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Dragonheart: Rise of the Harbinger	By : Lady_Kae Category: +A through F > Elder Scrolls - Skyrim Views: 9483 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters used from the game TES: Skyrim. All characters and game related material, save for original content is property of their respective owners and no money is being made from this fiction.

Chapter List
- 10
- 11
- 12
Chapter 10: Journey to Lakeview Manor

Tarrowlyn was in the midst of packing her knapsack when she heard a knock at her door. " Yes Kodlak?" She called out over her shoulder. She could smell the harbinger of the companions from the hall. The rest of the circle had returned from their hunting trip empty handed earlier that month and in a few days it would be the beginning of First Seed. That suited Tarrowlyn just fine however. She wanted every opportunity to kill Gemaine herself.
Tarrowlyn had been forced to wait out the harsh winter months before she could bring Alesan home. This winter had been one of the most savage she had ever experienced, and Tarrowlyn was not about to put the boy at risk. She had managed to make it back to Dawnstar by the first of Frostfall as she had promised however. It was taking Rayya time in trying to gather all the basic furnishings that her steading needed, as well as coin. It wasn’t as if Tarrowlyn could escape Farkas’ presence for that long either. Ever since she had managed to do so the three days she had been gone to see Alesan, Farkas had stuck even closer to her than before.
It irked the living oblivion out of Tarrowlyn that he had too. At the same time, she reveled in their friendship. Tarrowlyn was nowhere near as wary of Farkas and Vilkas as she was of the other men still.
" Heading out to see Lucia today?" He asked knowingly as he shut the door behind him. " Or heading to Lakeview Manor this time?"
Tarrowlyn leveled a cool gaze on Kodlak, one that spoke volumes of annoyance and respect at the same time. " Yes to both. And Farkas is not going with me this time." Tarrowlyn replied with authority. Well, the old man had just confirmed her suspicions that he indeed knew about Lucia's adoption and the steading she had built in Falkreath. She would be grabbing her daughter from Breezehome before leaving town and they were headed north to collect Alesan from Dawnstar.
" He's bound to find out one way or another, little sister. And as I said, I do not want you traveling by yourself while Gemaine is still out there. It's too much of a risk to take, especially with two children in tow. Farkas is going with you or both he and Vilkas will be tracking you to Lakeview before long." He had that feeling she wasn’t headed right for Lakeview though. Even then, the twins were sure to track her all across Skyrim to get their answers. Kodlak was willing to let them do it too. He couldn’t wait to see their reactions either. I have to keep myself amused in my old age somehow after all. he thought with a slight chuckle.
Tarrowlyn groaned in annoyance. The old man was much too perceptive for his own good. " Fine." She grumbled. " But I'm not going to Lakeview first. I'm headed for Dawnstar now that I have my basic furnishings ready."
" So you have adopted the boy then?" Kodlak chuckled. She had just confirmed his suspicions entirely.
" I did, yes. If I can't have my own, I'll adopt. Simple as that. I always wanted a couple of kids, Kodlak. My womb may now be barren, but that doesn't mean my heart is." Tarrowlyn said sagely. She closed her knapsack and she slung it over her shoulder. " I had better go round up, Farkas." As much as she didn't want to admit it, Tarrowlyn was glad that Farkas was coming with her now that she had a moment to think about what Kodlak just told her. There was safety in numbers and as the Harbinger had said there was the safety of the children to think of as well.
“ There’s something else I wanted to speak to you about, Tarrowlyn.” Kodlak’s tone was a little harsher than he meant it to be. “ I hear you’ve been busy as of late, even before Aela left with us.”
Tarrowlyn froze. Before the attack in Bloated Man’s Grotto, she and Aela had been working in secret to bring down the Silver Hand. “ Before this whole mess happened, Aela and I were working to avenge Skjor, Kodlak.” Tarrowlyn admitted softly. She had only come across one member of the Silver Hand as of late, and that had been a few months ago.
Kodlak sighed heavily as he shook his head. “ Your hearts have been full of grief, and my own weeps still at the loss of Skjor. But his death was avenged long ago. You have taken more lives than honor demanded. The cycle of retaliation may continue for some time, if it hasn’t already.” Kodlak’s gray eyes locked to Tarrowlyn’s green ones as they filled with tears. The disappointment in his voice made her feel as if she had been struck by him, right to her very heart.
Yes, the Silver Hand had managed to get a leg up on her, but Tarrowlyn had survived.
“ Remember child, vengeance only begets more vengeance. Violence further fuels more violence. If they attack us, we will fight, but only then should we fight. They are the ones hunting us, it shouldn’t be the other way around.” Kodlak said sagely. “ Yes, we fight because that is what we do, but we fight for honor. We should not be waging a war between our two factions. What they’ve done to you, Skjor, and Farkas is more than enough.” Kodlak shook his head as Tarrowlyn dissolved into tears and her arms wrapped around his chest. “ Easy now, child. Easy. We will all overcome this needless battle of bigotry in the end. Don’t forget what I asked of you.”
Tarrowlyn nodded against his chest and she calmed as she felt Kodlak run his fingers through her hair. “ I remember Kodlak. That’s why we’re heading out to Lakeview. A recent tip I got puts the coven in Falkreath.” Tarrowlyn replied. She stood straight and wiped her tears away. “ I need to go wake Farkas, Kodlak….” she paused a moment. “ Thank you for being as understanding as you were. I know I disappointed you, but I will not do so again. I promise.”
“ I know you will. Now, go. Don’t leave any of them alive.” Kodlak’s eyes flashed golden for a brief moment. He only wished he could be there with her when Tarrowlyn met justice upon the hags of Glenmoril. Tarrowlyn nodded in return with a renewed confidence in her eyes and he gave her shoulder a quick squeeze. “ Talos guide you, lass.”
Tarrowlyn lifted her hand and she gave Kodlak a return squeeze. “ And you as well. Hopefully we won’t be gone too long.”
“ Take your time, child. The wilds of Falkreath are vast. Just be careful out there and keep each other safe.”
Tarrowlyn nodded. “ We will. I promise.”
Kodlak watched as Tarrowlyn strode strongly from her room and over to Farkas’ with a smirk on her face. He couldn’t help but match that impish look as he heard Farkas groan in protest. Well, if this trip didn’t bring the two of them back together, Kodlak didn’t know what would. His patience with them was growing thin.
Again.

" There had better be a good reason for you getting me out of bed before dawn on a Tirdas morning, Tarrowlyn." Farkas grumbled as he shouldered his pack to make it comfortable. He was cold, hungry, and he had a massive hangover. He could barely walk straight due to the incessant pounding in his head. He and Vilkas had gotten into a drinking contest with Aela last night, against their better judgement. Like Tarrowlyn, the Huntress of Jorrvaskr had a habit of leaving men drowning in their mead.
" You'll see soon enough." Tarrowlyn shot back. She opened the door to Breezehome and she held a finger to her lips for Farkas to be quiet.
Farkas looked around curiously, his hangover fading quickly now as he studied his new surroundings out of habit. He hadn't realized that Tarrowlyn had purchased a home already. His brow furrowed in curiosity; as he was now more awake than he had been entering the abode, as Tarrowlyn made her way towards a room near the back of the house and Farkas watched intently now as Tarrowlyn smiled brightly.
" Rise and shine my little imp! C'mon now! Up we get!" Tarrowlyn said in a loud, sing song voice.
" Mama...It's still dark! The sun isn't even up yet!" came an annoyed, and very sleepy groan of a little girl. Tarrowlyn had since disappeared into the room and Farkas heard a sudden shriek of laughter ring from beyond the door. " Mamahahahahahaha! Not my feet! Not my feheheheheheheet!"
Farkas couldn't keep himself from chuckling as he walked over to the bedroom and he peered inside. Tarrowlyn was sitting on a bedside as she wrestled with what at first glance looked to be a pile of blankets. Then an unruly mop of brown curls made their appearance, with wide brown eyes and their face split into a wide smile due to their laughter. " MAMA! I'M UP! Pleahehehehehehese! Ha ha ha! Stop! I'm up!"
" You gotta get out of the bed for it to count, Lucia!" Tarrowlyn replied in the same sing song tone. Her fingers were dancing nimbly across Lucia's bare feet with apparent zeal and Tarrowlyn laughed brightly as Lucia laughed so hard she slipped off the side of the bed in her haste to get out of her mother's grasp.
" Well, that answers the question of where Lucia's been." Farkas murmured to himself as he leaned against the doorjamb to watch them further. Both mother and daughter were still laughing a little as Lucia picked herself up from the floor.
" Why are you here so early anyways?" Lucia asked. Her brown eyes were wide in her excitement and she hurriedly grabbed her favorite dress from her chest of drawers. She was about to pull her nightgown off to put on the dress when Tarrowlyn cleared her throat. Seeing her mother nod to the door, Lucia then realized that Tarrowlyn hadn't come to Breezehome alone.
" We're leaving Whiterun for a while, Luce. We're heading up to Dawnstar to get your brother first, and then we'll all be headed for Lakeview." Tarrowlyn replied as she plucked Lucia's brush off of her dresser. " Hurry and get yourself dressed so I can brush your hair. And don't forget to wash your face first. I've already got breakfast packed away for us."
" Yes ma." Lucia replied, though her tone was more wary than anything. She had been told to avoid the other Companions as the fighter's guild had enemies that Tarrowlyn did not want reaching her daughter. Why had Tarrowlyn brought one of them here? Much less the biggest, meanest, scariest one out of the bunch? Lucia could handle his twin, as he wasn’t as tall or burly, or even that drunkard or the dark elf. But Farkas the Ice Wolf? The man had earned his reputation for how vicious he was.
Farkas stepped away from the door as Tarrowlyn exited it and both heard the door slam hurriedly behind them both. " She seems scared of me." He said flatly.
" She'll warm up to you soon enough once I explain to her what happened. Well, only enough to get the point across at least." Tarrowlyn replied. " I told her to steer clear of the rest of the Companions because of the Silver Hand, Farkas. I will not allow her to be harmed because of my affiliations." Tarrowlyn was heading up the stairs now and she looked apologetically to Lydia, who was glaring at her thane tiredly. " Sorry, Lyd. You know it's the only way I can get her out of bed. Go back to sleep. You're about to get some much needed time to yourself."
" Thank you." The housecarl responded tiredly. Her bedroom door was shut not even a moment later and Tarrowlyn sighed a little heavily. She still needed to get some of her clothing to take to Lakeview with her.
" Why are you letting me this close to her then?" Farkas asked, his face set into a grim scowl. He knew that the members of the silver hand had to be watching the Circle closely. " My presence alone is risk enough."
" Kodlak insisted that I not leave alone. As you know, they couldn't find Gemaine, and quite honestly...As much as I want to kill that bastard with my bare hands, I'm scared I'll freeze if I come face to face with him again." Tarrowlyn whispered. She had paused her movements as she spoke and her head hung low in shame. " I want him dead so badly I can taste it, Farkas…But at the same time, I’m terrified of him...I still see his face every time I close my eyes. I know it’s been nearly half a year, but...”
Farkas knew better than to approach Tarrowlyn in such a fragile state. If all the time they had spent together taught Farkas anything, it was that she would come to him for the comfort she needed. Right now, Tarrowlyn more than likely needed some space. “ I’ll head back downstairs to wait on you then. You and I are going to have to talk while we’re traveling.”
Tarrowlyn nodded in acquiesce and she set about stuffing her favorite dresses and shoes into her bag again. There were tears streaming down her face at the admittance of her cowardice, but she also knew Farkas would never judge her for it. Just because she was a warrior didn’t mean she didn’t feel fear, as Tarrowlyn often told Lucia. Tarrowlyn felt fear more often than she cared to admit, for her biggest fear was that she wouldn’t come home to her daughter. She was sure Farkas still had his own fears, as he had admitted that he had been having nightly terrors with her involved in them to her when they had rescued Alesan from Hag’s End last year.
Tarrowlyn buckled her bag tightly as she walked back down the stairs again to collect her traveling companions and she froze at the top of the staircase, her mind now going a thousand miles a minute. There were only four beds at Lakeview. There were about to be five bodies. Tarrowlyn quickly turned around and she grabbed another spare bedroll from the chest in her bedroom. It had been a while since she had needed to grab it last. One of them was sleeping on the floor dammit and Tarrowlyn’s eyes flitted over to Farkas as he helped Lucia tighten the straps of her rucksack. What had she missed here? Farkas was the epitome of the scary, huge guy who hated the kids in town, according to Lars and the other kids at least. She paused a moment to watch them together.
Farkas was smiling a bit softly as he tightened Lucia’s other shoulder strap for her and he checked the weight of her bag to be sure it wasn’t going to be that much of a bother for her. If it did, well, the bag would be conveniently stuffed into his own until they got to wherever Tarrowlyn was taking them. “ How does that feel?” he asked gently. Tarrowlyn had missed quite a bit in the time she had been upstairs as he had put Lucia’s fears of him to rest.
“ Perfect!” Lucia said excitedly. “ Mama said we’re going to be leaving town today! I can’t wait.” Without warning her arms flew around Farkas’ neck and she sent the large man crashing backwards to the floor. She giggled a little before tightening her hold on him. “ Thank you for helping me with my bag, Mr. Farkas.”
Tarrowlyn held her breath in anticipation. By Stendarr, that man had better not hurt her daughter’s feelings or there would be blood spilt.
Farkas’ silvery blue eyes softened considerably and he carefully wrapped his arms around Lucia as well, ever trying to be mindful of his gauntlets. They had some sharp edges to them after all. “ You’re welcome, Lucia.” he whispered in reply, his eyes closing. This must be the feeling Tarrowlyn got whenever she got a hug from Lucia, it felt as if he had a warmth spreading through him right from his heart. “ Just call me Farkas, alright?”
“ Okay!” Lucia said brightly. She giggled again as she realized that she still had the larger man pinned to the floor and she squealed in delight when she was suddenly hoisted up by her belt. “ Look Mama! I took down a giant!”
Tarrowlyn had hoisted Lucia up with just a single hand, and she chuckled as she put her daughter on her feet. Her gaze when her eyes met Farkas’ for a moment was gentle beyond compare. Watching the two of them interact had reminded Tarrowlyn about Farkas’ promise to work his way back into her heart and under her skin. The look on his face when he hugged Lucia had undoubtedly mirrored her own when she had first adopted the girl. “ Compared to you, yes, he is a giant, isn’t he? Though you brought him down with some unconventional techniques. Do you have your daggers, Lucia?” her voice was soft and tender as she spoke, and Tarrowlyn finally looked away from Farkas a moment to help her daughter get ready to leave. Wordlessly, she turned her daughter around so that Lucia’s back was to her and she began running the brush through the girl’s mused chestnut colored locks. Hm, they were getting long enough that she could start plaiting them now. Thoughts of Farkas, and romance had been swept clean from Tarrowlyn’s mind. She had officially; and with absolute relish, settled into mom mode once again.
“ Yes Ma.” came the bored reply. “ One’s hidden in my boot, the other is right here in reach, just like you taught me.”
Farkas couldn’t help but watch the two of them together as he picked himself up off of the floor with a broad smile on his face. Tarrowlyn was certainly something to behold with her daughter there and Farkas couldn’t burn the image from his mind how much he would like to be a part of that. Depending on how long Tarrowlyn planned to be away from Jorrvaskr, well, he just might get that chance. Farkas wanted to see how living with her and the kids felt. He needed to know if he was truly in this for the long haul. If how he had felt watching the two of them was any indication, Farkas had a confidence that he was going to enjoy it very much.
Tarrowlyn’s fingers were sure and steady as she braided Lucia’s hair back and she grabbed a thick cloak from the rack near Lucia’s door. It was still rather cold outside despite that spring was around the corner and Lucia would easily catch a chill if she didn’t keep warm. The cold didn’t phase either Farkas or Tarrowlyn. They had both been as far north as Winterhold more times than either could count. Add to the fact that Tarrowlyn used to live at the college, and you had one very resilient nord woman. “ Alright Luce. Let’s go get Tanaris and Thunder from the stables and the three of us will be on our way.” she finally said.

“ I can understand why you didn’t want me to come with you at first.” Farkas finally said. They had been riding at a fairly slow pace for the last few hours and they would more than likely need to make camp soon. Lucia was already sleeping in Tarrowlyn’s lap, having fallen into her repose due to the steady, rocking rhythm Tanaris went at and the young mother was holding her daughter to her protectively. “ You didn’t have to bring me along.”
“ There is safety in numbers. From past experience, I know for a fact the two of us can handle nearly thirty on our own together.” Tarrowlyn replied softly, her features alight with a grin of rememberance. She had been alluding to her trial in Dustman's Cairne after all. Despite what had happened, Tarrowlyn still looked upon that day as one of the very best of her life. “ Besides, Kodlak mentioned that is was only a matter of time before you or Vilkas followed me back to my steading and found out about the kids anyways. Knowing the old man as well as I do now, he probably would have pointed you two right to my steading.”
“ You did adopt Alesan, didn’t you?” Farkas chortled. It seemed as if the only part he had heard in all of that was the word 'kids'. His eyes leveled on her in a stare that all but screamed his interest in her still. “ I told you there was always adoption.” Maybe this was his chance to get back under her skin again, but slowly enough that she wasn’t run off. It wouldn’t even be that much of a stretch to learn to love the kids, he was sure. Not if what he felt from hugging Lucia earlier was any indication at least. Farkas had been thinking about that since they had left Whiterun.
Tarrowlyn couldn’t help the blush that claimed her cheeks when Farkas said that. Was that supposed to mean what she thought it meant? That he wanted to be part of not just in her life, but the children’s as well? “ I thought you hated kids…”
Farkas’ brow furrowed, though he almost brought Thunder to a halt when Tarrowlyn said that. “ Who told you that? I’ve never told off any of the children around town. Not that I can recall at least.”
“ Lars and the other children are terrified of you, probably because of the way you look.” Tarrowlyn replied, a hint of a smile on her face now as she thought of how gentle and accepting of Lucia Farkas had been that morning. Again, she was sure that was the face she made when she held her daughter tight like that. That was a look of pure love there. She felt Farkas’ eyes on her and she looked over at him again, only to laugh this time. “ Probably because of that look right there.” she cackled gaily. Oh, that scowl was absolutely priceless!
“ You come back to town covered in the blood of your foes, in pain, and filthy. You’d be scowling too.” Farkas grumbled. Tarrowlyn had more than likely hit the nail on the head too. He did look something fierce when he scowled in annoyance.
“ Been there, done that.” Tarrowlyn retorted. “ One of the reasons I bought Breezehome. It gives me a chance to bathe and tend to my wounds before being mobbed by the rest of the kids.” She ran a gentle hand over Lucia’s cowl and she bent down to give the young girl a kiss. “ Wake up Lucia. We’re getting ready to stop for the night.”
“ By the way, Kodlak was probably right about either Vilkas or myself tracking you down.” he chortled as they pulled the horses to a stop. “ We might be able to make it to Rorikstead at least and stay at the inn, Tarrowlyn.” Farkas looked up with a slight frown. There was the smell of snow on the wind and he didn’t want the young girl exposed to the freezing temperatures for too long.
“ Supper first, then we’ll ride until it gets too dark to see. If we don’t make it into town by then, we camp. Simple as that.” Tarrowlyn replied. She didn’t like the idea of staying at the inns too much anymore. The keepers could be bought off with the right amount of coin for any information after all. After receiving a nod from Farkas, Tarrowlyn set to making the fire while he pulled the cooking supplies out. It was time to make something to warm them through.

Lucia’s eye barely cracked open as she feigned sleep. She could hear Tarrowlyn and Farkas talking in hushed tones, but not all of what they were saying. They were both leaning against a log that Farkas had carried over, and Tarrowlyn was leaning against him with her head on in the crook of his neck and his arm around her shoulder. Lucia smiled at the sight and began plotting immediately. Maybe she would be able to get her new brother in on the plan too. It had been a very long time since Lucia had both a mama and a papa after all. Closing her eyes before she was caught, Lucia snuggled further into her bedroll. The fire kept it nice and toasty and it’s warmth was slowly pulling her back to sleep.

“ Does Lucia know our secret yet?” Farkas asked softly.
“ No. I was going to tell her before we reached Dawnstar, seeing as Alesan knows. Lydia and Rayya both know, however.” Tarrowlyn replied. “ Lyd found out when her and I cleaned out Half Moon Camp about three months ago while you had gone out of town for something. I wasn’t alone, so don’t even think about scolding me for it. A member from the Silver hand was there trying to recruit them and of course I was burned by the silver in his blade. It didn’t take much for Lydia to figure it out from there.” Tarrowlyn felt Farkas’ arm wrap itself slowly around her shoulders and she scooted closer. His warmth was drawing her in like a magnet against steel.
“ And Rayya?”
“ She knew all the signs, considering her lover Sinding is a werewolf as well.” Tarrowlyn’s gaze grew a little pensive as she recalled their first encounter. A shiver ran through her, both of trepidation and excitement, as she mulled over her first time. At least now with some time behind the events of Bloated Man’s Grotto she was able to think a little clearer about sex. The thought of laying with another man was still a little terrifying right now, especially because all she saw whenever she closed her eyes was Gemaine’s twisted scowl of disgust and pleasure. The only thing he couldn’t taint was the moments that Tarrowlyn and Farkas had shared prior to the vicious attack she had suffered.
“ And she’s still clean? I’m surprised he hasn’t marked her yet.” Farkas said thoughtfully. He was staring into the flames now, his eyes glued to the winding undulations of the tendrils of fire. It was sensual and seductive to watch almost.
“ Oh, she’s been marked alright.” Tarrowlyn replied with a slight chuckle as she turned to face him a little better. “ She’s got a bite mark right about here on her neck.” She pulled her long tresses to the side to show the area to Farkas and she swallowed hard. When had the tension between them suddenly grown so thick? She could feel Farkas’ eyes boring into the unmarred skin of her neck, watching it intently as if he wanted to close the distance and…
Tarrowlyn immediately jumped to her feet and she hurriedly pulled on her cloak. “ Stay here with Lucia…” she said quickly as their eyes met. By the gods, his eyes were bright gold as opposed to the gentle blue she was accustomed to. Her pulse was racing fast and furious in her veins, her heart was pounding so hard she could hear it herself. Her breathing was labored, coming in shallow pants as she struggled to reign in everything that she was feeling at that moment. It was beyond overwhelming. A rapid warmth had settled over her at the thought of Farkas’ lips on her skin, the feel of his teeth breaking through and marking her. She hurried away from their campsite with only her sword in hand and Tarrowlyn could swear her cheeks were still a brilliant red to match her hair they were burning so badly. That wasn’t the only thing that was burning either, as a dull ache took up residence just below her navel.
Her body knew damn well what it wanted, her mind and reservations be damned.

Farkas’ eyes were glued to Tarrowlyn’s neck, and he swallowed hard as he watched her vein gently pulse in time with her heartbeat. He wanted nothing more than to taste her again, to hear those passionate cries that she had blessed him with so long ago. If she only knew how badly she was tempting him at the moment, exposing her throat to him so submissively as she was now. By the gods, he could feel his loins throbbing at the very thought of claiming her fully. There wasn’t anything holding him back any more. Yes, he had had reservations when she had been clean, but they both shared the blood of the beast now. All those reservations were gone, and the only thing left was the yearning to love her as he once had. He knew there was a chance Tarrowlyn might never heal fully from her trauma, but he wasn’t going to give up on her either.
He could all but feel the internal struggle within himself. Farkas knew he had to keep his distance, to give Tarrowlyn time. She knew he was waiting on her, knew he wanted to pick things back up again from where they had left off before Dustman’s Cairn. Nothing was going to deter him. A soft, cloying smell met his nose as his eyes veritably dilated at the scent. Farkas knew that smell, though it had been a very long time since he had been exposed to that heady aroma. He could hear Tarrowlyn’s pulse quickening, could see the vein in her throat pulsing madly now as a fetching blush began creeping from her face down her neck and to her chest.
Farkas hadn’t even realized that he was ever so slowly closing the distance between them the longer he looked at her throat. His eyes were staring intently at that spot as if it were the center of the universe. He could feel his body screaming for him to wrap his lips around the very patch of skin that Tarrowlyn had exposed to him, to sink into her body and claim her as his. To mark her as his mate….
To warn any other man that the woman before him was off limits, period.
Tarrowlyn suddenly jumped up and she grabbed her cloak from behind her. “ Stay here with Lucia…” she ordered softly, though Farkas could hear the nervous tinge in her voice. Her eyes met his and his own all but narrowed in desire at the sight of her now golden orbs. He had never lain with another werewolf before, though the graphic images that were now flooding his mind were more than enough to make him want her all the more. She ran off without saying another word, and Farkas found himself hard pressed to stay put. It wouldn’t take much at all to seduce her, he knew that for a fact. It was the aftermath that had him worried, and that kept him from following her. He would have plenty of time after they picked up Alesan from Dawnstar and got to Tarrowlyn’s steading.
One thing was for certain though. Farkas would not be returning to Whiterun until he healed her heart, cleansed her soul, and finally made her his only. He was more determined than ever to make Tarrowlyn love him.

Tarrowlyn’s back hit a tree as desire rushed through her body and her eyes screwed shut as she panted heavily. Oh gods! She could still feel Farkas’ eyes on her skin, could feel the ghost of his breath fanning against her neck despite the fact that he had not moved that close to her. The images playing through her mind made her clench her thighs in an effort to alleviate the longing that had suddenly and fiercely settled over her at the thought of Farkas making love to her again. She could almost feel him pinning her to the tree behind her, pulling both their clothing away, and then...She cried out and her knees buckled as she climaxed to the thought of Farkas driving into her again and again and her whole body quivered wantonly at the memory of how strong and thorough a lover he was in bed. She whimpered a little as the aftershocks rippled through her. By Dibella, as afraid as she was in her mind, both her heart and body know what they wanted, what they craved...
Why did you run away from him, human? He is also an alpha, he could father strong whelps. came a voice from the back of her mind. He would be a good mate for us. A very thorough mate...The unrestrained lust in that voice was too much for Tarrowlyn to bear.
“ Because I don’t want to mate…” Tarrowlyn whimpered. She took in deep gulps of air, as if she had been holding her breath too long and she felt another ripple of longing shoot through her. Her mind and body were on two completely different wavelengths and it was driving her mad.
You had best refrain from doing that again if you don’t want him to claim you, mortal. His scent is alluring to me, and I will not hesitate. Don’t think I have forgotten what you’ve been through, the mortifying things they forced us to do when we were captured...To us wolves, it’s the law of the strongest, though in the end we overcame…
“ We didn’t overcome then, Tala.” Tarrowlyn hissed. The reminder of Bloated Man’s Grotto was more than enough to cool the flame burning inside of her. In fact, it was as if she had been doused in water from the Sea of Ghosts.
Ho ho ho! So you do remember my name then. Tala said mockingly. She was Tarrowlyn’s wolfen spirit, the beast half of her. She was cunning, ruthless, and was the consummate alpha female. If things weren’t going her way, she made them change. And yes, together we overcame...It has taken you much time to calm my rage, but be warned. If I catch even the slightest whiff of that man, I will take over and we will kill him. He humiliated us both, and…
“ THAT’S ENOUGH!” Tarrowlyn bellowed into the silent night. The snow on the branches surrounding her shook a bit and she paled. Her thu’um had unintentionally slipped in there. “ I will not hear another word Tala. Leave me be tonight.”
Very well human. But again I warn you, if the male shows interest one more time...He will be our mate. Tala’s voice was slowly fading though Tarrowlyn could hear the echoes of the last word still in her mind.
Tarrowlyn swallowed hard at the threat her wolfen half had made, though her body shivered once more at the thought of Farkas. One thing was definitely for certain, when it came to the thought of her companion, Gemaine was the furthest thing from Tarrowlyn’s mind. She quickly used magic to clean her underthings. She wasn’t all too sure what Farkas would do if he smelled her...A resounding blush claimed her cheeks again. She hadn’t even touched herself, if had only been a mere thought that had driven her over the edge.

You let her run.
“ She’s not ready.” Farkas whispered ever so softly. His eyes were soft as he communed with nature a bit. He needed to calm himself before he did something he would regret. Not only that, Farkas didn’t want to wake Lucia after all.
The oblivion she’s not! You smelled her readiness just as clearly as I did, human!
“ I’m not having this discussion with you, Forlan.” Farkas hissed. He couldn’t refute the fact that yes, he had smelled Tarrowlyn’s arousal. He also knew that her mind was no where near where her body wanted to be. “ I still recall when you and Hircine forced me to…”
You started it first, human. Forlan chuckled darkly. I said it then and the same holds true now. She is strong, and she can give both of us strong whelps. He was pacing agitatedly left and right in the corner of Farkas’ mind that the man had been able to keep him in.
“ She can’t have her own young, so nice try.” Farkas retorted. He had a smug smirk in place, though he knew his wolfen half couldn’t see it.
It won’t stop me from trying. Forlan snarled. I could hear the whispers of her own wolf calling to me human. The next time this happens, I will not allow you to hold back. And I promise you, it will happen soon.
Farkas breathed a small sigh of relief as his beast half finally quieted and he looked over to where Lucia lay sleeping. She looked angelic, as the light of the flames flickered off of her face and Farkas smiled softly. He stood up and grabbed a few more logs that he and Tarrowlyn had hurriedly gathered. They needed to keep the fire going strong for the rest of the night.
His brow furrowed in thought as he sat back down and Farkas stared into the flames worriedly. His wolf was threatening to take Tarrowlyn if something like that happened again. While he had better restraint now than he did earlier in the year, Farkas wasn’t certain he could keep Forlan at bay if the wolf really put himself to it. A rustle in the brush and the smells of lavender and dragontongue made Tarrowlyn’s presence known to him and Farkas immediately felt himself go on point. The longing he had felt had come back with a vengeance and Farkas willed himself to calm down. He needed to tell Tarrowlyn what had just happened, that way both of them could keep some distance physically and emotionally.
Or at least attempt to.
“ We need to talk.” Tarrowlyn said, her tone nothing short of serious.
“ Let me guess.”
“ Tala said that she’ll force my hand….”
“ If either of us show interest? Forlan told me the same thing.” Farkas whispered worriedly. “ The last thing I want to do is hurt you, Tarrowlyn.”
Tarrowlyn was silent as she looked at Farkas. His gaze was averted from hers, but there was worry etched into his features. She looked down to the ground as her face fell in her own apprehension, and Tarrowlyn hugged her knees to her chest. She needed to reign this in.
“ Lay down with Lucia and get some sleep, Tarrowlyn.” Farkas said gently. “ I’ll keep watch.”
Tarrowlyn nodded silently and she unrolled her sleeping bag right by Lucia’s. Crawling into the warm furs, Tarrowlyn wrapped a protective arm around her daughter, and fell into an uneasy sleep.

Alesan heard the guards greet someone on a horse and his smile brightened when he saw a familiar flash of red hair. It had taken Tarrowlyn longer than she would have liked to get her basic furnishings ready, but she had come back in the three week timeframe to at least let him know she was running behind. Alesan began running up to Tanaris, and Tarrowlyn jumped off the back of the mare and to the ground. Her arms were wide open as Alesan all but tackled her into the snow and Tarrowlyn laughed brightly as she attempted to sit them both up again.
“ I’ve already got everything ready to go, I just need to finish running the lunch meals to the miners.” Alesan said quickly.
“ Take your time. We’re not in any rush. We’ll be at the inn, alright?” Tarrowlyn said.
Alesan nodded, though his smile broadened when he saw Farkas helping a young girl from Tanaris’ back. “ Hello again Farkas!” he called out.
Farkas waved back with a small smile and Lucia immediately went running after Alesan once she was on her feet.
“ Oh no you don’t. You can wait until he’s done, Luce.” Tarrowlyn chuckled. She had grabbed the young girl around the middle before she could get too far. “ The two of you are going to have plenty of time to get to know one another at Lakeview Manor.”
Lucia visibly pouted, but she nodded silently none the less. She had wanted a chance to talk to Alesan about what she had witnessed last few nights and had wanted to pitch the idea she had to him without their mother or Farkas present. “ Yes Ma.” she replied, though her tone conveyed her displeasure.

Farkas was walking near the shoreline as he waited for Tarrowlyn’s signal that they were ready to leave. He couldn’t keep his thoughts from going back to the thrill that had gone through him two nights ago, nor could he get the image that had seated itself in his mind since then to disappear either. He had dreamt that night that he had taken her again in their wolf forms, and that he had marked her. Farkas could still smell the aroma of her natural essence, could still taste the saltiness of her sweat on his tongue, the sweet taste of her blood as his teeth punctured her skin. He could hear every groan, cry of ecstasy, and moan still ringing in his ears as if they had actually happened that night.
Farkas had no desire to hurt Tarrowlyn, but his wolfen half had made a claim on her own. He wasn’t going to allow that to happen if he could help it. Now it was either stay by her side and protect her like Farkas had been tasked to, or it was back to Jorrvaskr with his tail veritably between his legs. Kodlak would be highly displeased with him, as would Vilkas and Aela, and Farkas had a feeling he could count on getting a few solid thwacks from his twin.
Farkas’ brow furrowed. It had been years since he and Vilkas had gotten into any fights, and the youngest of the twins was in no mood to let it happen again anytime soon. He wasn’t going to leave Tarrowlyn on her own, despite the fact that she would have her housecarl there as well, nor was he going to do the cowardly thing and go back home. He would just have to keep himself in check.
A gentle hand on his shoulder made him turn and he saw a lovely woman beyond compare standing behind him. She was dressed in a noble’s garb and Farkas looked at her curiously. She had bright golden hair, and golden brown eyes. The most noticeable thing that caught Farkas off guard was the presence of a woven crown of dragontongue and lavender blooms in her hair. The smell had made him think of Tarrowlyn first and foremost. “ Can I help you?” he asked.
“ Just keep faith, she will come around soon.” was all she said. “ Mara says to trust in the love you feel for her. All will be as it should be.”
Farkas turned back to look at the water with a sad shake of his head. “ There’s more to it than that, and I don’t think you’d understand the half of it.” he whispered. He turned to look at her again when he received no answer, and Farkas found himself puzzled beyond belief. The woman that had just been talking to him was gone without a trace. No footprints in the snow, no scent to follow. Who had that been?
“ FARKAS!” came Tarrowlyn’s voice.
Well that was his cue that it was time to leave and Farkas began making quick strides for the inn.

Farkas was silent as Lucia sat in his lap and Alesan was chatting with his new sister quite animatedly. His eyes narrowed a bit and Farkas pulled Thunder’s reigns to a stop. “ Just a minute, alright.” he said hurriedly to Tarrowlyn when she gave him a questioning gaze. He dismounted and ran up the side of the hill. Tarrowlyn followed him silently and she panted a little when they reached the top.
“ What in oblivion was that about, Farkas?” Tarrowlyn said breathlessly.
Farkas was silent as he stared at the statue intently. There was no way possible, was there? " Go back to the kids, Tarrowlyn." He whispered.
" Not until I have a reason to why we stopped." Tarrowlyn retorted. " You of all people should know I won't ridicule you if your answer is outlandish." Her smaller hands spun him around to face her and Tarrowlyn wound up tripping herself in the snow.
Farkas tried to catch her but both landed in a tangle of limbs and armor on the frozen ground when he slipped as well. He landed on top of her, and both colored brightly at the situation. Farkas swallowed hard as Tarrowlyn's surprised verdant orbs met his cobalt colored ones and Tarrowlyn all but felt him tense. It was a stalemate, as neither was willing to move.
“ Is everything alright up there Ma?” came Alesan’s amused voice. He had watched both adults tumble.
“ Yes!” came Tarrowlyn’s exasperated reply. “ Are you going to tell me what’s bothering you or not?” Her emerald eyes were still locked onto his bright azure ones and Tarrowlyn felt her heart begin racing a little at his proximity. The only reason she wasn’t terrified was because he hadn’t made any untoward moves on her.
Farkas seemed as if he was rooted to the spot as they continued their staredown. “ I’ll let you know after the kids are asleep…” he finally whispered. Every single muscle was tensed, every nerve ablaze. If Farkas felt high strung before, it was nothing to the tightness he felt through his body now, a tightness that was quickly coalescing in his loins. Slowly, so as to keep Tarrowlyn calm, Farks got back to his feet and he held out a hand to help her up. “ I’ll be right down, Tarrowlyn. I just need a minute, alright?”
Tarrowlyn nodded silently. This wasn’t how she was used to seeing him after all. In all honesty, he looked as if he had seen a ghost.
Farkas waited until Tarrowlyn was back down by the horses and he turned back to the statue. A few blooms of lavender and dragontongue had come loose from the crown seated upon the statue’s head and he carefully put them back into place. “ Lady Dibella…” he whispered. “ I hope you’re right. If that truly was you at the shoreline beside me in Dawnstar, I will do as you and Lady Mara said to.” He dropped a few coins in the offering box and he felt a warmth spread through his body. It intensified as his eyes fell on Tarrowlyn again, and Farkas smiled softly. Yes, he would trust in the love he felt for her, trust in the words that the goddesses had passed on to him.

“ Lucia...There’s something that Farkas and I need to talk to you about.” Tarrowlyn said nervously. She had inadvertently forgotten to talk to Lucia about her secret. “ Alesan, take a seat.”
Both children sat down in front of their mother and Tarrowlyn sighed heavily. “ Lucia. There is something I’ve been hiding from you for a while now. Do you remember why I said you needed to stay away from the rest of the Companions?”
Lucia nodded. “ You said that the Companions have a rival faction called the Silver Hand and that the Silver Hand are very dangerous.” Lucia said, recanting the exact words Tarrowlyn had a long time ago.
“ It’s more than that, Lucia.” Farkas spoke up. “ The Silver Hand are werewolf hunters.”
For eight years old, Lucia was very bright indeed, and she showed it when her eyes went wide in realization. She began shaking her head in disbelief, and Alesan laid a gentle hand on her shoulder.
“ It’s true, Lucia. I may not have seen Farkas transformed, but Ma is a werewolf. A very pretty one for that matter. Her fur is the same color as copper and….” he began. “ They won’t hurt us. In fact, I think Ma is more prone to protect us very fiercely if she were to transform again. Both of them…”
Lucia’s eyes were flitting back and forth as she stared at the ground. Tarrowlyn could understand that her thoughts were probably going a thousand miles a minute and she reached over to rest a hand on her daughter’s shoulder.
“ I wouldn’t dare dream of hurting you, Luce.” Tarrowlyn said softly. “ You can trust Farkas and I. We only transform if we have no choice. We don’t kill for the sake of killing.”
Lucia met her mother’s eyes and she slowly nodded. “ Will you let me see sometime?” she asked timidly.
Tarrowlyn looked over to Farkas, who had already stripped out of his armor earlier in the evening, and he stood up with a nod. “ I’ll bring over a few set of trousers shortly.” she whispered.
“ Where’s he going?” Lucia asked.
“ You’ll see soon enough.” Tarrowlyn replied.

Farkas’ tongue was lolling out of his mouth as he ran on all fours, and he looked over his shoulder at Lucia. She was laughing brightly as she rode on his back and Farkas came skidding to a stop. “ Like I said. Your mom and I are in complete control whenever we take on our beast forms.” Farkas panted. “ I need to head back to camp before it wears off. Hold on tight, alright?”

Lucia nodded and Farkas took off at full speed for camp again. This was much more fun than riding Tanaris at a full gallop.

It took the better part of four days, but Tarrowlyn sighed happily when Lakeview Manor finally came into sight. They were traveling slowly on the roadside of Lake Ilinalta, and the children were splashing each other as the four of them walked on foot. Both Tarrowlyn and Farkas were guiding Tanaris and Thunder by their reins and they were silent as they watched the children play.
“ I can’t shake the feeling those two might be planning something.” Farkas finally said with a chuckle.
“ Knowing Lucia? You can count on that.” Tarrowlyn replied with a chortle herself. There was a reason she called Lucia her little imp and not her little fairy. Lucia was much too mischievous for her own good. “ We’re just about there. Take Tanaris a moment? I need to round up the kids.” Tarrowlyn had changed from her armor into a dress when they passed through Riverwood and she had an impish smile on her face.
Farkas chuckled as he took the reins from Tarrowlyn and she went bounding after her children with a bright smile on her face. Nor could he keep himself from laughing loudly when both kids dodged Tarrowlyn simultaneously and she went face first into the water. In fact, he had to stop walking altogether because he was laughing so hard his sides hurt. It had been a very long time since he had laughed like that.
Tarrowlyn burst of from the water with an over exaggerated roar and her green eyes sparkled as she grabbed both Lucia and Alesan around their torsos. She certainly looked the part of the lake monster with the way her crimson tresses clung to her face wetly. Hauling the two onto either hip, Tarrowlyn waded a little further back and took a deep breath before dunking the kids in the water. The three of them began splashing wildly at one another as they made their way back to shore and Farkas shook his head in his mirth when they finally emerged from the cool water. “ You all look like a trio of drowned skeevers.” Farkas chortled.
Tarrowlyn snickered as she lead all of them up the slope and she pointed up to the house. “ Here we are kids. Lakeview Manor.” she said softly.
“ Did you really build this place all by yourself?” Alesan asked in wonder. His eyes were glued to the massive main hall as they walked past the eastern side of the building.
“ That I did, Alesan. It took me a while, but it’s livable at least. I’ve had help from Rayya as well in getting most of the furniture ready. Now that we’re here, I can take my time getting everything else I’ll need.” Tarrowlyn was smiling as she opened the door to the front hall. “ It’s a little barren at the moment, but I’m going to fix that.”
Farkas was looking around curiously. “ So I wasn’t imagining things then…” he said softly.
Tarrowlyn’s brow furrowed in her puzzlement. “ What do you mean?”

Farkas waved her off, indicating he didn’t want to talk about it with the children present. “ Well, now that we’re all here, I can help you with the furnishings if you want. I built the bar in my room, and I rebuilt your bedroom doors at Jorrvaskr after all."
Tarrowlyn nodded. " That can be tended to starting tomorrow." She replied. " Alright you two, get your rucksacks so that you both can change and get unpacked. I need to get out of these wet things myself."

Lucia and Alesan were laying in bed awake that night, both smiling ear to ear. " I can tell he likes her, Alesan." She whispered.
Alesan nodded. " I noticed it too. Ma's a bit on the shy side, isn't she?" He asked.
Lucia shook her head. " She didn't tell me about it, but Lydia told me that Mama got ambushed not too far from here a month or two ago. She was in a bad way for almost a week. The men hurt her badly, among other things." Lucia's face fell a little. It was hard to think of her mother in such a state, Tarrowlyn was the strongest woman she knew.
Alesan bristled. While only eleven, he knew exactly what Lucia had meant by that. It was no wonder Tarrowlyn shied away as much as she did from the menfolk. " I'm sure we'll figure something out, Luce. They would be good together, that much is obvious."
Lucia nodded and she smiled a little. From what Lydia had told her, Tarrowlyn and Farkas had been close once before. All that was needed was to reignite that spark.

Tarrowlyn handed Farkas a tankard of mead as she approached the chairs she had set up near the fireplace and she felt his fingers gently skim the back of her hand when he took it from her. Their eyes met briefly, and Tarrowlyn smiled a little. It was the little things like this that Farkas did that helped remind Tarrowlyn that he was nothing like the men that had assaulted her. It had been a gentle caress on the soft skin of her hand, and Tarrowlyn allowed him that simple touch. " Now, what did you mean by what you said earlier?" She asked as she took her own seat.
Farkas had the grace to look confused at the question. He had said quite a bit earlier.
" By that you weren't imagining things?" Tarrowlyn amended with a chuckle. Her gaze was soft as she looked at him and she took a deep drink from her own mug.
" Oh, that." Farkas said flatly. His eyes turned to the fire and he leaned forward rest his elbows on his knees. He clasped his drink with both hands as he thought hard about how to word everything. The last thing he wanted to do was to dredge up bad memories for Tarrowlyn after all. " It was about a week before I found you..." he whispered softly. It pained him to recall that night, for Tarrowlyn was honestly the strongest woman he knew. By all rights, the woman next to him should have died more than once from injuries she had sustained. " I was traveling through the hold and it was late in the evening. I had heard the sound of a hammer echoing through the wilderness, and I was sure I had smelled the forge as well. I figured whoever it was would allow me to earn a little coin by way of service until I could get to town, and by the time I got here, no one was around. I could have sworn I smelled you then, though I passed it off as the master of the house being an alchemist. From there, I went to Riverwood and stayed the night at the Sleeping Giant. I now see my first hunch was correct."
Tarrowlyn sighed and she reached over to lay a hand on his forearm. " I owe you my life for that night Farkas. If you hadn't found me, I would have died from my injuries. Time has a way of clearing one's senses, especially concerning traumatic events such as that. While I wish I had never gone there to begin with now, I also know that things; for good or ill, always happen for a reason. I honestly think that besides Vilkas and Kodlak, you are truly the only man whose presence I feel no fear in. If it hadn't been for Dustman's Cairn, I wouldn't be in the same room as you now. I tried to tell you then, and I will tell you now. More than ever, I am glad what happened between us that night happened, Farkas. Because of the memories we made together in those few days, I have something to remind me that not all men have evil in their hearts.
" You told me what you want, Farkas. I'm not deserving of it, but I can't help but feel blessed for the place you have for me in your heart. I don't know if I will ever be able to return it, but know that if I ever found myself in the position to reciprocate, I won't be looking any further than I am now." Farkas' eyes snapped to hers as she finished speaking and Tarrowlyn saw his jaw tighten. He was holding himself back for her sake, though the dragonborn could see plain as day how much that admission meant to him.
Slowly, Farkas' hand came to rest over hers and Tarrowlyn relished in the warmth she felt from it. His touch had always been warm and gentle, and Tarrowlyn was all but certain that warmth came from his heart. He was the epitome of the gentle giant, gruff and fierce looking to those who did not know him, but kind and loving to those close to him.
Something had passed unspoken, but words were not needed here. Timidly, they began leaning towards the other, and Tarrowlyn couldn't hold back the sigh that left her as she felt his breath fan over her lips like a summer breeze. His nose softly brushed hers as the distance between them grew less and less.
" My thane, I...." Rayya began as she walked into the room from the entrance hall. She had just returned from Falkreath proper from seeing Sinding.
Both Farkas and Tarrowlyn jumped back and she all but shot out of her seat when she realized what had nearly just happened. " Welcome back Rayya..." she said softly, though Farkas could hear a twinge of fear in her tone. " I'm going to head off to bed. Good night." And no sooner had she said those words, Tarrowlyn shot up the stairs and she closed her bedroom door.
The minute she was ensconced in her room, Tarrowlyn felt tears falling down her cheeks. She was torn. Her heart was screaming at her to accept the love Farkas had to offer her, but the memory of that awful night, of Gemaine, was what kept her at an arm's length. She didn't feel worthy of him, and that also kept her from moving on. She flung herself into her bed and clutched her pillows tightly as she began sobbing into it.

Farkas ran a hand through his hair as he sighed in his melancholy. What in oblivion had he been thinking?! Oh wait, I wasn't. He scoffed internally. He drained his mead and got to his feet. Tarrowlyn had set up a bedroll of him in the makeshift armory in the back of the main hall until such was the point she could make another bed for him to sleep in. He needed to go at her pace, not his own, Farkas reminded himself. He laid down against the pile of furs and closed his eyes.
Even in his dreams, he could still feel the ghost of her lips against his.

Five months passed by without incident. Farkas couldn't deny that he was very much enjoying the time he spent at Lakeview Manor with Tarrowlyn and her children. In fact, he had taken to training both Alesan and Lucia if they weren't busy with their studies, or doing their chores. The manor in of itself had become quite a home under Tarrowlyn's planning. She had since added an armory to the back of the house, and she had quite a few weapons and armaments stored in there that she had crafted herself. There was a lavish kitchen on the east wing, one that would make any aspiring gourmet's mouth water at the very sight of it.The last addition that Tarrowlyn and Farkas had built was the green house on the west side of the her home, and it was already in full bloom with a very wide array of potions ingredients that the dragonborn utilized. She had a little farming space on the east side as well, and Tarrowlyn took great relish in cultivating her own crop. Farkas had handled the majority of the carpentry and smithing that expanding entailed, as well as the masonry putting the cellar in required. It amazed both of them how easily Farkas fit into the normal day to day routines around the steading and how much it had become his home as well.
Yes, together they had made Lakeview Manor a home, and Farkas wouldn’t have it any other way.
Tarrowlyn grunted a little as she hauled the buckets of water on her shoulders up the hill, and she paused a moment when she saw Lucia and Alesan laughing and running from a broadly grinning Farkas. The look in his eyes was one of sheer joy, utter delight, and absolute perfection. Tarrowlyn couldn’t contain her smile as Farkas scooped Lucia up in his grasp, lightly pinning the little girl against his chest and he blew raspberries against her neck, making Lucia squeal and laugh in her own delight. The two of them caught sight of Tarrowlyn however as she began walking toward them and Farkas eased Lucia back down to her feet. He began to turn to head back inside for something, though he paused a moment to look at Tarrowlyn once more. She was pouring the cold water from the lake into the water trough for her cow. His gaze softened as he watched her and she turned up to look at him once more, a bright smile on her face. He smiled in return, and Farkas rubbed his neck a bit. By the gods, that smile of Tarrowlyn’s was paralyzing to say in the least. While he was unsure of when to pick things back up between them, Farkas knew without a shadow of a doubt that he had lost his heart to her.
Farkas was suddenly taken down to the ground when both Alesan and Lucia tackled him at the knees and the Companion laughed loudly as the two children pinned him down. By the gods, he loved these kids, loved their mother. He could hear Tarrowlyn laughing loudly from beside the animal pen and he turned his head enough to look at her. He still had a smile on his face, and his eyes were bright in his elation.
Tarrowlyn’s eyes were locked to his as she smiled softly and she shook her head a little. “ Alright you imps, let your paaauhhhh….Farkas up and the two of you go get washed up for supper.” Tarrowlyn said. She had almost called him their father. He may as well be though, they love him so much. she thought sadly. Farkas hadn’t shown much interest in the last few months, which made Tarrowlyn wonder if he had given up on her. Maybe he only tolerated the kids because they weren’t his. What would happen once Gemaine was finally out of the picture? Would he just leave their lives entirely?
“ But Ma! You haven’t even started cooking yet!” Alesan protested. All three of them had missed Tarrowlyn’s slip of the tongue it seemed. His blue eyes were narrowed a bit at her and Tarrowlyn smirked at her son.
“ The two of you still have your reading, writing, and numbers to complete for the day, or did you think I forgot? Now, go get washed up and tend to your studies. I’ll be up shortly, alright?”
Both children groaned in annoyance as they both got off of the man beneath them. “ Yes Ma.” came the chorus of disappointment and acquiesce.
Tarrowlyn picked her buckets and the rod she had used to carry them back up and she began making her way back to the lake. “ You’re a natural with them, you know.” she said over her shoulder to Farkas. He would be a wonderful father to his own children one day. A little melancholy settled over her at the thought and she fought the urge to sigh. As he had promised her, Farkas had not once tried to push Tarrowlyn out of her comfort zone. Then again, he hadn’t done anything with all the work they had been doing around the steading. The events of Bloated Man's Grotto were not as much a waking nightmare anymore, thank the gods, though the dragonborn knew that her comfort zone was quickly changing once more. Drastically changing.
Farkas smiled as he fell into step beside Tarrowlyn and he glanced to the side. “ They’re good kids, though I’m sure they have you to thank for that as well.” Farkas replied. “ It’s hard not to love them either.” His eyes locked forward, as if in a daydream, and he smiled softly at the thought of them possibly being a family together. That was what he truly wanted.
Tarrowlyn was about to say something when she saw the look on Farkas’ face, and she paused mid-step for a moment. “ Do you honestly mean that, Farkas?” she whispered as she bent down to fill the buckets. They had reached the lakeside faster than she thought they would have. She was about to settle the rod with both buckets hung over it on her shoulders when Farkas wordlessly took it from her.
“ Wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t, Tarrowlyn.” he replied in her ear. A soft kiss was planted against her cheek and Farkas began hauling the water back up the hill without another word. In all reality, he was internally chastising himself for such a bold action.
If Tarrowlyn had been having any doubts of Farkas still being interested in her, they were quickly abolished with that innocent kiss. Her hand came up slowly to touch her still tingling flesh and she smiled slowly at the feeling that was welling up within her. Her heart was hammering joyfully in her breast and she turned around to look at him as he walked away from her. He had promised her space, and had assured her that he would wait however long it took.
And Farkas had, with all the patience of a saint.
Tarrowlyn immediately began plotting as she walked up the hill. She needed to talk to Rayya now. Tarrowlyn had no doubts in her mind any longer, and her smile hadn’t faded from the moment Farkas had kissed her cheek.
It was time.
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Dragonheart: Rise of the Harbinger