Sorry for the wait. I have no real excuse. Reviews and Criticism are welcome.

Layla sat on one of the benches next to the fire in the main room listening to that poor excuse for a bard, what was his name… Mekel… Michel…, whoever butchered one of her favorite songs. The barkeep Holda, kept sending her annoyed looks at she wiped down mugs. Layla had been nursing the same mug all night and she didn't really care. She paid for a room already, and she would be out of Whiterun tomorrow to go to Bleak Falls Barrow. She took a drink of cold mead which she could instantly tell was watered down slightly. While it didn't offer her sustenance like drinking human blood, she could process it through her body. What she wanted in actuality was to feed, but with a pack of werewolves nearby that idea went out the window.

Layla looked up to see that red haired Companion, Aela if she recalled she met outside the city walk in. Oh, speak of the Deadra, she thought as the woman obviously was here for her. The nord woman sat down next her and took the cup that the young redguard woman offered. Layla sighed waiting for the beast to speak first. After the warrior made known she had no intention of the doing so by taking another drink Layla broke the silence between them.

"No hiding in the shadows watching my every move. You are seriously going to sit there and drink not two feet away from me?" Layla asked taking another swig of her own mug.

"That is exactly what I am doing, besides isn't hiding in the shadows your kind's thing?" She said with a smirk, and Layla rolled her eyes.

"I assume that your Harbinger hasn't decided to you know… rawr?" Layla said making clawed hand gesture.

Aela chuckled, "If that were the case I wouldn't be sitting here sharing a drink," Aela said and took another drink. "I also heard you were at Helgen. Care to share?"

Layla chucked dryly, "Oh that. Not much to tell really. A dragon flew down charred some imperials and covered my escape."

Aela shook her head, "Figured your kind would be too stuck up to share a good and long story."

Layla let of small huff, "And I figured your kind wouldn't act so damn nervous around one of mine."

"I am not nervous," Aela said haughtily.

"You're not, but as a whole your little group is. What do they call it… pack mentality?" Layla said slyly earning scowl from Aela. Layla finished her drink and let out a fake yawn, "Well I better get to bed. I have to go to delve the ancient tomb over by Riverwood tomorrow. They don't call me Layla Barrow-Hunter for nothing." She got up and walked past Aela. Layla passed a man in a dark black robe.

"Want a drink?" he called out as she walked by.

"Perhaps another time." She said climbing the steps to the Inn's rooms.

...

Layla awoke the next morning to a knocking sound on the door. She opened it up to find a young courier standing there in a patchwork leather outfit. He looked tired and nervous like if she didn't deliver the letter in time he wasn't going to get paid… or worse, "Sorry to wake you ma'am, but I have an important message from Riften from Maven Black-Briar herself." Layla took the letter and tipped the courier for his trouble. Layla sighed as she shut the door and opened the letter:

To a one Layla Barrow-hunter,

I have sent you this letter to inform you that I wish to discuss a deal with you that will benefit us both.

Sincerely,

Maven Black-briar.

She shook her head after reading the letter. There was only one thing that a rich and powerful woman like Maven Black-Briar could want from her. She tried to recall how she gave what she was away so easily and for the unlife of her couldn't figure it out. Layla lit the letter up in her hand with magic. While she knew that Maven no doubt had the funds or resources, the thought of that woman receiving vampirism made her skin crawl. That last thing Skyrim needed was another Harkon. She donned her newer steel armor that she received from the Jarl as payment for hoofing it all the way from Helgen and walked out of the Bannered Mare.

Once she was out of the gate, she walked casually down the path, until she got to the Honningbrew Meadery. She heard footsteps and turned toward them, expecting to see another yellow garbed Whiterun Guard, but instead she saw Aela who leaned to the side one hip with a grin on her face.

"Still following me I see," Layla said while kicking a small rock into the nearby steam.

"Well, I was told to keep on eye on you so I figured I go with you. You did say last night that you were heading to Bleak Falls Barrow. It reminded me that the Companions were hired to find a Golden Claw for the general store owner in Riverwood."

Layla rubbed her chin, odds were that might be the exact claw she needed to get into the main antechamber of the Barrow. She sighed, "Fine I won't mind if you tag along. Just don't slow me down."

Aela scoffed, "If anything you'll slow me down, old hag."

Layla laughed both at the woman's boldness and the joke itself, "Old hag." She mused as she walked to Riverwood with the werewolf by her side.

…

Aela after talking with Layla, she found herself letting her guard down slightly. The vampire was much different than her other kin. Of course upon observing Layla didn't seem to care much for mortal lives. Aela could clearly tell when they left Riverwood that she looked about ready to rip that young boy apart when he dumped a pale of dirty water over her head as she walked out of the Riverwood Trader. It was that reason she now saw the Kodlak's wisdom in keeping an eye on the vampire.

Aela stopped reminiscing about recent events and looked around the old tomb they were currently in. Many of the urns and chests were already broke open by grave robbers over the years. The tunnels had a dark feel that made her wolf nervous. If course Layla seemed to be right at home, as she sucked a bandit who took up residence with his clan, dry in the next room. Aela left her to her feeding, mostly out of respect. She wasn't sure if the vampire would find it offensive or not if she watched.

Layla walked in a few minutes later, "leh, that guy tasted terrible," she muttered.

Aela let out a small laugh and shook her head, "Not your cup of tea I take it?"

Layla huffed in response, but otherwise kept moving.

They continued on until they heard screaming, "Help! Anyone out there HELP!" They ran through the halls into a big room covered in spider webs. A giant orange and green colored frostbite spider propelled itself down in front of them. Layla didn't even bother reaching for her sword and casted two fireballs at the creature. It screeched as the flames covered it only for the screams to die out as Aela jumped on top of it and stabbed her skyforge steel sword behind its skull. It twitched and fell to the ground in a heap of legs. Aela rolled off. Layla was already helping the man out of the cocoon the spider trapped him in. He kicked at Layla's leg causing Vampire to trip.

"Thanks fools," he shouted as he ran deeper into the tombs. Aela made to charge after him, but Layla held her back.

"You're just going to let him get away? He matched the description of the claw stealer." Aela said a little miffed.

Layla smirked, "Trust me," she held of three fingers and counted down.

Three

Two

One

"AAAAHHHHH," a dark elf's scream rang throughout the dungeon followed by quick silence.

"I knew he'd bumble his way into the daugr eventually. C'mon, let's go get that Dragonstone." Aela could now clearly see how Layla got her reputation as she followed the ancient vampire to the next chamber.