Shot Through The Heart [Complete]

[Niamh]

[10 Firstfall, afternoon. @Siali Arnith.]

Niamh's shot had veered left. Her aim had been solid enough but her release had come with an uncomfortable shifting in her wrist that sent the arrow off its mark. In spite of her practice, it still did not feel right to hold a bow. That meant mistakes, the sort it was difficult to fix. In actuality, she should have focused smaller. Perhaps she could work on her draw alone or even focus on her breathing. Either could make a great deal of difference, but no. She wanted to shoot arrows and she wanted them to fly true. If that meant firing enough practice shots until reality gave up and let her do whatever the hell she wanted, so be bit. And if anyone wanted to tell her that she couldn't be out her yet, she'd tell them to piss off.

Of course, it wasn't all work out in the training yard. A small scratching at her side called attention to her new best friend, a small and wonderfully squat mabari pup with an ever-plucked tongue. Pads, called such for his silly pitter-pattering, yipped enthusiastically with every shot she fired. Niamh didn't think he really understood what was happening—if he did, he certainly didn't seem to grasp her frustration—but his support was welcome nevertheless. The elf had worried that archery would be lost to her forever, her mind filling with wild fears after her injury. There was still recovery to be had and she still felt an occasional burning pain where her fingertip had been, but the injury was not so bad that would would be unable to adjust. All it would take was time. Unfortunately, Niamh was not the most patient individual.

"Thank ye, Pads," she said warmly, looking down at the pup. It was probably too cold for him to be out. She sighed, walking over to remove the arrow from the target. "But iff'n you and me are t'keep folks safe, I gotta do better than that." Pads yipped again. Niamh smiled, even if she knew that the reality of that boast would be grim. She drew another arrow; no matter what it took, she wasn't going to be caught off guard ever again.

 

[Siali Arnith]

Siali had ridden like the wind. The moment she’d heard of the trip to Orzammar, she’d asked permission for, and been granted, the opportunity to return to Denerim and speak to Niamh. Initially the plan had been to simply inform her that Siali would be away for a significant length of time, but then it had changed; if Niamh could recover from her injuries in time, she would also be able to join them. And while Siali’s chest clenched a bit at the thought of throwing Niamh in amongst the darkspawn again after the results of last time, it might make her feel a bit less bogged down by the damage she’d taken previously.

It could be a good opportunity to vent the frustrations she had mentioned previously, back before all of this stuff between them had started.

She’d never ridden so hard before, and while she did slow to a trot on a few occasions to spare Max and paused at lunchtime so they could both recuperate from the ride, she still made it to the city gates within a day. By the late afternoon, she was riding briskly through the streets, chafing at the press of the crowd that slowed her, as she headed for the Warden compound.

The shadows were just starting to length by the time she reached it. The guards at the gate seemed startled, and one of them came forward with an expression of apprehension. “Warden Siali! We weren’t expecting you – is there trouble?”

Wardens arriving anywhere unexpectedly meant they’d either left trouble or it was close on their heels. Siali shook her head in her usual brusque manner, then remembered her new position. “No trouble. I am here to see Warden Niamh, then Warden Cauthrien. Where is-”

She pulled up short as she spotted a familiar red-headed figure by the archery butts, with a roly-poly dog near her feet. Siali didn’t even dismount before calling over. “Niamh!”

 

[Niamh]

Maybe she was working too hard. Niamh paused a moment, looking at the target before her and letting a strange sense of nostalgia wash over her. She'd been in this place before, this place of doubt and drive, when she'd lost Anders. It wasn't even that long ago that she'd channeled all of her emotions into furious training. She'd learned and improved but it hadn't staved off disaster. There was a lesson in that, and yet her she was. If only she was faster. If only she was stronger. If only she was better. Niamh looked at the target in front of her and lowered her bow. She'd had enough of "if only" for the moment.

Pads scratched at her feet and the elf gave a slight giggle. He really had been an amazing addition to her life, even if he had a habit of shitting in the yard. She nodded. "Aye, yer right," she said dramatically. "Ain't gonna do no good on an empty tummy."

Niamh turned away from the archery butt, Pads giving a small yip of approval at the notion of a good meal. The little pup had developed an appreciation for bacon that Niamh was, in her over-generous way, eager to encourage. They could work on a better diet when he wasn't so adorable. She was about to stow her equipment when a voice called out.

“Niamh!”

She turned attention to the source and immediately felt her heart leap. Siali was seated on a horse, looking at gorgeous (and honestly sexy) as Niamh could have ever imagined. "Lass!"

Rushing over, Pads at her side, Niamh stopped beside her companion and looked up at her with eyes full of affection. Gods, it was good to feel this. All of her worries and frustrations melted away. All that mattered was her love. Pads looked up a Siali was curiousity, tongue stuck out idly.

"What are ye doin' here?" she asked. "I ain't gunna complain but I weren't expectin' nothin' like this neither."

 

[Siali Arnith]

Niamh turned around at Siali’s call, and the way that her eyes lit up when she saw who was calling made Siali almost tangle her foot in the stirrups as she dismounted. Thankfully she made it down without eating dirt and by that point Niamh had reached her, the pup rolling in her wake. “What are ye doin’ here? I ain't gunna complain but I weren't expectin' nothin' like this neither."

“A surprise, of sorts. Couple of things.”

For a moment Siali hesitated; this was all still very new and she wasn’t sure how to greet somebody she was involved with. Kissing seemed like the best approach, and she cupped Niamh’s face, leaning in for a soft brush of lips before smiling at her. “Hey. It’s good to see you.” Niamh was lovely generally, and she had an especially sweet-featured face. Right now Siali found herself unable to look away, and she was grinning like an idiot. And somehow, didn’t care.

Max had largely obscured them from the guards, who were still milling around in a bemused manner, and Siali opted not to go in for another kiss in case it embarrassed Niamh. “I’ve got some things to tell you. And Cauthrien, but I’d rather talk to you first.”

“Ahem.” A young groom, a bit wide-eyed, had slipped around Max and was trying very hard to look anywhere but at them. “Can I take your horse, Warden?”

Siali handed over the reins. “Thanks.”

As Max was lead away, she nodded towards the building. “Can we go sit? I’ve been riding hard most of the day.” She held out her hand for Niamh to take. “It’s good to see you’re feeling better. I mean, I’m assuming. As you were practicing. How’s your hand feeling?”

A bump at her ankle and a soft whine drew Siali’s attention downwards to the dog. He was a mabari pup, and clearly put out at being ignored for thirty seconds. “Who’s this?”

 

[Niamh]

Niamh wanted nothing more than to pull Siali down from that horse and show her exactly how happy she was to see her. But relationships were tricky, the elf had learned. Sometimes, you had to wait for someone else to make the move instead. Knowing when to kiss and when to wait was difficult, and she was still learning, but in this case she'd chosen correctly. Siali leaned down, lips touching for a moment. Niamh felt her heart soar; it was wonderful to be wanted and she was eager to ease her partner's woes. Be they the simple weariness or travel or anything else.

“Hey. It’s good to see you.”

"Tha's cuz we love each other, lass," she said teasingly. She smiled softly and sweetly. Sometimes, it wasn't all wide grins and giggles. Sometimes love was more subdued, like the warmth of a blanket. That was good too. "But I suss that y'ain't just here fer kisses."

“I’ve got some things to tell you," Siali said. "And Cauthrien, but I’d rather talk to you first.”

It was hard not to laugh when the groom came to tend to the horse. There was nothing wrong with being affectionate but the boy was young and no doubt unaccustomed to such things. Niamh didn't mind if he wanted to look. Let the whole world look, she thought. But She understood why the boy might be uncomfortable. She held off on kissing Siali for now.

“Can we go sit? I’ve been riding hard most of the day.” She held out her hand for Niamh, which she took happily. “It’s good to see you’re feeling better. I mean, I’m assuming. As you were practicing. How’s your hand feeling?”

Niamh looked at her free hand, frowning ever so slightly. "I ain't where I'd like," she admitted carefully. "Stiff 'an still hurts iff'n I ain't careful. Cannae shoot straight as before nor practice as long. But I can't useless 'an that's summat. I'm sad, some. But I know I ain't gonna be such forever. Takes time, y'know?"

By now, Pads was not pleased at being ignored. He flopped about near their feet, scratching and pawing at Siali's boots with a surprising fervor. The tongue-plucked pup gave a whine, begging to be noticed. Siali looked down with bemusement.

“Who’s this?”

Niamh laughed. "This is Pads," she said chipperly. "He's me new pup what's a big lump of trouble." As if to confirm this, Pads gave a small yip. "Nathaniel got 'im fer me, and so now I'm like a mum t'Pads and teachin' him how to be a tough mabari. He likes bacon scraps, chewin' boots, and ain't never takes no fer an answer. He ain't quite tough yet, but he'll grow into a right great dog!"

They started walking down the compound halls, Niamh stroking Siali's hand gently. She did not want to press before they reached a private room but curiosity got the better of her. "Now, what's on yer mind then lass?"

 

[Siali Arnith]

“Tha’s cuz we love each other, lass.” Red crept up Siali’s face. She still wasn’t used to hearing that at all and the words stuck on her tongue usually, although she’d managed to say it before she left for Amaranthine. “But I suss that y’aint just here fer kisses.”

It was good, being able to turn up with actually nice news for a change. Well, relatively, considering the Orzammar thing was definitely going to involve a lot of darkspawn, but at least it wouldn’t mean being left behind. And there was the other thing. Siali admitted she had come to talk with both Niamh and Cauthrien, and then they headed back inside. As she did, she asked about how Niamh was healing.

“I ain’t where I’d like. Stiff 'an still hurts iff'n I ain't careful. Cannae shoot straight as before nor practice as long. But I can't useless 'an that's summat. I'm sad, some. But I know I ain't gonna be such forever. Takes time, y'know?"

“Yeah.” Siali smiled at her. “Some wounds take a time to heal. But s’worth it when they do.”
Before she could get dangerously sappy about things, a puppy demanded her attention.

“This is Pads. He's me new pup what's a big lump of trouble.” The pup yipped. His nose was tiny. Siali leaned down to poke it. She didn’t know why. "Nathaniel got 'im fer me, and so now I'm like a mum t'Pads and teachin' him how to be a tough mabari. He likes bacon scraps, chewin' boots, and ain't never takes no fer an answer. He ain't quite tough yet, but he'll grow into a right great dog!"

“A mabari. Wow. Y’know, some nobles would give their left foot to have one. You’ve got a friend for life in him.” Siali wasn’t the biggest fan of dogs, but Pads was sweet as far as puppies went, and the chances of him growing up to attack elves because his mistress was bored and wanted entertainment was non-existent.

They reached a quiet room after a few moments of walking along in silence. “Now, what’s on yer mind then lass?”

“Well. First thing. Big news.” Siali grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of her head with the hand not wound with Niamh’s. “I’m the new Warden-Lieutenant at Vigil’s Keep. I’ll be running things whenever Nathaniel’s away.”

 

[Niamh]

“Some wounds take a time to heal. But s’worth it when they do.” Siali's words were straightforward, befitting their speaker. Whatever doubts Niamh had, she rested easily knowing that Siali would always see things clearly.

"It ain't such a big thing," Niamh admitted carefully. "But I get pains what make it feel like the finger's whole, 'an I ain't so hot with a dagger now. Part 'o me know it'll pass, but another part scurries 'bout 'an fears I'm a liar-billy-tree." She squeezed Siali's hand. "No doubts when yer where though."

They walked in a comfortable silence for a time, Pads flopping along admirably, eyes all but fixed on the strange redhead that had enraptured his master. When Siali reached down to give his snout a poke, Pads gave a half-barked warble before running around the pair in circles. On his last pass, he tumbled into Siali's shin. It was no matter to the pud, who rolled back to a trot without missing a beat.

"Y’know, some nobles would give their left foot to have one," Siali noted. "You’ve got a friend for life in him.”

Niamh looked at Pads with a sweet face. "I bet I do, don't I lad?" Pads gave a tired wheeze of agreement before licking at Niamh's boot. It brought a smile to her face. The moments after fighting the darkspawn had felt so bleak. It was like she'd never recover. But here she was, with someone she loved and a loyal pup as well. A powerful reminder that no pain lasted forever.

They turned into a side room, Siali demurring for a moment. It was cute. But after a few moments, she found her voice. “I’m the new Warden-Lieutenant at Vigil’s Keep. I’ll be running things whenever Nathaniel’s away.”

That was the last thing Niamh expected. She didn't quite understand how promotions were handled within the Wardens, and she never really considered the day to day logistics of running a keep or compound. She was a soldier, not a commander. Yet, she held the desire to lead her peers in time as well. That Siali had managed the feat was exhilarating. She leaned in an gave her new lover a kiss.

"Lass, I'm so proud!" She followed this up with a tight hug. "Right! We should celebrate, so I s'pose that means summat like a pub or romantical stroll, no?"

 

[Siali Arnith]

Niamh was reasonably stoic about her injury. Siali didn’t know how well she herself would take it if she lost part of her hand, but she suspected there’d be a lot more anger. Niamh seemed more agitated than anything else. “Part o’me know it'll pass, but another part scurries 'bout 'an fears I'm a liar-billy-tree." Siali’s mouth curled up in a small smile. She liked Niamh’s turns of phrase. “No doubts when yer where though.”

Siali kissed her cheek and they resumed walking, with Pads rolling along beside them. He was a sweet thing, Siali supposed, with his squashed-looking face and ever-present smile. Smiles on dogs usually meant something very different from a human, but he just seemed genuinely pleased to be lolloping alongside them. Siali could have just kept walking hand in hand with Niamh like that for quite some time, but she had a weird bursting sensation in her chest and suspected she wouldn’t be able to keep her news much longer. As soon as she spotted a discreet room, she pulled Niamh into it and shared her news.

Niamh immediately kissed her. Siali was less awkward now than she had been when they’d first shared a kiss, and she leaned into it with a happy sound, before she was enveloped by Niamh’s arms. “Lass, I’m so proud! Right! We should celebrate, so I s’pose that means summat like a pub or romantical stroll, no?”

Siali smiled. The idea of romance had seemed like something beyond her world for quite some time now, and she liked the idea of getting to spend some actual time with Niamh that wasn’t mostly based around either of them recovering from their latest injury. “I’d like that. But I have some more news, too.”

She wound her fingers with Niamh’s. “I’m going off to Orzammar, soon. Need to go do some stuff in the Deep Roads. I’ve been given permission to come and fetch you back to Vigil’s Keep to join us – if you’re feeling recovered enough to come.”

 

[Niamh]

Siali seemed distracted, or else she was just tired from the ride. Niamh could barely contain her excitement at news of her companion's promotion but in spite of her smile, Siali didn't immediately second the idea of heading out for celebration. Pads seemed interested in the idea, somehow understanding that a stroll might mean a chance to wander around and cause trouble in different places. He pawed at Niamh's shin and she bent down to scratch behind his ears before rising once Siali took her hand.

“I’m going off to Orzammar, soon." That was unexpected. What would Siali have to do with the dwarves? "Need to go do some stuff in the Deep Roads. I’ve been given permission to come and fetch you back to Vigil’s Keep to join us – if you’re feeling recovered enough to come.”

Niamh nodded, even as she felt a strange pang in her heart. The Deep Roads would undoubtedly have a fair share of darkspawn and for all of her bravado, her nightmares mostly featured grim alternate versions of her battle at the arl's estate. "I ain't gunna make ye face off against nasties alone," she managed to say before Pads barked in affirmation. Niamh didn't want to tell him that he was probably too young a pup to come.

But for as much as she stood by her words, Niamh had lingering worries. She looked at her bad hand, gaze fixing on her finger. It took a moment before she spoke.

"What if I ain't good enough though?" The question plagued her mind ever since she left the infirmary. "What iff'n I just slow folks down or mess up shootin' if there's darkspawn.."

 

[Siali Arnith]

Siali didn’t want to rain on Niamh’s parade – or the parade Niamh wanted to hold for her. Would it be so bad if she just put everything else aside for a moment so they could go find somewhere to get a drink or to walk, hand-in-hand, and enjoy a moment of peace that hadn’t been afforded to them yet?

For a newly-minted Warden-Lieutenant, possibly. And some of the other information she had to cover pertained to Niamh anyway. What came next could potentially spell an even lengthier separation, unless Niamh felt ready to go into the Deep Roads.

She didn’t look keen about the idea, but she didn’t turn down the request, either. “I ain’t gunna make ye face off against nasties alone.”

Darkspawn elicited fear in even the hardiest, most battle-scarred Wardens, but Siali had a reasonably good grip on that fear. Neither would she be facing them down alone. Nonetheless, Niamh’s agreement caused a smile, and a sense of relief that caught her off guard. She didn’t want to lead the other woman into danger, of course, but having somebody at her back she really cared about had always improved her abilities to fight. Plus, it meant they wouldn’t be apart for months.

Niamh had other concerns first. “What if I ain’t good enough though? What iff’n I just slow folks down or mess up shootin’ if there’s darkspawn…”

Siali took the injured hand, gently, in both of hers, and raised it up to kiss the knuckles softly. “You’ll do good. I know you will. You’ve got time to heal and you’re about as determined as anybody I know. And I’ll be right there with you.”

It still felt weird, being the person to offer reassurance, but she quite liked it. “No darkspawn’ll get close enough to you to do any damage while I’m about.” It was a stupid promise to make when she didn’t even know she could keep it, but she was going to try her damndest. She met Niamh’s gaze steadily with her own, and then smiled gently. “I’ve got you.”

 

[Niamh]

Being open about her apprehensions was far from the most attractive thing, but Niamh told Siali regardless. If she'd learned anything, it was that the best people, the important people, were those you could be honest with. She'd been open with Moira, but there was still some extra bravado. That was comforting in some ways, but there had always been things she couldn't say. That didn't apply with Siali; both had faced darkspawn and knew the reality of what an excursion to Orzammar could hold. But Niamh's worry was not met with disdain or dismissal; Siali too her hand and kissed it. In that moment, all of her worry vanished.

“You’ll do good. I know you will," Siali said. Niamh suddenly believed it. "You’ve got time to heal and you’re about as determined as anybody I know. And I’ll be right there with you.”

Niamh nodded. "I'm plenty tough," she admitted. That much was true; more than a fair share of fighters would have frozen against the darkspawn. "Just suppose'n that me fussin' up last time's got me flustered some. I ain't but a chunk but I lost a part 'o me."

"No darkspawn’ll get close enough to you to do any damage while I’m about.” Another thing Niamh believed immediately. Siali looked at her and smiled. “I’ve got you.”

All Niamh could do, for the moment, was smile back. For someone who liked talking so much, she'd grown to appreciate the comfortable, if always somewhat strange, silence that could fall between lovers. It coated everything, muting all possible words until everything was implication and looks. She let it flood her, desire brimming until she couldn't contain it anymore. Leaning in, she pulled Siali tight and kissed her again and again and again. When she pulled away, she gave a small of nods back towards her bed.

"Ye must be ailin' after yer journey," she noted, a hint of suggestion coloring her words. "Mebbe I ken help with that.."

 

[Siali Arnith]

Niamh didn’t demur. One of the reasons Siali liked the other woman was that she didn’t tend to conceal what she was feeling, at least not around her. She had a measure of self-assurance that Siali enjoyed as well, even if it had taken a dent lately. “I’m plenty tough. Just suppose’n that me fussin’ up last time’s got me flustered some. I ain’t but a chunk but I lost a part o’ me.”

The shortened digit would not impede Niamh after she got used to it. Saying so probably wouldn’t help much, so Siali offered backup as the most supportive thing she could think of to say. Guarding somebody – not penning them in with it but being alongside them – was good, right?

It seemed to be. Niamh returned her smile. Then her eyes brightened, and she made a grab for Siali, pulling the startled woman in before Siali really knew what to do with her hands. Then they were kissing again, but with far greater intensity than they had up to this point, and it woke something in Siali that had been dormant for quite a while. When they finally broke apart, Siali chased Niamh’s mouth for a moment. Her hands, without any input from her brain, had rested one at Niamh’s waist and the other on the back of the other woman’s head, and while she didn’t want Niamh to move away she relaxed her hold when she felt Niamh shift.

She’d thought that maybe Niamh might be thinking of the fact that Siali had to report in, but it turned out other things were on her mind. “Ye must be ailin’ after yer journey.” Niamh sounded almost hopeful. “Mebbe I ken help with that…”

Well, it wasn’t like this visit had been arranged in advance, or anything…

Siali felt the grin rising to her face. “It was a hard trip. I’m a little sore.” There were about three dozen innuendos involving riding that she knew of, and she refused to use any of them right now. She leaned against Niamh with the intent of guiding her steps towards the bed, stealing another kiss as she did so. She was a bit nervous – it had been a while since this had happened with somebody she actually cared about – and she stilled the other woman for a moment. “I’d like to hear what your ideas are, but nothing more than you feel comfortable with. Alright?”

Besides the usual comfort zones to consider during intimacy, Siali really didn’t want to ruin the mood by rolling onto Niamh’s hand.

 

[Niamh]

Niamh had, perhaps, rushed into the situation a bit more quickly than she'd intended. That was a both a good and bad thing, she found. Everyone was different, especially partners. Moira had taken a hand as delicate as any of the gowns she wore, after all. Siali? Well, Siali was tougher than that and most importantly she was right there. After the battle, it felt like she'd left so quickly. That made Niamh more... excitable at her sudden presence.

Thankfully, Siali seemed to understand where this was all heading “It was a hard trip," she said. Niamh feigned an excess of worry, walking over at giving her lover's shoulders a light massaging. "I’m a little sore.”

That made Niamh chuckle, a sound touched with far more experience and confidence that she'd had even a few months ago. "Oh, Lass..." she began. "Not yet."

Siali began to guide them back closer to the bed and Niamh stole kiss after kiss. “I’d like to hear what your ideas are, but nothing more than you feel comfortable with. Alright?”

She felt the bed's frame against her and pulled Siali back until they both fell onto it. She looked up at her new lover, reaching up to run her hand through Siali's hair. "I think ye could order me t'do 'anythin'," she said slyly. "'en I'd hafta listen to the new Warden-Lieutenant." She leaned up and stole a kiss before looking at her lover seriously.

".. It's okay iff'n ye wanna get rough and such too," she said carefully. "I dun mind that a'tall."

 

[Siali Arnith]

It had been a long time since Siali let herself get as lost with somebody as she was with Niamh right now – almost completely outside her own head, thinking only about more kisses, more contact, but just present enough to assert that Niamh shouldn’t do anything she didn’t want to. They didn’t any further with that conversation before they both went over onto the bed, and Niamh was running a hand through Siali’s hair. Siali turned her head to the side to kiss the inside of Niamh’s wrist.

“I think ye could order me t’do anythin’.” Siali had never heard Niamh sound like that before, and a twist of something wound itself down her spine. She realised she was grinning. Niamh looked beautiful, hair made a little messy against the sheets. “’En I’d hafta listen to the new Warden-Lieutenant.” She learned up and kissed her, and then said something that surprised her. “…It’s okay iff’n ye wanna get rough and such too. I dun mind that a’tall.”

Siali knelt astride Niamh’s hips, cupped her face and kissed her deeply. When she broke it, she regarded Niamh seriously. “I’d want you to enjoy it. Not just ‘not mind it’.” She smiled sharply. Niamh had invoked an appetite she had rarely explored with anybody, preferring to vent that feeling on the battlefield than with an unwilling bedpartner. “But if that is something you like…I’m definitely happy to work with it.”

She pressed another bruising kiss to Niamh’s mouth. Talking took time away from exploring her, and Siali let go of Niamh’s face to wind her fingers with the other woman’s, pressing them against the mattress as she lowered her head to graze her teeth over Niamh’s neck, down until the other woman’s shirt got in the way. She growled against her skin, letting go of Niamh’s hand to tug at the material. “I want this to come off.”

 

[Niamh]

Siali knelt above her and suddenly Niamh fell a rush of longing far more fresh that she'd expected. It wasn't like this was her first time with someone, or with a pretty woman for that matter but she felt nearly that excited. When she kissed, she fought to make it last as long as she could and moaned with need when their lips parted. And then she told Siali a fun little fact: if her lover wanted to get rough and perhaps leave marks, she would certainly endure that mixture of pain and pleasure. The look on Siali's face was priceless, but then it gave way to something serious. It was respectful and made Niamh love her partner even more.

“I’d want you to enjoy it. Not just ‘not mind it’," she said carefully. Niamh's eyes took on a devilish touch. That wouldn't be a problem. “But if that is something you like…I’m definitely happy to work with it.”

She pulled her lover in close, whispering hot into her pointed ears. "Bruise me, lass.'

It didn't long for Siali to take command. That was also fine with Niamh; her experiences were often guided and she had no qualms letting her partner lead. Unlike on the dance floor, the bedroom a place where she was glad to follow or, if the mood demanded it, obey. And So Siali kissed her fiercely, almost painfully, and Niamh began to sink into a bliss until there was a brief pause. “I want this to come off.”

Niamh grinned. "Yes'm," she said with renewed enthusiasm, tossing glance to Pads. "Watch the door, lad," she commanded and, pup though she was he took up post guarding the bedroom from would-be interruptors. In the meantime, Niamh worked at her shirt, one draw string at a time. By the Creators, this was going to be fun...

*************

 

[Siali Arnith]

After they had finished, there was a period in which there was little more than the sound of their ragged breaths, and the soft drumbeat of Siali’s heartbeat in her own ears. Her skin fizzed and a slow, contented pulse echoed through her body. Niamh’s request had been seen to in full, and when she felt slightly less like water, she was able to lift her head enough to see the red marks across the other woman’s skin. It brought a little red to her own face, as it was an immediate reminder of everything they’d just done. And how much she’d let go. She slid across her lover, pressing a kiss to each and every mark. Part in apology, and part in thanks. Not many people would have allowed her such licence to express the desires usually kept completely hidden.

She could hardly believe the other woman. She half expected Niamh to just dissipate beneath her; for this to be a dream that would leave her blushing around the other woman in her waking hours, making her even more awkward than before. But she was right there, warm and soft beneath her kisses. Siali slid her hands up Niamh’s belly, over her chest and shoulders, until they were planted on either side of Niamh’s head, and leaned down to kiss her on the mouth, much more slowly and gently than she had up to this point.

She could almost begin all over again; but they’d already done that a few times now. Pads was long since asleep, and nobody had interrupted them. And besides, her muscles were beginning to twinge; she flopped to the side, and rested her hand on the other woman’s chest. “That was…” Not given to words usually, it was even harder than normal to think of anything that summed up the last – however long they’d been doing this. She grinned crookedly at Niamh. “I liked that. I really liked that.” She drew a circle on Niamh’s collarbone with her fingertip. “Did you?”

 

[Niamh]

Niamh had said it was okay if Siali wanted to get rough, and her partner had obliged in a variety of ways that she had not expected. With Moira, it had been something of a mutual exploration, here it was a very different power dynamic. Niamh had melted until Siali was in charge, her every touch guiding her—commanding her, really—until she had not only satisfied her lover's needs but they firmly established an intricately balanced, somewhat intentionally unbalanced relationship. Niamh hadn't minded in the slightest and relished each new bruise and mark.

When it was all over, the elf had allowed her body to completely relax, sinking into her bed and cozying beside her lover to leave as little space as possible. They looked at each other and, at least for a moment, that was the breadth of Niamh's world. Nothing but Siali, nothing but the heat of her body and the beauty of her face. Siali smiled and Niamh smiled back. “I liked that. I really liked that.” The slightest pause as she traced a finger. “Did you?”

The junior Warden gave a deep moan of satisfaction before speaking up. "'Course I did," she said before leaning in to kiss her lover. "Gods, I feel like a right dummy fer not seein' sooner how much I cared fer ye." She took a moment to admire Siali. Somewhere in the periphery, Pads gave a tiny yawn. "I need ye t'know that I ain't never gonna let no bad come yer way. Right then, lass?"

 

[Siali Arnith]

Niamh made a sound that caused the cooling heat in Siali’s skin to flare up again. “’Course I did. Gods, I feel like a right dummy fer not seein’ sooner how much I cared for ye.”

Siali stroked down the length of Niamh’s arm before winding her fingers with hers. “I had no idea,” she murmured, honest. “I didn’t really – well, I tried to avoid having to do much with feelings. It’s not often it goes well for me. You’re something much better than I realised I could ever have.”

There was a short pause, during which Pads yawned. He’d been on duty at the door for quite a while now. It’d be a kindness to let him out and get some food for him soon.

“I need ye ‘tknow that I ain’t never gonna let no bad come yer way. Right then, lass?”

“Same. Me to you.” Siali leaned in for another kiss. Sometime in the last few weeks, a protective instinct she hadn’t understood at all had started flaring up around the other Warden. She’d been confused by it, given that she didn’t underestimate Niamh’s skills as a hunter or fighter at all, but she had been aware that anything hurting Niamh was due a thorough pasting. Now it made more sense. It had very little to do with logic but everything to do with the growing feelings even she hadn’t registered until the days when she had come to sit by Niamh’s bed as she recovered.

She pulled back, and ran a hand over Niamh’s hair. “I’m not so good with talking about feelings. But I really like you. And I want you to never doubt that. Okay?”

At that point, Pads finally decided he’d had enough, and let out a loud whine, pawing at the door. Siali smiled a little. “I think he needs feeding. He’s been on duty some time.”

 

[Niamh]

Siali moved a hand down Niamh's arm, which might have elicited a chill if she was not already so comfortable next to her partner. Niamh wanted to hold her even closer, but gave the slightest hint of space as Siali pondered their situation. “I didn’t really – well, I tried to avoid having to do much with feelings. It’s not often it goes well for me. You’re something much better than I realised I could ever have.”

That make Niamh laugh. Normally, she might have dismissed the statement—for all her bluster, she never felt like a particularly important person—but instead she just smiled at Siali. She'd held so much inside for so long, and it was beautiful to see her fellow elf let some of that go.

"Ye put so much work in t'bein' tough," Niamh said softly. "S'okay iffn' ye drop that shield, y'know?

“I’m not so good with talking about feelings," Siali admitted. "But I really like you. And I want you to never doubt that. Okay?”

Niamh grinned, leaning up to kiss Siali on the cheek. Sweet Siali, who deserved as much love as she could muster. "Like ya lots too," Niamh said. "An that's true a fallin' rain."

Pads had carried out is watchdog job dutifully, but there was only so much that a single mabari pup could endure before they needed to roam around, shit in the yard, and eat spare bacon strips. He gave a little whine, scribbling and scratching at the door. Niamh gave a lazy sigh and stood up, looking at her dog with a understanding glance. "Aye, lad," she said. "Ye did good, so as we ken getcha grub now."

The pup gave a sort of yipping, which surprised Niamh given how he was such a small and new little doggie. But mabari were notoriously smart, so the elf had no doubt he understood. She gave a stretch, mostly for Siali's benefit, before assembling herself and tossing on a relaxed ensemble..

That done, she turned to her partner with a grin. "How's 'bout we celebrate further by grabbin' all such goods as we want from the mess?"

 

[Siali Arnith]

“Ye put so much work in t’bein’ tough. S’okay iffn’ ye drop that shield, y’know?”

For that, Niamh received another quick kiss, before Siali admitted she might not always be good at letting her feelings be known. It was more important to her than almost anything else that Niamh not think she was disinterested in her, although given that they were both still entwined together naked, she didn’t think Niamh would worry over it for a little while yet.

She’d have been happy to stay there a bit longer, but she did have to get up eventually, and Pads needed feeding. As did they all. The Grey Warden appetite could be ignored for a while but not forever. She was about to comment that she was ready to eat as well, when Niamh stretched, throwing every muscle in her torso into sharp relief. The words stopped in Siali’s throat, and she just watched the other woman for a few moments before Niamh threw on some clothes.

She realised she should probably do the same. It was either that or drag Niamh back to the bed again and that wouldn’t be fair on Pads.

“How’s ‘about we celebrate further by grabbin’ all such goods as we want from the mess?”

Siali got up, a few scrapes and bruises stinging, but smiling for all that. She pulled on her own clothing quickly. “Sounds good. I’m starving.”

Before they went out the door, she pulled Niamh close for yet another kiss. It was strange, but nice, having somebody she could touch without them flinching away from her. Siali was aware that the leer her scar gave her could make even people who knew her well a little uneasy, especially if she was in a bad mood at the time. She couldn’t imagine being in a bad mood again for some time. “I’m going to have to go see Cauthrien after we’ve eaten, but I’ll be back when we’re done talking.” Then, with a casual air she didn’t really feel, “I’d probably be assigned my own room, but I’d prefer to come back to yours, if you’re okay with that.”