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Skadi leaned against the wall, listening as Marik Corvarak, her friend and fellow Warrior of Light spoke with Krile and Tataru about the state of the sleeping Scions and the development of the scheme to bring them back from the First. She couldn’t help snickering at seeing her tall roegadyn friend kneeling down and still towering over the two lalafell women. “Of course, I barely come up to his chest,” she grumbled. “I seem to make a habit of surrounding myself with tall men. Then again, most people are taller than female au ra…”
Her musings were cut short by the sound of someone entering. She looked up and her breath caught in her throat when she saw who it was – Estinien. She hadn’t seen her lover since she had gone to the First, which felt like a lifetime ago, and here he was. She stepped forwards, toward him slightly, taking in his appearance. He was wearing traveling clothes, though he still had on his dragoon greaves and his lance was present on his back. His slate blue eyes had dark shadows under them, evidence of sleepless nights. “I hope Nidhogg hasn’t been haunting his dreams,” Skadi thought.
Estinien’s gaze took in the two lalafells and Marik before settling on her. A slow smile crossed his lips as he strode forward, saying “Oh, you’re back. And none the worse for the wear, I see.” Skadi nodded, face lighting up at the sight of him. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Marik smirk.
“Estinien! Oh thank the gods, we have been worried sick!” Tataru exclaimed. The dragoon froze in his tracks, almost as if he had just now realized there were others in the room besides Skadi. “Did you lose your linkpearl or something?” Tataru continued.
Estinien tore his gaze away from Skadi, a stony expression on his face as he seemed to withdraw from her, almost acting as if he didn’t seem to care that she was there. Skadi’s eyes narrowed as she frowned.
The pale haired elezen turned his attention to Tataru. “The situation in Garlemald has become more complicated,” he said to the group. “I was making my escape from the capital when I ran into one of yours – Riol. He thought it best we come straight here.”
Tataru frowned. “More complicated, how?”
Estinien sighed. “Hm, where to begin?” He took a breath and proceeded to recount his adventures: how he ran into Gaius van Baelsar, and as they had similar goals, decided to work with him to find out more about Black Rose. When he mentioned running into Zenos, his eyes flickered to Skadi, who let out an audible growl when she learned the prince had somehow gotten his original body back. The draconic Presence that lurked in the back of her mind, the one she invited in after the battle at Ghimlyt, echoed her growl. Skadi could feel the wyrm’s own anger echoing in her mind, though Marik and the others didn’t seem to hear it.
The dragoon frowned, wincing for a moment and rubbing his forehead as if something pained him, before continuing his tale. Partway through his recounting of his adventures in the capital, Krile, Marik, and Skadi all winced, clutching their heads as an Echo-vision struck. For Skadi, it was particularly intense, as if she were Estinien when he fought the Garlean machina. She felt his concern at the monstrosity’s strength, and how he had to call upon the power of the great wyrm Nidhogg still remaining in his spear and body. She felt the dragon’s rage rise, and felt how the dragoon channeled the rage into a will to protect, to stand tall like Skadi would have done and face down his foe in order to help the people of Eorzea.
The three came out of the Echo-vision to see Estinien frowning. “Are you alright?” Tataru asked. The three nodded.
Estinien’s gaze narrowed and he all but growled, “Peer into my past, did you?” He looked at Marik and Krile, avoiding Skadi’s gaze.
Krile gave a slight smile. “Well, I didn’t quite relive the experience as Marik and Skadi did, but I bore witness to it all.”
The dragoon scoffed, “I’m still not sure what I think of this gift of yours, but no matter.” His eyes finally met Skadi’s and she got the sense he was apologizing. The two looked at each other, Skadi frowning slightly as she considered whether or not to try to approach him. Conversation continued as Marik and Krile discussed the Empire’s Echo project, and how it had resulted in a man who seemed to be an Ascian in all but name.
Estinien turned his attention back to the conversation around him. “It beggars belief, aye. But no more than a hero traversing the right between worlds.” He smiled at Skadi before his expression sobered. “My concerns are far more prosaic. With the Emperor dead and the crown prince missing, the Empire is in disarray until order is restored. We needn’t fear an imperial reprisal. And, for reasons of his own, Zenos took it upon himself to rid the world of Black Rose. Riol has already gone to apprise the Alliance leaders of the development. We may leave the matter in their hands.”
Skadi nodded and she heard Marik give a sigh of relief. She hadn’t wanted to wade into another war with the Empire either, especially not with her friends still stuck on the First. “What of Gaius?” Krile asked.
“We parted ways shortly after leaving Garlemald,” Estinien answered. “He claimed another threat had arisen which demanded his attention. He didn’t elaborate, but the absence of some device or other in the capital gave him reason to believe they’re planning something. I believe he has well and truly shed the Black Wolf’s pelt. Conquest is no longer his objective and we can safely leave him to his own devices.” Skadi raised a brow at that, but she didn’t question Estinien’s judgement.
“Well, it’s nice to have one less foe to worry about,” Tataru remarked. “Even if we do have a mysterious new threat to look out for.”
Skadi scoffed, “No surprises there. There’s always something new.”
“I’ll see that Riol and our shinobi are made aware. It can’t hurt to be vigilant,” Tataru continued.
Estinien nodded, glancing at Skadi and shifting awkwardly. “Well then, with Black Rose nipped in the bud, I believe I’ve fulfilled my part of the bargain.” Skadi frowned, fists clenched. Estinien did not meet her eyes.
Tataru frowned. “That’s true but… with the Archons still slumbering away, we were hoping you might agree to stay with us a little bit longer?”
Estinien shook his head. “Sorry, but I’m not inclined to extend my contract. Gaius isn’t the only one with business to attend to.”
Skadi glared at Estinien, her eyes blazing. Marik glanced at her, concerned. She felt shadows and the Presence rise, almost as if it was answering her fury. Estinien flinched away from her, looking back at the two lalafell and Marik.
Krile sighed. “Thank you for your help, Estinien.” The elezen turned to walk away. “I can see why Alphinaud admires you so.”
Estinien gave a “hmph” and turned back to face the Warriors of Light. To Marik, he said, “Farewell, my friend. See that you don’t make a habit of dozing off in battle.” He glanced at Skadi briefly before turning and walking away.
Skadi stared after him, blinking back tears. What was going on? Ever since she had been whisked way to the First, she had spent a lot of time thinking about Estinien: if he was doing alright, if he missed her. Gods knew she missed him… When he first saw her, she could have sworn that he wanted nothing more than to rush over and take her in his arms. But then… he seemed distant, acting as if she was just another comrade in the room. “Does he still care for me?” she thought.
Krile sighed. “Pity, he would be an asset to the Scions.”
Skadi felt someone touch her shoulder. She snarled, whirling around to see Marik quickly step back. “Are you alright?” he asked her, concern in his voice and eyes.
The au ra felt her tail lashing and she glared at Estinien’s retreating back. “Other business to attend to?” she snarled. “What other business could be more important than…” She let out another growl. Her hand twitched as she fought the urge to draw her great sword and smack Estinien over the head with it. She turned to her fellow Scions. “Pardon me, I am going to have a little… chat with our elezen friend,” she hissed as she stormed off, darkness swirling around her.
“Oh dear,” she heard Marik say as she strode to catch up to the dragoon. “I fear we are going to have to scrape an Estinien-shaped smear off the floor once she’s done with him …”
Skadi followed Estinien, her armored feet making noise on the stone floor as she made no attempt to hide her anger. He didn’t go straight out of the Rising Stones, like she expected. Instead, he went to an unoccupied wing where there were several rooms for guests. His pace slowed, and he crossed his arms over his chest as if he was waiting for her to catch up. Once she shut the door to the corridor behind her, Skadi put her hands on her hips and roared, “Estinien Wyrmblood, what in the seven hells is going on? Before I left to investigate the Crystal Tower to see if I could figure out why my friends had collapsed (a venture you supported, by the way), you made it very clear that you cared for me.”
Estinien flinched when he heard her voice. Not because she was angry, he expected that, but because her voice seemed to echo with dragonsong, very similar to what he heard in his own head before he had fallen under Nidhogg’s sway. He slowly turned around. Despite being a head shorter than the elezen was, Skadi was gloriously terrifying in her fury. Her dark armor seemed to suck in the shadows, causing them to dance around her, and her pale blue eyes blazed. While he was used to seeing shadows warp around her since she had taken on the mantle of a dark knight, this was different. This time, the shadows seemed to take the form of dragon wings.
Skadi took a deep breath, continuing forward. “And then what I finally see you again…” She continued her tirade, her voice dangerously soft. “You almost ignore me, and then have the audacity to leave, saying you have business to attend to. What important business is that?”
He did not respond the way she had anticipated. Without warning, he took her in his arms, lifting her off her feet. Before she could utter a protest, his mouth was on hers, kissing her passionately. All her anger drained away, replaced by desire. This was what she had been missing during her time in the First. The elezen carried her to an empty room, sitting her on the bed, making them the same height.
“This is the important business,” Estinien said, holding her face between his hands and kissing her. “I am sorry I didn’t greet you like I should have. I was surprised to see you, and with all the other people there…”
Skadi cut off his explanation by kissing him. She fumbled with her armor, growling, “Shut up and come here.” Reaching out, she grabbed his tunic and yanked him closer, kissing into his neck, her hands threading through his snowy hair. He moaned as her teeth marked his neck, and he leaned back for a moment to yank off his shirt. Skadi grinned, quickly shedding her gauntlets, running a hand along her lover’s bare chest. His mouth crashed into hers again, their kisses filled with need as both of them fumbled with Skadi’s armor, throwing pieces of mail and plate onto the ground.
Once devoid of clothing, Skadi worked on removing Estinien’s greaves. He kissed down her neck, his hands on her breasts. Skadi moaned, “Oh Estinien…” He glanced up at her, grinning wickedly. His lips traveled lower, but before he could reach his goal, Skadi let out a growl, shoving him onto the bed and straddling his waist. His eyes widened slightly, and he leaned up to kiss into her neck. She shifted, both of them moaning as he entered her. “Gods, I missed this,” Skadi breathed. “I missed you.” She rolled her hips, causing her lover to cry out her name before she leaned down to catch his lips again.
The elezen took advantage of his superior bulk to flip them again, looming over the au ra. He stared down into her eyes for a moment. Skadi kissed him, raking her fingers down his back. The two quickly became lost in each other. Every caress, every thrust, every kiss was filled with desire. After such a long time apart, all they wanted was to feel each other, to lose themselves in pleasure. Skadi climaxed, arching her back as she dug her nails into his shoulders, crying out her lover’s name. He soon followed, and spent, he held her in his arms, burying his face in her dark hair.
Skadi kissed him before murmuring, “I am sorry I doubted you.” She rested her head on his chest, sighing in contentment.
Estinien kissed the top of her head, gently rubbing her back. “I do not blame you,” he said softly. “Given how I have acted in the past, I am not surprised that a part of you doubted my intentions.”
She shifted so she could see his face. “Still, I’m sorry.” He kissed her forehead in response. Skadi gazed at his handsome profile for a moment before snickering. “So… how did you end up spying for the Scions?” she asked, eyes dancing with mirth.
Estinien grimaced. “For two lalafell, Krile and Tataru are rather ruthless. And…” He sighed. “I did it for you. When you disappeared, I felt helpless. I did not know where you went, how to reach you, or how to get you back. When they approached me, I said yes because helping the Scions was, in a way, helping you. And it was a way to keep busy, in order to avoid thinking about all the trouble you could be finding yourself in.” He hugged her tight. “I had just found you, and then you were gone. I was afraid you would be gone from my life forever.” He let out a shuddering breath.
“Gods Estinien, I am so sorry I left you,” Skadi said, voice filled with pain. She realized then that she was the cause of his most recent sleepless nights.
He gave a slightly bitter smile. “You are the Warrior of Light. Your duty to Eorzea must come first. You know I understand duty.”
Skadi felt a tear drip down her cheek. “That doesn’t make it right,” she said softly. She looked at him again, blinking back further tears. “If you don’t want to be with the Warrior of Light for fear that you will always come second, I understand…”
“Oh hells,” Estinien growled. He wiped the tear from her cheek with a gentle finger. “That’s not what I…” He shook his head. “Why do I always find a way to say the wrong thing?” The dragoon clenched his jaw, closing his eyes for a moment. “My love, your being the Warrior of Light cannot keep me from desiring you.” He looked into Skadi’s eyes, tenderly brushing a lock of her hair out of her face. “You would not be the woman I love if you did not care as much as you do for your friends and the people of Eorzea.”
Skadi had no response other than to kiss him and hold him tight. “I’ll try to be better about not gallivanting off on adventures without you,” she said before smiling wickedly. “But… if you joined the Scions, you could join me on said adventures. And Alphinaud would be overjoyed by your presence.”
Estinien rolled his eyes and chuckled. “Of course he would be. But, let’s not worry about the future right now,” he said as he caressed her cheek before kissing her softly.
“Fair enough,” she replied. “Krile and Tataru did tell me to rest. I might as well take the next day or so off.” She seemed slightly uncertain, however.
Estinien smiled. “I would love that. However, you must return to the First sooner rather than later.” He gave a wry smile. “I feel better knowing that you can return when you please and are not stranded there. And, it would be a pity if the boy were stuck there and couldn’t return.”
Skadi giggled. “Ha! You do care!” she teased.
“Hmph.” He grinned despite himself. She snickered and curled up against Estinien. With a sigh, Skadi tucked her face into his shoulder. She was home and with the man she loved. Tomorrow and its challenges would come, but for now, she was going to enjoy the present.