AN: I'm not sure how well this will be received but I wanted to show a bit more of a domestic side for my couple. As always, I'm hungry for feedback so comment however you like.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
The sound of Markarth's waterfalls was a delight to Argis. "I really missed this, love," he declared as he walked into the city with Ardanthis.
"I can't believe we haven't been here in two years," the elf replied as his pace slowed a little and he looked up at the city of stone, "It hasn't changed a bit."
Argis teased, "It's made of stone. What'd you expect?"
The elf looked like he was about to rebut but just shrugged and conceded the point to his husband.
The city was still chilly with the last bits of winter receding out of the region and returning to haunt just the northernmost parts of the country and the smell of spring was in the air. Unlike the other holds, which tended to blossom in the warmth, Markarth's waterfalls roared with increased volume as the snow melted. The spring made travel easier and the couple had decided to pay a visit to Argis' sister. He had been writing to her all winter and, with the death of Alduin a year prior to the winter, was itching to see her again.
Most of the news coming from Selta had been good. The farm was doing well, Balvor and the children were healthy, and Selta was due to give birth to her third child very soon. Argis was a proud uncle.
The stone steps that led up to Vlindrel Hall felt achingly familiar to the pair as they climbed up to their home. Pausing for a moment in front of the door, Argis turned to looked out over the city that had been so important to him for almost all of his life. Everything from the dull roar of the waterfalls to the solidity of the grey stone felt right to him.
Ard gently slipped a hand around his husband's waist and admired the city with Argis. Though the city wasn't as important to him as it was to the Nord, the elf could appreciate the history that tied his husband to Skyrim's most western city.
"Just about everything important to me has happened here," softly mused the Nord as he reached out and intertwined his fingers with the hand around him, "I left my family to learn how to fight, found a home, lost that home, and then won the heart of the dragonborn. It feels like everything has come full circle." A tinge of worry filtered into the Nord's words at the end.
"I'm not letting that cycle start again, Argis. We're together and nothing's going to tear us apart," the elf said reassuringly as he gave his husband a reassuring pat. "Come on, let's go in," the elf urged as they unlocked the heavy metal door and swung it open.
A letter sent to the city had ensured that the Hall was cleaned and readied for their arrival. The green fires burned cheerfully and the hall felt warm and cozy to the pair. So many memories were contained in this home. Though the manor by the lake was their home, the Hall held a special place in their hearts.
When the heavy, metal door closed, the Hall took on an air of impenetrability, like the two men had a space where no one and nothing could come between them. A heavy door and the heavy stone around them made Vlindrel Hall feel secure. It was a mountain fortress they could retreat to. A small larder had been left for them but they walked past the kitchen as they reacquainted themselves with the first home they had shared. Everything about this place brought them back to when they first fell in love. Unlike Hjerim, which was stained with bad memories, Vlindrel Hall felt like happy memories were drifting through the air.
The pair headed for the bedrooms and Argis automatically veered off towards his smaller bedroom while Ard moved towards the master bedroom. The elf cocked a grin at his husband as the Nord hesitated after realizing where he was going. Without hesitation, Ard pulled Argis in for a deep kiss. Breaking it off, he whispered, "Wrong bedroom."
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Argis leaned back on the stone bed, now covered by a much softer mattress, as he watched his husband tenderly get up from the bed and head for a drink of water. He blew out an appreciative sigh as he watched that perfect body move. Everything about the elf from the movement of muscles under skin to the cum that was just starting to drip out of his ass made Argis hot with lust. If they hadn't just finished their second round, the Nord would've taken the man right then and there.
The elf, well aware of his husband's thoughts and feelings cast a playful grin back at the big man.
He returned back to their bed and the pair breathed softly as they allowed themselves to relax. Argis seemed to stare into the fire as the Altmer gently stroked his chest. "What're you thinking about?" asked the elf gently as he tried to coax the human's thoughts out.
The Nord grinned, "Us in the bedroom. Though the city's the same, we're quite different from where we were the first time we were here." The Nord didn't deny that there was something viscerally rewarding about knowing that he was fucking the most powerful warrior in all of Skyrim. Though they had promised a long time ago to keep titles out of the bedroom, he was still found it gratifying to pin the elf's arms over his head as he pounded into the Altmer's firm buttocks. Had someone told him when he was younger that he would marry an elf, he would've knocked their teeth out for the insult. Had someone told him before he met Ard that he would end up in a position of honour and respect he would've knocked their teeth out for the cruel joke. But here he was, honoured husband of the Dragonborn, and wealthier than he ever would've imagined himself. He would never stop thanking whatever Divines had blessed him so.
Something about the Altmer made him feel safe and stable. Ardanthis obviously was powerful, wielding his blades and his magic deftly, but it was more than that. Something about the elf radiated certainty, like he knew exactly what he was meant to do and be. It was like so much of his own life had been a whirlwind leading up to this point and now he had found a place to stay. He found a home here with his elven husband and everything felt so right.
Ard nodded, pulling Argis back to the conversation at hand. He knew exactly what Argis was talking about. Ever since Alduin's death, Ard had been encouraging Argis to be more assertive in all aspects of his life. The Nord seemed so moulded into taking orders that he never really stepped forward on his own, especially not with his husband. Ard had often pointed out that it was Argis' decision to propose to him that led them to being married in the first place and that the Nord should trust his own gut more.
Whenever anyone came to visit the manor Ard made damn sure that he and Argis were presented as equals and not as the "thane and his housecarl" or something that set up rank. Ard was proud of his husband and wanted him to be more than just a person standing in his shadow. And the elf certainly liked the... dominance and control that Argis could show in the bedroom.
Argis chuckled, "I still sometimes feel like I lucked out by having you accept my marriage offer. Of all the men of Markarth, you chose me." The elf gently kissed his husband's neck. "You could've been a wealthy lord of this hold, had position, but you chose me," softly murmured the Nord.
"They have coin," breathed the elf as he nuzzled his husband, "but you have a fantastic ass and a cock that would make a horse shy. I picked the real stallion over the show piece ponies."
The Nord guffawed loudly as he heard his husband's answer. "Those are the only reasons you picked me?" he teased.
"There wasn't a better ass in all of Markarth as far as I could tell," solemnly said Ard before he cracked into a smile, "Nor a bigger heart." His voice dropped low into a growl, "But I'd really like to put that ass to use now."
Grinning, Argis pulled his husband in as their lips collided they warmed up to their third round.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Frost Oak Farm was just visible in the distance as the pair made their way towards it. The warm spring air made the walk to Argis' old home pleasant and the couple was eager to see the blond man's family. Both men carried bulging packs full of gifts on their backs. Argis carried meat and other edibles on his back while Ard carried potions and a magical trinkets Both men knew that Balvor's pride would prevent him from accepting charity, from looking like he couldn't take care of his family. These had to look just like simple gifts.
"You still carry that around after fighting with a real sword?" teased Argis as he gestured towards the little glass dagger that hung at Ard's hip.
"Of course!" answered the elf with a trace of indignation, "I've had it since I left the Summerset Isles and it's far more discreet than a pair of clanking steel blades. Plus I've honed its edge to a razor sharpness. We aren't exactly going to war, you know, so there's no need to dress like it." The elf gestured meaningfully to the plain tunics they wore. Neither man wanted to show up to the farmstead in full armour for a supposedly friendly meeting, but neither man wanted to be defenceless either. This was still Skyrim, after all.
The Nord shook his head, "You could just incinerate anything in our way but you want that little bread knife on hand? Alright, love." He adjusted his own well-loved steel blade at his hip.
Ard lightly punched Argis in the shoulder and it was like hitting a stone wall. Argis chuckled to himself as they kept walking.
Right now, everything was looking up for the pair but privately Ard was worried about how today was going to go though he was trying not to drag his husband's excitement down. Balvor hadn't been keen on Argis' presence around the farm the last time they had come and he had been even less keen for having a High Elf around. Ard didn't want to become the reason of a fight as Selta tried to welcome her brother in her husband tried to glare him out. Despite the masses of people who thanked him for saving Skyrim and probably the entire world from Alduin, Ard doubted that Balvor would care at all about the elf's heroics.
"I can't wait to see how big Norn and Torv have gotten," exclaimed Argis, his voice cracking a little as he spoke of his nephews, "Selta said they're both well but that'll be so different from actually seeing them with my own eyes. Torv was just a baby when we last saw him. He'll be running around for sure by now." The Nord's hopeful words helped drag Ard out of his worries and the elf smiled in response.
Ard nodded, keeping quiet as he let his husband bubble with excitement. Argis was usually so reserved but the prospect of seeing his family had lit a fire in the Nord. He hadn't stopped speculating about his sister, and particularly her most recent pregnancy, since they had arrived in the hold. He was a proud uncle.
The trees were just beginning to green up in the forest surrounding the farmstead but the ground hadn't quite thawed out yet. In just a little while longer, though, the real farm work would begin again, thought Ard to himself.
Shaggy goats could be faintly heard through the trees as they got closer, prompting Argis to exclaim, "They didn't have goats before! The farm must be doing well!" He hurried onward with Ard wryly grinning behind him.
Norn, much taller and starting to look like a real young man was milking one of the goats when he looked up and saw the two men approaching. "Father," he called out, "Uncle and the elf are here!"
Balvor rounded the corner immediately and his stiff posture spoke volumes about his distaste for his visitors despite the neutral expression he kept on his face. "Welcome to our home," he said in a voice that conveyed anything but welcome. Ard's flicked between his husband, Balvor, and Norn. The boy looked shy, uncertain of how to react to the obvious tension and the elf hoped the boy wasn't being poisoned against Argis. That would break the big man's heart horribly.
Thankfully, Selta broke the tension by leaving the little farmstead as she rushed over as fast as her swollen frame would allow. "Argis, it's so good to see you and your husband again! Welcome! Torv is just asleep inside," she said as she and Argis awkwardly hugged around her bulging belly. Ard could see that the woman was due to give birth sometime very soon.
Gesturing impatiently, she urged Norn and Balvor over, "Don't stand there like statues! Say hello."
Balvor gripped Argis' forearm in a warrior's shake as the two locked eyes for a moment. Argis smiled at his brother-in-law but the other man remained stone faced. Ard extended his arm for a similar shake and Balvor coolly looked at it before giving it a brisk grip and then letting go of the elf's arm, as if the other man was diseased.
Norn was much warmer than his father and embraced Argis. Giving the boy a tight squeeze, the big man couldn't stop murmuring about how big Norn was. Letting the boy go, Argis turned and began to talk to his sister.
Hesitation was written on Norn's face as he approached Ardanthis, much more so than when he had approached his uncle and he seemed not to know how to react to this sort-of family member. The elf smiled and reached out, offering the young man the same shake his father had gotten. Norn hesitantly cracked a small smile as he met the elf's eyes. Though still young, his grip was surprisingly strong and the elf figured he'd be as strong as Argis one day.
"You better have brought everything you promised. The stew's depending on it," scolded Selta with a teasing lilt in her voice as she poked at Argis' bulging backpack.
"You think we'd have forgotten?" he smiled back.
Turning carefully she headed back inside and called out, "Let's see what Argis brought for us!"
Ard trailed behind the Nords and quietly muttered to himself, "And we can see what Ard brought too."
Argis gently placed his pack on the large table and began hauling out the food he'd brought while Ard quietly placed his pack by the door. Cheeses, meat, and bottles of ale piled up on the table much to the excited exclamations of the others. Even Balvor grudgingly allowed himself to seem impressed with feast that Argis had "brought to share". The elf noted how carefully it was phrased so as to not be a gift, like the two visitors had just packed far too much food for themselves.
The elf took a moment to admire the old, sturdy cottage. Everything about it was designed with practicality in mind. Unlike his own home, which had many embellishments and additions, this home was plain, clean, and efficient. Herbs hung from the rafters to dry and lent a perfume to the air that mixed with the smell of wood smoke and cooking. Pots, pans, and bowls hung from the ceiling or were neatly stacked on shelves mounted on the wall. Everything felt organized, like nothing was out of place.
"Come now, put your feet down. It's been a long walk from the city," urged Selta as she pulled two handcrafted wooden chairs out for her guests, both of which rushed over to help her.
When she saw Argis' concerned look she laughed and said, "I'm pregnant, not an invalid! Farm life doesn't stop just because I'm heavy with a child."
Argis laughed at little and said, "Very true, but I want your child to be healthy so no risks."
With a little snort Selta said, "He thinks this is hard work. Looks like he's been away from the farm too long. Tell him what you've been up to, Balvor."
The Nord man, who had settled into a sort of begrudging acceptance finally seemed to perk up. He puffed up a little as he declared, "You already saw the goats, so now we can make our own milk and cheese from those three. Hopefully we'll be able to make a bit more money on the side along with the chickens. The flock is up to thirty chickens now and we've had to expand the coop!"
While Argis genuinely seemed interested by the farm's progress, Ard had a hard time sharing his husband's enthusiasm. He was the perfect picture of an interested listener though, he was not going to be rude, but he was dreading the follow up question that would naturally come from Balvor. And then it hit.
"What have you two mighty dragon slayers been doing though?" asked Balvor and the elf could detect a not-too-faint undercurrent of bitterness in how the man pronounced "mighty dragon slayers." How could he and Argis discuss their lives without making Balvor feel small in his own home? Having thirty chickens was all well and good, but the pair lived in a home more than double the size of the farm house with their own bard, a wizard-turned-steward, and Redguard Housecarl. In the time since Alduin's fall they'd successfully wiped out over twelve different bandit groups in the Falkreath and Whiterun holds and pushed the Forsworn back in The Reach. How do you tell someone proud of a dozen more chickens that you could easily buy an entire herd of cows and your coffers would barely notice the expense?
The elf mentally swore to himself. He was used to dealing with jarls, thanes, and other high ranking people. Talking about milking cows wasn't exactly his forte and he didn't want to offend Argis's family.
Luckily, his husband immediately stepped into the gap, "Our home was recently finished and we finally have settled into it. The weather will start being warm enough that we can enjoy the lake again. Oh, and Ard's been working on a small garden. He doesn't have much a green thumb but I haven't let any of his plants die." Balvor actually cracked a smile at his fellow Nord's joke while everyone else laughed.
"So what do you grow in your garden, elf? Flowers? Maybe a few kitchen herbs?" asked Balvor and the elf could hear a certain level of disdain in the man's voice. Clearly the man thought of Ard's alchemyk as a frivolity.
Ensuring he kept his voice polite, the elf smilingly answered, "Not quite. I'm sure Argis would love to have his own herbs to tend but I do grow a variety of flowers. I end up using them though. I make potions for when we need them or just to sell. I'll show you."
It would have been a simple use of magic to telekinetically pull the bag to him, but the elf knew how many Nords felt about magic. Considering that these were rural folk who had likely never seen a real wizard, he expected that innate hostility to be greater. He rose and carried the bag back to the table before delicately unloading it.
Almost two dozen bottles were unwrapped from protective cloth bundles and were placed on the table. They mostly gleamed red but there were a few green and yellow bottles amongst the display. The elf was clearly proud of his handiwork.
An awkward stretched as the other Nords looked on at the bottles unimpressed made Argis's heart sink a little. The potions were actually extremely valuable and, in the event of an emergency on the farm, could save a life if a healer couldn't be brought in time.
They had been more excited for cheese, dumbly thought Ard as he looked at the Nords. Clearing his throat, he coughed slightly and quickly begin to rattle off their properties. "These ones will cure just about any sickness, these ones will heal wounds - use the whole thing - and these ones will breathe strength back into tired muscles," he finished lamely. He had hoped for some sort of reaction from them, but Balvor was looking at the bottles as if they contained cow shit.
The elf looked at Argis with a pleading glance. Both of them knew that the elf would, without a shadow of a doubt, much rather be fighting a group of Reachmen right now instead of dealing with this. A little part of Argis wanted to laugh at how the Dragonborn, slayer of Alduin, executioner of Ulfric Stormcloak, a name known in every hold, was being flustered by the farmers in front of him. But then a wave of sadness crashed over Argis's heart. They were only able to fluster the elf because he was looking for their acceptance. The Nord had seen his husband scorn nobles and the richest merchants without a second thought because he didn't give a damn about them. The elf cared about the opinions of these small farmers though, because they were Argis's family and therefore also his own family.
"Ard only knows how hard and dangerous farm life can be. I've told him that sometimes someone can get cut badly enough that they'll bleed out before a priest can be fetched from the city or another town," he volunteered with forced cheer.
The Nords nodded at the practicality of Argis's thinking, and Argis nearly blew out a frustrated sigh. Nothing his husband could do would ever impress them. Even Selta, the most welcoming, looked a bit put off with the magic potions. They were elven and it was magic, two of the worst things something could be to a Nord, coming from an elven mage.
Argis sadly realized that despite the end of the Stormcloak rebellion the racism that the rebels had fostered was just nurturing something that had already existed. Normally Ard's wealth, fame, and might protected him from the worst of their attitudes but here none of that meant anything and it showed. He knew what was coming next and his heart sunk.
Reaching in to the bottom of the bag, the elf carefully unwrapped a simple silver amulet with numerous small runes etched into the disk that hung from the chain. This was supposed to be the big gift that cemented the Ard in their hearts. Argis had warned his husband that it looked like the elf was trying to buy them and that they wouldn't be impressed by fancy gifts, but the elf had stubbornly clung to his plan.
Holding out the medallion, he said lamely, "It'll help heal you but it needs time. So if you pull a muscle or sprain something, you can wear it over night and it will help make you feel better." His voice was shot through with nervousness but it was hard to tell. Argis knew him better and was able to read his body. It killed the big man to know that his husband was so shaken by this purely because he wanted to impress Argis's family.
Argis' eye flicked from Balvor's unimpressed apathy to Selta's polite, if waning, smile. Norn sat quietly, looking confused, at the elf who looked desperately for some sort of excitement or approval.
The silence stretched for a moment before Argis spoke up. "So what do you plan to do with the cheese we brought?"
His words seemed to launch the table into excited motion as dinner brought them all together. The elf quietly and carefully repacked his bag and set it down in the corner. He resumed a polite smile and tried to look interested, but Argis could see how much his husband was hurt.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
The barn was small but well made and surprisingly warm. Ard sat down dejectedly on the fresh hay laid down in the small stall set aside for him and Argis. A small light he had conjured offered a gentle illumination to the pair. Balvor claimed that he didn't have room in the small farmstead and had offered the pair a stall in the goats' barn. Ard had felt like this was a jab at him and Argis, but he had cheerfully accepted it. He smiled a little sadly as he sat in the hay, thinking of how the court of Markarth would've been scandalized to see the Dragonborn, not to mention a thane of their city, sleeping in a pile of hay with two goats in the next stall.
Argis squatted next to his husband and put a big hand on the elf's shoulder. "Don't sweat today, love, tomorrow will be better," he said with a smile that tried to be reassuring.
"I really tried, Argis, I really tried," said the elf with a deep frown.
The Nord sighed gustily and sat down next to Ard. He hesitated a moment as he tried to put his feelings into the right words. "I hate to be the one to break it to you, Ard, but you're out of your element here," he hesitated as the elf looked at him with confusion, "You've gotten used to your reputation preceding you but here, nothing outside of this farm really carries much weight. To Balvor you are an elven wizard and I'm willing to bet everything that he still thinks you might be part of the Thalmor. You need to connect with him on his level, not on yours. He doesn't care for fancy magic potions and trinkets. I told you, those are things he doesn't trust."
Ard opened his mouth as if to rebut his husband's point but he closed his mouth, "You're right." The admission came out heavily.
With a relieved grin, the Nord kissed his husband deeply. "Get some rest. Tomorrow I can guarantee that he's going to test you. It's a Nord custom for guests to help their hosts with household chores as a sign of respect for the household. Get ready to work." The last words were said with a little smirk.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Ard leaned back in his chair and took a generous gulp of wine in relief as he tried not to show his exhaustion. Balvor had issued a wordless challenge and had driven the two men hard with labour around the farm but both had been able to keep up. Ard would never admit it but he had occasionally used a bit of subtle magic to help himself when he thought Balvor couldn't have seen.
Seemingly having impressed the farmer, they were all sharing the mead that Ard and Argis had brought. Selta remained sober due to her pregnancy and Norn was given his own bottle as he joined the men in drinking. Norn seemed so pleased to be with the other men and Argis smiled at the young man's excitement.
A good buzz seemed to fill the cottage as Balvor finally began to accept the other two men, Ard in particular.
The farm guffawed as he said, "You both held up better than I thought, especially you, elf. I thought you'd be softer."
Ard grinned back, "Argis and this beautiful land itself haven't let me get soft." Taking another swig he grumbled, "Especially with the damn dragons."
"The dragons shouldn't be a problem for a fierce dragon slayer like you, though," said Balvor with a bit of a sneer in his voice.
Argis leaned forward and said soothingly, "Hey now, a fire breathing, winged lizard that's bigger than this house is terrifying no matter who you are!"
"Bigger than this house, eh?" Balvor slurred a little as his eyes narrowed, "I know this isn't as big as one of the fancy homes you own but it's a good, solid farmstead." Giving Argis a nasty grin, he added, "Or should I say the elf owns?" Disdain dripped from the other Nord's words.
The word "shit" popped into Ard's mind as he realized that Balvor had taken offence and now was on the offence. "Now Balvor, you know they didn't mean it like that," demurred Selta but Argis, flushed red wasn't going to let the matter go.
"Our houses, Balvor. I'm his husband. We own the houses together," Argis growled out at the other Nord.
Matching Argis's tone, Balvor snarled back, "Whose gold paid for it? Who's the one with all the gold? You? Ha! Does the elf give you a little spending money when you suck him off?"
"Do not talk to my husband like that!" snapped Ardanthis, "Argis knows that my money is our money because I couldn't have earned it without him." His tone was terse and he knew that this was whole conversation was a bad idea but he was so sick of the farmer's attitude towards them. He was tired of being talked down to and treated like a monster. He threw a quick glance at Norn, who looked terrified by the arguing that seemed to have sprung up in front of him.
Rounding on the elf, Balvor barked, "Don't tell me how to talk in my own home, elf! Your kind always think that they can walk in somewhere and tell everyone how to live."
"Dammit, I haven't told anyone how to live. I adapted to life in Skyrim! I haven't tried to change anyone or anything. Stop hating me because I'm an elf," said the Altmer as he slapped his hands on the table.
"You have no idea how shameful it is for us to hear how you are spoken about. Maybe in your fancy dining halls they're polite to your face, but in the common man's inns in Markarth they call you the Thalmor's Whore!" Balvor spat at Argis, rounding on his fellow Nord, "You shame us! Skyrim is trying to be strong and free but here you are submitting to an elf!? You disgust me."
Ard was stunned by the venom in the other man's voice. The level of hatred was beyond what he had every expected from the other man.
"Stop fighting!" shouted Selta as she cut off Ard's angry reply, "You bunch of drunken idiots are just running your-" Her words suddenly cut off as she bent over and grabbed at her swollen stomach, "I think the baby is coming." Her voice was low and strained.
Her words launched the other into motion. "Sober up," stated Ard with an abrupt calmness as he used golden light to purge the alcohol from his system. He quickly repeated the process on Argis and Norn, who stared with wonder at the magic. Hesitantly approaching Balvor, Ard held out his golden hands. The Nord glared at him for a moment but Selta suddenly cried out in pain and the farmer gave his consent.
"Come on, let's get you to your bed," Balvor urged as he helped Selta stagger over to the small room that she and Balvor shared.
She cried out again and Norn's face went white. Soothingly, Ard said, "Norn, I need you to start warming up clean water and get some cloths. Your mother is going into labour and we're going to need them." Shaking, the boy hurried to obey.
Argis looked lost as Ardanthis assumed the air of a healer and knelt on the other side of the bed next to her. Balvor looked at him and asked in a shaky voice, "Have you ever delivered a child before?" The Altmer just shook his head.
"The midwife was here for the last one but she's gone to another farm," he said with worry.
The elf leveled a shaky smile at Balvor as he attempted to reassure the man, "It's ok. I'm here."
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
A warm glow was spreading across the sky with aching slowness as Ard sat quietly in the chilly morning air, exhausted from his efforts the night before. He sat outside, resting his back against the wall of the goats' shanty and watched the sunrise. The elf could not have cared less about the chill and the blood that had dried into the sleeves of his shirt. He looked like a murderer right now but that was immaterial. What was important was that both Selta and her daughter were healthy and continued to rest peacefully.
Argis left the cottage as well and he sat down next to his husband. Neither man said a word. Both were tired but the dark smudges under the elf's eyes spoke to the work he had put in.
Finally, Argis whispered, "Thank you." He kissed the elf on the cheek and said no more.
Balvor quietly closed the door behind him and slowly approached the pair. He looked haggard and wrung out from the stress of the night. Ard didn't care if the man continued to rant about the "elven witchcraft" he had used on nearly everyone last night.
When the baby had begun to come out feet first there hadn't been any other choice. He'd used magic to see where the child was in Argis's sister and then had to use magic to calm Balvor down as the man was threatening to kill him for "cursing the child." He'd ended up using more magic to numb Selta's ability to feel pain before he cut her open, retrieved the child, and then healed the would-be fatal wound. Balvor was likely furious at having his mind "repurposed" and at the risk the elf took with the lives of both his wife and his child.
"Put away your glare, Argis," he said softly as he saw the open defensiveness of the other Nord. Argis had been forced to physically shove Balvor away from the elf before the farmer had been magically calmed. If he was going to try any violence now then Argis wouldn't hesitate to make Balvor eat his own teeth, brother-in-law or not. Ard could patch them up when he felt better.
"What do you want?" asked Ard in an equally low voice as he turned to look.
Balvor sucked in a deep breath, straightened his back, and uttered, "I wanted to say thank you for everything. Without you I would've probably lost both of them and would have definitely lost at least one of them." Though the words sounded rehearsed and a bit forced, Ard smiled at them. They were a welcome relief from all the hostility leading up to that moment. Balvor's stiff posture broke a little as he looked away from the elf, "So, thank you."
He held out a bundle of cloth to the elf, which turned out to be a simple set of pants and a new shirt to replace the ones soiled in the birthing. Ard gratefully accepted it and rose to his feet. He extended his hand towards Balvor and after a moment the other Nord shook it firmly. "Come on, Argis, lets clean up and get a little rest."
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
"I'm actually glad we're sleeping in the barn now," muttered Argis as he saw Balvor and Norn give wide yawns. The newest lady of the farm had quite a set of lungs on her and was quite keen to use them at odd hours of the night.
"I'm glad we stayed to help them settle in," replied the elf with a bit of a smirk, "They needed the extra hands more than I would've thought."
Argis allowed his husband this bit of glee at Balvor's suffering. After all of the Nord's rudeness and racism, this was the smallest measure of revenge the elf could take. He was also glad that the elf was taking to the humble labour well. He had been afraid that his husband would get tired of the menial labour. Ard was also using magic freely to help with the tasks he was picking up around the farm. Even Balvor had nothing to say when the elf used an explosive burst of fire to blow a stubborn tree stump out of the ground. That stump had been the last thing stopping Balvor from being able to expand the farm a bit more.
Balvor and Norn weren't slouching though, and were working harder to make up for Selta. Argis's sister was still weak from giving birth and everything she had to endure. She was recovering well with the help of the magical amulet Ard had brought but hadn't had much strength in the last few days.
The goat bleated and pulled both men back to the present and they groaned as they got up from their short-lived break.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Argis moaned and arched his back as he felt his husband's hands roam over his body as they finished making love back in Vlindrel Hall. After their chaste visit to Argis's family, they both needed this release.
Both men eased back, satisfied and relaxed, their breathing gradually returning to normal.
Argis gently nudged his husband to get his attention as he murmured in a slightly hoarse voice, "Thank you for everything, love."
A look of confusion flitted across Ard's features for a moment before he teased, "Damn I must've been good."
Argis rolled his eyes, "I meant for everything at the farm..."
"I just did what was right, Argis, I couldn't have let your sister and her unborn child die when I was right there."
"I know, I know," answered the big Nord, "But... it was just a really intense night and you held together so well." After a moment Argis chuckled and added, "I suppose I should've been less scared - we have killed Alduin after all - but this time it was my sister. I nearly watched my sister die in front of me."
"Selta may not be my blood relative but I have yet to meet a kinder woman in Skyrim, Argis. I couldn't have lived with myself if I at least hadn't tried to save her." The elf looked away as he let the room fall silent.
Argis sighed, "Still, thank you. She and her children are my only family. And after that night I think they're undeniably your family too."
The Altmer laughed, "I never thought I'd have a Nord family when I came here." He stared at the ceiling, "I hope they know they can reach out if they ever need anything. I would hate for something bad to happen because of Balvor's pride."
"The man's proud, but he'd never let real harm come to his family for it," assured Argis as he felt his husband put his arms around him. Even though he was physically bigger than the elf, the warm feeling of his husband so close to him sent a wave of warm comfort over him. The Nord smiled softly to himself.