Avari stood on the edge of the dock, shielding her eyes from the sun and watching the large ship as it approached. Armed guards stood behind her, their hands resting on the hilt of their swords while their eyes scanned the area. She moved closer to them when the ship came close enough to dock, smoothing her dress with her hands. Her efforts were in vain, the moment she caught sight of the man's face she bolted from her spot, meeting him where the plank that had been laid from the ship to connect to the dock and jumping up to wrap her arms around the priest's neck. His sore leg screamed at the newly added weight, causing him to back step before gaining his balance again, arms wrapped tightly around the woman who clung to him.

"This is very inappropriate." Edgster kept his voice low, his cheeks turning pink as the people stepping off the ship stared at the two Nords in passing.

Miraak lowered Avari, groaning slightly at the pain shooting through his body.

"What happened?" Avari looked down to his leg that was bandaged, fresh blood beginning to seep through the wrapping.

"It's nothing." He sighed, taking her hand and placing a small kiss atop of it. "Edgster." He turned to the Breton who bowed his head. "Six ships will be arriving with those who were chosen to return, see that transport is provided for them, along with a warm welcome at the temple. I wish to spend my time resting before we dive in to matters."

"Of course, my lord. I will personally see to it."

Avari walked slowly next to him as he tried to force the ache from his wounded muscle, the mended wound on his hip beginning to protest at the new movement. "Were you not treated?"

"I was, the medicine did not agree with me well. Simple rest and perhaps a nice bath will work the soreness from me."

"You're bleeding."

"It is just from sitting on that ship for so long, not much room to move."

She helped him on to the covered cart, taking the time it would take to reach the temple to look at his new wounds. His leg was bleeding heavily, even through the stitching and his side was still only freshly healed, the area still pink even with the magic that had helped it along. "Why did they heal you here, but not her leg?"

"They were exhausted, I do not mind dealing with the time it will take to heal. It will give us more time to rest." He pulled her hand away from his leg, pulling her tightly against his good side.

Miraak told Avari of the battle at Solitude, leaving out certain details that he thought would only upset here. She would hear of them soon enough from someone, if not the new High-King himself. They were greeted at the temple by cheers and ecstatic faces, some he remembered and many who were strangers. When the doors of the temple shut heavily behind them he was swarmed by people who wanted to aid him. Looking over his robes, taking his weapons and mask for polishing, gloves pulled from his hands as he was ushered in to his room with Avari walking slowly behind. He had to scream at them, demanding they leave him be just for them to remove themselves from their room. He looked over to Avari with a heavy sigh. The woman laughing softly and shaking her head with a smile.

"Someone was greatly missed." She remarked, moving to help him from his robe. "I had to wait for my water, but it looks like they have already prepared everything for you." She knelt down to unlace his boots and help him out of them. "Why don't you get in there why I take these for cleaning, they smell like you've been wearing them for months."

Miraak nodded his head, moving slowly towards the large stone bath. His leg objected, screaming with a sharp burning sensation when the bandage was removed and it was submerged in to the hot water. He sighed at the feeling of the water washing away the grime that covered him, the feeling even overpowering the pain in his leg. Avari returned with a potion in hand, pushing his head back and holding it to his lips. He drank it quickly when she tipped the bottle, his nose crinkling at the bitter taste.

"Neloth has been here, he knew exactly what would help you."

"Of course."

Avari pulled her dress up far enough to submerge her legs in to the water, placing one on each side of the priest before she began to gently wash him and massage his sore body. "Did you speak with Ulfric before you returned?"

"A bit."

"So he knows what is planned?"

"No. I will send him an invitation to the temple, along with some others. We will speak of it then. Right now, I need to focus on retraining the pieces of the Legion who are now traitors to their people. Wash away what they know and teach them something new. I sent some men to quietly remove their families and deliver them here, let us hope that there is not any trouble with our newcomers."

"So you were able to raise our numbers?"

"Only by about twenty or so, with all of them being injured. Some think they will never fight again, but I will teach them to use it to their advantage." He closed his eyes as she moved to wash the dirt from his face.

"Did you not bath before you left? There is still dried blood on your cheeks and neck."

"I jumped a ship straight from Solitude. I would have been stuck waiting for the next if I had rested in that city."

The water had turned to a strange brown color, dyed by what blood had been left on his skin and his own from his leg. Avari helped him out and carefully assisted him dressing himself for dinner, knowing that they would not be alone at the table and Edgster would still expect them to be dressed appropriately. She even went as far as shaving his face for him, something she was not the most skilled at, but in the end surprised herself by not making him bleed. She checked his attire again before they made their way out of the room and towards the dining hall, stopping many times for Miraak to enjoy the renovations that had been done in his absence. He smiled at a large painting of Avari, a blue dress that matched her eyes had caught his attention as he passed, but he had recognized the woman's face immediately.

"Who painted this?"

"One of the men's wives." Avari smiled looking at the painting. "She's very sweet, gave it to us as a gift. They have four little boys, they had been living on crumbs before they came to us and now they have more food than they ever have. She was so very thankful for what you've done."

"You spoke with her?"

"At length. We went for a small walk, she has a small green house that her husband built before he left. She grows the most beautiful flowers there. I gave orders for more to be built for her, she wants to bring us fresh food that cannot survive here in the ash."

"You gave her workers?"

"No. Many offered to help her. There's so many talented people here, Miraak."

"There you two are." Edgster sighed, hurrying towards them. "We have been awaiting you for some time. Teldryn was beginning to grow restless. I almost had to put my fork through his hand."

"Well that is not nice, Edgster." Avari mock frowned.

"She has been quite the jester since we returned." Edgster looked to Avari. "Shocked me a bit with the things she has came up with."

"Do not try to take the attention off yourself, Edgster." Avari teased. "You just admitted to almost stabbing someone's hand."

Edgster gave a wave of his hand. "He is untouched, at the moment. Come, we are all more than prepared for this meal. It will be cold if we waste any more time chatting in this hallway."

The large bed had all but swallowed them, the furs warming their bodies against the cool air that seemed to move quickly through out the temple. Instead of sleeping soundly as Avari had been for sometime, Miraak was kept awake by the dull ache in his bones. He shifted before pulling the woman tighter against him and closing his eyes. She moved slightly before placing her hand over his.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong."

"Why are you not sleeping? Surely you are exhausted."

"I am." He sighed, pushing his face in to her hair.

"Close your eyes and sleep, Miraak. Do you wish me to fetch you a potion?"

"No, I've had enough for the night I think. Just sore."

Avari turned to face him, pushing him on to his back before kneeling next to him and beginning to rub his arms. Digging her fingers in to the muscle with enough force to feel good without hurting him. He looked down at her hands when his skin began to feel warm, the low glow of magic shone in the darkened room.

"Where'd you learn that trick?"

"I use to do it to myself. Always helped me fall asleep."

It only took moments before the priest was fast asleep, allowing her to finally get some sleep without his constant tossing and turning every time she had finally fell asleep herself.

Miraak sighed when he sat back in to the large chair that was surrounded by the half table where he held council. He smiled over at Edgster as the old man took his seat. "Feels nice to be sitting in my own chair. Would you not agree, Edgster?"

"Oh very much so, my lord. While I did enjoy our time among the courts, it is much better to be back where we belong."

"You're just excited to be the one giving orders again, aye old man." Miraak teased, looking up at the men who were entering the chamber.

"It is a preferred change, my lord." Edgster looked to the doors as the women pulled them shut. "Avari will not be joining us?"

"No. She left with Teldryn this morning for Raven Rock. I'm not expecting them to return till the evening."

"I hope she took an escort."

"She did. She protested of course, but I insisted."

"It is better that she be accompanied in all places, lest we have an incident occur."

Miraak gave a nod of his head.

Avari threw the rock, cursing when it simply hit the water with a large splash. "This is stupid." She groaned, throwing her hands up in the air.

"You only find it stupid because you cannot do it."

"All we are doing is scaring off the fish."

"You are the one throwing rocks in to the water."

"Because mine do not want to dance upon it like yours."

"You cannot be skilled at everything, Avari." Teldryn laughed, nudging her with his elbow. "Look for one that is flat, not rounded."

"That was a flat one!" She pointed to the still rippling water.

"And you just threw it right in there. Now find another and this time wait so I can show you."

Avari cursed under her breath, causing Teldryn to shake his head as he began rounding up flat stones in to a small pile. He turned to the Nord as she approached him, a large flat stone laying in her open palm. He stepped behind her, forcing her fingers around it loosely before using his own body to move her like a puppet and tossing the stone against the water. It skipped across the surface, leaving a small pattern in its wake. He bent down and plucked one of his own from his growing pile and mimicked the same movements with the girl.

"See, it's not hard." He held out another stone to her, watching as she mirrored the movements and released the stone.

"I still think it's stupid."

Teldryn shook his head, picking up another rock. "Then you can just sit there and keep me company."

Avari blew a raspberry as she fell down in to the dirt. "Thrilling." She looked up at the Elf when he turned back to look at her, sticking her tongue out once again.

"You wanted to come." He smiled, turning back to the water.

"You said fishing, not rock tossing."

"And we fished." He nodded towards the basket.

"Should've at least grabbed some drinks to bring out here. I could've drank away my boredom." She began unlacing her boots, rolling up her pants after and pushing herself to her feet. She walked past Teldryn, submerging her feet in to the cool water until it reached her knees.

"Don't catch a cold." He warned, running his fingers over the stone in his hands.

"A swim?" She looked over at him, smiling widely.

"No."

"Teldryn." Avari whined, frowning mockingly.

"No. That water is freezing, smells awful and always leaves my skin cracking for days after. You swim, I'll watch."

"Well that's no fun." She walked towards him, looking over his shoulder at their guards. "I say we walk back to Raven Rock, send these two over to round us up some drink and pass some time with Glover."

"Sit around the forge and get drunk?"

She nodded her head with a smile. "Just like we use to."

"Isn't his daughter visiting, I remember her and she was not the most pleasant thing to be around."

"Sapphire is not that bad, get her drunk and she loosens up a bit."

"What about Miraak? He expects you back soon."

"He'll be sitting in that room with all those men for hours, by the time he realizes we aren't there we will already be on our way. I doubt he will even notice. Besides, he doesn't control me."

"Uh-huh."

"Stop making excuses." She walked past him, picking up her boots on the way.

Avari took a fresh bottle of mead from Teldryn, placing her fifth empty on to the ground at her feet. The sun had long since disappeared and they now sat in the bright light that the forge let off, the fire still being fed by Glover. Her bare feet swung back and forth from where she sat a top the table, poking Teldryn with her toes each time she could reach him. He snatched the foot, wrapping his fingers around her toes.

"Are you cold? Damn things feel like ice."

She shook her head. "I feel just fine."

"I knew you should have stayed out of that water. I bet money you catch something."

"You went swimming?" Glover looked over to Avari.

"No, just went in to my knees."

"You're crazy, girl. You know that water is bringing in the winter months, it always gets cold before everything else. I think you're friend here is right, you're not going to be feeling too good in the morning."

"With how much she's drank it won't just be the cold that got to her."

The man nodded his head with a glance to her empty bottles. "Haven't seen much of you two for awhile."

"We've been a bit busy ending the war in Skyrim." Teldryn spoke while snatched up Avari's other foot.

"Truly?

"Well not us."

"Hey, we helped a lot."

Avari shrugged her shoulders, she turned her attention to the dark haired girl sitting next to her. "How long are you staying?"

"A few weeks."

Their attention was quickly turned to the approaching foot steps, the clank of armor more apparent than anything.

"Think we are going to get shut down." Glover mumbled, pushing off the pillar he had been leaning against.

Miraak stepped in to the light, his mask catching the flames and reflecting them.

"Look how intimidating he looks." Avari pointed at the priest, her cheeks a light shade of pink and a large, drunken smile on her lips. "You would never know that he's a big sweetheart."

"She drink all those on her own?" Miraak nodded to the empty bottles.

"Aye." Glover's eyes wandered to Avari's feet.

"And you let her Teldryn?"

"You of all people know there is no allowing Avari to do anything, she either does or does not."

Miraak took the bottle that was offered to him by the blacksmith, pulling his mask from his face before working the cork out of the mead. "Been keeping you busy?"

"Have new orders every week. Had enough coin to pay for my girl over there to come out."

"Good to see you again." Sapphire looked up at Miraak.

"On better terms this time." He smiled.

They made small talk until Miraak had finished his drink. He moved to Avari, helping her to her feet before sweeping her up in to his arms when she tripped over her own feet..

"Grab her boots, Teldryn, if you would." He looked down at Avari's scuffed knee that was beginning to bleed. "Thank you for keeping her company."

"It's always a pleasure with Avari." Glover smiled, shaking the man's hand when he offered it. The gesture a bit hard and awkward with the now sleeping Nord in his arms. He bowed his head to the young woman who had stood to stand next to her father. "You both are more than welcome to stop by the temple. Perhaps join us for a dinner."

"I'd be honor."

"Can you walk?" Miraak looked over at Teldryn, the Dunmer rolling his eyes.

"Are you going to carry me too?"

"I'm sure one of the men would be willing." Miraak teased the Elf, smirking slightly.

"Let me try to keep my dignity intact."

It was a bit of a hassle getting Avari on to his horse with him and once he had her on there she wrapped her arms and legs around him. The difficulty of navigating with the Nord on his horse increased, one hand wrapped tightly around her to keep her in place while lead the horse with the other. She tugged at his robes, placing messy kisses and bites to his exposed neck.

Teldryn laughed, swaying slightly in his saddle. "Should've brought a carriage."

He motioned for his men to take the lead, preferring that they not witness the mess she had created. He did his best to readjust the girl, trying to get her to lay her head against him. "Avari, if you do not stop we are both going to fall out of this saddle."

It took sometime before they reached the temple, Teldryn doing his best to help the two Nords off the horse. Miraak made his way through the halls of the temple, helping Avari out of her clothes once they had reached their room. As soon as she made her way in to the bed she was out. Miraak sighed, watching her sleep for some time before leaving the room to return to Edgster who had awaited him while he took his little break to go fetch the Nord and Dunmer from the small city.

Miraak sat the table, listening to the men speak and argue amongst each other, each trying to explain why their request was more important than the others. Two men stood in front of him, one asking for permission to land that had been claimed by the other before him. In the end Miraak favored the man who laid claim first, suggesting that the other look for land else where. These matters were usually dealt with by Edgster, but with them all being gone for so long, many things had been waiting on their return. Important matters had been finished the day before, the council had went well in to the night. Only breaking long enough for him to retrieve Avari and then returning to where it had been left. Orders had been given, letters had been sent with runners and requests had been answered. Most of the building around the temple was reaching completion, the area becoming filled and people now settled outside the walls that had begun creation. His attention was drawn to young, fair haired Breton, who Edgster smiled brightly at her arrival.

"I would like to introduce my daughter."

"I had no idea you had children, Edgster." Miraak studied the girl's face, her features seemed familiar to him, but he could not seem to place them. It seemed as though he had seen this girl before, maybe not her exact look, but someone very similar.

"Three, my daughter here, and two sons."

"And your wife?"

"She died from a sickness that hit us hard. Nearly lost my youngest."

Miraak stood from his chair, bowing his head. "And what is your name?"

"Sabie, my lord." She curtsied.

"I am glad you could join us, Sabie."

"I am honored."

"And your sons, Edgster, will they be joining us?"

"They will, I hope to see their arrival within the month."

Their attention was drawn to the small Elf that had entered the room, the woman apologizing before rushing over to Miraak and whispering in his ear. Edgster waved his daughter away, turning his attention to the new arrival and the priest. Miraak watched the Elf hurry out and close the door behind her.

"Avari is ill, she has a fever and has taken to wrapping herself in furs."

"Well that will only make it worse."

"I know." He pushed himself up from his chair. "May we take a bit of a break? You may visit with your daughter and I can attend to Avari since her ladies seem to fear upsetting her."

"Miraak?" Edgster spoke as the priest made to walk out of the room, the man stopping and turning to face the Breton. "Perhaps you could speak with Avari once she is feeling well. Sabie would be honored to tend her and I give you my word that she is as accustom to such things as I am with my service."

"I am sure Avari would be honored. I will have Sabie tend to her when I have helped break her fever. Inform her to await my summons."

"Thank you, my lord." The old man bowed his head with a smile, watching as the priest left.

Miraak smiled at the young Breton as he walked pass her and down the hall. He slipped in to his room, seeing Avari shivering a top the bed, even with all the furs and blankets she had herself bundled in. He brushed his hand across her clammy forehead before pulling the blankets away. She gasped for air and quickly shoved him away, cursing him without even opening her eyes to see who was attempting to move her. He moved back to the door, ordering the servant to bring him cooled water to fill the tub before he returned to the bed.

"Avari, your making it worse with all these..." He pulled the covering away, stopping her from pulling it back over herself.

"It's freezing in here." She whined, turning to face him.

"You're with fever. A bad one at that." He moved to her back, carefully unlacing her nightgown as the water was brought in to him. He ran his fingers across her moist back, watching as the tub was filled before the ladies hurried back out of the room. "You're not going to like this, but I need to undress you and get you in that water." He didn't wait for her answer before pulling the gown away and off of her. He pushed the blanket away from her legs as he tried to pull the gown down the same way, stopping when he caught sight of the large amount of darkened blood that not only stained her nightgown, but her legs and that which she had herself wrapped in. His hands shook as he pulled the gown back up to cover her front, tucking it under her arms. Miraak pulled the blankets further back, shocked at how far spread the darkened mess was spread. Avari pulled her legs up to her chest with a groan of pain. He looked down at her face, now seeing how pale she her skin was. He pulled one of the towels from chair and draped it over her lower half before moving quickly to the door.

"Send for a healer, please. Quickly." He whispered to the waiting women who quickly hurried away.

Miraak paced the floor, running his fingernails across his scalp. He had pushed out of his own room by the two women who had shown up to treat Avari. Neither telling him what was going on or why they had ignored his demands. It had been well past an hour now, the traffic inside the temple had died down and he was sure the commotion and yelling had been the cause of it. It was probably the same reason that Edgster and Teldryn were now rushing towards him, concern painted on their face.

"What's happening?" Teldryn looked towards the closed door.

"She had a fever." Miraak spoke softly, motioning towards the door.

"All this fuss over a fever."

Miraak looked down at his palms, drawing the two men's attention.

"Is that your blood?" Teldryn looked slowly up to the man's face.

"It's hers, there was so much blood."

"What happened?!"

Edgster took hold of Miraak's shaking hands, guiding him to a chair and forcing him to sit down. "Was she wounded?"

"I... I do not know." He looked up at the old man who was pulling a chair across the floor to sit in front of him. "I didn't want to frighten here so I just asked for a healer, they forced me out when they arrived and I've been waiting for..."

"So we just sit here and wait?" Teldryn glared at the two.

"What else would you have us do?" Edgster snapped his eyes towards the Dunmer. "Do you wish to interrupt them while they are trying to work?"

Teldryn sighed, falling in to a chair on the other side of the hall.

"Head down the hall and in to the dinning area, there should be some water so he clean himself up." Edgster turned to Teldryn.

The Dunmer pushed himself up and slowly made his way down the hallway.

"I should be in there with her."

"You would only get in their way, they know what they are doing. Everyone here adores Avari, they would never let her come to harm while in their care."

"Edgster, if you could have seen the blood..."

"I know." He sighed, giving the man's hands a squeeze.

They remained silent until Teldryn returned with the water and a clean rag, sitting back in to his chair after the old man had taken the bowl from him. Edgster soaked the rag before wiping away the dried blood from Miraak's palms. The priest watching closely as the blood was removed from his skin. When the task was finished the three of them sat in silence, Miraak watching the door closely. His body hunched forward with his elbows resting on his thighs and his chin atop his hands. Time seemed to inch forward and they all lost track, Teldryn dozing off in his chair and Edgster having found a book did his best to occupy himself while still trying to reassure Miraak. The priest would pace before sitting for a moment and then returning to pace the floor. A few times he moved to the door, standing as if he was trying to decide if he was going to open it or not. He never pulled it open though, always returning to the chair and sitting back down. As he had just finished his pacing in front of the door and sat down the door slowly opened and a woman stepped out. The front of her dress covered in dry and fresh blood. She was cleaning her hands with a damp rag. Her eyes slowly looked up at Miraak as he moved quickly to stand in front her.

"Is she okay?"

The healer looked to the priest and then to the older man who was slowly approaching. "My lord, this is a... private matter..."

"I don't care." Miraak all, but growled like a feral animal. "He has heard plenty of our private matters, now tell me if she is okay."

The healer looked back down at her hands as she took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "She will recover in time."

"What happened?" Edgster asked, already a bit suspicious about the answer. He'd seen it before, with noble women who's houses he had served to his own wife in her later years.

"The lady was with child."

Edgster looked up to Miraak's face, the color completely drained and his eyes wide with shock. "Perhaps you should sit." He helped the man back to his chair, glancing over to Teldryn who was stirring, his eyes opening slowly. The Dunmer bolted upright at the sight of the healer, hurrying over to where the three had moved.

Teldryn looked to Miraak, his heart dropping at the man's reaction. "Gods, is she dead?!" He turned to Edgster.

The old man shook his head with a frown, turning to the healer. "Continue if you will."

The healer knelt down in front of the priest, placing her hands on his knees and looking him in the eyes. "She lost the child. There was nothing we could do, we tried to help, but it was too late. She's lucky we got to her when we did or we could have lost both of them."

Teldryn looked between the healer and Miraak. "Child?"

"Avari was with child." Edgster sighed, looking over at the Elf.

"Did you know?" Teldryn turned to Miraak who shook his head. The Elf stepped away, moving back to his chair and slowly sitting down. He let his head fall in to his hands.

"She's resting, we should let her be for now. As soon as she wakes we will come and find you."

"I'll wait right here." Miraak spoke softly.

The healer nodded her head before standing up and making her way back in to the room.

Miraak sighed heavily, dropping his head in to his hands. "What do I do, Edgster?"

"You comfort her. She's going to need you for some time and you're going to need to be there for her."

"How did we not know?"

"None of us knew, I bet Avari did not even know." Edgster glanced over to Teldryn. "Do not ask her any questions when you go in there, don't say anything just go in there and love her."

Miraak slowly stepped inside the now darkened room, the healers having cleaned the entire room of whatever mess had occurred while they had treated the Nord. Avari's face was wet with tears, her eyes downcast as she fumbled with the stitching on the blanket. The moment she looked up at the priest she burst in to violent sobs, tears streaming down her face as her eyes closed shut.

"I didn't know, Miraak."

"I know." He sighed, carefully embracing her and pulling her against his chest.

"I didn't know."

He ran his fingers through her hair, closing his eyes tightly while he tried to comfort the girl.

"I thought I'd just caught a chill like Teldryn had warned. If I'd known..."

He wiped her face with his hands, kissing her forehead before pulling his robes and boots off and climbing in to the bed with her. He let her lay against his chest, running his fingers lightly across her bare back and closing her eyes.

"Did you see it?" She whispered.

"No."

"Neither did I. They told me there was nothing to see, that it was not big enough."

"Try to rest. They said you've lost a lot of blood, you need to sleep, let your body and mind recover. We can speak more once you've rested. I could use some myself also. I thought I had lost you."

Don't argue in the comments, please. If someone does not like the story they are allowed to not like it. Do not insult others. Some enjoy the story and love Avari and some do not, but do not fight with those who do not like the story after a few chapters. If they do not want to read further then that is their choice. The whole point of reviews is for feedback, negative and positive. Keep it friendly, please. Thank you!