Chapter 29
Jane suffered the consequences of her and Bo's lovemaking the very next morning. After a while she had stopped listening to Lynne's lecture and simply stared up at the dark stone ceiling wishing it would suddenly collapse on top of her. Her shoulder ached fiercely, but being forced to listen to Lynne scold them was worse.
"You're both unbelievable."
When Lynne had exhausted her verbal punishment on Jane, she turned around and fixed her icy blue gaze on Bo.
"And you..." Lynne started, and she jabbed the Orc in his chest. "You knew better!"
Bo bowed his head, his expression solemn.
"I know. I'm sorry."
"Didn't you listen to me at all when I said Jane isn't healing very quickly?"
"I-I did-"
"So, what in the world made you think that something as vigorous as having sex was a good idea?"
Bo's cheeks turned dark red, and he squirmed in discomfort where he stood, unable to look Lynne in the eyes.
"It was my fault. I'm sorry."
"Please Lynne," Jane piped up, and she turned her head towards them. "We get it. We're sorry."
"I know it sounds like I'm being a bitch but this is serious, Jane. Your body is resisting my medicine... it's going to be a long recovery."
Naz quietly stood nearby, and he finally decided to intervene.
"Listen," he grumbled. "They fucked up, but we're not getting anywhere. What are we going to do about this task?"
The horn of Jurgen Windcaller. Jane knew that even if they went to the ruin, they wouldn't find the relic. She firmly kept her mouth shut. Now was not the time to let something like that slip out. Everyone was feeling stressed and tense.
Bo had gathered everyone in the same room to discuss what the next plan of action was but had been met with the wrath of Lynne. Jane's wounds had been split back open from too much movement and she had bled completely through her bandages overnight. It had been obvious what she had been up to.
Jane was almost one hundred percent positive that Bo wanted to go Isengard alone, and that idea upset her.
He doesn't need to do everything on his own, she thought fiercely while the rest of the group talked amongst themselves.
She winced as a spasm of pain shot through her shoulder, and she bit her lip to stop herself from crying out. Bo glanced down at Jane, and he didn't miss a beat.
"Are you okay?" He asked as he moved to sit down beside her.
"Y-Yeah, it's fine."
"You're a bad liar."
Lynne let out a frustrated sigh and pinched the bridge of her nose for a moment. There was much more she wanted to say to the young couple, but she refrained.
"How long will it take for Jane to recover?"
"That's just it," Lynne replied glumly, and she shrugged her shoulders. "I have no idea. I'm not used to a patient not responding well to my treatment."
"I don't want you to go alone," Jane croaked sadly, and tears pricked at her eyes.
Bo quickly grasped her hand and squeezed it gently.
"He won't go alone," Naz cut in, and everybody looked at him.
"Lynne can stay here to tend to Jane. Bo and I will go get this stupid horn and bring it back. Problem solved."
It sounded like the best idea. Jane still didn't like that Bo would be so far away from her, and Bo honestly felt the same way. But they knew it was necessary.
"Alright... I guess that's the best plan."
Bo stared down at Jane for a few more minutes, until Naz made an impatient sigh, and he reluctantly pulled himself away. He planted a kiss on her forehead before leaving to go discuss things with Naz.
"Get some rest."
"Okay."
When the men were gone, Jane and Lynne were both quiet. There was an air of awkwardness between them, but eventually, the Nord caved. She sighed and moved over to the bed and sat down. She took Jane's hand and squeezed it.
"I'm sorry, I... I lost my cool."
"It's alright, really. I know you care."
"I do care," Lynne mumbled thickly. "I feel like I'm failing you as a healer."
"Lynne..."
Jane firmly clenched Lynne's hand, and she rubbed it affectionately.
"You're not failing me. Not even a little bit. I'd probably be dead if it weren't for you. Bo would definitely be dead if it weren't for you."
"I know, I just..."
Lynne plucked at the white bedsheet, and she was silent for a moment. Then she hastily shook her head and let out the breath she had been holding in.
"It's fine. Everything will be fine."
"Of course, it will," Jane replied firmly, and she smiled.
Jane spent the afternoon resting, per strict doctor's orders. Lynne checked on her periodically, making sure her bandages were changed often to prevent any sort of infection from occurring. Every time she looked at the extent of Jane's injuries it still made her feel bad that she couldn't help better, but she tried to keep those thoughts away.
While Jane was resting, Bo and Naz spent a few hours planning their trip to Ustengrav. They poured over a map of Skyrim, trying to nail their route down. It was going to be a long trip.
"Arngeir said it's Northeast of Morthal."
"That's gonna take us at least a month to get there," Naz grunted. "Maybe longer."
"Well we have horses, so it'll be faster than walking."
"Why do you have to get this horn anyway?"
Bo sighed, and he rubbed at his neck for a moment. He quietly reminded himself to properly shave as soon as possible.
"I have to prove myself in order to receive their help."
"So, dungeon diving for some dumb horn will prove you're what... the Dragonborn? Even though you can shout somebody off a cliff?"
"I guess so."
Naz grunted his displeasure, but he continued peering down at the map for a while.
"I suppose we'll cut straight across Whiterun."
The Orc drew a finger from The Throat of the World, away from the major road that snaked through the country.
"Our mates won't be with us so we don't have to take the main road. Not that I don't think they can handle themselves..."
"No, you're right. You and I probably have the most experience traveling the wild areas of Skyrim. We don't have to play it safe."
"Alright, then that's what we'll do."
The two Orcs spent a little while longer discussing their upcoming trip. Bo's armor was in need of some repair, Naz's sword had some damage as well, and they'd also need to resupply. They decided that Riverrun would be their first stop, and if they couldn't get the supplies they needed there, they'd stop in Whiterun.
"If there's any fighting going on with the Stormcloaks I'd like to avoid being noticed."
"I wonder if Ahmon has spoken with Ulfric yet," Naz responded thoughtfully, thinking fondly of their Nord friend. He missed Ahmon's jokes.
"Hopefully," Bo responded with a small frown. "I really hope he didn't have much trouble."
"You don't think Ulfric would... harm Ahmon?"
The pair exchanged a weighted look with each other, and Naz knew that it was a possibility.
"I really hope not. He'd be stupid to attack Ahmon outright, especially a fellow Nord."
"But if he thinks he's getting back at you..."
Bo sighed, and Naz was quiet as they both thought about how much danger Ahmon might have potentially put himself in.
"Well, perhaps he'll send us a letter soon. It's the only way we'll know."
"Hopefully."
When they were sure that they had discussed everything that was necessary, and checked all their packs, weapons, and supplies, Bo returned to where Jane was still snoozing lightly.
Her eyes were closed, but she wasn't really asleep, and she opened them as soon as he sat down on the edge of the bed. She noticed he was freshly shaved.
"Bo," Jane murmured, and she smiled.
"How are you feeling?"
"Fine, just fine. Listen..."
Bo slipped under the covers and snuggled closer to Jane. He wrapped his arm around her waist and planted a kiss on her bandage free shoulder. Jane reached up and ran her fingers through his soft hair. He growled softly and closed his eyes.
"You don't feel bad about leaving me here, right?"
Bo nuzzled his tusk against her skin for a moment, and he gently squeezed her waist.
"I feel a little bad, but I'm mostly concerned about your healing."
"Well don't feel bad," Jane responded lightly, and Bo craned his neck to look up at her. "I'll be just fine. I've got Lynne here, and she's probably the best healer we know."
"That's true..."
"I want you to focus on your task," Jane continued firmly. "I know you're more than capable of taking care of yourself but I'll still worry."
Tears once again pricked at her eyes. She didn't know why she was being so emotional. Ustengrav was a fairly big ruin, but she knew Bo was more than strong enough to make it through. He was the Dragonborn, and Naz would have his back.
You're just being silly.
Bo smiled, and he reached up to cup Jane's soft cheek. Her lip trembled, and a couple of tears escaped but he quickly wiped them away.
"I didn't think I could love you any more than I do, but then you prove me wrong every day."
Jane laughed, and Bo eagerly pressed his lips against hers in a deep kiss. They spent a few minutes making out before he had to pull away.
"I uh..." Bo chuckled, his cheeks warm. "I can't wait until you're all healed."
The couple laughed, and Bo once again nuzzled his face against the crook of her neck with a sigh.
"I know," Jane whispered softly, and she fondly stroked his hair. "I haven't spent a single night alone since meeting you. It's going to be hard."
"Funny," Bo laughed, and his breath tickled her skin. "A few months ago, all I ever did was travel alone, eat alone, and sleep alone. Now I can't imagine not holding you in my arms each night."
Bo snuggled closer, pressing his firm body against hers. Jane wrapped her good arm around his back and softly rubbed him with small circular motions. He was lulled to sleep by her touch, and they didn't wake up until Lynne came by later in the evening with dinner and fresh bandages.
Two days later, Jane and Bo stood by the main doors of High Hrothgar saying their goodbyes. One of their packs rested on his back along with one bedroll. Naz and Lynne stood a few feet back, and they were also saying goodbye in hushed whispers.
Bo had spoken with Arngeir earlier in the morning about Jane, and he had been more than accepting of the women staying longer.
"Not to worry," Arngeir smiled, and he patted Bo's shoulder. "They will be comfortable here. Safe travels."
Jane stood in front of Bo, her arm in a sling, and she clasped Bo's hand so tightly that she was starting to cut off circulation to his fingers, but he didn't say a word. Tears silently slipped down her cheeks, and she bit her lip to prevent herself from sobbing like a moron.
"Jane, you know I'll be back."
"I know," Jane whispered quietly.
Bo smiled, but he could feel his chest constricting tightly. He gently tipped Jane's chin up so he could look at her. He dipped his head down and kissed her for a long moment before she sobbed and threw her good arm around his waist. She buried her face into the front of his coat and began to cry. Bo gently rubbed her back and ran his hands along her soft brown hair, feeling emotional himself.
Finally, she stepped back with a shaky breath. Bo snatched her hand and brought it up to his lips.
"I love you, Jane."
"I love you too, Bo."
A few feet away Lynne wrapped her around Naz's thick neck and kissed the Orc for a few moments. When they pulled away, her face was free of tears but her expression was glum.
"Look after yourself... and look after Bo, too."
"I will. Don't hit on any of the Greybeards while I'm gone," Naz teased, and Lynne lightly slapped his chest.
"You're awful," Lynne growled, but she was smiling.
When everyone had finished saying goodbye, Jane and Lynne stood just outside the doors. They squinted their eyes against a bright morning light that reflected off the freshly fallen snow. They watched the two Orcs as they began wandering down the vague path away from High Hrothgar, clearing a trench in the snow while they walked.
Once they reached the cut in the mountain and were little more than dark blobs in the distance, they turned around and waved for a moment, watching as the women waved back. Then they walked around the bend and disappeared from sight.
Jane felt like her heart was hurting, and she firmly clasped Lynne's hand as they continued to stand there for a little while. She sucked in a deep breath, enjoying the fresh air that filled her lungs.
"They're going to be just fine," Lynne mumbled softly.
"I know."
Eventually, they wandered back inside. Jane sniffled, but mostly from the cold. She followed Lynne back down the hall, nodding politely at any Greybeard they passed, and wandered into one of the bedrooms. When Jane was comfortably sitting down in a plush fabric chair near the fireplace, Lynne took a seat opposite of her. They were silent for a while. Both of them stared at the fire burning in the hearth, but their thoughts were far away.
"Lynne?"
The Nord blinked, and she looked over at the young woman. Her heart swelled with the love she felt towards Jane.
She's the only family I've got... a sister.
"Yes, Jane?"
"Do you still have some spell tomes?"
"Yes."
"I don't want to be a lazy lump while we're waiting for them to get back," Jane sighed, and she plucked at the fabric of her sling with a small frown. "It'll just make the wait feel even longer."
"That is true."
"So, will you teach me some more magic? Or guide my studies... anything."
"Absolutely."
They smiled at each other, and suddenly the air became a little brighter. They chatted lightly amongst themselves about magicka theory, all the while thoughts of the Orc lingered in the back of their minds.
I want to be stronger. Jane thought fiercely as she went to lay down and rest sometime later. When he returns, I want him to be proud of me.
