A/N: Wow… I finished two chapters in my net down time…. Well this is the third I've started with my net down, hope I can get it up soon and get the reviews from this so… on with this? I own nothing! Oh forgive me if I misspell a name, I haven't had much time to play my games for a while….
Title: Rest My Little Wolf
Chapter Eight: Of Axes and Plans
(Cave they crashed in)
Loki opened his eyes and felt the cold in his bones, he groaned at the stiff feeling. He knew with the beating he'd taken he'd feel stiff but this was ridicules! He felt like a man so old that his bones could tell him what weather the day would bring. Loki didn't like this feeling, this stiffness that accompanied healing. His eyes quickly adjusted to the gloom of the small cave, the fire near them was now a few embers, needing to be tended. He rolled almost groaning again, in genuine pain. He had his eyes closed when the smell finally registered.
"Hey, you going to come over and eat. You slept like the dead." Aela called noticing to her great pleasure his utter discomfort in the bleak light of a dreary cloud covered morning. Loki glared as he stood swaying on his feet as his wounds decided to cause him hell.
"Loki, you alright?" Dreavin called from his spot next to the others, he tried to get up forgetting his broken leg, but luckily he was next to Vilkas, otherwise he would have gotten up. Loki gave Vilkas a quick glance silently saying thank you, Vilkas nodded as a welcome. Dreavin looked embarrassed but still looked at Loki worried.
"I'm fine, I feel like hell, but that comes with healing. Now, I would feel a lot better if I could look over your wounds and see what I can do to speed their healing. Please Dreavin." Loki walked over knowing he didn't look as good as he said but he needed to be strong. For Dreavin, for the Companions, and for Kodlak he needed to be strong.
"Loki you know I won't until I know if you're really alright." Dreavin sighed in slight frustration. Loki returned the frustration by running a hand trough his hair and letting out a long sigh before placing his hands on his hips and giving Dreavin a defiant glare.
"I can walk is that not proof enough?" Loki snapped growing impatient wanting to heal his stubborn brother so they could get moving. Loki and Dreavin stared each other down, everyone else in the cave becoming slightly nervous, wondering if the two were going to brawl. But finally Loki gave up throwing his hand in the air with a loud sigh.
"Fine you bull headed troll!" Loki sighed in defeat, he ran his hands through is hair before stumbling back to his pack grabbing it and walking with steadier legs as he made his way back o the others.
Dreavin grinned in triumph, Loki glared at everyone and Vilkas chuckled at the scene between the two. Dreavin watched with clear curiosity as Loki pealed off his deer skin shirt before pulling out a vile filed with a vibrant red cream.
Loki noticed his brothers stare before looking very uncomfortable and looking away. Loki mistook the stare for something different; his whole form was littered with scares. He thought his brother's stare was aimed at the pale mars etching his skin. Dreavin picked up on the shame right away.
"'The scares of a Warrior can tell his story as well as any words.'" Dreavin recited the quote from their Father; it was what the reply he'd give when young Loki or Dreavin would inquire about an old scar. Loki throat tightened as he though of the man, a noble soul in life, and even in the grips of death. Loki looked up at Dreavin who smiled at him.
"I have just as many." Dreavin said a sorrowful look flashing in his eye. Loki looked up shocked, he highly doubted Dreavin had so many, but he'd not out right cry liar. He would like some solid proof but he believed his brother for now.
"I want proof but I will believe you for now… Farkas, you know how to apply this salve can you help me?" Loki tried not to look embarrassed but Farkas smiled hat broad grin, nodding as Loki tried not to go bright red. Loki quickly applied the healing ointment to the bruises and cuts located on his arms and chest, what he couldn't get Farkas covered in the red healing paste. Loki looted a few bandages from his pack and wrapped the red slashes over his chest and back. He looked up after tying his last bandage.
Loki put the half full jar back into is pouch. Before slipping back on the deer skin shirt, he turned back to his brother giving a grim look.
"Depending if I have to reset any bones this may hurt." Dreavin nodded knowing already that what must be done must be done. Loki moved closer and inspected fist the arm in the sling, no bone had been damaged but the shoulder was red and needed Loki's healing salve and a small bit of magic to speed recovery.
After the shoulder was bandaged Loki moved to the broken leg. Loki was careful, fearful of jolting it and causing unnecessary pain and damage. Luckily the bones did not need to be reset and the splint on the broken limb kept it secure; Loki let healing magic wash over the hurt limb doing all he could before cutting off the magic flow. It took a bit out of him, he was handy with healing spells but that didn't meant he was used to spending so much magic at one time.
"You ok?" Dreavin was worried again as he saw his brothers sagging shoulders and weary eyes. Loki grinned at the worry knowing the weariness would fade soon.
"I am fine, just not used to spending so much magic at one time, I may be a healer but that does not make me a master mage." Loki said softly, repressing a yawn. Loki took a bit of bread and venison like everyone else before they gathered together their things and headed out. Dreavin insisted on at least hobbling a little in his splint.
"I'm a grown man, not a helpless boy!" Dreavin protested the idea he needed his younger brother to carry him. Loki shook his head at the stubbornness making his older brother swear on Talos that if he grew strained he'd let Vilkas carry him. Dreavin swore, but Vilkas and Loki still hung near him like smoke as they journeyed on.
Dreavin to Aela's surprise seemed to enjoy Vilkas's attention, although seemed a tad annoyed at both Loki and Vilkas for their constant vigilance over him as if he were a baby bird rather than an adult man. Dreavin even flirted with the slightly older man, more than once Aela caught a small exchange between the two that bordered on love sick. She rolled her eyes.
Loki smiled softly, letting the two have their space, he moved closer to Farkas to talk about old missions and battles they'd fought and won, even veering off to Loki's time as a caravan escort in the deserts Elsweyr.
They approached the gates near nightfall, Dreavin having worn out his healing leg had consented to Vilkas carrying him, so the pace had increased over the day, but now they slowed again, Loki was hesitant to face his old family, scared of the judgment surly awaiting him in Jorrvaskr's halls. Vilkas and Aela shared a quick look then nodded to Farkas who nudged Loki.
"They don't blame you Loki, they blame the Silverhand. They saw through grief better than I." Vilkas stated in a rush, the others nodded Dreavin looked confused but did not ask, knowing very well it was a matter he should not intrude in.
Loki nodded still unsure he let them lead him and Dreavin, who asked to be allowed to hobble his way through Whiterun with a little dignity. Vilkas put him on his feet but was careful and hovered near like a worried doe over her fawn. They reached the gates as the first stars began to speckle the azure sky. The aurora lights would soon follow.
"Hail Companions!" The Guard on duty called, he walked closer a torch in hand, and when he saw Loki he sputtered and nearly tipped over his own feet.
"S-Stormblade, it's an honor!" He stammered, Loki held in an irritated sigh. How many fell over themselves to recite his war title, it was pathetic and annoying to Loki actually, not at all flattering. Loki's eye twitched even and he willed him self to behave.
"Open the gates." Vilkas replied, gearing the startled soldier into action, the guard ran up to the gates and opened them, allowing the group to pass. Loki heard Aela mutter something about the guard being a pig headed idiot. Dreavin seemed a tad annoyed about the obvious staring at his splint. Loki noticed and drew closer, silently offering support.
When they entered Jorrvaskr Loki was greeted by the familiar scents of home and family, it stunned him. He stood dazed for a few moments, and then he got slugged. He stumbled to the side, not having expected the attack; he snapped to attention, looking at his attacker, he was faced with the other whelps. Not knowing which had hit him he waited unsure of what to do now.
"You disappeared. You expected me to hug you? Yeah right." Njada nearest of the whelps sneered; Loki had hated her she was a red headed bitch with a shield and a nasty temperament. The Dark Elf, Athis, gave him an uncertain look.
"Staying this time or running off?" He said, his arms crossed and whole demeanor screaming boardum. Loki knew better the Elf was just acting tough. More than once Loki had helped Athis through a bad case of Rockjoint, Ataxia, Brittleshins, or a bad night terror and Athis had become a good friend because of it. Loki looked him in the eye letting his emotions shine through.
"I am unable to settle back home. I must manage another city; I have become Thane of Riften and… I might be settling there permanently." Loki felt that tingle that told him something was going to go wrong and he pushed the thought away.
"Who's that cripple?" The bitch Njada leered looking pointedly at Dreavin's splint. Dreavin glared he opened his mouth to retort when Loki cut him off with a biting remark.
"My brother you bitch, I suggest a whelp learns manners to use with her betters, he could easily give you a thrashing if it were not for his broken leg." Loki hissed a yellow glint in his eyes and his hands clenching into fists. He started her down and she was cowed by his glare.
"You whelps should go back to what you were told." Farkas barked, at this the whelps scattered and Loki calmed himself down rubbing at a temple trying to stop the throbbing from the stress of dealing with that bitch as well as his howling wolf.
"This way, Dreavin, I'll take you to my room you can rest there. I'll meet you all at the forge." Vilkas led a blushing Dreavin to the stairs, and with out asking picked the man up bridle style and carried him down the steps. Dreavin's shouted profanities aimed at the overly cocky Vilkas were soon drowned out as the door to the Hall's lower level shut.
"I think Vilkas is going to have a hell of a time taming my brother." Loki laughed as the three walked out of the Hall toward the forge. Aela looked around before slipping into the Under Forge, followed by Farkas then a confused Loki, who had been a tad bit upset about meeting where Kodlak had been burned only to find Vilkas had meant the Under Forge. Loki knew Vilkas had probably done it because Dreavin wasn't a Companion so shouldn't know about the secret tunnel, but still.
"We'll wait till Vilkas shows up." Aela said leaning against the wall, Loki nodded, leaning against the wall as well. Loki let his mind drift and soon enough his thoughts flew to his hearts keeper. He wanted to be in Brynjolf's arms, not discussing Kodlak's unfulfilled wish. Loki knew no cure for Werewolves. It weighed his heart since Kodlak had given a bit of hope before his death, but with Kodlak dead he doubted a cure would ever be found. Loki was torn from his thoughts when Vilkas strode in. They discussed the ways to complete the quest and as Loki had thought, the only way they could was sealed.
"Damn it all to Oblivion!" Loki growled in frustration, wanting no more shouting between Aela and Vilkas, just then the key to the puzzle strode in. Eorlund walked up to Loki and held before him, whole and in all its former glory, Wuuthrad. Loki let his jaw drop, he'd never thought… no, he never expected the blacksmith to repair the ancient Axe.
"Wuuthrad is a tool, and tools are meant to be broken…" He trailed off walking up to sand by the empty bowl that once held the wolf blood that turned Loki in the center of the small chamber. He looked directly at Loki, before continuing, "And repaired." That look in the man's eyes slammed Loki in the gut, the Axe was remade they could save Kodlak. Loki meet Eorlund gaze as the man walked up to Loki and held out the axe.
"I think Loki should be the one to carry and return it to the tomb of Ysgramor. It's only fitting that the one who brought the last shard to us is the one to do it." Eorlund pushed the Ax into Loki's hands before turning and walking out with a quick finale note over his shoulder.
"You should get going soon; your guest might not be safe here alone. Not with his leg the way it is anyway, get every thing together and get going." With that Loki was left staring at the false door to the Under Forge and Wuuthrad weighing heavy in his hands.
"I'll take Dreavin to your home Loki, and then I'll meet you three at the gates." Vilkas stated snapping Loki from his stunned thoughts.
"I shall go with you, I will tell my Housecarle to watch Dreavin then we can gather some things from there and meet Aela and Farkas at the gates." Loki stated it clearly and squared his shoulders, Vilkas could indeed get Dreavin there but the Housecarl was a different matter. Loki swore she had the brain of a ground hog.
With Wuuthrad safely strapped to his back Loki led Vilkas down to Dreavin. Loki smiled at his brothers curled up form, well mostly curled; one leg was sticking out, the one in the splint. Loki moved up and picked his brother up careful of not jarring the broken limb. Dreavin stirred slightly, muttering about something Loki didn't catch, but it sounded similar to 'Vilkas'. After collecting their precious burden they headed for Breezehome.
"Greetings my Thane." The Woman called, Loki wanted to tell her to say it with out sarcasm or just not say it period, but he didn't wish to wake his still sleeping brother.
"This is a very dear person to me. You are to treat him with the utmost respect, Understood?" Loki voice was steely and held no room for argument or Sarcasm. The Housecarl nodded looking board, but Loki held her in his steady gaze giving a silent threat. She knew not to let harm or insult befall this man being placed in her care. He grabbed some of the coin he'd stashed in his trunk, and the witch heads.
"Hey, leaving with out a proper good bye? That's hurtful, little brother." Dreavin called Loki looked back at him shaking his head. He walked back and gave Dreavin a quick hug.
"I shall see you soon, just heading north a bit. I will be back." Loki withdrew and quickly left the house knowing that if he stayed he'd not leave. Something wasn't sitting right with him and the thought of staying with his brother was far more appealing than running head long into this hidden danger. Loki knew that there was something, he couldn't place it but there was something at the back of his mind screaming danger.
He met the others at the gate, the blue glow of the aurora meeting them as they raced along the northern path to Ysgramor's tomb. The challenges they had faced were only barley the beginning.
A/N: I think it be pointless to talk about the journey to the coast, it's long and not important so here this chapter ends and another begins. Let's see if Loki can stay sane, if they all can survive the undead, and if Loki will find the danger.
Emerald out!