Footsteps disturbed the silence, and then somebody sat down next to her. She didn't bother looking up. Her heightened senses registered the newcomer's body heat, smelled the characteristics of clothing and body. One of the two brothers. She didn't acknowledge his presence.

A hand placed a tankard of ale in front of her. Aela blinked, her thoughts returning from a faraway memory she had been contemplating.

Vilkas held his own tankard up in ways of a greeting. Aela grasped the one he had set down before her and clanked it against his. They drank in silence.

"I miss them. Kodlak and… Skjor," Aela admitted once she had drained her beer.

"So do I."

"Sometimes… I wish nothing of this had happened," Aela confessed. "That everything still were as it was then. That she" – she nodded at the ring on Vilkas' hand – "had never come to Jorrvaskr."

A sad smile spread over Vilkas' face. "You do, don't you?"

"Don't hold it against me," she exploded in self-defence. "I w—"

"Don't." Vilkas raised his hand, cutting her off. And then, in a gentler tone, he assured her, "I don't hold it against you, sister." He reached for her hand and squeezed. "You were happy back then."

Aela withdrew her hand, bittersweet memories softening her harsh features. "You are happy now," she whispered.

Her shield-brother lowered his head. "Aye," he agreed, his voice only a fraction of its usual volume. "I am."

They sat in silence for some time before Vilkas spoke again. "I am sorry it pains you so much."

Aela studied his face. "You and Falka? Yes."

And familiar though he was with his shield-sister's ways, the bitterness in her words still robbed Vilkas of any reply he might have given.

"He's been gone for so long now," Aela continued. "We have to change something. I have to. This" – with a sweep of her arm, she encompassed all of Jorrvaskr – "has to change."

"What do you propose?"

"I guess… You will have to do without me for some time." She looked at her shield-brother. Her brother, in everything but blood. "Jorrvaskr needs you. The Companions need their Master-at-Arms. And their Harbinger. But they don't need me." Vilkas opened his mouth to contradict, but Aela silenced him, continuing, "Stay in Whiterun for some time, and let me go."

After some initial hesitation, Vilkas nodded his head. "I was hoping you'd say something like that."

Confusion replaced the determined look on her face.

"I know how hard this is for you. And I will gladly take over your responsibilities here, if that is what you want."

Relief washed over Aela's face. She squeezed Vilkas' hand. "Thank you, brother."

"We'll wait for you at the end of summer, sister." Vilkas smiled at her. "And don't you dare be late."

Aela returned his smile. "I never would." She got up, and clasped him on the shoulder. "Thank you."