Yay, another chapter. I love you and I didn't forget about it.

-Jazzy

Ter'im stopped for a short time in Whiterun and checked in on Lydia and Breezehome, finding some time to check back in with Eorlund and Farkas. Eorlund was as happy as ever to do business and agreed quite quickly to repair Ter'im's armor and weapons. Ter'im left the man to his work, still feeling the heavy influence of Kodlak's spirit over the flames of Skyforge, and headed into Jorrvaskr. Farkas was buried in a mug of mead when he spotted Ter'im in the door way and Ter'im cringed at how close he was to dumping the entire flagon in the floor rushes when he jumped to his feet.

"Brother! How are you? Did Vilkas find you alright? What happened?" Farkas asked in one breath as he tried his hardest to squeeze Ter'im in two.

"Farkas… can't breathe!" Ter'im squeaked, sighing in relief when he was set back down on his feet.

Farkas just shifted on his feet, waiting on Ter'im to speak. Ter'im just shook his head and nodded toward the living quarters. Understanding flashed in Farkas's eyes and he led Ter'im downstairs away from the prying eyes of the rest of the Companions.

Once inside Kodlak's old chambers, Ter'im looked around and grimaced. Farkas noticed his face and explained quietly, "He was our leader once Ter'im and we respected his place. You lead us now and we will always give you the privacy you need."

Ter'im smiled half-heartedly and motioned for Farkas to sit down on the bed beside him.

"Ter'im has seen better days, of this he is sure. Vilkas found Ter'im recovering in the very heart of Stormcloak territory and is holed up in the frigid castle with Ulfric."

"The High King himself!? And you trusted them alone together?!" Farkas asked, grasping Ter'im's shoulders.

"Of course Ter'im trusted them alone, and if he returns to find one or both of them harmed Ter'im will be one unhappy man. By you calling him the king, Ter'im trusts the Companions will support him in the war? Ter'im knows Ulfric has many areas that need to be improved upon, but he promises to not leave behind his people."

Farkas let out a booming laugh, "Of course we support you brother. We'd support you to the ends of this world should you need us to. Listen, I can see this curse is faring you no better than it did Kodlak, and you have to know there is a way to rid yourself of the beast spirit for good. Look, if not for yourself, cure Vilkas. I know that should you both not go to Sovngarde together, Vilkas's spirit will hunt the realms for an eternity, daedra and gods beside. Cure the both of you and get it over with. Windhelm is not a large place, and rumors swirl as quickly as the snowflakes in that gods forsaken place."

"Farkas, if Ter'im's going to cure himself and Vilkas, Ter'im is going to cure Farkas as well. Farkas is Ter'im's brother in all but blood, yes?"

"Yes, but are you sure?"

"Ter'im has never been surer. Please travel back to Windhelm with him. Who knows, you might find a suitable mate along the way."

Farkas grinned at Ter'im and hurried to his quarters to gather his belongings. Ter'im reclined on the dusty bed, staring at the ceiling and he asked under his breath, "Is it truly worth it Kodlak, this life? Ter'im has tried to do the best he can, but he still fears the dark blots on his soul."

"Aye, brother, who are you speaking to? Have the lonely roads driven you mad after all?" Farkas called from the doorway, hefting a pack over his shoulder, smiling.

"Ter'im is merely thinking out loud, something Farkas has not learned to do yet, yes?" Ter'im answered, flicking his tail amusedly. Farkas laughed and together they set out for Windhelm, joking along the way. Ter'im quickly lost track of time, though somewhere in the back of his mind he remembered that he had three days left before Ulfric was going to send a search party for him, and he subconsciously tried to hurry. It was well dark by the time Ter'im spotted the city and he heard Vilkas curse softly behind him at the sight of the stone walls illuminated at points by lanterns.

"Impressive, isn't it?"

Farkas only nodded silently, with huge rounded eyes as they hurried their way to the castle gates. Outside the doors, one of the guards called to Ter'im.

"Thank the divines you're here. High King Ulfric was about to storm Markarth in search of you. Please, show him you're alive at least. If you need a place to hide tonight, you can stay with the rest of the guards, he'll have to take down half of his army to harm you at this point, so you should be safe."

Ter'im blinked surprised, "Thank you, soldier; your name?"

"I am called Dirk, sir."

Ter'im nodded to himself and resolved to tell Galmar to raise the soldier's pay. He pushed open the doors and was immediately hit with a solid body and two large hands closed around his neck, slowly squeezing in, cutting off his air supply.

"Ter'im greets Ulfric as well, he had a lovely trip and managed to ensure Morthal's allegiance to our cause. Ter'im wonders what Ulfric and Vilkas have accomplished." Ter'im choked out as sarcastically as he dared, considering the murderous expression on Ulfric's face.

Ulfric growled and Ter'im was reminded of why he was the bear. "Why did you not send word to us?"

Ter'im's eyes flashed and he thrust a crinkled piece of paper at Ulfric. Ulfric released one hand from Ter'im's throat and read the missive quietly growling under his breath. He then huffed and stalked off, closing the door to the upper chambers with a clang and Ter'im's heart sank around his toes as he heard the bolt slide into place.

Ter'im tore his mask off of his face angrily wiping at the tears that streaked his muzzle, turned on his heel and headed to the guard's barracks. Farkas looked confusedly at Galmar who shrugged back silently and held up a tankard of mead.