Reunion

"I have never hated anything as much as I hate these people right now," Aila said. It wasn't true, of course, but they were becoming quite an annoyance for her.

"Oh, come on," Aela said. "It can't be that bad."

"You've never been the center of attention of an entire city before."

"Why complain? You're famous! Revel in it."

"Aela, you and I have two very different views on revelry. I don't want to be famous. That sort of attention is the last thing I would want." Aila sighed and rested her head in her arms. "What am I going to do when word spreads to Riften?"

"What's wrong with that?" Aela asked.

Aila looked at her. "I's be the center of attention again. I'd rather not have that happen."

Aela shrugged. "I think you're making a bigger deal of it than it is."

Aila sighed again. Aela didn't understand. It wasn't just that she didn't want the attention, there was more to it than that. Aila was a thief. From the Thieves' Guild. The whole city's attention turned toward her was, as many Guild members would say, bad for business. "At least I'll get to leave today," Aila said. "I can't wait to see Kathryn again."

"You must miss her," Aela said.

"You have no idea." Lately, Kathryn was that was on Aila's mind.

"You know, I've been wondering. How is it that a woman like yourself falls in love with another woman? It's very strange."

Aila shrugged, not sure how to respond. "It just sort of happened."

"People like you two don't 'just happen'. Come on, tell me."

"Well... I guess that given the condition that we were in before, it was bound to happen."

"What do you mean?" Aela questioned.

"I met her in Riverwood," Aila said, realizing that Aela wanted more than a simple explanation. "She was sort of an outcast there. The others were afraid of her for some reason."

"Her lycanthropy?" Aela suggested.

"No, I don't think anyone knew she was a werewolf. She never told anyone. Not even her parents."

"But surely they knew. I mean, they were her parents."

Aila scoffed. "Some parents they were. Her father was an abusive drunk and her mother was just neglectful."

"Really?" said Aela, surprised. "I had no idea."

"Mm. Anyway, she was desperate for a friend, and so was I. I had just arrived in Skyrim and I hadn't exactly gotten a friendly greeting. And don't ask, I'd rather no talk about it. But I was lonely and I found Kat, who was also lonely, and we just... clicked. I don't know about her, but I think what really made me fall in love was simply that she was there for me. I was alone all my life and then, suddenly, there she was. And I've never been happier."

Aela smiled at her. "It sounds like you really love her."

"Well, of course I do."

Aela was silent a moment. She looked as if she was trying to say something, but didn't know how.

"What is it?" Aila asked.

"How do you two... you know... go at it?"

Aila flushed. "Oh Gods, Aela, that is really none of your business."

Aela laughed at her embarrassment. "I'm just wondering."

"We just... use our hands and... touch."

"But doesn't that ever get dull? Just touching? Don't you ever want to try something new?"

"Aela, if you get bored during sex, you're doing something wrong."

Aela laughed again. "Yes, I suppose that's true."

The two sat quietly for a moment. Aela took a drink from her mug while Aila desperately tried to stop her cheeks from reddening any more.

"Well," Aela said, looking out the window. "The sun's nearly up. You'd better get going."

"Are they still out there?" Aila asked.

Aela looked down to the street. "Aye."

Aila groaned. "Who gets up so early just to see one person?"

"Some people'll do anything just for a glimpse of fame. Go on. I'll distract them."

Aila gave her a quick hug. "Thanks. I'll try to visit again some time."

"You do that. In the mean time, remember to write me."

"I will." Aila slung her bow across her back and left her room with Aela following behind her. They went down the stairs of the inn and into the main hall. It was there Aila was greeted by her "fans".

"Dragonborn!" they shouted, running up to her.

Aela intercepted them. "Alright, that's enough. She had enough problems without you snowberries adding to them."

The people stopped their advance, but still shouted for Aila. She ignored them and kept walking. Outside was even worse. There was a whole crowd was waiting for her.

As Aila weaved her way through the crowd, she turned to Aela, who was trying to keep anyone from getting to close. "Was it like this for the other Dragonborn?"

"For a bit. Until someone got a bit too close for his liking."

"What happened?"

"Let's just say the guy who went up to him won't be working any time soon."

"... Oh."

Soon they made it past the crowd and Aila dashed away, leaving Aela and the crowd behind. A few peopled tried to follow, but Aila was faster then them. But just in case, she ducked into an alleyway to lose anyone who would be following her. When she emerged back onto the main street, she was by the gate. She left the city and went to the carriage driver.

"Ah, there you are. I've been waiting."

Aila had already paid him in advance. "If you don't mind," she said, "I'd like to be going. Like, now."

"As you wish. Climb in back and we'll be off."

Aila did as he said and the carriage driver ushered the horse on. Just a few minutes later, they were well away from Whiterun.

The trip lasted for five days. They stopped only at night and sparsely through the day to rest. With every passing day, Aila became more and more exited. So very soon, she would be able to see Kathryn again. I bet she's worried about me. Aila had been gone longer than she had expected. Kathryn wouldn't like that.

Aila placed her hand over her wound. She won't like this either. It had healed to the point where it no longer needed much attention, but it still was not completely healed. She could hide it from someone else, but not Kathryn. They were much too close for that. She would probably scold her for being too reckless or find some way to blame herself.

When at at last the day came when Riften came into view, Aila could hardly contain her excitement. They inched closer at what Aila thought was a frustratingly slow pace. She watched the city grow larger as they neared until the carriage driver finally slowed to a stop and they had arrived.

Aila immediately jumped out and ran to the gates, pausing briefly to thank the driver. The gates opened before her and she half-walked, half-ran as she made her way to the Ratway. It was night already, so Kathryn would probably be asleep.

… Except Kathryn doesn't sleep. Damn it. Kathryn might not even be in the Ratway. She could be out wandering the woods for all she know. But still, the Ratway was the best place to start looking.

Aila went around the back of the temple of Mara to the graveyard where the secret entrance to the Cistern was. She walked to the correct tomb and saw a coffin. On it was a small button with the Thieves' Guild symbol. Aila leaned over to press the button, but just before foe did, she heard a snap behind her. Aila instinctively pulled out her dagger and spun around.

"Well, aren't we a little high-strung."

"Kathryn!" Aila exclaimed. "Gods, don't scare me like that!"

"Well, I wasn't expecting you to pull a knife on me," Kathryn said.

"Oh, sorry." Aila put her dagger away. She stared at Kathryn for a few moments, taking her in. She looked a bit different from the last time she saw her, and not in a good way. Her hair was much longer and she was unusually pale. There were dark circles around her eyes, the ones that appear from sleep deprivation. And knowing Kathryn, it's been a very long time since she last slept. "Are you okay? You don't look so well."

Kathryn just smiled at her. "Oh, I'm ten times better now that you're here." She held out her hand. "Come here."

Aila took it and Kathryn pulled her into a kiss. Several heated minutes passed before they broke apart.

"Oh Gods, I missed you," Kathryn said, holding Aila tighter. "What took you so long?"

"I'm sorry. I was... delayed."

"Obviously. What kept you?"

"It was nothing. You don't need to worry about it."

"Aila, if you say that, I'm going to worry. What was it?"

Aila sighed. "There was an incident while I was at Whiterun. A dragon attacked."

"What? Were you hurt?"

"No... not badly."

"But you were hurt." She sighed sadly and kissed Aila on her forehead. "At least you're alright now."

Aila smiled and lay her head on Kathryn's shoulder. "I don't know how I made it for two weeks without you." She let go of Kathryn and turned back to the coffin and pressed the button. Then the coffin began to move, sliding back into the Cistern. "Come on," Aila said, starting the climb down. "I've been gone for so long and I'm not about to settle for just hugs and kisses."

Kathryn laughed, and followed Aila down. It was good to her voice again.

The Cistern was empty, being so late into the night, and Aila dashed to her room with Kathryn right behind her. When they reached it, Aila shut the door the moment Kathryn entered after her and jumped into her arms, kissing her fervently.

They wasted no time, as Kathryn began to take off Aila's armour. But when it was off, she stopped and ran her hand along the bandages wrapped around Aila's waist. "How bad is it?" she asked.

"I told you, it's not bad," Aila said, kissing her again. "It'll scar, but I'll be fine." She was eager to get on with their activities, but she didn't want to worry Kathryn.

She brought Kathryn to the bed and sat her down, sitting in her lap and wrapping her legs around her waist. She lifted Kathryn's tunic up over her head and threw it to the side, then resumed the flurry of kisses. She felt Kathryn's hand move down her body and into her smallclothes. Aila gave a small gasp, feeling Kathryn's familiar warmth down between her legs.

Aila's thoughts were turned to the conversation she had with Aela. Just using their hands was becoming a bit dull. But what else could they do? Women weren't made to pleasure each other in this way. But then Aila had a thought. She wasn't sure how well it would work, if it would at all, but she couldn't see why not. Though it did seem a bit unorthodox, she thought it was worth a try.

Her lips never leaving Kathryn's, Aila gently pushed Kathryn onto her back. She climbed off her and positioned herself at the foot of the bed. She pulled Kathryn's smallclothes down her legs, exposing her.

Kathryn was watching her, and Aila knew she was wondering what she was doing. Aila smiled at her and lightly kissed her inner thigh. She kissed again, higher up, and once more, directly between her legs. Aila heard Kathryn inhale sharply as she did so. Pleased, Aila continued. She kissed harder and even tried to use her tongue to help stimulate her.

And Kathryn was quite clearly enjoying herself. She began to moan softly, a sound that exited Aila and encouraged her to do more. "Ohh... Aila..."

Kathryn very quickly reached her climax. Aila already began to feel Kathryn's body responding to her efforts. She heard Kathryn struggling not to cry out as she peaked and, a few passionate moments later, Aila lifted her head and brought herself up next to Kathryn, wrapping her arms tightly around her.

Kathryn was breathless. "Where... did you learn to do that?" she asked.

"I didn't learn it anywhere," Aila said. "I just thought I'd try something new."

Kathryn smiled. "Well, I'm glad you did." Then she rolled on top of Aila and whispered in her ear. "But now it's my turn."