Chapter 23

Argis stared down at Lydia's still body. White shrouds covered, her shield lay across her chest with her sword grasped in one hand. The lower part of her face was covered in a thicker material, hiding her injury.

Argis glanced up when he felt movement. Jarl Balgruuf stood not far away with a well of sadness in his eyes. Argis wondered if it was because of the loss of Lydia or because of the loss of Jorik.

Argis sighed, earlier he had to tell Jarl Balgruuf what had happened and who the werewolf had been. It had been one of the awkward, and dreadful retellings he ever did. It seemed Balgruuf already knew that the circle were Werewolves. What they considered a secret seemed to be common knowledge to some people.

"I thought I would find you here," Balgruuf commented uncertainly.

"Where else would I be? This needs to be done since Jorik isn't here to do it himself," Argis answered bitterly. He wanted to be out there searching for his husband and he knew Lydia would want that. But Nord culture dictated that he take care of her body since her Thane wasn't here.

"Argis, leave it, I'll take it from here. I know you want to be out there looking for him," Balgruuf said.

"Have your men found anything?" Argis asked.

"No, no one has found anything," Balgruuf sighed tiredly.

"Then I'll take my leave. I need to search for him," Argis stated and rushed out of the door.

~ooooooooooooooooooo~

Argis sighed, he was deep in the wood, with only small creatures around to keep him company. He was sitting high in a tree trying to find sleep. Jorik was heavily on his mind, he needed to find his husband and soon.

He didn't want to stop searching, but he knew he would be no use without sleep. With a weary sigh he closed his eyes.

"Why did you allow this?" a voice asked him.

"Who's there?" Argis yelled out.

"Answer me, why did you allow this?" The voice demanded.

"Jorik is his own person. Its not up to me to deny him anything. He makes his own choices. You warned him already. If he didn't listen to you then why should he listen to me?" Argis yelled out.

"Very true mortal. And even now my eldest son gains power as Jorik loses even more of himself," The voice sighed.

"Then do something. You have been watching over him. You have been protecting him for some reason, then you do something. Tell me where he is!" Argis demanded. He couldn't believe he just did that, making demands of a god, Akatosh no less.

"After everything you've seen, after everything he told you of his dreams you haven't figured it out yet?" Akastosh asked him. He gave a shuddering sigh, this was no what he was expecting.

"No and neither has he," Argis uttered, he could hear his own uncertainty.

"Your husband will find you soon mortal. Remember who he is and mayhap that will make the difference," Akatosh murmured.

"Now what does that mean?" Argis muttered with a shake of his head.

"Think and it should come to you. You've been with him this long it is the only reason why I speak with you," the high god stated.

"Figure it out he says. Never knew the gods were so cryptic," Argis muttered beneath his breath. He really didn't want the god to hear those words.

Argis started awake, he was confounded, Akatosh the god of time and dragons was speaking with him. Him of all people! He remembered the dream vividly. He knew for a fact now soon he would see his husband, he just hoped that he would be able to get through to Jorik, or what was Jorik.

He slowly climbed down the tree, scanning the ground every few seconds as he climbed. He remembered how fast that werewolf could move. He knew his husband could be there in seconds, so he kept watch. He wished he told someone where he had gone. But the only ones he could tell was the Companion and there was no way in Oblivion he would do that. For all he cared those people could burn in oblivion and he would help them get there.

He circled slowly when his feet touched the ground. His sword automatically in his hand, his shield at ready, it was time to find his husband or the werewolf to find him. He moved cautiously through the thick foliage, until he came to a clearing. Here he stopped, something told him not to go forward. He thought about ignoring that feeling, but anytime he had ignored it he had found himself in more trouble than he could handle.

"Dovahkiin," Argis called out. Talking to him in the dragon language had worked once, he hoped it worked again. The bushes further in the distance rattled, leaves fell to the ground. Yet still no sign of his husband.

"Dovahkiin," Argis called out louder, putting us much force in those words he could. It was the closest he could come to a shout and he hoped it was enough to get Jorik's attention.

Argis fell into stance when a furred shape stalked out of the bush. He watched it carefully. He moved slowly, ready for anything even though it was attacking. It stared at him, watching waiting for something. "Drem yol lok dovahkiin," Argis said with a slight bow of his, not once taking his eyes off the beast before him.

A low growl answered him. Argis shivered at the sound and stopped where he was. He didn't want to fight his husband, but if push came to shove he would. If Jorik was to die, it would be by his sword and no one else. He couldn't, wouldn't have it any other way.

"Are you still in there Jorik? Do you remember my scent?" Argis asked softly. He lifted his shield when the animal charged. Quickly he bashed his shield against it, using all his force. He knew he couldn't hold back in this fight, it would be stupid. He was glad that Jorik could hold a sword in his hands right now or he knew he wouldn't live through this.

He ducked the on coming swipe of claws and slashed back with the sword. His eyes widened when the werewolf jumped back with a startled look. He wouldn't have believe that look could cross an animals face, at least not a werewolf's.

"Dovahkiin I don't want to fight you, but I will not let this continue," Argis warned his husband. He watched as the animal stopped and looked at him once more. Its head tilted off to the side. "Dovahkiin?"

Argis tensed as the animal growled at him. He took a step back, his shield and sword raising again. Then the growls stopped but the animal didn't move. "I don't want to hurt but I will if I have to," Argis warned. He didn't know whether the animal understood him, or if he was wasting his breath. He remembered Akatosh's words but still didn't understand them.

Argis dropped to the ground as the werewolf jumped for him, landing cleanly on the ground where he had stood. Argis moved quickly knocking the animal with his shield, he hit it in the face as hard as he could. The animal was stunned for a moment. Argis took advantage of that moment and kicked out as hard as he could.

With a sigh of relief he watched Jorik's wolf form drop to the ground out cold from his foot connecting solidly to the side of its face. He quickly reached in his bag and grabbed the silver chain he had there. Usually they didn't carry this with them, but every now and then when they were hunting a rogue werewolf they did. It worked like a charm to keep them immobile. He knew it burned them, but couldn't think about that. It was killing him to use it on Jorik right now.

He tied up his husband and dragged him out of the tree line where he had kept his house. He hoped the animal was still there. He really didn't want to have to carry Jorik to where they were heading like this.

Argis sighed in relief when he saw his horse there unscathed. He shoved Jorik's wolf body over the saddle and jumped into the back of the saddle. He needed help but he didn't know where to go. Who would know? Who would actually give him the answers he was looking for? Better question would be, who even knew how this cure originated? The only answer he came up with was the Companions, but there was no way he was going there.

He sat there staring at the bright sun and another idea came to him. That dragon on the mountain might know. They had been around forever. So he must know something. He would get to that dragon no matter what and he didn't care what protests those old men had about him disturbing their master.

He needed answers and he was going to get them.

~oooooooooooooo~

Night had fallen and he avoided every place where there were people. He tried to keep them hidden from everyone. It hadn't been easy. He had thought this form only last a few days, but Jorik was still a wolf. A few times he thought he was going to shift back, but it never happened.

His husband was awake and pissed, had been for quite a few days. They were half way up the mountain and he hoped his planned worked. He would really hate to have to kill the old men. He wasn't sure if it was possible but if they stopped him, he would find out the hard way.

The werewolf stared at him warily, a look that made his heart clenched. It was almost as if it was Jorik staring at him, but he knew that wasn't so. He needed his husband back, and… He wasn't ready to admit the rest. It wasn't a sure bet he would get his husband back. When he was back, then he would tell him.

~ooooooooooooooooooooo~

Argis stared, shocked, there had been no argument from the greybeards. Actually one of them were leading him up the mountain using a shout. It made the trek a lot easier.

He stared straight ahead, leading the horse by the reins. Up a head he knew the answers lay but nervousness was eating at him. He was about to talk with a dragon without Jorik there to protect him.

The greybeard that was leading them, told him he would be safe but it meant nothing. Not without Jorik. He knew Jorik could keep a promise like that, this man couldn't.

Arigs walked into the dragons den, the top of the mountain and watched as it came in for a landing. He stumbled back hastily. His own fear escalating. "Drem yol lok Joor," The dragon greeted him. Peace fire sky mortal.

"Drem yol lok Paarthurnax. I need you help and you knowledge. Dovahkiin…" He didn't finish, instead he showed him.

"So the time has come. Our father showed me this. I had hoped, but it seems it is your time," Paarthurnax sighed forlornly.

"What do you mean?" Argis asked urgently.

"Go to where he received this disease. Leave him here with me, his soul knows this place. Come back when you have your answer," Paarthurnax ordered.

Argis stared at him for a moment, not wanting to leave Jorik but knowing he had to. He bowed his head, and lightly ran his hand down the fur arm of his husband. "I'll be back I promise," he whispered before leaving his husband behind.