Something changed between them. There was more trust and peace than before. As they sat by the lake the next day, Gerda did and said nothing; she simply enjoyed companionable silence between them.

She occasionally felt Balagog's eyes on her. She wore her Forsworn armor again - something he should have been used to by now. Only it seemed that now she accepted him even after she found out his secret, he was much more willing to think about them in… that way.

Gerda tried to catch him looking, but he always looked away before their eyes could meet.

This silly game continued on for some time. She was almost certain now that Balagog was a virgin. She hadn't played a game like this in… years. It was surprisingly refreshing.

Balagog eventually interrupted their silence to ask her the one questions no one else in Skyrim ever bothered to ask, as if it didn't matter at all. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but you are not local either. How did you end up in Skyrim?"

"I got lost." She answered with a grin. At his raised eyebrow, she explained, "I was exploring the Jerall Mountains, specifically one little known cave that I heard strange rumours about. It was extremely long, but I thought nothing of it at the time," Gerda sighed. "When I finally got out, I noticed that the country seemed different, but didn't pay it much attention. I thought I found some hidden valley… that I was still in Cyrodiil," With a snort, she continued, "Obviously not. I have crossed the border to Skyrim…"

Balagog interrupted her, "That is usually considered a minor crime, doubly so during the time of war. Did you get into trouble for it?"

Gerda agreed, "Sure did. The moment I started exploring, I ran into a group of Nords in blue armor. They weren't especially friendly, but they were obviously no bandits. We barely exchanged greetings, when we were set upon by the Imperials."

"Did you fight them?"

"No, just stood there waiting to see how it will turn out. That obviously wasn't good enough for some young Imperial overachiever, for he attacked me." She stared gloomily at the lake. "I tried to talk, yet in the heat of the battle, no one was listening. Someone must have noticed our 'fight' and decided to help my attacker by knocking me out. I woke up in the wagon amongst other prisoners. And Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak himself."

She sighed heavily. "Ironically, it was the dragon attack that saved me. In their zeal to execute Ulfric Stormcloak, my life didn't matter to them. I was to be killed. No questions asked."

Balagog noticed she seemed troubled, yet by something different, more than what her tale implied, "Is something wrong?"

"I only wonder two things - where have all my supplies and armor disappeared to and who exactly undressed me to put those prison rags on me." She gave him a sad smile. "Seems like such a small thing to worry about, all things considered. Still, there were… personal items among them. Also, call me a prude, but no one but my parents, lover or healer should ever see me naked."

Balagog's eyes flicked down to her breasts in the Forsworn armor.

Gerda couldn't resist teasing him a bit, "Forsworn armor is still armor, my friend. But I admit it reveals more than it conceals. Maybe it's a distraction strategy?" she smirked. "Definitely seems to distract you."

Balagog finally gave up on their little eye game and gave her a heated look. "Yes, it does."

'Mmm, flirting. I must have done something right,' she thought to herself.

"What about you, Balagog? Where are you from?"

He turned his face away and stared at the lake, "I was raised in High Rock, mostly by my old friend Anton. His family took me in after my own decided they wanted nothing to do with me, once I refused to become a warrior." He smiled bitterly, "But, if it matters, I was born in Leyawiin."

"Really?" Gerda asked, surprised. "So was I. Hmm, I wonder if we've ever met before."

Balagog gave her a curious look. "Perhaps. It depends on if you ever explored beyond the city walls. My family only had a small shack close by."

Gerda only gave a small shrug and said sadly, "Not often. I was too busy pretending to be the perfect daughter." Then she grinned mischievously, "Aside from the times when I borrowed grandfather's sword and shield and trained with young guardsmen where my parent couldn't see me."

Balagog gave a surprised laugh, "I think I heard about you. The noblemen's wild child. Did they call you 'Power Bash'?"

Gerda blushed and laughed, "They did. And they still do!" With a smile, she added, "At least old Arrinis still does. He still sometimes sends me letters. I have no idea how they even reach me since this country is at war, but he somehow manages it." She was still curious about one thing, "How did you get to know a family from High Rock?"

Balagog grinned, "I cooked them a meal." He relaxed against a pillar and continued, "Anton's family came to visit Leyawiin, but were robbed on the way by bandits. The guards refused them entry into the city without documents proving who they were. My father wanted to prove that he too could be noble, especially when the humans refused to. So he invited them to stay the night." Balagog snorted. "Then he had nothing to offer them aside from a straw bed full of fleas."

Gerda leaned in closer to him and listened. She may have lived in Leyawiin her whole life, but now she felt she did not know the life there at all. She never even knew there were people living outside the city walls.

Balagog continued, "I decided to ignore his protests about 'women's work' and cooked them a simple meal from what we had at home. They… recognized my talent. The Virane's offered to take me with them to the university at High Rock and cover all costs." He sighed. "My father was furious. He wanted me to start my training, despite the fact that I never wished to become a warrior. We… argued. I decided to leave with the Viranes…" Balagog added in a whisper, "After that, I was no longer welcome home."

Gerda did not know what to say. In some ways, his story was very similar to her own - the main difference was that Balagog seemed to have loved his parents while she never did love hers.

"Have you ever tried? To return to them, I mean," she said quietly.

"No, I have not. When Orcs give their word, they do not change it even if they want to. Such is the way of Malacath and one my Father espoused my entire childhood. He would not even greet me, if we met again."

"I'm sorry." Gerda said to him in a gentle voice. She wanted to make him smile again so she tried to change topics, "But imagine this, had you stayed there, we might have known each other for years. Who knows, maybe we would have become friends years ago."

Balagog smiled a little and looked at her. "Yet now, we have met again years later, even after being separated by several provinces." He took her hand in his own. "Perhaps it is a sign." Something passed between them.

Gerda closed her eyes and leaned in to kiss him.

That was when they heard the dragon roar.

Gerda groaned. Of all the times… One of the last rebel dragons who refused to listen to Paarthurnax's Way of the Voice chose this very moment to attack. If Gerda ever doubted that dragons were evil, this moment would tell her all she needed to know.

Reluctantly she withdrew.

Balagog stared at the sky with a frightened yet betrayed look. Gerda couldn't help but sigh sadly. Then their eyes met.

She gave him an apologetic look, "I think it would be best if you went back inside," she said gently. Then her eyes hardened as she looked at the sky, "I'll take care of this."

He gave her another heated look. That was not a reaction she was used to. Men either turned angry at the 'slight to their combat prowess' or they became ashamed of their 'weakness'. As if the fact they couldn't defeat dragons singlehandedly was something to be ashamed of.

Gerda never understood it. Everyone had something they were good at. Not everyone was fated to be a dragon slayer.

The Dragon roared again, much closer this time.

Balagog needed no further urging and took off for the Inn.

Gerda started thinking about her strategy. Usually when she faced dragons, she had her expertly crafted heavy armor to protect her. This Forsworn… thing was not protective enough even for those who preferred light armor. The only ones to fight in it were the half-suicidal Forsworn, who relied on magic to protect them anyways.

That will have to be her strategy tonight as well. Plus, there were other things she could use to her advantage, because this… this was a fight she couldn't fight alone. Not if she wanted to keep her life.

It was time to make use of Tsun's parting gift.

"HUN-KAAL-ZOOR!"

The ghostly spectre of Hakon One-Eye pulled out his battleaxe as soon as he appeared. One good thing about Nords - they were always spoiling for a fight; living or dead.

There were a few other things Gerda could do to turn the odds in her favor. She cast Ebonyflesh on herself, which unfortunately took almost all her available magicka, then searched for cover.

Gerda only hoped this dragon breathed frost, not fire, or the old wooden inn wouldn't stand a chance, despite the layer of snow on its roof.

The dragon stopped circling overhead and attacked.

"YOL-TOOR-SHUUL!" A river of flames burst out of its snout and aimed straight for Gerda.

She barely managed to jump aside. So it was a fire dragon after all. It was even more important for her not to run for cover too far away from the Inn; the Inns inhabitants wouldn't stand a chance if she did.

Her helper, Hakon, was bellowing fierce battlecries, but couldn't do much against a flying dragon with just his battleaxe.

It was time to get a weapon. The single iron dagger in her boot that she would never walk without wouldn't do much damage against those scales. Seeing she didn't have much choice, Gerda decided to swallow her disgust and use Conjuration.

The disturbing purple-blue light in her hand was cold - unnaturally so. The sound of reality ripping apart was as disturbing as ever. But when it was over, she held a glowing blue sword in her right hand. She also felt ready for another Shout. Now she only needed the dragon to fly a little closer.

The beast obliged. It flew in one place while gearing for another fire-breath shout.

Gerda was faster. "JOOR-ZAH-FRUUL!" Dragonrend slammed into the dragon at full force, right into the middle of its chest. The dragon gave a distressed roar and landed right next to the lake… In front of the Inn.

Gerda shook off her disgust at using that shout and ran behind the dragon. Better to draw its attention to her, rather than the wooden building behind them.

Now it was only a matter of jumping away from the wildly swinging tail, avoiding kicks from its powerful back legs and roars that shook the ground under her feet. With her attacking it from behind and Hakon attacking up front, the dragon was quickly weakening.

All was going well. But then the dragon took hold of Gerda's helper and ripped into him with its powerfull maw. Hakon gave it one last weak hit with his bare fist, then with a groan dissapeared back to Sovengarde.

The dragon turned its full attention to Gerda.

She could see that the hits already took their toll on the dragon. Its snout was covered in its own blood and the crazed pain in the dragon's eyes gave away its real state. It wasn't even able to fly anymore, even though Dragonrend stopped working a few hits back.

But it was still a dragon. And Gerda only wore Forsworn armor.

She was not ready to shout; not yet. Her magicka was almost completely depleted, even if her Ebonyflesh miraculously still held. A single sword, especially a conjured one, won't be of much help.

Gerda resigned herself to some grievous injuries and turned to attack the dragon from the side. As long as she didn't get hit with its fire breath or get ripped apart by its teeth, she will bring it down.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw the doors to Nightgate open. She quickly turned her head with shock as she saw Balagog… with her Ebony Shield in hand.

"Gerda! Catch!" He shouted and threw the shield to her with all his strength.

Gerda easily caught the shield and smiled to herself. 'I love that man,' she thought. But that smile quickly turned to horror as she saw the dragon's tail swing at Balagog.

"TIID!" That one word of Slow Time shout that she was still not ready to use almost ripped her throat out, yet didn't offer enough time to kill the dragon. She only had enough of it to jump in front of Balagog and protect them both with the shield he just brought her.

The hit shook her badly and almost broke her arm. But Balagog was alive so she counted it a success.

The dragon turned its snout towards them. Gerda roared her own battlecry and attacked it with all she had.

She hit it with her shield and used her conjured sword to strike it one. Two. Three times. With a final dying roar, the dragon fell.

Gerda stood above the corpse panting. The dragon's soul rose up from its flesh in a fiery stream and flew straight for her. She knew it was useless to flee and let her own soul absorb it. 'Hmph, another kind of magicks to the mix.' She let the conjured blade disappear from her hand.

Ironically, it seemed absorbing the dragon soul helped. She felt the Become Ethereal shout in her mind… settle. She breathed out a sigh of relief. She'll give it a day or two, then she'll be ready to fight again.

Once the soul was completely absorbed, she turned back to Balagog.

He came down the steps and stared at her as if he never saw her before. His eyes slowly went to the pile of dragon scales and bones left behind after Gerda's soul was through absorbing it, then he turned back to her.

"It can't be… You… You took its very soul. Dragonborn," he said, shocked to the core.

She noticed her own ebony sword by the door. He must have planned to throw it to her too. He probably missed the Hero of Sovengarde, and her initial shouting, completely.

Gerda gave him a slightly puzzled look, "Of course. I thought everyone already knew that." Was it possible? She knew she didn't exactly mention it outright and that Balagog kept to himself, but he must have heard of it. Right?

Dismay passed through her. If he didn't know about this before… 'No. Please, no. Don't let this be the thing to chase him away.' He was fine with magic, he was fine with her warrior side and adventuring, with her miserable skills in all 'woman's work'. Will this be the thing that finally scared him off?

"I… I never… imagined," Balagog didn't know what to say. His shocked eyes didn't reveal much, "You are the Dragonborn? The one every passing bard sings about? The one who saved the world from Alduin? That is…"

Gerda only stood there in silence. There was nothing for her to say; if this was something Balagog couldn't accept, there was little she could do to change his mind. Even if she could, she refused to use her skills in persuasion to change his mind about the very core of her being. She was Dragonborn. That would never change. It was better to face it like a warrior and learn his honest opinion now.

But still it hurt. Just when they…

"Is it a problem?" her voice shook slightly, but she held her head high. 'Never back down,' her grandfather's motto reverberated inside her mind.

Balagog started and looked her in the eyes. Then he seemed to snap out of his shock, "Of course not." He smiled, "You saved us all. You saved the whole world. How could I be anything less than amazed?"

Gerda offered him a trembling smile. If she tried to say anything, she'd probably start crying. This day was just too much. First their almost-kiss, then the dragon attack, now this emotional trip through Oblivion. All she wanted was to get into Balagog's room again. To feel safe. To feel… cared for.

Balagog stepped up to her and gently laid his arm around her shoulders. Gerda gratefully leaned into him. They stayed there for a while. Gerda, leaning against Balagog, with her shield still clutched in her hands and Balagog with his arm around her shoulders, comforting her after a fight. 'I could get used to this,' Gerda thought to herself just as the door to the Inn opened and Hadring stepped out.

He took one look at the dragon bones and yelled, "Ye Gods, a dragon!" Then he ran up to them to take a closer look. Looked like he missed the entire fight.

Gerda couldn't help it and started laughing; she didn't even know why. She heard Balagog laugh quietly beside her.

They looked into each other's eyes, smiled and left together to sit by the common room's fire.

-balablob-balablob-balablob-

As the sun set that evening, Gerda felt restless for the first time in Balagog's presence. After their little meeting by the lake, they stayed together, yet did not continue from where they left off.

She wanted to kiss him. Badly.

But Balagog seemed uncertain of her now. She had no idea what caused it. He certainly looked honest when he said he was fine with her being the Dragonborn, so why…?

"Balagog?" Perhaps she should simply ask. The Warrior's way hasn't failed her yet.

"Hmm?" He looked at her, but she could not read the look in his eyes.

The fire crackled merrily behind them. Gerda was mindful of Fultheim in his little corner, drowning himself in drink as usual and Hadring up front by the counter, polishing mugs. Perhaps this was not the proper place to have this conversation.

"I… I want to ask you something. Something personal." Gerda looked around, then leaned closer to him, "Can we go talk in your room?"

"Ah… ehm, certainly." He seemed so hesitant. Why? Aside from a few comments, mostly about her own reputation and his wish to protect it in his gentlemanly way, he seemed fine with her visits until now.

They rose from the bench. As they went down the stairs to the cellar, Gerda felt both Fultheim and Hadring's eyes on them. Thankfully neither commented. That would be the last thing Gerda needed right now. She only hoped it would stay that way.

Once they arrived in Balagog's room, Gerda went to sit on the edge of his bed and patted the place next to her, inviting Balagog to join her there. He hesitated for a moment, then sat down next to her.

Gerda took a deep breath and asked, "Does it bother you that I'm the Dragonborn?"

Balagog startled and looked at her. "No, of course not…"

"So why do you keep turning away from me?"

Balagog looked away, then softly said, "You… you are… a legend. Why would… why do you want… me?" Balagog seemed to have problems expressing what he felt but Gerda understood. He was still uncertain about his race.

She thought they already discussed this, but perhaps some scars ran too deep.

She gently caressed his cheek. "I'm attracted to you, surely you noticed that?" She smiled at him.

He still seemed troubled. "But why?"

"Why is anyone attracted to another?" She asked him gently, "I cannot say. But I know one thing – when I'm with you, I'm at peace. For me, that is more important than anything else in this world."

Sitting so close to him, she felt him tremble slightly. She noticed her being this close was affecting him. Just as he affected her.

She continued in a low voice, "So tell me. Do you want me as well?"

Balagog finally turned to look at her. "Yes, Gerda. I do." Then he slowly leaned to her.

This was not Gerda's first kiss. But it definitely felt like it. Her lips trembled under his. She leaned into him even more and returned his kiss in full.

His tusks grazed her cheek, but instead of repulsing her, a wave of heat passed through her and she moaned into his mouth.

In that moment, she was grateful for her Forsworn armor. Nothing got in her way as she leaned even closer and turned fully towards him. Somehow she ended up sitting on his lap, kissing the hell out of him.

Balagog's breathing was growing heavy. He put his hands on her waist and kept distractedly moving them up and down her bare sides.

She raised her hand and moved it towards his ear. When she touched it, Balagog clutched her waist and growled into the kiss.

He pulled away. At least, he tried to. He didn't get very far with Gerda in his lap, her hand on his ear and her mouth all but glued to his. She looked him in the eyes; they were so dark they were almost black.

She moved her mouth to his jaw and gently bit him. Then she moved lower and started kissing and nibbling his neck.

"Gerda, wait," he moaned and tried to interrupt her progress. "We should t… talk about this."

Gerda bit him teasingly and felt him swallow back another moan. "Talk about what?" she asked and sat fully on his lap. She felt his manhood, fully erect, even through layers of clothing. His hands clutched her waist tighter. His eyes fluttered closed and he started blushing again.

"About… about us," he managed to get out. He had trouble speaking; his teeth were bared and he trembled as if he were close to coming already. Gerda remembered her earlier suspicions. She was more and more certain that he was a virgin. She'll have to take this slow.

"Yes?" she lifted her head and looked him in the eyes. She didn't remove her hand from his ear, though. Her fingers gently massaged the pointed tip. She felt him tremble harder.

"We… where is this going?" Balagog asked her in a strangely vulnerable voice. "What happens tomorrow? Do you wish to keep this… this between us going, or will you…" He swallowed heavily, "Tell me what tomorrow will bring, so I can better accept tonight."

Oh. Now she knew what he was asking. She slowly withdrew her hand from his ear.

Gerda hoped to avoid this. She might have already saved Skyrim from Alduin, but she was still bound to this country. Something kept her here; she could not leave this country if she wanted to. Yet Balagog would probably want to leave for Cyrodiil or High Rock or wherever it was that he lived now.

Could she move back to Cyrodiil if he asked her to?

"Balagog," she started. "I…"

Balagog closed his eyes and tried to turn away. Gerda wouldn't let him.

"No, it's not like that. Let me explain. Please," she begged him. "I do want you, for longer than one night. Much longer. As long as you'll want me, too." This was harder than she thought. "But I still have responsibilities in Skyrim that I just cannot abandon. There are people here who rely on me."

She snorted a bit, "They might not care if I leave for several weeks on end to go adventuring, but the Companions would not be happy if their Harbinger moved into another province entirely. Would probably cause a riot."

Balagog startled. "You.. are the Harbinger? Of Companions? I… I had no idea…"

Gerda was just as surprised. "You didn't know?" She laughed self-mockingly, "I'm sorry. I'm too used to people who immediately recognize me on sight. They also already know my position and accomplishments; I sometimes forget you are not from Skyrim." Then she frowned a bit. "Is it a problem?"

Balagog shook off his surprise, then he softly smiled at her, "No, of course not. I already knew you were a warrior and a legend." He caressed the scars on her cheeks. Gerda closed her eyes in pleasure. "I simply did not know how accomplished you were."

She smiled at him, then turned serious again.

"So…" Gerda had no idea how to ask him the things she wanted to ask. 'Would you be willing to stay in Skyrim with me?' 'Do you want this to last longer than a season's romance?' 'Do you care for me as much as I care for you?' They knew each other for less than a week, after all. How does one ask these things?

But Balagog surprised her. With an uncertain look he said, "I will stay in Skyrim for several months. Will… Do you want to…"

"Yes." Gerda couldn't agree fast enough. "I want to… yes." She suddenly had an idea, "You know, if you want to keep your anonymity, you could stay at one of my houses. The only people there are my Housecarls, who are sworn to me and will keep my… and your secrets."

"Your Housecarls?" Balagog stared at her, once again, "Are you also a Jarl? Or a Thane?"

Gerda chuckled self-consciously, "Yes, I am actually a Thane of… um… seven holds?" She noticed his wide eyed look and somehow felt the need to defend herself, "I simply did a few tasks for the Jarls and they named me a Thane of their Hold. It was nothing special."

Balagog gave her a look and chuckled, "It seems there are many things I do not know about you yet. You are a noble still, then." He gave her a boyish grin, "I still believe that armor suits you better."

Gerda grinned and caressed his jaw, then added in a teasing tone, "Admit it, you simply like to see me in this fur underwear."

Balagog blushed with a small smile. Then he hesitantly whispered, "I believe I'd prefer to see you without it," and leaned to kiss her again. Gerda shivered pleasantly and returned his kiss.

One of his hands rose up and tangled in her hair. Gerda was just glad she wore it free… and that no dragon managed to burn it yet.

She kissed him passionately. She noticed how he moaned faintly every time she gently bit his lower lips and touched his ear. Her other hand decided to explore him further.

She gently opened his fur cape and laid it aside. As she started to open the clasps on the front of his clothes, Balagog tore his mouth away with a gasp and stared at her with eyes clouded with lust. The hand on her waist started caressing her again. He looked down as she opened his clothes to skim her hands down his lightly muscled torso. She heard him start to purr and saw how he closed his eyes in pleasure.

"You can touch me as well, you know," she leaned in and whispered into his ear. She heard him swallow, then his hands shakily rose to touch the clasps on her breast bindings.

When he pulled the top part of her armor away, she was close to purring herself. Balagog nuzzled her neck and gently took hold of one of her breasts. She moaned faintly as his fingers gently touched her nipple.

She pulled his clothes away, then carelessly threw them somewhere behind the bed. As she started undoing the laces on Balagog's trousers, he groaned and all but fell over onto the bed.

Gerda quickly discarded the rest of their clothing, then moved back on top of him. He stared at her with his beautiful stormy eyes, completely open and vulnerable. Gerda decided that from now on, she'll only want to have those eyes look at her with trust.

She kissed him again. Balagog took her face in his hands and kissed her back as if his life depended on it.

Gerda pulled him back up into a sitting position, then reached down to guide him inside her, still kissing him.

Balagog groaned into their kiss as she started to move on top of him. One of his hands slipped back into her hair, the other clutched her waist. Gerda put her hands on his wide shoulders and increased her pace.

"Gerda," he moaned breathlessly. She looked into his eyes and saw he was close to coming.

She did not know what possessed her to do it. If anyone asked her later, she would not be able to explain it. Once she felt the pressure inside her increase and she knew she was close to coming herself, she leaned over him. As the first wave of incredible heat passed through her, she opened her mouth and bit down hard on Balagog's shoulder.

He shouted in surprise, grabbed her hips with both hands and drove into her as deep as he could. She felt him release inside her and all but purred in satisfaction.

Balagog fell over onto the bed in exhaustion and Gerda followed him down. She lifted her head and looked at her handiwork.

Even on his dark skin, her teeth marks were clearly visible – Balagog will have a big, teeth shaped bruise on his shoulder for a while. Gerda blushed. "I… I'm sorry. I don't know why…"

Balagog smiled contentedly and caressed her face with a shaky hand. "No need to apologize. I liked it." He leaned in closer and kissed her.

Well, as long as he was fine with it… Gerda was glad to have found something that pleased him.

She nestled closer and threw one leg over him. Balagog put his arm around her.

She lovingly touched his new marks with her lips and felt him twitch against her thigh. She smiled. She couldn't wait to have him again. Next time, it was his turn to be on top.

But for now, all they both wanted was rest.

A/N: Err… Gerda takes being the Dragonborn a bit too seriously. Also, Orcs are not the only territorial race – Dragons are too.