For the next two hours Lydia and Dala talked through the plan until it was solid. Regan had retired to their room shortly after Dala had put away the swords. Dala stretched as she slowly rose from her seat, Lydia was already half way up the stairs by the time she was done. As Dala slowly climbed the steps she looked around, why she was out cavorting with thieves and generals she had no clue. She was already unworldly rich and had a beautiful family. She gently opened her doors as so not to wake her sleeping wife. She peeled off all her armor and reveled at the feeling of cool air over her bare skin. As she slipped into her bed and pulled her wife to her she sighed with content. She would not be going back to the thief's guild or anywhere else after this damned war. With that thought bringing a smile to her lips she let sleep claim her.

Dala woke with her wife pinning her down on the bed. Regan was snoring softly as she had her limbs draped over every inch of skin she could find on Dala. And since both of them slept nude that was quite the expanse. Dala enfolded her wife in her arms and craned her neck for a kiss. Regan stirred against her and stretched doing naughty things to Dala's mind. Regan finally stopped and looked down at Dala with sleepy eyes.

"Good morning love." Dala kissed her again, this time more fiercely.

"Good morning Regan love, did you sleep well?" Regan grinned as she snuggled into Dala's shoulder and gently bit.

"Better than I have in ages." Dala shivered as Regan rubbed her cheek along the curve of Dala's shoulder. She always thought it a weird habit but it felt wonderful so she hadn't objected.

"Well, we should probably get out of this bed before you do anything that would keep us." Regan stretched again this time purposefully arching her body into her wife's. Dala groaned as her arms locked tighter around Regan who was purring contently.

"The children are right next to us love, and last time I checked, you are a screamer." This got the dreaded desired reaction. Regan blushed as she slid off of Dala, which was agonizing to say the least, the damn temptress would hopefully be the death of Dala. They cuddled for a few minutes until they heard their children start to rise in the other room. Slowly and almost painfully they got dressed, pausing every few minutes to make out like young adolescents. Finally they had all their clothes on but Dala was frustrated beyond belief and she could tell that her wife was just as crabby as her now.

Their door was opened by Lydia who took one look at them and walked away.

"You couldn't wait one minute!" Dala grinned as Regan's blush returned. They descended the stairs to food on the table and their children already pigging out on the array of meats and cheeses. Arya had even gone to lengths to toast a loaf of bread and make eggs for everyone. This was a large feat considering the price of eggs, even though Dala was considered wealthy eggs were a treat. Dala walked over to the woman and wrapped her in a one armed hug while she quickly kissed her temple.

"Good morning sis, sleep well?" Arya nodded as she handed plates filled with eggs to Dala.

"Like a baby, it was nice to sleep in a real bed for a change." Dala nodded in understanding as she sat down and started shoveling food onto her plate. The breakfast was divine, being used to stale bread and wine for breakfast this had been a welcome relief. As they finished up Dala looked at her family,

"So what should we do today loves?" The children looked at her then their mum then back at Dala.

"HUNTING!" Dala laughed as both her children started jumping up and down in excitement. Hunting was their favorite thing to do when she was home, they always tried to out shoot each other. Thalia usually got something small like a squirrel or bunny while Rorin had often bagged a large skeever or even on occasion on small buck.

"Alright, well go after breakfast then, does anyone care to join us?" Just like she knew they would the three women next to her all raised their hands. It was no secret that Dala's family were all skilled archers, Dala had taught everyone but Regan herself.

Once they had finished breakfast Dala and Lydia cleaned while Regan helped the children into their clothing for the day. No sooner had they left the gates of the city did a Brenton courier run up to her.

"Dragonborn, I have urgent news from General Tullius." Dala's heart sank as he quickly pulled the small parchment from his bag. She took it with shaking hands and quickly read the letter.

"YOL." The parchment burned in her hands, leaving nothing but ashes. The young man jumped back in terror but quickly schooled his features. Dala tried not to sound pissed when she thanked him but she didn't do a very good job. She turned back to her family with sorrow in her eyes, this happened far too frequently.

"Ulfric's troops have already been deployed, they will be here within the week, we must leave for Solitude today." She refused to look at her wife's sad gaze as she quickly walked back up to her home.

Like every other time her departure was one of pain, her children sobbed as the begged her to stay while her wife simply looked at her with a dead expression in her eyes. Lydia was also upset but she tried not to add to her Thane's already dour mood. Dala hugged her children for what felt like an eternity before she pulled her wife into her arms.

"I'm so sorry." Regan hugged her fiercely and buried her head in Dala's shoulder.

"Come home to me." Dala pulled back and caught Regan's mouth with her own.

"I promise."