Travius had already bathed and put on his formal wear in preparation for the feast. A bad habit of his when he was looking forward to something was to get ready entirely too early.

He made small talk with the workers still placing last minute decorations and food and drink tables around the Gildagreen tree for the feast on his way to the Temple of Arkay to check on Vhornhyak. The orc insisted he was ok but everyone begged him to go get looked at just in case.

He found the small room off to the side where Vhornhyak was just finishing up with the priest.

"Can we have a minute?" He asked both of them as he walked in the door. The priest just nodded and gave them their privacy.

"How you feeling?" Travius asked as they greeted eachother with a fist bump.

"I'm good. The priest is concerned about long term damage to my muscles but not much we can do about that right now." He said.

"So you're ok then?" Travius asked

"Yeah. I'll be feeling even better with a couple drinks in me soon." He said

"Good." Travius responded and then swung his right hand with an open palm and slapped Vhornyhak in his face.

"What in oblivion was that in there?" Travius asked him.

Vhornhyak had a look of embarrassment as he rubbed his face. "That potion the college made…that was dangerous. It was like I was in the rage but I had no focus. I was just a vessel for unused energy that took over my body…. until I wasn't I guess."

"It was only dangerous because you used it errantly. You don't get to blame It on that anyhow. Even before that, Jumping off the bridge on to the troll, smashing that guys head all over Anaelle or even using the gauntlet potion to begin with.

Were you trying to show off in front of new companions? Look, You and I, we've always been brutal, it's as much a part of our reputation as the heroics. We've never been foolish though. You're alive right now by luck and luck alone."

Travius took a seat next to him on the patient bench and put his arm around his shoulders.

"We both know and accept it's very likely one of us will see the other die. Let's just make sure the story behind our death is fitting to our lives. I don't want to have to tell people you died being stupid. We're not ready for that story now anyway." He said to him and then stood back up.

"I'm not ready for that story now either. Still taverns out there I haven't visited yet." He said as he stood up himself.

"Today was the fist time I've felt challenged in years." Vhornyak said to him.

"Do you miss it?" He asked

"From time to time. I think I would miss you life we have now more though." Travius responded.

"Seeing him again, The Inquisitor, Its got me antsy. I've dreamed of that little girl every night since he showed up. I haven't had dreams about her in six years before that nigh." Vhornyak said

"Aye, he doesn't illicit the best memories from me either." Travius didn't want to dwell on the matter and dampen his mood for the feast. He had too much planned.

"His and eye and that scar though. You really got him. Have you ever seen a solid black eye before?"

"His eye just reflects with he is on the inside now. A dark void of nothing. You get yourself ready and I'll catch up with you tonight." Travius said

As he headed out he saw Jorgenson was on his way to see Vhornyhak as well. He, much like Travius, was ready and dressed for the feast.

"See you soon boy" he said to Travius as they passed.

Travius could hear Them as he walked away.

"How you feeling?"

"I'm good I was just leaving actually."

"Glad to hear that. J' Zargo told me what happened today."

slap*

"Damn Jorg! You could have atleast hit the other side than Travius did!"

"No problem "

slap*

…………………………………………………………………………

The fifth annual Whiterun feast had been underway for a few hours now. Everyone in the hold was in attendance. Balgruuf even hired kitchen staff and mercenaries from other holds so his own staff and guards could be in attendance.

The open area in the market and temple districts were lined with tables filled with l food. The Jarl

paid a substantial amount to the Bannered Mare to allow for an open bar and the main hall of Dragons reach hand been emptied to allowed or

Music and dancing, which is where most people had made their way at this point.

The wading pool beneath the dragon Bridge was full and children who ran around everywhere playing with joy. Jorvaskr even opened its training grounds for spectator dueling and bards roamed all the city streets playing a variety of songs. It was quite affair that everyone was happy to be a part of.

Vhornhyak had already taken full of advantage of the open bar and was heading back into Dragonsreach with three plates of food. J' Zargo was in a rare form as he had decided to indulge himself at the tavern with Vhornyhak and was slightly stumbling behind him.

"How much of that is cured meat?" He asked him. "We are traveling back to winterhold tomorrow and my nose would appreciate some peace."

Vhornyhak tuned around and showed him that two of his players were nothing but sausage and cured ham and J' Zargo let out a loud sigh of dissapointment.

"Well, J' Zargo guesses smelling you is better than burying you as we almost had to do today."

"You going to slap me too?" He asked

"Khajit don't slap, they claw. And no, I think you've been hit in the head enough today." He responded and they both laughed.

They walked into dragons reach and found the rest of their group was already there. Travius and Anaelle were dancing together in the middle of the dance floor. Aratore was at the moment being dragged around and being introduced to every one inside by a very drunk Jorgensen. He appreciated it at first but after explaining where his home village was located for the tenth time he was itching for a way out of this predicament.

He mostly was trying to lay his eyes on Trish. He wasn't sure what he was going to do when he found her as he hadn't much experience talking to pretty girls in his life, he just knew he wanted to see her. He did see a great opportunity when he saw Vhornyak walk in.

"Oh look! Vhornyak has brought me my food! I need to go help him carry it all!" He said to Jorgensen and quickly headed to the orc before he could whisked away to get be introduced to another old person who's name he would probably forget.

He made his way to Vhornyak and was immediately handed a plate.

"I surely assumed you'd be the drunkest person here" he said

Vhornyak laughed and handed him an Ale.

"The old man doesn't get out much, he's making up for lost time. He obviously likes you though or he wouldn't be dragging you around."

He noticed Aratore looking around the hall quite a bit as if he was searching for someone.

"I know that look, who's got your fancy buddy?"

Aratore looked slightly embarrassed but then answered.

"Well…..I was hoping to see Trish, truth be told."

Vhornyak almost choked on the sausage he was eating when he heard that.

"Damn kid. I would say you have bigger balls than I do but no one does. You know who that is right?"

Aratore rolled his eyes. "Yes, the women in the brothel told me more than I ever wanted to know about your manhood."

"What can I say, I'm famous for two different hammers." Vhornyak responded as he finished most of his food and compiled it to one plate

"Have at it kid, eat what's left." He handed the plate to Aratore.

"You have seven sausages here, this is what's left?!" He said incredulously.

"Got to feed these hammers somehow." He said as he walked off towards Travius and Anaelle.

The sausages seemed quite unappealing after having a conversation about Vhornyak's genitals and Aratore tried to find a place to put the food but finally settled on handing it to one of the wait staff. He scanned the room for a bit not just trying to find Trish but to avoid both Another journey with Jorgensen or anymore conversation about Orc dicks.

The band was about to start another song when Vhornyak saw Travis and Anaelle dancing. He tapped Travius on his shoulder.

"May I intrude here? I'd like a moment with your lady please." He asked.

"Aye, of course. We could use a top off on our drinks anyway." Travius then grabbed Anaelles hand and Vhornyak took it and to her surprise started to lead the dance.

"Look at you, Much more skilled than I assumed you be on this dance floor." She stated

"Travius and I used to sneak into places like this when we were younger and pose as nobles children. Great way to find good food and to lift the burden of some people's large coin purses, so we learned a thing or two." He stated as he twirled her around and then back to him.

"Look, I'm sorry about today. I hope I didn't frighten you or make you think Less of me ." He said with a genuine sorrow in his voice.

"You thought you could frighten a ghost that easily, huh?" She responded playfully.

He had an embarrassed look but then gave a small chuckle.

"I didn't actually think that. You're a Breton with old armor and daggers, got me thinking about something. When I was a child our stronghold only had three books. All of them were a series for children about a princess from High Rock who stopped the Daedra…."

Anaelle grinned and interrupted him. "A princess spirit from High Rock who closed the Oblivion gates with the help of her loyal knight. 'The Lost Princess of Wayrest Chronicles' they were called."

His eyes grew wide. "YEAH! That's exactly it! You know those books?!" He asked with a loud excitement.

"Oh, I know them very well, I've read every single one. Those books are an old fairy tale from Highrock that is built from some truth. When the oblivion crisis hit High Rock the first gate was right outside the city gates. The King and Queen were murdered in the Chaos and the oldest princess and her Knight Guard never made it to the safe house.

After losing her parents and oldest sister in one night, the youngest of the three Princesses was having a hard time with grieving at such a young age. Her oldest brother, who had become king, told her that the Daedra took her oldest sister but she came back as a powerful spirit and helped close the gates.

Over a few years he would tell her wild stories about how these two spirits protected High Rock from evil. Well, these stories got passed down to her children and continued until her great great grand daughter became a writer and made a series of children's books based off the family fables. Those books are as old as The Great War." She told him as they continued to dance to the upbeat song.

"They were partially true. The lost Princess of Wayrest is still around to this day. She's just not a vengeful protective spirit. She's a vampire." She said as the song stopped and she looked up at him and saw him with a big smile.

He then grabbed her and gave her a big hug and even lifted her off her feet, "I know a cat who owes me fifty septims." He said as he happily went to find J' Zargo.

She decided she had enough on the dance

floor for a bit and found Travius who was now talking with Aratore and Jarl Balgruuf. Aratore was obviously distracted and Anaelle saw he was staring at Trish. She could hear their conversation as she walked up.

"What do you expect to happen just by staring at her?" She heard Jarl Balgruuf ask him.

"You can't dance from across the hall, boy." He said and kneeled down and pulled on Aratores collar to straighten it out.

"I don't…..I don't know how to…ask I guess." Aratore responded sheepishly.

"Don't know how to ask a question? You're overthinking it boy, she's been stealing gazes with you all night anyhow. Walk over to her with that same confidence Jorgensen said you had in that archery range and simply ask her for a dance. It's much easier than you think it is." Balgruuf said to him as he continued to inspect and straighten the boys outfit.

"How about a little jewelry to help."

Travius said as he kneeled down to Aratore next to Balgruuf.

"I was going to give you this in Winterhold and it was made for your armor but now seems like a good time." He reached into his satchel and pulled out a small metal pendant.

The pendant was roughly 6 inches around and had metal bar with a flame on one side and a hammer on the other side. The same design that Travius signed a letter with earlier.

"I had the blacksmith make this for you. This way everyone knows you're with us, that you're our steward, and no steward of mine is going to be afraid to talk to a girl….even the Dragonborn's niece." He said as he placed the pendant on his left breast.

Aratore admired the pendant and then took a big breath. He then pulled his shoulders back to stand as straight as he could and held his head in the air as he walked across the dance floor towards Trish. Balgruff, Travius and Anaelle all watched him intently as he made his way.

He was now finally in front of Trish, who was smiling very widely herself as she knew what was finally going to happen. Aratore wasnt sure what to say and just stood there not knowing what to say. He thought about it and took from the only influence he knew. He dropped to his knees and grabbed her hand and gave it a small kiss.

Balgruuf and Travius both quickly turned around to keep Aratore from seeing them laughing.

"Did he learn that from you?" Travius asked Balgruuf

"Most certainly not" Balgruuf responded as they both continued to laugh.

"Both of you two stop. I think it's sweet." Anaelle said to them

"Could I trouble you for a dance my Lady?" Aratore asked her.

Trish was now blushing and giggling. "I would be honored, sir"

He got off his knees and led her by her hand to the dance floor. He intently watched others around him hoping to get a clue of what to do as he would rather Trish not realize he had never danced before.

They finally found an open spot and he instinctively put his hands on her hips as he saw others do and she put her arms around his neck.

"It's a slow song. I think we just sway, but I'm not sure" she said to him.

This gave him a sense of relief to know she didn't know what to do either. They both swayed for a little bit until they finally found a sync with eachother. They both blushed a little until she finally spoke.

"I love your new pendant. I helped them design that a few years ago actually. They are great fighters, not much of in the way of artists though". She said to him.

"I wouldn't say that, Vhornyak was able to sing 'The Dragonnborn Comes' using nothing but his own gas the night I met him so they have some some artistic ability I suppose." He said

Trish laughed. "It was the 'Age of Agression' when I was a child so atleast he's got variety."

"Soon enough Winterhold wont even need a Bard. Just give Vhornyak enough sausage." They both laughed and then she looked at him and smiled.

"I was quite impressed with your display yesterday. My uncle does that with all his Acolyte Archers you know? You're the only one who's ever been able to hit your target through his shouts. I understand how you got that pendant." Just as she said that Aratore noticed Jorgensen staring intently at him with his arms crossed. Aratore made a noticeable loud gulp.

"Don't be afraid of him. He's just being extra protective because I'm leaving for the college tomorrow. He likes you, he's just doing what an uncle does."

"I guess I'll have to keep an eye on you for him, he's got right to worry, you'll be the prettiest girl in Winterhold afterall." He said to her and she blushed and giggled again.

The song ended and neither knew what to do.

"How about you go find us something to drink and I'll be waiting for you where you found me. That'll keep my uncle from being able to drag you around again." She then leaned in and gave him a kiss on his cheek.

Aratore froze with the same mouth agape and eyes wide look he had when he found out about Anaelle this morning. Trish walked away to her seat but Aratore just remained there frozen.

J'Zargo saw the interaction and rolled his eyes,

"He's doing it again" he said to himself and walked over to Aratore and snapped his fingers in front of his face.

"J' Zargo believes the lady asked for drinks boy"

Aratore snapped out of it and rubbed the cheek she just kissed.

"I'm never washing my face again" he said

J' Zargo laughed. "J' Zargo does not recommend that if you want her to do that again." He said as he rubbed Aratore's shoulders .

Aratore headed to the closest waitstaff and collected his drinks and went to find Trish.

……………………………………………………………….

Travius and Anaelle had made their way back to the dance floor and the same song from their first dance in Winterhold began to play.

"What a coincidence!" Anaelle said excitedly.

"It was certainly not" Travius thought himself.

They danced through the first verse staring into each others eyes the whole time.

"Turn around and close your eyes" he said to her and she looked a bit confused but did as she was asked. She felt Travius gently pull her hair to one side and she realized what was happening and her heart began to pump faster and faster.

She felt a cold metal touch her neck and follow down to her chest and heard the click of the necklace latching. She reached and felt the jewel on the end of the necklace as Travius told her to turn back around and open her eyes.

She looked down at the jewel and saw an Amulet of Mara.

"Would you follow me through this life? Through the trials and the adventure that comes with our time here. Be my love for as long as we both breathe?" He asked her.

She excitedly hugged him around his neck

"Yes! Yes! Of course I will!"

They then embraced in long passionate kiss.

Everyone surrounding them noticed what had happened and began to cheer and applaud, which drew the attention of everyone and soon everyone in Dragonsreach began cheering and applauding even if they didn't know why.

The two lovers paid no mind as they continued to embrace eachother in celebration of the future to come. That was of course until

Vhornyak ran in and hugged both of them with his huge arms and lifted them both off the ground and himself gave one large yell that drowned out the rest.