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Meme Announcements!

ANNOUNCEMENTS: UPDATED 12/16/2017

Happy Holidays, fellow Kinkmemers! I have returned and have no reasonable excuse for my absence except LIFE. I will be working on updating the archives. If anyone sees anything amiss, please let me know.

I am also hoping to find another Mod and an Archivist.

The more dedicated people we have in this Meme the less chance of it dying. I admit that being the sole keeper of the Meme is not great for the fandom. If something were to happen to me, for good, this place would go the way of the Fallout Kink Meme. Let's not let that happen! If anyone would be interested in Modding/Archiving, please drop me a line. Thanks! <3

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This one doesn't know the series, but loves this fill~ So sweet... Thank you!

Passing!Anon agrees that Ulfric would probably be amazing with kids. Despite the fact that he is enormous and can Shout and probably kill her with just his pinky, Anon can never think of him as more than a cuddly teddy bear at heart.

Great fill! Thank you~

Vilkas pulled out a few good items from the chest. He only pulled his attention away from the new found loot when he heard the loud bang of heavy stone slabs slamming to the ground.

“Ariella, I hope you’re ready for a good fight.” Vilkas said dropping everything and readying his sword. There was no response so he risked a look over to where he had last seen her.

He felt sick when saw a mess of black hair on the ground.

Before he could go to her a drauger was already on him. It swung its sword, which bounced off Vilkas’ armour. Vilkas fought quickly and deadly in a effort to have enough time to go to Ariella. He kept glancing over in her direction wondering what had happened.

He hadn’t seen any drauger around her and her weapons weren’t drawn. If she had been hit she would have made some kind of noise, even the smallest noise Vilkas would have picked up on.

Three drauger fell to Vilkas’ blade and before the fourth could come closer Vilkas wanted to get over to Ariella. When he glanced over to where she was laying he saw a drauger, battle axe raised in the air about to swing down on her.

Vilkas saw red and lunged towards the undead.

The change had never happened so quickly or painlessly yet the wolf wasted no time. His goal was clear; save his mate. His long claws ripped effortlessly through the old corpse. The beast threw the body aside but before he could assess his mate he could sense the drauger behind him.

He stood over the small frame of the girl as he faced the oncoming dead. He lowered himself and growled as if daring the drauger to try to touch his mate.

The drauger tried to attack yet the beast was quicker, much quicker and much more fierce. Claws ripped effortlessly through the bodies and the aged armour they wore. None of them got close to his mate, they didn’t have the chance.

Each drauger fell and just as he began to think that they were all gone he heard one last stone tablet hit the floor.

The beast turned and watched as a deathlord lifted himself from his resting place. The beast growled and prepared to pounce.

The deathlord took in the sight of the beast and readied himself. Before the deathlord had the change to attack the beast had leapt.

Claws clung to the ancient armour, armour that was still too strong to rip through. The Deathlord was flailing trying to get the great beast off him. Yet the beast moved quickly, a clawed hand coming up to the draugers head. It tugged down exposing the neck where the beast’s teeth tore through.

The drauger quickly stilled and the beast was sure there were no more threats.

The beast knew it was dangerous in here, too dangerous and his mate shouldn’t be here. Not in her condition anyway.

The beast collected the man’s items from the room though not out of courtesy for the man. The beast knew his mate might question it if she woke up and the man had no clothes.

The beast then scooped up this mate and made his way to the exit. The beast was more clumsy on two legs without his arms for balance but he managed.

He got his mate out of the tomb and into the fresh air. The sun was setting and he knew his mate would need to rest.

He could also feel the man fighting for control again. The beast moved quickly to find a suitable place for shelter. He found one soon enough and laid his mate gently on the ground.

He sniffed her all over trying to see if there was any blood yet she seemed unharmed. He savoured her scent wishing the man would claim her before another did.

He could sense his mate was cold and laid beside her. While he was laying there the man took control again.

I always find myself coming back to read this fill.
It's amazing.

<3!

Thank you for telling me! It makes me happy to hear that people like my work.

oh! and now! ? please do not make us wait!

Indeed. A hot-tempered, combat-loving, bitter and disillusioned teddy bear with an axe to grind, but a teddy bear nonetheless.

There was a Skyrim confession recently about how Ulfric looks like he would give amazing hugs, and this anon was unduly amused by the fact that even people who can't stand the guy were like "...yeah, he kind of does." Must be the fur coat. :)

*peeks out shyly from behind couch* I loved it! You have another fan! *hides again*

Okay, so life seriously got in the way of this update, I'm so sorry! I've been applying for jobs and then the UK got its first batch of sunshine in like 5 years so it was all very exciting for a while and writing fell out of the window for a bit!

That said, I found this quite difficult to write an ending for so it stops a bit abruptly, sorry about that! On the plus side, I should be able to do more mini fills and longer updates more regularly now

_____

Daughter of the Reach: The Palace on Top of Cloud

“You bespelled me.” He snarled, stomping down the rain softened path ahead of her as the sun began to rise.

He could see the stables up ahead, and his ruinous journey would almost be over. Inside the beast rollicked in anger, furious at how easily it had been tamed by her. Now it desperately clawed at Vilkas’ control, yearning to tear her apart.

“Pfft.” Her utter lack of concern made his blood boil and he faltered in his step, trying not to turn around and attack her. “You act like I had nothing to fear from a wounded werewolf twice the size of me.”

“I am a man.” He gritted out of clenched teeth, his finger nails had broken through the skin of his palm. The smell of fresh blood sent a dizzy wave through him and he had to shake himself stop the blood lust. The sooner he got back to Jorrvaskr the better.

“All the more reason to fear you.” He could hear her speed up to match his pace, and as despite her nonchalant tone he could hear her heart begin to race as they passed the stables, a spike adrenaline coming from her as Jervar came into view.

“You are afraid of men?” He ventured, his temper subsiding enough to let him glance at his little follower.

“Hah!” She said a little too loudly as her cheeks burned pink. “Ridiculous, they must have done something to your head when you were their prisoner.”

“Hm.” He continued to study her, watching as she grew more uncomfortable under his gaze until she pushed him off balance.

“Stop looking at me like that.”

“I can smell when you are lying.”

“I’m not lying!” She protested, once again louder than she meant to as the guard’s turned their heads to look at them. Cheeks brighter, Niamh lowered her voice to a whisper. “You are saying such stupid things.”

He said nothing, but took pleasure in watching as she moved closer towards him, suddenly all the more cautious as they walked through the first gate.

“What do you need from Whiterun?” He asked, “It’s clear you’re not here by choice.”

“I made a promise.” She shrugged, remaining close as they passed their way through the gates, the guards nodded in Vilkas direction and Niamh didn’t hide a shiver as they walked through. “I regret it now.”

“You’re here.” He said, stopping just outside of Aridane’s smithy as the gates closed behind them. “Now it’s time for me to leave.”

“What?” She stiffened at his words and looked up at him in barely concealed panic. “You need to take me to your king first.”

“That wasn’t part of our deal” He reminded her, eager to be rid of the strange young woman. “You made a promise to our Jarl?”

“It is not your business Nord.” She scowled, and pushed him again in her temper. “Now you will take me to your king!”

“No.” He didn’t move as she tried to push him again, trying not to show his amusement at her panic. “I need to report back to the Companions, there are things that need to be discussed.”
Things like the Silver Hand, how he had lost the shard that they’d finally managed to track after months.

“You can do that any time! I need you to take me to the palace. I do not know where it is!" She was still trying to shove him, like a fly against a rock. The ridiculousness of it all made his lips twitch, trying to form a smile that he suppressed.

"On top of the hill, just follow the path." He pointed up at Dragonsreach, "you can't miss it."

He saw her hesitate then, could smell the distress from her as her gaze followed where he directed. All the arrogance he'd seen from her on their journey here had gone, replacing the powerful mage before him with a frightened and vulnerable woman.

Gods damnit.

"Look," he said, hating the guilty feeling beginning to rise in his stomach. "I live close to the palace; I'll take you to the steps."

At his words she stopped pushing him and stared at him, eyes slightly narrowed at his sudden change of heart. Vilkas could see her weighing up his words with suspicion, wondering why he’d changed his mind so suddenly before she slowly nodded. "Take me all the way Nord."

"Fine." He said gruffly before starting to walk again. He had been gone for days, his shield siblings could wait a few more hours.
The further into the city they walked, the quieter she became. Vilkas became aware of her closeness when her arm brushed against his, and he found her eyeing the guards warily as they walked past.

"Do you have a bounty?" He asked her, wondering if this was only a ploy to get her past the guards.

"What is a bounty?" She asked, making Vilkas look at her again and almost miss his footing on the steps. She looked like a wild woman, with a strange accent and magic that would have run her out of most towns, but such ignorance surprised him.

"Fines, for crimes you may have committed." He explained, seeing no dawning look of comprehension in her expression as she looked at him blankly.

"No."

"Then they are staring because you're half naked and in the company of a companion." He concluded, making a point not to laugh as she huffed and tugged at the scrap of fabric around her hips.

"Stupid." She muttered.

They had no troubles getting up to the palace itself, and at her forlorn expression when she saw the doors Vilkas silently conceded and followed her through. Inside the fires blazed casting shadows everywhere, making his little companion flinch as they licked the walls.

Irileth noticed them first, removing herself from the hushed conversation by the throne and standing before them, hand resting on the wicked blade attached to her hip.

"Hail, Companion." The housecarl said, ignoring Niamh completely. "What business do you have with the Jarl?"

"I have the business." Niamh said, "News from Helgen."

There was challenge in her tone and the wolf inside did not like it, 'stay with her.' It warned. 'She'll get herself killed.'

"I see." The dark elf cast a cursory glance at her, weighing up the threat the small Breton posed. "Follow me."

What had happened in Helgen? Niamh had been in the opposite direction when she had saved him. Had the war between the Stormcloaks and Imperials finally spilled onto the plains of White run? It had not occurred to Vilkas that whilst he had been in the hands of the Silver Hand, the world would move on without him.
"So, you were at Helgen?” Balgruuf asked them as they reached the throne. “You saw this dragon with your own eyes?”

Vilkas blinked, not expecting what had come from his Jarl’s mouth. Dragons?

“Yes, I had a great view whilst the Imperials were trying to cut off my head.” She crossed her arms then, a strange look upon her face as she remembered the day.

“Really? You’re certainly… forthright about your criminal past.”

“Criminal?” Niamh raised her voice and Vilkas hastily clamped his hand around her mouth before she could speak any more. She shot him a venomous look as he pulled her closer towards him, allowing her to express her annoyance in a safer way than insulting the Jarl.
“Are you insane?” He murmured, trying not to wince as she licked his fingers in defiance. “Stop that!”

Balgruuf had begun to argue with his advisors, oblivious to the exchange between them. Vilkas waited until Niamh had calmed down enough for him to let go of her. He flashed a warning look at her and she rolled her eyes, relaxing her posture, and letting her arms swing loosely as they waited for the Jarl to address them once more.

“Well done.” Balgruuf started, finally turning his attention back to them, “you sought me out, on your own initiative. You’ve done Whiterun a service, and I won’t forget it. Here, take this as a small token of my esteem”

The gift was armour, light and with the Imperial army’s embellishments. Niamh looked at it dumbly as the Jarl had one of his servants place it into her hands.

“She’s thankful.” Vilkas told him when the Jarl looked at her expectantly. “Forgive her my Jarl; she is still traumatised from the Dragon attack.”

Dragons, the word sounded stupid on his tongue.

Balgruuf seemed to take that as an adequate explanation and stood up. “There is something both of you could do for me, something suitable of a Companion’s talents.”

The Jarl led them into a smaller room, filled with maps and the distinct taste of magic in the air that made Vilkas’ nose twitch. Next to him, Niamh had relaxed enough to look around, letting her gaze rest upon the large map to their right.

The task set to them was simple, break into Bleak Falls Barrow and bring back a stone tablet related to the dragons. The Jarl’s mage had sent others previously, though none had returned. Vilkas felt the wolf begin to pace, disliking the implication. Worst still was the utter lack of tone in Farengar’s voice. The wizard sent them to that place expecting their deaths.

Still, Vilkas’ little follower dutifully marked the place on her map, not saying a word whilst Vilkas watched her from the corner of his eye. The mage still spoke, droning on about the importance of his research as Niamh slipped over to the enchanting desk.

“Oh!” Farengar stopped his conversation as he noticed Niamh, the old man smoothing down his robes as he looked at the half naked woman he’d just noticed in his room. “If you have the aptitude for magic, you should join the Mages College in Winterhold.”

“You shouldn’t leave soul gems lying about unattended.” She said, picking one up and tracing its length with a finger. “You don’t know what it might pick up.”

“Well yes, of course, but-“

“Perhaps you should go back yourself.” Niamh put the pink gem back onto the table, giving the older man a pointed look before grabbing her freshly marked map and tucking it away in her pack.

When they left the building, Vilkas took her by the shoulder and forced her to face him. “What do you think you’re doing?” He hissed so the guards would not hear him.

“What?”

“Are you trying to get yourself into the dungeons?”

“No!” Niamh scowled and yanked her arm back from him, rubbing where he’d grabbed her. “That man gave me clothes the Imperials wear! Right after I told him they tried to kill me!”

“You were about to be executed.” Vilkas said. “You told me you had no bounty.”

“I have broken none of your laws! I was out on a walk ; your stupid Imperial soldiers thought I was a Stormcloak , of all the insults!”
“You’re involved in the civil war?”

“No!” She let out a little growl of frustration and stepped away from him, making him grab hold of her again to stop her running off. “Let me go!”

“Not until you tell me what you’ve gotten me into.” He kept his tone low, eying the guards suspiciously as he began to guide them down the narrow steps to the Gildergreen tree.

“Look I told your stupid Jarl about the dragons, that’s all I needed to do!” She was wiggling in his grip, though somewhat half-heartedly.

“You’ve been assigned a quest by the Court Mage, you can’t ignore that. Like it or not you’re not associated with the Companions, and I will not let you drag our name through the mud.”

“I don’t even know what a Companion is!”

“Where have you been hiding all your life?” He asked her in disbelief, letting her go and watching as she scowled and adjusted the fur gauntlets.

“Not here.” She said, rubbing her wrist. “Hags don’t like crowded places.”

Vilkas rolled his eyes.

“Come with me to the Companions, then we’ll go the Bleak Falls Barrow this afternoon.” He told her, motioning to Jorrvaskr that stood upon its hill. The wolf inside whined at the thought of it, hot meals, a hot bath, the chance to see his shield-siblings and Farkas again after so long.

“This afternoon? I’m not waiting around while you lick your wounds or whatever you-“

“Shut up!” He interrupted her hastily, glancing at the guard who was contemplating his navel not too far from them.

“-You Nords do.” Niamh finished, with a smug look on her face. “What? Did you think I would say something else?”

He didn’t give her the satisfaction of responding to her jab. “Jorrvaskr is right there.” He pointed, growing annoyed at the apathy in her expression.

“Then go. I will not force you to follow me.”

“Will you go retrieve the tablet?” He asked, knowing what her response would be.

“Nope.”

Vilkas forced himself to relax before he spoke again. “You’ll keep your promise whether you like it or not.”

“I made no promise!”

It was like speaking to a petulant child. “When a Jarl tells you to do something you do it. You don’t just run off.” He spoke slowly, unable to stop the growl from escaping his throat as she rolled her eyes again.

“Fine, I’ll go with you to get your stupid tablet but you can deliver it yourself.” She turned on her heel and started walking towards the temple. “Let’s go!”

“You’re going the wrong way!” He shouted over, watching her flinch as people turned to look at them again.

___

Finito! Hopefully the next one will come up much faster than this one! Hope you like it

*shyly pops head in* You know, I keep checking in here every few days. I mean, not that I actually care. I mean... ummm.... *goes off to hide*

just another passerby!anon

when a new chapter? oh I feel that I can not wait any longer! :D

OP here, don't worry, I'm workin on it lol~ the second part's just coming along a little slower is all. I haven't abandoned it!

Sorry for the long wait but real life decided to pop up its head. I'll have a chapter up as soon as I can.

I filled a different prompt to the one I thought I did. Never mind. I'll carry on with this soon.

oh when he loses control is really fantastic! we always want more, do not leave without! good job! the story is getting better and better!

Pairings: F!Altmer DB/Madanach, Argis/Elisif, Cicero/Eola
Relationship: het
Kinks/warnings: none this chapter, it's smut-free.
Summary: Madanach's delighted to have his daughter back, but as predicted, Eola's finding her new life harder than she ever thought, prompting Argis to do the brotherly thing and call in Liriel for aid. Eola's problems may have to take a back seat however as Reach politics take a disturbing new turn.

A/N: There I was hoping this would be done in 20 chapters. HAHAHA ohgod. 25 then? Maybe? Definitely no more than 30.

Nearly a month after Eola had left Dawnstar. Liriel had fallen into a routine ever since, living in Solitude, finally being a proper mother to her two girls, reading them stories, playing games, taking them shopping, teaching them magic and many other things besides. At the weekends, she'd leave them with Jordis and visit Dawnstar to listen for contracts, doling them out to Nazir to deal with and follow up. She'd saved her guild and the world, others could do the work now, especially with two new initiates in the Sanctuary that Nazir had recruited from somewhere.

In week three, Argis had visited Solitude, stopping in to see Liriel and promptly having been mobbed by Sissel and Lucia, both excited beyond measure to see their beloved Uncle Argis again. They'd been even more excited to learn he'd be moving to Solitude permanently in a matter of months, although they'd not believed him at first when he told them it was because he was marrying newly-Mooted and newly-crowned Queen Elisif. Then he'd said the king who'd rescued them from the Dark Brotherhood was his father, and now he had his kingdom back, he needed to find a wife for his son and who better than the Queen of Skyrim?

“But if he's king, why isn't he marrying the queen?” Sissel piped up, a bit confused as to why a queen would marry someone who was only a prince.

“Because he's a lot older than Queen Elisif and thought she might prefer someone nearer her own age,” said Argis, grinning. “Also he's busy running the Reach, he can't be here all the time looking after the Queen. I can, so here I am. That and Queen Elisif's really pretty. I wasn't going to say no to that.”

Both girls readily agreed Elisif was indeed really pretty, and wanted to know if they could come to the wedding.

“Of course!” Argis laughed. “Your ma's a very important person, you know, she's one of Elisif's thanes and she saved the world and killed Jarl Ulfric herself. Of course she'll be on the guest list, and that means you two are coming too.”

Both girls looked at their mother hopefully, and squealed when she smiled and nodded.

“Of course you will, and your Uncle Cicero will be coming too, and you will get to wear pretty dresses and go to the wedding ball and meet all sorts of people and eat lots of nice food,” Liriel told them.

“Uncle Cicero's coming?” Lucia gasped, delighted. “Yay! I love Uncle Cicero! He's funny!”

It was true – Cicero had a genuine way with children and had turned on the charm with hers. He'd got on particularly well with Lucia, listening sympathetically to her complaints about Braith and soothing her with tales of horrible things that might happen to Braith and then she'd never pick on poor Lucia again. It had made her laugh, although when Liriel had gone out to the market the next morning and found out Braith's parents had both been brutally killed in the night and no one knew who by, and Braith was being put on the coach to Riften to go to the orphanage as soon as the funerals were done, Liriel could cheerfully have throttled Cicero. Right up until Lucia and Sissel had both pounced on her and whispered she was the best, despite Liriel's protestations it hadn't been her. Cicero had just sat at the dining table, grinning to himself, then patted Lucia when she'd gone to cuddle him.

“Sweet Lucia and Sissel should be able to walk Whiterun's streets without being beaten or robbed,” he'd purred. They'd adored him ever since.

“Uncle Cicero?” Argis said, raising an eyebrow at Liriel, who'd only been able to shrug.

“They like him?” she said apologetically.

“Takes all sorts,” Argis muttered.

“And is King Madanach coming too?” Sissel asked, ever hopeful. “He was nice, I liked him! He could do magic!”

“Of course he'll be there, he's my da, he's got to give me a good send-off, right?” Argis laughed, but his eyes never left Liriel. Liriel could only laugh nervously at the thought of seeing Madanach again. She wanted to, gods she wanted to. It was just awkward, that was all. He'd talked about sending her away to get an heir! And even though she'd sent Eola back to him, she still didn't know if Eola had actually turned up yet, or if Madanach had even accepted her back as his child. She needed to ask Argis, but broaching this topic was going to be delicate with the girls around.

“King Madanach doesn't have a queen, does he?” Sissel asked, frowning. Oh good. Trust her daughters to walk into the one topic she'd been hoping to avoid.

“Not yet,” said Argis, looking nervously at Liriel. “I'm sure he'd like one though. He gets lonely without one.”

Both girls sat up, exchanging grins, and Liriel could feel a headache coming on.

“Mama's not married,” said Sissel, sounding very sly and Liriel could swear she'd picked that grin up off Cicero. “Mama's one of Elisif's Thanes and very important, you said so, Uncle Argis.”

“And Mama's really pretty!” Lucia added. “And she does magic too! King Madanach could marry Mama! He rescued us, he must like her, right?” Both girls turned hopeful eyes on her. It was no secret that both girls had seen other children with both a mother and a father, and wished they could have the same. They'd tried to set her up with any man who'd crossed her path, and even a few women, but ever since Madanach had rescued them, he'd turned into the number one option. She hadn't even told them he'd been her lover, but somehow they'd guessed there was something there. Why else would an important king swoop in with all his soldiers and take on the Dark Brotherhood just to rescue two little girls? Why indeed. Either that or they'd decided he was perfect father material and should therefore marry their mother.

Liriel gave in and decided they could at least know some of it.

“I'm sure he does, and I quite like him too, but the fact is he's in Markarth and I'm here and he's not sent me flowers or poetry or jewellery or anything yet. So if he sends me any of that and asks me to be queen, I'll think about it but not until then. Besides, his little girl Princess Kaie died, and Madanach needs to have another one who's a Reach native like him to be king or queen when he dies. Argis can't be king because he's a Nord and I can only have Altmer children of my own. So he needs to have a queen who's a Reach native.” Amazing how much less it hurt when said as matter-of-factly as that. Both girls looked a bit disappointed... at least until Argis coughed quietly.

“Actually... that's not true now,” he said, starting to smile, and Liriel looked up and realised, realised Eola had done it, she'd gone home and Madanach had taken her back.

“See, Kaie had a younger sister called Eola who ran away years ago and no one knew where she was. Her being away from the war and trouble meant she didn't get killed, and when she heard Madanach was king again, for good this time, she came back to find out more. Then her sister was killed before Eola could get in touch with Da, but after he got back from Windhelm, she found him again. And because she's the last Reachborn child he's got, she's heir to the throne now. He made the announcement a few days ago, just before I left Markarth, and made the entire city guard and his court swear fealty to her as heir, me included. Da doesn't need to marry a Reachwoman now, he can marry whoever he likes. All he needs is for Eola to get married and have a kid or two, and he's sorted. I think he's already started to have a few enquiries come in.”

“She did it,” Liriel whispered, dazed. “She went back to him.”

“Yeah,” Argis laughed, grinning from ear to ear. “She really did. I've got a sister, Liriel!”

He looked like he was about to burst from sheer delight, and Liriel didn't blame him. It was going to be all right, really all right, Madanach was free to love her again.

“We've got an Auntie Eola,” Sissel ventured. “She does magic too. She's a nightblade. I'm not sure what that means though.”

“Means she can creep up on people and kill them without anyone knowing she's there!” Lucia said proudly. “And she can use magic to do it as well as swords, because she used to be in the Forsworn as a kid and they taught her lots of things.”

“Don't be stupid, Lucia, Forsworn don't take children, they're all scary warriors!” Sissel cried, having grown up in Rorikstead with Forsworn outposts mere miles from the village and having been told lots of scary stories about Forsworn stealing children and attacking people.

“Even scary warriors can have children, and Eola's parents were both in the Forsworn,” said Liriel firmly, before a fight broke out. “Children don't fight with the Forsworn, but Forsworn camps often have children living there, and Eola grew up on one.”

“Auntie Eola or Princess Eola?” Lucia asked, frowning.

“They're one and the same,” Liriel told them, watching in amusement at the stunned looks on their faces. “Your Auntie Eola is King Madanach's daughter and now his Crown-Princess.”

Silence and then ecstatic squealing.

“You have to marry him now, you have to!” Sissel cried. “If Auntie Eola and Uncle Argis are his children, that means he's family, so you have to.”

The things that made sense to a small child's mind, really.

“We're related to the Reach-King,” Lucia whispered, amazed. “Wow! Can we visit him, can we? Do you think he'll do more magic tricks for us?”

“Oh, I think I can arrange a trip to Markarth at some point,” said Liriel, sounding far more poised than she felt. “But he's not asked me to marry him, so as I said, until he sends the aforementioned flowers and poetry and romantic gifts and letters telling me he can't live without me, there will be no wedding. But if he does... I'll think about it.”

Cheering from both girls, who both promptly turned to Argis.

“Uncle Argis, Uncle Argis, you'll tell him to send Mama flowers, won't you?” Sissel asked hopefully.

“And the letters, don't forget the letters!” Lucia cried. “And a ring, there's got to be a betrothal ring, everyone knows that.”

“You two are aware that were I to marry the Reach-King, we'd all have to move to Understone Keep in Markarth, aren't you?” Liriel said, amused. “And that as he would not only be your stepfather but the king, you would have to do what he told you and behave yourselves. And that when I was off travelling, he would be looking after you.”

Not a single fade in either smile.

“We'd have a papa!” Lucia cried.

“And he'd be king and everyone would have to be nice to us and no one would bully us ever again, because no one picks on you when your papa's the king,” said Sissel, nodding sagely. Liriel's heart went out to them both. Not the wealth, not the power, just being looked after by a second parent and not being bullied.

“And when Argis marries Queen Elisif, we can come back and visit!” Lucia sighed happily. “Because King Madanach will want to visit his son, and maybe Queen Elisif will have a baby and then she'd have to visit Markarth with it.”

“That's the plan,” Argis grinned, ruffling Lucia's hair. “Elisif needs heirs of her own and she loves kids. She says she wants about seven of them, but I'm thinking two or three is probably enough. We'll see how she feels after she's had the first one.”

More laughter, and Liriel finally felt contented and happy for the first time in weeks. It was going to be all right, it really was. Her girls clearly liked the idea of her getting married, and honestly Liriel was running out of reasons to stay away from Markarth. She'd send Argis on his way with instructions to find out from Madanach if she'd be welcome and if their engagement was still on, then she'd retrieve Cicero from Dawnstar and make her way back there. Eola was heir, Madanach was free to marry her, her daughters were all in favour, everything was going to be fine.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Two months after Eola had left for Markarth, and Liriel was still in Solitude. She'd waited for Argis to go back to Markarth, and then waited to hear from Madanach.

A week after Argis had left, three of the ReachGuard showed up at her door.

“Brenhina,” the lead one said, bowing low. “The Reach-King sends his regards.” He held out a flat wooden box, and Liriel felt her heart skip as she recognised it. Flat, square, dragon with its tail in its mouth – she knew what was in it before she even opened it.

Sure enough, her torc was gleaming up at her, along with a rune-sealed card. She flicked it open and read it.

“Liriel Brenhina,

After all this time, all that's happened, you need an invitation? Very well.

I love, adore and worship you. Come home, Reach-Queen that will be.

– Madanach”

“Mama, what is it?” Sissel had come running up, curious, and she actually gasped to see three of Madanach's soldiers there.

“They're from the Reach! Did King Madanach send flowers and poetry and gifts?” Sissel saw the torc gleaming in Liriel's hands and gasped.

“Lucia!” Sissel cried. “LUCIA! Come quick!”

“What is it?” Lucia called, running down the stairs and across Liriel's front hall.

“Come and see, come and see, King Madanach's sent Mama jewellery!” Sissel cried. “And it's beautiful!”

Lucia ran over and both girls were staring at the torc, mouths open.

“Wow,” Lucia whispered. “It's really shiny!”

“He had it polished up especially for you, Brenhina,” said the lead ReachGuard, eyes still lowered in submission.

“So I see,” Liriel said, feeling light-headed all of a sudden. She had her torc back. Madanach loved her and wanted her. She was going to be getting married. By Sithis, she'd need a wedding dress, jewellery to go with this, everything, and what exactly did a Forsworn wedding involve anyway? She certainly hoped it didn't involve all the guests standing up in turn to share stories of how they knew the happy couple. She could only imagine what Cicero might come up with, and the last thing she wanted was Eola deciding to be truthful about how they'd actually met.

“Tell him I'll see him. I just need a few weeks to put my affairs in order and sort the girls out and order a dress and... oh Sithis, just go back and tell him yes, I'll marry him, expect us in Markarth within the month.”

Actual shrieking from her daughters who both pounced in unison.

“We're getting a papa, we're getting a papa!” Lucia cried.

“Our papa's the Reach-King!” Sissel cried, doing a little dance on the spot, and Liriel could tell that under those head-dresses, the three ReachGuard were all trying not to laugh.

“Also tell him I'm very sorry but it appears my two have adopted him,” Liriel sighed. “I hope he's got a good supply of bedtime stories, he's going to need them.”

“Will do, Brenhina,” the lead ReachGuard said, now definitely grinning. “He raised his four well enough, he'll cope with the two Rhan-Hirilai. We'll see you in Markarth soon?”

“You will,” Liriel promised. The ReachGuard all bowed and took their leave, presumably to tell Madanach their mission had been a success. With the door closed, Liriel sank into a chair, shaking all over while two excited little girls bounced around the room. Sissel was trying the torc on, exclaiming at how heavy it was, while Lucia had picked the card up and was reading it.

“What does Brenhina mean?” Lucia asked, frowning. “Is it your family name, Mama?”

Altmer didn't really have family names as such – their long lives and low fertility rates meant Altmer society had never been founded greatly on blood ties. Liriel had just adopted Dragonborn as her surname after coming to Skyrim, but didn't really use it much. She was just Liriel and that was how she liked it. Except now she wouldn't be, she'd be Liriel Rhan-Brenhina for the next few decades. And her children Rhan-Hirilai from the sound of it – the Aldmeri word for a high-ranking female was hiril, the Reach word could well mean something similar.

“Means queen, sweetie,” Liriel whispered. “I'm going to be Madanach's queen.”

Lucia had read the rest of the note by this time and had seen that for herself.

“He does love you!” Lucia smiled. “I knew it!”

“Of course he loves her!” Sissel piped up, still trying to keep her balance with a heavy torc around her neck. “Mama's the most beautiful lady in the whole wide world!” Both girls turned to look at Liriel, identical soppy looks on their faces as if there was no doubt in either's mind that no one was prettier than their mama, not even Queen Elisif. Liriel held out her arms to them, tears in her eyes.

“Come here, you two,” she sighed, pulling them both in for a family cuddle. “I love you both very much, I hope you know that.”

“Yes Mama.”

“We love you too, Mama!”

Jordis chose that moment to emerge from the kitchen, having heard all the excitement.

“Is everything all right, my Thane? Goodness, where did that come from? Is that solid gold??”

“Close enough,” said Liriel, taking the torc off Sissel and putting it away. “Jordis, are you going to be all right watching these two for me? I've got to get to Dawnstar right away and retrieve Cicero. Then I've got plans to put into action. Jordis, I'm getting married!”

Jordis actually squealed. “My Thane, that's wonderful! Who's the lucky man? Are you living here?”

Liriel shook her head. “No, the girls and I are moving to his house in Markarth, although we'll be back visiting, seeing as his son's marrying a Solitude girl soon.”

“Oh now, that's a shame,” said Jordis, smile fading a little. “I'll miss you all. Who is he? I hope he's worthy of you.”

“It's Madanach the Reach-King!” Sissel exclaimed before Liriel could stop her. “We're going to live in a palace!”

Jordis' mouth dropped open and she stared at Liriel for confirmation.

“It's true,” said Liriel, getting no little enjoyment from her normally unflappable housecarl sinking into a chair in shock. “He insists he's madly in love with me, so I thought I should probably marry the poor man, put him out of his misery.”

“Oh,” Jordis breathed. “You and King Madanach. Oh my. Well, he is a king, I suppose, and rich, and you did fight alongside him at Windhelm and they do say he's handsome in a frightening kind of way, and... you just be sure and tell him king or no king, I'm still your housecarl and if he mistreats you, he'll have me to deal with!”

Bless Jordis, her bravery was undeniable and her loyalty warmed Liriel's heart. Madanach would tear her apart in seconds, of course, but Liriel was fairly certain it would never come to that. Madanach was a ruthless man, but not a pointlessly cruel one and he cared deeply for his family.

“I'm sure he'd never do that,” Liriel told her. “He's seen me fight.”

That did bring a laugh from Jordis, and the conversation moved on to more cheerful topics such as wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses for the girls and sundry other wedding related topics until night fell.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Two months and Liriel was getting ready to go. Beautiful blue and gold Alinorian-style wedding dress produced courtesy of Radiant Raiment, and some earrings to match. All her most important things packed. Cicero retrieved from Dawnstar and his worldly goods, such as they were, got together. Two excited daughters wanting to take everything with them, and having to be constantly reminded that they were going to a palace, anything they really needed would be there. Between the overprotective housecarl, hyperactive children and one hyperactive jester who wasn't helping in the slightest, Liriel was starting to feel a little frazzled. Still, she had it under control, just about.

Right up until a knock came on the door and Jordis opened it to find Argis there, grim look on his face.

“Liriel there?” he asked without preamble. That didn't sound good. Argis was normally charm itself. For him to be that brusque meant something was wrong.

“Argis?” Liriel asked, getting to her feet, watching as Argis shook the rain out of his hair and accepted a towel from Jordis.

“Liriel, thank the gods,” Argis said, striding over once he'd got most of the water off his armour. “Can we talk? In private?”

“Girls. Your room. Now,” said Liriel, nodding at the pair of them to clear out. Both girls pouted at this.

“But I wanna talk to Uncle Argis!” Sissel wailed. Oh good, this was all Liriel needed.

“Not now, Sissel. Later,” Liriel snapped. “Now go. Quickly!”

Jordis helped shepherd the girls away, not needing to be told to make herself scarce, leaving Liriel alone with Argis. She motioned for him to take a seat.

“What's up?” she whispered, only guessing what might have driven him up here. “Is it Madanach? Is he all right?”

“Yes. No. Kind of,” Argis sighed, sinking into a chair and helping himself to a bottle of ale. “It's Eola. She's... she's not well.”

“Not well – what do you mean, not well, she was fine when I saw her last, the woman's ridiculously healthy!” Liriel cried, heart pounding. No, no, Eola couldn't die, she needed to be heir to the Reach so Liriel could marry her father! Eola being seriously ill was not what Liriel wanted to hear! Not to mention Eola being ill and unhappy just seemed wrong.

“Oh she's healthy enough physically – for now,” Argis sighed. “But mentally – Liriel, she's not doing great.”

“What's wrong?” Liriel whispered, although in her heart she guessed the truth. Eola had sacrificed her freedom and as Cicero had predicted, it was slowly killing her.

“I don't know,” Argis sighed, head in his hands. “She won't talk to anyone about it. Not even me, and I thought we were getting on. She seems to trust me more than anyone else there, other than Da. She tells me I get it, and that I'm as much yours as Da's, but I don't know exactly what I'm supposed to be getting. All I know is that my little sister is dying before my eyes and I don't know what to do. Da doesn't know what to do. All Bothela's potions aren't helping. She's off her food and all she does seem to want is red meat, the rarer the better, but it doesn't seem to be enough. I don't know, Liriel. Da's beside himself with worry. So am I, so's everyone but not for the same reason, I don't think. Everyone's looking at her, when she's actually out of her bedroom that is, and they're thinking of Kaie and comparing her to Eola, and wondering how on earth that invalid's going to lead them. I think her best hope might just be getting married quickly and getting grandchildren soon – Da could live another twenty years, one of them could take over if she can't. But I'm not sure who's going to want to marry someone who spends half her life in bed crying and who barely eats. Liriel, I don't know what to do, none of us do, we're running out of options. Please help.”

Oh gods, Eola. It was exactly as Cicero had feared, exactly as Liriel had feared. No space, no privacy, not able to hunt or arrange for anyone to bring her food. Namira's priestess was cut off from her goddess and slowly fading.

“How's Madanach coping?” Liriel asked. It couldn't be easy for him, wouldn't have been anyway but if the strong young woman she'd sent him was falling apart before his eyes, it must be breaking his heart.

“Not well,” Argis said softly. “It was fine at first – beyond fine. I've never seen him so happy, and they were both smiling all the time. He made the proclamation, declared a public holiday, made everyone swear fealty to her as heir. She barely left his side, they were constantly with each other, holding hands, cuddling – it was almost like watching him with a new lover. They'd spend all day with each other, him introducing her to people, going over state records with her, taking her on tours of Markarth, holding court with her at his side. Then in the evenings they'd have dinner together, sitting up late in his room talking and drinking, then he'd see her to her own room and sometimes they'd keep talking there as well. Then he'd kiss her goodnight and leave her to sleep, but I know he'd sometimes slip back and just watch her sleeping, just to make sure she was really there. He didn't like being away from her for long, he hated not knowing where she was. If she wasn't in sight, he'd have guards with her, accompanying her wherever she went. By the end of the second week, she was starting to look, well, tired but I brushed it off, she was probably fine, and came up north to see you and Elisif. Then when I got back...”

“It had all gone wrong,” Liriel whispered. Argis nodded.

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