Alexandra had woken up early the next day and finished decorating the outside of Jorrvaskr when she was called up to Dragon's reach with Vilkas to accompany her side. There they waited patiently in the silence, waiting for someone to show up. Then it seemed that finally the Jarl stepped up from the staircase and welcomed them with open arms.
" Glad to see you are both well and warm."

" I could say the same to you, Jarl."
He turned and motioned a guard forward. Vilkas rose a brow in confusion. What could be in that box that could be so important?

" As you know we are putting the topper on the tree tonight." He took the box and grasped the lid. " And I'd like you, my Thane, to be there to put it on top of the tree."

Alexandra gasped as he opened it. Slowly, she reached inside and took hold of it carefully. As she held it up even Vilkas found himself taken back a little. He had always seen it done every year but the beauty he saw far away compared to up close was entirely different. The glass was stained different colors, each shard framed by bronze as it weaved its way into the shape of a star.

" It's been passed down man generations. It's a priceless artifact."

" I couldn't possibly-"
" Alexandra." She paused and looked back at Vilkas as he placed a hand on her shoulder. " You've done more than enough to be able to place it on the tree. if the Jarl didn't agree then he wouldn't have offered."

She paused and gave a shaky breath. Hesitantly, she placed it back into the lined box and smiled.
" Alright, I'll do it."


Villas looked out over the crowd, taking in the people around him. Every single soul, no matter the age, gathered around the tree before them. Each one bundled up in their clothes to keep warm against the cold. Each one turned and gossiped to each other. He smirked to himself. To think that such a silly little topper brought the entire village together was intriguing.

He looked down at Alexandra, who stood beside him. She realized he had been looking at her and glanced up, giving a nervous smile. Her hair had grown much longer since the winter and she had yet had time to cut it so now it easily caught the few snowflakes that had begun to fall. She was bundled up just like the others with white rabbit fur ear muffs resting over her ears to keep them from freezing. She may have looked composed but he knew better. He had been around her long enough to notice the nervous look in her eye and the settle shake of her leg as she waited.

" Relax, you'll be okay." He reassured. She bit her bottom lip.

" What if I drop it?"

" You won't."
" But my fingers are so cold, what if I can't feel them and I think I grab it tight enough and I really don't then it'll fall and shatter and everyone will be so mad-"
" Alexandra."

Vilkas didn't give her a chance to continue on with her rambling. Instead he took off gloves and wrapped his hands around hers, brining them to his lips.
" You'll be fine."
Alexandra could feel the small stubble that had began to grow on his chin and cheeks as he spoke, his lips grazing her fingertips. Her breath hitched as he took a deep breath and blew out. The warmth engulfed her hands and her head fell. Both from enjoying the sensation and the embarrassment that had begun to flood her.

Then it seemed all the whispers died down. Alexandra pulled her hands away, instantly regretting it but knew it had to be done. The Jarl stepped forward, his cheeks rosy from the cold, and began to give the same speech that was given every year. Then the time finally came. He turned and motioned for a guard to walk forward with the box in hand. Then he looked at Alexandra. She took a deep breath and pushed herself to step forward.

Her hands reached for the lid, causing everyone to hold their breath. All were too eager to see the beautiful masterpiece again after having it tucked away for a year. She glanced up at Vilkas. He stood calmly and gave a reassuring nod. It was only then her shaky hands began to raised the lid.

Everyone waited, and waited, and waited for what seemed like hours but was only a few seconds. Vilkas furred his brows in confusion and a little bit of frustration. Why wasn't she pulling the topper out? It wasn't like her to freeze up this much. Unless . . .

He quickly made his way over and peered inside. His eyes met the Jarl's and it seemed he understood the entire situation without even hearing a word. The rumors began to pick up again and Vilkas searched the crowd. Then he spotted him.
" There! That's him!"
All eyes fell to a young man as he tried to sneak his way out of the gates unnoticed. The guards easily jumped on him and managed to rip the parcel out of his hands. Alexandra wasted no time checking to see if it was there.

The Jarl growled silently behind her. " Take him up to the reach, I've got a personal conversation to have with him."

The guards dragged him off, his boots leaving a trail in the small layer of snow they had. Vilkas wanted to believe everything was okay now. That they had the topper back where it was suppose to be. But the look on Alexandra's face left him questioning. Then she raised her head, the defeat heavy on her face, and gave a small shake of her head.

It had been a decoy. The topper had been stolen.


I'm very sorry for slacking on this story. I've been falling in and out of writers block for it. I had written out the second chapter and I had lost it, then I started moving and school so it's been hectic. Please forgive me. I'll try my hardest to keep updating it sooner!