(Disclaimer: I do not own Skyrim; just Xana, Brii and my other OC's)
(Authors Note: Hello dearest readers! I'm so sorry for not uploading this chapter sooner but I was busy working on a rather time-consuming project. I thank you all for your patience and understanding. Also, please note that if updates are slow it's not because I've forgotten about this story. Oh no. I love writing this FF for all of you (and myself of course) and have plans to continue the story. I've just been busy and haven't been able to post new chapter to all of my stories as often as I'd like to do so. Thank you for the continued support and until I post again, stay safe and stay awesome!)
Xana and her family were currently packing up the campsite while Odahviing was busy preparing breakfast for everyone. While he wasn't the Gourmet, the food he made was always delicious and filling. As a dovah, he never had a need or a desire to cook, but ever since he met Xana and had been granted the option to alter his form into that of a joor, he found that he actually enjoyed it. At the moment, he was cooking some bacon and eggs within the large cast iron skillet, while his mate finished loading the tent and bedroll onto the wagon, while her brothers and sister-in-law did the same with theirs.
A fond smile lined Odahviing's face as he watched Xana move around here and there while keeping their daughter secure in the carrier across her chest. He still could hardly believe that only a few weeks ago he became a bormah. In truth, he honestly thought he'd never get the opportunity to sire offspring, and yet, here he was with a new daughter and a loving mate by his side. What more could he ask for? Returning to the task at hand, he flipped the bacon in the pan, while Xana and her brothers finished securing their belongings.
Upon completing their task, they all gathered around the fire and sat down for breakfast. "Mmm, Odahviing, that smells delicious. Thank you for preparing the morning meal while we cleaned up the campsite."
"Of course, dii brit fahliil. By the way, I was thinking perhaps one day while we're visiting your brod, I would join them on a morning hunt. I admit that ever since I tried boar meat, I've developed a taste for it."
She smiled and leaned against him, "I'm sure that can be arranged. I already know Father would be up for a nice hunt, and Mother is always happy to make blood pudding whenever he brings back a boar. She claims boar blood makes the best pudding and I wholly agree."
At the mention of their Mother's cooking, both Sea and Shore felt their stomachs growl, to which she emitted a chuckle:
"Are you two craving her pudding as well?"
"Always," Swims-To-Sea admitted with a smirk.
"Though, can you really blame us," Runs-To-Shore asked, to which she shook her head:
"I cannot, for I too desire to taste some again. I've tried making it myself using deer blood, cow blood and goat blood, and while they were still edible and filling, they just didn't taste the same. Perhaps next time I'll try it with horker blood," she pulled out two loaves of bread and divided them among the party, while Odahviing dished out breakfast for everyone and listened to their conversation with a smirk across his face.
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After breakfast, Xana and her family entered Riften and made their way over to the Temple of Mara for Sondas and Tormir's wedding, to which Hrefna greeted them all at the door with a smile:
"Xana! You actually came!"
The young Dunmer emitted a soft giggle as she knelt down to give the little Nord girl a hug, while being mindful of the baby, "Of course I did. You didn't think I'd miss out on seeing your Mother and Sondas finally tying the knot, did you?"
"No," she beamed and led them inside and over to the pews where Derkeethus and the others were sitting, to which they gave her and her family warm welcomes before settling down for the time being.
Meanwhile, Sondas stood before the altar wearing his best clothes while he anticipated the arrival of his bride. Within seconds, the Temple doors opened to reveal Tormir: she wore a crown of wildflowers atop her head, while adorned in her nicest dress. She approached her groom with a glowing smile across her face as her friends and daughter looked on in anticipation.
As Maramal spoke, Xana felt Odahviing wrap his arm around her waist and gently pull her closer to his frame, to which she leaned into his touch and rested her head on his shoulder with a smile lining her face.
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-Later-
After attending the wedding ceremony and visiting with her friends from Darkwater Crossing, Xana and her family headed out of Riften and were now traveling south through Morrowind. They had been on the road for nearly four hours now and had decided to stop for a short rest and a bite to eat.
While everyone headed into the brush to relieve themselves, Xana stayed beside the wagon to change Brii. Once finished, she gently handed her over to Odahviing while she too left to take care of her own business.
Upon returning, Xana was handed a quarter of bread, a wedge of goat cheese and an apple for lunch, along with a bottle of mead to stave off the cold. While eating, she took a moment to admire the scenery: "You know, it's interesting to think that my ancestors came from such a strange and otherworldly land such as this."
At that, her brothers gave a nod before Sea replied, "Morrowind is rather strange compared to some of the other provinces, but I suppose many Dark Elves see Black Marsh as a strange land as well. I'm just glad Blackwind has a fair mixture of both to where it's not that strange to either race, nor to the other folks who inhabit it."
"True," she agreed with a curt nod. "I'm also glad the folks in Blackwind coexist and get along."
"Same here," Shore replied. "Of course, we've never had issues with our Dunmer neighbors, nor our fellow marsh friends." He then glanced over at Renessie and noticed how pale she appeared, "Love? Is everything alright?"
She nodded while wrapping her tail around her waist, "Y-Yes...I'm fine…"
"Dear, you're trembling. What's wrong," Sea inquired as he gently placed a hand on her arm.
*sigh* "I'm just worried that my family will find out that I've returned to Blackwind."
"They won't," Shore assured as he gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "We'll all make sure that you remain hidden from them throughout our visit. No one but our family will know of your return."
"But what about Shastan and Marbella's wedding? I don't want to miss it, nor do I want to be seen and reported to my family."
"Don't worry love, we'll think of something when the time comes."
"I know you will," she nuzzled his neck and smiled when both Swims-To-Sea and Runs-To-Shore began to shower her with affection.
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-Two days later-
Due to a storm, the trip to Blackwind had been delayed by several hours, but Xana and her family were finally approaching the familiar farming village. As a precaution, Renessie was sitting on the floor of the wagon and had been covered up with a large blanket so as to hide her for the time being. Sea and Shore sat in the back and kept watch, while Xana and Odahviing were up front with Brii safely nestled against his chest while she steered Braum along the road leading to Tenova and Flower-Song's farm.
Upon approaching the familiar homestead, they were greeted by Reem-Sha, who was outside herding the sheep into the field. "Xana! Brothers! It's so good to see you all again!"
Xana had Braum stop just outside of the barn, to which she climbed down and was immediately scooped up by her brother, "It's good to see you too, Reem-Sha! Are Mom and Dad around?"
"They're in town selling some of their crops to the merchants. By the way, Stone-Scale should be heading home soon, and Shastan is over at Marbella's, but will return shortly."
"That's good to hear," she replied with a smile before gently taking her daughter from Odahviing while he climbed down from the wagon.
"Xana, is that...?"
"Yep! Say hello to your niece, Brii," she held the baby up for him to see, which brought a warm smile to his scaly face.
"Oh, she's beautiful...I'll have to get a better look at her once you all get settled inside. Also, I should wash up before I touch her since I've been out here working all day."
"That's fair," she stated before gently placing Brii inside the hide carrier, to which she then went up front and unhinged Braum. "You ready to see Blossom again?"
The large horse emitted a snort, which brought a smile to the young Dunmer's face. She then let Reem-Sha remove his gear and lead him over to the pasture, while Odahviing gathered up the bags with Sea and Shore's help. As they did this, Renessie asked, "Is it safe for me to come out?"
Shore gently took a hold of her slender hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze, "It's safe. Come, let's head inside and settle in while we wait for Mom and Dad to return from town."
She nodded and climbed down from the back of the wagon with his assistance, to which she then accompanied him and Sea into the house with Xana and Odahviing following suit.
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Upon approaching the homestead, Tenova and Flower-Song spotted a familiar stallion grazing in the field alongside Blossom, Meriweather and the sheep, to which they instantly knew their daughter and sons had returned home. Nearing the house, they saw Swims-To-Sea and Runs-To-Shore chopping wood and gathering it to bring inside.
"Boys! You're home," Flower-Song rushed over and greeted her eldest sons with a warm, motherly hug.
"It's good to see you too, Mom," Sea chuckled as he was pulled down for a kiss on the cheek.
"Same with you, Pop," Shore added as their Dad approached and hugged them both.
"So, how's Skyrim been treating you two," he asked with a slight smirk.
"Well, it's a lot colder than what we're used to, but we're adapting rather well. Xana took us over to see Riften, Whiterun and even Falkreath, but we haven't been to the other holds yet."
"Oh, Xana! Where is she? We want to see our new granddaughter," their Mother stated with a smile, which made both of them chuckle at her enthusiasm.
"She's inside fixing supper with Odahviing and Reem-Sha," Sea answered.
"And before you ask why: she told us that she wanted to surprise you both when you returned home," Shore added.
"Well, that's rather sweet of her," Tenova smiled. Before he and his wife could approach the front door, Swims-To-Sea blocked the entrance and emitted a sigh:
"Wait...Mom, Dad, there's something Shore and I need to discuss with the both of you before we head inside."
"What is it dear," Flower-Song asked, concerned.
"You remember Renessie, right?"
"Of course we do. She was such a sweet girl. Your Father and I were rather upset to hear that she had gone missing. We even aided the guards and searched the whole village and surrounding woodlands for her."
At that, both brother's shared a look before Shore spoke up, "Well...the thing is...she's not really missing…She's inside the house with Xana."
The patriarch gave his sons a stern look, "I think we should continue this conversation indoors. I want to hear the whole story before I pass any sort of judgment."
They merely gave a nod in agreement before stepping aside to let their parents enter the house before they followed suit with their tails slightly between their legs. Even though Sea and Shore were adults, they still feared their parents disapproval of this whole situation; but regardless of their reaction, they would stand their ground and lay the truth out for them to hear.
Renessie was busy helping Xana chop vegetables when she spotted her mates and in-laws enter the house, to which she slightly shrank in place for she feared they'd throw her out or force her to leave their sons. No! She would not allow that to happen! She loved Sea and Shore too much to just let them go.
Meanwhile, Xana and Odahviing glanced over at the Argonian elders and before either of them could speak, Tenova held up a hand: "While Flower-Song and I are overjoyed to see all of you safe and sound, we need an explanation. As much as we wish to see our granddaughter, we need to know why Renessie is here with all of you and what exactly has been going on since you all left for Skyrim."
With that, Sea and Shore confessed to their parents how they both fell in love with Renessie when she arrived in Blackwind almost six years ago and how she loved them in turn. They told them how they confided in Xana and Odahviing about their situation and how it was suggested that the three of them elope. Renessie also confessed that she loved their sons and had been married to them for the last few months now. She also explained why she felt the need to run away from her family and refrain from contacting them this whole time. Of course, Xana and Odahviing told them about the part they played in this whole situation, and even Reem-Sha confessed that he, Shastan and Stone-Scale had known about Sea, Shore and Renessie's relationship for a while now, and had also known about their intended elopement, but said nothing because they were protecting them from possible ridicule.
When all was said, Tenova sat down at the head of the dining table and sighed, "I see why you've all kept this whole affair a secret, and while this relationship is non-traditional, I'm just glad the three of you are safe and happy."
"Same here," Flower-Song added with a motherly smile. "While the concept of having more than one mate is strange, I'm just happy that you three are happy. Although, I'm sorry you all felt like you couldn't come to us for advice or help, and I'm sad that we missed out on your weddings."
"We're sorry it ended up this way, but I'm glad we were finally able to tell you both," Renessie shyly stated. "...But I must ask that you keep my return to Blackwind a secret from my family. If they found out that I was back and married to your sons, I fear they'd come after us."
"Don't you worry, dearie: We're not going to tell them anything they don't need to know."
"Exactly," Tenova replied with a nod. *sigh* "Now, with all this settled, I think it's high time we finally met our granddaughter."
"Agreed."
With a smile Xana glanced over at her mate who was currently holding Brii in his arms, "Odahviing, love, would you kindly take our daughter over to meet her grandparents while I pull the bread loaves out of the oven and check the soup to see if it's done?"
"Nid, dii brit fahliil: I'll tend to the food while you visit your brod." He then carefully handed their daughter over to her before pulling her in for a kiss, which brought a blush to her cheeks.
"I love you, Odahviing."
"And I love you, Xana."