The golden rays of the morning sun slowly made their way into the room. They befell on two equally golden sets of hair. The luxurious and long strands wafted across the bed and their shapely forms. The duo wore nothing underneath their sheats but they didn't need to. For they were snuggled up close to the love of their lives. A man who would do anything to protect them even in their most defenseless states.
One of them opened their eyes as they slowly accustomed themselves to the waking world once more. Her milky eyes were revealed as she smiled. Sword Maiden patted the man beside her, loving the touch of him against her. Even all these years into the future, to think she would find someone who made her so happy was a dream come true. Her fingers traced over the man's form. He was certainly pleasing to the touch. His muscles were so defined from all that training. He put them to good use in the battlefield… and in bed~
Sword Maiden inwardly giggled at the last thought. To think killing goblins for a living would make a man so desirable. Yet it wasn't just that. Not his muscles. Not his thirst for the death of all goblins. All that was icing on the eventual cake she would come to have. No, it was his kindness. He saw her at her weakest. He did not turn her away. He didn't call her pathetic and show her his back like everyone else. Their biting words never came from his mouth. He listened. He understood. He made her feel safe and secure. So few nightmares came to her after that night.
The goblins were gone from her mind and he was to thank for that. Every day, she would silently pray to the gods for his arrival. She would cry and thank them for him. Every day. Now she had a real goddess in her home. Perhaps she would do it directly today? She may not be her god specifically but the thought remained.
Yet she didn't want to leave him. She wanted to stay by him. Just for a little while longer. That wouldn't hurt. She sighed in bliss as she held him. Most of the others were wide awake and off to do chores or other activities. Goblin Slayer was usually among them but herself and High Priestess had really tired him out last night. She kissed his cheek. Oh he had performed wonderfully. Again his stamina was one that could rival any of the greatest of heroes. She was thankful they had held on long enough to make him so tired. Now she got to hog him in the bed for a little while longer.
Of course, she was not alone. On the other side of the bed lay High Priestess. She had come a long way from the small and timid Priestess she had known all those years ago. Now she was just about her height and size in all the right places. One could almost mistake them for sisters or even twins.
Of course there were some… differences. Sword Maiden rolled one of her elbows that had a few lingering scars. Even after all these years they had not gone away. They were a constant remember of that day. As were her eyes, yet those were the worst thing. She could live with the scars. Goblin Slayer and the rest of the girls had helped her move on from that pit of self loathing. So that she could never see the scars as a detriment. She could feel the scars on her beloved. They were a part of him and he had persevered. He had survived and thrived despite their physical presence. She had learned to do the same.
No, it was her eyes that still kept her down to a degree. She was not completely blind but everything was a blur to her. Vague shapes were all that she could see. A cursed injury those blasted monsters had done to her. Not once had she seen her beloved friends and lover in clarity. That was the greatest crime of all.
Yet they still made her feel so welcome. They loved her. They made her so happy. She kissed his cheek. He was the man who made her whole again. She would never forget that. She would make him happy in return the best she could.
It was time to wake. She would leave the two as they were. Perhaps she could try making breakfast again. She still wasn't that good at it but Cow Girl had told her she was making strides in the art. That was good. At least she wasn't almost burning down the house anymore. For the most part.
Sword Maiden strolled through the house in a tight fitting nightgown. She'd put something more substantial on later. She didn't see Cow Girl in the kitchen. She must have decided to tend to something else on the farm or deliver the goods to the guild early today. Either way, she was on her own to fix breakfast.
"I see someone's up early today," Earth Mother's ethereal voice came from behind her. The goddess walked into the room and everything seemed to be livelier because of it, "Any particular reason why?"
Sword Maiden shook her head, "None. I just felt like getting up before my beloved and possibly serving him breakfast."
"Breakfast in bed I see," Earth Mother gave her a teasing grin. She gave a thumb's up, "I approve of the idea. Perhaps I could help you."
"With making the meal?" Sword Maiden was taken aback by the goddess willing to cook for them but she had been a strange guest ever since she arrived. She should expect more oddities in the future.
"That too," Earth Mother nodded.
The two worked in mostly silence as they started to prepare some cut pork for the sleeping slayer. All the while Sword Maiden couldn't help but mull over what she was going to say. She had been putting it off for a while. What did you say to a god when they lived among you? Cordial greetings and reverence was her answer yet not once had she thanked her. Not once had she asked a few selfish things. That would be improper but a part of her couldn't help but want to regardless of whether it was proper or not.
Earth Mother smiled as she took a step back, "While I'm not a carnivore myself, I do so hope he enjoys it."
"I hope he does," Sword Maiden smiled as she reached for the plate.
"So what did you want to talk to me about?"
Sword Maiden halted. A goddess was asking her…? Of course she would know something was on her mind. She sighed, "I am sorry, blessed Earth Mother-"
"Earth Mother," the goddess waved her hand in the air to dismiss the praise, "We're family. Call me by my name. You don't have to add titles to it."
Sword Maiden nodded. It was still strange but she could get used to it, "I am sorry. I just didn't know how to approach you about it."
"Well we're here and alive," Earth mother said, "Now's a pretty good time to talk."
Sword Maiden took a deep breath and bowed, "I wanted to thank you for letting me meet Goblin Slayer."
Earth Mother blinked a few times before scratching the back of her head nervously, "Well… truth be told, you weren't supposed to meet him. At least, not keep meeting him."
Sword Maiden stood up and looked at her curiously, "What do you mean?"
"The gods didn't want him to come to your city back then," Earth Mother stated, "I didn't care either way as did some but others were adamant. They wanted to see how it would play out without him messing up the game. Yet he arrived so we took it in stride. Then he died. He should have remained dead given his roll was bad but… he somehow survived that. I still don't understand how he did it but he did."
Sword Maiden blinked in confusion, "So you're saying… you had nothing to do with it?"
"Not saying that," Earth Mother said, "I did help Priestess's recovery just a smidge. I couldn't do more than that since Supreme God is a bit uppity about others getting involved with his priestess's."
"So… you would have-"
"I would have done my best to keep him alive if he could," Earth Mother stated firmly, "He is the best damn thing that has ever happened to Priestess… and to you. I would have done everything in my power to give him another chance. Thankfully I didn't need to." She smiled brightly, "So I can't thank you enough." She bowed to Sword Maiden.
Sword Maiden's eyes widened. She couldn't see things clearly but she could see the vague movement. Was a god bowing to her? After thanking her? That was too much to take in. She was just a simple follower of the gods. Yes a gold ranked one but they had others.
"Don't beat yourself up over that," Earth Mother said as though reading her mind. She stood up and smiled down at her, "You deserve every bit of praise for your actions. Your kind heart and soul have helped make him a better man. You've made this household a true home in your own way and Priestess can't help but adore you as well. On top of saving the world a good number of times so they aren't the only ones who appreciate you."
Sword Maiden's mouth opened and closed as she processed what she was hearing. Her body shook. A goddess was praising her. She was saying all of that. That she had done so much good. That it wasn't the gods that had brought her to Goblin Slayer. That it was luck and… herself? That she had somehow brought about her own happiness? The happiness of her fellow wives as well?
Earth Mother moved a hand forward to wipe away a tear she didn't know she had shed, "Please don't cry. I can't stand to see you cry. I like seeing you happy."
Sword Maiden sniffed and gave a weak smile, "Thank you… Thank you so much."
Earth Mother laughed and pulled her into a hug, "I'm the one who needs to thank you. Still, it's much appreciated." She pulled away, "Now then, let's feed our beloved in bed."
Sword Maiden blushed, "Yes… let's."
"Let's what?" Goblin Slayer muttered as she came into the room. He was wearing his simple farm clothes.
Earth Mother pouted, "You had to ruin it, didn't you?"
"I ruined something?" Goblin Slayer asked curiously.
"I'm awake too," High Priestess yawned as she wiped her wary eyes. She was in a similar gown to Sword Maiden's, though hers was a bit more loose. "I smell food."
"I do hope you start using larger sentences then that, High Priestess." Earth mother waggled her finger, "I don't want you to just be like him twenty four seven."
Sword Maiden chuckled as she watched Earth Mother tease High Priestess and High Priestess being so flabbergasted. It was nice to watch. It let her stew on what she had just been told. Did that mean she had more worth then she knew? Perhaps… destiny was in her hands. The world couldn't dictate her own actions all the time and her beloved had helped with that as well. She turned around and pulled him into a deep kiss.
"Thank you," she said as she finally ended it.
"What for?" Goblin Slayer muttered in surprise.
"Everything," Sword Maiden cried as she kissed him again. He was her everything and she couldn't be happier. "For not thinking I'm pathetic."
"You aren't," he stated as though it was a simple fact.
Sword Maiden swooned, loving him even more. No matter what the future had in store for them, they would take it on together. All of them.
I am sorry if this chapter isn't up to snuff. I wrote this late at night and into the morning because I felt I had to. I do hope you all enjoy this chapter and please take some time to leave a review. I sorta... need some positive stuff after today.
The inspiration to write this chapter came after watched the latest Goblin Slayer abridged episode. The scene they abridged for Sword Maiden and Goblin Slayer... both angered me and made me depressed. I couldn't help but mull it over and it wouldn't let me sleep. I had to write something to get it off my chest. SO yeah, I didn't like it. I didn't like the direction they had GS speak to her because he didn't speak like Goblin Slayer. He spoke like a typical adventurer who Sword Maiden feared. That he would find her pathetic. Leave her. Not care and everything of that sort. That she had to deal with goblins on her own and should have... even though she couldn't. Seeing her laying there on the ground crying and alone. More alone then she had ever been... hurt me since I've gone through depression and had people belittle me and call me pathetic. I got better because others reached out and helped me. Understood and offered a shoulder to cry on. To talk to. That's why I love how it happens in canon and love Sword Maiden.
So yeah, I wanted to write something that was more fluff for Sword Maiden. I want to read more Sword Maiden fluff after this as well so I would be happy to inspire some more fanfics/art that do her justice. So I hope you enjoyed this chapter and don't mind my little rant. Hope you all have a great day and keep being awesome.