Chapter 25: Fool's Errand
Author's Note: Warning! This chapter contains intimate material that should not be viewed by anyone under the age of 17.
Mahrig
In retrospect, it had been obvious to me concerning Theo's feelings. I knew that he had expressed his desires on more than one occasion. However, I had always brushed them off as simple flirtations. Something he would indiscriminately hand out to many woman, as he had done many times before over the course of our journey together. I sat watching Gareth sleep, as I thought about Theo's kiss, and his admission to love. It wasn't fair. It wasn't fair to him, or me and it wasn't fair to the unknowing Gareth. After Theo had told me he loved me, I had simply gone silent. I believe Theo knew that was the only answer he would receive from me. I cherished Theo among one of my best friends, but my heart had belonged to another. Gareth.
A couple of weeks passed before Theo presented me with his intent on breaking off from our little group. I wasn't happy about the decision, but it was his to make. Theo had my back in every encounter we had been through, and I knew his intentions of leaving stemmed from the fact that I could not return the kind of love he had hoped for. He didn't completely cut his ties. It wasn't like Theo to just disappear. He told us where he would be, and encouraged us to stop by whenever we were in the Rift. He had chosen Riften as his new place of Residence. As much as I hated to admit it, The Rift suited him. It wasn't that he was a thief or anything like that, he just enjoyed the atmosphere of Riften. Women, hunting, booze and treasures. The Rift was rich with all of those things.
I pulled the curtain of my Solitude inn room open, letting the evening sun bless my skin with the last few rays of sun. The time was dawning, a mission so unbelievably absurd that even Krahmer had begged me not to consider. In the weeks after Theo had left, our small group had continued our journey where we had left off before my dark brotherhood encounter. I was extremely determined to return my life to some sense of normalcy. It pained me to realize that being Dragonborn was now what I considered to be normal, but life goes on. I much enjoyed the freedom of being Dragonborn over the imprisonment of my past life. I would choose it ten times over.
We had made our way to the tomb of Ustengrav to retrieve the horn of Jurgen Windcaller. It had been the final test of the Greybeards, one that had been put off long enough due to unseen distractions. Upon reaching the very depths and end of our journey within the tomb after what seemed like endless battles between draugr, bandits and mages; we discovered that the horn was not there. In the place of the horn that should have delicately decorated the pedestal above the sarcophagus was instead a note. A note that had lead us to the Riverwood Inn once again. It turned out that the instructions we had been given in the note, rent the attic room, had been misguided. Or so it had seemed. In reality it had been Delphine's, the inn keeper of the Riverwood inn and thief of the horn of Jurgen Windcaller, intent to misguide us. Upon Asking the rent the attic room, we had been informed that there wasn't one and given a regular room. Later she met us in the room where a chain of events led me to this point. After slaying a dragon to prove myself to Delphine that I was truly dragonborn, she revealed that she was one of the last remaining members of a group called the blades. Ancient Dragon slayers that once held the position and honor of protecting the emperor. That was, until the Great war dwindled their numbers, and the Thalmor set out to destroy every last member. It didn't surprise me, with her hatred of the thalmor and mistrust of everyone, that she assumed the Thalmor had something to do with the return of the dragons. Her plan being that I would infiltrate an upcoming social gathering, a party if you will, at the Thalmor Embassy just outside of Solitude.
At first her plan had seemed outlandish. It was no secret around the central parts of Skyrim that I was dragonborn. Many people within Whiterun knew of my identity, as well as the College of Winterhold in its North Eastern icy grasp. However, I couldn't be sure that the Thalmor were not aware of who I was. The plan was too risky, and Krahmer had stepped in to point out the most vital flaws. Delphine had seemed sure that the plan was fool proof. Atleast, more so than any other plan she could hastily arrange. I chose not to disclose my plans to the Greybeards after returning the horn of Jurgen Windcaller. Delphine had made it clear that her order, the blades, did not see eye to eye with the monks of High Hrothgar. After finishing my final test, I was formally recognized by the Greybeards, receiving my title in a thunderous shout from my position directly in the center; the four of them surrounded me.
Delphine was waiting for me at the stables, Gareth and Krahmer were close behind me. I had already given my things that were to be smuggled in to Delphine's contact, Malborn. Malborn was a wood elf native that held a deep resentment toward the Aldmeri Dominion because of past events that lead to the death of his family, and slaughter of his people. He was only fortunate enough to become a part of this plan, and had long been parading as an employee at the Thalmor Embassy. In reality, he had spent years spying, waiting for the perfect opportunity to bring their operation in Skyrim to its knees. That is how he had come into contact with Delphine. She had done her homework, unlike the Thalmor, and sought him out.
Delphine scanned me from head to toe, and clicked her tongue.
"This will have to do I guess. The party clothes I gave you won't give you away like your common threads." My brow furrowed at her comment on my choice of attire, but I dismissed any emotions that tried to surface, knowing fully well that she was correct. Attending such a lavish event at the Embassy was no place for my simple cotton dress. I would be spotted in the crowd in no time, and instantly become a target for suspicion. The clothes Delphine presented me with were made of the finest material. She had no doubt purchased the Brown padded Robe from Radiant Raiment. It was a plain outfit, but suitable for the occasion. I wouldn't stick out like a sore thumb dressed in the finery that most of the nobles would be wearing, but I certainly wouldn't be instantly pegged as someone that wasn't supposed to be there.
I bit my lip, my nerves were on edge as I glanced around. I was about to come face to face with the Thalmor. My only other encounter with an agent of the Thalmor was within the College of Winterhold. Ancano had been an Advisor for the previous Archmage and he had turned out to be a bad apple from the start. Every story or encounter I had heard told of the Thalmor always ended is mischief. It was wise to avoid them, because they weren't an understanding group of people. They simply don't care about the common people, or mortals at all. All that mattered to them was their dominion and its reign over these lands.
"This is Elenwen's party. I don't have to explain to you how important it is to stay away from her. She could pick you out of the crowd as soon as you opened your mouth." Delphine furrowed her brow as she spoke. Her words only served to aid the hastened downfall of nerves that already threatened my demeanor. I felt a hand on my shoulder. I slightly glanced sideways to see a concerned Gareth. A man that had once seemed angry about such a ridiculous plan, now only seemed worried for my safety no doubt.
"You can do this My Lady. I'll be right outside the walls, listening in. If you are found out, don't you think for a minute I won't join you." I gave his enthusiasm a small smile. It was completely like Gareth to share words of encouragement before something like this.
"Here's your invitation. You're name has been added to the guest list already thanks to my contact within the blue palace. You'll give it to the Thalmor guard that will be posted outside of the gates. You're posing as Magdalene Dufone's Sister, since Magdalene won't be attending." Delphine nodded her head.
"Good luck Dragonborn. I hope you find the information we need. I would do this myself, but they know who I am. It's fate that has brought us together. We can join our forces once again and try to bring a balance back to this land." Delphine gave a small smile, something I wasn't used to seeing on her aged stoney face.
"Whenever you are ready, this carriage will take you there. Remember, feign ignorance when you see Malborn. He will be tending the bar. He has a plan of his own to sneak you into the residential area of the Embassy. If all goes well you can navigate from there, across the courtyard, and find Elenwen's office in the back building." Delphine paused, shaking something seemingly grim from her mind.
"I wish I could warn you of what you'll find there, it's not exactly a secret that Elenwen has her own dungeon. I can't imagine what torture people suffer within those confined walls." With that Delphine mounted her gravel colored steed and rode away from the stables.
I inhaled deeply in an attempt to calm my nerves. Krahmer's aggravated glare still occupied the area where delphine's figure had once stood. I knew fully well that Krahmer didn't like the idea, and he didn't seem very fond of the woman that had created such a plan. "So, She sends you in to do the dirty work while she gets to continue hiding, sounds cowardly." had been Krahmer's opinion on the matter. One last look toward the two and I slowly made my way to the wagon.
Upon arriving at the Embassy, I was granted a view that completely puzzled me. The grounds outside of the Embassy were rather bare, other than a few carriages and horses that were stabled in certain areas. The area was wooded, but the view above the trees was absolutely stunning. The sun had set, and the hazy clouds that had quickly rolled into Solitude, now only seemed to be a faint haze that tried to conceal the starry sky above. It almost looked magical as the northern sky lights danced, and the stars shown through.
The Thalmor guard before me cleared his throat as I slowly approached, my attention had been stolen by the view upon the mountain side that held the embassy.
"Invitation please." He spoke with a haughty tone that slightly dwindled the nerve I had mustered on the trip up the mountain. I straightened my back from the slight arch it had obtained while gazing at the sky, and handed the towering man my invitation. He opened the sealed paper and I watched, hiding the crawling nervous jitter that tried to surface. His eyes scanned the paper and he spoke.
"Mahrig Dufone, hmmm. So house Dufone of High Rock is taking an interest in Skyrim? I heard your allegiance was present within Solitude, but an actual member?" He folded the invitation and placed it inside of a metal strongbox that occupied the table beside him.
"Elenwen will be most pleased to see you I'm sure." He smiled a forced grin, and motioned me toward the towering metal doors before me. I tried my best to appear as nobility. I straightened my shoulders and gave a curt nod toward the cocky Elf, trying my best to resurrect my dignity from the distracted mess I had been prior. Delphine had chosen the Dufone name because a few ambassador's had accompanied Magdalene Dufone from High Rock. Her contact within the castle had tipped her off that M. Dufone would not be attending the Embassy party due to food poisoning, which left an opening for Delphine to squeeze me onto the list. Delphine had decided that I needed to use my own name, as to not cause confusion to my panicking mind if asked upon arriving. Now it was up to me to play the part as an observing noble from High Rock. This meant keeping my mouth closed and simply observing, as Delphine had pointed out numerous times. Her faith in me was non existent, and so it should have been. I was completely terrified.
I opened the Embassy doors to find a small corridor that lead to a bright room with loud chatter that seemingly echoed off of the stone walls. I caught sight of Malborn tending the bar on the right side of the room. His eyes found me, and then quickly returned to the cup he had been polishing with his rag. I started to take a step, wanting to make my way to the far wall where I would stand and observe, playing my part. That's when I caught sight of the tall Altmer woman coming my way. Her eyes were slightly narrowed, and held a questioning gaze. She came to halt in front of me, slightly blocking my exit of the corridor into the vast gathering hall. In the corner of my eye, I saw Malborn freeze, his actions later becoming hectic as he looked around his bar.
"I don't believe we have met, who might you be?" The woman asked.
"Mahrig, Mahrig Dufone." I answered, trying to maintain a professional front. One Delphine had clearly not guessed me to have.
"Ah, yes. I remember your name from the list. I'm Elewen, and this is my swaray, if you can call it that." She glanced around the room, giving off a rather bored appearance. She turned her attention back to me.
"What brings the Dufone's to this… To Skyrim?" She had clearly meant to insult the homeland of the Nords, but had decided in the face of civility to recede her opinion. I racked my brain, trying to remember why the Dufone's had arrived in Solitude with Ambassador's from High Rock. Delphine had given me a rough rundown of the situation incase I had found myself in a tight spot such as this one. I was prepared to give my story of coming to solitude to offer condolences to the Vicci family, cousin's of the emperor, on their loss of Vittoria due to assassination on her wedding day, but Malborn hastily grabbed Elenwen's attention.
"Uhm, Lady Elenwen, I hate to interrupt, but we are out of Cyrodilic Brandy. Do I need to run to the cellar and grab more?" His voice seemed rather professional, but I could sense the hint of tension in his shoulders as he had attempted to rush to my rescue.
"Ugh, How many times have I told you not to bother me over the simplest inconveniences? Serve the Colovian Brandy, I'm sure no one here will mind, and if they do they certainly wouldn't voice it." She gave him a stern look that was returned with a small nod from Malborn.
"I understand madame. Forgive me." He replied. With that Elenwen turned her attention back to me as a few more guests arrived, their entrance queued by the large metal door creaking open behind me.
"I guess we will have to get better acquainted later Mahrig Dufone. Please, enjoy the festivities." With that she made her way around me and greeted the group that had entered. I glanced over to see Malborn narrow his eyes in my direction. I slowly made my way to the bar, trying not to draw attention to myself. I lowered my voice and spoke.
"I'm ready when you are, what's the plan?" He pulled a bottle of Colovian brandy from beneath the bar and spoke.
"I'm sorry, we are out of Cyrodilic, but this Colovian brandy is sure to sate the Pallete's desire." His over enthusiasm did not match the look he was flashing in my direction. He lowered his voice and whispered.
"I need you to create a distraction, when everyone's attention is elsewhere I'll unlock the door and sneak you into the kitchen." He leaned upwards and pointed to a redguard that sat on a bench on the left side of our position, just past the entrance corridor. Elenwen had already ushered the new guests, which consisted of a few Jarls that Mahrig instantly recognized. Balgruuf was among them. She quickly turned around and grabbed the bottle of Colovian brandy. She would need to hurry before she was recognized.
She knew exactly what Malborn had meant by distraction, the redguard on the bench seemed a little tipsy, and the bottle of Colovian Brandy I held in my hands would do well as a distraction once it was in his.
Gareth
As soon as I heard the shouts begin in the courtyard, I readied myself from the concealed position I had taken up on the fence, shielded from view by an overhanging eave of the roof. Mahrig had been exposed. I had no idea why this had not been our entry point in the first place. It almost seemed as if Delphine had wanted to flaunt the intrusion in front of the Thalmor. Though, I had almost risked being discovered, trying to scale the wall in my heavy armor. It had taken quite the strength to hoist myself up on the wall in the first place. A potion of light foot had been involved. I could only pray that Mahrig would at least make it to the courtyard.
As if the God's had heard my silent prayer, I saw A head of ashen hair burst from the doors on the opposite side of the court yard. She was still wearing the party clothes that I had last seen her in, but this time she was armed with her sword, the sword she had hesitantly given to the wood elf to smuggle in for her. At Least he was successful in that area. I leapt down from my position on the wall, conveniently landing on a Thalmor wizard that had prepared a spell to launch at the unsuspecting Mahrig. The loud groan that came from below me on Impact caused every head in the courtyard to turn. About half a dozen Thalmor soldiers poured into the courtyard. Mahrig quickly rushed toward me, the ornamental bushes and trees slightly concealing her route. She grabbed the arm of my heavy armor and helped hoisten me up off of the unconscious wizard.
"How did you get in here?" Mahrig's eyes widened as I pointed to the towering fence behind me. The smooth stone wall was adorned with a spikey black fence at the top that had been meant to deter unwanted guests by promise of impalement.
"I'm not even going to ask…" She muttered.
"You don't have time to anyways." I said as I pointed toward the torch light that was quickly approaching.
"Right!" She squealed. The first of the Thalmor soldiers rounded the trees, one with a mace and the other carried two swords that she flaunted in a swift haze of dual wielding fury. Mahrig sent a fireball into the woman that carried the most threat first. One of the swords was knocked from her hands upon the fireballs impact, and sent a shockwave of flames that staggered the man who carried the mace.
I marveled at Mahrig's seemingly quick grasp of more advanced destruction magic. She had spent the last few weeks practicing her arts on the roads when we would encounter bandits and spiders, even the occasional wolf pack. Her practice had paid off as she sent another fireball into the oncoming group of Thalmor soldiers.
"I didn't intend for this to happen." She yelled over the screams of the soldiers as their skin burst to life with flames.
"You mean getting caught?" I asked as I quickly disarmed the once dual wielding thalmor agent that writhed on the ground.
"Yes, I was trying to sneak past a few thalmor that were in the residential area. Who knew they had a dog?" Her expression turned grim as she spoke.
After dispatching the last of the soldiers, Mahrig and I made our way to the office area of the Embassy. Loud shouts could be heard from the otherside of the courtyard walls, but we slipped in seemingly unnoticed. They would eventually find us though without a doubt, so we had to hurry.
We dispatched a few more soldiers, a human spy, and a remarkably well trained wizard that easily took me out of the battle rather quickly. The burst of energy that he sent towards me, while I shielded Mahrig, drained every last bit of energy I had intended to use in a swing to dispatch him as he readied another spell. My stamina was almost non existent for a few moments, only granting me the strength to pull myself up off of the floor as I watched Mahrig dance with him in a battle of spells. Her nimble use of swordplay came in handy as she dodged and weaved around his constant barrage of spells. He was obviously not as trained with a weapon, because his instincts to dodge were a bit slow and he mainly relied upon his use of a ward to deflect Mahrig's spells. That was his downfall in the end, because a ward doesn't shield the caster from physical weapons, and it was a deathly blow that Mahrig quickly rushed into that finished him.
Three dossiers were located within a chest in Elenwen's office. The names of the people listed within each were Delphine, Esbern and Ulfric Stormcloak. We also retrieved a few reports that didn't reflect well with Delphine's conspiracy that the Thalmor were somehow responsible for the return of the dragons. In fact, it was quite the opposite. The Thalmor suspected the blades had something to do with it, or atleast the knowledge concerning the dragon's return.
The sound of a hurried shouts filled the silence of the building from the hall. Mahrig quickly grabbed the key that was placed on a rack above a cellar door. I wasn't sure of where it lead, but I had a hunch. My hunch was unfortunately correct as we found ourselves in a room that was filled with cells and torture racks. I could see Mahrig's stomach churn, much as mine did, by the appearance on her face. She paled in comparison to the normal flushed appearance I was used to seeing on her. Another trap door was visible in a nook of the dungeon. Presumably, by the bloodstains that encompassed the area, it was where the dead bodies were dispatched after Elenwen had finished her interrogations. Most likely a cave would be present as with most Thalmor quarters. The easiest way for them to dispose of bodies was to let the wild life have at them.
"We know you are in here. Give up now or your accomplice die's." A woman's voice echoed through the despicable atmosphere of the dungeon. I heard the voice of the wood elf that had Mahrig had spoken to prior to coming to the embassy.
"Don't do it, my life is over with anyways." I watched as Mahrig's expression deepened from one of fear, to one of anger.
"Fine!" She yelled. My breath halted as I watched a slow burning fire enter her eyes. The dragon blood was surfacing. The Thalmor soldiers appeared at the top of the stairs, pushing the bosmer man in front of him. Any attempt Mahrig made to shout would no doubt catch him in its path, and they were attempting to use him as a living shield to prevent any magical attacks. I watched as a heavy sigh racked the bosmer's features before he turned quickly and grabbed elven sword, shoving the tall woman behind him backwards catching her off guard. The man beside him quickly reacted, and plunged his own sword into the bosmer's side. Mahrig burst into action quickly, sending a simple fire bolt into the male Thalmor. I knew her withdrawal from using a fireball was based on the fact that the explosion would also catch the Bosmer in its radius.
The Thalmor fought with the small area where the flame had hit him, trying to recover from the force that had knocked him back, and put out the flame that licked the surface of his elven armor. Mahrig cast another series of firebolts at him, a few catching the unarmored region of his neck, and lower half of his face. The female Thalmor soldier sent the limp Bosmer's body down the flight of stairs with a kick, and followed charging in my direction with her sword. I quickly responded, but was still weak from the earlier attack made on me by the wizard that had somehow drained my stamina. I brought my sword up to meet hers. As my steel sword clashed with her moonstone sword, sparks danced across our blades. I continued my best effort to deflect her swings, only able to act defensively. My strength had still not fully returned and an offense was out of the question.
I didn't have to worry about that though. Mahrig quickly ended the continuous attacks that the female Thalmor soldier delivered. A sword through her back presented itself into my view as it burst through the front of her armor. A few seconds prior I had heard Mahrig's shout of world wind sprint. She had used the force behind her sprint to send her sword through the hard elven material. I watched as the Altmer's body slid from Mahrig's bloodied sword, and landed with a heavy metallic thud onto the stone floor beneath us. Mahrig wasted no time searching the woman's body and producing a key that would hopefully aid us in opening the trap door. It did just that, but what we were presented with caused me to rethink our chances with the Thalmor that would soon be in pursuit.
A hulking troll stood before Mahrig as I turned away from the opening in which we had just jumped down from. A moment of hesitation on her part was all it took for the oversized troll, gorged on the remains that had been fed to him regularly, to get the jump on her. He swung with great force sending her into the wall with a loud crack that caused my body to go rigid. Her form collapsed momentarily, before her small delicate hand reached out and released a bout of flames that disoriented the huge beast before me. This was bad timing considering my strength was still not back. I readied my sword anyways, realizing in Mahrig's condition I would be the only way out of this mess. I landed a few blows that only seemed to irritate the disoriented troll further. His motions became erratic, and I narrowly missed a few of his wildly unplanned swings. I knew that trolls hated fire, and Mahrig must have known this as well, because her flames continued. I glanced over toward her, the pain was clearly written on her twisted face as she focused everything on releasing her power. I noticed that her left arm was oddly limp. I brought my sword in an upward motion as the troll charged toward me, sending my blade in a tearing motion up through his bowls and splaying a wide gash through the center of his chest. The roar that rang out through the cavern almost made me instinctively grab for my ears if my hands had not been occupied. As the troll fell forward I quickly jumped away from the path of impact, and brought my sword down as hastily as I could manage, burying the blade deep into the spine, crippling the beast's chances of walking, or even getting up. The hulking mass before me stopped moving, letting out a final ragged breath to signal its demise.
I quickly turned to Mahrig, who now clung to her left Shoulder with her right hand. Tears stained the dirt that had clung to her face upon impact with the dirt filled cavern walls. She was attempting a small healing spell that I quickly interrupted.
"This is going to take more than just a small healing spell Mahrig, but first we have to get out of here. The Thalmor will swarm this area soon." Some of my vigor had returned upon defeating the troll. The adrenaline rush had done wonders to awaken my stores of stamina, regenerating my reserves hastefully.
We made our way to a small cave, distancing ourselves from the mountain that that held the embassy, and gaining quick clearance of the cavern that would soon be crawling with Thalmor. After all it had been the only way out, and they knew that.
The cave was near the coast to the North, facing the ancient land of Atmora. The place was well illuminated by a few chambers in the ceiling that displayed the light from the two moons above. A Stream ran through the area, and a few moderately good sized fish could be seen swimming in the currents. It was a rather large cave, and had appeared much smaller upon entering, but the farther we traversed inward, the larger its towering ceiling became, and wider the stoney earth around us opened.
I sat Mahrig down beside the creek, and quickly grabbed the dead wood that littered the place from where people had seemingly made camp here before.
"Do me the honor?" I asked as I arranged the wood into a makeshift fireplace. I hated to ask Mahrig, knowing she was in a great deal of pain, but warmth was most important right now and we were both still chilled from the cold Northern winds that had been at our faces the lengthy trip here.
With a flick of her right hand a flame engulfed the dry wood that quickly burst to life with heat. I removed my armor, getting myself comfortable for the lengthy amount of healing time this would need. Also readying myself for the quick motion that would set Mahrig's arm back into place. One that would no doubt send her into a tirade of screams. I needed to do it properly and quickly. The faster it was executed, the less pain she would be in. Without any warning I grabbed her shoulder with my left hand and her elbow with my right, pushing with my right swiftly at a tilted angle toward the front of her torso. Mahrig's breath caught and a loud pop sounded through the cave chambers, followed by a scream.
Mahrig's jittery form caused my heart to sink, but the worst part was over, and her injury had not been as horrible as I had guessed it would be from the impact she had made on the wall in the previous cavern. For that I was thankful. That would cut heal time in half. The lower part of her arm, just above the wrist was broken, as well as her collar bone.
"Thank you Gareth." Mahrig said with a shaky breath as I finished healing her arm, next was her collar bone. Her eyes watched me slowly as I peeled the brown layer of clothing away from her chest.
"I'm sorry, The padding of the clothes was so thick, and my wrapping was warn and I failed to purchase a new one." Mahrig nervously rambled as her naked breast came into view. I wanted so badly to look away from the luscious swollen breast that blessed my sight. It had surprised me as well. However much I had wanted to look away, was met with a stronger desire to continue staring. I eventually pulled my gaze from Mahrig's chest and noticed that Mahrig had averted her gaze. She had been embarrassed, and hopefully had not seen me ogling her. My own face heated at the thought of my actions. I was taking advantage of Mahrig's injuries for my own personal reasons or at least that's what it had felt like as I realized what I had just done.
"No worries my lady. Its nothing I haven't seen before." I thought back to the night in Ivarstead, when I had been blessed with the opportunity to hold her partially bare body within my actions of my words didn't register until I looked up to see the crimson cheeks of the shocked woman looking back at me.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be so forward." I quickly corrected my freely spewed speech. What was wrong with me? Had the sight of Mahrig's breast fried my ability to think? I wasn't some young lad in his developing years anymore. I was a grown man, I should have planned my words better. I had clearly embarrassed her.
Instead of making the situation worse by talking, I simply focused my attention toward her broken collar bone. I could feel the calcium beneath her flesh mend slowly as the warm surge of restoration filtered through my fingertips. The bone would heal nicely.
"Can I ask you something?" Mahrig's cheeks had seemingly cooled from the heated mess she had become earlier. I continued releasing the gift of the God's through my fingers, feeling the last of the the bone sealing beneath my touch.
"Did I scare you?" I gave her a quizzical look. Not understanding what she meant.
"What do you mean my lady?" Mahrig slightly frowned.
"You used to use my name a lot more when addressing me to my face, but now you've resorted to my lady as of late." Her frown only deepened as she spoke. She gulped slightly as I pulled my hand away from the top of her chest, finishing the the mend.
"I said some things to you that night. When the dark brotherhood took me." A glint of fresh tears entered her eyes as I searched them for meaning. She was fighting the tears, but I could clearly see that it was a battle that she was losing.
"I shouldn't have said those things and I'm sorry. I shouldn't have confused you the way I did. Everything that happened that night was my fault, I know that." I froze as her rushed words registered. Mahrig was apologizing for telling me she loved me. A tear rolled down her cheek, breaking the threshold that her lower eyelid had given. I quickly wiped the tear, letting my hand linger on her cheek.
"Nonsense. You didn't scare me." Mahrig shook her head, pulling away from my touch. A slight pain entered my chest at her actions, making me realize the severity of the pain I must have caused her the night she had professed her love and I had foolishly ripped myself away from her. I lowered my gaze to Mahrig's quivering lip. I knew she had been hurt by my actions, but I had only been trying to protect her, protect her feelings and her dignity among other things. I closed my eyes and reflected on that night, letting every scene unfold before me again. The softness of her skin, the smell of her hair, the warmth of her body and the pure love on her face as she spoke to me. I had damaged her by rejection. Probably even more so than if I had surrendered to my selfish urges.
"I love you." I spoke the words effortlessly as I opened my eyes, causing Mahrig to halt her prepared words. The look on her face became that of confusion.
"Gareth, you're a Paladin…" She began before a sob interrupted her words.
"It was wrong of me to assume I could have you in such a way. I… I tried to corrupt y-"
Before Mahrig could continue her words I cut them off with a hard kiss as I grabbed her shoulders and pulled her to me. Her words were made up of silly insecurities made by my actions and I wanted to set that right. Mahrig slightly pulled away and peered into my eyes as she panted breathlessly.
"No, you don't have to prove anything to me. I understand. I don't want to force you to feel the same way about me." Mahrig's tears continued.
"Mahrig, I only pulled away because I didn't want to hurt you. I've seen some things in my past that foreshadowed something happening to me. I didn't want to take your innocence and leave this world, leave you." I could feel my brow knit together as I tried to urge Mahrig to understand, but the confusion on her face was hint enough that she didn't.
"Mahrig, the dark brotherhood was meant to kill me. An oracle revealed this to me a long time ago. When we found that note, I knew. I knew the time was nearing. I was being selfish with you and I knew it. I knew my time was drawing near and yet I still wanted you. I wanted to enjoy what time I had left with you. I wanted you to know I loved you, but I didn't know how to tell you…" I paused watching the revelation cross her features.
"I knew I could show you, but as soon as I heard your words…" I took a deep breath.
"I didn't want to use you Mahrig, that's what I would have been doing at that point." Mahrig clenched her eyes, and the tension that had built in her frame released with an exhale as I finished my explanation.
"But you didn't, and even though I've had a pretty rough month trying to understand your actions…" She looked into my eyes before continuing.
"I understand, and I'm grateful that you chose to do what you felt was right." She closed her eyes again as another tear slipped down the slope of her cheek. I pressed my forehead against hers and breathed in her scent. The smell of the cavern lingered on the both of us, giving me an idea. I stood slowly, bringing Mahrig to stand with me. With her gaze on me, I removed the plate armor that remained on my bottom half and laid it to the side. Next, my shirt and finally with little hesitation as Mahrig watched, my linen pants. I stood before her, completely bare.
Mahrig's cheeks turned bright crimson at my actions, but she slowly followed suit, and began lowering the collar of her dress clothes once more. I stepped forward, placing my hand over hers, guiding the motions, making the moment and simple action of undressing that much more intimate. Both breasts came into view as we let the padded cloth top slide from her figure and land on the ground at our feet. I pulled her closer, her bare skin joining mine in a warm embrace. I buried my face in her hair and inhaled the sweet scent that lay under the remnants of the cavern. Mahrig smelled of fragrant dragon's tongue, with a hint of honey. The smell that was Mahrig's usual aroma sent a shiver through my senses, causing the muscles in my back to go rigid. Her body was becoming puddy in my hands, and I furthered the sensation by placing small kisses that would send shockwaves through her tender neck. My hands slid down to her waste, loosening the pants that she had worn under her attire. My hands catching the fabric, slowly pushing the material over the smooth skin that her thighs presented.
I felt a moan escape Mahrig as my hands glided over her skin, exposing her bareness to match mine. Her arms found my shoulders as she pulled her body closer to mine. I used the surge of pleasure her action awoke within me to hoist her up, spreading her legs to wrap them around my waste. I felt my hard muscle below twitch as the heat between her legs neared. The quick motion caused a small squeak to escape Mahrig. Mahrig clung to me as her body hovered mere inches from my erect member. I walked us to the water of the stream, searching for an area that would suffice. The water was rather cold, but the state of our current hygiene and heightened senses would more than make up for the difference. I found an area waste deep, moving us into the deeper area slowly, letting my body adjust to the temperature.
I slowly lowered Mahrig into the water, allowing her to adjust as I had. Her nipples tightened and hardened into erect bundles on both breasts, my hand cupping one breast as my tongue quickly found the other. Mahrig gasped as the sudden sensation my tongue and finger surprised her with. Small moans escaped from deep within her chest, causing my shrinking member to stand erect and ready once more despite the cold water. My hardened member met with the soft skin just above Mahrig's navel. I pushed a little harder, relishing in the warmth her skin gave me as the cold water embraced everything else.
"Oh...Gareth." The quiver in her voice was all I needed.
"This is going to get really cold Mahrig." She opened her eyes, the pleasure clearly filled her aqua pools of blue.
"We can warm each other up afterwards." She smiled, with a hint of teasing. With that our bodies collapsed into the cold water that quickly engulfed our forms. Mahrig resurfaced at the same time, her teeth now chattering, but my Nord side quickly kicked in at the icy sensation. I wrapped her in my arms as she washed away the dirt that lingered on her skin, trailing small kisses along her shoulders. Her motions quickened, and she dunked once more, this time standing out of the water, and reaching for my hand. I followed.
She led me back to the small campfire, where our clothes lay not too far away displayed on the ground in the manner they had been discarded. With a quick adjustment made by Mahrig's foot, she created a makeshift pallet. I sat down on the clothes, and pulled her into my lap.
"Gareth…" She cooed, looking deeply into my eyes. Her eyes seemed hungry, starving even, for something only I could give her and had let her only taste once before. I pushed her from my lap, holding on to her hips, laying her back onto the clothes beneath us. I raised myself to hover above her, her breathing slightly hastening in anticipation. I leaned down to place another kiss on her soft lips, pressing my hard member against her inner thigh. She twitched beneath me, opening her legs wider, allowing me complete access to her hidden treasure trove, but I wouldn't give into her just yet. I could feel a shudder of pleasure form through the muscles of my back as she peered up at me through hooded eyes. I lowered my lips to her skin once again, and left a trail of kisses leading from her chest, to her stomach and below her navel, halting above the patch of soft fuzz that hid her most delicate flower. A flower that I intended to nourish and stimulate so that Mahrig could bloom.