Author's note:

As usual, I thank all those who are reading/following/favoriting this story, thus showing me their support and their interest for this fanfic. A special mention goes to Guest, Elspeth, Ghost1017, Irishman and Cyclone160 for their lovely reviews. Dear Elspeth is perfectly right: Steinarius is a veeeery complicated man, and we'll see more of that later in the story. As for Irishman's remark, I was glad that you noticed that many of my chapters have titles related to songs. No rest for the wicked is an Oblivion quest, but it is also a song by Cage the Elephant. Were you thinking of that?

Back to the story, I have to say that I'm very excited about this chapter and I'm looking forward to reading your reactions. It was among the first instalments I wrote for this fanfic and it has a little warning for sexual references.

Enjoy!

As Steinarius pushed open the door to the Sleeping Giant, he noticed that the main hall of the inn was strangely crowded. Apparently, a huge group of adventurers had decided to spend the morning in the cozy tavern.

The Imperial smiled at the sight of Orgnar bringing a plate of fried eggs to one of the customers, then sat down at a table and started crunching the loaf of bread Adrianne had kindly given him while he was in Whiterun. Given that the inn was unusually crowded, the man didn't even bother looking for Agda. When all the customers had taken their seats, however, Steinarius got up and walked towards the counter. As he caught a glimpse of Agda, he stopped dead in his tracks and felt the ridiculous urge to rub his eyes.

Agda wasn't a striking beauty – sure, she had a pretty face and a wonderful smile, but she couldn't compete with most of the women Steinarius had met in Skyrim. Nonetheless, as soon as he saw her that morning, the Imperial was quick to change his mind.

Agda's dark blond curls, which were usually tied in a ponytail, were now loose on her shoulders. The girl's complexion seemed healthier than usual, whereas her brown eyes looked bigger and her lips redder – apparently, the young innkeeper had relied on the special kind of war paint that many women used to make their features more attractive. On top of that, she was sporting an elegant dress that immediately drew Steinarius' attention.

Agda usually wore plain clothes that hid most of her figure and made her look chubbier than she actually was. That morning, however, she was wrapped in a tight brown dress that perfectly underlined her ample bosom and the soft curves of her hips. The dress also left her shoulders bare, so that everyone could admire their elegant shape. As the girl moved, Steinarius realized that she was wearing new boots that made her look taller than usual.

When she noticed her Imperial friend, Agda immediately walked up to him. She told him she'd prepare Horker Stew for lunch, then she suddenly took in his blank expression. As she spoke, Steinarius noticed the little copper rings around her ears.

"Is everything alright?"

Prompted by that question, Steinarius was finally taken back to present.

"What? Oh, yes, everything is alright, it's just… You look stunning, Agds, you really do. I'm… I'm amazed".

As the girl blushed, Steinarius realized he'd just said something really stupid. At the same time, he realized that he loved it when Agda's cheeks suddenly flushed red.

"I'm afraid that this dress is too much for my job", the girl sheepishly admitted. "Nonetheless, I couldn't wait to wear it. It's a gift from my parents, just like the shoes and the makeup. The earrings, on the other hand, are from Erik. Apropos, the damn things are hurting like hell".

As she spoke, Agda cast a spell to take off the copper rings around her ears. When she finally reached her goal, she closed her eyes and sighed in relief. Steinarius, on the other hand, frowned at the mention of Erik.

"This afternoon I'll change into something more comfortable", Agda said as she massaged her sore ears. At that moment, Steinarius realized that many of the customers were looking at her with hungry eyes. "Birthday gifts aren't meant for everyday life".

Upon hearing those words, Steinarius' jaw abruptly dropped open. Had Agda just talked about birthday gifts?

"My namesday was a week ago", the innkeeper said in reply to his confused look. "My parents sent me this dress from High Rock, whereas Adaeze sent me some hot cocoa. Erik instead provided me with these earrings".

And I didn't buy you anything, Steinarius sheepishly thought. You saved my life, yet I didn't buy you anything.

After a quick calculation, the Imperial felt his face become as red as a tomato. Not only had he forgotten about Agda's birthday - he had also forced her to spend the night of her namesday listening to his confused rants about his previous fiancée. Once again, Steinarius felt like a tactless mudcrab.

"Agds, I had no idea…"

Agda chuckled, then she laid a reassuring hand on his shoulder. As she got closer, Steinarius noticed that her scent was even sweeter than usual.

"You couldn't have an idea, Stein", the innkeeper smiled. "I never told you about my namesday".

Despite Agda's words, Steinarius still felt very uncomfortable. By the time he retreated into his room, he had already made up his mind.

He was going to get Agda the best present ever.

It was late evening when Agda finally left her workplace and followed Steinarius outside the inn. The young girl had no idea where the Imperial was taking her and was wearing her new brown dress and the necklace he'd bought her for New Life Festival.

As they walked towards their destination, Steinarius couldn't help but feel nervous. That afternoon he had visited Lucan, thus discovering that the group of adventurers who had spent the morning in Riverwood had sold him a lot of magic books. As predictable, Steinarius had been quick to buy them as a birthday gift for Agda.

While looking for the perfect way to provide the girl with the present she so clearly deserved, the Dragonborn had come across a little natural terrace at the end of the south-western road of Riverwood. Happy with his discovery, Steinarius had gone back to Lucan and had brought two bedrolls and a little tray full of sweets to that stunning place. As he'd returned to Riverwood a few hours earlier, Steinarius hadn't been able to stop grinning at the thought of the great surprise he had prepared for Agda.

For the hundredth time in his life, Erik would be forced to watch and learn from the master.

That evening, when they finally reached their destination, Agda reacted even more enthusiastically than Steinarius had predicted.

As she took in the sight of the bedrolls covered with furs, of the little fire crackling in the corner, of the tray full of sweets and mead and brandy, the girl produced a little surprised squeal. Then, when she noticed the pile of books Steinarius had bought her and the goofy birthday message he'd written with a few pebbles, she threw her arms around his neck and pulled him in a tight embrace. The Dragonborn couldn't help but feel his heart swell with joy and happiness and relief.

The two friends sat down on the bedrolls ad ate the sweets Steinarius had provided. The Imperial had been unable to remember whether Agda liked sweetrolls better than boiled cream, therefore he'd bought a little bit of both. Luckily enough, that choice was very successful.

As he and Agda had dinner, Steinarius made sure they talked about innocent topics such as the weather, Erik's recovery, the way Embry had spilled his tankard of mead all over Gerdur. The two of them later chatted about their day, about Steinarius' trip to Whiterun and Erik's shorter trip to the Standing Stones. Eventually, when Agda mentioned her family – which was formed by two loving parents, one sister and a brother -, Steinarius couldn't stop the question that had been haunting him ever since he'd made up his mind about the girl.

"You've never told me anything about the men from your past", the Imperial said while trying to pull a disinterested face. "Was there anyone special? Anyone who still holds a place in your heart?"

Confronted with that unexpected question, Agda grimaced. When she noticed her reaction, Steinarius feared that his enquiry had been too blunt.

"There wasn't anyone special", the girl admitted after a seemingly long interior debate. "I'm afraid I've never been in love – or at least, no one has ever loved me back".

Prompted by the gleaming curiosity in Steinarius' eyes, Agda sighed.

"All the men I fancied back in Anvil treated me as if I were some sort of unpleasant ghost. They never bothered with the weird Nord who couldn't even swing a sword. As a consequence, all my experiences with men were simply horrible. Even my first time was a mess".

Agda suddenly blushed. Nonetheless, even if she hadn't planned to tell Steinarius about that, she didn't stop her tale.

"It happened a few years ago, with a sellsword my father had paid to escort one of his caravans. He wasn't handsome, he wasn't young, I don't even remember what he looked like. I only remember that he asked me for a dance during a feast and that a few minutes later I was kissing him. That very same evening I gave myself to him. He was drunk, but I wasn't. I was perfectly sober, yet I behaved like a harlot".

There was a moment of silence, then Steinarius slightly raised an eyebrow.

"Well, that was rather…"

"Wretched? Despicable? Sordid? I know. I still regret that decision and I wish I could go back in time and change things. Unfortunately, I can't".

Taken aback by Agda's harsh reaction, Steinarius frowned and gently laid a hand on her forearm. The girl seemed weirdly sensitive about that topic.

"Agds, I wasn't going to judge you", the Imperial cautiosly told her. "Actually, I don't remember my first time either. I had just joined the Companions and I was completely drunk after one of our feasts. As much as I know, it might have happened with a bear".

Agda raised one eyebrow.

"If you don't remember anything, how do you know it happened?"

Steinarius chuckled.

"Firstly, on the following morning I was completely naked. Secondly, I had bite marks in lots of very, err, private places. Thirdly, my bed was a total mess. Last but not least, my lips were covered by a a weird red substance".

Agda tried to imagine the scene: a young Steinarius waking up after a booze to find his naked body covered in bite marks and war paint. Although she tried her best, the girl couldn't stifle a chuckle.

When Steinarius frowned, Agda thought she had somehow managed to anger him. A second later, however, the Imperial burst into laughter. He had a booming and contagious laugh that soon brought a wide smile on Agda's lips. The girl loved it when her best friend was happy.

"Was there anyone else for you?", she suddenly asked him. "After Vigdis, I mean".

Steinarius was quick to shake his head.

"Not really, Agda. Every time I tried to lay with a woman, I was always overrun by the memory of Vigdis. She was my first true love and that's something I can't easily forget".

"This morning you left very early. Did the usual nightmares trouble you or…"

Steinarius shook his head again. The moment he had been waiting for all day had finally arrived.

"I just needed some time to think, Agds", he slowly said. "And I've come to the conclusion that I can't keep on dwelling in the past".

There was a short moment of silence, during which Steinarius gathered all his courage.

"There is one girl I fancy right now, but she doesn't know anything about my feelings", he somehow managed to mutter. "Moreover, I don't think I'll ever tell her, as she doesn't deserve to be with someone as troubled as me. I'd do everything to make her happy, sure, but I don't know whether I'll achieve my goal. Moreover, I don't want to hurt her".

There was a long moment of silence, during which Steinarius furiously chewed on the inside of his cheek. Part of him wished that Agda had taken the hint, part of him wished she hadn't. Nonetheless, everything was better than that maddening silence.

As Steinarius finally dared to look at her, the young innkeeper was already staring at his face.

"I think that your girl needs to make her choice on her own", she whispered.

And with those words, Agda leant towards the Imperial and seized his lips in their first kiss. It was quick and clumsy and weird and by the time the girl pulled away Steinarius still hadn't understood what was happening. Nonetheless, as soon as he saw Agda's embarrassed expression, the Dragonborn chuckled and grinned.

His girl had made the right choice.