Chapter Twenty-Four:

Of Sabrecats and Werewolves

Loredas 11 Sun's Dusk 4E 199 1:22PM

I rubbed my eyes as I led Ace at a steady trot on the trade roads. I'd thought about transforming and running to the mill, but I'd remembered that Brandr had said he'd be up there hunting the rather abundant amount of sabrecats. Of course, he'd said that back in Heartfire, so it was a possibility that he was long gone, but I didn't want to risk him catching sight of me or finding one of my larger prints. So there I was, riding on the back of my horse for the last six hours. I'd camped near the Nightgate Inn the previous night and awoke early the next morning so I'd reach the mill at around dinner time.

I adjusted the iron pauldron that rested on my left shoulder as Ace continued to trot along the road. A few days after my little "fight" with Uthgerd, Eorlund had called me up to the Skyforge to give me my new armor. It was completely different from the leather armor that Adrianne had forged for me, but I found that I enjoyed Eorlund's a bit more.

The armor that he forged was similar to the Thieves Guild armor (or so Taryn said. Gods only knew how she would know such a thing), but the material was stronger than regular leather. The leggings of the armor resembled something similar to iron armor, and the ensemble was completed by leather boots with a thin metal covering to protect my legs. Eorlund was also able to let me keep the hood (something I was grateful for) and he managed to make the armor so I could get it off in a pinch if I had to. The man certainly did think ahead.

"Hey!" a familiar voice shouted.

I pulled Ace to a stop and glanced in the direction of the noise. My eyes widened when I spotted Brandr jogging out of the woods with a smile on his face while he held his Imperial bow. "Brandr?!" I dismounted my horse to meet the hunter halfway. "What're you doing so far from the road?!" I exclaimed as I pushed my hood from my face.

He chuckled. "I was tracking an elk when I spotted some Werewolf tracks, so I've been following them."

I crossed my arms. "Where did you see these prints?" I asked.

He shrugged while scratching his stubble-covered chin. "I don't remember, actually. I was after the elk, after all."

I shook my head. "You need to pay attention. Eastmarch isn't exactly like Whiterun or Falkreath. You could freeze to death!" The fresh image of Elana curled in on herself in Winterhold was a scary reminder of what could happen out in the wild.

"I know, I know." He sighed. "Why're you up here?" he asked. "Did you decide to see how many sabrecat pelts you can gather?"

I bit my lip for a moment. I was being distracted and mesmerized by Brandr's eyes and… everything. "Um… I'm visiting a friend."

Brandr raised an eyebrow. "Wouldn't happen to be that Mendre guy at Mixwater Mill, would it?"

I frowned. "How do you know him…?"

"I stopped there for a time to get some supplies and help out. Hulgar needed to leave for a few days and Gilfre was desperate for an extra pair of hands," Brandr explained plainly.

"When did Hulgar leave?" I prompted.

Brandr rubbed the back of his head. "Uh… sometime around the twenty-fourth of Frostfall," Brandr answered. "He came back about a week ago." I nodded and noticed Brandr eyeing the new armor I was in. "What happened to your leather armor?"

"Outgrew it," I answered.

Brandr's lips curled into a smile. "I thought you grew a couple of inches. Tilma must be feeding the Companions plenty of greens."

My stomach lurched at the prospect of eating greens. Yuck. "Yeah…" I replied. "I was lucky enough to have Eorlund Gray-Mane forge it for me. I know now why people say his work is legendary. I don't even feel the iron on my shoulder or the plates on my boots."

His eyes narrowed to the necklace that rested against my new armor. "Nice necklace. Who gave it to you?" he asked. I thought I detected an edge of worry in his voice.

I glanced at the necklace. "Balfhe gave it to me. Hulgar's son."

Brandr's frown flipped into a smile. "Oh! I thought—. Never mind." I shook my head. Brandr continued to smile. "So, do you mind giving a lone hunter a ride to Mixwater Mill?"

I smiled politely. "Sure. We should get there soon." I mounted Ace and waited for Brandr to hop up. He stared at me for a moment before mounting up behind me, wrapping his arms around my midsection. I felt myself unconsciously lean back, hoping Brandr would interpret it as an attempt to keep warm.

"Skadi…?" he intoned, his breath warm against my neck.

"Hm…?" I replied.

Brandr's gentle laugh filled my ears. "Are we going to get moving?"

I blinked a couple of times to clear my mind. "O-Of course!" I whipped the reins and Ace pulled forward. My face was no doubt as red as a snowberry (I think Ace was laughing at me from the constant snorts I heard from him, too). I pulled my hood to cover my face so Brandr wouldn't see how embarrassed I was.

It was going to be a long trip to the mill.

Loredas 11 Sun's Dusk 4E 199 3:59PM

Brandr and I arrived at the mill almost two hours after we met up on the road (honestly, it felt a lot longer than a couple of hours). During that time, Brandr was asking me questions about what I did before I joined the Companions. I had to think of something that was close to the truth, yet far from it. Eventually, I told Brandr that I was a bounty hunter for the Jarls, but quit when Kodlak offered me the opportunity to join the Companions. He seemed impressed and didn't pry any further.

But throughout trip to Mixwater Mill, it felt as though a swarm of butterflies had made a permanent home in the center of my stomach. My heart was thudding loudly in my ears and chest. It also didn't help that Brandr's warm breath was constantly hitting the back of my neck, and whenever Brandr spoke (which was often) I found myself distracted and nearly directed Ace into a tree each time.

"Skadi!" Gilfre exclaimed when she spotted me riding into the mill.

I lowered my hood. "Gilfre," I greeted. "Is Balfhe home?"

Gilfre nodded and glanced behind me to see Brandr. "Oh! I didn't realize you had company!"

I shrugged. "I'm just helping Brandr out. He stumbled upon me while I was riding Ace," I explained while gently patting the black stallion's neck.

Brandr dismounted from my horse and held a hand out to help me. I grasped it and easily dismounted. Gilfre eyed the two of us for a moment before returning to the lumber mill near the river, casting looks I couldn't interpret over her shoulder.

"Thanks for lending me a ride, Skadi." Brandr grinned when Gilfre was out of earshot.

I shrugged and grabbed Ace's reins before he got the bright idea of running off… again. "It's not a problem," I replied while stroking Ace's black mane. "I'm glad you were able to find the road, honestly. Do you own a map?"

Brandr pulled out a folded piece of parchment. "Never leave home without one."

"You should tell Elana that. She never takes a map with her and always ends up getting lost."

Brandr laughed. "Maybe one day I'll stop by Whiterun and we can spend some time together." My heart leapt at the idea of meeting Brandr in Whiterun. "You can show me what the Hold has to offer for game."

"Oh…" My face fell slightly.

Brandr lifted my chin with his hand. "I was kidding. It wouldn't hurt to visit though. You could give me a tour of the place."

I nodded. "I suppose." I started leading Ace up the road and along a trail that'd take me to Balfhe's home. I noticed Brandr following me. "Are you going to Windhelm to get a horse or pay for a wagon?"

He shrugged. "Probably buy a horse. I was thinking about going to the Rift and seeing if the Jarl needs any animals taken care of."

"Well, be careful. I hear there are a lot of bears that call the Rift their home." Balfhe's home came into view, so I tied Ace to a tree. He began to graze on the grass nearby.

"I know," Brandr responded. I faced him, only to have that swarm of butterflies appear again. "Maybe you can come with…?"

I shook my head. "I can't just up and leave when I feel like it. I have to see if Kodlak has any contracts for me, or Aela and Vilkas want to train me some more in archery or with some blades. The trips up here are only acceptable because I only spend the day."

"Oh."

"Sorry," I murmured while staring at the house. My eyes narrowed when I saw a letter on the front door. I walked over and plucked the letter from the door to read it.

Skadi,

Balfhe is running around the house outside. Hulgar is at the mill working, and I had to go to Windhelm to get some supplies. I'll be back before dinner.

—Hreir

I moaned. "Gods-dammit..." I shoved the letter into the pack I brought.

Brandr walked up behind me. "What?"

"Balfhe's out running around somewhere. I just hope he stayed close by," I growled.

I unconsciously felt around for my weapons. My steel arrows were strapped to my back, as usual, and my Imperial bow was slung across my torso. "Thanks again, Skadi," Brandr said. I inhaled subtly, catching Balfhe's trail, and began walking towards it.

"Like I said before, it's nothing—."

"No." Brandr gently gripped my wrist. I stopped in my tracks and turned so I was staring at him. "I mean it. Thank-you for helping me." My eyes widened when he bent his head down. I felt his lips gently press against my cheek. I froze on the spot as Brandr pulled away, releasing my wrist from his grip.

I brought my hand up to touch the spot where he kissed me and watched dumbly as he ran back to the mill. He… He kissed me? I wondered for a moment. Why would he do that? I stood there for another moment, completely dumbfounded by the gesture. When his lips were pressed against my skin… It felt like a mage had just zapped me with a shock spell, although it wasn't at all unpleasant.

Another two minutes passed before I was able to think clearly. My skin was tingling from the kiss, but that was put in the back of my mind when I began searching for Balfhe.

"Balfhe!" I called. I walked further into the woods. "BALFHE!"

I crouched and traced a human foot-print that was resting next to a—. "Gods! No!" I screamed as I raced through the woods.

Jumping over and ducking under logs, branches, and rocks, I skidded to a stop when I came to a clearing and saw a pack of sabrecats converging on a single spot. I inhaled once. The strong scent of sabrecat woke up my wolf completely and I felt the urge to hunt enter my mind, but there it was. The smaller scent that I was more focused on finding.

Balfhe's.

"H-HELP!" a tiny voice wailed. "SKADI! HELP ME!"

"BALFHE!" I cried. I took a step forward before a painful reminder shot through my spine. I glanced at the sabrecats and realized that if I stayed human, I wouldn't be able to take all of the cats down. With shaky hands, I began removing my armor and weapons as the transformation began. "Please, Hircine… Don't let any harm come to Balfhe!" I whispered, praying the huntsman would hear.

I tossed my armor aside as the transformation took over entirely. When I opened my eyes again, my lips parted over my muzzle as I lunged at the sabrecat closest to me.

Loredas 11 Sun's Dusk 4E 199 4:32PM

I regained my senses almost immediately. I tried to recall what'd happened, but I found that no matter how hard I tried to remember, I couldn't. It was like I was trying to see something with dirt in my eyes. It unnerved me that I couldn't recall what I'd done, especially with Balfhe so close.

His uneven breathing caught my attention. I turned my head so I was staring at him. His eyes were shut tightly as his body shook in fear. I narrowed my eyes slightly, spotting tears sliding down his face in a gushing river as he whimpered in fear.

I tentatively padded over to the boy. He ducked his head slowly as he curled into a ball, and I tilted my head in confusion. If I didn't have razor sharp fangs at the moment, I'd be smiling at the kid for knowing what to do in that kind of a situation. Snorting quietly, I nudged Balfhe's belly with my nose, blowing a little bit of warm air on him.

His eyes slowly opened, only to close again when he realized how close I was to him. My ears hung when I realized that he wouldn't move. How to get him to realize he's not in danger…? I wondered. I sat on my haunches while I thought, watching the boy that was curled into a ball in front of me. For a second time, I huffed and nudged Balfhe with my nose, prompting him to open his eyes.

"P-Please…!" he begged while trying to make himself even smaller.

I shrugged off the necklace he'd given me back in Heartfire and moved it with my paw so that it was resting in front of me. I whimpered quietly to get his attention.

"H-Huh…?"

I brought my paw forward, instructing him to look at the ground. He listened, and then his eyes grew wide.

"I-I gave that to Skadi!" His eyes rested on me for a moment. "B-But why d-do you have it?!"

Sighing, I lowered myself further so I was resting on my side in a vulnerable position. Thank the Daedra that Taryn isn't here to see this, I thought.

Balfhe glanced at me, moving from his ball position to a sitting position while he examined his—my—necklace. Confusion was dominant in his eyes (it was rather adorable to say the least), but I could still see a little bit of fear. With a small finger, he traced the gem in the middle before he set his eyes on me. We stared at each other for a bit before Balfhe moved his eyes to the sabrecats I'd taken care of. Out of habit I licked my muzzle clean of blood. I was glad the bloodlust wasn't even trying to cloud my mind for a change.

I examined Balfhe when he looked at me before I glanced at the necklace in his hands, a whine escaping my throat.

"S-Skadi…?" he mumbled.

I barked softly, inclining my head as I did so. I was momentarily surprised when Balfhe lunged forward, wrapping his arms around my neck tightly and burying his face into my fur while he bawled his eyes out.

I'd lost count of how many times the boy thanked me, but when the worst of his crying fit was over, he replaced the necklace around my throat. He seemed amazed that it fit, despite being a normal-sized trinket when he held it.

"H-How is this possible?!" he asked me.

I shrugged. It was literally all I could do to answer him at the moment. Balfhe scooted closer to me, tilting his head while he stared at me intently.

"Why're your eyes gold and not silver?"

I huffed.

"Can you talk?"

Yes, I can talk. But you can't understand it. I barked at him. He jumped a little bit at the noise (he probably expected words like Elana), but smiled nonetheless. Another few minutes passed before he hugged me tightly again. "Thank you for coming," he mumbled into my fur.

A low noise rumbled in my throat. It wasn't a growl… I wasn't sure what it was. Balfhe moved so he was leaning against my side, letting me rest my head on his lap. A few seconds later I felt his hand petting the fur on my head. Usually I'd growl and deter anyone from petting me (I was a Werewolf, for Gods' sake!), but Balfhe was just a kid and just witnessed a Werewolf kill a pack of sabrecats as if it wasn't a big deal.

Unfortunately, like all good things, it had to come to an end. I felt a familiar spasm travel down my spine. Nudging Balfhe again, he scrambled away from me as I stood on all fours.

"What's wrong?"

I knew the process that happened when I reverted into my own body. My arms and legs would transform back first, then my torso, followed by my head. I lifted a paw that was slowly becoming a human hand, showing Balfhe what was happening. He tilted his head and watched me while bolted for the safety of the forest (and my armor. The poor kid was scarred enough, after all).

_/-\_

"Balfhe?" I called, stepping out into the clearing and adjusting my iron pauldron as I did so. The stench of the dead but not yet rotting sabrecats was almost overwhelming. "BALFHE!"

He poked his head up from a bush he'd been hiding in. "Skadi!" he cheered before he jumped at me.

"GAH!" I exclaimed as I wrapped my arms around the boy and fell on my back into the dirt. "Balfhe!" I wheezed, the air gone from my lungs. "Why did you do that?!"

He squeezed my mid-section tightly before releasing me. "Because you're the best friend a boy could want! Who else can say that their best friend is a wo—!" I placed my hand over his mouth. Mendre can, I mused.

"Balfhe, you need to know there are rules to knowing what I am," I said sternly. He removed himself from me and sat cross-legged.

"Rules?"

I nodded. "Yes. Not everyone knows about my little… uh, secret, and there are bad people that want to hurt me because of it. Scary people with silver weapons."

"I won't let them hurt you!"

I swallowed. "Balfhe, there are other people that want to hurt me. People that are like me, but they don't like to play with little boys." I scooted closer. "These people like to eat little boys and girls."

I knew I probably shouldn't have said anything about the matter, but it had to be out sooner or later.

"R-Really?" Balfhe stammered.

I nodded. "Yes. But you don't have to worry about them. Ever. You know why?" Balfhe shook his head. "Because I'm here to protect you." I smiled.

He beamed before hugging me again. "Thank you, Skadi."

I hugged him back just as tightly. "I'd do anything to protect you, Balfhe." I glanced at him, then the sky. "Including getting you home before your mother has a fit."

He ducked his head while with both stood up. I offered my hand before we started the trek back to the home.

"I have one more question, Skadi…" Balfhe mumbled.

"What's that?" I asked.

He watched me for a time. "Do my parents know about you?"

I felt all color drain from my face. This was going to be a long walk.