CHAPTER SEVEN
Hrongar woke up later than usual the following morning. He looked around to see Greeta still asleep. He let her sleep and went to sit on the porch until she awoke. While waiting, he got word Greeta's armor was ready. He went to pick it up and pay the man.
"I was told the armor was ready."
"It's over there." The man pointed "Check it and see if it meets your approval."
Hrongar looked it over carefully. It was a thicker material like he wanted, and dyed black to help hide bloodstains. He paid the man handsomely, and then took it to Greeta. Knocking out their door he called to her, "Can I come in?"
"Yes Hrongar." She was at the table eating.
"You'll be glad to know your armor is finished." He placed it on the bed.
"That's not my armor." She said.
"Your old set was shot, so I had a new set made. It's thicker, so you'll have to get used to it." He explained. "Try it on and see if it fits."
"Turn around." Greeta ordered.
"Do I have to?" He teased, but turned around.
Once she had her armor on, she told him he could turn back around.
"You're right it's heavier, but other than that, it's just fine." She said. "How much do I owe you?"
"Don't worry about it. You're fixing to be my wife. It's my job to keep you protected."
Greeta gave him a kiss. "When I get back from speaking with the Greaybeards I'll thank you properly." She winked.
"I like the sound of that!" He said.
Greeta prepared to leave, taking only what she needed. She had to travel light, so left her sword and only took her bow. Hrongar walked her to the edge of town where the path of the 7000 steps began. He watched until he could no longer see her. He went and took his horse for a ride, staying out until dark. Hrongar didn't sleep that night; too busy worrying about his woman.
The courier entered Dragonsreach and Irileth met him halfway.
"State your business." She demanded.
"I have a letter for the Jarl." He answered. "From a man named Hrongar."
"You may approach the Jarl." She said.
"Jarl Balgruuf, I have a letter for you from a man named Hrongar." the courier said.
"Hand it here." Balgruuf said, reaching out for the letter.
Once it was in his hand, he dismissed the courier. Balgruuf read the letter chuckling to his self. He folded it and stuck it in his pocket.
"Is everything alright, my Jarl?" Irileth asked.
"Yes, Hrongar and the Dragonborn made it to Ivarstead. They encountered bandits at Valtheim Towers, but they cleared them out. Station a few of your men there to ensure the safety of travelers." Balgruuf ordered.
"Right away, my Jarl." Irileth left.
Balgruuf thought about what Hrongar admitted in his letter. "Ah, Hrongar has a woman finally stole your heart?" He muttered to himself.
Hrongar feel asleep in the early hours of the morning. Waking well after noon day, he walked outside and heard thundering from the mountain.
"She made it." He said to no one. His heart swelled with pride for his warrior woman.
He kept busy while he waited for her return. He cleaned his armor to a shine, sharpened both their swords, had the bedding changed, and then took a bath. He put his armor back on and sat on the porch of the inn and waited. Hrongar was speaking to a guard when he saw her cross the bridge.
"She's back!" He exclaimed, clapping the guard on the back. Hrongar stepped off the porch so she could see him.
"Hrongar!" Greeta cried out, as she jumped into his arms and kissed him.
"Glad you made it back, love." He said.
They went into the inn and sat by the fire so Greeta could warm up. They ordered mead and Greeta began telling him of her trip up the mountain.
"The climb was rough. It was slow going because it was real icy in some parts and deep snow in others. I did run across a couple of wolves, but I killed them easily." Greeta paused taking a big gulp of mead. Then Hrongar saw he face drop.
"What is it Greeta, what happened?" He asked worriedly.
"There was this goat." She said seriously.
"A goat? What could be so bad about a goat?"
"This goat came running down the path and crashed right into me. It knocked me over, sending me sliding down the path straight to the edge. I couldn't get a foothold to stop myself, until right before I went off the edge. I was able to catch myself by grabbing onto a sapling." Pausing, she took another swig of mead.
"What!" Hrongar bellowed, causing a few patrons to turn their way to see what was going on. As she started to speak, they all tried to hear what she said.
"There I was daggling halfway off the mountain and holding on tight as I could. I was trying to calm myself so I could think. My first thought was 'Here I am, I've killed bandits. I've killed bears and saber cats. I even killed a dragon and took its soul. Only to be done in by a damned goat!" She paused, finishing off the last of her mead. Another full mug of mead was placed in front of her by a man listening to her story. She nodded her thanks to him, and then continued.
"I looked up to see if I had any handholds nearby. I realized if I could pull myself up enough to get my feet under me, I could push myself up to the tree above the one I was holding. It took a couple of tries, but I managed it. After that, I was able to pull myself up the path little by little."
Cheers went up in the inn. She looked up and realized the whole place had been listening. She then turned back to Hrongar.
"After that the rest of the climb was easy. It was late evening when I got to High Hrothgar." She finished.
They finished their mead, and then Hrongar said, "We better get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a long day." This cue let the patrons know the story was finished at least, for them. Hrongar and Greeta went to their room and sat down on the bed.
"So tell me, what went on with the Greybeards."
"I went in and they spoke with me that night about being Dragonborn. I asked them if the return of the dragons and me being the Dragonborn was connected. They believe that it was and told me that Alduin has returned."
"The world-eater himself!" Hrongar exclaimed.
"Yes, and I was the only one who could kill the dragons permanently by taking their souls. I also am the only one to defeat Alduin. But it was my choice whether I chose to defeat him or let him end the world." Greeta said. "Today they tested my ability to see how easily I learned to shout. They then tasked me with retrieving the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller from Ustengrav and return it to them. When I return with the horn, they will officially recognize me."
"What are you going to do?" Hrongar asked.
"I'm going to wait awhile before retrieving the horn; I want to do some research first. So let's do as we planned; go back to Whiterun in the morning, after that get married, and when I feel the time is right, I will head out."
"Okay then, I'll go check the horses and make sure they'll be ready for the trip. You pack the gear while I'm doing that." Then he left.
While Hrongar was at the stable, Greeta quickly packed everything. She thought about his bedroll and decided to roll it up. She changed into his tunic and let down her hair. When he returned, he saw her dressed in his tunic and smiled.
He looked around and asked, "Where's my bedroll?"
She smiled, walking over to him with desire in her eyes. Wrapping their arms around each other, they kissed deeply. Hrongar felt his desire rise. She began removing his armor piece by piece.
"Let me unsheathe you Hrongar."
His mansword stood at the ready when the last of his armor was removed. Hrongar tore off the tunic she was wearing and ran his hands over her body. He picked her up and placed her on the bed, then commenced showing her his sword play late into the night.
Wilhelm was cleaning up the inn when he passed by their door. Hearing the moans coming from the room, he said to himself. "Bout time they shared the bed."