Rin was first to wake the next morning and found Fenra was gone. She had left a note for them to go home and wait till she returned. Farkas was beside himself and it took both Rin and Vilkas to stop him from storming after her. He could not believe she left them behind after what had happened two nights prior. She wasn't immortal anymore. Even with her werewolf strength and abilities she was no match for a group of vampires. His blood boiled that she could be this foolish. They were closer to the witches' cave then they were to Jorrvaskr and he would be damned if he let the woman he loved face hagravens alone.
"What in Oblivion was she thinking? She is going to get herself killed!" Vilkas cautiously put a hand on his twin's forearm to stop him from walking any further.
"She knows what she is doing Farkas. She wants to keep us safe. Rin is in no shape to fight after the injury she took. We need to get her back to Whiterun."
"You take Rin back I am going after Fen."
"Brother..."
"Don't brother me Vilkas. I am not leaving her out there alone." Vilkas sighed and let go of his brother. He wasn't strong enough to stop him even if he wanted to and he knew it.
"Here then take my rations and some of my potions. If you hurry you should be able to catch up to her before she gets there. You know the woods here, just be careful. Don't let your worry distract you from your surroundings." Farkas gave his brother a warm smile and took off running. The woods turned to rocky hills and winding paths, but he had no problem following her trail. Even though Farkas was a warrior by trade, he was also a master hunter. He had never lost a quarry before and he had no intention of losing one now. He ran as fast as his large frame would carry him praying he got to her before she entered the cave.
OoO
Fenra hated leaving them behind, but she saw no other way to keep them safe. She knew Farkas was going to be furious with her, but his safety was all she cared about. Tark would not take another person from her life. She would free Kodlak from Hircine and then hunt Tark down no matter how long it took. As she made way through the rocky crags keeping to the shadows as much as she could. She had not put her armor back on from the transformation days ago just in case she had to change again. Her plan was to change and take out the whole coven of witches hoping her strength and speed would be enough to catch them off guard. Kodlak had written in depth the habits of the witches. They stayed in separate parts of the cave to work their dark magics, only to come together when they needed more power for their spells. Finding the cave was not hard. She only had to follow the smell of blood and decay.
"Divines they are no better than the vampires. Disgusting creatures." She took a deep breath and began sneaking into the cave. She could hear water dripping and at least one of the hags moving around. A small fire and some torches light the room sparsely. The hag was standing over a decimated corpse picking through the gore covered bones. A shiver ran through Fenra's body and she had to close her eyes for a moment. The sight brought back too many memories. Fenra hoped that the hag was too busy with her meal to notice her change and charge her. The change slowly set over Fenra and she had to grind her teeth to stop any sound from escaping her. She needed the element of surprise to win this and she knew it. If she had stayed a vampire this would have been easier, but now was not the time for hindsight. Once she was back in control of her body she slowly stalked forward keeping her eyes on her prey, but her other senses open just in case.
The hagraven had her back to Fenra so the wolf did not see her give an evil grin. The witch knew she was there and was waiting for the Companion to make the first move. Fenra had made her way within striking distance and readied herself to pounce when she was hit by a ice spike in the shoulder. She let out a yipping scream and fell back to the cave floor.
"You should not have come here wolf. We were warned of your arrival and are well prepared for you." Fenra scampered to her feet and let out a feral growl. She lunged at the hag only to be hit from behind by a fireball. The smell of burn hair filled her nostrils and a pained howl ripped from her throat. Hircine had tricked her. He had warned his followers and now she was going to die in a filthy cave alone. Rage filled her and she raised to her feet again. If she was to die it would be fighting till her last breath. She pushed all thought of Farkas from her mind knowing it would only hurt her more to know he would now be alone.
"You have no clue who I am hag. I will feast on your bones and take your head as a trophy."
"Such strong words from a wounded dog. You are out numbered. There is no hope for you." The one who had hit her with fire laughed behind Fenra. None of them saw the large black figure run at the the fire hag until she gurgled scream echoed in the cave. Fenra did not wait to see who had taken the witch out, she jumped at the one not ten feet from her and ripped at her body with claws and teeth. All that Fenra left of the witch was a grisly mess and her head that was now laying a few feet away. The large black creature made it's way down to the cave floors and whined when Fenra growled at it.
"Farkas?" Stepping into the light Farkas gave her a wolfy grin and she eased her stance. He nuzzled her neck burying his nose in her silky brown fur. He smelled the blood from her wound and the burnt hair. "I should be mad at you for not going home when I ordered you to, but by Shor I am happy to see you." She saw his tail begin to wag.
"How many more?"
"There are at least three more. Kodlak's notes were pretty sparse on their numbers."
"Your hurt so let me draw their attention so you can go for the kill." Fenra gave him a toothy smile and butted her head against his shoulder. Her wounds were healing faster than they ever would have when she was just human, but they still hurt enough to slow her down. Farkas crept into one of the passages with Fenra right behind him. The next hag was ready for one wolf not two and they made short work of her. The next room posed a problem. The hagraven had a few frost spiders with her and it made Farkas' hair stand on end. Fenra pushed passed him and let out a very low rumbling growl. The witch cackled and waved them to try and kill her.
"Afraid of a few spiders wolf. You are not worthy of the gift Lord Hircine bestowed on you." The witch had not noticed there were two wolves hiding in the shadows til it was much to late. Fenra broke left to take out the spiders and Farkas rushed straight to hit the hag to the ground. Fenra yelped as on of the spiders was able to graze her with it's poison spit. The gooey liquid felt like fire in her skin, but she kept running. Standing up on her back legs she swung her arm and sent the first spider flying into the wall with a sickening thud. The second one hissed and jumped at her only to be swatted away to join it's friend slowly sliding down the wall dead. A pained bark from Farkas made her turn and run. The hag had side stepped him and clawed him in his flank.
"Farkas duck!" The larger wolf flattened to the ground and watched the smaller brown blur fly over him into the hag. The witch screamed as the long fangs ripped out her throat. Fenra jumped off the witch's body and spat out the ragged flesh. "One to go."
"Good because they taste terrible." Fenra let out a barking laugh and licked his muzzle.
"Selling ones soul tends to make that happen."
"Remind me never to do that."
"Come on love, I want to go home."
"For Kodlak." She gave him a toothy grin.
"For Kodlak."
OoO
"Do you think he found her?" Rin looked sideways at Vilkas and saw the worried look on his face. They had made it back to Falkreath so Rin could be healed. Now they were at the inn and after sharing a meal they retired to their room.
"Knowing Farkas and how he tracks most defiantly. I am sure they are on their way home as we speak. We might even run into them on the way back." Vilkas sighed and sat back against wall. "You worry about him too much."
"He is my brother and if you remember not the sharpest dagger in the bunch." Rin rolled her eyes and crawled up the bed to sit next to him. She laid her head against his shoulder and took his hand.
"Vilkas were you really that blind?"
"What?"
"Farkas is smarter than most give him credit for. He plays the fool so he does not have to make the hard choices. He also does it for you."
"Rin what are you talking about?" She smiled and crawled up to straddle his lap. Her fingers began running through his hair untangling the coarse strands.
"My father told me that when he found the two of you Farkas was the more outspoken of the two of you. You were very closed off and did not talk to anyone other than your brother. After a while Farkas started acting like he did not understand most things to make you start talking, taking charge. He did that so you would be happy again. You know that right?"
"I...all those times I cursed his idiocy...he was trying to make me look better." Rin leaned forward and kissed the tip of his nose.
"He did it because he loves you. I envy you having such a caring sibling. Being an only child can get lonely."
"You had us and Aela. You were never alone Rin." She leaned back, but stayed sitting on his thighs. Her eyes focused on a knot in the wood behind his head so not to look him in the eye. If she did she feared she would begin to cry. Vilkas sat up from the wall and forced her to look at him. "I now you were alone after you left us, but it doesn't matter now. Your home, your safe and I swear I will do everything to keep you that way." Tears slid down her cheeks, but her mouth was turned upwards into a smile.
"I know you will love, but..."
"No buts, your stuck with me Rin. You are a part of me and I know that I am a part of you. We've both tried to live without the other and it brought nothing but pain. I am tired of feeling like my heart has been torn in half." Rin just nodded and trailed her hand over his rough linen shirt till it landed over his heart. She could feel the steady beat under her fingertips. It brought back memories of nights that the beat had lulled her to sleep.
"My travels will take you away from Jorrvaskr. Are you willing to leave your life behind possibly forever?" Vilkas placed his hands over hers before pulling her closer so his lips could meet hers. The kiss was short, but powerful. Like he was trying to communicate everything he felt in one act. When he finally pulled away Rin was breathless.
"If it means that I can be at your side then yes Rin, I can leave it all behind. The Companions are in good hands with Fenra, as is my brother. I can leave with a clear heart and spend the rest of my life trying to make you happy, keeping you safe. I can't let you walk away again Rin. My heart can't take it."
"Neither can mine. I love you Vilkas and I want you and only you by my side from now until eternity." Rin let out a little squeal as Vilkas quickly grabbed her and rolled himself over her on the bed. His lips crushed hers and his hands gently gripped her waist. He felt her shiver under him making his eyes snap open to meet hers. In her eyes he saw a bit of fear and he pulled back a bit.
"Rin I...I'm sorry. If it is too soon..." She placed her finger on his lips and shook her head.
"It's not. I'm just...I don't want them to ruin this. Make me remember what it is like to be with someone that loves me. I want this, I want you." She reached her hand up to his neck and pulled him back down so their lips could meet. He rolled them back over so she was now on top silently telling her she was the one in control. Rin let her hands roam his chest remapping it to memory. She felt old scars she knew well and some new ones she would have to ask him about later. She pulled his shirt off over his head and threw it to the ground. Her lips left his and followed the path her hands had taken. Ever scar was kissed, worshiped as she went. Vilkas kept his hands on her hips, letting his thumbs trace gentle circles. His head was thrown back as he let out groans at the feel of her lips all over his chest. "Touch me." Her voice was thick with need making him smile.
"As you wish." Rin moaned softly as his calloused hands slide up her skin toward her breasts. He ghosted his touch over her breast band making sure she was comfortable with his touch. When her body arched into his fingers he began to massage her harder. Rin reached her hands behind her and untied the band holding her twin peaks. Once they were free Vilkas sat up and took the left one into his mouth. Rin hissed as his teeth roughly nipped at the pert peak only to sooth it with his tongue. He switched to the other breast and gave it the same treatment. Rin laced her fingers into his hair to hold him against her chest so he could keep up his sweet torture.
"Vilkas please..."
"Please what love?"
"I want you in me now!" He would have chuckled had she not started pulling at the tie string of his trousers. The low purr she made once she relieved him of his pants and loincloth drove him mad. He could see her eyes shift to yellow and back again as if she was trying desperately to keep the wolf at bay. Rin wanted this to be just them, not their animal side. Vilkas rose up on his elbows and reached out for her face.
"Rin..."
"It use to be easier control the wolf inside." She looked at him and saw his eyes were shift like hers. He was having just as tough a time as she was.
"We never were good at controlling them around each other." She thought back to all their times together and shook her head.
"No we weren't."
"So we can fight them and make this harder or we let go and enjoy it. I vote for enjoying it." Rin felt his hand move into her hair so he could pull her to him. The feeling of skin against skin broke her control. She let out a loud moan and let Vilkas roll them so he was on top. His lips met hers just as their bodies connected. Rin let out a low groan and dug her nails into Vilkas' shoulders. She had forgotten how good it felt to be with him. His movements were slow at first, setting a steady rhythm. The pace was torture to Rin, but she could not bring herself to make him speed up. Every nerve in her body felt like it was on fire. Inside her soul she could hear her wolf whining in contentment. Vilkas broke away from her mouth and left a trail of kisses down her neck. Once he reached the junction of her neck and shoulder he nipped the sensitive flesh there making Rin hiss.
"Don...don't tease." She felt him smirk against her skin and set to pick up the pace of his thrusts. "Oh Gods...Vilkas..." Rin's legs wrapped tightly around his hips. Vilkas raised his head from the crook of her neck and stared into her eyes. He felt her inner walls spasm around his manhood and she let out a scream of ecstasy. The shutters of her body sent him over the edge. Vilkas let out a low growl as he snapped his hips into her one last time. They lay there panting and sated, neither wanting to move right away.
Rin let her legs fall back to the bed and her arms lazily wrapped around his shoulders. Vilkas lay his head on her chest and listened to her slowing heart beat.
"Rin?"
"Hmmm?"
"I didn't..." Rin looked down at him and saw guilt in his eyes. She gave him a soft smile while her fingers ran through his sweat soaked hair.
"You didn't hurt me Vilkas. You were wonderful." Vilkas grinned and slowly crawled up to kiss her again. "I love you."
"And I you." Rin let out a contented sigh and snuggled her body next to his. "Night love." Vilkas was greeted by soft breathing as his answer. He let out a light chuckle and pulled the furs over their bodies. He was still worried about his brother and Fenra, but nothing could take the feeling of completeness he had at this moment. He had his love back in his arms. For now that was all he needed.
OoO
Morning came and Vilkas stirred in the rented bed. He groaned and stretched his arms only to find he was alone. He shot up in the bed and scanned the room for Rin, but she was nowhere to be found. His eyes caught sight of their packs sitting on the floor next to the dresser and her armor was still there. Letting out a relieved sigh he swung his legs over side of the bed. He heard the door open and his head shot up. He suddenly realized he was still naked and quickly grabbed the furs to cover himself.
"I was hoping to be back before you woke up." Vilkas grinned seeing Rin standing in the doorway. "I brought you breakfast." She pulled her hands from behind her back and produced two sweetrolls.
"You remembered."
"Of course I did. I remember stealing them from the cooling rake in Jorrvaskr. You, me and Farkas use to burn our tongues in the hot icing. When Tilma would find us groaning from stomach aches, faces covered in frosting..."
"We were mischievous pups."
"Yes we were." She sat next to him and took a bit of her roll. "This is not as good as Tilma's." Vilkas laughed and wrapped his arm around Rin.
"I don't think we will ever find anyone who makes them as well as she does." Rin nodded and finished her sweetroll. Vilkas got up and dressed for the journey back home. Rin followed suite and let him help her with her chestplate. Her wound was healed, but it was still a bit sore. "I think we should rent some horses. I want to get you back as soon as I can so you can rest more."
"I'll be fine in a few days Vilkas. This is not the worst injury I have ever had. Though I do not fancy fighting vampires again. I'd rather face a bloody troll."
"I have a bad feeling this will not be the last time we see them. This Tark the Unholy, he wants Fenra and I fear he will not stop until we kill him."
"He'd be foolish to attack a pack of werewolves. I know our numbers are down to just five, but I am sure we can stop him." Vilkas shook his head. He was not as sure of their chances against a coven of vampires. "Have you forgotten that you have the Dragonborn on your side?"
"No, but..."
"No buts Vilkas. They will not hurt our shield sister." A sharp knock on their room door made both of them jump. "Yes?" The innkeeper's voice sounded from the other side of the door.
"There are two people here looking for the Companions. Said they will meet you at the table in the corner." Vilkas gave Rin a side glance and pulled his small dagger from his pack and placed it on his belt for easy access.
"We will be out to meet them shortly." The shuffle of footsteps told them that the innkeeper had walked away. Rin fastened her belt and opted for her war axes over her greatsword just in case. The inn was too small for such a large weapon if those people waiting wanted a fight. They left the rest of their gear in the room and made their way to the dining area of the inn. The corner table was encased in shadow, but they could make out the silhouettes of two people. Vilkas stayed in front of Rin and walked with an air of confidence. He stopped just shy of the table and crossed his arms over his chest.
"You seek the Companions?" The smaller of the two shadows spoke up.
"Yes, we do." Vilkas raised an eyebrow at the sound of the voice. "You see we have these hagraven heads and don't know what to do with them."
"Fenra?" The woman come out of the shadows and smiled. Vilkas and Rin hugged her and then Farkas after. "You did it?"
"They are all dead." Rin noticed a long set of blood marks on Fenra's shirt and she winced.
"Looks like they gave a good as they got."
"They got a few hits in, but could not stand against a very angry set of wolves. We should get on the road while we have day light. I want to be home before sunset."
"As you wish Harbinger." Fenra smacked Vilkas' shoulder.
"Vilkas when we are not in front of the whelps please do not call me Harbinger. It is Fenra, plain and simple got it." He held his hands up in mock surrender.
"Alright Fenra, shall we then?" Rin went back to their room and got their packs and met the three outside the inn. The cold wind whipped around them as the made their way home. Fenra would plan how they handle freeing Kodlak once they were back in Whiterun. Ysgramor's Tomb was a far, frozen hike from Whiterun. A lot of things had to be planned to protect those going and those staying. Fenra suddenly cursed being the Harbinger, because if she did not make the right decisions she knew people would die. The long walk home gave her plenty of time to think.
Just thought Rin and Vilkas needed some loving. To all my readers thanks again for your favorites, follows and reviews. You all keep me going with this story.
Raven