This is a shocker. Two chapters in one day. I really need to stop procrastinating with my study XD

Anyway, enjoy this chapter and hopefully the next one should be up soon!

Chapter 28

Vilkas:

I couldn't believe this woman sometimes. One minute she would be scowling at someone for doing something reckless, the next she would doing something reckless. I guess somethings never change since she first walked into the hall.

Even in the balcony of Dragons Reach, a cool wind surrounded us all as we strode into the trap. I looked down at Hana next to me. I couldn't believe that it had almost been a year since she first came to Jorrvaskrr. A year of seeing how much one can change.

The moment she walked into that hall compared to now, so many things have changed about the woman. I had given up calling her a girl because she was nowhere near what she had been like at first. Now, Hana had a bit more sense but was still as reckless none the less.

"Okay, who's ready to catch a dragon?" Hana chirped, clasping her hands together.

"You better know what you are doing, Dragonborn," The Jarl warned, holding the hilt of his sword.

I knew just as much as what she did that Hana had no idea what she was doing but it wouldn't stop her. "Just be on your guard," was all she replied back.

Hana faced the rest of us as the Jarl walked off. The scar on her cheek had softened to a light pink, barely noticeable in the light. "I hope you all know what you are doing cause I don't," Hana frowned.

"You'll be fine," I stated, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Grace stepped forward holding onto the back of M'Keenz's robes. "M'Keenz and I will stay out of the up on the higher levels while the three of you deal with dragon."

M'Keenz struggled against Grace's grip, whining. "Why can't I help? I'm more helpful than you think."

I shook my head at the half-breed. "You will be the one we end up scraping off the floor of this balcony if you even get close to dragon," I commented. I wasn't sure if I liked M'Keenz, though I guess she acts the way Hana did when she was a whelp, just worse.

"He isn't wrong," Hana winced.

"Fine," M'Keenz huffed, storming off towards the stairs followed by Grace.

A look of worry washed over Hana's face as we walked towards the large opening, the trap hanging by heavy chains above us. It wasn't hard to tell that the woman was worrying about what would happen after this. Having to go to Sovngard was not on somebodies list at her age.

When she told me that she may be gone for weeks when she goes through the portal, I didn't want to believe it. She would be leaving us all again and I wasn't sure if I could handle it well. She had already done it before on many occasions but the most recent was the one that hurt the most. When she threw the pendant down on the ground that night, I had snapped out of anger and realised the mistake I had made. I didn't want to lose her again.

"We'll be right behind you," I said to Hana, holding her hand in mine giving her a reassuring squeeze.

"I know," She breath, walking at a faster pace towards the lip of the balcony.

My brother and I stood back, readying ourselves. I turned to my brother as I unsheathed my great sword. "You alright, Vilkas?" He asked.

"I don't know myself," I mumbled. It was true, something bad could in an instant when messing with these beasts.

"I hope that trap works," Farkas sighed, looking back at the huge contraption.

I stifled a laugh, watching Hana grip her axe and shield in her hands. She knew what she doing, she just didn't believe in herself. I wouldn't be surprised if she was still stressing about the whole Dragonborn business.

"Odahviing!" Hana shouted into the open space, the words rippling through the air like thunder. It always amazed me how someone that could so quiet could use a shout almost mimicking thunder.

I gripped my sword as a defined screech sounded in the mountains. A lone guard stood in the centre of the balcony just behind Hana. It was a miracle that any of these fools were here. They were a poor excuse of a guard in this city, always slacking off and letting fools into the city.

Another roar echoed through the sky, a ruby red beast soaring not far from us. "Shouldn't that guard move?" Farkas growled.

I followed the dragon down as it swooped towards us. "Move you oaf!" Hana yelled at the fool of a guard. We all ducked as the dragon dived down on us, followed by screaming of the guard, his body falling weightlessly to the ground.

"Apparently not," I answered my brothers question, slowly backing away from the open space.

Hana ran back to Farkas and I, her eyes still focused on the sky as the dragon circled back around. "When this thing lands on the balcony, keep to the edges so you don't get burnt," She stated, raising her weapons.

I frowned at her. "And what will you be doing?"

A small smile appeared on her lips. "Acting as bait." With that, she rushed back to the lip of the balcony, her gaze following the dragon as it flew over. The beast would be beautiful to look at if it wasn't trying to kill us all.

I didn't understand how Hana would manage to get the dragon onto the balcony without it trying to snap at our heads. The guard around us fired arrows at the beast in attempts to weaken it's defence but did little against the hardy scales.

"Odahviing! Hey! Down here!" Hana yelled, waving her arms at the dragon.

What was she thinking? "She's going to get herself killed!" Farkas shouted. I frantically looked back to Hana and the dragon. She had managed to get it's attention but orange light bubbled in it's throat.

I was about to run to Hana and push her out of the way but thunderous words erupted from her. "Joor Zah Frul!"

Odahviing screeched in pain as blue light bounded him, sending him crashing towards the balcony. We all scrambled back as the beast landed, a deathly roar of rage echoing down the hall. I quickly locked eyes with Hana, who nodded and started to walk backwards, escaping the jaws of the dragon.

I wondered how calm Hana was being face to face with one of the bastards that nearly killed her. It was ironic that we had to catch one of these things for her to kill one.

Flames spewed out from it's mouth, the fire feeling a lot hotter than that from a wood fire. I ducked behind a pillar, pulling Hana in with me. "Watch it, woman," I growled as the fire flittered out from beside us.

"I'm doing more work than you," She hissed, running back in front of the dragon. I shrunk back towards the door as the dragon charged for Hana. "NOW!" She yelled.

The large chains let loose of the trap, falling hard on the neck of the dragon. It thrashed at the bindings it now possessed, trying to break free. I sheathed my weapon and walked over to Hana, giving the dragon a wide distance.

"I told you I knew what I was doing," She said smugly, placing her axe on her hip and shield on her back.

"I'm sure you did," Grace scoffed from on the higher levels, "considering you almost got burnt."

"Can I come down now?" M'Keenz shouted from behind Grace.

"No," Hana shouted back and looked back down towards me. "You should probably join them up there. I don't want anyone else in the road of this thing."

I slowly nodded, grabbing her hand and gave it a squeeze, "Don't say anything stupid," I sighed, letting her hand go.

"You don't know me very well then," She smirked and walked towards the dragon.

The sound of heavy armour clunked along side me. Farkas was beaming, a large smile on his face. "What are you smiling about?" I scowled.

"It's not everyday you catch a dragon," he answered back.

When we reached the others on the higher level, Hana was already talking to the dragon. I leant on the pillar closest to the edge to try to listen to what they were saying but I couldn't. I couldn't understand the language they were speaking. Whether Hana was doing it subconsciously or not, they seemed to be deep in conversation.

I smiled softly down at her. How did I even manage to have someone like her?

"And I was betting that you would get stomped on," Grace sassed next to me, a smirk on her lips.

I rolled my eyes at the midget. "Sorry to disappoint you," I replied.

Grace stayed quiet for a few moments, until she just had to open her mouth. "So when are going to ask her?" Grace hushed.

The weight of my armour seemed to sink in. "I don't know." I hated having to lie to Hana last night about what Grace and I had spoke about when she ran off. I was surprised that she didn't pick up me following the two friends that night. I heard everything, how she thought that she didn't have much to come back to, Grace's little mishap with Farkas. I snarled at the thought of it, a child between those two. It would be hell but if my brother was happy then I would have to deal with it.

That's when I stayed back with Grace, telling her I heard everything. I couldn't believe that Hana has said she didn't have much to come to and that dying would probably solve all her issues. I guess this gift of hers was really turning into a curse for her. That's when Grace brought up the idea that I have been replaying over and over in my mind for months.

Asking Hana to marry me.

"Well she wouldn't say no," Grace shrugged.

"I know that, I just don't want to put anymore pressure on her than what's needed," I sighed, resting my head on the pillar. "I hope that this child of yours seels it between you and Farkas."

"So you're fine with it then?" The Breton asked.

"Not overly," I growled, but looked over to Farkas. "If it makes him happy then I suppose."

A smirk rested of Grace's lips as she face down towards Hana. I frowned down at my woman, she looked like she was about to rip off the head of the dragon. Obviously it wasn't telling her what she needed to know. The strange tongue that she was speaking finally halted as Hana walked away from the dragon. As she made it up the stairs, fear had washed over her features.

"What's wrong, Hana?" Grace asked before I could.

Hana slammed her foot on the ground, the floorboards creaking under her. "Look's like it's a lot easier than I thought to get to the portal," She growled.

"Then how do you get there?" Farkas spoke.

Hana looked back at the dragon then up towards me. I knew the look in her eyes, something dangerous and risky. "I need wings to get there. So," she breathed, clenching her fists, "Odahviing will fly me there."

"No way, you're going to have to find another way there," I retaliated.

Hana shot me a glare, "I asked him if there was but there wasn't. We are leaving while there is light left."

"Just as well you packed your bag then," M'Keenz added, earning glares from all of us.

I turned back to Hana, pulling her in for a hug. "I'm coming with you," I said. It wasn't a suggestion, I was demanding that I did.

She pushed my arms away but gripped my hands, hers so small compared to mine. "I can't let you risk your life for me."

"I've done it before," I shrugged, "I will just be there to make sure you get to the portal in one piece."

She paused, thinking over my words. As stubborn as she was sometimes, she knew that it was the right choice. "Fine, but I will have to ask Odahviing first."

"Can I come with?" M'Keenz shrieked, "I haven't been on a dragon before."

"Neither have I skeever brain," Hana hissed. " I doubt it but I can always ask. We'd better head back down."

I nodded, following Hana down the stairs towards the dragon. Though it was constrained, I still felt uneasy around it. If M'Keenz could come with us, it was no doubt that she would try to jump in with Hana.

Hana strode up to the dragon and crossed her arms, speaking ancient tongue. They seemed to come to an agreement of sorts as Hana turned back around with a small smile on her face. It was odd for her to be smiling in such a situation.

"Odahviing says that you can come with, except," Hana paused, looking like she would burst into laughter, "M'Keenz, you won't be on Odahviings neck like Vilkas and me."

"Then where? Will I be holding onto his tail?" M'Keenz asked, raising her eyebrows.

Hana just smirked and walked off towards the guard in charge of releasing the trap. Whatever it was that she had agreed on with the dragon, it couldn't be good. I didn't let the fear of dropping to my death try to overtake my thoughts as I waited for Hana to come back.

The racket of chains groaning sounded around us, causing everyone to step back. The restraints were no longer on the beast. With a glare, the dragon turned away from us and headed towards the balcony. I was expecting it to fly away, leaving us, but it never did.

I looked over at Hana, who was strapping on her bag. I frowned as she came back over, the sadness in her eyes couldn't be hidden even if she tried.

"Well, I guess this is it," She said shakily.

Grace strode up Hana, wrapping her arms around Hana. I scowled slightly, that was my job. "You better come back. I don't think I will be able to put up with Vilkas being without you," Grace said as innocently as she could.

"Hey!" I growled at her.

"I wish you luck," Hana laughed, letting go of her friend and walked up to my brother and giving him a small hug. "Make sure Grace doesn't get into any more trouble." Hana winked at Farkas and walked over to M'Keenz and I.

I wrapped an arm around her as we walked towards the dragon. "Are you sure you want to leave right now?"

I could tell that she didn't want to. Heck, I don't think anyone would want to. "No. Let's just get this over and done with." She said with a huff. "Now, M'Keenz , I need you to stand where that guard was earlier when we leave."

The brightness in M'Keenz eyes froze over. Now I knew exactly what was going to happen. "Divines save us," I prayed as Hana spoke to the dragon.

Hana moved away from the head of the dragon and towards its neck. With a small jump, she sat on it's neck, the red of Odahviing's scales reflecting off her dark armour. "You're turn, Vilkas."

"I know I'm going to regret coming with you," I sighed, following suit. It took a few moments to be comfortable but it was hard with the scales poking me. "This better not take long."

"You wanted to come with, so stop your complaining," Hana sassed. She gripped the horns of dragon. "Okay let's do this."

I wrapped my arms around Hana for safety as Odahviing spread out his large wings, the membrane dusted with different shades of red and pinks. As soon as we had been on the ground, we were launched into the air, the wind playing with my hair.

I looked back to see M'Keenz praying where the guard had once been earlier. I cursed under my breath as the dragon swooped down, followed my M'Keenz screaming as she was held in the feet of the dragon. I prayed one of us wouldn't fall.

Hana:

I wasn't sure if I had just died from trying to capture Odahviing or was actually soaring across the land of Skyrim on his back.

I still couldn't believe that Odahviing had accepted letting Vilkas and M'Keenz come with me, though I think he was enjoying M'Keenz's screaming every now and again when we changed directions. If we didn't fall to our death from being up this high, the cold would have. We had already passed over Riften, and we had only been flying for less than an hour.

"Please tell me we aren't that far away," Vilkas growled in my ear. I couldn't help but laugh at the man. For someone that claimed to kill one of everything in Skyrim, he was scared of heights.

"What? You scared of heights?" I teased.

"More falling to my death."

A small laugh escaped me but I didn't blame him. Being this high up was daunting, any sudden shifts and we could be plummeting to our deaths. The mountain range that bordered Skyrim came closer, the frosted peaks glistening in what was left of the afternoon sun. The pointed peaks moved below us then cleared away into lush greenery. We were here.

"This is as far as I can take you," Odahviing spoke, "You will have to go it on your own from here. I will be waiting for your friends once I see the portal has been closed."

The thumping of my heart made it's way into my throat as Odahviing dropped M'Keenz off first, her screams fused with swearing at my new friend. With a not so elegant landing, Odahviing dropped us onto a stone platform erupting from the ground. Moss and plant growth covered the platform but faded away closer to the temple.

Vilkas and I removed ourselves from Odahviing's neck, stumbling slightly. "Good luck Dragonborn," Odahviing spoke, flying off leaving the three of us.

"What did he say?" M'Keenz asked while trying to fix her hair.

I titled my head to the side. "Couldn't you understand what he said?"

"Nay, you too have been speaking in ancient tongue. Didn't you know?" Vilkas stated, drawing his sword from his back.

"No, explains why all of you were looking at me funny," I shrugged, raising my shield and grabbing for my axe. Just as well I did. A single rotting arrow bounced off my shield landing beside me. I whipped head around, greeted by draugr shooting arrows at us from ledges.

"What the hell are those things?" M'Keenz shrieked, fire already burning in her hand.

"Draugr, nasty bastards," I hissed, rushing forwards towards them. Even being dead for a few hundred years, one would think that draugr would try to practice their aim with their bows. As the draugr fell at my feet, fire erupted on the other pillar. In seconds the cursed creature crumbled to pile of ash, followed by M'Keenz's cheering.

More draugr filled in from stairs leading up into the temple. An all too familiar screech filled the air. Draugr and a dragon, just great. "Hana!" Vilkas yelled.

"I'm aware of it," I growled back, "You two go after the draugr, I'll get the dragon!"

"Are you already trying to get yourself killed?" Vilkas scolded at me while slicing a draugr in two.

"I will tell you when I know," I chimed back, dodging an icy blast from the dragon above. The golden scaled beast landed just ahead of me. It wouldn't be like a temple without a dragon or two. I bashed the side of the dragons head, stopping it from blowing out another icy blast. With a single throw, I wedged my axe in the joint of it's wings, rendering it flightless. It waled in pain, thrashing it's tail towards me. With a simple dodge, I picked up my fallen axe and slid under the belly of the beast.

With a single slash across it's neck, the dragon fell limply to the ground. Within seconds, the familiar white and purple wisps of light surrounded me as I walked up to the others. M'Keenz stood there clapping, a large smile on her face, while Vilkas stood there smirking. "Who knew you'd become so good at taking those beasts down," Vilkas smirked as we walked up the stairs towards the crumbling ruins.

"Well I have to be. I wouldn't be Dragonborn if I couldn't take on one dragon now," I laughed slightly. I had become so much confident when defeating those things since Alduin's little attack. "Now let's find this portal."

After an hour of killing more draugr than I've ever seen and another dragon, cold winds whipped at any bare skin as we ascended a final flight of stairs. Time seemed to slow, as we got closer. I would never have thought that I would be this close to end. I did not want to believe it. Since the moment at the watchtower a year ago, everything had changed. I never would have thought I would get this far without dying.

"Having fun, M'Keenz?" I asked as we ascended the steps to the portal, the snow crunching beneath our feet.

"If it means I set stuff on fire then yes," M'Keenz chimed, her hands still blazing. I laughed at my friend but was cut short when we reached the top. Gold, white and purple light beamed up into the snow filled sky. A lone figure floated at a raised edge of the portal. Dead particles and fabric floated around it. It gripped what looked like a golden staff, the head shaped like a dragon.

From the times of old, it had to be one of these spirit. A dragon priest. "Bet you haven't killed one of these, Vilkas," I sassed, readying my weapon.

"You don't say," Vilkas mumbled. Blue sparks were targeted towards us. I didn't have time to duck so I raised my shield, the shock of the energy spread through my shield and to my hands. When the sparks finished, I rolled my shoulders back and charge the priest. Flames shot straight by me, hitting the priest in the side, his iron mask mimicking the flames from M'Keenz. Vilkas and I charged towards the priest while it was battling M'Keenz's magic. Vilkas swung his broad sword into the side of the priest, knocking it out of the air and onto the ground, allowing my axe to cut off it's skull from it's neck.

I breathed heavily as I sheathed my axe and picked up the staff. "That went better than what I expected," I sighed in relief.

"Only because we're here," M'Keenz chimed. I rolled my eyes as I slowly walked up the stairs towards the opening of the portal.

The key to the portal was just in front of me, whispering to me to open the portal again. But I couldn't. I didn't want to. I gripped onto the staff, feeling the energy within it in my hands. I didn't want to leave everyone, but I was so close to the end of this prophecy. Vilkas's heavy armour sounded behind me. "I don't think I can do this," I said shakily, still looking down at the staff, admiring all it's detail.

A finger lifted my chin, my eyes meeting silver. "I have my whole faith in you that you can do this. Everyone in Skyrim does."

I looked back down, "Even more pressure."

A sighed escaped Vilkas but he still kept his fingers on my chin. "Hana, look at me." I slowly looked back up into Vilkas's eyes. "I know you don't want to go, heck, I would go instead of you but I can't. I know you can do this, Hana. I know that there is a chance that you may not come back," Vilkas hand shifted from my chin to the staff, our hands now holding the key. "But I know that you will come back, for all of us."

I nodded slightly as Vilkas let go of the staff, allowing me to open the portal. With a small click, the grinding of stone erupted around us like thunder, followed by the same lights as before roaring up from the portal. The force of the portal lifted the ends of hair, gently flowing in the unnatural force.

"Pretty," M'Keenz awed, fixated on the lights. I walked over to the edge of the platform, looking down into the swirling lights. I turned back to Vilkas and frowned. His arms embraced me, my own doing the same. I didn't want to let go.

"Hopefully I'll be back before you know it," I grimaced slightly, pulling away from the hug. I was about to let go of him but Vilkas pulled me against him again, pressing his lips to mine. I could have stayed like kissing him forever but he broke away.

"Hana, I have to ask you something before you go," Vilkas said in a soft voice.

I rose my eyebrows, why couldn't he have said it earlier. "Aye," I said.

Usually it was me that was unsure. "I've been meaning to ask you since the first night in the woods," He paused and held my hands in his. "Will you marry me?"

Worst. Timing. Ever.

I couldn't stop myself from being shocked by the question. My whole life with Vilkas, that was if I managed to survive this. "You couldn't have picked a better time to ask?" I frowned.

"It gives you something to come back to, as you said didn't have anything the other night," He mumbled. He did hear everything, the lying bastard. Of course Grace put him up to asking me now.

"Of course, I'll marry you, Vilkas," I smiled, "that is if I don't mess this up." He was right, now I did have something to come back, so many things now to come back home to. I pulled him in for a hug but was replaced with a loving kiss from Vilkas.

"Then don't fuck it up," M'Keenz piped up from behind us. I smiled into the kiss and broke away. It was now or never.

I stood at the edge of the portal, ready to jump in. I turned back around, gave a final smile to M'Keenz, and said to Vilkas. "I love you so much, don't stay up too late waiting for me." Vilkas was about to say something, but a blast of fire exploded just down the stairs. I barely heard the growl from the draugr as I stumbled back, an arrow flew past my head as I fell.

Time slowed down around me, M'Keenz got the draugr and Vilkas yelling after me that he loved me too. The bright light from below surrounded me as I fell into another realm.

Vilkas:

That was it.

She was gone.

"Hana!" M'Keenz screamed after her, the half-breed running up the stairs. I quickly spun around and ripped the staff out of the key hole, sending the portal to close just as M'Keenz jumped off.

M'Keenz groaned as I threw the staff aside and walked down to her. What an idiot.

Hana was now gone for the final part of the of her prophecy and I wasn't there to help her. None of us were. We wouldn't even know if she would come back to us in days, weeks or months to come.

I prayed to all the gods that I could think of, praying that Hana would come back to us.

"You're a fool, M'Keenz," I growled at her while she sat on the stone, rubbing her head.

"It was my fault she fell back," she moaned.

I shook my head and helped the girl up, followed by the shriek of an all too familiar red dragon.

It was up to Hana now. She would come back. She had to.