AN: Day 7, the day of fun and games! Will Kirstte remain the arm wrestling champion? Also implied adult times. Just implied, nothing explicit.
Arms as strong as steel were wrapped around her and Kirstte wiggled a little, hearing his muffled groan as her arse pressed up against him. "Better cut that out," Vilkas mumbled.
"Why?" she chirped, wiggling more and he growled, one hand grabbing her hips to hold her still.
"Don't start what you won't finish," he returned.
She rolled her eyes. "Are you still drunk?" He shook his head no, burrowing his face in the back of her neck. "Then who says I won't finish?" she asked breezily. She squeaked as she found herself dropped to her back and he was looming over her, barely an outline in the dim light of her room. She smiled up at him.
"Divines, Kirstte," he moaned and kissed her, tongue diving into her mouth as he pulled her tight against him, one of his legs sliding between hers. She arched into him, hands sliding over his chest and up into his hair. She could feel him pressing into her thigh and whimpered, shifting under him. One of his hands slid down to cup her arse, pulling her in tighter.
"Vilkas," she sighed as his lips traced down to her neck.
The door to the sitting room slammed open and they both started, Vilkas falling to the side just as Lucia appeared in the doorway. "Harbinger! Farkas says today's the day we get to go sledding and play games! Is that true?" She scrambled onto the bed, jumping a little. "Hiya Vilkas! Are you gonna go sledding with us too? My mama brought me two years ago to go sledding and it was the best time. Are we going? Please, please, please?"
Kirstte swallowed down a moan of disappointment. "Of course we're going out to the games. Did Farkas tell you that last year I won the arm wrestling contest?" She urged Lucia off the bed and stood, moving to her wardrobe. "I have to go back and defend my title!" She produced her holly and mistletoe crown from the back of the wardrobe and placed it on her head. "Now you go get dressed and make sure Sofie's ready and I'll be up in a few minutes."
"Okay!" Lucia ran off and Kirstte turned, giving Vilkas an apologetic look.
"Go on," he sighed. "I'll just… take care of things and then get dressed."
She chuckled and started changing, taking her time as his eyes danced over her skin. "At least you get to stay here and handle things. I just get to be frustrated all day." His eyebrows arched and she shrugged. "You think I just sat around and waited for you to get your head on straight?" She shook her head. "I took things ah… into my own hands more than a few times while you were gone." He groaned. "There's a visual to help you out," she winked and he snorted. "See you in a bit."
She closed the door behind her and made her way upstairs. Lydia's sofa was empty and she shot Farkas a look as she sat next to him. "She wanted to go back downstairs. She thinks it's going to be soon. I'm not sure if it will be or if she's just hopeful, but I helped her to bed anyway." He fiddled with a fork. "I think I'm going to stay here today if that's okay. Just in case."
"Of course it is, Farkas. I'll go win the competition in your honor. How about that?" She grinned and helped herself to some pears.
"Competition?" Romularan slid into the chair next to her, poking through the food until he found some snowberry tarts. "What competition?"
"Today is the day of games and contests. The children typically go sledding, have snowball battles, things like that. The adults have an arm wrestling competition. I won last year." She pointed to the crown on her head. "I have to go defend my title this year."
Romularan eyed her, a thoughtful look on his face. "You won?" he sounded curious and she arched a brow in question. "No offense meant, Harbinger, but you don't strike me as the strongest physically of this bunch." He waved his arm to encompass the building. "I know you are Harbinger, but I was led to believe you were granted that title because of your leadership abilities, not because of your physical strength."
She gave him a feral grin. "Looks can be deceiving Romularan."
Vilkas grunted and paused to press a kiss to the top of her head before sitting on Farkas's other side. "Don't let her fool you," he chimed in. "There's more strength packed into that package than she lets on."
He hummed noncommittedly. "I suppose we shall see," he said. "I am certainly going to join you today."
"Great!" Kirstte grinned at him. "We'll see you out there." She pushed up and looked for Lucia and Sofie who were still in their room getting ready. "Who's ready to go sledding?" she called. They both popped out of the bedroom and she was delighted to see Sofie grinning from ear to ear. "Anybody going to join us?"
"I will," Ria said, skirting around the table and joining Kirstte. Sofie shot a look at Anders.
He knelt down next to her, tightening her hood around her neck. "I can't go first thing this morning," he explained. "But I will be there just as soon as I'm finished here. You'll be fine with Ria and the Harbinger right?" She nodded solemnly and he tweaked her nose. "Okay. Go have fun." Lucia linked arms with Sofie and then took Kirstte's hand. Sofie reached out and grabbed Ria's and the four of them made their way outside, Kirstte pausing to grab the sleds that Eorlund had brought up.
They joined the group outside Whiterun who were already sledding and together she and Ria spent their time hauling sleds and kids up the hill and sledding down. Eventually Ria dropped into the snow as Lucia rolled off her sled and landed on her, laughing. "I think we need to get some hot chocolate or warm cider for these two before they freeze their noses off!" she declared.
"Yay! Hot chocolate!" Lucia took Sofie's hand and pulled her towards the sweets vendor, Kirstte and Ria trialing behind them.
"I think I'm going to do it," Ria murmured, smiling after the girls. Kirstte gave her a curious look. "I'm going to ask Lucia if she wants me to be her mother." She cleared her throat. "I'd ask Sofie too, but I don't want to step and Anders toes, or put him in a situation he may not be comfortable with."
Kirstte grinned, taking Ria's hand and squeezing it. "I think that's a great idea. And I think you should talk to Anders before you do it. So he doesn't feel put on the spot if you ask Lucia and everybody suddenly thinks he should ask Sofie. He probably will, but he should be prepared." She looked over the crowd and spotted Vilkas in a group waiting for the arm wrestling to start. "If I've learned anything in the last year, it's that you need to be open and communicate with the people you care about."
Ria snorted and released her hand, moving to join the girls at the sweets vendor. "That's the understatement of the year," she retorted. "I'll talk to him." Kirstte nodded and made her way over to the group, sliding her way to the front. Jon Battle-Born had taken up Skjor's place as announcer.
"Well, well, here's last year's champion come to defend her title! Who thinks they can defeat the Harbinger of the Companions?" he declared, grabbing Kirstte's hand and pulling her forward. Njada stepped up and arched her brows. "We have Njada of the Companions ready to face off with the Harbinger. Which of these formidable ladies will win?"
Kirstte sat, removing her gloves and dropping them by her feet as Njada did the same. She braced her elbow and gripped Njada's hand. "You sure you want to beat me?" she asked with a smirk. "You'll have to wear a crown and kiss all the men you dance with."
Njada snorted, tightening her grip. "I don't have to do a damned thing I don't want to do, and you know it."
Njada put up a tough fight, but ultimately Kirstte won. She stood up and glowered when Toral took her seat. "Do you really think you can beat her?"
He grinned and winked at Kirstte. "Worth a try right? Talk about bragging rights, defeating the Harbinger of the Companions." He set his elbow on the table and wiggled his fingers at her. "Let's do this, Harbinger."
Kirstte pursed her lips to keep from laughing and took his hand, waiting for Jon to count the start. When he did, she easily defeated Toral, arching her brows as he gaped at her. "I expected to lose, but that was…"
"Your form is awful," Njada griped, grabbing his arm and hauling him up. "You've obviously never done this before. Come on, I'll teach you."
They disappeared into the crowd and Jon lifted his hands. "Who's next to challenge the reigning champion? Perhaps the Master at Arms?" He grinned at Vilkas and the crowd cheered, some chanting.
"Come on, Master at Arms, worried I'll humiliate you again this year?" His eyes cut down to Kirstte and he smirked, settling into the seat across from her.
"More like I've been thinking about what those hands have been up to," he muttered and she felt her face flush. "You won't win again this year, Harbinger," he declared louder, presenting his hand.
She gripped it and arched her brows. "And what if I do?"
He shifted his position. "You win and I'll give you anything you want," he offered. Her smile widened and she looked up at Jon, nodding. Vilkas nodded also and he counted down. Kirstte was ready for him and braced herself, using just enough strength to keep him from getting an edge on her. His eyes narrowed. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you're cheating," he muttered.
She snorted. "You obviously didn't learn anything last year," she responded, shifting her weight and pushing his arm over. It was harder than the first time but she still succeeded in laying his arm flat. "And I win again," she declared.
"The Harbinger of the Companions has bested the Master at Arms! Is there nobody who can defeat her?" Jon bellowed. Romularan pushed his way to the front of the crowd and swept off his cloak with a fluid gesture.
"I'll try." He gave her a look and she responded with her feral grin, eyes sparking with challenge. He settled across from her, face cool and collected.
"Jon," she said before he could announce the match. "Use all of my titles this time." His brow furrowed but he nodded.
"What's your name?" he asked the Altmer.
"Romularan. Newest member of the Companions." He braced his elbow and she slid her hand into his, feeling the strength in his fingers and for a moment she worried he might beat her.
"And now, Romularan, newest member of the Companions will face off against Kirstte, Harbinger of the Companions, Champion of Whiterun, Savior of Skyrim, and Dragonborn!" Jon declared. Her smile widened at the shock she saw dance over Romularan's face. "Begin!"
He was strong, probably more so than Vilkas, but he, like all the others, underestimated her because of her appearance. She waited him out and then slowly shifted and began forcing his arm over. "Are you truly all those things he said?" he asked, eyes focused on their hands.
"Sure am. Didn't Aela tell you?" He shook his head and she shot a look at the Huntress who was standing nearby.
"You have spent the last year telling us how much you hate those titles, of course I didn't use them," she said. Kirstte smiled in thanks and then pushed Romularan's arm the rest of the way over.
"And the winner is Kirstte! Harbinger of the Companions! Are there any other challengers?" He looked around the crowd and when nobody stepped up; he grabbed her hand and lifted it, pulling her to standing. "To the winner of the contest, the Harbinger of the Companions!" A cheer went up and Kirstte found herself swept along the crowd and congratulated. She broke free finally and accepted a bottle of mead from Vilkas.
"Two years in a row. Nice work." He gave her a quick peck.
Romularan was shaking his head as he approached them, a small grin on his lips. "I was certain I would beat you," he admitted. "I had no idea the hidden strength you have." He dipped his head to Vilkas. "You did try and warn me." Vilkas nodded, smirking. "It is no shame losing to someone of your reputation. Thank you, Harbinger. Perhaps we can discuss your quest as Dragonborn eventually?"
"Surely you've heard it by now?" She would be stunned if he had not. The Bards sang about it across all of Skyrim.
"It's one thing to hear from bards and another to hear it from the source. It would be an honor." He bowed and she got the distinct impression that something had shifted in their relationship.
"I would be happy too," she replied. "But not tonight, because next is dancing and drinking and that is probably one of my favorite parts of the year. You should join us."
He looked around the crowd, watching as the musicians began preparing their instruments. "Perhaps." He gave them both an enigmatic smile and then he was gone.
"He is a strange man," Vilkas muttered.
Kirstte hummed in agreement and then shifted to look at him. "Do me a favor, oh Master at Arms?"
"Anything, Harbinger." He pulled her against him, hands resting at the small of her back.
"Don't get too drunk. I want to finish what we started this morning." His jaw dropped a little and she chuckled. "Unless you're not inclined too."
His mouth snapped shut and he growled. "If I could get away with it, I'd haul you back to Jorrvaskr right now and lock you up for the night." He pressed his face against her neck and kissed it. "As it is, I'll be sneaking you out of here pretty early."
"Sounds like a plan to me," she replied.
It was later than either of them had wanted but still early in the night when they stumbled into Jorrvaskr laughing and shushing each other. Everybody else was down at celebration, including Tilma. The only ones they had to worry about were Farkas and Lydia and Kirstte was confident they would not interrupt. Vilkas kissed her, pushing her up against the door and sliding his tongue into her mouth. She moaned and pulled back, panting. "Bedroom. Now." He nodded in agreement and hauled her up; tossing her over one shoulder as he practically sprinted through the building. "Vilkas!" she laughed, bracing against his back. He made a beeline for her room, closed, and locked the main door before he carried her into the bedroom and dropped her on the bed.
"There. No interruptions." He growled as he crawled over her. He pushed her hair away from her face. "Are you sure about this?" he asked, studying her. "We don't have to."
"Vilkas." She placed one hand on each cheek and pulled his face down to hers. "I. Am. Certain. I want this. And I want it now."
He leered at her, reaching for the ties on her clothes. "As you wish, Harbinger."