I watched him take another drink from his tankard and continue to look to the south, over the walls and out to the mountains. I could have watched him for hours; his icy eyes encircled with years of dark war paint, his strong, wide jawline covered in a shadow of stubble and his wonderful mouth that was currently curved upwards every so slightly. The longer I stared the more the flame in my chest grew. I could almost feel the heat radiating from my own chest when I heard the heavy wooden door leading into Jorrvaskr open behind me. We both turned to see Aela standing beside the table we were sitting at.

Aela was tall, much taller than me, and her long, lean body was obviously conditioned for fighting. She had very beautiful features for a nord, long red hair and stark grey eyes. She smiled slightly at Vilkas, but quickly returned to her regular seriousness.

"Ice Brains tells me we're hunting tonight." She placed her hands on the table and leaned down. "I desire to express my concern. I am not convinced you two are fully recovered."

"I appreciate your concern Aela, and I promise, we will keep it easy tonight. We just want to stretch our legs." He smiled up at her. "We will stay close to one another and come back to Jorrvaskr if something goes wrong."

"I am not comfortable with this, Vilkas." She stood back up and crossed her arms. "Not with the Silver Hand still lurking around."

"They're all up north, Aela." His face grew serious. "I thought we would go to the southern forest."

She sighed, giving in. "Please brother." She allowed her arms to fall to her sides. "Promise me you will be careful while we are out there. After the losses the Silver Hand dealt us, I am uneasy."

His frown relaxed. "I swear, sister."

Aela straightened back up, still serious, but obviously satisfied. She turned back to the doors she had come from. "I'll go find Farkas."

I watched her go and thought about how beautiful she was. My heart pinged with pain at the thought of Vilkas watching her go and thinking the same to himself. I turned to see if he was thinking the same thoughts as I.

Rather than the longing after Aela as I had expected Vilkas had pain and sorrow etched into his face. He had his tankard tipped towards him and was staring into the dark liquid, as if it would answer the questions that seemed to be burning into his mind.

I reached my hands across the table and wrapped placed them on his. He looked into my eyes and I could feel the pain in my chest that was his. "Vilkas?" I squeezed his hands. "What is it?"

"Oh Lass." He forced a small smile. "Having you here and spending today with you has made me happier than I ever thought I could be." His smile fell. "But after the things that have happened here, I wonder how safe you are here."

I was confused. I had never felt more safe than I had here, surrounded by my new family and the walls of the city, whatever had taken hold of his mind wasn't something I was aware of.

He sighed, aware of my confusion. "About two weeks ago the Silver Hand raided our home, here in Jorrvaskr. We are still unsure of how they got in and out so quickly. They took many lives, including that of Kodlak."

His voice broke when he said the name. I could see the tears fill his eyes as he tried to fight them back. "We…" He choked. "I… couldn't protect him." He pulled his hands out from under mine. "Everything was so fast, and we were all unprepared. Kodlak didn't even have a weapon, but those cowards didn't hesitate to descend upon him. He managed to find a war hammer and fought ferociously before being stuck down."

Vilkas laid his head in his hands, his elbows propped on his knees. "We also lost Skjor that day." I got up from my chair and crouched beside him as he sat in his chair. "I fought so hard, but I couldn't save them." He wept from behind his hands.

"Love." I whispered, placing my hands over his. "I am sure you fought as hard as you could. I have seen the work of the Silver Hand, they do not fight with honor."

I pulled his hands from his face and held them to mine. "I am here and I have never felt more safe." His eyes were filled with tears as he looked at me. "But if you wish we can leave, we can go back to the farm. They wouldn't know to look for us there."

He slowly inhaled, calming himself. "No, Lass." He pushed some hair from my face. "If they were to find you there, you wouldn't have anywhere to go."

We sat in silence; me crouched before him and his hands holding my face. "No." He breathed. "We will remain here. When you and the others came to the hideout to rescue me, we killed a great many of them before leaving, they are weakened."

He smiled faintly. "Come. We have a run we need to enjoy tonight."

I folded my clothes neatly and placed them under a bush. I lifted my arms above my head to allow the light breeze to tickle all my skin. I stretched and smiled. 'I am ready Lord Hircine.' I prayed. 'Keep us safe tonight.'

I crouched and prepared for the shift. But nothing came.

I stood and shook my arms and legs and resumed my position on the ground. I stayed like that, focusing all my efforts on the change, and nothing came. I began to sweat, I was concentrating so hard. Still, nothing came.

Giving up, I rolled onto my back and laid in the dirt. I stared at the moon, glowing white above me. I remembered the terrible dream I had. The red moon burning above me, the flames consuming my body. I tried to pull my eyes away from the reminder, but found myself frozen. I laid there, frightened, unable to move until a noise from my right startled me.

A soft whine came from the bushes.

"I'm alright Farkas." I sighed. "I think I am stuck."

Another whine.

"I can't seem to change." I pushed myself to my feet.

I could see his nose poke from the bushes. "You can come out, I am going to get dressed."

He crawled out and sat down beside me as I dressed. "You know," I enjoyed how easy Farkas was to talk to, even in his wolf form. "I had a dream very similar to this." I laughed as his head cocked to the side. "I will tell you more later." I patted his muzzle.

I heard more movement behind me and turned around to see Vilkas standing in front of me in his wolf form. His ears pressed back seeing me in my unchanged form. "It's okay." I held my hands out. "I am fine, I just can't seem to change."

He whined.

I walked to him. "Really." I held out my hands for his muzzle. "I am fine."

He lowered his head so I could wrap my fingers in his fur. He sat down as I reached up to scratch behind his ears. His dark fur was so soft and warm. "We make our mattresses here out of gathered fur we have shed." I remembered him saying. "It makes for soft, warm beds here below ground."

I laughed when I heard the unmistakable thumping of his tail wagging and hitting the ground.

A howl pierced the warmth that had filled our clearing. Aela had found the scent of prey and needed assistance.

"Go." I said. "You should hunt tonight."

He looked at me and I couldn't place the thought behind his eyes. Before I could protest he had taken hold of me like a child and lifted me above his head. "Vilkas!" I screamed, startled. He let out a huff of air and placed me on his shoulders. I wrapped my arms tightly around him and held on as he headed towards where we had heard Aela.

A HUGE thank you to those of you who continue to read and comment!

If any of you are artistically inclined and would care to draw a picture or two of Vilkas and Fala, I would love to have one. I can't draw, but would love to see my characters in person. :)