AN: And here we are, day 12 of Jól and the first day of the New Year. Thank you to all who have enjoyed reading it, I enjoyed writing it. Maybe I'll do a sequel next year. Warning: Fluff ahead! And Happy New Year!

Kirstte stifled a yawn, ignoring Vilkas's knowing grin when she did. They were all clumped together at the top of the Skyforge, staring at the horizon that was starting to change colors. She could see other families scattered through Whiterun, all of them looking towards the changing sky.

"Thane," Lydia hissed, tugging on her arm. Kirstte allowed herself to be pulled away. Lydia glanced at Vilkas, "Well?"

Kirstte felt the blush. "Nothing specific, nothing more than an apology and a hug but… it was the beginning. I know it."

Lydia hugged her. "Good. Happy Jól, Thane."

"Happy Jól, Lydia."

"Get over here you two!" Farkas muttered. Lydia moved back over to him and Kristte found Vilkas, thrilled when he curled his arm around her and tugged her into his side, pulling his cloak over them both.

The sky continued to lighten, and it felt like the whole land was holding its breath as they waited and suddenly the tip of the sun peaked over the edge of the horizon, spilling golden light over the snow and she felt Nirn exhale. "Beautiful," she sighed.

"According to legend, if the sun rises into a clear sky on New Year's morning, it's a sign of a blessed year to come," Vilkas murmured against her ear. His gaze rose. "Can't get much clearer than that." He brushed a light kiss against her temple and straightened.

They watched as the sun moved up in the sky and once the bottom had broken past the horizon Farkas turned. "Time for gifts! Let's go!" He grabbed Lydia's hand and hauled her down to Jorrvaskr, the rest of the Companions trailing after them.

Kirstte retrieved the gifts from her chest and then joined the others with passing them out. Farkas and Lydia were next to the tree, Farkas gleefully stacking his presents. Kodlak and Skjor sat at the table, accepting and handing out gifts while they ate. Vignar and Brill were celebrating with the Grey-Manes, so she set their gifts aside to be delivered later. Aela had taken over one of the smaller tables and, though she was pretending to be disinterested, Kirstte could tell she was thrilled with each gift she received. Torvar and Njada seemed to be more interested in mead than gifts, but both thanked her when she gave them each one. Njada eyed the package suspiciously and shook it.

Ria was sitting on the floor near Vilkas, shuffling through her own presents, and nosing through his. Kirstte felt a surge of jealousy and pushed it down, instead handing a gift off to Ria and then sitting on Vilkas's other side. He smiled and winked at her and she blushed.

All eyes turned to Kodlak and he stood. "Happy Jól, everybody." He smiled and waved a hand. "Go ahead."

Farkas wasted no time tearing into his presents, tossing wrapping all over. The others began also and soon the hall was filled with exclamations and shouted thank you's. Kirstte admired her gifts as she opened them, taking her time to appreciate each one. The first was a book from Kodlak on the history of the Companions. She thumbed through it, glancing over the passages.

"Why are you opening them so slowly?" Ria had most of hers open already, the pendant from Kirstte around her neck.

Kirstte shrugged, flushing a little. "I've never gotten gifts like these before," she answered. "Gifts for my name day were always practical, new dresses and shoes, things like that. I was never given gifts for fun."

Ria made a face. "How boring." Kirstte nodded in agreement and reached for her next gift.

"Did you get everything you wanted?" Vilkas asked once all the presents were open.

She grinned at him over her stack of gifts, carefully tucking them into her pack to haul down to her chest. "I didn't know what I wanted, so I guess I did?" She shrugged. "How about you?"

Vilkas had already stored most of his items in a pack. "Oh, I got almost everything I want. I'm still waiting on one gift though." He winked at her.

"What a coincidence. I'm waiting on a gift also." She leaned back on her arms and looked over at him.

"Interesting. How about I take these down to my room and then we'll see about those missing gifts?" He arched a brow at her. She nudged her pack towards him and he stood, throwing his over a shoulder and then lifting hers. He disappeared downstairs and she smiled to herself, looking around the room.

Kodlak, Skjor, and Aela had disappeared ages ago. Athis and Torvar were drinking and swapping stories. Farkas and Lydia were still by the tree, leaning close and murmuring to each other. She smiled as she watched them and then started when Njada appeared next to her. "I know we haven't gotten along," she started, "and I haven't always been nice to you, so I really appreciate the gift." She patted the dragonbone mace on her hip. "Happy Jól."

"Happy Jól, Njada." She nodded and joined Athis and Torvar near the mead barrels. "Enjoying your gifts, Ria?" Kirstte looked over at the abnormally quiet woman.

She was fiddling with a small pack of candies. "You and Vilkas, huh?" she asked softly.

Guilt swept through Kirstte, she knew Ria was attracted to Vilkas. "I think so," she replied. He appeared at the top of the stairs and she could not stop the smile that swept over her face. "Are you okay?" she asked the other woman.

Ria sighed. "I will be," she answered finally. "I never got him to look that happy." Kirstte looked at her in surprise and Ria shrugged. "I'll find somebody eventually who looks at me like that. I'll be fine. Now go on."

"Thank you, Ria." She waved it off and Kirstte stood, meeting Vilkas near the back door. He swung her cloak around her shoulders and then placed his hand at the small of her back, guiding her outside. The sound of Eorlund toiling away at the Skyforge startled her. "Does he ever take a day off?"

"Not as long as I've been here." Vilkas led her to the steps and they both sat, looking out over the glistening snow. It was peaceful, the only noise the sound of Eorlund's rhythmic hammering and their breathing.

"I have something for you." She reached into her pouch and pulled out the package, handing it to him.

"Interesting, I happen to have something here for you." He handed her a gift. "You first."

She untied the ribbon, letting the wrapping fall away. The box inside was plain and she eased it open, setting the lid aside. "Oh," she exhaled softly, reaching in and pulling out a necklace. It was a delicate silver chain and dangling from it was an intricately carved snowflake that was inlaid with diamond and sapphire chips. "Vilkas." She stared at it, not sure what to say.

He reached for it and took it from her hands, cradling it in his palm. "You told me that your favorite thing since coming to Skyrim was the snow. That you loved how something that looks so delicate could be a destructive force." He motioned and she turned, lifting her hair up while he secured it on her neck. "It reminded me of you. Delicate in appearance, destructive in force." She turned back to face him and he rubbed his thumb over the snowflake. She could feel the enchantment thrumming through it. "It's enchanted. Fortify healing rate and fortify stamina."

"It's beautiful, Vilkas." She smiled. "Your turn."

He unwrapped the box and opened it, furrowing his brow as he pulled out the small wooden plate. It had a scene etched into it and he tilted it in the sunlight, studying it. "What is this? I don't recognize this place."

She shifted towards him and ran her fingers over the design. "It's Sovngarde," she said. "That's the Hall of Valor." He blinked at her and she smiled. "Ulfberth isn't the only one who's talented. Ma'randru-jo did this for me."

"Why Sovngarde?" he asked. "It's… Is this just to… to tease me? Is it some kind of taunt?" He stood up and stormed away from her, gripping it in his hands. "You know about my condition. You know I can't… I won't…"

"Vilkas!" She stood and stared at him. "Vilkas, no that's… It's not a taunt!" He frowned at her and she reached out for him. He reluctantly came back, and she took his hand, pulling him closer.

"What is it then?" His voice was gruff with emotion.

"It's a promise Vilkas. It's my promise, my vow to you. I will help you find a cure. I will help Kodlak find a cure. And you will see Sovngarde." She squeezed his arm. "I swear it." She grinned at him. "Eventually. I'd prefer you stick around here for a while."

He snorted. "I'd prefer to stick around here as well." He turned, looking over the plate again. "It's beautiful, Kirstte. I'm sorry for reacting like I did."

She shook her head. "There's something else in the box." She picked it up and held it out to him and he fished around in it, laughing when he pulled out the small green leaves.

"Mistletoe?" He arched his brows at her.

"In case you ever need a reminder," she shrugged and then plucked it from his fingers. "Or inspiration." She held it up over her head and smiled at him. He slid his hands around her waist and pulled her close to him.

"I don't think I'll need that anymore," he murmured. "But if you want, I'll keep it around just in case."

"Sounds great." She dropped her arms around his neck and he bent down, lips slanting over hers. She moaned, her eyes dropping closed.

Several minutes later he pulled back, resting his forehead against hers. "How was your first Jól?" he murmured.

"Amazing," she replied. "It's going to be pretty hard to top it next year."

He laughed. "I'm sure we'll be able to come up with something." She pulled him into another kiss.

"Happy Jól, Vilkas."

"Happy Jól, Kirstte."