AN: I'm back again! I kind of feel bad for not updating regularly these past few weeks, and I'm in the mood to write again.

Thank you for the quick responses to my chapter! I put the chapter up really early in the morning (3 to be precise), and woke back up at ten. I had a couple new followers and favorites, and even two new reviews! That is mainly what motivated me to continue today!

Enough of my dribble, though, so onto the chapter!

Where am I? What happened? There was snow all around, and on top of, me. My body was wracked with shivers. What the… my clothes are gone! I jumped up holding my hands over my breasts and looked around in a panic. I have to figure out where I am. I'll freeze to death if I don't get out of the cold.

A small breeze began to blow my way. While shivering, I noticed a strange sensation. A smoky, yet familiar smell encased me. What is that? Why is it such a familiar smell? I turned and headed towards the direction that the smell was originating from, determined to find the source.

As I hurtled through the underbrush, and closer to the smell, the scent became stronger and stronger. I burst through a final wall of brush before coming into a clearing. Across the small field, I could see Aela frantically searching for something. Most likely me, I guess.

I got half way across the clearing before Aela's head whipped towards me. She immediately began sprinting across the field towards me, clothes in hand.

"After the change, you took off! I was scared we wouldn't find you," she exclaimed while handing me my Arch-Mage robes.

With a bit of embarrassment, I put on the robes in front of Aela. "Well, I would apologize, but I have no idea as to what I did. One minute I was in the Underforge, then the next I woke up here."

With a nervous laugh, Aela looked at me in the eyes. I could tell there was something wrong immediately. "What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

I watched her eyes swivel to the ground. "Well, after the transformation, you got loose. In Whiterun."

My eyes widened to the size of saucers. "I did what?! Tell me I didn't kill anyone!" I had gotten in Aela's face by then.

She continued to look down. "You didn't attack any of the townspeople, but not for lack of trying. They were smart and got inside of their homes and hid. The guards, though, were not so smart. You attacked multiple guards. When I had left in search of you, none of them were dead, but a few were holding on by a thread."

I felt as if there were a boulder in my stomach. Instead of replying, I leaned against a near by tree and slid down the trunk, not minding that my bottom was getting wet from the snow. I attacked innocent people! First, I was sad. Then came anger.

I hopped up from my place on the ground and got back in Aela's face. "You should have stopped me! I trusted you and Skjor, and you repay me by setting me loose on Whiterun?" I knew that wasn't fair, but at the moment, I didn't care. "I can't believe you two let this happen!" I stomped away from Aela and let out a frustrated scream. My magicka was flaring, melting all of the snow around me. I've got to calm down.

I turned back to Aela. "Let's just go." I began to walk and stopped. "You'll have to lead the way; I haven't a clue where I am."

Aela finally looked up at me. "Actually, before we go, there is a Silver Hand camp near here. We should take them out; Skjor's already gone ahead. This way."

Instead of replying, I just turned and began to follow the Huntress. I can't believe they let me attack the guards! What if they find out that the werewolf was actually me? I'll never be able to show my face in Whiterun again!

Before long, we had reached an abandoned fort with a few men on the highest walls. I guess this is the place. Aela went ahead to scout out the best course of action while I waited in the shadows.

After a few moments, she returned. "There are only two men out here now; I watched the other two go inside. We can both hit with arrows and have a quick and clean execution." I nodded my assent and followed Aela to the best vantage point she could find.

I conjured my bow and nocked an arrow. I held my breath to steady myself and felt everything fade away except for my target and I. I waited until I heard Aela's orders, and let loose when I did. Both of the targets fell to the ground gurgling, signaling that our shots were fatal.

I headed down into the courtyard of the fort and looked around. Not much to see here. I headed for the door when I heard Aela call my name. I turned around and looked at her expectantly. "This is stupid! Skjor and I tried our best to stop you! If we would've ran out right behind you, the guards would've have known that it was our fault!"

I butted in before she could speak again. "So this is about saving yours and Skjor's hide then?"

Aela looked as if she wanted to rip her hair out. "No! This was about keeping the Companions safe! As a matter of fact, Skjor physically held me from chasing you! He saw what would happen if we appeared as soon as a damn werewolf did! There are already those that suspect us; it would've been proof in their eyes!"

I stood gob smacked. "People suspect us? Besides witch hunters and the Silver Hand?"

Aela looked happy that she was finally getting through to me. "There are people in Whiterun that are wary of us because of the tales that they've heard. This is exactly why we couldn't help! We would just be fueling the gossip!"

I began to understand then. In a quiet voice, I apologized. Aela's smile lit up her whole face. "It's understandable; I would've felt betrayed and abandoned as well. I'm sorry for not trying harder to keep you from Whiterun. So are we okay now? I don't want to go into battle angry with a Shield-Sister and take the possibility that you could die with me angry at you."

I nodded my head. "We are okay." I looked up to the stars. They look like grains of sand on a black satin sheet. "I guess we should go inside? It's freezing out here!" Aela nodded and went inside. I took a deep breath and followed.

I can't believe it. How could he be dead! After we fought our way through the fort, we came upon the final room. A group of Silver Hand and their leader at this camp, Krev the Skinner, had holed up in here as a last resort. My anger at what I had done back in Whiterun fueled my magicka. I easily dispatched the Silver Hand, but had a bit of a run in with Krev.

As I killed his last man, I narrowly dodged his war hammer. I wasn't so lucky the second time; he cracked two ribs with one swing. I went down with a shriek before Aela tackled him to the ground with a dagger in his back.

After she killed Krev, Aela rolled me over with shaking hands. I had tears running down my face. This is almost as bad as that dragon! "You're going to be fine! I just have to find some healing potions!" I felt bad, watching Aela panic.

I tried to reassure her that I would be fine, but all I could do was let out pitiful whimpers. Finally, Aela found the potion that she was looking for; I grimaced at the bitter taste. Immediately, though, I could feel the bones numbing. That's going to take forever to heal, even with my magic!

After we got myself taken care of, we looked for the piece of Ysgramor's Axe that Aela had been tipped off to. As I was looking in a large chest, Aela let out a heartbroken scream: Skjor's beaten and bruised body was behind the podium. I hobbled as quickly as I could to Aela; she needs ME now!

I caught her before she fell, and I grunted in pain as she put pressure on my still very broken ribs. I held her and shushed her crying for what seemed like forever. I didn't know what to say, so I just continued to do what I had been doing. I even let a few tears fall; I didn't really know the man that well, but it was still hard seeing him dead in front of us.

After a while, I decided I needed to cover the body, so I rose in search of a tarp or a cloak. I came back in a few minutes with a bed sheet. In a few seconds, I had the body covered, causing Aela to fight back a new round of tears. "Aela, we have to go get help. There is no way we can carry him back. I'm crippled at the moment, and you can't carry him all the way back to Whiterun. We'll hurry as fast as we can to the nearest city, get a cart, and have him brought back to Whiterun."

She nodded and rose. With a solemn look, she headed towards the door. "Aela, I'm really sorry; I can't even begin to know how you feel right now…"

The Huntress whipped around to look at me. "How would you feel if Vilkas was lying there instead of Skjor, huh? Well, imagine that, but worse! You aren't even with Vilkas, but I've been with Skjor for the better part of a decade! It feels like half of me has died!"

I knew she was angry, but I couldn't keep the tears from forming in my eyes. "I'm sorry! I was just trying to help!" I stormed past Aela out into the cold night and did my best to quell the coming tears. So much for us making up! I whipped around to look at her. "I think it'll be best if you get the cart and bring Skjor back to Whiterun; I'll just go ahead to Whiterun and break the news to them. Bye."

With that, I began walking into the forest, hoping that I would see something familiar besides snow and pine trees.

I had been walking for a few hours when I finally spotted Ivarstead. Oh thank you Talos! I hobbled as quickly as my damaged ribs would allow me towards the inn. The old weathered wood of the inn had never looked as inviting as it did now. The small village of Ivarstead had always been a welcoming place, but I wasn't here to sight see.

I entered into the inn and bought a room for the night as quickly as possible. What I would do to be in my bed back in Breezehome! I let out a hiss as I lay down on the bed, hating the friction of my ribs scrubbing. Before falling asleep, I cast a healing spells a few times, in hopes of easing my pain. I fell into a restless slumber that night.

I woke in the middle of the night, unable to sleep because of the pain in my ribs. I might as well go ahead and start traveling; it'll take all day to get to Whiterun at this pace. I packed my things back in my worn leather bag, put my key on the counter up front, and headed into the cold night.

The road was silent, except for a light breeze rustling the trees' leaves. It seemed eerily quiet, so I decided that I would summon a Dremora Lord to walk with me. At least I'll be protected.

I readied the spell and watched as the Daedra stepped out of the purple portal. He didn't look very happy to have been summoned and not needed. "You'll get over it; I need someone to walk with me, and I'm hurt, so I'm not in the position to fight if I have to."

The man-like creature let out an agitated growl and began to trudge along beside me. The steady clink of the Daedra's armor put me at ease; every time he would be pulled back to Oblivion, I would just summon him again. Before I knew it, I was passing through Riverwood. The sun had just come over the horizon, so I didn't have to worry about chatty villagers stopping me.

It took minutes to get through the village at my glacial rate of hobbling. Finally, I could see Dragonsreach proudly looking over the large plain that Whiterun sat in. It was a beautiful day; there were large billowy white clouds and bright blue skies. The breeze was warm and the grass in the huge field was swaying back and forth. I made my way down the road, and was hit with a flashback.

When I arrived near Whiterun, I immediately saw a huge creature tearing up what looked to be a farm. I had never seen such a creature and, growing up on a farm made me realize how damaging this could be, decided I had to do something. When it saw me and started swinging its club towards me, I immediately charged up a lightning bolt. It stumbled backwards, and then became it enraged.

The giant charged me, and I just managed to get out of its path. Missing me just made it angrier, which I could see in its eyes. I summoned a flaming familiar to occupy the beast. The giant had a pretty strong swing, which I learned after it backhanded me like I was a fly. I couldn't get close, so I let my familiar fight up close, while I sniped with a conjured bow. After a while of conjure a familiar, run away in terror, conjure a bow, and then repeat, the beast finally fell.

Being naturally curious, I wanted to see the thing up close. I walked up to its body, when I heard footsteps. I turned around and was met with one of the biggest men I had ever seen. Next to him was a woman with intimidating war paint and flaming red hair. Neither of them looked more than five years older than me, at most. The woman began to speak.

"Farkas and I just watched you take down that giant by yourself. We're impressed." The woman stood tall, and I could immediately tell that she was a strong woman.

The man just grunted in agreement. My face flamed, and I stuttered out a thanks.

That's when the woman said something that made my day. "My name is Aela, and this is Farkas. We are members of the Companions, up in Whiterun." At this my eyes became the size of saucers. How embarrassing!

"M-m-myy n-n-name is Isabelle." I stuttered out.

Not noticing my socially awkward behavior, she said "And I think you would be a fine asset to our group." At this, I think my heart skipped a beat... or four.

The man finally spoke, and in a gruff voice said "If you want to join you should head to Whiterun, then head to Jorvaskr. It's pretty hard to miss."

All I could do was shake my head in an affirmative. I'd have to be sure to thank the Divines a lot tonight! After breaking out of my reverie, I noticed the woman, Aela, holding out a small bag of... coins?

"What is this?" I asked

"The payment for this job. We were sent to kill this giant by the owners of the farm. Since you killed it, you deserve the reward." she said in a matter-of-fact voice.

I could only thank her, and watch as the two of them turned and began to walk back to Whiterun.

I smiled at the memory, and began the trek to Whiterun again. Finally, I reached the assent to the main gates. The guards looked at me worriedly. Oh no. What if they've found out about my lycanthropy? My fears were put to rest, though, when a guard approached me. "Are you alright?"

I gave him a smile. "I'll be fine; I cracked my ribs, but the healer can fix it. I've made it this far; I can make it a bit further!"

With a nod, he opened the gate for me. I looked at the quaint town of Whiterun, and let a smile slip over my face. As I walked by Breezehome, it took everything I had to keep from running inside and sleeping for the next week. I've got a job to do, and that doesn't involve sleeping.

Walking through the market was a bit of a task as it was at its busiest time of day. Every time I was jolted, I let out a pained hiss. Finally I reached the stairs that led to the Gildergreen, and Jorvaskr. My vision had become a little blurry by the time I reach the top of the stairs, and I stumbled a bit. Maybe I'll just sit for a minute. I took a seat on one of the benches surrounding the base of the Gildergreen to catch my breath.

After recovering, I stood back up to make the final stretch to Jorvaskr. After ten minutes of excruciating stair climbing, I finally made it. I took a breather, and then opened the door. I really don't want to do this, but I guess I don't have a choice.

I walked in and saw Vilkas sitting at the large table in deep thought. I cleared my throat and watched as he took in my hunched over form. "Would you mind helping me down to Kodlak's quarters?"

Vilkas jumped up from his seat and had a worried look on his face. "What in Oblivion happened to you? I thought Aela was with you?"

At the mention of Aela, my face darkened. "I suspect that she is in Windhelm right now." Vilkas looked like he was going to ask more, but the look I gave him made him drop it.

He still looked worried though. "Will you at least tell me what happened to you?"

I nodded. "Krev the Skinner happened to me."

I felt Vilkas' frame go rigid. "What?! Why were you even near him? I'm surprised you made it out alive! What were you thinking?"

I guess I can tell him a little bit. "It was Aela and Skjor's idea. They found a Silver Hand camp, and wanted me to help them bring it down."

Before he could ask any more questions, I stopped him. "I'm glad to see you, but you really have to help me down to Kodlak's room. Now. I really have to speak with him."

Vilkas looked slightly offended, but helped me to Kodlak nonetheless. He turned to stalk away, and I felt bad for how I treated him a few moments ago. "Thank you," I called out after him. He threw up a hand waving me off, and I knew he was okay. That was surprisingly easy.

I knocked on the door, and went to the "guest seat" at Kodlak's table, as we had taken to calling it. The older man looked at me for a few moments and looked alarmed at my pained sigh as I sat. "What is it you need?"

I looked up at him with tears in my eyes. I filled him in on everything that had happened since my transformation. By the end, I had broken down into pitiful sobs. Kodlak walked around the table and hugged me. I cried into his shoulder and let the pain of the past two days out.

When I had finished, he spoke. "Don't worry anymore about it; I'll take care of the funeral when Aela returns with his body. Right now, though, I'm taking you to the Priestess so she can heal you."

I nodded and was led away by the man that had become my surrogate grandfather. The townspeople looked surprised and awed by the presence of Kodlak, as he didn't really roam in town very often. We made it to the temple in record time, where Danica took me to the same cot that I had been in after the dragon attack.

I listened to Kodlak speaking with her as long as I could before fading away.

AN: That's it for the chapter! Amazingly, I liked two chapters in a row! Wooo! Thanks for reading, and don't forget to review!