Chapter 7

*I do not own Skyrim, but I do own Juheena and Juheena owns Farkas*

The next morning, Juheena slipped out of bed as gently and quietly as she could, gazing back and looking affectionately at the empty space left where she had once lain between her warm werewolf, and sweet Anja. She retrieved the letter from Babette, reading it over a few times more, then threw it remorsefully into the hearth. She did not know how much longer she would have to wait before seeing her family, but Cicero threw a wrench in the works completely.

She warmed her hands by the fire, contemplating peacefully. She heard Farkas get up, and she turned to watch him stumble towards her, still half asleep. Smiling, Juheena took his hands and sat him down, then placed herself in his lap. He started stroking her fur, something her cat side enjoyed immensely. She hugged his chest to hers tightly, felling completely at ease for the first time in ages. No dragons, no missions, just her and her beloved werewolf, warm by the fire. She couldn't help feeling like she had her own little family there, in that very room.

The moment, naturally, didn't last very long.

They heard a huge commotion coming from upstairs Jorrvaskr, and Farkas growled. "It's Vilkas. He's hurt." Juheena jumped up, and ran out the door with Farkas close behind. They opened the door, and were greeted by the bloody mess that lay beyond.

"Vilkas!" Farkas ran to meet his brother, surveying the damage. Vilkas's leg was gashed severely, most of his thigh bone was visible in the void where his armor once was. It appeared like it had been…chewed off.

"There was a dragon." He managed in between breaths. The Companions shared a glance. Aela came in with Anja in tow, bringing the news that Tilma was out of town to get healing supplies from Riften.

"I know how to fix it!" Anja exclaimed excitedly. "I read this book once, about the magical residue left in dragon-induced wounds. There is a special mixture that you can use to counter the effects, that also makes it heal faster."

Anja searched around the kitchen for a few moments, finally coming out with a Rock Warbler egg. "Juheena, you are the alchemy ingredient capital of Skyrim, I need some ice wraith teeth, a pinch of fire salts, and a handful of ground blue mountain flowers."

Juheena fished around in her Apothecary's satchel, pulling out the requested reagents. Aela cleaned out the wound with fresh, cold water as she was instructed. The rest of the companions watched as Anja cracked the egg into a bowl, then throwing a pinch of fire salts. She waited for them to stop fizzling, then added the blue mountain flowers. She mashed into a poultice before finally adding the ice wraith teeth. Anja then turned to Vilkas, who sat there holding back a long string of curse words for the girl's benefit. Glancing at the wound, she grimaced, then handed the poultice to Aela.

"Here. I'm not touching a bone while it's still attached to muscle." Aela took the mixture, then paused herself, but a groan from Vilkas pushed her forward. She spread it around the torn skin first, both hearing and feeling the icy hot relief as it counteracted the dragon's damaging residual Magika. She then started spreading it in the rather large hole left behind.

"That's going to leave an ugly scar…" Aela mumbled to herself, not realizing she had said it out loud.

Farkas and Juheena had to restrain him, for he lunged at his caregiver. "I know that! Little wench!" Farkas looked ashamed for his brother's words. Aela almost let a tear fall, but she was too proud and strong. She slammed the bowl on the table, then marched out of Jorrvaskr, taking a large axe with her.

"I pity the unfortunate soul who gets in her way." Anja joked, trying to lighten the mood. She moved to pick up the remaining medicine herself, but Farkas waved her away, fearing for the girl's safety at the moment.

"Why don't you two ladies go shopping…or whatever it is that you like to do." He suggested, and Juheena took Anja by the hand.

"Come on little fairy, let's go track down my horse. I'm sure she feels lonely, I haven't ridden in almost a week!"

With the child and his lovely Khajit gone, he resumed Aela's previous job. "What was that all about, brother? Aela said nothing wrong…we all have scars… we're Companions."

Vilkas sighed. "I am sorry, brother. I suppose I was just tired and delirious from the pain. That little girl is quite astute for someone so young."

"Reminds me of someone I know." Farkas teased, wrapping his brother's leg. "Maybe she can even help you grow some of the skin back somehow."

"I noticed you holding Juheena rather close." Vilkas noted.

Farkas drew in a breath, before simply nodding. "I was."

"You have claimed her, then?"

He hadn't. Not officially. But he wasn't going to let his brother know that. "Yes." Never had he lied to his brother before. It felt strange.

"Oh well then. There will be others, I suppose." He looked crestfallen, but tried to disguise it as tiredness. He yawned, then stumbled off the table. Farkas helped him to his room, then left him to his thoughts. Smiling, he decided to go find the ladies. Ironically, he too felt like he had another family. A lovely woman to call his own, and a child whom he hoped to call his own someday. She needed to be raised, and why not by her closest friend and himself? She was only around ten, he guessed. She had told him that she was almost 13, but he knew better. He had overheard her confession to Juheena the previous night.

As he walked down the pathway leading to the shops, he noted an odd flash of red. It looked like…. A jester. In Whiterun? He banished the thought. Bards and entertainment, yes. But there were few actual Jesters in Skyrim. Even the very few had come directly from Cyrodil. He shrugged it off, thinking it must have been a trick of the eye, or a child running past.

What he didn't realize, was that he was being watched by said 'trick of the eye."

xXOoOXx

After brushing and petting Juheena's horse, Agates, they went to Breezehome, her house in Whiterun. After trying on every single amulet Juheena owned, she started going through her bookshelves. She pulled out a copy of 'The Lusty Argonian Maid, and broke into a fit of giggles.

"Hey Juheena! Look what I found! I'm showing Farkas!" Juheena rolled her eyes, not realizing the incriminating evidence the girl had. It was then Farkas came through the door.

Juheena smiled brightly, reaching up onto her toes to kiss Farkas. "You smell good.." she murmured into his neck. Anja stood back, scheming. She picked out one very juicy verse from the book and read it aloud: 'Crantius Colto: Cleaning, eh? I have something for you. Here. Polish my spear.

Lifts-Her-Tail: But it is huge! It could take me all night!'

Juheena lunged at the girl, but she was ready and ran up the steps and locked herself in Lydia's room. She leaned against the door, then slid down until she was sitting on the floor.

"You little Rotten Skeever Carcass." Juheena grumbled.

"I get that a lot." Was the response she received.

Juheena looked up at Farkas, who had a huge grin plastered on his face. She felt like batting it off. "What." She said in a monotone, not meaning it as a question.

"My little minx. How naughty." He teased, crossing his arms. She was about to reply, when she heard Anja call out, "Remember there is still a child in the house."

Smirking, Farkas retorted, "It's rather difficult to forget you." Anja kicked the door, banging Juheena's head. Farkas laughed, which earned him a kick in the shin.

After a while, they settled down and Farkas cooked supper. Juheena was genuinely surprised he could cook. They sat at the table in the corner, eating tomato soup and an Apple pie Farkas cooked. Anja and Farkas ate almost all of it, leaving Juheena only a small slice, which she had an intense fork battle with Farkas over.

But before she could take a decedent bite, Irileth ran in. "Juheena! You must come quickly! There's another dragon attacking in Morthal. The Dragonborn has been called."

Another adventure. She couldn't wait to tackle it.

*Author's note*

We're finally getting into some more action! My sincerest thanks to all of my readers. I love you guys! This story has had over 1000 people read it! Look at me, oozing over my tiny little fame ;D

Seeya Next time! There will be some major secrets revealed in the next chapter! It will also be much longer, so it may take me a few days to update. Taa-taa!