Experience

Aila groggily sat up and opened her eyes. She wondered for a moment where she was, and why she wasn't in her bed. Then she remembered the wonderful sensation of being held by Kathryn while looking out upon the setting sun. She wondered where Kathryn was, as she was not with her. After a quick glance around, she saw her sitting at the edge of the overlook, her legs hanging off the side, something Aila would be too terrified to even attempt. She watched Kathryn stare off into the distance. Aila found the sight entrancing. She was lit up by the morning Sun, making her all the more beautiful.

But of course, Kathryn felt a pair of eyes on her, and she turned to see that Aila had awakened. She smiled brightly. "Morning, love."

Aila smiled back. "Morning," she said sleepily.

Kathryn stood and walked over to Aila. Then she knelt in front of her, cupping her cheek with one hand while the other wrapped around her waist and gave her a deep kiss.

Aila moaned softly. She was still too sleepy to do anything but go along with it, not that she wouldn't have otherwise. By the end of it, Aila was breathless. As in, she-had-to-pull-away-even-though-she-really-didn't-want-to-else-she-would-have-pass-out-from-air-loss breathless. It was a very long kiss.

After catching her breath, all Aila could manage to say was, "Wow..."

Kathryn smiled and buried her face in Aila's neck. "Gods, I love you so much. You know that right?"

"Of course I do," Aila said. "And you know that I'm madly in love with you, right?"

Kathryn laughed. "Of course," she said, pulling Aila into another kiss.

And so the two sat, trapped in each other's embrace, blessing each other with delightful caresses and kisses. Aila wasn't sure what had brought Kathryn into such a loving mood. Not that Kathryn was ever anything but loving, but this was a whole other level of loving. Aila was certainly enjoying it.

Between kisses, Aila told Kathryn of how Mercer ordered her to go to Solitude and how there was no chance in Oblivion that she was going without her. Kathryn heartily agreed. They decided to leave that morning. Eventually.

After an indeterminable amount of time (maybe an hour?) the two finally started to head back to Riften. Kathryn put her arm around Aila's shoulder as they walked and, for some reason, she started chattering away about the wildlife. "Do you know how many rabbits there are in the forest?" she said. "I didn't realize until last night. They're everywhere! I mean, I always knew they were there, I just never realized how many. You literally can't walk ten feet without tripping over one. Look, there's one over there."

Aila looked to where she was pointing. "I don't see it."

"Well, actually, neither do I, but I heard it run under those bushes and I can smell it pretty clearly."

"Oh." It was still so strange that Kathryn could smell where things were.

"They're really good at getting into tight spaces that nothing else can get into, though. That must be the only reason they haven't gone extinct, because they smell delicious."

Aila gave her and odd look.

"What? They do! I even tried to catch some last night, but like I said, they're really good at hiding in tight spaces."

"What were you doing chasing rabbits in the middle of the night?" Aila asked.

"Hunting," Kathryn said with an arch smile on her face.

"Hunting."

"Yep."

"In the middle of the night.

"Mm-hmm."

"Why?"

Kathryn burst out laughing, though Aila wasn't sure what was so funny. "Aila, you don't get it. Why do you thing I would be out hunting?"

"Um..."

"I'll give you a clue. How do you think I could outrun an animal like a deer?"

Aila rolled her eyes. "Oh, come on. You can't outrun a deer."

Kathryn smiled knowingly. "I can. I did it last night. How?"

This was absurd. Aila could run faster than Kathryn, and she couldn't outrun a deer. Humans and Elves just weren't that fast. Only other animals were, like sabre cats, or wolves... "Oh. Oh!"

"There you go."

Kathryn had turned last night! The revelation took Aila by surprise. "But I thought... I mean..."

"What?"

"I don't know, I just... never thought you'd ever willingly do that."

"Maybe not before, but now..."

"What changed?"

"Mainly? I just couldn't take fighting against my self any longer. I just wanted to have one night where I wasn't worried about being normal.

"And... this is a good thing... right?"

Kathryn laughed. "Yes, it's a good thing. I feel incredible! Better than I ever have before!"

"But doesn't it hurt?"

"Yes, Aila, you know it does. But once I got past the pain I just felt so... free! I don't know how else to explain it."

Aila chuckled to herself. "That's what you said the last time you turned."

"Yeah, but this time was different. Last time, I pretty much blacked out. Something to do with the moons, I guess. But this time I remember it all. Everything was so intense! I could see so clearly even though it was so dark. I could hear a fox breathing from thirty feet away. And the smells! I thought the forest smelled lively before, but when I was a wolf it was just amazing!"

Kathryn was ranting now, but Aila couldn't stop smiling. It sounded like Kathryn had finally accepted her lycanthropy. She looked so elated, and it made Aila happy as well.

"And I could run!" Kathryn continued. "I was so fast! For the most part, I stayed near you so I could keep you safe, but eventually, I got so tired of wandering around the overlook that I just took off. Aila, I ran all the way to Goldenglow and back in under twenty minutes!"

Aila's jaw fell open "You did?!"

"I did! The feeling of the wind blowing through my hair was just amazing! Though I guess technically it was my fur, not hair. That was odd, having fur all over my body. So was walking on all fours, though standing on two legs was surprisingly easy. Oh, and the tail was just weird. I'm going to have to get used to that."

That's when Aila had an idea. It was a fleeting thought, caused by the memory of the last time Kathryn had turned. She decided to try it.

"What are you doing?" Kathryn asked as Aila reached up past her ears and started to scratch. Her eyes widened suddenly, and then quickly flitted closed as she let out a small whine that sounded remarkably similar to that of a small dog's.

Aila struggled not to burst out laughing. "Mara have mercy, Kat, you're too adorable!"

Kathryn opened her eyes. She seemed to realize what was happening and

pulled Aila's hand away from her. "I am not! You're the cute one in this relationship, not me."

"Oh? Then what are you?"

"I don't know, intimidating?"

Aila laughed again. "Yes, you're such a scary little puppy."

Kathryn groaned loudly at her comment. Aila was having a great deal of fun teasing her. She was beginning to understand why Kathryn did it to her all the time.

But by that time they were leaving the forest and very close to Riften's gates. So Aila gave Kathryn a hug, kissed her, and said, "Kat, I am so happy for you," and, reluctantly, pulled away. But then Kathryn caught her hand, and she wouldn't let go. "Kat... we're getting rather close to the gate."

"... I know."

"Kat, you were the one who said..."

"I know what I said," Kathryn said, not unkindly. In fact, she sounded a little sad. "But... we're just holding hands. No one is going to suspect anything from just that."

"Holding hands can be awfully intimate," Aila said.

Kathryn didn't answer, but with that look in those beautiful silver eyes of her, Aila couldn't bring herself to let go.

And so, Aila and Kathryn entered Riften hand-in-hand. As it turned out, Kathryn's original suspicions were correct. The two got many queer looks from various people, but Aila tried her best to ignore them. Holding hands with Kathryn in public gave Aila a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach. They always tried to avoid showing much affection toward each other. The most they ever displayed was a short hug. Holding hands like this, even though it wasn't much, was still more than usual.

When they reached the marketplace, they saw Brynjolf selling his wares and he came up to them when he noticed them. "Aila," he said in greeting. "Kathryn. So, you're still here. When you stormed off after speaking with Mercer, you were nowhere to be found, so we assumed you left for Solitude."

Aila noticed he was looking at their coupled hands. He didn't say anything about it though. "Oh, Kathryn and I just went to the woods to spar and we sort of lost track of time and... well, fell asleep."

Brynjolf gaped at them. "You fell asleep in the woods at night? You should think yourself lucky, then. I've heard the guards complaining about wolves being unusually active lately."

Aila suppressed a smile. "I like to think that wolves find me too charming to harm." She tried not to react as Kathryn dug her nails into her hand.

Brynjolf laughed. "Do you now? I wouldn't be putting that to the test if I were you."

"Maybe not," Aila said. "But no, We were going to leave soon. I just need to get my new bow from Balimund and then we'll be off."

"Well, Solitude is long ways off. The sooner you leave the quicker you'll return. I'll see you two around." He left to resume selling his wares."

Aila turned to Kathryn. "Kat, why don't you go and get some supplies for the trip. I'll grab my bow, and then I'll get Frost and meet you outside the city."

"You mean I have to let go of your hand?" Kathryn pouted. "Why must you put me through such harrowing experiences?"

Aila rolled her eyes. It'll be like ten minutes. You'll survive."

"I know, I know. I'm only teasing." She pulled Aila's hand up to her mouth and kissed it lightly. "Are you sure you'll be able to keep Frost calm while I'm near him?"

"I'm not really sure. I hope so."

"Well, we'll see. I'll see you in a bit. I love you."

"And I love you."

After she left, Aila went over the blacksmith where Balimund had her bow waiting for her. He gave it to her and she tested the string out. It was much harder to pull than her old one, but it didn't feel like it was going to snap every time she pulled it, so that was a plus. She threw out her now-useless old bow, slung her new one across her back and headed to the stables.

Frost whinnied in excitement as Aila neared. "Hey there, Frost. We're going on a trip." Aila fed him an apple as she pulled him from the stable. She jumped up on him (with quite a bit of effort, as her stature made it rather difficult) and rode him out of view of the city, where she hopped off and waited for Kathryn.

Frost noticed her before Aila. He neighed and reared, and Aila tugged at his reins to keep him still. "It's okay, it's okay. It's just Kathryn, she won't hurt you." Amazingly, Frost actually began to calm. He quieted down and mostly stayed still. Just as Kathryn came into view, Aila tossed her an apple. "Come here slowly." Kathryn practically tip-toed her way over. Frost began to rear again, but Aila held him in place and stroked his head. "Shh, shh. She's not going to hurt you. Hold out the apple." Kathryn obliged. Frost hesitated a bit, but then grabbed the apple and started chewing. Aila smiled. "Good boy." She looked to Kathryn. "See if he lets you on."

"Moment of truth," Kathryn said. She took hold of Frost's saddle, hesitated a moment, and pulled her self onto him. Frost, still busy chewing the apple, was wholly unresisting.

Aila smiled some more. "See? That wasn't so hard, was it, Frost?" She held her hand out to Kathryn. "Help me up." Mounting Frost was significantly easier with Kathryn's help. Aila sat in front of Kathryn.

Kathryn wrapped her arms around her, which sent a tingling sensation throughout Aila, and asked, "Are you sure he can carry both of us?"

"Of course," Aila answered. "Frost is a lot stronger than most horses. Besides, I weigh practically nothing."

"Well, you're right about that."

"... I'm not sure if you were mocking me or not."

Kathryn gasped dramatically. "I'm hurt, Aila. To even suggest that would ever do such a thing." She shook her sighed.

Aila just rolled her eyes. "So you were mocking me."

"Just a little."

Aila sighed and spurred the horse forward, and so began their journey

They rode and rode, only stopping occasionally to eat or let Frost rest. Toward the end of the first day, something incredible happened: Kathryn started to yawn. When she heard it, Aila turned around and stared at Kathryn.

"What?" Kathryn asked.

"You just yawned."

"Yeah, so?"

"Have you ever yawned before?"

"Of course I have! I mean... probably. I'm tired, okay?"

"But you just slept a couple days ago!"

"I know, but all the running around I did last night really wore me out."

So when night fell and the two finished setting up their camp, Kathryn jumped right into the bedroll. Aila crawled in after her and cuddled up with her. She gave Kathryn several kisses before saying, "Goodnight, Kat."

Kathryn smiled and kissed Aila one more time. "Goodnight, love."

For once, Aila was able to watch at Kathryn fell asleep in her arms.

The next day, Kathryn was full of energy. Too much energy. Aila had brought a few books, and she was reading them to occupy herself. Frost knew to pretty much follow the road, so Aila could just lean back on Kathryn and read, only directing him when there was a fork in the road. Kathryn, however, didn't have the patience to read anything other than spell tomes. She would constantly fidget in the saddle, desperately thinking of some way to entertain herself. The only way she could find was to throw Ice Spikes at random targets they passed on the road. As night fell and the two set up camp she said to Aila, "If the rest of the trip is like this, I think I'm going to go insane."

The third day, much to Kathryn's disappointment, was as uneventful of the previous. Aila tried to keep her occupied by talking with her, but even with Kathryn as chatty as she was, there was only so much to talk about.

"Are you exited to see Aela?" Aila asked. They would be stopping in Whiterun, after all.

"I am," Kathryn answered. "It's been so long since I've last seen her."

"It's only been about a month. Maybe a little more."

"Really? Wow. It feels like it's been years."

"I know. I was going to write her, but since Mercer made me leave Riften again I didn't really see the point." Aila thought about what happened when she was last in Whiterun. "I wonder if people will recognize me."

"Why would they recognize you?"

"From killing the dragon, remember?"

"Oh, yeah."

Aila sighed. "They probably will. I think I'm going to be wearing my hood while we're there."

"But then I won't be able to see your adorable little ears," Kathryn said, giving said ears a small tug.

"Would you rather have people constantly crowd around us asking for my autograph?"

"Hmm. Maybe not."

"I didn't think so."

And so the third day came and went, and despite Aila's efforts, Kathryn barely made it through the day with her sanity intact. And since the fourth day was pretty much the same, Kathryn went completely stir crazy by noon.

"I can't take this anymore, Aila," she said, jumping off of Frost. "I need to do something."

"Like what?" Aila asked.

Kathryn began to unbuckle her armour. "I don't know. Run. Hunt. Something."

"You're going to turn?" Aila asked, wide-eyed.
"That was the plan."

"Well... What an I going to do while you're gone?"

"Just keep going. I'll catch up." She was completely naked now. Aila was glad no one was around to see.

Aila leaned down and gave her a kiss. "Then... I'll see you later, I guess. I love you."

"And I love you. Go on ahead, I'd... rather you not see me turn. And Frost might freak out."

"Yeah, okay." Aila purred frost forward and left Kathryn behind.

After a few minuted of riding, Aila heard a rather loud howl. It startled Frost, but she was able to keep him calm. Aila was having mixed feelings. She didn't want Kathryn to be uncomfortable., and if turning would help then she was all for it, but... She didn't want to be alone. Maybe she was just being selfish, but she wanted Kathryn to stay with her.

Aila continued riding with a sigh.

Kathryn didn't return any time soon. Sometimes Aila would hear a howl far off in the distance, but never too close.

Night fell, and Kathryn was still gone. As she set up camp, Aila wondered if she had gotten lost somehow. She found it doubtful. She laid out her bedroll and crawled in, desperately wishing Kathryn would return soon.

Kathryn's absence left Aila unable to sleep. She was so used to her warmth, without it Aila felt unbearably cold. But it wasn't too long into the night when Aila heard a rustling in the trees around her. She sat up, looking to where the sound came from, and nearly yelped when she saw and incredibly large wolf emerging from the trees. "Kat? Is that you?" Aila asked.

The wolf made a small noise and a motion that might have been a head nod.

Aila broke into a smile. "I'll take that as a yes." She jumped out of her bedroll, rush over to the oversized wolf and hugged her tightly around the neck. She looked at the wolf in front of her. Kathryn's eyes were glowing golden as she watched her back. Aila's smile grew. She held Kathryn's head in her hands as she kissed her furry forehead. "You are beautiful." She reached behind Kathryn's ears and scratched. Kathryn's closed her eyes and her tail started to wag back and forth. Aila laughed. "Puppy."

Kathryn let out an annoyed growl, which made Aila laugh again.

She walked Kathryn closer to the camp, and laid down next to her. She was glad Kathryn was finally back. She leaned on Kathryn, like she did the last time she turned, and watched Kathryn watch her. If a wolf could smile, she was sure Kathryn was doing it right now. With Kathryn's warmth returned to her, it wasn't long before Aila fell asleep.

When she woke, Kathryn was back to her normal form, and Aila was in her arms. She smiled sleepily when she saw her. "Good morning."

But Kathryn just looked at her sadly. "Aila... I'm sorry I left you."

"It's fine," Aila said.

"No, it's not fine. I know you hate being alone. I just couldn't stand doing nothing anymore, and I didn't think about how you would feel."

"Kat," Aila said, giving her a light kiss on the lips. "It's fine, really. I'd never want you to be uncomfortable. As long as you come back."

"I will," Kathryn said. "Always."

Aila smiled. "Then it's fine." She kissed her again.

And so it was their fifth day of riding that they had finally reached Whiterun.