Tale of Irethiel

Part 3 ?

(A/N Uhhh to be honest I'm not all too sure what I'm doing. I'm kinda worried that people won't like it, but hey I kinda want this out there I guess? Bah, forget it. Enjoy)

Smiling, Irethiel remembered those days with ease. Everything seemed so simple back then, she only had one task, and that was to destroy the world eater. Now, more than ever she was needed daily, for minuscule tasks that she didn't wish to join. She'd grown tired of fighting for the war, took a leave of absence, knowing that it wouldn't get anywhere without her help. For the past few months, she and Al had been travelling without a goal. She just didn't want to stay in one place for too long. She wanted to distance herself from the world, put off her duties for just a while longer...

Though it was a bad idea, the travelling meant that she and Al were closer than needed. She'd notice that he didn't sleep much, and figured he'd end up watching the stars above their camp. One particular evening however, she'd remembered that she had several bottles of mead in her bag. Fishing them out, she handed one to her companion and chugged down her own, trying to forget the days happenings. She'd been delivered a letter, the curious looking somewhat distraught. She opened it then and there, her face dropping for a second before it went straight. Staring at the floor, she screwed the letter up and threw it on the floor and kept walking. Al had picked it up, in either respect or to read it himself. She still didn't know. The mead made it easier to talk about, eventually telling him that a friend had died. She'd tried to keep her cool, but tears ended up slipping down her starlit skin. He had opened his arms for her, saying if she wished it he would comfort her.

She took him up on his offer, dropping her empty bottle of mead and crawling over to him and sitting in his crossed legs. She faced him, resting her head on his shoulder while her legs wrapped around his waist. She soon felt his arms around her, and she let out a sigh of content. One of his hands stroked her hair gently, telling there that it would be ok. She looked up at him then, her hands on his shoulders tightening their grip slightly. His eyes met hers, his features softened a little. She reached up then, her mouth about to meet his when his hand raised itself between them. She frowned gently, groaning at the man in front of her.

"If you kiss me, I want it to be because you want to. Not because of alcohol, Irethiel." He told her, watching her facial expression as she whined at him several times before placing her head back on his shoulder, fidgeting in his lap before dozing off.

The next morning she awoke in his arms still, he hadn't tried to move her during her well-deserved sleep. He let go as she moved, allowing her to stand up and stretch. She looked down at him then, her cheeks blushing as she remembered what she tried to do. She murmured an apology, picking up the rest of the mead and putting hit in her bag. She looked over to her helmet that sat on a rock, the metal gleaming in the sun. The glare harshly hit her eyes, irritating them.

"We should get to Riften, buy more supplies, and rest properly."

He nodded in agreement, picking up what was left over and making sure the fire was out before they moved on. It only took them an hour, their walking pace somewhat faster than before. Perhaps she just wanted some relief of being in a city? He had wondered about it multiple times, how she seemed more at ease within walls. She'd love it in his home. Just thinking about it made his heart beat speed up a little, oh how he wanted to take her back with him. Make her his, and himself hers. It just seemed right. Two beings, both with the power to destroy the other, together would- could - put a stop to the wars, the conflict, make the land whole again. He often wondered if this was the work of a daedra, imagining one of them laughing at the two.

Though when they arrived in Riften he felt her tense. Something was not right here. He stayed closer than usual to her as they walked, his eyes darting to check for any threat. They entered the Bee and Barb, immediately she turned and hid her face in his shoulder. His hand came up to rest on her head, petting it gently. His eyes scanned the room before meeting those of a thief stood in the corner. He wasn't wearing a hood, unlike those who lived under the city. He had piercing eyes, Alduin could make them out from where he stood. Smirking the thief pushed himself off the wall and walked over to the two, calling her name.

Alduin's gaze got harsher as the man got nearer, his grip on Irethiel tightening. She sighed into his shoulder and turned, gently prying his fingers from her.

"Andrew." She greeted the thief, shaking his hand lightly. The man, Andrew, pulled her with him, enclosing her into a tight hug that she didn't return at the time.

"Let's catch up" He didn't wait for her response, just pulled her to a bench in the corner. Alduin followed, standing close but not too close. He continued to stare blankly at the wall opposite them, until he saw movement from the thief. He hadn't bothered to listen to their conversation, finding any other mortal boring compared to Irethiel. He glanced down at the two, seeing the thief with his arm draped lazily on her shoulder and his other hand placed on her knee. Although it seemed to make her stiffen, she did not remove either, choosing to ignore his presence on her body.

"Now we've caught up on one side of your life, how about we catch up on another?" His grin widened, hand moving a little more.

Alduin growled slightly, thankfully it was not loud enough to be heard by the two. Irethiel stood suddenly, rejecting the thief's offer. She picked up the bag that she'd put down, grabbing Alduin's arm and pulling him with her, away from the third, away from the inn. She walked a little more, before she let go and pulled out a key and opened a set of double doors. How many homes did her own? At least one in every city, and apparently one outside of Falkreath. Dropping the bag she locked the doors behind them, taking off her helmet and throwing it aside.

"You know of my heritage, correct?" She asked him stiffly, still facing away as she walked down the ladder that lead to the basement. He followed her slowly, stopping in the larger hall when she went into the other room, no doubt changing from her armour.

"I am well aware of your elven side."

A quiet 'hmm' was all that she answered for the moment, the soft click of metal being placed on the wooden mannequins. She stared longingly at the nightingale armour that she'd stopped wearing a while ago, deciding to wear it for now, to feel like her old self again. The Ebony Mail was nice, but harsh for her to wear. She was primarily a light armoured fighter, and was still an agent of nocturnal. She came back out without the hood, but stopped and stared up at his features. He had an eyebrow raised in question, unsure of her point.

"My ears pick up most things." She smirked, going back up and leaving him stood there in confusion for a moment.

The growl.