A.N I own nothing except a Playstation 4 and a box set of star trek voyager. Please note that this chaper contains some bad language, mentions of a religious ceremony that includes sexual acts (for more details see the note at the bottom) and, gasp pubity.

"YOU ARE THE WHAT!?"

After meeting up with Anwen, Lydia and Oddok, Katrine had led them and Tomas to Breezehome where after a brief reunion, Annika had sat Anwen and Tomas down to explain what had happened while Katrine had gone to inform Eorlund that Tomas and Anwen were here.

As she reentered the house her brother had the exact reaction she thought he would.

"The Dragonborn," Katrine said calmly walking up to Anwen to embrace her.

"But you can't be you're only fourteen, you haven't even taken the Dibellan trials," said Tomas pulling at his hair.

"I had forgotten about that coming up, thank you for reminding me," said Katrine.

The Dibellan trials was a Nordic coming of age ceremony for women, it involved learning things that an adult woman would need to know, for example signs of pregnancy, what potions that were safe to take during that time and how to make them, instructions on what foods were not safe to eat while pregnant but the main part was that it was the first time a Nord woman would share the bed of another, until a female Nord had undergone this ceremony she was off limits.

"You're welcome," said Tomas distractedly before turning to Annika "Surely you don't agree with this,"

"From everything that Katrine has told me and from my colleagues at the collage, it seems that it is true," said Annika.

Tomas turned back to Katrine "Shout, if you are Dragonborn then shout,"

Katrine internally rolled her eyes and gave the weakest "Fus!"

Tomas stumbled back but managed to catch himself "Alright so maybe you are Dragonborn but what do we do about it,"

"It is obvious, isn't it," said Anwen who had been silent the whole time "We need to speak to these Grey beards and I had hoped that the only travel we would take after this would be to return to Lakeview,"

"That may not be a good idea," said Katrine as she explained the vision involving Tullius and Elenwen.

Tomas cupped his face into his hand and shook his head "Have I ever mentioned how much magic gives me a headache,"

"Frequently," said Anwen "Well I should be able to hire some guards for the manor but it will take some time,"

"I think I'll need to have a talk with the Companions about holding off on me joining them," said Tomas.

After he left Katrine turned to Anwen but before should say anything Anwen had enveloped her in a hug.

"Little one if the next words out of your mouth are anything remotely resembling an apology then we are going to have issues,"

"But I am sorry if it were not for me then,"

Anwen pulled back from the embrace and cupped Katrine's hand in her face and said "You do know that you are not so big as I won't put you over my knee, what happened to your father was not your fault and if I here you say it was over my knee you will go,"

"Now," said Anwen, switching back to the common tongue "If we are going to High Hrothga then your mother and I will have to plan what we will need to take, so why don't you go make sure your brother isn't getting into trouble,"

"Well Anwen isn't exactly what I expected," said Lydia as she and Katrine made her way up to Jorrvaskr, with Oddok shadowing them.

"She is an enigma, completely free of the arrogance of the typical Altmer, even amongst her own family and they themselves are less entitled then most Altmer I have met," said Katrine.

As they entered the mead hall they were met with laughter as Tomas was just finishing telling a story to Ria, Athis, Njada and Tovar.

"And then if you can believe it she runs fully naked out of the house and all the way down to the lake, with my mother and Annika running after her, all the while screaming "No bath","

Katrine buried her face in her hands, she had hoped her brother had forgotten that story.

"Is he talking about you?" asked Lydia in amusement.

"I was three," said Katrine in explanation, then she smiled her brother wasn't the only one with stories to tell.

"Katrine, I was just telling your new friends about some of your earliest adventures," said Tomas gesturing her over.

"Really brother? Did you tell them about the time I had to rescue you from a savage monster?" Katrine asked while trying to keep a smile from her face.

"Monster? What are you talking about sister?" Tomas asked confused.

"Oh my poor big brother you have probably repressed the memory to protect yourself, do not worry I will tell them,"

"It was a warm spring day and Tomas and I had been sent outside to do our chores, I had just finished collecting eggs when I heard a scream that I recognised as my beloved brother," said Katrine, she paused and looked over to Tomas who had a horrified look on his face, as if he knew which story she was going to tell.

"I raced over to where he was and saw that he had been cornered by a vicious, terrifying ROOSTER!"

Athis burst out laughing , Njada shoulders slumped in disappointment and Ria looked confused.

"A rooster? As in a male chicken?"

"Yes, it had him trapped against the wall," said Katrine trying desperately not to laugh at the look on her brother's face "Thinking quickly I began to throw the eggs at it to distract the beast, it tuned, spotted me and charged. I quickly dogged to the side and picked it up, keeping it at a distance, so as to avoid the talons and placed into the pen, the only thing left to do was to explain to our mothers why there were no eggs for breakfast," finished Katrine to the laughter of those gathered.

"How did you let a rooster trap you?" Tovar asked Tomas.

"That rooster was evil, I'm still not convinced it wasn't a Dremora in the shape of a rooster," said Tomas pulling up his sleeves on his tunic to show those gathered the scars the rooster had left him with.

"That was the day Anwen taught me that healing spell," said Katrine reminiscing.

"Hey, yeah it was heh, seven years doesn't seem like that long ago," said Tomas his voice sounding far way.

"Yeah and it only gets worse as you get older," said Vilkas, who had entered the hall with Aela and Farkas while Katrine was telling the story and decided not to interrupt.

"So what's Kodlak's verdict?" asked Tomas.

"That you are in, your first job is to protect a certain young Dragonborn while she is away from the city," said Aela.

"Who said I need protecting?" asked Katrine defensive.

Tomas reached out and pulled her into a headlock and begun to ruffle her hair.

"If you don't need protection, get out of this," he said.

"Ah let go! Let go!" Katrine began twisting and aiming punches at her brothers back.

"Who doesn't need protecting?" asked Tomas.

"I know five ways that I can kill from this position alone," stated Katrine.

Tomas let go of her and the sudden shift sent Katrine falling backwards onto her backside.

"of course you do little sister, of course you do,"

Later that evening as they were walking back to Breezehome Katrine took of Martin's ring and handed it to Tomas.

"No Katrine I don't want it, the question is do you?" her brother asked her.

A part of her was saying no, to burry the ring some where far away from her. But another part, that sounded suspiciously like Mirmulnir was screaming yes so loudly it almost drowned out the other part.

She took the ring back and slid it on to her finger.

"Fantastic," said Tomas in a sarcastic tone.

As they entered Breezehome Annika and Anwen were seated at the fire as if nothing was wrong but the hairs on the back of Katrine's neck stood up, Anwen was reading a book upside down and her mother's face was flushed, it took a lot to do that.

"Is something wrong?" asked Katrine looking between the two.

Behind her Tomas snorted and Katrine turned to look at him as he attempted to school his featured into a straight face.

Anwen shot him a look that Katrine interpreted as be quiet "No dear heart, nothing is wrong," she said calmly, "Your mother and I was just discussing what we will need to take with us to High Hrothga, now I don't know about all of you but I really don't feel like cooking a meal, let's go to the tavern for the evening to celebrate us being together again and raise a mug for your father's memory,"

Something was going on, Anwen disliked taverns even more than her mother did, but the look her brother gave her, it was one he always gave her when something was happening that she didn't want to know, made her hold her tongue.

It was probably nothing important anyway.

The next week passed quickly and with it Katrine's anxiety rose, but at least she was kept busy.

With Tomas joining her in training the competitive spirt drove her to work harder and faster just to match him. The workload at the forge increased as well as Anwen had placed an order with Eorlund for everything she thought they would need. Which meant Katrine was put to work forging tents, wind breaks, sleeping rolls and a lot of arrows. She had Tomas working with her on this as Eorlund was working on a secret project. Lydia and Anwen meanwhile were gathering the supplies they would need to take, Lydia was hunting and salting meats, Anwen was gathering alchemical ingredients and making them into potions. Annika was planning the route they would take and listing everything thing they were likely to encounter from mudcrabs to Thalmor and how to deal with them, Katrine thought she was being slightly over cautious, but she did not dare say.

Soon, maybe too soon, it was the day before their departure and they had all been invited to sup with the Jarl and his family in the early evening, just the Jarl's family no other members of the court would be in attendance. This struck Katrine as odd, she asked Lydia about it and she confessed to being confused about it too, if it had been truly to wish Katrine well the other members of the court would usually have been invited.

"Let's try not to stay too long, we will need to get a decent amount of sleep," said Anwen as they entered Dragonsreach.

"Thane Katrine, Mistress Annika, Lydia welcome and young Lord Tomas well met, you have grown into a fine man, and Lady Anwen so good to see you once more, and my deepest condolences on your loss," said Balgruuf as they approached "I hope you know that Whiterun is at your disposal for anything you need,"

"Well met, My Jarl, Thank you for your hospitality and for safeguarding my sister," said Tomas giving a slight bow.

"After what she did for this city, the Devines would have cursed me if I didn't, come lets sup, I know you'll probably want an early night, but I hope you'll forgive me if I steal Katrine for a glass of wine after dinner, don't worry Lydia will be joining us," he added as Annika looked like she was going to protest.

The meal was splendid if a little quiet with just Katrine's family, Lydia, Balgruuf, Irileth and his three children. Katrine was shocked to see the Jarls youngest, Nelkir in attendance as he was a reclusive child.

But she was pleased when Frodnar gave her a cheerful wave, Dagny however gave her a look that would kill if looks could, she ignored that and spent the dinner talking with Frodnar about what it was like training with the Companions.

After the meal was over Balgruuf excused Katrine, himself and their respective housecarls and led Katrine up stairs and out onto the great porch where they were met with a spectacular sunset.

However it was not the view that caught Katrine's attention, rather it was the contraption that Dragonsreach was known for, the trap in which Olaf one eye held the Dragon Numinex captive.

Katrine wondered how it must have felt to be so used to flying the skies of Tamriel, then to be so trapped you could barely turn your head. He must have gone mad, thought Katrine, something inside her wanted to burn the trap.

"Magnificent isn't it," Katrine was startled out of her musings by Balgruuf handing her a goblet of wine.

"It must have taken a lot of time and resources to build it," remarked Katrine as she sipped at her wine.

Balgruuf nodded "I imagine it would have taken months if not years to finish it,"

Katrine knew the tale of Numinex and Olaf's battle well, the king found the ancient dragon atop a mountain, challenged him, defeated him and brought him back to Dragonsreach to be held captive, later to escape. But if the trap that held Numinex captive had taken months to build that meant, "Olaf must have planned on capturing a dragon for longer," said Katrine "I wonder how he did it?"

"I suspect that he tricked it," said Balgruuf "Which is what you need to be careful of," the Jarl led Katrine to the edge of the porch to stare out at the plains.

"Out there are people waiting to capture and kill you and your family, but you know how to deal with a straight forward attack like that, what I am uncertain of and what I worry about is the people who aren't so straight forward," Balgruuf said "People who would use your status as Dragonborn as a tool for their own power and they will come to you like wolves in sheep's clothing, so please be careful who you let in,"

Katrine inwardly smirked, my father was a lord in Emperor's court, Anwen is from a high ranking family in the Aldmeri dominion, they taught me to play the game at an early age, much to mama's disgust. I know how to recognise when someone is trying to use me for their own game and do not think that I do not know why you tell me this, she thought, you little Jarls can play your own game but I will come out on top in the end, so long as you do not side with my enemies you will have my loyalty.

"I will think on what you have told me, My Jarl but thank you for your council,"

As Katrine and Lydia made their way down stairs she noted that her mother and Anwen were missing, why is it that when Mama is missing Anwen goes missing also, Katrine thought Papa always said he would tell me when I got older and now he can not, Katrine felt that hollow feeling deep inside her chest and it must have shown because Lydia looking concerned asked "Are you alright Katrine?"

Katrine gave her a half smile "It has been a long week, that is all Lydia, I think the stress of it all is catching up to me,"

"Sounds like you need a drink," said Tomas, walking up to them, Oddok following along after him.

"I am certain Mama would have something to say about that, where is she and Anwen by the way?" asked Katrine.

Tomas suddenly wouldn't meet her eyes "Oh they had some last minute stuff to check on at the wagon,"

"Last minute stuff, was that the term Mama gave you or," Katrine trailed off her voice taking on a heavily sarcastic tone.

Tomas scrunched up his face at her "No, she said some very technical words I didn't understand and they made my head hurt, ergo last minute stuff,"

"Brother as much as you put out this act of being a brainless brute you are not one, so why do you not fess up to what it is they asked you to keep quiet because you are a horrible liar and terrible at keeping secrets,"

Tomas sighed and went to speak but Lydia placed a hand over his mouth "Let's just go, we can drop your brother off at the tavern,"

And you, Lydia thought Katrine as she followed the two out, Oddok shadowing her.

She wondered on what her brother and housecarl were scheming as the made their way though the unusually quiet streets, till at Jorrvaskr movement caught Katrine's eye.

Aela and Skjor in a rather passionate embrace, Katrine smirked, finally something to tease her about, let us see how she likes it when the shoe is on the other foot.

"Care to share Skjor or is this a private celebration?" she asked.

Skjor and Aela parted and quickly looked around in shock to Katrine, Tomas and Lydia, the latter two were looking between Katrine and Aela and Skjor.

"Yes well, we would have invited you but since you haven't been through Dibella's trial yet, we didn't want to give your brother any reason to come after us or your Mother for that matter," said Skjor looking slightly disturbed at the thought of an angry Annika Hanson.

"Are you really more afraid of Annika then me?" asked Tomas.

Aela laughed "Yes we are, while I am certain you would defend Katrine's honour to the point of death, Oblivion hath no fury like an angry mother, especially one that can bend steel with her left hand,"

Katrine turned to Tomas "Would you really kill someone who attempted to seduce me before the trials?"

Tomas' face took on a thoughtful look "If it was consensual I might just beat them up a little, our upbringing wasn't exactly that of a traditional Nord background, even though we follow most of the traditions, I went thought the trials of Talos even though I'm not a Nord and if I marry a Nord woman I will probably have my son go though it too,"

The trails of Talos being the male nords coming of age ceremony, known only to men and mothers of male Nords, so much of our traditions for boys and men are centered around Talos, thought Katrine, is it any wonder we balk at the censure of His worship.

"Regardless of traditions, your my baby sister and any one trying to get to you will have to go through me," said Tomas pulling Katrine from her thoughts, he had a way of doing that. "Or more likely I'd sick Annika on them," he sent a smirk towards Aela.

"And on that note I think we should continue this discussion inside," said Aela bidding them a goodnight with Skjor following behind her.

"How do you like that, I am leaving Whiterun and they do not know when I will be back, but do I get a farewell or good luck on your journey?" asked Katrine sarcastically.

"Are you alright about what we just saw?" asked Tomas.

"Oh come on brother it is not as if I am making plans to buy an amulet of Mara for her and I will be going though the trials when I turn Fifteen if only for the experience, plus it is not just about sex Olfina said they teach other things about being a woman," stated Katrine.

"Like what?" asked Tomas.

"Are you going to tell me what happens during the trial of Talos?"

"Nope,"

"Well then there is your answer, really brother do you really think sex is all there is to being a Nord woman?" asked Katrine in a tone of voice that dared him to say yes.

Tomas looked from Katrine to Lydia who had crossed her arms and glared daggers at him.

"Um no?"

Katrine smiled wolfishly "That is a good boy," she said reaching to pat him on the head.

"Okay now that we got that out of the way let's go get a drink, I could use one," said Tomas in a dry tone. "What do you say Housecarl, shouldn't your Thane have a drink before her quest?"

Lydia shot Tomas a look that clearly said you're putting this on me? "I don't think one drink will hurt Devines know the next time we will be able to have one," she said.

"Alright, one mug of mead but just the one I can already feel Mama's disapproval," said Katrine.

The entered the Bannered Mare to shouts of "Surprise!"

Gathered in front of Katrine was her mother, Anwen, all the Companions, except Aela and Skjor of course, Olfina, Eorlund, Fralia and Avulstein.

Katrine shot her brother a pointed look and said "Oh wow I never would have thought anything was going on, I am so surprised,"

Anwen laughed and said to Annika "I told you she would see through him lying," Annika just laughed.

Vilkas motioned Saddia over with a tray of mugs and handed one to Katrine, "Aela and Skjor are busy planning the next hunt, they will be down after but Aela gave me the coin to buy the first round,"

Tomas opened his mouth to say something but Katrine subtly dug her elbow into his stomach and said "Well it would be rude of us to not take advantage of the Huntress' generosity,"

"Indeed," said Eorlund taking a mug for himself then called for the attention of those gathered "I think I speak for all of us when I say that we will all miss Katrine, she has very quickly become a part of our lives, but we wish you good journey to Lakeview and we hope to see you in the spring,"

Katrine raised an eyebrow at that statement but quickly found herself in an embrace from Olfina "Your mother thought it best to spread the rumor that you were heading to Lakeview for the winter, I believe they are setting a trap for the Thalmor," she whispered.

As Katrine unfolded herself from the hug she caught sight of Olfred sitting in a corner with Nazeem, they seamed to be paying close attention to the gathering.

Katrine gave them a challenging smirk then turned back to Eorlund who motioned to Avulstein, who handed his father a sheathed sword.

"As a farewell token I present you with this," Eorlund said as he handed it to Katrine.

The scabbard was designed in a way that reminded Katrine of the under side of dragons wings, she recognised the hilt and crossguard being of ebony and the pommel was carved into the shape of a dragon's head.

As she unsheathed it she saw that the blade was of carved dragon bone and as it became fully unsheathed she felt it crackle with what she immediately recognised as a shock enchantment and a strong one it that, you could feel the magic run down the blade and into the hilt, whomever met the end of this blade was in for a rather painful death, if they survived long enough to feel the pain.

"I asked Farengar to put an enchantment on it that he felt suited you, he explained it that he saw you coming down on your enemies with the rage of a storm," Eorlund told her. Tomas gave a laugh and then looked apologetic, "Sorry, not funny," he said.

Katrine internally groaned, she and storms did not get on well, or heights, or skeevers but she really did not get on well with storms, though for this blade she decided to make an exception.

The celebration began in earnest after that with Annika and Anwen telling stories about Katrine and Tomas' childhood, stories that they wouldn't have even told about each other, even to embarrass the other.

About halfway into a story from Annika about the time a sixth winter Katrine had gotten a hold of Adrian's steel battle axe and had attempted to drag it over to where Tomas was practicing because she wanted to "Twain" with her brother, when the door to the tavern opened and in walked Skjor and Aela.

Katrine caught their eyes and sniggered at the awkward looks on their faces. When Annika looked over to see what was amusing her daughter and caught the uncomfortable looks on their faces, she laughed and went back to her story.

A few mugs of mead later found Katrine sitting at the bar listening to the laughter, the music and the stories, just thinking about how much she would miss this, Devines only know how long she would be training with the Grey beards and then what would happen, and what was her family going to do while she was up there. Annika and Anwen were scholars they would probably do research on some interesting topic, but Tomas was someone who had to be doing things with his hands, that was why Papa had gotten him a job on a fishing boat and why when it was decided they would move back to Skyrim full time he had gotten a position in the Companions.

She was pulled out of her thoughts by Saddia taking a seat next to her.

"Impressive send off your friends have put together," the Redguard waitress stated.

"Nords love any reason to celebrate and we do it so well," said Katrine smiling.

"So why are you all the way over here then?"

"I guess I am not used to being the centre of attention for so many people," Katrine told her.

Saddia gave a coy smile and reached out to trace Katrine's jaw "A pretty thing like you, I don't know if I believe that,"

Katrine licked her lips, her mouth had suddenly gone dry, she smiled at the Redguard woman nervously and took a sip of her mead unsure as to what to say to that.

Saddia smiled wickedly and went to speak but what ever she was about to say never happened as a hand clasped Katrine's shoulder, she turned to find Aela giving Saddia a dirty look, which Aela quickly switched to a wide smile as Katrine's eyes fell upon her.

"Having fun?" asked the Huntress taking a seat beside Katrine.

"Yes, Saddia and I were just discussing how much Nords love to celebrate,"

Aela's eyes fell on the nervous looking woman "I think Hulda was looking for you in the kitchen Saddia," said Aela dryly.

Saddia quickly rose from her seat and said "It was nice talking to you Katrine I hope you will come and see us again," with that she darted off to find Hulda.

Katrine turned to face Aela and said "That was not nice Aela, we were just talking,"

Aela gave her a look that she interpreted as Aela thought she was being naïve "Oh I'm sure taking is what she had in mind," she said sarcastically.

"Even if it wasn't you are not my keeper Aela, and while my family is not the typical Nord family I still hold to our traditions," said Katrine then she gave a laugh "And if you think that Mama, Tomas and Anwen are not keeping at least one eye on me then you do not know them as well as you should after all this time, Oblivion I bet you the next round Lydia has got both eyes on me at this moment,"

They both turned to look at where Lydia was sitting and sure enough Lydia was watching them with some amusement, though when she locked eyes with Katrine she suddenly found the ceiling very interesting.

Aela sighed "I'm just trying to look out for my friend while she is still here for me to look out for,"

Katrine smiled and gently laid her hand on Aela's arm "And I am happy that I have such great friends that want to look out for me, but really Huntress what are you going to do when I am allowed to share my bed with others?"

Aela smiled teasingly "Well Dragonborn, I'm hoping that I'll be enough to distract you,"

Katrine laughed and leaned in to whisper "Oh, and what does Skjor think about that?"

Aela looked around to check if anyone was listening "We've talked about it and he is fine with it as long as no other man enters my bed,"

"So about that next round?" asked Katrine deciding to change the subject.

Aela laughed "Hulda, the pour the next round on me!" the huntress called out, this statement was met with cheers.

After that Katrine's attention was stolen by Olfina and the two girls spent the next hour talking about everything and nothing until Annika stood and informed the gathering that they would be leaving for bed.

Katrine then spent the next twenty minutes getting farewell wishes and hugs from everyone, while promising to write, to come and visit, to stay out of trouble and if the did get in trouble to call on them to come and help. They then bid goodnight to Tomas and Anwen and made plans to meet at the stables just after dawn.

With all the excitement of the evening, plus all the mead she had drunk, it didn't take long for Katrine to fall into a deep dreamless sleep. One she was quiet annoyed with Annika for waking her the next morning.

She opened one bleary eye to glare at her mother, which caused Annika to laugh.

"I am sorry My Omega, but you have to get up, Anwen and Tomas are already down at the wagon," she said.

After dressing in her scaled armour and her black cloak, her heaver white fur one was packed away, she applied her face paint and went downstairs to find her mother and Lydia already up and having some bred and cheese for a light breakfast.

Lydia was dressed in her usual steel armour though she had also attached her own black traveling cloak.

Annika meanwhile was dressed in a pair of blue traveling pants and matching blue vest over a white blouse, thrown over her arm was a steel grey traveling cloak.

Oddok, who had been sitting by the fire padded over to Katrine to accept a morning pat.

"Good morning Katrine," said Lydia as she passed Katrine her dragon bone sword and scabbard.

"Good morning Lydia, how did you sleep?" asked Katrine as she strapped the sword to her belt, she already had Nyérë tucked into her belt on her off side.

"Here you need to eat," said Annika passing Katrine some bead and cheese.

Once she was done eating she grabbed her bow and quiver, that had been filled to the brim of skyforged steel arrows, she grabbed her iron helmet from atop the bookshelf where she usually kept it, her shield and Thanes axe had been packed away already.

Whiterun was eerily quiet as they made their way through the town, only a few guards were out.

"Stay safe Dragonborn," said one of the gate guards as he opened the gate for them.

"Thank you," said Katrine.

They founded Tomas and Anwen hitching Voyager to the wagon when the got to the stables.

Tomas was wearing a new set of studded armour that had been a gift from Eorlund, as well as a pair of nordic gauntlets and steel boots as well as his own iron helmet. A steel sword was strapped to his belt and an iron shield was strapped to his back.

Anwen meanwhile had on a forest green tunic, black riding pants and a heavy black fur coat, all of which had been enchanted to resist the cold, as an Altmer she didn't take to well to the cold. Something that despite actually being an Altmer himself never happened with Tomas, it appeared that his part Nord heritage allowed him to not be bothered by it as much.

As she stepped forward to help steady Voyager Katrine noticed something that she wondered why she hadn't realised it before.

"Not all of us are going to fit on the wagon," she said.

Lydia shook her head "I have my own horse," she said inclining her head to a paint horse that was stabled next to Allie.

"It will still be a tight fit, someone will have to walk or Oddok will have to sit on Tomas' lap," said Katrine smirking at her older brother.

"No he will not," said Annika looking over to the stables as the Jervar brought over not just Lydia's horse but Allie as well.

"Sweet Dibella's tits are you serious!" exclaimed Katrine as Jervar handed her Allie's reigns.

"Mind that language or I will wash your mouth out with soap," said Annika "But yes,"

Jervar showed Katrine how to pack Allie's saddle bag as well as how to attach her sleeping mat and bedroll to the saddle. Katrine then mounted up spent a minute walking around to get used to Allie's movements while Annika, Anwen, Odduk and Tomas got on the cart.

"Why doesn't Tomas get a horse?" Lydia asked Katrine as they were pulling out of Whiterun.

"Because he doesn't like any animal bigger than a dog," Katrine told her, Lydia frowned.

"But Oddok?"

"Did you noticed how he glared at me when I suggested that Oddok sit on his lap?" Lydia laughed.

"What's so funny?" Tomas called back.

"Nothing," Lydia and Katrine answered in tandem then smiled.

Katrine turned back to take a last look at Whiterun and frowned.

"Don't worry, before you know it we'll be back again," said Lydia, reassuringly.

Katrine smiled wistfully "I hope so, Talos guide our path,"

"Stendarr guard our backs," added Lydia

"Kyne grant us fair winds,"

"Zenithar grant us fortune on our quest,"

"Mara protect those we leave behind,"

"Akatosh make the time till we see them again fly,"

"Julianos gift us the wisdom to know that it may not,"

"Dibella help us to understand that absence makes the heart grow fonder,"

"And Arkay if we should perish, grant us quick rest," they finished an old Nordic prayer as they set off towards the Throat of the world.

A.N 2: when I was younger I was fascinated by historical fictions and how they incorporated the religious beliefs of those people, one in particular was a series entitled Earth's children, which featured pre history human society and how the people might practice their beliefs. That has definitely inspired how I write.

Also if anyone can point out a suposed historical quote I snuck in you will get a mention in a future chapter.