AN: So it's not Raelynn or Farkas being saved in this one. A friend visits with a problem and Farkas has the solution.
Raelynn relaxed against the padded bench in the common area of Breezehome, taking pleasure in the comfortable cushions that ran the length of the seat and back. Farkas had surprised her with it, wanting her to have a place to sit that was comfortable like the bed, but not upstairs. Rodane was curled against her chest, snoozing away, dark hair a spiky mess on his head. Farkas sat across from her with Ana, bouncing her a little as he told her stories about his and Raelynn's adventures, all wildly exaggerated. "You're going to give her crazy ideas about me," Raelynn objected with a grin.
"She's two months old, Rae," Farkas responded absently. "She's not going to remember them.
"Mhm. And if you get in the habit of telling them, you'll never break it and then they'll both grow up thinking I'm a wild woman who can bash a dragon's skull in with a mace," she retorted.
He smirked at her. "Well, it's kind of true." She snorted and rolled her eyes but did not comment when he went back to his story telling. Ana stared up at him with wide green eyes, obviously enraptured by the sound of her father's voice. He was just finishing up a fantastic tale that involved her single handedly rescuing a ship of orphans and puppies when somebody knocked on the door. He glanced at Raelynn. "Are you expecting anybody?" he asked.
"No," she replied. "Are you?" He shook his head and rose, shifting Ana to rest against his shoulder where she promptly closed her eyes and fell asleep. He opened the door and grunted in surprise. Whoever was outside spoke too quietly for Raelynn to understand and she tilted her head as she waited.
"Oh, uh. Yes. Sure you can come in. Welcome to our home." He stepped back and bowed awkwardly and Raelynn blinked in shock when Jarl Elisif the Fair and Bolgeir Bearclaw stepped into the house.
"My Jarl," she blurted, fumbling with Rodane in an attempt to stand.
"Don't you dare get up," Elisif ordered and Raelynn froze where she was. The Jarl walked across the room, seemingly not noticing or caring that she was standing in the tiny living room of a little house. "May I sit?" she asked. Raelynn nodded, exchanging a quick glance with Farkas over Elisif's head.
"Um, what brings you here?" Raelynn asked, watching as Elisif removed her cloak and handed it to Bolgeir before fussing with her dress, somehow still looking regal despite the fact that she was sitting inside Breezehome and not her palace. Bolgeir moved to stand by the door, Elisif's ever present silent shadow.
"Two things," the young woman said. "First, I wanted to meet your babies and see how you were doing! I just found out about them only a week ago." She slapped Raelynn on the leg. "I can't believe you didn't write me."
Raelynn laughed and shifted so that Elisif could see Rodane. "I've been a little busy," she responded. She had meant to write the other woman several times but as soon as she sat down to start the letter, one of the babies would wake up and demand attention.
"I'm sure," Elisif laughed. She stroked his hair and cheek, a soft look falling across her face. "Oh he's beautiful," she sighed. "What's his name?"
"Rodane," Raelynn answered and then nodded to Farkas. "And that's Ana." She tilted her head and Farkas willingly offered the baby to the Jarl. Elisif extended her arms and carefully accepted the child, cradling her to her chest.
"She's beautiful too. You two make gorgeous babies," she said with a smirk at Raelynn and Farkas. The Breton mage giggled when Farkas blushed.
"Farkas," Raelynn started, wanting to give him a break. "Why don't you take Bolgeir up to Jorrvaskr and show him around the Mead Hall and the Skyforge. This is your first time in Whiterun, isn't it?" Bolgeir nodded and Farkas grinned at her in thanks, obviously relieved she was giving him an escape. He was fine when the Companions were visiting, but strangers, especially women, made him uncomfortable when they started talking about everything Raelynn was going through after having the babies. "Just, don't get lost up there," she added. Farkas nodded, ushering Bolgeir out the door.
"How have you been?" Elisif asked, shifting Ana in her arms.
Raelynn smiled at her. "I've never been better," she admitted. "The twins are wonderful and Farkas has been… more than I could have hoped. He helps around the house, he helps with the children. He's not afraid to change them or burp them or anything. I don't think I could have done this without him." She shook her head. "I'll admit, I figured he would go stir crazy after a week. He usually did up at Jorrvaskr, never made it more than a handful of days before he picked up a contract and left."
"It's a bit different now though, right? I mean, he has you and the babies. I'm sure he'll want to start adventuring again at some point, but I imagine he'll wait until they're older. It's obvious he adores all of you," Elisif commented. Rodane woke with a squall and Raelynn shifted him so that she could feed him. She looked up at the other woman, taking in the lines around her mouth and the dark circles under her eyes.
Raelynn reached out, gripping Elisif's hand. "I'm sorry," she said quietly and the Jarl looked at her in surprise. "I didn't want to help him. I didn't even want to fight in the war. Honestly I had forgotten all about the promise I made him and if he hadn't sent for me, I never would have followed through." She bit her lip and turned her head, unable to face the other woman. "I was so happy when I figured out I was pregnant, because that meant I wouldn't have to help them sack your city."
Elisif sighed and squeezed Raelynn's hand. "I know," she murmured. "And I don't blame you. You went to Tullius first, after Balgruuf, and asked him to help you, but he refused. If either of them would have had enough of a backbone to stand with you against Ulfric right away..." She tugged on Raelynn's hand until the Breton looked at her. "You were on a quest to save Skyrim and neither of them cared, they were only worried about keeping their city intact, or doing what the Thalmor approved. You needed help immediately and Ulfric offered it, and the price he gave you wasn't completely unreasonable. If I had been you, I probably would have done the same thing."
"You're not mad at me?" Raelynn whispered.
Elisif shook her head. "No. I blame Tullius and Balgruuf. And Ulfric. Not you." Raelynn exhaled in relief and hugged the other woman as best as she could with one arm and around two babies. She was fond of Jarl Elisif, the woman was the only Jarl besides Balgruuf who had not sneered at her immediately upon meeting her. Unfortunately when Raelynn needed his support, Balgruuf had not come through for her and even though Elisif had wanted to help, Tullius had refused. They sat in silence for a little longer and Raelynn took the opportunity to switch Rodane and Ana. Elisif twirled her fingers through his hair, grinning. "I do need to ask you a favor," she said finally. "Or for some advice." Raelynn arched a brow expectantly.
"I've been summoned to Windhelm," Elisif explained, settling back against the cushioned back of the bench and raising Rodane to her shoulder to burp him. "The missive was curt and didn't have a lot of details, but there have been murmurs that Ulfric is looking for a wife. He needs one to give him an heir."
Raelynn blinked slowly as she considered this information. Elisif was patting Rodane on the back almost without thought, a dreary look on her face. Raelynn started, jostling Ana into a slight wail. She soothed the child and gaped at Elisif. "Do you think he's summoned you to Windhelm to marry him?" she asked.
The question seemed to snap Elisif back to reality and she shrugged, ignoring when Rodane spit up on her shoulder. Raelynn handed her a spare cloth and Elisif wiped his chin and blotted up the liquid on her shoulder and then shifted him to the other one. "Why else would he contact me after all this time? The war's been over for ages and I haven't heard from him since the day he sacked my city. If I were conspiring against him, or trying to start an uprising I would understand, but he took the throne unopposed. Gods, I even told him which of the Jarls had come to me asking me to stand against him at the Moot!" Raelynn tilted her head in surprise. She had wondered why there had been a sudden change in leadership at Riften and Falkreath despite the Jarls there swearing fealty to Ulfric. Elisif hiccupped. "He has no reason to send for me except to marry me," she whimpered.
The Jarl sucked in a shaky breath and Raelynn could see that she was near her breaking point. When she thought about it, it made sense. Elisif was attractive, young, and her people loved her. She may have sworn fealty to Ulfric, may have supported him in the Moot and ousted the dissenters, but she was truly the only person who still had enough power to oppose him, except maybe for Raelynn herself. Marrying her and impregnating her would secure Ulfric's hold on Skyrim for good. "So what favor, or advice, do you need from me?" Raelynn asked.
"I can't marry him, Rae. I just can't. I mean, never mind the fact that he's old enough to be my father, he killed the man I loved! He has been systematically forcing non Nords out of Skyrim, something that I absolutely am not okay with, and the thought of him naked…" she trailed off and gagged a little. In her arms Rodane cooed and she moved him so that he was balanced in front of her on her lap, her free hand curling over her stomach. "And carrying his child. Knowing I would be bringing it into a relationship where the parents barely tolerate each other. I can't do that Rae." She looked at the Breton, desperation clear on her face. "Please. I can't marry him. You have to help me figure out how to get out of it," she begged.
Raelynn's mouth flopped open and closed a few times and then she sighed. "Unfortunately, I don't know much about Nord traditions," she started and held a hand up when Elisif looked ready to protest. "So I'm not going to be much help, but my husband, on the other hand, knows a thing or two about them."
Elisif's eyes widened. "You want to tell Farkas? I haven't even told Bolgeir about it. He thinks we're just traveling around Skyrim."
Raelynn gave Elisif an amused look. "You told him that you were traveling around Skyrim, what? Just for fun? And you're just going to happen to stop in the city where the High King resides. The High King who killed your husband and usurped your throne? You really think he's going to believe that?" Elisif glowered at Raelynn. Raelynn patted her hand. "When they get back, we'll ask them."
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"Huh," Farkas grunted when Raelynn finished explaining Elisif's dilemma. He leaned back, a thoughtful look on his face.
"I knew something was going on," Bolgeir exploded, practically bursting from his chair. Elisif glared and shushed him, glancing towards the bedroom where the twins were asleep. Long angry strides took Bolgeir across the room and back and when he spoke next his voice was soft, but still full of rage. "I knew something had happened," he hissed, stabbing his finger against the table while he looked at Elisif. "You've been weepy for a week and you're not sleeping again. It's almost as bad as right after Torygg-"
"I know Bolgeir," Elisif interrupted him, tears gathering on her lower lashes. "That's why I wanted to stop here, to see if the Dragonborn could help."
"And what? I'm not good enough to help you?" he snapped back.
She closed her eyes, tears leaking down her cheeks. "Gods, Bolgeir, really?" she choked out. "If I'm going to stand against him, even in this one thing, I need to have her support." She glared at him sideways. "Besides, I knew your first reaction would be to storm off to Windhelm and try to fight him and then he would have killed both of the men-" She cut herself off and curled her arms around her stomach. Farkas and Raelynn shared a look. "Both you and Torygg," she finished softly.
Bolgeir visibly reined in his anger and bowed his head. "Apologies, my Jarl," he said softly. "I should not have spoken out of turn."
She shook her head. "It's okay," she told him. "Your vehemence when it comes to my safety and security is why you are such a good Housecarl." Bolgeir folded himself back into his chair, though rage kept him sitting straight and stiff.
Farkas shrugged and reached for his tankard, tapping the table thoughtfully as he did. "Your problem's not as hard to solve as you think it is," he drawled, taking a long pull of mead. Elisif straightened abruptly, blinking at him and Raelynn could see Bolgeir's jaw moving as he ground his teeth together. She crossed her arms and arched a brow at Farkas. He took his time finishing his mead and then set the tankard down. "Just get married," he stated.
Bolgeir leapt from the chair again but was able to keep from yelling anything. "What?" Elisif snapped. "I'm trying to keep from having to get married," she added.
Raelynn reached over and placed a hand on Elisif's shoulder, her eyes on Farkas as she considered his suggestion. "No, he's right," she agreed, shifting to face Elisif fully. "If you get married before you go to Windhelm, Ulfric can't wed you. Mara's teachings don't allow for divorce. He would have to kill your husband before he could wed you and if he did kill your husband, he'd end up with more enemies than he already has." She reached for her tankard, wishing for a moment it held mead or wine, anything stronger than water.
"He could always hire somebody to kill my husband," Elisif retorted. "I've heard the rumors. The Dark Brotherhood is in Skyrim."
Raelynn choked on a mouthful of water, bending over and coughing as she tried to get air into her lungs. Farkas rubbed her back gently. "We're not without contacts," he said firmly. "If you have the gold, we'll get word to the right people to keep you and your husband safe."
Elisif eyed both of them suspiciously. "I don't even want to know," she responded. "How much gold?"
Raelynn shrugged as she straightened. "We'd have to ask."
"Are you listening to yourself?" Bolgeir interrupted. "You're asking how much gold it will cost to buy protection for your imaginary husband from a gang of assassins who you think might be hired to kill him one day by the man who murdered your first husband!"
"It's a good idea Bolgeir," Elisif retorted, eyes flashing fire. "They're right. Ulfric won't be so bold as to challenge the teachings of Mara and he won't kill whoever my husband is outright. If I can buy off the Brotherhood then he'll have to find somebody else to be his breeding cow." She rubbed her arms as she hugged herself. "I just don't know who I would marry. I don't really know anybody but the Thanes and priests in Solitude. Or the other Jarls. And I would hate to marry a stranger."
"It can't be a Thane or Jarl," Farkas stated. At Elisif's surprised look he shrugged. "If you marry a Jarl or a Thane, even if it's a Thane from Solitude, it will look like a political union, like you're marrying for power. If you marry a commoner then he has no arguments to refute your marriage."
"That leaves even less options," Elisif sighed, head dropping until her chin rested against her chest. Her hair fell around her face, shielding it from view. She tilted it slightly and looked at Farkas between the strands. "Don't you have a brother?" she started hesitantly. "Would he want to get married?"
Farkas and Raelynn burst out laughing and Elisif jerked her head up to glare at them. "Apologies, Jarl Elisif," Farkas explained between chuckles. "But my brother would be more interested in your Housecarl than you."
Elisif glanced at Bolgeir and her cheeks tinged pink as she figured out the implications. "Ah. I see." She cleared her throat. "Any other Companions then?"
"What about Bolgeir?" Raelynn suggested. She had been watching his muscles get steadily tighter as Elisif and Farkas spoke. At his name he jolted in his chair and looked at her warily.
The color on Elisif's cheeks darkened and spread down her neck and Raelynn bit back a grin. "Bolgeir?" the Jarl murmured, carefully not looking at the man in question.
Raelynn nodded and leaned back in her chair, holding her hand up to tick off the reasons she thought he would be a good choice. "First, he's a Nord. I know that's probably not important to you, but it will be to Ulfric. Second, he's a commoner. Third, he's a warrior so there's no question that he would be able to keep you, and himself, safe. Fourth, he's been your Housecarl for ages, you know you can trust him. Fifth, he's not too bad to look at." She grinned and winked at him and he made a strange kind of choking noise.
"You forgot the most important point, Love," Farkas continued for her. "The lovely young Jarl is obviously already completely head over heels in love with him and I'm fairly certain he's rather taken with her as well."
"What?" Elisif exhaled. Bolgeir looked like he was torn between arguing and fleeing.
"It makes sense," Raelynn explained. "He's been your Housecarl for a long time. He was there for you when you lost Torygg. He saw to your safety during the war and kept you protected when the Stormcloaks took your city. Even in the aftermath he remained steadily at your side. Honestly it'd be a small wonder if you hadn't fallen in love with him."
"But I-" Elisif protested weakly. She looked away from them and to her Housecarl. "Bolgeir?" He did not answer, Raelynn was fairly certain he was not able to, his jaw was clenched so tight.
"Oh, listen Rae. Sounds like the babies are awake. C'mon, let's go check on them," Farkas said, grabbing her arm and pulling her to standing.
"What?" she questioned, brow knit in confusion. "I don't hear anyth-" Farkas yanked her into the bedroom and closed the door. Raelynn checked and both children were still sound asleep. She rounded on him and poked him in the chest. "What was that for?" she asked.
"They needed to be alone to talk," he replied. "So, I got you out of there without being obvious about it."
"Oh," she replied. "Now what?"
He shrugged and settled on the small toddler bed that was much too big for either of the twins to use yet. "We wait," he answered.
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Raelynn had her ear pressed to the door, trying to hear anything on the other side. Farkas was sprawled across the floor, using the babies' toys and dolls to act out epic battles. The twins were awake but both seemed to be content to lay in their beds and watch the hanging decorations Vilkas and Eorlund had crafted for them. "They're not yelling anymore," Raelynn whispered.
"Are they still there?" Farkas asked, not looking up from where a doll was bashing a toy dragon over the head with a mallet.
"I think so," she murmured. "I didn't hear the door open." She heard what she thought might be a moan and her face flushed. "Oh. Uh. I think they've come to an agreement," she stammered, scampering away from the door to join Farkas. He glanced at her and chuckled.
"Good," he murmured. "Now come help me defeat Alduin the World-Eater. I can't do it without the Dragonborn." Raelynn rolled her eyes but picked up another doll and soon the two of them were laughing as the toys piled up on the dragon, defeating him soundly and saving the world. Farkas grinned and kissed her forehead. "And the Dragonborn saves the day again," he said.
"I couldn't have done it without my trusty Companion," she replied with a wide smile. She leaned up to kiss him when the door behind them opened.
"Oh! Sorry," Elisif blurted. Raelynn tilted her head and studied the woman. Her dress was on, though she had missed two buttons and her hair was a mess, but she looked rather happy. Bolgeir was seated at the table, still putting pieces of armor back on.
"Not a problem," Raelynn responded with a smirk and Elisif blushed and it looked like she tried to stop smiling and was not able to.
"I'm guessing you decided marrying Bolgeir was a good idea," Farkas commented, sweeping the toys up into a chest and then scooping up both children. Raelynn scrambled to her feet and followed him out of the room. Elisif nodded, casting a shy glance towards Bolgeir. "Well you're lucky," Farkas continued. "There's a priest of Mara staying at the Bannered Mare right now. I'm sure he'll marry you here, then you don't have to worry about sneaking to Riften to do it."
Elisif gaped at him. "Oh! But I don't have… I mean, we don't have an Amulet of Mara or… I need a dress and shoes and time to plan," she stammered.
Bolgeir took her hand and squeezed it. "He's right. We don't have time. We must wed now or Ulfric could stop it."
She opened her mouth to protest and Raelynn touched her shoulder with a smile. "We'll get it sorted," she assured the other woman. "Farkas, you take Bolgeir and get Erandur and round up a few of the Companions to come witness. Meet us under the Gildergreen in thirty minutes?" He nodded and she reached out and took the babies from him and accepted his kiss. He motioned for Bolgeir to follow him and the two men disappeared. Elisif looked helplessly at Raelynn. Raelynn could not stop the giggles that erupted from her mouth when she realized some of Bolgeir's warpaint had rubbed off on the other woman's neck. "C'mon Jarl of Solitude. Let's get you cleaned up and looking more like a blushing bride rather than a woman who was just ravished by her lover." Elisif gasped but did not retort as Raelynn led her upstairs.
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Raelynn sighed happily as she watched Erandur conduct the ceremony for Elisif and Bolgeir. She had found the Amulet of Mara she had worn for Farkas and given it to the Jarl and the blue and gold medallion glinted in the torchlight as dusk fell. Raelynn had sent Mila to pick some flowers while she helped Elisif get cleaned up. Some had been woven into the Jarl's hair and the others she clutched to her abdomen. She wore a simple gown that had been borrowed from Carlotta and her feet were bare, which amused Farkas to no end. Bolgeir wore his armor, which had been buffed to a shine.
The ceremony was short and after everybody returned to Jorrvaskr to celebrate. Tilma took the twins to her room, freeing up Farkas and Raelynn to enjoy themselves without worry. It was several hours later when Elisif collapsed into a chair next to Raelynn with a wide grin. The Companions had been steadily pouring wine and mead into her and all the men had taken her around the floor at least once in a wild dance. "I can see why you like it here so much," Elisif said to Raelynn. "They're great!"
Raelynn grinned. "Sometimes they fight horribly, but most of the time, it's pretty nice," she agreed.
Elisif sighed and laid her head against Raelynn's shoulder, watching as Farkas and Vilkas took turns challenging Bolgeir to strong arm. "Ulfric's going to be so mad," she whispered. "But I don't care." She giggled a little and Raelynn snorted.
"Ulfric can't challenge both of us. And I'll stand by you in this," Raelynn replied. Elisif hummed in agreement and Raelynn glanced down at her with a grin. "Bolgeir," she called, jostling the young woman awake. "You better come get your wife and go now if you want to have any kind of wedding night. She's nearly passed out!"
Bolgeir slammed Vilkas' arm down and then strode across the room, scooping Elisif up in his arms. She giggled wildly as he carried her to the stairs. Elisif struggled in his arms, using his shoulder as leverage to straighten up and point regally at the Companions. "We are not to be disturbed until at least lunch time tomorrow. By order of the Jarl!"
"You're not the Jarl here," Athis called playfully.
"By order of her ornery husband then who wants to enjoy his new bride," Bolgeir snarled and Athis tipped his head, wide grin on his lips. Elisif gasped and slapped his chest lightly and he ignored her, hauling her down to the Harbinger's rooms. Since Raelynn and Farkas were staying in Breezehome they had agreed the new couple could borrow the bedroom for at least the night.
Farkas settled into the chair that Elisif had been in previously and curled an arm around Raelynn's shoulders. "I like this," he murmured against her hair. She hummed her question in response. "Where you and I work together to save somebody else. I think this is much better than me saving you. Or, gods forbid, you saving me."
She tilted her head back and grinned at him. "It was fun, wasn't it? We should do this more often."
"I couldn't agree more," he replied.
AN: This… did not go the way I thought it was going to go. I think I like it better this way though than my original plan. And I know my muse likes it better, lol!