Solitude
Vilkas and Farkas were almost at Markarth now. They had both grown weary from their traveling and the news that their letter had yet again failed to reach their shared lover. The guards recognised them as companions and pointed them in the direction of the thane’s home. Kodlak had finally told them where she went, now worried himself about her safety. He hoped that Sonin would forgive him for betraying her privacy on the matter.
Vilkas was the one who knocked at the door, a dog barking at the sound. He raised a brow at his brother, who just shrugged. They thought they may have the wrong house now as Sonin owned no animal aside from her horse.
A bulky Nord man with one blind eye opened the door, “What business do you have here?”
Vilkas could see Lydia in the house, at the table, “I am Vilkas and this is Farkas, we are here to see Sonin.”
“Sonin did not inform me of any guests. What do you wish of her?” He blocked the doorway with his body.
Vilkas felt himself grow angry, recognizing her smell wafting from him. Farkas had to be the one to answer, “We’re companions, like her. Our letters hadn’t reached her.”
“It’s okay Agris!” Lydia called over to him, “Let them in.”
He tilted his head to the woman, before grunting and stepping aside. A hound rushed toward the twin wolves, his tail tucked and head low. He sensed their beasts, dog to wolf. Agris pet the dog to calm him, but he kept his head low.
“She’s finishing her bath,” Lydia answered their thoughts, “I don’t know how she is going to receive either of you.”
“I would have rather left you outside to wait,” Argis crossed his arms on his chest, “Lydia vouching for you is the only reason you’re here.”
“You speak as though you could have stopped us,” Vilkas spat.
“Is that so?” The housecarl reached his hand on the hilt of his blade.
“No need for bloodshed,” Farkas interrupted the two.
“If Sonin sees you two like this,” Lydia added, “She’ll shout you both on your asses.”
Both men took her warning to heart. They knew that even though she was the dragonborn of legend, she hated fighting and violence. Farkas took a seat next to Lydia, asking her details of what Sonin had been up to. Vilkas stayed standing with his gaze on Argis, but listened to her replies.
“Sonin is taking a while,” Farkas commented.
“Aye,” Argis replied, “She was rather sore last night.”
Vilkas felt his teeth elongate. That was why he smelled so strongly of her. Sonin had bedded him and now he bragged about it. Lydia’s face blushed as she dipped her head into her tankard of mead, knowing that this was going to be awkward. Before Vilkas could move to throttle the man, the dog perked up and bolted toward her bedroom door. He bounced on his legs, hyper about seeing his master.
“Hey Argis, I-” Sonin stopped mid sentence, looking up to see the twins in her house.
She had stepped out of the room while in the process of toweling off her wet hair. She wore nothing but a robe of some silk quality that clung to her curves. The shape of her hips and breasts emphasized. Farkas and Vilkas immediately felt themselves hardened, after not seeing her for so long to now being overwhelmed by her smell and appearance.
“Kodlak swore he wouldn’t tell you where I was!” She exclaimed, her hound catching the change in her tone and putting his body between her and everyone else defensively.
“Aye he did, but after the third round of letters failed to reach you we worried whether you were still alive,” Vilkas said, moving toward her.
“You sent letters?” She questioned, “Wait, wait, why are you here? Just to see if I was alive?”
Vilkas grabbed her wrist and yanked her toward him. Vigilance lunged at him while Lydia jumped up and Argis drew his sword. The dog’s bite couldn’t break though his armor, “Why did you not tell us you were leaving? Do you have any idea how I’ve felt.”
“Wait everyone,” Sonin put a hand up to her housecarls, “Vigilance, sit.” The dog released Vilkas and sat on the ground. “Vilkas, let go of me.” Vilkas saw where his gauntlet had pressed into her soft flesh. He released her, not sure why he let his anger out on her. “Farkas,” she looked to his brother, “You and Vilkas come to my chambers. We can talk privately.”
“Sonin-” Argis tried to argue.
“It’s okay Argis,” she offered him a smile, “Just some Companion things to discuss.”
“As you wish,” he relented, but kept his sword in hand, “You need only call for me.”
Sonin smiled and nodded at that, closing the door behind the two brothers. They took in the sight of her room. It was spacious with each shelf filled with books, potion ingredients, and tokens from her battles. Above her massive bed hung a blade on display, it was her gift from the Jarl upon being made thane.
“Alright,” Sonin sat on the chest trunk at the foot of her bed with her legs crossed, “Ask your questions.”
Vilkas started, “Why did you leave?”
“Isn’t that obvious? You were the one who made it clear to me that I was being selfish and not doing my dragonborn duties,” her words felt like a slap.
“Why did you leave without seeing us first?” Farkas asked.
“It would be too hard on me,” Sonin looked to the ground, “I may not have found the courage to leave if you asked me to stay.”
“Are you bedding your housecarl?” Vilkas couldn’t stop himself.
“Excuse me?” Sonin questioned.
“I could smell you on him,” Vilkas continued as he moved closer to her, “Don’t try to deny it.”
“You push me away and now you are jealous?” Sonin scoffed.
Vilkas forced his lips on hers, Sonin’s hands pushing at his chest to move him off, “I will not share you anymore.”
“I’m not yours,” Sonin countered, “I belong to no one but myself.”
“Vilkas,” Farkas gave a threatening tone, “I don’t like it either, but she’s right.”
“So you just accept this?” Vilkas snapped at his brother, “You’re willing to just let another man fill her? Do you no longer wish for her to mark you?”
“That’s not it,” Farkas pushed his brother back, “Don’t question what I want. I just know better than to try and force myself on her.”
Sonin watched the two bicker over her. She almost felt bad, but Vilkas was the one who drove her away, “Both of you stop it!” They turned their attention back to her, “I will not have you fighting in my house. Is that clear?”
“Aye,” they said in unison.
“Good. I’m assuming you want me to go back to Jorrvaskr with you?” She questioned. Vilkas said aye. “Well I’m not.”
“Your shield siblings miss you,” Farkas informed her.
“And I them,” she admitted, “but I have things to do before I allow myself to come back.”
“Is playing house with Argis one of them?” Vilkas sneered, his jealousy getting the best of him.
“Vilkas I swear to every Divine that I will let him impregnate me just to spite you if you don’t get your temper under control,” her threat forced him to gather himself. “I have received word of some dragons frequenting every hold. I will be heading out soon to take care of them all. Solitude is first on the list. If you wish to spend time with me then you may join, but I will not be headed back to Whiterun for a while. Months possibly. Everyone knows what I am there so I need to give it time to die down.”
“Then we will be your shield brothers,” Farkas clasped a hand on her shoulder, “I would like to fight dragons by your side.”
Sonin smiled at that, “I’ll be glad to have you. I have missed you- both of you.” She corrected.
Vilkas brought himself to kneel in front of her, “Sonin,” he put a hand on her cheek, “Please, come back to Whiterun. I shouldn’t have scolded you.”
“No, you shouldn’t have. What’s done is done now though. I have dragons that I’ve ignored long enough that need slaying, so I will not be returning until they are dead,” Sonin touched his cheek back, “I appreciate the apology.”
Farkas nudged his brother over and took his spot, wrapping Sonin in a bear hug and pulling her off the chest and into him. He took in the scent in her hair, lavender and honey. Sonin giggled at his movements as he put her back down, “I missed you.”
“I know, I’m sorry,” Sonin felt some relief at having them back with her, “I did plan on writing you two directly, I just needed more time.”
“I forgive you,” he leaned down and kissed her forehead, “Vilkas may be too stubborn to admit it, but he forgives you too.”
Vilkas grumbled in response and scowled, “So Solitude? That’s about a day and a half if you’re taking it easy.”
“Aye. Argis has mapped out the best path for us,” she paused, “Oh, he’s coming too. So I suggest you find a way to deal with that. I will not have you two fighting.”
“Do you love him?” Vilkas asked, worried for her answer.
“Love?” Sonin coughed, “I-I don’t think so. I haven’t known him long enough for that.”
“Good,” Vilkas replied, heading out of her room.
“I’ll speak with him,” Farkas assured Sonin, who nodded in response. This was going to be difficult.
…
The four of them made it about two thirds of the way to Solitude before dusk set. Argis dutifully set up Sonin’s tent and started a fire. Vilkas stared daggers into the man, realizing that he didn’t set up a bed roll or tent for himself which could only mean he intended on sharing Sonin’s. Farkas seemed to either not notice or not care, having a joyful conversation with the mage.
“Everything is ready, my thane,” Argis told her as he tied Ennoonan’s lead to a tree.
“Argis, we talked about the whole title business,” Sonin sighed, “Thank you for your work.”
“Anything else you require of me?” He asked.
“No, You can go ahead to rest if you wish,” Sonin replied.
Argis looked to Vilkas who was staring at him, “I’m not sure I feel comfortable leaving you alone.”
Sonin laughed, “I’ve known these men for a while now, they are no threat.”
Argis didn’t reply, keeping his gaze locked with Vilkas’. The man’s wolfish features made him uneasy. Argis was someone who had survived many battles and fought many a foe, so unnerving him like this took some skill.
Sonin drew everyone’s attention as she stretched and yawned, “Now that I mentioned it, I’m pretty tired,” she patted Farkas’ arm, “Goodnight you two.”
“Goodnight,” Farkas replied.
Vilkas remained silent as he watched her crawl into her tent and under the bed roll. Argis gave him a shit eating grin before following her. Farkas grunted at his brother in an attempt to make him gather control of himself, sensing his wolf about to burst.
“You need to calm yourself,” he whispered to his brother, “He is her housecarl.”
“Jobs and titles be damned,” he whispered back, “I should be the one laying with her.”
“I could say the same, but fighting is only going to push Sonin away. She doesn’t like anger and jealousy,” Farkas spoke.
“Aye,” Vilkas sighed. He knew his brother was right. If he wanted Sonin back and wanted her to want only him, he was going to have to work hard for it.
…
“Watch the tail!” Sonin yelled to Argis, who was striking the dragon on his right flank.
Sonin cast up a ward on herself as the dragon breathed frost on her. Her hands lit up with fire as she yelled Yol and watched the flames engulf the dragon’s head. He shook violently, his tail striking Argis and sending him a few meters away. Vilkas and Farkas were on its left side, striking at its stomach and legs. Sonin let loose the fire ball she had built up, scorching the dragon’s more sensitive scales on his throat and face. Argis was on his feet again, rushing toward the beast.
“Zu'u fen drun hin dinok!” Sonin shouted to the dragon as she rushed toward his head. She let out an unrelenting shout that made him lower his head.
“Hi fen Ni pruzaan zu'u, dovahkiin,” the dragon yelled back, shaking his whole body to try and make her fall off his neck.
Sonin was at his head, having wrapped her legs around the base of his skull to stay on. It was like riding a bull, except the bull was a few tons. Vilkas looked in horror, rushing the head of the beast to stop his shaking. Argis let out a battle cry, although it was useless against a dragon. Vilkas matched his cry, driving his sword into the dragon’s right flank. The dragon roared, giving Sonin the chance she needed to reach his head. Standing on shaking legs, she conjured her bound blade and drove it down with all the might her body would allow. It pierced the skull between its eyes and hit its brain. Sonin came tumbling down with the dragon’s lifeless body. She landed on her back, the wind forced out of her. Her companions rushed to her as the dragon’s body began to burn, scales flaking and crackling.
Vilkas reached her first, “Sonin! Are you okay?”
“Aye,” she coughed, trying to catch her breath. The dragon’s soul rushed into her, making her moan in a way that made all three of the men surrounding her aroused.
“I knew you said you were the Dragonborn, but I didn’t really believe it until now. Seeing it with my own eyes. You took its very soul!” Argis commented, “Just like the heroes of legend.
“You didn’t believe me?” Sonin raised a brow, Vilkas having helped her sit up.
“I’m sorry,” he rubbed the back of his head, “It was just so unbelievable.”
“I understand,” she rose to her feet, wobbling a bit. Absorbing a soul always left her feeling unsteady, but having a hard landing made it worse.
“You shouldn’t have risked climbing on the beast,” Vilkas scolded.
“It was impressive,” Farkas countered, “You were a true warrior.”
Sonin wanted to blush at the compliment, but was too taken by Vilkas’ tone, “I did what needed to be done, Vilkas.”
“Aye, but it was reckless. What if it managed to get you off its back? It would eat you before you could gather yourself back up,” Vilkas continued.
“You should watch your tone when addressing my Thane,” Argis moved to Sonin with his blade still in hand.
Sonin looked from Vilkas to Argis and back again. Farkas offered her a shrug. He did not share the outright jealousy that Vilkas showed.
“I suggest not approaching me with a blade drawn,” Vilkas threatened.
“I-”
“Enough!” Sonin interrupted Argis, “I have half a mind to leave you two here to argue while I take Farkas into the city with me.”
Both men stood down, neither wishing to be away from her. Farkas smiled at the idea of being alone with her in the biggest city in Skyrim. There would be many places that he could take her in.
“We’re going into the city?” Argis questioned.
“Aye. I’m going to sell what scales and bone I can gather from what’s left of this dragon. We’re going to spend the night at the inn before heading to the next dragon sighting,” she explained. “You two better behave yourselves.” She eyed the two tense warriors.
…
Sonin sold off the dragon pieces for a good sum of gold. She split it between herself and each of her men for their work in helping her take it down. She had Argis make arrangements for them at the inn while she visited the various market stalls. Vilkas and Farkas were gathering stares from the locals.
“They must not be use to seeing anyone other than the legion wearing so much armor in the walls,” Sonin said.
“Aye,” Vilkas replied, “Bunch of milk-drinkers.”
“Hey! I like milk,” she feigned offense.
“You definitely like to milk me,” Farkas made the lewd response.
Sonin immediately had a rush of red over her face. Argis met them at the market, startled to see his Thane such a bright shade of red. He put a hand on her forehead to check for fever.
“What’s wrong?” He asked, having not found a rise in temperature.
“Nothing,” she coughed, trying to fight off her blushing.
Argis cast a look at her Companions. Farkas just laughed hard while Vilkas matched his expression. Sonin cleared her throat, the color fading. She moved to lead them to the blacksmith, wanting to repair some damage her black leather armor sustained in their fight.
“Seems there's no end to the needs of the Imperials. But what can I help you with?" Beirand, the blacksmith, asked as she approached with her entourage.
“I need some repair to my armor. It seems to have received some damage,” she pointed out the cuts and scrapes.
“Aye,” he replied, “I can do that. I’ll have it done by tomorrow morning, just leave it on the workbench. You can pay me when you pick it up.”
“Thank you,” she moved to the workbench and unclasped the armor.
She wore a tunic underneath. It was simple with some embroidery around the collar. The tan color went well with the black leggings she wore. She bent to remove the pieces on her legs, all three men enjoying the sight of her ass. Strangely enough, each of them were imagining the same scenario of bending her over the bench and taking her from behind. Beirand could read their faces, chuckling under his breath as he added fire salts to his forge.
Sonin, now free of her protection and clad in just her tunic and leggings, walked back to them. They trailed behind her like puppies, or at least that’s what she thought it looked like, toward the Blue Palace. Vilkas questioned why they were going there, to which Sonin explained that there was a bounty on that dragon that she intended to collect. She had two housecarls and a dog to support now.
“You’re not planning on wearing that to the palace, are you?” An Altmer said as she was nearing the courtyard.
“Excuse me?” She replied.
“Your attire, are you planning on going to the Blue Palace?” She sounded annoyed at asking again.
“I don’t see how that’s your concern,” Sonin placed a hand on her hip.
“If you were willing to wear one of Radiant Raiment's outfits and speak to the Jarl I would not only pay you but let you keep the outfit,” She replied.
“Pay me to just wear your clothes?” Sonin sounded suspicious.
“Yes, follow me to my shop and we’ll get you fitted,” she started to walk, expecting them to follow.
Sonin shrugged at her party, “Guess this is going to be the easiest money I’ve ever made.”
Once in the shop, Argis stood behind the partition as two Altmer women dressed her in their finest garments. Vilkas and Farkas were sitting in chairs opposite them, watching the shadows casted from the sun shining through the window. Vilkas felt some type of way that she would let Argis watch her change but not him. Farkas had no quarrels with it, understanding that a housecarl will not let his Thane out of his sight while he was traveling with her. If anything, Farkas was glad that Sonin had someone to protect her when he wasn’t there.
“Alright,” Sonin stepped into view, “What do you think?”
Their jaws went slack at what they saw. The main portion of the dress was green, which brought out the hazel in her eyes. The top portion was a brown that matched her hair well. There was a fur capelet that gave it a regal feel. Her hair was pinned up with some strands strategically pulled out to give her an apparent like bangs on either side of her face. It framed her well. Vilkas and Farkas hadn’t seen her in a dress before, so the sight left them rather speechless.
Argis answered her question, “You look regal, my Thane.”
Sonin blushed a bit, moving in her fine shoes, “Aye,” Vilkas managed with Farkas nodding in agreement.
“Well, let’s go get the Jarl’s opinion,” She led them out of the shop, Argis having dropped her regular clothes in their bedroom in the inn.