Mea here. Here's the second chapter. Like I said I'm not 100% sure what I wanted in this. Happy Halloween.

Anyway; Disclaimer: I don't own Skyrim nor any characters except Rivaine and even then barely.

Please enjoy.

To Protect My Family

Rivaine stayed on her plot of land for three days. She worked hard on building the small one room cabin into a bigger home for both her steward and housecarl. She had managed to add a main hall and had Lydia order furnishings for it. She sat cross legged on the double bed in what now could be called the foyer. Wiping the grime from her brow she sighed. Lydia made a disgusted noise and Rivaine looked at her pleasantly.

"That's where we sleep when you aren't here, you know." The 'we' Lydia had been referring to was herself and another housecarl by the name of Rayya. Rayya hadn't been around Rivaine as long as Lydia had been, but Rivaine trusted the older woman. Unfortunately, Rayya's inexperience with Rivaine often brought Rayya and Lydia to blows.

"You can't speak to the thane that way!" The dark skinned woman protested from her spot in a chair by the fire pit. Rivaine waved her hand in dismissal.

"It's fine Rayya." She said idly, but then smirked. "Although I had no idea you and Lydia were like that."

Lydia glared at her while Rayya flushed and flailed. Both started adamantly denying what Rivaine had proposed and Rivaine just laughed, enjoying the uncomfortable position she had put her housecarl and steward in. In the past three days after her fight with and flee from Vilkas, this easy comradierie she had with the two women was both refreshing and comforting. They had not pushed her on her reasons for suddenly appearing, they had not argued with her on not having a traditional family. Rivaine found herself relaxing as they had worked on the house by day and told stories and drank mead by night. It was like when she had started out with the Companions of Jorvaskr all over again.

The mead hall was especially cheery tonight. Another shard of Wuuthrad had been located and successfully acquired. The companions sang gaily and were swapping stories of older battles; some of them only partially made up, others very obviously exaggerated. Rivaine was sure the bear Ria had killed wasn't 'as large as the Jarl's keep' and 'as nasty as a dragon.' For one thing the Keep was huuge and Rivaine doubted very much her shield-sister had met a dragon. Nothing was nastier than a pissed off dragon.

Dragons...

"You look upset." Rivaine looked up from rubbing her arm. Farkas loomed over her, two mugs of frothing mead in his hands.

Ignoring his observation she reached for one. "One of those are for me right?" She asked, grinning cheekily.

He smiled slowly and stepped back, just out of reach. "Not until you tell me what you were frowning about."

"Memories." She said evasively and snatched at one of the mugs clutched in one of Faraks' massive fists. He just easily stepped aside laughing.

"Not enough Sister."

"Yet sadly," She spun quick enough to surprise him and managed to snag one of the mugs, "it's the truth." And with that she took a sip of mead and smiled. Astonished, Farkas gaped at her before bursting out in laughter.

"You are certainly a worthy Sheild-sister."

Grinning she took another swig and cast a glance to where she just knew Vilkas was watching. She smacked her lips and blew a kiss. He glared at her, obviously disgusted and angered, before turning to Kodlak and engaging the old man in conversation. Rivaine laughed happily and Farkas lead her to the center of the room.

"Let's hear it for our new Sheild sister! May her bow never falter and her sword arm never break!"

The chorus of 'hear hear!' brought a smile to her lips.

"And anyway, Rivaine, even if I was so inclined the last I'd look for is an old Redgaurd."

Rivaine snapped her head up in time to see Rayya effectively knock Lydia off her stool. "Who's old, milk drinker?" Rayya growled. Rivaine smiled as the two started bickering anew. Maybe things would be ok after all.

Vilkas stayed in the mead hall for three days. He didn't want to sleep in the same home as his wife when she wasn't there. Or if she was he didn't want to see her until his blood had cooled. He had even developed a regimine. Get up, post available work, test whatever milk drinker thought themselves worthy of the companions, contemplate sending his wife a letter, crumbling the paper, then spend the day getting drunk enough to where his heart didn't hurt so badly. None one had questioned him on it except Aela.

"You're acting like a child."

He glanced up at her and frowned. Aela's hair was as red as his wife's. Aela was a master with the bow, as was his wife. He stared hard at the woman and found she was glaring equally back. He huffed and stared back into his mug. Aela had none of his wife's softness; none of Rivaine's easy smile or stern yet loving concern. All the qualities he was sure would make her a good mother.

"Go away."

"Not until you go after her. If it were me-"

"It isn't you. Now go away."

Aela was about to respond but the doors to the mead hall crashed open. An old man, grizzled and greying, stood before them. His one good eye scanned the hall, double taking on Aela. Apparently not finding what he was searching for, he gnashed his teeth.

"Where is she?"

Torvar got up and stumbled over to the man. "Listen, we don't-" The old man struck him and he fell.

"I'll ask one more time." The old man grabbed his great sword. "Where is Rivaine?"