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Outside Whiterun, after the seige

'God's above, that was some fight!' Folcwine gasped, pulling off his helmet

'Wasn't it just, rather fun too. Vignar gave a rather scathing speech to Balgruuf didn't he?'

'Aye, that he did.' Folcwine agreed, wiping his brow ' He's right of course, but Balgruuf raised some good points too.'

'Are you saying you agree with him?'

'No, it's just that I'm not sure that Vignar will be much better than Balgruuf. The only real difference is that Vignar is a Stormcloak. They're both cantankerous old men.'

'True, but Vignar's family is nice.' S'fara laughed

'You're only saying that on account of Fralia giving you a deal on that necklace when she found out it was you that stole the letter proving Thorald was still alive.'

She just poked her tongue out at him in reply.

'Cute. Now, I say we pick up some decent mead, and I hear good things about the local stuff.'

They entered the Meadery together, where the owner was engaged in heated discussion with a travelling merchant.

'I told you, no! Your stuff is more trouble than it's worth, I won't have it!' thundered the pot-bellied man before turning on his heel and storming out

'Problem kinsman?' Folcwine asked

'It's that damn Maven Black-Briar! She's trying to shut me down! She doesn't want any competition, so she sends thugs after me and limits how much of my mead gets to other towns. She outright bans it from Riften!'

'How is she able to do all that? Don't the Jarls do anything?' Folcwine asked

'Ha! Some try, but there's not much they can do. Maven has ties to the Thieves Guild and the Dark Brotherhood. If they do too much to annoy her, they get a little visit from one or the other.'

'That's appalling! She has to be stopped!'

'You're welcome to try kid.' call the sarcastic response

'Maybe I will.' he replied, rising to the challenge

A long cart ride later, they had arrived at Riften

'Can you believe the nerve of those guards? They should think themselves lucky I don't report them to Galmar!' Focwine fumed as the gates closed behind them

'I don't know you. You in Riften lookin' for trouble?' came a voice

It was a dark haired man, who was leaning against a post.

'What's it to you?' Folcwine snapped, still in a foul mood

'Don't say something you'll regret. Last thing the Black-Briars need is some loudmouth tryin' to meddle in their affairs.' warned the man

'Good advice, don't threaten people you know nothing about.' S'fara interjected

'Just stay out of the Black-Briars' business, you'll live longer.' he scoffed

Moving on, Folcwine and S'fara entered the small tavern and were surprised to see a Priest of Mara preaching.

'People of Riften, heed my words. The return of the dragons is not mere coincidence. This is one of the signs. The signs that Lady Mara is displeased with your constant inebriation. Put down your flagons filled with your vile liquids and embrace the teachings of the handmaiden of Kyne. ' he exhorted

Naturally this did not go down to well with the innkeeper, a female Argonian.

'No, no... Maramal... we talked about this. Talen...'

The male Argonian moved towards the hapless priest

'Keerava, certainly we can come to an understanding. These people must be made aware of the chaos they've sown.' he pleaded

'Enough, Maramal. We've all heard of the dragons and their return. There's no need to use them as an excuse to harass our customers.' Talen reasoned with him

'Very well, Talen. I'll remove myself from this den of iniquity.' he replied, trying to sound dignified

'We're not kicking you out, just keep the sermons at the temple and let us all sin in peace.' Talen told him

'Wait here a moment, I want to hear what that priest was up to in here.' Folcwine lied to S'fara

'Hey, you're a priest of Mara aren't you?' he asked as the priest was making his way to the exit

'That's right, how can I help you my son?'

'I wanted to ask you about marriage.'

'Wonderful! What do you need to know?'

'Can,' Folcwine hesitated, wrestling with whether to continue 'can two people get married even if they're not the same kind?' he asked with a half glance towards S'fara

'Of course they can! As I told my wife, Mara believes that the spark of a union comes from inside us, not from our appearance. '

'Thank you, you can't imagine what a relief that is to hear. There is someone I love very much, but we're so very different that such a union seems impossible. Even I have my doubts it could work.'

'I take it that "someone" would be that lovely young Khajiit you're travelling with?' Maramal asked knowingly

'Yes, her name is S'fara. She and I have been through a lot, and recently our relationship has... well it has changed. But still - she's a Khajiit her kind aren't even allowed within the city walls normally. How would people react to seeing a Khajiit married to a Nord? I know exactly how, and how could I possibly put her through that?'

'My son, do you love her?'

'What? Of course I do! She's the most amazing warrior I've ever seen. Why, she does things with a blade I'd never have thought possible. And yet she's also beautiful and charming. How can you ask me If I love her?'

'Then your path is clear, tell her how you feel and then come see me to arrange the wedding.'

'Aren't you putting the cart before the horse? What if she says no?'

'I know enough about love, and I can tell she loves you too. Now, before I forget, you'll need an amulet of Mara. I can sell you one for two-hundred Septims.'

With a new amulet of Mara around his neck, Folcwine returned to S'fara's side.

'Are we - wait, is that an amulet of Mara?'

'Yes, S'fara, there's something I've wanted to tell you for the longest time. I love you, and I want to be with you for the rest of my life no matter what! Will you marry me?'

S'fara looked dumbfounded, and Folcwine began to fear she'd say no, but then she smiled and nodded

'Yes?' he asked, hardly daring to believe it

'Of course, you daft fool! I've been waiting for you to ask for months now.' she said playfully

'Haha! Yes, I've been a fool!' he exulted, drawing a few glances from the patrons

In his joy, Folcwine picked her up at the waist, spun her around and then wrapped his arms around her and they kissed like they had never kissed before.

'Just one thing,' S'fara said after they parted 'I want to find a priest of Azurah to bless our marriage.'

'Of course, I think I remember someone mentioning that that the Dark elves built a statue to Azura near Winterhold after they fled Morrowind. Azurah and Azura are the same, right?

'Sort of, we Khajiit have a different view of her to the Dunmer- rather like the difference between Kyne and Kynareth.'

'You do know that there will probably be a Dunmer tending to the shrine, right?'

'Don't worry, I'll keep my cool. There are only two types of Dunmer I can stand, those from House Hlaalu, and devotees of Azurah.'

'OK, so it's off to Winterhold then.' Folcwine said, still exuberant at their impending marriage.

He put S'fara down, then turned to see Maramal had come to speak with them.

'Congratulations to the both of you. It does my heart good to see that even in these dark days, Lady Mara's love is still able to shine through. Shall I see you tomorrow for the ceremony?'

'What? Merciful Stendar no! There's still a civil war to win.' Folcwine replied

Maramal's face fell, warriors never understood that love was more important than any feat of battle.

'Not to mention we'd need time to invite our friends, and besides which, we need to find a priest of Azurah to bless our union.' S'fara added

Maramal frowned, as a priest of Mara, the mere mention of a Daedric Prince deeply unsettled him. Yet he knew that Azurah was the most important deity to the Khajiit, and did not want to offend. After all, his wife still had reverence for her Dunmer deities in spite of being committed to Mara.

'Right, yes... I understand. Tell you what... whenever you have everything ready, come by the temple and we'll set the date.'

'Thank you for being so understanding.' S'fara told the priest gratefully

'Think nothing of it, my child. Blessings of Mara upon you.' he said with a bow as he left

A week later, S'fara and Folcwine had found the shrine of Azurah, unfortunately they also found a dragon. The first they knew of the beast was when it sent a gout of flame at them, which - had they not ducked behind a rock - would have incinerated them.

'Damn! Where in Oblivion did that come from?!' Folcwine asked, after he recovered his breath

'I don't know, but it's blocking our way to the shrine, and nothing is getting between me and the blessing of Azurah!' S'fara snapped, drawing her bow

She shot arrow after arrow in rapid succession, the tiny pinpricks hardly hurt the dragon, but the potent poison that she had coated the arrow tips with brought it to ground.

'Victory or Sovngarde!' cried Folcwine as he charged from behind the rock

He hacked and slashed with his Nordic sword, splitting scales and piercing tough hide, Folcwine felt sure he was not far off the killing stroke when the brute flared its wings, knocking him to the ground as it took to the air.

'Ysmir curse it! I almost had it!' he gasped as he threw himself behind the rock

'And I'm out of poison, now how will we get him to land? He'll stay in the air and pick us off for sure.'

'Wait! I have an idea. I happen to have a few scrolls of fireball, I'll go get his attention, and you sneak up behind him and then let him have it!'

'That's just mad enough to to work!' S'fara replied, grinning

'All right then, here take these. And for the love of Talos, don't miss.'

He gave her a quick kiss before dashing out

'Here, over here you stupid lizard! I'm the Dovahkiin, come and get me!' he yelled

'Ful, losei Dovahkiin? Zu'u koraav nid nol dov do hi. ' answered the dragon as it hovered above him,back towards the rock where S'fara was hidden

'Dir, nok tinvaak joor!'

Foclwine had no time to react, as the Dragon was engulfed in a massive explosion of flame as the fireballs found their mark, causing the massive beast to crash to the ground in an explosion of dust and dirt.

'Good timing love! I was sure I was for Sovngarde that time!' he called over to S'fara

To his surprise, she appeared from behind the rock still holding the scrolls.

'Um, thanks! But that wasn't me.' she said sheepishly

'Then who?' Folcwine began but then a large Nord man wearing the armour of a bandit charged past, brandishing a great-sword

He and S'fara watched in awe as the stranger battled the dragon and with one final strike, felled it. Just as they were about to go congratulate him for killing the dragon, its skin began to burn, and an aura of energy came out and swirled around the mystery man who stood there as the vortex of light entered his body.

'Hey! Thanks, for helping us back there!' called Folcwine

The Dragonborn made no answer, simply heading back the way he came.

'Well, that was strange. I wonder why the Dragonborn didn't say anything to us?' asked S'fara, putting an arm around his waist

'No idea, but at least the way is clear now.' Folcwine replied

'Ah! That's right! In all the excitement, I almost forgot why we came.'

When they had climbed the steps, they were greeted by a Dunmer Priestess.

'Greetings travellers, I am Aranea Ienith, priestess of Lady Azura.'

She closed her eyes, and stood as if in a trance.

'She wishes to speak to the both of you herself . Please, place your hands on the altar, and you will hear her voice.'

Praying to Talos, Folcwine placed his hands on the Daedric altar.

'Hello?'

'Greetings mortals, I have expected you.' a melodic female voice answered

'You have?' Folcwine asked nervously

'Yes, you are the one who will risk all to marry a Khajiit. A commendable choice, they are the fastest, cleverest, and most beautiful of creatures. Such a thing has not happened for many years.'

'S'fara certainly is that, my Lady. And she wishes for your blessing upon our marriage.'

'Then I shall speak to her.'

There followed a period of silence, in which Folcwine was only dimly aware of the Daedra's continued presence. Just as he wondered if the Prince would address him again, she spoke again.

'I, Azurah bless your marriage, may it be a sign of my benevolence and power. Go now, and live a long and happy life together.'

'Thank you my Lady.' S'fara replied respectfully

They stepped away from the altar, and addressed Aranea.

'Thank you for all that you have done, It's not much, but we'd like you to have this.' Folcwine said, handing her a purse with 200 Septims inside

'You are too kind. I wish you both the best of luck.'

As they left, they heard her praying.

'No harm shall come to me, for I live under Azura's wisdom. Her foresight protects me. Her insight sustains me.'