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>When posting prompts, always remember to add kinks you're both looking for and wanting to avoid in a potential fill.
>When filling, please remember to add your story tags: characters, relationship types, kinks, series and universe (ie: skyrim)
>Our character limit here at LJ is 4300.
>If you have any other questions about posting, visit the HOW TO KINK MEME THREAD, under the Page Summary on your left.
Re: "Something Like Parents" 10/?
Date: 2012-12-15 09:55 pm (UTC)Maybe she would be in the right to find a new place to keep them. She had friends all over the province at this point, people from all sorts of backgrounds who had promised her favors if she needed one. Still, she wasn't entirely sure that they had intended for her to show up with three rapidly growing dragons, asking for a place to keep them and food to keep them satisfied. Probably not.
By the time she entered the Palace of the Kings, her brow hurt with furrowing and the hatchlings were becoming restless. She lowered the crate onto the kitchen floor and moved to the counter, quick to feed the loudly complaining babies. The noise was enough to earn the Jarl's attention from the other room, and he rose from the chair he had occupied.
“Welcome home,” he said from the doorway, watching as Finn tossed heavy slabs of meat to her hatchlings. Finn smiled, a little distracted by her own thoughts, and pushed herself off of the counter.
“I need your help, I think,” she announced, leading him out of the kitchen and closing the door. “My friend told me that dragons grow quickly.”
“You didn't know that?” Ulfric interrupted, raising an eyebrow. “I figured you of all people--”
“I'm not done.” Finn crossed her arms, trying to make herself seem at least a little larger, but deflated in a moment more. “I don't know what to do. I...I never expected anything like this to happen, of course not. But...you and I both know it's not going to be safe for them. Being a dragon around here isn't usually a good sign, hm? I-I...” She took a seat on the floor, her lips drawn tightly together. “I'm scared.” The Jarl slid down the wall to join her, eying her curiously as she continued. “Hunters won't know they're tame. They can fend for themselves, b-but...I've killed dragons before! Someone will be able to bring them down, a-and then...!” Her eyes welled up and she hid her face in her knees, embarrassed to cry yet again in front of her Jarl. “I don't know what to do this time...”
The sudden feeling of his hand on top of her head was strangely soothing, and she looked up from her hands. Ulfric promptly pulled her to his side, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and giving her a gentle squeeze.
“You're a smart woman,” her murmured thoughtfully. “We'll find a way. We can take them back to the Throat of the World, to Paarthurnax...he'll know what to do, if he's there. I've heard enough from the Greybeards over the years to know.” He looked back down at her, surprised to find that the tears had faded and she was now staring at him anxiously. “Don't worry,” he finished, pulling her to her feet again. “I'll help you, as long as you need my help.” Finn remained silent and gazing downwards, but nodded wordlessly.
“Thank you...” she mumbled hoarsely, forcing her eyes back up to the taller man's face. She settled for taking a bold step forward and pushing herself up on her toes to finally claim the kiss she had hoped for. She felt Ulfric's large hands on her hips, pulling her up further to make it easier for himself, and her fingers tightened on his shoulders. Still, she was first to pull away, the need for air too much for her, and slumped against his chest as he lowered her slowly down again.
“I-I...” she panted, her face reddening. “...Right, so. We should probably head out tomorrow, s-so...”
“Of course. I'm going to bed, in that case,” Ulfric replied, allowing himself a smile. “You're more than welcome to join me--”
“Not tonight,” Finn interrupted him brusquely, hurrying past to her own room. “But...thanks.”
Re: "Something Like Parents" 10/?
Date: 2012-12-16 07:00 am (UTC)Please continue. I will camp till completion!
Re: "Something Like Parents" 10/?
Date: 2012-12-17 11:12 am (UTC)Re: "Something Like Parents" 10/? (A MESSAGE FROM THE A!ANON)
Date: 2013-03-15 01:44 am (UTC)Re: "Something Like Parents" 10/? (A MESSAGE FROM THE A!ANON)
Date: 2013-03-15 10:01 am (UTC)I love this story and am always looking forward to more.
no subject
Date: 2013-03-18 01:19 am (UTC)Re: "Something Like Parents" 11/?
Date: 2013-03-22 09:28 pm (UTC)“Are you holding up back there?!” she shouted over the wind.
“I thought you knew the Thu'um to help with this, Finn!” Ulfric retorted back.
“Clear Skies isn't perfect, Ulfric! Even if I keep using it, the wind's going to pick up again the higher we go!” As if to prove it, she turned away and planted her feet into the ground. “Lok...vah koor!” The wind died down just enough for the Jarl to catch up with her and pull her close.
“We're going to freeze to death if we keep splitting up,” he remarked. The Breton allowed him his hint of affection, but looked up at him irritably.
“Then move faster.” She gestured at the clouds that hid the peak from view. “We're almost to the top, I think. We've certainly been walking long enough for it.” She paused, noticing Gaafyahzin poking his head out from under Ulfric's cloak, and softened. “Gaafyahzin, dreh hiu faas od?”
“Bormahu faad,” the hatchling retorted. Finn chuckled lightly.
“Geh. Vahzah.” She turned back to the worn path, gesturing at Ulfric to follow. “The least we can do is get up there before the sun goes down. It's not going to get any warmer.” She squirmed out from under the Nord's heavy arm and began forward again, just in time for the wind to bare its teeth again. Ulfric darted after her, his hands keeping both hatchlings firmly in place as the ascent grew rougher on them.
The bitter cold of the mountain's peak was almost a relief compared to the blizzards below. Ulfric, for one, was damn glad to see the sun again. In the meantime, Finn had taken a seat on a boulder and pried Sulpaazov off her shoulder.
“You're getting too heavy to do that, brii,” she cooed, rubbing her hatchling's scaly head. She looked up again just as the Jarl sat beside her. “Good to see you in one piece.”
“More or less,” Ulfric retorted, leaning back and letting Inkahlok dart from his shoulder to his mother's. “How do you want to do this?”
“I'd appreciate if you let me do the talking,” the Breton admitted with a nervous smile. “I'm not sure how Paarthurnax is going to feel about my bringing you up here.” Ulfric nodded in agreement, a twinge of shame resounding in him. He would have known Paarthurnax himself, if he had stayed...
“Bormah,” Gaafyahzin said quietly from under his arm. As he watched the hatchling clamber out to join his siblings, the Nord relaxed slightly. Disapproval or not, the elder dragon likely would not attack unless he did something to provoke him, and in either case...Finn was there to protect him. Now the shame returned as he realized he was relying on a girl at least a foot shorter than him for protection in the first place. Damn it all.
His thoughts were interrupted again, this time by the unmistakable roar of the dragon in question. Finn rose to her feet, murmuring for her hatchlings to wait with Ulfric, and stepped forward.
“Paarthurnax!” she called, bracing herself against the winds of the dragon's wings. He landed on his usual perch, sending flurries of snow around the Breton with the force of his descent.
“Drem yol lok, Dovahkiin. It is rare that you make the journey this far up my mountain,” he greeted her. Finn smiled a little nervously, taking a seat by the engraved wall.
“I'm afraid I need your help again,” she admitted. When the elder dragon simply eyed her, she cleared her throat and turned. “Inkahlok. Sulpaazov, Gaafyahzin. Het!” The hatchlings darted over to her side, trying to fly but only crashing into each other in their hurry.
“Hmm? Kirre? Interesting, Dovahkiin...conventional human motherhood never seemed to be a priority for you.” Paarthurnax chuckled, earning a curious look from the younger dragons. “Tell me, monahsedovahhe, how did this come to be?”
"Something Like Parents" 12/?
Date: 2013-04-03 12:31 am (UTC)“Ulfric Stormcloak,” Paarthurnax rumbled from his perch. The Nord snapped back to attention, tense under five different gazes. “Come, join us.” He obeyed quickly, humbled enough just by the size of the dragon. “Ah...so the junsekeizaal reaches me at long last. Arngeir spoke of you fondly, and often. He had always imagined that you would replace him when the time came.”
“I know,” Ulfric replied, standing tall at Finn's side. “I used to think the same.” Paarthurnax made a noise deep in his throat, and the Jarl stepped back, unsure if he was laughing or growling.
“Hmm. Our Dovahkiin tells me you have helped her immensely, raising these hatchlings.” Finn nodded wordlessly, and Ulfric took a seat at her side.
“I've tried to,” he agreed. “I...imagine it would be a lot for her to take on alone. Too much, even for someone as—for her.”
“You do not need to prove yourself to me, kodaav,” Paarthurnax assured him. Ulfric raised an eyebrow at the nickname, but remained silent. “Human eyes are easy to read. I see your loyalty to the Dovahkiin, and I trust her judgment regarding you. However, this means that the difficult choices become your burden as well as hers.” Finn glanced between the two anxiously, hugging Inkahlok closer to her chest.
“I don't understand,” she said, unconvincingly. The elder dragon shook his head slowly.
“Dovahkiin...” he began, the caution in his voice only adding to the Breton's fears. “You understand well enough what the bronne feel towards my kind. You keep the presence of your hatchlings secret because you know revealing them would strike fear into their hearts. They will only grow more quickly from here on out. In Skyrim, a fully grown dragon is never safe. Self-defense is easy, but they will live out their adult lives fighting or fleeing if they stay.” Finn kept her eyes down through his speech, and stroked Inkahlok's head wordlessly. “That is not the case everywhere,” Paarthurnax continued. “I have the ability to ensure their safety and comfort should they leave this place. Black Marsh, the land of the Argonians, and Valenwood, the land of the Bosmer...I can see to it that both provinces would welcome your dovahhe, provided they do not ransack villages and make meals out of citizens.”
“You can see to that?” Ulfric asked, an eyebrow raised.
“I have powerful allies among both provinces,” Paarthurnax assured him. “It will not be easy, but it will be possible. You have my word on that.” Sulpaazov climbed into her father's lap and studied the scene, even as the Nord pulled her close. Gaafyahzin remained silent, seated between his parents and watching Paarthurnax as he addressed Finn again. “What do you think, Dovahkiin?” Finn forced her eyes upward, hoping the dragon couldn't see the beginning of tears in them.
“Nustu zu kirre, zu laas,” she finally murmured, her voice choked. From her spot in Ulfric's lap, Sulpaazov lifted her head and sniffed the air. Paarthurnax nodded wordlessly.
“And parting with them will not change that. You parted from your own monah when you came of age, did you not? And yet the love between you two still exists. It will not be different with these three.” Finn nodded in agreement, returning her gaze to the dragon in her lap. “This will not be immediate, Dovahkiin. Your kirre are not yet old enough to make such a journey. You can be their mother for a while longer.” Another nod, and this time, the Breton rose to her feet. Inkahlok flapped his wings sharply and sank his claws into her arm to hold on, and she winced.
“You're right,” she said reluctantly, gesturing for her other hatchlings to join her. With all three using her for a perch, Ulfric couldn't help but notice how large they really were getting. “I...I'll prepare them. Thank you.”
Re: "Something Like Parents" 12/?
Date: 2013-04-04 01:28 am (UTC)I do love this story!
Dumb bonehead Nords, why can't they just embrace the tame Dragons?
Can't wait for more
"Something Like Parents" 13/?
Date: 2013-04-06 12:45 am (UTC)“Monah lost krosis,” Inkahlok murmured, resting his head atop Ulfric's. The Nord nodded wordlessly, reaching up to stroke his wings. When the hatchling lapsed back into silence, however, he couldn't help but wish that he'd speak again. The quiet was starting to be too much to bear.
“Finn,” he finally called, hurrying forward to walk at her side. The Breton looked stubbornly down, her hair falling out of its ponytail and into her face. “What are you thinking?”
“I don't know,” she admitted quietly, only to shake her head. “That's not true. I know what I have to do, but I don't know how I'm going to handle it.” She stopped abruptly by one of the emblems and took a seat, ignoring the cold. “Ulfric...I'm their mother. They should be able to count on me to stop them from being hurt. If I can't even do that...”
“It's not the same situation, Finn,” Ulfric interrupted her. “You're the mother of dragons. That isn't quite the same as having Breton children to care for.” He moved to wrap an arm around her, only to rethink it and settle for laying a hand on her shoulder. “Paarthurnax spoke truly. You won't stop being their mother the day they fly out of Skyrim. They're bound to remember who you are to them.” Finn's eyes were welling up by the time he finished talking, and she gritted her teeth, trying to stop the tears from falling.
“I didn't imagine it would come to this,” she whispered. “When I took them in...I never thought I'd actually care.”
Me neither, Ulfric thought, unconsciously reaching for Inkahlok again. Now he did embrace her, and she pulled her knees up to her chest. The only noise for a few minutes was Finn's weak sobbing and Inkahlok's worried mumbling. Neither parent expected the silence to be broken by Sulpaazov.
“Monah,” she began quietly, nudging the Breton's knee. “W-why...why do you cry?” The words came out clumsy and awkward, but the sound of Common from one of her hatchlings was enough to shock Finn out of her sadness.
“Sulpaazov...?” she murmured, scooping up the hatchling. On her shoulder, Gaafyahzin tilted his head as well, confused by the strange language his sister was emitting.
“Tinvaak se muz,” he complained. Finn turned to Ulfric, amazed, and nodded.
“Tinvaak se muz...” she agreed.
Upon their return to the Palace of the Kings, Finn had retreated to the hatchlings' makeshift bedroom. Ulfric found her laying on the rough blankets, surrounded by her dragons and recalling an adventure for them.
“Your bormah, your father...I met him in the tower, once I had gotten away from the Lein-Naak, the World-Eater,” she said cheerfully. “His voice had the same suleyk, even then. I didn't know who he was, but I assumed he was some bron mul, as most of them are...do you understand so far?” The hatchlings chattered in both Common and the Dragon language now, excited at their mother's dramatic escape from both her captors and Alduin. Ulfric stayed in the doorway for a moment, tempted to join them. He doubted Finn would tell them about how she had jumped through the roof of an inn, acting as though the fire she had to pass through didn't even exist. She had the same suleyk, he thought with a hint of affection.
Still, he left her to tell the story, and returned up the stairs. Truth be told, it made him just a bit nervous. He still didn't want to think of that girl and those dragons as his own.
Re: "Something Like Parents" 13/?
Date: 2013-04-09 09:08 pm (UTC)I LOVE this so much! I love all the sweetness and the angst and the love blossoming. It's just so good! Thank you for continuing it and please post more!
"Something Like Parents" 14/?
Date: 2013-05-12 02:59 am (UTC)“I'm taking them out to the field again,” she announced when she had approached the throne. Her face was flushed with the effort of carrying the heavy box, but she grinned all the same. “Would you like to come with me?”
“You know I'm meant to stay here,” Ulfric reminded her. The Breton smirked now, glancing around the room with feigned confusion.
“And do what? The only person I've seen here all day is Sifnar.” At the sound of his name, the cook looked up from where he was setting the long table, and grinned bemusedly at Finn. Ulfric rose from his throne, shaking his head with a light smile.
“You're out to get me in trouble, aren't you?” he asked, following her towards the doors. Finn beamed.
“Only on good days.”
A light snow was falling over the field as usual, but the dragons seemed thrilled to be outdoors again. Inkahlok was out of the crate almost immediately, stretching his wings and burying his nose in a small snowdrift.
“Cold,” he mumbled, proud of his favorite Common word. Finn nodded, packing a snowball and showing it to him.
“Dahmaan?” she asked, only for her hatchling to hiss in what Ulfric assumed was delight. The mother tossed the snowball in the air, and Inkahlok leaped forward, mouth open.
“Iiz!”
The snowball landed on the ground again as a solid hunk of ice, and Inkahlok eyed it proudly. Finn turned back to the Jarl, her cheeks reddened by the cold.
“Watch this,” she announced, clasping her hands together. “Bo!” Sulpaazov responded immediately, spreading her wings and taking off across the field. Inkahlok took a bit longer, flapping his wings wildly before he was comfortable enough to follow his sister. Only Gaafyahzin remained, watching the two dragons fly farther away. Ulfric crouched at his side, curious.
“Lost faas, Gaafyahzin?” he asked.
“Niid!” the hatchling replied. “Nis bo. Ni mul.” The Nord scooped him into his arms, holding him above the ground.
“Folaas. Kulsezu los krilot,” he assured him, before pausing. “You are brave, Gaafyahzin.” The dragon tilted his head at him, before cautiously loosening his wings and scrambling from his father's arms. He dropped at first, his wings straining as they beat against his sides. Finn turned to watch, her eyes widening as the little dragon finally took flight, hurrying to join his siblings where they circled each other in the air.
“Wow...” she said softly, entranced by the sight of the hatchlings in the sky. It almost looked like a dance, the way they would dive and regain themselves long enough. Occasionally they would shoot a burst of fire or frost at each other, a playful warning not to get in the other's way. But the fact that they could keep airborne now, for more than just a few minutes, was success enough for her.
They're growing up, she thought, smiling sadly as she watched. This meant they were a step closer to being able to make the journey with Paarthurnax, but it also meant that they were getting stronger. It was a bittersweet feeling.
Ulfric approached her cautiously, noting the slight mist in her eyes. The shorter girl looked up at him, her smile broadening, and snuggled against his side in a surprising burst of affection. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and they watched in comfortable silence until the hatchlings grew tired and returned.
“Home now, monah,” Gaafyahzin declared, resting his head on Finn's snowy feet. The Breton laughed, crouching to stroke the dragon's head.
“Geh. Time to get some sleep, hm?” she asked, going to retrieve the crate. Inkahlok snorted his disapproval at being boxed again, but followed his siblings nonetheless. Ulfric followed as well, this time picking up the crate himself when the dragons were safely inside. Finn raised an eyebrow at him, but didn't complain as they started back across the now-dark field.
“Well. Aren't you the gentleman,” she simply teased.
"Something Like Parents" 15/?
Date: 2013-05-13 01:59 am (UTC)He couldn't get the images out of his head, now. Gaafyahzin finally taking flight, the three hatchlings darting around each other in mid-air, Finn watching with all the pride of a young mother...she had truly grown into her role, that much was certain. He wasn't sure what that meant for him, but he couldn't help but be proud of her, in turn. This impromptu motherhood had shaped her well.
He couldn't help but wonder what she thought of him, as the impromptu father. Something had stopped him from investing in the name the way she had. Fear of the constantly growing affection he was harboring for the dragons, or the lack of preparation that had come with suddenly taking them on. At least with his own children, he would have been able to plan it, in a way. He shook his head at the thought, and let his head rest in the pillows.
Your hatchlings are enough without you worrying about human children, he chided himself. As he sat up again to finally blow out the candles, the door to his bedroom opened, and he bit back a complaint. Any protest died on his tongue when he realized who his visitor was, however.
“Finn,” he greeted her, propping himself up on his elbows. The Breton's armor was gone now, replaced by a simple dress. She padded across the room, eying him cheerfully.
“I never thanked you for coming out with me today,” she began, taking a seat beside him on the bed.
“You never needed to,” Ulfric replied. “Thanking somebody for fulfilling their obligations is training them to be lazy.” Finn raised an eyebrow at him.
“Obligations?” she echoed, surprised. “I...hadn't figured you thought of it that way.” Ulfric noticed her hand resting just within his reach, and placed his over it on the bed.
“Of course. I mean...” He paused, gritting his teeth at the absurdity of what he was going to say. “They...they call me 'bormah.'” Finn laughed loudly and nodded.
“Yes, they definitely do.” She paused, looking at where their hands met, then abruptly stood again. Before the Jarl could react, she had pulled the blankets back and clambered under them, joining him in the bed yet again. “And you said at first that you're nobody's bormah.”
“I wasn't,” Ulfric said simply, leaning over to blow out the candle. “Are you sleeping here, then?” Finn eyed him fondly, following suit with the candle at her side.
“I figure you owe me. I haven't forgotten falling asleep with the hatchlings and waking up in here,” she remarked. The Nord glared at her, the memory returning just as vividly.
“I was trying to make sure you were comfortable!” he retorted. “You make it sound so--” Finn rolled over abruptly, silencing him with a kiss. “Mm...” He felt her push forward, her small breasts pressed against him as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. He pulled her up on top of him now, grabbing at her hips and intensifying the kiss until she pulled back, gasping.
“G-gods...” she whispered breathlessly. “Please, no more. Not tonight.” She smiled weakly, hugging him tightly. “I have things to do tomorrow. I'd prefer...not to be sore.” Ulfric chuckled, lowering her back onto the mattress beside him and stroking your hair.
“You give me credit, Finn, if you think you'd be sore,” he teased her. Finn blushed and pouted up at him.
“I-I mean...you're...” she began, gesturing at him wordlessly before rolling back onto her back. “Goodnight, Ulfric.” Even with her reddened face, he could see the same smile in her eyes. He leaned over and kissed her once more, lingering on her lips before laying back down with an arm around her waist.
“Goodnight.”
Re: "Something Like Parents" 15/?
Date: 2013-05-13 11:22 am (UTC)I do adore this fic but I'm already sad over the impending separation. Still, it's nice to see Ulfric's softer side.
Re: "Something Like Parents" 15/?
Date: 2013-05-13 01:10 pm (UTC)I am following your story now, it's too awesome so I need to leave a comment(lurker)
Another note from the A!anon!
Date: 2013-05-18 01:05 am (UTC)At this point, I have the rest of the fic pretty much planned out. There's still plenty more for Finn, Ulfric, and their hatchlings to do before I'm done, so don't worry about that.
But I wanted to take the time to say thank you. All of you have left such nice little comments on my fill, and knowing that people are liking what I'm doing is motivation to fight against bouts of writer's block and keep on updating. So, thank you! Enjoy the rest of the fic!
Love,
A!Anon.
"Something Like Parents" 16/?
Date: 2013-05-18 01:47 am (UTC)His eyes shot open and he found himself staring directly into Sulpaazov's eyes. He sat up, catching the not-so-little dragon as she slid down into his lap.
“How did you get here?” he asked, openly confused. At his side, Finn groaned quietly, her brow furrowing as the movements woke her up as well. Now Sulpaazov clambered out of the Jarl's arms.
“Monah! Good morning! Drem yol lok,” she said cheerfully. Finn looked sleepily down at the hatchling, not comprehending at first what she was even doing here. Suddenly, her eyes widened, and she looked up at Ulfric.
“H-how'd she get in here?” she asked. Sulpaazov answered for him.
“Door, monah! The door to our...our...praan?” she said tentatively, unsure of the words.
“Your room?” Finn asked. “The one with your bed, and your zeymahhe?”
“Geh, monah. Inkahlok bex.” Now Finn practically flung herself out of the bed, already running for the door even as she called over her shoulder.
“They got out!”
With Sulpaazov back in the room, the two parents were quick to head to the kitchens. Knowing the ravenous hatchlings, they both figured that wherever food was, they wouldn't be far from. Sure enough, they found Gaafyahzin seated on the table, gnawing on what was left of a roasted goat leg.
“Have you seen Inkahlok? Zu yah zeymah,” Finn asked hurriedly, sweeping the dragon into her arms and starting back towards his room.
“Inkahlok? Hon lah, monah. He went up,” he answered. With that, he took flight, gliding into the room to join his sister, and Finn locked the door tightly behind them.
“How could I have forgotten to lock the door?” she lamented. “Gods, but I'm stupid.” Ulfric was quick to turn her back.
“You aren't, and Inkahlok is still upstairs,” he reminded her. With that, Finn nodded sharply. Self-pity could wait, she reminded herself as they headed off again.
Gaafyahzin's clue had pointed them towards the most magicka-laden room in the Palace. Ulfric peered into Wuunferth's room to find the wizard still sleeping, and heaved a sigh of relief. When he caught up to Finn in the mage's office, however, he found their last dragon.
Bottles were scattered across the floor, and they both counted themselves lucky that the racket hadn't woken Wuunferth. At the moment, Inkahlok was glaring at a small green bottle that he held between his claws. Even his teeth couldn't penetrate it, and his small, exasperated hisses were worrying his mother.
“Go,” she urged Ulfric, dropping to a crouch. “Make sure Wuunferth doesn't get in here. I'll deal with him.” As the Jarl ran back to the wizard's bedroom, she held out her hand, coaxing her largest dragon. “Drem yol lok, kiir. What are you doing?”
“Bex...bex!” Inkahlok complained, biting at the bottle again. “It will not break, monah. It smells good.”
“It doesn't need to break, mal ah. Come back, now. Het, to me.” Despite her attempts, Inkahlok merely pushed the bottle to the floor again and circled it.
“Not yet,” he replied. “Wait, monah.” He flapped his wings once, moving himself back, and in an instant, Finn understood what he was about to do.
“Inkahlok, niid. Come here!” Instead, the dragon opened his mouth wide. “Niid!”
“Yol!”
Re: "Something Like Parents" 17/?
Date: 2013-05-20 02:17 am (UTC)“I told you already,” she offered. “I knocked over a candle. By the time I noticed, it was too late.” She glanced behind her as well, wincing at the charred remains of the wizard's stock of ingredients. “I really am sorry. Will this cover it?” She handed over the heavy coin purse, which Wuunferth took with an approving nod.
“Some of those ingredients were a little more challenging to obtain, Thane Finn. But you've done what you can. A pleasure doing business with you.” He swept past her, scooping blackened ingredients off of the shelves. “Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some cleaning up to do.”
Finn returned to the main hall just as Ulfric had entered as well. Inkahlok had returned to his siblings without complaint, and immediately launched into his version of the incident. Of course, it was much more dramatic than his mother's, but the other hatchlings seemed thrilled.
“We need to talk,” Finn told the Jarl, grabbing him by the hand and guiding him back to his quarters. In the silence that followed, she slumped in the nearby chair and buried her face in her hands. Ulfric approached her nervously and took a seat across the table.
“Are you alright?” he asked, hoping to at least begin the conversation.
“What do you think?” Finn's voice was slightly muffled by her palms, and she forced herself to look up at him. “I just lost over four thousand septims paying for nightshade and taproot!” She paused to bite her lip, then continued more quietly. “I was worried about this for a while, Ulfric. Every day they get bolder, more energetic. It's harder for me to control them. Just yesterday, I went to feed them, and I had to go back to the kitchens five times because Sulpaazov kept stealing food from her brothers. They use the Thu'um indoors. They fly themselves into exhaustion and slam into walls. Jorleif and Galmar are noticing the sounds.” She slumped across the table now, looking hopelessly up at him. “But they're not strong enough yet. They'll never make a journey to Valenwood, not until they're bigger.” Ulfric thought on this silently, leaning on the table as well.
“You know people, Finn. You have friends all over Skyrim, from what I've heard. Is there any chance you could move them to somewhere more open? Somewhere they could wander more freely, without as much trouble?” Finn stared at him, slightly amused at the notion.
“I have friends, yes. I don't think they meant housing dragons when they said they'd do me favors, though,” she chuckled, running a hand through her hair. “It's a good idea, all the same. I do know someone living to the south, who could help me. He's in Darkwater Crossing...from what Captain Ralof told me once, you're familiar with it.” Ulfric's face darkened slightly at the memory of the ambush, and he nodded curtly.
“Of course. A mining town, if I remember right. You really do have friends all over, Finn,” he teased her. Finn smirked at him, rising to her feet.
“Ah...but that would mean I need to make a journey,” she sighed. “You can handle the dragons for a day or two, right?”
“I'll do my best,” Ulfric assured her, pulling her in for a quick kiss. “Be careful out there.” Now the Breton grinned up at him.
“I hope so, Ulfric. Don't want Wuunferth losing any more of his supplies, do we?”
Re: "Something Like Parents" 17/?
Date: 2013-05-21 04:11 am (UTC)"Something Like Parents" 18/?
Date: 2013-05-26 01:45 pm (UTC)“I remember you! You saved Derkeethus, right?” she asked, hurrying to keep up with the Breton.
“That's right. Thank you for remembering,” Finn replied warmly. “Is he fishing again today?”
“He is,” the girl affirmed. “Come on, I'll take you to him.” As they neared the water, the adventurer noticed a neatly folded stack of clothes in the grass. The child cupped her hands around her mouth and called into the water. “Hey, Derkeethus!”
The Argonian burst from the water, completely naked and holding a fish in each hand. When he saw Finn, he at least had the good grace to look a bit embarrassed.
“Ah, Finn! You're...you're here. Hello,” he said bashfully. “Hrefna, be a dear and pass me that towel.” The girl obliged immediately, and Derkeethus wrapped himself up modestly as he left the water. “What brings you here, friend?”
“I need a favor from you, Derkeethus,” Finn replied. “Could we go back to your place, and talk?”
“Of course.” The fisherman scooped up his clothes and led her back towards the buildings, unaware of the favor that was coming.
“So what you mean to tell me,” he said when Finn was done relaying her tale, “is that you and Ulfric Stormcloak have been taking care of three baby dragons?”
“I'd say they're adolescent dragons now, but yes.”
“And now that they're getting big and likely more hungry than before, you want to bring them here to live with me?”
“Ah...yes.”
“...Do you have any idea how insane that is?”
“I have a general idea of it, yes,” the Breton replied, leaning on the table. “Please, Derkeethus? You still owe me a favor.”
“I meant following you on your adventures! I meant helping you fight bandits, or letting you drag me up a mountain to fight a cave-full of wolves! I did not mean risking my house and my limbs to keep your pet dragons safe!” Derkeethus groaned now, shaking his head.
“They're well trained, I promise!” Finn said desperately. “They only attack when they're threatened, and they don't breathe fire indoors!” Well, except for Inkahlok, she thought, but decided not to mention that. The Argonian frowned.
“You know I want to help you, Finn,” he began cautiously. “But do you really expect me to just learn how to take care of dragons? You're the one who raised them, after all.” He sat up straighter now, his confidence building. “So, I have a deal for you. I'll let you keep your dragons here, but on one condition. You stay here as well. I have room for you to be able to sleep comfortably.” Finn nodded slowly, allowing herself to smile.
“...See? I knew you were reliable, Derkeethus!” she said cheerfully. “Alright, you have a deal. I'll come live with you.”
“Just you and the dragons, understood?” Derkeethus replied, his eyes suddenly darkening. He had heard enough of how the Argonians were treated in Windhelm. “I...I'm sure your Jarl is very busy.”
“Probably. I should head back then, get them ready for the trip.” She hurried around the table to give Derkeethus a friendly squeeze. “Thank you. This means a lot to me.” As she headed to the door, she heard her friend chuckle quietly.
“Just don't make me regret it.”