Disclaimer: Alas, Skyrim is not mine. Characters you do not recognize were created by me for the purposes of this tale. Some quests/dialogue have been changed, so do not expect a word-by-word account taken completely from the game. Rated M for potential violence and gore, sexual themes and much more. Thank you for all of the lovely and encouraging reviews! They certainly keep me motivated ;) - Fallon.

Chapter Six

Vilkas held his head in his hands and waited for Kodlak to speak.

Unable to make sense of things on his own, he'd gone to the Harbringer for advice, as he had done many times before. Kodlak was known across the nine Holds for his wisdom and many sought him out.

Kodlak took a swig of mead, sat his tankard down on the table, and crossed his arms, "The beastblood isn't all to blame for what you're feeling, Vilkas."

"Then what is?" He asked desperately, "I've told you everything."

Kodlak nodded, "I know, son."

Frustrated, Vilkas stood, "Then what!"

"Calm your fire, Vilkas," Kodlak said calmly as he gestured for Vilkas to take his seat.

The halls of Jorrvaskr were quiet and the soft sound of crickets was accompanied by Farkas' deep snoring – a melody many a bard would scoff at. Vilkas had been unable to find any rest and had wandered Whiterun for hours before returning to find Kodlak waiting for him. Dawn would break soon and he'd have to go through another day of avoiding the wood elf.

She'd been given no new assignments since gaining entrance into the Companions three days ago, but he'd heard word Aela had relieved one she intended to pass along to Idalyn.

He cringed at the idea of accompanying her.

"I think you know the answer, Vilkas." Kodlak said confidently, hoping his prodding would be enough to get the stubborn man to admit as much to himself.

Vilkas frowned, "What kind of advice is that?"

Kodlak huffed, "Damn good advice to those who relent enough to listen to it!"

Vilkas sighed and rubbed his temples, "Forgive me, Kodlak, it wasn't my place to question you..."

"Question me all you like," he said with a shrug, "I'm no man's master."

"I respect you all the same."

Kodlak nodded, "I know, Vilkas. I only ask that you give the girl a chance. Farkas and the others seem to get along fine with her. Maybe all you need to do is think about why you really don't like her?"

Vilkas sighed, "I will, thank you, Kodlak."

Idalyn slung her knapsack over her shoulder and started down the road to Riverwood. Aela had tasked her with clearing Embershard Mine, a cave to the south-west of Riverwood, of bandits. It seemed easy enough, so she saw no reason to alert Vilkas of her departure.

She was sure he'd find others to ridicule in her absence.

She found it a shame really, that a man so lovely to look at could be so miserable. He wasn't as solid as his brother, but she found herself wondering what secrets his armour hid. She supposed if he just kept his mouth shut, she could actually enjoy his company. But the chances of that happening were slim, so she contented herself with her silent musings.

It was a beautiful day and she couldn't help but smile in anticipation. She had planned on taking her time walking to Riverwood and had changed into a simple blue dress with a cream shift and a matching cowl. In case she encountered trouble on the roads, she had daggers strapped to both of her thighs and one around her waist as a gentle warning to any would-be bandits who happened by.

The trek through the planes was simple enough. Farmers glanced up at her but said nothing as she passed by but she didn't expect anything different. She passed Honningbrew Meadery and continued over the bridge and up the hill. Riverwood wasn't too far away and she didn't expect the journey to take her long at all.

It was just as she started on the main road that she heard a subtle rustling behind her, the very soft sound of metal armour clanking together. She drew her dagger and slipped into the bush with the hope of surprising her would-be attacker with a dagger to the throat.

She waited until the perfect moment, not wanting to spoil the attack with eagerness, and sprung from the bush like an arrow from a drawn bow. Idalyn crashed into the man, forcing him to the ground and slashing his hands with her dagger to keep him from going for his sword.

She managed to get the upper hand and straddled his waist as she pressed the tip of her dagger to his throat. It was the first time she took a good look at the man, and she had to blink a few times before it registered.

"Vilkas?"

He grabbed her hand, squeezing it until she dropped the dagger, "Are you mad, whelp?"

"Me? What in the name of the Divines are you doing here?"

He tried to ignore how she was sitting on him, but it was difficult. Even though his armour was between them, a part of him wished it wasn't. Her posterior rested on his stomach and she had one hand pressed over his heart. Her skirt was hiked up, revealing her long pale legs. Idalyn's hair had come undone in the scuffle and strands of it poked free from under her cowl. The sun hit her just right, making her amber eyes sparkle down at him like jewels.

He regained his composure and shoved her off of him, "Following Kodlak's orders...unlike you."

She got to her feet, fetching her knapsack and dagger from the road in the process, "He ordered you, not me. Besides, it seemed simple enough. I figured you had better things to do."

"Then pester you?" He asked with a smirk, "Hardly."

He started towards Riverwood, but Idalyn was left shocked. Had he actually smiled?

"Are you drunk?" She demanded, certain that had to be the problem. He was Nord after all, and even the eldest of them had a fondness for mead of every variety.

He glanced back at her over his shoulder, "No, but I expect I'll wish I was by the end of this."

She groaned, "Go back to Jorrvaskr, I'll buy you a round and a new sword if you'll just leave me alone!"

He thought for a moment but brushed off the notion knowing Kodlak would disapprove, "Tempting, but no thank you."

"You know what your problem is?" She spat angrily, having had more than enough of him.

Vilkas clenched his teeth together, "Oh, please, do tell!"

"You're frustrated."

He laughed, "Your damn right I am!"

Idalyn smirked, catching up to him and pushing him against the stone wall on one side of the road. She stood in front of him with her arms crossed. He'd been avoiding her in Jorrvaskr like she was a she-devil and shooting her confusing glances when he thought she wasn't looking. If he were anyone else, she'd swear he desired her, but she doubted Vilkas felt such a thing. His words were too abrasive, his tone too cold to convey anything resembling love or compassion.

Being a wood elf, Idalyn had a romantic view of life. She wanted a simple existence in the wildness of natural things, desiring to stay far from the affairs and petty dramatics of court life. Love and kindness were as real to her as the air and sun. To her, there was love and there was hate, lust without love seemed meaningless and hollow. Perhaps it was naive, but Idalyn didn't care - at least she knew herself.

Vilkas stared at her, shocked by her display, "What are you..."

Her body was too close, her scent too powerful.

"You're frustrated because I kicked your ass in the training yard," she teased, "and you're too full of yourself to admit I'm not the she-devil you make me out to be."

He stared at her, unable to make his lips move to spit the words he knew he should.

Idalyn stepped back, her expression remaining calm the entire time, "You are welcome to come with me to Riverwood, Vilkas. I'll not fight your company, but I don't have to enjoy it."

She walked away from him, her sights set on her destination but smiled when she heard him following her.

They walked silently for many moments until Vilkas stepped up to walk beside her and broke the awkward silence.

"Just so you know, I don't think you're a she-devil." His voice was hesitant and gentle, strangely so.

Idalyn looked at him from the corner of her eye, expecting to see any angry look on his face, but didn't.

She sighed, "Then what is your problem with me? What have I done to earn such hatred, Vilkas?"

For a while, she toyed with the idea that perhaps it was her race that bothered him. But there was a Dunmer and an Imperial in the ranks of the Companions, so she soon tossed that idea aside.

Vilkas shrugged, "You walked in off the streets and Kodlak respected you immediately. I've know him for years and he's never accepted someone so easily. It's not jealously...I guess it's suspicion."

Idalyn supposed he had a point, though she didn't like how aggressive he had been in displaying it. She smiled sadly, "I don't know why Kodlak seems to trust me as much as he does. I barely know him yet it feels like he's seen me before, like he knows me. As far as stepping off the streets goes, I have no memory beyond waking up on a carriage bound for Helgen and the headsman's block. And that wasn't all that long ago."

He'd heard stories about her whispered amongst the people of Whiterun, but didn't think they were actually true. He cleared his throat, "Are you with the Stormcloaks?"

He personally took no side on the war. War was war - people would die no matter who won and the longer it was drawn out the worse everyone was for it.

She shook her head, "I've been told I should join but haven't yet. I'm not sure what I'll do, honestly. Many of those I've come across who support the Stormcloaks are against anyone other than Nords occupying Skyrim - so I'd obviously be out. And I don't want to fight in a war...I fear I won't have much of a choice soon though."

Vilkas chuckled quietly, "You slay dragons but don't want to fight in a war? What can one man do that a dragon can't?"

"I've only killed one dragon." She corrected him with a smile, "And men are more than capable of inflicting just as much pain, I assure you."

"One is more than I have, pup." He said as he watched her. She always seemed to be thinking on a deeper level that everyone else. It puzzled him, but he realized she'd probably make more sense if he actually listened.

Her faced soured, "I'd never wish such an experience on anyone."

"I heard it was a glorious battle, one for history to remember." He stated honestly. The guards spoke about it like she had bested a great evil.

"What is glorious about slaying a creature as magnificent as a dragon?" She confessed sadly, "I could understand what he was saying, Vilkas, in his final moments. And he was beautiful, so incredibly beautiful. He looked so wise, so timeless...I wondered afterwards what things he had seen in his lifetime."

"You speak like you knew him."

"I absorbed his soul," she lamented, "so in a way I suppose I do. His name was Mirmulnir and he died by my hand. I can feel his soul within me, you know. It's like my heart is more than just my own now, his fire is there."

Vilkas stared at her intently, "Does it burn?"

She blinked at him, not catching his meaning, "What?"

"Mirmulnir's fire?"

Idalyn smiled and nodded slowly, "Always."

Vilkas was confused, "And yet you smile...why?"

"Because it gives me strength," she explained openly, "and I suppose a part of him lives on in me. It's not much and it may not be ideal, but it's all I can offer."

She wasn't sure why she was answering his questions, but didn't feel bad for doing so. It was the first time anyone had asked her how she felt about killing a dragon, and it was the first real conversation she'd had with Vilkas. She was glad for both.

Vilkas too was surprised with her openness.

He had never seen a dragon, though as a boy he'd wanted nothing more. Listening to Idalyn though, he realized he never considered the other side of the coin. It embarrassed him slightly, that he'd not considered the dragon to be deserving of respect in death, but he was glad to hear what she had to say.

He grinned, hiding it was a well timed grunt, "You think too much, whelp."

Idalyn shook her head. She thought they were getting somewhere but a quick glance over to Vilkas told her that progress had indeed been made.

She grinned from ear to ear, "And you not enough, miserable Nord."