Chapter Summary: Miranja delivers a message to Balgruuf, who asks her to deliver a message of his own, and has a steamy reunion with Lydia.
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Finally having a private moment to herself as she bathed before bed, Miranja allowed herself a good cry. She was aware that Teldryn and Jordis could most likely hear her, and that was okay, as long as no one else could. Tel was lounging nude on the bed – freshly washed himself, looking delectable in the warm lamplight, and perusing her copy of Thief of Virtue – when she came in wrapped in her drying cloth.
"You probably shouldn't be reading that right now, Tel," Miranja smiled half-heartedly, feeling drained. "Wouldn't want you to get worked up when I'm not feeling up to any loveplay tonight." She picked up her comb from the dresser and began working the tangles out of her hair.
"Not even comfort sex?" Tel asked in half-feigned disappointment.
"Even if you got me hot and bothered, I just don't feel like it would be right. The people who died in that skirmish will never make love to their lovers or spouses again. They deserve some sort of observance." In contradiction to her words, she couldn't help but cast quick, furtive glances at him as she combed out her hair, drinking in the very aesthetically pleasing sight of him naked.
"All the more reason to do it. Do it for them, because they can't."
Miranja gave him a wry, crooked smile. "Nice try, Tel." She finished combing, cleared the hair from the comb, and set it back on the dresser. She began removing the towel as she approached the bed.
"I'm serious!" Tel cried, setting the book on the night table. "They can't drink anymore, either, but you'd raise a toast to them, wouldn't you?"
Miranja shrugged noncommittally as she dropped her towel next to the bed. He had a fair point, but she wasn't going to let him know that she didn't have an argument against it.
"Same thing," Tel insisted. He moved over as she slipped under the blanket.
"Convince me," Miranja challenged, purposely lying with her back to him. She didn't want to admit it, but just thinking about having sex with Teldryn was stirring her libido, especially as good as he was looking tonight. His gray skin had a warm, yellow-orange cast, thanks to the oil lamp, and his ruby eyes were lit as if from within. And that seductive smile, almost a snarl… there was no denying how damned sexy he was.
Tel propped himself on his elbow, facing her back. He brushed the damp tendrils of hair from her shoulder with such a feather touch it gave Miranja goosebumps. But then he put a firm, warm hand on her shoulder and kissed his way from his hand to her ear, his breath tickling her cool skin. Miranja's belly was already tightening with desire when he licked the edge of her ear and sank his teeth gently into the lobe. A sigh escaped her lips and she shivered.
Tel worked his arm between her arm and her side, cupping her breast for a moment before gently pinching her stiffening nipple. A ripple of pleasure coursed through her, and once again, her skin broke into gooseflesh. Tel lay back down on his arm, and his hand slid down to her belly, his fingers splayed out as he pressed her against himself, and she could feel his fat erection at the small of her back. He began grinding slowly and sensuously against her ass, breathing her name into her chilly wet hair and warming it up. Her crotch ached and throbbed, and she pushed his hand lower.
Tel gave a little chuckle of victory as he delved between her thighs and rubbed gently but firmly at her clit. When she sighed and her breath caught, he spoke into her ear in that low purr. "Convinced you, have I?"
She could hear the gloating in his voice, but she didn't care. She squirmed herself over to her other side so she was facing him, and he grinned at her, his white teeth flashing in the dim light. "You are next to impossible to resist," she scolded, still not wanting to fully smile, feeling that a show of any kind of mirth would be disrespectful to the memory of the fallen soldiers of the night before.
"Want me inside you yet?" he murmured. He kissed the tip of her nose with a quick peck, then captured her mouth before she had the chance to answer him. His kiss was surprisingly tender considering his persistence and his mischievous tone, just the sort of kiss to melt her completely and destroy the last of her defenses.
She wrapped her arms around him and started rolling onto her back, tugging at him to follow, which he did. "Just love me, Tel. Make it all go away for a little while." She parted her legs so he could nestle in between them.
He didn't even argue about her use of the word 'love.' He stroked her hair back, gazing intently into her eyes as if measuring the depth of her soul. He kissed her again, tenderly, then reached down between their bodies to fit himself to her entrance. He brought his arm back up and enclosed her between his elbows as he steadily penetrated her satiny walls.
Miranja held him against her with her arms and legs, craving the touch of every inch of flesh she could reach. She closed her eyes and focused on the input of her senses – the scent of Tel's damp hair, the sound of his quavery breathing, the taste of his freshly washed skin, just beginning to grow salty with sweat once again, and of course, the feeling of him covering her, surrounding her, filling her, filling her need.
Their lovemaking was quiet, slow, and deep; they spoke without words, in sighs and moans. When Miranja's release came, she dug her fingers into his buttocks and pulled him hard against her, gritting her teeth. Her breath hissed as she gasped and shuddered, and when the spasms ebbed, she let go of his ass and wrapped her arms around his back instead, nuzzling her face into the juncture between his neck and his shoulder. Tears leaked from the corners of her still-shut eyes, and she kissed his skin over and over.
Teldryn picked up the pace to achieve his own climax within another minute or two, remaining silent except for the sound of his ragged breath. He kissed her hard as he came, and Miranja responded in like manner, feeding his passion.
They lay conjoined for a while longer, Miranja accepting his weight as a comfort, twining her legs around his. Still, they didn't speak, just shared little strokes and kisses, until the exhaustion crept back in and neither of them could keep their eyes open any longer. Tel slipped away to lie beside her, and they snuggled together as they escaped their earthly confines and traveled the plane of dreams for a few sweet hours.
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They rose after dawn, later than Miranja had intended. They washed up, armored up, bid farewell to Jordis, and went to the Skeever for a quick but hot breakfast. At least, Miranja did. Tel declined to eat right then, ordering some dried meat and fresh fruit and a flask of canis root tea, saying he would eat on the road to Whiterun. Corpulus was still yawning as Miranja scarfed her meal at the bar and chatted.
"This is going to be the turning point in the war, I think," Miranja told Corpulus. "I'm scared for my friends and the people I've come to call family, but this whole mess needs to end."
"I'll be keeping my ears open for news from Whiterun," Corpulus said somberly. Normally, he was quick to say that the war and other stressors didn't cross his doorway, but that mostly pertained to his patrons. He did his best to make sure that his customers enjoyed their time here and were able to escape the worries of the day, but he was always in the know about the less pleasant things: dragons, bandits, the war.
"I knew I'd find you here, my friend."
Miranja turned at the sound of Fihada's voice, so familiar and comforting. Just the sight of those twinkling ice blue eyes set in the dark brown of his face beneath his blond mop of hair warmed her heart and brought a smile to her face.
"What brings you here, Fihada? Don't you usually have breakfast at home?"
"Call it a hunch," Fihada replied with a smile. "You weren't going to leave town without saying goodbye, were you?" He eyed her armor pointedly.
Miranja flushed and grinned sheepishly, lowering her head. "Sorry."
Fihada stepped close and embraced her. "I'm just teasing you, tidbit. Do what you have to do. Just make sure you don't come back to town without letting me know you're still alive and well, okay?"
"Deal," Miranja said. She kissed his cheek and went back to her breakfast as Fihada ordered his own. She felt Corpulus looking at her and thought he was probably also looking at Fihada, trying to work out just what sort of relationship they had. She looked up from her food and caught his eye, and he looked away guiltily. She ate the last few bites quickly, gulped down her tea, and stood up.
"Corpulus," she began, moving around behind the counter toward the innkeeper, "things are going to be tense for a while, and I don't know if or when I'll be back this way, so I just want to say thank you for everything. For the meals, for a clean room and a warm bed so many times before I was finally able to buy my own home here, for the rumors and the tips, and for your friendship. I don't express my gratitude often enough, but I appreciate you. I'm sure you already know it, but you have the best inn in all of Skyrim." She hugged him warmly, and he hugged her back hesitantly, surprised. She kissed his cheek. "You're pretty cute, too, if I haven't already told you. Who knows? This could be my last chance to tell you. I don't want to take anything for granted now that I've involved myself in this war." There, if that didn't confuse the hell out of him and throw him off the scent, then there was nothing for it. She stepped back and looked at him, and his face was florid, but he was smiling, albeit rather bemusedly.
She grinned impishly and patted his cheek, then turned to Tel across the counter. "Ready, Tel?"
"Let's go play courier," Tel replied, a slightly sour note in his voice.
"Divines be with you," Corpulus told them as they headed toward the door.
"Stay alert," Fihada cautioned.
"Thank you, Corpulus. And Fihada, you don't have to tell me twice," Miranja replied with a wink.
Outside, Miranja turned to Tel questioningly. "Do you not want to go with me for this? I heard the tone of your voice when you answered me a minute ago."
Tel pushed the big, heavy door leading to the city's outer courtyard and gestured Miranja through. Pushing it shut again from the outside, he replied, "Just not looking forward to another long carriage ride. This will be the third one in as many days. You sure you don't want to get a horse or two?"
"Yes, Teldryn, I'm sure. We walk or we take a carriage. Or a boat, if we're going along the coast. But no horses. I've only got one horse I can conjure, and since he's a skeleton, one of us would have a VERY uncomfortable ride behind the saddle if we rode together. No way would I make you run along behind me, and I sure as hell would not want to run along behind you."
Tel heaved a sigh. "I suppose you have a point there."
"Horses are not exactly cheap, and I wouldn't want to spend a thousand septims on one, only to have it get killed by bandits, mages, or trolls. But it's not about the money, really. I have plenty of that. I just love horses, and I don't want to endanger real horses if I can help it."
"Okay, okay," Tel exclaimed. "You're the boss."
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Ten hours later, they rolled up to Whiterun Stables. Tel groused all the way up to the city gates.
"I'm not sitting on anything wooden for at least another week, unless you put a nice fat pillow on it first. Maybe not even then."
Miranja's ass hurt, too, but Tel was doing enough complaining for both of them. "This coming from a man who until recently spent at least a year sitting on a wooden chair in the Retching Netch all day, every day, waiting to be hired."
"I've told you before, I wasn't sitting there all the time."
"Oh, yeah, that's right. There were meals and bathroom breaks interspersed." She cast a sideways smirk at him. "Kind of like our carriage rides, don't you think?"
Tel growled and pulled the gate open for her, but he shut up.
They went straight up to Dragonsreach, where Miranja greeted Balgruuf somberly and offered him the scroll. He tried to make her give it to Proventus, but she insisted, so he took it and gave it to Proventus himself. Miranja smiled wryly at him and shook her head, and he stuck out his foot and kicked her lightly in the shin as Proventus opened the scroll and read it to everyone present. There was a brief debate between Balgruuf, Proventus, and Irileth, and finally Balgruuf said he'd need to confirm Ulfric's intentions himself before committing one way or another. He asked Miranja to take his war axe and give it to Ulfric. Miranja inquired politely about the significance of the act, and Balgruuf explained that it was a tradition among Nord warriors. All she needed to remember was that if Ulfric kept the axe, then there were no hard feelings between them, but if he returned it, she would need to hightail it back to Whiterun because he would need her help. She held his gaze with a mixture of sorrow, worry, and fear. He stared back at her with a somber determination that wasn't particularly comforting. They had a conversation without speaking a word. They both knew what Ulfric's response would be. She knew that their hearts and minds were in the same place; she loved the city and the people of Whiterun as much as he did, and the thought of the battle coming right to Whiterun's figurative doorstep made her sick to her stomach. Neither she nor Balgruuf wanted to have to be waist-deep in this war, but it seemed inevitable.
"I'm sorry to have to ask you to do this," Balgruuf told her gently. "He won't be happy to see you, but he won't harm you, I can tell you that with certainty."
"Yes, my Jarl," Miranja said with a heavy heart and a dip that was not quite a kneel, feeling that a little court etiquette was called for.
"Oh, stop that, Miranja," Balgruuf chided. "You ought to know by now that I see you as an equal, if not actually my better. I ask this of you as my friend, not my servant.
"Now, I don't expect you to leave for Windhelm this late in the evening. Why don't you and your friend join me and my household upstairs for dinner?"
Miranja smiled apologetically. "I would love to, my friend, but Tel here has to keep his face covered, for reasons I can't disclose, and he prefers to take his meals in private. I wouldn't want to enjoy a good meal in front of him and force him to eat later, nor would I want to make him eat alone. Thank you for the invitation, though. Forgive me."
"Nothing to forgive, my dear. Go home, rest up, and you can leave for Windhelm in the morning." He stood, about to head up to the jarl's quarters, but he reached out for her hand as she began to turn away. She turned back to him in slight surprise, and he raised her hand to his lips and kissed it, bringing a blush to her cheeks and a smile to her lips. "You've been a great asset to me over the last year and a half. I hope I can continue to count on you." He gave her a subtle wink.
"Indeed you can, Balgruuf. I fully intend for us to have a long and fulfilling friendship, if we both make it through this war."
Balgruuf smiled, that look of determination in his eyes once again. "Oh, I believe we will. You, Dragonborn, are our lucky charm."
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Miranja was able to procure three meat pies from Hulda, baked recently enough to still be warm but not too hot to carry to Breezehome. Lydia was surprised and relieved to see Miranja.
"I expected to see you before the first of the month, as usual," she said scoldingly. "Why the delay? Everything okay?"
"First things first," Miranja said, sinking tiredly into one of the chairs near the hearth. Gesturing, she introduced Tel and Lydia, then she handed each of them a meat pie. Teldryn took his to the dining table, where he would be behind the women's backs and could lower his scarf with each bite.
Lydia held hers and didn't eat it. "No Talvas this month?"
"Come sit, Lydia. It's a long story." Miranja put off eating her pie as well, as she filled Lydia in on what had happened since last month's visit.
Lydia was aghast when Miranja told her about Talvas' death. She chose not to bring up the fact that she'd had some doubts about him after the incident during his first visit to Breezehome. Miranja had obviously known him better than she had, and the pain of his loss was still very fresh. She was somber when Miranja finished telling about hiring Teldryn, joining the Legion, the Jagged Crown mission, and now this mission to Windhelm. "Well," she said finally, "I guess someone had to get the ball rolling. I suppose I should have known it would have to be you."
"Yeah," Miranja sighed. "Some people want the world to revolve around them. I don't really want most of the responsibility I've had to bear since coming to Skyrim, but it seems as if the Divines – or maybe the Daedra – are amusing themselves with me. In any case, Tel and I are going to get some rest."
Miranja turned in her chair to address Teldryn, a thought occurring to her. "Tel, I'm thinking it might be best for you to stay here in Whiterun."
"Really?" Tel asked indignantly.
"Yes," Miranja replied firmly. "First of all, it would be another long carriage ride if we both went – around eight hours. If I go alone, I can take Arvak – and shortcuts – and it would take maybe a couple of hours. Second, you don't like Windhelm, anyway. Third, Ulfric would feel less defensive if only one person showed up. And fourth, if Oblivion breaks loose before I get back, you would be here, and I would ask that you assist Balgruuf in whatever way you can. Lydia, you, too."
"Of course, my thane," Lydia nodded seriously.
Miranja gave Lydia a stern look, but chose not to make an issue of her deference this time. She was tired, and Lydia knew what she expected of her.
Lydia suddenly remembered she was holding the meat pie and lifted it in a sort of salute. "Thank you, by the way. I had been debating what to cook for my dinner when you showed up with these." So saying, she tucked in, and Miranja acknowledged her thanks before doing the same.
They chatted a little more while eating; Lydia had found herself something of a love interest in one of the city guards. They'd met for drinks at the Bannered Mare a couple of times, and had an intense makeout session on top of the wall between Carlotta Valencia's house and the guard barracks. Other than that, Lydia didn't have much to tell.
"But it wasn't quite the same as…" Lydia trailed off, not wanting to say it out loud with Tel sitting so near, but the twinkle in her eyes and the smirk on her lips said all that needed to be said.
"We need to get together again soon, but probably after this revolution is quelled," Miranja said with a naughty smile. She stood, dusting the pastry crumbs from her hands, and addressed Tel.
"Hey, darlin', are you ready for bed?"
"I thought you'd never ask," Tel drawled.
"Let me show you the way," Miranja replied. She held up a finger toward Lydia to let her know they weren't finished, and as she and Tel started up the stairs, she motioned for Lydia to follow. She showed Teldryn into the bedroom, then said she'd be back in a minute, bowing out and closing the door behind her.
Lydia was waiting at the top of the stairs, and Miranja shooed her into her room, then closed the door behind them.
Miranja turned to Lydia and slid her arms around the taller woman's waist. "To tell the truth, I've been wanting to kiss you all evening," she murmured, reaching up and doing just that. Lydia kissed her back, holding her face in her hands, and pushing her against the door.
"How many months has it been?" Lydia panted against Miranja's lips. "Hasn't it been around a year?"
"Something like that," Miranja replied huskily. "I'm sorry it's been so long. So much has happened in the past year. But you still turn me on like nobody's business." She kissed Lydia again, voraciously, frustrated that Lydia's armor prevented her from getting at her breasts. She squirmed to try to get the crotch seam of her pants to press against her clit. Lydia noticed and reached down to press her hand there. Miranja returned the gesture; at least Lydia's armor allowed her to make contact with her crotch.
They made out against the door, rubbing each other through their trousers, until Lydia collapsed forward onto Miranja's shoulder, stifling her moans as she came. Miranja continued stimulating her until she was satisfied, then Lydia reached under the long front panel of Miranja's tunic, unfastened the drawstring on her trousers, and thrust her hand inside, probing with her fingers until she could get her middle finger into her. The heel of her hand pressed against Miranja's clit, and Miranja tilted her pelvis up to give Lydia more access. Lydia continued plying her with humid kisses as she worked with her hand, and then it was Miranja's turn to come. She threaded her fingers through Lydia's hair and held her in a deep tongue kiss as the spasms wracked her. Her breath hissed heatedly in and out of her nostrils. As the orgasm waned, she jerked and sucked in her breath each time Lydia pressed her clit, and she had to pull Lydia's hand away from the oversensitive nub.
She switched to soft, lingering kisses as her breath and heartbeat returned to normal, and she and Lydia just held each other for a few more moments, winding down.
"It wasn't all it could have been," Miranja apologized, "but it should tide us over until we can do it right."
"Agreed," Lydia replied, smiling and kissing the tip of Miranja's nose.
"I guess it's time I got back to Tel. He's probably wondering if I got lost." Miranja reached under her tunic to retie the drawstring of her pants.
"Lost in pleasure, at least," Lydia joked.
"Definitely," Miranja agreed. "That was delicious, Lydia. Thank you. And sweet dreams."
"You, too," Lydia nodded.
"I hope so," said Miranja. She slipped out of the little room and headed back to her own room, where Tel was waiting to rib her.
"Have a good time?" he purred, smirking.
Miranja nodded and smiled as she began removing her armor. "Just a little makeout session. We haven't been intimate in a whole damned year."
"You know, I can't believe you would sneak off and do something like that without inviting me," Tel teased.
"Maybe next time," Miranja joked. Lydia was a one-on-one woman, but Tel didn't need to know that right now.
Miranja was already yawning when she put out the oil lamp and slipped under the furs. Teldryn didn't press her to make love again tonight. They'd already had a good couple of nights, and Miranja had a stressful day ahead of her tomorrow.
Maybe they all did.