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Vilkas frowned as he watched Athis sparring with the new blood. Both whelps, but the nord woman was holding her own against the Dunmer. Athis looked none to pleased about the realisation.
'She's had proper training, that one,' Farkas said coming to sit next to his brother. Vilkas nodded. He'd thought as much when Kodlak had him test her out.
'Todvar said a couple of soldiers saluted her the other day,' Farkas continued, munching on his sandwich. Vilkas let out a disbelieving snort. Why would an officer in the army join the Companions? They were notoriously apolitical.
'Was this before or after he went to the Mare?' he asked.
Farkas shook his head. 'You have to admit, she's got good form.'
'She's no warrior. Far happier at home with daggers than a sword and shield.'
'Don't let Aela hear you talking like that,' Farkas said, grunting in amusement. The brothers winced in unison as Ana threw Athis onto his back, a loud grunt issuing from the dunmer.
'Yield?' she asked with a smirk, pressing a dagger to his throat. Athis let out a huff that could be taken for agreement, ignoring the hand she held out to him as he clambered to his feet with a scowl.
'You're a demon with that sword,' she said, sheathing her daggers. 'I don't suppose you'd consider training me? I'd pay of course?'
Athis' disgruntled expression cleared.
'I can certainly show you what I know,' he said, with a slight smile. Vilkas raised an eyebrow. Regardless of where she learnt her skill, she knew how to win people around.
'Did you know the New Blood is a Thane?' Farkas said, looking up as his brother entered his room. Vilkas resisted the urge to roll his eyes. If he didn't know better, he'd think Farkas might be developing a small crush on the latest addition to the companions. He'd certainly warmed up to the woman since they'd returned from Dustman's Cairn.
'Another of Tadvar's tavern tales?'
'One of the guards told me. Said she fought a dragon.'
'Falkas, if she'd fought a dragon, there's no way she'd have kept quiet about it. Would you?'
Farkas shrugged, taking a sip of mead. 'I guess not. Ana's not much of a one for bragging though. Heard her telling Aela so when she first arrived.'
Vilkas shook his head, remembering why he was there in the first place.
'We've got a job, over in the Rift. You coming?'
Vilkas bit his lip against the pain shooting down his side as he collapsed onto the bedroll by the fire. Farkas handed him a healing potion from his pack and he swallowed it in one, wincing at the bitter taste as he felt the gentle warmth of the healing manage bind his wound.
'It's a pity Ana isn't here,' Farkas said, sitting back onto his haunches as he saw to the fire. 'She's pretty good at healing magic. Get you fixed right up.'
'Of course,' he said, looking heavenward. If his brother was to be believed, there was nothing the new blood couldn't do. He had to admit, the whelp was much more competent than he had originally given her credit for, and she certainly seemed to fit in well enough, getting on with everyone except for Njadja. Her and Aela had been thick as thieves since Skjor passed, something that still made Vilkas slightly uneasy. He'd noticed a change in the woman and he hadn't been able to put his finger on it.
'You don't like her much, do you?' Farkas said. Vilkas looked at his brother in surprise.
'What?'
'Ana. You don't like her much.'
Vilkas frowned. 'I don't dislike her.'
'You should take her out on a mission some time. She's a nice girl.'
Vilkas shook his head in amusement. Once a woman was in her thirties you most definitely did not refer to her as a girl.
'I'll take that under advisement.'
Vilkas could feel the anger pulsing through his veins as he stared down at the body of his former mentor. He looked up at the sound of the door opening, his inner beast snarling at the sight of his Shield Sister.
'Where were you?' he growled. Ana looked past him, the blood draining from her face as she took in the sight before her.
'I was doing Kodlak's bidding,'she whispered, her eyes never leaving the old man's corpse.
'Well I hope it was important,' Vilkas said bitterly. 'Because it meant you weren't here to defend him.'
'What happened here?' she asked, her eyes finding his. 'Was anyone else hurt?'
'No, but the Silver Hand ran off with all our fragments of Wuuthrad. But you and I are going to reclaim them.'
He didn't know how she managed it, but she procured a couple of mares from the Whiterun stables in no time.
'According to the map, there's an imperial camp not far from Driftshade Refuge. We can leave the horses there while we sneak in on foot,' she said, completely at ease in the saddle as she rode alongside him. It was the first time they had spoken since they left Jorrvaskr and Vilkas did little more than grunt. She gritted her teeth and spurred her horse faster as they rode on through the night.
'Legate,' the soldier on duty snapped to attention as Ana approached.
'At ease soldier. I need you to stable these horses for me. I'll be back in a few hours.'
Vilkas frowned at her, barely registering the soldier who took his mare's reins from his hands.
'Legate?' he demanded, his voice accusing. She winced, before turning to meet his gaze her eyes defiant.
'That's right,' she said.
'The companions don't involve themselves with politics, you know that.' Vilkas couldn't explain why he suddenly felt so angry, but the rage was flowing through him now, pure and white.
Ana gave a derisive snort.
'And you've never once involved yourselves? Not even, say, when Whiterun was under siege?'
Her eyes met his, challenging him to lie to her.
'That was different! We were protecting our home!'
'So was I,' she said, turning away from him. She nodded gratefully at the soldier, before making an about turn and starting to walk off into the darkness, leaving Vilkas staring after her. 'Are you coming?' she demanded over her shoulder. Vilkas shook himself, and jogged to catch up.
Vilkas glanced at the woman running beside him. Her face was blank, devoid of emotion as they ploughed through the mountains towards Dawnstar. She had barely spoken since Kodlak's funeral, and he felt a stab of guilt, wondering, not for the first time if she was blaming herself for the old man's death. Gods knew he hadn't done anything to relieve her of the notion.
The anger that had burned in him after Kodlak's death had died as quickly as it had ignited, replaced with a deep remorse for both his words and his actions. He had acted out of pain and grief and he knew that the old man would have condemned his behaviour.
He shook himself, his gaze travelling to the form of his brother, running up in front, Aela a pace or two behind. He knew now how she had felt after Skjor's death. The need for vengeance, the blood lust that demanded satisfaction. It occurred to him that they had both relied on the same woman to help them deliver it and she had done so, without question or hesitation. He wondered how much guilt she carried for the actions they had forced on her. He fought back a sigh, shaking his head as he picked up the pace. There was a long way to go yet.
Harbinger. The old man had made her Harbinger! He shook his head, trying to make sense of Farkas' words, a surge of hurt and bitterness running through him. He couldn't deny the little voice at the back of his head that wondered why not him? Why hadn't he been worthy? He and Farkas were the longest standing of any of the Circle, bar the old man himself. He bit his cheek and forced a smile as the new Harbinger approached, smiling nervously, her brown eyes anxious as they met his.
He felt himself soften. It was obvious she hadn't expected this and no one could deny the woman was capable, both as a fighter and a leader. He smiled and offered his congratulations as graciously as possible.
'Have you seen the Harbinger since we returned?' Vilkas asked, as he sat down next to Aela. The woman raised an eyebrow.
'I believe she spends her free time at her house next to Warmaiden's,' she replied. 'It was quite a battle, dealing with Kodlak's wolf spirit and then her own.'
The last was thrown out casually, but Vilkas stiffened at the words.
'You changed her!' he accused. Aela scowled at him.
'And why not? She is a strong woman, she was an asset to the pack.'
'Did she volunteer?' Vilkas demanded. 'She certainly cured herself quickly enough.'
Aela looked back at her food, pushing it around her plate with her fork. She let out a soft sigh, before turning back to her shield brother.
'Skjor and I did not force her, if that's what you're suggesting. But we may... we may have implied more than was strictly accurate about the entrance requirements for the circle.' She put down her fork. 'I hoped that she would take to it, but she... It was clear that she didn't enjoy the bestial side of her nature. It doesn't matter. She is cured now. It is done.'
Vilkas stared at his shield sister for several moments before standing abruptly.
'Next to Warmaidens?'
'It's called Breezehome.'
'Vilkas?' Ana asked, blinking in astonishment as she opened the door.
'Harbinger. May I... Can I come in?'
She nodded, stepping aside to allow him entry. Vilkas looked around with interest as he stepped over the threshold. It was a cosy little house, the smell of stew wafting from the cooking pot over the fire pit and books lining the shelves on the wall.
'I hope you don't mind. Aela... Aela said I could find you here. I didn't mean to intrude. I just... I wanted to see if you were well after...'
If she had looked astonished before, she looked simply gobsmacked now. She glanced at a woman sat at the table at the far end of the room who hurriedly stood up.
'I need to go to the market,' she said, walking to the door promptly. 'Is there anything you need, my thane?'
'No. Thank you, Lydia.'
Vilkas shook his head, chuckling softly to himself as the house carl walked past him with a curious look, closing the door behind her.
'What is it?' Ana asked, frowning in confusion at him.
'Nothing. I just... I think I owe my brother an apology. He is much more observant than I give him credit for.'
The bewildered expression didn't leave her face but she gestured for him to follow her, taking a seat at the dining room table.
'So, what can I do for you?' she asked. Vilkas shifted uncomfortably.
'I wanted to apologise,' he said. 'When Kodlak... when the old man passed, I was... angry. I took it out on you, unjustifiably so.'
'I understand,' Ana said after a long moment. 'We all react differently to grief and he... I know you were close to him. I... I'm sorry too.'
'Why...?'
'I always... Well I assumed you would become Harbinger after Kodlak. It must... Well I guess I feel a bit like I usurped your position. I hope... I hope we can work together going forward.'
She gave him a tentative smile, and he felt something shift inside him.
'I hope so too,' he said, smiling back. Relief spread across her face and he realised just how anxious she had been about this. He looked down at his hands, reluctant to break her happiness and unsure how to say what needed to be said next. 'Aela said... Aela told me about... about your change.'
She visibly winced, and he found himself reaching out a hand to hers in reassurance.
'I don't blame you,' he said hastily. 'Aela told me... Well she implied that she and Skjor pressured you into it. I can't believe I didn't realise but...'
He shook his head, bringing himself back on track.
'She said you cured yourself as well as Kodlak.'
She nodded slowly, her eyes watching him carefully.
'I never... It never sat comfortably with me,' she said eventually. When he didn't say anything she continued, 'I could... I could cure you as well. If you wanted. I still have the rest of the heads.'
Silver grey eyes met warm brown and he smiled.
'I think... I think I would like that.'
'Today, brother, I slayed a dragon!' Farkas said triumphantly, throwing himself down next to Vilkas at the dinner table. Vilkas snorted a small amount of mead out of his nose.
'What?!'
'It's true,' Ana said, coming to sit on his other side. She smiled at him as she helped herself to the baked potatoes. 'We went up to Shearpoint. The Jarl called in a favour.'
Vilkas blinked as Farkas nudged him in the ribs.
'What did I tell you, brother?' He shook his head, looking past Vilkas to the Harbinger. 'He didn't believe me when I told him that's how you became thane.'
Ana flushed and Vilkas felt his own cheeks warming.
'Let me know if you get any more requests to slay dragons,' he said, smiling at her sheepishly. 'I can't have Farkas besting me on this one.'
'Funny you should say that,' she said with a grin.
Vilkas bent double, placing his hands on his knees as he fought for breath.
'Now that was a battle!' he exclaimed. He turned around and caught his breath, his eyes widening as a loud gushing sound pummelled his ears and goldent tendrils stretched from the dragon to Ana.
'By Ysmir...' he breathed. She turned and looked at him, a hesitant smile on her face.
'So... There's, er, there's something I've been meaning to do,' she began.
Vilkas followed her up the seven thousand steps, neither of them speaking much until they reached the first plateau above the tree line.
'It's beautiful,' Ana breathed. Vilkas nodded as he came up beside her, his eyes wide as he took in the vista below them, the mountain line giving way to the wide plains of the Rift.
'So, are you going to tell me why you're dragging me up this mountain?' he said, turning to the Harbinger. She had been quiet ever since they arrived at Ivarstead the night before.
'You'll find out soon enough,' she said, smiling wryly. She turned on her heel and gestured for him to follow as the continued their way up to High Hrothgar.
'Harbinger. Ana. Are you... Are you okay?'
She had said nothing to him since leaving High Hrothgar, and he could only imagine how she must be feeling. His own mind was still reeling. Dragonborn. He had believed the tales to be little more than children's stories. She smiled apologetically at him.
'Sorry,'she said. 'I... Well, I've been putting that off for a long time.'
He nodded. He could understand why. It must be hard, not only to believe in the first place, but also to accept. After something like that... He wondered if your life could ever truly be your own. His heart went out to this woman.
'Thank you,' she continued. He looked at her in surprise and she reached out, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. 'I don't think I could have gone by myself. I... I needed a friend with me.'
He blinked lost for words. Clearing his throat he eventually found his voice.
'It was my honour, Ana.'
Vilkas was woken by someone shaking his arm. He blinked groggily, rubbing his eyes as he focused on Farkas.
'What is it?' he demanded, yawning as he sat up.
'It's the Harbinger. She's been hurt. Bad.'
Vilkas felt the blood in his veins turn to ice as he pushed himself out of bed, hurriedly pulling on his armour.
'What happened?'
'Vampire attack.'
'What?!'
Vilkas dashed from the room, but his brother caught his arm before he could cross the threshold into the Harbinger's quarters.
'Not here,' he said shortly. 'Breezehome.'
Vilkas did an about turn before stopping abruptly.
'Has anyone given her a cure disease potion?' he asked. Farkas blinked before paling. He shook his head. Nodding, his jaw clenched, Vilkas dashed back to his room and grabbed a bottle from the stock he had kept ever since he'd lost his immunity.
'Come on,' he said.
He could hear Farkas behind him as he pounded along the streets of Whiterun. The door to Breezehome opened on his first knock and a growl rose instinctively in his throat at the sight of the strange woman in front of him. Even without his beast blood he could tell she smelt wrong, but the giveaway was her eyes. Her blood red eyes. She raised a hand in peace.
'I'm a friend,' she said stepping aside to let him in. He nodded at Farkas who pinned the woman in place with a look as Vilkas took the stairs two at a time and rushed into Ana's bedroom. She was lying on the bed, her skin pale and sheened with sweat, deep circles under her eyes. Her house carl, Lydia, was gently bathing her face but she looked up as he entered.
'Here,' Vilkas said, holding out the potion. Lydia stared at it for a moment before nodding curtly.
'You'll need to prop her up,' she said. Vilkas nodded, coming around to the other side of the bed. Ana stirred looking up at him with feverish eyes as he placed an arm around her shoulders and gently manouevred her into a sitting position.
'Vilkas?' she whispered, pressing a clammy hand to his cheek. He forced himself to smile down at her.
'I'm here,' he said soothingly. 'But I need you to drink this, okay?'
He nodded at Lydia who gently pressed the bottle of potion to her lips. Ana grimaced at the taste but swallowed obediently, making a face when the bottle was empty. The familiar glow of restoration magic encased her and she fell back.
'That was a close one,' she said, turning her head to find Vilkas' gaze. He shook his head as Lydia pressed a hand to her forehead.
'The fever's subsided,' she said. 'I think she'll be okay.'
'Nothing a bit of restoration magic won't cure,' Ana said, pushing herself up the head board. A golden glow surrounded her as she healed herself and Lydia gave her a light smack of admonishment.
'A healing potion would have worked just as well and wouldn't take up your energy,' she said. Ana reached out and squeezed her hand.
'Thank you,' she said. Lydia smiled.
'I'll go get you something to eat and drink. You'll need it.'
'You're really better?' Vilkas asked, searching Ana's face after Lydia had left the room.
'I'll be fine,' she said. 'I've dealt with worse. I just... I was stupid and didn't have any cure disease on me. Should have known better I suppose. I didn't expect it to take so fast.'
'You gave Farkas a fright,' Vilkas said. He hesitated before adding, 'And me.'
'I'm sorry,' she said, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. She shifted to one side, patting the bed beside her. Vilkas hesitated before moving to sit next to her.
'So, what's with the vampire?' he said, as much for something to say as anything.
'It's a long story,' she said with a faint huff of laughter.
'I've got all night.'
Ana let out a soft sigh as she opened the door to the torrential rain. Taking a deep breath she pushed back her shoulders; she wasn't putting this off again. Her fingers travelled nervously to the amulet resting on her chest as she recalled the look in Vilkas' eyes as she sent him back to Jorrvaskr. He couldn't have come with her, not to Sovngarde, and she had been too exhausted after the fight. Ovahdiin had left her at Lakeview Manor, and she had slept for most of the following day. Now, bathed and dressed in robes rather than her usual armour, she was ready to face her fate.
Her breath caught as she looked up and saw the figure standing in the drive, dark locks dripping.
'Vilkas?' she breathed.
He took a step toward her, followed by another, and then they were running towards each other, his arms wrapping around her waist, hers around his neck.
'I thought I'd lost you,' he muttered, his lips pressed to her hair. She looked up, her gaze searching his face and he crashed his lips to hers. She sank into his touch, her hands carding through his hair to pull him closer than she had thought possible. He let out a soft growl, arms tightening around her as her tongue found his.
'Gods,' she breathed when they finally broke for air. He let out a soft chuckle, his forehead pressed to hers. His eyes fluttered open and she felt his breath catch.
'Is that...?' He looked up at her, the amulet of mara resting on his fingers. She felt a flush spread across her cheeks.
'Interested in me, are you?' she said teasingly. He surged forward and kissed her soundly.
'I am. I would gladly walk by your side until the divines take us. If... If you'll have me?'
She felt her heart twist at the sudden vulnerability in his voice. Pressing a cold hand to his cheek, she forced him to meet her gaze.
'I will.' She kissed him gently, feeling more than seeing the delighted smile that crept onto his face. 'Together then?'
'Together.'