KrystylSky: Lol that's not a horrible idea. I have to play Skyrim again and get the vibe again. I'll keep that in mind though dear. 3
Nori-239: I am a pretty amazing mage. (I'm joking….or am I…) Lol I'm glad you liked the chapter dear. Good to hear from you, as always.
Soren Tamazki: Yes. Eye hump. Feel free to use it love. I'll update as soon as possible.
Chapter 33- Dare you to move (Bonus chapter 3)
Welcome to the fallout
Welcome to resistance
The tension is here
Tension is here
Between who you are and who you could be
Between how it is and how it should be
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor
I dare you to move
I dare you to move
Like today never happened
Today never happened before
-Switchfoot "Dare you to move"-
20th of Evening Star
"Are you sure this is the right way?" Vilkas complained again as he swatted more cobwebs out of the way. "Are you sure we're even in the right place?"
"Yeah." Vincent finally answered, clutching his sword tightly in his right hand. "We've basically killed everything, right?"
"So far… Eight spiders, four Chaurus and fifteen weird creatures."
"Falmer." Vincent sighed and swatted some cobweb as well. These tunnels just seemed to twist on forever. "I read somewhere that they were once called Snow elves."
"Snow elves, eh?" He heard Vilkas huff. "I think I recall something about them in the old texts."
"Yeah?" Vincent adjusted his grip on his bastard sword and looked around. There were an awful lot of glowing mushrooms around. Vincent made a mental note to gather some later. He didn't need to collect alchemy ingredients to save his own life anymore but old habits die hard.
The spirit was one with him. It was only subtle differences at first, so small that not even Vincent seemed to notice. He had more energy…his magic was much more powerful, he could wield his previously two-handed bastard sword in only one hand with ease and he'd picked up a few magical tricks for combat.
"Aye. Heard the Nords tried to kill them off."
Vincent cracked a smile. "Why am I not surprised?"
"Anyway…" Vilkas continued with mock irritation in his voice. "…The books don't go into too much detail but the Nords either killed them all or drove them underground."
"Underground seems a fair notion…" Vincent sighed. "Seeing as we're being attacked by them, they're probably not extinct."
"Only probably." Vilkas agreed.
"I don't see any sign of captives either." The redhead became serious. "Only bones…"
Vincent felt Vilkas' hand gently rest on his shoulder. He took more comfort in that touch then he thought Vilkas would ever know. "Aye but we still have some tunnel left. Maybe there will be survivors."
"I hope so. I heard Kids had gone missing too."
Vilkas stood beside him and held the torch aloft. "I'm sure we'll find something."
Vincent wasn't sure he wanted to find anything. Just killing these creatures could be enough for him. He'd rather find no one then bones of those who HAD been here.
"Should we be doing this today?" Vilkas piped up again and Vincent could hear the wary tone enter his voice.
"What other day could we do this? People are in danger…I think."
"…" Vilkas sighed. "It's your birthday."
"My birth is nothing to celebrate." Vincent spoke deadpanned. He knew it sounded harsh but he was right. Sure, it was a holiday called Chil'a in the barony of Kairou but they weren't there. In Daggerfall, it was the dread Daedra Prince Molag Bal's summoning day. His mother died on this day as did his unborn sibling. There was nothing left to celebrate.
Yet, Gods bless his husband. Vilkas was still trying… "That's not true."
"It's not?" Vincent snorted, peeking around the corner."
"You were born today." Vincent could practically hear Vilkas scowling.
"So?"
"So?" Vilkas echoed, sounding slightly more annoyed. "You're mine."
Vincent bit back a chuckle. "Yeah. I know Vilkas."
"Then why say such a thing?"
"Because." His protest was weak so he changed the subject. "Can't you just say you love me?" Vincent teased.
He knew Vilkas loved him dearly…there is no way such a man would have gone through what he did if no love was involved. Love was not a word that Vilkas used often or lightly however. Sometimes, he would call Vincent 'love' and when he spoke such words; they always came out breathless and deep. Even parting ways, Vilkas would let out a breathy; 'goodbye love' and it made him want to stay.
Vilkas gripped Vincent's wrist tightly and pulled him closer. He scanned his surroundings before locking eyes with Vincent. Always watchful of danger and they were in a dangerous place. "I love you." He began. Vincent could feel a warm feeling starting to spread through his chest at those words. "You know I do."
"Yeah. I know." Vincent smiled softly.
He watched Vilkas' lips slowly pull into a handsome grin. "Can't you just say you love me back?"
Ah, a taste of his own medicine. Vilkas was getting much better at doing that to him. Vincent was starting to feel his arousal grow at the sight of Vilkas smiling as he was so he stuck out his tongue to defuse the situation and turned away. "I love you too, you big git."
He heard Vilkas let out a deep growl in satisfaction and Vincent could feel his face heat up. Damnit, they were married! Vincent shouldn't be acting like a cat in heat anymore. Yet Vilkas was able to turn him on with a mere glance…He was hopeless…Gods help him.
"This isn't over." Vilkas pushed ahead of him and sent a glance over his shoulder. "Your birthday is worth celebrating. You were born this day and you are mine. I am thankful for your birth."
Vincent's face was going to stay perpetually red, he swore. "Aren't you the romantic, today? How unlike you." He spoke, trying to defuse the situation.
Vilkas just shrugged. "I am passionate about the things I care about."
Vincent huffed and followed. "Like reading, training, teaching about the old ways and lore…"
"You." Vilkas cut him off. "My family in general."
"Knock it off."
Vilkas slowly turned. "Excuse me?"
"I'm embarrassed." Vincent corrected himself. "That's all."
"I see. I understa-"A wailing cry stopped him dead. It sounded distant but it was defiantly a young child crying.
"Is that…? WOAH!" The room suddenly shook violently as if an earthquake struck the area. Vilkas reached out instantly and gripped Vincent tightly before backing into a wall to hold them up. "What's happening!?"
"It's possible the structural integrity of this cave is not as well as we thought. It is rather old and old structures cave in."
"I really don't want to be stuck here if there's a cave in!" Vincent gripped Vilkas tightly as the rumbling suddenly stopped.
"Aye…" Vilkas cautiously moved away from the wall. "We should leave."
Vincent looked down the tunnel from which the cry came from. He was going to hate himself for this. "We can't. Vilkas…that was a child crying. There are children alive down here. We can't just leave them."
"…Aye…I know." He sighed. "Let us move fast then. We need to get out of here."
They ran through the ruins like there was no tomorrow. Thankfully, no more creatures seemed to bar the path ahead. Another cry sent another sudden shockwave through the cavern and Vincent had to grab hold of Vilkas' arm to steady himself. Of course, running at full tilt almost knocked them both on their asses when the rumbling started again. Vilkas had managed to grip the rocky wall once Vincent grabbed hold of them and kept them both from taking a nasty tumble.
"Shh! They'll hear!" A child's fervent whisper cut in the silence once the rumbling had stopped. "We'll be eaten for sure then!"
"I-I'm s-s-sorr-r-ry-y…" A sniffle and a bit back sob. Powerful lungs that one must have. Vincent could hear an infant crying softly and it lit the fire in his heart to move faster. Children were in danger and they may be hurt! The very thought broke his heart.
"Hurry Vilkas."
"Aye!"
They regained their footing and charged off once again, exiting the narrow tunnels and emerging into a wide open area with what looked like pens set up for livestock. Vincent scanned quickly and saw bones inside some, clothes; personal possessions…where were the children?!
"Someone's here. Shh…I won't let them get you. I promise…."
Vincent heard the whisper on the wind. They were hiding. Vincent nudged Vilkas in the arm and pointed to the general direction he heard the whisper from. Vilkas already knew though and sheathed his blade so he wouldn't frighten them as he made his way over. Vincent approached behind him slowly. He didn't know what to expect but he just hoped the children were okay. There were just so many bones around….
Vilkas walked calmly over to one of the pens and saw a large basket sitting very suspiciously in the middle of the small area. Vincent could hear snuffles and muffled sobs coming from it and he quickly scanned the area before putting his own blade away. If anything came, he'd use magic to deal with it.
Vilkas, in one smooth motion lifted the basket up and out of the pen. A slight scream and another sharp cry rang out as the children were exposed. The chamber rumbled again at the cry and Vincent grew more tense with each shaking movement. The ceiling sounded like it was likely to fall soon.
In the centre of the pen, two Nord boys sat. One was blonde with blue eyes and the other had raven hair with green eyes. There facial features had some identical markings…the shape of the nose and eyes and Vincent could tell they were the same age. They were twins, Vincent concluded. Fraternal ones but twins all the same.
The blonde clung fiercely to his brother staring up at Vilkas defiantly but Vincent could tell he was terrified. "Go away! I won't let you take my brother, you Monsters!"
The raven haired boy sobbed quietly now, clutching a bundle in his small little arms and hid his face in his brother's neck. Vilkas stopped and looked back at Vincent with an air of confusion. They were clearly not monsters but these children had obviously been through some traumatic events. So, Vincent did what he thought was right and approached very slowly.
"I'm Vincent Renalt." He began politely. He gripped the side of the pen and the blonde watched him wary of every movement. "This is my husband, Vilkas."
"You…" He took a moment to scan the two of them. "You don't look like monsters…"
The raven haired one even glanced up from the comfort of his brother's neck. The bundle in his arms gave a soft whine. Dear Talos! They had an infant too.
"Were not monsters." Vincent smiled kindly. "I'm the Harbinger of the companions and Vilkas here is my Master-at-arms."
"I've heard of the companions." The blonde boy kept a tight grip on his brother. "Mum used to say that they were heroes." His blue eyes seemed uncertain. "Are you here to save us? Are all the monster's dead?"
"Yes." Vincent nodded, gripping the pen tighter. Where were the parents…he shuttered to think. "We're going to take the two of you home."
"Three of us." The raven haired boy squeaked and clutched the bundle tighter. "And we don't have one…"
Vincent seemed to be at a loss for words. They'd have to ship these kids to an orphanage. He knew what places like that could be like…The poor buggers. What he wouldn't give to help them… His mate and husband as usual, seemed to be one step ahead. Vilkas kneeled down and opened the pen gate, but he stayed on his knees, facing the boys.
"What are your names?" He asked.
"I'm Tryg." The blonde tried to say bravely. "This is Leif." He pet the raven's hair affectionately.
"And the child?"
"She doesn't have a name." Leif sniffled, calming down. "Her mom got taken by the monsters right after she was born. Our parents were taken too…were the only ones left." His voice hitched at the end as if he'd start crying again so Vilkas seemed to decide to distract them.
"How old are you boys?"
"Five, sir." Tryg answered.
"Oh my. Five years old and you're both already so brave." Vincent watched the scene a bit stunned and didn't dare interrupt. "When I was young…maybe a bit younger than you but not by much…my twin brother and I were in a situation sort of like this one."
"You have a twin too?" Leif asked his misty tear filled green eyes, clearing.
"Aye I do. His name is Farkas and I'm very close to him still." Vilkas' gaze seemed to get a bit distant as he continued. "A nasty group of necromancers killed our parents and planned to use us for their own means."
"What happened?" Tryg asked, the grip on his brother becoming more relaxed.
"We were saved by a great man named Jergen. He too was a companion and a great warrior. He killed all the evil mages and saved me and my brother. He could have walked away and left us to our fate but…" Vilkas stopped for a moment as if something suddenly hit him.
"B-but what?" Leif asked, rocking the bay in his little arms slightly.
"But he…" Vilkas took a moment. "He adopted us…and raised us like we were his own." Vilkas looked up and Vincent and met his eyes. Vincent could have sworn he saw a man at peace, finally. Vilkas smiled at Vincent and the redhead felt his heart go all- a- flutter. "This is what I will do for you boys."
Tryg slowly got up and helped his brother to his feet as well. "You're going to be our new daddy?"
"If you wish it, aye. I will be. I know I can't replace your parents but…"
"Our parents are dead." The little blonde clenched his fists slightly, his voice shaking with emotion. "Monsters ate them. It's been at least a year since they've been gone." He unclenched a fist to grab Leif's hand instead. "Will you promise to take care of us? I don't want anything to happen to my brother!"
Vincent could see Vilkas smile, not unkindly to the children. "Aye. I'll raise you as if you were my true born sons." Both boys looked at each other before running into Vilkas' waiting arms. "Whoa there. You don't want to crush your new sister, right?"
Leif looked up with wide hopeful eyes. "You mean it? She's coming too!?"
"Of course." Vincent finally managed to interrupt, his heart swelling with pride for his husband's actions. He knelt beside Vilkas and smiled. "We wouldn't dream on leaving her behind."
"Are you going to be our new mom?" Leif asked with a curious look. Vincent couldn't help but chuckle. Leif. He reminded Vincent of someone he hadn't seen in years…
"He's a boy too." Vilkas scolded lightly with no heat behind it. "He'll be your dad too."
"That's too confusing." Tryg wriggled in Vilkas' grasp. "Can't we just call him mom?"
"Yeah!" Leif agreed. "We know the difference. Can we?"
Vilkas hoisted them up in his arms and stood up. Both boys seemed to be relived as their prison got further away. Vilkas handled them easily as if they weighed nothing…and to be honest both boys were a bit too much on the skinny side. Well…Vincent would fix that soon enough.
"I'm not sure that's a good id-"
"I don't mind." Vincent cut Vilkas off with a coy smile. "Call me whatever you'd like." He moved closer to Leif who alternated between clinging to Vilkas' arm and trying to hold the baby. "May I see her, Leif?"
Leif nodded slightly, seemingly ready to trust his new 'mommy' and carefully held the baby out. Vincent took her carefully and held the bundle close to him. She felt so small and fragile in his grasp. She must have been no more than a few weeks old. The poor thing seemed healthy enough but was in dire need of milk and real food.
"Let's get of here, Aye?" Vilkas began as he held both boys tight and headed back the way they came. Vincent nodded in agreement and followed closely behind. The Gods were good and it seemed the rumblings in the cave had come to an end at last. The boys hid their faces when they passed the dead Falmer, whimpering the words, 'monsters'. Vincent heard Vilkas soothe them with a reassuring "They're dead. The monsters are dead."
The entrance to the cave was a welcome light and they stepped out of the dreary prison and into the fresh air. Vilkas let the boys down and they joyfully ran ahead to play and run through the grass, finally free and safe.
"Don't go too far boys! Stay where I can see you!" Vilkas called after them.
"Okay papa!" Leif and Tryg smiled brightly and did as asked.
Vincent stifled a laugh, only to have Vilkas glance at him. "What?"
"Nothing. You just sound so much like a father."
"Well, I guess I am now…and so are you."
"I guess I am." Vincent smiled. "I never expected to be a parent you know…" He rocked the small girl and his smile widened as she cooed happily.
"Me either." Vilkas shrugged. "Seems like it worked out though…I couldn't see those boys shipped off to an orphanage somewhere…not when…"
"Not when they remind you so much of Farkas and yourself." Vincent finished for him.
"Life at Jorrvaskr isn't exactly what I'd call kid friendly but my best years were spent there. It built character and understanding. I gained a big family."
"And now they will." Vincent nodded, fully understanding. "They'll have us, Farkas, Tilma, Aela, Ria, Torvar, Njada and Athis to watch out for them. That's quite the big family."
"Aye it is." Vilkas nodded firmly, and watched the kids run around in the grass like it was their first time. "I hope Jergen would be proud."
"You know he is." Vincent chided and looked down at the baby girl, who was smiling back at him. He just noticed that she was a Breton. A baby Breton girl with dark hair and eyes to match. "Jergen is proud of you Vilkas and the man you've become."
"I hope so."
"I know so." Vincent laid a caring hand on his shoulder and blue eyes met each other. He starred deeply into Vilkas' icy blue depths and saw everything he needed to know without the need for words. "I don't think I've ever been more in love with you than I am right now."
He heard Vilkas scoff and turn away. Ah. There was his grump-machine. Back to normal. "The baby girl doesn't have a name." he changed the subject. "What do you want to name her?"
"I have a pretty good idea." His smile was coy again.
"What's that smile for?" Vilkas asked with an air of suspicion but couldn't help from cracking a grin himself.
"Oh, nothing." Vincent played innocent. "I just believe I've found something worth celebrating this day for."
And without another word, they took their new family home.
I know this one was short and I'm real sorry for that guys. I'm going to be working like crazy and I wanted to crank out this new chapter before I get busy. Only two more chapters of bonus content and then onto Dragons and Daedra.