Chapter 28
Ragnthor
They drove all night like that.
Ragnthor wasn't sure when Lydia had fallen asleep but sometime late he noticed her falling off the wagon. He quickly shifted the reins to one hand and wrapped his arm around. He smiled as he looked down at her then snapped the reins, urging the horses to move a little faster.
He didn't notice the sunrise, the beat of the horse's hooves and the jolting of the wagon had lulled him into a daze, leaving him only aware of danger and where the road was going. What he did notice was Lydia stretch and yawn.
She blinked as she looked at him. "Where are we?"
He smiled and kissed her. "About a day and a half's travel past Riverwood."
She jolted and looked around. "Did you drive all night?"
He smiled and nodded. "Aye. I plan to drive as long as I can so we can spend more time down there. We promised Ralof 2 months. If it takes us a month to get there then we will only get a day. If I drive day and night for 2 weeks, stopping only to rest the horses, I can have us past the Imperial City. That would give us a week to rest and a slower drive back."
She nodded. "But what if I want to…" Her face flushed.
Ragnthor laughed. "Well then I will stop the horses in the first grove I find." She blushed brighter and swatted him.
"Well now you're awake, I can move faster. You are free to sit up here with me or ride in the back."
She gave him a look like she had just remembered something and crawled over the seat and into the back. He laughed and urged the horses to move faster, planning to hold that pace until it was time for the first break, knowing that he would make the best time today while the horses were still mostly fresh. As they broke into a lope, he heard Lydia yelp and start to curse.
"Are you alright Lydia?"
She shouted at him in mock anger. "Of course I'm alright! Just give warning before you do something that could cause me to…" Her voice cut off.
He smiled. "To do what?"
She snorted at him. "Never mind, you. Keep your eyes and mind on the road and quit pestering me."
He laughed as the horses found a good working stride and they rolled down the road.
The breeding of the horses shown through. Through careful handling by Ragnthor, they went through the day and most of the night. When he pulled to a stop it was in a small bunch of trees next to a smaller stream.
Ragnthor unhitched the horses and brushed them down. Then he led them to the stream and let them have a small drink before tying them in the biggest patch of grass he could find.
The he walked over to the wagon to pull out his sleeping gear. When he got there he found Lydia holding a needle and thread, completely surrounded be pieces of cloth of various sizes and shapes. He shook his head, conceding that he would never know women because all he knew of Lydia was she hated any kind of needle work, even patches to the leather in her armor. He pulled a blanket over her and kissed her brow. Still fast asleep, she shook her snorted and reached up to brush him away.
He laid his blanket next to a tree, no more than 10 feet from the wagon, and leaned against it. He pulled out his pipe and lit it, enjoying the taste and slipping into a peace that he hadn't felt in years.
He was still awake when the sun rose a few hours later. He pushed himself up and lit a fire. He pulled a pot out of the wagon and threw some food in it. As he was waiting for it to cook he looked around where he had made camp. A large rock caught his eye.
He walked over and tried to pick it up. It barely moved. He relaxed then strained with everything he had. He was about ready to give up when, muscles feeling like they want tear, slowly it started to rise from the ground. He lifted it over his head and stood there, enjoying the weight and feel of the strain. Then he threw it. It barely went 6 feet before hitting the ground with a thud. He scowled and picked it up again, struggling ever harder. Then he threw it again with the same result.
He had just picked it up again when he heard a voice behind him. "What are you doing?"
He almost dropped the rock as he turned. "Shite Lydia, don't sneak up on me. This thing weighs close to, if not, 300 lbs."
Her eyes grew wide. "But what are you doing with it?"
He felt his arms start to shake so he turned and threw it, managing to get one more foot. "Off the top of my head, I don't really know. But I guess it was to test my strength."
She got a questioning look in her eyes. "Why?"
He hung his head. "Because who I am is so intertwined with my strength. Shite, 2 years ago I could pick up something twice that heavy and pack it almost a mile before having to put it down or throw it father than 12 feet with enough force to knock a man back. I could pack one of the massive logs that Hod and Gerdur cut into planks from Riverwood to the house. 2 weeks ago I barely manage to climb down the city walls packing a scrawny bard. There were times I felt like I was going to slip and fall."
She walked up and put her hand on his shoulder. "I understand. I felt the same way after that winter trapped in the cabin." She smirked up at him. "Just try not to wake me up next time." He snorted and rubbed her arm.
"So what's for breakfast?"
He smiled at her. "Porridge."
Her mouth literally fell open. "You didn't! Tell me you didn't!" He smiled and lifted the lid and there it was, bubbling and thick. "Why? Why? I haven't eaten porridge in 3 years and I haven't missed it."
His smile grew bigger. "Because I want our first real meal together to be something we bonded over." She looked like she was going to hit him as he continued. "And I have been up for nigh 4 days and I wanted to make something easy."
She glared at him. "And yet you have the energy to pick a boulder."
He laughed. "It was just a large rock and you're right. I should have made something better and ignored the stone. "
He Sat down and patted the log next to him. "Are you going to stand there and sulk or eat?"
She stood there a moment and he honestly thought she was going to walk away before she came and sat down. As she sat he dished the food. Then they ate in silence, having finally reached the point where they realized that even though they had been living together, it was different to have the person be bound to you and you to them.
After they finished they sat in silence, not knowing what to say. Finally Lydia broke it. "So what are the plans for today?"
Ragnthor stretched. "Well I am going to get some sleep. I think it's time. With some warm food in my belly and the driving daze driven from my mind I think sleep will come easy."
She looked up at him in shock. "Sleep? That's you big plan for the first time we are out of the wagon on our honeymoon?"
He smiled and kissed her head. "Well some of us didn't get any sleep the last few days. And I don't plan on sleeping long, just long enough to let the horses regain their wind. Wake me an hour before sunset and we will be off."
He stood and walked over to the horses as she spoke. "So you don't want to spend time with me. That's fine, I get it." He looked back and saw a smiled play with her features.
He smiled. "Hush now. I will give you more time to work on the sewing project you have."
She gasped. "Did you look at it?!"
He shook his head. "No. I figure you will tell me when you're ready. But anyway, if I drive like this for the next week, we will be out of Skyrim. A week longer and we will be where I am planning on going."
She huffed. "Fine, sleep the day away, see if I care." He smiled and shook his head.
He untied the horses and led them to the stream, letting them drink their fill this time. Then he staked them in new patches of grass before leaning against the tree. As he was closing his eyes he saw Lydia go over to the rock and try to roll it over. He smiled as he drifted off to sleep.
Lydia
As soon as she thought Ragnthor had closed his eyes, she went over to the rock he had thrown. She pushed it and it didn't budge. She pushed it harder and it still didn't move. She scowled and got low, bracing her shoulder against it and threw her whole body into it. She was just about to give up when it started to roll. She gave it all she had and it rolled over with a soft thud.
She stood there breathing then looked over at Ragnthor. She looked closer at him than she had since he had gotten back. Even with all the work he had been doing, he still looked like he had lost over 100 lbs. He looked little more than skin and bones and yet he had been able to lift something that she had barely been able to roll and had told her that he was once able to do more, much more. She looked at him, realizing that even after all she had seen, it was but a glimmer of his true strength.
She shook her head and pulled her bedroll out of the wagon and spread it in the shade near the stream. Then she pulled her project out of the wagon and brought it over.
As she spread out what she had done she scowled. As one who strove for perfection in all she did, the mismatched shapes and jagged stitches drove her mad. She looked up at the sky and, seeing that she had almost a full day before her, pulled out her sharpest, smallest knife and slowly started taking out every stitch, preparing to start all over again.
She was just getting back to where she had been, honestly not doing much better but choosing slightly different pieces of cloth, when she looked up and saw it was time to wake Ragnthor. As she was walking over to him, she stopped and made a fire, deciding to cook dinner before waking him, letting him get as much sleep as he, knowing that it would be another day or more before he would stop to grab a few more hours of sleep.
After she had dinner ready she walked over and pushed on his shoulder. "Ragnthor, its time to get up. Ragnthor, come on…honey."
She felt his shoulder jerk in laughter and instantly knew he had been faking. "Did you really just call me honey? That's shockingly sweet."
She huffed. "Well see if it happens every again."
He pushed himself off the ground and hugged her. "Don't be insulted, sweetums, it really was sweet."
She tried and mostly failed to hold back the laughter. "I will admit, maybe we shouldn't use names like that."
Ragnthor nodded. "We really aren't meant to be sweet and cute, are we my little one?"
She smiled and nodded. "No we aren't, are we…" she paused, trying to think of a name for him. Several ran through her head, protector, guardian, savior, but none really would work as a pet name, or would just sound needy.
"How did you think of little one?"
Ragnthor looked deep in thought. "Well I do stand head and shoulders above you. But I guess it come back when we were little. After protecting you a few times I just came to think of you as my little one. And while that doesn't really fit any more, you are more that capable of saving yourself, but that name holds the same spot in my heart as you."
She felt her face flush and she swatted him. "Stop that or you'll turn into the same romantic fool that Balgruuf is."
He smiled and kissed her. "How do you know I'm not already?"
She swatted him again. "Because you sat there for the gods know how long watching me make dinner without saying a word."
He smiled as they walked over to the fire. "I was only awake for an hour or so. I woke about the time you were supposed to wake me up. I sat there to see how long it would take you to come get me."
Lydia sat down. "You are such a dirty faker. How did you get so good at that?"
She watched a shadow cross his face as he turned to the horses. "I have been on the losing side of many fights. There are times the enemy utterly decimated us and their commanders sent men out to check the dead and spear those still living. I survived more than my fair share by not flinching as a stripling drove his spear into my side or chest to make sure I was dead or by breathing so slowly that they couldn't see the weapons already in me move. You get good at faking after a while." He walked over to the horses.
She cursed herself for causing him to think of that again. "I'm sorry for bring that up. I need not have made you think of it."
Ragnthor smiled at her as he hitched the horses to the wagon. "Its fine. I haven't been in that kind of situation in 6, almost 7 years now."
He walked over and sat down, taking her hands. "There are things I don't like thinking about, and over the years you will stumble upon them. And that's alright. I won't have you walking on egg shells around me. You are the only one I ever want bring them up. You're the only person I trust."
She nodded, taken back by his abrupt honesty then she turned to the horses. "Are you really planning on driving all night again? We don't have to go to Cyrodiil if it's going to cause you to do this."
He nodded. "You're right, as usual. We don't have to go. But tell me, have you ever been outside of Skyrim in your almost 31 years?"
She hit him, hard, as she shook her head. "I didn't think so. So shouldn't you be able to leave and see more of the world? The empire has achieved a peace that might not be here in 20 or 30 years when what children we may have are grown."
She looked at him, a little shocked that he had thought about it this way, as he continued. "But this time, instead of me convincing you to follow my path, you are free to choice where we are going, being my equal partner. If you want, I will unhitch the horses and spend the night with my arms wrapped around you, deep in peaceful sleep. In the morning I will hitch the horses and turn them in whichever way you want to go. I know several places here in Skyrim that can match the beauty of the barrow near Solitude." She smiled at the memory.
She looked him in the eye. "Let's go to Cyrodiil. You're right, as you most often are. I haven't left Whiterun Hold until you came back and I have never left Skyrim in my 30 years."
Ragnthor smiled. "Well then let's eat then repack the wagon." Lydia nodded and served the food.
The next week continued like that. Ragnthor would drive for up to 2 days straight, stop long enough to rest the horses then started again. During that time Lydia would sew until she wanted to tear her hair out in frustration at the quality of her work. She would usually manage a few hours then she would crawl up and sit by Ragnthor, looking out at a part of the world she had never seen.
On the morning of the 7th day she woke to find the wagon not moving. She crawled out of her blankets and onto the seat next to Ragnthor. She was taken back by the sight she saw.
They were on the edge of a steep hill, almost a cliff, overlooking a great forest that, on the edge of her vision, seemed to taper off to a grassland. There was a slight glitter in the distance. She looked up at Ragnthor and saw that he had a peaceful smile, one she had rarely seen.
Ragnthor looked down at her. "Welcome to Cyrodiil, little one."
She got a shocked look. "When did we get here? Last night we were deep in the mountains."
Ragnthor laughed. "Oh I dropped out of the Jeralls 5 or so hours ago. Finally found this spot an hour ago. My first time through Pale Pass and I had to drive slow to get you the view I wanted. My fist time seeing the province from this direction as well."
She hugged him. "Oh, it's lovely. When are we going to get through the forest?"
Ragnthor kissed her. "We should be out by the end of the day. Once we drop out down off this hill, I know a few paths through the forest that are faster than the main road. And for that I am glad, I can't wait to get some sleep."
She hit him. "Well you didn't have to drive like that. It was your choice."
He laughed as he started the horses. "Well we only have a week until we reach where I want to stop. So you might want to get to work on your project." She huffed but then climbed back over the seat and got to work.
That night Ragnthor set up camp while she made dinner. He finished long before she did and he sat there, watching her. About an hour later they were finishing dinner and Ragnthor ran his hand up her thigh and kissed her. She was taken back for a moment, this being the first time he had shown any interest since they were married, then replied in kind. Ragnthor pulled her into his arms then stood and walked over to their tent.
Ragnthor
Ragnthor, on some unbidden sense, woke just as the sun broke over the horizon. He kissed Lydia then untangled himself from her arms. As he stood and pulled on his clothes he looked at her. Her hair had fallen over her face as she had slept.
He left the tent as quietly as he could and walked over to the horses. As he was walking he heard a familiar snuffling and dropped into a crouch. As he slunk over to where the sound came from, he came across a large pig with no ownership marks. He drew his dagger and crept close.
An hour later he had uncured pork popping and snapping over the fire. Soon Lydia walked over of the tent, looking half asleep and dressed like her clothes had attacked her.
She sat down, rubbing her eyes. "What are you making?"
Ragnthor smiled at her. "Some of that meat you liked. Found an unmarked pig this morning."
She snapped awake and looked inquisitive. "What's a pig?"
He laughed. "It's a largish animal that eats what it can find. They live best in warm climates or I would buy a few and bring them back. I would have to build a whole barn just for them though."
She slid close, eyes looking hungry. "Is it done yet?"
He smiled and shook his head. "Not yet. You're going to have to be patient little one."
She looked up at him. "But I'm hungry after last night."
He gave her a crooked smile. "I could have porridge ready in less than 10 minutes."
She huffed. "Fine. Take your time."
A half hour later they were eating and Ragnthor was looking across the plain, slightly regretting the choice to try and get here, knowing he had a week left of this. But if he kept this pace, he would reach the ranch around noon, hopefully before the old man's nap.
Soon they were on the road and it followed the same pattern as before. Driving straight for an ungodly amount of time followed by a few hours rest. But the daze of driving happened less than before. Lydia sat up on the seat with him, often accompanied by a large amount of cloth, looking around and asking what this was, what town they just passed, jumping off without warning to look at some new flower, other plant, or sword carried by a random person that she had never seen.
Even with all of that, they made great time. So great of time that Ragnthor decided to stop for the night instead of pushing straight through. He chalked up the extra time to the land being so flat with excellent roads.
As the pulled up next to a stand of trees, Lydia looked at him. "Why are we stopping? I thought the next stop was tomorrow."
Ragnthor smiled. "Well it was supposed to. But that stop is a final stop and I don't want to be showing up in the middle of the night. The person who owns the place we are going to spend the next little while won't like that."
Lydia nodded. "Well then, I wasn't going to show you this until then but" she used her teeth to snap the thread and then deftly tied it into what looked like a small, tight knot.
She jumped off the seat with the cloth she had been working on and spread it out as far as she could as she smiled at him. "What do you think? It's our wedding quilt!"
He gave her a crooked smile. "It's a little rough and ragged, isn't it?" instantly he knew he had said the wrong thing as the smile left her face and her arms dropped.
She looked on the verge of tears. "Do you…do you really not like it?"
Ragnthor was cursing himself as he walked over and gently tugged it from her grasp and wrapped himself in it.
The moment it went around his shoulders he felt all the pluses. "You know what, I really do like it. Sure it might be ugly but I never took you for a seamstress. And you made it from a warrior's frame of mind. It's thick and heavy and feels strong. It's something that, if it was person size, I would love on a long march."
She sniffed, not looking up. "You're just trying to make me feel better. You told me how you felt. You called it ugly."
He walked over and put his hands on her shoulders. "And it is. But that's not what matters. What matters is you made it and it's warm. If you want to sleep under it tonight we will. And the moment we get to the ranch I will lay it over the bed my friend gives us."
She looked up at him, signs of tears on her face. "So you really do like it?"
He kissed her brow. "I really do. How many times have I lied to you?"
She smiled as she hugged him, the last tears spilling from her eyes. "Less than I can count on one hand."
Mid morning the next day they were driving up to a large house on a slight hill. Ragnthor smiled as he saw Lydia's wide eyes as she looked around and saw vast fields of grass and herds of cows and horses.
She looked up at him. "Is this where you got the idea to become a rancher?"
Ragnthor nodded. "Aye. I lived here with Waynek for a year and made many trips back to check on or add to my herd."
Ragnthor pulled up in front of the door and slipped off the seat then helped Lydia down. He kept his arm around her as they walked to the door and he knocked. An angry, rough old voice rose up inside.
"Go away! I've told you I don't want company, you batty old woman! Or if it's you young bucks I'll greet you with a sword this time!"
Ragnthor laugh, even though he felt scared for the old man. "It's neither, old man! It's me, Ragnthor!"
The door swung open and Waynek appeared sword and shield in hand. "Ragnthor, what are you doing here!? I thought you were still looking for your woman." He looked at Lydia. "Or have you finally found her?"
Ragnthor smiled and nodded. "Aye, Waynek, that I have. Though she is no longer that woman I wanted, she's now my wife. Lydia, this is my friend Waynek. He helped more than anyone else in my years away."
Lydia nodded. "A pleasure to meet you. I hope you helped him stay slightly safe."
Waynek laughed. "Safe wouldn't be the right word. And you really didn't do justice to her in your stories. I always imagined a wisp of a lass. She looks like she would be able to beat a younger me in a fight."
Lydia laughed. "I was that lass, 12 years ago. When he left, I joined the guard for something to do and got lessons from some of the best fighters in Skyrim."
Waynek nodded. "I would expect nothing less from you. Young buck always said you had a will of iron. Well congratulations to you both."
Ragnthor smiled. "And what about you old man? Something about a batty old woman?"
Waynek huffed. "It's not much. Just some woman down the road who thinks I need company. The horses and cows are enough for me. Now let's get in the house, it's time for my mid day meal."
As they ate they caught up and all that had happened between them this went on for a while before Ragnthor finally broke the subject that had been on his mind.
"So tell me about these young bucks."
Waynek put down his chicken leg. "So I put the Ranch up for sale. Riding through the pass hurt my joints more than I thought it would and the 3 winters since then have been hard. Lately a group of men, well I guess bandits by this point, have offered to buy it for 500 gold. You can guess what I told them." Ragnthor nodded, knowing the old man took no nonsense.
"Well I went to the guard but they will do nothing, these men are considered model citizens by most people here."
Ragnthor nodded. "Well how much do you want for the place? I might have enough on me to buy now."
Waynek rubbed his chin. "For you Ragnthor, 40,000 for the land and all the animals. I know it might seem steep but you know just how much work I put into this place."
Ragnthor nodded and walked outside and pulled out a chest that he had hidden under his armor. From inside he pulled out 4 bags. He walked back in and placed them on the table.
"There's all of it, count it if you want."
Waynek shook his head and Lydia's eyes grew wide with shock. "I trust you. But are you sure you want to take over this trouble?"
Ragnthor nodded. "For you, old friend, of course. From the sound of it they will be back soon. I couldn't leave without helping anyway."
Waynek nodded. "They said they would be back within the week."
Ragnthor nodded. "That's not much time but me and Lydia know a couple that might help if asked."
Lydia nodded. "Eilonwy told me where they planned to stay until they found the spot they wanted. And Mountain is well known enough he won't be hard to find."
Waynek's eyes widened. "You are friends of the Mountain?"
Ragnthor smiled and nodded. "Lydia served with them for a summer." Waynek sent him a look and he nodded.
Waynek nodded. "With the Mountain's band we are sure to win."
Lydia spoke. "It's just Mountain and his Bosmer bow woman. He gave up being a merc a little over 2 years ago. But between the four of use, we can handle any group less than 70."
Waynek scowled. "5 of us. I may be pushing 80 but don't count my arm out yet. I was killing men while your parents were still sucking at the tit."
Ragnthor smiled. "Of course , you course old man. Though you might want to watch your tongue around Lydia. You say something she doesn't like, she it like to cut it out."
Waynek nodded. "Sorry ma'am."
Lydia smiled. "You forget, honey, that I worked for a merc band. Foul language doesn't affect me as much as before."
Ragnthor kissed her. "Oh little one, what am I going to do with you."
Waynek groaned. "Oh for the love of the Gods. Knock that off and let's get to work."
Ragnthor looked at Lydia. "You think you can find you way back to the last town we passed and sent a courier?"
Lydia nodded. "Give me a fast horse and I will be back by this evening."
Waynek nodded. "I have one in the stable. She's not as bulky as most of those horses Ragnthor kept. She's look more like that cursed roan stallion of his and just as unlikely looking. She will pack you in full armor at top speed for days at a time. And you will wear armor. I have a feeling they are watching the house and will be on you the moment you leave until you get to town." Lydia nodded and they went outside.
Ragnthor helped her into her armor and belted her sword around her waist. Then they walked to the stable holding hands. He saddled the mare and led her out. He kissed Lydia then helped her into the saddle. Right before she kicked the horse he put his hand on her leg.
"I could come with you. You have the fastest horse but I wouldn't be too far behind you."
She rubbed his hand, somehow not hurting him with her gauntlet. "And I want you to. But I need to fly as fast as this mare can carry me, to avoid any trouble and to try and get Mountain and Eilonwy here as fast as possible. And you need to stay here and help Waynek. I'm sure he can handle a few with that old sword and shield of his but more than 3 and he will be in trouble."
Ragnthor gave her a smile. "I hate it when you're right. So fly, my lovely little one. Stay save and know my heart is with you."
She leaned down and kissed him. "And you stay safe too, my love. I don't want to come and back find only Waynek standing there."She smiled. "Love, that's a good name."
Ragnthor nodded. "That it is. And if you have time, send a letter to Ralof telling him we might be late and if we are I will raise him payment to 10,000 and 2 horses of my choosing." Lydia nodded and gathered the reins in her hands.
The horse had grown unruly for want of a run and she reared when Lydia lifted the reins. Lydia grabbed the mare's mane and pulled her head to the side while throwing her weight against her neck, just in case the mare decide to go all the way over.
The moment her feet hit the ground, Lydia looked at Ragnthor. "You will tell me how you managed to get that much money in 2 weeks when I get back." He nodded as she slammed her heels into the mare's sides and tore off down the road like a gush of wind.
Ragnthor whistled at the speed of her flight then stalked back to the house and had Waynek tack up a horse to help them clear some brush to give them lines of sight and then stack it so it would funnel them without them truly knowing, all the while hoping he hadn't turned them all down a path to death.
Author's Note: I just can't be romantic. I send them on a honeymoon to the shining gem of the empire and what happens. Ragnthor buys a ranch that comes with its own infestation of bandits. And also this wasn't supposed to be 2 chapters but I can be a little wordy so it just wouldn't all fit.
