Fate's Games

(A/N: Since I saw these two fight for the first time, this has been brewing.)

Good Fight

He knew she was different, knew she was special, the moment she beat him in that fight. Along with humiliation he had felt something else. That something was respect, was wonder, was admiration. Why not? She deserved every bit of it. She was tough, she was strong, she was a fighter; but he'd be damned if she wasn't a woman. Dark elves had a tendency to obsess. He was no exception. Oh how he was obsessing now. He couldn't take his eyes off of her as she practiced with her weapons beside him.

What was he looking at, she wondered? He'd hardly taken his eyes off of her since their fight. Why? It wasn't like they hadn't fought before. They got into fist fights on a regular basis like it was nobody's business. He needed to learn some respect for her. He and his elfish pride, always looking down on her, snubbing her, calling her weak. She'd show him weak. "What are you looking at, scrawny?" she demanded.

"Nothing," he answered quickly, turning back to his archery and cursing the fact she'd seen. "You just handle that blade very well, Njalda."

She raised an eyebrow. "A compliment? Really? What do you want, Athis?" she asked.

"Do I have to have a reason behind every kind word I speak to you?" he questioned.

"Yes," she replied. "Stay out of my way, grey skin." He cringed. Ouch.

"It was a good fight. You were very, very good," he remarked. With that he tucked away his bow and quickly left, head hung low. He felt as if he were scampering away like a scolded puppy with its tail between its legs. She, startled, looked after him curiously. What was with him? Njalda tried to focus on her training, but her thoughts were occupied with trying to analyze her elven rival. Soon, frustrated, she tucked away her blade and stormed inside. She was getting to the bottom of this one way or another.

ES

Njalda burst into Jorvaskr and spotted Athis sitting at the table. "You!" she shot angrily. He quickly looked up, as did all the others. The other Companions began muttering about them both, saying they were going to fight again. They were used to fights breaking out after exclamations like this. "What's your game, Athis?" she demanded, leaning over the table intimidatingly.

"There's no game. It was a good fight," he calmly replied. "You earned my admiration, there's nothing else to it."

"Oh did I? Stand up, elf, it's rematch time," she stated.

"For what reason?" he demanded.

"We'll see just how deep your 'respect' goes," she replied. She reached over and dragged him up.

He dropped into a fighting pose, scowling. "You want to play this game? Let's play it!" Athis retorted. Immediately she attacked. He defended instinctively and the two began brawling. She wanted to know how deep his respect went. That meant he would have to defeat her because then she would assume he'd lost his respect; but he'd show her he hadn't. Maybe that's what she wanted. It was something, at least.

Her punches were angry and powerful. He didn't want to hurt her as he had last time. However, this could be his only chance to prove himself. Fine, he wouldn't hold back. Immediately he began attacking quickly and sharply, utilizing the speed of the elves. Strikes didn't necessarily have to be powerful if there were many quick jabs given and few hard punches taken. He dodged around a powerful blow. He saw her expression. She looked shocked, taken aback at his speed and agility. He was going on desperation, though; desperation to prove himself to her. He hadn't respected her until she'd won that fight and she still didn't respect him. All at once he delivered a powerful blow to her stomach. She cried out in pain and doubled over. He grabbed her arm, wrenching it behind her back and pulling her close to him.

Everything froze. At least it seemed like everything had frozen. She definitely had. His body was pressed tightly into her back. His breath was hot in her ear, his face warm on hers. For the life of her she couldn't understand why she felt she couldn't breathe suddenly, or why her heart fluttered at the nearness. "I win. My opinion on you hasn't changed," he stated in a near whisper. She was silent. He let her go, pushing her forward. She turned to him shocked. "Keep your prejudiced Nord beliefs. I'm through with you; and I'm through dealing with the Nord mentality as a whole," he stated. With that he stormed angrily off. Njalda couldn't for the life of her understand why she felt such a strong urge to run after him and beg for forgiveness.

ES

"Hey," she said, entering the room where he lay reading a book. "Can we… talk…" She wasn't sure, exactly, how to proceed. She didn't do talks. She did fists.

"What?" he asked bitterly.

"That was a good fight," she said quickly, looking down and blushing ashamedly. He glanced over at her, raising an eyebrow.

"Thank you?" he more questioned than replied.

"Yeah, whatever, I'll just… go then," she said. She turned quickly and shuffled away. He watched after her curiously, intrigued by her sudden change.

ES

She was practicing archery. She'd never been great with the bow. Athis and Aela were the two best archers they had. She hated not being able to keep up with them, but archery just wasn't her talent. She took aim at the target again; a target she hadn't yet managed to hit, she would add. "Raise your elbow more," a voice said from behind. She turned quickly. Athis was standing there watching her, surveying her technique. She thought about arguing, after all no one told her how to handle things, but then decided against it and obeyed. She let the arrow fly. For the first time is struck the target. It was nowhere near the center, but at least she'd hit something.

"Allow me," he said, approaching her. He took her arms from behind. She thought about protesting or struggling free but soon fought back that idea. She allowed him to position her. "Draw back," he ordered. She obeyed. "Take a breath and fire," Athis directed. After a moment she took a breath then let the arrow fly.

It hit close to the center and Njalda grinned. "I did it!" she exclaimed excitedly. She instantly bit her tongue. That was completely out of character for the persona she put on. "I mean, huh, go figure. Thanks." She was blushing, she realized. It was odd… She felt more like a woman in that moment than she had for most of her life.

"With a little work you could really make something of your archery," Athis remarked. "If you'd like I can teach you."

"I wonder if Aela would be better," Njalda replied.

"Better, perhaps, better company, not so much," Athis remarked.

She started. "Did you just try to woo me?" she asked, and contrary to the anger she was going for, she sounded more amused.

"Read into it what you will, Njalda. I won't confirm or deny anything," Athis answered. "What do you say?"

"What do I say to your offer of tutoring? Hmm, I might need training every day," she remarked, unable to believe she actually had the guts to say that; which was saying something because she'd long considered herself the bravest there was. As long as he didn't read too much into it, everything would be fine.

"As long as it takes, love," Athis answered. She wasn't sure why that term made her want to melt into him.

"Fine, I accept," she answered.

"I'm glad," he answered. She turned to him, eyes ponderous. Finally she nodded and smiled softly at him. Perhaps she was getting in over her head, but right now she didn't believe she even half minded. She was coming to very much like him… and respect him.