"And why in the name of Akatosh did you tell him?"

He understands the concept of the wolf spirit. I figured he would understand this. Plus, he's never going to stop asking. Vilkas is a hunter, and the answer was his prey. I couldn't lie to him. I don't want to lie to him anymore. I think the distance did him some good.

"Humans are changeable, yes. But how changeable?"

Elana returned her attention to the still silent Vilkas. "Did I kill you?"

He blinked rapidly, refocusing on her. "No, I- there was just some shock. There is shock. You mean to tell me that there's a dragon soul in your head? And you're still sane?"

"Of course. He's actually been a boon. The other dragons I've killed are not so benevolent. But Mirmulnir has helped me to drive them from my mind. I'm growing stronger, but still could not defeat one on my own."

"Talos looked after you then."

"Most definitely."

The silence stretched onwards, until Vilkas straightened sharply. "Well, we both need sleep and the Jarl has been generous. Get some rest, Elana. I'll see you tomorrow, and by Ysgramor and the five hundred we'll get you an Elder Scroll." He vanished around the corner.

As Elana curled up to sleep, a strange warmth wrapped around her, and she fell asleep with a smile on her face.

The detour to eliminate the bandits took only a few hours out of the trip, but it was long enough that Vilkas could talk Elana into spending another night in Morthal. She settled down onto the bed, just as Vilkas slipped into her door. He grabbed a chair and sat himself right in front of her.

"Alright. Tell me about this dragon. He teaches you dragon language. What else does he do?"

Elana shrugged. "He's my mentor. He teaches me the dragon tongue, slowly. I pick up dragon customs from him, too. He's also developed the habit of yelling at me during battle, telling me what to do and such. He's saved my life multiple times. Occasionally, he and the wolf will work together, which makes my mental state much more tolerable."

Vilkas huffed. "Would you teach me?"

"What?"

"Teach me some things about dragons? Like what do the shouts mean? What are some customs of dragons? I mean, if he'll be on your side, even after death, then surely dragons alive right now could potentially be your allies. Alduin might have a dragon army, that doesn't mean you can't have one, too."

"I like this Nord."

Elana laughed aloud. "Mirmulnir approves of your plan. We'll see if it's possible."

He nodded. "I have no doubt it could be. But the language? If you end up randomly speaking dragon at some point, I want to understand what you're saying. I've heard battle rage can bring out strange tongues."

She paused. "The first Shout I learned was the one in that dungeon with the draugr, where you saved me from sliced knees."

"I remember that. That was a terrifying moment, watching you just ignore a draugr storming towards you."

"It knocks people over, like shoving them back with incredible force. Therefore, the Greybeards call it 'Unrelenting Force.' The three words mean 'Force,' 'Balance,' and 'Push.' Without trying to put power into the words, they sound like 'fus,' 'ro,' and 'dah.'"

Vilkas tried to pronounce them, but his tongue tripped over the foreign sounds.

"It's not for everyone, I suppose."

"Still, teach me what the words mean. I can at least then understand you, and the dragons, if not communicate."

"Resilient lad. Keep him."

Elana leaned back. I'm trying to think. "I taught you how to say 'slayer of fools.' From what I have picked up from Mirmulnir, when the dragons combine words they place the one with the most importance to the meaning at the front. 'Mey-Kriid,' in context could be read as 'foolish slayer,' for example."

"Interesting grammar."

"The dragons say the same of the Common Tongue."

Vilkas barked a laugh. "Fair enough. You have other Shouts?"

Elana blinked a little bit. "The only other ones I know completely are 'Clear Skies' and 'Fire Breath.' The first does exactly what it says. 'Lok,' means 'sky;' 'Vah' means 'spring;' And 'koor' means 'summer.' To breath fire like a dragon, I simply Shout 'yol toor shul,' which means 'fire inferno sun.'"

"Why isn't 'shul' a part of 'Clear Skies?'"

"I'm not the dragon that created the Shouts, so don't ask me."

"No one remembers anymore the dragon that unlocked the deep meanings and learned to Shout, to call forth the essences. No doubt if the dovah were a little more like man, we would remember. But it is not our way."

We cannot blame you. That dragon must fly with Auri-El.

Mirmulnir hummed in pleasure as Elana returned her attention to Vilkas. "If you don't mind, I'm going to sleep. Like you wanted me to do."

"Fine. Do the smart thing." With one last grin, he left her alone to sleep.