Traveling Home II

It's a fairly lively walk over the hills and through the woods, the kids would run around while the group would enjoy the sights.

Crimson was ignoring me in favor of waddling after Atris which definitely didn't anger me, Inigo would nervously talk every now and again anxiously waiting to get back to Lydia, while M'rissi would constantly look at me before harrumphing and looking away with a pout.

And just like that, we spent the next couple of hours walking before making our way into Riverwood where Faendal and Uthgerd happily greet us as we enter the village.

"My friend! You've finally come to vis-… What in Oblivion happened to you? You're skinnier than me my friend!" Faendal explains in shock at seeing me approach.

"Yes, you do not look so good." Uthgerd adds.

"Yeah, got wounded by some strange magic in a battle. Heading to our new base to recuperate for a while and spend some time with my family." I say wrapping my arms around the kids with as big a hug as I can muster as they laugh.

"Wow, I did not expect you to take guardianship so quickly, but speaking of family… I have some excellent news!" Faendal says happily.

"Oh? What is that?" I ask as we make our way to the partially constructed bunkhouse on the other side of the river from the village.

"I'm going to be a father myself! Camila is pregnant and we are wanting to hold our wedding at the Temple of Mara in Riften as soon as possible. We were wondering if you could attend?" Faendal asks expectantly.

"Congratulations! And I'd be honored to attend, when were you thinking of having it?" I ask clasping him on the back.

"About a month from now. I look forward to having you there!" Faendal say.

"I wouldn't miss it. So, how's the bunkhouse here coming along?" I ask him as we cross the bridge that had been built and study the structure that'd been built so far.

"It's coming along okay, got the first level done. With the mill so close we should be able to finish it in another week or so." Faendal explains.

"Good, good. I'd like to speak with Gerdur before we leave but I think we'll camp for the night first. Maybe cook up a dinner here on this side of the river?" I suggest.

"Sounds like a plan, my friend. I'm sure everyone would love a feast." Faendal agrees as we split up and he leads a group to gather some food and cooks up the feast.

I take this time to rest in the framed Bunkhouse and take a moment to rest my eyes until the smell of food stirs my attention and hunger.

I make my way out of the Bunkhouse to find the entire village and the rest of my company gathered around a couple of campfires passing around food and drinks as they laugh and tell stories.

The kids are running around playing tag with Stump and Crimson who seem to be having a blast getting to play.

Inigo and Faendal are having an archery completion trying to see who's the best shot.

And Atris and Sofia are getting drunk off their asses, challenging people to arm wrestling matches… Both of which Embry sorely loses. That being the drinking and the arm wrestling.

And then there's M'rissi, quietly watching the festivities… Observing everything going on around her while keeping warm at a nearby fire.

I decide to plop down on a log next to her, which makes her look away from me angrily.

"Come on, kitten." I plead as I reach for her ears before she hisses and swats my hand away.

"NO! You will not use your sweet words and magic hands against her! She is very mad at you and will never ever forgive you terrible Fluffy trickster!" M'rissi growls at me in rage before turning away from me but not leaving the warm fire.

"Kitten… The most beautiful M'rissi in all of Tamriel." I say taking her hand in mine, "I'm so sorry for leaving you alone and worrying you so much. Is there anything I can do to make this right?"

"Of course, she is the most beautiful M'rissi because she is the only M'rissi! So your flattery gets you nowhere!" M'rissi pouts though she still doesn't pull her hand from mine and even scooches ever so slightly closer to me on the log.

"I can't promise not to worry you that much ever again. Because you can't help worrying about the people you love, no matter what they say… But I can promise to never up and disappear with just a note to let you know I'm okay." I say as I wrap my weakened arms around her waist and pull her back against my chest.

"She-she never said she was in l-love with you! Do not put words in her mouth!" M'rissi protests while lightly struggling against me though still not pulling away as she turns her face around bringing us nose to nose.

"But… I love you." I say staring into her big, amber eyes as they go from wide saucers to narrow slits in an instant as a bright pink flush spreads across her cheeks.

"Hmph!" M'rissi pouts as she buries her face into my chest as I see her tail start to swish about.

"What do you love about her?" M'rissi asks, slightly muffled by my chest.

"Your inquisitive mind, how you fight with such ferocity, your smile that makes my heart flutter, how your tail swishes about when you're happy, and-" I say before M'rissi frantically rushes to cover my mouth.

"Mreow! Enough! She forgives you! Just stop saying such things about her!" M'rissi quietly shouts hastily covering my mouth as her tail swishes behind her and she unknowingly straddles my lap.

I move her hands to the back of my neck before saying, "Are you sure? I could keep going about how enchanting I find you."

"Hmph. You and your sweet words, what will she do with you?" M'rissi pouts in exasperation.

"Well, I can think of quite a few things." I say with a smirk as our lips inch closer.

"Oh? What is that?" M'rissi mumbles listlessly as our lips connect and we kiss passionately for several moments before breaking our connection.