Chapter 27

When Jane woke up, she didn't know where she was for a moment, only that she was laying on something soft. She slowly cracked open her eyes and looked around her surroundings. She was lying in a bed, and the walls appeared to be made of stone, but it was hard to tell in the dull light of a single candle. She was aware of the pressure on her right shoulder and chest, and she knew she was really injured and it hadn't been a wild, crazy dream. When Jane tried to lift her head, her vision suddenly swam, and she groaned softly.

Something moved to her right, and Bo grunted as he was jolted awake.

"Jane?"

His voice was tight, and he quickly moved forward.

"Bo?" Jane murmured, and Bo's bright blue eyes came into her line of sight.

He had dark bags under his eyes, and his expression was haggard. He hadn't been able to voluntarily sleep since getting Jane to High Hrothgar but had somehow passed out for a few hours out of sheer exhaustion.

"Yes Jane, I'm here."

She felt his warm hand as it softly gripped hers, and tears welled in her eyes.

"What's wrong Jane?" Bo asked quickly, panicking. "Are you hurting?"

"I-I'm sorry," Jane blurted out, and she began to cry.

"What?"

Bo's eyes furrowed together, and he was at a lost with what to do with a sobbing Jane. He rubbed her hand, silently waiting for her crying to subside.

"I-I am sorry fo-for f-falling behind, it's all m-m-my fault."

She began to cry harder, which only succeeded in giving her a headache. But she couldn't help it. The Orc reached up and cupped her tear-stained cheek, realizing that she felt guilty for getting hurt.

"Jane... Jane, listen to me. What happened wasn't your fault..."

"I-I know how m-much you hate Tr-Trolls, a-and you probably f-fought one for me."

Jane sucked in a deep breath and she closed her eyes, biting back another sob. She tried to calm down, but it was hard. She didn't know why she was so weepy, but she didn't want to keep crying in front of Bo. She probably looked like an idiot.

"Jane, I would fight a thousand Trolls for you."

Jane hiccupped and sucked in a deep, shaky breath.

"Please look at me."

She finally opened her eyes to peer up at the Orc. He was smiling.

"I don't like it when you cry," he whispered thickly. "You're supposed to be the strong one."

Jane couldn't help but give a small laugh, and the Orc grinned.

"See? You're fine. I'm fine. I'd say we're doing just fine."

He gently stroked his thumb along her cheek, and Jane let out a soft sigh as she started to relax. She tried to reach up with her right arm to wipe at her face when a shooting pain coursed through her shoulder.

"Ouch!"

"You have to be careful," Bo chastised firmly.

"I know... I know..."

The door opened, and Lynne walked into the room. She held fresh bandages and a couple of vials. Jane noticed the way she favored her right foot, and she was still wearing the same bloody clothes. She had been tending to Jane for over a day without rest, and she looked just as exhausted as Bo.

"Oh good, you're awake."

"How is your ankle?" Jane inquired, and Lynne rolled her eyes.

"Jane, you were attacked by a ten-foot Frost-Troll... my ankle is the least of everybody's worries."

Jane huffed quietly in protest, but she gave the healer a weak smile.

Lynne changed Jane's bandages. She had four long gashes from the top of her right shoulder down to the middle of her chest, and several puncture wounds on her waist and arm from being gripped by the Troll's razor-sharp claws. They weren't life-threatening anymore, but Jane would forever bear the scars of what happened. It didn't bother her that much, about scarring. She was just glad to be alive.

Bo quietly sat nearby, and he couldn't take his eyes off of Jane's wounds when he saw them.

"We kinda match now," Jane joked, trying to lighten the mood.

Bo wasn't amused. His thick brows furrowed together, and he silently bowed his head. When the Nord was finished tending to her, she leaned in and kissed Jane's cheek.

"That gave us all quite a scare, my friend."

Jane squeezed Lynne's hand, and her heart swelled. She had really come to love Lynne like a sister.

"Thank you for taking care of me."

"Anything for you, Jane. Get some rest."

When Lynne had left, Jane drank from one of the vials that had been left for her. Bo climbed into the bed beside Jane on her left side and shuffled closer. He kissed her bare shoulder.

"Will you tell me all that happened? I blacked out after I got bit."

Bo let out a small sigh, but he complied. He really didn't want to relive it, but Jane deserved to know.

"I... was frozen with fear," Bo confessed, and he squeezed his eyes shut.

Jane squeezed his hand firmly and urged him to continue.

"That thing grabbed you like you were a ragdoll and yet I was still torn between fleeing and fighting. But when you cried out the anger inside of me exploded."

"I was enraged. I went into my berserk, and I shoved my sword through its chest and cut its head off."

Jane shuddered. Part of her wished she could have witnessed Bo's power, but another part knew it was probably a terrifying sight to witness. Beside her, Bo nuzzled her shoulder for a moment, trying to steady his racing heart. A lump formed in his throat.

"For a moment... when you were laying in the snow, and your blood..."

Bo paused and sucked in a deep breath.

"your blood was... everywhere... I thought you were going to die."

Bo looked at Jane, and he reached up to cup her cheek. Jane gave a small, sad smile.

"It was at that moment I knew I would die for you. I would have gladly given my life for you the moment we met b-but I didn't realize it at first."

He suddenly became flustered and stopped talking for a moment. It was the side of him that Jane hadn't really seen for the last couple of weeks. He had grown so much since they left Whiterun, but now he was lying in bed with her at High Hrothgar, his heart nearly bursting out of his chest.

"I-I realized that... that..." Bo paused, and his brows furrowed together.

He brushed his thumb along Jane's cheek, and she searched his eyes, waiting patiently for him to speak.

"That if you... had died..." Bo continued thickly, his voice barely a whisper. "I wouldn't be able to... tell you I love you."

The moment Bo said the words, a great sense of relief washed over him. He felt a clarity that he hadn't experienced since learning he was Dragonborn a few months ago. Suddenly everything seemed right where it needed to be, and it was the most motivating feeling in the world. He was no longer a solitary Orc, wandering the land in search of himself. Bo Gro Graul knew at that exact moment, as he lay in bed with the woman of his dreams, that he was who he needed to be, and where he needed to be. Jane was more than just a partner. She had helped him grow in ways he barely comprehended fully; he was a better man for it.

The feeling was nearly overwhelming, but as he stared into Jane's warm green eyes, which began to well up with tears, he accepted it completely.

No more running away, he thought firmly, as he watched a few teardrops escape her eyes. No more pretending I'm not a part of something greater than myself.

"Oh, Bo... I love you so much," Jane spluttered, and she smiled as she cried.

"Why are you crying?" Bo asked softly, and he brushed at her tears.

"I-I'm crying because I'm happy," Jane responded. "These are the happiest of tears."

Bo leaned in, careful of her shoulder, and kissed her soft pink lips. Kissing her was something he had never gotten over. Every time her lips met his, it was like their first time all over again. He ran his fingers through her short brown curls, and he grazed his lips along her cheek and jaw, sending a shiver up Jane's spine.

"You shouldn't kiss me like that," Jane teased, and she laughed. "I may be hurt but I'm dying to make love to you right this minute."

Bo froze, and he looked up at her with a look of surprise.

"Don't look so shocked now, Bo..." Jane reached with her good hand to rub his thigh. "I've wanted you for so long."

Jane was glad to see him smiling again. She thought for sure their encounter with the Troll was going to set him back. She was incredibly happy and proud that he had faced his fears head-on. It was just one of the many reasons why she loved him.

"I'd like to... make love to you too," Bo confessed with a shy smile. "as much as it makes me feel nervous. But, there will be none of that until Lynne tells me you're perfectly healed."

"Not fair," Jane pouted. "I don't need my shoulder to work for what I have in mind."

Bo's cheeks flushed dark green, and Jane gave him a cheeky grin.

"Don't put such thoughts in my head... We both need to rest."

"Fine..." Jane kissed the tip of his nose, and Bo kissed her rosy cheek. "We'll sleep then... for now..."

Bo settled down beside Jane, and he firmly held her hand. He was just about to pass out when Jane's voice brought him back.

"Bo?"

"Mm... yes Jane?"

"Have you spoken to the Greybeards yet?"

"Barely. I was more concerned about you... I haven't told them I'm the Dragonborn."

"Okay," Jane mumbled, and she stroked his hand with her thumb. "Just wondered."

Both of them drifted to sleep with ease. This time Bo dreamy about Dragons. Little dragons, big dragons, dragons that breathed ice and fire. A big black dragon, bigger than the rest, with eyes blood red that stared right into his soul. A kind, wise dragon, that spoke to him and told him great and terrible things. Jane was there too, and she spoke the Dragon tongue as well. She smiled at him before she flew off on the back of a huge gold Dragon. None of it made sense to him, and he woke up feeling dazed and confused.

When Lynne finally made her way to her sleeping quarters, she found Naz halfway through stripping off his clothes. He paused when he heard the door open, and quickly swept the Nord into his arms as she stumbled towards him.

"It's okay now," he murmured softly. "Did she wake?"

"Finally."

He quietly rubbed Lynne's back as she clung to Naz's tunic with both hands. Tears silently streamed down her face, and after a long moment, she pulled back with a small sniffle.

"I didn't realize just how much I care for her until I saw Jane bleeding to death in the snow."

Naz lightly brushed a strand of her hair from her face and smiled; exhaustion etched into his face. He hadn't slept a wink as well.

"I know, love. Come... the water is hot."

Lynne nodded weakly, her bottom lip trembling as she allowed Naz to strip her soiled robes off and help her into the tub. The water was hot, and Lynne's pale skin turned bright pink from the heat, but she welcomed it.

Once they were both settled in the tub, with Naz's thick arms loosely floating in the water on either side of her, Lynne couldn't help but think back on what had happened. It was all too fresh in her memory, and if she was being honest the accident had really rattled her nerves...

Jane's screams of pain echoed all around them. The sound bounced off the mountain and reverberated so loudly in her ears Lynne winced as her head throbbed, but that wasn't important. She watched as the massive frost Troll tossed the girl down like she was nothing more than a sack of hay, and blood spewed all over the snow-covered steps as she landed with a thud. She did not stir.

Bo was frozen to the spot, unable to move, as the Troll snarled and fixed its beady eyes on the Orc. Lynne knew if he didn't move now then even more people were going to get hurt.

"Bo!" She screamed as she started to ready a powerful flame spell between her hands. "Do something!"

Lynne quickly dashed around the Orc and threw her firebolt, aiming for the Troll's huge chest. It cried out, more in annoyance than in pain as the flames washed over it but was otherwise unaffected.

Damn, Lynne cursed quietly, and she turned to see Naz running towards Jane's bloody form.

"Get Jane inside!" She shouted, and Naz didn't need to be told twice.

The wind whipped at her hair, and it was hard to breathe so high up on that mountain, but the problem wasn't over. Naz quickly knelt down and swept and unconscious Jane into his arms, careful of her torn shoulder. He took off down the steps towards High Hrothgar, leaving Lynne and Bo to tackle the Troll.

Lynne turned around to find Bo in mid-strike. She readied another spell in her hands as the Orc bellowed in anger. He swung his sword forward with a strength that even impressed the Healer, and she watched in amazement as he effortlessly punched his sword through the Troll's chest like he was nothing more than butter.

It wasn't enough. Even as the creature began to collapse, it's hulking form slowly crumbling to the ground, Bo continued to strike it. He quickly pulled his sword back as dark red blood spewed across his chest and face, coating him. Crimson streaks stained the Troll's white fur and it howled in pitiful pain.

He was enraged. Lynne knew there was little she could do, but she had to get him to stop so she could go to Jane.

Bo snarled as he grasped his sword with both hands and swung again, aiming for the Troll's head. Lynne's eyes widened, and she watched with a mixture of fear and fascination as the creature's head was decapitated from its body. It flew down to the ground and rolled off the side of the mountain, disappearing from sight. The lifeless body of the Troll collapsed to the ground and did not move again.

The silence was eerie. Lynne could hear nothing but the sound of the wind moaning in her ears. Bo stood with his back to her, but his shoulders heaved as he struggled to breathe. His entire body shook with anger, and Lynne realized too late that she shouldn't have approached him.

"B-Bo," Lynne called out softly, and she reached out to touch his trembling arm.

The Orc suddenly whipped around, and in an instant, he had Lynne pinned against the jagged rock of the mountainside. His thick hand wrapped itself around her throat and squeezed as Bo snarled at her with bright red eyes. His expression was terrifying, and Lynne knew he wasn't even aware of what was going on.

"B... Bo..." Lynne gasped, and she gently rubbed bloody arm, feeling panicked.

"Sweetie...Yo-you have to... let... go...Jane needs me-"

Bo's eyes widened, and realization dawned on his face. He quickly released Lynne's throat and stumbled backward, dropping his sword in the snow.

"Jane," he croaked, his voice hoarse.

He began to race down the steps towards High Hrothgar, his movement was clumsy and unbalanced. Lynne was right behind him; pain shooting up her ankle as she ran...

Lynne shivered as she remembered how scared she had been in that moment, and Naz's wet hand trailed up her arm.

"Are you okay?" He asked softly.

Lynne leaned back, resting her head against his thick chest. The water had been stained with blood. Jane's blood.

"I'll be fine."

Naz encouraged Lynne to sit forward, and he finished washing her body and hair. When he was satisfied she was clean, he wrapped her up in a soft towel and carried the Nord to their bed. She was almost completely asleep, which he was grateful for. She hadn't left Jane's side in almost two days.

Naz gently laid Lynne down on the bed and tucked her in. Her eyes fluttered open when she felt his lips on her forehead.

"Aren't you coming to bed?" She whispered sleepily.

"Yes. Can't I tuck you in?"

Lynne was quiet for a moment, and then she wiggled one of her arms free from under the blanket and ran her hand along Naz's thick, muscled arm.

"Of course you can."

The Orc smiled and stood up from the bed to walk around to the other side. He slipped under the covers and pulled Lynne close to him, holding her in his arms as she swiftly drifted to sleep.