The Greybeards were able to point out the location of a word wall to the west. Aurora was not entirely keen on traveling so far to find a word of power, but it was either that, or simply go exploring in every crypt she came across, something she had no intention of doing. Aurora and Lydia took the south road from Ivarstead to head towards Riverwood. Aurora was still hesitant to give Delphine a visit, but with her new knowledge on the Thalmor, she felt she had no other options.

Aurora was well aware of the dislike towards the Thalmor presence in Skyrim, even her mother had loathed the Altmer. Aurora only once encountered them, twice if you could count Helgen. She would admit they gave off a rather intimidating persona, but as long as they were avoided she saw no issues with them. With the Civil War currently taking place, it would seem the Thalmor have become a bit more hostile in their endeavors. She had no idea they had taken to imprisoning Talos worshipers and Stormcloak soldiers. She could only imagine what they were doing to their prisoners and she needed to put a stop to it.

They found Delphine in her secret room, working on her alchemy station. The older Breton seemed so lost in thought she almost hadn't seen them come in. She stood up straight and just looked at them for a moment before speaking. "Did you change your mind?" She asked.

"No, I still do not wish to infiltrate the Thalmor Embassy. However, some… recent and unsettling news has reached me and I fear that I no longer have a choice in the matter."

"What news?"

"Does it matter? I'm here to figure out a way on how we are supposed to do this." Aurora replied curtly.

"Actually, I've already figured out how we're going to get you into the Thalmor Embassy." Delphine replied.

"You mean, how WE are going to get into the Thalmor Embassy?" Aurora's nerves were already hiking.

"No, I'm not coming. That would be a bad idea." Aurora scoffed and shook her head. Delphine continued before Aurora could say anything. "I'd be too likely to attract the wrong kind of attention. But they don't know you at all yet."

"Yes, that would be the key word… yet. You just want to send in your only Dragonborn to a highly secured Thalmor Embassy to steal information for you. That sound like a wonderful plan." Aurora stated sarcastically.

"Just listen, the Thalmor Ambassador, Elenwen, regularly throws parties in which the rich and connected cozy up the Thalmor. I can get you into one of those parties. Once you're inside the Embassy, you get away and find Elenwen's secret files."

"What type of files are we looking for? I know specifically what I need but do you?" She asked.

"No, but if you find her office you're more than likely to retrieve the information we need."

"So you want me to dig around in her books to find what? Information on dragons, the blades? That could be a rather long list of things to bring back."

"I'll let you decide what you think is necessary. We just need enough proof to know what they're up to and if they have anything to do with the dragons returning." Aurora huffed out a breath, already agitated by the woman before her.

"Fine. So what's the plan."

"I have a contact inside the Embassy. He's not up for this kind of high-risk mission, but he can help you."

"What kind of contact?"

"His name is Malborn. Wood Elf, plenty of reason to hate the Thalmor. You can trust him."

"Because I'm just going to take your word for it?"

"Don't worry about Malborn. He's not a dangerous character like you…"

"Like me? Oh, Delphine I'm not even sure you are aware of how dangerous I can be at this level of agitation. This plan of yours better work, or there will be hell to pay." Aurora said with an angered tone.

"I promise you can trust him. He hates the Thalmor almost as much as I do. I'll get word for him to meet you in Solitude, at the Winking Skeever – you know it?" Aurora turned to look at Lydia and she nodded. Aurora had never been around Skyrim all too much, but luckily Lydia had been around enough to make for a decent escort. "While you're doing that, I'll work on getting you an invitation to Elenwen's little party. Just meet me at the Solitude stables after you've arranged things with Malborn."

"Once I'm inside the Embassy, then what?"

"That's when the fun starts. You'll have to slip away from the party without raising the alarm. Malborn should be able to point you in the right direction towards Elenwen's office." Aurora nodded and took in a deep breath.

"Send a courier when you have the invitation. I have other things to attend to first, but I'll make my way towards the city soon." Delphine nodded and Aurora and Lydia took their leave. Once they were outside the inn and making their way towards Whiterun, Aurora turned to her housecarl and asked, "What do you think?"

"I still think this is a bad idea." Lydia replied without hesitation.

"I suppose so, but I don't have many other options. I'm almost sure the embassy will have a layout of Northwatch keep, it'll help me rescue Thorald. Fralia must be losing her mind over him." Lydia nodded. "Hopefully I can just get in there, grab what I need and leave. I can't imagine what would keep me long, but make sure you stay alert and keep an eye on the place while I'm in there. If something goes wrong, I need you to be the one to get word to the Companions. They'll be the only people that would be able to help but in the meantime we do not say anything to them. I know they are supposed to remain neutral in these conflicts, but I do not know how far that neutrality is supposed to stretch.

"We'll also make our way to Dragontooth Crater after we leave, I do believe it's only a short distance to the southwest of Solitude. We should be able to make it there and then back to Whiterun in no time."


When Aurora entered Jorrvaskr, the sun was just setting behind her. When the doors closed behind her, she saw many of the Companions, including Kodlak, were in the mead hall for dinner. They all greeted her warmly and Farkas quickly got up to hug her as was his usual greeting for her. She laughed when he squeezed her tight and finally released her after a few moments. It had been a little over a week that she was gone, but it felt nice to come home.

"We all missed you, I wasn't sure when you would return." Aurora smiled up at Farkas, who had a large grin plastered across his face, looking down at her.

"Well, I am glad to be home. It has been a long week." She said and he grabbed her hand, tugging her along towards the table and pulling a seat out next to him. Vilkas was seated on the other side of his brother and barely acknowledged her.

"So tell us, do anything fun while you were out?" Farkas asked.

"Oh, no. Not unless you consider climbing the seven thousand steps to High Hrothgar fun." She laughed before she took a sip of the tankard of mead he handed her.

"Is that all you did, just go visit the Greybeards?"

"Well, I initially planned on just visiting them for awhile to help with my training. They gave me the location of a word wall located in the west that I'll be leaving for soon. I stopped in Riverwood to visit with someone as well before heading back here." She purposefully omitted what the visit entailed and how she would be stopping in Solitude before making her way towards the word wall.

"Maybe I can go with you. It's a hefty distance to go by yourself." He said as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. The contact made her stiffen, and she suddenly felt awkward when she looked to her right and saw Vilkas eyeing the two of them, but his attention quickly went back to his meal.

"Um, actually Lydia was joining me. I think the two of us will be fine, the most we have to worry about is a few bandit camps on the way there, but I'm thinking of just taking a carriage instead. It's quite a long way to walk." Farkas nodded, and she saw the disappointment in his eyes. "Maybe the next one?" She quickly added, feeling guilty about turning him down. The gloom in his eyes was replaced with a small light.

"Aye, definitely." He removed his arm but not before slightly rubbing her back as he did and her breath hitched. She cleared her throat before downing the rest of what was in her tankard and when she looked back up at him his eyes were wide.

"I was thirsty." She lied. He nodded and went back to his meal as they listened in on a story Aela and Skjor were telling from their last job.

Aurora retired to bed early, exhausted from her week of traveling. She lay down in her bed and put her right arm over her eyes as she tried to let sleep take her. Her ears perked a bit when she heard the sound of someone approach the room and she turned her head towards the door to see who it was. She caught those silver eyes staring at her and she suddenly felt cold. She remained silent a moment before sitting up against the wall and covering herself with the furs on her bed. She looked at him and brought her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around her legs. "Do you get your kicks from ambushing me before I go to bed?" She asked him and she thought she saw a small smile form on his lips but it was gone just as quickly as it appeared. He remained silent for a moment, still not taking his eyes away from her and she began to feel uneasy.

"There was something you weren't telling my brother when you two spoke earlier." She narrowed her eyes at him and she could feel her heart pounding in her chest.

"What makes you believe that?" She asked, her voice came out shakier than the intended.

"I can just tell." Was the only response he gave her. She pulled her legs closer and looked away from him, but she could still feel his stare. He remained in his spot, leaning against the door frame, arms crossed as they always were. He waited for her answer and she tried to think of something to tell him.

"I, um, I have to meet someone in Solitude first." She quickly said, the words coming out in one breath. He regarded her for a moment before speaking.

"That's still not all of it. If you're going to lie, I would suggest learning how to do it well first." He said and she swallowed heavily at his words. "Now tell me, what are you hiding." She breathed deeply and considered telling him but she was afraid to. The man before her sent all sorts of shivers through her body and his intimidating presence shook her to her bones.

"I can't tell you." She said.

"And why not? Can you not confide in your Shield-Brother?" Vilkas stated easily. She began to feel a twinge of guilt. Maybe she should tell him, but she was afraid of what Vilkas would do or say, possibly speaking to Kodlak about it.

"It's all part of this… Dragonborn business. There are things I feel are better left unsaid. I would not want to harm those I care about." She stated in honesty.

"What are you doing that would cause harm?" He asked.

"I'm not really sure it's best, I tell."

"I'll decide that." She huffed out a breath, finally agitated by his words.

"No, I decided that. You do not have any authority over me." She glowered at him, upset he was forcing her to speak about these things.

"I may not, but I care about my brother. He likes you, and I want to make sure you aren't going to do anything that will hurt him." He said, his expression and tone of voice unwavering.

"I will not hurt your brother, I care for him as well. Excuse me for being unsure of my feelings towards him, I did not wish him any harm." At that Vilkas slightly tilted his head, his expression turning to one of curiosity. She knew she had said too much. She had only spoken to Aela and Lydia about her feelings or lack of feelings towards Farkas. She cared about him, surely, but she was unsure if she felt the same for him as he did her.

"What do you mean by that?" Her mouth slightly fell open and her breathing grew heavy. He was making her feel entirely uncomfortable. She had a difficult enough time speaking of her feelings in the first place, but to this man? He made her feel nervous just being around him.

"My feelings are my own, I do not wish to trouble with them." She said in a low voice.

"You are not troubling me." He replied quickly. She closed her eyes, not able to look at him.

"Why do you want to know? You are the most confusing man I have ever met. One minute you are scolding me, scowling at me all the time. Then the next you're down here alone, speaking of my feelings. I do not understand." She wanted to be away from his presence. He was too much for her and she could not bear it much longer. She threw the furs from her body and quickly stood, then heading for the door but he blocked her way. She almost let out a small sob from being unable to escape and so she stood there, refusing to look at him. "May I go please?" She whispered, but he did not move from his spot.

"Not until you tell me what is going on." He said to her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before speaking.

"I have to go to Solitude because I need to infiltrate the Thalmor Embassy. There I said it, may I go now?" She pleaded.

"Why would you do such a thing?" She tilted her head back all the way to stare at the ceiling.

"Because, Eorlund Gray-Mane's son Thorald is still alive and I promised I would save him." She said. Vilkas seemed taken aback by her words and when she finally looked at him again, she saw the concern in his eyes. She was utterly confused over his expression.

"You'll get yourself killed. The Thalmor are not to be trifled with."

"I know that, but there is no other way. Gods know what they're doing to him. If I can do something about it, I should. Isn't that the Companions are about? Or do they have to pay us for it?" His scowl returned and her feet shifted beneath her uncomfortably.

"You should have said something, I cannot let you go alone, it is madness." He said.

"Why not? You seemed to be ready to be rid of me. I see the way you look at me, the glaring the indifference. Your brother continues to stand up for you, but I cannot help but wonder why." He seemed hurt from her words, and she immediately wished she could take them back. She shook her head and started to apologize, backing away from him. He shot his hand out and grabbed her arm, bring her closer to him. He looked her in the eye as he spoke.

"You have been leading my brother on for months now. I am not sure he can take much more of your teasing. Now you wish to go off on a suicide mission without telling him and I can only bare to think of what would happen if you did not succeed." He spoke to her, his voice grave.

"I do not wish to hurt him, but I am sorry that I am unsure of how to return his feelings. I know how he feels about me, but I do not know how to react. I am not used to any of this, I lived on my own for years how can you expect me to just so easily learn to be so affectionate and cooperative towards others?" Her words seemed to calm him slightly, but his grip on her arm did not waver. "I am sorry." She said, knowing nothing else to say. "Please, do not tell him what I have said, if you wish he remain unhurt let me talk to him myself." Vilkas stared at her, his eyes shifting between hers. He loosened his grip on her arm and spoke.

"Aye, but if you do not speak with him soon, I will." She nodded and quickly and he finally let go of her arm. She rubbed where his hand had gripped her. He still remained in his spot, blocking the door.

"Thank you." She looked up at him and his expression had softened, but still had a hardness to it. He stood there looking down at her for another moment before turning to leave, heading towards his bedroom at the other end of the hall. She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding, and slowly walked back to her bed. She sat there for a long time, how long she didn't know, but when she was pulled from her trance she noticed Athis was lying in his bed asleep. She finally lay back down and let sleep take her, once again dreaming of intense silver eyes.


Vilkas stalked to his bedroom, nearly slamming the door as he entered. He wasn't sure what he had expected from his conversation with Aurora, but it most certainly wasn't that. He knew she was lying before. He heard her heart race when she lied straight to Farkas' face. He wanted to confront her about it, he wanted to know the truth. His brother deserved the truth. He knew Farkas was infatuated with her, but she seemed to just be dragging him along for the ride. He could see the hurt in his brothers face when she wouldn't allow him to travel with her.

Vilkas wanted to be angry with her, to make her feel bad for hurting his brother. When he saw her lying in bed, it took every ounce of strength to not harshly wake her and demand the truth. But he couldn't, there was something about her lying there peaceful that made him hesitant to even bring anything up. His anger returned when she continued to lie to him, she even tried to get away but he wouldn't let her. After she finally broke the look she gave him, it nearly tore him in two. He saw the guilt in those beautiful citrine eyes, and he immediately regretted causing her pain. He wanted to embrace her and tell her it was okay, that she was forgiven but he didn't.

The more he was around her, the more she began to have an effect on him. Before she had left recently, he felt an overwhelming sense of jealousy when he could smell her on his brother. When they came back from her trial, Farkas was covered in her scent and he desperately wanted to know what she had done with his brother. He even asked him later that night, but Farkas assured nothing serious had happened. He admitted to kissing her, but Farkas had confided in him that he was afraid she did not feel the same, like something was holding her back.

Vilkas tried to keep his distance from the two, but then any time he would see her, he felt that tightness in his heart and the longing for her he could not escape. He started dreaming about her, those yellow eyes and her caramel colored hair haunting his every thought. He wanted to run his fingers through her hair, hold her close and love her like only he could. But of course she would cling to his brother, they always did. Farkas was the strong one, they may look the same, but there was something about Vilkas that women did not seem to understand. Maybe he was too intimidating? He wasn't sure he would ever know. Aurora was no different. She would barely look at him, he could smell her anxiety rolling off her when he was close to her, just as it had tonight. He wished he knew how to comfort her, to calm her in his presence, but he knew it would only make matters worse.

He continued to think about her through the night, until finally he decided to spend the night in the training yard, working off his frustration. Hopefully she would return from her insane mission, she was about to set out on and things with her and Farkas would work out. He almost could not stand the thought of her with his brother, they just did not seem right for each other. Maybe she felt so too, maybe he would have a chance, but he did not wish that kind of hurt on his brother. He would have to remain patient. He would have to wait and see where things would lead, and even then he may have to wait even longer. But even with all the waiting he was willing to do, there was still a chance she would not learn to like him. She was almost scared of him, he could tell, but maybe with enough work, he could change things between them. Hopefully it wasn't too late.


Aurora packed up for yet another journey across Skyrim. She gave Lydia enough septims to pay the carriage driver at Whiterun stables to take them to Solitude. She would wait for her there and in the mean time Aurora would speak to Farkas before she left. She had to tell him the truth. She had been planning her words, all morning and just hoped he would understand.

Aurora cared for Farkas, and when he had kissed her before she felt something, but she was not sure it is what she wanted to feel for him. The kiss stirred things inside her, but her feelings for him remained the same. She did not want to lead him on to believe she wanted more and she would have to tell him. She considered Farkas a close friend and hoped this would not ruin what they had. She feared the worst, however, and hoped that the time spent on her journey would give them both time to think.

She walked up to the mead hall to see him sitting at one of the tables, speaking with his brother. She shivered when she remembered the conversation she had with Vilkas the previous night and only hoped he had not spoken to his brother yet. She walked over to them and Farkas smiled as she approached. He stood up and wrapped his arms around her in a hug and she hesitantly responded the same. When she pulled away, Vilkas was staring at her, as if reminding her of her words the night before. She gave a small nod in understanding and she turned her attention back to Farkas.

"I'm leaving for the stables, would you like to walk down with me?" She asked him and he happily agreed. When they reached the courtyard circling the Gildregreen in the Wind district she started the conversation she was highly reluctant to have. "I wanted to speak to you about what happened during my trial." He turned to her, his face had grown a bit more serious before he responded.

"About the wolf thing or the other stuff?" He asked.

"The other thing. I, uh… I don't want you to think that I don't like you or care about you. But you're my friend, and that's all you've ever been to me. I'm really unsure how to put this into words, but I just want to stay that way. I'm afraid of ruining our relationship with constantly being so skittish about being physical in a way with you and as much as I enjoyed it…" She paused but before continuing he spoke.

"You enjoyed it?" He asked, she could see a slight smirk forming on his face. She couldn't help but blush and give him a small smile.

"Yes, but I still just want to be friends. I don't know how to react to that, it's all so new to me." Farkas nodded. They continued to the stables and she saw Lydia already waiting in the cart for her. She stopped and turned to Farkas before leaving. "Thank you for walking me down here and being so understanding. I hope I haven't hurt you."

"No, you haven't hurt me. But if you want me to be honest with you, I think you're just afraid." She was taken aback by his words and looked at him questioningly.

"Afraid? Of what?" She asked.

"Of what I make you feel." She could see the lust in his eyes and she swallowed just staring up at him. "Let me do something to try and change your mind one more time." Her expression changed to one of curiosity.

"Like wha…" She was cut off from his lips pressing against hers. His hand wrapped around her waist to the small of her back while his other cupped her cheek. She was startled at first, but slowly relaxed as he held her there. A million thoughts swarmed through her head, she was confused and she didn't know how to respond. This wasn't what she wanted. Her mind and her heart were saying no while her body screamed yes. He pulled away from her and he saw the blush rising on her cheeks. He smiled down at her and she looked up at him with shock in her eyes. "Just think about that while you're gone. If you're still unsure, we'll talk about it more when you get back, okay?" She just slowly nodded her head, then walked over to Lydia, who had watched the whole thing, her jaw had dropped from their close interaction and Aurora glared at her when a smile appeared on her face. Aurora hopped up into the cart, and when she sat Lydia just gaped at her. Aurora rolled her eyes as the cart started moving and Lydia spoke.

"So, I take it your talk didn't go as planned." She was trying to stifle a laugh and Aurora could tell.

"Not exactly, no. I told him how I felt and he just said he thought I am afraid of my feelings towards him then he kissed me." Aurora stated.

"I saw that. It looked rather…" She paused when Aurora's eyes shot up at her, staring daggers. "Intriguing." Lydia finished.

"I don't know what I am going to do. My body reacts to him when he does things like that, but my heart just doesn't feel the same." Lydia nodded in understanding before she spoke.

"Well, we'll be gone for a while so maybe it'll be enough time for your heart to get on the same page as the rest of you."

"Or the other way around. Farkas is nice, but… I'm not sure, but I feel like something is holding me back."

"Maybe you are afraid like he said? You exiled yourself from society for years, you were never with a man before, let alone just conversing with people as much as you have. I can see your timidness, sometimes you need to let go. If it doesn't feel right then, then you'll know you gave it your best shot. If the gods did not intend it, then it will not be."

"You're right. Maybe I will try being more… open when we return. Who knows what will change in a couple of weeks." Aurora stated, sounding hopeful. She just prayed she returned at all, she was terrified of this mission and knew there was a high risk going into it. If she could just get of this alive, then maybe things will work out for the better.


A/N: I know this chapter wasn't that long but the next one is going to be all the Thalmor stuff so it was the only way I could separate it. Anyways you know what to do, Review/Fave. thanks for reading!