Hey all! So I kinda changed my mind on this chapter. I wrote it in first person to see how it will go. Review on it and tell me if i should go back to third person :)

Anyway I most likely will not upload until after Christmas and new years.

Hope you all have a great break and great Christmas!

-Rosey

Chapter 22:

"Get up Hana!" Aela barked at me.

I groaned as she ripped the pelts off my freezing body. A low growl left my lips as I glared at her from my bed, beckoning me to stay for longer. After all the years of getting up early with my parents, I had never been able to get used to it.

"We leave in ten less than an hour so get ready," Aela stated before walking out of my room, leaving the door wide open. I groaned as I sat up, stretching my aching back. Throwing that cup at Farkas may not have been the greatest idea, I still have to apologise to him. My shoulder throbbed as I hauled myself off my bed and to the door.

Just as I was about to close it, a small parcel was on the ground. Had Aela put it there.

I just shrugged and picked it up, closing the door behind me as I kept my eyes focused on the parcel. I couldn't think of anyone who would have sent me something other than M'keenz. I still can not get over that she sent news of her still being alive. I thought she had died a long time ago.

I placed the small package on my night stand while I changed into my armour. I can not say I missed the weight of it, the ebony shield weighed me down any other day.

I was not sure if I should have been changing slower so that I did not have to go so quickly or get everything over and done with. I wouldn't have minded going to help Kodlak one last time if it wasn't for the fact that Vilkas was going with us. I prayed to the divines that Grace would be going with us. She would be the only one who would not stop me from knocking his ass to the ground.

I latched the final part of my armour together, and sat back down on my bed, contemplating if I should put my boots on or not. I swear I could almost hear the package whispering to me to open it, see what it was. It weighed a little bit, highly likely gold septims. Another gratitude letter for killing some guy I had no idea about.

I pulled on one boot on, reaching for the parcel before I put the other boot on, giving me more time before I would have to leave. The package was less than size of a soul gem and was obviously rushed. A leather strip was the only thing keeping it together.

I sighed and untied the parcel. It took all my will power not to tie it back up and throw it at the wall, possibly try to burn it. Inside was my pendant, the one I was given, the one I threw on the ground a month ago. The pendant Vilkas gave me. The gem stone eyes of the wolves shone from the candle light in my room, not a single scratch was to be seen on its golden surface.

Underneath the necklace was a letter folded neatly. I was about to burn it with my candle if it wasn't for Grace yelling down the hall way, "Hana, get your poor excuse of an ass out of your room and upstairs! Or I'm going to shove one of those heads in your room!"

"Give me a minute!" I screamed back. I put my attention back to the note, continuously flipping it over in my hands. I did not know if I should read it, or let it collect dust on my bed side table.

With a sigh I unfolded the letter, skimming over the neat writing.

Dear Hana,

It would be a miracle if you were reading this and I am thankful that you are. I am giving you back your pendant as a final sign. Keep it if you wish.

I am writing you this letter, to apologise.

I know what I did was wrong and I should never have shouted at you the way I did.

I feel awful that I had upset you and feel guilty for everything. I knew where you had gone and because of Kodlak's sudden death, you were the first person I pinned the blame on.

I wish I could have grieved like my brother and not thrown my grief on you, which I am truly sorry for.

I wasn't thinking and let everything over whelm me at once, and I shouldn't have let that happen, or blame you.

I am forever and truly sorry for what I did and understand if you will not forgive me.

The pendant, if you wish, you can place back outside your door and I will know where you and I stand. I will no longer go after you or speak to you if you want, I do not expect anything else.

I hope that if you keep this, we can have another chance together. If not, I will live with that choice.

I do love you Hana but I will understand in whatever choice you make.

~Vilkas

I stared at the letter for what felt like hours, re-reading it over. The necklace had become heavier, feeling like I was holding onto a mammoths tusk.

I glanced back towards the pendant in my hand, and lifted it up. Aela had said to give him a chance, and I could not just throw it back in his face. Deep down a part of me knew that he didn't mean too say those things but was it my brain or my heart?

"That's it Hana, out!" Grace barked as she walked into my room. I lifted my gaze up her and raised my eyebrows at her.

Her mouth opened but no words escaped, her gaze locked onto the necklace in my hand and the letter in the other. "Is that?"

"Aye. Read." I stated as I handed her the letter.

I continued to inspect the pendant over and over while Grace read the letter. A sound escaped her but did not sound human. Between a bear and a dying dragon.

We sat there in silence.

"So you going to give it back to him?" She asked, placing the letter down on the bedside table.

"I don't know. I want to but I don't want to if that makes any sense," I sighed, holding up the necklace.

"Well not my issue. Now get your ass upstairs and leave. The hall might be more fun while you are not here," Grace scoffed as she jumped up from my bed.

"Bitch. Are you not going with us?" I hissed, placing the necklace on the bedside table next to letter and pulled by other boot on.

"No, someone has to look after this place, besides I'm waiting for a contract to come through Whiterun."

"I thought your guild didn't kill anyone?"

"We stir the shits, and someone else gets the blame, that's how it works," Grace smirked at me before she left my room and walked into the hallway.

I chuckled to myself and grabbed my axe and shield, attaching to shield to my back and my axe to my hip. I reached for my pack and was about to the leave the room before I took one last look at the necklace.

I couldn't just refuse him. 'Give him a chance,' Aela's words echoed through my mind as I stood in the doorway. I cursed under my breath, dropping my bag and snatched my pendant and placed it around my neck. Making sure that it was not visible, I hid it under my armour completely.

As I walked out the door and towards the stairs to the hall, I started braiding my hair and tying in over my shoulder.

Trust Grace not to join us on our way to Kodlak, she always seemed to have a way out of things.

As I walked up the stairs, I could hear laughter coming from Aela. The Circle members and Grace were sitting standing around the fire pit. Farkas looked like her was about to throw something at Aela again.

As I walked closer to them, I looked closer at Farkas. A purple bruise was swelling above his eye, making the skin around puffy, a small cut just above is brow. I winced at he caught my eyes on his forehead.

"Nice arm Hana," Aela laughed, slinging her bow across her shoulders.

"I'm so sorry Farkas!" I squealed.

"Aye, it's fine. I deserve it anyway," He huffed.

I winced again and grabbed a apple from the table. As I turned back to the group, Eorland had walked through the door, holding Wuthraad. The old axe had become a whole once again, back to its former glory.

"Hana, you are to carry Wuthraad to the tomb." Eorland stated, passing the axe over to me.

Almost instantly, I shook my head. "No no no. I can't take that."

"It's an honour Hana, to wield that axe," Aela said.

"I know it is but I literally can't. I'm not physically able to." I said, my mouth curving into a frown.

I looked around the group of us, Farkas was already in charge of carrying our other supplies and Aela would probably complain about having to carry it.

I glanced over at Vilkas for the first time this morning. He looked as tired as I was, his black war paint doing a terrible job at masking the darkness around his eyes. My eyes froze as they stared back into his, his silver stare sending a shiver down my spine. I ducked my head away, a blush creeping up my neck. "Vilkas, can you carry it." I mumbled.

"Aye," was all he said before grabbing the battle axe from Eorland.

"Safe travels to all of you." Eorland said before leaving the hall, leaving behind a cold breeze from outside.

"Good luck honey," Grace cooed at Farkas, jumping up to her tip toes to kiss Farkas on the cheek. I could have gagged there and then but Aela had already began growling at the two.

"Come on you two. We need to leave." Aela hissed at all of us.

Just as I was leaving the hall, I turned back to Grace to winked at me, and nodded towards Vilkas. I flipped my finger at her before retreating to the cold air of Skyrim. The sun still had not come up yet, basking the lands in darkness. The last stars of the night shone above us as we walked the empty streets of Whiterun.

I had not seen streets this empty since the night the Silver Hand had attacked. The good old times, were I wasn't fighting someone other than Grace, and when I could still throw my silver dagger. I still have it surprisingly, locked away in a display case.

I checked my sides that I still had my daggers, I hadn't used them in a while, although I haven't really had a chance to.

As we approached the stables, light streamed over the moutain's, filling the lands with beautiful shades of colour.

We all walked in silence, which I didn't complain about. I could finally think, taking in the sights that Whiterun Hold had to offer us. My mind kept shifting back to this morning, to the letter and pendant.

'How is it so hard for you to make up your mind?' My wolf spirit huffed, interrupting my silence.

'Why do you have to ruin the silence?' I growled back.

It went silent, a sigh of relief escaped me but was cut short. 'Well it isn't my fault you're having mate troubles.'

I almost tripped over my own feet. 'He is not my mate.'

'Then why are you having such a hard time deciding to give back the slab of metal?'

I remained silent to my wolf, not wanting to let it win but I could not deny it. 'He is not a mate compared to wolf standards.' I huffed back.

'Well his spirit is not too shabby, best one that I have seen,' it snickered, I swear I could almost see it rolling around on its back from laughter.

'So what? You're mate may be his wolf but he ain't mine now shut up,' I growled. As I predicted, it went as quiet as High Hrothgar. That should keep it quiet, or so I thought.

'Still didn't answer my question human,' it laughed back at me.

"Shut up," I growled.

I had not realised I had spoken out loud, Aela had dropped back from walking with the boys a head of me.

"You alright Hana?" She asked, walking in step with me.

"Aye, I think so. Just my wolf being an ass." I sighed, rolling my eyes in the process. I loved the spirit but sometimes I wish I had never accepted the gift. I could never sleep normally again and everything being sharper gave me a headache too often.

"I understand you sister. Do not let it get to you," Aela laughed slightly.

We walked for the rest of the day, occasionally stopping for small breaks and bandit killing spree. I had to think that how many times I have hunted these bandits down, there would be less of them. Apparently not.

My legs felt weak by the time the twins had set up camp. We had stopped by one of the many streams that flowed through Skyrim's landscapes. The icy water shimmering in what day light was left. We had made more progress than what I had originally thought. We could be at the tomb in a day and a half of travel, at the longest three more days.

I sat down on a log and pulled off my boots, my feet aching from the walking. I was surprised that I managed to walk as far as I did. I guess all the potions Grace had been slipping my stew had worked.

Aela had left us to find some dinner, trusting her to bring something back. Farkas was off finding fire wood, leaving Vilkas and I alone. I had not talked to him since this morning, even then I would not have called it a conversation. He had shot a few glares back at me if I mentioned his name to Aela but that would be it.

Aela and I had talked the whole way to our camp, recalling memories from our past or in recent events. I had explained to her what happened this morning about the letter at my door, and in tow bugged her that she had sided with Vilkas. It was all in good nature though.

Leaving my boots behind me, I walked over to the stream, letting the cool water run over my aching feet. I looked around, more mountains surrounded us and snow, fresh white snow. Which reminded me, I was still to take the scroll back to Paathunax. More running around.

Foot steps behind me made me snap back to reality, the scent of smoke and honey wafting around me. Vilkas.

"Careful Vilkas, I still have my daggers on me," I warned, not even bothering to look back him.

"I'm sure I'll be fine if they aren't silver," he chuckled from behind me.

I rolled my eyes and turned around to look at him. "Can I help you?" I sassed at him, crossing my arms over my armoured chest.

"I just wanted to thankyou, for allowing me to carry Wuthraad," he mumbled.

I shrugged my shoulders. "Well I'm not physically able to just yet so don't take it to heart to much."

He stood there in silence for a few seconds before chuckling to himself. "What?" I asked.

"You're tiny body probably could not lift it even if you were at your best," he laughed.

I curled my hands into fists, making him laugh even more. How dare he insult me, although he was probably right, I could barely lift the Elder Scroll.

A smirk crept onto my face. "Vilkas do wolves like water?" I asked him.

"I'm not too fond of it why?" he stated, his eyes narrowing at mine. I simply smirked back.

I raised my leg and kicked the water into his direction. He jumped back trying to avoid the water, and I shouted "WULD", racing just behind him. Caught off guard, I ran up behind him and pushed his body into the water.

Laughter erupted from me at I looked at Vilkas, a scowl on his while he lay in the cold water. "Don't you ever dare to insult me again Vilkas," I managed to say between breaks of laughter. By the time I finished laughing, my stomach hurt and Vilkas had vacated from the water, mumbling.

"Finally you two are going back to normal," Farkas laughed behind me, dropping a large pile of sticks on the ground.

"I guess," I shrugged, turning back to Vilkas, extending a hand to help him out. He eyed me down first before taking my hand. Big mistake. As soon as he got up, he pulled me forward and into the water. The cold water seeped straight through my armour, soaking my thin clothes underneath. It was his turn to laugh, laughing at the shocked expression on my face.

I grabbed a dagger from my belt and threw it at him half-heartedly, it spinning well away from him.

"Definitely back to normal," Aela laughed, having witnessed the whole thing.

I just rolled my eyes and laughed to myself, standing up from the water. "Well I kind of deserved it," I stated, walking over to Farkas who was trying to start the fire. "Need a hand?"

Farkas nodded and stepped back, "Do not use your shout. I saw what you did in the training yard." He stated, stepping back slightly.

"Do not worry I won't set too many things on fire," I laughed before crouching down at the pile of sticks. I summoned the fire spell and soon we had a raging fire in front of us. I looked over my shoulder and found Vilkas had already changed out of his soaked armour and into normal clothes.

My hands started shaking from the cold, it would be best I too changed out of my armour in hope it would dry before morning. I walked over to my pack and rummaged through it, finding my extra set of clothes and ducked behind a large tree to change.

The cold air nipped at my skin as I changed out of my armour and into my warmer clothes. As I walked back, Aela was skinning a small doe that she had killed. Before I spotted Vilkas, I tucked the necklace under my shirt and tied the loose strings of the tunic as tight as I could, trying to avoid him seeing it. I laid my armour out in front of the fire, taking my spare daggers and strapping them to sides and one on my leg before I warmed my hands by the fire, letting the warm wrap itself over me.

"Hana, mind giving me a hand?" Aela asked from behind me, cutting bits of venison.

"Sure, what do you need?" I stalked away from the warmth of the fire, its orange light showing me the path.

"Can you get me some water?"

I nodded, grabbing the iron pot and headed to the stream. The cold water ran over my hands as I filled the pot. I started to walk back to the camp when a twig snapped behind me. I froze, tightening my grip on the pot. It could have been a fox or a hungry wolf.

Heavy breathing was followed the sound of more leaves and sticks crunching. Bandits, damned bandits. I spun around in time to avoid the dagger aimed for back, the attackers face gnarled with anger. The dagger, it was not made of iron, ebony or gold. This one was silver. The Silver Hand.

I swung the pot around, hitting the Silver Hand over the head, hit body going limp as soon as he hit the ground. "Silver Hand!" I screamed, trying to run back to the camp, but another body appeared behind me, shoving me to the ground.

"Time to die dog!" The Bosmer hissed, pointing her silver sword down at my throat. I slowly tracked my hands down my side until my hand hit the hilt of my dagger. In an instant, I shoved the dagger through the side of her fur armour, twisting it deeper. She screamed in pain as I leapt to my feet. I kicked for her stomach, then her head knocking her out cold.

I ran back to the camp, the sound of metal against metal filled the air. There were at least five Silver hand attacking, all surrounding us. I dived as an arrow hissed past me, wedging itself in a tree behind me. I scrambled to my feet towards my shield and axe, the only other protection I had.

I could hear Farkas yelling as he fought against his attackers, each failing to hit him. I swooped up my axe and shield, and raced over to Farkas, getting over run by the Silver Hand. I swung my axe, hitting a Nord behind the knees, crippling him before I bashed him with my shield. Blood splattered over my shield and onto the white of tunic.

Farkas grunted in thanks as he took down another Silver Hand. I may have miscalculated how many Silver Hand there was, more swarmed us, there was at least eight trying to take us down.

"Duck!" Aela hissed at me, just in time I did. An arrow zoomed past my head and made its way home into the chest of a attacker behind me. Shouts came from next to me, an Orc swinging his Battle Axe above his head, heading straight down for me. I scrambled to the side, avoiding the fatal blow.

"FUS RO DAH!" I shouted at him, sending him flying back into a tree. I launched at him, swinging frantically at him with my axe. He had managed to get back up on his feet, sending a kick in my direction, making me stumble back.

A roaring pain shot through my arm, blood soaking the sleeves. The Orc recovered from the swing, his weapon glistened with my blood. The cut burned worse than fire, sending ripples of pain through my body as I avoided more swings.

I raised my shield, trying to ignore the pain in my arm, stopping another blow. I charged forward, spinning around and swinging my axe straight for the his throat. I swear it all happened so slowly, as I swung around, my axe collided with his throat leaving a clear cut all the way through. Seconds later his Orc head was rolling on the ground before his body fell after.

I turned around and saw another attacker heading straight for Vilkas. I lifted my axe and hauled it at the Imperial, causing her to drop dead to the ground, the silver sword clattering to the ground. The whole camp was filled with bodies of fallen Silver Hand, the smell of blood mixing with the soil filled the air.

"I think that's the last of them," Farkas huffed, leaning against his great sword. A small scratch appeared on his cheek, inflamed from the Silver.

"Aye, thank the gods you yelled out Hana, we would have been dead in seconds," Aela sighed, lowering her bow.

I glanced over to Vilkas, his once clean clothes now covered in crimson red blood. I sighed in relief, everyone was fine with only minor injuries. My heart began beating again.

The sound of hissing shot the air. It was too late by the time I moved, a dagger lodged itself in my thigh, the burning metal burying itself into my skin. I screamed in pain as I fell to ground, clutching my leg.

I shot my gaze up, the same Bosmer from earlier stood there clutching her side, blood dripping from her hand. A feral smile on her face was soon replaced by horror as an arrow lodged between her eyes, piercing the skull.

"Hana!" Vilkas yelled from behind me, but I could not care, the pain in my leg burned, overwhelming the cut on my arm. "Son of a bitch," I cursed through gritted teeth.

Vilkas dropped down next to me then Aela, Farkas hovering over us. "Farkas get my pack!" Aela hissed, shooing him off. I winced in pain as Vilkas wrapped a linen cloth above the wound on my leg.

"Take. That. Fucker. Out." I hissed at him. His eyes met mine, full of worry and rage. Blood and dirt covered his face and caked in his hair. Surprising as he had only just taken an unplanned bath earlier. His hand clasped over mine, and I gladly took it in my own. Aela nodded at me before gripping the handle of the dagger, the slight movement sending more pain through my leg. In one swift movement, Aela pulled the dagger out.

I screamed in pain and clutched Vilkas's hand to near breaking point. "Why is it you always seem to get hurt Hana?" Aela hissed, placing a cloth soaked in a potion over the wound. The burning almost instantly disappeared.

"Well being Dragonborn puts a large target on my head," I grunted.

"Sounds about right," Vilkas mumbled, passing over a healing potion. This one was larger than the normal ones I use. This one was almost doubled in size compared to the others, the strongest healing potion one could find.

Vilkas uncorked the bottle handing it to me. I grimaced in thanks as I took the bottle and lifted it to my lips, letting the liquid run down my throat. It tasted sweet, almost like honey. Almost instantly the pain was relived.

"Thank the gods for alchemists," I huffed, throwing the bottle away over my shoulder. The pain was no longer there and the wound was clotting. It was slowing me from dying from blood loss. "Any chance that the potion will make it heal over?"

"Aye, could be. Do not even think about standing up shield-sister." Aela hissed at me while she walked over and dragged the body of a Silver Hand away from our camp.

"After clearing away these bodies can we eat?" Farkas breathed, pulling at the Orc's headless body.

"Do you never not think about food brother?" Vilkas scoffed from next to me. It took me a while to realise my hand was still latched with his. I loosened my grip on his hand and slid it to my side. His glare caught mine. The fierceness in his eyes had left him, in stead looking tired and worn after the attack, his war paint hiding nothing.

He was the one who broke the gaze first, shifting away from me to help clear the bodies. The pain in my leg had diminished, but the wound still showed through the cloth. I sighed a shaky breath before looking over at the fire. Too damn far away for me walk over. Aela had stated for me not to walk, but who was to say I could not shuffle over there?

I pulled my arms down beside me and started dragging myself backwards towards the fire, dragging my legs. I had managed to get half way to the fire before Aela shouted at me. "I told you not to move Hana! You complete ice brain!"

"You said for me not to walk," I huffed, dragging myself closer to the fire, "You never said I could not drag my ass over there."

The two brothers erupted into laughter near the fire, a genuine smile on Vilkas's smile. One I had not seen in months. Aela threw her hands into the air as I stopped before the fire, letting it chase away the cold from my body.

For the rest of the night, we sat there by the fire until it started turning to embers, listening to Farkas's failed attempts of singing. He would not make a great bard. Aela had said she would take first watch, knowing her she would stay awake the whole night for the chance of killing another Silver Hand. I carefully pulled myself into my sleeping roll, hissing at anyone who tried to help me.

I laid my head down on the soft pelt for a pillow, letting sleep take me away.

0o0

"Thank the divines that we had that potion Hana," Aela growled at me as we walked closer to the tomb. We had left at first light that morning, leaving us with a day left of walking to the Winterhold that is if we do not have any more interruptions.

My leg had healed over night, but was still tender to walk on but we made do and continued. I dropped back with Aela again, talking hoping that it would make time go faster. The slopes of sheets of snow soon emerged into mountains, their white tips glistening in the sunlight. Stray snow sifted through the air, some getting caught in my hair, making it gleam like small stars that litter the night sky.

I would have enjoyed the snowy sights that this land offered, if it was not for the cold. I clung to my pelt we travelled, cursing when a cold wind sneaked under the pelt. Thankfully my armour had dried over night from the fire, but the snow that melted from my hair made its way down and seeped into my armour.

I had forgotten how heavy my armour had been, surprising considering that I constantly wore it. I still admired Aela how she continued to wear her Nordic armour and not freeze to death. A true Nord.

"I see that you and Vilkas are getting along again," Aela mused next to me.

"I guess," I shrugged. I had not spoken to him so far, and I was not complaining. I still had to push him into more streams to forgive him. I shuffled the band of my necklace around, keeping my eyes peeled to the front. "Aela, does anything change considering relationships being a werewolf?"

Aela just busted into laughter next to me, a wolfs howl. "Why do you ask?"

I could feel the heat of my blush covering my cheeks. "Well my wolf spirit said something that's all, considering Vilkas and I." I nodded towards him ahead of us. I had to know what my spirit was going on about, it could not be true what it was saying, about me and Vilkas.

"About being mates?"

I hated that word. I rolled my eyes and sighed. "How did you guess?"

"I was in the same situation as you were many years ago. Except I was not able to talk to another female about. I had to go to Kodlak, you can imagine how awkward that would have been." Aela sighed.

A small chuckle escaped my lips.

"A she-wolf will choose her mate when she deems whoever it is to be worthy. I'm guessing that yours has chosen Vilkas?" Aela asked. I just nodded in response. I would not have minded it, but considering the conditions with him currently, I thought against the possibility that Vilkas and I are mates. Quite ironic.

"Aela I'm not sure if he is. My spirit says he is but I do not think he is." I sighed, rubbing my temples.

"You cannot argue with your spirit on this Hana. The choice has been made, but you do not have to agree with it. You can go the rest of your life and marry someone else, that does mean they have to be your mate." Aela spoke with assurance in her voice. I sighed in relief, although was I do not feel like I could love someone else. "Although I doubt that will happen to you. You will probably end up being lovey like Grace and Farkas" Aela snickered.

"You've been hanging around those boys for too long." I growled and rolled my eyes. Aela snickered a laugh again, I too joining in with her. I glanced up to the twins a head of us, having to break eye contact with Vilkas moments later. If what my spirit was saying is true, Vilkas was my mate.

I was sure if I was relieved or upset that it was him. I was glad that it was him and not some old guy living in the Rat Way.

"What are you two giggling about? You sound like two girls squealing about boys," Vilkas snorted as we walked closer to them. Aela and I both looked at each other again and another fit of laughter filled our bodies.

The two brothers raised their eyebrows' at us. I shrugged them off and cleared my throat. "Are we stopping here for a break?"

"Aye we are. Farkas would not stop complaining if we didn't," Vilkas sighed, nudging his brother.

"Going a bit soft are you Farkas?" I teased the large Nord, who only poked his tongue out in response. I laughed again and sat down on a snow covered rock. We had to be nearing Winterhold by now. The snow increased a head of us, a storm was brewing and we would could trapped in the middle of it.

"We better not hang around for too long, a storm is stirring a head of us," Aela confirmed.

I nodded, lowing my leather satchel onto the ground, rummaging through it finding a small piece of salted meat. I had not eaten the since last night and I would have scoffed down the meat if it was not my last ration of food before we get to Winterhold.

"Farkas can we leave now?" Aela hissed at him. Farkas had only just sat down on a rock. His face was written with disgust as he stood up again, glaring at the huntress.

"Whatever woman. You just want to get to Winterhold to see your man again," Farkas scoffed, walking back over to the road.

I snickered at the thought of Aela and Lockan being together, but it was whatever made them happy. I had not thought of seeing my brother. He will not let me live it down that I lost it three weeks ago. Three weeks ago I retrieved the scroll, and four weeks ago I ditched The Companions and Vilkas. How I wished I could go back to a simpler life.

"Whatever ice-brain. I need to speak with you. Hana stay here with Vilkas until we are out of ear shot would you?" She asked, a glint of misgive in her eye. I glared her down with suspicion.

"Aye," I said, keeping my eyes on her as they walked a head. She glanced back at me one more time, a cunning smile on her face. I should have known she wanted me to stay behind with Vilkas. Out witted by a Huntress.

Vilkas and I stood there in silence, waiting until Aela and Farkas were out of hearing shot. We started walking side by side, not saying a single word to each other. It was nice, not having to talk.

We walked for an hour not having spoken a single word to each other until Vilkas cleared his throat. "That storm looks like it is going to get in our way."

I looked over to him, an eyebrow raised. "Are you trying to make small talk?"

"No point in denying it," he said. I pulled my cloak over my shoulders, trying to escape the cold. "Did you want my cloak?"

I shook my head. "No I will be fine."

I was just enjoying the silence again but Vilkas started laughing. I furrowed my brow at him. "What?"

"Oh just remembered our time when we walked up the mountain. To High Hrothgar," He laughed, his deep voice filling the air. My mind flicked back to that time, almost like it was yesterday. Him having to carry me half way up the mountain because of a stupid frost troll.

"Do not get any ideas," I hissed, keeping my eyes a head, farting around the white and silver landscape.

"You ruin the fun," Vilkas chuckled. I rolled my eyes, burning slightly from the exposer of the cold.

"So I'm guessing you forgive me? Considering that you are actually talking to me."

It took me a moment before nodding. I would have forgiven him at some point, whether I wanted to admit it or not. "I may forgive you but still does not mean I do not dump you ass into the next icy water we find."

Vilkas chuckled in response. "Aye, I kind of deserve it don't I?"

Another laugh escaped me. I looked up at him and smiled, something I had not done in quite some time. His silver gaze met mine and he smiled back.

We ended up talking until the wind caused us to shout. I storm was right above us now, pelting snow and wind as us. Farkas and Aela were miles ahead of us, lost in the white haze of snow.

"Vilkas! Is it too late to take up your offer with your pelt?" I shouted over the wind.

"I have a better idea!" He shouted back to me. In one quick motion, he swept me up into his arms. I growled at him in response, thrashing my legs to let me go.

"Vilkas! Put me down!" I swore at him.

"Not going to happen Hana. You can kill me when we get to Winterhold. We should not be too far away," He laughed. I could have killed him then and there. Slid the dagger from my belt across his neck and he would be dead in seconds, but something inside me missed being carried in his arms.

As we walked, I huddled closer to him, his cloak drooping over my shoulder. So. Warm.

"So," Vilkas started saying over the wind. "You got my note?"

I nodded in response, not sure what to say.

"And the pendant?" He asked.

I cleared my throat, thinking of what to say. "I um think I is still on my bed," I lied to him. He must have bought the lie as he nodded.

We eventually reached Winterhold, both shivering as we made our way into the inn. I made Vilkas drop me outside of the inn, sadly he took it too literally. I landed in the white snow, scowling up at him.

"You said for me to drop you," he chuckled, walking up the stairs to the inn, an escape from the storm.

"I didn't mean it literally you ass!" I shouted at him, stomping past him and headed into the inn.

The warmth hit me like an arrow, warming me to the centre. I now understood why my parents moved away from Skyrim. I gazed around the inn. Aela and Farkas were standing in the corner of the room, talking to someone.

They all turned to me as Vilkas shut the door behind him. Aela snickered slight and Farkas just smiled, and laughter coming from the person under the large robes. Aela could probably scent Vilkas all over me. I kept my gaze on the man in the robes, Archmage's robes to be exact.

"So no welcome hug for your brother?" A laugh erupted from him, lifting the hood to reveal my brother, still shabby looking as always. His curly hair had been trimmed down, shorter than usual and the single red stripe of war paint was nowhere to be seen.

My mouth opened in shock, since when had my brother been the Archmage? I closed my jaws and crossed my arms. "Still expecting highly as ever."

"I see the poison hasn't changed your attitude," he snickered, walking over to me and giving me a hug. I rolled my eyes and hugged him back. The last time I could remember seeing my brother was the day before I left for the dwemer ruin, not my fondest memory.

"So how was your walk?" Lockan asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

"It was fine," I said bluntly, eyeing down Aela and Farkas behind him.

"Aye, I imagined it would be. Vilkas, I see you haven't been killed yet so congratulations," Lockan laughed before walking over to him and clapping a hand on his shoulder.

"Aye," He said. I rolled my eyes and walked over to Aela, shooting an icy glare at her.

"I see you had a great time with Vilkas," Aela said in a hushed voice, laughter following it.

I elbowed her in the ribs and hissed. "You think you are so sneaky."

I laughed with her, grabbing a bottle of mead from a table, taking a swig from and faced towards my brother. "Why in Oblivion are you wearing those robes?"

I regret asking him. After about an hour of explaining how he found a large floating sphere and then almost blew up Winterhold two times over, he managed to become Archmage. Typical.

"I don't know about all of you but I'm going to sleep away the storm. Have you rented us rooms?" I turned to Aela.

"Aye, a double room and a single room with a double bed. I was going to take the double room with Farkas, I still have not finished talking with him," Aela smiled at me, earning a scowl.

"Oh to Oblvion with you Aela. Sorry Vilkas but I'm not sharing a room with you, you snore. Either the boys share a double bed together or it me and you Aela," I huffed, crossing my arms.

All of them erupted into laughter, including Vilkas. I rolled my eyes, walking towards the double room. Farkas and Vilkas will just have to share a bed. I snickered at the thought. Tomorrow we would be heading to the tomb, to free Kodlak.