Lezard's Triumph

She was aware of a great weight pressing down on her, of a body molded against her back. Lenneth sighed, and struggled, trying to break free of the hold, but the arms around her merely tightened. She opened her eyes, gazing down her body to see large hands resting on her waist, the material of her gown bunched up underneath the finger tips.

"Lezard?" Lenneth sleepily called out his name, feeling his head resting on her neck. His snore was cut off with a snort, and he rubbed his cheek against her, sighing happily. "Lezard." She said his name more urgently, twisting her hands around to pat his arms. "Let me up..."

"Can't..." He murmured, nuzzling his face against her skin, lips smacking sweetly on her flesh. "Won't..." He sounded half asleep, and he pulled on her body, squeezing her almost breathless as he pressed her against his front.

"I can't breathe..." Lenneth gasped, and Lezard reluctantly loosened his hold on her. But only slightly. His arms still held her pinned, and he rubbed his hips against her rear, making her cheeks flame. "Stop that..." She hissed, trying to stay still as he grinded against her.

"Feels too good to stop..." came his laughing response, and she growled. With a twist she was turning, rolling in his arms to face him, seeing with a start his eyes wide open and staring at her. "Hi..."

"...Morning..." Lenneth answered softly. Lezard smiled, and leaned his face forward, kissing her on the tip of her nose. She blinked, bemused by the innocent gesture.

"Are you feeling better?" Lezard asked, voice hesitant and unsure.

Lenneth sighed, watching as her breath ruffled his bangs. "If you're asking me if I'm over what you did...I'm not..."

"Lenneth..."

"No Lezard...you can't just go around killing people...killing Gods!" Lenneth said insistently. "There has to be order...justice without murder..."

"It's far too early to be discussing this..." sighed Lezard, still hugging her to him. "Can't we just agree to disagree? And then we could..." He surprised her with a slow kiss, cutting himself off midsentence as his lips curved around hers. She started to return the kiss, but only for a second, remembering herself at last. She jerked her face to the side, feeling his lips graze her cheek. A deep throaty chuckle from him, his mouth starting to work on her jaw line.

"That won't work..." Lenneth protested. "You can't distract me from what happened..."

"Not trying to distract you..." answered Lezard, rolling her onto her back so that she lay pinned underneath him. His hands tangled in her hair, gently tugging her head to the side so as to give him better access to her neck. He covered her skin with his kisses, holding her in place as she huffed and puffed, frustration gleaming in her eyes.

"Then what?" She demanded.

"Just trying to love you..." came the answer, his tongue dragging across the front of her throat, Lezard savoring the salty taste of her skin.

"What are you going to do about Odin's family...?" Lenneth asked instead, and Lezard paused, letting out a sigh. "You're not really going to execute them, are you?" At last Lezard rose up off her, sitting back on his knees, though he continued to straddle her hips.

"I don't know." Lezard said at last. "I might." He gave a lazy shrug of his shoulders. "It is better to remove all remnants of a previous regime. It would be messy to leave loose ties to the throne."

"Far less messy than killing them would prove!" countered Lenneth, pushing up on her elbows.

"If...If I don't kill them...then would you be happy?" asked Lezard, a hopeful look in his purple eyes. She sighed and looked away.

"It's not about me being happy." Lenneth said at last. "It's about doing what's right not wrong..."

"I don't understand." Lezard said.

"And that's the problem!" exclaimed Lenneth, trying to sit up. He pushed her back down onto her back, hands on her arms. She frowned up at him, and he smiled in return. One hand still holding her down, his other hand reached for the ribbon that was holding her gown closed over her breasts. With a slight tug, he unraveled the ribbon, seeing her gown split open, a hint of nipple revealed to him. Lenneth gasped as his hand reached forward, Lezard carefully unwrapping her gown at a slow leisurely pace.

"St...stop it..." A gasp tore out of her throat as he touched her, fingers grazing against her nipple. His hand flexed and curved around her breast, squeezing her slightly, Lenneth letting out a cry as she blushed. "Stop..." Her free hand reached towards his, grasping him by the wrist. "Get off of me..."

Confusion flashed in his eyes. "I don't understand." Lezard said. "Yesterday you...you let me...many times in fact..."

"Maybe that was a mistake..." A blushing Lenneth said, pulling his hand away from her breast.

"You don't mean that..." whispered Lezard, feeling his heart start to ache deep inside his chest. She looked away from him, and his expression turned stricken. "Lenneth..." A slight shake of her arm, trying to get her to look at him. "Please tell me you don't have any regrets...please...?!"

"Let me up Lezard..." She sighed, closing her eyes.

"Please!" He repeated urgently, even as he was letting go of her, rolling off her body. She let out a deep, shuddery breath, and slowly sat up, hands rising to her gown. She tugged it closed over her breasts, fingers hastily tying the ribbon into a functional knot, not bothering with the bow. "Lenneth..." His hand reached for her, passing through her hair as she stood.

"I need to take a bath..." Lenneth said, not looking at him.

"Okay..." He nodded, watching as she padded barefoot across the room. He waited until she shut the door behind her, hearing the locks tumble close. And then he was rising from the bed, walking over to the chair where his jacket was draped. He dipped his hand into the pocket, carefully removing the vial. It was small, fitting perfectly in his palm. He bit back a bitter laugh, marveling that something so tiny could hold such a great amount of power. He hissed, and closed his fingers around the vial, and for one brief second he was tempted to crush it to smithereens. But at the last moment he stopped himself, returning it to his pocket.

With an angry yell, he sat down on the edge of the bed, slumping forward to rest his head in his hands. What am I going to do? He thought to himself.

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Alicia and Rufus returned to find the inn was in an uproar. The air was chaotic, Arngrim angrily pounding his fists on the countertop, glaring at the inn keeper. Dallas stood next to him, anxiously wringing his hands, his face changing from moment to moment. One minute worried, the next angry.

"How could you just let her leave like that?!" Arngrim demanded, practically snarling spit in the inn keeper's face. "A young girl unchaperoned in a town like this...in the middle of the night!?"

"She told me she could take care of herself." cowered the inn keeper. "She had a sword."

"I have a sword..." Arngrim's eyes gleamed with menance, and he reached over the counter, grabbing the inn keeper by the collar of his shirt. "Wanna see me use it?"

"Arngrim! That's enough!" Alicia's voice rang out, clear and commanding, with a bite of chiding anger to it.

"Alicia!" Dallas whirled around, relief in his eyes. That expression froze as he saw Rufus standing behind the princess, looking amused at the proceedings.

"Just where have you two been?" Arngrim demanded, fingers releasing the inn keeper. The old man slithered off, coughing and red faced, quick to hide lest the beserker turn his rage on him once more.

"I see you found Rufus..." commented Dallas, his tone disappointed. "We thought you had run off."

"I'm not that easy to get rid of." smirked Rufus, locking eyes with the mage. Electricity seemed to crackle between them, both their eyes narrowing into a glare.

"I'm sorry..." Alicia began bowing, and Dallas gasped, anxiously waving his hands at her.

"Please, it is not seemly for a princess to bow to her servants..." Dallas said.

"I'm sorry..." repeated Alicia, straightening up. "I didn't mean to worry you and Arngrim. I just had to find Rufus..!"

"You should have woken me up." Angrim said, and Alicia's jaw dropped. She blinked, shaking her head, not bothering to explain that she had tried her very best to do just that.

"I'm sorry." She said for the third time, and Rufus placed his hand on her shoulder.

"So am I...I didn't mean to cause all this trouble." said the half elf.

"Yeah, but trouble seems to follow wherever you go..." muttered Dallas darkly.

"Dallas what are you saying?" Alicia asked, staring at him strangely.

"Ah forgive me..." Dallas smiled kindly at the princess. "I'm still reeling from the stress of finding you missing...I...I speak out of turn." Alicia looked doubtful, but shrugged, accepting his words.

"So where did you run off too, that started off this chain of events?" demanded Arngrim.

"Wedding preparations." Rufus said, smirking as Dallas coughed, choking and sputtering impotently. "I had to get something done before I could marry Alicia."

"Oh?"

"It's a surprise." Alicia sighed. "He won't tell even me what he did."

"But fear not...all will be revealed soon enough." Rufus grinned, hugging Alicia close to his body. "We want to get married right away. Today in fact." His grin only widened to hear Dallas' coughing fit get worse.

"Are you sure that's wise..." Dallas managed to gasp out. "I mean...Solde is such a...such a..."

"Such a dump." supplied Arngrim.

"Yes." Dallas faintly agreed. "Surely a place such as Crell Monferaigne would be better suited for your marriage vows."

"No Solde is good enough..." Rufus said, his grin ready to split his face open.

"It's perfect in fact." Alicia smiled, blushing as she gazed up at Rufus. "Solde is where Rufus and I first met...It's only fitting we get married here..."

"Excuse me I need to sit down..." Dallas slumped down onto a bar stool, face incredibly pale.

"Dallas are you okay?" Alicia said, worriedly stepping towards him.

"I feel sick..." Dallas muttered. "We need to hold off the wedding...just until I feel better..."

"Ha ha ha! What a kidder!" Arngrim slapped the mage on the back, nearly knocking the man off the stool. "You just can't hold your liquor. A little hair of the dog that bit you and you'll be fine in time for the wedding!"

"Right..." Dallas smiled weakly.

"I know just the spot for where the wedding will take place." Alicia smiled, turning to look at Rufus. "The chapel of the Valkyrie. The one with the statue of Hrist on the roof. It's still in a nice part of town, I'm sure it'll be a lovely ceremony!"

"The chapel of the Valkyrie...fitting." Rufus said, ready to agree with whatever Alicia wanted.

"And Arngrim...I have a favor to ask you..." She stepped in front of the beserker, fidgeting with her hands. "Um...I hope you won't think this too forward of me but...would you give me away for the ceremony?" Arngrim blinked, surprised.

"Are you blushing?" gasped Rufus.

Arngrim coughed, rubbing at his nose. "I'd be honored too Alicia." She smiled, and grasped his large hand in her small one, giving him a slight squeeze.

"Thank you!" She smiled brilliantly, and looked at Dallas. "And you can be Rufus' best man!"

"Um...I think Arngrim can fit both roles..." Rufus said, and Alicia turned, frowning.

"You don't want to?"

"It's not that, it's just...I barely know Dallas." Rufus explained. "And Arngrim is the first male best friend I've ever had...I want him to stand by our side when we say our vows..."

"Heh...it's good to be in so demand." grinned Arngrim.

"Yeah..." Dallas sighed. "Alicia...don't you have anyone you would want to be at the wedding...Preferably someone far, far away?" He ignored the sharp looks Rufus and Arngrim shot him.

"Hmm..." Alicia thought about it. She thought of her einherjar friends, of Phyress and Celes, and most of all she thought of Silmeria. "Unfortunately...the ones I want most with me...are already here by my side..." She touched her chest, hands over her heart. "The others will be with me in spirit, watching over us. I'm sure they will offer us their blessing."

"Right..." Arngrim said, and Rufus was nodding his head in agreement. "Well let's go get you two hitched."

"You might not be able to rent out the chapel..." Dallas said morosely. "They might be booked up for months to come."

"I'll keep throwing money at the priests till they cave in." Arngrim said confidant he had more than enough gold to accomplish this mission. "Nothing is going to stop this wedding on MY watch!"

"And that's why he's my best man!" Rufus said, grinning and giving Arngrim a thumbs up sign.

"Shucks..." Arngrim laughed, reaching up to ruffle Rufus' hair. "You'd do the same for me."

"Isn't this exciting Dallas?" asked Alicia, a cheery grin on her face.

"Yes..." Dallas agreed, glumly. "Exciting..."

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Lenneth emerged from the bathing chamber, freshly showered, her hair hanging loose, dripping wetly on the carpet. A large fluffy white towel was wrapped about her body, her hands securing it tight across her chest. Her eyes showed her surprise at finding him still in the bedroom, Lezard sitting in the corner, a champagne glass in one hand.

"Lezard..." She said, voice neutral as she looked at him. "You're still here...?"

"Where else would I be?" He asked, fingers jangling the glass, making the red liquid slosh all about.

"It's just...you have a kingdom to run now...I thought you'd be busy..." answered Lenneth, pausing by the bed.

"I would never be too busy to spend time with you..." Lezard said, rising from his chair. He slowly walked towards her, still carrying his glass in one hand. He reached her side within seconds, kissing her on her cheek, hand touching her bare shoulder. She shivered, but stayed where she was, just looking at him curiously. "I've been thinking..." He said abruptly, hand lingering on her flesh. "Wouldn't you like a handmaiden or two? They could help you with your dress and your hair...all the things that a handmaiden does...keep you company when I am otherwise occupied..."

"I'd like that..." Lenneth admitted. "Do you have anyone in mind?"

"Yes...Freya." He laughed at the shocked look on her face. "It would do her good to get her out of those chains. And who knows...if she does a good enough job, I may be gracious enough to return her to her Godhood..."

"Oh...thank you Lezard...!" A small smile was on her face, and he grinned, happy to see her looking pleased.

"I'll bring her to you later this day." promised Lezard, and he raised the glass, taking a sip of the champagne.

"Champagne so early...are you celebrating something?" asked Lenneth, curious.

"Yes..." A deeper drink from his cup, Lezard grinning. "The return of the smile to your face." She blushed prettily, and he held out the cup to her. "Would you like a drink Lenneth? I can fix you a cup of your very own..."

"Okay..." She agreed, sitting down on the edge of the bed. She conjured a brush to her hand, slowly working it through her hair, not paying attention as Lezard moved to the corner of the room. He paused over the bottles of alcohol, dipping his hand into his pocket. He brought out the vial, staring at it, once again replaying the words of Lofn in his mind. His thumb pushed open the cork as he considered, staring at the cup he had picked out for Lenneth.

"Lezard...?" Lenneth called out his name, still running the brush through her hair. "Do you even know how to rule a kingdom?"

"That's a strange question." Lezard said, quickly returning the vial to his pocket. He picked up the two glasses, and walked towards Lenneth. "There's nothing to it, right? He...or she..." He conceded with a smile. "...with the most power, rules over all."

"There's more to it than that..." sighed Lenneth, turning to look at him with a frown. "There are decisions to be made, lives to consider..."

"You can help me with that..." Lezard told her. "Help guide me towards being a good ruler for the Aesir..." He reached her side, handing her a cup.

"I guess so..." Lenneth said, taking the cup from him. He watched as she lifted it to her lips. "But Lezard..." Liquid sloshed out of the champagne glass, spots of it appearing on her towel. "Would you even listen to my advice?"

"I think you would give great advice." Lezard said. "Even if what you have to say is not always what I want to hear."

"Hmm..." A noncommittal noise from her, Lenneth taking a tentative sip from her cup. "You seem to like what Loki has to say." She pointed out. "You and him have become awfully friendly in such a short time..."

"What can I say..." Lezard laughed. "I admire the man. We do have some things in common after all."

"Oh?" Another sip from her glass, Lenneth arching her eyebrow at Lezard.

"We both killed Odin in different timelines." explained Lezard. She frowned, and he sighed. "I suppose that was the wrong thing to say..."

"No you're right...you're both murderers..." sighed Lenneth, setting down her empty cup on the bed sheet. "I just have to accept that the man I am with is a...is a cold blooded killer..."

"Not cold blooded...not at all..." protested Lezard. "In fact, my blood runs very hot...as you already know..." He grinned, and then his eyes widened in surprise. "Lenneth...did you just say...I'm your man...?"

She blushed, and looked away. "It's not as though you've given me a lot of choice in the matter..."

"You've always had a choice over whether or not to be with me...in that way..." Lezard said, voice growing husky as he stepped closer to the bed. He touched her hair, feeling it's dampness against his palm as he ran his fingers through it. "I'd never force you to go all the way..."

"Not for lack of trying!" She exclaimed, frowning at him.

"But I always stopped." Lezard pointed out, a proud smirk on his face. "I was a gentleman!"

"Some gentleman..." She muttered under her breath. "Always groping and grabbing at me every chance you got!"

"And you liked every minute of it!" He teased her, sitting down next to her on the bed.

"I did not...not at the beginning..." She sighed.

"What changed?" He asked.

"You wore me down." came her answer, her expression deadly serious.

"Is that all?" He wondered out loud. "Lenneth...how much further do I have to...wear you down to get you to admit you've fallen in love with me...?"

Lenneth sighed. "That may never happen."

"Never?" He touched her face, turning it towards him. "You must at least like me...?"

"Sometimes...though it pains me to admit it." Lenneth replied. "Most of the time I want to strangle you."

"I'm glad you don't..." Lezard said, leaning in for a kiss.

"Lezard don't..." She said, and he sighed in frustration.

"Why not...?"

"It's still too soon...I'm still...I'm still upset with you..." Lenneth said.

Lezard snorted, letting go of her. "How long am I supposed to wait for this little...this mood of yours to be at an end?!"

"I don't know..." Lenneth replied, watching as Lezard stood up. The man began to pace in front of her, anxiously taking sips from his cup. "I guess that depends on you..."

"Me?" Lezard sounded surprised. "What does that mean?"

"It means..." She bit her lower lip, expression thoughtful. "It means...be good today."

A loud huff of air from Lezard. "Things were so much simpler when it was just the two of us." His angry muttering caused her to laugh, a musical sound as her shoulders shook, her expression open and happy. Her laughter was infectious, causing Lezard to smile fondly at Lenneth. "I'll send Freya to you at once..." He said, and with a gesture of ether, the closet doors opened, gown upon gown exploded onto the floor in a show of lace and frilly finery. "I'm sure she can help you choose a suitable gown to wear today."