Chapter 47

Three horses galloped down the wide cobblestone road towards Solitude. Bo guided his horse towards the nearby stables with Naz and Lynne close behind. The rain was falling in earnest and the riders were completely soaked and eager to find shelter.

Jane dismounted from the horse and she waited patiently for Bo to hand her a pack. When it was snugly resting on her back Jane took off towards the front gates with Lynne while the Orcs tended to the horses. They walked quickly, wasting no time. Jane was cold and feeling slightly miserable as a storm brewed above their heads. But more important she was excited to see Ahmon again.

It seemed like forever ago we shared breakfast together back in Whiterun. I'm dying to meet his girlfriend.

Beside her, Lynne was excited as well. She had missed the smiling Nord with his never-ending jokes. She was also curious about the Elf he had spoken so fondly of in his letters.

Within a few minutes, they reached the massive front gates of Solitude. Jane nodded politely at the guards as they passed through the doors into the main square of the city. Several buildings flanked either side of them as well as the familiar winding walkway up to where Jane knew Castle Dour was.

However, their destination was much closer. The sign to the Winking Skeever Inn creaked back and forth as the wind was beginning to pick up speed. The two women dashed across the street, closing the distance between themselves and a warm shelter. Jane reached the door first and she tugged on the heavy metal with a small grunt and ushered Lynne inside.

It was packed in the main hall of the Inn. Many patrons milled about this stormy evening, drinking and eating and merry-making. Big fires burning in the hearth of several fireplaces cast warm light against the stone walls of the Inn, making it seem cozy and inviting. Jane strode towards the counter with Lynne trailing close behind. She noticed the Bosmer they were here for, Malborn, but she said nothing and pretended not to know as she approached the person behind the bar. A Nord with bright red hair and matching sideburns greeted her with a smile.

"Storms brewing," Corpulus commented. "Everyone's getting indoors."

"Exactly," Jane responded quietly, and she pulled her rain-soaked hood down so she could see better. "We'd like to rent two rooms, please. Double beds if you have them."

"Aye, I can do that. It'll be fifteen septims each."

Lynne and Jane counted out the appropriate amount of gold onto the worn wooden surface of the bar and then Corpulus handed them two keys.

"Just ask for dinner when you're ready."

"Thanks."

The door opened again and two Orcs stepped inside. Naz spotted Lynne and they walked up to the two women.

"It's crowded in here," Naz growled.

"Yeah, but we got two rooms-"

"Is that who I think it is?"

Jane spun around and was met by the dazzlingly grinning Ahmon. He looked exactly the same, and he laughed when Jane threw herself at the Nord and wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. He hugged her back just as tightly.

"My dear Jane," Ahmon murmured. "I've missed you."

"I've missed you too Ahmon."

When Jane pulled away Ahmon kissed her damp cheek and then he turned towards Bo. This time Bo had reacted differently to seeing Jane embrace Ahmon. He didn't feel the same sort of jealousy he had in the past and Jane was both surprised and proud.

"Bo," Ahmon greeted warmly, and the pair clasped each other's hands. "The most special Orc in all of Skyrim."

"I don't know about that," Bo laughed, and he pulled Ahmon into a bone-crushing hug.

Ahmon laughed and continued on with the reunion. Naz clapped him loudly on the back with a grin and they exchanged a sarcastic greeting with one another.

"I'm still waiting on that ale," Ahmon teased.

"You'll get it someday, maybe."

Ahmon kissed Lynne's cheeks as well and he commented on both of the women's shorter hair.

"It suits you."

Standing a few paces away, a pretty dark Elf waited patiently for her turn. She smiled at the exchanges but remained quiet until Ahmon was finished.

"Come on," Jane whined and she tugged on his sleeve. "Where's your partner? Where are you hiding her?"

Ahmon laughed, and he ruffled Jane's hair before turning back towards Nara. He reached out his hand for her and she walked forward, suddenly feeling shy.

"Nara, these are the friends I told you about."

"Nice to meet you all," Nara replied softly.

"Oh my goodness," Jane exclaimed. "She's so pretty Ahmon."

Nara blushed and Ahmon wrapped his arm around her shoulders with a grin so bright it lit up the whole room.

"I'm a lucky man."

Jane watched as everyone chatted lightly for a few more minutes, her eyes glued on the Elf standing next to Ahmon. She knew Nara looked familiar but couldn't remember where she had seen her before.

She noticed the way Nara kept glancing up at Bo, and it looked like she wanted to say something but she chickened out and kept her mouth shut. Eventually, Jane had to say something. It was driving her crazy.

"You two met in Windhelm, right?"

Nara turned to Jane, and she nodded.

"Yes."

"That's why you look familiar," Jane continued as realization dawned over her.

Nara rubbed her arm and nodded again.

"I remember you too. You and..." Nara turned to Bo. "You were there as well."

Bo raised one eyebrow, completely oblivious to what they were talking about. He glanced between the two women with a quizzical expression.

"Was I? Did I do something stupid?"

"No," Nara laughed, waving her hand. "Quite the opposite. A group of men was harassing me one evening and you intervened."

Bo thought about it for a moment and then he smiled.

"I think I remember."

"Small world," Nara smiled back. "I didn't know you were the Dragonborn."

Bo's smile faded and he nervously rubbed his neck.

"Ah... yeah. Well, back then... I-It was pretty new."

Jane slipped her hand into Bo's and he peered down at her. She held the key to their room up and he nodded.

"We're going to drop our packs off and wash up."

"Okay," Lynne replied. "We'll do the same. How about we meet back down here in an hour?"

"Sounds good."

Jane knew that Bo could relax for a little while. Delphine had explained to them that she was working on getting an invitation to one of Elenwen's party but one had just passed and so it would be at least a couple months before she'd hold another one. The party had made good time and had even made a few more scenic stops along the way, knowing that there wasn't a massive rush. Jane had appreciated that Bo stopped at places that he thought Jane might like, for she was the only one not well-traveled in Skyrim, at least in person. Even with all the pit stops, they had still arrived in Solitude earlier than predicted.

Jane unlocked the door to their room and they stepped inside. Inside was a very spacious bedroom. A double bed resided in the middle of the dully-lit room. A wooden table lay flush against the other wall and a plush fur carpet rested on the floor. There was a strange wooden partition that also acted as a bookshelf and on the other side were a long wooden bench and another smaller table. A dresser occupied the wall to their left where a small candelabra rested on the surface. Lastly, there was a nice big wooden tub that would easily fit both of them.

The couple lowered their packs to the ground and Jane sat on the edge of the bed with a loud sigh.

"Do you want me to fetch some hot water?"

Bo peered down at her with a soft expression. Jane smiled up and him and nodded.

"Yeah. I'm dead tired but I know we stink."

Bo grinned. He leaned down and kissed Jane's forehead.

"Okay. I'll be right back."

While he was gone Jane took the opportunity to remove her wet armor. It was damaged on the arm and on one side of her waist from a bandit getting too close for comfort. She'd need to get it repaired before leaving Solitude, if possible.

By the time Jane was stripped down to her underclothes Bo returned with a servant who filled the wooden tub up with hot soapy water. When she was gone Bo also removed his armor while Jane tossed her clothes off and sank down into the hot liquid with a content sigh.

"It's amazing how much a little hot water can make you feel better," Jane commented sleepily.

Bo chuckled as he sank down into the water as well. He lounged on the opposite side of the tub with his long legs stretched out on either side of Jane. His arms rested against the edge of the edge and he stared at Jane with a soft expression.

Jane slid down further into the hot water with a smile and rested her head against the edge of the tub. Her legs rested on top of Bo's thighs and he reached down and lightly rubbed her feet.

"Mmm," Jane murmured, and she closed her eyes.

Bo's hands glided along Jane's calves and he lightly massaged them as well.

"You've really gained a lot of muscle."

"Have I?" Jane mumbled, and she opened her eyes.

"Yes."

"Not the soft weak girl from when we first met huh?" Jane teased.

Bo frowned. His bright blue eyes pierced into hers from across the tub.

"You were never weak," he replied firmly. "You're also still wonderfully soft."

Jane grinned and flicked her fingers across the surface of the steaming water.

"I was only joking."

"I'm not joking," Bo responded quickly. "I was the weak one when we first met."

"Bo..."

Jane retracted her legs from Bo's thighs and slid forward. She tucked her knees up to her chest and rested her hands on his thighs as she peered up at him. Bo reached up and brushed his hand along her damp hair. The look on his face concerned her.

"You weren't weak," Jane started.

"I was. I ran away from my responsibilities."

"You accepted your responsibilities in the end."

"Only because I had you."

"You don't know that," Jane murmured, and she rubbed his thighs. "You probably would have accepted it whether I was there or not."

"I doubt it."

"Bo."

Bo was silent. He stared down at the murky water for a while, saying nothing, and then he sighed.

"Why are you feeling like this?" Jane inquired softly. "You're doing so good now."

"I just... I feel guilty."

"About what?"

"That I wasted so much time," Bo mumbled. "There are so many Dragon reports. Everywhere we stop somebody says something about Dragons. There are probably hundreds of them in Skyrim now."

"Okay," Jane said thoughtfully, and she leaned back in the tub, resting her back against the wood.

"Say you did go up to High Hrothgar right away. Say you did all of these a few months earlier. The Dragons would still be here. The number of Burial mounds in Skyrim hasn't changed."

"I... I guess so."

Jane sighed, wishing she could comfort Bo better. She snatched up the bar of soap and lathered it up between her hands. Bo quietly watched Jane wash her hair, his thoughts brewing a storm inside his head.

When she was finished washing Jane got out from the tub and patted herself down with a small towel before walking around to the other side. She knelt down behind Bo and he slid forward so she could wash his hair. He growled softly as her fingers massaged his scalp with the perfect amount of pressure.

"You always know how to make me feel better," Bo growled softly.

Jane smiled and continued rubbing down his neck and broad green shoulders. His muscles rippled beneath her touch and he let out a long sigh.

"Sometimes I don't understand why it had to be me."

"I can't think of anybody who is more perfectly suited to be Dragonborn than you."

Jane rinsed Bo's hair and then he stepped out from the tub. Large droplets of water splashed against the wooden floor but he paid it no mind and began drying himself off. Jane wanted to say more but she didn't know what she could say that would change how he felt.

I can only do so much. He has to work through his doubts on his own.

She considered attempting to pleasure Bo but quickly decided against it. He looked tired, but he shot her a smile when he found her staring at him.

"I'm sorry," Bo mumbled, and he wrapped his arms around Jane's waist. "I am in a sour mood."

"It's fine," Jane responded lightly. "You're under a lot of pressure."

"I'm really worried about the upcoming party."

"We're all worried."

Bo leaned down and nuzzled his face into the crook of Jane's damp neck. She shivered as his breath tickled her skin and kissed his temple.

"Come on, let's get dressed. We'll go downstairs and enjoy a hot meal. Ahmon will be waiting for us."

"Right," Bo replied gruffly, and he straightened up.

The couple quickly threw on a pair of clean clothes and exited their room. Jane firmly held Bo's hand as they descended the staircase and wandered back into the main hall to find the rest of their group. Bo had perked up considerably but there was still a heavy air about him. He just couldn't seem to shake himself from miserable thoughts despite the good company he was in that evening and it carried on for the rest of the night.