Thanks for the reviews and alerts everyone, glad to see that I haven't been lynched yet from my erratic updates XD Hope you enjoy the next chapter everyone :D
"Bet you wish you has stayed behind."
"Hardly," Gabriella replied with a chuckle. "Stuck in the Sanctuary with Nazir and his bad jokes. I would rather eat dragon scales."
"I have some in my home, you could try that," Morgan laughed.
Gabriella simply smiled and the two of them settled into comfortable silence. The Dark Brotherhood assassin had volunteered to accompany Morgan to Whiterun, and had been accepted without being asked why. But Morgan knew that she needed to get away from the Sanctuary for a little while, she knew that she was suffering the loss of many of her fellow assassins.
"There it is. Beautiful place."
Morgan agreed. Whiterun had a charm that no other place seemed to have (although she did think Solitude was a very close second in terms of beauty).
"Hopefully we can find out a little more about our target without being overly suspicious. I don't think the Jarl would thank me if Olfrid Battle-Born were to be found without a head and a deer head mounted on his neck." Morgan muttered.
"From what I heard about him from you, it might improve his looks."
"True enough. Come on, let's get going before it starts raining." Morgan grinned.
"You could always clear the skies if it does," Gabriella replied.
"But what be the fun in that? Race you!"
"You're on!" Gabriella giggled as the two of them started off running down the path towards Whiterun.
"Should have known you would cheat," Gabriella said as she came to the main gates of Whiterun, narrowing her eyes playfully at Morgan, who was sitting on the wall with an innocent expression on her face.
"It isn't cheating using Wuld. It's more a…"
"Cheat."
"Extension of my being," Morgan grinned.
"Cheater," Gabriella giggled.
Morgan beamed at her as she leapt the ten feet to the ground.
"Let's go and see what we can….ugh…."
The rain came down hard and the two women exchanged looks of exasperation before they sprinted towards the Bannered Mare.
"Good timing."
"Here she is! My favourite drinking buddy!"
Morgan's eyes widened when she spotted the face that belonged to the familiar voice of one daedric Prince she had 'met' while learning how to become the Dragonborn.
"Nice to meet you again 'Sam'. It's been too long." Morgan said as she sat down on the stool beside the figure sitting next to her.
"Too fucking long indeed. You wouldn't believe how few can match what you can drink!" Sam Guevenne replied after kissing Morgan's hand softly.
"If I had known what was in that stuff, I wouldn't have drank it," Morgan shot back with a grin.
"Balls. It was the finest booze you can get in Nirn! One of my own creations I may add."
"Remind me to not accept drinks from strangers anymore," Morgan laughed as she grinned at Gabriella who sat down next to Morgan.
"And who is this stunning creature next to you? The one you were with last time had a charm to her…even though she was built like a hairless mammoth."
"If she heard you say that, you would get a foot where it hurts." Morgan smiled, knowing that the disguised Daedric Prince always spoke bluntly about everyone…he had referred to Morgan as a 'pale faced woman who needed a good fucking to relax' after all.
"Gabriella."
"Want a drink darling? I have loads!"
"I'll pass, thank you. Although I am curious what you got up to in the past, Morgan."
"Tell you later." Morgan muttered as Sanguine stood up and gave her a peck on the cheek.
"Good seeing you again sweetheart. Try and use that toy I gave you a little more often would you? It's getting boring on Tamriel at the moment, and the only person I know who can liven it up is too fucking busy."
"I will. And stay out of my dreams you horny bastard," Morgan said with a wink. "I do need sleep in a sense, even as a vampire, and when I get dreams of being served unlimited amounts of wine, blood and sweet rolls, it makes me ravenous when I wake up."
"Ah, now why would I do that? Later darling!"
Morgan rolled her eyes as the Daedric Prince began walking towards the door and seemingly 'staggered' as he opened it and went through, ending up planting his face into a woman's bosom as she held him.
"Sorry! I'm a bit drunk! Didn't mean anything by it!"
Morgan almost laughed out loud when the woman wrapped her arms round the Prince and dragged him out of the tavern, and she started giggling when Sanguine managed to move his head back to meet her gaze and giving her a sultry wink before vanishing.
"Okay, did I miss something? Who was that Morgan?"
"You just met the Daedric Prince of Debauchery, Sanguine. Quite cute in human form don't you think?"
Gabriella spat out the Alto wine she had been sipping and gave Morgan a hard stare.
"You're kidding."
"Nope. Tell you about it later when we aren't getting any attention." Morgan winked at her while nodding to the three people that had entered the tavern and were walking over to them.
"Look what the wolf dragged in!"
Morgan roared with laughter as Aela wrapped her arms round her and lifted her clean off her stool. She grinned down at the Huntress, who was smirking at her elevated height.
"Nice to see you haven't been lacking in your training Aela. If your arms get any bigger, you might have to start using great swords for cutting your food."
"Cheeky wench. Good to see you again Morgan."
Morgan was released and she instantly returned the favour, picking up Aela around the waist and spinning her around before letting her down.
"You too, Aela."
"Good to see you are back," Farkas said as he came forward and extended his arm.
Morgan gripped his massive forearm and gave it a firm shake, a greeting of warriors.
"And you Farkas. I hope Vilkas has removed that tree from his arse?"
"No, it's still there," Farkas laughed as he ordered the ale.
"My Thane."
"Lydia."
Morgan embraced her housecarl gently, being careful not to hurt her in any way. She let go and rested her hand on the bulge on Lydia's stomach and smiled.
"Twins huh? You're going to be a busy woman."
"Twins? Fuck me!" Lydia exclaimed before blushing as the occupants of the Bannered Mare cheered at the news.
"Two very healthy heartbeats coming from in there," Morgan laughed. "Although I have no idea what sex they will be. Not that it matters, they will be as beautiful and deadly as their mother."
"And what of the father?" Aela grinned.
"They will have my strength," Farkas chuckled as he passed the ale around, Lydia turning hers down in favour for some water.
"Hope they get Lydia's brains too," Aela whispered in Morgan's ear.
Morgan giggled but said nothing as she watched Farkas and Lydia kiss gently before looking at her.
"I'm so pleased for both of you."
"Not sure about where they can live though…Jorrvaskr isn't exactly a home for children," Lydia said quietly. "Maybe I could find extra work somewhere in the town…"
"Or maybe you can take Breezehome for your own," Morgan pointed out. "I have Heljarchen House after all and it's not as if I spend a lot of time here these days."
"We couldn't…it's your home…" Farkas began, but Morgan cut him off.
"It was a boon from the Jarl, but I know he will understand. Lydia is a very respected person in Dragonsreach, and she has my full support. I will ask Jarl Balgruuf for the deeds to be passed on to the two of you. And no arguing or I will Shout at you."
Lydia smiled at her.
"Having been on the receiving end of one of your Shouts, I accept," she laughed.
"That was an accident. It wasn't me who charged into that group of Forsworn yelling a war cry," Morgan retorted.
"You laughed about it for days afterwards."
"Very true."
Morgan and Lydia laughed as they recalled that moment before her housecarl spoke again.
"Who's your friend?"
"Gabriella, this is Lydia, Farkas and Aela, the latter two are members of the…"
"Companions. It's an honour to meet you all," Gabriella said quietly.
Morgan kicked herself mentally. She should have known that meeting with the Companions would make the Dunmer think about Arnbjorn and her fellows who had lost their lives.
"Nice to meet you. Be careful with her Morgan, you break too many people," Farkas grumbled.
"Say's the one who snapped the bow when Aela was trying to teach you how to use it. Gabby, this big oaf managed to snap the bow without breaking the string…no idea how he did it. Will be a mystery for future generations to come I'm sure."
"It was a weak bow."
"It was steel," Aela laughed "And you managed to bend it as though it were made of cheese! I think you are definitely a great sword kind of person."
"No arguments there."
Morgan heard the bard begin to play a song in the background and she relaxed a little.
We drink to our youth, to the days come and gone.
For the age of aggression is just about done.
We'll drive out the Stormcloaks and restore what we own.
With our blood and our steel we'll take back our home.
Down with Ulfric! The killer of kings!
On the day of your death we will drink and we'll sing.
We're the children of Skyrim, and we fight all our lives.
And when Sovngarde beckons, every one of us dies!
But this land is ours and we'll see it wiped clean.
Of the scourge that has sullied our hopes and our dreams!
Down with Ulfric! The killer of kings!
On the day of your death we will drink and we'll sing.
We're the children of Skyrim, and we fight all our lives.
And when Sovngarde beckons, every one of us dies!
We drink to our youth, to the days come and gone.
For the age of aggression is just about done.
"ENCORE!"
She sighed when she spotted the unmistakable owner of that voice. Olfrid battle-Born was striding through the crowd of patrons with his two sons. Morgan had nothing against Jon, he seemed to be the only one of both feuding clans who seemed to not care about who the other sided with. Idolaf on the other hand was a person who she disliked as much as his father.
The first day she had been in Whiterun, Idolaf had walked up to her and simply said 'Gray-Mane or Battle-Born?'. Morgan had responded with a lot of cheek.
'Dragon-Shit' had been her response, and of course, it had led to a fight…which ended with the two of them spending a night in Whiterun's jail and sniping at each other all night.
Was worth it though.
"A round for all the followers of the Empire!" Olfrid exclaimed, slamming a pile of septims on the counter, which Hulda swept up without saying a word.
"I am off to get something to eat. Want anything Morgan?"
"I ate on the way here. Thank you, Lydia."
Morgan smiled as Lydia nodded and walked over to the counter with Farkas standing right beside her. She smiled a little more at the sight.
About time they both found someone. I know that Lydia always thought she was barren, but it's nice to see that even the healers can get it wrong sometimes. And Farkas needs someone to make him a little more approachable in public. It isn't easy to talk to someone who is big enough to wrestle a bear and win after all.
"Pompous prick," Aela muttered as she drank her ale.
"Agreed, he seems…what's the word…." Gabriella trailed off.
"Stupid? Fat? Annoying?" Morgan supplied.
"Fake."
"I like your friend Morgan, she has spirit."
Morgan grinned at Aela, exposing her fangs a little.
"You have no idea, Aela."
"Oh look everyone! It's our saviour, come to our defence once again!"
Morgan rolled her eyes as she looked at Idolaf, who had spotted her and was now looking down at her with undisguised contempt.
"If by 'defence', you mean when I kicked your arse into Oblivion and you screamed for the guards, then yes, I have."
Morgan enjoyed watching the blood flowing into the face of someone whenever she insulted them. She found it fascinating as to how quickly someone could change a shade of colour so fast when they were angered, especially blowhards like the Battle-Borns.
"I did NOT scream for the guards, they did their job and arrested…"
"Both of us." Morgan interjected. "Although you definitely were the worse for wear in the morning. Didn't Ysolda ask you why you had been in a fight with a sabre cat, and you had said 'it had escaped the town and the Dragonborn was arrested for impeding my progress in chasing it down'?"
Morgan was aware that every single set of eyes in the tavern were fixed on her now. And she loved it.
"Still lying about everything I see?" Olfrid boomed as he walked over, slapping his son on the shoulder. "Like how you went to Sovngarde and met with Tsun himself and bested him in battle? I say shit to that! I think you and that red bastard flew away so that someone else could defeat Alduin! What do you say to THAT?!"
"A few things," Morgan said as she stood up, meeting the two men's gazes with a coolness that seemed to freeze the room itself.
"One. I did travel to Sovngarde and I did best Tsun himself in combat…just. He was by far the most difficult opponent I have ever faced, and the fact that he could move as fast as I could when he was twice my height gets my instant respect. Unlike you two, who would run away from a pack of skeevers."
The three Battle-Borns were about to yell, but Morgan held her hand up, showing them the glowing green hue of her magic she had been storing in her fist the whole time they had been talking.
"And second. That 'red bastard' is one of my fellow kin and was the main reason why I got to Skuldafn in the first place. That same 'bastard' also decimated huge numbers of the Stormcloaks when they attacked Whiterun and has since been wiping out pockets of scouts ever since."
Morgan stepped closer now, her fangs now bared.
"If you ever talk about one of my dovah like that once more, I will hit you with a command spell that would make you grovel at the feet of the Grey-Manes before making you eat dragon shit. Are we clear on that?"
There was silence in the tavern for what seemed like an age to many of the patrons. Aela had her hand on her dagger that was strapped to her right thigh and was watching the four people involved intently. Gabriella had her silver dagger gripped inside her clothing and was also waiting for a reaction.
"Crystal."
"Good. Then kindly fuck off and leave me to my drink."
Morgan didn't smile as Olfrid's face went bright purple before he walked back to the far end of the tavern and threw another few coins at Mikhael the bard, who had been hiding behind one of the supports beams during the altercation.
"Music, boy! And make it good!"
Our hero, our hero claims a warrior's heart…
I tell you, I tell you the Dragonborn comes…
Morgan laughed now as Olfrid went a shade of colour that shouldn't have been possible for a living human to achieve before looking back at Gabriella, who was beginning to smile.
"I told you he was a stupid, fat and annoying piece of dragon shit."
"You forgot 'fake' and a 'pompous prick'," Gabriella pointed out with a stifled snigger.
"I didn't, I was making sure you remembered."
"Balls."
"Sanguine has that effect on people. Come on, I want to speak to the jarl about a few things…unless you want to stay here with this unruly bunch?"
Gabriella looked around at Lydia and Farkas, who were sitting next to each other and staring at the other's eyes. She looked on as Aela went into an arm wrestling match against a massive woman dressed in plate steel and then looked back at Morgan.
"For Sithis' sake, get me the fuck out of here."
Morgan grinned at her.
"I knew you would say that. Come on."
"Dragonborn."
"Irileth. Is that a new hairstyle?"
"The Jarl will see you now. Follow me."
Morgan noted Gabriella's amused expression and she had to smile. Dragonborn or not, Irileth still talked to her as though she were a recently escaped convict from Helgen. Morgan loved her for it.
Not that I could ever tell her that.
They followed the dunmer housecarl past the massive burning log pit and Morgan gave a small smile when she made to bow as soon as Balgruuf met her gaze.
"My Jarl."
"One day, you will talk to me as a friend and not a Jarl…not not today it seems! Good to see you back Morgan Aurelius."
"Good to be back my Jarl. Whiterun seems to have prospered in the months I was away."
"And all of it because of you, Dragonborn."
"You flatter me too much my Jarl."
"Good thing too, otherwise your head might be too big to pass through the doorway!"
Morgan giggled as she stood up and walked over to grasp Balgruuf's outstretched hand like she had with Farkas.
"You are looking well Morgan. I see that you have already been back fighting the Stormcloaks and giving Rikke a chance to gain some breathing space."
"Any chance I get in pissing off Jarl Ulfric, I am taking it," Morgan said lightly as she let go of his hand.
"You mean any chance of pissing anyone off."
"What can I say, it's a talent."
"I missed your humour, but I also sense that you are here for another reason than to talk to me or Irileth. What is on your mind Dragonborn? Not another dragon capture I pray?"
"Oh no, I doubt Odahviing will be pleased if I were to treat another of our kin in such a way. You are astute as always Balgruuf. I am here on 'business' if you like. I am also looking for two people. They may have been passing through here recently."
"Really? And who might they be?"
"One of them is a Volkihar vampire like myself. A dunmer from the College of Winterhold. The other is this young woman's lover. Both vanished a few days ago and I thought I would ask around while I am here."
"Irileth? Anyone matching that description?" Balgruuf asked.
"Yes, I believe there was. The young man anyhow. It was one of guards who reported a small Nord male staggering up to the front gate and yelling at the guards there, asking questions at the top of his voice. I believe one of my guards told him where they had headed…"
"No need to explain further, I know where they went."
Morgan spun around to see Serana and Babette stroll through the front doors and walk over to join them. Babette hugged Gabriella's knees while Morgan wrapped her arms round Serana's midriff.
"Don't keep us in suspense." Morgan purred.
"Onmund and Brelyna were both headed towards Helgen according to the guards. I think that because it is in the middle of construction, they are heading there for shelter. Brelyna seemed to be…ravenous, according to one guard. He certainly had a racing heart beat when I asked him anyway," Serana replied.
"Thank you my love."
"Anytime," Serana said as she leaned over and kissed Morgan full on the mouth. Gabriella made to apologise to the Jarl of Whiterun, but he simply laughed.
"It isn't the first time they have done this. Thank you for resolving this little mystery Lady Serana."
Serana broke the kiss and nodded to him briefly. She made to kiss Morgan again, but she stopped her by placing a finger on her lips and looking at the Jarl upside down, her hair spilling onto the floor due to the way that Serana had dipped her backwards.
"There was one other thing My Jarl. Lydia is pregnant and I wish for her to own Breezehome. I own my own home now and I believe that she would use the premises better than I have done."
Balgruuf nodded.
"I will see that Proventus charts out a new set of deeds. But know that Whiterun will always be your home Morgan."
Morgan smiled before looking back up at Serana's orange eyes.
"I am home already My Jarl," she said softly.