His head was spinning. Upon closer inspection, the woman before him was nothing of what he had originally expected. Innocent and Intense. She walked that fine line quite well.

She had a smart mouth that almost always had a comment to anything and he had found himself smiling more times in the last few hours than in the last 3 years of his life. Her brown eyes had taken on a dark tinge when angered and she fought with such a ferocity and yet with such grace that he nearly stopped just to watch. She moved and thought with calculated steps. Her feet moved so silently that she could have been a thief in her early years. And the way her hips swayed as she walked made it hard to focus when he followed behind her. When wielding one sword, she kept her unused arm tucked behind her along her waist, only using it to for extra strength in a swing when needed. She was quite observative. Her gaze had occasionally hung on him while they had worked through the barrow. She watched him with a gentle sort of admiration that made him want to puff his chest a bit.

Her voice softened and her eyes were warm when she teased him, saw the pain she had radiated when she saw her first draugr, and the silent mortification when she watched as it strode toward her. He had seen the sorrow she felt at the sight of it taking an arrow to its chest and the shock as it still walked towards her. The panic that rooted her to her place must have been sever as she gently shook, the blade of her sword twitching. He could feel it. His fingers working faster to notch another arrow as the draugr moved in towards her, even calling out her name, but seemed to go unheard. He nearly abandoned the arrow to start reaching for his dagger, stepping towards the oncoming dead man. Though her face was hidden from sight, her back straightened, her arm left her waist and swung her sword with both hands at its neck.. Even after she took its head clean from its shoulders, he saw the way her shoulders shook as she peered down at it. How her fingers fidgeted with the dark stone that lay under her shoulder wrap. How her eyes had closed, pained and it looked as if she awaited retribution. But after a moment, her eyes opened and her face relaxed with a steady exhaled breath.

She enthralled him when she stood her ground when she and him were at a disagreement about the draugr. And damn her if she wasn't sexy when her eyes sparked with fury. Or when she was thinking and bit her bottom lip in thought. Or when she had seen a few snowflakes drift down in front of her. The wonder that had taken over her eyes. Or the irritation that sharpened them when he spoke of 'pure-bloods' or her being called half-breed.. He had heard when Nords such as himself were racist, but the level in snide cruelty.. It made his chest hurt. Her responses, though sarcastic, were still.. Slightly diplomatic. Though he found out, she didn't like the thought of other races deeming themselves better than other. Especially those of 'nobility' as much as he himself did. The thought of her breaking a lord's hand pleased him.

In the few hours they had journeyed together, he had come to almost respect her. She didn't like when the mage thought he was 'her better', had seen the way her hands clenched and her eyes narrowed. He found her silent fury stunning. After he gave the mage a verbal warning, he had seen the glance she gave him. Surprise and appreciation, and the look on her face when the man tried to soothe everything over, was simply one of 'yeah, I thought so'.

What a woman. Even as she talked with the mage as he babbled on and on about dragons, he watched. She nodded here and there, listening in closely. It wasn't until the dark elf ran into the room that her calm and studious face changed into one of high alert.

"Farengar! Farengar, you need to come at once. A dragon's been sighted nearby. You should come, too." She pointed at Serlina then continued to talk to the mage. She stood stock still for a minute and bit down on her bottom lip. He held back a groan. He wanted to do that. What would she taste like? The mage was all but jumping to attention, breaking his train of thought. He was running around his desk to talk the dark elf.

"A dragon! How exciting! Where was it seen? What was it doing?" He spoke like a young boy who just sat in on a story being told. He sneered. Stupid fool.

"I'd take this a bit more seriously if I were you. If a dragon decides to attack Whiterun I don't know if we can stop it. Let's go." They turn and head up the wooden stairs to meet with the Jarl upstairs. An anxious guard is with them. Looking back at Serlina, her gaze was steady, looking at the door and stepping towards him

"Bishop?" She called to him.

"What is it?" He asked. Stopping just near him she took in a deep breath and let it out.

"Look, I know I promised to help you find Karnwyr, and I don't want to break my promise. But I don't want you to stay if you don't want to be involved in this simply because I am... But I want to help them. If you want, you can hang back and we can meet up after." Her eyes stayed steady on his and he smirked. She didn't say 'if' she came back. She was so sure she would.

"Like I would pass up a chance to take down a dragon." He saw her shoulders tighten.

"This isn't something to joke about ranger." Her tone went dry as her hands fisted on her hips. "I've seen what they can do. This isn't some type of conquest for you to mount on a wall." She almost sounded like she was lecturing him, but the undertone of her voice caught his ear. Apprehension. Almost fear. What had she seen at Helgen? The short version she had given him and the Jarl were.. brief at best.

"Okay, listen here princess. I will help you, help them. And because you need all the manpower you need with a skill with a bow." She pressed a few fingers to her eyes.

"You make a fine point... They would need someone with your skill with a bow because I-" She huffed out a breath and started towards the door. "Best not to keep them waiting I suppose."

How about that? He followed behind her, eyes watching her body as it moved, taking the steps two at a time to meet up with everyone whereas he simple walked. Leaning against the wall, he listened in on everything. Balgruuf stood over the map, looking at the nervous guard, who swayed a bit on his feet. From where he stood, he could smell singed hair, flesh and smoke.

"So, Irileth tells me you came from the western watchtower." He supplied and the guard nodded.

"Yes, my lord."

Irileth crossed her arms and nodded for him to continue. "Tell him what you told me. About the dragon."

"Uh...that's right. We saw it coming from the south. It was fast...faster than anything I've ever seen." He still sounded shocked. Fast huh?

Balgruuf nodded at this and asked "What did it do? Is it attacking the watchtower?" The guard shook his head.

"No, my lord. It was just circling overhead when I left. I never ran so fast in my life...I thought it would come after me for sure." The lord stood up and walked to him, clapping him on his shoulder.

"Good work, son. We'll take it from here. Head down to the barracks for some food and rest. You've earned it. Irileth, you'd better gather some guardsmen and get down there."

Irileth turned to the lord and nodded. "I've already ordered my men to muster near the main gate."

Balgruuf gave a single stiff nod. "Good. Don't fail me." He waves her away and then his gaze turns to Serlina. He notices the way she stands just a little bit taller under his gaze. Awaiting orders. Balgruuf walks to her and lets out a breath. "There's no time to stand on ceremony, my friend. I need your help again. I want you to go with Irileth and help her fight this dragon. You survived Helgen, so you have more experience with dragons than anyone else here."

That was another thing that spun around in his mind. She had been in the attack on Helgen, and survived. Though when she had spoken to the lord, she sounded so.. Pained. Like the very memory of it still frightened her, though her face showed no trace of the remnants of fear. She was a survivor.. Like him.

"But I haven't forgotten the service you did for me in retrieving the Dragonstone for Farengar. As a token of my esteem, I have instructed Avenicci that you are now permitted to purchase property in the city. And please accept this gift from my personal armory." Her eyes widened in shock. He handed her a pair of steel boots, to which she bowed her head in thanks and strode over to where Bishop was. The mage spoke up for the first time since they had all gathered.

"I should come along. I would very much like to see this dragon. "

"Plenty to see from the windows and roofs." She murmured beside him.

Balgruuf shook his head. "No. I can't afford to risk both of you. I need you here working on ways to defend the city against these dragons."

"As you command." The mage sounded disappointed, but walked back down the stairs.

"One last thing, Irileth. This isn't a death or glory mission. I need to know what we're dealing with." She turned back to him and bowed her head.

"Don't worry, my lord. I'm the very soul of caution." She says and strolls out of the room and down the steps.

Not far behind Serlina follows, her walk steady, and when they're back out, the sun is hitting early evening. Walking alongside her, he sees her gaze is looking all around, mainly at the sky.

"Nervous?" He asked as they walked down the steps. She glanced at him and sighed.

"I suppose I am. Apprehensive, defiantly. But mostly I'm just.. Concerned." She stopped at the top of the stone stairs. "For all of these people, whose lives could literally go up in smoke if things go south. And that.. That I won't be much help." She said slowly. He turns and looks at her side profile.

"What makes you say that?" He asked as she walked down the steps.

"Dragons fly." She stated simply.

"Well yeah. They do have wings."

"I mean that if they can fly, I can't do anything unless it's on the ground. I'm not going to go throwing my swords like they're spears." He could mentally picture it and the idea of her doing it made him smirk.

"So, it's not like you don't have options. We'll find you a bow and some arrows." He stated and caught her fidgeting with the stone again.

"Bishop, I haven't used a bow in over 2 years. I might now even be that good anymore." She admitted and soon, the guards were in sight.

"Well then, if were both to get out of this alive, maybe I should give you some pointers."

"I had a teacher when I was in Morrowind and he couldn't get me to focus." She informed him. He smiled inwardly at himself.

"Oh princess, I could get you to focus." He teased.

"Don't play with me Bishop." She gave him a sideways glare. "This isn't the time."

"To focus? I'm willing to bet that this is the best time." He saw the corners of her mouth tilt upwards.

"Smart ass."

"How about I just give you a few quick pointers? And if that doesn't help, I'll be your long-ranged cover. And I promise you darlin' I won't miss my mark." He offered, the pride in his voice ringing clear.

"I doubt that you would miss any mark you set your eyes on…Alright. But we'll have to wait and see. I don't know how much time we'll have."

Irileth stand at the main gate where her men are readied.

"Here's the situation." Irileth called out, getting everyone's attention. "A dragon is attacking the Western Watchtower." Many voices clamored all around them;

"What?"

"A dragon? "

"We're in for it."

"You heard right! I said a dragon! I don't much care where it came from or who sent it. What I do know is it's made the mistake of attacking Whiterun!"

A Whiterun Guard spoke up. "But Housecarl...how can we attack a dragon?"

Irileth acknowledged him. "That's a fair question. None of us have ever seen dragon before, or expected to face one in battle." His gaze slide to his Ladyship beside him. She was breathing evenly, and a small frown settled on her face. She had seen a dragon. But he figured this wasn't the time to be pointing that out. The men would turn to her and she looked about as unsure as the rest of them. "But we are honor-bound to fight it, even if we fall. This dragon is threatening our homes...our families. Could you call yourselves Nords if you ran from this monster? Are you going to let me face this thing alone?"

A Whiterun Guard closest to them muttered something along the lines of "We're so dead..."

Irileth went on, instilling courage in them. "But it's more than our honor at stake here. Think of it - the first dragon seen in Skyrim since the last age. The glory of killing it is ours, if you're with me! Now what do you say? Shall we go kill us a dragon?" Voices all around rose in cheer now.

"Yeah!"

"Damn right!"

"Yeah!"

Irileth nodded and with a wave, motioned for the group to head out of the city. "Let's move out. The gates opened with a loud creak and the men began to filter out.

"It still surprises me how someone can be able to give people courage like that. That amount of belief. And trust." She shook her head in slight amazement.

"Pah." He scowled. Glancing at him, she had a slight look of puzzlement on her face.

"You don't seem to trust anyone. Why is that?" She asked. His eyes rolled.

"I don't trust anyone. Life's easier that way." He returned. She frowned. Then she looked at him and gave him a look of sympathy.

"It's also very lonely." She said softly and he felt a small ping in his chest. Her words, spoke some truth. "If you don't trust anyone, do you at least put your faith in the Divines?" She asked as they walked out of the courtyard.

"I wouldn't waste your time on any of these worthless gods." She looked like she thought on that a moment and shrugged.

"I agree, I can take care of myself and I don't need anyone helping me." He caught her arm and stopped their following. Stepping close, he gets well past the borders of her personal comfort zone. Even suppresses a grin when her breath catches and her eyes widen, though they never leave his.

"You don't look like a mighty warrior to me right now. More like a little girl who met a big bad wolf." He guessed that he was wearing a pretty intense expression, because her eyes briefly widened. She didn't avert her gaze, though. Instead, her eyes glistened with mischievousness. Leaning towards him, she ran her tongue over her lips then tilted her head back.

'AWOO!" She howled, the sound throaty and amused. She shocked him, then lowering her head, she caught sight of his face and laughed. The howl and laugh… that voice… It sent a sizzle down his spine and practically stroked him making several places on his body quickly harden. Her smile faded as a slight blush graced her face.

"Sorry, I was going making a- you know what, never mind. If you didn't laugh, it wasn't funny. I thought it would have been funny. I'm rambling. Come on Bishop. We best catch up." He said nothing of her rambling. She was right. Her attempt of a joke didn't make him laugh. It made him hard. Simply focused on walking and not the uncomfortable tightness in his pants. 'Oh, I could make you howl for real sweetness.. And you would love every minute of it…' The thought made his blood heat.

The walk to the tower wasn't far. Serlina kept her eyes on terrain around her. She even walked around and walked alongside Irileth. When the dark elf glared at her, expecting her to fall in place behind her, she simple shrugged and walked ahead. He followed close by. She wasn't one to cower, I'll give her that, he thought to himself. When they near, they could see from afar that the Western Watchtower is a ruined. Smoke rose. Thick and black, patches of fire burned all around, sections of the stone lay on the ground. Serlina slowed, but didn't stop, then broke out into a sprint toward the tower.

"Ladyship! Wait!" He called out as she continued running. Damn, she could move! She slowed to a crouch after a few minutes and hid behind a large stone. He moved in beside her, slowly catching his breath. "What the hell was that about?" He demanded.

"Its.. A smaller version of Helgen." She said softly, her eyes skimming over everything ahead of them. "The destruction. The smoke, the smell of fire and burnt flesh." She winced then swallowed harshly as her fingers dug into the stone. "I didn't mean to run. I just.. I had to get closer, as fast as I could. But the dragon isn't here. At least, for now." She glanced to the sky, rubbing the back of her neck. "I don't feel like one is close by, but I know it's not far. Does that make sense?" She asked quietly. Sounded like instinct to him.

"Sort of. You know when their close by?" He sounded disbelieving even to his own ears.

"Kind of. I'm not sure. It's. Just a feeling." The sound of boots on stone closed in, and Irileth joined them.

"Ran out of steam?" She asked. "Hope you enjoyed your little run through the fields."

"I sure did. Even picked a few flowers and fashioned you a flower crown that will make your eyes stand out." She returned the jab and a few men chuckled. "No, I just wanted to get a lay of the area and access the situation."

"Just the same as we are." Irileth scowled as she shook her head as she looked around. "No signs of any dragon right now, but it sure looks like he's been here." She spoke in a calculated voice. "I know it looks bad, but we've got to figure out what happened. And if that dragon is still skulking about somewhere. Spread out. And look for survivors. We need to know what we're dealing with" The group drew their weapons, fanning out and heading towards the tower.

Following Serlina, the walked to the main doorway, minding the broken rubble. A voice called out from inside the tower.

"No! Get back, It's still here somewhere! Hroki and Tor just got grabbed when they tried to make a run for it!" He shouted. Bishop was about to draw an arrow when Serlina laid a gentle hand on his forearm.

"It's not close." He let out a grunt of doubt. Turning to him, she tightened her grip. "Trust me." Her voice sounded so sure. It was nice relief from the pained expression a moment ago. "Save your arrows. We'll need them when the time comes." Looking at the guard who had just walked outside, she sent him a wave.

"Do you have any wounded in the remains of the tower?" She asked as she stepped up. He shook his head. The man looked rough. His armor was ripped and burned, blood, his or not, stained his clothes. His weapon was in wrecked condition. And from the look on his face as he looks around the battlefield, so was his spirit.

"Shor's bones, did it kill them all...?" He asked.

"We are still looking." Her voiced soothed. "I believe a few of your men made it back to Whiterun to inform the Jarl. They're safe." She spoke slowly, ensuring that he was listening..

"Thank the Gods."

"Or their own stamina, common sense, survival instinct. You know, whichever." He received a hard stare from the guard and a cold glare from Serlina.

"Irileth will want to talk to you about what happened here. You should go find her. The guard, though wary, passed them and walked down to Irileth. Turning on her heel, she looked up at him.

"Can I ask you something?" By her tone, it was going to be a little insulting. Inwardly he smiled. This should be good. He looked at her squarely and kept his face neutral.

"Yeah. Something on your mind?"

"Yeah. Are you rude like this to everyone?" She put her fists on her hips and raised her chin at him. She really was sexy when she was irritated.

"Of course." He shrugged nonchalantly while she glared at him.

"Why?" Her snappy tone had him crossing his arms.

"Why waste time pretending to be someone else? The sooner people face the cold realities and harsh truths of the world the better. Why pretend we are anything other than what we are?" He asked his questions so fast she didn't have time to answer them. Instead, he pointed a finger at her. "I've seen the way you bite your tongue rather than speak the truth at times." Her eyes widened a bit, even as she smacked his upraised finger down. "That's right, I noticed. Don't you get tired of having to pretend these people actually interest you, that you give a shit about them?" The jab made her eyes darken; the warm brown darkened to nearly black. "Doesn't it frustrate you having to constantly submit to their fragile egos?"

"I do what I can to help keep the peace ranger. Seems someone like you wouldn't understand." She let out a breath and started to walk around him. Well, stomp would have been more accurate.

"Playing the hero, I see." He called after her. She turned back to him, but kept walking.

"Again, this isn't game Bishop! And if you sure as hell won't be a 'hero' as you so called it, then it's up to me to damn well try to be for the both of us." She turned back around walked off toward Irileth, kicking a helmet out of her way. Her words stung. He didn't want to be a hero though. Didn't need to be. He brushed her off and walked into the broken tower. He'd let her cool down. At least a while… The tower was, to put it gently, a mess. All Bishop could see was the crumbling walls that were nothing more than a ghostly silhouette of some previous existence. Every movement in the tower sent a vortex of dust into the previously stagnant air. Dust was so thick that it built a layer over everything. Not just dust he found. Ashes mixed in as well. The stone staircase wound up in a tight spiral to his right.. It curled around the tower with no rail and only the narrowest of windows to provide light, which crept in gingerly as if unsure it was welcome. The stones were cold, even through his boots he could feel his body heat leaching out. Each step echoed around, emphasizing that I was the only one here. Reaching the top, he walked to the edge and got a layout of everything. All around there were patches of fire, smoke rising in the air. The smoke wasn't completely opaque, but its long grey wisps seemed to curl with others that were much darker, some near black.

A short time later, the remaining guards were inside the tower, some getting patched up, some standing watch at different sections all around the area, others minding to their weapons, while he stood at the top of the tower, looking all around. From there, his vantage point was at its best. The countryside stretched before him like a great quilt of golden, brown and green squares held together by the thick green stitching of the hedgerows. It rose and fell like giant waves on a gentle ocean and was dotted with animals and a few giants, their mammoths in tow. Occasionally there was a wood that separated the fields, or a farmhouse. Looking below, he saw Serlina talking to Irileth. Irileth looked like she was thinking something over then a stiff nod and they shook hands and parted ways. Irileth heading into the tower, and Serlina looking towards the rubble, a hand raised to her chest. Looking towards the sky, her gaze slowly moves until it finds his. Though separated by a fair distance, the tension between them gently crackles. He never breaks contact as he looks down at her and gives her a small nod and she sighs her mouth settling in a lopsided pout. He watched her fiddle with the charm and jumps a little, like a small jolt of electricity runs through her making her release the stone, shaking her head a little she looks away then heads into the tower.

What was that about? Giving the sky one last look, he headed down the flight of stone steps. The commotions of voices rising in volume as he descended, the sound of a few men talking off all things, some wincing of pain from several wounded men they had found around in the field. When he had reached the main floor, he found her sitting on top of a small table, her legs dangling, while talking to a guard who sat in the chair beside her.

"Takes a fair bit of strength to carry a greatsword like that. But can you use it?" He asked, pointing at the long sword strapped to her back. He caught the way she tilted her head a bit to her right shoulder, her ponytail swinging along her shoulders slightly. She had hair that he wanted his hands in, gripping tight as he worked over her, or have it surround them as she straddled him. Wanted to fist it as he pulled her head back to lick and suck on her delicate throat. What sounds would she make if- no, when he bedded her? The questioned burned in his mind as she continued speaking.

"No absolutely not. I carry it around with me simply because I needed a paperweight." A few men chuckle at her teasing tone, making her smile as she bit the tip of her tongue between her teeth. He nearly groaned. Instead, he leaned against the stone wall of the tower and crossed his legs at the ankles. When the small sounds of laughter faded, she smiled at the guard and gave a single nod.

"Yes. I started out on heavy weapons, though at the time, I wasn't very good." Her eyes had a faraway look for a minute. "Then, after I tried a hand at single handed combat, I was able to refined my skill with just the one, then over the years I switched depending on the fight. Though, it has been a while since I've used it." She looked over her shoulder and the grip. "But I will soon." Her voice was a steady. Promising.

"Why the Elven blade, hmm? Nord steel not good enough for you?" A wounded one asked. She shrugged.

"Didn't get a lot of Nordic steel where I was. No point in switching over and getting used to a new material." She explained. The man winces when herbs where applied to him arm.

"The gods gave you two hands, and you use them both for your weapons. I can respect that." Another spoke, making a shy smile rise from her. He held out a hand. "May I?" He asked and she shrugged, then stood and withdrew her right hipped sword, twirling it between her fingers so that she was handing him the handle. He took it carefully, and he watched his widen in surprise. He lifted it up and down, tilted it this way and that, letting the light catch on the blade. Even from here, he could see the intricate carvings in the mettle near the tip of the blade. Like vines, all leading up to about mid-blade. "Aye, now that there's a beautiful sword. Like a sliver of moonlight. It's so light. What's it made of?" He handed it back to her and it was sheathed.

"It's an elvish mix of metals, and wood." She patted the grip with her fingers. Then re-crossing her arms, she looked back out the door. She was on edge. Steady, but on edge.

"Your armor... it's like nothing I've ever seen." Irileth stated as she finished speaking to one of the wounded men. She shifted a bit when several sets of eyes looked her up and down.

"It's custom made." She said awkwardly. It seemed that she didn't like where the attention was going. But she deserved it. Her armor stuck to her like second skin, showing her curves that could make any man turn his head, and yet she was showing little to no skin aside from her face, neck and fingers. Everything else was covered. Sadly. "It's light and strong." She added.

"Lightly armored means light on your feet. Smart." Bishop's fists tighten as he watched the guard who was closest to him let his eyes travel up and down her body. Just a little too long. Then again, he had just done the same. Gods, he was already starting to imagine her in his bed. But other creatures don't try to step in on a predators hunt of new prey. And that's what she was. New prey. Different from the dragon. This prey he wanted with a need so profound it left like he was slowly burning.

"My father always did say I was at my best when I could be quick and nimble." She smiled then. Genuinely smiled. Like a warm thought or memory graced her mind. Then slowly, her smile faded and a saddened look took its place. "Among other things." She said to no one in particular.

"Among other things indeed." The wounded man spoke again, causing her to look at him. "I've heard about you and your honeyed words... Heard word of your meddling in the Altmer court." A guard spoke up and he watched her bristle, even as a few men around them looked around at each-other, whispering amongst themselves. He thought she would snap at the guard. Instead, she sighed.

"My honeyed words didn't do much. They're still corrupted. Mostly the Altmer Court." She spoke quietly. "But not all Altmer are corrupt or malign. Not all of them are out to get you or your countrymen."

"I doubt that." He spat out. "The Altmer are aiding the wrong side in this war. They want nothing more than to take out all of our traditions and beliefs." A few men murmured agreements. She lifted a brow and tilted her head in a shrug-like gesture.

"Hard to argue with that logic." She tsked again. Seems she liked to do that when sarcastically reprimanding someone. "Well, I suppose with your level of experience with them, you should know more about them than I do. Though I suppose you don't care, since you're ready to group us all in together."

"Us?" A few whispers all around. Irileth looked a little confused as well.

"You're an elf? You don't look it." Irileth said quietly. Serlina shrugged.

"Most of the time people only see what they want to see." She pointed her gaze at the man who was looking more and more angry.

"Don't cross me, Elf." His eyes narrowed under his helmet. Her chin lifted a notch.

"Half-elf." She defended. "But your small mind couldn't possibly be able to comprehend that thought now that you know what only half of what makes me whole is." The guard stuttered and stammered a response, only to be ignored. The rest of the room was now seeing her in a new light. She looked around and he too could feel the tension rising. Sighing, she pointed a thumb to the door.

"I'll take my Altmer meddling ass outside and take the next watch." She walked out amongst while the others mumbled a few different things that made Bishop clench his fists. A heavy silence settled over them, thicker than the uneasy tension in the anticipation of the dragon. Unsettled eyes glanced unceremoniously around and tried to avoid catching other glances. Some shifted uncomfortably in their seat and others grasped their sweaty, nervous hands under the tables, and even others shuffled their feet against the cobbles of the stone floor. Pushing off the wall, started out to follow her, a guard stepping in his way. The one who had complimented her armor and looked her head to toe.

"Keep your arrows in their quiver, archer." The guard said to him and he glared at the man.

"Then keep your eyes of the woman. Or I'll stick my knife in your eye." That shut him up. Shoving past him he walked outside and looked around. She wasn't anywhere to be seen. Looking right to left, he searched, until the sound of an arrow whizzing through the air and landing somewhere in dirt caught his ear to his right. Stepping down the stone he follows the sound and sees a sight that amuses him. Seemed she found a forgotten bow and a few arrows somewhere amongst the debris and found a single practice dummy.

Standing a fair distance away, she stood, notched, aimed and he flinched when she let the arrow fly with a 'fwaoop' sound. Not enough drawback, that's what that sound was. Again, she picked up and arrow, notched and this time, drew it back until the string whined and sent it flying over the rubble. Though a few feet away he heard a muttered, 'Gods dammit.' She had about seven arrows, and none of which hit the dummy, a few came close, but none so far as actually hit the target. She wasn't breathing right. Her brows were furrowed, like she was angrier when she simply should have been focusing. The target wasn't even moving! So, what in Oblivion- The thought was cut off when she lowered the bow with a huff. He could see from the tight grip that she looked like she was ready to chuck the damn thing. Taking a few steps towards her, he crossed his arms casually.

"Something on your mind?" He asked, making her turn on her heel, a hand to her chest.

"You startled me Bishop."

"Didn't think I would check up on you?"

"Didn't think you cared enough to bother. Thought you would still be inside, or scanning the skies, with that intense stare of yours. Maybe even-." She sighed. "I'm just.. trying to keep my mind busy is all." He walked till he was to her right, and sat on one of the heaps of rock.

"I figured. Wanted to make sure your okay." He stated and was a little bit surprised when he found that he meant it.

"You're a Nord, aren't you?" She asked, looking at him. He gave a stiff nod. "Hah. Must be nice. Being only one thing, not another or two." She looked at the practice dummy with a vengeance. "Must be nice." She said again. She drew another arrow, and let it fly, only to get lodged in the rock behind the dummy. She huffed again and her arm trembled as she raised a hand to drag down her face. Frustrated. Slowly, he stood and walked a few steps to her.

"Would you like some help?" He asked as she dropped a hand to look up at him, and after a few seconds, she nodded.

"I'm that bad huh?" She said as she exhaled.

"Well... Yeah." She chuckled.

"Then show me your magic ways oh wise and all knowing." She was teasing, he was sure of it, however the delivery on her words made him cover a laugh with him clearing his throat.

"Ready?" He asked as he stepped out of her line of fire.

"Mm-hm." She nodded as she bent to pick up an arrow then straightened.

"Take your stance." He directed, even adjusting her footing a little.

"Alright." She said taking a quick breath and he watched as she drew back, and saw the way the string of the bow rubbed against the sleeves of her armor, catching the slight ruffles.

"Hang on, relax the draw." She slowly let the arrow slide back until the string wasn't taunt. "Are the vambraces on your arms meant to help with archery?" He asked, making her blink in confusion and them peer down at her arms.

"No, they're just to protect my arms." She clarified her brows drawn down in confusion. "What does this have to do with shooting arrows?"

"They catch the drawback, not a lot, but it does hinder your ability to pull back smoothly. And when you release the arrow. Can you take them off?" He asked. She tilted her head a little she handed him the bow. He took it and watched as she raised the sleeves of her tunic, she pulled the material down her arm, revealing more skin. No scars, from what he could see, other than a few nicks to her hands.

"You have good instincts with the bow. Re-draw." He watched her as she re-notched the arrow, and drew it back. "No, no," he chuckled. She slowly lowered again and huffed out an impatient breath. He stepped in behind her and surrounded her body with his, nearly flush against her. "You're too quick." He spoke near her ear and smiled as he felt her shiver slightly. Being this close, he caught the scent of her and almost moaned. She smelled sweet. Like some type of fruit mixed with a gentle floral smell. He knew the flower, the red mountain flower. Common, but still gentle with its scent. But the fruitiness. He wanted to bury his face in it and breathe deeply, to get lost in it until he figured out what it was… Dangerous. If he wasn't careful, he could get lost on more than that. Could become lost in her. Clearing his head with a sharp shake, he set back to the task at hand. Taking a hand to her draw back elbow and another to her forearm.

"The eye is more important than the hand." He looked down and gave her a piercing look. "See your target." He lifted his gaze back to the dummy a few yards from them. "Understand what it is your aiming for, don't just physically let it fly." He heard her breathing, felt it slow and deepen. Felt the burn where their bodies touched. "Elbow down. Just a bit. There you go." He spoke after applying a gentle pressure to her upraised elbow. Her skin was so soft.. I'll bet her skin is soft and silky all over. The thought had another pressing detail rise. Damn. He needed to focus himself. "Use your mouth as an anchor." He felt her stiffen against him.

"Excuse me?" She asked sharply. He rolled his eyes.

"Touch your mouth." He directed and watched as she brought the knuckle of her thumb to the corner of her lips. "Good." Relax this hand." He laid his hand over hers on the bows handle and her tight grip slowly loosened under his. Leaning his head close to her ear again, he lowered his voice. "Sight the major kill spots. Finds your center. The rest of the body doesn't matter." He felt her slightly adjust and gave a slight nod. Thinking back to what she had said earlier, he found himself feeling smug. She had spoken so little since he had stepped up to help her. Maybe her teacher didn't command her attention the way he did. It made him smile to himself. "And breathe in." He felt her back rise and rub against his chest. "And…Release." The arrow went flying, handing dead center in the dummy's chest. She let out a small breathy laugh. Her body released from her stand, pressing a hand to her stomach, like she was trying to calm her nerves. The smile she had was one of a mixture of shock, wonder and joy.

"How did that feel?" He asked, finding himself smiling down at her, and she breathed in, her shoulders rising as she shook her head in slight disbelief.

"Wonderful." She said in an amazed whisper then looked up at him, her gaze warm and bright. She was so close. Her mouth just a lean away. Her eyes darkened to something different, even her face, so full of wonder shifted into something different. Something sensual. The change was so smooth, but the force of it still knocked him right in his gut, scalding him in white hot pleasure that nearly made him gasp. "Wonderful." She said again, her eyes looking at his, before briefly dropping to his mouth. Her eyes were deep brown pools that he found himself memorized by, falling into them as fast. Her breath caught and she covered it by clearing her throat a little before she broke eye contact. "Thank you." She said shaking her head a bit and stepping out of arms reach. He missed her gentle warmth. Wanted her back against him. Close to him. In several different positions. Gods man, focus. "For the lesson." She looked back to the arrow and started towards it. "I've never been able to focus in on something like that." She pulled the arrow loose from the dummy and twirled the long rod between her fingers, flipping it this way and that.

"I told you I could get you to focus. My guess is, is that you never had a teacher who could make your head stop over thinking it." The twirling paused. Looking back at him, she sighed.

"I was often berated on not being able to get out of my head." She looked at the arrow and clenched it in her hand. "Back then, at the time I had been to focused on-" The arrow snapped, making her look away. "Sorry. I'm rambling." She dropped the remnants of the arrow. He sees her shoulders deflate a little, and turns to face him. She looks him up and down and licks her lips, and it takes everything in him not to stride over and kiss her right here, right now. She must do that unconsciously.

"Seems you do that around me quite often." He said smirking.

"I'll make a point in not doing it anymore." She stated as she rubbed her neck. "Gods. This waiting for the dragon is playing on my patience. And nerves." Her arm dropped to her side as she walked back over to him.

"Well, with your skill with a bow, at least you will have a large target." He smirked when she rolled her eyes.

"Yeah." They stared back at each other for what seemed like hours until she finally dropped her gaze, "And there's one more thing," her voice was quieter now, less sure. She looked back up at him and walked toward him till she stood just a foot away; a gentle flush of pink had arisen in her cheeks that made her look vulnerable. "I didn't thank you for helping me." He shrugged.

"I told you I would give you some pointers." He said gently. She smiled.

"Indeed, you did ranger. But I still owe you thanks." He held his breath as she leaned up on the tips of her toes and tentatively pressed her soft lips to his cheek. The action robbing him of breath. It was quick, shocking but nevertheless... So sweet and silken it's enough to melt even the hardest hearted man. Just as he was going to lose himself in the moment, she retreated, a look of discomfort on her face.

"What is it?" His voice was roughened by arousal. He wanted to pull her back to him and press his mouth to hers. To surround every part of her the way she did even far away from him. Those thoughts ceased as he watched as she tilted her head side to side slowly. Then her eyes widened with a snap as she grabbed him by his sleeve and rushed towards the door.

"It's coming!" She shouted back to him. He looked to the skies, saw nothing.

"Are you sure-" She pulled him again making him jolt forward.

"I'm sure Bishop. You can trust me." She said it adamantly. Her fingers tightened as a guard was running outside.

"Kynareth save us, here it comes again!" The guards hauled ass and ran into the fields, weapons drawn. Looking above, there it was, slowly lowering from the clouds, and descending on them fast. Its wings beat the late evening air with those wings of tight skin. He watched as it picked up a guard as it swooped down and with a sickening crunch, his screams ended. Drawing his Bow, he notched and Arrow. He hadn't even known she moved from his side, until she was leaning against his shoulder. With a quick sideways glance, he saw a bow and quiver strapped to her.

"Well Bishop, time to see if your tips stick." She was jogging down the stone when he snagged her arm, making her look at him quickly.

"Be sure of your mark, both eyes open, and remember to breathe. And don't die on me" He threw the reminders at her, and though a battle raged all around them, she smirked at him.

"I can't die today." She told him as he let go of her arm. "I still owe you a drink." She smiled and set off towards the dragon, staying low, hiding behind the rubble when the dragon's hot breath of fire rolled over the land, burning all in its wake. Yeah. That woman was something special. He didn't know at that time, just how much.

Authors Note:

Hello! Sorry for not putting this on my last posted chapter, I meant to, but totally forgot. Sorry for the long wait, things have been up in the air right now, but since I have a little time, I am going to try to write/post as much as I can. Things are starting to heat up between Bishop and Serlina. Since I am new to FF, I am a little unsure as to how far I can go, description and actions wise for the more… intimate sections of my upcoming chapters.

Just a reminder that I DO NOT OWN Skyrim or Skyrim Romance. That was made by the lovely Mara and her team.

Be sure to follow and leave a review for me! I'd love to hear what you guys think.

Stay Tuned!

-IMME