Disclaimer: I own nothing of Skyrim but Tereethis


Marshes had learned a new thing about his friend that night: Tereethis could not hold his liquor. It had been about three bottles later when Tereethis started slurring his words and dumping most of the ale on himself. He even joined a bard, Mikael, in a song about Ulfric Stormcloak and how the Empire was going to defeat him and his army. It was a hilarious sight, especially since Tereethis would most likely never do this unless he was intoxicated. He was passed out quickly, falling asleep on the counter. Hulda told Marshes to bring him home in an annoyed voice so he complied, not wanting another brawl to happen a second time tonight.

Marshes hoisted Tereethis on his back, linking under Tereethis' legs with his arms as someone helped Marshes with the door. He thanked them and carried the drunken Argonian home. It was still well into the night, most likely about two or three in the morning. Breezehome was dark as Marshes opened the door, gently shutting it behind him as not to wake Lucia or Sofie. He heard Tereethis start to snore as he walked up the rickety stairs. He turned right to go to Tereethis' room, setting the younger Argonian down on the large bed. As he was set down on the bed, Tereethis curled into a ball, his brow furrowing in a grimace as he slept. Marshes sat on the edge of the bed, eyes softening as he saw Tereethis' pained expression. His breathing started to speed up, not erratically, but it didn't look like he was having any good dreams.

What could he be dreaming about that it would cause him to be like this? Before Marshes could stop himself, he was stroking Tereethis' cheek gently, dragging his knuckles on the Assassins' scaly skin. Upon feeling the other Argonian's cool fingers on his hide, Tereethis started to calm down, his expression becoming docile and breathing returned to normal. Marshes smiled, withdrawing his hand and started to get up. A hand grasped his wrist as he stood and he turned his head to see Tereethis looking up at him with hazy yellow orbs. "Y-you're awake," he stuttered. Tereethis said nothing, simply staring at Marshes with large, child-like eyes. The air seemed to loom like a bad omen around the two, Marshes too polite to say anything and who knew what Tereethis was thinking in his still drunken state? "You should get to sleep," Marshes managed, his throat feeling dry all of a sudden.

Tereethis shook his head, hand still on Marshes' wrist. "You can't stay up forever, you know," he chuckled, sounding like he was talking to a child, which seemed appropriate right about now. "Can you stay with me tonight?" Marshes shrugged, looking around. "Sure, I can sleep on the floor," he said. "I have to get my sheets from my room." Tereethis rolled his eyes like Marshes was an idiot and made an annoyed sound that was very unlike the Assassin.

"Stupid, I'm not going to make you sleep on the floor."

"It's okay, I'd have to do so anyway in my own room," Marshes insisted.

Tereethis shook his head, sighing. "You can sleep in my bed. It's big enough for two."

Marshes felt his heart jump in his throat and his mouth became dry. "O-oh," he cleared his throat. "O-okay. That will work I guess." Tereethis pulled Marshes down, lifting the covers to allow Marshes to join him. Marshes did his best to try to leave, to tell Tereethis that he would be okay by himself, but those words were lost as he felt the heat radiate off his friend's body; the warmth of his dark green scales on his own. Marshes tried to scoot away from Tereethis when he got closer, but he was persistent, finally grasping Marshes neck, nuzzling into the older Argonian's neck and pressing his body until he was flushed against him. Marshes felt his breath catch as he hesitantly wrapped his arms around Tereethis' waist, feeling the gentle, playful nip of the Assassin's teeth. He let out a small groan, not loud enough for Tereethis to hear thankfully. Said Argonian let out a small sigh, once again nuzzling close to Marshes.

Marshes threw caution to the wind, placing his head atop Tereethis' and held him close. Odds were, that Tereethis would not remember what happened tonight so Marshes simply held his friend there until he fell asleep, smiling wider than Marshes had ever seen him.

'But, Father, where are you going?" A young Argonian with dark green scales and light green feather hair grasped the cuff of an, taller, older Argonian's shirt, begging him not to leave. The older Argonian turned to the younger, placing a hand on his son's head and ruffled his green feathered head. 'Don't worry, son. I'll be back, I promise.' He smiled sadly, hugging his son. The young Argonian's eyes widened and began to sting from unshed tears. His father never hugged him unless he was uncertain of his fate and his smile tore his heart, as if it was the last time he'd see him. 'Don't cry,' the father said, rubbing the boy's back as he felt him start to tremble. 'Your mother, bless her soul, would hate to see you cry, son.' He sniffed, holding back his tears as he was told. As his father let him go, he gave him another of those heart wrenching smiles and turned to the door. 'Father,' his voice was so small and near breaking. Why did the gods torture him so? Before he left, the father turned his head slightly and locked his eyes with his son's. 'I'll return, Tereethis,' he said and was gone, leaving Tereethis alone. He never returned.

"Father!" Tereethis shot up from his bed, tearing away from the nightmare. He was sweating, panting slightly. He placed his hands over his face, leaning over his raised knees as he let out a few more exhausted pants. Damn, he thought. I thought I was done with these nightmares. Sithis, I haven't thought of that day in years. He was about seventeen when his father left him to pursue the Assassin's that killed his mother when he was a hatchling. Tereethis had waited for days, weeks, but his father never returned. Eventually, he simply gave up and lived alone.

Tereethis sighed, rubbing his head of sweat. "Sithis, I feel like crap." Throwing his legs to the side of the bed, Tereethis felt the other side of the bed was warm. His brow raised in confusion, trying to remember the night before. After he beat Uthgard in a brawl, he had a few drinks, and then it was a blur. He could faintly recall being carried home and put to bed, but who was it? The thought that it was Marshes made Tereethis' cheeks burn. Gods, did I act like a fool in front of him? I hope not.

Tereethis got up with a sigh, taking off his clothes that smelled heavily of ale and throwing on a dark green shirt and white pants. He left his feet bare, not planning to do any adventuring today with this headache that just surfaced. Damn, why did he get drunk with just a few drinks? It felt like he was getting stabbed in the head with a million daggers, combined with a 'spark' spell for good measure. As he came upon the head of the stairs, a pleasant smell wafted into his nose. He followed the scent to a pot hanging above the fireplace in the middle of the living room. Tereethis scanned the room, not seeing anyone; he lifted the pot and took a deep whiff of the sweet substance. It didn't smell like something Lydia made. She usually just ate most of the bread Tereethis bought at the market weekly.

The stew was bubbling and an orange color; bits of meat and vegetables floated around the pot. "Hungry?' Tereethis nearly dropped the top of the top and turned around, teeth bared as he was caught off guard. Marshes held up his hands in surrender. "It's just me, Tereethis."

Tereethis calmed down, closing his eyes briefly before opening them again. "I apologize, Marshes. I am not good with surprises." Sometimes he felt his assassin training was such a part of him that if it was gone, he wouldn't be himself. It seemed very true to him.

"I see." Marshes chuckled, going to the pot and checking it. "I thought I'd make you some breakfast if you don't mind."

"No, no," Tereethis shook his head. "It is fine. Thank you." Marshes smiled, going to the cupboard to grab a few bowls. He filled them up as Tereethis sat down at the table, tail swishing as it tipped over the bench. Tereethis took a sip of the stew and licked his lips as he made an appreciative sound. "This is very good," he said, amazed, quickly going back to eat more.

"Thank you," Marshes chuckled, sitting across from his friend with his own bowl of stew. "It's a recipe from our people. If you want, I can cook more tomorrow."

Tereethis felt a smile tug at his lips. "It reminds me of when I was a hatchling." Marshes' eyes glanced up at the Assassins' thoughtful expression. "You told me you were born in the Black Marsh," he inquired.

Tereethis nodded. "Yes, I was. I had lived there until I was about nineteen and left on my own."

"Why did you leave?" They hadn't talked much about how or why Tereethis had come to Skyrim. To be honest, Marshes was always curious.

Tereethis' shoulders sagged and his expression became neutral, a defense mechanism that he'd use when he became uncomfortable with something. He looked up, eyes distant as if he were not all there. "I'm sorry, but that topic is not one that I wish to discuss at this time. Please understand."

"It's not trouble," Marshes said, picking up his and Tereethis' bowls and setting them aside to be washed later. "Do you have any plans to adventure somewhere today?"

Tereethis felt his head throb at the thought of running around and fighting. Even a trained assassin shouldn't work if they were incapacitated. Discretion is the better part of valor. Those were his father's words the whole time during his grueling training as an assassin.

Tereethis thought a moment, his brow set in thought. Surely he knew Marshes well enough to speak a little of his life? At least, not what led him to Skyrim. Some of his childhood wouldn't hurt.

"If you really wish to know about me," began the yellow eyed Argonian as Marshes turned his attention to him. "Then I shall tell you, at least a little." He leaned forward, linking his hands together. "Perhaps someday, though, I can tell you why I came here to Skyrim."

Marshes slowly nodded, not wanting to push Tereethis for questions, but he did want to know more about his friend. "Okay," he said, taking a seat next to him. "Tell me about you."


Finally, third chapter! I've been lazy with updating so sorry for people who've read this and wanted another chapter. Next time, we shall learn a bit more about Tereethis. R/R, Marsh friends