Greetings and Salutations, lovely readers. Just a heads up, this chapter touches on a subject that some may find offensive. Probably not too much so, but please consider yourself warned. Slightly lemony goodness included.

Also, I really do appreciate feedback, comments, faves, and follows. I see there are plenty of people at least looking at the story, although I can't vouch for how many of you read it, so you taking a few moments to leave a comment or review make it all worth while and lets me know you're still reading! Many thanks!

Chapter Sixteen – Don't Gamble With The Master Thief

Two weeks after her meeting with Ulfric Stormcloak, Laurelin unlocked the front door of Proudspire and stepped in, shedding her dripping cloak and gloves. The twins followed close behind, kicking mud from their boots while they chatted. Three heavy packs were piled near the door, and the Companions made a beeline for the warmth of the fire. Jordis looked up from the book she was reading, spoon in mouth. Hastily she stood and greeted her thanes.

"Honored to see you again. Is there anything you need?"

"Is there anything left in the pot? We could cook something up if there isn't. We didn't exactly send word ahead of our arrival." Laure was shivering cold, her hair plastered to her face, but she was in high spirits. She and Vilkas had solved the murders, resolved an issue with the Argonian dockworkers, and collected several bounties on their way over from Eastmarch.

Farkas had joined his brother and shield-sister two days ago, and they had leisurely hunted their way across the province. Now Laure and the boys had plans to lay low in Solitude and relax for a few days, or longer if they could.

"I can go down to the Skeever and order something for us if there isn't enough food in the house," offered Farkas, who was squeezing water from his long hair and flicking the droplets into the coals, watching them sizzle away with satisfaction.

Jordis immediately began rummaging. "There is a bit of stew, but it was left over from yesterday, so there wasn't much. We do have a bunch of things to make more though, and we could sear up some fish quickly. . . ." she was muttering to herself, arms full of random bits. The four of them set to work and in short order had a variety of dishes bubbling, searing, roasting and baking.

While supper cooked, they sat down and popped the corks on bottles of mead, sipping the honey brew while they finished drying off. They ate each dish as it was done cooking, stripping platters clean, sopping up gravy with toast, or more meat in Laure's case.

Leaning back, she cleaned her teeth with her dragonbone toothpick. Farkas patted his belly and smiled. "That hit the spot! So Laure, do you have plans for the next week beyond lounging in bed all day?"

"As a matter of fact I do. I'm going to go shopping, then I want to listen to some music in the evening, while drinking painfully expensive wine and eating a lavish meal. Barring that, I would be happy with mead and a still-gasping fish."

"Shopping?" inquired both the twins together, curiosity lifting their brows into identical expressions. They were learning to ignore most of her odd dietary quirks.

"You heard me. Actually I need to find some craftsmen and a glazier. Maybe a blacksmith."

"Dare I ask what you need a blacksmith and a glazier for? There are plenty of windows in the house here," remarked Vilkas.

Laure's eyes narrowed and her wicked grin spread over her face, as she told them what she wanted. Vilkas rubbed his face, not daring to meet the impish gaze of his mate. Farkas only chuckled.

"I can't wait to see this."

The next day saw Laure busily chatting with a number of townsfolk. She spoke with the blacksmith, Beirand first. He was willing to let her use his forge but didn't have the time to take on her project. Farkas stepped in and offered his help with the smithing, and soon she had made payments for materials and the like. Knowing it would be at least several days just gave her something she looked forward to.

Later, Farkas, Laurelin and Vilkas sat comfortably around the big table in Proudspire, playing cards. They were all cheerfully drunk, listening to the summer rain patter on the roof. The fire blazed brightly, as it always did, popping quietly occasionally. They sipped Farkas' hot spiced mead to chase away the remaining chills.

The twins were losing badly, as was evidenced by the stack of gold and scatter of gems and jewelry at her elbow. Her arched eyebrows were poised and her impassive expression revealed nothing to the brothers. She had already admitted she was ruthlessly cheating and even bet they couldn't catch her at it. So far she was looking to win that one. They had watched her when they suspected her of cheating, and now they both eyed her like hawks, but neither one had been able to catch her do anything more than scratch her nose and blow a kiss to Vilkas.

It was maddening, but at the end of the night she had won her wager with them. Though she had freely admitted to cheating nearly every hand, somehow she had won an embarrassing number. Still, they were learning to play better. When she was done with a brief moment of gratuitous gloating, she even had the good grace to return their coin and possessions. She had no intention however of letting them out of a day of them cooking and cleaning. Naked. Such were the terms of their bet.

She drifted about Proudspire one afternoon, a vase in hand as she searched in vain for a place to put it. Farkas walked in from a day at the forge and caught her clearing the top of a shelf. Her look of surprise and guilt were too much, and he pointed his sooty fingers at her, guffawing.

"What's next? Lacy things over the windows? Admit this house makes you want it all prettied up!"

Laure sniffed and said mildly, "I'm organizing. I need to make room, and this darn vase is so big-"

"You're nesting!"

"Organizing. I need you to help me move a few things downstairs-" she replied crisply.

"Come on, Laure. Glass and wrought iron with copper overlay? Tell me that isn't gir-"

"Hush, before I do it for you." she grinned.

"Who's gonna help you?" Silently he had stepped closer, looming over her. She stood on tip toe and gave him a swift kiss.

"No one. I'll just use my big mouth to silence you. Hungry?" She set the vase on the top of the shelf and moved to the dining area.

"You look and smell good enough to eat . . ." he stalked toward her again as she began slicing bread and cheese.

"You're terrible at flirting, and usually when you talk about eating me you're belly needs filling."

"Oh, I could eat. What are you making?" He changed the subject readily enough, but Laure knew he was feeling lonely. She hadn't seen him take a lover in a long time and felt responsible for dragging him all over. He didn't have enough time to himself. Always on a job, running around with her, or training.

You know that's not why. Her eyes lifted and met his, arrested by the burning heat within his gaze. She could tell his wolf spirit was dangerously close to the surface. She lowered her gaze, unsure suddenly what she should do, so she continued preparing a snack for him. She knew what she wanted to do, but for so long now she had tried to keep her attraction to Farkas under wraps to make both of the twins more at ease. When she moved around the table to set his plate in front of him, his long arm snaked out around her waist and drew her down to his lap. "You know what I want." His eyes gleamed wickedly, and his lips brushed her cheek, across to her earlobe.

Shivering with the thrills that shot through her body, she still protested lightly, "Farkas . . ." The sound of someone approaching the front door made him release her however, and she hopped off his lap, tucking hair behind an ear and blowing out a long breath. Farkas only grinned and lifted his plate. Vilkas walked in a moment later. His bright serious eyes found his mate and brother instantly. His nostrils were flared, although his expression was curious.

"It's troubling you more lately, isn't it?" he asked a moment later, although it was more statement than question. Farkas nodded and sank his teeth into a slice of apple. Vilkas went to sit near his brother, while Laure turned and prepped another plate of snacks for her mate. They were all quiet for a while, until Farkas shoved the last bit of cheese in his mouth and stood up.

"I'm going out for a while; I should be back later. Don't wait up or nothin'." He clapped his brother's shoulder and sauntered out. Laure and Vilkas watched him go, then stared at each other for a long time.

Vilkas cleared his throat then offered, "He tries to make it easier for us-"

"To be together. I know, love. He has the biggest heart."

"Among other things," he quipped lightly, a smirk twitching the corners of his lips up.

"Vilkas! That's not what I was thinking at all-"

"Of course not. But I know you're still attracted to him, yes?" She nodded slowly, not sure where her mate was headed just now. She watched as he ran his fingers over the shadow of stubble on his chin thoughtfully. He had just opened his mouth to speak when a loud knock sounded at the front door. His hand curled into a fist and he pointed to her, about to say something, then he closed his mouth and stood. "Impeccable timing, as usual," he muttered instead.

A sweating delivery man stood on the front step. "We have your um, whatever that is, down on the street. Where do you want it?"

Laure leaned over Vilkas' shoulder and called out, "Downstairs, at the street entrance, I'll go open the door." She raced downstairs and unlocked the basement door, watching in satisfaction as six men carefully lifted their burden from the cart and maneuvered it through the narrow hall and into the bare space where the alchemy lab had been the day before. The men set the heavy thing down and stripped away the crate and straw. Finally they lifted it one more time to get it positioned where she wanted it.

"Are you for real, lady?" asked one of the men in disbelief.

"Why wouldn't I be? Here is your payment, and a little extra. Thank you so much." Laure turned to clean up the packing material while Vilkas saw the delivery men out. He helped her sweep up without comment, though she caught him throwing her a few amused looks while shaking his head.

Finally she burst out laughing. "Admit it, you're dying to try it out."

"I might be. I'll go pour some mead while you see to the kettles, this may take a while." He grinned a bit in spite of himself. She had outdone herself on this one.

An hour later it was ready. Laurelin was already slipping out of her robe and running her fingers over the polished lines of her indulgence. Vilkas had to admit it was masterfully built. Translucent green glass had been carefully shaped like large, teardrop leaves and fused into a frame of wrought iron with warm, copper overlay. His crazy mate had spent several thousand septims on a stained glass bathtub. It had a broad, lightly curved rim; and standing next to it, he found it came to his hips. No wonder it had taken so long to fill.

She was leaning over the side, fingers trailing in the scented water, looking up at him through her lashes. "You joining me, handsome?" The other hand drifted to the laces of his damp trousers.

"I thought I would wait. I bathed last month, and it's not quite time for another yet," he teased, pulling his tunic off.

"Get in here, filthy man." She slid both legs over the side and lowered herself into the steaming water with a sigh. She watched Vilkas step out of his trousers, admiring the lean muscles playing over his back as he bent over. He sensed her gaze and looked up from folding his clothes carefully.

She was stretched out in the tub, breasts just peeking above the water, eyes following his every move. Deciding that folding his clothing wasn't crucial, he dropped them and slid over the side with an indrawn hiss. Then she was in his arms and he didn't notice how hot the water was. Legs entangled, they faced each other, fingertips trailing wet skin.

"I love it. Look at how deep it is, and the green is such a pretty contrast with the copper," she admired enthusiastically.

"Yes it's lovely," he agreed, although his eyes were on the long curve of her neck and the swell of her breasts just below the water. Running his hands up her thigh underwater, he pulled her closer to him. His lips brushed her forehead, knowing by now the electric jolts such caresses gave her, and felt her tremble in his arms in response. His hot fingers traced the tip of her ear, and she moaned softly, eyes drifting shut.

When he lifted her from the water and set her on the edge of the tub she shivered, but only for a moment as his tongue and lips traced languid circles of fire up her inner thighs. The toned muscles of her legs quivered and jumped when his teeth gently sank into her skin, and a hiss of pleasure escaped her lips. His tongue finally reached the juncture of her thighs, and with a hungry smile he tasted her with a long deliberate stroke of his tongue. "Worth every coin already, my love."

Laure took a long sip of her wine before passing it to Vilkas, then continued her task. Sitting on the rim of the tub with her knees on either side of his wide shoulders, her strong hands kneaded and stroked away the knots and aches in his neck and shoulders. He sipped the wine and gazed contently at the bare wall.

Finally he broke the easy silence. "He's probably trying to forget you for a while. I wish he'd just say something, rather than bottle his frustrations up."

"I'm sure he's said that about you a number of times, lover."

"Laurelin tell me, have you much experience with this sort of thing?"

"This exact situation? No, certainly not. But I have had multiple partners before, and everyone was quite content with it. Of course, the situation was different."

"What happened?"

"Eventually our lives drew us apart. Things ended amicably enough I suppose, and we all went our own way."

"So would you want to have both of us as lovers if you could?"

"If both of you were happy, aye."

"What I was going to say earlier was up 'til now, he's been able to manage the beast blood pretty well, but for some reason it's starting to affect him more. Perhaps it is because we indulge it so much these days that its pull is that much greater. The way the three of us share everything, even sleep in the same tent. He's had to listen to us, smell us, hear us."

"He's never complained in spite of it."

"No, he wouldn't. Let's look at the facts. First, my brother is still attracted to you, a feeling that is mutual." When she nodded and agreed, unwilling to even attempt to deny it, and he continued, "Second, you love me, but being who you are, you are capable of having multiple relationships; and eventually you are probably going to find someone else that you may have feelings for." She murmured agreement and continued massaging the nape of his neck and upper arms. "Next, we have me, trying not to be a jealous bastard every time another man so much as looks at you. However, I know I need to find a compromise with you. So may I suggest you-you know-I can't believe what I'm about to say!"

Her hands had stilled, fingers dimpling his damp flesh. "What about you?"

"I knew I most likely wasn't ever going to have you all to myself from the start, but I'm happy to be a part of your life, and I know you love me. I don't need to feel challenged by your affections for other people." He sighed and quietly admitted, "I'm not exactly a pup anymore. If it weren't for the beast blood, I don't know that I could keep up with your urges. Maybe Farkas can help me keep you satisfied, eh?"

"Vilkas, do you hear yourself right now?" Laure asked incredulously. It wasn't really a trial for her to set that part of her nature aside in order to make her man and shield-brother more comfortable. She had been content with having only Vilkas as her lover, but here he was, telling her he was okay with her taking others—and he preferred it was his gorgeous twin brother. Part of her deep inside wanted to clap and wiggle. "Are you sure about this?"

"I would rather it was him anyway. I'm not sure I would even be having this conversation if it were anyone other than Farkas. But the two of you have a bond as well, and we've been denying him part of that." Her fingers stole up his neck and massaged his scalp through his thick hair while she thought it through.

Running her hands gently over his forehead and through his damp hair as he gazed up at her, she observed, "You are the sexiest man I know. And you surprise me at every turn. Thank you for being so understanding, so generous, and loving."

He blinked slowly as he gazed up at her, feeling the languid heat of desire beginning to stir within him again as he gazed up past the taut stretch of her belly, the curve of her breasts framing her face . . .

He groaned helplessly and turned over to face her, his hands folded over hers, pressing them urgently to his lips and forehead. "Just-"

"I could never, you know that. Like the moons, we travel together. Little things may draw us apart for a while, but I will always find you again."

"Like Masser, I will protect Secunda," he proclaimed with a broad, satisfied smirk, deliberately trying to provoke her.

"You've lost your mind, darling. I would be Masser, being Dovahkiin after all. Larger soul."

"Speaking strictly in terms of mass, I am larger: and therefore Masser would be a better representation of my masculine energies, guarding the smaller, more feminine Secunda.

"Nonsense. With spiders the females are always bigger. Much more representational of the growing goddess energies . . ." She couldn't help the grin that spread over her face when they bickered like this. It didn't matter what they discussed. She loved hearing him speak his mind. He had been so guarded when they first met; she felt privileged to get to see him in all his moods and vulnerability.

"We are much more complex than spiders, love-" They heard the front door open. Either Farkas was back much earlier than expected, or they had lost track of more time than they thought during their long, sensual bath. Laure slipped down further in the tub behind Vilkas when they heard the big man searching the house for them.

"We're downstairs," Laure called out, smoothing a lock of her mate's hair from his forehead affectionately. Farkas pattered down the stairs and turned the corner, going on about pushy women and snobby bards. When he caught sight of his brother and Laurelin, he skidded to a halt.

"Wow . . . that's . . .wow," came his particularly articulate observation.

"What is it, brother?" asked Vilkas, his eyes closed lightly.

"You two—you're beautiful together. When are you gonna make it official and have a bundle of cute little babies?" he asked with a huge grin.

Laure and Vilkas both froze. Vilkas spluttered a moment, so she quickly offered, "Bosmer don't traditionally marry, dear one. We may choose a mate, but we are not . . . ah, shit. We recognize commitment in heart and action rather than by religious decree. Does that make sense at all?"

Farkas nodded in understanding, but his brow was still furrowed. "So, what you're saying is you won't marry my brother?"

"No, that's not what I meant. Anyway, there is more to it, and isn't it up to him to decide whether or not he wants to wed me?" she asked, bewildered by this sudden turn of conversation.

"But he does," insisted Farkas, while Vilkas sank a bit lower into the water, contemplating drowning himself right there.

"Farkas, I think your brother is a long way from asking for my hand in marriage, and to have kids-"

"What? I know you two know how to put it together and all-"

"And what if I am too old to bear more children? I'm pretty sure that if I could still conceive, I would have. I have grandchildren older than the both of you!" Laure was wide-eyed, her voice rising in a near panic. He didn't understand what it meant for an elf to marry a human. She had lost one mate already and wasn't prepared to think about that again.

Vilkas heard the tone of her voice, her heart speeding up, and her scent went from alluring to petrified in a blink. He slid around in the tub to face her, forehead to forehead. "Hey, it's going to be fine. We won't push the issue. Will we, brother?"

Poor Farkas was taken aback by her reaction. In his experience, Laurelin didn't have any irrational fears. He decided not to push the issue, as she looked ready to burst into tears. "Yeah, sorry, Laure. I didn't mean to scare you; won't bring it up again." He grabbed a few bottles of mead from the rack and retreated upstairs. "I'll just leave you two alone."

Laure watched him go, wanting to say something but unsure what. Instead she implored Vilkas with her eyes to understand. He took her chin and pressed kisses to her forehead, nose, lips. "What is it that worries you so?"

"Vilkas, you deserve someone who can give you these things-marriage, children, an honest woman. I can't give you any of those things . . . I don't even know if I can have more children." She sighed and tried to smooth the wrinkle in her brow, but it stayed firmly in place.

"Laurelin, having children, our children would be a wondrous thing indeed. However, it is you I love, children or not. Priestly approbation or not. Now, we're both shriveling like sun-dried fruit." He ignored her wrinkled nose at the comparison and continued, "Are you ready to get out of this audacity yet?"

Reassured, she splashed him and reclined deeper in the tepid water. "Nope. The water needs heating, though. If you're getting out . . ."

"Fine, I'll get you more hot water." He scrambled out and wrapped a towel around his slender waist before carefully pouring the hot water in. He decided to grab the water from the kettle upstairs and asked, "Need anything while I'm up there?"

"Farkas."

"Will do." He trotted up to the dining area and found his brother staring into the fire. "She wants to talk to you. Take this kettle down and pour it in the tub. Don't burn her," he said, unnecessarily protective.

"Yup," said Farkas and he carried the heavy kettle down one-handed, the other hand wrapped around his tankard. She was poised on the edge of the tub, lit by the flickering candles, the light sparkling in the droplets on her skin. "Now you're doing it on purpose. Is this for the marriage comment, 'cause if it is, I can't promise I won't bring it up again." He carefully poured his kettle into the elaborate tub and stood back to admire his handiwork, with the naked mer adorning the side. He had to admit it was beautiful.

"You should try it out, after all the hard work you did."

"Naw, I'd figure out some way to break it. . . ." he trailed off as she slid into the water and glided over to him.

"Get in. I'll wash your back." Her pointed chin just dimpled the water when she smirked up at him. "And your hair-"

"You should let her wash your hair, it feels amazing, brother." Vilkas observed from upstairs. Farkas' silver eyes flashed to hers and his brows lifted in question. Her answering smile was enough that he slowly unbuckled his boots, watching her splash and glide slowly in the deep water through the translucent green glass.

"You know we used a fortune in malachite, iron, and copper for this darn thing, right?" he asked as he tugged off his boots.

"Yes, I know we skimped a bit, but malachite glass and an ebony framework would have been preposterous. I did mine much of the ore myself, here and there."

Farkas shook his head and shed his trousers, then stepped into the tub and lowered himself. The water easily came up to his chest when he sat, and by now the water was warm but not overly so.

Laure slid around behind him and ran her fingers over his wide shoulders. "What can I do to-I mean for you-first? Wash your back?" she asked playfully.

He made a noncommittal noise of agreement and shrugged.

"Back it is, then. Lean forward a bit, there. Perfect." She scrubbed his back and shoulders, running her hands down his long torso, letting them dip and play over the sculpted muscles of his back and around to his abdomen. While she scrubbed, she kneaded and pulled, using her thumbs to press gently into points where he was holding tension and smooth it away.

Soon he was making the happy rumbling sounds he made sometimes. She could press him with a question or rub a particularly tight spot and she got the same agreeable, "Umm hmmm," every time. When she finished his back, she began working his long hair, teasing out tangles and massaging his scalp. He leaned back into her and finally asked, "So what's this all about?"

"Your brother and I were talking about a few things earlier. We know the last several months have been tough for all of us. It has been too easy to forget you have needs beyond work and such. We both need you, and want you to be happy. And we've been so wrapped up in us that we haven't been very thoughtful. It's not that we forget about you, but sometimes we both get a little blinded-"

"I'll say," he finally sniffed.

"I hope this won't blur too many lines . . . I can't express to you how much I admire the way you've handled this whole situation. We all know this could have been much more difficult from the start, but you have been so gracious."

"Sure, that's the word." he snorted.

"I mean it, Farkas. I was drawn to you before I took the blood, before I started to know your brother. We also all know that I still am."

Farkas had to force himself to focus as he began to realize what she was suggesting.

"Sweet Mara, what am I supposed to do with myself around you two? My only concern is that you and I going back to being lovers will create hard feelings. I would rather choke on a chicken bone and die an ignominious death than cause a rift of any sort between the two of you. Yet I still want you; I want you both. As lovers, as my best friends. Most of all, I want you to be happy too."

"You don't gotta worry about me. I know what's going on. It's just tough, you know. I see you two together and–well a man gets lonely from time to time. We-he and I-used to be the only ones who really mattered and counted. Sure, we always had the Companions, but they were outside that inner sphere. Then you came along. Truthfully, you're a better match for him. I see that. It's just tougher since you took the blood. You and him are my best friends, and we can be a little more free with ourselves around you. You're part of our inner sphere, like no other before, and we would both give our last breath and drop of water for you. You have our blades and the last drop of blood in our veins."

Laurelin felt utterly humbled. She knew the import of what he said, knew it came from the heart and was a simple truth to him. Still, tonight she felt how remarkable both these men both were. She counted herself blessed to have the two of them at her side. "Thank you," she whispered in his ear before nipping the lobe with her teeth.

Her fingers had stilled in his wet hair, but now she resumed her attentions, scratching her nails gently over his scalp, behind his ears, down his nape, drawing out more happy rumbles. Her fingers drifted lower and lower, smoothing over his long arms and back up again. Then trailing down to rest on his hips, up his chest to tweak a nipple, then down the hard muscles of his stomach. His hands arrested hers and he asked, voice raw with emotion and desire, "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure, but the choice is yours. If you think this will become too complicated, we don't need to go any where further, do we?"

"I don't know that I could stop myself, even if I wanted to." He said slowly, voice was low and husky. "Are you both sure?"

"Farkas, someday you'll find the woman who blinds you to all others. We know this. Until then, let's just see if this works. If either of you doesn't want to continue, we stop." She slid around and straddled his lap, and leaned forward offering her lips.

With a groan, Farkas accepted. Over the past several months they had flirted, cuddled, smooched and slept naked together. But they had refrained from anything more passionate. Months of bottled up desire poured out when he pulled her roughly to his chest and crushed his lips to hers, his tongue probing, demanding entrance. Her mouth opened to his urgent kiss, responded with her own.

Her head swimming, Laure finally managed to ask, "Still be best friends and shield-siblings?"

"Always," he murmured between nips at her throat.

"Take me upstairs then," she sighed.

Well there you have it. Some of you may like what is going on right now with Laure and Farkas, some may not. In earlier chapters, I had been downplaying their attraction to each other, thinking it would make you the reader more comfortable. But I realized these two never got to develop their relationship, and I think they need that, at least a little bit. Also, a random comment from my lovely beta reader,Whisper, motivated me to rework in an element of the story I had decided to not include. She said something to the effect of, "It almost seems as though Laure is supposed to be with both of the twins." Yes in mind, if anyone would be capable of keeping both those sexy man-beasts happy, it would be her. She has so much love in her heart.

I also acknowledge those of you who are probably protesting that Vilkas would never agree to such a thing. But he is a smart guy, knows his history and cultures, knows enough about Bosmer to realize that he would need to compromise with her sometime. In my mind he thought about it, calculated and came to a decision. His brother really is the most logical decision, and a known quantity. More to the point, not a certain red-haired rogue in Riften, nor a handsome Bosmer huntsman who lives right across the street from Breezehome. He's learning how to gamble from the Master Thief, hoping his all in pays off. Muah!