Chapter twenty five: Whatever Happens

Astrid's bringing the witches' head was excellent news, but how Ellayna was going to explain this to Farkas she didn't know. He lingered in the corner of the bedchambers, reluctant to let Astrid out of his watchful gaze. Already he had decided not to trust her. Frankly Ellayna couldn't blame him; when Astrid walked inside initially, she had kissed Ellayna fully on the lips. Farkas didn't know what to think, despite Ellayna's reassurances that they were simply old friends.

Tossing the head of the Glenmoril Witch onto the ground –which would mark the end of the old rug, now splattered with the gore from the severed neck– Astrid joined Ellayna sitting the edge of the bed. "So, darling," Astrid grinned, her hand on the small of Ellayna's back. "You didn't say why you needed the old hag's head. Not that I'll complain about doing this one little favor for you, it means I get to see that lovely face again."

"You already know about the werewolf situation–"

"Ellayna!" Farkas was mortified.

"Hush," Ellayna held her hand out for him to quieten. "She knows."

"I'm married to one of you canines," Astrid looked Farkas up and down, a wily smile spreading across her mouth. "You'd be about as big as him, too."

Farkas flushed red and clenched his jaw, opting to not reply. Ellayna gave him a look conveying both an apology and amusement, then continued. "As I was saying…" Then she proceeded to explain the details about the about Hircine and Kodlak's want to go to Sovngarde to spend eternity in Shor's glorious hall. Farkas looked uncomfortable the entire time, wary of Astrid and the situation as a whole. They had yet to tell Aela or Vilkas about their plan to separate Kodlak's wolf's soul from him. At least now they had the first piece of the puzzle; a head of a witch from the coven which cursed the Circle originally.

"I understand," Astrid nodded. "What else do you need?"

"We're working on that." Ellayna was reluctant to tell her about Wuuthrad. No matter how much she trusted Astrid, the assassin was always thinking of ways to benefit herself and though she had done much for her, Ellayna did not want to put so much faith into one person. "I told you in the letter to take the head to Ysgramor's tomb."

"I wanted to come see you, and if a left a severed head alone, the wolves would have gotten to it." She was looking pointedly at Farkas. "I need to be back with the Dark Brotherhood as soon as I can."

Farkas surged to confront her, but Ellayna had her hand out again. "Do you trust me, Farkas?" Ellayna demanded.

A silence fell as Farkas hesitated. Ellayna was a little offended until she remembered how many times she had lied to him and kept things from him. No matter the feels that he had for her, she had lied through her teeth more times than she could remember. Astrid was eying them both with one raised eyebrow until Farkas made up his mind. "I trust you."

"Since we've sorted that," Astrid smiled condescendingly at Farkas. "Would you mind leaving us be so we can talk privately? I promise I won't kill her; we've been through too much together, you see."

After Ellayna nodded in encouragement, Farkas left, troubled about the entire situation. First they find out that Kodlak had been keeping a piece of Ysgramor from them and the knowledge of how to break the curse, now they were getting favors from the Dark Brotherhood. What next? Farkas thought with irritation. This cannot get worse.

Ellayna watched him leave, then turned to Astrid. "You understand why I can't tell you everything?"

"Of course I do. I love you, darling, but I don't tell you everything either. In fact, that's the reason I have to get back to the sanctuary. I've done something I wasn't supposed to and betrayed people I shouldn't have."

"I take it you won't tell me more?"

"Correct." Astrid gestured all around them, "It was my understanding you've not been a part of the Companions for a few years now."

"I wasn't until recently," she grimaced. "I don't actually know if you can call me a member, actually."

"And the protective giant of a wolf is the man you left when you left the Companions, yes? Explain what's going on there, darling."

Ellayna shrugged. "In honesty, I don't know," she began to grin. "Tell Arnbjorn that I've had a taste of what it's like to be a werewolf."

Astrid was genuinely surprised. "They've changed you?"

"They tried. I rejected the blood, but was a wolf for a night. I don't really remember it though."

"Interesting…" Astrid rose to her feet, facing Ellayna with her hands on her hips. "What will happen once you've done whatever you want to with your dead harbinger?"

"Honestly?" Ellayna cringed. "I don't know. I'm not inclined to go back to Ulfric or align myself with anyone else. Maybe I'll see to the issue of world-eating dragons, and if I'm still alive after that, I'll wander. Maybe in a few years, the Dovahkiin will become a distant memory and I'll be free."

"And your wolf?"

Ellayna recalled they had nearly shared another kiss they shouldn't have just before Astrid made her presence known. "I haven't gotten that far yet."

Astrid turned on her heel toward the doorway. "I think you have."

Giving a regretful glance at the severed head on the ground, progressively ruining the rug further, Ellayna followed Astrid out of the chamber and all of the way to the doors of Jorrvaskr. Many of the Companions, including Farkas, were sitting at the rectangle table, pretending to pick at their food while unsubtly watching Ellayna and the strange woman. When Astrid pulled Ellayna into a tight embrace, Ellayna had the distinct feeling of dread wash over her that she would not see her old friend again. "You really got yourself into trouble this time, huh?"

"Whatever happens will happen," Astrid pulled back and kissed on her mouth again. It was not a romantic gesture, just a reminder of how close they had been years ago. Astrid gave no other goodbyes and Ellayna did not move to follow her out of Jorrvaskr.

Once the doors had closed and the image of Astrid's back was gone, that was when Ellayna turned back to the center of the hall. Everyone had apparently been staring and looked down immediately at their plates or tankards when Ellayna turned around. She looked over them all for a moment, believing that she saw Njada's cheeks redden and knowing that Farkas' did. Athis, after a moment, leaned back and settled his eyes on Farkas. "That's new."

Ellayna touched Farkas' shoulder, ignoring Athis and the others, "I think we should explain everything to Aela and Vilkas now."

It was expected that Vilkas and Aela would have been angry that Ellayna and Farkas had not told them of the find immediately. But what actually happened Ellayna was less comfortable with. She could have weathered yelling and shouting, and was more than ready for arguing, yet that's not what happened. Aela stared into nothing, completely impassive. Ellayna was not sure whether or not she had heard anything that was said. Vilkas was chewing on his bottom lip, and although he appeared to be holding back words, he gave no complaint or rebuke. Lost about what to say now, Ellayna clasped her hands in her lap and nodded, looking to Farkas for support. They were gathered in Farkas' chambers, having decided that it was private and neutral enough for everyone. Farkas and Vilkas sat on the bed, Ellayna lingered standing and Aela was looking small seated at the bar.

Farkas was clearly just as lost for ideas. "What now?" He asked sheepishly.

"Take the piece of Wuuthrad up to Eorlund," Aela commanded. Her voice was stronger than she looked, regardless of her grief. "Just tell him there's another piece, not that you think it's the last."

"What if he asks?" Vilkas questioned. "Does he know about the beast blood?"

"Give most of the truth," Ellayna suggested. Out of all of them there, she was the best with deceit. "Say Kodlak had it hidden away, but don't mention why."

Nodding, oddly accepting what had been said, Vilkas stood up. "I need a walk to clear my head, I'll take it to him." Farkas gave the fragment of Wuuthrad over and Vilkas left with it. All Ellayna could think of how civilly this was going and wondered when something would go terribly wrong.

When Vilkas was gone, they fell back into silence. Ellayna and Farkas repeatedly exchanged glances, both unable to find any words, until Aela spoke again. "We will leave tomorrow morning and have the journey to Ysgramor's Tomb to prepare for whatever confronts us," Aela's hard, silver gaze settled on Ellayna, making the hair on the back of her neck stand straight. "Are you in the Companions or not? Give me a definite answer." Ellayna went to glance at Farkas, but was interrupted. "Don't look at him. Answer me yourself."

Gritting her teeth, Ellayna tried to decide on the spot. What she had said earlier to Astrid was no lie and it would be better for her to be tied to no one for a while, even if that meant leaving like Farkas dreaded. When Ellayna offered no answer, Aela sighed deeply. "Tell me your answer by the time we return from this last request of Kodlak's. I have to know by then, Ellayna, so we can decide on where the Companions go from here."

Relieved that she was no longer on the spot, Ellayna nodded to agree. Immediately after, Aela rose and wordlessly took her leave.

"I was hoping you would answer straight away," Farkas admitted. "I would like to know, too."

Ellayna smiled fondly at him, taking deliberately slow and wide steps toward him. "Do you know what I miss, Farkas?" She slipped her arms around his shoulders, knees between his, and his hands settled on her hips. The two of them always had fit together perfectly. She bent to kiss him briefly then pulled away. "Puppy."

Farkas frowned, then found a gentle smile. "You said to me that you weren't my puppy."

"Yes, well. I may have been overacting. Being the Dragonborn is a dangerous occupation," she wrinkled her nose. "I didn't want you involved. Still don't, I'd like to add, but I don't think I'd like to go another few years without you."

Farkas pulled her to him, pressing a kiss to the skin of her chest, unable to reach her mouth from there. "If you'd like, then, I'll call you puppy again, pup."

She kissed his head, smiling, able to forget of all the troubles with Kodlak and Ulfric, and the underlying issue of Alduin, just for a moment.

"Puppy," Farkas mumbled. "You shouldn't keep running away."

"I know," she replied, hardly making sound. "I know."

I am so sorry that this is a short chapter, but I didn't have a lot to put in this one and I wanted all of the Glory of the Dead quest to be in one chapter.

There are two more chapters left after this before this story reaches the end!