am a bit older then both of you so don't keep me waiting for too long, okay?"
Gabriella chuckled as Nahlot nodded and pulled her into a needy kiss. She lay back on her bed and let the younger Dark Elf kiss down her neck and undo her robes. The older Dark Elf didn't care if Nahlot thought she'd chosen Astrid, as long as she came running after her and offered her comfort for her wrong doing and realizing that she was wrong for leading the older Dark Elf on, then Gabriella felt the Listener had truely chosen her.
Nahlot kissed a trail down the older Dark Elf's body and back up to her lips, capturing them in a kiss. Gabriella smiled into the kiss before she gasped as the Listener trailed her fingers along her panties before removing them. Nahlot broke the kiss and positioned herself inbetween Gabriella's legs. She leaned over and licked up her lover's slit before delving her tongue into it's sweet moistness. The older Dark Elf softly moaned. Nahlot continued her minestrations lapping at Gabriella's most intimate area. She felt the older Dark Elf grip the sheets beneath them and thrusted two fingers into her lover, pumping them in and out of her. Gabriella's moans grew a bit louder and she placed a pillow of her face to muffle them, not wanting the others to hear them. Nahlot grinned as she sucked on th older Dark Elf's clit. Gabriella came moaning Nahlot's name.
The younger Dark Elf moved up her older lover's body and took the pillow from her, kissing her softly. Gabriella panted as she snuggled up to her Listener. She moved to straddle her young lover, but Nahlot kept her at her side. Gabriella looked over at the younger Dark Elf. Nahlot sat up and shrugged the top part of her armor revealing the scratch marks from Astrid. Gabriella gasped and gently reached out to touch them. Nahlot sighed as the older Dark Elf's cool hand traced the scratches.
"I didn't know you liked that sort of thing Listener."
"Heh I can't say I particularly do. I think Astrid was just upset that I'm with you."
"Oh... so we shouldn't be so open about our relationship?"
"I didn't say that. Be as open as you want. She'll get over it. Besides I do like being able to hold my lover in my arms and not have to worry whether or not someone will walk in on us."
Gabriella smiled. She offered to make a potion to heal the scratches, but Nahlot told it was fine. That if she had really wanted them gone she would have healed them herself. The older Dark Elf nodded. She realized the Listener was using this as a small way to punish herself, it worried Gabriella. Nahlot turned to the older Dark Elf with a smile. She laid down next to her and held her close. Gabriella rested her head on her Listener's shoulder and sighed contendidly.
Nahlot laid with Gabriella until she fell asleep. She extracted herself and walked off to find Astrid. The blonde leader was in her bedroom with Arnbjorn. Nahlot had never seen them do anything together, never really wanted to to be honest. She tiptoed into the room and found
Astrid laying in bed with Arnbjorn's arms wrapped around her. The blonde woman was awake looking up at the dark ceiling. Nahlot knelt next to Astrid and gently reached out to stroke her hair. The blonde turned to her and reached for the dagger under her pillow. Nahlot held her hands up in surrender.
Astrid sighed and pointed for her to get out. Nahlot sighed and nodded. She walked from the room and leaned against the table outside the bedroom door. Astrid came out behind her in a revealing red night gown. She glared at the listener. Nahlot was too distracted with what the blonde was wearing to care that she had upset her leader.
"By Sithis Krii what were you doing?"
"I was wondering if you wanted to hang out while everyone's asleep."
"Y-you came into my room while my husband is asleep with me, to ask me to hang out with you? Krii do you hear how mad that sounds?"
"Just a little, come on. We never do anything but have sex. I want to know more about you."
"Fine, let me get something to cover up with. You should as well."
Nahlot looked down at herself and realized she hadn't put the top part of her armor on. She walked off to the room he shared with all the other assassins and found her armor next to Gabriella's bed. The Listener grabbed it and started back to Astrid.
The blonde was standing by the pond with a black robe on over her night gown. She looked up at Nahlot as she walked over to her. Astrid sighed when she noticed that the Listener held her armor, yet hadn't bothered to put it back on yet. The blonde shook her head at her lover. Nahlot smiled at her.
"You should have some modesty at least Krii."
"Hey, I'm allowed to relax once in a while."
"Yes, but what if someone asks where you got all those scratch marks? You can't very well say that the fool did it."
"Maybe their from Gabriella."
Astrid went silent. She looked away from her Listener. Nahlot reached out to her and apologized. She held the blonde close to her. The Dark Elf nuzzled her nose against her leader's neck. Astrid sighed and wrapped her arms around her Listener. She knew Nahlot was the one who held her heart the moment the Dark Elf had first kissed her, that she would eventually end up regretting some of her previous choices. Astrid moved away from Nahlot and leaned against the wall near the pond, starring out into its murky depths wondering what she was going to do.
Nahlot went to slip the top part of her armor back on when Astrid stopped her. The blonde reached out and traced the marks she had left on the Dark Elf's body. She went to lean over when Nahlot lifted her into her arms. The Listener carried her leader from the Sanctuary out into the cold air of Skyrim. She carried her over to where Shadowmere was sleeping by the pond and sat down with Astrid on her lap. The blonde leaned against her with a content smile.
The two women sat in a content silence for a little bit before Astrid turned to Nahlot. She pushed the Dark Elf onto her back and straddled her. The blonde ran her hands over her lover's body before leaning over and kissing over the marks she had made. She gently kissed each mark before capturing Nahlot's lips. Astrid held the Dark Elf's face in her hands and kissed with such need it nearly broke her. The Listener noticed Astrid was fighting back her tears. She held her leader close and broke the kiss.
"Astrid..."
"Sorry, it's just... Krii you really had me worried today. I-I hate that I can be so... I'm the leader and I break down everytime I think you might die. I didn't even care if Arnbjorn came back, as long as you did. By Sithis I'm supposed to lead us to our former glory and I can't even straighten out my own love life!"
Nahlot couldn't help but chuckle. She covered her mouth trying her best to restrain herself. Astrid looked appalled that her Listener was laughing at her right now. Nahlot composed herself and looked her leader in the eye.
"I'm sorry, but you've never tried to express how you feel about me. Let alone admit anything close to you being wrong about something. It's cute. Astrid, you don't have to worry about anything. I promise to follow you no matter what, you are the leader of our family. And I will see to it that your will is done."
Astrid smiled at her lover. She was happy to be here with Nahlot, and was even happy that the Listener the Nightmother herself had chosen was on her side. She pulled the Dark Elf into a heated kiss before laying back on the ground. Nahlot leaned over her and undid her robe, revealing her skimpy night gown. She kissed down her leader's body, her hands trailing behind her lips. Astrid let out soft moans as she reached down and ran her hands through her lover's hair. Nahlot looked up at her leader, a smirk playing on her lips.
"So tell me, why are you wearing this? Were you expecting me, or was it to consol your husband?"
"Krii. Don't ask obvious questions."
"So it was for Arnbjorn. Thought so."
Astrid sat up and took Nahlot's face into her hands. She leaned in and rested her head against her Listener's, chuckling softly.
"Yes, he found it and asked if I would wear it. But... I-I had bought it for you."
"What?"
"The last time I went to Falkreath to get supplies for us the Bard woman there was selling some things... I saw it and thought of you, of wearing it for you."
Nahlot saw the blush on her leader's face and smiled. She reached out and held Astrid close to her. The Listener didn't really care if they spoke anymore tonight, nor did she care whether or not they did anything but sit with one another for the rest of the night. All she wanted was to be near the blonde woman. The same could be said for Astrid. She had no desire to go back into the bed where her husband slept, she was more then content being here in Nahlot's arms.
The Dark Elf looked up at the stars. She never would have thought that after she joined a guild of assassins would she be so happy, nor would she had believed if anyone had told her that the leader of that guild would be the one who held her heart. Astrid looked to her Listener and saw the smile on her face. She rested hehead against the Dark Elf. The blonde was happier then she had ever been. Being with Nahlot remined her of when she had first joined the Dark Brotherhood. The feeling of acceptance and the thrill of being with others like her. She wondered if Nahot felt the same way.
"Krii, how did you feel when you joined the Dark Brotherhood?"
"I was skeptical at first, but I knew that I wanted to do whatever I could to learn about the mysterious woman who had abducted me. Now, I'm home. I couldn't be happier then I am being right here with you."
Astrid pressed a soft kiss to her Listener's lips before closing her eyes as she rested with her lover. Nahlot smiled at her leader and whistled for Shadowmere. The horse trotted over to her and knelt behind her. She stroked his mane as she rested against him. The Dark Elf drifted off to sleep dreaming of a perfect world where she and Astrid could have been together without hiding it from everyone.