Hi, I'm back! Sorry it took so long, I've been busy as of late, and my computer has been having internet connection issues.

So here we are! Oh, and as for who Kaera married, you'll see soon. :D

So, let's continue on!

I sighed and looked down at the wedding ring, slipping it off and turning it over in my palm. It was a simple gold ring of matrimony. Usually they were silver, but I could still recognize one easily. I closed my eyes for a few seconds, brushing away the pain that started to blossom in my chest.

"Harbinger." I blinked and looked over to Vilkas, closing my palm quickly. He looked at it curiously. "What's in your hand?"

I looked down at my hand and shrugged. "Nothing."

He frowned now. He replied "What's 'Nothing'?"

I dropped the ring into my pocket and answered "Just a simple ring." He stared at me, and even through the hood, his eyes pierced into me, and I had to advert my eyes.

"Really? May I see it?"

I looked up at him again, and frowned. "It's just a ring."

His lips twitched into a small frown as he replied "If it's just a ring, why can't I see it?"

I sighed inwardly, knowing I was screwed no matter what I said. I reached into my pocket and dropped the ring in his outstretched hand. He looked down at it, studying it. He didn't say anything for a long time.

"...So you're married?"

I shook my head and answered angrily "I'm not! I woke up with that on my hand in the Temple."

I heard him sigh and notice him shake his head. My head shot towards him, and I glared. "What?!" I asked impatiently.

He raised his open hand to his mouth and said with a laugh "I truly feel sad for the man you ended up marrying."

I growled and snatched the ring from his hand, looking away. "I feel sad for myself. I can't remember my marriage ceremony."

I sighed and slipped the ring back on. Vilkas stared at my hand before saying "You'll still wear it though?"

I shrugged, looking down at ground. "Well, do I have any other choice?"

"But you don't even know who you married. How can you accept something like that?" He asked, and I swore I heard a little anger.

I turned and looked at him. He waited for me to answer, a frown gracing his face. I looked forward on the road. "My parents had an arranged engagement for me when I was a young girl."

I paused for a moment, before laughing. "Well, you can see how well that worked out though." I sighed lightly, looking around. I could feel an uncomfortable silence creeping over.

I looked over at Vilkas, who was staring at me with a vacant expression. He blinked and looked ahead.

"What was your childhood like then?" He asked quietly.

I laughed and answered "Sorry, I don't do back stories."

He frowned and looked at me seriously. "Why?"

I stared at him. I swallowed and adverted my eyes, saying "Why not?" My throat burned.

"...Does it hurt?"

I flinched at the question. Looking up I pointed down the road. "We're almost to Rorikstead."

"That's not what I asked."

I sighed deeply and answered with another question "Why do you need to ask so many damned questions?"

He shrugged and replied "It's hard to trust a Harbinger you don't know."

I kept my mouth shut, not responding. Vilkas's voice asked "Why is it that I, nor does anyone else, know anything about you?"

"Maybe because I'd rather nobody knows about it."

Vilkas scowled and continued on, snarling "What, did you do something bad in that life? Because I bet it can't be as bad as being in the Thieves Guild!"

I stopped and spun towards him. "Maybe I don't tell people about me because I don't want them to care about me! Because anything that ever cares about me ends up being let down in the end!"

I turned and continued walking towards Rorikstead, leaving Vilkas trailing behind.

Upon entering Rorikstead, a man approached me with a furious look on his face. "You," He growled out. I blinked in surprise. "What?"

He stalked towards me angrily. He stopped in front of me, saying "You're the one who sold my Gelda to the giant!"

My eyebrows furrowed. "How did I sell your wife to a giant?!"

He snarled in rage, reaching out and grabbing my hood, shaking me while scowling "Why I outta-"

I swatted his hands away. "Look, I was drunk, and I don't remember anything! Now, explain to me how I sold Gelda to a giant!"

His face contorted as he answered angrily "You sold my prize-winning Gelda to the giant outside of town!"

I blinked. "Wait, what?" His wife won prizes?

He reached out to grab me again, but I felt myself be pushed back slightly. Vilkas stepped in front of me. He looked over his shoulder at me, saying sarcastically "Making friends everywhere you go, huh?"

I couldn't help but crack a smile. "People can't help but like me, if you haven't noticed."

He rolled his eyes, and turned back towards the man. "So, care to explain why you are laying your hands on The Harbinger of the Companions?"

He crossed his hands over his chest, and I looked at him. He was a good four or five inches taller than the man, and much more intimidating than me. Then again, Vilkas was probably a foot taller than me. The man took a step back, replying "She stole my goat and sold it to a giant!"

I growled and answered while peeking out a little farther from Vilkas "You never told me it was just a goat!"

He gasped and replied in shock "Just a goat?! That's my Gelda!"

I scowled and took another step towards the man, but Vilkas's arm tucked me back behind me. I looked up at him and glared, but he just gave me a look. My glare faded slowly and I sighed, frowning.

Vilkas returned his gaze to the man. "Was another man with us?"

"I'm not telling you anything!"

Vilkas grabbed the man's collar, replying "Look, I'm short of patience, and we need to know now!" His voice sent chills down my back, and I could almost feel bad for the raging man, who had to deal with those piercing eyes.

The man cowered and replied "Alright! There wasn't, but you mentioned a staff, marriage, and Whiterun! That's all I know!"

Vilkas nodded and dropped him. He sighed and dropped a coin purse in the man's hands. "For being so obedient."

The man nodded, and replied "This should be enough for me to get another goat..."

He turned and walked away, leaving Vilkas and I standing there. We were quiet for a while before Vilkas spoke "We're staying here for the night and in the morning we set off for Whiterun."

I answered in a cheeky tone "Who died and made you supreme ruler?" I walked around him towards the inn.

"Where are you going?" He called.

I turned and laughed. "I thought you said we were staying here?"

He grumbled something I didn't quite catch. I rolled my eyes and we walked into the inn.

As we entered, I noticed a few people staring at us. A young man with bright red hair looked at me, smiling with sparkling eyes. I smiled back politely, the boy's eyes smiling with awe.

Vilkas stepped in front of me, grabbing my elbow and pulling me along. I blinked and looked at him with an eyebrow raised. What's his problem?

He didn't release me until we were standing by the counter. I sighed and slipped the hood down, pulling my mask off. I shook my head lightly, running my hands through my hair. I looked over my shoulder while Vilkas spoke to the innkeeper.

The redhead was still watching us with wide eyes. He continued smiling. I lifted my hand and twirled my fingers with a smile. He blushed and waved awkwardly.

I looked back at Vilkas with a smile when I heard his deep voice answer loudly "One room." He dropped ten gold down on the counter. I blinked in surprise. His eyes flickered quickly over his shoulder before returning to the man at the bar.

I asked curiously "Just one?"

Vilkas's blue eyes were electric, his pupils barely noticable. He looked down at me, and I swore his eyes softened a little. His pupils returned to normal again. He nodded, looking away. "Yes, unless you'd rather pay twenty for two rooms."

I blushed slightly at my stupidity. It makes more sense to share a room for ten than get two for twenty. "Oh." Is all I commented.

"Let me show you to your room." The innkeeper replied. I nodded and he stepped around the counter. We turned around. The man slowly made his way towards the door to our room. He pointed and answered "That's your room. If you need anything, just ask."

I nodded and smiled. I turned to Vilkas, whose eyes were strangely sharp again. His eyes shot towards me, and he nodded at the man. I frowned lightly.

"Are you okay?"

He blinked and asked "Why are you concerned?"

I looked down at the stonework, replying quietly "Well, you're acting a little weird, and I can't say it comforts me."

He nodded and replied "I'm fine."

I nodded and looked back up at him. His gaze was sweeping the room, and he seemed tense, and his eyes intimidating. I looked around the room. It seemed fine to me. The redheaded boy looked up at me again, smiling softly. His eyes shot towards Vilkas, and he looked down quickly.

I looked quickly up at Vilkas, whose eyes were focused on the boy. I frowned and slapped his arm lightly, making a clang of metal. He looked at me in surprise. I said disapprovingly "Can't you do something more productive than scaring townspeople?"

He blinked a few times, and opened his mouth to speak, but shut it. I rolled my eyes and said with a small grin "What, are you afraid they'll revolt and refuse to farm food for people?"

He frowned and rolled his eyes, huffing lightly. I just grinned and shook my head. I walked towards the young man. Vilkas's footsteps followed closely behind.

I stopped and stood in front of him, saying softly "Hey, I'd like to apologize for my friend's evil eye. He can't help but terrorize innocent people."

"Hey!" Vilkas said behind me. The man laughed, and said "No, it's fine. I'm Erik. Who are you two?" He asked. I opened my mouth to find Vilkas beat me to it.

"Vilkas. This is the Harbinger of the Companions."

I shot Vilkas a look. "Do you expect him to call me that?"

Vilkas sneered and answered "Oh, would you rather him call you Thane of Whiterun, Arch-Mage of the College, or perhaps Dragonborn, savior of man and mer?"

I rolled my eyes, scoffing. I looked at the man, who was absolutely awestruck. "You can call me Kaera, or is that a problem with you, Vilkas?"

He blinked and stuttered "Y-You're..So you a-a-are..."

I frowned and turned back to Vilkas. "You broke him, good job."

Vilkas shrugged. I turned back to Erik, who was blushing. "I never expected to meet the D-Dragonborn..."

I shrugged and said "Just treat me like any old adventurer."

He nodded quickly. I sighed lightly. I looked back at Vilkas. "See? Now I'm not going to be treated like any normal man!"

Vilkas chuckled and replied "That's probably because you're a woman."

I shoved him and said "Smart ass."

He laughed, and I found myself smiling a little too. I blinked and quickly hid the smile. What am I doing?

I turned and walked away from him, sitting down at a bench. Vilkas quickly sat next to me, looking over at Erik again. His eyes focused on the boy.

"...Do you have problems with staring or is this a man superiority complex?"

Vilkas blinked and looked at me. "What?"

I shrugged, replying "Well, since we've walked in, you've not spent more than two minutes without your eyes on poor Erik." I blinked and looked at Vilkas for a few seconds, whose eyes darted uncomfortably at Erik.

A thought crossed my mind and I giggled, unable to hold it in.

"What?" Vilkas asked while looking at me.

I shrugged and said with a laugh "I'm starting to suspect you like men..."

He blinked in shock and his face contorted into disgust. "What."

I laughed and said "Wow, you should have seen the look on your face!"

He rolled his eyes, but I saw a small smile on his face. My gut felt very warm suddenly. I held my hand to it, feeling it heat up quickly.

I blinked and looked at Vilkas, saying quietly "I'm turning in. You can stay up if you want."

He shrugged and said "I'm tired too."

I nodded with an eyebrow raised. I stood up and walked to the room, entering quietly. Vilkas shut the door behind us. I slowly unbuckled the straps, and growled in frustration when one got stuck.

I pulled at it angrily. It wasn't coming undone. I sighed in anger. Fingers slowly tugged at it quietly, pulling it undone. I looked at Vilkas, who was pulling his hands away. "Thanks."

He nodded and slowly started pulling his armor off. He was left in only breeches.

I slipped my armor off so I was only in a tunic and my undergarments. I climbed into the bed, sighing deeply. Vilkas fell into bed next to me. I stared at the ceiling silently. My skin was hot.

I turned away from him, saying quietly "Goodnight Vilkas."

Vilkas replied softly "Night Harbinger."

I closed my eyes, sitting quietly before saying with a chuckle "Still can't stand to say my name?"

He was oddly quiet. I'd expected at least a wise crack back. But nothing came from his mouth for a minute or so.

"Sorry. Night, Kaera."

I blinked and turned over, staring at his back. He was much more muscular than one would think. I studied it, enchanted by the scars. He had old magic burns on his lower back, but I was more curious about the long thin line across his shoulders down his back.

A whip line?

I raised my hand, my fingertips just hovering centimeters away from the scar, tracing it. I stared a few more seconds at it before I froze. I blinked rapidly and quickly pulled my hand to my chest, holding it. My heart was racing like crazy, my breathing heavy.

I flipped over quickly and stared down at my hand.

What the hell am I doing?

Alright, here we are.

Again, I apologize for the long waits on the updates. At least this chapter is slightly longer than most.

I hope you enjoyed, and don't forget to Review or PM me!

See you soon!