Claimed: A Thieves Guild Fanfiction [Revised&Edited]

Chapter 17

  Brynjolf couldn't help the grin that spread onto his face as Arsha walked into the Ragged Flagon, her feet making no sound as she stepped. It was strange how she affected him. All she had done was walk in the room, heck, she hadn't even looked his way yet, and Brynjolf felt happier. Arsha, despite the dark leathers she wore and the way she could blend into a shadow that was barely there, brightened up any space she was in. Brynjolf could tell that the other Guild members liked her, and although she seemed to be slightly more withdrawn ever since her encounter with those bandits, she was always willing to talk. She had become a true member of their family.

A soft laugh drew Brynjolf from his thoughts, and he saw Arsha and Vex talking. Vex seemed to be motioning towards where Brynjolf sat at one of the tables on the suspended platform in the middle of the room. Arsha shook her head and laughed again, before handing Vex something, no doubt a valuable that she had stolen for the white-haired woman. Vex took the object and pocketed it and nodded towards where Brynjolf sat again. Brynjolf wondered what they were saying about him, but before he could get up to investigate, Arsha turned away from Vex and headed over to where Delvin sat, no doubt to turn in a job to the Breton as well.

Brynjolf watched the lass move, and he couldn't help but become entranced by her graceful movements. Every step she took was light and had a certain spring to it as if at any second she could jump into the air and take flight. Jump into the air and take flight. What was he thinking? Brynjolf shook his head with a rueful grin. No woman had ever affected him like this. It almost made Brynjolf think he had lost his touch, but then he heard the lass give her melodic laugh again, and felt his heart lurch in his chest. Brynjolf groaned to himself and buried his head in his hands. What was wrong with him?

He was so caught up in his inner turmoil, that he didn't even notice that Delvin had walked up next to him until the man put and hand on his shoulder. Brynjolf jerked up and turned towards the other thief, trying to school his expression into one of nonchalance. Judging by the chuckle Delvin gave, he failed.

"I was right. Bryn's gone and fallen for another 'lass'," Delvin declared as he took a seat across from Brynjolf. He took a swig of his mug and gave a satisfied sigh before looking at Brynjolf again and raising an eyebrow.

Brynjolf honestly didn't know how to respond. He had wined and dined plenty of lasses in his day, but none of the relationships had ever lasted very long and that hadn't bothered him one bit, after all, there would always be another. Arsha was different though. Brynjolf didn't know what exactly his feelings toward her were, but he knew that whatever they were, he wanted their friendship, or relationship if that's what it was going to be, to last. And he had zero experience with that.

"I don't know, Del. I just don't know. She's a wonderful addition to the family, but..." Brynjolf trailed off, not able to even explain his own thoughts.

"She's sarcastic, fiery, secretive, a great thief, an even better shot, an' she's got a mind as sharp as her daggers," Delvin sated, and all Brynjolf could do was nod. She was all of that and so much more, and yet, he knew next to nothing about her. How could he have such strong feelings for a woman whose face he had never seen?

A new voice sounded from behind Brynjolf. "I can't believe you're being such an idiot, Brynjolf. The whole Guild is waiting for you to make a move on her. Rune and Thrynn even have a bet going on how you'll ask," as she spoke, Vex walked around to where she could look Brynjolf in the eyes, and Brynjolf couldn't look away as she continued, "You won't know until you try, Brynjolf. And I'd make your move fast before anyone else gets any ideas."

The thought of someone else with his lass, holding her close, whispering sweet nothings in her ear, and courting her almost made Brynjolf growl out loud. "Aye, I guess you're right," he admitted, causing Vex to raise an eyebrow and Delvin to chuckle knowingly.