Herelies: Ello, poppet. I can assure you the Harbinger, Arch mage, Thieves guild leader and the listener are ALL DIFFERENT PEOPLE. DUN DUN DUNNNN! Cassandra has her reasons for hiding who she is…however her part in this story has come and gone. She will be making appearances in the sequel. More questions will be answered…maybe not so much in this chapter but defiantly the next.

Nori-239: Lol yeah. Those Bretons have lots of holidays. Me thinks they just like to party. XD But yeah…I stumbled across the calendar and thought to myself, "Hey, I should look up my birthday. I wonder if it's something significant." and low and behold…Molag Bal. I was like OAO; Then I gleefully cackled and decided that is also Vincent's birthday.

HeidiFox: Lol what?! I re-read your review like five times and I got everything except the last part. Who's the Nord walking around barefoot in your house?

Getting a bit serious in this chapter folks. It will be short (sorry) but it's leading up to a climatic battle! So I hope you'll forgive me.

Chapter 27- Not to be

I sense there's something in the wind
That feels like tragedy's at hand
And though I'd like to stand by him

Can't shake this feeling that I have
The worst is just around the bend

And does he notice my feelings for him?
And will he see how much he means to me?
I think it's not to be
What will become of my dear friend?
Where will his actions lead us then?
Although I'd like to join the crowd
In their enthusiastic cloud
Try as I may, it doesn't last

And will we ever end up together?

-Sally's song, Nightmare before Christmas.

Vilkas' heart was in his throat and the only sound he could hear over its rapid beating was the sound of his footsteps pounding on the stone beneath him. He reached out to grasp his mate, who now only stood within arms reach. He almost sighed in relief as his hand made contact and clenched the fabric of his lover's coat tightly. Vilkas tried to speak but found he had no voice to do so. He tried to call out when Vincent didn't seem to respond to his touch. Alas, Vincent remained still as stone, resolutely facing away from Vilkas.

Vilkas tried to turn him but he found that he didn't have the strength to do so. His limbs felt heavy, as if he'd been fighting for three years straight. Maybe he had? It didn't matter now. He needed Vincent to look at him, needed Vincent to tell him everything was going to be okay. He needed that warmth and that comfort that he had foolishly denied himself for so long. He just needed Vincent. It was all he ever needed.

As if reading his thoughts, the mage stirred. Vilkas could have yelled in happiness, had he still the ability to speak. Slowly, Vincent turned in his grasp to face the warrior. Vilkas' relived smile slowly turned to horror.

Those eyes were no longer copper, but a stark and fiery red that seemed to consume his whole eye. His skin was unhealthy and cold, as if he'd laid in the snow for three days and died of it. His every movement sent sparks of electricity coiling around him and nearly making Vilkas recoil.

Vincent's mouth opened his lips now pale and nearly white from lack of circulation. A loud ragged, soggy sounding cough erupted from his throat and blood began to leak out. It flowed much faster then blood should, staining the front of his coat, chin, neck and torso Vincent's mouth stayed agape as blood continued to flow, staining the floor beneath their feet. Vincent reached out and gripped Vilkas' shoulder tightly, digging his nails into his flesh. Vilkas felt paralyzed on the spot. He wanted to disbelieve what he was seeing, hoping this was all a horrible nightmare and he'd wake any second now from it with the mage safe and sound in his arms.

But when Vincent's body suddenly burst into flames, Vilkas found the ability to scream. The flames licked at the mages body and he fell forward into Vilkas' embrace. Vincent's body was almost molten hot to the touch but Vilkas persevered. He gripped the mage tightly against him, ignoring the scalding pain and fire that was sure to consume him as well. He cried, tears sizzling as they left his eye and evaporating before they could roll down his cheek. All too soon the flames snuffed out, leaving Vilkas alive with only a few third degree burns on his arms and chest.

He glanced down at the broken body in his arms and felt tears rising to the surface again. The fire was gone…and Vincent's body had seemed untouched by them. There wasn't a burn on him…yet he was dead…Vilkas could tell. His now red eyes stared blankly up at Vilkas with no life left in them. His mouth was slightly open but no more blood flowed. He wasn't breathing and his heart had stilled. There was nothing left…and Vilkas was alone.

"This is a dream…" he heard himself whisper. Broken. Defeated. Lost. "This is all just a bad dream. Right?"

Vincent gave no response and stared back at him with those dull lifeless eyes. Vilkas could hear footsteps coming up from behind him but he didn't care. He held the mage protectively against his own body and buried his nose into that crimson red hair. The smell of fire that he had always loved was overpowered with the retched stench of death and old blood.

"It's almost endgame, my boy." Came a voice that Vilkas didn't recognize, He didn't even look up or around to see who it was. He didn't care anymore. "Where is Talos now?"

The voice broke into an eerie laugh that made Vilkas' skin crawl. He wanted it all to stop. He wanted to rip this person's throat out and crush it beneath his heel. He wanted to die. He wanted to wake up.

A sudden sharp pain pierced his back and made all the air rush out of him in an instant. He looked weakly down at the small crystalline protrusion jabbing out of his chest. What was meant to be blue was now thick and red with his blood. It had come inches from skewering Vincent's body, not that Vilkas could have done anything about it even if it had. He felt…cold. It started where the wound began…first it was searing hot, almost as hot as Vincent's flames had burned right before his death. Then slowly…the cold swept in. It started to make him numb to the pain…almost as if he was going to sleep. Vilkas felt his eyes grow heavy and his vision blur. He fell atop Vincent's body, still clutching to the mage with his burnt arms.

As he felt his life ebb away, he prayed that Vincent forgave him. He had been powerless to protect the man he loved the most and let his life slip through his fingers. He'd broken his promise. He let out a dry, heaving chuckle. Sovngarde awaited…or at least he hoped so…when he got there…IF he ever got there…he hoped Vincent would be waiting for him. It wouldn't be paradise without him. Not anymore.

Vilkas' eyes snapped open and he took a sharp intake of breath as if he hadn't been breathing. His heart raced for a moment as he took in his surroundings from his laying position and found himself in the room he and Vincent shared. Speaking of, the mage grumbled something against Vilkas chest and clung tighter to him. He was alive and whole as far as Vilkas could tell and allowed himself to relax. He ran a hand through the mage's red tresses and listened to the contented purr that was produced.

It was just a dream…

For once, Vilkas wished he could just sleep like a normal person without message from the Gods… Or was it even? Grace had not presented herself to give him a lesson of some sort…and this dream was very reminiscing to the first ones he had started having. Except now they were more vivid…more detailed. This did not give him comfort.

Vilkas glanced over at the bedside table at the object laying on it. The Torc of the Labyrinthian had been delivered yesterday by a courier with a note attached. In a fancy scrawl, Cassandra had wrote to Vincent about how she couldn't wait until the next time she saw him and so forth. Needless to say, Vilkas felt like it was a love letter, despite the mage's reassurance that it wasn't. A lot of arguing and saying, 'You're going to be my husband, not hers,' ended in a pile of tangled limbs and hot kisses. (thankfully they waited until they got back within the Harbinger's quarters.)

Vilkas glanced down when he felt Vincent drawing patters on his skin aimlessly. He could feel Vincent's breath against his skin and the gentle, relaxing caress of his fingers. Vilkas knew what he was thinking. They were going to head to the Labyrinthian today…If Cadrian was there…this could be the end of this madness… It could also be the end for them. This may be the last time he got to hold the mage like this…

Vilkas' grip tightened as if on instinct. He had to stay positive for both of them because he knew Vincent felt the impending gloom too. Farkas and Aela insisted that they come too and more people meant a possibly higher body count. Vilkas knew Vincent would never forgive himself if something happened to Farkas or Aela… He knew Vincent would never forgive himself if Vilkas fell…but Vilkas was willing to. He'd do anything to protect his man… Anything. Death didn't scare Vilkas…not anymore. Neither did the unknown. A life without Vincent…that terrified him. Not that he'd ever admit that….

"We have to get up." Vincent stated quietly, not sounding convinced. He placed his head over Vilkas' heart and quietly listened to his beating heart.

Vilkas sighed. He didn't feel good about this. Maybe it was his dream haunting him but he felt…strange. "aye. We'd better. I know Aela is eager to get going and the less light we waste the better."

Vincent nodded but tensed as a ragged cough escaped his mouth. Vilkas stiffened in his grasp, the dream rapidly flashing back to him before he forced himself to relax. Vincent just had to take his medicine is all… The mage reluctantly pulled away from Vilkas' arms and padded, naked over to his bag. Vilkas thrust the sheet aside and swung his legs over the other end and stood up, straightening his back and hearing a loud satisfying crack as he stretched.

Vincent drank his medicine and they dressed in silence, both feeling the tension rise between them. Vincent pocketed a vile of his medicine and then picked up the Torc. Vilkas watched him with a growing sense of unease. Part of him hoped Cadrian wasn't there… If he was…they were walking into the lair of the beast, blind…but he had to admit it was better then the alternative. If they didn't go after Cadrian, he was sure the mage would just start picking them off, one-by-one. Ria, Tovar, Athis, Njada, Aela, Farkas….they'd all die. Cadrian would find some way to isolate them and leave their bodies as messages to Vincent. Vilkas knew he'd be the last one…He'd die slow and while Vincent watched because that's what Cadrian wanted…to break him.

Vilkas wouldn't let that happen. No one was going to die except that devil…So, into his most likely trapped hell, they would go.

They met Farkas and Aela in the courtyard, ready and raring to go. Vilkas was proud of their dedication to the new Harbinger and his welfare. They had all come a very long way… The wind blew past and Vilkas couldn't help but feel odd. That sense of Foreboding returned and Vilkas tried desperately to squash it. Everything was going to be okay. He'd make it okay.

"Are we ready?" Aela asked, gripping the bow at her side tightly. She seemed tense…she probably hadn't slept. She was itching to get a hold of Cadrian and show him exactly what she thought of him.

Farkas seemed less tense but still fidgety. He was trying to put on a brave face for Vincent but Vilkas knew deep down that Farkas was scared of this turn out. Vilkas was glad he wasn't the only one. "I'm ready." His gravely voice sounded.

"I have the map." Vincent pulled it out of his pocket to show them before putting it back. Vincent had his new Bastard sword strapped to his back after he had sold his mace. The Torc of the Labyrinthian was in the other pocket of his coat, along with a vial of his medicine. He decided not to bring his knapsack in fear of being weighed down too much and Vilkas was inclined to agree.

"Then we are ready." Vilkas nodded, still feeling the hair on his nape wanting to stand on end.

Vincent hesitated. "Before we go…I.." he sighed. "Thank you."

"Thank you? For what?" Farkas asked.

"For…this?" He gestured to all of them. "For everything? You guys didn't need to come with me for this…"

"Of course we do." Aela huffed. "We're not going to let that sick bastard mess with the Companions and our Harbinger. This fight is for all of us now."

"I'm just… sorry it had to come to this." His pretty copper eyes focused on the ground. "Skjor…Kodlak…they wouldn't be dead if…" he just shook his head. "This is my fault. I don't deserve the devotion you all show me."

Vilkas furrowed his brow. He wanted to tell Vincent it wasn't his fault but he knew the mage probably wouldn't believe him. Yes, Skjor and Kodlak would probably still be alive if Vincent had never darkened their doorstep but then he would have never met the love of his life. He sighed and exchanged a look with Aela and Farkas. He decided what he was going to say.

He grabbed Vincent by the shoulder and met his eyes. Vincent had suffered so much in his life and Vilkas just wanted his little mate's nightmare to end. "Death comes for all of us, Vincent. In this life we lead…people die. I know Kodlak and Skjor died fighting, which is what they always wanted. The companions die for each other and you ARE a companion."

"Vilkas…"

"You are our Harbinger." Vilkas spoke, gently squeezing Vincent's shoulder. "I would not trade you for anything."

"Neither would I." Farkas chimed in.

"Me too." Aela added.

Vincent's lips twitched slightly, looking for a brief moment he would cry. He closed his eyes and breathed deep then hugged Vilkas around his middle. "Thank you."

Vilkas couldn't help but smile and ran a hand through his crimson tresses. This wouldn't be the last time, he told himself. They'd make it through this.

"Hey…why are you the one who gets a hug…?" Aela teased.

Vincent laughed, sounding less strained. "sorry." He made to move to hug the others but Vilkas scowled and held the mage tightly against him.

"Come on Vilkas! You're hogging the Harbinger!" Farkas joked with his arms crossed.

"Yeah, let him go. I need a hug!" Aela made a grabby hand with her free hand.

"Hands off, woman." Vilkas growled. "He's mine."

They all shared a laugh, the tension shedding from them for the moment.

"This place is huge…" Aela looked around at the raised, snow covered walls.

Vilkas nodded. The Labyrinthian defiantly had lived up to its name. It took them about a hour to navigate the outside of the large structure and about another hour to locate a door. It could have been faster if they had split up but no one seemed willing to do so. Probably the best idea with a psychotic master mage vampire on the loose.

Vincent stopped outside the door and turned to his companions. "Alright, listen everyone. We've done well so far and if Cadrian is in here were up for the fight of our lives. We did well fighting Daric but he's nothing compared to Cadrian's power scope."

Vilkas' lips pulled into a straight line. They had almost died fighting Daric….granted it was a possessed Daric he guessed but they still almost died. If not for those ghosts….

"So I need to tell you guys a thing or two about fighting a mage." Vincent continued. "Cadrian is used to having to use his magic for lethal purposes. Never attack head on when he's casting a spell. Always keep moving and never in a straight line. It's harder for a mage to hit you with magic when you serpentine. Aela."

"Yes?"

"I want you to support us with arrow fire. Keep him distracted. Keep moving."

She grinned. "Can do."

"Farkas and Vilkas."

"Yeah?"

"Aye?"

Vincent breathed out slow. "You'll try to flank him from either side if possible. If not possible, support each other."

"Right." Farkas nodded approvingly.

"Aye." Vilkas also nodded. "What will you be doing?"

"I'm going to try and blast him with magic." The harbinger smiled but then gestured to Vilkas' engagement gift strapped to his back. "If all else fails, I do have this. It's very important that we keep our heads in here. He's a master of manipulation and mind games. Don't listen to anything he says or offers. Okay?"

They all nodded, and Vilkas pushed down the uneasy feeling that began to rise in his gut again. It felt like they were walking into a trap but he need to be strong for them. Now was the perfect time to strike and it would be foolish not to. Vincent pulled out the Torc and unlocked the door, then slowly pushed the heavy door aside. Not a sound filtered from within but Vilkas could feel cold air hitting his face. Vincent went in first, closely followed but Aela and Farkas. With one last look outside, Vilkas followed, holding back the feeling of dread.

After two hours, Vilkas felt his feeling fade. They had been walking around, searching every room they came across and found nothing. Absolutely nothing. If there had been enemies when Cassandra made her way through, they were gone now. She wasn't really specific on the details of her time here, only that she didn't ever want to go back. Vilkas was expecting a bloody massacre in here with that attitude but they found nothing. Maybe Cadrian wasn't here after all.

The frustration didn't show on Vincent's face but Vilkas was close enough to him to see it in his eyes. As much as he never wanted to see Cadrian again, he also wanted this to be over. Vilkas knew how much Vincent hated feeling scared for himself and others; Hated how Cadrian was still allowed to breathe after everything he'd done. It didn't seem fair and this was seriously going to depress the new Harbinger.

"Maybe he packed up and left when he knew we were coming?" Aela offered.

Vincent shook his head. "He'd be stupid to abandon a place like this. Where in Skyrim could he go where he wouldn't be noticed otherwise?"

"There are a lot of Caves and hiding places in Skyrim, Vincent." Farkas spoke up. "He could be anywhere."

Vincent walked into the next room. It was large and only until the gang was about half way in did he see it was a dead end. The Harbinger sighed, letting some of his frustration show.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be." Aela soothed. "It was a good try."

"none of it makes sense." Vincent huffed. "We've been searching for hours and we've found nothing here. I was so sure…"

Vilkas walked over and put his arms around Vincent. "We'll find him. Don't worry about that. For now…lets head back to Jorrvaskr."

Vincent nodded mutely in his arms…but then they head a door slam. All heads whirled toward the door they came in to find it shut tight. Green smoke started to flow in though vents on the floor. Aela and Farkas booked it to the door and tried to pry it open but it was stuck fast and wouldn't budge even under Farkas' strength.

Vilkas grabbed Vincent and tried to shield him from the rising gas but it entered all their lungs anyway. Vilkas coughed and gagged, feeling his legs start to shake and his consciousness start to fade. He saw Aela and Farkas hit the ground and Vincent fell limp in his grasp. He couldn't hold them up with his fading strength so he fell to the floor with the mage still wrapped in his arms.

He could have sworn he heard laughing before darkness took him.

Alright all. Sorry for this pitifully short and long awaited chapter. I'd been busy with work and some family drama but the drama part is over now and I should be able to update more frequently. So, who's up for the confrontation with Cadrian?