2 comments/ 3297 views/ 4 favorites Adventures in the Rim: Athene By: Peekabo3o Chapter 1: The Hills Have Eyes Athene was full of grief. Although she hadn't been a member of the Companions for more than about a year, she had come to greatly admire Kodlak, the leader of said group. And now he was dead. She peered over at Vilkas from atop her horse. His face was a bunched jumble of hatred as he urged his horse on faster. She wasn't sure the horses could take much more of this abuse; they had been riding nearly non-stop for two days toward the main hideout of the Silver Hands. Athene had been all over Skyrim; completed training at the College in Solitude and become a bonafied bard. She was the leader of the Thieves Guild down in Riften (although, admittedly, the group proved to be more trouble than not); she was a mage in training in Winterhold, and, although she wasn't sure how to feel about it, had come to learn that she was Dragonborne. She focused on the path ahead. The last few nights had been a blur. Where had Mercurio gone? She wasn't sure. She had participated in the Blood Ritual and blacked out, awakening as a fearsome werewolf with guards surrounding her, and Mercurio loyally protecting her. Her mind had been fuzzy from the ritual, and she in her monstrous stupor had attempted an escape, to figure out what had happened. She assumed Mercurio would have followed, but she blacked out again shortly after, and Mercurio was gone. She'd gone to the jail in Whiterun and searched for him; searched the Hall of the Dead for his corpse, and had been happy that he was in neither. But that still didn't tell her where he had gone. She decided, as soon as she and Vilkas were done re-gathering the Fragments of Whuunthrad for Kodlak's funeral, she would travel to Riften to see if he'd gone home. Right now, though, more pressing matters urged her forward. Vilkas was a quiet fire, brimming with white hot rage. She had known Vilkas to be a blunt, sometimes crude, but often humorous Nord and had grown to like him. Now, she felt sorrow for him, for he had lost his leader. Kodlak had been good to all the Companions, and while it had taken Athene quite some time to gain the members' trust, he had been good to her as well. Vilkas started to slow, throwing Athene out of her ruminations. Ahead was the hideout of the Silver Hands. She squinted. She had been here before. With a pang in her chest she remembered that night. That had been the night she lost Lydia. "Let's double back a ways and tether the horses." Vilkas murmured, yanking the reigns to his giant thoroughbred. "And make sure that dog stays quiet." He ordered, motioning to Barbos, the Daedric dog Athene had been encumbered with. She silenced the mutt with a finger and followed Vilkas. The dog was a great help most times, being gifted with immortality by his dark Prince Master, but more often than not he was also a great pain in the ass. They tethered their horses and quietly unsheathed their weapons, creeping silently toward the hideout entrance. Athene had recently been inducted into the Dark Brotherhood after accidentally robbing them of a high dollar contract. Between her membership with them and leading the Thieves Guild, her skills in sneaking were unmatched. Vilkas once more shushed both Athene and the dog, and they ventured quietly inside. The start was not encouraging as they happened upon a group of SilverHands preparing their evening meal. Athene snuck as close to them as they could before unleashing a mighty Thu'um, encasing at least three of them in a blanket of flames; she swung her sword swiftly at the flaming men as they charged her, enraged and full of adrenaline despite being cooked alive. Vilkas let out a furious cry, no longer holding out for a pretense of stealth, and hacked one of the SilverHands straight through the neck. The man grabbed his wound, gurgled pitifully, and fell to the floor. Barbos was a blur of teeth and fur as he helped discharge the remaining members of the werewolf-haters, and the trio continued on through the damp and solemn hide-out. It was a cave of immense proportions, full of dank and twisting turns and crevasses. Athene kept her thoughts at bay as she crept through the familiar tunnels. She and Lydia, her prior house Carl, anointed to her by the Jarl of Whiterun, had ventured upon this hide-out a couple of years prior. It had been inhabited by some Forsworn, then, and they had been badly out-numbered. While the women had ultimately conquered and removed the heathens, Lydia had succumbed to her wounds and died quickly in the hide-out. Athene had carefully wrapped Lydia's body in the best pelt she could find, and carried her all the way back to Whiterun for a proper burial. Lydia had been a good and faithful woman to Athene their entire relationship, and while they were never romantic, Athene had felt a deep and perpetual connection between them. Her loss had been devastating. She knew, then, how Vilkas felt as they trudged through the halls of the weeping cave. The Companions had lost much to these monsters, the SilverHands. Tonight, Athene and Vilkas would end the suffering, and bring the fools to their knees. She felt a renewed sense of energy then, and forged ahead with a much quicker pace. Vilkas clung to the crackling energy and strengthened it, imbibed with a profound sense of duty. Athene crept down a small crevasse in the wall, guiding the hulking man through obstacles he would not have thought to try, and pointed below them quietly. There were a dozen or so SilverHands milling about in a massive opening of the cave. Cages were lined against the wall, some holding Pit Wolves, the pitiful beasts that were often trained simply to live and die fighting; and some holding Werewolves, or their dismembered remains. A lump formed in Athene's throat. She, too, was a werewolf, inflicted with an un-wanted curse, but she knew that beneath the fur of the dead, there was a real human with ebbing and flowing human emotions of every magnitude. These SilverHands would surely die tonight, she thought solidly. In hushed tones she commanded Vilkas to begin a descent to the left, and she would begin toward the right. If they could ready their bows and take out a couple before the bastards realized they were being attacked, all the better. She equipped her bow, an enchanted piece of ebony art with fiery arrows, and steadied it. Athene glanced toward Vilkas to ensure he was at his appointed spot, and saw him readying his quiver as well. He glanced at her and she nodded curtly. We have to make this count. She thought, and narrowed in on a pair of SilverHands standing before a cage. Athene drew back the arrow as far as she could muster, exhaled slowly, and released. The arrow shot true, criss-crossing with Vilkas' as both projectiles hit their marks square in the skulls. Athene's burst in to flames, thoroughly and instantly killing her first victim. The entire clan of SilverHands was at the ready, weapons drawn, shouting orders to each other, but unaware of exactly where their attackers were. The warriors managed one more shot each, each arrow hitting a target, although not fatally, before they jumped down from their perches and ambushed the frenzied bandits. Vilkas leapt and managed to slice a SilverHand straight across the throat before spinning around and bashing another off of him with his steel shield. Athene readied her hand with a fire spell and began spitting blazing hot flames across any soul that shadowed her path. She stabbed a SilverHand straight through the chest, using her boot to extract her ebony blade from his cavity. A SilverHand got the drop on her as she did so, and slashed her straight across the back. Athene hissed and spun around, severing the man's head clean off his neck, then Shouted for good measure at the other's that were following him. They screamed as they were engulfed in flames and Vilkas ran through slashing and hacking the fiery specters. There were less than a handful of the monsters left, and Athene ran toward them, blasting them again with fire, her favorite destruction spell. Vilkas managed to take out two of them while Athene lunged upon one and gave him a beautiful three strike death with her glinting sword. The last man fell to his knees, pleading for mercy, but Athene wanted none of it. In true assassin form, she stood before the whimpering coward. "Your sins are many. You will pay for you and your brothers' and sisters' wrong-doings." And she sent his skull scattering across the floor, his blood splattering like a twisted carousel. She looked to Vilkas. "Where is Barbos?" As if by way of answer, Barbos barked, the noise echoing across the roomy chamber. The two warriors ran toward a fenced off area and looked down into a lower pit. The Daedric dog was below, fighting off the leader of the SilverHands. Athene jumped down and sprinted toward the man who was distracted by the war dog. With one last surge of adrenaline, Athene spun, swinging her ebony blade with all her might. It struck true and sliced through the leader's neck, thoroughly severing his head from his body. It landed on the ground with a sickening thud. His body quivered for a moment, blood spurting from the gaping cavity where his head should have been. The knees knocked together and down he went. Panting, Athene looked to the table nearby. The pieces of Whunthruud! They were scattered about the table, all there. Her eyes met with Vilkas' and they both beamed with triumphant smiles. The first Athene had seen of him since Kadlok's death. Vilkas let out a holler and his blade clanged to the floor simultaneously with Athene's as she leapt into his arms and they embraced with almost frantic laughter. He pulled back, still holding her, her legs wrapped around his torso and smiled. "We did it, lass! We can give Kadlok an honorable funeral!" She smiled back at him in agreement and their eyes locked. His dark Nordic orbs glinted with approval and respect. They stared at each other briefly, and then, overcome with the glory of the moment, their mouths molded together. Athene wrapped her fingers through Vilkas' long black hair, and he pressed his fingers tighter onto her bottom. Their tongues were a fury of heated passion, battling with the strength of two ensnared warriors. Athene broke away first, panting as Vilkas began to devour her neck and collar bone. She let out a moan, her crotch tingling with excitement. Vilkas turned and carried her to the bandits' bed, laying her back on it while still making work of her neck, her lips, and her clavicle. She cried out with a throaty moan, burying her fingers in his hair as he yanked open her leather bodice and freed her breasts. He caressed the nipples with his tongue and his lips, murmuring pleasurably as they peaked inside his hot mouth. She pressed him on further. "Is there any greater glory?" He groaned between suckling. Athene made quick work of pulling off his sky forged armor and soon he leaned over with gleaming bared chest and arms. His manhood strained against his trousers and he pressed against the valley of her womanhood. Vilkas nearly tore her pants from her legs as she did his and with a passionate frenzy, he overtook her, burying his rock hard member inside. Athene threw her head back, crying out lustily and dug her fingers into his broad back. He grunted through gritted teeth and buried his head in the crook of her neck as he buried his shaft in her again and again, harder and harder. Her breasts pressed against his chest, creating blazing warmth between them. They were both glistening with sweat as the climax grew and grew, spinning them both into a fury of heaven comparable to the gates of Sovngarde. Athene was gasping, bucking her hips against him, driving him further and further into her as her head swelled and filled with blinding light. She moaned in short gasping breaths as the white hot blaze filled her body, tingling every inch of her, tightening her womanhood around Vilkas' heavy and working member. He felt this and it only increased his pace, exciting him further. He gritted his teeth firmly and bared down on her more, his ballsacs smacking the tops of her butt cheeks with a rhythmic 'smacksmacksmacksmack'. Within an instant he threw his head back, letting out a furious war cry as the same blinding light filled him, and simultaneously filled her with his own hot white substance. His heart was pounding heavily, matching hers, as he finished filling her insides with the life stuff of his throbbing member. Slowly, he pumped twice more, and, exhausted, dropped his head into her neck. They both fell back, breathing heavily, dripping sweat. The two laid there for awhile, basking in the glow of a passionate battle. Finally, though, Athene gently pushed Valko's off her with a sigh. "We should probably gather up what supplies we can and get the pieces of Whunthruud secured." Vilkas murmured agreement, but didn't move. Athene got up, fixing her tunic, but making no effort to retrieve the rest of her clothing. She wandered around the lair, looking at the cages that had held various animals in dismal and twisted darkness. She felt eyes upon her and turned to see Valko's sitting up on the bed, staring. Athene turned. "What is it?" She asked. He shrugged noncommittally, with the hint of a smile. She started toward him, drawn by an inescapable power. As if drawn by that same power, he reached out to her and their hands locked. He drew her onto his lap and splayed his fingers. She spread hers against his and they leaned their foreheads against each other. Athene had spent most of her life alone, at least until the incident at Helgen. Since then she had kept company with various hirelings, and on her way through Solitude she would stop in and visit her wife. Rarely did she get physical with any of them, beside Camilla, but even a wounded warrior succumbs to the sins of the flesh. This was love, she thought. Not the marriage kind of love, though. A deeper kind of love. Not the kind that you bed and make babies with, but the deep, ancient, spiritual love of comrades who had faced the unthinkable together. She loved Vilkas as a man, as a Nord, as a fellow Companion. The heat between them grew and she felt the tip of his member pressing against her still wet womanhood. They opened their eyes to each other, linked the fingers of their war-wearied hands and faintly brushed lips together. Athene moaned against his lips as he ran his fingers down her arms, the sides of her breasts, her stomach and her hips. Vilkas shifted her gently on top of his proud member and let her settle on to him. She took her time, floating down the length of his shaft until he was fully hilted, then wrapped her arms loosely around his shoulders, groaning softly and embracing the full feeling of his cock. He brushed her hair from her neck and kissed and nibbled the hollows near her clavicle, burying his shadowed face in her. Whimpering tenderly she began to rise and fall on his shaft, gyrating ever so slowly. This was not the frenzied after-effects of battle. This was the spiritual union of shield-mates, a process that required time. They engaged in this slow-motion reenactment for most of the rest of the night; gasps and moans and uttering echoing softly through the cave. Their tongues wielded to each other as they rocked slowly to an ancient drum beat. Athene moaned and whimpered, sheathing him completely inside her womanhood and wriggling back and forth against him. He threw his head back, hissing between clenched teeth, and she took the opportunity to encase his exposed neck in nibbles and run her warm tongue across his Adams apple. Just as Vilkas felt he could take it no further he stopped her, lifting one of her long muscular legs over his lap, and spun her around, his cock still thoroughly lodged in her crevasse. He leaned back on one arm and pulled her back against his chest, breathing heavily in her ear. Then he spread her legs on to either side of his so that she was completely exposed and began trailing his fingers down her torso. She continued rocking back and forth on his tremendous member, whimpering in short, and needy breaths as his fingers starting trickling down her pubis. Athene uttered throatily as finally his digits hit home and found the swollen nubbin in her sweet ladyhood. With all the deftness of his skilled swordsman hands, he rubbed two fingers around the nub, lubricated from the mixture of their substances. She let out a long moan as he worked her ever so softly, teasing the rising fire from her. Athene began to hump with more ferocity as the blaze began to ignite. 'Uh, uh, uh, unhh!" She called out, her body tensing on top of him, her womanly essence coating his steaming cock. He could take no more and wrapped his arms around her stomach, flinging both of them back and lodged himself in her dripping chasm. He pounded her, his balls flying up and smacking her deliciously sensitive clitoris, driving wild cries of pleasure from her throat. Vilkas gripped her bouncing breasts, driving harder and harder into her, moaning like a beast in the wild. The explosion of his essence was powerful as he lunged into her in one final, need driven thrust, and for the second time that night, filled her to bursting. She cried out, gripping his hands atop her breasts and arched her back against his chest, overcome with the heat of his essence. "Oh, gods..." She moaned, dropping her head to his shoulder. His hands remained clasped to her breasts, but his member was slowly softening, releasing a stream of love fluids from the both of them. Neither could move for many minutes, but neither seemed to care. Eventually they simply rolled to the side, his arms still wrapped around her, occasionally brushing against her peaked nipples, and fell asleep. When they awoke sun was glinting through various cracks and holes in the cave. They slowly awoke and cast flirtatious glances and the occasional crude joke at each other as they splashed around in the gentle stream running through the hideout. After they finished cleaning themselves up as best they could, they gathered what supplies and loot they could carry, as well as the pieces of Whunthruud, and made their way outside. Barbos, who, most of the night had made himself scarce, appeared then, barking happily. The sunlight was dazzling after a night of blood and love making, and the two warriors shielded their eyes from it. Athene looked to Vilkas who smiled sullenly at her. She bit her lip and nodded. The night was over. The passion they had shared would be banked like a fire on a summer's morning. Today they started back to Whiterun to return the pieces of Whunthruud and give Kodlak a proper Nord funeral. Vilkas knew she was thinking of the same thing as he, and touched her shoulder. "We did it, Lass. I can't thank you enough for everything you've done for us. You've really earned your place in the Companions." He smiled at her, and she returned it. "You will come with me to Kodlak's funeral, wont you? It's only fitting that you should be the one to return the pieces." She nodded. Of course she would. Vilkas bent down and brushed his lips against hers. "And that was the best evening I think I've ever had." He muttered against her mouth. "You're quite a date, lass." She smiled against his lips, enjoyed what was possibly the last kiss they would get to share, and shoved him forward to his horse, laughing. "Let's go, mutt." She chided, kicking at the bottom of his boots and eliciting a whoop of laughter from him. "We've got a long ride to Whiterun." Adventures in the Rim: Athene Ch. 02 Chapter 2: Chains Rain pelted Athene as she ushered her horse forward. The animal was as drenched as she, but continued through the blinding rain and lightning. By her calculations Riften was only another hour or so ahead. She had been riding for two days now, resting only long enough to let the horse graze and drink; she had hardly slept since she left Whiterun. Kodlak's funeral had been a glorious, but somber event. She had been entrusted to gather the remaining piece of Whunthruud from Kodlak's personal quarters, and there she had stumbled upon his personal writings. A certain personal sense of pride had filled her as she realized that the last passage in his journal was reflecting on his love for her. The funeral ended and the members of the Circle had conjoined in the Underforge. Aela the Huntress had carried on with quite a row and demanded that they all meet at Ysgramor to send Kodlak to Sovngarde and not to Hercine's dominion, as Kodlak would have wished; and while Athene was filled with a sense of duty, she needed to find Mercurio. She told the Companions that she was more than ready to send Kodlak off, but she needed some time to figure out what had happened to Mercurio. "Besides," She had confided, "He's got some rare equipment of mine. I need that if nothing else." At this they had acknowledged the need for Athene to find her apprentice mage. They gave her a fortnight and told her to meet them at Ysgramor, with or without Mercurio, or they would save Kodlak themselves. Athene agreed and had set off that very night. Athene wasn't sure if she was going to find Mercurio in Riften, but she had to at least try. After her Blood Ritual, she realized the olive skinned man had disappeared, but she had found no trace of him in the jail, the Hall of the Dead, nor anywhere else in Whiterun. It had not necessarily settled her any to know he wasn't dead or incarcerated. She started to feel as if she could ride no longer in this piercing rain, and was thinking of pulling the horse to shelter, when she first saw the glow of the fires of Riften. Filled with a second wind, Athene pushed the horse forward, praying to any God, Daedra, or Hero that would listen to imbibe the animal with just a few more feet of strength. Somebody was listening that night, and the two arrived in one piece at the gates of Riften, heaving and sopping wet. She set her horse up at the stable, paid the extra fee for him to be fed, dried, and have his shoes checked, and went on inside Riften. Her first place was the Bee and Barb, where she had originally met Mercurio. If anything, she figured, she could go ahead and rent a room if there was no trace of him. That is, if Talen-Jei wouldn't throw too big of a fit about it. Sure enough, as she flung open the doors of the inn, the Argonian man's eyes sliced right through her and he begrudgingly approached her. "What are you doing here?" He hissed. "I just need a room Talen-Jei." "Just get out of here." He growled menacingly. Athene wasn't usually one to bring up past good deeds, but she desperately needed a room and dry clothing. "I want you to remember the beautiful stones I nearly killed myself over for your wedding band, and ask yourself if you can really spare the gold to throw me to the streets for simply upholding your end of the Guild's transaction." The Argonian huffed and took her gold. Athene smiled at him and headed up to her usual room. She shed her water-logged clothing and slipped into her white tunic and black trousers. She never had been one for fancy dresses and flats. After she laid her soaked gear in front of the fire to dry she headed down stairs. Athene scanned the front room, but only found the scatterings of the late night crew. A fisherman warming himself with some mead, the local drunk doing the same, a couple of women talking quietly in the corner over some wine, and of course Talen-Jei's fiancé, glaring at her menacingly from behind the counter. Athene liked the Argonian couple, but she wasn't going to beg the lizard woman for forgiveness, so she forsook a pint and headed into the main corridor of the building, hoping to see her mage. "Well, look what the cat dragged in." She heard a voice chiding from behind. She spun around and beamed brightly. Mercurio looked surprised at her reaction as she jumped at him and gave him a warm hug. "Well...I can't really stay mad at you when you do that, now can I?" He asked with a chuckle. Athene looked up at him. "What happened to you?" She asked, furrowing her brows. Mercurio shoved his hand through his hair. "Let's not talk about it out here. I don't think these town folk would take too kindly to it." "I've got a room already." Athene mentioned, and headed that way. Once they were upstairs Mercurio shut the door behind him and sat in one of the cushioned chairs and sighed. Athene sat on the bed and kicked off her boots contentedly. "So. After you completed your...ritual...with the Companions," The Cyrodill native met her eyes intensely. "You...weren't the same. The guards immediately started attacking. I don't even know where they all came from, but there must have been dozens. They clearly didn't recognize you or I doubt they would have attacked..." He leaned back, waving his hand dismissively. "Or maybe they would have, under the circumstances. Anyway. I defended you the best I could, but there were so many of them, and then you...Well, you just disappeared." Athene licked her dry lips and shook her head. "I'm sorry, Mercurio. I didn't mean to desert you. I was disoriented and had no clue what had just happened. I saw you fending the guards off out of the corner of my eye, but...it was like I was...consumed." Her mind drifted back to that night. She had become a Beast, full of panic and fury. Since that night she hadn't bothered transforming, but she wasn't sure what would come of her new...infliction. "You were, certainly." He said gently. "But our bounty was raising with each wounded guard, and when you disappeared without a trace...Well, I'm ashamed to say that I took off. I'm not a man that takes kindly to shackles, and I assumed the Companions would finish whatever they started with you." Athene heaved a great sigh and flopped back on the bed. "It's alright, Mercurio. I can't blame you for leaving; I just didn't know what had happened to you. When I awoke from that...ritual...I searched the jail and the morgue and Jarvasskr. You weren't anywhere. I only found solace in knowing you weren't dead." She peered down at him and he smiled back. "Certainly not, lady. And here we are. You came back to find me." "Indeed." She replied, returning his smile. "But what took so long? What happened after the battle in Whiterun?" "The Silverhands killed Kodlak, Mercurio." She laid her arm over her eyes. "Vilkas and I took off to avenge his death. We killed the leader of the Silverhands and retrieved the pieces of Whunthruud. I must return at once to assist in sending Kodlak to Sovngarde, where he wanted to remain, peacefully, in the death." "Nords and their death fantasies." She heard him mumble. They were silent for a few minutes. "So...Just you and Vilkas defeated the Silverhands?" She detected some jealousy and sat up, cocking a brow at him. "Well...Yes. The rest of the Companions were busy, and Vilkas felt it was only right since he and I had essentially brought that wrath down on Jarrvaskr." Mercurio's face was a puzzle. "So...Is he better than me?" Athene blushed furiously, remembering their celebratory evening spent together, and then realized that had not been what Mercurio was questioning. This made her blush deeper, and then deeper still once she reminded herself that she was a bloody fucking warrior and not a smitten schoolchild. "He certainly doesn't have your aptitude for magic." She suggested, hoping her voice hadn't faltered. Mercurio stared at her for a long minute. "So have you come back to retrieve me, or is Vilkas going to be your new...Companion...from now on?" Athene rolled her eyes and gave a slight smile. "I came back for you, Mercurio. I need you by my side. We've done so much together." "Perhaps not nearly as much as you and Vilkas." He said a bit icily. Athene was taken back. Mercurio had never behaved in this way. "What are you getting at, mage?" She asked with venom. "The way you blushed just then. I've never seen you flustered, ever. Not when a DeathLord is screaming down your neck, not when a guard accuses you of thievery, and certainly not after a battle. Something more happened there, didn't it?" Athene didn't respond, merely kept her gaze steady with his. He narrowed his eyes. "Might I remind you that you have a wife?" He stood with a huff and made for the door. Athene stood swiftly and Mercurio turned. They were two deadly and powerful people and neither wanted to turn their back to the other. "And may I remind you of your place, apprentice Mage?" She glared at him and crossed her arms. "My personal life need not be any of your business if you wish to question my integrity. I thought we were closer than that after all we've been through. I traveled night and day in pouring rain to retrieve you and this is how you behave?" Mercurio remained silent, still looking at her. Athene heaved a great sigh and flopped on the bed again, a clear sign that she was not intimidated by his words or his power. Mercurio knew that while he was excellently skilled in magic, he was ultimately no great challenge to the Dragonborne. "Faendall." She said as he had turned to leave. He turned back questioningly. "I've seen Faendall leaving my home in Solitude no fewer than three times." "What?..." Athene linked her arms behind her head and Mercurio came to sit beside her. "I met Faendall in Riverwood when I first came to Skyrim. He was desperately in love with Camilla, and asked me to help implicate a fellow, Sven, in a bad way to ruin her adoration for the bard." She looked up at Mercurio who was listening intently. "It was amusing enough, at first, but I came myself to quite like the girl, and asked her to marry me, much to the chagrin of both men. She agreed, naturally, after seeing their true colors. Her oh-so-loving brother also reminded her that I was quite wealthy and powerful." She shook her head and rolled her eyes with a light chuckle. "But on my last few visits home I've seen that damned elf leave my house. I'm ashamed that we are of the same blood." Both Faendall and Athene were Bosmer, one fact that had originally made the two like each other. That was no longer the case. "So you figure..." "So I figure," Athene cut him off. "If she's seeing Faendall behind my back, can't even tell me what's what...I figure I can...take my own liberties. It isn't as if I'm a common tavern wench taking in gold for..." She sighed gruffly and sat up pointing to the door. "But why the hell am I defending myself? Just go." He didn't go. She turned to him and they locked eyes. He reached out and brushed a strand of her snow white hair from her face, revealing a hateful scar across her eye. His touch was gentle and made her shiver. "You're much too beautiful to be running around vanquishing bandits and dragons." He said with great affection. She reached up to pull his hand away, but he didn't allow it. "But I admire that greatly about you. If I had my way I'd have you in a grand home full of children and stewing food, but I also know that that life would suck every bit of light out of you. It would kill your soul...And a dead soul is a terrifying thing." Athene was taken aback by his words. Out of all the adventures they had had together, all the snide comments on her looting ways and bloody battles, all his persnickety babbling of his superior knowledge of things...Never had she known or even had inkling that this mage may have felt the way he was telling her now. Then, Mercurio bent toward her and brushed his lips against hers. It wasn't unpleasant. They broke apart and she looked up at him. "So...Does that mean you'll come with me?" She asked softly, with a smile. His reply was deeper kiss. She moaned against his lips. His hand filtered through her long ice tinted hair and to the back of her neck. He moved his lips from hers to her jaw line and slender pointed ear. He could hear her racing pulse as he trailed from her ear down her neck to her clavicle. She leaned back slightly as he tugged open her white tunic, revealing the sides of her petite, but shapely breasts. He laid her down all the way on the bed and his hands began to roam. As a mage he was as skilled with his fingers and hands as he was deadly. They trickled down her neck and clavicle, brushed the sides of her breasts and ribcage. He furrowed his brow slightly as his fingers roamed over a healed arrow scar. Mercurio bent to the bottom of her ribcage and placed a gentle kiss over the wretched flesh before grazing lazily back to her breasts. He took one stiff peak in his mouth and teased it with his warm breath and tongue before meandering to the other. Athene writhed softly on the bed, breathing deeply. Mercurio looked up at her and lifted a hand. "I've been practicing some new magic..." He said coyly, and his hand began glowing a bright blue. Athene was well adept at magic also (although nowhere near his prowess), and recognized an ice spell. "What?..." She breathed. He grinned demurely at her and blew on his fingers as if he were blowing out the light of a candle. The blue tint grew brighter momentarily and then began to fade from his palm and most of his fingers. Gingerly he touched her face. His fingers were ice cold, but not unpleasant. He trailed them down her neck, following the same pilgrimage his lips had made. When his chilly fingers reached her nipples, she gasped with pleasant surprise and arched her back. He teased her for mere seconds and began his journey again, down her ribcage and stomach and slid with precision beneath the trousers she was wearing. Athene moaned loudly at the feeling of his hand gliding across her hip and pubis, and then gasped as the icy fingers found their target in her moist womanhood. The cold sensation was something she had never felt before. At first it was surprising and she pulled away, but Mercurio was adept with the use of his hands and he staggered his maneuvers. He slid down the length of her chasm, nearly to her rear, and then back up, pecking gently at the sensitive nubbin. Gradually she began moaning and writhing with the pleasure and sensation. Suddenly, he stopped and Athene's eyes creaked open. Mercurio was smiling at her, a large, bright smile and he pulled his hand out. It glistened with her moisture. He licked his finger and moaned. "Sweet nectar..." Then his hand began change colors. Athene knew also that this was some variation of a fire spell, but after his last experiment, she was excited to see what he would do. He touched her with his fingers and she felt the warmth. He trailed his fingers down her stomach and into her pants, again sliding down the length of her wetness. She moaned loudly, bucking her hips into his hand. He plunged his fingers inside of her, and she gasped, grasping the blankets of the bed in ecstasy. Then he pulled out of her and began to rub her swollen clitoris which was slippery from her excitement. Mercurio was clearly excited as well, as his mahood strained against the fabric of his pants and he was breathing heavily. He bent his head to her nipple to suck and she grabbed a section of his long black hair, urging him on. The feeling was intense. She moaned loudly, riding on this building ecstasy. Oh, but how talented this man was! "Nnnnh..." She groaned, biting her lip and pressing him further into her breasts. "Ohhh...mmmm...nnnn...Ohhh...AH! Ah! AI!" She hollered, the wave broken and jolted upright, smacking his hand out of her pants. Mercurio was bewildered and taken by surprise. He leapt out of the bed and looked at his hand which was blazing red. He gasped, shook the spell out of his hand and immediately dropped back to her. "Oh my gods, are you alright?!" He asked frantically as the woman held her crotch painfully. "What the fuck!" She grunted at him from behind clenched teeth. "It...I don't know...I got...too excited, I guess." He placed his hand between her knees and forced his way up to the bridge in her pants. She watched him behind a scowl, and he couldn't help but chuckle that she was still beautiful despite her grumpy disposition. His hand glowed brightly as he sent a powerful healing force toward the home of her femininity. She sighed with relief and relaxed as the pain of her private burn started to subside. Mercurio looked at her apologetically; his eyes big and shining like a scolded puppy dog. She couldn't help but laugh and then leaned forward toward him. "Since there wasn't any permanent damage...let me forgive you with something that doesn't require any magic." Athene stood and leaned over him, placing her hands in his lap. She pressed her lips against his, guiding his back down to the bed while placating his mouth with her tongue. She gave him one final kiss, grazing her teeth against his lip as she pulled away to begin a wisp-like trail of affection down his jaw line and neck. She lifted his tunic to her, baring his broad café colored chest. Athene teased his nipples, humming against them as she grazed. She admired the flawlessness of his body, trickling her tongue down the sculpted mounds of his abdomen. He gritted his teeth and moaned, arching into her as she neared his hips. Athene toyed with his trousers, inching them down ever so slowly, dotting the cut lines of his fine hip bones. A trail of elegant hair from his manhood began to peek out from behind the clothing, exciting her greatly. Finally, with seemingly great effort, his proud member stood curved and erect, bouncing from its clothed prison. Athene cupped his balls in her hand, rubbing her thumb over the smooth curvature below the base of his shaft. Mercurio let out a loud, moaning sigh. The elf glanced up at his face. He met her gaze intensely. Eyes still locked with his, her tongue flicked out, running from the base of his shaft, to the plump head. He groaned again loudly and his head dropped back to the bed. Amused with both herself and the activity, Athene swept her tongue over the top of his cock, paying special attention to the rim of his helmet, then down the shaft of his cock, opening her mouth and sucking and flicking with her tongue all down the underside. Mercurio was panting as she grasped his member with her free hand, her other hand still caressing his hefty ball sacs. She moaned onto the tip of his dick as she took it in her mouth, enjoying the fullness of his head. Her tongue swirled madly around it and she began to inch his member further and further into her mouth. She continued making her way down his manhood, leaning forward so that she could open her throat and took him as far into her as she could. Mercurio was hissing as she pulled back up, licked his tip clean, and then plunged back onto him, again and again, sucking the quivering member into the depths of her throat. He grabbed her hair, twisting his fingers into it and gently began guiding her head up and down on his throbbing cock. His hips began to rise to meet her mouth and she herself arose to the occasion. "Mmmm..." She moaned between mouthfuls, dipping down for some air and to lap at his balls. "I'm...we've got to stop." Mercurio groaned, sitting up. Athene sat up on her knees from the floor, wiping her mouth. Mercurio reached out to her and she took his hands. He pulled her forward, but instead of impaling her on his cock, he guided her so that her womanhood was just above his face. Adventures in the Rim: Athene Ch. 02 Athene had never done this before. Excitement rushed through her, wetting her already soaking chasm. Mercurio proved to be as skilled with his tongue as he had been with his hands. His tongue darted out, plummeting into her wet snatch before trailing up, ever so softly, to the trembling nubbin above. Athene cried out, grasping her breasts and tweaking her nipples. Mercurio moaned against her, pressed his lips into her womanhood and covered her with his tongue. He was a madman, in a fury, tongue thrashing all around; he used the flat, textured top of his tongue to engulf her clitoris and wriggled it around, reveling in the squeals of his employer-turned-lover. Athene was gyrating on top of his face, riding his tongue and lips furiously. Sweat beaded on her collar bone and trickled between her breasts; a cataclysmic wave was building inside her, tingling to her very toes. She fell forward from exertion, gripping the blankets and crying out in ecstasy. Just as the wave was peaking and tearing a path to her loins, Mercurio grabbed her hips and flipped her over onto her back. Immediately he was between her legs, gripping his stone hard member and rubbing the head of it on her clitoris. "Umm...oh my gods..." Athene moaned, lifting her hips to him. "Mercurio!" She shouted at him, desperate to be filled by her magic, russet stained lover. He complied, and thrust his now aching manhood inside her. They cried out together as he buried himself to the hilt. Athene grabbed his back, pulling him tighter against her. He leaned down and bore his tongue into her mouth as he pulled back and re-sheathed, grinding his hips against her rump. She threw her head back, moaning, baring her breasts to him, which he took eagerly in his mouth. He continued pumping in and out of her, building up frenzy between their loins. Sweat beaded on his forehead and chest, his arms writhed with hard muscles. Mercurio sat up straight, continuing his labor more slowly, and pressed a thumb against her clitoris. She gasped, running her hand down her stomach and hips toward his hand, urging him on. "Let me see you touch yourself." He rasped and moved his hand away. He pressed his hands on the undersides of her thighs and laid her legs out wider, watching intently as she circled her clitoris with two fingers, teasing herself into oblivion. Mercurio felt the fire blazing inside his abdomen and knew he couldn't keep up much longer. He pulled his cock out and held it, slipping just the tip back in and popping it back out. Athene gasped and moaned loudly, working her fingers more furiously. The Cyrodil man pulled out and, slick with excitement, slipped his shining member against her ass. She tensed for a moment, surprised. Mercurio rubbed himself against the tight opening, stimulating her, but making no attempt to penetrate. Athene found this very exciting, and like an ambush, was overcome with a storm of climax as it swooped down from her dizzied head, to her chest and stomach, and exploded in her most sacred place. She called out violently, shuddering with the momentum, and Mercurio took his cue full-force. He plunged his manhood into her spasming womanhood and pounded her furiously. Her breasts bounced together, and her moans trembled with the force of his love-making. With a grumbling roar, Mercurio felt himself lose control, and pulled his member out to let what glistening pearls he hadn't loosed inside her spew across her stomach like late night stars. His cock convulsed against her, dripping and slick. He fell forward, resting above her on the palms of his hands. Athene's eyes were rolled to the back of her head, and she was breathing slowly. Mercurio feared he may have actually killed her. "Athene?" He whispered between breaths. She moaned in response and blinked, then looked at him. "Mage..." She breathed. He laughed and kissed her before getting up to fetch linen. Mercurio helped Athene clean up and turned to fix himself. "That was...I can't even." He said with a laugh and turned to her. She was fast asleep. He gathered his clothing and slipped quietly into it before blowing out the few candles lighting the room and found the biggest chair in the room. Despite what they had just done together, he was still a mercenary mage, employed by none other than the Dragonborne herself. He questioned what he had just done as he nodded off. Sometime in the night, it was still late, he realized, Mercurio was awaken by a pleasant sensation on his neck. The fuzziness in his eyes faded away to gleaming white hair and a pleasantly toned, moon-lit and bared shoulder. It was Athene. She had perched herself on his lap, the little sneak, and was kissing and licking her way down his neck. He let out a small moan and she smiled against his coffee skin. Immediately, he grew hard, realizing that he had not broken some sacred rule in making love to the Dragonborne. She was here, taking him as he had taken her hours before. Athene deftly pulled his member from his trousers, and still being naked from earlier, sheathed his member inside her. She gasped quietly at his presence and he moaned against her neck. The elf lifted herself up and lowered again on top of him, ebbing and flowing on his shaft like an ocean of silken flesh. Mercurio gripped her buttocks in his hands, spreading her as she rode him. She began building up a steady pace, the friction soundly building to catastrophe. Athene had taken her share of lovers, both men and women, but never had she had someone do the things Mercurio did. She enjoyed it, though, and was less surprised this time when she felt the Cyrodil man gently probe her rear with a finger. The elven girl let out a small squeal-like moan, a noise that Mercurio never figured could come out of the little walking battle-axe. The woman was a berserker in battle, running straight up to dragons and frost-trolls and stabbing them right between the eyes. In bed she was no less intense, and Mercurio was more than willing to let himself be slain. He loved exploring her tight rump, but knew that like everything worth while, that he needed to take his time. The rear entrance was a safely guarded secret in the bipedal community of the world, with most questioning the tastes of those that knew the secret. Mercurio knew that he loved the pleasure it gave to the recipients, when they were open to it. He lightly rubbed her bud in small circles as she rose and fell upon his manhood. She was moaning and rocking, bouncing her breasts in front of him. He took a nipple in his mouth and teased it to a stiff peak. She was wet and panting by now, and she was ready to release the tension. Mercurio prodded her further with his finger and she lost all control, stiffening on him as waves of blinding rapture overtook her. He leaned back, sliding down further into the chair and gripped her ass cheeks. She draped herself over him, nestling her face on his muscled shoulder and clenched the back of the chair as he began furiously pounding her. He fingered her rear as he did so, driving her once more that heightened pinnacle. Mercurio's balls smacked against her spread ass as she hiccupped and moaned against him. The insanity that had just overtaken the Dragonborne now welled up inside of him like a blast of dynamite and he sunk himself as deep inside of her as he could, releasing the full power of his essence. He threw his head back against chair, a long moan escaping him as his cock pulsed inside her like the light of a dying fire. She slackened against him, panting lightly; he steadily relaxed as well, and they basked in the aura of natural magic of their deed. Athene finally lifted herself off him, feeling a rush of emptiness as his softening member left her. Mercurio cleaned himself off and made to settle back in the chair when she reached her hand out to him. He looked up at her, hesitated for a moment, and then took it. She led him to the bed where she climbed across and settled in, flinging back the covers of the opposite side before falling fast asleep. He needed no further invitation and climbed in to the much more comfortable sleeping space. Mercurio clasped his hands behind his head and looked at Athene, resting peacefully, glowing with moonlight and satisfaction. How many nights had they camped together and she'd never looked so at ease while sleeping? He wondered. While he mused, the elf had turned and nestled against him, wrapping her arm around his chest. He lowered one arm around her and brushed his lips against the top of her head. Mercurio wanted to agonize over what the following day would be like after tonight. Surely things would be different. Perhaps he would not longer be of service to her, he thought. But he couldn't worry about it. Not right now. Not after one of the best nights he'd ever had. Not tonight. He thought. Tomorrow we'll be back to killing and running and looting, but not tonight. And then he slept, entangled with the Dragonborne. Adventures in the Rim: Athene Ch. 03 Sure enough, tomorrow was exactly as it always had been. Athene was up at the crack of dawn and in full armor, ignoring the Argonian's spiteful words. "Ah, too bad. From the sounds of it, I thought you were being murdered up there." He hissed. Mercurio produced a flare of destruction from his palm, but Athene just smiled sweetly and continued on her way; Mercurio sheathed his magic and glared back at the Argonian man. Barbos was waiting for them outside as they stepped into a misty and frigid morning. Athene loaded up her horse and had rented one for Mercurio as well; she wanted to make one more stop on the way to Ysgramor, while they still had time. Her conversation with Mercurio was burned into her mind and she had to erase it. The duo made great time and were already most of the way to Whiterun before they stopped for the night. The weather held out and the night was crisp and clear as they laid there watching the night sky in metamorphoses. The moons were out, although only one of them was full. "So, are we stopping in Whiterun tomorrow?" Mercurio asked between yawns. Athene shook her head. "No. I have nothing to unload there, and with only a week's wiggle room, I don't want to waste any time." "But we aren't going to Ysgramor?" "We are," Athene confirmed. "But I don't know what's going to happen there. We'll be defying Hercine's wishes." Mercurio nodded, although he had every confidence in his companion. He knew, too, though, that she was deeply intertwined with the daedric Lord, Hercine, and was a bit nervous himself. "So...Where are we going, then?" The Cyrodil man finally questioned before drifting off to sleep. "Solitude." "Why?" Athene remained silent for so long that Mercurio thought she had fallen asleep. "I need to see my wife." And so they did. The next night they were mere miles outside of Solitude, and continued on despite the horses protests. Once they reached the stables, Athene left Mercurio to tend the horses with instructions to visit the Alchemy shop before joining her at Proudspyre Manor. Athene walked wearily to her house, lazily waving at the passerby's who acknowledged her fondly. When she arrived at home she entered through the bottom door and passed her alchemy and enchantment stations, keeping her eyes peeled for Camilla...or anyone else who might have been there. She found no-one until she reached the top story where her wife was sitting at the table reading a book. Camilla looked up with bright eyes as Athene entered. "My love!" She cried out, smiling. Athene looked her over, but did not return her smile. "Whatever is the matter, my love?" Camilla questioned with all the grace of a good wife, and approached Athene. "My love?" She questioned, touching Athene's arm. "Faendall sure travels a long way to visit you...quite often." The dragonborne mentioned quietly, staring into her wife's eyes. Camilla swallowed, all too intimidated by her wife's reputation. "He...He is thinking about finding a home in Solitude...He says Riverwood is too small for his talents." "I'm sure." Athene drawled. "I'm also sure that the comforts you give him are a great incentive to re-locate." Camilla blushed heavily. "You really thin-" "I know, Camilla. Don't take me for a fool!" Athene bellowed, causing Camilla to back up a couple of paces. "I MET Faendall because of the love he has for you, don't you remember?" Camilla had tears rolling down her cheeks, but she looked incensed. "At least somebody loves me!" She cried out, surprising Athene. The Dragonborne hadn't thought that perhaps her wife was lonely. Athene never took Camilla with her because she didn't want the woman to be hurt, or worse, killed...or worse. She sighed, thrusting her hand through her hair. "I do love you, Camilla. Why else would we be married?" Camilla sniffed. "We both know why we're married." This galled Athene. She stood gaping at her wife for a long moment. "No, tell me, Camilla. WHY are we married?" "For the money, of course." "Is that it?" Camilla looked down sheepishly and shook her head. Athene crossed the room silently like a deadly breeze and lifted Camilla's chin. She looked deeply into her wife's eyes. "I married you because you're an intelligent and capable woman. Because no man is good enough to claim you as his own. I married you for this," Athene broke her sentence off with a firm kiss. She probed the inside of her wife's mouth, and slipped her hand around Camilla's head to grasp gently at her hair. Her other hand roamed to her wife's chest, softly palming the round peaks beneath her tunic. "Do I not provide for you?" Athene murmured against Camilla's lips. "Do I not offer you independence?" She kissed her neck and whispered in her ear. "Do I not treat you as an equal?" Camilla could say nothing, her breathing was hard and her head was light. Athene bent down, scooped her petite wife off the floor and easily carried her to their bedroom, kicking the door closed behind her. Mercurio had just entered the house and was standing on the landing of the stairs when he heard the door slam. Quietly, he crept the rest of the way upstairs and listened intently outside the door. Inside the room, Athene laid Camilla on the bed and straddled her, kissing her deeply. Their breasts pressed against one another's as Athene slowly kissed and sucked and nibbled her way from Camilla's lips, to her neck and her ears. Athene scooted down, pulling with her the front of Camilla's tunic, exposing the woman's supple browned breasts. The elven woman moaned softly and took a nipple in her mouth, tasting every inch of space on her flesh. Camilla groaned and arched her back as her wife moved from one breast to the other, suckling and kneading with great care. Finally, Athene retired from her gentle administrations and began to pull Camilla's skirts up. Camilla had, of course, been intimate with her wife on other occasions, but never quite like this. Athene pushed her wife's clothing up and off and began slowly trailing her tongue and lips up Camilla's ankles and legs to the insides of her thighs. Camilla grasped the blankets furtively, panting with anticipation. Athene ran her hands over her wife's legs, ever so softly, and planted light, fleeting kisses over the top of her womanhood and at her very slit. Camilla cried out, spreading her legs and Athene flicked her tongue out, tasting the sweet and the lusty juices of her wife. Her tongue danced nimbly over the crevasse and to the tender and swollen nubbin above, sending tingles of frenzy spiraling across Camilla's body. Athene then buried her face in her wife's snatch, tonguing her in rhythmic circles, sucking gently on the mound above the entrance to her womanhood. Camilla was fevered and rolling her head back and forth, calling out with guttural moans. Athene moaned against her wife's crevasse, and slid two fingers inside her. Camilla bucked and arched her back, spreading her legs wider to accommodate the elf further. Athene pumped with her fingers, slowly adding a third finger as she lapped at Camilla's sensitive clit like a cat in desperate need of milk. Athene slipped her free hand into her own pants, stimulating her own sopping wet womanhood, and loved her wife more furiously. She could feel Camilla getting close, and readied herself, as she was near peaking as well. Mercurio was listening intently outside the door, his hand on his rock hard member which was straining painfully against his trousers. He groaned inwardly, desperately needing an escape from his plight. He knew very well that he could not just barge in on the women, but the inescapable erotic punishment he was enduring listening to the woman he prized make love to her wife, was nearly unbearable. Inside the door he heard Camilla call out. Athene pulled her fingers from her wife's womanhood and buried her face there, lapping up every drop that escaped. She came as well, then, satisfied that she had shown her wife what was what. Camilla was nearly catatonic, lying on the bed, a glow of passion surrounding her. Athene stood unevenly, bent down and kissed her wife, imbibing her with her own essence, and then turned to the door. Mercurio heard her footsteps and stood up, fleeing as silently as he could down the stairs. Athene turned to look at her wife. "I may not make it back from this journey, Camilla. I didn't want to die without seeing your face one more time. As for Faendall...I understand if you get lonely..." Camilla sat up and looked at her. "But don't make a fool of me, Camilla. And I will return the courtesy." And she walked out. Adventures in the Rim: Athene Ch. 04 Authors Note: This series is my first on Literotica, and on Skyrim. This particular set of stories revolves around my leveled character, so it is just kind of hodge-podge (she is my first 'real' Skyrim character in game [My 'first first' character became corrupted and the game unplayable]). After this series is finished, I have more specific writings in the works. ***** Ex's and Oh's The battle at Ysgramor was unlike anything Athene had ever experienced. Despite going against Hercine's wishes, the battles were honorable and intense. Everyone escaped relatively intact, and in good spirits. Kodlak, even in spirit a great leader, praised them all and thanked them for giving him the ability to reside peacefully in Sovngarde. He appointed Athene Harbinger of Jorvasskr, and nobody questioned the decision. She, Mercurio, and Barbos left Ysgramor with Aela the Huntress, but left Vilkas behind as he wanted to continue investigating the ruins. They traveled happily to Whiterun where they intended to celebrate Kodlak's new journey and begin to heal their pain. The Companions back at Jorvasskr were surprised, but accepting of Athene's new role, and they all set to merry-making. A great feast was held, and the ale, wine and mead flew freely. Athene and Mercurio were not finished when the rest of the Companion's had tapped out, however. Athene decided it was time for a few days rest, and had no work lined up like the rest of them. The elf and the Cyrodill man ventured from the hut and on to the Bannered Mare, where there was still joviality to be had. The owner of the tavern gladly sloshed a couple cups of mead for them and they retired to a table where they could laugh and be free as they pleased. A bard was playing a lively tune and the other residents of the tavern were clapping, stomping and singing along with him as he strummed his lute with skill. "Ah...there is nothing better than this, is there?" Athene asked Mercurio with a smile. Mercurio returned it. "I should say not!" In truth, he could think of one thing better than celebrating victory with a pint, but he kept it to himself. Since they had left Solitude, his only break in thinking about Athene and her wife was in Ysgramor. Now that that issue had been resolved, his fantasies were haunting him again, and he felt a familiar ache tighten his groin. He took a long swig of his ale, finishing the dregs, and stood, offering to grab Athene another as well, which she heartily accepted. Mercurio took his time getting the drinks, stopping to talk to the local drunk and offer him a gold coin. He hoped the fire burning inside him would dwindle down for the time being, but it didn't seem to be dissipating. Resignedly, he grabbed the mugs and headed back for the table where Athene was sitting. He was not expecting to see her in the arms of Vilkas; nor was that how he had hoped to ice his yearning. The olive-skinned man approached the table, holding the mugs and offered Athene hers as she broke away from Vilkas. She had the good grace to smile at him as she accepted. "Vilkas has returned sooner than we anticipated!" She exclaimed gleefully, obviously buzzed from an evening of drinking. Vilkas smirked at Mercurio, although he could not tell if that was how the man always smiled, or if he was trying to lord himself over Mercurio. "I intend to return, but as a Nord, I couldn't miss this opportunity for celebration. However, it would seem I missed all the fun at Jorvasskr." Athene laughed and invited Vilkas to join them as she fetched a third drink. The two men sat opposite each other, eyeing the other warily. The elf returned, set the drink in front of Vilkas, and plopped contentedly down in her seat. "So, did you find anything of worth, there?" She asked with interest, taking a healthy drink of her ale. Vilkas matched her. "Aye, I believe I have, but it's too soon to go about making assumptions." Athene took another drink, and Vilkas did the same. She set her drink down and eyeballed him. He grinned at her, and Mercurio fumed silently. The elven woman took two more drinks, and then finished the mug off, setting it down on the table with a satisfied exhale. Vilkas laughed and followed her lead. Mercurio, not wanting to be left out, tipped his drink back, and sucked it all down, a bit of ale trickling from the edges of his mouth. "Ahhhh!" He sighed, slamming down his cup and wiping off his mouth. The other two were staring at him and he froze. Athene began laughing, and Vilkas joined in before hollering at a tavern maid for more drinks. "We'll see a Nord out of you yet, mage!" Vilkas bellowed good-naturedly and slid a drink across the table as the maiden brought them forth. The raven haired man raised his cup to Mercurio, who clinked it with his and Athene's and the three of them tossed back their drinks. They ordered a few more rounds, each trying to out-drink the other. The night continued on like this; the tavern was alive in to the wee hours of the night. There were card games, board games, and sword games abound; and at one point in time, Athene demonstrated the power of her Thu'um with a bet on how many people she could knock over (naturally, she won the gold wagered and the tavern drank it away joyfully). The bard strummed his lute, the patrons danced and sang and drank somewhere a bottle of Skooma was passed around; the dragonborne, the mage, and the Nord made merry; they sang along with the bard, they danced like fools; they held Athene's hair back as she vomited in the grass behind the tavern. Laughing, she finished her lurching, still very much a regular mortal despite her many titles. The trio sat on the cobblestone path, near exhaustion, but feeling great. Athene produced a water-skin and drank heartily of it, rinsing the taste of mead from her mouth. "The guards'll be around to break up this merriment soon enough." Mercurio slurred, leaning back on his palms and breathing in crisp autumn air. Vilkas was still nursing a healthy cup of ale and protested. "Likely not with the dragonborne, here. They'd as soon shit their knickers than put up a decent fight." The Nord made a great show of mocking the staunch guards. Athene and Mercurio both laughed. "Let's take it to my place." Athene suggested, getting up and brushing the grass off her trousers. She took off in the direction of Breezehome, her first home in Skyrim. The men got up and stumbled after her. They reached the small cottage and Athene fiddled with the doorknob for a moment in her stupor before managing to get it open. The three of them ambled inside, and the elf rooted around for a bottle of wine. Procuring a bottle, she popped it open and took a healthy swig before passing it to her nearest company. Vilkas took it, took a mighty drink and handed it off to Mercurio. Mercurio took the bottle and looked it over, trying to focus his eyes. 'Black-Briar', it said. It was good stuff. The Cyrodillian drank from it, savoring the sweet thickness of the drink. When he'd had his share and made to pass it, his eyes stopped on Vilkas and Athene. The Dragonborne was sitting on an end table, Vilkas standing between her legs, and they were locked in a silent battle of tongues. He took another drink and watched them just as silently for a few moments. Vilkas moved to Athene's neck and she opened her eyes to Mercurio. He could tell she smiled at him, but she made no move to stop the Nord's advances. In fact, she turned her attention from Mercurio to the underside of Vilkas' ear and flicked her tongue against his skin and ran her nails down his back. Mercurio felt the fire inside him building again as he watched the two. The elf stood then, and tucked a finger into Vilkas' tunic, leading him toward the stairs. The Nord turned and locked eyes with Mercurio for a moment before following the woman. Mercurio hesitated for a little bit and then followed as well. Upstairs, Vilkas was laying on the edge of the bed, his legs draped to the floor, and Athene was straddling him. Mercurio slipped silently in the shadows to a small table and sunk into a padded chair, watching. Vilkas had both of his hands on Athene's cheeks and the two were gazing at each other intently, a hairs breadth apart. It was like watching two Khajiit dancers in slow motion, all beauty and power and mystery; their lips brushed together softly, tongues darting back and forth sensually. Vilkas moved his hands from Athene's cheeks to the sides of her breasts and with painstaking care moved to pull up her tunic. She sat up on his lap as he removed the cloth, and bathed topless in the moonlight trickling from the small circular windows above. Neither seemed to notice Mercurio sitting silently in the shadows, and he made no move to change that. Athene took the same care to lift Vilkas' own tunic, and lavished his broad muscular chest with her lips and tongue. He moaned contentedly and ran his fingers through her snowy hair. Athene moved her attentions downward and stripped Vilkas of his trousers, and stood in the middle of the room to do the same. Both the Nord and the Cyrodill native watched, captivated, as she slowly wriggled out of her trousers, kicking them to the side and standing in all her naked glory, glowing completely with moonlight. She climbed back on to Vilkas and poised herself above his rigid member. Dropping to her knees, she began to sheath him inside herself, the both of them groaning with pleasure. Mercurio was rock hard by now, his pants straining to contain his manhood. Athene was rocking back and forth on Vilkas as the Nord grasped her breasts, thumbing the pert nipples as he did so. Mercurio could take no more and stood, approaching the bed. He reached over and slid a hand around the back of Athene's neck; she turned to face him, still rocking back and forth on her lover. The coffee skinned man reached over and brushed his lips against hers, causing a moan to escape her. Vilkas, noticing a slowing of her rhythm, picked up on his end, grasping her buttocks and lifting her gently to pump in and out of her. Mercurio climbed up onto the bed and released his solid member, which Athene gripped attentively and ran her hand over. Mercurio rolled his head back and moaned at her touch, shivering as she gently placed her lips on the swollen tip. Athene was dripping at this; having one brawny, honorable Nord beneath her, and the shaft of a brave and powerful mage in her mouth. She moaned around him and cupped his ballsacs. Mercurio bit his lip and ran his fingers through her hair, pulling her head forward, further on to him. Athene took him with grace, feeling the tip of his member slipping down the back of her throat. She sucked as he pulled out, and whipped her tongue around the ridge of his head before he began his ascent in again. He rode her mouth patiently as Vilkas pounded her from beneath, savoring every moment in her mouth. Athene was riding a steady wave of bliss as she thoughtfully tongued Mercurio and whimpered upon Vilkas' hips. Vilkas brushed his thumbs over her nipples before sliding them down to her hips and holding her steady as he began thrashing inside her furiously. Mercurio continued pumping in and out of Athene's mouth steadily, and she moaned and hummed upon him. Vilkas groaned, low and long, slamming his cock inside Athene one last time, filling her completely. Athene pulled away from Mercurio and looked down at Vilkas, who grinned sheepishly. "Sorry lass, must be the mead." He kissed her breasts. "I'll make it up to you. After a water break." Mercurio held out his hands to help Athene up, and Vilkas stumbled out of the room and noisily down the stairs. The bronze-skinned man gently ushered Athene on to her back on the bed and poised himself between her legs. He reached up and thrust his tongue in to her mouth as he pumped two fingers inside her dripping snatch. Deliberately, he began moistening Athene's rear with her and Vilkas' combined juices, delicately pressing his fingers into her puckered bud. Athene whimpered, a jolt of desire enflaming her stomach, and kissed Mercurio deeper. He slowly inched his cock inside her sopping pussy, and fucked her slowly for a moment before unsheathing his glistening cock and pressing it against her ass. She whimpered and wriggled beneath him as he leisurely worked his thick member bit by bit into her lubricated rear. Athene tossed her head back off the edge of the bed and sighed lustfully as his cock continued to slide into her. She had never felt this before, and it was exhilarating. Mercurio groaned behind clenched teeth, his thumb rubbing circles on her swollen clit as he worked himself in and out of her ass. He pulled his cock out then, plunged it back in to her snatch for lubrication, and then dove back into her rear entrance. Athene gasped and cried out loud, arching her back in pleasure. Slowly, Mercurio began pumping in and out of her, still rubbing her clit, and dipping his fingers inside of her. Vilkas returned as they were building a good pace, his cock quickly growing hard again. He approached the duo and pressed his manhood against Athene's lips, which she eagerly accepted. Mercurio continued to fill first her ass and then lube up with her pussy, keeping her nice and wet; which wasn't hard as she seemed to enjoy sucking on Vilkas as much as he was enjoying her sucking on him. Finally, Mercurio pulled Athene away from her administrations, ejecting his cock from her, much to her disappointment, and laid her on her back on top of him. He motioned for Vilkas to assume position between her legs, for which the Companion hastily obeyed. Mercurio grabbed Athene's breasts and breathed into her ear as he kissed her neck. "Do you want my cock?" He asked her lustily. Her response was a nod and a whimper. "Do you want Vilkas' cock?" "Yes." She whispered throatily. "Do you need his cock?" He asked, pinching her nipples tenderly. She hesitated for a moment, but nodded her head. "Good." Mercurio growled, licking her earlobe. "Tell him that." She didn't say anything at first, and Mercurio rubbed his member against her asshole, eliciting a moan from the elf. "Tell him you need his cock." Athene hesitated for a moment more, but couldn't tolerate any more teasing. "I need your cock!" She shouted, arching her back in anticipation. Vilkas needed no other prodding and plunged his rock hard member in to her. She cried out in delight as the Nord once again pounded her profusely. Mercurio nibbled on her ear, massaging her breasts. "Now, do you want my cock?" He asked her. Her head was shaking with the force of Vilkas' fucking, but she groaned out a 'yes'. "Tell me. Tell me you need it." He hissed at her, biting her neck gently. "I need it! I need your cock, Mercurio!" She hollered with much less hesitation. Mercurio needed no other convincing and worked his cock into her ass, an easier task now that she was dripping wet. She tossed her head back on to his shoulder and groaned as both men gyrated their throbbing manhood's inside her, stretching every square inch of her pleasure zones. Athene cried out in panting bursts, her body trembling with excitement as she was overcome with tremor after tremor of blinding white light. Vilkas could take no more, and he came with such ferocity that his member shot out of Athene's spasming snatch, coating her in glistening pearls. Mercurio began pounding her as well, keeping a good grip on her hips and sheathing his member inside her as far as he could go. He came as well, making sure to fill her tight space with every drop he could muster before dropping his head back onto the bed, exhausted. The three of them slept then, arms and legs entangled with one another. Periodically, one would wake up and gently prod the other to full arousal, making love lazily and falling back asleep until the sun rose. This continued for a few days, Vilkas, Mercurio and Athene tending their business in town and meeting in her home to casually fuck and lounge around, as if in some dream-state. The courier came to Athene near the end of the week, and the elf's behavior took on a distracted aura. Her love-making became slow and deliberate. She seemed to inspect every inch of her lovers as they had their way with each other on any available surface. Her eyes were glossy and forlorn, her kisses deep and gentle, her lust great. It was as if she was preparing for a funeral, Mercurio thought, watching her solemn state. It came as no surprise to him when Athene approached him at the end of the week and asked to speak with him. They entered Breezehome and walked slowly upstairs to the bedroom. The mage knew this time was not for sex. Athene turned to look at him, her eyes shimmering and lost. Mercurio's stomach began sinking. "I think it's time we parted ways." She said softly, distantly. Mercurio couldn't speak for a good while. "Why?" Was all he could manage. "I just think it's better that we go our separate ways." She repeated, and turned from him. He set his hand gently on her shoulder and turned her around. "Did I do something wrong? Have I not proven my skills?" She smiled gently up at him. "You've more than proved yourself, mage." The elf breathed deeply, exhaled slowly, obviously composing herself. "I can't continue dragging people through my battles. I've lost countless people I've cared for, and I wont count you among them." Athene met his eyes. "You...You really think I can't handle this?" He asked, a hint of abrasion in his voice. "I know you can, Mercurio. But things happen." She was silent for a while more, but the mage knew she wasn't done. "I'm going to infiltrate the Thalmor, Mercurio. I can't take you with me." "The Thalmor? That's insanity, Athene." The elf didn't respond. "Why in Talos' name would think to take on the Thalmor?" "I have to, Mercurio." "Where will you be?" "It's best if I don't say." She looked up at him sadly. "I've really enjoyed this time with you, Mercurio." He shook his head, angered. "You're not coming back, are you?" She didn't say anything. Mercurio glared at her, unable to say or do anything else, and then turned on heel and stormed out of her house. Outside, the sun was receding behind the tops of the houses and stores, and Mercurio willed it to explode and desecrate them all. It didn't, of course, and he continued his pilgrimage of frustration straight to the Bannered Mare, citizens of Whiterun backing up and gawking as he passed. He flung open the doors and stomped to the bar, ordering two tankards of strong mead. What was that damnable woman thinking? He fumed, drinking greedily of his cup. She'll be killed...or worse. The Thalmor were nothing to scoff at, and she was going to go knocking right on their door. Damn her. Damn them. And damn me. He thought, and began cascading in to drunken oblivion.