Chapter 21

The group traveled south away from Whiterun for about half a day, which mostly followed along the White River. At some point, they crossed a river and ended up on a road that Bo assured Jane would take them straight to Ivarstead.

"There is probably a faster way to get there," he explained to her while they rode, "but it would be far more dangerous."

"I don't like dangerous."

"Me neither."

Bo's body was healing well, and it was becoming less uncomfortable for him to be in the saddle with Jane. In fact, he hardly noticed the aching now and he could enjoy her being there. He wouldn't admit it, but the Orc loved the feeling of Jane's round butt pressed up against him, although it took all of his energy to keep himself in check. He knew Jane was attracted to him, that part was obvious, but he still found it hard to comfortable with those sorts of things around her. Bo was just getting used to the concept of kissing and sleeping more intimately.

Jane, on the other hand, was dying on the inside. It had been a while since she'd been romantically involved with anybody, and her desire to be with Bo was growing stronger with each passing day. She had made up her mind that once that at some point during their trip to High Hrothgar, either at the first Inn they crossed, or the next, she would attempt to initiate something more.

I don't want to give him a heart attack. Even a little fondling would do us some good, she mused quietly to herself. Just enough to get the ball rolling, let him know I'm totally game.

The more Jane thought over it, the more she thought of ways she could go about it. She knew she'd have to be a little creative but wasn't quite sure of how to start things off. However, she had plenty of time to ponder, for they never saw a single hint of an Inn for several days.

Camping turned out to be her least favorite activity. Jane enjoyed being outdoors when the weather was nice. Dealing with a tent, food, and other tasks while it poured down rain and thundered was a whole other matter. It was very hard to remain positive while she sat, stewing in wet leather armor, ringing out her hair.

She had had enough. Jane waited until it was a mild evening, and they had finished eating a light dinner before she took Lynne aside.

"I would ask you a favor," Jane started.

"Anything."

"Will you cut my hair?"

"Are you sure...It's such a long length."

"Yes," Jane replied firmly. "It's driving me insane. I don't have the patience that you have to braid it, and I'm tired of dealing with a wet mop of hair every time it rains on us."

"Alright..." Lynne squeezed Jane's shoulders. "Don't worry friend, I can cut it for you."

Jane let out a sigh of relief, and they wandered over to a boulder small enough for her to sit down on. Lynne wandered back to the camp to get her knife, which she used for dicing and chopping ingredients or potions. It was very sharp, and she made sure it was properly clean before she went back to where Jane was waiting.

"How short do you want it?"

"Mmm... About here," Jane gestured with her hands.

Lynne gathered up handfuls of her hair and swept the knife in one smooth movement. Locks of her soft brown hair fell down to the ground, and Lynne hummed softly while she worked. About ten minutes later she straightened up, and Jane turned around to face her.

"I can't see what I look like," Jane lamented.

"I have a small mirror somewhere..." Lynne fished around in her various pockets for a minute, while Jane felt at her short hair. It was like a huge weight had been lifted off.

Finally, Lynne found the mirror, and she turned it towards Jane.

"Oh wow, you did a fantastic job. Thank you!"

Jane quickly hugged Lynne, who laughed and rubbed her back.

"You're welcome, my dear."

When the women returned to camp, Bo glanced up at them and then did a double take.

"What... did you do to your hair?" He asked, gawking at her.

Naz shot her a curious glance but said nothing.

Jane shrugged, and she sat down beside the shocked Orc.

"Don't you like it?"

Her hair now just barely brushed her shoulders. It fell around her face in a wave of soft curls and looked fuller now that it wasn't being weighed down by the long length of her hair. She smiled softly at Bo with her bright green eyes, and the sight of her made him ache.

"I-it looks great," Bo mumbled in response, and he swallowed hard. "Beautiful."

Jane leaned in and kissed Bo's cheek. The Orc coughed, and hastily busied himself with placing some logs on the fire.

"Is everything alright?" Jane whispered quietly, and Bo nodded.

"Yes, I'm just... nervous."

"About?"

"Meeting the Greybeards." Bo shrugged, and he glanced over at Jane.

Jane took his hand and squeezed it tight.

"I want them to like me. To think I'm worthy."

"Well if they have half a brain, they will," Jane responded lightly.

Bo smiled, and then he rubbed his cheek for a moment. He looked at Jane again and then leaned in to nuzzle her. Jane reached up and began rubbing his back. The Orc growled softly and kissed the crook of her neck. His tusk grazed along her jawline, and Jane shivered.

I bet he doesn't even realize how much he affects me, Jane thought with a small smile.

They sat there by the fire, chatting with Naz and Lynne.

He has no idea just how much my desire burns for him.

Several days passed in the same manner. They encountered very little, besides the odd bandit and wildlife. They hadn't seen another Dragon since before they reached Whiterun. There also didn't seem to be many Inns along their way, and she was beginning to grow disgusted with herself. She desperately needed a bath of some sort. By the sixth day of traveling, Lynne and the others were beginning to feel the same. So, on a clear and sunny day, they made camp early near the river so that everyone could bathe.

The men bathed first, dunking themselves in the ice-cold water. They worked quickly, staying in the water only long enough to get clean. When they came back to camp, Bo walked with Jane and Lynne down to the spot he and Naz felt was best to enter the water. It was a fast-moving current, and he was worried about them going in too deep and getting swept away. As they walked down, Lynne spotted a certain plant nearby.

"Oh... I could really use some of that," she mumbled.

"Go on then, get it."

Lynne shot Jane a smile and then wandered off to harvest the flowers, while Bo took Jane down to the river bank.

"Don't go too far in," he growled.

"I won't, promise."

Jane was fascinated by the river. She enjoyed swimming immensely back home, and she couldn't resist the urge to climb the huge boulder that hung out over the waters to get a better look. Bo wandered up a way with his back turned to give her privacy, and Jane started climbing the moss-covered rock. She moved quietly, making sure she didn't alert Bo.

He'd probably think I'm trying to kill myself but I just wanna get a look, she thought with a small chuckle.

When she reached the top, Jane was able to get a good view of the river from above. She stared out at the swiftly moving water, thinking to herself that Skyrim's landscape never failed to impress her.

Then Jane inched closer to the edge so she could peer down. She sank down onto her butt and shuffled along the rock, leaning forward so she could see. Suddenly she slipped on the soft moss, propelling her forward. She cried out in alarm, and her arms shot out to grab at something to stop her from falling off but there was nothing but smooth rock. She crashed feet first into the water.

Bo heard a shout, and then a splash. The Orc turned around and found Jane gone. Panic coursed through him, and he quickly sprinted down the hill towards the river bank, shouting her name.

Then he saw her head bob up from the water, and he immediately ran into the river. He took great, sweeping strokes towards Jane, who groaned as she clung onto a rock.

"Jane," Bo gasped, and he reached out to grab her arm. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah," Jane spluttered.

Bo wrapped his arm around her waist and awkwardly swam back to the shore. When his feet touched the rock-bed he began walking, and effortlessly pulled Jane up into his arms. Her clothes were completely soaked, and blood poured down from a gash on her arm. When he reached the sandy bank, Bo gently lowered Jane to the ground, but he continued holding her. Jane wiped at her face, pushing her wet hair out of her eyes, and she looked up at Bo with a guilty expression.

"I'm sorry Bo, I was being stupid."

"What were you doing... exactly?"

It suddenly occurred to Bo that Jane's tunic was completely wet. It was cream colored and clung to her body like a second skin. He could distinctly make out the shape of her nipples through the shirt, as she sat there on the ground, shivering. His heart nearly leaped out of his chest, and he struggled to concentrate on anything else.

"I was up on t-that boulder," Jane responded, and her teeth chattered together. "I just w-wanted t-to look out at the river from above."

Bo's eyes flicked back to her face, and Jane noticed he had been staring down at her chest. She glanced down and realized her nipples were on full display. Bo's cheeks burned dark green, but Jane suddenly got an idea.

I swear I didn't plan this, but it's almost too perfect.

"Bo?"

"Y-yeah?" Bo looked back up at her face.

"Will you bathe with me?"

Bo struggled to come up with a response. His mouth opened and closed for a moment, and he looked more flustered than she'd seen in a long time.

"I-I uh... already bathed..."

"So?" Jane reached up to cup Bo's cheek, and that's when he noticed her arm.

"You're bleeding," he mumbled, trying to avoid looking at her chest.

Jane watched as Bo placed his hand on her elbow, and a healing spell washed over her. Jane extracted herself from the Orc and stood up. Bo continued to stay kneeling, and he stared up at her.

"Would it be so terrible to see me naked?" She asked quietly.

Bo's heartbeat pounded in his chest, and he felt numb.

"N-no," he stammered, and he nervously rubbed his neck. "O-of course not."

Jane silently took the end of her tunic and lifted it over her head. The cool air tickled her wet skin, but she paid it no attention, and let the tunic fall to the ground. Bo stood rooted where he was, and his eyes nearly bulged out of his head as he watched Jane undress. His gaze roamed over the sight of her naked torso, completely stunned by how soft and round her breasts looked. He swallowed hard, watching as Jane then pulled at the ties to her breeches, and in a moment, she had those off too.

Bo had only seen a naked woman a few times, and most of them had been unpleasant or embarrassing experiences. Seeing Jane standing naked before him was almost too much. Her skin was creamy and pale, and his eyes lingered on the spot of light brown hair between her legs. However, Jane didn't wait for him to respond, and she began walking towards the river. Bo spotted the birth mark on her back, and a lump formed in his throat.

Jane stepped into the water and waded in until she could barely stand. She spread her arms out, trying not to shiver too hard, with her back turned. She didn't know if it would work, but she hoped with every fiber of her being that Bo would join her.

What are you doing? Bo's mind screamed at him. There's a naked Jane waiting for you in the river, and you're just sitting here?

Bo finally lurched to his feet. He fumbled with his shirt and then pulled it off, tossing it down onto the ground beside Jane's discarded clothes. His fingers were still cold from having been in the water, but he finally managed to get his breeches off, and they too met the ground. He stood, completely naked, and let out a few deep breaths, trying to calm his nerves.

Just go, don't overthink this.

The Orc slowly started walking towards the river. He stepped, barefoot, into the water, and waded in until he was deep enough to go under. Then Bo sucked in a deep breath and dove under the surface.

Jane heard movement behind her, but when she turned around she couldn't see Bo. A flicker of disappointment coursed through her.

Did I scare him away? She thought glumly.

Suddenly Bo came up for air, and Jane grinned as he brushed his hair back and then swam the short distance to her. He stopped just a few inches away, and Jane smiled up at him and closed the gap. She reached up and placed her hands on his bare shoulders, while Bo gripped her waist underneath the water.

"I thought I scared you away," Jane teased.

"You almost did. I don't know how to act around a beautiful woman."

"Oh Bo," Jane laughed. "I had to try something."

"So, you fell on purpose?" Bo asked, as his hands roamed downwards, curious.

"No!" Jane laughed harder and patted his wet chest. "I'm not that cruel."

"I can barely believe this right now, it feels like a dream."

"Well, It's not. I'm here," Jane reached up and cupped his cheek. "I am yours."

"I am yours as well," Bo replied thickly, and he leaned in to kiss her.

Jane wrapped her arms around him, and they kissed deeply. Bo's hands reached down to her butt, and he lightly squeezed it. They floated around in the water for a while longer. Despite how cold it was, they barely felt it. Jane was more than happy to let Bo explore her, as his long fingers curiously felt her thighs, breasts, and everything in between with great curiosity. For the most part, she kept her hands on his shoulders but she couldn't help but feel his well defined pectoral muscles every so often. They were firm to the touch but somehow still squishy, and Bo laughed when she squeezed them.

Then Bo washed Jane's hair for her. His fingers lightly massaged her scalp while he worked, and Jane sighed in content, feeling completely at ease.

When they were finished, they climbed back out onto the river bank, and to their surprise, found two sets of clean, dry clothes waiting for them on a nearby boulder.

"Lynne..." Jane started, and she shook her head, smiling. "She must have seen us."

The cold was quickly setting in, and so, the couple quickly dried off and got dressed. They walked the short distance back up to the camp just as the sun was beginning to set behind the mountains. When they reached the camp, Lynne was kneeling by the fire, and three little rabbits were roasting on a spit that she was tending to. Nazgurat had been able to snag them while the couple was bathing and Lynne had fried up some potatoes and carrots to eat with the meat.

"There you are," Naz bellowed dramatically from their bedroll. "We thought you got lost."

Jane rolled her eyes and plopped down in the soft grass beside the fire. Bo's cheeks were warm, but he was grinning. Lynne disappeared for a while to take her own bath, and then they all sat around the fire and talked about many things while they ate. When Lynne's magical barriers were set up, and they were all tucked into their sleeping rolls; Bo pulled Jane into a tight hug, and they quickly drifted to sleep.