Iriisii and Rose, A Different Path

 Iriisii and Rose, A Different Path

     Rigmor and Iriisii are on the road to Bravil, after finding out that there is an Innkeeper there by the name of Rose. Rigmor wants to see if it is the same Rose who helped to save her life and if so to thank her for that. Iriisii on the other hand desperately wants to know if this is the same Rose she came to know for just a few short days before she disappeared from Iriisii's life escaping from the Thalmor. She had been picked up by them in Riverwood as she went to check on the repairs to Rigmor's cuirass being made by Hedron at Alvor's shop. Unknown to her, she had been fingered out to the Thalmor by Morion, a cousin to Siggeir, then Jarl of Falkreath. And thanks to everything that came about, Rigmor's questions of Iriisii about her relationship with Rose, Iriisii's own memories of that last night together, the warring feelings inside her as she discovered that Rose had escaped Fort Black and was last seen crossing the border into Cyrodiil. Those feelings burning through her, driving out every other thought and feeling in her heart and soul. Making her realize by the pain ripping through her, that she had fallen hopelessly in love with Rose, only to lose her in the same breath.

     What was she to do? She had promised to help Rigmor with the situation she was in, to help find her mother, enslaved by the Thalmor, and her whereabouts unknown. And she also remembered she had tasks to do here in Skyrim for the 'Nine' as well. Because Akatosh had anointed the dragonblood that she and all her line before her had carried from the Dragon Wars, when Kyne asked Paarthurnax to help the mortals survive and overthrow Alduin. For that she had to build her power and knowledge of dragonlore, to face Alduin. Who had returned from exile in the Streams of Time, to determine the fate of Nirn. It was that thought that set her course, for if Alduin was not defeated, everything else, Rose included, would be lost. For she kept that little thought and buried it in her heart, that as long as Rose lived, there was a chance for them. Slim though it might be, it was a lifeline for her. And that if they somehow reunited, then she would ask Rose to follow her on the path she was to travel down after Nirn was put on its path forward to whatever the 'Nine' intended for it.

     Rigmor: "I know I do not have the right to ask this, but what are you going to do if this is the Rose we knew back then?"

     Iriisii: "That is the burning question of the millenium, I do not know, for there are still questions to be asked and answered. With so much time passed much can have changed. It will depend on what the circumstances are now."

     Rigmor, with a pensive sigh, "You still love her, don't you?"

     Iriisii's head slams to the side to look at Rigmor.

     Rigmor: "Do not be so surprised, after the others that you came to care for having been killed, the grief that you suffered, that consumed you after losing each one before anything could be born from them. You keep going back to the hope that Rose still lives, would still want you. I am the only other one who stood a chance of getting past that, and I blew it. I know it is my fault and I have come to terms with it. I was the one who let you go that night in the Imperial Palace, who told you to go and that I never wanted to see your face again. After I realized what I had done, it was too late to take what I said back. To fix what I, in my jealous anger, did to you. You were right about Bobby, as you were right about so many other things, and I did not listen to you. I know you stayed to pull 'my fat' out of the fire, because you promised my mother you would. And you stayed and gave up a part of yourself to create Kintyra, became Empress, because you saw what would happen if you did not. I am glad you did all of this, because I could not have done it alone. Akatosh and the others knew what they were doing when they chose you. I have come to accept that, but know this. If you and Rose cannot for whatever reason be reconciled, I will still be here. I will not do or say anything to come between you and her, for that would indeed kill any slim chance I might still have."

     The city of Bravil is in sight now and as they get closer, Iriisii's fears grow. The questions in her mind and heart swirl and race until they threaten to overwhelm her. Until Rigmor feels the anxiety pouring off of her affecting her and the horses.

     Rigmor: "It will be ok, the Gods have what they want, and there is no reason any longer to keep you and Rose apart. Believe in that and it will all be ok."

     Iriisii visibly calms down as Rigmor's words reach her through the maelstrom of fear and confusion. Rigmor thinks to herself, 'Yes, I still have a place in her heart, she still listens to me, hears me. Hope is still alive, no matter what may come for now. I just have to keep believing that'. They slowly ride up to the edge of the city, where they are asked to dismount and leave the horses there. A groomsman takes the reins and leads the horses to a corral to cool off before being fed. Rigmor asks for directions to the Inn that Rose manages, and the groomsman gives her directions as Iriisii stares at the picturesque beauty of Bravil.

     As Rigmor reaches where Iriisii is standing, "It is beautiful in its own way. It did not suffer so much under Sethius as Leyawiin and some others did. At least we do not have to endure an official welcome and can stay where we like, although it is unfortunate that it is because the Count and Countess are ill and no one is allowed to stay in the Castle because of that, I would have liked to greet them. Ah well, maybe after they recover, we can come back."

     Iriisii nods her head in agreement, as they continue into the city. The walk to the Inn is short and as they walk up to the steps before the door, Iriisii sees a rose laying on the boards in front of the door. She reaches down and picks it up.

     Rigmor: "That is just like the one you found at the top of that mountain, when you went to look for the shrine that was said to have a treasure of gold inside. By the way, what did you find in there, you have never said?"

     Iriisii: "Five thousand gold pieces, various bottles and jugs of Flin, Sujamma, Mazte, and a note."

     Rigmor: "What did the note say? Who wrote it?"

     Iriisii: "Azura wrote it. She gave her permission for whoever found it, to take the gold. But to first examine your heart about why you want it. If your heart is pure and your reason is worthy, no harm will follow you for taking it. I took it back down and split it in half with Rose. So that she could find a new life for herself."

     Rigmor: "I take it the Thalmor confiscated it when they grabbed her?"

     Iriisii: "That is a valid assumption, I really do not know for certain."

     Rigmor: "At least things worked out that she could buy the Inn and fix it up, even in spite of losing the money."

     They open the door and walk in, the surroundings make them feel comfortable and at home. They do not see Rose and a male voice calls out to them to ask if there is anything he can do to assist them. Rigmor replies that they are there to see Rose, after which the Argonian male turns his head toward the staircase and yells out, "Two visitors to see you, Rose!" He then turns back to looking at some papers. It is only a few moments that they hear footsteps coming down the stairs and voice saying, "How can I help..."

     Rigmor: "Rose, I am so glad to finally see you again!"

     Rose still cannot believe her eyes at who her visitors were as Rigmor quickly steps up and embraces her, saying, "I have so wanted to thank you for saving my life. We went to Fort Black to rescue you but you had already escaped."

     Rose quickly regains control of herself after the shock of seeing these two after so many years. 

     Rose: "Come on, lets get a seat and be comfortable. We can then catch up on everything that has happened."

     They sit down and Rigmor leads the conversation. It is not long before they are interrupted by an acolyte in the local Temple of Mara comes in asking for the Empress. Rigmor looks at Iriisii and says, "I think that is for you." It is then that Rose looks at Iriisii with astonishment on her face.

     Rose: "You are the Empress? I had heard there was one who killed Ariel Sethius and took the throne but I had no idea..., but then you would also have to be..."

     Rigmor: "Dragonborn, yes she is. She did not find that out until after you escaped from Fort Black. But go on Iriisii, go talk to the Priestess about the ceremony for Kintyra, then come back."

     The meeting with the Priestess went very well, all the necessary arrangements were made, and in the general conversation Iriisii learns that the Priestess is also 'born of two mothers' like Kintyra is. Iriisii does not know what this might mean for the ceremony but is willing to go ahead with it. She does ask about sending to the Imperial City for some extra guards. She explains the assassination attempts by the Morag Tong against Kintyra before she was even born. The Priestess says she understands and will leave that decision to Iriisii. Iriisii then returns to the Inn to find Rigmor has retired for the night leaving her with Rose.

     Rose asks if Iriisii would like to see the sights of the city and Iriisii gladly takes the opportunity to do so. They see a great deal of what the city has and end up at the Shrine to Dibella, which had at one time been a Shrine to Zenithar that was seemingly replaced in a single night. As Iriisii stands gazing at the Shrine, Rose takes one of Iriisii's hands and holding it in both of hers, "I have so missed you, and wondered how your life was going."

     Iriisii: "And I have wondered about yours every day since then. I am sorry, but I have to ask..." but Iriisii can get no further as Rose frees one hand and places it behind Iriisii's head, pulling her down into a kiss. Iriisii wraps Rose in her arms, as Rose slips her own around Iriisii and gives thanks to Dibella. When they come up for air, Iriisii asks, "Are you married or seeing anyone?"

     Rose: "No to both, and you?"

     Iriisii: "I know it does not look like it but Rigmor and I are not married. We went through a 'Friendship Ceremony' for Kintyra's sake. The Gods used part of us both to bring her into this world, and since she is my child as well as Rigmor's, I will not abandon her."

     Rose: "That is a strong part of who I met when I called out for help for Rigmor, and an equally strong part of why I fell in love with you. I am sorry for leaving you like I did..."

     Iriisii puts a finger to Rose's lips, "There is no need to apologize, although the pain I endured at your loss and what I perceived as the loss of our future together flooded me with grief, you did what you had to. You had no idea if either or both of us would or could find you, much less save you. You did what you had to based on what you knew of the circumstances you were in at that time. It is enough that we are together now."

     Rose: "Then kiss me again, my beautiful Dragonborn Empress."

     This time their kiss is even longer as their mutual passion for each other ignites a fire in both of their hearts and souls. As they slowly slip apart, Iriisii half turns Rose in her arms. Wrapping her arms snuggly around her, she lays her head on Rose's shoulder and nibbles on her ear. Rose leans her head slightly away to give Iriisii better access to that side of her face and head. While looking up at Dibella, she swears she sees just a slight smile, must be a trick of the moonlight. 

     Rose: "You do not know how long and how much I have wished for moments like this. And even though I hoped with all my heart, I never expected they would be with you."

     After things slowly grow more heated, Rose reaches up a hand behind Iriisii's head, turns her face toward her and gives her a gentle kiss. And as they part, she runs her tongue across the length of Iriisii's lips. Iriisii shivers at the sensations running through her. And as Rose wonders what she has ignited within Iriisii, she picks up Rose in her arms. Rose gives out a surprised 'whoop', and marvels at the strength she feels in Iriisii's arms. Even as she settles herself in those arms, and notices they are walking back toward the Inn. The anticipation of what awaits them when they get back to the Inn, stokes the flame in Rose's heart and body. Feeling the power in Iriisii as she is cradled in her arms, she feels relaxed and protected as she has never felt before with anyone in her life. After a lifetime of pursuit after pursuit, desperately trying to find something or someone to give her life to. This time the object of that pursuit has found and caught her. And she feels the beginning of true happiness flowering inside her.

     They stop at the door into the Inn and Iriisii looks at Rose, "There is something I must tell you."

     Rose beginning to be concerned, "What is it?"

     Iriisii: "From the moment I woke in your camp, after our night together. I have felt lost, bewildered, running down the streams of time with no sun, no moon, no stars to guide my way. But now, now I have found my sun, my moon, my stars, and they are all within you. Do you remember what you told me that night?"

     Rose blushes, "I said if you mucked up that night I would cut off your tits and feed them to the slaughterfish."

     Iriisii: "Well since I believe that I did not muck up that night. I promise you that I will not muck up tonight, nor every night from here forward."

     Rose gives Iriisii a kiss that promises she will not muck up tonight as well.

     Rose: "Can you carry me up the stairs?"

     Iriisii: "You are as light as a feather to me tonight."

     Rose: "Last door down the hall on the left side."

     Rose leans back in Iriisii's arms, comfortable for the first time in a very long time. Iriisii manages to open the front door and steps inside, using her heel to close it. Then she carefully makes her way up the stairs and down the hall. Opening the door to Rose's room and shutting it behind her. She first sees the pile of soft furs and cushions near a fire in the fireplace. Looking further she sees a fair size bed on the other side of the room.

     Before Iriisii can ask, Rose says, "Let us sleep on the furs, and let the fire be our companion tonight."

     Iriisii gently lays Rose among the furs and begins undressing her. As her skin is revealed, Iriisii sees the flickering light from the fire playing across Rose's skin, the patches of light chasing the shadows. Rose looks up at Iriisii, who sees the smoky flame in her eyes. She leans down to kiss Rose, who grabs her and rolls her onto her back.

     Rose: "Your turn now."

     And as Rose exposes Iriisii skin to the flickering firelight, she kisses, nibbles, and licks each spot she unveils. Until the passion in both comes out to play and the moon hides behind a cloud, leaving the stars as witness, like unto a thousand eyes in the night sky, looking through the open window.

     Hours later, Rose, draped across Iriisii with one arm and one leg, her head on her shoulder, sees Iriisii is almost asleep as she whispers to her, "I have business soon for the Inn in the morning light, sleep as long as you like. If you are still asleep when I return, I will come back and snuggle with you here in the furs."

     She hears Iriisii mumble something, then she hears, "I love you..." as Iriisii drops into a deep sleep.

     Rose: "Sleep well, my love, as I dream of you and this night", feeling herself follow Iriisii into a deep sleep.