This took so much longer than what i thought it would...

Anyway enjoy the chapter :)

-Rosey

Chapter 27:

The knee length grass swayed below us as we made our way across the plains. I could not be in the city, knowing that I would be leaving it behind. I had done a short form of research from Kodlak's books about Sovngard, finding that there were theories that time was in fact different there than here. Figures.

M'Keenz had ran in front of us all, Farkas and Grace hanging behind talking while Vilkas stayed by my side. For everyone's safety and my own reasons, we decided to camp out in the woods that surrounded the plains. After the two days are up, I knew that I would not be having a chance to rest. Tracking down where Alduin went to get to Sovngard, and able to get there. If I had to scale a mountain I would.

"So Hana, can I come with you? To see a dragon?" M'Keenz asked, bouncing a ball of fire from hand to hand.

I rolled my eyes at my friend, "You were going to turn up anyway. May I ask, what the hell happened to your hair?"

M'Keenz dropped her fireball onto the grass and ran her slender fingers through her hair. "Oh yeah, long hair plus fire, maybe a few explosions, don't mix real well." Her golden eyes not paying attention to the fire burning around her.

"I understand now," I sighed, pointing at the small fire.

M'Keenz hopped around like pup, trying to put of her small blaze. It was a wonder how she was still alive considering her carelessness.

It was good having everyone around, M'Keenz I had spent most of the night talking to while Grace and Farkas weren't seen in the hall until early this morning. Wasn't a surprise really, I was just glad that everything was back to how it was. I wasn't sure if I was fully accepting of Grace's apology. But now, she's a whelp and she can't do much about it.

"I can't imagine what trouble you two got up to," Vilkas mumbled, shaking his head.

I smiled up at him, "You don't want to know." It was funny enough hearing M'Keenz's story about the bear, and seeing Vilkas's face through it. He would be so embarrassed that I was with him.

I felt so free as we walked further into grasslands, my wolf-self aching to run. It was definitely growing on me, now that I was in control. It was a shame that Skyrim's folk see us so poorly and despise werewolves. Vilkas mainly. I couldn't blame him for wanting to change back, but part of me felt saddened by it. Of course, Farkas would follow his brother's suit, though I don't think anyone would be complaining. Aela will not give her gift up, if it was a chance for her to be back with Skjor.

I wasn't sure if I would get rid of my curse. It had it's perks from time to time but I wanted this curse to stop passing through the Companions. If it came to a choice, I would remove it.

The plains faded from an odd tree to an overwhelming forest, the dark green canopy rippling over us like a small river. A small stream trickled past us as we placed down our gear in a small area surrounded by the guarding trees. I wouldn't have to worry about a fire, M'Keenz would probably accidently make one.

I smiled at the thought, catching the attention of my partner. "What's so amusing," Vilkas asked, dumping his pack and tent next to mine.

"Just the thought of you putting up with M'Keenz for two days," I shrugged, my mouth still pulling at the sides.

"What about me?" M'Keenz perked up from her tree, her pointed ears sticking out of her short hair.

"Just don't set our gear on fire and we won't have to worry about anything," Vilkas mumbled, his usual scowl rested on his lips.

M'Keenz pouted.

"Oh don't give us that look. I'm with grumps, no burning our stuff," I laughed at my friend.

"You're not my mother," M'Keenz huffed, poking her tongue out us and stormed off… to her tree.

I shook my head at her and started unpacked my gear. Farkas and Grace laughed about something opposite from us.

Everything was calm. It was peaceful.

"So what the hell are we doing here for two days exactly?" Grace asked, sitting down on a dead tree.

M'Keenz scoffed, I could feel Vilkas square up next to me. "We're here for Hana since she is trying to save us all in two days, Grace." Vilkas growled.

Grace rolled her eyes, "I know that. I mean what are going to be doing for two days?"

Vilkas looked down at me, confusion dwindling in his eyes. "Whatever really. Heck, you could leave for the whole day and come back during the night, I couldn't care. I'm here to spend time in the forest before I go, so do whatever. For that Grace, your finding dinner," I smirked as Grace's shoulders shrunk in defeat.

"Whatever," Grace said, "at least I have the rest of the day to find it."

I was thankful we made it during the mid-afternoon, the soft sunlight shining through the leaves, shrouding us in patterned shadows.

"Well if you excuse me, I'm going bug hunting," M'Keenz declared, attaching her mace to her hip.

"Will you ever stop being weird?" Farkas asked, raising an eyebrow

"You'll see smoke if I'm lost." M'Keenz waved us off and swayed into the forest. My only hope is that she wouldn't get lost, I didn't want to leave Skyrim with only half the forest there.

"She has the right idea. See you two in a bit since I'm finding dinner," Grace said, pulling herself up from her log, strapping her knives to her chest and sides.

Of course, Farkas followed her, leaving Vilkas and I alone at our camp site. I savoured the peace and quiet as I started gathering small sticks from around the place, making a small pile.

Large arms wrapped around my waist as I dropped another small stack of sticks. I leant back into Vilkas's chest, closing my eyes in the process. His warm breath tickled the uncovered parts on my neck and ear. It's these small things like this that made me love him more.

"What do you want?" I said teasingly.

A low growl escaped him. "Can't I give my woman a hug?"

I let out a small laugh and turned to face him. My green orbs staring into his silver eyes. "Of course." I perched myself up on my tip toes and kissed him, who instinctively returned the favour.

I broke away from the kiss and leant my head against his chest, his arms holding strong around me. I didn't want to leave, no way in all of Tamriel did I want to leave. I hadn't told Vilkas yet about the timing that could be an issue.

His arms loosened around me, his clad hand reaching up and stroking my freckled cheek. "I'll go get some large wood. I'll be back in a few minutes," he planted a small kiss on my forehead and left me in the open, prey for anyone else. They would be mistaken if someone ever thought of me as their prey.

I silently stacked my small pile of sticks, soon a small blaze sent a small amount of smoke into the air. I kept a lookout for M'Keenz, knowing she would the reason for a large column of smoke. I felt like a mother sometimes with my friends and family.

I guess everyone looked to Kodlak as the father figure in the Companions, now everyone seems to turn to me as the mothering type. I sat down on the old moulding log, watching the flames dance over the wood in uneven but beautiful strides.

I couldn't stop my mind from wondering back to the possibilities of not coming back from Sovngard. What would happen to everyone if I never came back? They would all be heartbroken, especially Vilkas. I wouldn't be able to comprehend what pain he would feel and I didn't want to.

I finally had Grace and M'Keenz back, I couldn't just let them watch me walk out on them and never come back. I could only hope that it would take a while to get there, but knowing my luck that would never happen. Everything can go south in a heartbeat for me, I could swear being Dovahkiin was a curse but I wasn't going to let the gods know that.

The sound of wood falling to the ground made me spin around. Vilkas stretched his back and shook off the leaves and sticks in his long hair.

"I don't think you got enough," I teased as he piled large sticks onto the fire, the blaze licking at the new fuel.

"Fine then, you go grab some," he huffed, warming his hands in front of the fire. I pulled Vilkas down next to me on the log, letting the warmth of the fire block out the afternoon chill.

"Oh don't be such a grumps," I laughed, knocking my shoulder with his.

He looked down at the fire, his silver eyes brighter in the golden light. "I'm not that bad."

I laughed, almost making me fall off the log. "Whether you try to hide it or not, you always have a scowl on your face."

He chuckled slightly, pulling me closer to him. "I know, but you're going to miss it when you defeat Alduin." I frowned at him and refused to meet his eyes, trying to look anywhere but his. "What's wrong?"

I let out a shaky breath but never looked back up at him. "I might not be gone for just a day or two in Sovngard." I breathed.

A masked hand titled my head up to meet Vilkas's eyes, but I refused to look at them. "I know that there is the very slim chance that you don't come back, but I have all my faith in you that you will come back to us all, to me."

I frowned as he still held my chin up, "It's not that."

"Then what is it?"

I finally looked up into his eyes, hurt almost washing through them. "I've been reading into Sovngard and the Hall of Heros. There's an idea that time works differently between the two places. For me, it could feel like I've been gone for a day. For you, it could be months."

Vilkas didn't say anything back but his hand shifted from my chin, stroking by freckled cheeks. The warmth of his lips met mine, soft and gentle. I couldn't stop the tear from falling down my cheek. I couldn't leave him, knowing that I might be gone for months.

Minutes passed before he pulled away, wiping away the tears on my cheeks. "I know you will always come back to me. You have a family now, with us in Jorrvaskrr. In Whiterun. With me," he spoke in a low tone, but I knew he meant every word.

I wrapped my arms around him and kissed him again.

It was not until the sun finally set and a splatter of stars covered us above that Grace and Farkas had come back. The two smelling of each other. I rolled my eyes in disgust, though I would not have been much better.

Five rabbits hung limply over Farkas's broad shoulders. I would be surprised if Farkas had been able to catch them, but knowing his build and skills, it would have been a bit of a struggle.

"Is M'Keenz still not back yet?" Farkas asked as Grace skinned the rabbits, the smell of blood stronger with the beast blood running through my veins.

"No she hasn't come back yet," I sighed, still leaning on Vilkas's shoulder. I had agreed with him during our short break earlier that I would tell everyone else about what would happen when I leave. Vilkas may have been trying to hide the hurt from that I may be gone for so long in days to come, but his eyes showed the rest of his emotion.

"Should we go and look for her?" Grace suggested, throwing the meat into a pot.

"No, she'll be back eventually," I shrugged. When I used to go camping with the girl, she would never back on time, claiming she simply had to find something. I would not be surprised if this was the case.

"Can't you just sniff her out," Grace stated while wiggling her finger at Vilkas and I. I rolled my green eyes at her.

"I could if I was bothered to. She will be back in about," I lifted my hand up in the air and pointed down to the ground. "Now." A snap of branches sounded behind us, a buzzing of what sounded like bees flowing close behind. She had to find a damned Spriggan.

"Help!" M'Keenz screamed, rushing past us, her hair matted with sticks and leaves.

I pinched the bridge of my nose and faces the forest spirit, the fire in my throat already building. A mass of green and brown stalked towards us, screaming. "Yol Toor Shul!" A wrath of fire wrapped around the Spriggan, it's wooden body screeching in pain as it fell to ash.

I spun around to M'Keenz and crossed my arms. "What did you steal now?"

She threw her arms up in the air along with a bag. "Nothing, I swear it."

I narrowed my eyes at her. "M'Keenz." "How was I suppose to know that it was going to attack me from picking a flower! The amount of trees I had to dodge to get back here," she huffed, picking at the twigs in her hair.

"So we could handle the thing for you?" Farkas interjected.

"Was I supposed to fight it?"

I shook my head at the girl. For someone that has elf blood in her, of course the Nord side shines through the most. Being so tall I wasn't surprised that she got attacked by a few trees. "Yes," I sighed. "Don't worry now."

"I wasn't going to anyway," she said cheerily and sat down on a stump next to me.

I rolled my eyes at her. I did miss having her around though, there was never a dull moment when adventuring sometimes. The orange light of the fire casted jumping shadows all around us, spraying along the trees and the canopy. I huddled closer to Vilkas, resting my head on his shoulder. I had changed out of armour, now I was missing the warmth from it. A large arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer to Vilkas.

"Hope you all are hungry," Grace said, filling bowls full of steaming stew.

"Can we trust your cooking is another question," Vilkas mumbled, earning a glare from Grace.

"I'm not that bad Wolfy, now get over it and eat," She growled, handing over a bowl.

I nodded in thanks as Farkas handed me one, my hands savouring the warmth from the wooden bowl. She may have been a chef in her own eyes, but she wasn't one in everyone else's. How someone made a stew taste so foul was beyond me, but I bit back the urge to say something and ate what I could.

"How about someone else cooks next time," Vilkas scoffed, placing down his bowl, still filled with stew.

"Oh stop being fussy, Vilkas," Grace huffed, "It's not that bad, isn't that right Farkas."

Farkas looked down at his food, placing it down on the ground with a wince. "Sorry Grace but this does taste foul."

I laughed as Grace scowled at her man. Probably wasn't the smartest idea to let Grace cook. "What are you saying? This tastes amazing," M'Keenz added, swooping down taking Farkas's bowl.

"Trust you to not have any taste buds," I added, shaking my head.

"This taste's a lot better than what was on Solstheim. Everything over there tastes like ash," She said through a mouthful of food.

"I wouldn't be surprised," I laughed.

"What from you burning everything? Or something else?" Vilkas asked.

"This time it wasn't my fault. They have a volcano thingy over there. The whole island is practically covered in ash."

Vilkas laughed for once, a genuine laugh. I smiled slightly at him and looked down at the ground. I knew that Grace wouldn't take this whole Sovngard business to lightly. I stood up and let out a shaky breath. "So you all know what happens when we get back."

"Aye, you tackle a dragon and he tells you were the portal is," M'Keenz stated, waving a wooden spoon.

"Aye but I haven't told you what happens after." I looked down at Vilkas who just nodded. I glanced back over to my friends who's expression dropped. "Once I find this portal, it will take me to Sovngard."

"And what's so bad about that? You go there, kill Alduin and then come back a day later," Grace said, crossing her arms over her leather bound chest.

I sighed. "Yes but the coming back may be a problem. I don't know, depending if I even manage to kill Alduin, how long I would be in Sovngard. For all I know I could be in Sovngard for what feels like a day or two for me, but back here," I kicked the dirt below my feet, "I could be gone for weeks or months. That is if I even do defeat him."

Even the fire seemed to go quiet. No one spoke.

I sat back down next to Vilkas, resting my elbows on my knee, trying to support head. They were going to hate me for this. A gentle hand rested on my back, stroking up and down.

"You will come back, Hana." Farkas broke the silence, his deep voice making everything spark back to life. "We will all be waiting for your return."

"You better return, because you're pinching a few things from there for me," M'Keenz added. I lifted my head and smiled at the two. Gods bless their souls. I turned towards Grace who was frowning.

"Can I talk to you alone," Grace asked, sitting up. I nodded and left Vilkas's side to join Grace's as we walked further into the forest.

I couldn't wash the frown off my face as we went further into the darkness. I could see as clear as day from the beast blood but Grace stumbled now and then. By the time we stopped, the fire wasn't to be seen, away from the ears of the other two.

"Why are you just telling us this now?" Grace asked, leaning against a nearby tree.

I kept my gaze down at the ground, examining every blade of grass. "I wasn't going to tell any of you at all."

"But you still did anyway, figures." She sighed, "Are you leaving straight away when you find out where you are going?"

I nodded, "Aye."

Grace nodded in acknowledgement but she kept her head down. "You have to promise me that you will come back."

I frowned down at her. "You know I can't make that big of a promise."

"Please. You have to come back."

I shook my head. "Why do I have to come back? Yeah I have Vilkas and everyone else in the Companions but I know I will be remembered if I never come back. I don't have much back here."

Tears leaked from her eyes, the glassy surface standing out against the shadows. "How can you say that? Vilkas will be heartbroken if you don't come back. Everyone will be. You can't just die and leave us."

"I won't be coming back to much," I shrugged. It was true though. I may have Vilkas and everyone in the Companions but that was only the simplest episode in my life. I had everyone else rushing around after me, asking me to do things for them since I'm so high and mighty. "Dying after knowing the Alduin is dead will save me so many issues afterwards."

"You don't need to die to solve your problems!" Grace yelled, her voice breaking. " You have so much to come back to. A loving partner, friends and a whole city that adores you," she paused and held a hand over her stomach. "Maybe even a god child."

My head shot straight up to meet her eyes. "You're with child?" I stammered out. Of course she would be, it would make sense to. Why she really came back, for Farkas's sake. "You never came back for me, you came back for him."

"I left the guild once I found out. I came back not only for Farkas but also because I know that I would need your help." She frowned slightly, the tears still falling down her cheeks. "I'm staying here, with the Companions and I want you to promise that you will come back, not just for me but for everyone else in that damned hall."

I couldn't believe what she had just said to me. She quit the Thieves Guild for us all. What was I saying. I had a whole family that I would leave behind if I never made it back from Sovngard. I couldn't just abandon them like that.

"I'm sorry for what I said, I know I do have a family here. I swear on my gift that I will come back, for everyone," I vowed as I strode over to my friend, pulling her in for a hug.

"Good, otherwise I thought I would have to slap you into coming back," she said, her words muffled slightly.

I pulled away from her and looked down at the small bump on her belly. "Does he know?"

Grace nodded. "I told him the night I came back. He was so thrilled by it." Grace looked over my shoulder towards the campsite. A small thud sounded behind us. I clutched my side for my axe but only found my small dagger.

A figure came closer to us but I relaxed as soon as I noticed the short cropped hair. "What part of speaking alone don't you get, Vilkas?" Grace hissed.

"I only just came to find you I swear," Vilkas raised his hands in defense, "I couldn't stand M'Keenz and Farkas together. She's messing with fire magic again."

My mind wondered, stepping through memories from years ago. One specifically like what was happening now. "Shit! You didn't try to stop her? I'll see you two back at camp." I stated rather quickly and ran towards the camp, leaving Grace and Vilkas behind.

By the time I got back, M'Keenz was swatting away embers off her robes, Farkas laughing on the ground. Any grass that had been near the fire that wasn't already burnt now was, small puffs of smoke flittering over the camp.

"M'Keenz! I told you not to do that stunt again!" I scolded.

She looked up at me as she flicked away the last ember. "Sorry mother."

I rolled my eyes at her and looked over at Farkas who had only just recovered from his laughing fit. I smiled slightly. He would make a fine father, the only issue is that I hoped it didn't have it's mothers tendency. Now I would have to worry about another thing in the hall.

I doubt Farkas had told Vilkas yet, otherwise Vilkas probably would have said something to me by now. It wasn't my place to say anything if he asked though.

"So you should be," I laughed back at M'Keenz. I warmed my hands over the now normal fire, the warmth seeping into my skin. She had tried that stunt last time I had been with her camping, trying to make some animal or something using the flames. It always ended in some fireball trying to kill her.

"Where's Grace?" Farkas asked, trying to look behind me.

"She's with Vilkas, they should be back soon," I answered. It had taken a fair distance for me to run back to the camp trying to avoid the trees and rocks.

"Or now." Vilkas purred from behind me, his large arms wrapping around my waist.

Grace scoffed at us as she strode past us to Farkas who did the exact same thing.

I looked over to M'Keenz, a scowl on her face. She huffed as she sat down. "Now I'm left out. I wish my man was here."

I sat down on Vilkas's lap, furrowing my eyebrows at my friend. "You have a man back in Solstheim?"

M'Keenz scoffed. "Of course I do. Don't you believe me?"

"No."

M'Keenz placed a dramatic hand over her chest. "He's real unlike the last few. Trust me, he's twice the man those two twins are together."

I laughed. "So someone that is as tall as Farkas and strong, while has the brain of grumps? That would be a shocker."

"Hey!" The two twins barked. All three of us girls couldn't stop from laughing at their small outburst. Vilkas poked my sides while I laughed, not helping my case.

"I'll believe when I see it, M'Keenz," I managed to say through fits of laughter.

"Fine," My half elf friend hissed, striding over to her tent. "I'm going to try to get some sleep."

"Night," I giggled, leaning back into Vilkas's chest.

The warmth from Vilkas's chest and the fire was enough to fight the chill in the air. I hoped it would be a little bit warmer in Sovngard.

"She has the right idea, I'll see you two in the morning," Grace yawned, Farkas following her as they went to bed. It was only a matter of time before they got married I could tell.

I turned around and faced Vilkas, burying my face in his shoulder. He pulled me closer into his embrace, not allowing me to slip from his grasp.

"I hope you know how much I love you, Hana," Vilkas purred in my ear, kissing my hair.

I smiled softly into his shoulder. "I'm pretty sure I can see the line of it from Sovngard and back."

"I'll always be waiting for you to come back."

"I know." We sat there in silence for what felt like ages, listening to the crackle of the fire or the chirp of the crickets hiding throughout the night. I hoped that I wouldn't have to wait too long before I can embrace these small things again.

0o0

The cold wind was barely registerable as I sliced through the woods, the fur on my back keeping me warm in the afternoon sun. I may have let my wolf spirit talk me into going for a final hunt before I leave. Being in beast form I felt so free, no one knew I was Dragonborn, no wolves tried to attack me whenever I passed them.

A howl in distance made me veer left towards the thinning woods, closest to the city. The forest floor was merely a blur under my paws as I sped closer and closer to where the howl came from.

The blur came crashing back to reality as I was tackled to the ground, a heavy force rolling with me to the side. His black shorter black fur dusted with dirt and sticks while his silver eyes shone brightly.

He would not let me go by myself while the others left for the hall. I growled at him slightly, pushing him off me. I sat there while he circled around me but finally stopped, nudging me towards Whiterun. I didn't want to go back but our transformation would wear off soon enough.

I jumped up, nudging Vilkas in the side and sped off into the waving plains.

Tomorrow was the day I knew my life was going to change for the best or the worst. I couldn't help but worry what would happen if I would even be let into Sovngard because of my wolf blood running through my veins.

The city approached a head of us as the stars became visible. Vilkas ran next to me as we made our way to the Underforge. Grace should have left a spare change of clothes in there for Vilkas and I, if not then I was going to strangle the girl. I didn't ask M'Keenz to do it, I didn't really feel like explaining to her that the rest of the circle were werewolves.

With what strength I had left in my wolf form, I leapt up onto the ledge into the forge, Vilkas following shortly after. Just taking a few steps, my bones made a sickening crack followed by an escaped strangle cry from my mouth. This part was always the worst, turning back hurt so much more than transforming.

With a final sickening crack of a bone, I laid on the cold stone floor of the Underforge, light streaming in from the cracks in the walls.

"And you are the reason, love, that we are going to get caught," Vilkas growled, pulling on a pair of loose pants. My own pile of clothes laid next to his own.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Those bandits were the only thing from stopping us from transforming so stop your whining," I said back, pocking at his chest as I walked past.

"Of course, my mistake," He rose his hands up to apologise, but a smirk still rested on his lips. I rolled my eyes at him and tugged on a shirt. Make that Vilkas's shirt. I wasn't going to complain about Grace's attempt to mock at me. The thought of my Breton friend reminded me. "Vilkas, did you and Grace talk last night after I left?"

Vilkas walked over, pulling the back of my body against his. "Nay, she didn't say what you two were talking about if that's what you were wondering."

I furrowed my eyebrows. That was a load of skeever shit, they must have talked about something. "You would tell me if it was important, wouldn't you?" I asked.

"Always. Either that or I would fume about it later," He breathed into my neck, the warm air tickling the exposed skin.

I turned around and kissed him softy on the lips. "We better get inside before M'Keenz burns the whole place down."

"She needs a fire ban," Vilkas growled, pushing the stone door allowing me to slip past.

"You're not wrong." I laughed, holding my hand out for Vilkas to grab. His warm hand slipped into mine as we walked back to the hall. I still didn't give into Vilkas's story of not talking to Grace. It wasn't like my friend to not add a snarky comment in when talking to Vilkas, either that or demanding something.

The warmth of the hall was bliss as we walked in, greetings followed shortly after from the other members. Grace sat on Farkas's lap waving at us. "Vilkas go get a shirt first before you sit down." Grace demanded.

Vilkas let out a growl but went downstairs to retrieve a shirt. I sat down next to Grace and Farkas while I waited for Vilkas to return. Everyone was at the table, telling drunken stories or digging into food. Guilt wavered in my stomach, knowing that I would be missing this while I was gone.

"So did anything happen while you two were out?" Grace asked, looking behind me.

"Nothing out of the usual, why?" I said, confusion riddling my voice.

A scowl lifted onto Grace's lips as movement shifted behind me. "Oh leave her be, Grace," Vilkas sighed.

Something wasn't adding up between those two. They were up to something and I didn't like it. I would have to find out later. I sat back in my chair taking in the surroundings before tomorrow.

Tomorrow I would catch a damned dragon.