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Post by Tismri on Nov 18, 2012 19:15:21 GMT -5
Eron stood within the Surdan boarder, Jack standing nearby. She'd left the other squad members far behind. Having discovered their true purposes, Shepard had abandoned them, disgusted at how they had used her. She refused to be a tool for spreading lies and destruction any longer, least of all by her enemies.
Beyond that, she had been thinking of her last meeting with Sam. She regretted on how she had parted with him. Their argument still resonated in her mind after all these months. She'd been so distressed to learn what sort of man he had become, so shocked that she couldn't take it anymore. But now that she'd had time to think on it, she understood his motivations better. Grief could dramatically change a person. She only hoped he would change for the better now that he knew she was alive.
So she now made her way back to the Varden encampment. Back to where she belonged. It had been much too long--longer than she could even grasp. She needed to be home, with the Varden, with her friends. She needed to be home with Sam, most of all.
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Post by Max452 on Nov 18, 2012 19:37:57 GMT -5
OOC: Hey! Aramis was on her squad...he's not so bad...lol. haha
Captain Samual Riker was dead tired. His troops had fought hard and many casualties were lost today. The fight for Uru'baen was a success, but many lives had to pay for it. The Captain silently went toward his tent, but stopped along the way to speak with his men.
Sam continued forth, desiring only to bury himself in his blankets tonight. Months ago, he would have buried himself in a bottle, but Eron's fight left him to evaluate his lifestyle - he went through withdrawl that week, and if not for his friends, he thought for sure he was going to die from it. Not only did he have to face his withdrawal, but also the demons that plagued him for 2 years.
Following the months after Eron's supposed death, Sam's father had betrayed the Varden and turncoated to Galbatorix, supplying information to them. Sam and his family name were suspected as traitors, and had been placed in a quick trial. He wasn't found guilty, but his name had already been tarnished. To keep him safe and as a political ploy, King Orrin had Sam placed at the end ranks of the Varden camp, assigning him and his platoon as supply escorts rather than the legendary warriors they were on the front line. Since then, Sam had come to hate his father...and himself, which just added another excuse for him to sink into a bottle every night.
Now however, Samuel did his best to continue on, proving his men were faithful and earning them their spot back on the front lines. It was a hard process, and mostly due to his motivation to prove to himself that he wasn't a drunk anymore, and that that someone he had loved for so long could perhaps, see the man she once loved once more.
Finally, Sam reached his tent, and out of pure exhaustion, collasped into his bed, relieved that the war was finally over and that he could actually get some sleep.
***
Jack twirled her daggers idly as she stood next to the Commander as they had entered the varden camp. She frowned. "Looks like we missed all the fun." She said with some annoyance. She glanced around, wondering if her old friends were with the Captain like she told them to be. She glanced over to her Commander. "Go. He's probably around here..." She said with some hope; they had heard a lot of the men didn't make it once Lord Barst joined the battle. She hoped Samuel was alive, for Eron's sake. Now, she just hoped that Thane was around too. And Tali...and the rest of their old group.
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Post by Tismri on Nov 18, 2012 21:30:45 GMT -5
Shepard hesitated a moment at Jack's command, looking around the encampment. She noticed a few eyes turning toward her. She had a feeling a few rumors had been spreading, news of her survival reaching the Varden. She rather hoped Sam had set them straight, although she was uncertain if he ever understood her position. She walked among them, glancing around for evidence of Sam's squadron. She was surprised their position had changed from its common location. Not any farther down the line, just in a different spot, as if they had been reassigned. Once they were in sight, her own old squad members instantly recognized her.
"Shepard!" Grunt yelled. The Urgal ran to her and pulled her into a tight, smelly bear hug. The commander laughed at the greeting; Grunt had never been very touchy-feelly before. He must have missed her more than she thought.
Tali looked up from her packing. She had returned from the Neema tribe to assist the Varden in their final battle. She'd worked for weeks designing and refining their war machines to attack the city. She'd been quite pleased with the results.
A smile crossed her face when she recognized her old commander. She'd noticed some months back when the captain's attitude had changed for the better, putting forth the effort to remain sober. She felt certain because of that, the rumors of Shepard's survival had been true, though they were accompanied by disturbed whispers of her turning traitor. Tali knew better, though. Shepard would never turn against the Varden.
"Commander, it's so good to see you!" she said, standing and approaching Shepard.
"Tali? Is that you?" Eron asked, smiling broadly. "I didn't recognize you without your veil. You completed your pilgrimage, then?"
"I did. My home tribe is now the Neema. They don't require their women to remain veiled."
Thane remained sitting, resting and recovering. The fight had taken a toll on him. His body was unable to handle that level of fighting well anymore. However, he looked up and smiled at Shepard when she came into view.
"Commander," he greeted. "It is good to see you."
"Good to see you too, Thane," she replied, patting him on the shoulder. "How are you holding up?"
"As best I can, under the circumstances," he replied to her. Shepard smiled, then turned, looking among the faces.
"He's in his tent," Tali told her. Eron nodded, and then quietly approached the tent where her fiancee rested, and slipped inside. She spotted him on his bed, seemingly already asleep. She sat on a nearby stool, just watching him. She had missed him so much, she simply wanted to sit and take in his image.
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Post by Max452 on Nov 18, 2012 22:00:18 GMT -5
Jack followed Shepard as they wandered the camp to find Samuel's squad. She was pleased to see that her friends were alive. She chuckled at the enthusiastic greeting Commander received from Grunt. She glanced over at Thane and Tali, heading over to them once Eron disappeared inside Riker's tent.
"I can see the squad has been placed back to where it belongs." She noted, sheathing her daggers and glancing at her old friends. "Now tell me, who got the first strike and why was I not invited to this party?" She demanded with a comical frown.
***
Sam stirred lightly in his sleep, feeling the sensation of being watched. Thinking he was under attack, Sam jerked himself awake and turned, a knife in hand, to face the intruder, his eyes ready and alert. His eyes widened when he spotted Eron in his stool. "Shepard..." His voice was one of surprise and he hastily placed his knife away. "What....what are you doing here?" He asked, confused and feeling guardly awkward; their last conversation lingering in his mind.
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Post by Tismri on Nov 18, 2012 22:41:08 GMT -5
Tali rolled her eyes, smiling at Jack's familiar outbursts. It was good to have the whole team back together. Well, most of them, anyway.
"Thane got it, of course," she informed her friend, returning to her packing. Chikita moved from her perch on Tali's shoulder to circle a few times around Jack's head in greeting. "He was sniping soldiers off the wall before our catapults were even within range." Thane gave a gentle, modest smile.
"We would have sent you an invitation," he told Jack. "However, we were unable to locate you. You were difficult to track after you ran off with the commander."
~~~~~
Shepard watched as Sam awoke with a start. She sat still as he looked around, weapon drawn, until he spotted her. Her heart hurt a bit at his greeting, the way he used her last name.
"Captain," she replied. She stared at the floor for a moment, trying to come up with a response. "I...decided it was time to come home," she told him. She looked back up and met his gaze. "I'm sorry for the way I left at our last meeting. I...I think I was still in shock. It's still hard for me to understand the fact that I missed out on two years of my life. But, I could have listened to you better. Tried to understand." She sighed and her gaze drifted downward again.
"Jack told me...about your father," she said. "I didn't believe her at first. But, now that I know, I can see why you reacted the way you did." She stood and approached him slowly, reaching to touch his face.
"I'm sorry. Sorry about your father, and sorry about the way I reacted." There were tears in her eyes as she apologized. She had missed him so much, regretting every moment she had left him. "I love you," she told him.
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Post by Max452 on Nov 18, 2012 23:11:04 GMT -5
Jack gave out a grunt at the mention of Thane making first kill. "Of course." She was not surprised. She glanced at the elf with some mischief. "Yes, but, Thane, one of your caliber should have already known where I was. You owe me a spar later for not inviting me." She smirked and let out a small chuckle, happy to be among her friends again.
***
Sam did his best to keep his face unreadable as Eron spoke. He manuevered himself so that he was sitting on the edge of his bed. He didn't know what to feel. That last time they had spoke, Sam was under the impression that she had ended things between them. So now, with her here now, he was conflicted and confused. He loved her, there was no doubt, but her words caused him to doubt her affection for him; he knew he was in the wrong for his behavior so he did his best to change that, so that maybe, she would come back. But now that she was here, Sam felt like he still had much to change; still unworthy of her. He glanced away when she mentioned home, knowing what she was referring to, but unsure if they were both ready for it again. His eyes returned to make contact with her's and he felt his affection for her burn within him. He remained silent as she continued to speak and he visibly stiffened at the mention of his father. Of course Jack would have told her...that woman couldn't keep her mouth shut when Shepard was involved. He really didn't want to think about his father. Sam's eyes followed Eron as she moved to stand before him; her hand reaching out. He allowed her to touch him, for he ached for it as well, despite feeling hurt from their last conversation. He glanced up into her eyes as she finally apologized, eyes red from threatening tears. Finally, those final words broke Sam's silence. "Eron..." He called out in desperation as he pulled her into a tight embrace, his face resting against her stomach. "I missed you." He finally stated. "It was my fault too...I should have said something...I shouldn't have been the way I was...it was just...I missed you." He quietly said, tightening his hold. "Gods, don't leave me again." He whispered to her.
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Post by Tismri on Nov 18, 2012 23:27:36 GMT -5
Thane smiled slightly at Jack's compliment. He had rather missed the woman's company. She was somehow a pleasant distraction from the darker aspects of his life.
"I have been a little preoccupied lately," he told her. "Besides, I am an assassin, not a ranger. I normally need to see my target when I am tracking its movements." He blinked a couple of times as she mentioned a spar. He wasn't surprised; the woman always seemed to be in the mood for fighting.
"Very well," he replied to her. "However, it may have to wait a few days. I am not at my best at the moment." Even sitting up and speaking was taking a toll on him, his heart fluttering painfully every other breath.
~~~~~
Eron felt herself break down as Sam embraced her. She had been so desperate for his touch again that the relief she felt nearly pushed her beyond reason. This was only after being seperated from him for a few months. How was it for him? She felt guilty. He had spent two years without her, believing her dead. And when he'd discovered that she was still alive, she left him in such a callous way. She was surprised he didn't hate her.
She put her arms around his shoulders, her hands in his hair. Her legs came to rest on the bed, wrapping around his hips as she pulled herself closer to him.
"Never," she promised him with a whisper. She put her lips to his, trembling with emotion. "I missed you too, so much. I'm so sorry for what I did to you."
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Post by Max452 on Nov 18, 2012 23:41:28 GMT -5
Jack huffed and placed her hands on her hips. "Typical male and their excuses." She teased him after he finished speaking. However, upon closer inspection, Jack did notice Thane wasn't his usual prime self. A worry look streaked across her face. "Thane?" She ignored Tali for a moment, wishing to ease the elf's pain somehow. "How bad is it now?" She asked him, concern evident on her face as she crouched down before him, eye to eye.
***
"It's all in the past. Eron." Sam replied, his voice husky as he kissed Shepard back. "I love you." He told her as he flipped them both back onto his bed, her closeness heating his body up to its maximum. He had missed her touch and ever since that night, he had thought he would never feel her again. It was a cruel torture - to find out the one you love was alive, but to have her leave on her own accord. He missed her terribly, but he was determined to set things right - starting with himself (if Eron had noticed, his room was liquor free). He kissed her passionately, forgoing rest for his lust. "Welcome home." He whispered to her before sitting up to remove his battered and bloody tunic and light armour.
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Post by Tismri on Nov 19, 2012 0:04:31 GMT -5
Jack's concern touched Thane. Despite her carefree attitude, deep down she was always worried about him. He was grateful for her.
"Exertion tends to worsen my condition," he told her. "The battle today was quite intense. I will likely be in pain for several days." He gave her a slight smile and sighed. "It could be much worse," he assured her.
~~~~~
Eron was glad Sam had seemed to forgive her. She kissed him intensely, trying to make up for over two years of absence. She removed her tunic and mail before pulling him back down to her.
"It's good to be back," she told him before capturing his lips with hers again.
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Post by Max452 on Nov 19, 2012 0:17:41 GMT -5
Jack nodded and then stood up. "Well, then, that settles it." She offered her hand to help him up. "Let's get you to your tent so you can rest. I want you in top shape when I beat you." She told him, her voice teasing, but her eyes worried as she offered her hand to him.
***
Sam gave a noise that sounded like a grunt of approval as he continued to kiss his betrothed. The next few hours were pure happiness for Sam as he finally had Eron back in his life, showing her how much he truly did love her. It was nearing the night when Sam woke up, his arm drapped across Eron possessively, while he laid on his stomach, the side of his face toward his lover as he finally felt at peace with the world. He groggily leaned over to Eron, kissing her neck to wake her. "Mmm, we best get up or the squad will start with their rumors; you know how they are. Plus, I'm hungry." He playfully told her as he snuggled his body closer to her.
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Post by Tismri on Nov 19, 2012 1:31:52 GMT -5
OOC: Now I have to retype this. *grumble*
Thane smiled as Jack helped him up, grateful for her presence. Her attitude could really help boost the morale of the Varden, and she had been sorely missed. His breathing became labored as he stood, his lungs spasming painfully. He coughed a couple of times, and there was blood on his hand when he pulled it away from his mouth. He must be worse off than he originally thought.
"Thank you, Jack," he told her as she helped him to his tent.
~~~~~
Eron stirred as she felt Sam's kiss on her neck. She snuggled closer to him, hesitant to get up.
"Mmm...let'em talk," she mumbled, not yet even willing to open her eyes. She did open one eye at him when he mentioned he was hungry.
"Really now?" she asked him. She opened both eyes and propped her head up against her hand, smirking. "I would have thought you would be more sleepy than hungry. You seemed to be enjoying your nap until I came in and deprived you of several hours." She grinned at him, then leaned in to kiss him.
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Post by Max452 on Nov 20, 2012 1:15:15 GMT -5
"Thane?" Jack let out a panicked and worried look when he began coughing. Her expression grew pale when she noticed the blood that had appeared on his hand. "Come on, let's get you inside." She told him, anxiously worried for her friend. They entered the tent and she led him to his bed. "What can I get you? Do you need a healing session? Is there some herbs that can help?" She asked one question after another, trying to figure out how to help him. It pained her to see him in such a state.
***
Sam smiled into his pillow, one eye gazing up at her as the other was hidden against the pillow. "What can I say? You made me work up an appetite." He smiled deviously at her and returned her kiss with eagerness. Once he took a breath of air, he continued on his train of thought. "I think a nice warm meal is my reward for the deprivation of sleep you cost me." He finally propped himself up so he could better drag Eron to him, trapping her beneath his arm and upper body. "I would happily have more days of sleep deprivation if your there with me." He told her, his mood growing a bit more serious. "Even years, Eron." One hand went to stroke her hair. "I want years of sleep deprivation with you. Whether its making love to you all night, or staying up to take care of our children when they're sick, and especially, when you just need someone to talk too; I want to be there for all of it. I've been deprived of you for so long, Eron, that I will sacrifice everything I have if it meant that you'll be by my side...that you'll be wife. I love you, Eron. Marry me?" He asked, for the second time, with all the love and affection he possessed for her.
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Post by Tismri on Nov 20, 2012 2:03:09 GMT -5
Thane shook his head at Jack's expressed concern, trying to put her at ease. He didn't like to worry her more than necessary. She knew he was dying; beyond that, he felt there was nothing for her to fear.
"I just need rest," he assured her. "The healing will come with time, and a very short amount of it at that." He smiled at her for a moment. "It is rather comforting to find someone who worries about me as much as you do. It makes me feel...not quite so alone in this world."
~~~~~
Eron's eyes sparkled as Sam pulled her closer, the serious nature of his words reaching her ears. The memory of his first proposal reached her, his nervous voice, followed by her teasing. His promise to be there for her always gave her a sense of assurance. Her hand stroked his shoulder gently as he finished speaking.
"Is that an order, Captain?" she asked, her voice teasing for one moment before becoming serious again. "You already know the answer to that question. I would marry you right this instant if I could. After all, it is long overdue. I promise to never leave you as long as it is in my power." Her gaze drifted over his shoulder. "I know the war has ended and all, but no one knows what life in the military will bring." A slightly disturbed look crossed her face for a moment, and her hand tightened around his shoulder, as if holding onto him for dear life. "Promise me that no matter what, if I am missing in action, you will not write me off as dead until it has been proven." Her gaze floundered for a moment. The thought of him spending two years believing she was dead when she was, in fact, still alive and in enemy hands, brought a level of torment to her soul. She never wanted such a thing to occur between them again.
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Post by Max452 on Nov 21, 2012 20:18:25 GMT -5
"What?? I...I'm not worried." Jack rushed out, feeling suddenly flustered at Thane's words. "I'm just helping my comrade to his tent. I don't want you passing out in the middle of the road; its a hazard to passerbys." She proclaimed as she continued to help him to his tent, a light blush on her cheeks.
***
Elation filled Sam as Eron accepted his proposal, again. He couldn't help the sincere smile that graced his features. "Aye, it's an order and if you so wish, I can ask one of those Riders to wed us tonight." His eyes bright from hearing that prospect. He blinked, letting the seriousness come forth as Eron gripped his shoulders. "Aye, I promise. I will never cease until I am sure and the same goes for you, my love. Should...should anything happen..." His voice trailed off for a moment. "We shouldn't think this way. Each day is a gift and I plan on living with you for a very long time, Eron." A finger caressed her cheek. "Now, what say you - let's get married tonight?" He asked her, a boyish grin appearing on his face. He had not felt this happy in a long time, and he was eager for more years to come with it.
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