Chapter Text
Ralof groaned as he finally walked into the Palace. It’d been a long week. Korvanjund had been a successful mission. The Jagged Crown was now in their possession. Their newest recruit was a beast. He learned Thea had been the Harbinger of the Companions. No wonder.
Ralof missed Ciara while he was gone. He heard rumors that she made too many potions, which he didn’t doubt.
He walked to the infirmary. Her room. He opened the door and walked in. Ciara hovered over the alchemy table. He watched as her face scrunched in confusion. “Not what you wanted?”
Ciara looked up. Her face lit up and she grinned. “Ralof! You’re back.” She walked over and gave him a hug.
He brushed her hair behind her ear. He saw a bruise peeking under her robe collar. He moved the collar.
Ciara blushed and moved away. She covered the bruise. She twirled a lock of her hair. “It’s not anything…. Serious.”
Ralof hummed. “I’m surprised. A little. Not that someone made a pass. Just how fast it happened.”
“Me too. Are you mad?”
Ralof laughed. “No. Maybe they’ll get that bastard out of your head.”
Ciara smiled a little. “What bastard?”
Ralof looked at her. He smiled. “What else have you done while I was gone?”
“I went to the Cornerclub a few times with Suvaris. I really like sujamma, though we have to be careful.” She laughed. “You should come. I keep trying to talk Bjorn into joining me, but he’s been declining.” Ciara walked back to the alchemy table to work on the potion.
“Most Stormcloaks don’t want to go to the Gray Quarter.”
“I think the people that live there would feel safer if there was an actual presence there.” Ciara shrugged. “I’m trying to find a way to bring it up to the Jarl. But I’m also scared to approach him.” She messed with the potion and poured it into the bottles. “How was your mission?”
“Successful. There’s a new recruit.”
“I think I saw her leave with the General.”
“Maybe. She’s a beast with the hammer.”
“Oh? I found her to be really cute. Her mannerisms. But I didn’t get to interact with her much.”
“Cute!? Did we run into the same woman? Tall. Muscular. Warhammer?”
“Aye. I said her mannerisms. You didn’t see her pacing around the hall messing with her hair.” Ciara smiled. “But I’m glad you are safe. I’m going to see if I can go with you on the next mission. I’ve made so many potions, I think I might’ve made some in my sleep.”
Ralof smiled. “The General should be back as well. You can ask him.”
The door opened. “Hey, Ciara. I just got off duty, if you wanted…. Oh, you’re back Ralof.” Bjorn smiled. “Surprised the disaster duo didn’t find me first.”
Ralof looked at Bjorn and then back to Ciara. “At least now I know the answer to my questions.” His brows furrowed. “Well, I’ll be in the barracks if you want to talk or get a drink.” Ralof walked over and gave Ciara a hug. “Be safe.”
Ciara smiled. “I always am.” She watched as he passed Bjorn and walked out. She frowned.
Bjorn whistled. “I guess he figured that out. You okay?”
“Oh, yeah.” She walked to grab her coat. “Thank you for coming with me.” She followed him as they walked through the castle. “He saw the bite mark.” She whispered.
Bjorn smirked. “I’m just letting the world know how good I am.” He grabbed her arm and looked around the hallway. “I can leave more. A pretty necklace around your neck.” He pressed her against the wall and leaned close. He pressed his knee between her legs. He kissed her neck on the other side. “We could also go back to your room.” He kissed her jaw.
Ciara whimpered. “N-no.”
“Aye. Let’s go then.” He moved away, grabbing her hand. They walked out into the main hall.
“By Talos. I leave you alone for a week and you actually….” Both Ciara and Bjorn froze and turned upon hearing Meeri’s voice.
Meeri walked up with a wide grin. She hugged Ciara and kissed her cheek and then turned to Bjorn where she patted his cheek. “Not interested, my fucking ass.” Ciara’s face was bright red. “And look at this cutie. If you’re ever bored of him, you can join me. Or join me and Soren.” Meeri laughed when Ciara’s face turned even darker red. “Go enjoy your date. I’ve got to tell the juicy details to Soren.” Meeri walked away with a laugh.
“Thank Talos, she left.” Bjorn dragged Ciara out of the Palace. “Where too?”
“I’m forcing you to the cornerclub. You have to meet Suvaris. She’s off today, so we can go earlier than I would normally.” She held his hand and dragged him through the city.
“Are you sure it’s okay?”
“They have more reason to be scared of you.” Ciara rolled her eyes.
Bjorn rubbed the back of his head. “I’m not sure if….”
Ciara stopped walking and turned to him. “I’m bringing you here because you are my friend. And I want you to meet my other friend.”
Bjorn frowned. “You really think I’m your friend? After what we do?”
Ciara’s brows furrowed. “You are the one that said it didn’t have to be serious.” She let go of his hand.
“Aye. I did. I meant it.” He sighed. “I’m sorry. This…. I’m used to people trying to fall in love with me.”
Ciara laughed a little. “Maybe if you hadn’t been so adamant about this definitely being about fun. Even if we weren't in that kind of relationship and I had declined, I would consider you my friend. And I do.”
Bjorn stared and blinked. He stood there for a few moments. “Okay. Fine you win. Take me to the damned cornerclub.”
Ciara smiled. “You’ll enjoy it. The food is good and so is the drink.” She grabbed his arm and dragged him through the Gray Quarter towards the Cornerclub. She opened the door. It was less crowded. Only a few patrons and Suvaris sat at her table. “Suvaris.” She called out and walked over.
“Ci!” Suvaris smiled at Ciara and then looked up at Bjorn. Even though she was tall for a dunmer woman and most Nords did in fact tower over her, she did not expect Bjorn’s size.
“This is Bjorn. He’s a friend. And this is Suvaris. She’s a friend. And now you’re both friends.”
Bjorn looked at Suvaris. Her skin reminded him of moonless nights. And her war paint barely showed on her face. He looked away. “Aye.” He moved a chair and sat down. The way her hair framed her angular face.
Ciara arched an eyebrow at him. “Well, I hope your day off has been good.”
“Aye. I’m glad you were able to escape as well. Work has been slow. With the war. I’m sure you are both busy.”
“Oh, I know. I’ve been trying to open an alchemy shop, but it’s hard. Especially in Riverwood. But, one day. When the war is finished.”
Suvaris laughed. “Aye. Would you like to try sujamma?” She looked at Bjorn. “What about food?”
Bjorn nodded. “I’ll try it.” He looked at Ciara. “What food are you getting?”
Ciara looked at Suvaris. “Is the mudcrab and kwama egg quiche good?”
“All the food is good.”
“Maybe the cabbage rolls too?” Ciara thought as she looked at the menu board by the counter.
“What was that spicy dish you had?” Bjorn asked.
“Lava foot saltrice.” Ciara and Suvaris said at the same time.
“I’ll try that.”
Suvaris yelled out the order to the owner. “How have you been?”
“I’m making potions in my dreams.” Ciara laughed. “But that’s okay. I’m about to see if I can leave. I have other skills and I want to help more. Since the General is back, I’ll ask him tomorrow.”
Suvaris nodded. “I hope you will be safe if you do leave.”
“Thank you! Is your brother still giving you a hard time?”
“Unfortunately.” Suvaris leaned forward. “The barkeep, Ambarys, has been bugging me lately.” She whispered. “I want to come here and have food from home after a hard day at work. I already get berated at home.”
Ciara tilted her head. “I’m sure a talk from us would make it worse.” She sighed.
“He really hates Nords. And I mean. The way we have been treated.”
“I know.”
Suvaris nodded. “Yet, you’re able to hang out with them.” She glanced at Bjorn.
Ciara smiled. “The good ones definitely make up for the bad ones. Like Shatter-Shields. They’re nice. They’ve hired non-Nords. You haven’t met my other friends, but I know Bjorn is nice and Ralof has always been nice. To me and Valerius’ and Faendal.”
“You’re not-boyfriend?” Suvaris smirked.
Ciara laughed. “He’s a friend.” She slapped Suvaris’ arm playfully. “But, aye. I’m trying to get a patrol to walk through here to help keep it a bit safer. I’m so low on the totem pole.”
“I think having you visit frequently is helping change some of the other elves' minds. They see you getting drunk off sujamma and enjoy our food.” Suvaris smiled a little. “Of course, that doesn’t fix everything.”
“I know.” Ciara sighed. “Hopefully, one day.” She smiled. “Food and drink. I was thinking I was gonna starve.” Ciara grinned. “You can try some of mine.” She smiled at Bjorn.
He nodded while he looked at the dish in front of him. “It doesn’t look that spicy.”
Ciara and Suvaris both looked at each other and smiled. “It still tastes good.” Ciara laughed. “Don’t forget to try the sujamma. Before you eat.”
Bjorn lifted the jug to his mouth and took a sip. He whistled. “That certainly burns going down.”
“Right? I enjoy the taste and feeling.” She leaned toward Suvaris. “Do you want to share the food with me? Or bring it home to your brothers? I shouldn’t have gotten both.” Ciara took a cabbage roll and ate the delicate bread.
Suvaris smiled. “Why don’t you take it back to your other friends? Have them try it?” Suvaris looked at Bjorn.
“Is it too spicy for you?”
Bjorn shook his head. He smiled. “I like it. It is a bit spicy…. But I was expecting it to get worse.”
“Drink the sujamma now.” Ciara smiled. She took a long drink of her jug. “What other drinks are there?”
Suvaris leaned on the table. “We have quite a few. I think sujamma is the strongest because the others can give you energy and vigor. And you know, sometimes a gal just needs to get drunk.”
“Thank the Divines for that.” Ciara laughed.
Meeri whistled as she walked into the barracks. She was about to excitedly tell the story until she saw Ralof, looking sad with mug of ale. “Oh, man.” She walked over to Ralof and plucked his forehead.
“Ow! What in Oblivion, Meeri?”
“Have you even tried to tell her how you feel? Does she even know? It’s one thing if she sees you as a friend, because she thinks that’s how you see her. And her just seeing you as a friend because she’s not actually interested after you’ve told her.” Meeri sat down next to him.
“She looked happy with Bjorn.”
“And I'm sure she will be in the short term. You know how he is though. As soon as anyone shows interest in anything past sex, he runs. He’s mastered that art.”
“And that has me worried. Besides a couple experimental kisses with me, Hadvar is the only man she’s been with. As far as I am aware.”
“If you don’t even know….” Meeri sighed. “My man, you need to let her know. Before Bjorn does break her heart.”
“She said it wasn’t serious.”
“They all say that. Can you deal with an engagement break off and then that aftermath?”
Ralof blinked. “I can try.”
“Well, you should let her know before she loses herself in those pretty emerald eyes of his.” Meeri sighed. “Even Soren and I treat flings better than Bjorn does.”
“Why did it have to be him?” Ralof rubbed his face.
Meeri patted his shoulder. “I’d have a talk with her when she gets back. I hate that I even helped get the idea into her pretty head.”
“You knowsh….”
Bjorn had his arm around Ciara as they both stumbled, drunk, to the Palace. He hummed.
“I think…. I think you like Shuvarish. I shaw the way you looked at her. She’s very pretty and nicesh.” Ciara giggled.
Bjorn grunted. “What about you and Ralof?”
Ciara laughed. “He only shees me as a friend.” She held her sides and laughed more.
Bjorn smiled a bit. “We’re both too drunk to be giving relationship advice. Esp-especially since you won't remember it.”
They both walked into the Palace after the guards opened the door. Ciara tripped on the rug and both of them tumbled to the ground. Ciara laughed.
Ralof poked his head out of the doorway to the barracks. “Divines.” He walked over and helped Bjorn and Ciara to their feet. “How much did you drink?”
Ciara wrapped her arms around Ralof. “I mished you.” She rubbed her cheek on his chest.
“Too much. She’s all yours, I need to crash after that.” Bjorn stretched and stumbled to the door to the barracks.
Ralof sighed. “By Talos. What did you both drink?”
“Shujamma. You need to come with me next time. Shuvarish is my besht friend.” Ciara looked up at his face. “Hmmm.” She hummed.
“What?”
“You have pretty eyes….”
Ralof smiled a bit. “Let’s get you to bed.” He scooped her up, which caused her to laugh. “We are going to need to stop your drinking.”
Ciara messed with his tunic. “It’sh jus fun.”
“I know. Let’s get you to bed.”
Ciara pressed her face against his chest. “Sho warm….”
Ralof looked at her. He hummed. “You need to get used to this cold, Ci.” He opened the door to her room. It was freezing and dark, as the fire had died. He sat her down on the bed and removed her coat. “I’ll get the fire started.”
Ciara held his arm.
Ralof looked at her. “Ci. I’ll stay longer, but let me get the fire started.” He fixed her hair. She let go of him. Ralof started the fireplace and walked back over to the bed. “What’s wrong?”
Ciara smiled. “Nothing’sh wrong.” She leaned against him. She grabbed his hand. “I mished you.”
Ralof reached over and pulled the braid from its pin. He unraveled the braid. “Why don’t you sleep?”
Ciara nodded. She moved away and fell into the bed. She pulled the covers over her. “Night….”
Ralof played with her hair as he watched over her. He leaned over and stopped himself from kissing her face. He sighed. He made sure the fire would last a while and then left.