AN: Hey everybody! I know what you're thinking…oh great why is this chick coming back with ANOTHER story about Vilkas when she started a story last year and hasn't even gotten around to it…well, I just love that dude so much that I decided I wanted to try something a bit different. This is going to be an AU of my fic The Mind of Ysgramor, meaning Adelia, my dragonborn from that story will be here as well. This is kinda gonna give you a glimpse into her backstory and will stray away from Skyrim's plot entirely (since it kinda gets repetitive, honestly) and in this fic, Adelia won't be dragonborn for I think obvious reasons. I wanted to do her some justice since you can't really read how she's feeling in the other story since it's all in Vilkas' perspective, and do so without repeating the other story. This brainchild developed in my head over the past few weeks so I'm gonna give it a shot. I highly guarantee this is gonna be more mature than TMoY, in fact, I'm pretty positive it's going to be more mature. Also since I'll have more freedom story-wise I think you guys are probably gonna end up enjoying this more than the other. I already kinda am xD Anyway, as always I hope you enjoy.

Oh yes, just as a side note, the ages of these two nimrods will be younger than their TMoY counterparts, about seven years younger actually. (Trivia! Vilkas and Adelia are nine years apart! Lol)

Stand by Me

Prologue:

"You want me to do WHAT?" Vilkas shouted at his Harbinger in fury, fists flying up into the air and flailing as his temper, mixed with his beast blood, breached the boiling point.

Kodlak let out a deep sigh and held his hands up, signaling to the young man to take it easy. "Calm down, lad. I knew you'd be upset about this, but I need you to hear me out before you go thrashing through Jorrvaskr in a fit of anger."

The younger man breathed out a taunting laugh, a single "ha" as he began pacing the stone floor of the Harbinger's study. He couldn't believe the old man. To set him up with something of this sort was just plain insulting. He was a Companion! A person of great respect who took pride in the jobs they received throughout Skyrim and did to their own accord. He had thought that perhaps Kodlak had called him in here to compliment him on what a fine job he had done clearing the mountainside near Falkreath of trolls with his twin, Farkas, but instead the Harbinger had given him a proposition, one he couldn't refuse no matter what he said in excuse. For instead of calling him in for anything having to do with the guild or contracts, Kodlak had explained to him that a nobleman in Cyrodiil, at the Imperial City, of all places; was hiring the Companions to send one of their own to the foreign country in order to serve as a personal guard for one of his children. And of all the members in the guild, Kodlak had decided that Vilkas would suit the job perfectly, and wouldn't hear any rebuttal from him.

"Hear you out, eh? What exactly did you think I'd find agreeable in this…this…arrangement which requires me to just drop everything and leave the damn country? And for what, a bodyguard position? Sometimes I think you bite off more than you can chew, old man. Who the hell sent you this request to begin with? They must have a horses' ass for a brain if they think the Companions are just going to cater to needs in countries other than Skyrim!"

The Harbinger groaned amidst Vilkas rambling on, pinching the bridge of nose. In order to silence the young man, he suddenly slammed his fist harshly down on the table where he sat, rattling the dishes and tankards resting on the surface in the process. Immediately Vilkas shut his mouth, knowing he himself had crossed the line. Although Kodlak was sentimental, it didn't mean he would let anyone run their mouth when he had had enough. The old man then stood and crossed his arms, glaring at the younger Companion with his aging eyes, a silent order for the boy to hold his tongue.

"Watch how you speak to me, Vilkas. I may not be in charge of you, but you should know better than to argue with your elders. Now, if you'd kindly let me explain why I chose you over everyone else, you will see why it is necessary that you go through with this." He once more took his seat at the table, picking up the objects on the surface that had fallen over and setting them down properly.

"Vilkas, let me ask you, when you go out on contracts with a shield-sibling at your side, what do you always make sure to do?"

Vilkas looked upward in thought for a moment and breathed out slowly.

"Make sure that I have my shield-siblings' back, of course."

Kodlak nodded in agreement. "Now, what does Farkas do in the same situation?"

"He always goes in for the kill, regardless if his shield-sibling is handling their own or not."

"And Aela?"

Vilkas shrugged. "Does her own thing most of the time."

"Exactly. You see now why I need you to do this? You are young and agile, suitable to protect any obstacle that comes this person's way. You are also reliable, and tactful, and know when to jump into action while still looking out for others. I have also chosen you, because I believe you will agree to this once I tell you the benefit of it all."

The younger man cocked a brow at Kodlak's remark. "Which is…?" he pressed.

"The nobleman who hired us has offered a lump sum of fifty-thousand gold for our services. I don't know about you, but I would like to see that amount be put to good use around here, and I'm sure you wouldn't mind getting a major cut of it."

Vilkas swallowed roughly. "F-fifty-thousand?" he stuttered out hoarsely. "How much of a cut are we talking?"

"I will give you fifteen of it. However, you must take this job seriously and do it to the best of your abilities. That means: no fits of rage, no shouting in their faces when you become impatient, and absolutely, under any circumstances, no transformations," Kodlak strained seriously.

"Of course," Vilkas agreed. He let out a deep sigh and rolled his shoulders back. "So, when do I leave?"

Immediately, Kodlak's wrinkled face brightened a degree. "I will send out a letter of response telling him we have agreed to his request. Then as soon as we get an answer, you'll be on your way."

The younger man moved over to the map sitting on the desk not too far away from him and began examining it. "How long will I be doing this, exactly?" he asked with a hint of distaste.

Kodlak shrugged. "The letter didn't specify. But I would assume anywhere from a few months to a couple years, it just depends."

Vilkas just grunted in reply. Never in his life had he assumed that he'd be adding babysitter to his list of abilities.

Unbeknownst to him, things weren't quite so easy sailing for the one he was to be assigned to either.

Well that was the prologue! Sound interesting? It's gonna get better from here, promise. This was just a snippet of what's to come! As always, if you enjoyed even just this teeny bit, Follow/Fave/Review! I'll be sure to update soon! (School's out so I caaaan!)