Northern Winds
Author: Ark Angel HFB
"Talking" & "Thinking"
Chapter 3: A Lifetime for A Lifetime
Ashe made her way to the bed, smiling to herself as she called over her shoulder. "You know, you could have been a bit more diplomatic in turning down that offer."
"I was plenty diplomatic, I shoulda punch him in his rat face. If that deal was full of any more horse shit, I woulda." Tryndamere spat as he pulled his shirt off before pacing over to a small table. "Now for part two the to-do list."
Ashe watched him jog in place for a second before he took several long strides back and forth. "What are you..."
"Part one was the damn boring talking. Part two of my plan is this bastard brew, and Part three is collecting on our sweet little bet." Tryndamere grabbed the bottle of Gragas' brew off the table before he pulled the cork from the bottle, downing the remaining brew. Tryndamere lurked forward after a moment grabbing the table as he waited for the effects to kick in.
Ashe, sighed as she rested her forehead in her hand. Through her figures she watched his back while he held completely still. "If you hurry you can make it to the bathroom before you ruin another pair of pants..."
Tryndamere exhaled with a hiss before laughing louder than was needed. "Naaa I'm... fine... must have been the carriage that caused us to lose it last time."
Ashe put her hands on her hips, the silk cape flowing gracefully behind her as she watched Tryndamere. "Of course, the completely normal carriage is to blame... not the insane high proof, magic infused, brew."
"Yeah well it's about time for part three anyway, our little bet. I think it's about time I collect." Tryndamere said, standing up and putting his hands on his hips somewhat mimicking Ashe's pose. His face already starting to tint a slight red, He looked her up and down.
"If you can still walk it a straight line I might consider it." Ashe replied, turning as she reached up to undo the knot that held her cape on. Ashe flinched as she felt Tryndamere's arms wrap around her from behind, one arm sliding across her belly to rest one his palm on her hip, His other arm encircling her at chest height as his hand closed around hers.
Tryndamere held Ashe against his chest, his head tilting down as his lips brushed against the skin behind her ear. "Yah sure are cold. How bout I help you with that?" Tryndamere's voice was a low rumble by Ashe's ear.
"Trynd?" Ashe stood rigid, barely drawing a breath as she felt the warmth from Tryndamere's hand on hers. "This is our wedding night, It would not be wrong to..."
A moment passed before Tryndamere let his hand slip over to the knot of the cape. A grin on his face as he let his forearm rest in the crease between Ashe's breast.
Ashe let herself drift in the heat coming from the barbarian, her eyes closing as she drew a deep breath letting the contact with his arm increase. "I... I don't have to be alone."
Tryndamere held her tighter. "Ashe..." Tryndamere's voice was a low hush, his lips still near her ear.
"Yes..." Ashe answered, her voice just short of being a moan.
"What kind of stupid magic knot is this?"
Ashe's eyes opened as she sighed. "Idiot..." Pushing Tryndamere's hands from herself, Ashe stepped away. Ashe took a deep breath, composing herself. Ashe turned to face Tryndamere, bringing a cold stiff hand up to his chest, halting him as he tried to step towards her. "This isn't happening." Ashe kept her eyes focused as she put on her icy mask. She stared at the man an arms length away from her. "You're just too drunk to think, there is too much at stake so we are sticking to the plan, for our peoples sake."
"I'm sticking to my plan?" Tryndamere held Ashe's gaze for a moment before his eyebrow raised as he looked down at the hand on his chest. "Seems like you like my plan better anyway."
Ashe followed his gaze to her hand as she realized her fingers had spread and her hand was gently cupping the muscles of his chest. Ashe flinched, snatching her hand away. Her eyes darted back to meet Tryndamere's smug grin. "Moron!" Ashe turned, walking towards her side of the large bed.
Tryndamere's face was flush as he swayed a bit. "Why are yah so damn set on being no fun?" Tryndamere brought one hand up to the side of his head as his vision spun. He kept his eyes on Ashe as she sat stiffly on the bed.
Ashe's hands rested on her knees, clenched into fist. "This is a political marriage, we are joined only to help our people. I won't lie with someone, I do not love or who doesn't love me."
"Whatever..." Tryndamere waved Ashe off like he was brushing away a fly. "Be alone for all I care." He muttered as he stalked to his side of the bed and sat, hunching his shoulders. "This marriage is for my people's safety... for that dream I will bear it... even if I gotta bear it alone." He brought one hand to his head that was starting to swim again in a dizzy blur from the brew.
The two sat in silence for a long time.
Ashe glanced behind her, allowing her eyes to trial over Tryndamere. She turned back and hung her head in silence. "Why am I disappointed? I should be joyous. He isn't forcing me to be a true wife, and this peace is the greatest victory for my people. How can I be so selfish? To wish I was free to find real love." Ashe sucked in a short struggled breath, fighting the burning at the corner of her eyes. Her voice was low, only a whisper she spoke. "I'm sick of being alone, but I want true love."
"What in the void do yah think I keep offering to give yah?" Tryndamere snapped, tuning to glare over his shoulder.
Ashe's eyes sprung open as she realized she had spoken aloud. She turned, returning the glare to Tryndamere. "Y... your offer is hollow, nothing more than lust."
"Hollow!?" In an instant Tryndamere's vision was clear and he was on his feet rounding the foot of the bed. He stopped in front of Ashe, grabbing her shoulders and pulling her roughly up to a standing position. "I dare you, test my offer. See if that cold heart of yours can find any damn hollowness." Tryndamere's voice was tight with anger.
Ashe's breath was short and fast. She stared at the man in front of her. "I... let go of me..."
"So yah can be alone? If yah want love. I'm offering a lifetime for a lifetime." Tryndamere let his hands fall to his side, his hands fist.
Ashe dropped her gaze to the floor. Her jaw clenched as she shivered suddenly feeling cold. The burning in the corner of her eyes returned. Ashe held still for a long time until, with a tiny nod, she stepped forward closing the small gap between the two. "Don't be false... please." With one hand Ashe reached up undoing the knot that held her cape on. She let the cape drop from her shoulders to the floor. "I accept, I give you a lifetime..."
Tryndamere used his hand to turn Ashe's chin up to face him. "Now about our bet?"
Ashe met the smirk on the barbarians face for only a second before she grimaced and swallowed. "And, already you are making me regret it." Ashe closed her eyes as Tryndamere's lips reached hers and the two tumbled back onto the bed.