Chapter 2

Thank you guys for reading! Keep it up and you may even coax a tiny smile from Vilkas….

*I don't own Skyrim, but I do own Juheena...and Farkas once I kidnap him*

The next day, Juheena climbed down from her second story room, and thanked Hulda as she walked out the door with her breakfast. She remembered Farkas's invitation to visit him at Jorrvaskr, and smiled. He was rather gruff, and not the brightest candle on the altar, but he was indeed very sweet. And those eyes….

Juheena was jarred from her romantic musings by Irileth running up to her, out of breath, and managing the words, "Dragon! Let's….go..Jarl's….." She was cut off by Juheena, sword in hands, running past her.

"So he's come back for more, hmm?" She growled, heavily adorned ears lying flat against her head.

Irileth banged her sword against her shield in agreement. They ran together to meet the small band of soldiers, hoping that they were not too late.

xOoOoOx

"She's the Dragonborn!"

"It must be true…she shouted! We all saw it!"

"What was that strange magic? Did she…take it from the dragon?"

Juheena stood, shaking at the sudden intrusion of power, of…something else. The dragon lay there, nothing but bones, after she had slain it. It had…disintegrated. Her heart felt heavy, remorseful, and she couldn't figure out why. The dragon had viciously killed quite a few locals… Yet she felt connected to it. She felt its presence lingering… somewhere close. Very close.

Dohvakiin….

She jumped at a sudden touch, but it was only Irileth. Juheena saw her roll her eyes at the Nord fairytales as she took Juheena by the elbow and led her away. "What happened?" She questioned, black eyes staring deep into Juheena's own.

"I'm not sure…what's this Dragonborn business? There are old stories in the libraries in…" She stopped herself from mentioning the Sanctuary. She couldn't let a thing like that slip. Not yet anyway…as harsh as Irileth seemed, she was also very loyal to those who earned her trust… She changed the subject." It means I used to be a dragon, right? I was reincarnated? "

Irileth nodded. "If you were to believe these empty-headed Nords. Though, there is no other way to explain it…" The two were silent for a few beats, unsure on how to continue.

"I think I know how to find out more..." Juheena offered suddenly. Irileth held back a smirk as she watched Juheena's face grow quite animated. She didn't, however, hold back her surprise when Juheena turned around and bolted back to Whiterun.

xOoOoOx

Juheena felt guilty at her childish glee as she stepped through Jorrvaskr. She was a dragon-cat, and she was thinking about seeing Farkas. She was an adult to the Nords. She felt that it was her duty to act as one. With some difficulty, she slowed her heartbeat, but not before a stunning red-headed Nord came up to her, sending it through the roof again. Damn….is everyone around this place so…sexy?

Her eyes lingered on the scandalously bared cleavage fighting its way from the armor. The red head smirked knowingly and held out a calloused hand. "I'm Aela. I am a proud huntress for the companions. You look quite capable yourself…I would like to hunt with you someday…."

"Juheena," The Khajit filled in. "It would be quite an honor, Aela. But I'm afraid this trip was warranted by knowledge. Do you know where I can find Vilkas?" She paused, then added, "Or Farkas?"

Aela barked a laugh. "If you want to know how to most efficiently bludgeon someone, Farkas is your man. Otherwise, his head is filled with clouds and butterflies. Unless…" Aela drifted off suggestively with a smirk.

Juheena dodged a bullet in answering, for they had been walking past rows of doors under Jorrvaskr, and Aela stopped her before the largest one, housed at the end. She could hear Vilkas's voice resonating off the stone walls beyond.

"Here we are." And with that, Aela sauntered off. Juheena couldn't help but stare a moment as her hips swished, then turned to knock.

"Come in." Called an unfamiliar voice. Juheena opened the large double doors and entered slowly, taking in the contents of the small room.

Vilkas sat across from an old, grizzled man. Grizzled as he may be, he still sat with an air of dignity, and purpose. He smiled warmly at Juheena, and welcomed her.

"I am Kodlak, Harbinger of the Companions. Welcome to our home."

"Hello, I am Juheena. I wish…. I wish to join the Companions." She surprised herself with the words. But when she had stepped through the doors, she felt immediately at home. It was obviously a welcoming environment, the people were accepting…that was of course, except Vilkas.

"What? Harbinger, we've never even seen this girl in battle!" Juheena didn't seem surprised at his skepticism, having a hearty dose of it the night before.

"Vilkas," Kodlak chided, "Some come to the companions already famous, some come to seek their fame." He turned to her, apologizing with his eyes for Vilkas's rudeness. She smirked. "How are you in battle, girl?"

"I can handle myself pretty well, Harbinger. Yet I still have much to learn, for I do not fight the same as you."

Kodlak understood instantly. She was a stealthy creature, as the Khajit often were. She snuck, she killed quickly and quietly, then she left undetected. He noted her Greatsword. Perhaps she could teach dear Farkas a thing or two about not drawing a dozen enemies at once. "You should prove your skills to Vilkas here then." He turned to Vilkas, "Take her to the training yard. See how well she can do with a sword and shield."

Vilkas sighed as he got up. "Come on, whelp." Juheena twitched her tail, but said nothing. She would put up with his rudeness, if only for his full lips and rich voice. It's a shame the former was always twisted into a sneer, unlike his twin's. She smiled, and wondered where Farkas was, or where his room was as she followed Vilkas down the hall, into the Great Hall, and out into the training yard.

"Let's see what you can do." He hit his shield a few times then added, "Don't worry. I can take it." He was taunting her. Well, she thought, I'll teach him won't I?

She drew her sword slowly, with purpose. She held it firmly, and chose her stance. Well balanced, rooted, so she could swing with the most momentum she could muster with her upper body without losing her balance.

The second the words left Vilkas's mouth, she attacked. She raised her sword high over her head, and slammed it into his shield. He staggered greatly, but she rebounded and struck him with two quick strikes. He landed with a thud on his ass, making the dark elf and Alea, who were watching, laugh vigurously. There was one familiar voice she could pick out however. She turned around, and saw Farkas among them, smiling broadly.

Keeping his eyes on Juheena, he called to his steaming brother, "You know what they say Vilkas! I'm the one with the strength of Ysgramor! You got his..." He was cut off by a good natured shove by his brother, who charged, laughing.

Farkas left for the building, and after the crowd dispersed, Vilkas turned to the feline. "I must admit, I am impressed. Embarrassed, but impressed nonetheless." He offered her a small smile. It still wasn't enchanting like his brothers, and his eyes didn't sparkle brightly, but she was calmed at the smile. Maybe he wouldn't cause her too much grief. Her relief was short lived though, because apparently he wasn't finished.

"But you're still a whelp to us. Here, take my sword to Eorland up at the Skyforge. You put a chink in it…" He frowned as she reached out her hand and grabbed the blade. It was heavy, much heavier than her ebony sword. Hers was crafted for stealth, his was crafted for heaviness, and weight.

"Yes sir." She replied, with much added sass. She rolled on her heels to face the stairs, leading to the ornately decorated forge on the cliff above their heads.

For knowledge. You're doing this for knowledge, she chanted in her head. And also for the stubbly-chinned, ice-blue eyed, full lipped, muscly, tall…her thoughts kept going until she made it up the stairs to Eorland. There was enough time for daydreaming later.

Author's Note:

I realize I have changed up the dialogue from the game, but hey. This is my fanfiction!

Come on, keep my Farky Warky smiling! Reviews make him smile! Come on, you know his smile makes you melt as much as it does me!