AN: I sincerely apologize for how long it's been life got crazy and I never seemed to get the time to write but I recently went back and re-edited this entire story and I did manage to get this one wrote updates are going to be random do to my work schedule but I will try to keep this going.

Amaliea and Vilkas walked onto the field their heads held high side by side until they reached the center. Once there they faced each other and drew their swords the blades shining like fire from the sun, neither were tense in fact they were both smiling easily. This was their skill, a way of life to them, but with each other, it was a bit of fun, not something to be taken seriously and they didn't.

"Begin!" Eirkir called and so they did

They danced around each other to an ancient song the beat of their hearts, the swoosh of their breaths, the sound of their blades meeting with a clash, or glancing off armor. As they circled Vilkas smiled saying

"This portion of the field holds my favorite view."

Amaliea laughed merrily smiling even wider while he deflected her blow and said "I'm glad you're enjoying the games."

"It's been fun especially watching some of the competitor's expressions." He responded as she dodged his strike.

"You'll have to be quicker than that if you want to catch me!" she teased as she darted in a flat-sided blow against his exposed underarm before dancing back out. they both grinned and increased their efforts.

By the time their match came to a close Vilkas was dripping sweat and Amaliea was beginning to tire from prancing about, they had been fighting for at least an hour when fate intervened. Vilkas swung and Amaliea jumped forward to get inside his guard, only she jumped a little too close she knocked him down and hurried to put a blade to his throat. Once it was there she felt a cold prickling at the back of her neck, Amaliea didn't have to look to know it to be Vilkas' blade

"It's a Draw!" Eirkir called and with that, the games were over.

The couple dropped their blades disentangling themselves, heading for their friends and then her parents' home. After all, they had a party to get ready for.

"No."

"Aw come on it'll be fun."

"No. Absolutely not."

"Why not?"

"Because I'm not going to wear a dress, or face paint, nor am I going to let you do my hair. I am perfectly happy with how I look right now! Besides I didn't bring any dresses." Amaliea snapped.

Briella had spent the last twenty minutes trying to get her to dress up for the festival and would not take no for an answer.

"That's ok you left one on your bed when you left for Jorrvaskr." She said grinning cheerfully.

With that, she pranced over to the wardrobe and dug around until she found what she had been looking for. Then with a flourish, Briella pulled forth an outfit Amaliea had hoped to never have to wear.

"I hate you sometimes, you do know that right?"

"Oh I know, but believe me you'll love me later. now Please? Just this once." Briella pleaded giving Amaliea her best puppy dog eyes

"Fine just this once and no face paint," Amaliea muttered defeated

Twenty minutes later Briella's whirlwind of primping had ended leaving Amaliea in a pale blue dress with a cream sash and ties, her thigh-length curly hair loose except for a crown of braids keeping it out of her face. While Briella was dressed in a rose pink version of the dress Amaliea was wearing with her hair done in a complicated braided updo.

Just as the sisters finished getting ready their ma called from downstairs "girls it's time to go to the festival."

"Coming Ma." They chorused rushing out the door and to the stairs

As they descended they could see everyone else gathered below. Amaliea watched as the guys looked up at the sound of their footsteps on the stairs and saw the moment Vilkas took in her appearance. His mouth fell open in surprise and he met her eyes as she stepped off the final stair to stand in front of him. Holding his gaze she smiled and reached out and used her hand to close his mouth saying

"You're going to catch flies"

He smiled taking her hand saying

"I don't know what I did to deserve you but whatever it was I am glad I did it."

Amaliea smiled back and leaned towards him when Garson interrupted

"It's time to go."

He then started to move towards the two of them only to be stopped by Mareia's hand on his arm. He looked at his wife and sighed before opening the door and leading the way outside.

Amaliea and Vilkas walked to the festivities hand in hand. In the time since the games had concluded the training field had been transformed lanterns and torches had been lit and tables laden with food of all kinds had been set up the village green had been turned into a dance floor and a pavilion for musicians had been set up there were booths with games and crafts where you could win prizes or buy things, everyone was joking and laughing. The twins' friends soon found them then left with the twins and Athis in tow. Mariea was in charge of making sure the people trading things at the booths weren't having any trouble Briella was soon drawn off by her friends and judging by the giggling and pointing they were clearly interested in the family's guests. As Amaliea, Vilkas, and Farkas walked through the crowded paths past the booths Farkas and Vilkas seemed amused at all the different sights and sounds. We walked toward the green where we stopped to watch the dancing

"Do you know how to dance like that" Vilkas asked looking at Amaliea

"Of course" she laughed "every girl is taught how. Do you know how to dance?"

"Not like that" he answered with a grin

Just then a woman with light brown haired approached the trio and saying

"Hello, Amaliea it's nice to see you've come home you've been gone what four months. Whos your friends?"

The entire time she was talking to Amaliea she was eyeing Farkas and Vilkas like pieces of meat while batting her eyes. Amaliea calmly stepped between her and them saying

"It has been almost a year since I left Erious and these are my friends Vilkas and Farkas. By the way hows Arin"

"Arin why would I know anything about Arin"

"Well you did accept his courtship in fact you're wearing the necklace he gave you now so you must still be together"

She blushed then looked around for a moment before saying "oh look there's Torma I've got to go"

With that, she hurried away and Vilkas held out his hand to Amaliea and asked "care to teach me that dance"

She took his hand saying "sure it's not that hard"

With that they stepped out to join the dancers the music was a fast cheerful reel. Amaliea quickly showed Vilkas the steps to the whirling dance that lead the partners in a large circle about the green. Years of sword work had given him a masculine grace and he was pretty good at the dance the only trouble was he kept glancing about around her until she finally asked

"Are you looking for something?"

"In truth, I'm worried your Pa's going to take offense to me dancing with you."

"So?"

"I've seen what your Pas blacksmith hammer does to metal I don't want to find out the hard way what he can do with a warhammer."

Amaliea laughed as they whirled around her hems billowing "If he does you won't be the only one"

At his questioning glance, She leaned her head towards where Briella was dragging Farkas out to join the dancers. They both laughed at Farkas expression he looked absolutely puzzled

"Besides by now, Pa will be dealing with whatever the twins are up. the twins and their friends pull a prank at the spring festival almost every year. Last year they filled the council house with sheep."

"Sheep?" he laughed

"Yeah what was really bad was Toma tried to count them so they knew how many the boys had put in there."

"Tried?"

"He fell asleep. Pa went in there the next day and the sheep were still there and Toma was asleep at a side table."

He laughed and Amaliea chuckled remembering

"So what happened to the twins in punishment?"

"They had to clean the mess then they have stuck on archives duty for three months,"

The dance was coming to an end and we walked off the dance floor as Vilkas asked

"Whats archive duty?"

"They had to organize and dust the village archives?"

"Sounds like torture for them." he laughed as they watched Briella try to teach Farkas to dance like a bosmer

"He is like a big bear next to your sister."

"Yes, I guess he is and she's a butterfly."

They both laughed and Vilkas added, "I don't know about a butterfly though the way your sister shot during the games she seemed more a bee."

"True" She smiled "here they come."

Briella and Farkas were coming towards them out of the dancers. As they got close Briella waved and called

"The storytellers are going to start soon we best hurry."

With that, she bounced off leading the way towards the storytellers' pavilion as she did Farkas turned to them and asked

"What just happened?"

"It looks like you've been claimed by Briella" Amaliea laughed

"Claimed what do you mean?" Farkas asked

"Briella made it clear to any girl watching that she likes you so back off."

As they talked they walked after Briella and Farkas said "But she can't like me"

"Why not?" Vilkas asked

"Because I thought that you cant like your sister's friend"

"I don't think that applies here." Amaliea said

"I can't like her she is my friend's sister,"

Farkas said and Vilkas looked almost exasperated as he said

"That's only when your friend is male"

"Farkas do you like Briella?" Amaliea asked

"I think so she's pretty and nice and talks to me"

"Then go for it, as your friend and her sister I give you my blessing."

Amaliea smiled and they caught up with Briella forstalling anymore on the topic.

As they approached the Storyteller Pavillion Toma was taking the stage and as they took seats on the grass he began

" The tale I have to tell is true I witnessed with my own eyes just yesterday morn in Falkreath a dragon attacked"

he continued to tell an embellished version of the group's battle with the dragon after he had finished Farkas whispered

"If you're going to let me tell what happened when we get back I'm using his version"

Amaliea rolled her eyes as the next storyteller came up an elderly woman named Tirala she told several bosmeri legends. Afterward, they walked around the booths and played some games, just having fun and goofing off

"It's dusk time to head to the council house,"

Briella said grabbing Farkas and leading the way towards the large building in the center of the village. As they entered and found seats Vilkas asked

"So why are we coming here?"

"Every year the village children put on a talent show it's always fun to watch" Amalies answered From where they were seated she could see Athis, the twins, and their friends sitting down talking and laughing. Just then the elder's council entered through the door leading into the back part of the council house. As they did a quiet expectancy fell over the twins and their friends, then as the council took their seats they seemed puzzled. One of the guys asked Jon something and he shrugged. They stood leaving Athis and walked towards the door, hesitating before opening it. That's when Amaliea caught a movement out of the corner of her eye. Her Pa reached behind a curtain hung near his seat and pulled something. A few seconds later a bunch of pies fell from the ceiling right over the twins and their friends' heads. The council hall burst into laughter at their stunned expressions. The twins grinned and started laughing followed by tier friends then Pa stood saying

"If you boys have had enough fun for one day take your seats so the show can start."

The guys hurried back to their seats where Jhan licked the back of his pie covered hand

"Mmm mincemeat"

Within a few minutes, the show had begun. The acts were everything from songs to magic to bird calls it was fun and when it was over everyone applauded one last time before dispersing to either continue their reveals or take little ones to bed. The companions stayed a few more hours before heading back to the house. They played games and danced a few more dances. Amaliea's Pa never did catch the young men dancing with his daughters. By the time Amaliea went to bed, she was exhausted. She fell asleep with her dress still on and a smile on her face.