The descent down the steps to the Cloud District felt longer than it ever had before. Uhther did not like leaving Balgruuf's mind in the hands of Sheogorath, especially as that meant leaving all of Whiterun in his hands, but it could not be helped. He had fought dragons, vampires, the undead and the First Dragonborn and emerged victorious. But how, exactly, was he to defeat a god? Especially a mad god?

Uhther shook his head, as if shooing the thought away. No time to dwell on that now, he had enough on his mind. As he moved his head, his glance fell upon the roof of Jorrvaskr and the Skyforge where he thought he could see Eorlund working away. He shuddered and turned his mind away from that, back to what was truly important.

Though he had known that Quaranir and Safiya had been telling the truth about the Towers, it had only truly become real now that he had heard the account of the Hero of Kvatch himself, a Daedric Prince confirming the Psijic's story and telling him he had to protect the Tower or all reality would crumble.

Before, that had just been another reason to fight the Thalmor. Now it had become "The" reason to fight them. Uhther turned to Quaranir.

'Thank you for bringing me here,' he said, and truly meant it. Quaranir inclined his head.

'Now you see,' he said, simply.

Gregor simply sniffed and followed on behind them. Uhther was quite sure that the terse housecarl had no idea what had gone on in the Jarl's chamber, but knew that the man's loyalty could still be depended on.

They finally reached the bottom of the steps and began walking through the Wind District. They passed beneath the shade of the Gildergreen and Uhther looked up and smiled, remembering the grove of the Eldergleam. He had never returned there, despite Danica's assurances that Kyne had blessed him for what he had done.

They were about to descend the steps to the Plains District, down to the marketplace, when Uhther stopped. Quaranir - who had been walking alongside him, ignoring the curious stares of passers-by - did not notice at first and kept on going down the steps. Gregor, who had been walking behind at the same pace as Uhther, stopped at almost the same moment Uhther had.

Quaranir, noticing that he was suddenly by himself, stopped and looked up.

'Dragonborn?'

Uhther barely heard him. He did not want to go back. Yet, he knew that he had to. The unfinished business hovered over him like a dark cloud.

'Lord Thane?' Gregor cut in. His usually stoic eyes looked worried.

They would probably be useful, Uhther reasoned with himself, if I am going to a great battle, can I afford to not have them alongside me?

'Lord Uhther?'

Quaranir's raised voice snapped Uhther out of his reverie. The Psijic was almost nose to nose with him, his yellow eyes peering into his own, a look of concern on his face.

'There's something I have to do,' Uhther said, 'wait for me at the Bannered Mare.'

Quaranir looked taken aback.

'Dragonborn, this wasn't supposed to be a long trip. Remember your followers are still outside Solitude and Queen Elisif will be expecting you.'

'This is important,' Uhther insisted, though privately shuddering at the thought of Elisif's haughty face as she waited for him to appear. That woman could make an ice wraith shiver.

Quaranir appeared to be on the verge of disagreeing but then seemed to change his mind.

'Very well,' he said, turning on his heel, 'don't be too long.'

'I won't,' Uhther promised. He certainly hoped he wouldn't be. 'You go with him, Gregor.' Best if I go alone on this one.

Gregor gave a curt nod and followed the sorcerer down the steps. Uhther watched them both disappear through the door of the tavern before sighing and turning back towards the Gildergreen.

When he was again beneath the shadow of the great tree, he turned right and climbed the steps to Jorrvaskr.

If the climb down from Dragon's Reach had felt long, the climb up to the Mead Hall of Ysgramor felt like an age. With each step, he heard again the words that had been exchanged when he had last left.

Uhther paused before the doors.

Give me Alduin again instead of this, he prayed silently. He heaved a deep breath and pushed open the doors.

The hall had been rowdy as he'd opened the doors. Most of the companions were sat around the table though two were apart and were brawling as if each were trying to knock the other's head off. Uhther recognised Athis and Njada Stonearm. He wondered what quarrel there was between them this time.

The other companions, the ones still sat around the table, had been cheering the two brawlers on, though some fell silent when they saw the doors of Jorrvaskr opening and all fell silent when they saw who it was. Athis, who had been facing the door, dropped his hands just in time for Njada, who had her back to the door and had noticed nothing, to sink her fist into the dark elf's jaw. Athis hit the floor as if he'd been struck by a Warhammer.

Uhther stood awkwardly, having no idea of what to say. His mind had gone blank. His eyes went straight to the Circle, those who had once named themselves his shield siblings. Farkas looked concerned at his brother, who was fixing Uhther with a stare colder than the northernmost snows. Try as he might, Uhther could not stop his eyes then moving to Aela's face. Her's was completely unreadable. She looked like a wolf watching her prey from the undergrowth.

'What are you doing here?' Vilkas's demand brought Uhther's eyes back to him, though they also helped him find some obstinance in the face of Vilkas's glare.

'Am I not still a member of the Circle?' Uhther demanded in return. He had to show strength, he knew. Not too much, lest it be mistaken for arrogance. He was in the wrong and he knew it, but he could not appear weak or he would be thrown from here. And he needed the Companions.

Vilkas hissed through his teeth.

'You are,' he said, grudgingly, 'though you have little right to that place.'

Uhther felt Vilkas's words as if they were daggers. It had seemed the right thing to do at the time. After defeating Miraak, he had wanted a nice, quiet life for himself and his family. They had lived mainly in Windhelm or else in Lakeview Manor. He had felt a Harbinger should be someone who could dedicate their time to the Companions and that was not something he felt he could do. So he had stepped down from the position and named Vilkas his successor. Unfortunately, the Circle and many of the other companions felt that this was a spit in the face. It was this, mainly, which was why Uhther had rarely visited Whiterun ever since.

Until now, of course. The fate of the world was rather more important than his shame.

'Brothers and sisters,' he began, but was cut off by Vilkas.

'You may hold your place in the Circle,' he snarled, 'but you lost the right to name me brother the day you turned your back on the Companions.' If Vilkas had stopped there, Uhther did not know what would have happened. He would not have known how to win them to his cause while the shame of causing them such dishonour ate at his heart. But Vilkas did not stop there. Vilkas spat. 'In my opinion, you are unworthy to even stand in the hall of Ysgramor.'

And with that, the shame vanished and was replaced with the rage of the dragon blood.

Uhther strode forward, drawing Dragon's Breath as he went. The companions who were not already stood leapt to their feet, reaching for their own swords. Uhther slammed the dragonbone blade into the table. White fire crackled along its length.

'Do not overstep your bounds, Vilkas,' Uhther bellowed, his voice touched with the Thu'um, 'and do not forget who I am, nor what I have done. I, who slew Alduin and saved this world from destruction. Do not insult me when it is to me you owe your lives and your souls!' Vilkas opened his mouth as if to answer, but Uhther rode over him. 'Yes, I turned my back on the Companions. But who was it who fought beside you against the Silver Hand to avenge Skjor?' His eyes darted to Aela. She was the only one who had not risen, nor drawn a weapon. Her eyes were still fixed on him. Uhther went on. 'Who went with you, Vilkas, to cut off the head of the Silver Hand to avenge Kodlak? And then journeyed with you to the tomb of Ysgramor to free him from Hircine's grasp? And then return, twice over, to free you and your brother so that you may know the sweet air of Sovngarde?'

Aela did react to that. Her eyes darted at the brothers, her eyes loaded with something Uhther could not name. Before he could, they were back on him. Vilkas's mouth was closed. He was still staring at Uhther, though his gaze carried none of the accusation it had a moment before.

'You've been a good friend,' Farkas said, softly. He looked at his brother, who bowed his head.

'My brother speaks true,' said Vilkas, 'it was always an honour to fight at your side. Which is why it hurt so much when you left us.'

Uhther felt his anger ebb. He had waited too long to come back. He pulled Dragon's Breath from the table and slid it back into its sheath.

'I never wanted to leave,' he said, 'merely give my place to one better suited. Which is why I chose you.' He stepped forward until he faced Vilkas across the long table.

'I am sorry,' Vilkas said, 'I was angry and refused to listen. I took your leaving for abandonment. I thought you were turning your back on everything we stood for, everything Kodlak stood for.' He reached out an arm which Uhther clasped.

'Well I am back now,' Uhther said, smiling, 'and I have need of my shield brothers and sisters.'

He felt a hand clasp his shoulder.

'We're with you, whatever you need,' Farkas said. He was grinning warmly. Uhther turned his gaze on the rest of the Companions. All seemed to share this sentiment. Torvar and Ria smiled, Athis's lip curled in a cocky smile, even as blood poured from a split lip. Even Njada, who had never cared for Uhther, looked determined.

'This evening I ride for Solitude,' Uhther announced, 'there is a war coming, unlike any many of us have seen. I would have the Companions at my back.'

'We shall be,' Vilkas promised, 'we march with you, brother.'

With that, the Companions immediately began going in search of personal belongings and provisions for the journey ahead. Looking around, Uhther saw Aela leave through the back door that led to the hall's courtyard. He saw her look back at him with a significant look before going out. Leaving the rest to their preparations, he followed her out.

He saw her turn around the edge of the hall and followed her just in time to see her enter the Underforge. Uhther gulped. She wanted to speak in there, of all places?

Swallowing his nerves, Uhther pressed against the secret spot that opened the cave beneath the Skyforge.

She was standing by the basin, the same basin from which he had once drank her blood to gain the gift of Lycanthropy. The same gift he had cured himself of the day before he had asked Sylgja to marry him.

Uhther stood beside her. Aela turned and punch him in the face.

It was not an overly hard punch, but it still had enough force to make colours pop in front of his eyes. As soon as the spots had cleared, Uhther looked again into her eyes and was relieved to see there was no anger there.

'What took you so long?' Aela demanded, without any real hotness.

Uhther massaged his jaw.

'Shame mainly,' he replied, honestly.

Aela barked a laugh.

'You always let yourself be shamed far too easily,' she teased, 'if you had stood up to Vilkas then…'

'Well it was not just that,' Uhther said, feeling he might as well be completely honest, 'it was also what we did the night before.'

Aela's eyes widened with surprise.

'Why would there be shame in that? You were to marry and I proposed one final night together. You were not yet married so there is no shame to your wife or your family. I was far more annoyed when I heard you went to the tomb of Ysgramor to remove the Gift the next week.'

'I know,' Uhther said, taken aback, 'it was you I felt I'd shamed. I left that morning like you were a common flat-backer.'

Aela looked at him incredulously then burst out laughing.

'Is that what you thought?' she asked, 'that you'd used me then cast me aside? Uhther, I wanted you as much as you wanted me, that night as well as all the other times. But that was all it ever was. And I know you felt the same way otherwise it would have been me you'd have come to wearing the amulet of Mara.' Uhther opened his mouth, found he had no reply, and closed it again. Aela punched him again, though this time it was fondly and in the shoulder. 'You really are an idiot,' she said, 'to stay away from us so long for such stupid reasons.'

Uhther leaned against the basin. He really had been a fool. He had not realised until now how much he had missed his brothers and sisters, and the Circle most of all. 'I'll need to make up for that lost time,' he said. Aela also leaned in, close beside him.

'You'd better,' she said, 'though don't be thinking everything will be going back to the way it was. You're a married man now, after all.' Uhther spluttered with indignation and Aela laughed again before fixing him with a coy smile. 'That was a pretty impressive night, though.'

Uhther chuckled and tried not to look towards that corner of the Underforge. Impressive was one word for it. The way Aela had screamed was proof of that.

A gentle cuff around the head made him look around to see Aela heading back towards the door.

'Come,' she said, 'we have preparations to make and you need to tell us about this great war that's apparently coming.'

Uhther nodded and followed her out.