Night in a Cave

Chapter 12: Night in a Cave

They untied their horses and jumped into their saddles. Astrid was just about to set Shadowmere into action when she paused, turned to Noela and said, "You're going to have to compete with Delvin, I'm afraid. He's been after Vex for years."

Shadowmere sprinted off again, kicking up a lot of dust and Noela coughed in disgruntlement before her own horse took off.

It was dusk and they had to find a spot to camp for the night. They were probably about halfway to Markarth by now, and Noela estimated that at the speedy rate they were going, they'd be in the westernmost city of Skyrim by tomorrow afternoon at the latest.

Jumping off their horses, the assassins walked through the forest in search of some shelter, or at least a suitable clearing. There was a rock wall that they came across and then, they discovered an entrance to what looked like a small cave.

"This might be promising," said Astrid. "Let's check it out. Keep watch, Shadowmere," she directed at the midnight-black horse. "Tie yours up, Noela. Don't want it running off now."

Noela tied Trigger to a tree just outside the cave, and wondered why Shadowmere was allowed to roam free before ducking into the cave after Astrid.

The Nord had lit a torch, and they both crouched into sneak position, Noela wary that anything could be lurking ahead in the dark.

They were surprised to find a very shallow cave, a brief passageway connecting the entrance to one main cavern, which was the equivalent of a small room. There was evidence of a fire pit in the centre of the room, but other than that, it appeared the cave had not been occupied for quite some time.

"It's perfect for the night," said Astrid, and they decided to set up camp.

Astrid had tasked Noela with preparing dinner with some ingredients they had brought along, the Nord herself tending to the horses outside, giving them some food or else just keeping them company while Noela attempted to cook up something delicious for the both of them.

With the fire going and the temperature warming up in the small cave, Noela felt that the place offered some kind of a romantic vibe that was reminiscent of the night they had shared a bed together, back in Dawnstar. That felt like ages ago, and even the thought of it was setting butterflies in Noela's belly.

She chopped up some potatoes, a bit of rabbit haunch and some leeks—that was the only meat they had on them, and cooked them over the campfire pit. Adding a pinch of salt, she turned to her bag and decided she might as well unwrap her bed roll.

Astrid returned just as dinner was done. "Perfect timing," yawned Noela, who had been lounging on top of her bed roll waiting for the food to cook. "Wait, I'll serve."

The Nord sat on a rock that was beside the fire and Noela separated the meat and the veggies onto two separate plates.

"Here you go ma'am, dinner is served," said Noela, holding out the plate to the leader with both hands.

"Pft, quit that," said Astrid, taking the food. "As much as I do like being served, this doesn't feel right."

Noela sat on the ground beside her, placing her own plate on the floor and eating off it with a fork. "And why not? You're the leader of the Dark Brotherhood."

Astrid was busy chewing on her food. Then she said, "Ordinarily I couldn't care less, but in your case, I don't know. I think we're closer than that now, strange as it may sound, you being the newest member and all. I suppose due to the extended time travelling together, we were bound to grow close."

"Aw, so in plain language, you're trying to say I'm your friend," Noela chirped in a playful manner.

"I think you have a tendency to blur lines with authority, just so you know. But yes, I guess I am saying that."

"Well, I'm honoured, sister," spoke Noela from her heart. "I couldn't think of another leader I would rather serve."

The Nord scrutinised her like she wasn't sure if Noela was being serious.

"No, really!" exclaimed Noela at Astrid's dubious expression.

"Not Brynjolf, not Mercer, not the Thieves Guild?"

"Astrid, I would never turn my back on you," pledged the mage. "I mean it a hundred percent."

"So your loyalty lies with the Dark Brotherhood?"

"Of course," Noela nodded adamantly.

"You would never leave the Brotherhood for the Thieves Guild?"

The mage shook her head firmly. "Never."

"What, even if you got involved with Vex?"

Noela stopped chewing her food. "What in the name of the Gods does that have to do with anything we're talking about?"

The leader was a silent for a minute, then she shrugged. "I don't know, let's say, hypothetically, you both got together, and suddenly now you're asking me for time off every week to go and work in Riften. It matters, Noela."

Noela could feel herself gaping. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Nothing has happened! You're just being paranoid, Astrid. I won't leave. Nothing's happening between me and Vex. In fact we're not even friends! And besides, she's probably into men anyway. And Delvin's there, like you said."

And now the thought of Delvin was leaving a sour taste in her mouth.

"You'd be very surprised, Noela. And Delvin? Ha, he hasn't got a chance."

"Oh? And why is that?" Noela felt a sigh of relief wash over her though.

Astrid finished the last of her food. "Because Vex is young and pretty, and he's—not," she shrugged, then gave a laugh.

"Anyway, don't worry," said Noela. "I have no plans to uh, pursue, Vex. So the issue of me leaving the Brotherhood will not arise, for sure."

The Nord gave a hard look. "Good. Things are already complicated, as they are."

"But I mean…" continued the mage despite herself. "Even if there was anything going on, not like there is, but, hypothetically… it wouldn't change anything. You're the one I want to serve. You're the one I want to…" Noela trailed off, almost admitting her deepest thoughts. You're the one I want to be near. She finished in her head.

But was that true, though? Now that she liked both of them, if she had to pick one…

Astrid's voice brought her out of her thoughts. "I'm the one you want to what?"

Noela looked up awkwardly. She could feel her face completely heating up. "The fire's kind of hot," she said dumbly, sure the Nord wasn't going to buy it.

"Strong, intelligent, tough, ambitious," said the leader, ticking the traits off on her fingers. "Hmm. I can think of another candidate for your criteria."

The firelight cast dark shadows across the Nord's face. She was simultaneously frightening, and simultaneously beautiful. Noela felt like her heart was going to burst. Too much infatuation, for two people, over too many days. She didn't know how much more she could take.

"I can, too," said Noela.

"I'm the one you want to what?" Astrid repeated. "Finish it, sister."

The burning look in her green eyes, like she was dying to know, also struck Noela as odd.

"You're the one I want to…" the mage gulped. How was she going to answer this? Be near? Serve forever? Spend time with? Fuck?

Noela felt like the pressure was too much, and the cave was too warm. She felt faint.

"Fuck this," Noela swore. She had to make a move, she couldn't take it any more! But—said the little voice in her head. You'll risk your job, your new career. This could even cost you your life! Don't play with death!

"Are you done with your dinner?"

Noela had to blink herself out of her meltdown. "What?"

"If you've finished eating, let's take it to the bed roll."

The mage had to blink again. What did she just say?

When she felt a finger lift her chin up, she couldn't focus clearly on the green eyes that were staring into hers.

"I think you and I both know… that we need to get this out of our systems. So, let's just get this over with," said the Nord.

"I've been dying to know… do you like it gentle, or do you like it rough?"

Astrid dragged her by the hand to the bed roll that Noela had laid out before the meal, and suddenly flung her onto it.

Noela fell onto the sleeping bag, dazed. Her mind was spinning, she couldn't wrap her head around the current situation. She looked up at the Nord who had a strange glint in her eye, and for all that was weird today, right now was definitely the weirdest.

"What are you doing?" asked the mage absentmindedly as the Nord dropped onto the bag beside her.

"What does it look like, sister?" Astrid murmured before closing the gap between them.

Noela could feel her heart pounding at an insane speed, and then the other woman's lips, with surprising gentleness, pressing themselves against hers.

But her aching hunger, her longing for this woman over almost a month, wouldn't have it this slow. Noela pressed back, much more aggressively, and Astrid seemed to get the point.

The older woman matched her intensity as the kiss deepened, and Noela noticed Astrid's lips felt just like she had imagined. Soft and smooth, with a hint of the outdoors, the taste of the forest air. This woman smelled and tasted like nature itself.

Quickly, Noela was getting annoyed by the armour that blocked her access from the woman's body, and began to undo the ties and the straps.

Astrid broke away for a breath. "Let's get that ridiculous hood off, I never get to see your hair."

Noela's robes came off much quicker and she was now glad that the fire was still burning. Without her clothes on, it was a lot colder. But the cave was still cosy.

"By the Gods this armour is hard to take off," Noela said exasperatedly, and Astrid chuckled. The Nord stayed still as the mage managed to get the top off, and she could feel Astrid's fingers running through her hair.

"Feels just as good as it looks. I wish you'd not wear your hood," said the blonde.

As Noela reached the cotton undershirt that Astrid had on beneath the armour, she brushed the skin of her shoulder, and sighed. The other woman peered at her.

"You've still got the pants to do," she stated.

The mage got those off quickly enough and once again, they were both in their smallclothes.

At once, the Nord didn't miss a beat and she immediately pulled Noela in for another kiss, and this time her hands roamed the mage's body, from her face to her back and down to her butt. Noela ran her hands through the Nord's beautifully blonde hair, her heart fluttering fast and happily in her ribcage.

It was when Astrid felt up her chest that Noela knew this was getting serious. She couldn't wait either and attempted to take off the Nord's underpants, but the other woman grabbed both her wrists. She shook her head. "Not yet."

Confused, and feeling like she had a bit of power taken from her, Noela got to work. She stripped the last of the garments off her own body and Astrid followed suit with her top.

"Hey, that's not fair," said Noela. "Get those panties off."

Astrid didn't reply, her eyes too busy roaming the younger woman's body. Noela pulled her in and kissed her neck.

"You're freaking beautiful," she whispered to her leader. She trailed kisses down from her neck and to her chest, feeling Astrid's breathing increase in speed. She got to her chest, and took the woman's right nipple into her mouth, sucking it delicately before drawing circles around it with her tongue.

"By Sithis," the woman moaned. Noela smirked, and gave the other one equal treatment. She dipped her hand down to between Astrid's legs, and felt some wetness on her underwear. Again, the Nord redirected her hand elsewhere.

Noela frowned. "Come on, what's the deal?" she muttered.

Astrid was lying on her back, and sat up. "Let's reverse this," she said, and leaned over Noela, pushing her to the ground. The bed roll was a little small in reality and the mage felt her head in the dirt. Astrid grabbed Noela's discarded robes which were nearby and placed them under the mage's head. All the while, Noela couldn't help but stare at the woman's chest.

She smiled as Astrid came back down on top of her, her breasts brushing against Noela's own, and briefly, her mind landed on Lydia, and she remembered how she had always loved this about being intimate with another woman.

There was truth that women liked bodily contact, and Astrid was no exception. It seemed she wanted to feel as close to Noela as possible, maximising skin contact whenever she had the chance.

Noela was brought out of her thoughts with a loud gasp as Astrid bit on her nipple, and despite not liking being taken by surprise like that, Noela let it slide. The Nord kissed down from her stomach, and began to spread the mage's legs.

Suddenly, Noela too, felt like she wanted some sort of privacy, from her most vulnerable place, but her body disagreed. Astrid brushed a hand between her legs. "Looks like you're ready," she said with a grin.

I can't believe this is really happening, Noela thought and then she made the loudest gasp yet as the Nord's tongue stroked against her folds. Quickly, it landed on her clit, and the other woman began to eat her out, rather hungrily at that, and Noela tried to suppress the moans that she didn't want to express.

"Ah… not too… ah," she heard herself gasping.

The licking stopped. "Not too what?" asked Astrid slyly.

The sight of Astrid between her legs made her want to pass out with some elated sort of happiness. "Not too slow," Noela corrected, and grinned as the Nord began to perform a more rigorous form of licking. Not a minute later, the mage was not expecting it when she felt Astrid's fingers enter her, the familiar sound of slick wetness filling the air.

"You're super wet," commented the Nord as she moved two fingers inside of her. "As I expected. I knew you'd be totally wet for me," she said smugly.

"Too much talk…sister," Noela managed to say. "Faster, please."

Astrid obliged and began to pump faster, and continued to do so as she leaned back over Noela to kiss her. She felt the Nord playing with her right breast with her left hand, giving it a few good squeezes as Noela tasted her own juices on the other woman's lips. She couldn't help but smile at the fact that this was all happening.

She felt her clitoris being stimulated again by the woman's thumb, her hand seeming to be pretty experienced with this and briefly, with half a conscious mind, Noela wondered if Astrid had had experience with women before. From the way she was performing, Noela thought she probably did.

As the motions of Astrid's hand continued at a steady rhythm, the woman kissing her multiple times throughout, Noela felt the build up from deep within her core. "I think I'm almost—" she announced, as her breathing became progressively more erratic.

"Do you want it harder?" the blonde whispered in her ear. "No… I know this is perfect…"

Then she suddenly stopped. Noela's head snapped to hers. "Don't be cruel," the mage said warningly.

"I'm just kidding," said the Nord playfully and immediately resumed her fingerwork. Then she dipped back down and began teasing Noela's clit again with her tongue whilst still pumping fast and within the next minute Noela could hear herself calling Astrid's name as she finally came.

The older woman collapsed. "By Sithis, I'm tired."

"Oh, not yet you're not," said Noela, and flipped the Nord onto her back. "Get ready to receive, dear mistress."

Astrid rolled her eyes. "That sounds bloody lame. Just get on with it."

"So much for romance," muttered Noela.

Finally, Astrid let her remove the underpants, and Noela got to work. She was not going to disappoint.

Noela dove in between the woman's legs and ate like a hungry wolf, lapping at the woman's juices like it was the most tasty meal she'd ever had. Astrid tasted, well, exactly like her scent. She smelled and tasted like red mountain flowers. Noela liked to smell them, sure, but eating flowers? It was probably an acquired taste.

Still, she gave it her all, and the woman's squirms and jolts were all she needed to know that it was working. Noela took a break, and kissed Astrid, liking the way she had the woman pinned to the ground, like she had some power over her. This beautiful, intelligent woman, who she was sure… she was now in love with.

Astrid frowned at her when she realised Noela had stopped. "Sorry," apologised the mage. She wanted to blurt that she was in love with her but, that was probably going to ruin the moment, weird as that sounded.

Noela began licking at the woman's folds again, dipping her tongue deep into the warm and wet, the fragrance totally enveloping her senses and her mind shut off everything else from the world.

The woman was so wet now that Noela felt a trickle of liquid rolling down her own neck—she was sure her face was sopping wet too, and then, she dipped a finger into the wetness. Astrid gasped from beneath her and Noela knew that she was more than ready. She pushed in three fingers, slowly, so that the Nord could feel it well and proper, and Noela watched her expression with excessive interest.

There was a certain sense of power she felt over the woman, something that had not happened with anyone else she had ever slept with.

"By the Gods just get on with it, Noela," said Astrid with some form of yearning.

Noela wanted to make her beg, to make her plead her name… but perhaps that was for another time. For now, she just wanted to please her leader.

The mage began to pump her fingers, first slowly, to gauge what Astrid liked. She returned to eating her out at the same time and the woman's body responded. Gradually, Noela increased the speed, and kept going, and going, then increasing yet again.

As the minutes passed it began to occur to her that Astrid was one to last a while, and whether that was a good or bad thing, with her experience or whatever, Noela tried not to think about anyone else. About Arnbjorn.

It was time to improvise. Astrid, like her, liked it hard, and so she kept pace, but then had a brilliant idea. She hadn't tried this with anyone else before, but it was maybe worth a shot.

The woman was still extremely wet, and the mage decided to introduce the slightest bit of shock with her magic. Just a tinge of electricity, something that her bare fingers could easily do from within. But, it had to be utterly controlled. She could easily injure her.

Noela decided to give a heads up. "Astrid, you're going to love this," she announced, and without waiting for the Nord to respond she released the tiniest bit of magicka from her body, and directed it into her fingers.

With her tongue on the woman's clit, she let the electricity pass through to her fingertips and slowly began to release a very weak Sparks spell, so weak that—the woman didn't even feel it.

Noela released just a little bit more and the third attempt was just the right amount, and the mage continued to eat and lick as the Nord's hips jolted and she buckled against Noela's face and hand in a violent climax. The mage stopped the flow of magicka and grinned into the woman's privates, lapping up the remaining juice.

Then she wiped her face with a nearby piece of underclothing and moved in, kissing Astrid again and wrapping her arms around her.

The Nord's breathing was slowly returning to normal. A few minutes of silence passed, and Noela had never felt so content. At least, she couldn't remember the last time she had ever felt this way.

Finally Astrid said, "What in the name of Sithis was that?"

"What do you mean?" teased Noela.

"What you did at the end."

"Just used a bit of magic. My secret technique, if you will."

"You always use that on people?"

Noela smiled, "Only on those who deserve it."

Astrid wormed her way out of Noela's embrace. "This feels incredibly strange. We don't love each other, and I've never slept with anyone within the Brotherhood, except for my husband, of course."

"Oh." A feeling of dread sunk into Noela. "I forgot that he was your husband. Oops. So am I going to be in trouble?"

"Huh," said Astrid. "You 'conveniently' forgot, I bet. You're a lot more sly than you let on, dear sister."

"No, I uh, actually did forget," Noela said honestly. "What with all the talk about the Thieves Guild and the Brotherhood and Vex…"

The blonde gave a wide smile. "And I got you first, just so you know. Before the Thieves, before Vex."

Noela raised her eyebrows. "Don't tell me that's why you slept with me. To lay claim to me? Like a piece of property?"

The brief silence before her answer was enough to give it away. "Of course not. I wanted you, from the moment I met you. As in, not just for the Brotherhood. I admit I was attracted to you as soon as I met you. I dragged you from Windhelm to the Abandoned Shack, remember."

"Hm, I hope you're not lying to me," said Noela truthfully. "Whatever, because I wanted to have sex with you from the moment I met you too, so it's done. We both won. I trust you didn't violate my body when you transported me to the shack?"

"No, I didn't, I'm not into that kind of thing," responded Astrid. "But if I had would you have minded?"

"Uh, probably not," shrugged Noela. "Only because it's you though." Because I do fucking love you, she wanted to add, but knew that the feeling wasn't mutual. "So what now?"

Astrid raised a brow. "I don't know what you expect, but this was a one-off thing. As I said, I had to get it out of my system, as you were driving me mad with desire."

"Alright. So, you used me, we're done, and we go back to how things were, pretend it never happened?"

The Nord sighed. "My dear, we used each other. You wanted me just as much as I've wanted you, I've known it for a while."

"And so there are no feelings?"

Astrid looked into her eyes. "What feelings? I'm in love with my husband, and I don't know about you, but I hope it's the same."

"You love your husband and you just cheated on him," stated Noela. "That doesn't make any sense to me."

The leader rolled her eyes. "Don't give me that. I happen to have an agreement with Arnbjorn that I'm allowed to sleep with other women, as I please. Nonetheless, the Dark Brotherhood must not find out that we did this, and I imagine you can foresee the consequences."

"No," said Noela, beginning to feel angry. "What are the consequences? You kick me out, maybe even kill me?"

"Oh, don't be dramatic. When I said I don't have feelings for you, I mean romantically. You're still my friend, and a valuable member of my family. Killing you would not benefit us in the slightest."

"That's just great," said Noela. "You want my loyalty, yet I'm nothing but a useful body to you. Not for what we just did, but, I mean, for your organisation."

Astrid sat up. "Look, I don't know what you're trying to get at here, sister, but what did you expect? You know I'm married, you know that the Dark Brotherhood is my priority—I don't understand your reaction right now."

The mage answered bitterly. "No, you're right. I did know you're married and I didn't expect anything. In fact, I didn't know you desired me in this way until less than an hour ago, so there's nothing to complain about. Except the fact that you sound like I'm some trophy you just wanted to win. But that's fine, it's probably one of the reasons I fell for you anyway… Ambition…"

The Nord then came in and wrapped her arms around her, and the feel of her warm flesh against Noela's own made her heart well up this time not in happiness, but in pain.

"Fuck, it hurts. I'm such an idiot." Noela shook her head.

The older woman seemed to come to her senses, and released her, the sudden cold enveloping Noela and magnifying the feeling of disappointment that lay heavily in her chest.

"Sorry," said Astrid. "But you should know it can't work."

"I don't see how we can pretend this never happened," said the mage. "Things'll be darn awkward from now on."

"We don't have to pretend it never happened, just make sure no one finds out about it. It wouldn't do well with rumours circulating within the family. I'm sure you understand."

"Right—even more reason for me to go to the Thieves. I don't think you're doing too well in convincing me to stay," said Noela, not that she actually meant it.

Astrid's jaw clenched and she grabbed Noela, this time pinning her to the ground, hard.

Noela smirked darkly, "So you up for round two, already?"

The Nord maintained her look of seriousness. "You gave your word, Noela. You promised you would serve the Dark Brotherhood. If you betray me, or attempt to leave…"

"You wouldn't be able to stop me, Astrid," answered Noela. Then she sighed, "But as I said, I have feelings for you, so I won't leave. And I prefer assassinating to thieving, as I'm sure you're aware."

"Indeed," said the older woman, her hands still grasping Noela's which were pinned to the ground above her head.

"And this position is actually turning me on, so if you don't want another round, please stop."

Astrid let go of her. "For God's sake. Control yourself, sister."

Noela watched as she went to her bag and took out her own bed roll.

"As much as I'm angry at you right now I wouldn't mind you in my bed roll," said the mage.

"I'm too tired for another round," stated the Nord.

"That's fine, just—let's enjoy the time while we have it."

Rolling her eyes, Astrid returned to her. Noela unzipped the bed roll, and slipped into the bag. Astrid tucked herself in after her, and rezipped the side.

Without a word, the Nord spooned up against her back. Then her arms found their way around Noela's waist. The mage spun around in place and embraced the woman's head, and she smiled as Astrid buried her face within her chest.

If it was only for a night, it was still worth it.

She only hoped the sting of tomorrow would be bearable.