The Gildergreen was as beautiful and welcoming as always, regardless of the chilly weather. Aurora loved the sensation she felt when approaching the ancient tree, which seemed unaffected by the winter season. Before continuing towards Jorrvaskr, the woman walked up to it together with the sleeping Katia, who rested on Aurora's shoulder, gently took the girl's hand and placed it on the bark. She wished to introduce the child to the miracle of nature which stood in Katia's new hometown.

Vilkas stood a few yards from them, observing Aurora's odd behaviour. As their gazes met, he gave the woman a soft smile, and the longer they kept eye-contact, the wider his grin got. Aurora's heart was filled with a warmth after the recent day's travel, and it did not take much for her to laugh. Afraid to awake Katia, the woman pulled herself together and looked at Jorrvarskr instead of Vilkas.

Jorrvaskr. Her Jorrvaskr. She was immensely proud to be a Companion and Harbinger. Aurora was ready now. She was ready to settle down and lead the group – the woman knew how it should be dealt with. Kodlak had not been wrong after all. It would not be easy, and it would probably take months before she got the hang of everything, but she would learn.

It was a sunny but cold day in Evening Star. A thin layer of ice had already formed on the stairs, and snow-covered the grass next to it. Aurora cautiously threaded on the ground, careful not to fall and hurt the little gem she carried on her shoulder. The man walked in front of them and turned around with his arms crossed as he reached the door.

"We're home," Aurora spoke softly.

"Missed it?" the man asked.

"I've had the same clothes for half a year. Oh, by the Nine... A new tunic! New trousers!" she exclaimed silently. "But mostly, new underwear..." she whispered and covered the side of her mouth with her free hand.

Vilkas laughed and took it from her just before opening the door and pulling her in after him. As Aurora saw the inside of Jorrvaskr, a strong, sentimental feeling hit her. It was her home, and she brought a new little individual to it who would be as welcomed as she had once been.

"Aurora, Vilkas!" she heard Aela exclaim from across the room.

The woman ran up towards the pair just as Vilkas walked towards her. He hit Aela on the shoulder and smiled as he continued towards the stairs as if it had been just an ordinary day. That was the way he was, Aurora figured.

"Where's everyone?" she asked as Aela walked up to her.

"They are still asleep..." she began before throwing a confused gaze at Katia.

Aurora forgot that it was early in the morning, so strong was her desire to return home. After hugging her shield-sister with her free hand, Aela's curiosity could no longer be kept to herself.

"Who is this?" she asked in a suspicious tone.

"Our adoptive daughter," Aurora smiled.

"So you and Vilkas are together?"

Aurora did not answer, but merely smiled. Looking up at the woman in front of her, she noticed that Aela smiled too. Words were unnecessary, something she was very grateful for.

"Can you take her? I'll go and get changed," she asked after a while and carefully took the girl, handing her ower.

Aela took the girl but did not look like she knew how to act around a child. Aurora laughed slightly at her shield-sister's confused expression, but soon turned around and continued towards the stairs leading downstairs.

"Oh, Aurora!" she suddenly heard Aela. "You've received quite a few letters from the King."

She turned around and nodded with a deep sigh. Ulfric would kill her for being that late and not responding to his letters, but it was something she would have to take care of later. There was something rather different on her agenda at the moment.

Aurora walked down to the sleeping quarters and tip-toed all the way to the room at the end of the corridor. No one had touched Kodlak's things yet, and the room even smelled like him. Her belongings were gathered in a small pile next to the bed, just as she left them half a year ago.

The woman took her shiny, ebony armour and put it on without even changing her trousers or tunic. There would be no point in doing that as it was not exactly a dinner party she would be attending. The armour did not fit her like it once had, but it was still a reasonable size. The horse riding had helped to keep her in shape, at least a little.

Her shield had been leaned against the wall, and as the woman took it, a thick layer of dust spread in the air. It had really been that long, she thought and gripped the handle before hurrying back upstairs.

"Where are you going?" Aela asked, obviously confused about her sudden reappearance.

"To the Jarl."

Just before opening the main door, Aurora turned around and smiled towards Aela who still held Katia in her arms. She took a long look of the two before sighing deeply and cursing fate for what it demanded of her.

"Whatever happens, take care of the girl," she spoke and walked through the door, doing the opposite of what every cell in her body urged her to.

That was it for this time. Thank you so much for following and commenting on this story, I cherish each and every one of the reviews and messages.

Aurora's story will be continued inThe Adventures of a Dragonborn: The Second Great War, coming soon.