A Wintry Suprise

A Wintry Surprise - One shot

Ashe awoke to the sound of the front door being shut. Her eyelids fluttered as she fought away the last vestige of sleep. She didn't remember falling asleep, but looking out the windows it was not long after midday. Pushing herself up, she brushed some stray hair behind her pointed ear and looked down at her side to see baby Julien still asleep, one hand gripping the bed sheets by his head, the other resting on his face. She couldn't stop the smile as she looked down at her little bundle of joy.

The bed dipped as a large body climbed up behind her, wrapping a strong arm around her shoulders and giving her a quick kiss on her neck.

"Sorry love, I didn't mean to wake you" Bishop rumbled into her ear, sending a shiver down Ashe's spine. She turned around to face her husband. He was fully dressed in his hunting gear, not having even removed his boots yet. His bow was resting on the stand by the door and a skinned rabbit was laid out in the kitchen.

"How long did I sleep for? You should have woke me before you left." She pouted at him.

He laughed gently "I didn't want to disturb you and Julien, you were just so adorable passed out with the little cub in your arms." He placed another kiss on her forehead. "I'm going to cook one of your favorites though. Snowberry roast rabbit."

She raised an eyebrow at him, surprised by this.

"What?" he asked with a laugh "A ranger cant treat his wife? It'll be ready in a little bit so you keep resting til then"

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An hour or so later, Ashe cleared away the dirty plates from their lunch while Bishop sat bouncing a giggling Julian on his knee. Once the dishes were all washed she sat down at the table opposite Bishop with a hot mug of tea cradled in her hands.

"You didn't have any plans for today right?" Bishop asked, not taking his eyes off their son on his knee. Ashe raised her eyebrow at him again.

"No..." she answered suspiciously. 

"Good, I've got a little trip planned for us. We actually need to leave soon if we want to make it in time. Oh, and you might want to wrap up for the cold too." He looked up with a sly grin on his face. Ashe was starting to feel very suspicious about all of this. Sure her husband could be caring when he wanted to be, but this was very unusual behaviour. She went over to their wardrobe and pulled out her long fur lined burgundy coat, along with her soft doe skin fur boots. Normally she hated boots, preferring to go bare footed and feel the earth, but even she had her limits during Evening Star. Bishop was wrapping up Julian for the weather and placed him in his sling around his chest. Once they were both ready, Bishop lead the way to Riften's stables.

Outside the stables, rather than the usual open carriage, was a cloth covered carriage with a different driver. Bishop climbed into the back and put a hand out to help Ashe up. She sat with her arms crossed and her eyes narrowed as the carriage departed.

"Ok, what have you done? Did you break one of my artifacts?" she asked.

Bishop raised his hands defensively "I haven't done anything! ...This time at least."

There was a light covering of snow in the Rift's forest, but as they steadily moved north-west there was a more substantial amount of snow covering the ground. A few hours later they were trundling their way up the main road to Solitude. Dusk was falling by the time they arrived, a gorgeous red sunset just beginning to colour the sky. Ashe was sat with Julian on her knee, both of them looking out the back and around the carriage in curiosity. The stables were practically over flowing with horses, with stable hands running to and fro with hay for the stabled mounts. The city was clearly busy but she couldn't think of any reason off the top of her head. The carriage stopped outside the gates and they both hopped out the back. Bishop walked to the front to talk to the driver, handing over quite a decent sized bag of gold. He then made his way to the gates, calling over his shoulder.

"This way Ladyship, don't want to be late"

She hurried to catch up with him, Julian resting easy against her shoulder his golden eyes taking in all the details in wonder. Once they'd passed through the gate, Ashe gasped in delight. The city had been transformed. Running along all the streets, hanging from all the houses eaves, were little red banners with intricate gold snowflakes and other wintry designs. Hundreds of extra lanterns had been put out, lighting the city with a golden glow. Every door it seemed was adorned with fir boughs, each decorated with shining glass baubles. Most interesting of all however, was the many stalls lining the main street through the city. Hundreds of people, from all different races, weaved in and out of the stalls, enjoying the festive atmosphere.

Bishop wrapped an arm around Ashe's shoulder. "Happy Saturalia, Ladyship" he kissed her gently on the cheek.

"But Saturalia isn't for another week!"

"The Jarl organised this so people could visit it then travel home in time for Saturalia"

"How did you find out about this?" She asked gently.

"I heard about it when I was in Riften selling some extra meat" he rubbed at the back of his neck, a little nervous. "I remembered how you said you once came across a Saturalia market when you were traveling through Cyrodil, but didn't manage to stay and enjoy it. So I thought.. you know... you would like to come see this one."

Ashe looked up into her husbands golden eyes, feeling love and joy overwhelming her heart at the thoughtful gesture. She grabbed the collar of his jacket and pulled him down for a passionate kiss, careful not to squash Julian.

"Soooo I take it you like it?" he grinned down at her, a light blush appearing across his nose.

"I love it... I love you!" She kissed him again.

The trio joined the many others wandering around the market as a light snowfall began to fall.