Author Note: Thanks again to everyone for your reviews and for continuing to read this story. You've really encouraged me to keep going! Wishing you all a Happy New Year!

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It was a bright afternoon when Vilkas and Lily returned to Jorrvaskr. Sunlight shone on the distinctive building with its ship's-hull roof, giving it an almost golden hue. Inside, news of their arrival spread like wildfire. Soon the main hall was crowded with Companions, warmly welcoming them home and pressing mugs of ale into their hands. Lily noticed a stranger amongst them. Standing near Athis, there was a slender Dunmer male clad in a brown, hooded robe.

When Vilkas confirmed that the shard of Wuuthrad had been rescued from Dustman's Cairn, the whole room erupted in a deafening cheer.

Skjor came over and slapped Vilkas on the back saying, "Good job, we knew you would do it."

Lily smiled shyly as Aela and Ria congratulated her on a mission well done. The genuine warmth of their regard and the joy on everyone's faces sent a stab of guilt into Lily's heart.

Ria ran outside to get Eorlund from the Skyforge. When the blacksmith arrived, he reverently took the shard from Vilkas and affixed it to the wall along with the other pieces of Ysgramor's legacy.

Skjor smiled broadly at everyone. His one good eye shone with pride as he raised his mug and addressed his shield siblings. "Let us toast to the deeds of our warriors. First Athis saves Dawnstar, and then Vilkas and Lily return another shard of Wuuthrad to us!"

Ale sloshed onto the carpets as Companions raised their mugs and shouted "here here!"

"Dawnstar?" Vilkas asked.

"Indeed. While you were gone, Athis saved the town of Dawnstar from a daedric curse," Skjor confirmed.

Athis grinned. "Don't forget, I had the help of a friend. Vilkas, Lily, may I introduce Erandur."

The strange Dunmer in the brown priest's robes stepped forward. "Blessings of Mara upon you." He bowed in Vilkas and Lily's direction.

Vilkas listened in stunned silence as Athis told the tale of how he and Erandur destroyed a daedric artifact of Vaermina, saving the town of Dawnstar from a curse of unending nightmares. Erandur was not only a priest of Mara, but also a talented healer. He agreed to visit Jorrvaskr for a few days to see if Kodlak's illness could be cured.

When Athis finished, Vilkas stepped up to him and clapped him on the shoulder. "You bring honor to the Companions Shield-Brother. We are likewise honored to have your friend Erandur visit our hall." Vilkas turned to the priest. "Thank you for agreeing to aid our Harbinger. "

Erandur bowed once more.

"Are you sure I can't get you something to drink?" Athis asked Erandur.

He declined, "No thank you. The only spirit I partake of is that of Mara's benevolence and love."

Njada snickered on hearing Erandur's words. She shrugged when Athis glared in her direction.

Skjor pulled Vilkas aside and said quietly, "Kodlak asked to see you as soon as you've returned."

Vilkas nodded. "I will speak with him now." Lily watched as he strode away and headed downstairs to the living quarters.

Lily yelped when she felt a large friendly hand slap her on the shoulder, nearly pitching her forward.

"Nice work Lily," Farkas said with a grin.

Lily rubbed her shoulder. "My thanks Farkas. So what happens now?"

"At dusk we'll have the ceremony. That's when it's decided if you become a Companion or not. Don't look so worried. You and Vilkas brought the shard back. I'm sure by tonight I'll be calling you my Shield Sister."

After what Vilkas had said to her at the camp last night, she wasn't so certain. If Vilkas rejected Lily at the ceremony, she would have to leave the Companions. Stealing Wuuthrad would become nigh impossible unless it was an inside job. Mercer wouldn't allow her back into the Thieves Guild without that axe. And then…what would she do? Fear of the unknown tugged at her.

"I need to go to Belethor's. I have to restock my supplies," She said suddenly.

The big man looked puzzled. "Now? Alright, but make sure to get back by dusk. We'll be waiting," Farkas said.

Down in Kodlak's room, the Harbinger was in his usual spot pouring through the books and scrolls on his desk. Vilkas took a seat across from him.

The old warrior's face lit up with a smile. "Vilkas my lad! I'm glad to see you've returned. I understand we have another shard of Wuuthrad, all thanks to you and Lily."

"Aye," Vilkas said. But instead of being the picture of pride, the Companion could hardly meet Kodlak's eyes.

"Vilkas?" Kodlak asked, concerned. "What troubles you boy?"

Vilkas met Kodlak's gaze and said, "Harbinger, I have failed you. During the mission to Dustman's Cairn, I was surrounded by the Silver Hand. They taunted me and I lost my temper. I transformed, though I promised you I would give it up. The call of the blood is so strong in me. I don't know if I can do this." The shame of it weighed heavily upon his heart.

"Vilkas. Do not let these things trouble you so. We all feel the call. We may fall to the temptation of the curse from time to time, despite what we have vowed. I have. So has your brother." Vilkas looked up in surprise at this revelation.

Kodlak continued, "It is but one skirmish in a long battle. Do not punish yourself over it my boy. The curse is our burden to bear, but together we can overcome it."

"I will do my best, Harbinger."

"Soon, Vilkas, our suffering will be over. The cure is very close at hand. I am sure of it, especially now that Lily is with us."

"Lily?" Vilkas frowned in confusion.

"Aye. I did not mention this before, for fear you might think it the ravings of an old man. It's time that I tell you. I had the nightmare, as I often do, that I had died and been denied entry to Sovngarde. This time, before Hircine's great wolf could pull my soul to the hunting grounds, a fire dragon blazed across the sky and perched on the rocks above us. When I looked again it was not a dragon, but a woman armed with a bow. She fired a burning arrow at the great wolf, piercing its heart. The beast was slain and we were freed from Hircine's dominion. It was Lily I saw. She is the archer from my dreams. I tell you truly, she has some role to play in curing the Companions of this curse. Lily must become one of us Vilkas.

Vilkas was silent a moment as his mind absorbed this news. Could it be true? Or was it only the dream of an ailing old warrior, made desperate from years of suffering and searching for their cure? Could Vilkas risk dismissing Lily, if Kodlak may be right?

Kodlak broke the silence. "One more thing I must tell you, Vilkas. The priest that Athis brought from Dawnstar came to see me yesterday. Erandur is a skilled healer, yet he could not cure what ails me. The lad also has more experience with the Daedra than most. He believes this is no ordinary sickness, but a curse of Hircine in retribution for my efforts to free the Companions from his grasp. If the Lycanthropy is cured, there is a chance I may also be free of this illness. Think of it Vilkas. I could be whole again. I could be well enough to wield a sword and shield in my hands once more.

At Belethor's General Store, Lily bought iron arrows, paper and a stick of charcoal. The Whiterun locals didn't trust Belethor, but Lily liked the old Breton. He reminded her of her Father, who had been a merchant during his life.

Out of curiosity, she blurted, "Belethor, do you ever hire workers for your shop?"

He shook his head. "No, I've had Sigurd working here for over 10 years. Truth is, it's hard to find work in the holds when you're an outsider. Most jobs are taken by locals. You looking for a job? I thought you were with the Companions?"

After the purchase, Lily made her way over to the Honningbrew Meadery. She pretended to peruse the owner's new fruit-infused meads in the tasting room. While doing so, she nodded to a sour-faced worker who swept the floor in the next room.

Outside in the shadow of the boilery building, Lily leaned against the wall waiting for Mallus Macius to appear. After a few minutes Mallus arrived, looking rather oily and sly as ever.

He greeted her. "Well, well, if it ain't the Companion's little lap-dog. What can Mallus do for you today?" He smirked.

"Yeah, funny. I'll make it quick, so you can get back to more important things, like sweeping up dirt. I was wondering if there was any news for me, from Riften."

"Maybe be there is and maybe be there isn't," Mallus replied, leaning against the wall and examining the dirt beneath his fingernails.

Lily sighed and surrendered 10 septims to him.

Mallus pocketed the coins and smiled, "Sorry, it seems I ain't got nothing."

"What!? You low down skeever!" Lily clenched her fists and turned scarlet.

He shrugged, "I said "maybe" and you took your chance."

Lily groaned. A Thieves Guild member would never be treated this way by one of their own, but as a lowly cast-off she was free game.

Her irritation slowly settled into worry. Over three weeks ago, Vex was to join Mercer in that Snow Veil Sanctum job to try and stop the dangerous renegade, Karliah. Since then, Lily sent Vex another letter but heard nothing. Surely Vex would have returned by now? Lily fought down a growing sense of unease. Well, they've probably just forgotten about me. Out of sight, out of mind right?

"Hang on," Lily ordered Mallus. She took out her charcoal and paper, and hastily scrawled a note.

"I need to get this message over to Brynjolf as soon as possible," Lily said.

Mallus held out his greasy hand and Lily dug deeply into her pockets once more.

When Lily opened the large double entrance door of Jorrvaskr, Tilma was the sole person in the warmth of the main hall, stirring a large pot of stew over the fire.

The old woman looked up from her work with a kindly expression. "Oh, you're back dear. You're just in time. They're all outside now. Better not keep them waiting."

Lily sighed and headed through Jorvaskrr's imposing back doors.

Outside, torch lights flickered in the dusk. An aurora borealis blazed across the sky in a ribbon of blue and gold fire. All of the Companions stood together in a circle out on the practice yard. Even Kodlak was there, standing at the head of the circle, clad in his wolf-themed steel armor and kilt.

"Come forward Lily" Kodlak called to her. She walked into the center of the circle.

After a few awkward moments of silence, Aela whispered to her "State your full name and family heritage. Then tell us that you want to be a Companion."

Lily cleared her throat nervously. "I am Lilysara Maurard, orphaned daughter of Alain and Fasile Maurard, born from a long line of junk merchants from High Rock. I wish to become a Companion."

Kodlak's voice rang out, "Brothers and sisters of the Circle, today a new soul asks to join our mortal fold. This woman has endured, challenged and shown us her valor. Who will speak for her?"

Well, this is it. Lily thought. She looked at Vilkas' stoic expression, his cool blue eyes unreadable. She expected Vilkas to go over the reasons why she wasn't worthy of the Companions, why she should be dismissed, right here in front of everyone.

Vilkas spoke clearly, "I stand witness to the courage of the soul before us."

Lily's eyes widened in surprise.

Kodlak continued, "Would you raise your shield in her defense?"

Vilkas answered, his ice-blue gaze fixed upon Lily's face. "I would stand at her back, that the world might never overtake us."

It was only the traditional speech of the initiation, but hearing Vilkas speak these words of devotion affected her deeply. Lily's heart fluttered and she felt her cheeks grow hot. "Gods, I need to get a grip on myself. It's an initiation ceremony, not my wedding ceremony!"

Kodlak's voice rang out again, "and would you raise your sword in her honor?"

" It stands ready to meet the blood of her foes," Vilkas replied.

" and would you raise a mug in her name?" Kodlak asked.

" I would lead the song of triumph as our mead hall reveled in her stories," Vilkas answered.

Kodlak smiled and cast his eyes over all of the assembled Companions. "Then the judgment of this Circle is complete. Her heart beats with the fury and courage that have united the Companions since the days of the distant green summers. Let it beat with ours, that the mountains may echo and our enemies may tremble at the call."

" It shall be so," Vilkas answered.

"It shall be so!" the Companions called out, one after the other.

Kodlak smiled at Lily. "Well girl, you're one of us now. I have faith in you and I know you will do great things for the Companions."

Before Lily could reply to Kodlak, Torvar's voice broke in, "Congratulations Lily. Now let's all celebrate with drinks!"

Everyone agreed to that sentiment and headed inside Jorrvaskr towards the delicious smell of Tilma's stew.

Around the table, the Companions shared mead and stories to celebrate the initiation of their new shield sister.

"So after Vilkas killed the draugr lord, you were knocked out?" Farkas asked.

"I'm not sure, but when I woke up I had this shiner on my head," Lily pointed to her forehead. "And yeah, Vilkas carried my sorry ass out of there like some kind of hero out of a maiden's tale."

There were hoots and chuckles around the table at this, causing Vilkas to scowl. He might think what she said was a jest at his expense, but to Lily, Vilkas truly was a hero.

Aela had a rather mischievous look on her face, as she said, "Lily, you received a letter while you were away at Dustman's Cairn. It's from Anoriath."

Lily frowned. "Anoriath? What could he want?"

Aela handed her a folded letter. Lily looked at it like it was a viper ready to strike. Shit. Anoriath. The merchant she punched out in the marketplace. Did he want a rematch? Or maybe this was notice of a complaint to the Jarl for damages? She'd paid for the mess she'd made of Carlotta Valencia's vegetable stall, but not Anoriath's. SHIT!

She took the letter from Aela's hands and unfolded it. Inexplicably, Ria broke into a giggle from the other side of the table.

As Lily read the letter her expression grew troubled. "Ok, are you guys playing a jest on me?" she asked, casting a suspicious glance all around.

"What does it say?" asked Athis.

Aela smiled. "He's asked her to meet him at the Bannered Mare this Tirdas…for dinner." The huntress raised an eyebrow suggestively.

Athis burst into laughter.

"You guys read my letter?" Lily complained.

"Sorry Lily. You'll learn there's not much privacy to be had as a Companion. Ysgramor himself couldn't keep a secret from this rabble." Aela grinned.

Lily put her head into her hands, "By the Gods, how is this possible? Is punching someone in the face part of a Bosmer courtship ritual or what!?"

Athis answered, "Well, you could always send Njada in your place. The man must be a glutton for punishment."

"Piss off, he's not my type!" Njada said, throwing a fork at Athis' head.

Athis dodged the projectile and only laughed harder.

"Well, are you going to meet with him Lily? He is kind of handsome," Ria admitted.

"I'm not sure yet. It wasn't that long ago we were trying to kill each other with gourds and tomatoes," Lily answered. Her eyes sought out Vilkas almost of their own accord. She watched as he silently got up from the table and left the room, not looking at her even once.