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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.
A sequel to "Forfeit"
Date: 2014-05-20 09:33 pm (UTC)“Forfeit” can be found at http ://skyrimkinkmeme(dot)livejournal(dot)com/4295.html?thread=8214727#t8214727
If you want to understand aspects of this story, it may pay to read the original, as this one does refer back to it, and is not entirely stand-alone.
Tags: Char:Farkas Char:Argis Char:Vilkas Relationship:Slash Kink:Oral Kink:Anal kink:kidnap (And probably others as they arise...)
P.S. Having trouble posting this with a link. Will need to remove extraneous space, and change the dots to . Hope it works this time...
Forfeit II (part 1)
Date: 2014-05-20 09:37 pm (UTC)This had led to their first argument, with Argis determined to sell the house and split the money with Farkas, and Farkas just as resolute in his refusal.
“By the Nine, you are stubborn!” Argis seethed. “You deserve something for what that bastard put you through.”
“I did get something,” said Farkas. “I got you, and you owe me nothing. I owe you my sanity and possibly my life. I’ll not take your money as well.”
How did one argue with that? Argis recognised that if their positions had been reversed, he would likely have felt the same. For all that, he fumed at the injustice of it all.
He sighed, dropping his head. “Ok, you win. For now. But at least let me buy you some armour when we get to Whiterun? Please?”
“If it shuts you up, then ok. I’m not terribly useful without armour anyway.”
Then there were the nightmares. The first night out of Dawnstar, Farkas woke screaming, thrashing in his bedroll. Argis managed to calm him down, and get him back to sleep, only for it to happen again two hours later. Finally Argis could stand it no longer, and crawled into Farkas’ bedroll, keeping the screams at bay and Farkas safe in his arms. They had slept this way ever since, fending off the horror together, feeling it lessen as time went by. Farkas was beginning to appreciate just how much Argis deserved the appellation ‘Bulwark’.
They took the most direct route to Whiterun, arriving after only four days on the road, and proceeding directly to Jorrvaskr. Their arrival had been noted, and word obviously sent to Vilkas, as he came bounding down the front steps to meet them. The hug he gave Farkas would have crushed an ordinary mortal, and even Farkas had difficulty catching his breath.
“I thank the Nine that you are alive, my brother. I had wondered whether I would see you again.”
“In truth, brother, you almost didn’t.” Farkas had the grace to look embarrassed. “One day, when I am brave enough, you will hear the full story. Have you heard that Janshir is dead?”
“News travels faster than you do, apparently. No-one knows quite what to think.”
“Me least of all. I have a lot to get straight in my own head.”
Vilkas turned his attention to Argis. A questioning eyebrow raise was answered with a slight shake of the head, and a hopeful smile. An entire short conversation was conducted without words.
Farkas observed, and was confused. “I know you all call me ‘Ice-Brain’, but I saw that. What was that about?”
Argis flushed hotly. “Vilkas was wondering if we...were...fucking,” he said weakly. “I told him ‘no’.”
“What? How could he...?”
“When I sent him to find you,” Vilkas said, “he declared an interest. He wanted to make sure I was ok with it.”
“You asked his permission?” Farkas was grinning.
“Needed to check that coming between you two wouldn’t be like putting my head on a block. Not that I wouldn’t. For you.” Argis blushed harder. His devout, if slightly clumsy admission had been made rather more publicly than he would have liked.
“And that,” said Farkas, drawing him close, and kissing him on the forehead, “is why I love you.” He turned, and walked up the steps into Jorrvaskr.
Argis gaped like a stunned fish, open-mouthed and trembling, watching Farkas as the door closed behind him.
“If I’m not mistaken,” Vilkas offered, “that was an invitation. Take my old room. The bed’s bigger. And do try to keep the noise down...”
Argis did not need to be told twice.
Forfeit II (part 2)
Date: 2014-05-20 09:42 pm (UTC)“Said it, didn’t I? Must be true.” Farkas smiled, bright eyed and slightly tense.
“Vilkas said to use his old room,” Argis said unsteadily. “Is this what...what you want?”
“Makes sense. The bed’s bigger.” Farkas led the way to Vilkas’ room. “If you get your armour off, I’ll get some stuff from my room.”
Fingers trembling, Argis found undoing the buckles on his armour difficult. By the time he had succeeded in removing most of it, Farkas was back with an armload of fresh furs for the bed, and a vial that he placed on the bedside table. They looked each other up and down, each admiring the view.
“It’s funny,” said Argis. “I’ve wanted this for so long that I can’t quite believe it’s real. Hardly know where to start.”
“Then let me.” Farkas raised his hand to Argis’ face, tracing his scars with his fingertips, seeing him flush slightly. “This bothers you?”
“The scars? A little. No-one has ever wanted to touch them before. Always made me a bit self-conscious.”
“You shouldn’t be. They are part of your song. Part of what makes you beautiful...and you are beautiful.”
“Have you looked in a mirror recently? I’ve had the worst time keeping my hands off you. Tested my resolve a lot, you did.”
“Mine too, if I’m being honest. A roadside rut could really turn me on, but I wanted our first time to be special.” He drew Argis to him, offering the lightest of kisses. Lips brushing lips, laying trails of fire, unprepared for the surge of arousal that left them both weak at the knees. He drew back, shaking.
“Are you ok?” Argis asked. “I need you to be sure about this.”
“Don’t think I could stop now if I tried.” He looked at Argis, his eyes unfocussed, almost black with desire. “Bed. Before I come in my pants like a teenager.”
Stripping off his underwear, and freeing his burgeoning erection, Farkas lay on the bed watching Argis take off the last of his armour. He was surprised when Argis knelt on the bed beside him, wanting to talk.
“We never really discussed this, but you have had a rough time lately. Would you rather be in control, or would you like me to make love to you?”
“The fact that you would even ask means that I can trust you. I plan to be equal in this, but it’s been a long time since I’ve been loved. Can you do that for me?”
“Gods, I hope so.”
Argis leaned over Farkas, brushing his lips softly with his own, tasting him, feeling Farkas’ mouth open to receive him. His tongue explored as if trying to memorise every tooth, every chip, every crevice. Finally, they remembered to breathe.
“Ummm...that tastes good,” Argis sighed. “Bet the rest of you tastes good too.”
“Only one way to find out,” Farkas ventured, flushed and panting.
“Point taken,” said Argis, as he set to work nibbling and licking Farkas’ ears. The shivers and whimpers he was drawing forth were having an effect on him too, as he felt himself begin to grow hard inside his underpants. His tongue found the hollow beneath Farkas’ ear, and his lips found a pulse point on his neck. He sucked at it, marking him, marvelling as Farkas groaned, and arched his head back, offering him his throat.
‘Mine,’ he thought, hardly daring to believe. ‘Sweet Sanguine, this is mine.’
Farkas’ expression of wanton abandon, and complete trust proved to be his undoing. Farkas felt Argis shudder against him, and heard the moan as he came.
“Sorry, Love,” Argis groaned. “Been too long, wanted this too much. Was never going to last.” He trailed his fingers through Farkas’ chest hair, brushing his nipples with his fingertips, watching them pucker and harden. “No distractions now,” he said. “This one is all for you, my love.”
Re: Forfeit II (part 2)
Date: 2014-05-20 10:58 pm (UTC)I love it already! Argis asking Vilkas first if he could court his brother. And then Farkas telling him he loved him and being terrified afterwards. And then the sex started. UNF!
I like it already. :D
Re: Forfeit II (part 2)
From: (Anonymous) - Date: 2014-05-22 10:11 am (UTC) - ExpandRe: Forfeit II (part 2)
Date: 2014-05-21 04:24 am (UTC)Re: Forfeit II (part 2)
From: (Anonymous) - Date: 2014-05-22 10:12 am (UTC) - ExpandForfeit II (part 3)
Date: 2014-05-21 10:11 pm (UTC)Sliding down between Farkas’ legs, he positioned himself to devote attention to his cock. Farkas’ erect penis was a thing of beauty, granite-hard and veiny, twitching even as he breathed on it, and weeping shining pearls of pre-cum. Bowing his head, he licked them off slowly, watching Farkas’ face as he tasted him for the first time, watching him as he crossed the fine line between ecstasy and torment.
Farkas, who had remained almost silent until now, groaned. “Please, Argis. Please…”
He leaned forward, enclosing Farkas’ shaft in his fist, pumping gently. Taking the head into his mouth, he flicked in and out of the slit with his tongue, while grazing the ridge with his teeth. Farkas’ hips began to buck uncontrollably beneath him, and Argis could see his fingers gripping the furs. His knuckles were white, as he fought the urge to grab Argis’ head.
Releasing the shaft, Argis opened his throat, taking him in as far as he could go. He cupped Farkas’ balls, rolling them in his palm, as he used his thumb to massage the base of the shaft next to his scrotum. He felt Farkas’ balls tighten, as he arched up, pulse after pulse pumping deep into his mouth and throat.
“Fuck. Oh fuck...love you...” Farkas howled as his orgasm was torn from him, shuddering and convulsing until he finally collapsed down onto the furs in a languid puddle. Argis crawled up next to him, offering a kiss, sharing the taste of him, before taking him in his arms to keep the demons at bay.
“That was...I can’t begin to describe it. I feel like I could fly.”
Argis smiled, gratified. “Forgive me for not letting you test that theory yet. Don’t really feel like mopping up bits of my beloved from under the balcony at Dragonsreach.”
“What do you mean by ‘yet’...?”
“Well, maybe in a month, when we’re arguing like fishwives over pottery patterns and curtains...”
Farkas laughed. “Nice to see you hold such hope for our relationship.”
Argis jabbed him in the ribs, finding a ticklish spot. “One of us has to be realistic. We can’t both be romantics who think they can fly.” As was his wont, Argis’ mood switched from joking to serious in an instant. “Sorry lover, you’re stuck with me now. I go where you go.”
“So it’s like feeding a stray dog...can’t get rid of you.”
“Yeah,” Argis grinned. “Just like that.”
___________________________________________________________________
a/n: it just occurred to me that this reads like the end of the story--it's not, there is more to come. :)
Forfeit II (part 4)
Date: 2014-05-22 09:55 am (UTC)Vilkas got to the point quickly, after inviting him to take a seat. “I’m not sure how you are placed financially, but we have more work than we can handle if you are interested. You would need to go with a shield-brother, until your membership is accepted by the others.” He handed Argis a slip of paper. “This job is of the most immediate concern. Farkas may be interested.”
“I am interested. I have a house in Markarth, thanks to Janshir, but I probably won’t sell it until Farkas is more inclined to think of it as ‘our money’ rather than ‘my money’. He refuses to take anything from me, even after that bastard put him through hell.”
Vilkas frowned. “How much do you know of what happened in Dawnstar?”
“Not everything, but more than I feel comfortable talking about behind his back. If you ask, he will tell you.” Argis hesitated. “He made choices that kept you alive, and I would ask you to bear that in mind when you talk to him.”
“That bad?”
“Some of it. He is recovering, but I imagine it will haunt him for a while.”
“You seem quite protective of him,” Vilkas said, “and I can see how much he loves you…”
“But..?”
“But know that if you hurt him, I will kill you.”
“Just so we’re clear on this, if I ever hurt him, I’d probably let you.”
Vilkas’ raised eyebrows indicated that this was a response he was not expecting. “I am beginning to see what he sees in you.” He offered his hand. “Friends?”
“Brothers,” Argis said, enclosing Vilkas’ hand with his own.
______________________________________________________________
“What did Vilkas want?” Farkas asked later, over lunch.
“We were divvying up my various parts.”
“Huh?”
“He and I agreed that my heart and soul belong to you, but that my continued bodily existence is at your brother’s pleasure.”
“Convinced you to join the Companions, did he?”
“Yeah, that too.” Argis helped himself to more mead.
The implication was not lost on Farkas. “He threatened you?”
“He did the concerned-big-brother thing. And for what it’s worth, I agreed with everything he said.”
“Did he give you his ‘gut-you-with-an-embalming-hook’ speech?”
“What? No!”
“He must like you then.” Farkas said, as he reached for more bread, seemingly unconcerned. “So what’s our first job?”
“Skeever in a farmhouse, near Solitude.”
Farkas laughed, a deep rolling boom. Noting Argis’ bemusement, he felt obliged to explain. “It’s just something Janshir said, about why he left me. That’s the same job Vilkas offered him after he killed Alduin. He got offended and left. I never saw him again until Vilkas got poisoned.”
“Gods, he was such an idiot. Not me though, I can’t afford an ego. I have to go and earn some shield-brother cred. Skeever! Tally-ho!”
Re: Forfeit II (part 4)
Date: 2014-05-22 10:55 pm (UTC)Re: Forfeit II (part 4)
From: (Anonymous) - Date: 2014-05-23 08:21 am (UTC) - ExpandForfeit II (part 5)
Date: 2014-05-23 08:27 am (UTC)“Vilkas asked me about Dawnstar. He said you wouldn’t tell him anything.”
“It’s not my story to tell,” Argis said. “How much does he know?”
“All of it. It was weird,” he said, “I thought he’d be angry with me, but I’d swear he was trying not to cry.”
“That’s understandable. It makes me want to cry, and I’m not the person you were doing it all for. I don’t know how you keep your shit together to be honest. It’s humbling, knowing just what someone is prepared to do to save you.”
“Why do you always know the right thing to say?”
“Never did before I met you. Dunno. Maybe it’s because we’re so similar, and I feel like I can get inside your head.”
“So what am I thinking now?”
“Let me think.” Argis closed his eyes, then opened them wide with a shocked look. “You hussy! That’s just nasty!”
Farkas gave a filthy laugh. “It is, isn’t it.” He turned and walked off the road into a grove of trees, leaving Argis marvelling at the way he could accomplish a sexy bum wiggle in steel armour. Argis’ eyes rose heavenward, and he offered a prayer of gratitude as he followed Farkas off the road.
A shout and the sound of combat jolted him into a sprint. He entered the grove to see Farkas fully engaged with two assailants, one already badly wounded, and the other seeking to deliver a fatal blow from behind. Drawing his sword, Argis charged the second, bodily knocking her away from Farkas, and forcing her to concentrate on defending herself. He took four slashing strokes to kill her, receiving a deep wound to his left arm for his trouble.
Turning to aid Farkas, he found him wiping blood from his sword. Aside from a scratch on his cheek, he seemed uninjured.
“They’re wearing brotherhood armour. I recognise it from Dawnstar.” Farkas looked at Argis. “Shit, you’re wounded. Let me bandage that.”
Argis submitted to his lover’s first-aid efforts, before turning to the bodies, and starting to strip them. “Armour’s worth some money. May as well take it.” Farkas started on the second, only to stop when he found a note.
He read it in silence, visibly blanching.
“Farkas? What is it?”
Wordlessly, Farkas handed him the note. It bore the black hand, symbol of the Dark Brotherhood.
As instructed, you are to eliminate Farkas by any means necessary. He must pay for the death of the Listener. Failure is not an option. Babette
“Oh...Shit. Farkas, I’m so sorry.”
“Me too. I’d thought this was finished.”
Argis took him in his arms. “They’re not going to get you. I’ll die before I let them, I swear.”
Farkas kissed him then. Urgent. Passionate. Adrenalin fueled and demanding. Argis’ body responded even before he had time to comprehend, the force of his arousal making him dizzy.
Farkas groaned, a feral growl starting deep in his chest. “Fuck me. Gods, Argis, fuck me.”
Forfeit II (part 6)
Date: 2014-05-23 12:58 pm (UTC)“Gonna get rough. OK?” he asked.
“Do it. Need it. Fuck me.”
“Turn around.” Argis reached into his bag for the vial he now habitually carried, oiling himself, before turning his attention to Farkas. He was quick but careful, not wanting to cause pain, using his fingers to open him up. Farkas thrust back impatiently, needing Argis inside him.
He entered quickly, pausing until the pained look on Farkas’ face relaxed. “Do it,” Farkas urged. “Hard, I need it hard.”
Argis obliged, thrusting hard and fast, ecstasy coiling in his gut, exploding when Farkas convulsed around him, howling his release.
Collapsing to his knees, breathless and heaving, Argis smiled up at his lover. “You ok?”
“You have no idea how much I needed that.”
“I have an idea. I like it too. Nothing like a life-affirming fuck after nearly dying.”
Farkas extended his hand, helping Argis to his feet, and taking him into his arms. “It was wonderful. Thank you.”
“Hate to interrupt our post-coital bliss,” said Argis, “but I’m starting to feel kind of exposed here. Half a day, and we’ll be home. You able to walk straight?”
“Nope, totally bent. Burns like a bitch, but it’s a good burn.”
“I miss the burn. My turn next time.”
“Deal,” said Farkas. “Let’s get home. Have to talk to Vilkas.”
__
After reporting the incident to Vilkas, Farkas found himself banned from leaving Whiterun without either Vilkas or Argis. Although he protested, once Argis pointed out that they spent all their time together anyway, his dissent lost much of its passion, and eventually they headed upstairs for dinner.
Torvar, who was as usual utterly tanked, wobbled up to them, taking the seat next to Farkas.
“I hear you killed two assassins by yourself,” he said.
Farkas choked on his drink, spluttering as he pointed at Argis.
“Oh don’t mind me.” Argis was grinning broadly. “I just bumble around behind him suffering from delusions of adequacy. I’m too busy watching his arse to watch his back. Don’t know if you’ve noticed, but he has a damned fine arse...”
Torvar looked at him blankly, and wandered off in search of more mead. Farkas, having recovered his breath, shook his head. “You really shouldn’t yank his chain like that. One day he’ll actually remember what you’ve said to him.”
“Sorry. I just can’t bring myself to like that guy. There is something about him I just don’t trust.”
Forfeit II (part 7)
Date: 2014-05-24 12:06 am (UTC)On nights when Argis was out of Whiterun, Farkas slept in the Harbinger’s quarters. No-one had forgotten how the Silver Hand had managed to breach Companion security to kill Kodlak, and Vilkas considered this safer than allowing Farkas to sleep alone. Argis and Vilkas were determined to be the ramparts behind which Farkas would be safe from the brotherhood.
As Argis left for each mission, Farkas would give him his estimation of each shield-sibling, and their strengths and weaknesses in combat. He had nothing bad to say about any of them, until the day he left with Torvar to catch an escaped prisoner.
“I can’t say I’ve ever seen him sober. He falls behind a lot, and gets lost in caves,” Farkas said. “Sometimes he doesn’t help with combat until it’s almost over...I don’t think he’s a coward, just lazy.”
“I’m pretty sure he doesn’t like me, and the feeling is mutual,”Argis said. “I should only be away for a night or two...I can put up with him for that long.”
“Take care,” said Farkas, offering a kiss. “I love you.”
“Love you too, Sweetheart. Be nice to Vilkas while I’m away.”
“Why? What has he said?”
“Only that you get ‘cranky’ when I’m not here.” Argis smiled, amused at the image of an angry, straggle-haired toddler that ‘cranky Farkas’ had put in his head.
“Yeah, well, he makes me sleep in his room. Can’t even relieve myself when you’re gone.”
Argis laughed. “Two days. We’ll be back in two days.”
__
The mission had gone well, although as was typical with ‘escaped prisoner’ missions, she refused to allow them to take her alive. Torvar had been less surly than usual, had assisted competently in the battle, and had even offered to cook dinner once they set camp. Argis had been pleasantly surprised.
Dinner eaten, and the campfire well stoked, Torvar settled back on his bedroll.
“It occurs to me, that we may have got off on the wrong foot,” he ventured. “You’re not so bad when you’re not constantly attending to Farkas. Hard to get to know you back at Jorrvaskr.”
“And you’re not so bad when you’re sober.” Argis laughed, diffusing a potential barb. “Perhaps you should make a habit of it.”
“Yeah, maybe,” said Torvar. “In the meantime, in the interests of friendship, would you have a drink with me? Colovian Brandy. The best there is.”
“Probably shouldn’t. I’m taking first watch.”
“I only have a tiny bit left,” he said. “Not much more than a taste. It’s not going to knock you flat, or anything.”
On seeing the thimbleful of brandy that Torvar poured, he put aside his misgivings, and decided to try it. Most people went their entire lives and never even saw a bottle.
“Salut,” he said, sipping it, savouring it, letting it roll over the back of his tongue before swallowing. “Damn, you’re not wrong. This is good stuff. Where did you get it?”
“From Janshir. For services rendered...” Torvar allowed his answer to trail away, as he watched Argis for a reaction.
The warning prickle at the base of his skull came too late, as Argis found his limbs growing heavy and immobile. He heard crunching footsteps to his right, and a brotherhood assassin stepped into view, handing Torvar a large coinpurse.
“This is what we agreed. Count it if you must.”
Argis cursed himself for a fool. He knew the lengths Farkas would go to save someone he loved, and hoped against hope that Vilkas could stop him.
“Farkas was wrong. You are a coward.”
“And Farkas is a stupid faggot.”
It was the last thing that Argis heard before his consciousness ebbed away and darkness claimed him.
Forfeit II (part 8)
Date: 2014-05-24 07:24 am (UTC)“Where is Argis?” the question sprang instantly to Farkas’ lips.
”I don’t know. He was on watch. When I woke up he was gone. This is all I found.” He held up a note, which Farkas took with a trembling hand. Once again, it bore the mark of the brotherhood.
Farkas, You will come to me. Await instructions. Babette
Farkas forgot how to breathe, as grief and shock drove him to his knees. He looked up at Vilkas, his face a mask of purest agony. He could not speak, but handed him the note.
“When was this?” Vilkas asked.
“Yesterday morning. I got here as fast as I could.”
“You heard nothing? Saw nothing? No indication as to where they might have gone?”
“Nothing. I’m sorry...”
Farkas got his voice back. “If I find...if you had anything to do with this...”
“Are you accusing me?” Torvar’s voice was icy.
“Of course he isn’t. He’s in shock,” Vilkas interjected. He looked at the other companions who had gathered. “I’m sorry, but Farkas and I must speak privately. No-one is to take any actions yet, but if any ‘instructions’ arrive, please tell me. We’ll be in my quarters.”
Farkas followed his brother down the stairs, and into his rooms. Shutting the door, he turned to Vilkas. “Please, don’t try to stop me. You know I have to go.”
“I’ve known you all my life, brother. I’d be insane to think I could talk you out of this.”
“Then what do we need to discuss?”
“You won’t be going alone. I’ve come to appreciate Argis, to love him as my brother. We will try to save him, and failing that, the three of us shall make the journey to Sovngarde together.”
“You don’t have to do this.”
“I do. I owe you for my life, and I owe him for yours. I cannot let you do this alone. Not again.”
Farkas embraced his brother. “For understanding how important this is to me, for not trying to stop me, I thank you. May the gods grant us success, whatever that turns out to be.”
There was a rapid knock at the door, and Athis stepped inside. “A courier just arrived with this. They’ve given you a map.”
“An abandoned shack, north of Morthal,” said Vilkas. “We can leave immediately.”
__
Argis awoke in pain. While unconscious, he had been chained, kneeling, to a post, contorting his shoulders, and cramping his thighs. Some kind of blindfold had been placed over his head, so efficiently that he could not even tell if it was night or day. He moved around, trying to find a more comfortable position.
“The newcomer awakes.” A khajiit voice to his right. “Welcome to hell, friend.”
“What do you mean?”
“The brotherhood are recruiting. We are to be their first test. To see if they are capable of killing on command. You are here until someone chooses you as their victim.”
Even as he spoke, the door opened and footsteps sounded on the wooden floor. A female voice spoke. “These are your targets, recruit. Hear their stories, and decide which one should die.”
“You. Khajiit. Tell me your story.” The new male voice sounded young, arrogant.
“I am a trader from the caravans. My name is Ri’taba. I am of no importance.”
“That’s all?”
“That is all, friend.”
“And you, woman. Tell me how innocent you are.”
“Please,” a voice to Argis’ left, “I’ve done nothing. I have four children. You can’t kill me.”
“Enough.”
“But...”
“Defend yourself, Nord. Tell me why no-one would ever take a contract on you.” After a pause, Argis realised it was his turn.
“I’m not sure that I can. I am no innocent. I have enemies.”
“You are saying that you deserve to die?”
“Everyone dies. Whether they deserve to is irrelevant. The only questions that matter are ‘when?’ and ‘how?’. If you are the person with the answers to those questions, then I stand ready.”
Tense moments passed. With sickening swiftness, to his left, Argis heard a scream, cut off abruptly. The smell of blood filled the air, and Argis offered a prayer for the soul of his fellow prisoner.
A feminine whisper, hot in his ear. “Well played, Housecarl. It is rare that I gain respect for those in your position.”
Forfeit II (part 9)
Date: 2014-05-25 10:20 am (UTC)“Speak to Ri’taba, friend,” he said. “Help this one to stay sane.”
“I know you lied to him. ‘Ri’ means you have rank. You are someone important.”
“And yet you did not give this one away.”
“Yeah, well, there is nothing quite as levelling as being chained on your knees in a puddle of water. Besides, it has never been my habit to survive by sacrificing others.”
“Ah. Nord honour. Ri’taba finally sees a use for it.” Argis could hear a smile in his voice. “What of you? She called you ‘Housecarl’”
“An old title. My Thane is dead.”
“But someone important, or she would not have known you?”
“Thane Janshir of Markarth, Dragonborn.”
Ri’taba hissed. “A hero, and a villain. This one had not heard he was dead.”
“It is a long and rather sordid story. I promise to tell you if we survive this.”
A key turned in the lock. At least two people entered, bearing a struggling burden. Their prisoner protested loudly, as they snapped a lock on his chains, and blindfolded him.
“I’m one of you. You can’t do this to me! You can’t fucking do this to me...”
They locked the door again as they left, never having spoken a word.
Argis could not help himself. He began to laugh, getting himself under control only with some effort of will.
“Who in Oblivion are you? And what do you think is so funny?”
“Apparently the gods have a sense of humour. Welcome to hell, Torvar.”
__
Vilkas and Farkas took a carriage to Morthal, before striking north on foot to find the shack. It was a three-day slog through rivers and bogs, before they were confident that they had reached their destination. Circling the hut, and seeing no-one, they moved in closer to investigate. The single door was locked, and resisted all of their attempts to force it. The windows proved just as unyielding. Thwarted, they found a position from where they could monitor access without being seen, and settled down to wait.
__
“Argis? What are you doing here?”
“Acting as bait, but you already knew that. Seems you have become a liability. Forgive my lack of sympathy.”
“Bastards betrayed me. I’ve only ever done good work for them.”
Argis snorted. “Maybe they figured someone who would betray the Companions for a purse full of coin couldn’t be trusted.”
“I didn’t betray the Companions. Filthy perverts like you and Farkas do not belong there. You were defiling the honour of Jorrvaskr.”
“You don’t know Farkas at all, do you? This scheme of Babette’s can only work because Farkas will come here, prepared to die to save me.” Argis’ voice cracked as he continued. “You know nothing of honour.”
“Ri’taba would like to know, who is Farkas?”
“Farkas is my lover and a Companion from Whiterun,” Argis explained. “He was Janshir’s lover before the dragonborn joined the brotherhood. Babette holds him responsible for Janshir’s death.”
“He killed Janshir. Babette will have her revenge,” Torvar said.
“Janshir killed himself. The jester knows that, he found the body.”
“Cicero is missing. He has not been seen since Janshir died.”
“So you betrayed us because of a misunderstanding?” Argis was dumbfounded.
“I got rid of two deviants. I’d do it again.”
Ri’taba hissed. “This one would speak.”
“Tell him nothing,” Argis warned. “He will use it against you.”
“In this case, Ri’taba does not care. This one was not alone when captured. Three days ago, Ri’taba’s mate was murdered in this room. His name was Do’juba, and we had been married for 23 years. You, Torvar, defile his memory every time you open your mouth.”
Re: Forfeit II (part 9)
Date: 2014-05-25 05:23 pm (UTC)Re: Forfeit II (part 9)
From: (Anonymous) - Date: 2014-05-26 10:50 pm (UTC) - ExpandRe: Forfeit II (part 9)
Date: 2014-05-26 03:31 am (UTC)I love Ri'taba. Hope he gets to escape too. Bastard Torvar.
Re: Forfeit II (part 9)
From: (Anonymous) - Date: 2014-05-26 10:53 pm (UTC) - ExpandForfeit II (part 10)
Date: 2014-05-27 10:28 am (UTC)“People coming. At least four. I think one of them is Babette.”
“We should try to take them before they get to the door,” Vilkas said. “If Argis is inside, it will be safer for him.”
Circling in the shadows, they took up positions on either side of the access path, and waited until the small queue of assassins had almost passed them by. Alerted by Vilkas’ war-cry, Farkas charged the tall man in the rear, wounding him severely even before he could draw a weapon. It took only three strokes to kill him before Farkas’ turned his attention to the Argonian who was attacking Vilkas from the rear.
He attacked, knocking him off balance, but failing to draw blood.
“Leave him to me,” Vilkas grunted. “You need to stop her.”
Farkas looked up to see Babette, knife drawn, running for the door of the shack. Farkas was not a sprinter, and he was never going to be fast enough to keep her from unlocking the door. Moving as quickly as he could, he reached the entrance, smashing it open with a body slam before she could lock it behind her. His momentum carried him into the room, off balance, and slipping in blood. Regaining his footing, he turned.
“Stop! Stop or he dies!” Babette was behind Argis, dagger at his throat. She tore his blindfold away. “Your lover is here. Tell him to stop.”
Argis blinked, and seeing Farkas, smiled.
“I knew you’d come, my love, but I wish you hadn’t.”
“Couldn’t stay away, any more than you could have.”
“Put down your weapon. Now!” Babette’s dagger scratched a line on Argis’ throat, drawing beads of blood. Argis winced, but said nothing.
Farkas’ sword clattered to the floor. He was aware that outside the sounds of combat had stopped. Vilkas entered the room, leaning heavily on the wall behind Farkas.
“You can’t win this,” Farkas said. “I will kill you with my bare hands.”
“I can take him into the void with me.” Babette’s desperation was obvious.
Argis spoke. “Farkas, listen to me. She thinks you killed Janshir. That’s why she wants you dead. Tell her what really happened.”
“Janshir killed himself. Didn’t Cicero tell you?”
“Apparently Cicero is missing,” said Argis. “He didn’t tell anyone.”
“Cicero is not missing.” Babette admitted. “I killed him. He started raving that ‘Mother’ was talking to him. Can you imagine him as the Listener? That mad jester? He would have turned us into a laughing stock.”
Re: Forfeit II (part 10)
Date: 2014-05-27 10:31 am (UTC)Forfeit II (part 11)
Date: 2014-05-27 10:46 am (UTC)“In my bag. It’s in the book I took from his alchemy lab.” He retrieved the letter, and unfolding it, handed it to Babette.
She started reading in silence, and then read aloud, ”Sithis is due a soul. He is overdue a soul. So I am going to do the only thing I have ever done for love, and give him one.”
She sagged, defeated. “My contract is invalid. You have my apologies.” Sheathing her dagger, she unlocked Argis’ chains. “You are free to go.”
Argis climbed unsteadily to his feet. “Unlock him too. Release Ri’taba.”
She did not argue, unlocking Ri’taba’s chains, and removing his hood. “What about your friend Torvar?”
“Torvar?” asked Farkas. “Why is he here?”
“He sold me as bait to the brotherhood for some coins. Apparently he wanted to get rid of Jorrvaskr’s resident perverts. They decided he wasn’t to be trusted, and threw him in here.”
“Don’t listen to him,” Torvar pleaded. “He’s lying.”
“Your mate speaks truth,” said Ri’taba to Farkas. “This one has heard him.”
“We have to take him back to Whiterun,” said Farkas. “He is a Companion. I can’t just kill him, much as I want to.”
Babette had been standing behind Torvar, waiting to unlock his chains. Before anyone could stop her, she unsheathed her dagger and drew it across his throat, severing the arteries and spraying blood across the floor. “I can,” she said. “Sithis requires a soul. This one is good for nothing else.”
Farkas picked up his sword, and moved towards Babette.
“Farkas,” Argis said, gently, “you’re not going to like this, but we have to let her go.”
“But she murdered him!”
“I know. But she is the only one of them who knows how Janshir died. If we kill her, it all starts again. You’ll never be safe from the brotherhood.”
“It’s true,” Babette offered. Nazir will initiate another contract if I do not return. “And,” she said, looking at Vilkas, “you should see to your brother. He does not look well.”
Vilkas had silently slid down the wall to the floor, and was now unconscious, bleeding from a number of wounds. His face was pale and bloodless, his lips blue. As her captors turned their shocked attention to him, Babette took advantage of their distraction, and fled into the early morning.
“Shit, Argis. In my bag…I have a healing potion.”
Argis found it and handed it over. “Will it work? He might be too far gone to swallow…”
“Help me strip him. Bottom half. The only good thing I learned from Janshir in Dawnstar is that you don’t need to swallow a potion.”
Between them they removed his armour, and rolled him on his front. Farkas tried to be gentle, as he inserted the neck of the vial into Vilkas’ rectum, and allowed it to drain. For modesty’s sake, he re-dressed his brother as he prayed that the potion would do its job.
All three of them watched Vilkas’ face as the colour began to return.
“S’rendarr’s mercy,” said Ri’taba. “It works. This one has learned something today.”
Vilkas stirred. “Wat’chu staring at?” he muttered into the floorboards. “I’m ok.”
“You’re a long way from ok,” said Farkas, “but I thank the Nine that you will live.”
Re: Forfeit II (part 11)
From: (Anonymous) - Date: 2014-05-27 11:23 am (UTC) - ExpandForfeit II (part 12)
Date: 2014-05-29 10:20 am (UTC)“Would you rather I looked for him?” he asked.
“Ri’taba needs to do this, but would be glad of some company. This one always knew this day would come. You, at least, understand what it is to love a warrior.”
“Doesn’t make it any easier, knowing the risks. I don’t know what you’re feeling right now, but just imagining losing Farkas makes my heart hurt.”
“This one feels that half his soul is missing,” Ri’taba said.
Argis could think of nothing to say. There were no words to take the pain away. Feeling desperately ineffectual, he stood there, eyes blurring with tears.
“This one has something for you,” said Ri’taba.
“You don’t…need…” Argis did not wish to take anything from one who had lost everything.
“Ri’taba and Do’juba had twenty three years together,” Ri’taba said, holding up an Amulet of Mara. “And though he is dead, this one is grateful for that. This one sees the way your mate looks at you. He will say yes.”
“Thank you. I shall treasure it.”
Argis heard the approaching footsteps, and slipped it into his pocket as the brothers came into view.
“Farkas, Vilkas,” he said, “this is Ri’taba. We need to find his mate, Do’juba, to bury him.”
“Together,” said Farkas. “We can do it together.”
__
There were three bodies in the forest, thrown together in a heap. Do’juba, an imperial woman, and a Nord man. All had been sacrificed to an ideal that was utterly alien to the four who washed them, laid them out, and gave them a respectful burial. They buried Torvar separately, with no ceremony.
Afterwards they washed and ate, slowly regaining their strength.
Farkas was perturbed. “I don’t understand why Torvar had such a problem with you and me, and none with Janshir. It’s no secret that we were lovers.”
“I don’t know either,” Argis said. “I only hope we do not meet too many people who feel as he did.”
“Ri’taba has met some. Khajiit meet many hateful people. Torvar had means to act on his hatred. Most do not and so are harmless.”
Ri’taba changed the subject. “Now that Ri’taba has some strength back, this one is able to help heal your brother.” He looked pointedly at Argis and Farkas. “Walk. Talk. This one will be here when you return.”
Farkas looked confused, but Argis extended his hand to help him up, and they wandered off into the forest, arms around each others waists. Finding a rocky outcrop, Argis indicated that they should sit down.
“Ri’taba gave me something back there. Something quite special.” He drew the Amulet of Mara out of his pocket, showing it to Farkas. “They were married twenty three years, and the brotherhood murdered his mate like it meant nothing. This was theirs, and he gave it to us. He thinks you’ll say yes.”
Farkas picked up the amulet, studying it. Its styling was antique and it wore a patina of age, suggesting that Ri’taba and Do’juba may not have been its first owners.
“In our business, twenty three years is very lucky,” Farkas said. “Not many of us get to die in our beds.” He placed the amulet around Argis’ neck.
“Yes,” he said, “until death takes us.”
Re: Forfeit II (part 12)
From: (Anonymous) - Date: 2014-06-01 10:44 pm (UTC) - ExpandRe: Forfeit II (part 12)
From: (Anonymous) - Date: 2014-06-09 07:33 am (UTC) - ExpandForfeit II (part 13)
Date: 2014-06-01 10:58 am (UTC)“I think your Khajiit friend was trying to tell you that we need to make the most of whatever time we have. It occurred to me too, when I thought we might not have any.”
Farkas kissed him. Gentle. Searching. Exploratory. Fingertips tracing his lips. Feather-light kisses on his eyelids, drawing soft moans from his partner. Nuzzling his nose into the hollow below his ear, he inhaled the newly clean, musky scent that was uniquely Argis.
Five days of stubble tickled sensitised skin, creating in Argis an acute awareness of Farkas. Farkas, who had come halfway across Skyrim to save him. Farkas, who had been willing to die to do it. Farkas, who had just promised himself in marriage. Farkas, who he would happily follow into Oblivion.
“He was right,” Argis moaned. “Love me.”
Wordlessly Farkas began to remove his armour. A slow, sensuous strip-tease that soon had Argis feeling distinctly uncomfortable in the confines of his own. Eventually, Farkas stood naked before him, Argis’ every craving and fantasy made flesh. Combined with the sheer gratitude that they were both still alive, Argis was fast losing the battle to form coherent thoughts, losing the ability to do anything but react.
When Farkas began removing Argis’ armour, lavishing attention on each uncovered body part with mouth and fingers, he found himself unable to do more than lie yielding on the rough pebble bed, accepting and responding to the veneration of his body as if it were his due. Boots and gauntlets, greaves and pauldrons, cuirass, and finally the codpiece, releasing his erection into the cold northern air.
Farkas’ body covered his, then, lust and arousal coiling and seething as cock ground against cock, and he arched up to meet him, wrapping his arms and legs around his neck and waist, opening the way, inviting him in. Farkas’ entry was gentle and slow, so controlled it left him sweating with exertion, until finally Argis was fully transfixed, urging him onward.
Farkas found his position with some short, gentle thrusts. Finding Argis’ prostate with the head of his penis had him bucking wildly, urging more, harder, more, his cries increasing in intensity, until Farkas closed his fist around Argis’ cock, pumping, tipping him over the edge of an ecstatic abyss.
Stars exploded behind his eyes as every muscle in his body seemed to clench and release simultaneously, over and over again. He felt Farkas release within him, flooding him with liquid heat, before his world went black, and he abandoned himself to rapture. Farkas collapsed on top of him, utterly spent.
The cold air brought them back to reality, sweat and semen turning clammy with the chill breeze, stirring them from their lassitude.
“Come on,” said Argis. “They’ll be wondering what we are doing.”
“Pretty sure they know what we’re doing. But you’re right, it’s going to be dark soon. Need to help make camp.”
“Just as long as they don’t make you cook...”
“Vilkas will probably volunteer. He thinks he can.”
Forfeit II (part 14)
Date: 2014-06-02 11:06 am (UTC)“You’re looking good, brother,” said Farkas. “Ri’taba is a good healer.”
“He should be,” said Vilkas, “he is a priest.”
“You serve Mara?” Argis guessed.
“Indeed. Ri’taba is a servant of Mara.”
“That explains why this is so old,” Argis said, removing the amulet. “You should have it back.”
Vilkas looked questioningly at Farkas, recognising the amulet for what it was.
“Your mate said yes?” Ri’taba asked, a hint of a smile on his lips.
“He asked, and answered,” said Argis. “I think it wise, in this instance, to do as I’m told.”
“I am glad,” said Vilkas. “It is good that happiness can be found, even in this tainted place. And I am very pleased that I have a new brother.”
“And yet, this one senses a certain loneliness...” Ri’taba took the proffered amulet from Argis, and offered it to Vilkas. “Perhaps you have need of this.”
Vilkas snorted quietly. “And who would want to marry me?”
Argis and Farkas exchanged a ‘Will you tell him, or shall I?’ glance. “Ria,” they said in unison, turning back to Vilkas.
“You’re supposed to be the smart twin,” Farkas laughed.
“She’s nuts about you,” said Argis. “Other than herself, Farkas is the only shield-sibling she trusts to watch your back. I’ve never been allowed. Have you honestly never noticed?”
“Apparently not,” he said, “although the idea does hold a certain appeal. I will think on this some more.”
“If you work fast, we can go to Riften for a double wedding,” said Farkas.
“Ri’taba can marry you, if you don’t mind waiting until this one has recovered somewhat. Khajiit cannot enter Riften to marry, so this one performs this service for them.”
Argis sighed guiltily. “It never occurred to me to wonder how Khajiit manage to get married in Skyrim. It seems there are many things I have never thought about.”
“You have had but a small taste of what it is like to have people hate you for what you are. Khajiit live this daily. ‘Skyrim for the Nords’...”
“Yeah. I’m sorry,” said Argis. He paused before continuing. “We leave in the morning. The least we can do is make sure you are safe. Where should we escort you?”
“Ri’taba and Do’juba were travelling to Whiterun, to meet their son’s caravan. Ri’saad does not yet know of his father’s death.”
“Whiterun,” said Argis, subdued. “So you can camp next to the stables. That sucks.”
“It is the way things are, friend.”
Forfeit II (part 15)
Date: 2014-06-04 04:04 am (UTC)“Torvar? A member of the brotherhood?” Athis was stunned. “For how long?”
“I imagine he joined up after Janshir left here,” said Vilkas.
“Didn’t work out too well for him though,” said Farkas. “He tried to have Argis and me killed for being ‘perverts’. Now he’s dead, and we are to be married.”
The news of Torvar’s death was pushed aside in the face of this announcement. Amid a flurry of congratulations and toasts, Farkas spotted Ria hanging back, looking wistful.
“Brother,” he said, elbowing Vilkas, “someone over there you need to talk to.”
“And just how do I admit to being blind and stupid?”
Argis grinned. “Just tell her you’ve been blind and stupid. Honesty can be quite disarming, I hear. I sometimes even use it myself.”
Vilkas took a deep breath. Neither Farkas nor Argis had seen him afraid before, but this came close. “Wish me luck,” he said.
“Just try to keep the noise down,” said Argis.
__
Later, over dinner, Argis broached a subject he had been avoiding. “I know we argued over this once before, but I need to know if you’ve changed your mind about Vlindrel Hall. I can sell it, and split the money with you.”
“The Gods know we’ll never get rich doing this job, but as long as I have you, I have all I need.” Farkas was adamant. “I don’t want anything that was his. It will always feel tainted.”
“Then I don’t want it either,” said Argis. “I have an idea, but we’ll need to talk to Ri’taba in the morning.”
Farkas looked around. “Vilkas and Ria are missing dinner. You want to take them a tray?”
“Um...no... You could do it?”
“Nah...maybe if I haven’t seen them by breakfast...”
__
At breakfast the next morning, Argis brought down a tray loaded with sweetrolls, boiled cream treats and mead. Farkas smiled, remembering their first breakfast in Dawnstar. He banged loudly on the Harbinger’s door. “Breakfast!” he yelled, and turned to go back upstairs. Farkas hesitated, stole a boiled cream treat from the tray, and followed.
Ri’taba met them as they approached the Khajiit encampment by the Whiterun Stables. “Well met, friends. To what does Ri’taba owe the honour of a visit?”
“I’d like to talk to you about an idea I had,” said Argis. “Feel free to tell me if you think I am being ridiculous.”
“This one would hear your idea before judging. Please, sit with Ri’taba.”
“Is there any reason that there is only one Temple of Mara in Skyrim?” Argis asked him. “Is there a valid reason why everyone in Skyrim, aside from Khajiit, must travel to Riften to marry?”
“None that this one knows, although this one imagines that Maramal enjoys having a monopoly on weddings.”
“I have a house, Vlindrel Hall, in Markarth. It belonged to Janshir, and while it is a desirable house, it holds no good memories for me or Farkas. I...we...” he said, looking at Farkas, “would like to give it to you. I think it could be turned into a fine wedding chapel. One that Khajiit could use as well.”
“This is a grand gift. But this one can offer you nothing in return.” Ri’taba was trembling.
“There is one thing you can do for us,” Farkas said. “Marry us. Here at Jorrvaskr. If it’s too soon after Do’juba, we can wait.”
“Do’juba would want Ri’taba to do this. He was a warrior, but he had respect for this one’s calling. We leave for Markarth in three days. It would need to be soon.”
“Day after tomorrow?” suggested Argis. “It would give us time to extract Vilkas from his quarters.”
“He has spoken to Ria?” Ri’taba asked.
“I’m not sure ‘spoken’ is the word I would use,” said Farkas, “but no-one has seen them since yesterday.”
Forfeit II (part 16)
Date: 2014-06-06 03:18 am (UTC)“Argis?”
“What?” Argis’ voice cracked somewhere between a growl and a low roar.
"Was thinking..."
"Would you stop fucking thinking and get on with the fucking..."
"Fucking?" Farkas gave him a filthy smile.
“Farkas! Please?”
“Nuh-uh. You promised. This one is all mine. Promised you could control yourself.”
“You’re not exactly making it easy.”
“Not trying to make it easy. I’m trying to make it special. Look at your prick.”
“Which one?” Argis snapped, tempting fate.
Farkas grinned, and ran his thumbnail along the underside of Argis’ cock, riding him as he arched off the bed, moaning.
“This one. Little Argis. It’s bloody gorgeous. I could look at it all day.”
“Be nice if you’d do more than look...” Another tortured groan escaped as Farkas kissed it, flicking his tongue into the slit, followed by desolation as he was relinquished again. Argis surged up, determined to gain some measure of control, but Farkas moved up his body, pinning him by the shoulders.
“Taking you too long to get going,” taunted Argis. “Must be getting old or...” Argis gasped as Farkas bit his nipple. “Gods...” His eyes rolled back as Farkas bit the other one harder. “Ahhh...fuck!...”
“Like that, do you?” The question was rhetorical, and did not require an answer. Farkas licked a path down his chest, pausing to explore his navel, before continuing toward what Argis hoped was his goal.
He writhed as Farkas took his cock into his mouth, grazing teeth causing shocks to spark through his body. He needed to move. Needed to finish. And then Farkas’ mouth was gone. Again.
“Patience, sweetheart. I’m going to give you what you really want.” Farkas reached over to the side table, finding the bottle of oil. Argis' eyes glazed as he watched Farkas prepare himself, testing every ounce of patience he possessed. Positioning himself over Argis’ hips, Farkas lowered himself slowly, impaling himself on his lover.
Farkas moved slowly at first, finding an angle and a rhythm that worked. Argis braced on the bed, angling his hips to find Farkas’ sweet spot, closing his fist around Farkas’ cock, and letting his own movement supply the friction. Farkas’ building orgasm spasmed around Argis, milking him, drawing him ever higher. When Farkas came, spilling over his chest and stomach, he too was undone, collapsing under the weight of his lover.
Farkas rolled off him like a sated buck rabbit, curling into a foetal position, muscles still twitching. Both lay insensible, until a knock on the door jolted them awake.
“Wakey, wakey, lovebirds,” said Vilkas. “Hope you haven’t forgotten you’re getting married in five hours. I brought breakfast.”
Farkas scrambled into pants, and opened the door. Vilkas held a tray containing grilled salmon and chicken, as well as some apple dumplings.
“Oh, wow,” said Farkas. “I could get used to this.”
“Of that I have no doubt.”
“How’s Ria?”
“Amazing. She’s just...I have no words...” Vilkas was wearing a big, dumb smile. Very similar to the one that had been staring back at Farkas from his mirror recently.
“Great, isn’t it? I’ve never seen you this happy,” Farkas said. “Might need to borrow Ri’taba’s amulet after all.”
“Too soon. Three days would be some kind of record.”
“Thanks for the tray. Tell Tllma we love her.”
“Tell her yourself. She says you both need a shave, and you are to go and see her right after breakfast.”
Farkas blanched. “Is it wrong to admit she scares me?”
“Not wrong, brother. Not wrong at all.”
Re: Forfeit II (part 16)
From: (Anonymous) - Date: 2014-06-06 03:23 pm (UTC) - ExpandRe: Forfeit II (part 16)
From: (Anonymous) - Date: 2014-06-09 07:35 am (UTC) - ExpandRe: Forfeit II (part 16)
From: (Anonymous) - Date: 2014-06-09 03:37 pm (UTC) - ExpandForfeit II (part 17)
Date: 2014-06-10 12:52 am (UTC)“Do not get me going. Nowhere to hide a boner in these pants. Besides,” Argis said, “it’s your turn to scrub-up. Go see what Tilma has in her dress-up box.”
Farkas shuddered. “Call me a coward, but there is something about the way Tilma comes at you with quavering hands and a straight razor that makes you close your eyes and pray for a quick death. Wish me luck.”
Argis laughed. “A coward is the last thing I would ever call you. You’ll be fine. She has a whole drawer full of healing potions...it might be enough.”
“You’re not helping. Bastard.” Farkas grinned wryly, took a deep breath, and entered the domain of Tilma the Haggard. Half an hour later he emerged, a depilated, fresh-faced vision in dark blue and black leather.
Argis whistled. “Very nice. I take it you didn’t agree to the shirt with the ruffles.”
“She did try. Nice of you to warn me, by the way. Are we going to have trust issues?”
“Don’t think so. You know you can always trust me to eat all the goat cheese, and to never hang my clothes up when I go to bed. And to snore...I make a point of snoring when I’ve eaten all the goat cheese...”
“Argis.”
“Yes?”
“You’re babbling. Are you nervous?”
“Yes. You?”
“Yes.”
“Fair enough. What about a honeymoon? I hear Blackreach is nice at this time of year.”
Farkas laughed. “It’s amazing at any time of the year, but too many Falmer for my taste. I’ll settle for clean furs, a hot bath and shutting ourselves in our room for a week.”
“O-ho! Getting hard to please now that you’re almost married. I’ll need to kill more skeever to keep you in that kind of luxury.”
“Tally ho, darling,” Farkas smiled. “Get to it.” He dodged sideways to avoid a swat aimed at his arse, almost running into Vilkas who had come looking for them.
He looked them over, their appearance seemingly meeting his approval. “Ri’taba’s here,” he said. “Whenever you’re ready, we can start.”
Forfeir II (part 18/18)
Date: 2014-06-12 12:16 pm (UTC)The assembled crowd fell silent as they walked over to Ri’taba, and took their places at the top of the stairs.
Ri’taba cleared his throat, with a small hiss. “Welcome, my friends,” he smiled, “and congratulations.”
He raised his voice to address the throng. “Honoured guests,” he said. “Today we are gathered to celebrate the marriage of Farkas, and Argis.”
“Ri’taba has known these two men for less than two weeks, and in that short time has been the recipient of much generosity, and generosity of spirit. This one has come to regard them as friends, and as a result, has had much of his faith in the human species restored.”
“Argis, aptly named ‘The Bulwark’, protector and shield. Farkas, big-hearted and kind. That these two love each other is not in question. That they would die for each other, this one has seen with his own eyes.”
Addressing the couple, he continued. “This one asks you only this. Will you promise to not only die for each other, but to live for each other? To not only give your lives, but to give the rest of your lives?”
They looked at each other, every emotion and feeling reflected as if in a mirror. There was desire. There was hope. There was gratitude and joy. There was love. Love that was safe, and terrifying, and absolute.
“We will,” they said, as one.
Ri’taba held up his hand. Two rings lay in the palm. “These rings are for you, to seal your union. If you have anything to say, or any special vows, you may do so.”
Argis went first. Placing a ring on Farkas’ finger, he said, “You are the bravest person I know. There is no-one I would rather have guarding my back. At the end of each day, when the battle is done, I will be your sanctuary and refuge. I am your haven. That is my promise to you.”
Farkas took the second ring, putting it on Argis’ finger. His vow was simple. “Whatever we do, we do together. Wherever we go, we go together. When we go...” He looked Argis in the eye, and an understanding passed between them. Argis gave a slight nod. The phrase remained unfinished.
“With the authority of Mara,” Ri’taba said, “this one declares that you are married. Accept our congratulations and our blessings.”
Applause erupted as they kissed. Wildflowers rained down on them like confetti, catching in their clothes and hair, their guests continuing to lob them, even as they edged towards the food tables.
They turned to Ri’taba. “Thank you,” said Farkas. “That can’t have been easy.”
“This one celebrates a bittersweet victory.” Ri’taba took a deep shuddering breath. “Do’juba would have liked you two, and your brother. This one is sorry you never knew him. Our son, Ri’saad, is here if you would care to meet him.”
“Of course,” Argis said. “Have him join us for dinner. Here you are honoured guests. Today, and always.”
A bard started singing in the courtyard. As the mead flowed freely, more and more of the guests joined in, singing the old songs. Ri’taba and Ri’saad wisely left as the first minor brawl broke out, and as the sun set on their perfect day, Argis and Farkas slipped away to begin their honeymoon. In their room.
As the party raged overhead, for once, they made no attempt to keep the noise down.
______________________________
The End. Hope you like.
Re: Forfeir II (part 18/18)
From: (Anonymous) - Date: 2014-06-12 06:31 pm (UTC) - ExpandRe: Forfeir II (part 18/18)
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