A full moon was out as Vilkas had led the way to Silent Moons Camp. About a half mile away from Greenspring Hollow. Vilkas was able to dispatch one bandit with a surprise attack. Thanks to Vanis blatantly yelling, their cover was blown. Now they were hiding from a barrage of arrows and a lightning shooting, dark elf. Hiding behind a circular hut, Vilkas was crouched, pondering the next move. Vanis poked his head out and was almost struck by a bolt of lightning.

"Man, those mages are no joke, eh."

"Listen you goof, quit playing around. Take this bow and cover me." Vanis took the bow and mockingly repeated Vilkas under his breath.

"I heard that." Said Vilkas, charging into battle. He blocked a couple arrows with his shield and clashed with a female bandit, wielding dual steel axes. She beat on his shield like a drum, but Vilkas' pure strength kept him standing.

Another bandit rushed in, getting hit in the chest with an arrow, courtesy of Vanis. The dark elf, shot his lightning at Vanis who went back into cover. Atop the long set of stairs, Bisco observed the battle, backed by two more bandits.

"Looks at this now. They must be here for the love birds."

The hideout door exploded and Farkas crawled out. Howling to the shock of everyone. Time stood still for a second, giving Vilkas the opportunity to decapitate his distracted opponent. Bisco drew a two handed battle axe.

"The hunt is on. Men, time to prove your worth."

"Huh." Was the only word one of his lackeys managed to utter before Bisco pushed him down into the arms of a hungry animal. Bisco dashed down the steps, running past the dark elf, who was pumping all he had into Farkas. Vanis shot his last few arrows at Bisco, who easily blocked them. Vanis readied his mace for the coming chief.

"Alright tough guy? If I'm gonna die here, so are you." Declared Vanis.

"If that's what you wish, you're going first."

Two more bandits spilled out from the forge at the top of the camp. Farkas was still taking lighting shots, dropping him to his knees. Vilkas tried to get to the dark elf but was cut off by two more bandits. From atop the rock structure, Ariel positioned herself above the dark elf. Axe in hand, she got a running start and dove, plunging the blade into his back, which sent them both tumbling down the stairs. Vanis saw her fall, but couldn't take his eyes off the Chief, who was swinging with incredible speed.

Ariel's wounded shoulder had split back open. Pain was a non factor as the adrenaline kept her going. Farkas recovered the best he could. Still shook from the lightning, he ran to Vilkas. Ariel grabbed the axe with her good arm and ran over to help Vanis. The Chief elbowed Vanis in the face, knocking him down. The Chief raised his axe for the killing blow. With all of her remaining strength, Ariel struck the back of his armored head. He stumbled, but didn't leave his feet.

"I've had ENOUGH you wench!"

A boot to the chest, sent her falling. He raised his axe once more. Vanis clutched his mace and leapt in for another attack. The Chief expected this. Ducking, spinning around and planting his axe into the back of Vanis. Vanis went still, dropping to his knees. He stared into Ariel's soul, smiling at her one last time before dropping.

Ariel saw red. Nothing else mattered. She sprinted as Bisco went for his axe. He threw a right hook. Ariel ducked, jumping onto his body. Legs wrapped around Bisco, she let off a fury of punches to his exposed face. Bisco gripped her waist with a bear hug. Ariel screamed. This time with anger. Blacking out the pain, she dug both thumbs into his eye sockets. Yelling to the heavens, Bisco used every bit of power to yank Ariel off.

Bisco frantically wiped blood away. With clear sight, the first thing he saw was an angry werewolf. Bisco grabbed his axe. Farkas smacked it away and planted Bisco onto the ground using his large paw. Bisco's line of sight was Farkas and the night sky. Ariel stepped in, wielding his axe.

"I've got no regrets sugar. I'll see you in the afterlife."

Ariel beheaded Bisco, ending the fight. Farkas collapsed, reverting back to his human form. Vilkas threw his weapons down to assist his kin. Ariel strutted a few feet away, kneeling to hold Vanis in her arms. Despite what happened, he was still smiling. Ariel began giggling.

"Come on Vanis, stop messing around. We need to get back home. Afiya is waiting on us. "

Vilkas mumbled. "Vigilant, he's-"

"Vanis is FINE! Tell him Vanis. Remember when we got lost and I had to read the map? Remember that? The gift you got me was so nice. You need to wake up so we can celebrate. Come on Vanis. Va-Van-Vaaaaaaniiiiiisss." She sobbed a waterfall of tears. Losing all emotional control. Not even being able to cry, through the heavy breaths and coughing. Farkas finally came to. Groaning like an undead monster.

"Are you alright Farkas?"

"Ugh, I'll be fine brother. What happened? Where's Ariel?"

"The male Vigilant is gone. The female, isn't taking it too well." Farkas stared at Ariel breaking down. Listening to her cry, he couldn't help but feel as if this was his fault.

"Farkas, we need to silence her. She knows the truth."

"I know, but she's innocent."

Vilkas slung Farkas' arm around his shoulder and walked towards Ariel.

"Ariel. I'm sorry." Hearing his voice, Ariel stopped crying. "Ariel, please say something."

She stroked Vanis' head while staring at the moon. "I am a Vigilant of Stendarr. Sworn to destroy Deadra and anyone who associates with them. You saved my life, so I owe you that. Farkas, if ever I see you, or Vilkas again. I will kill, the both of you."

Farkas had no response. His heart, ripped into a thousand pieces. He gave Vilkas the word to go back home.

"Brother, how can you be sure she won't come back for us with reinforcements?"

Farkas took one last look behind him. "Because she's one of the good ones." Vilkas begrudgingly nodded and they continued on.

Ariel sent out a letter to the Vigilants that night. They arrived the next day by wagon to collect Ariel and Vanis, returning them to the Vigilants Hall for a proper funeral. Ariel was finally able to part with Tyrus' sword, burying it with Vanis.

Ariel reported a modified version of what happened. Stating she was kidnapped with a traveling vendor by the name of Hemriz, who turned out to be a werewolf. Farkas and Vilkas were never mentioned. With her partner buried, Ariel sat outside for the remainder of the day. The cold wind stinging her face. Staring over the mountains, wishing she had a chance to apologize. Larina joined her friend, who hadn't said a word all day.

"You've been sitting for a long time. Aren't you freezing?"

"Yeah."

"How are you holding up?"

She clutched her new journal close, the cover now stained with the blood of Vanis. "By a thin string." Larina placed Ariel's head on her shoulder and the two sat in silence, remembering their fallen comrade.

A month passed. Ariel, now an Apprentice Vigilant, was outside chopping firewood. She had cut her hair to shoulder length, as it became a nuisance. Afiya summoned her from the Hall's doorway.

"Ariel, can you come in for a second?"

Ariel threw down the axe. "What's going on?"

"There's a rich looking man here. He asked for you by name."

An odd visitor for Ariel of people. Ariel stepped inside and Afiya pointed to a short, older gentleman dressed in fine clothing. Two Imperial bodyguards flanking him.

"Greetings, I am Claudius Axus."

They shook hands. "Ariel Ginter, Vigilant of Stendarr."

"Hoho, I know who you are young lady. Do you have a moment to talk?"

Ariel looked at Afiya, who gave her approval. Ariel led Claudius to an empty table. Claudius shooed his guards away.

"Okay. How can I help you?"

"I'm one of Skyrim's most famous authors. Known for having over 100 books published across Skyrim, Hammerfell and Morrowind. I had gotten word that a young woman by the name of Ariel was working on a book that went into great detail about every animal from the east to the west of Skyrim."

"Who told you that?"

"I'm not sure. A young man told me about a week ago. Never gave his name but said you were the woman to talk to. He assured me that this would be the deal of a lifetime."

Ariel paused for a moment, trying to put everything together in her head.

"Don't tell me I came all this way for nothing."

"No, no." She pulled her new journal from her robe, now filled with all of the old journal's information. She handed it over. Watching as Claudius flipped through the pages. His smile growing with each turn. "The man who told you about me, what did he look like?"

"Hmm. Tall. Black hair. Talked very slow. I imagine he's not all there in the head."

"White pupils?"

"Yes, that's him. Very creepy. Anyway, I am very intrigued on what you have logged here."

"I'm sorry to say the book is not for sale."

"Oh no, you misunderstand. I want to help you finish it."

"Really?"

"Yes. A project of this magnitude only comes around once in a lifetime. Only you can see this through, considering you've spent your entire life writing it. I am willing to spend any amount of gold on men, resources and travel to help you finish this book. With a publishing credit for me of course."

"A-are you serious?"

"Yes child. Upon completion, your name will be cemented in the history books. Historians, hunters and casual readers alike will know the name, Ariel Ginter. So, what do you say?"

"Yes. Absolutely!"

"Splendid. Splendid." He snapped his fingers and one of the guards handed over a scroll and a small pouch.

"Here is an official invite to my home in Solitude. Be there next week, same day as today. Don't be late and take this. Consider it a taste of what's to come in your future. I must be going now. See you soon."

Ariel opened the sack and a huge bundle of gold spilled out. All of the other Vigilants crowded around in awe. Afiya stepped in, disbanding the mob.

"Alright. Everyone back to what you were doing. Hmm. That's quite a bit of wealth."

Ariel tied the sack up and tossed it Afiya. "You keep it. Spread it around to the Vigilants, they could use it."

"You sure?"

She smirked. "It was never about the money Afiya, you know that."

Afiya smiled back and went to find Keeper Carcette. Ariel leaned on the table, trying to contain her excitement.

"We did it Tyrus. Mom, dad. Vanis. Thank you all." She sighed. "Farkas."

Just like the book in her hand, this next chapter in her life was ready to be written. Ariel grabbed her journal and went to celebrate a new job.