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>>PLEASE FILL AS OFTEN AS YOU PROMPT!
>>No underage characters depicted in sexual acts - for our purposes, anyone under 17 is considered underage.
>>Post anonymous when you are posting prompts, filling said prompt, or commenting on either one.
>>Please do not mention yourself, when prompting, commenting or filling, as "your series tag!Anon". We like to remain anonymous and doing as stated before causes issues in that department.
>>DO NOT request certain frequent fillers in prompts. These prompts will be removed.
>>Wait one month before requesting unfilled prompts a second time.
>> Double fills and up are always welcome.
>>No Constructive criticism
>>Be kind - there will be no wank, no harsh criticisms, no discrimination of kinks, pairings or characters.
>>Absolutely no discriminatory language. Deletion for slurs is at the discretion of the mod, though anons will be given an opportunity to repost minus the language.
>>Do not hijack an Original Prompters (OP's) prompt by requesting certain characters, races and or kinks that were not specified in the original prompt. If you are, however, inspired by a prompt and wish to request a similar situation, post a prompt with your own specifics.
>>Prompts featuring real people are forbidden and will be deleted.
>>IF YOU LIKE WHAT YOU'VE READ PLEASE COMMENT!
HELPFUL TIPS
>Please post your prompts with the paired characters and any notable kinks/trigger warnings in the title.
>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.
FILL: Vilkas/F!DB: "Lovers' Knot" 38/?
Date: 2016-12-01 02:51 am (UTC)They return to Whiterun without further incident. They hold their breath through Helgen, gaze shifting around for stragglers, but any bandits apparently saw the piles of bodies and wisely hit the road. Camilla meets them in Riverwood, and they stop at the Sleeping Giant for a drink and a hot meal before getting on the road again. She doesn't comment directly on Miri's amulet, but gives her a knowing look and pulls her aside for some 'girl talk,' and Vilkas is left to sip his mead by the fire while Sven and Faendal play some kind of table game with stones and a lot of hushed but good-natured accusations of cheating.
All in all, it's a pleasant trip--returning with the potential beginnings of answers, a lot of next steps to follow up on, and a lot of smiling at each other now that neither of them feel like they have to hide from their feelings.
They return to a full table and warm laughter as they push open the doors to Jorrvaskr. "Welcome home," everyone choruses, Tilma taking their packs and setting them aside as she ushers them over to the table.
"Miri," Aela says, with a sly smile and a glance at Vilkas. "I was going to ask how the trip went, but I see I really don't need to ask after all, do I?"
They both blush--Miri looks at him with a smile, and Vilkas gives her a lopsided grin and rolls his eyes. "And here we were going to share our news with you," Vilkas says. "But since you already know everything--"
"The news from Riften travelled ahead of you, by Hold courier," Kodlak says, with a twinkle in his eye. "But I would be much interested to hear about your time with the Greybeards. Did you find out anything useful?"
"Not quite," Miri says. "They need to test me first--they tested my Shouts, and taught me a new one, but I was asked to retrieve a sacred horn for them in a place that apparently only the Dragonborn can access. After that, I'll be able to meet with their leader in his sanctuary, up on top of the mountain, and then they'll be able to tell me a lot more."
"It was disappointingly cryptic," Vilkas adds, having heard the details on the way home. "I think--it would make sense for them to prefer to live in seclusion, given their learning of the Shouts, but. I think we both left feeling like they're hiding something."
"Any group has its secrets," Kodlak agrees. "Some important to be kept until the time is right."
Miri tenses beside him; Vilkas is prepared to change the subject, but Ria beats him to the punch. "You all know the only secret we're really interested in," she says, grinning at Aela before jerking a thumb at Vilkas. "So. What's he like in bed?"
Torvar and Athis roar with laughter, as Miri stammers "I--we didn't!--It's just--" and Vilkas drops his head into his hands. "Uh-oh," Skjor says. "So bad she won't even talk about it."
"While I hate to disappoint everyone," Vilkas says, dry but firm, "we were mostly busy fighting our way through the charred-out shell of Helgen, which a group of bandits had decided to make a home out of, and most of the way up the mountain, we ran into a frost troll nest and Miri nearly died. I'm courting her, formally, and we talked about whether we wanted to be open about it and we decided that we did. But that's all."
After a few more sheepish snickers, Njada raises her mug. "To both of you," she says. "And it's about damn time."
"Hear hear," Farkas agrees, raising his own. "It's clear how happy you make each other, and I'm proud to stand at your backs."
The others raise their glasses in toast with a hearty chorus. Vilkas looks over at Miri, flushed and grinning, and reaches for her hand under the table, pleased when she squeezes his back.
Re: FILL: Vilkas/F!DB: "Lovers' Knot" 38/?
Date: 2016-12-02 12:07 pm (UTC)Re: FILL: Vilkas/F!DB: "Lovers' Knot" 38/?
Date: 2016-12-02 03:53 pm (UTC)Re: FILL: Vilkas/F!DB: "Lovers' Knot" 38/?
Date: 2016-12-02 10:04 pm (UTC)RE: FILL: Vilkas/F!DB: "Lovers' Knot" 38/?
Date: 2016-12-05 06:56 am (UTC)Re: FILL: Vilkas/F!DB: "Lovers' Knot" 38/?
Date: 2016-12-06 08:42 am (UTC)Re: FILL: Vilkas/F!DB: "Lovers' Knot" 38/?
Date: 2016-12-09 01:55 pm (UTC)RE: FILL: Vilkas/F!DB: "Lovers' Knot" 38/?
Date: 2016-12-11 06:07 pm (UTC)So glad to see this continuing, much love for Miri and Vilkas.
Re: FILL: Vilkas/F!DB: "Lovers' Knot" 38/?
Date: 2016-12-13 07:15 am (UTC)Re: FILL: Vilkas/F!DB: "Lovers' Knot" 38/?
Date: 2016-12-14 08:35 am (UTC)Re: FILL: Vilkas/F!DB: "Lovers' Knot" 38/?
Date: 2017-01-05 02:09 pm (UTC)Re: FILL: Vilkas/F!DB: "Lovers' Knot" 38/?
Date: 2017-01-10 08:47 pm (UTC)FILL: Vilkas/F!DB: "Lovers' Knot" 39/?
Date: 2017-01-26 01:28 am (UTC)They separate after dinner for a time, Miri off to the shops to sell some hard-won goods, Vilkas to the forge to re-sharpen his blade.
He can see the firelight from the back terrace as he heads up to the Skyforge. When he reaches the top, Eorlund is there, hammering away at what looks to be a new steel greatsword. Vilkas watches him for a moment--always a pleasure to see a master smith at his craft--and when the crashing stops, offers "Hail, Eorlund."
Eorlund's head pops up in surprise, and then he grins. "Hail, Vilkas! Returned in one piece, I see."
"Not for others' lack of trying," Vilkas quips, sliding his blade out of his sheath. "Bandits in Helgen, frost trolls climbing High Hrothgar, cutpurses in Riften...it's been a long few days."
"Well, you were much missed, lad." Eorlund claps a friendly hand to his shoulder. "You remember what I always tell you. A sharp blade and a sharp mind..."
"And you'll never go hungry, aye, aye." Vilkas rolls his eyes good-naturedly. "You've been blustering things like that at me since we were both much younger men."
"And it's never once not been true, has it?" Eorlund grins, giving the forge chain a few solid tugs to keep the blaze going. "Meanwhile...I hear you've taken up with one of our lovely ladies in recent days, hm?"
"And as always, the walls have more ears than they ought to," Vilkas grumbles, though it's half-hearted. He's always thought of himself as a fairly private person, not given to flowery declarations of everlasting love or such rot, but he still can't believe his luck--that such a sweet creature would grow into an admirably fierce warrior, brave and impossibly all his. In truth, if all of Whiterun knows by tomorrow, that would suit him fine.
"Should've known when you didn't take to her," Eorlund laughs. "You don't usually feel that strongly about people; not for ill, anyway. And now here you are, star-crossed lovers--"
"Not star-crossed anything yet," Vilkas mutters.
"Aye, for now!" Eorlund says, much too cheerfully. "A lass with lost memory, doomed to be the Dragonborn, you her faithful furred companion, her duties delaying your happy life together, in love for all of this world but destined never to meet in the next--her in Shor's Hall, quaffing a mug of mead and staring out sadly into the wilderness where Hircine has you--"
"Okay, that's quite enough out of you," Vilkas snaps, stamping on the whetstone pedal with a bit more force than strictly necessary as the grinding nearly drowns Eorlund's awful monologue out. "Go back to that sword. Make yourself useful."
Eorlund, who knows Vilkas well enough to know when he's truly angry, just laughs. "It's good to see you happy," he shouts, uncaring as sparks fly off the blade towards him. "And good to have our own little love story, to remind us all of some good in these dark times! The lass carries a heavy burden, but lighter with you, I'm sure."
Vilkas pauses, pulling his sword away from the wheel. "Do you think so," he asks, quiet. "I--she said I wasn't--I wouldn't be a distraction to her, or at least I'd be a welcome one...but surely--"
Eorlund looks him in the eye, and sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. "Lad," he says, "if I've learned two things in this life--one, strike while the iron is hot, and two--" He fixes Vilkas with a long, searching look, and then snorts. "If the missus tells you the sky is down and the earth is up...best not to waste your breath to contradict her."
Vilkas sighs. "Also fair, I suppose."
Eorlund grins at him. "There's no need to rush, if you aren't sure," he says, a bit more gently. "But you've never been a lad whose heart is easy to move. Once you've charted a course for yourself...you've followed it."
"Though not without lots of anxiety first," Vilkas admits, grinning ruefully. "I know you were speaking in jest, but...there are a lot of things that could happen to pull us apart, in the long run. There are a lot of different influences on us; ones we don't necessarily have control over."
FILL: Vilkas/F!DB: "Lovers' Knot" 40/?
Date: 2017-01-26 03:55 am (UTC)Vilkas ducks his head, and then looks up at Eorlund, grinning. "So. Listen to the missus."
Eorlund beams, slapping him on the back. "Listen to the missus," he says. "And for the love of the Nine, send her up here for more lessons. I know she's been awfully busy trying not to get her head lopped off, but that's no excuse for not carrying around a blade that suits her!"
"I'll let her know," Vilkas replies dryly.
...
"Oh, damn," Miri groans, drawing a hand down her face. "I did promise I was going to go see him soon, didn't I..."
They've spent a few nights at home, resting up before the long trek to Ustengrav, and with one last night ahead of them, have decided to make a late evening of it. They're walking hand-in-hand along the town walls, Vilkas on the windward side and, as usual, blocking her from the worst of the slicing wind. With the warmth of the torches lining the walls, it's actually quite a pleasant stroll--though Vilkas will admit it was probably a pleasanter stroll for her before the sun went down. "He won't hold it against you," Vilkas says, smiling as he kisses her cheek. "He knows you've had a lot on your mind lately."
"So much," she laughs, "And--a lot of it happy. I finally feel like I'm progressing; I know I'm always chasing the light at the end of the road, in that sense, but for once--" She smiles softly at him, tucking a lock of coppery hair behind her ear. "It feels like the dawn can't be too far off."
"You've worked hard," Vilkas agrees. "The town is all a-flutter with you. I can't take a step without someone mentioning what you've done for their family."
"Not as much as I'd like to do, I'm afraid," she says, "but of course, there's always more to be done, isn't there?"
"More to be done, and more to look forward to." They slow to a halt beside the flames near one of the guard towers, and Vilkas feels as much as sees her shiver. "Cold?" he asks, and at her sheepish nod, draws her in. "Come here, then, there's my girl," he murmurs, gratified as she goes easily, happily ducking into the circle of his arms.
They stand together quietly, his wolf relaxing as she loses the edge of her chill, listening to her heart thump steadily. It still surprises him, how much both sides of him have come to care for her--a stray urge here and there he has to tamp down on, but for the most part, after enough denial his beastly half has fallen into its own rhythm of courting her. Where his human half wants to know how she feels for him, that she's happy and returns his love, his wolf is more concerned with the practical nature of things--is she well-fed, is she hale and healthy, has he shown her that he'll be a good provider for her? So he brings her plates of food, keeps her warm, looks after her in small ways--a new jar of sword polish in her rucksack, a set of archery gloves in warm, supple leather tucked underneath her pillow.
Leaving her with a good-night kiss at the door is still the hardest, all of his instincts screaming at him to keep her close enough to watch over her in the night, while she's vulnerable--but he does it, because logically he knows how protected she is, surrounded by the other pups and tucked up safely in her own bed. (The importance of maintaining propriety in treating her well isn't easy to convey to his baser nature, but he seems to retain enough good sense for his wolf not to drop warm carcasses at the door, so. Ultimately he can only control himself so much.)
FILL: Vilkas/F!DB: "Lovers' Knot" 41/?
Date: 2017-01-26 12:09 pm (UTC)She nods with obvious reluctance, nose scrunched up. "Don't I know it," she sighs, leaning into him as they head towards the gate steps. "Another journey, another week of being saddle-sore."
He laughs. "Best get you in, then. At least we'll have a soft bed for one more night."
"Mm." They walk together up through the center of town, and as they pass by the Warmaiden's, Miri stops suddenly. "Oh, by the way--hold on," she says, pulling her bag off of her shoulder and rifling around inside. "Where...ah, there it is." She emerges triumphant with a key, chewing on her lip as she hands it to Vilkas.
"What's this?" he asks, turning it over in his palm. "A key?"
She nods carefully. "It's, um," she says. "It's one of two keys to...my new home."
His brow knits, and then clears as she gestures to the door of the Breezehome. "You bought it?" he asks wonderingly, and she quickly nods a confirmation. "I've only been inside it once," she warns, "Lots of dust and cobwebs and other unpleasant things...but I'm buying furnishings for it soon. And I know you want to stay in Jorrvaskr," she adds hurriedly, "I'm not--trying to change your plans, or anything. But I've wanted a home of my own since my quest began, and--eep!"
Vilkas scoops her up into a deep kiss, twirling her around in front of the doorstep. "Miri," he says, overcome--the enormity of the gift, the trust in their budding relationship, in him...it's nearly more than he can bear. "I'll love it," he promises. "It's a solid, steady home. If a bit of cleaning and love is what it needs, then that's what we'll give it."
Her eyes widen, and then her face blooms into a dazzling grin. "Having given you a key, you've probably figured this out already," she says, "But...you're welcome, at any time. I want you to be able to feel at home here, too."
He grins helplessly back at her. "You've been inside already?"
"Only once, this morning," she admits, laughing as he sets her down gently on the front step. "Want to have a look?"
"Think I'll let myself in," he teases, sliding the key into the lock and then taking full advantage of the door to kiss her again as he slides the key in, steps backwards with her into the dim entryway.
It's...not much, but he can see why she likes it. His eyes adjust to the dark quickly, and he feels a sense of peace within the walls. It's dusty, for sure, but there's a sense of home and comfort radiating from the inside that he feels good about--a home that's missed having an owner.
There's a dip in the floor where old coals rest--a fire pit, then, ready to go--and a set of stairs suggesting an upper level as well. "Bedrooms upstairs?" he asks, and she confirms. "Yes, two of them," she says, "one for a housecarl, who I'll meet when we return, and the master."
"A housecarl." Vilkas raises an eyebrow. He isn't sure how he feels about that, her living alone with another. "Interesting." He scuffs his boot through a layer of dust. "Do you know anything about them yet?"
"I asked for another woman," she says, "Not that I couldn't be friends with a man, too, but I thought it'd be a little less awkward. Her name's Lydia, I'm told, but I'm afraid I don't really know much else about her yet." She reaches out for his hand, squeezes it excitedly. "I suppose I'll find out. I know she'll be working for me, technically, but I hope she and I can become good friends too."
Vilkas huffs a chuckle, relaxing and--maybe--feeling a little foolish for having worried. "I'm sure you will."
She hugs him, a quick squeeze, and then lets him go. "Alright, come on," she says. "We can spend more time here after it's clean and cozy. I just wanted you to see it first."
"I like it very much," he agrees. They step out the door and back onto the path, locking up behind them--"Not that there's much I need to lock for yet, but good to get into the habit, I think--" and slowly amble home to Jorrvaskr's halls.
FILL: Vilkas/F!DB: "Lovers' Knot" 42/?
Date: 2017-01-26 11:50 pm (UTC)"We need to talk," she says, pushing past him without ceremony. She flops down on the corner of his bed, looking at him expectantly.
"If you're coming to tell me off for courting within our own ranks, you're a little late for that," Vilkas says, dry. "What's this about?"
"Just the opposite." She settles her hands on her knees, leaning forward as she looks up at him. "We think it's time she was offered the chance to become a full member of the Circle."
Vilkas narrows his eyes. Suddenly, the reason for the late hour becomes clear. "When you say 'we'," he says flatly.
"Skjor and I," she admits. "Kodlak doesn't know, nor does your brother. And we don't see any need to tell them."
"So you're deliberately going behind Kodlak's back and against his wishes." Vilkas folds his arms over his chest. "You know how he feels about this, Aela. Otherwise some of our pups would be wolves in their own right by now."
"And you know that we feel differently about his role than you and Farkas do," Aela says. "To you two, he's as much a father figure as you've had since coming to Whiterun as a child. You both see him as your guardian, meant to be obeyed."
"You weren't so much older than I when you came to us," Vilkas reminds her. "You should at least afford him--the common courtesy of respect--"
"I do respect him. Don't think for a moment that I don't take his warning seriously. I'm not suggesting that all of the pups get the chance to participate," Aela says. "But I also respect our ancient laws and traditions. The Harbinger is a mentor and a guide, not ultimate authority. We don't need his permission to act if we feel it's right."
"And why do you feel it's right?"
"She at least deserves to know the arguments for and against, and to be allowed to make her own decision; she, who already knows who and what we are," Aela says. "As we did. As the Companions of old did. It isn't a choice we would allow her to take lightly."
Vilkas sighs. "Why are you bringing this to me, Aela?" He holds her gaze, steady. "You've made it clear that you intend to see this through, whether I agree with you or not."
"For one thing, your wolf is the least predictable of all of us." She shrugs. "We can't afford to blindside both halves of you. If you have some forewarning, all the likelier her change will be safer, should she choose to accept it."
Practical, if harsh. "So that's it, then?" He snorts in disbelief. "By the by, we've already passed judgment on this decision, try not to lose your temper?"
Aela rolls her eyes. "No; let me finish, you stubborn old goat. Honestly, you're as bad as Kodlak." She shifts, leaning back on her hands. "Should she decide that she wants to take the change, I'm happy to provide my blood for the well. But as our other alpha, and her new lover, we felt we should at least give you right of first refusal."
"I appreciate the sentiment," he says. "But I have no interest in taking part in any of this. I won't stand in your way, but I can't say I support you in this."
"Will you think less of her if she takes it?" Aela asks. "If she makes that choice for herself."
"Not in the least," Vilkas answers, without hesitation. "We don't entirely know all of what she faces yet, but it certainly involves huge, furious creatures of legend. She's strong, and getting stronger every day, but there's a difference between inner strength in desperation and the kinds of reflexes and physical gifts she'd have from the transformation."
"And if she made the same choice later, after her quest," Aela presses. "Would you feel differently then?"
"....No," he says, after a moment to think. "I don't expect so. Like you said--Kodlak and I do have a somewhat unique relationship. She isn't necessarily driven to please him--she has her own mind, can make her own choices. I don't have to agree with every decision she makes to trust her." He offers Aela a small, peace-making smile. "As I don't have to agree with every decision you make to continue to be proud to be your shield-brother."
Re: FILL: Vilkas/F!DB: "Lovers' Knot" 42/?
Date: 2017-01-27 06:31 pm (UTC)FILL: Vilkas/F!DB: "Lovers' Knot" 43/?
Date: 2017-01-27 10:16 pm (UTC)Vilkas smiles. "A few moons ago, I wasn't in love."
"Very true." Footsteps sound in the hallway, and they both turn--Vilkas knows by the sound and shape of them, he realizes, he'll have to teach her to be lighter on her feet--and Aela grins. "And speak of the girl," she says. "Good evening, Miri. Isn't it past your bedtime?"
Miri comes into the room tentatively, squinting sleepily. She's in a light shift, hair sticking every which way out of her braid. "Aela?" she asks, shuffling uncertainly. "I thought this was--"
"It is," Aela agrees cheerfully. "Just had a question for him," she says, slipping past her and out of the room. Vilkas lets out a deep, rumbling chuckle, stepping into the doorframe. "Hi," he murmurs. "Looking for me?"
She looks up at him, and her face is flooded with abject relief. "Sorry," she says, cheeks coloring. "I had--a very unpleasant nightmare, and I just wanted to...I'll go back to sleep now."
Another nightmare. Vilkas remembers those. He hasn't had one in a long time, but he remembers waking up from them, gasping and sweaty, reaching for his parents, his brother.
Well. Propriety be damned. If she needs him close to rest easy, he'll stay close. "I'm fine, my love," he assures, pulling her into a loose embrace. "Come on. Come back to bed with me. No harm will come to us here."
She nods gratefully, knuckling at her eyes as she staggers forward. Vilkas laughs, and scoops her up, light as a feather in her thin shift, carrying her the last few short steps to the bed and setting her down gently, climbing in beside her. As he's pulling the covers up, she rolls to his side, and he grins and lets her arrange him how she wants--as close as she can get, it seems, snuggling her back up to his chest as she tugs at his arms. Taking the hint, he wraps her up tightly, and she relaxes in a rush of noisy breath. "There," she mumbles.
"Better?" Vilkas murmurs. He waits for her reply, and, receiving none, whispers "Miri?"
Nothing but soft, steady breaths of one already in deep slumber. He shakes his head, hopelessly fond, and presses a kiss to her neck. "Goodnight, then," he whispers, keeping her held tight and safe as he waits for morning to come.
...
In the morning, they roll out their maps over the breakfast table and plot their course.
"Morthal is up here," Vilkas says. "In Hjaalmarch. So we have two choices--either we go around the mountain range, out to the west...or we take the shortcut through the pass, and go directly through the mountains."
"That's much shorter," Miri comments, humming as she traces the shape of the mountain range with a thumb. "Is there some reason we wouldn't travel that way?"
"To the west is all farmland, essentially," Vilkas says. "Aboveground, easy travel along paved roads. We also have the option of stopping at a farmstead here--this is Rorikstead," he says, tapping the map. "So it's a bit lighter packing, and nigh-guaranteed safety. The worst we might run into is highway bandits, maybe a giant or two."
"And the pass?" Miri asks doubtfully.
"The pass...is another matter," Vilkas says. "It sits atop an ancient ruin known as Labyrinthian."
"Which is exactly as foreboding as it sounds?" Miri guesses.
Vilkas grimaces. "Unfortunately," he says. "Because of its location, it gets a pretty constant buffeting of ice, snow, and heavy winds. And, when there are those..."
"There are also frost trolls," Miri mutters, tossing her braid over her shoulder. "Great."
"The good thing is, it is out in the open to some degree," he says. "If we can see them coming at us--or smell them--then I like our chances."
"Plus," Miri adds, grinning as she opens her palm to reveal a carefully-controlled ball of flame. "I've been practicing."
Re: FILL: Vilkas/F!DB: "Lovers' Knot" 43/?
Date: 2017-01-29 11:31 am (UTC)Re: FILL: Vilkas/F!DB: "Lovers' Knot" 43/?
Date: 2017-02-01 02:23 am (UTC)Re: FILL: Vilkas/F!DB: "Lovers' Knot" 43/?
Date: 2017-02-01 10:54 am (UTC)Re: FILL: Vilkas/F!DB: "Lovers' Knot" 43/?
Date: 2017-02-11 03:58 pm (UTC)Re: FILL: Vilkas/F!DB: "Lovers' Knot" 43/?
Date: 2017-02-24 06:46 pm (UTC)Re: FILL: Vilkas/F!DB: "Lovers' Knot" 43/?
Date: 2017-04-27 07:54 am (UTC)FILL: Vilkas/F!DB: "Lovers' Knot" AUTHOR INTERLUDE
Date: 2017-01-28 04:18 pm (UTC)With that said, I wanted to throw some brief trivia at you, my readers--the next part is not QUITE ready yet as it needs some more heavy research (mostly because I vaguely remember the way to most places in the game but am generally Bad At Maps) but I wanted to give you some insights I thought were interesting in the ongoing creation of this story and answer some questions.
Miri was a second-concept character.
My original concept FDB for this story was going to be a Bosmer or Altmer. I was leaning Bosmer because of their close relationship with nature, but knew from early on that the character's adeptness with magic was going to be one of the stumbling blocks in her budding relationship with Vilkas, so thought maybe an Altmer with their high racial affinity for magic might be the best choice. Then I realized I would probably have to come up with a backstory for Vilkas's aversion to magic beyond "the game doesn't want you to cheat and fight him with it in your combat trial," and after some thought as to how to flesh him out and humanize him a bit, later changed my mind a second time--the hurdle of Vilkas overcoming an Altmeri grudge after what happened to his family seemed too large, so Altmer Miriel became the Breton Miri we know and love today.
The planning process, of sorts
I have most of the rest of the story rough-outlined. I usually nail down some hard plot points, generally according to which questline I want to follow out, and then spread out the emotional steps along those points. I balance that by being an unabashedly dialogue-driven writer, so sometimes I'll change my mind and let the characters tell me how fast they want to move if something I had planned doesn't feel natural to the flow of the story.
And speaking of questlines...
As I think you've seen, right now we're following out the Companions questline and the main Dragonborn questline. Aside from those two, I have at least one more major questline I'm definitely including. You'll get some light foreshadowing to it here in the next few parts.
Civil war?
Nope. I have my ending plotted out and what happens at the moot is important to the epilogue.
How come we're over 30K words in and they've kissed, like, three times? Wasn't this supposed to be a smutfic?
It was. Apparently I just hate myself.
Will you ever run on a normal update schedule?
Unfortunately, probably not. I write when I get snatches of time in my workday, and how much I write depends on how much I get time for and how inspired/tired I am that day. I don't ever have anything written in advance, aside from the Very Big Picture soft outline--as soon as I have something new for you guys, I work hard to make sure it goes up.
How long do you think this will be?
Haven't the foggiest. Between plot plans and formatting woes, I think it's safe to say that we'll at least hit 60 parts, but it could full well go longer than that.
Do you have this up somewhere else in a more convenient format?
Not yet, though I plan to. I use ao3 so eventually I'll clean it and put it up there in chapters--but before that can happen, I need to have the whole thing done so I can step back, look at it, and decide what if anything I want to clean up and how I want to divide it out.
What else have you written?
Nothing else here, and nothing ever of this length. I'm pretty big into hockey RPF so I have a bunch of hockey twitfic, but that's about it at the moment.
Hopefully that covers a bunch of questions people probably have. You're welcome to ask me whatever in the comments--like I said, I do read all of them and if I see something I think is a good question there's definitely a chance I'll respond to it. You never can tell with bees.
Re: FILL: Vilkas/F!DB: "Lovers' Knot" AUTHOR INTERLUDE
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