Chapter 11

"Straighten your elbow. The other one. Focus Iron, the right one. Better." Jaxxan holds his shield before him and nods. "Come at me again and watch your swing."

Ironhammer swings his practice sword clumsily, glancing off of Jaxxan's shield. His skill with a sword needs much work as he's proficient with a bow, his weapon of choice. Lately this young hunter has found he is need of skill in close combat as well. He innocently mentioned this in front of Jaxxan a skilled warrior proficient in most weapons dealing in close combat. Jaxxan lifts his shield over his head sweeping the incoming blow to counter with a swing of his own. Bringing his practice sword around, he soundly smacks Ironhammer in the ribs with the flat side. "I said watch your swing. What's got you so distracted?"

"What?" Ironhammer stands stunned, "nothing, I don't know what you're talking about."

Jaxxan smirks and whacks him again with the wooden sword causing Ironhammer to groan. "Then stop letting your guard down."

"I heard Brittany talking the other day."

"What?"

Ironhammer lifts his training sword trying to focus bringing it upwards hard in a sloping angle coming towards the underside of Jaxxan's shield connecting with his body, barely but he did manage to make contact. Smirking he tries again. "Ya she was talking about some guy she thinks is cute." Ironhammer swings again using his momentum and new distraction tactics catching Jaxxan's leg causing the man to hiss.

"That's nice." Jaxxan brings up his shield holding his own practice sword more readily. "I thought she was in trouble again."

Ironhammer curses under his breath, "Nah." He swings and is blocked. Ironhammer curses under his breath again and tries a new tactic, "She was talking to the new girl, Lainey."

"Uh huh…" Jaxxan jabs Ironhammer's side causing the man to growl.

"Ya said something about a fellow guildie that she thinks rather highly of." Ironhammer swings again, "Said his skill as a blacksmith is impressive."

"What?"

Ironhammer catches Jaxxan's left shoulder with a hoot of triumph. "Hah! So you like Lainey." Jaxxan winces. Ironhammer brings his sword around once more only to be blocked by Jaxxan's shield and pushed back off his feet landing squarely on his backside.

"Not like you seem to think… but if you must know…" Jaxxan grins, pausing long enough to hang up his shield, setting the practice sword in the holder and walks away. "Nah, I'm not telling." At the door to the training room, Jaxxan stops. "Keep your guard up." He looks over his shoulder at Ironhammer with concern, "You really should learn to pay attention to your surroundings."

"What?"

Ironhammer groans as he takes a shield to the head. "Liar."

He rubs his head, "Britt?"

"Cha! You should totally pay attention to who's around before you spout off all kinds of mess like that because you don't know who might hear you." Brittany brings her shield down on his head again, refraining from using full force as not to rend him unconscious. "Get up and defend yourself. You want to learn how to fight like a real man? Then bring it." Brittany's eyes flash, her shield is in position before her, her practice sword at the ready.

"I'm not gonna fight you."

Brittany growls bringing her sword forward jabbing him in the shoulder. "Get up."

"I'm not gonna fight you, Britt."

Brittany refuses to lower her guard, sweeping around him taunting him, jabbing him with her practice sword. Each jab she applies more pressure, goading him. Ironhammer is a tall night elf. His reach alone would give him an advantage against Brittany providing his skill with this sword was any good. Brittany on the other hand has been training for many years. Her brown eyes flash at him, Ironhammer stands up dropping his practice sword. "Brittany…"

Brittany stands lowering her sword, still holding her shield between them defensively. "Why would you do that? Why would you say things that aren't true? I thought I knew you… I thought I could trust you." Her voice cracks, eyes glistening in the low lit practice room, she backs away from him refusing to let him see her cry. "I hate you."

A pained look crosses his face. "You don't mean that." Ironhammer takes a step towards her. "I'm so sorry, Britt."

She shakes her head, lets out a guttural growl and comes at him using only her shield slamming it into his chest causing him to stagger backwards in a daze. "I trusted you."

Brittany slumps against the wall staring up at the dark, her heart aches, and her tears fall freely. She feels so lost and alone. "Where are you? Why can't you be here? I miss you. I just… you better be okay out there." She closes her eyes not caring about the tear that escapes down her cheek leaving a salty trail.

"Ginni's okay… wherever she is."

"Not now… please? Haven't you done enough?"

"Ouch. I deserve that." Ironhammer slumps down sitting next to her on the cold ground.

"So you're not just a jerk you're an arrogant inconsiderate jerk. I asked nicely and I even said please." He ignores her outburst. He can hear the pain in her voice. He sits quietly letting her vent. "If you won't go away, then I will." He looks at her with a sad smile and puts an arm around her holding her to him. She buries her face in his chest and cries. "I miss her."

"I know."

"I'm still mad at you."

"I know."

"Where is she?"

"I don't know."

"Will she come back?"

"I don't know."

Brittany looks up at him with tear streaked cheeks, "Will you leave me, too?"

Ironhammer smiles down at her kissing her forehead. "Never."

She takes his face in her hands, their eyes lock, "You can't make that promise if you don't mean it."

"I mean it."

Her eyes search his face desperately wanting to believe him, the last tear falls and she shakes her head slowly, "No one can make that kind of promise. Fate will find you even if you mean to stay with me."

"I'm not leaving you."

Brittany runs her thumb over his lip, her eyes mesmerized by his lips as he speaks such sweet words, "I want to believe you."

"Then believe me."

Her heart races, she feels she has no tears left to shed yet some how fresh tears form in her eyes. He kisses her eyes, kissing her tears away, her eyes remain closed as he pulls back looking at her sitting with her face turned up to him so invitingly. He lowers her lips towards hers, brushing his against her cheek, whispering softly in her ear, "I love you, Brittany."

She turns her lips towards his trembling as they touch his for their first kiss. Her breath catching in her chest as she whimpers, she pulls back her eyes searches for any deceit on his part, she licks her lips tasting the salt from her tears. "I love you, too."

Ironhammer sits staring at her sweet trusting face and shakes his head taking in a deep breath letting it out slowly. "You're so young… so innocent. This is wrong."

Brittany feels uncomfortable with the intensity of his gaze. She lowers her eyes and her head, opting to lean against his chest, listening to his heart as it races. "I'm not that young and you're not that old."

Ironhammer sighs, "By my people's standards, you are an infant."

"And mine would say I'm almost an adult and you're… well, you should be dead."

Ironhammer chuckles, "Fair enough." He leans his head against the wall staring upwards trying to get a handle on his thoughts. "Your birthday is coming soon."

"I know."

"What do you want?"

"Besides having Ginnifer come home?"

"If I could manage that, you know I would."

"We could go to Southshore and look for her… you're a hunter… maybe you could track her?"

"If only… her trail would be cold by now. She's been gone for a week, I'm not that advanced yet."

"Iron?"

"Hmmm?"

"You don't really think of me as an infant do you?"

"No."

"Good."

They sit quietly for a moment, "Brittany?"

"Hmmm?"

"I'm not… I mean, well it's just… have you…" He sighs in frustration.

She grins and shakes her head, "Iron, I never had a boyfriend before… so I've never… ever…"

"Oh… oh! Huh… okay."

Brittany bites her lip as her face grows crimson, "Your heart is racing…"

"Ya."

"Mine too." They grow silent again. "Iron?"

"Hmmm?"

"I'm not really ready. Its… well, I'm scared."

"Okay."

"Really?"

Ironhammer chuckles kissing the top of her head, "Yes." His brows furrow, "Brittany?"

"Ya?"

"There really is no rush. Okay?"

"Iron?"

"Ya?"

"Have you? I mean you're like… a billion years old…"

He laughs, "I'm 122, not a billion and yes, if you're asking if I've been with other women… the answer is yes. Have I been in love? Once… she died years ago."

Brittany blinks in the cold night air absorbing what he just said, "Wait… in 122 years you've only ever loved one woman?"

"Two now."

"Ya but that's like a life time plus to some." She looks up at him with love and concern. "You weren't lonely?"

Ironhammer fidgets, "Uh, no. I had other women friends… I just wasn't in love with them…"

Brittany's eyes widen, her lips form a silent 'o'. Ironhammer tries not to look at her. "Don't look at me like that. I'm not Cay."

Brittany bites the inside of her cheek trying not to giggle, "I never said you are."

"Good because I'm not."

"I believe you."

"Hmmm…"

"Iron?"

"Yes?"

"You're a man-ho."

Ironhammer groans causing Brittany to giggle madly. "Vixen." He pulls her in his arms. She climbs on his lap wrapping her arms around his neck, holding her close he nuzzles her neck. "This… this is what I missed by not having someone to love… the intimacy of a hug… a kiss… a touch… a caress." He breathes in deeply causing her to shiver. "Don't get me wrong, sex can be very powerful and satisfying. Love is a beautiful thing that I have craved and been denied for too many years. I'm not risking losing you now that I've found you."

Her heart races she moves to look at him, her eyes widening when he winces. "Did I hurt you?"

He closes his eyes and shakes his head slowly, "No…" He fights to keep his voice even, licks his lips and looks at her. "Just… don't squirm on my lap like that. I'm still just a man, Britt. Patience is one thing… no release is painful."

She looks at him confused, "I don't…"

He shifts underneath her, his erection pressing against her. Her eyes widen, "Oh! Oh gosh did I do that?"

Ironhammer chuckles, "Yes."

Brittany bites her lip, "Sorry?"

He shakes his head, "No you're not."

She giggles and shakes her head with him, "No… no, I'm not."

He pulls her back in his arms, keeping her leaning against him. He rests his chin on her head as she curls on his lap. The only sound is their heartbeats and breathing. The air is still around them in the evening chill. He closes his eyes enjoying their quiet time together. "Iron?"

"Ya, Love?"

"I heard some girls talking once… I was on the tram on my way back from Stormwind and they were giggling about some guy and how he… did things…"

Ironhammer's eyebrow quirks in amusement, "and?"

"I'm not sure but one asked if she was no longer… pure. The other said she was because he didn't…"

The pause was almost painful. Ironhammer prompted her. "Penetrate."

"Yes." Brittany blushes, "Is that true?"

Ironhammer shrugs. "Theoretically, yes. It depends though on ones interpretation of pure. Is her virginity in tact? Yes. Is she pure… in my opinion, no. She's been given a taste of carnal knowledge, bodily pleasures, the sinful act of knowing another out of wedlock. If she were a priestess, I would think that she is no longer pure in the sense that the cathedral would expect her to be."

"Does that make her a bad person?"

"No."

"Good I don't want to be a bad person."

"Wait…"

"Can we try… that?"

"I, uh… Britt…"

"I want to. You aren't pressuring me but when I felt… erm, you… just a minute ago… something stirred inside of me… and I liked it. I'm still scared… but if there are other things… I really want to try."

Ironhammer sat still and quiet for a long while. Brittany began to get nervous. She pushed things too fast? No, can't be… could it? Wordlessly, he helps her off his lap and stands. She looks up at him. He holds his hand out to her. She takes it nervously. He smiles at her reassuringly, kissing the back of her hand as it sits comfortably in his. He glances at the guild hall before leading her to the stables. Opening the door they walk to an empty stall. He takes a blanket from the shelves and spreads it over the hay. Brittany watches excitedly. Her fear intermingling with her other emotions threatening to win her inner battle, heart racing and pounding so loudly in her chest she's sure the world can hear her.

He closes the door to the stall, pulls off his leather chest plate tossing it aside. Brittany bites her lip nervously. She fusses with her gear with shaking hands. He takes her hands in his. She looks up confused, he kisses her gently placing her hands on his shoulders. He snakes an arm around her slender waist lifting her off her feet. His soft kisses deepen becoming more passionate. She moans softly almost whimpering. Her kisses grow bolder matching him in hunger her hands touching his back and shoulders enjoying the feel of his bare skin.

Slowly he lowers her feet back on the hay. His hands work her pauldrons letting them fall to the ground, removing her chest plate he drops it with his. He winks at her as his large hands wrap around her waist, touching her bare skin. She gasps and licks her lips. Her shaking hands move to her small top lifting it over her head freeing her breasts.

Ironhammer moans bringing his lips to hers. He pulls her to him pressing her body to his relishing the feel of her skin against his. His lips move down her neck to her shoulders. His breath ragged with his lust, his gold eyes darken as he looks at her body. He swallows hard reminding himself of limitations. Watching her closely, he removes his gear. He stands before her in his small clothes letting her look at him. She moans softly, she reaches out to touch him hesitating. He takes her hands in his placing them on his chest and smiles encouragingly.

She touches his body her hands trembling with excitement as they glide over his muscular chest. He sits on the blanket patting it grinning. She bites her lip. He tilts his head questioningly. She slides the last of her gear off and he smiles. "You're beautiful."

Sitting on the blanket he holds his hand out to her. She takes it and sits beside him. He props himself on his left elbow, leaning back. He lets his eyes move over her body taking in her every curve without touching her. She shivers. Taking his right hand, she places it on her body. "I like your touch."

"I like touching you." She shivers again closing her eyes. His lips find hers. She returns his kisses gasping for air. "Do you trust me?" Her eyes flutter open. She looks at him and nods, not trusting her voice. He nods, "I won't abuse your trust."

His lips move forward for a kiss, she closes her eyes lifting her face to him, his lips find her neck, causing her to shiver. His lips move from her neck to her shoulders. His finger tips dance up her arm. He urges her to lie beside him. She watches him as he kisses her. His tongue drawing patterns down to her breasts, she gasps her back arching instinctively. "Oh."

He cups her breast in his large hand, running his thumb over her nipple. She squirms grabbing the blanket. Her breathing becomes shallow. She moans and whimpers, her body begs for more. His lips find her breasts, his hands lower to her waist, pulling her closer before rolling over on his back pulling her on top of him. "Oh!"

He smiles at her, watching her excitement and fear so clear in her expressions. He places his hands on her ass, her eyes widen and she whimpers softly. Slowly he guides her closer to him, placing her on his erection. She gasps. "Oh… oh I think I like that."

He chuckles. "That's a good start."

"Really? Is that… good?"

Ironhammer moans guiding her hips back and forth over his lap. "Yes."

Brittany catches on to the rhythm and moves her hips with him. She gasps again, "Iron!" Her voice barely over a squeaked whisper, "Iron, it's… I'm… it's throbbing."

"Yes."

"That's good."

"Oh yes."

"This is wrong."

"Do you want to stop?"

"Do you want me to?"

"I don't want you to."

"I don't think I can."

Ironhammer sits up, his lips meet hers, their kiss is passionate and loving, soft and exploring. His hands sweep up her back. Brittany pulls back, she takes his hands in hers placing them once more on her bare breasts. "I like your hands on my skin. It makes my skin tingle."

He nods kissing her once more, sliding his hands over her breasts, teasing her nipples allowing his hands to touch her skin lightly. She pulls back again, her hips still moving against him. Her breathing ragged with emotion. "Iron?"

"Yes?"

"My body feels funny."

He looks at her a bit confused, "Good or bad?"

"I don't know… but I don't want it to stop."

He grins, "That would be good then."

"It… I… Iron… oh gosh…" Brittany's hips begin moving over his erection faster, she presses her body against his hiding her face in his neck in embarrassment. "I do like it… I do… oh gosh!"

"That's good Britt, don't fight it."

Brittany suddenly tenses, "Oh!" She holds still in panic. Ironhammer guides her hips over him once more, rubbing against her urging her to let it happen. She shivers at long last biting his shoulder, grasping his shoulders she whimpers at his guttural growl.

Brittany sits there afraid to move utterly embarrassed at her actions. Her arms and legs wrapped around him. Her voice is soft and muffled still hiding her face in his neck. "I'm… well… my panties are wet."

Ironhammer places soft kisses in her neck. "That's good."

"Am I bad person now?"

"No, you couldn't be a bad person if you tried."

"I don't want to be a bad person, Ironhammer."

"I know. It's just an expression."

"Oh." She pulls her face from his chest biting her lip. "Other things are good… very good."

Ironhammer lies back pulling her with him. His eye lids drooping, he grins. "Yup."

"Iron?"

"Ya?"

"How many other things are there?"

Ironhammer's eyes open, his brow knits and he gauges her look, "You're serious?"

"Well ya."

Ironhammer nods, "Plenty and I'll be happy to show them to you."

Brittany squeals happily kissing his face as he chuckles. "Elune help me woman, I do love you."

"I love you, too." Brittany purrs pressing her body against his, tugging his earlobe with her teeth, "So about my birthday… can we go to Southshore?"

Ironhammer groans. "Brittany…"

Missin comes skittering to a halt. She tilts her head and looks up at him. He sits on the back step head in his hands. "Hi?"

Jaxxan clears his throat and looks up resting his elbows on his knees and gives her a half smile. "Hey."

"You okay?" She steps on the first step so they're a bit more eye level.

Jaxxan shrugs noncommittally and looks at his hands. "Sure."

Missin wrinkles her nose and shakes her head. "Anyone ever tell you… you're a horrible liar."

He snorts, "Ya."

She watches him quietly debating on whether to continue on her way or continue with her questions. She doesn't know him well enough but to leave him in his anguish like that was just mean… then again… "Okay." She skirts around him and pauses at the door. "If you change your mind… I'll be inside."

She was never the sweet person. She leaves that to people like Valadana, Brittany and Ginnifer. The soft hearted ones. She wasn't heartless, just didn't have time to coddle.

Jaxxan sits stunned not sure what to think of what just transpired. That was the most Missin has ever said to him. He chuckles to himself and shakes his head. Taking a deep breath he looks out towards the stables and resigns himself to go inside.