AN: I'm soooo sorry that I didn't update last week! This past week I've done over one hundred note cards on Hamlet in preparation for my term paper, I've taken exams in every class I have, and my grandfather has been in the hospital! Needless to say, this hasn't really been a priority this past week!

Onto the chapter!

The happiest people to see me were the Companions and my parents. Before I had been inside of Jorvaskr for more than five minutes, Farkas had lifted me off the ground in a bone-crushing hug. Aela happily jumped onto me as soon as Farkas sat me down, and then the questions started.

Aela started the interrogation first. "How in Ysgramor's name did you become the Arch-Mage? We thought you were just going to train a bit!"

A sheepish grin slid onto my face. "Well, I did go there to study. As a matter of fact, on a trip with one of the teachers into an old tomb, we found an endless amount of power that started the entire thing. Long story short, a Thalmor adviser went crazy with power, then proceeded to try to harness it for himself. Things got ugly, and I did what I had to. Apparently, the things I did were worthy enough to name me the new Arch-Mage."

My mother's face had the proudest look I've ever seen. "I always knew that you would do great things involving the Arcana!"

The night was spent by everyone catching me up on what had gone on while I was away, and myself regaling the tales of my trip to them. It had to be after midnight, so I bade everyone a good night and headed down into the sleeping quarters.

Before I could make it out of the room, Farkas stopped me. "I understand if you want to rest tomorrow, but if you'd like, you could come with me on a mission? Aela gave me one tonight, and its in one of those old tombs. They give me the creeps, not to mention they always have spiders in 'em. We'll be leaving pretty early tomorrow, though."

Excited, I replied. "I'd love to! It's been way too long since I fought alongside a Shield-Sibling!"

A smile lit up his face. "Great! I'll meet you in front of Jorvaskr at sunrise then?"

I nodded with a smile and watched as he walked away. If I'm getting up at sunrise, then I guess I should get some shut eye.

I was heading into the shared quarters, when I heard my father call my name from behind me. My mother spoke first. "Congratulations! As soon as your father and I heard about the new Arch-Mage, we knew it was you."

My father took over. "That's why we decided to do this for you." He handed me a key.

I studied the key before looking back up to my father. "What is it for?"

He smiled. "That's the key to the house next to Adrianne Avenicci's shop. The Jarl said it is called Breezehome."

Tears filled my eyes. How did I get such wonderful parents? I flung myself at them and cried into my father's shoulder, right in the middle of the hallway. "I love you both so much!"

My mother spoke again. "You'll need to buy some decorations for it from the Jarl's steward. We bought the necessities, so you'll be fine."

After catching up with them, my father told me that "we are too old for this late night stuff," and that they needed to get back to the farm. After promising that I would come and see the farm and visit with them, I gathered my few belongings, and headed back up to the main hall. Everyone was still up there having a good time. I told them all that I would be living in Breezehome from now on, but that I would still be in Jorvaskr all day to ease any worries. I left out the part of being added to the Circle and headed to my new home.

Since it was so late, I didn't have to worry about bumping into anyone in the crowded market area as I walked down to my new house. I arrived and noticed that the house would be the perfect size for me; not too big, nor too small. The key fit into the lock, and I entered into my house for the first time.

The first thing I noticed was the cooking spit with two chairs seated around it. Thank Talos they got the kitchen upgrade! The rest of the first floor was pretty much barren, so I headed up the stairs. At the top, there was a small guest room immediately to the left.

There was one more room on the second floor. That must be the master bedroom. I pushed the door open, and a smile graced my face. I nice double bed was the centerpiece of the room. There was also a small table in a corner of the room, two dressers on either side of the bed, and a storage chest. I think I'm going to like it here I thought, before crashing onto the bed tiredly.

Things were going great until we entered the room with the gate, I thought it would be easy. Just flip the lever and proceed into the tomb. I walked to the lever, flipped it, and watched the gate behind me slam down.

Farkas had asked me to travel with him on a mission inside of an old tomb, because they "gave him the creeps."

Farkas told me he would find a way out, when a group of mercenaries cornered Farkas. I had a lightning spell charged and ready to fire through the grate, when Farkas began to transform. I watched in shock as a large wolf standing on its hind legs took Farkas' place. The beast neatly took out the men who called themselves the Silver-Hand, and then ran into the room that I opened with the lever.

The gate in front of me raised, and I readied the most powerful destruction spells I had. What if he attacks me? Surprisingly, instead of the black beast coming back around the corner, Farkas came around in nothing but his loin cloth. What the hell just happened?

Farkas looked worried. "I didn't scare you too bad, did I?"

I didn't know how to respond, so I just said the first thing that came to mind. "You're a werewolf."

He looked a little surprised at my calm voice. "Yeah, I'm not the only one. Aela, Skjor, Kodlak, and Vilkas are too."

I almost fainted. "Why haven't you all told me? This is pretty big news!"

Farkas looked unsure about that. "I'm not really sure. I guess it wouldn't do to tell everyone we met. None of the whelps know; we don't know who they would tell. We can trust you though. I'm sure Kodlak would've told you soon enough, now that you're part of the Circle."

I had calmed down enough to speak without blowing up. "I'm sorry for freaking out on you. This is just... unexpected."

He looked happy that I hadn't run of screaming. "Don't worry, I wouldn't attack you. I'm still in control."

We began heading through the tomb again. We encountered more Silver-Hand and a couple of Draugr. After a while, all we began to see was Draugr. I guess the Silver-Hand either never made it this far, or the Draugr killed them all.

We finally reached a huge room lined with sarcophagi. At the end of the hall was a lone sarcophagi and a strangely shaped wall. I turned to Farkas and motioned for him to be quiet. Despite his best efforts, he couldn't move stealthily. The lids of the sarcophagi began to pop off, one by one.

Luckily the Draugr weren't too tough. The lid of the lone sarcophagi popped off, revealing a Draugr Deathlord. I guess this guy is here to make up for the lack of the others!

I charged up a single fireball and released. The fireball just seemed to make the Draugr angry. Time to up the ante.

I conjured a Dremora Lord and readied incinerate in both hands. Farkas looked surprised; the last time I fought with him, all I could do was conjure weak daedra and use weak spells. The Draugr was down in record time, and I headed up the stairs and found the fragment we were looking for inside of the Deathlord's sarcophagus.

I could hear a faint whispering noise. It seemed to be emanating from the weird wall, and the closer I got the louder the chanting got. "Farkas, do you hear that?"

He had a confused look on his face. "Hear what?"

Instead of replying, I just walked up next to the wall. My vision went immediately black, and I stumbled into the wall. The chanting got really loud, before stopping altogether. I could feel the same energy that I shouted with stirring in me.

Farkas was at my side. "What happened? Are you okay?"

I shook him off. "I'm fine. I just got dizzy." It's weird. I feel fine now. "Let's just get out of here."

I woke up startled, until I remembered where I was. I checked the dressers and was happy to find that there were a few belted tunics and some shoes. It will definitely be nice to wear some normal clothes for the day! I put on the tunic, folded and placed the Arch-Mage robes into a dresser, and headed downstairs. I looked at the cooking pot and decided that I would learn how to cook eventually, but right now, I had to get out of the house.

I arrived at the mead hall in record time, and was surprised to see Farkas passed out on one of the tables, Aela sprawled out in the middle of the floor, andTorvar half-dressed and slumped in a chair at an odd angle. I let out a small laugh, stepped over Aela and headed out to the training area in the back. Again, I had forgotten completely about Viranus. I didn't even see him last night.

Before I could sneak back inside, he turned and saw me. Damn it! "Isabelle, you're back! When did you get back? I heard that you're the Arch-Mage now? How did that happen? What's it like?"

I stopped him before he could ask anymore questions. "Last night, yes I am the new Arch-Mage, I proved myself worthy of the title to the mages in Winterhold, and it is weird. Where were you last night? Out on a job?"

I saw a dark look pass over his face for a fraction of a second before he spoke. "I was out on a job. Aela had me clearing out a cave in the Rift."

There was that look again. Something is up with this guy. "Ah. Well, I'll just let you get back to training."

He looked excited. "I know! We can spar!"

I tried to look excited. "Sure."

He headed out to the middle of the yard and I stood opposite him a few feet. "Start anytime you're ready."

He immediately slashed. I was surprised and stumbled backwards a bit. I managed to cast my iron flesh spell and conjure a sword just in time to block his sword. What the hell? He fights a lot better than I thought! And a silver sword? That's unusual.

I kept blocking his blows, before finally exploiting a weakness of his of leaving his left side exposed while striking. I hit him with one well placed attack to his side, sending him tumbling to the ground.

I heard a booming laugh coming from the veranda. Vilkas was clutching his sides while laughing. Viranus was giving him the evil eye from his spot on the ground. Oh here we go.

I shot Vilkas a dirty look, and he quieted down, but didn't stop snickering. Viranus, surprisingly stood up looked at Vilkas and spoke to him in a nasty voice. "Unlike you, I'm not going to try to cause any problems today."

Vilkas looked as if he was about to explode as Viranus walked away. Thinking fast, I spoke. "At least you got rid of him for me."

He grunted, and still looked angry. "Oh come on. Just drop it please? I don't feel like cleaning any blood up today."

That got the closest thing to a smile I would get from Vilkas. "While I enjoy watching you pummel the idiot, that wasn't the reason I came out here. Kodlak told us what was going on. You're going to be on par with Aela, Skjor, Farkas, and myself. Congratulations. Kodlak told me to come out here, because we would be initiating you in a few minutes. They'll all be coming out here soon."

My jaw almost hit the ground. "I'm going to be part of the Circle?"

With a sly smile, he simply nodded. I let out a squeal and bear-hugged him, before turning around at the sound of the opening door.

A groaning Aela and Farkas came out. After returning from Dustman's Cairn last night, Aela and Farkas had gotten into a drinking competition. I grinned evilly at Vilkas before turning to the two. In a loud and chipper voice I told them both good morning. I received two very unhappy glares, and a snort of laughter from Vilkas. Kodlak followed the two out, and then Skjor. I guess this is really happening.

The five members of the Companions formed a semi-circle and stood in front of me. The ceremony was short and sweet, but was enough to put tears in my eyes. I promise I won't let any of you down!

AN: This is it for now. I don't really like how this came out, but it'll just have to do. Thanks for reading!

EDIT: I am a complete dumb-dumb. I had the chronology of this chapter so skewed it wasn't even funny. I went back through and tried to fix this pitiful excuse for a chapter. Thank you for being so patient with me!