More trigger warnings. Because we're still dealing with the aftermath of what Molag told Leola. Again, chapter summary at the end to avoid triggers related to rape or sexual assault.

Leola's hands were shaking as she came out of the damp, slimy tunnel. She saw Samuel and Erith as she entered the basement of the abandoned house. Samuel, in all his bearded glory, was leaning up against a wall with his arms folded over his chest, casually awaiting her return. Erith waited on the opposite side of the room, as far from Samuel as she could be, and though her head snapped towards Leola upon her appearance, the blonde could tell that she had spent the entire time with her eyes locked on Samuel, anticipating any movement from him.

"Erith," said Leola softly, going over to her lover.

"Whatever he told you probably isn't true, Leola," said Erith immediately.

"Tell me why you were crying that night when I came into your room. You were going to, but then Sond interrupted us," said Leola, and Erith tensed up.

"Why?" she asked slowly. "What did Molag tell you was the reason?"

"Just…just tell me," Leola said softly.

Erith shot a glance in Samuel's direction. He had a curious look on his face. He had uncrossed his arms, and there was something in his stance that had Leola suspicious of him right away.

"Erith, would you go and stand by the door…?" Leola asked softly, glancing towards the door that was the only way out of this part of the basement. Erith immediately caught on, moving to the door before saying anything.

"So you got rid of the mace?" Samuel asked, clearly trying to change the conversation.

"I did," Leola said, turning to face him and putting her hands on her hips. His body language, Erith's body language, the way the Breton avoided Leola's question…all it did was confirm to her that Molag Bal was telling the truth. "And I had a lovely chat with the Daedric Prince of Domination while I was there."

"Oh?" asked Samuel, trying to keep his voice steady. "What did he say?"

"A lot of things," Leola replied. "He told me how much he admired my mother. He said that I have her strength, I just need to reach inside of me and let it out. Oh, and he told me some very interesting things about you." Anger was balling up in her chest at the thought of him violating Erith, her Erith.

There was a frown on Samuel's lips as he looked at her. "Leola, calm down," he said. "I believe the Daedra is influencing you…you need to fight his hold on you."

"He's not influencing her," snapped Erith from the doorway, and Samuel jumped as if he had forgotten about her. His hand immediately went to his sword, unsheathing it and brandishing it in front of him.

"Put your weapon away, Samuel," Leola said, a rush of fear flooding her body. She didn't know how to fight, and what if Samuel attacked her? She was right in front of him, while Erith was over by the door.

Leola's eyes shifted towards Erith momentarily and she could see the Breton's hands balled into fists, a soft blue glow emanating from them. Of course. Erith had magic. She didn't need to be nearby. Leola looked back towards Samuel, feeling much safer knowing that Erith could protect her if anything happened.

"So what are you going to do?" Samuel growled, narrowing his eyes as he looked at the blonde. "Kill me? I have a wife and a brand new baby who depend on me, would you really do that to them?"

"I get the feeling Runa would be better off without you," Leola replied.

Samuel seemed startled for a second, clearly not having expected her reply. He suddenly stepped forward and with the hand that didn't grip his sword, swung a fist at her. Everything was suddenly a blur – Leola felt the blunt impact of his fist against her cheek, causing her to stumble and fall to her knees. She lifted her gaze for a moment, seeing a flash of blue before Samuel also fell to the ground several feet away, a shining blue missile protruding from his stomach.

Then, everything went black.

Leola…

"Leola!"

"LEOLA!"

Leola's blue eyes slowly fluttered open as she heard Erith's distant voice drawing nearer. She blinked a couple of times, allowing her eyes to adjust to the dim lighting of the abandoned house's basement before she realized that the Breton was kneeling beside her. Her palms were emitting a light orange glow and Leola could hear her own heartbeat echoing in her head.

"Erith?" she mumbled, and the magic faded as Erith flung her arms around Leola, pulling her close.

"Oh, Divines, Leola," breathed the brunette. "I was so scared I was going to lose you."

Leola's head was pounding and she snuggled herself into Erith, laying her head upon the Breton's chest. "All he did was punch me," murmured the blonde with a slight laugh.

"He hit you hard, Leola. You've been out for hours."

The blonde's eyes went wide at hearing that and she looked up at Erith. "Really?" she asked softly.

"Yes. I've given you just about every healing potion I had, and I've finished up all but three of my magicka potions just trying to heal you," answered the Breton softly. It was only at this moment that Leola noticed the puffy redness around Erith's eyes. She'd been crying.

"I'm okay," Leola whispered, closing her eyes and snuggling into Erith. "I promise. I'm okay. What happened to Samuel?"

"I hit him with a spell…he fell over…I was too worried about you to check on him, and when I turned around, he was gone. He's a damn thief, he must have snuck out while I was crying," Erith said, more tears welling up in her eyes and a few spilling out.

Leola lifted one hand and gently wiped the tears away from one of Erith's eyes. "At least he didn't try to hurt you," she said softly. "We need to get back to Windhelm. We need to make sure Runa and her daughter are alright. We need to protect them."

"I sent a courier with a letter to Aventus," Erith replied softly. "Hopefully he makes it before Samuel does – and hopefully Aventus is able to get to Runa and Sillina quickly."

Leola nodded slightly. "Are we still going to stay the night here?" she asked softly.

Erith smiled weakly. "I thought about that already," she said softly. "I'm afraid Samuel may come for us in the inn if he gets the chance – he knows we were talking about staying there, so we shouldn't. Instead we're going to go and see whether or not the Jarl will let us stay in the palace. He should, since I know all the Jarls except Elisif are loyal to your father."

Leola nodded slightly. "I like that idea," she said softly. "I hope that my father got the message I left for him telling him where we were going…I'd hate for him to be worried right now."

"I'm sure he did, Leola, it's alright," said Erith softly.

Leola gazed quietly up at Erith for a few moments. "I'm sorry that Samuel hurt you," she said in a soft voice.

"He will be, too, if we ever find him," Erith muttered with a shake of her head. "He's scum, that's all he is. And right when Runa was almost ready to have her baby, too – she literally could have gone into labour while he was in my room, I don't know if I could have handled that, having to pretend nothing had happened right after the fact…"

Leola pulled herself into an upright position and wrapped both arms around Erith. "I'm going to learn to fight, Erith, and then we can protect each other. You won't be always looking out for me. You can relax sometimes and let me take care of you."

Erith giggled softly, pressing her forehead against Leola's. "I'm not always looking out for you. I don't sit outside the palace and watch to make sure no threats enter. I leave you with your father, and with Aventus, and I'd be fine leaving you with Sond and Bottar."

"And I'm sure you would have been fine leaving me with Samuel a week ago," Leola replied, and Erith cringed.

"That is true," she murmured. "I don't know what I'd have done if he'd done anything to you."

"We probably wouldn't be here worrying about Runa," Leola replied. "But we also wouldn't have finally rid ourselves of that mace…"

"We'd have found a way," Erith replied. "Regardless, I'm glad it wasn't you."

"Ulfric would have his head," Leola said with a giggle.

"If he saw us now I'm sure Ulfric would have my head," Erith said with a laugh.

"Ulfric likes you," Leola replied. "You don't have anything to worry about when we tell him."

"Except that I'm romantically involved with the daughter of Skyrim's High King and if I hurt you, even unintentionally, I could die?" Erith teased, leaning in and kissing Leola's nose. "Let's go now, Leola. We'll go and see if the Jarl will allow us to stay in the palace, and in the morning we'll leave for Windhelm.

The blonde gave a nod. "That sounds like a good plan," she said softly.

"I'm sure the bruise on your face will have the Jarl worried, though," Erith said with a smile, and Leola's eyes went wide.

"Bruise? Is it bad?" she exclaimed, one hand coming up to rest on her sore cheek.

"It is," Erith replied. "It should be gone in the time it takes us to get back to Windhelm, though – no reason for the King to worry."

Leola narrowed her eyes, looking suspiciously at Erith before giggling and allowing her lover to help her to her feet. Her house was filled with Daedric artifacts, all the Daedric princes knew her name, her best friend and lover's rapist was on the loose, and she lived in the treacherous lands of Skyrim…but Erith's mere presence made Leola feel safe and comfortable.

Chapter Summary (to avoid potential triggers)

Leola confronts Samuel about what Molag Bal told her. He denies it, but Erith confirms it. Samuel punches Leola and knocks her out, but not before Erith blasts him with some ice magic, because mages rock. Leola wakes up to Erith's healing magic and Erith tells her that Samuel snuck out while she was trying to heal Leola. Erith tells Leola that she sent a courier to Aventus in the hopes that he can relocate Runa and Sillina before Samuel reaches Windhelm. Leola and Erith share an emotional talk about wanting to be able to be there for one another and protect one another, Erith kisses Leola's nose, and the two head off.