Author's note:
My dear readers, life has been very hectic as of late. Yet, every now and then I still think about Agda and Steinarius - and every now and then I even find the time to write about them.
To celebrate this fact, here you are with a new chapter for my (much longer than originally predicted) story. Things are about to get exciting again - enjoy and stay tuned for more!
2nd of Sun Dusk, 4E 202
After the night spent with Agda, Steinarius understood something very important. He was physically feeling better thanks to Ancarion, sure; yet, nothing could equal the sense of peace and fulfilment he experienced whenever he was with the young Nord. Not only was Agda the future mother of his child - she was also the only one who wasn't afraid to talk to him about his past. Slowly but safely, Agda helped Steinarius recall everything they had been through over the previous years - and when she was done, the Imperial only had one wish left: killing Alduin in order to have a happy life with the Archmage of Winterhold by his side.
Agda was pleased by the changes in her man. Steinarius had got back to his old self and to his old opinions about the politics of Skyrim; he was now focused on trapping Odahviing and he was keen on making sure that Lucretia did not bother his future wife - actually, he was so keen on that that he even asked his mother to give Breezehome back to Agda.
"She may be old, but you are pregnant", the Dragonborn said when Agda protested against that decision. "And I want you to spend the next months in the comfort of our home, not in some inn where you have just a tiny room to yourself".
Determined on taking his life back, Steinarius was also quick to abandon the Temple of Kynareth and the cures of Ancarion.
"I am healed now", he solemnly told the Thalmor one morning. "I still lack some muscles, sure, but the Companions will help me build back my strength".
Surprised by that announcement, Ancarion couldn't do anything but nod. Nonetheless, the Thalmor refused to leave Whiterun.
"I like this place and maybe I could help Danica with her tasks", he said when Steinarius asked him whether he meant to go back to the Sumerset Isles.
Although that reply surprised him, the Dragonborn couldn't do anything but accept Ancarion's decision.
For Steinarius, the first two weeks after regaining Breezehome were among the best ones of his life. Every morning he would wake up at sunrise and go training with the Companions, who soon helped him regain his strength. He would return to Breezehome shortly before midday, so that he could have lunch with Agda before exploring the plains of Whiterun with Farkas. Last but not least, in the evenings Steinarius would quickly visit his parents at 'the Bannered Mare' before taking a relaxing bath and spending the night with his woman.
The Dragonborn's feelings for Agda got even stronger during that fortnight - so strong that one day he even asked her to visit the Temple of Kynareth with him. Surprised by that request, the mage was reluctant to follow him: it was a snowy winter morning and she was feeling slightly dizzy. Yet, the look of excitement on Steinarius' face soon convinced her to get out of bed.
"Put on your best dress", the Imperial grinned as he struggled with the elegant velvet clothes he had worn during the peace talks of High Hrotghar. Slightly surprised, Agda obliged by wearing an elegant silver dress she had bought at Belethor's shop.
Once she was ready, the girl followed Steinarius through the cold streets of Whiterun. Was it just a feeling or were people smiling at her more fondly than usual?
Keeping that question to herself, Agda reached the Temple of Kynareth. Once there, she was surprised to find herself face to face with Erandur, Hadvar and Adaeze.
"What are you doing here?", Agda asked as soon as Adaeze enveloped her in a rib-breaking hug.
"You should ask your man, Agda", Hadvar gently replied. The soldier looked as happy as a pup.
When Agda turned to Steinarius, the man gave her one of his crooked smiles.
"Erandur ended up in Whiterun because of a snowstorm", he explained. "And since he is a Priest of Mara, I thought he could spare us a trip to Riften".
As she realized the hidden meaning between Steinarius' words, Agda felt on the brink of fainting.
"Are you... Are you saying what I think you're saying?"
Chuckling, Steinarius took Agda's hand in his.
"As you can see, my love, we have everything we need: a temple, a priest of Mara, two of our friends that would happily serve as our best man and our bridesmaid. As for me, I am more than willing to play the part of the groom. And you, Agda of Anvil, will you be my bride?"
As she noticed the enthusiasm in Steinarius' eyes and the grin on Adaeze's face, Agda felt as though as she was living in a dream.
"But our parents..."
"Our parents will benefit from a bigger party once Alduin is dead", Steinarius quickly stopped her. "This ceremony is only for us, honey".
There was a moment of silence, then Steinarius leant towards Agda and whispered in her ear.
"I couldn't wait any longer, Agds. Should anything happen to me in the coming weeks..."
As Steinarius trailed off, Agda immediately understood what she needed to do.
"I will have you as my husband, Steinarius Crepusculus, if you have me as your wife", she said, her voice feeble and her eyes full of tears of happiness.
"Of course I will have you as my wife".
"Wonderful", Erandur promptly smiled. "And now, if you please, I would be more than happy to make this official with a ceremony".
Everyone smiled at the priest's words - and a few minutes later, when she exchanged rings with her man, Agda felt like the happiest woman on Nirn.
The month afterthe wedding was the most peaceful in Agda's life.
Every morning the young mage would wake up to Steinarius' kisses and sweet words - and every night she would fall asleep in his strong arms. The Dragonborn always looked at his wife with a proud smile on his face and never lost the chance to make her happy by buying her sweets in the marketplace or beautiful mountain flowers in Arcadia' shop. Agda adored those little displays of affection and made everything she could to thank Steinarius - she cooked him tasty meals, she prepared him warm baths so that he could relax after a long day of training, she conspired with Belethor in order to surprise her husband with rare and expensive gifts.
As well as caring for each other, the two newlyweds soon started thinking about the baby they were expecting. One morning, Agda woke up to find that Steinarius had already left their bed. Worried by that strange fact, the mage made her way to the small corridor of Breezehome - and once there, she realized that her husband was in the bedroom he had created for Eidan, his late son.
"Sorry Agds, I couldn't sleep well and I just thought it would be time to start renovating this room", the Dragonborn said when she noticed the surprised mage awake in the hall. "Actually, I even got hold of a painting brush and I resumed working on the painting on the wall, the one with the small green dragon and the little boy who became his friend. If you agree, I think it would be good to finish it. I came up with a good idea for it and I actually can't wait for you to see it".
When Agda didn't say anything, Steinarius rapidly blushed.
"Gods, forgive me, Agds!", he abruptly said. "I just... I wasn't thinking when I said that. I didn't mean to upset you, really. Geez, how could I be so stupid? Painting a dragon on the wall of our child's room! As if we didn't worry enough about the upcoming fight agsinst Alduin and the whole Dragonborn madness...".
Even after Steinarius stopped talking, Agda didn't say anything. When the man gave her a terrified look, however, she finally broke into laughter.
"Honey, I think that this cute little dragon is the most adorable creature that was ever painted on a wall. I like it a lot and I can't wait to hear what else you've got in store for our child's room".
Steinarius was surprised by Agda's words. He remained speechless for a second, then he started telling her about his ideas to make that room even better.
As she looked at the concentration on her husband's face, Agda couldn't help but smile. The Dragonborn seemed very eager to have his child in his arms - and at the same time, he could perfectly recall his past troubles with Vigdis and Eidan.
Finally, his past, his present and his future were coming together for the first time since he'd been tortured by the Thalmor.