My Random Skyrim Stories

Drinking Contest (2)

Ysara stood outside the small hallway between Vilkas's and Farkas's rooms trying to make her drunken mind process what had just happened. She was not nearly as drunk as Vilkas was, but she wasn't quite as sober as she'd managed to make Farkas believe either. She actually drank only half as much as Vilkas had... she'd used a transmute spell to subtly turn about half of her own bottles into water.

Of course she'd only done it with the particularly cheap bottles of ale that she didn't really like, but it was still a dishonest and dirty little trick. She'd already decided that in the morning she'd tell everyone that Vilkas had won the contest. Only Farkas would be the wiser, and he likely wouldn't say anything... but at the moment, that wasn't what Ysara was worried about.

Vilkas's drunken ramblings as Farkas dragged him to bed were still playing through her mind and making her heart race. She knew she wasn't the most beautiful woman in Skyrim... Vilkas was just drunk... right?

He didn't really believe she had all those suitors... especially not the Jarls... did he?

Surely he wouldn't really fight someone... for her...

Not that there were actually any suitors for him to fight, especially not Jarls... and even if there were, she'd choose him over anyone else...

They'd gotten off to a bit of a rough start back when she'd first joined the Companions, but after that he'd been especially helpful with her training... and the most reliable person for asking questions about anything she could think of...

She wasn't sure exactly when her general respect for him had become admiration... or when their relationship had changed from simple training partners to friends... but they'd certainly been close since Ysara had become the Harbinger. She'd been worried he would be upset with Kodlak's decision, but he had only encouraged and supported her.

She had no idea when her admiration for him had become love, but when she heard him ramble drunkenly— almost poetically about her eye color, and thinking she was beautiful, and wanting to fight her suitors... she realized it certainly had... a while ago.

The only question now, was what she should do about it...

If she'd been entirely sober, she would probably have decided to go to bed and speak with him in the morning... probably bring him some potions to alleviate the hangover he was sure to have... that would have been the most sensible thing to do...

But in that moment, Ysara wasn't at her most sensible...

Slowly, she pushed open his door and crept carefully into his room. She turned the lantern up so she could see, and Vilkas stirred with a slight start.

"It's just me," she whispered as he looked like he was trying to get up.

He settled back against his pillow but blinked up at her in disoriented confusion. She stepped to the side of his bed and sat down beside him.

"Ysara?" He murmured in confusion, "what are you...?"

His question trailed off with a soft sigh as Ysara reached out and gently ran her hand along his forehead and into his hair.

"I came to check on you," she explained in a soft voice as she stroked his hair.

His eyes fell shut and he relaxed more, seemingly enjoying her touch.

He still smelled strongly of ale and he was a bit of a mess... his warpaint was smudged and his face had the distinct beginnings of a short beard... but seeing such a peaceful look on his face still made Ysara smile.

He also really didn't seem conscious though. She felt rather guilty for getting him so drunk... maybe if she tried a healing spell now he'd be less sick later... she wasn't sure, but it seemed worth a try...