AN: I don't really have anything interesting at all to say… onto the update!

Disclaimer: I haven't said this in a while, so I might as well now for good measure. I do NOT own the Elder Scrolls Series of games; Bethesda does.

I woke to the sound of low murmurs and light footsteps. I guess Danica is still up and about. There wasn't even a faint glow of light from the window. I looked around the room I was laying in. The room must've been the size of a closet; it only had a bed and a dresser inside. Did I sleep in here all day?

Instead of calling out for anyone, I went ahead and swung my feet over the edge of the bed. I let out a pain-filled grunt. Maybe I'm hurt a bit worse than I thought. I fought through the pain, and rose. I immediately regretted my decision; maybe I can just cast a healing spell?

I focused solely on the thought of being pain-free, and happily watched the comforting glow of the Restoration magic fill the room. The unpleasant, but not painful, feeling of stitching bones filled my abdomen. After letting the spell take full effect, I left the room. I thanked Danica for her help, and told her goodbye, all the while ignoring her pleading for me to take it easy. I don't have the time or patience to laze about.

I stepped into the cold night air and took a breath. The brisk air immediately remedied the sleepy feeling that I had woken up with. The stars were shining brightly and the Gildergreen tree was dancing in the breeze; all was well in Whiterun.

I walked up the stairs to Jorvaskr much easier than last time, and headed into the welcoming warm mead hall. I'm kind of hungry. Actually, I'm really hungry. Have I even eaten since I left Ivarstead? I sat at the large table in the main hall and began to eat everything that I could reach.

I was so absorbed in the delicious food that I hadn't noticed Viranus' arrival. "Hey! You're back!"

I began to choke on my food after jumping in my seat. Great. A giant hasn't crushed him yet? "Yeah, I uh, just got back a few hours ago."

The annoying Imperial took a seat beside me and began to eat as well. "We were wondering where you headed off to during your party. Since Skjor and Aela had gone too, we figured you were with them. What did you guys go do?"

I felt a smile tugging at my lips. "We killed an entire Silver Hand camp in Eastmarch." I felt my skin start to prickle when I saw Viranus go rigid. "What's wrong?"

I watched as he went back to normal in the blink of an eye. Did I even see him do that, or am I just paranoid? "What are you talking about? Nothing's wrong. Are you sure you're feeling okay?"

I rose from the table as gracefully as I could with my busted-up ribs. "Actually, I think I do need to rest. First, I need to talk to Farkas. I'll be at Breezehome if anyone needs me." With that, I turned and went down the stairs in the corner of the hall.

I was looking for one of the twins, but not Farkas. I need to talk with Vilkas. I headed to his bedroom, only to find the room empty. I began to look around the room for the first time, surprise filling me. There were many books spread across the room, and even a few potion ingredients. I guess someone has to make the potions.

Deciding I had been nosey enough, I took a spare sheet of parchment and wrote a note on it.

Vilkas,

I really need to speak with you. When you get this, head to Breezehome. It's really important.

Isabelle

Satisfied with my note, I laid it on his pillow and headed for Breezehome. Hurry up Vilkas!

Creak. My eyes shot open at the sound of a creaking floorboard. I didn't even think about what I was doing, I just acted. I lurched as silently from my bed as possible and cast an invisibility spell moments before my bedroom door swung open.

I watched in horror as two large men came into my bedroom. One man was dressed in a full set of steel armor and held a large battle-axe, and the other was an Orc dressed in full Orcish armor with an Orcish warhammer.

The steel armor man approached my bed and felt the sheets. "They're still warm."

The Orc spoke to the other man. "Dammit! The bitch must've heard us. I bet she's still in here. Come out, come out!"

Both men began to ransack my bedroom. My bed was the first to be flipped. After destroying my bedroom, they headed to the next bedroom. Quietly as I could, I put on my Arch-Mage robes that fell out of my dresser and moved to follow the intruders. Just as I reached my door, I heard my front door open and Vilkas call out for me. Oh no.

I watched as the two mercenaries barreled down the stairs and listened to Vilkas' cursing. "What in Oblivion?! Where's Isabelle? You milk-drinkers are going to regret coming here!"

Before the fight could get out of hand, I cast a paralyze spell on each mercenary. My invisibility spell dissipated, causing the men to see me. I heard the angry grunts of the bandits as they saw me.

I looked at Vilkas' relieved face and decided I owed him an apology. "I heard them coming up my stairs and cast an invisibility spell before they could get to me."

Vilkas looked even more confused. "Who are they? Do you know them?"

I shook my head. "Actually, they're probably part of the reason I asked you to come here tonight." At that, I bent down and stuck my hand in the steel-armored Nord. I noticed a lecherous grin on his face; my robes weren't done-up tightly and he was looking straight down my robes. Before I could slap him, Vilkas kicked the man roughly in his side. I just sent another paralyzing spell towards the Nord and the Orc on the floor again.

After a while of fishing, I found a note in the Nord's pocket that read:

I don't care how you do it; just make sure that the Breton named Isabelle is dead by sunrise. She lives in her home in Whiterun called Breezehome. The door may or may not be locked; the girl has too much confidence that we may be able to use to our advantage.

Whatever you do, make sure she is restrained. If left unattended, she will light you on fire in the blink of an eye. She isn't to be taken lightly; send your best men for the job.

The girl has become too much of a threat. She must be dealt with.

~V

With an angry sigh, I crumpled the note in my hand. "This does have to do with why I called you here. Vilkas, I think Viranus is more than he lets on."

I handed the letter to Vilkas, and watched as his face crumpled with rage. "I'll kill the rat! No one sends an assassin against any of my shield-brothers or sisters!"

Before Vilkas went and did something stupid, I stopped him. "Vilkas, it's just a hunch; it may not be him! There are plenty of people that have names that start with the letter V. Your name, for example! We have to be sure before we go slinging accusations."

It was times like these when I was glad that Vilkas was the more levelheaded of the twins. "You're right. First things first, though; we have to call the guards to take these idiots away."

I nodded my head and watched as he headed to find some guards. I turned back around, only to be met with an armored fist. Shit, that hurt! Luckily, I dodged the next fist and countered with a fireball. I cast another paralyze spell at the Orc that was still on the ground, and went to cast another at the Nord. Moments before the spell hit him, the Nord hurled a steel dagger at me, which impaled my shoulder. The blade went all the way through my back. I let out a scream and hit the floor at the same time as the paralyzed Nord.

Vilkas came bursting through the door when I screamed, and looked like he was about to murder the Nord on the floor. It took three guards to hold back Vilkas' enraged form. He calmed down enough for the guards, and came immediately to my side. "We've got to pull it out."

I looked up at him with tears in my eyes and nodded my head. The moment Vilkas touched the hilt of the dagger, I let out a ragged sob. Why is it hurting so much?! "Vilkas, something's wrong! It's burning really badly! I think it may have been poisoned! Ouch, Shit!"

I watched Vilkas' face turn from cool and collected, to panicked. "It still has to come out! Here bite down on this," he said while handing me a book from my shelf. I nodded and screamed when he grabbed the hilt again. This time, he didn't stop. The pain was so unbearable that I began to gag. Finally, the pain was replaced with a numb feeling, and everything around me began to grow dark.

I woke up in my bed upstairs, wondering if I had dreamed the entire thing up. The thought was crushed, though, when I felt the bandages on my bare shoulder. I looked to the side of my bed to see Vilkas asleep in a chair that he dragged from the corner of my bedroom. Well, this is familiar. Just like when I woke up from the dragon attack.

Instead of waking him up this time, I just looked at him. Vilkas had a very nice jaw line; well defined and strong. A little bit of stubble had begun growing on his face; I wonder how long I've been out? I moved down to his armor-clad abdomen. That armor would look so much better on the flo—what in Oblivion? Where did that thought come from? Well, I guess he's pretty attractive; it's normal to have thoughts like that. Isn't it?

Before I could work myself up, I decided to just try to sleep again. After twenty minutes of staring at the roof, I decided to give up on sleep all together. My mind drifted back to Vilkas. He seemed so worried when he thought that those men had done something to me. And when that pervert was looking down my robes. Especially then. Maybe he does care about me, or maybe he sees me like a little sister. Oh Talos, I hope not.

My mind kept turning well into the wee hours of the morning before I finally went to sleep.

AN: This chapter sucks. I knew three in a row that I actually liked was too much to ask for. I haven't really felt motivated to write a chapter, but I knew that I couldn't leave y'all hanging!

I don't care if I get to the point where I have little to no motivation to write this, I WILL finish this story!