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<\/p>\nHe\u2019d been running so hard and for so long that he was trailing droplets of sweat as he burst through the doors of Dragonsreach and made for the stairs up to the Great Porch.\u00a0 The woman who kept Balgruuf\u2019s great hall neat and clean glared at him.\u00a0 He murmured \u201csorry,\u201d as he dashed past her but in truth he wasn\u2019t sorry at all.\u00a0 The floors of Dragonsreach had undoubtedly seen worse. He mounted the stairs two at a time and hurled himself out the doors onto the Great Porch.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
It was another glorious day in Whiterun. A few puffy clouds drifted along through a brilliant blue sky, birds glided on the updrafts and elk bugled to each other out on the tundra, their songs clear and sharp in the crisp air.\u00a0 There was just enough of a breeze to carry the scents of freshly turned soil and pine trees up and into the confines of the Great Porch. It was peaceful, and safe, and normal<\/em>; and it was perfectly beautiful.<\/p>\n It was a glorious day; and there was nobody there enjoying it.<\/p>\n \u201cRoggi?\u201d he called, trotting to the open end of the porch, looking in the alcoves on either side as he went.\u00a0 Roggi wasn\u2019t there, nor were any of the guards who had been present when Odahviing landed, or Balgruuf, or Irileth.\u00a0 Someone had moved the usual furnishings back to their accustomed places in the sun, but nobody was seated there.<\/p>\n \u201cHello?\u201d<\/p>\n Dardeh stood for a second, numb.\u00a0 He\u2019s not here.<\/em><\/p>\n He\u2019d practically been rude to Master Arngeir, on his way down the mountain, in his hurry to get back to Whiterun.<\/p>\n \u201cDragonborn. I can see it in your eyes. You have been to the land of the dead, and returned.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, Alduin\u2019s dead.\u00a0 Paarthurnax is still up on the mountain.\u00a0 Go talk to him about it. I have to go, Arngeir.\u201d<\/p>\n And he had rushed through High Hrothgar and continued hurtling down the mountain.\u00a0 I\u2019m not a priest. I\u2019m not a Greybeard.\u00a0 I will never sit on the mountain and talk to the sky.\u00a0 I\u2019m a fighter. I\u2019m a miner.\u00a0 I want Roggi.<\/em><\/p>\n But in spite of how quickly he\u2019d run down the mountainside, Roggi wasn\u2019t here.<\/p>\n Where is he?<\/em><\/p>\n He turned and ran back through Dragonsreach.\u00a0 How long was I gone?<\/em><\/p>\n A few minutes later he threw open the door of Breezehome, sending it crashing into the wall behind.\u00a0 Lydia was standing in front of the cooking pot, and jumped.<\/p>\n \u201cDardeh!\u00a0 You\u2019re\u2026 Oh my gods, Dar, you\u2019re alive!\u201d\u00a0 She ran to him and wrapped him in the tightest grip he\u2019d ever felt from a woman.\u00a0 She was shaking, he realized.\u00a0 Crying?<\/p>\n \u201cWhere is he??\u201d\u00a0 Dardeh took her shoulders and pushed her back.\u00a0 \u201cYes, of course I\u2019m alive, Lydia, but where\u2019s Roggi?\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at him, wet-eyed, and he realized that in spite of himself he had managed to hurt her.\u00a0 Gods, Lydia, I\u2019m so sorry, but you have to understand\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cHe, uh,\u201d she stopped and cleared her throat, and tried to continue.\u00a0 \u201cWe tried to talk him out of it, but he left, Dardeh, he thought\u2026\u201d\u00a0 Her voice stuck, she waved her hand in front of her face and shook her head.<\/p>\n \u201cPapa!\u201d\u00a0 Lucia came running out from her bedroom.\u00a0 Dardeh scooped her up and clasped her to his chest, his chin atop her head, and rocked her back and forth.\u00a0 Lucia.\u00a0 I\u2019m so sorry. I\u2019ve been such a bad father.\u00a0 I love you, little girl.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cPapa,\u201d she said calmly, \u201cYou\u2019re squashing me.\u201d<\/p>\n Dardeh twitched, and set her down.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m so sorry!\u00a0 I was just happy to see my girl.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPapa,\u201d she said, taking his hand and looking up at him.\u00a0 \u201cYou need to go get Mr. Roggi. \u00a0He went back to Kynesgrove.\u00a0 He was afraid you weren\u2019t coming back.\u00a0 He\u2019s really sad, Papa.\u00a0 Go bring him home.\u201d<\/p>\n Bring him home.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI will, sweetheart.\u00a0 I\u2019m going to.\u201d\u00a0 He turned to Lydia.\u00a0 \u201cI hope?\u201d<\/p>\n She nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cHe needs you, Dardeh.\u201d<\/p>\n Dardeh smiled and pulled her close into a hug, hoping she would somehow understand.\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry Lydia.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t mean to push you away.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know how long I was gone, I didn\u2019t realize anyone would think I\u2019d died.<\/em> He spoke quietly, next to her ear. \u201cAnd I need him.\u00a0 And I need you, too, Lydia, so much, and not just to take care of things here.\u00a0 You\u2019re my friend.\u00a0 Thank you.\u201d\u00a0 He released her and turned for the door, then looked back at her and grinned.\u00a0 \u201cYou won\u2019t believe what happened to me.\u00a0 I\u2019ve got a whole bunch of stories to share when we get back.\u201d<\/p>\n And he ran back out the door, and out of Whiterun, and down to the stables to hire the carriage to Windhelm.\u00a0 Even the Dragonborn couldn\u2019t run forever.<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n He ran up the short hill into Kynesgrove, panting.<\/p>\n Why did he leave?\u00a0 I thought we had agreed, he was going to stay at Breezehome, he was going to stay\u2026 with me.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n How long was I gone?\u00a0 Was it like Solstheim?\u00a0 Days that weren\u2019t really days?<\/em><\/p>\n He ran up to Roggi\u2019s house and hammered on the door.<\/p>\n \u201cRoggi?\u201d<\/p>\n There was no answer.<\/p>\n He pounded on it again.<\/p>\n \u201cRoggi!!\u201d<\/p>\n No, where is he?\u00a0 Do I go to the mine?<\/em><\/p>\n His heart was pounding almost as loudly as he\u2019d been pounding on the door.\u00a0 His anxiety level was mounting, its claws clutching at his gut and squeezing his head like some gigantic monster.<\/p>\n I have to find him or I am going to explode. I was calmer facing Alduin. I don\u2019t know what to do.<\/em><\/p>\n Maybe I should go to the mine.\u00a0 Maybe Kjeld knows where he is.\u00a0 Maybe he\u2019s at the inn.\u00a0\u00a0 Maybe he\u2019s having fun without me.\u00a0 Maybe he\u2019s found some cute girl and decided that he\u2019s changed his mind about me.\u00a0 Maybe two girls, who knows.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cDamn it.\u201d\u00a0 He turned to leave, and then stopped as he heard a voice calling from inside.<\/p>\n \u201cCome in.\u00a0 It\u2019s not locked.\u201d<\/p>\n Oh for the love of Talos.<\/em><\/p>\n He threw the door open.<\/p>\n Roggi was sitting on the floor in front of the fire.\u00a0 He was holding a bottle of mead by its neck, swirling it.\u00a0 There were others placed carefully nearby, many of them, empty or full he couldn\u2019t tell.\u00a0 Dardeh stopped, confused, not knowing what to do.<\/p>\n What is this?<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cRoggi.\u00a0 Why didn\u2019t you answer the door? Are you \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n His shoulders shrugged.\u00a0 \u201cNo.\u00a0 I was \u2026 getting ready, though.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou weren\u2019t there!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNeither were you.\u201d<\/p>\n Dardeh saw red.\u00a0 He bellowed.<\/p>\n \u201cI just finished fighting Alduin!\u00a0 I RAN from the Throat of the World all the way to Whiterun, Roggi!!\u00a0 You said you were going to stay with me!\u00a0 I thought \u2026 I thought you wanted to be with me! I thought you cared<\/em> about me!\u201d I thought you loved me. You told me that you loved me. <\/em><\/p>\n Roggi still didn\u2019t look at him.\u00a0 He stared at the fireplace and twirled the bottle.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought you were dead.\u201d<\/p>\n He paused, staring at the bottle again, then continued.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought you were dead, and I was alone again.\u00a0 I can\u2019t do that again, Dar.\u00a0 I can\u2019t.\u00a0 I thought I was stronger now but I\u2019m not. It would be too hard. I just\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Dardeh\u2019s anger vanished, a fire doused by cold water.<\/p>\n \u201cBy the gods, Roggi.\u00a0 I never even thought about that.\u00a0 I\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n Roggi pushed himself to his feet, slowly, and put the bottle on the mantle.\u00a0 He turned to face Dardeh.\u00a0 Roggi\u2019s eyes were wet, his face a picture of dejection.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m weak, Dar.\u00a0 When you didn\u2019t come back right away I thought you were gone and I ran away. I was ready to give up, just now. It was like when you were in Solstheim but worse, because we\u2026\u201d\u00a0 He cleared his throat and shook his head. \u00a0\u201cI thought I was going to be brave and do the right thing and take care of them, but I just left Lydia and Lucia and came back here to give up.\u00a0 It just all\u2026 hit me again.\u201d\u00a0 His voice caught, and he cleared his throat.\u00a0 \u201cI thought I was past losing her, Dar, but I guess it will never really go away.\u00a0 I was afraid.\u00a0 I\u2019m still afraid. I lose myself, and I know the kinds of things I do.\u201d<\/p>\n Briinda.\u00a0 I wish I could tell him that I saw her in Sovngarde, but I didn\u2019t.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n Dardeh took Roggi\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve never been married, so I don\u2019t know what it\u2019s like. But I understand losing someone.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Roggi would think he meant his mother; but his mind turned to the Stormcloak soldier in Sovngarde.\u00a0 That loss would haunt him to the end of his days, he knew it.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I understand being afraid.\u00a0 And I understand being alone.\u201d<\/p>\n He stepped closer to Roggi, and reached his right hand up to touch his face.<\/p>\n \u201cListen to me. Alduin is dead.\u00a0 And I mean really dead, this time.\u00a0 I\u2019ll tell you all about it later but he\u2019s gone and the world is not going to end. Miraak is dead.\u00a0 Ulfric is \u2013 somebody else\u2019s problem now.\u00a0 We did it.\u00a0 WE did it. You and I. You may not have been standing beside me but trust me, it was just like you said, you were <\/em>with me. You\u2019re about the farthest thing from weak that I can think of.\u201d<\/p>\n Roggi looked down at the floor.\u00a0 He was clearly struggling with himself.\u00a0 Dardeh moved a little closer, reached up and pulled the tie out of Roggi\u2019s hair, earning himself a surprised look from Roggi.<\/p>\n Dammit, Roggi, I ran all the way from Sovngarde for you.\u00a0 I want you. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s not a single reason for either of us to be alone, Roggi.\u00a0 I\u2019m not ever going to leave you again, not if you\u2019ll have me. There\u2019s no reason.\u00a0 Lydia wants you to come back to Whiterun.\u00a0 Lucia \u2013 Lucia told me \u2018bring him home, Papa.\u2019\u00a0 You have\u2026 a strange little family waiting for you, if you\u2019ll have us.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe said that?\u201d<\/p>\n Dardeh nodded, and was rewarded with a small smile.<\/p>\n \u201cShe wanted to know whether you\u2019re going to be her papa too.\u201d<\/p>\n He leaned forward and kissed Roggi, lightly, just a brush across his lips, meant to be of careful reassurance and nothing more.\u00a0 But suddenly he found Roggi holding his arms in a vise grip, steering him backwards, and they became a flurry of arms and legs, clothing flying one way and the next in a trail that led to Roggi\u2019s bed.<\/p>\n Some considerable amount of time later Dardeh turned to look at Roggi and smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t ever leave me again,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Roggi grinned.\u00a0 \u201cMe? Leave you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYeah.\u00a0 Don\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re a fine one to talk, Dar.\u201d<\/p>\n Dardeh smiled again.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m not going to leave you. There\u2019s no reason for me to do that anymore. In fact, I know how to make absolutely sure that\u2019s never going to happen.\u201d<\/p>\n Roggi raised an eyebrow.\u00a0 \u201cYou have some kind of Shout you\u2019re going to use on me, is that it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNope.\u201d\u00a0 Dardeh grinned.\u00a0 \u201cI would if I needed to, have no doubts about that, but I have a better idea.\u00a0 We\u2019re heading south in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n Roggi frowned.\u00a0 \u201cSouth? To\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTo Riften.\u00a0 We\u2019re going to Riften.\u00a0 I\u2019m going to marry you.\u201d<\/p>\n Roggi\u2019s smile faded, and he studied Dardeh\u2019s face, searching.<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t joke about something like that, Dar. That\u2019s just too hard.\u201d<\/p>\n Dardeh rolled onto his side, cupped one hand behind Roggi\u2019s head and kissed him again, a long, slow, sweet kiss.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not joking.\u00a0 Marry me, Roggi.\u00a0 Be my husband.\u201d<\/p>\n Roggi opened his mouth as if to speak and then closed it again, and blinked.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou what?\u00a0 Look, we\u2019ve been over this before.\u00a0 I\u2019m done, you\u2019re the one I love, Roggi. Marry me.\u201d<\/p>\n A slow smile spread over Roggi\u2019s face.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re serious, aren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n Dardeh snorted.\u00a0 \u201cYes I\u2019m serious. Who would joke about a thing like that?\u00a0 No, never mind, don\u2019t answer that. Someone would, I\u2019m sure.\u00a0 Roggi.\u00a0 I\u2019m serious. Marry me. Let\u2019s give Lucia her two papas. It was her idea in the first place, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n Roggi looked thoughtful, any number of emotions flickering across his face.\u00a0 Dardeh knew that one of them was the pain of loss, the regret for everything that had happened with Briinda a decade earlier.\u00a0 Then he thought he saw Roggi release that pain, at least a little bit.\u00a0 His face relaxed, and his smile became one that spoke of peace and acceptance.<\/p>\n I wonder if Briinda just spoke to him, the way Ma speaks to me.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cYou know, that was exactly what Briinda said to me, way back when.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSmart girl. I would have said that, too. In fact, I did. And? What do you think about it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think that\u2019s a fine idea.\u201d<\/p>\n Dardeh expelled the breath he hadn\u2019t even realized he was holding, a great sigh of relief and happiness.\u00a0 He flopped down onto his back and started telling Roggi the story of how he, the miner from Markarth, had gone to the land of the dead and saved the world, carrying with him in his heart the strength and fire of his Redguard forbears, the wisdom and patience of his Nord mother, and the love of a man from Kynesgrove who meant more to him than anything else in the world.<\/p>\n ____<\/p>\n He stood facing Roggi, holding Roggi\u2019s hands in his own, smiling.\u00a0 There couldn\u2019t be a bigger contrast, he thought.\u00a0 Here I am, wide, and brown, and short, with mismatched eyes and hair that can\u2019t decide whether it belongs on a Nord or a Redguard. And there is Roggi.\u00a0 Ten years older than me, tall, pale, blonder than blonde, with those beautiful blue eyes and a beard that\u2019s longer than my hair when I let it loose.\u00a0 And yet here we are.<\/p>\n He looked out at the small, odd gathering of people who had become his friends and family, and smiled.<\/p>\n He had found a courier and sent word to Lydia the next morning.\u00a0 \u201cMeet us in Riften,\u201d he\u2019d told her.\u00a0 He knew she would understand and would be there.\u00a0 And there she was, among those in the Temple.\u00a0 She\u2019d asked Balgruuf to let Lucia play with his children for a few days, for the staff in Dragonsreach to keep an eye out for her, and then Lydia had ridden for Riften as hard as she could ride. She\u2019d arrived in her steel armor, eyes sparkling, with tales of the bandits she\u2019d taken down on the way there.\u00a0 Still a warrior, no matter how much she enjoys taking care of Lucia.<\/em><\/p>\n He glanced over Roggi\u2019s shoulder and caught the eye of the big redhead sitting in the front row.\u00a0 He\u2019d found Brynjolf in the marketplace at dusk.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m going to marry Roggi,\u201d he\u2019d told him, not knowing what sort of reception that news might receive.\u00a0 \u201cI want you to be there.\u00a0 You and Delvin, if he\u2019ll come.\u00a0 It would mean a lot to Roggi.\u00a0 And to me,\u201d he\u2019d added with a grin.<\/p>\n Brynjolf had surprised him by merely cocking his head to one side and looking thoughtful.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s good, lad.\u00a0 I\u2019m a little surprised, to be honest.\u00a0 But that\u2019s good. I\u2019m happy for both of you.\u201d He chuckled.\u00a0 \u201cI guess I owe Andante a drink.\u00a0 He told me you two were an item and I didn\u2019t believe him, for\u2026 reasons I expect Roggi has told you about.\u00a0 Congratulations, lad.\u00a0 I\u2019ll be there,\u201d he said in his softest tones.\u00a0 And he was, and Delvin too, both seated in the front row behind Roggi.<\/p>\n Dardeh thought of his mother, and also of his father, and nodded, having come to a decision.\u00a0 He smiled at Maramal and at the people witnessing this moment, and then spoke.<\/p>\n \u201cI know these things don\u2019t usually involve speeches but Maramal has been kind enough to allow me to make one,\u201d he said, knowing that his voice would fill the space regardless of anyone\u2019s wishes. \u201cI hope you\u2019ll indulge me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am,\u201d he said, taking a deep breath and looking around to be sure that everyone was paying attention as he named himself, \u201cDardeh at-Dadarh, son of Ellte of Markarth and half-brother to Dagnell of Stros M\u2019Kai. Both Redguard and Nord. I am Thane in the court of Jarl Balgruuf the Greater, adoptive father of Lucia of Whiterun, and grateful friend to Lydia, my Housecarl. \u00a0I am numbered among the Skaal-friend on Solstheim, having bested their foe, Miraak the Dragon-Priest.\u201d<\/p>\n He smiled, remembering his conversation with Tsun, and knowing that nobody else in the room would fully understand what he was about to say next.<\/p>\n \u201cI am Dragonborn, and High Hrothgar is among the places that afford me welcome.\u00a0 By right of birth, I have entered Sovngarde and returned. And I am the slayer of Alduin, the World-Eater.\u201d<\/p>\n He turned back to Roggi and looked at his smile, and his eyes began to mist over.<\/p>\n \u201cBut today I take on my most desired role and assume my most important title. \u00a0From this day forward I am Dardeh, husband of Roggi Knot-Beard of Kynesgrove.\u00a0 There is nothing in this world or the next that I have ever wanted more, or that means as much to me.\u201d<\/p>\n Roggi smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cDar,\u201d he whispered, squeezing Dardeh\u2019s hands.\u00a0 His smile was all Dardeh needed to see to know they were doing the right thing, and he could feel his mother\u2019s warmth in the room around them, underscoring that conviction.<\/p>\n Then Roggi cleared his throat and spoke up, quietly. Dardeh didn\u2019t know whether anyone else would catch his words, but it didn\u2019t matter.\u00a0 \u201cAnd I am Roggi Knot-Beard of Kynesgrove.\u00a0 The last of my clan. \u00a0Miner.\u201d\u00a0 He paused and his smile took on a sad touch, for just a moment. \u201cWidower of Briinda of Windhelm.\u00a0 Former \u2026 soldier,\u201d he added, grinning, \u201cand much to my surprise and delight, about to become husband of Dardeh, the Dragonborn, the best and bravest man I ever met.\u201d<\/p>\n Roggi looked at Brynjolf and Delvin in the front row and winked, then smiled at Dardeh once again and raised his voice to make sure that everyone could hear.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I will go where you go, and fight your enemies as my own, love and protect your child as though she were mine, and hold you and all of your family next to my heart until the Divines call us home. Now and forever, Dar.\u201d<\/p>\n Dardeh felt a tear slipping down his face.\u00a0 He hadn\u2019t expected anything like this.<\/p>\n \u201cNow and forever, Roggi.\u201d<\/p>\n Maramal smiled at them.\u00a0 \u201cUnder the authority of Mara, divine of love, I declare this couple to be wed.\u00a0 I present the two of you with these matching rings, blessed by Mara\u2019s divine grace.\u00a0 May they protect each of you in your new life together.\u201d<\/p>\n Dardeh gathered Roggi up in an embrace, his mouth close to Roggi\u2019s ear.<\/p>\n \u201cI love you, Roggi,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n Roggi inhaled, as if to speak, but then Delvin\u2019s voice punctuated the room.<\/p>\n \u201cWell.\u00a0 That\u2019s that then! About time we got that all wrapped up nice and tidy. Let\u2019s have a drink.\u201d<\/p>\n And everyone broke out laughing.<\/p>\n They spent some time there, with the others.\u00a0 Dardeh noticed Brynjolf give Roggi a long, hard hug.\u00a0 Ah it has to be hard for him. Especially when Roggi mentioned my family.\u00a0 We all know that means Brynjolf, too, but nobody can say it in public for his safety as well as mine. Well, now it\u2019s time to get serious about finding her.<\/em><\/p>\n Brynjolf approached him and patted him on the back.\u00a0 \u201cCongratulations, lad,\u201d he said quietly.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m happy for both of you.\u00a0 Roggi is a special friend to me.\u201d<\/p>\n Dardeh smiled at him.\u00a0 \u201cBrother.\u00a0 Now we\u2019re all brothers, the three of us.\u00a0 How about that?\u201d<\/p>\n Brynjolf smiled, but it was half-hearted.\u00a0 \u201cWell, in a way.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNaah, Brynjolf.\u00a0 It doesn\u2019t matter to me.\u00a0 You\u2019re still always going to be our brother.\u00a0 I never thought I\u2019d be saying this, given your particular station in life and our introduction to each other but\u2026 I\u2019m honored.\u00a0 Ok?\u201d<\/p>\n Brynjolf nodded.\u00a0 Then he looked up and to the back of the room.\u00a0 Andante was standing near the doors, arms crossed, waiting patiently.<\/p>\n Brynjolf\u2019s gaze flicked back to Dardeh\u2019s.\u00a0 \u201cI hope you won\u2019t mind if I slip out, lad.\u00a0 I have some, uh, business to attend to,\u201d he murmured.\u00a0 \u201cYou have the key, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes,\u201d Dardeh nodded, smiling.\u00a0 Andante had given them Honeyside for the night, Brynjolf had told him.\u00a0 It wouldn\u2019t do for newlyweds to spend their first night in the Bee and Barb.\u00a0 He would bunk in the fishing shack. Dardeh suspected that Brynjolf had had something to do with Andante\u2019s generosity.<\/p>\n \u201cGo take care of things.\u00a0 Thanks for being here. It meant a lot to us.\u201d<\/p>\n Brynjolf nodded and headed for the door.\u00a0\u00a0 While he was walking away, Andante met Dardeh\u2019s gaze and grinned.\u00a0 Dardeh thought he saw the slightest nod toward Brynjolf.<\/p>\n Oh, I see.\u00a0 Have things moved in that direction, then?\u00a0 I would not have anticipated that. Not at all. But I wouldn\u2019t have expected this, either. <\/em><\/p>\n He smiled and nodded to Andante, then turned back to find his new husband.<\/p>\n \u201cLet\u2019s go get some air.\u201d<\/p>\n Roggi nodded.\u00a0 They walked back to the doors of the Temple and slipped outside, standing on the porch in the crisp night air.\u00a0 They hadn\u2019t wanted to wait a moment longer than necessary, so had decided to have the ceremony as soon as Maramal was ready, in the wee hours.\u00a0 There was a goodly fog over Riften, as there often was, light from the moons filtering down through it and giving a frosty look to the city.<\/p>\n Dardeh turned to Roggi and smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cWe did it.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe did.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHow\u2026 do you feel?\u201d<\/p>\n Roggi took a deep breath and expelled it, with a smile.\u00a0 \u201cI never thought I\u2019d be standing in front of a priest of Mara like that twice in my life.\u201d\u00a0 Roggi had been concerned, because of the old tradition that said people only got married once, in Skyrim.<\/p>\n \u201cBut you weren\u2019t married in Skyrim,\u201d Maramal had told Roggi, with a twinkle in his eye.\u00a0 \u201cYou were married in Cyrodiil. And therefore there is no reason that Mara will not smile on your union here in Skyrim.\u201d<\/p>\n Roggi stretched his shoulders out.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel good. I feel like this was right.\u00a0 There\u2019s hope now.\u00a0 I feel\u2026 like this.\u201d<\/p>\n He leaned forward and gathered Dardeh into a kiss.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I feel like seeing what Andante\u2019s done to Honeyside since the last time we were here,\u201d he added, once he stepped back.<\/p>\n Dardeh just nodded, mutely, the kiss having left him a bit rubber-kneed and wanting nothing more than to be just led by the hand to whatever place Roggi wanted him to go.<\/p>\n He\u2019d been running so hard and for so long that he was trailing droplets of sweat as he burst through the doors of Dragonsreach and made for the stairs up to the Great Porch.\u00a0 The woman who kept Balgruuf\u2019s great hall neat and clean glared at him.\u00a0 He murmured \u201csorry,\u201d as he dashed past her … <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/2-2-18-2.png\")
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<\/p>\nPart II: Duality<\/a><\/div>\nPrevious<\/a> \/ Next<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"