WaffleNommer: LOL OMG really!? I never thought I'd have a rooter for DaricxVincent. Thank you for the surprise.

Kogouma: Indeed they are!

Herelies: Well, it's obvious that they still love each other. There WILL be time for our lovers and soon. I'm not going to focus on the silver hand so much because everyone knows what happens! I have a feeling you are going to like these next couple of chapters.

Found-in-reverie: I'm glad you enjoyed the last few chapters, dear.

TeB360: I found myself thinking, "why the hell do you guys like Daric!? He's a dick!" Which, I apparently decided to voice it out loud, only to have my husband a few feet away comment that, "Maybe they just all like dick." Well, I guess if you guys didn't you wouldn't be reading a maleXmale story… I kid, I kid. I love you guys!

Deacol: Hello there. I'm glad you like the plot. Ah, I think I tricked quite a few people into thinking Vincent was a vampire. I'm a tricky little sucker. I did mention a beta back when. No, I do not have one yet. I wouldn't mind a beta reader…It's not that I use the wrong words, per say… I tend to type Reallllly fast and my spell-check sometimes…annoyingly…does auto-correct. Annnnd I just type so fast that I don't catch the error. I've never had a beta reader before so I'm ashamed to say that I have no idea how it works and how you go about doing it. I'm sure it's simplistic and I'll feel Reallllly stupid when you tell me how.

Chapter 17- you found me

All my days
Were spent by the telephone
That never rang
And all I needed was a call
That never came
To the corner of First and Amistad

Lost and insecure
You found me, you found me
Lyin' on the floor
Surrounded, surrounded
Why'd you have to wait?
Where were you? Where were you?
Just a little late
you found me, you found me

-The fray, 'You found me'

"Are we going to talk?" Vincent asked, shyly reaching out to touch Vilkas' shoulder.

Vilkas felt the touch and the nervousness behind it. It was like their relationship had taken a major backslide. Vilkas did not want to feel this way but now it felt so much was holding him back. Were they doomed to tip-toe around each other?

Vilkas stood in a pile of carnage. Vincent and he had caught them all by surprise. Vilkas had slaughtered them like small animals and he did so without mercy. He remembered the look on the leaders face. That fear…That delicious fear…He clenched his eyes shut as he could feel the hunger of his wolf. His wolf was so close and the call was hard to resist. He'd given into the basic instinct. Anger, hate, revenge and primal urge.

Even though Vincent's touch was shy and gentle, it still sent shivers into his body. He really, REALLY, didn't want to but he moved away from that touch. After everything Vincent had told him, he didn't want to take advantage of him…especially not in a place like this.

"Vilkas…"

"Just…Give me a minute." Vilkas took in a deep breath. His every fiber was screaming to give in and he was oh so close to the edge. "Go collect the shards…I'll be fine." He didn't relax until he heard Vincent's footsteps retreat. Vilkas took in a shaky sigh and started to wade through the sea of dead. The fresh scent of blood was driving him insane.

Deep down in his gut, he regretted this. He blamed his fiery temper. It obscured his judgment and seemed almost more of a debilitation then his beast. He needed to get out of here….but he couldn't leave Vincent. No matter how confused and how many questions he had, he couldn't run away. Not anymore. He went into a nearby room that had no bodies inside and leaned against the wall. At least his beast had begun to calm.

"Vilkas?"

"I'm in here."

Vincent walked through the threshold with the fragments in his gloved hands. "Are these all of them…?"

Vilkas glanced at them and nodded. "Aye."

Vincent pocketed the fragments and gave Vilkas a soft look. "Are you okay…?"

"Let's just get out of here." Vilkas crossed his arms and turned to leave without another word.

Out in the fresh air, he could at least breathe without fear of giving into his inner beast. They walked in silence for a long time. Vilkas had glanced over his shoulder at Vincent once or twice and saw his mate seemed unbothered by the silence. When eyes would meet, Vincent would just give Vilkas a soft reassuring smile and nothing more. Maybe nothing else was needed.

Vilkas seemed calm on the outside but inside his mind was spinning in turmoil. He had so many questions and no idea how to start asking. He wanted to believe Vincent unconditionally and in truth he had no real reason not to. Yes, the story was a bit far fetched but everything seemed to add up in its own weird way.

Vincent's constant fear, his need to be protected, that Daric guy and why he acted as he did, That small girl who visited him in his dreams, Skjor's death and the death that was prophesied for Kodlak…it would have happened had Vilkas not interfered. He was sure Vincent must be the same way right now. Looking calm but probably worrying on the inside. They seemed to be alike in that way.

"I believe you." Vilkas suddenly spoke.

"Really?" Vincent sounded slightly surprised and seemingly knew to what exactly Vilkas was referring.

"Aye. The things you've said add up. I believe you." He paused, wondering if he should say. Although Vincent already admitted he'd had some apparent contact with the Gods in his own dreams so what did he have left to lose? "I've seen Grace."

"…" He heard Vincent stop walking.

He stopped as well and turned to face him. Vincent's face was furiously blank, except for the slight widening of his eyes.

"Vincent?"

"I…you…what?" Vincent stammered.

"In my dreams." Vilkas clarified. "I started having them right before I marked you. I've had…visions of the future or possible futures. In my latest dream, I was visited by a small girl wearing an Amulet of Talos. I thought I was just going mad but her description matches your sister, Grace. That can't be coincidental."

"She visits you…in your dreams?"

"She only showed herself for the first time a few days ago. I'm sure now that she has been showing me all these images that had plagued my dreams. I knew Kodlak was going to die before he even did. She showed me how he was to die and due to my intervention, it didn't come to pass…though I was too slow to stop his actual passing." The last part was spoken with the tiniest hint of sorrow and self-loathing. Why couldn't he have been faster?

"Vilkas…are you sure?"

"I'm not sure of anything. She gave me cryptic messages and a warning of the end times. When you mentioned seeing her in your own dreams that is what made me believe you. There was no way you could have known I was having them so you couldn't have added it just to relate to me."

"I thought that would be the one thing that would that you'd call me crazy for."

Vilkas sighed. "Apparently not."

"So…what do we do now Vilkas?" He walked forward to be directly at Vilkas' side. "It's obvious the Gods have taken interest in our lives now. What can we do?"

"I'd say we should obey them, although we must have a will of our own. From what I've seen…the future may be dark."

"And us…?"

Vilkas looked down at his mate and scowled in his very characteristic way but grabbed Vincent by the hand. "I am not going to wax poetic, Vincent. You already know the answer." Then he pulled him along.

"Awww…Can't you say it?"

"No."

"Boo. You're no fun."

Vilkas held his hand all the way back to Whiterun. The gently falling snow drifted around them and the soft sounds of nature echoed in the cold air. It seemed like they had jumped over a hurtle that had blocked them from each other. Vilkas had been afraid of a backslide but in reality they had only come closer. The world may fall apart around them but Vilkas was determined to hold him through it all. Magic or not.

This may be the Gods taking control of his destiny and his rebellious side would not want to give in to the will of the Gods. When he looked at Vincent…he found that he suddenly didn't care about the Gods. Let them run their weaves of fate and counterplots to the end times. Vilkas didn't care as long as he had the mage.

Not that he'd tell Vincent any of that.

"The others have probably prepared Kodlak's funeral by now…" Vilkas spoke when they entered the gates to Whiterun. He hadn't let go of Vincent's hand and actually tightened his grip when others looked. There had been a time he would have been ashamed at those stares…

Vincent seemed unbothered by the looks and proceeded as if they weren't even there. "Yeah…Vilkas… I'm so sorry I wasn't there. Maybe I could have stopped him."

"Who? That worm?" Vilkas tried to bite back the anger in his voice but failed. He saw Vincent visibly flinch.

"He was not so bad once. A simpleton in reality. One that was afraid to lose his life more then anything. A scared, stupid child. I could have possibly reasoned with him."

"There will be no reasoning." Vilkas spat. "He killed Kodlak with a smile on his face. If I catch him, I'll kill him. I owe Kodlak that much."

"Vilkas…"

"Don't Vilkas, me. Do you agree to this? Kodlak must be avenged. Your sister must be avenged."

"Yes. I agree, Vilkas." Vincent's gloved hand gave his a squeeze. "Grace deserves vengeance. So do Kodlak and Skjor…but killing Daric or Cadrian isn't going to bring any of them back. We need to think this thing through and not charge in blindly. I don't want to lose you to this, Vilkas…"

"You won't lose me." Vilkas spoke quickly and under his breath. The small smile Vincent gave was enough to show he'd heard. He looked toward Jorrvaskr and let out a deep sigh. He could see his own breath in the cold air in front of him and he watched it drift up before vanishing. "We should head up to the Skyforge and pay our respects."

All the companions gathered up on the Skyforge this time. Skjor's own death had been downplayed due to the violence of it. Not Kodlak's. He was nestled in a pyre atop the forge, with the companion colors streaming and surrounding his body. The sun was setting and peeking out though the snowy clouds as if to bless his passing. Vilkas knew there was no blessing in this. The sun might as well be the fiery eye of Hircine.

Beside him, Vincent had tensed up at the sight of Kodlak's dead form again. Vilkas had been so angry; he hadn't given Vincent any time to morn. He added that to a list of things he'd probably forever feel guilty for. Damn that list seemed to be getting long as of late. In a deep dark part of him, he kind of missed when he was alone and didn't give a shit about anything.

"Who will go first?" Eorlund asked looking around at the collection of mourners.

"I will." Aela spoke up, raising her lit torch.

Vilkas glanced at Vincent only to find the mage starring at him with a confused look. He'd never been to a harbinger's funeral. It was different then any other death. There was more of a show to it for the departing of a harbinger. Skjor's had been simple and sweet. Kodlak would not get that privilege.

"We have a way of sending out the Harbingers. Just listen." Vilkas whispered to him gently. Vincent nodded and scooted slightly closer to Vilkas as if looking for warmth.

"Before the ancient flame…" She began.

"We grieve." Everyone answered except for the members not exclusive to the circle and Vincent (Who didn't know any of the words.)

"At this loss…" Eorlund continued.

"We weep."

Vilkas clutched Vincent's hand again and spoke clearly. "For the fallen…"

"We shout."

Farkas had on his big puppy eyes as he finished the last part. "And for ourselves…"

"We take our leave."

Aela slowly walked forward and set the pyre alight without hesitation. She had burned other harbingers in this way but Vilkas felt with Kodlak, it should be different. She then turned and addressed the crowd.

"His spirit is departed. Members of the circle, let us withdraw to the under forge, to grieve our last together."

Everyone else slowly filed away. Ria, Torvar, Athis and Nadia all decided to leave Jorrvaskr for awhile and went out to go drinking in town. Torvar claimed boozing and being a loud, obnoxious pest in public was part of the grieving process and a way to celebrate Kodlak. Vilkas couldn't argue with him.

His eyes shot down to Vincent for a moment and found his mate extremely tense. His eyes were locked on the burning pyre and the color had drained from his face. Vilkas tugged on Vincent's hand to get his attention. When those copper eyes lifted to meet his, Vilkas saw fear and sorrow inside them. Vincent would natural blame himself for this.

"Do you have the fragments of Wuuthrad still?"

Vilkas turned his head, thinking Eorlund was talking to him, only to see him talking to Vincent.

"Yes. I have them right here." Vincent was quick to rebound once he had looked away from the fire and let go of Vilkas' hand to reach into the pocket of his pastel coat. He then held them out for Eorlund to see.

"I'll need to prepare them for mounting again."

"Here." He gave them all to Eorlund and retook Vilkas' hand.

Eorlund seemed unbothered by their display of affection for one another. "Good lad. I have a small favor to ask of you though. There was always a piece that Kodlak kept close to him. Can you go to his chambers and bring it back for me? I'm not sure I'm the best one to go through his things."

"And I am?" Vincent lifted an eyebrow.

"Aye. Why not?"

Vincent shrugged. "Sure. Do I need to get it right away?"

"No. Just don't keep me waiting all night, lad. I appreciate it." Then he turned away to get the pieces ready.

"Are you two coming?" Aela asked heading for the stairs with Farkas close behind her.

"Can we meet you there a bit later?" Vilkas asked. "Eorlund asked Vincent to retrieve something for him and I'd rather not leave him alone right now."

"Fair enough." She smiled but it was strained. Vilkas was relived to see that she was indeed, affected by the death of Kodlak.

Vincent and Vilkas made their way down to the court yard in silence. Vilkas could smell metal, hair and flesh burning. It never settled right with him. He knew Vincent could smell it too…

"We fought here for the first time."

Vincent's voice gave him pause. He turned to see the mage standing in the middle of the courtyard, much like he had that fateful night of their meeting. Vilkas had thought that Vincent wouldn't last a week with them…now nearly half a year later, here he stood. Not enemies. Not rivals. Not yet lovers.

"Aye we did." Vilkas turned away from going inside and instead joined Vincent in the center of the courtyard.

"You were so mean." Vincent had a ghost of a smile on his lips.

"I still am."

"No. You've changed." Vincent nodded. "Still grumpy…but not mean."

"I treated you badly when you came back. I call that mean."

"You were not yet aware of my unique circumstance. It was something I should have told you long ago. I am sorry I did not."

"How much did Farkas and Kodlak know…? How did it even come about?"

"It happened on my proving test. In that dreaded place that Farkas took me…that tomb. After we were ambushed by the silver hand, we had to fight more Draugr. There was a Wright and it tried to hurt Farkas. I had to…reveal a bit of my power to help him."

"I see."

"I had him promise not to tell. He seemed concerned so I told him he could tell Kodlak and no one else. Above all, I didn't want you to know."

"Why's that?"

"You hate magic." He spoke a matter-of-fact. "I found myself caring what you thought about me. I thought you hated me already but some part of me couldn't bare the thought of you finding out."

"If it makes you feel any better, I thought I hated you too."

Vincent cracked a real smile. "Sure. As for how much they knew…not much. I only told the bare essentials to Farkas and I mentioned Cadrian and Daric to Kodlak."

"…"

"Something you want to say, Vilkas..?"

"…I met Daric. Right before you left on that week mission."

"…"

"Kodlak made me promise not to tell you he was here. I didn't know why and Kodlak wouldn't explain. He just said that we'd all talk about it when you returned from your mission." Vilkas folded his arms. "If I had known who he was previous, I would have never let him leave."

"…I'm sorry."

"Don't be. You had a right to keep it from me, I suppose. If you had told me earlier…I may not have been as understanding as I am now…"

Vincent looked back up at the forge before quickly looking away again. "Now, we'll never know."

"Aye…." Vilkas knew that he wasn't the only one who felt like he failed Kodlak. Vincent could share that sentiment with him even if Vilkas had wished to bare it alone.

"Did you ever have to bury a Harbinger?"

Vilkas bit his lip and thought for a moment. "Kodlak had been the harbinger for twenty years. If we did, I was too young to remember. I was taught the ceremony when I entered the circle. I'm sure we would have taught it to you in time."

"Have you seen a lot of people pass?"

"More whelps then people I had become close to." A few lovers had perished before. Vilkas didn't like talking about it much.

"What did you do to forget about it?"

"You never really forget."

Vincent huffed. "Not what I mean."

Vilkas almost cracked a smile. "I know what you mean." He pulled his two handed sword from his back and gestured toward the practice dummies with it. "I usually practice to ease my mind."

"Leave it you." Vincent rolled his eyes.

"It helps." Well, it helped Vilkas anyway. He was a warrior after all.

"…Really?"

"Aye. Have you ever used a sword before?" He knew Vincent used a mace but he wasn't sure if he had ever used a blade.

"I've used regular sized blades before. Cadrian called the mace a 'wizard's companion' so he didn't do much sword training." He sighed. "I've never used a two-handed blade."

"Do you want to try?"

"…I'm not even sure how to hold that properly."

"Well come here. I will show you."

Vincent made his way over and stood in front of Vilkas. Vilkas gently turned him around and moved his arms around him. He held the sword in front of Vincent.

"Put your hands, where my hands are….but take your gloves off first."

Vincent slowly did as he was told. He pulled off his leather gloves and pocked them. Then he put his marred hands over Vilkas' bare ones. "Like this?"

"Aye. Just like that." Vilkas hid his nose in those red tresses and shut his eyes. He took in that fiery scent and sighed. Vincent had sacrificed so much and still carried a curse within his soul. Vilkas had never realized how alike they were. Did it really take so much for him to finally understand?

"It's heavy."

"I'm still the one supporting its weight."

"I can feel it though. If you let go, I'll drop it."

"It takes practice and patience to learn to wield this blade. I sometimes train others who wish to wield two-handed blades and hammers."

"Is this really what you do to calm down?"

"aye. It is all I have."

"No…It isn't Vilkas." Vilkas peered down at the redhead and saw that Vincent had turned his head to try and look up at him. "If you want, you have me…If you still want me."

"I didn't have you before."

"You do now. You always have. I'm sorry it just took me so long."

Vilkas bent to meet Vincent's lips. The kiss they had shared after the telling of Vincent's story was nothing like this one. The one before had been a kiss of understanding. This one was a kiss of longing. It was one that was long due.

Vincent's hands slipped from the blade so he could turn in Vilkas' arms and press against him. His arms then threw themselves around Vilkas' neck before resuming their passionate lip lock in the courtyard. It warmed Vilkas with the comfort needed, more so then any sword training could have done. Slowly, his own hands slipped from his sword and fell to the ground at their feet.

It fell with a dull 'thunk' but neither man stopped to look. All the sorrow, all the anger and worry Vilkas seemed to have faded away by the warmth of Vincent's inner fire. It was a comfort that may have been inappropriate at the moment but they both desperately needed it.

They both went inside without a word between them and they left Vilkas' sword on the ground.

Author's note: Am I the only one who felt dirty writing the sword part? I know this chapter was short but today is my birthday (Huzzah) and I am going out with my husband for the night. I wanted to get a chapter out before the holidays. No matter what holiday you celebrate, have a good one. For me…I guess it's a mix of Christmas for my friends and family and Yule, for me and my husband. (We're pagans.)

And I think you guys will like the next chapter. It's what you all have been waiting for! *wink* Reviews help me update faster! I'm sorry if this one sucked! See you all soon.