U.O.T.W. Chapter 25 A Howl In The Night

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    Authors Note: Adult Themes

     

    Leaving Whiterun behind they headed out into the plains where Aela naturally took the lead. Being a creature of habit, she made her way to a rocky outcrop to make camp. The same outcrop which her mother had taken her to when they camped out together fifteen odd years ago. She would often head there when she was troubled or when the sense of loss from her mother’s death seemed too great a task to cope with. Here she felt close to her mother. Here she felt safe.

     

    Sotek followed but again silently without muttering a single word. Once they got there, Sotek started to erect a tent  but Aela stopped him. Instead, she pointed to a large rock.

     

    “You sit there, I’ll sort out the camp”. Her voice had none of the usual harshness, it was far more gentle. Almost like she knew what he just went through. He sat in silence, just watching her as she organized the supplies and furs. Once she finished she asked him to light the fire, he did so as before using his flame spell. Then they sat down in the night air watching the flames.

     

    For the first half hour or so they both sat in silence with neither of them even acknowledging the others presence let alone looking at one another. Aela huffed as a way to draw Soteks attention. It was quiet at first after which she discretely glanced over at him to see if he was looking at her. Whether he heard her and just blanked her attempt at gaining his attention or if he was completely oblivious to her, she didn’t know nor did she care to guess. Instead of trying to work out if he had indeed heard her, she simply huffed again but this time she was far louder.

     

    Sotek’s tail twitched then lifted up slightly and thumped back down to the ground. Aela glanced at him for the fraction of a second but in her haste she failed to see if he was watching her through the corner of his eye. The fact was she couldn’t be sure so she decided to go for the direct approach. She turned towards him and spoke bluntly to try to get to the source of the problem. She knew it was all about his trial but she just wanted him to open up.

    “You called me an Archer… Why didn’t you say it was me?”

     

    Sotek’s tail lifted up then fell to the ground hard. Three times Aela watched it rise up just to fall with a thump. She started to roll her eyes until she turned towards him. Sotek’s mouth started moving but not one word came out of it. Not even a single sound.

     

    “Damn it Sotek answer me…” Her voice was abrupt almost like she was trying to intimidate him into responding but he simply blanked her. Instead he stared at the fire, watching the flames dance as they slowly burned through the chunks of wood which Aela had placed on the fire when she set it out.

     

    She shifted position slightly so she was facing him. Her eyes locked onto his but he didn’t look back instead he had the same vacant expression on his face. Not once did he turn away from the flames.

    “Please?… Sotek?...” Having still received no answer Aela’s patience snapped causing her to curse out at him. Lashing out with her tongue. “You bloody bastard!!! You don’t want to talk fine then bloody don’t. See if I sodding care”.

     

    She pulled herself up to her feet as she glared across at him. Inside she was seething with anger as the whole situation. That’s when Sotek tensed up his hand into a tight ball. Aela’s eyes fixed on his hand as a single thought ran through her mind.

     

    Make a fist at me you bastard’. Instinctively her own hand fell to her side and gripped her dagger. As she watched Sotek’s hand, she saw him open it out slightly. It was then that she saw just how badly his hand was shaking. She closed her eyes as she cursed herself quietly. She remembered when she was little that the Harbinger would tell her off for something which she did wrong. She would stand there unable to speak due to the emotions making even the slightest sound impossible. Her father would get so angry with her when she wouldn’t answer. He didn’t understand. Kodlak however… He knew the truth. He knew that it wasn’t a case that Aela wouldn’t answer, he knew she couldn’t… Even if she wanted to.

     

    As she watched Sotek, she remembered what Kodlak would do. He always sat her on his knee and gave her a flask of water. In her mind she could hear him explain to her father. Which he had to do on numerous occasions.

    It cools her down, calms her. She’ll talk soon enough’.

     

    Aela went to her pack and drew a flask of water. She took a sip of it then passed it across to Sotek.

    “Here, drink it. It’ll help. Drink all of it”.

     

    Sotek slowly reached out for the flask then started drinking from it. Initially he spilled some as his hands kept shaking but the more he drank the calmer he seemed to get. Once he had quenched his thirst but more importantly when his nerves calmed down, Aela gently took the flask away. She sat near him and replaced the stopper after taking a few swigs of water herself.

     

    As she glanced at Sotek, she caught his eye. His head inadvertently turned towards her although he refrained to look straight at her, his gaze was in her general direction. Aela started talking again in the hope that Sotek would now be able and willing to answer her. As she spoke, her voice was gentle and quiet almost like a hoarse whisper.

    Why did you say I died?”

     

    A few seconds later Sotek answered although the tone in his voice was heavy and emotionless.

    You did

     

    She got up and sat next to him then reached out and held his hand. He just sat there watching his hand become slowly wrapped around by hers.

    But I didn’t”.

     

    Sotek gave a heavy sigh as he replied slowly to her statement.

    “For a moment, to me… You did. And there was nothing I could do about it… I tried but I couldn’t stop it. I caused it….but couldn’t stop it……”. His eyes drifted to the fire then closed as his face disappeared behind a mask of mental anguish. “Every night… I see it. See you lying there dying… Bloods everywhere. Every time I close my eyes… All I can hear is me colliding with you…. You hitting the ground. Your eyes staring up at me. You laying there... At my feet... Trying desperately to breath….And I… And I could do  nothing to help……”

     

    She saw the self induced agony on his face, the gruesome torment he held in check for so long. Only now was she really aware of the terrible demons that invaded his mind, his dreams. She slowly turned herself round so she was facing him properly, then lent over towards him. Aela rested both her hands on his cheeks, gently tilted his head down towards her then kissed him on the forehead.

    But I didn’t and it’s not your fault. Its mine, I pushed you… I even pushed them… I did it... Me, not you”.

     

    He slowly opened his eyes to find her face was inches away from his. Aela’s gaze locked on to Sotek. She tried to turn away but she couldn’t break eye contact. The truth was she didn’t want to. Since she was at the temple, her feelings started to change. Like when they sharpened his axe. She remembered him sitting behind her, his strong arms around her. She remembered them laughing. The night they went out to hunt hawks, she enjoyed the company, his company. She always preferred to go out to the plains alone. She hated taking Whelps along. She even detested having to go with Farkas and Vilkas to the plains. That was her territory and hers alone. And yet…

     

    She remembered having a go at Farkas when they were in the bandit mine when he threw Sotek on the ground. She remembered Sotek standing there practically naked, weapon less just going up to the bandits like he was off to buy bread. He was so sure of himself. Practically naked…His chest, those strong arms, legs that move so fast, solid. She felt so unsure of herself when she was around him. That’s what she hated about him… He could have nothing and still be a tower of strength. Without her bow she felt useless.

     

    She looked deep in his eyes, she tried to turn away but she couldn’t. she was lost, unable to fight the feelings that had been growing for days, weeks even. Her mind shut down unable to influence any control, her heart had taken over completely. She couldn’t stop herself even if she wanted to, she lent forwards and kissed him.

     

    He responded in turn, his mind racing but utterly useless. Two hearts, one beat. Both minds cast astray.

     

    She was surprised how soft his lips were, his scaly skin felt cold but not as tough to the touch as she had thought. Her eyes closed of their own accord, her hands with their own free will, moved to his chest. Like she was in a drug induced trance, she started pulling off his shirt.

     

    His eyes were closed. He had no idea how long they were shut for, he had no concept of the time they were there for. All he knew was there was a girl who had him in her power, and he couldn’t resist. He didn’t want to resist. He wanted her, needed her. his hands moved slowly following her lead, slowly moving across her waist,  removing  any strap that gave the slightest resistance. His hands found their way inside her clothing.

     

    She broke off the kiss causing Sotek to open his eyes. She smiled then gently pushed him onto his back and slid on top. She took his hands from his side and moved them to her waist, making him hold her. She gave out a loud gasp and shut her eyes for a few seconds as his hands gently gripped her hips.

     

    Aela’s hands were trembling, as they slowly moved up towards his muscled torso. Her hands slowly moved to the middle of his chest feeling his form, his strength. He looked at her with wanting eyes, her eyes were closed. She tipped her head held back revealing her soft neck in contrast to her hair which was a blazing red in the camp fire light.

     

    Aela’s face became contorted with the pain, causing her eyes to shoot open. She looked down at Sotek and lovingly stared into his eyes. In them she could see he knew he was hurting her. Sotek tried to stop but Aela glared at him, then gently shook her head. He went to speak, but she just lifted her hand up and rested a finger on his lips silencing him. Once she re established control of him, her head once again moved back as her eyes tightly shut. Keeping her eyes closed, she lent forwards and kissed him on the forehead. She then once again threw her head back.

     

    With her head held right back she let out a howl like a she wolf in the night. Her lover’s song echoed across the plains. The she wolf had lost all control.

     

    When she regained enough of her senses and her body started to obey her mind again, she looked into his eyes. His one hand held her waist while the other moved to her head holding the back of her. Aela felt his fingers wrap around her fiery like hair. She lent forwards and kissed him, her tongue exploring his mouth, his tongue explored hers. They kissed for what seemed like eternity. She broke away from his lips, and buried her forehead into his neck to finally rest her head on his chest. As she closed her eyes she listened to his wild heartbeat then she slowly fell asleep.  

     

    He gently moved his hand from her waist, and pulled a large fur over her back. His other hand still cupped around her head. He held her as his fingers slowly moved through her hair, gently caressing her. With all his strength spent his eyes felt heavy. A few minutes after she was sleeping the last of his strength left him, and he too was fast asleep.

     

     

Comments

13 Comments   |   SpookyBorn2021 and 1 other like this.
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  March 29, 2016
    I have to thank Lissette for that one. I changed the Author's Note as well.
  • Relycs
    Relycs   ·  March 29, 2016
    Sounds really good to me :).
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  March 29, 2016
    Thanks Relycs, it's a big boost when readers comment on my work.
    With regards to:   wrap around her fire like hair....
    I've had a bit of a word change to explain it better. How does this read....
    Aela felt his fingers wrap around her fie...  more
  • Relycs
    Relycs   ·  March 28, 2016
    Very intense moment, well written.






    I dont want to ruin anything here but I think in line 10 from the bottom, it should be "wrap around her hair like fire" instead of "wrap around her fire like hair".
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  December 21, 2015
    Thanks Zombidestro.
    I have to admit that this is one of my fav chapters. Aela's whole change of personality when she sees Sotek's hand is a big insight to her past.
    As to the second section, we all knew this was on the cards. You yourself saw ...  more
  • Idesto
    Idesto   ·  December 20, 2015
    Isn't daemon just an Old English spelling of demon? I think either is OK. 
  • Idesto
    Idesto   ·  December 20, 2015
    Wow. Beautifully written mate!
  • Aela The Huntress
    Aela The Huntress   ·  November 5, 2015
    This is a big difference from the original. You done a great job with the past as well.
  • Sotek
    Sotek   ·  September 14, 2015
    Fixed. Thanks again.
  • FlameLord
    FlameLord   ·  September 14, 2015
    Only now was she really aware of the terrible daemons that invaded his mind, his dreams. Not really sure which paragraph, but thought u meant demons, not daemons.