DeiNMaaR DO DOVAahGOLZ

FUS

ahRK aaN FUS DO UNSLaaD

FORCE

RahGOL ahRK VULOM

There was nothing but this comprehension and incomprehension of FORCE as if it was this idea she could only hold like one holds air you know it like you know the FORCE of the wind but cannot hold it or like how the FUS of a wave will knock you over but you can't keep a wave just like you can't keep FUS in a bottle or –

"Elana!"

Who would FORCE their way into her thoughts when she was all alone because that is very rude to interrupt someone when they are all alone thinking on-

"Elana!"

He's in pain. I can't ignore him. He's in pain. I have to help him. I'll come back to my cabin after I make sure he's safe.

Vilkas was one more block from just letting his arms fall off his body when Elana's sword came slicing down through the draugr's arm.

"About time," he gasped, driving his blade into the creature's gut while she carved up the limbs.

"I'm sorry," she began when the draugr was dead and everything visible looted. "That Word, it literally called to me. I could hear ancient singing and then suddenly I was at peace in a quiet cabin, far away from everything where I could just think on things."

Vilkas sipped a handmade stamina potion he pulled from one of her packs. "Some scratches on a wall gave you hallucinations?"

"No, no, it was more than that. There's this Word in my head. I can't explain it but I know it's there. Trust me."

"Oh, I do. Nobody ignores a charging draugr overlord for nothing."

"Overlord?"

Vilkas gestured Elana towards the back exit. "Ask Farkas when we get back to Jorrvaskr. It's his idea. He has different terms for each of the draugr types he's seen. Wait until you meet a Deathlord."

"Are you always this chatty when exhausted?"

"It's your stamina potion talking. What's in this?"

Elana slipped an arm under his shoulders. "Chamomile and lavender. Let's get you back to Gerdur's house."

"Then back to Jorrvaskr?" He was almost falling asleep as he walked. It was all Elana could do to not fall over for supporting a warrior larger than her. Thankfully, they were now outside and she could breathe easier with the fresh air.

"Yes. And we can get utterly wasted with your brother and the rest of the Companions because we will never go adventuring like this again."

"Don't lie, Elana," he said with a yawn. "You want that quiet cabin. But you also want this."

She had half a mind to leave him there on the side of the mountain to sleep. Stamina potions could replenish lost energy, but that didn't mean it had to make you feel awake, especially when you added chamomile for those nights after training when one is too tired to sleep. She, unlike Vilkas, had read the label.

"What would I do then?"

"Exist in a whirl of angst until a fellow adventurer manages to pin you down for more than five minutes and then you live in mutual angst until one of you gives up the swording long enough for kids to grow. It worked for Aela's mother."

"And where is she now?"

Vilkas yawned again. "She went and wiped out the outpost of the Silver Hand that had taken Aela's father. Died in the process of course. Anything less than a poetic warrior's death would not have sufficed."

"Why do I get the feeling Aela should have told me this?" Vilkas shrugged and almost fell down even with Elana's support. "I can see the house, Vilkas, so don't you dare fall asleep or so help me I will leave you on the ground."

"And let a sabre cat get me?"

"Yes."

"Harsh words for the shield-brother who saved your life twice today and slaughtered the Riften Thieves Guild to avenge your honor."

"That was a dream, sir."

"Was it? Damn."

And with that, Vilkas fell over and fell asleep. True to her word, Elana left him there by the side of the road to sleep.

She did, however, once she had fetched all their things and said her good-byes to Gerdur and Ralof, keep watch over him.

Vilkas woke up at what was probably mid-afternoon. He didn't say a word when he noticed Elana sitting a few paces off, greatsword drawn and sitting naked across her knees.

They both stood, arranged their packs, and set off again for Whiterun without a word.

Words weren't needed.

It was walking through Whiterun that Elana first noticed the shift inside her head. She suddenly noticed the difference in colors worn by those for the rebellion and those against. The words of Ralof had sunk deep, as had Gerdur's fear of a never-coming peace. The Grey-Manes and Battle-Borns visibly skirted each other, causing Elana to turn to Vilkas and ask "What side of the war do the Companions support?"

"Whiterun is neutral and so are we."

"But surely-"

"Elana, we don't like the Imperials but we don't care for Ulfric either. We'll defend Jorrvaskr and Whiterun from any attacker, but we owe no one our allegiance."

Elana said nothing as they passed the loud priest of Talos and walked up the steps to the mead hall.

As Vilkas placed one strong hand on the doors, Elana murmured, "You all want the quiet cabin life, too."

He didn't follow her back out of Jorrvaskr and up to Dragonreach after they dropped the loot to be divided later.

He didn't follow her as she handed off the Dragonstone to Farengar and was sassed by a strange woman who hid her face.

He didn't follow her as Irileth ran in with news of a dragon attack.

He didn't follow her out of the city and to the watchtower.

Vilkas certainly didn't follow Elana as she plunged into battle with a dragon for the first of many times.