Guest: I'm so sorry dear. I was posting the last chapter as you reviewed. I'm glad you love the story. C:
Herelies: Well, some things I can answer. Who Vincent's father is, is most defiantly being held back. It may be reviled in the sequel or it may not. Honestly Vincent has a new life and the man who 'donated' sperm and became his father is irrelevant for the moment. (After all, Davide Renalt was more of a father than his real father ever was). Second question, yes. Cadrian DID know who Vincent was. Lilliana said she only 'repelled' Cadrian and she couldn't remember more. Cadrian probably saw her change and saw Vincent being revived by the spirit, much like how Vincent revived the companions and Vilkas. Request accepted! The thing that rhymes with Vincent Mopping shall be done in a bonus chapter and I will do one specifically inside Vincent's dirty little head, just for you.
Nori-239: Yes, I admit it was a bit cliché, but I'd been hinting at it for a long time now. Vincent threw it in the fire because after that night, he wasn't ever going to bring it up ever again. Holding on to the book would mean holding on to the past (Which he didn't want to do.) Yes! Much kinky-ness and 'getting weird' in the bonus chapters.
(So far, Bonus chapters are at 5.)
Chapter 30- A Hero comes home. (Epilogue)
Just wait
Though wide he may roam
Always
A hero comes home
He knows of places unknown
Always
A hero comes home
Someday they'll carve in stone
The hero comes home
He goes and comes back alone
But always
A hero comes home
Just wait
Though wide he may roam
Always
A hero comes home
-Idina Menzel "A hero comes home"
Vilkas can hear roars in the distance and it is unlike any animal he'd ever heard. It sends a forbodding chill up his spine even though he isn't cold. That came out of no real animal…He sighed as he looked at the dark forest before him. His breath came out in white puffs of smoke before him, swirling in the dark air before it vanished.
He knew he couldn't just stand out here. If he did, whatever he needed to see would probably get impatient and force violent and disturbing imagery on him… So, in he went. He passed the tree line and a small path was visible through the brush and grass. Wind whistled through the tree's a cold air brushed against Vilkas' face as he pressed forwards. Always in the distance, there was a roar.
Welll, at least there was a curtosy of giving him a damn path to follow.
"Our Hero, our Hero claims a warrior's heart…."
Vilkas stopped. A young girls' voice. A familiar voice. He sighed and picked up his pace. Time for another vision it seemed.
"I tell you, I tell you the Dragonborn comes…"
"Grace?" Vilkas called out, seeing a dim light in the distance.
"With a voice wielding power of the ancient Nord art…."
Vilkas huffed and pressed closer to the light. He knew she heard him…
"Believe, Believe the Dragonborn comes…"
Vilkas stepped into the clearing and crossed his arms. Sure enough, there was Grace with her back turned to him. She stood ankle deep in thick snow and her hair floated about her as if she was underwater.
"For the Darkness has past and the Legend yet grows…" She sang. "You'll know, you'll know the Dragonborn's come."
"Is this why you called me here? To sing to me?"
Grace smiled and turned toward him. "That's a mean way to say hello."
"It's usually not good news when you call on me." Vilkas approached, no longer awe struck or secretly scared as he used to be.
Grace gestured to the clearing and five figures stood there that hadn't been present a moment ago. One was instantly recognized as Vincent. Across from him was Cassandra from the mage's collage at Winterhold. Vilkas scowled at bit at her image. Next to her was what looked like a wood elf. He was little and lithe, standing at no more than 5'5 at most. His features were more humanistic than a normal wood elf and Vilkas wouldn't have even known he WAS an elf if not for the ears. Blonde hair framed his delicate features and his eyes were almost an unsettling… purple..? Across from him was a Dark elf with long silver hair. His skin was a healthy bronzed color and he dressed all in black. He too had humanistic features but not as much as the wood elf. He was strikingly handsome and in his red eyes, a spark of mischief.
They all stood in a circle surrounding what looked like a Nord male. His back was turned toward Vilkas but he could see this man's hair was black as ebony and styled up into a rebellious way.
"I recognize Vincent and Cassandra…" Vilkas huffed. "Who are the others?"
"Head of The Thieves guild and Listener of the Dark Brotherhood." She nodded wisely. "The man in the middle is the Dragonborn."
"Thieves and Assassins…" Vilkas rolled his eyes. "Are they really necessary? Can't you see further?"
She shook her head. "The World eater had awoken." she replied sadly. "The Dragonborn is here in Skyrim, alive but it was a close call. Only by the attack of the World eater did he escape execution. It is time and the Dragonborn will need all the allies he can get."
"So it's the end of the world." Vilkas stated more of a statement than a question.
"Yes." She replied with a deadpanned stare. "This is what is needed for-"
"The best possible outcome." Vilkas finished for her. She grinned.
"You're learning."
"Experience it enough and you get used to it."
She sighed and put a comforting hand on his wrist. Vilkas flinched slightly at the light flowing through her touch and into his palm. It didn't hurt or feel uncomfortable. It was a touch that was meant to soothe but nothing about the end of the world soothed Vilkas at all.
"For what it is worth, we are sorry Vilkas."
"For what?" He asked, not tearing his gaze from the back of the Dragonborn.
"For this." she stated simply. "For the end."
"It's…not your fault?"
"…" She hesitated. "Most mortals would blame the Gods for not putting a stop to it ourselves."
"I have a feeling that you would if you could. You need us to do it for you."
She stayed silent and Vilkas took in a deep sigh in…relief? He didn't quite know how to feel. His love…was going to be thrust into horrible danger once more. He felt bad of course. He wanted to give Vincent the world and everything he deserved. They had only been married for two years now and Vilkas didn't want to have to send his new husband to mortal peril so soon. He had no choice in the matter though. The World was going to end and all he could do is stand by his Harbinger and keep him safe in the danger to come.
"It's time Vilkas. You need to wake up."
Vilkas smiled humorlessly. "What? I don't get to meet the man?" He asked gesturing to the back of the Dragonborn.
"You'll meet him soon enough." her smile was sly and…mischievous? "Be well Vilkas. We will be in touch."
4E 201
"DADDDDDDDDD!"
Vilkas' eyes opened and he blinked blearily at the ceiling. He rubbed his tired eyes and groaned at the light. What time was it?
"DADDDDDD!"
He sat up in bed just in time to see a small raven haired Nord boy bolt into his bedroom and jump on it in a huff. His raven hair was held back with a crimson ribbon that once belonged to someone close to the Harbinger's heart and he was dressed in leather armor made for his size, along with archery gloves. His bow was squeezed tightly in his seven year old grip and his big green eyes looked annoyed .
"Leif?" Vilkas grunted out with sleep still heavy in his voice. "What is it?"
Leif pouted, sticking out his bottom lip. "Tryg hid my arrows again! When I went to ask for them back he called me stupid!"
Vilkas rubbed his eyes. "What time is it Leif?"
The child looked confused for a moment. His pretty face that Vilkas knew would one day be ruggedly handsome, went blank for a moment. "It's about six, Da. Why?"
Vilkas groaned. "It's too early for this Leif." Vilkas glanced to the side and saw Vincent's spot empty. That's right…he wasn't here. He had business with the Jarl early…
"B-But dad-!"
"I'll talk to Tryg. All your screaming better not have woken up your sister, boy."
Leif looked aghast. "I'll check on her." He jumped off the bed with way too much energy for so early in the morning and bolted out on the room.
Vilkas sighed and swung his legs over the side of the bed and getting up. He dressed quickly, knowing it was only a matter of time before Leif came barreling back in. He just managed to get his armor on before Leif came back holding a two year old Breton girl.
"Leif. You didn't need to pick her up." he scolded, snapping the last buckle that held his armor into place. "She can walk."
"She wanted to be carried, Da." The small girl in his arms giggled and clutched his raven hair in her little hands.
Vilkas rolled his eyes and took the small girl from the boy with ease, hoisting her up into his arm. She looked at him with big brown eyes and cooed. Vilkas turned his attention back to the aspiring archer.
"Well, now that Grace is up go upstairs and sit with your brother. I'll be there in a moment."
Leif looked like he was about to protest but a look from Vilkas silenced it. He just nodded and left the room.
"Daaa…" Grace smiled and pet his five 0-clock shadow, giggling when his stubble tickled her fingers. Vilkas couldn't help the ghost of a smile cross his lips even though he was annoyed from being awoken in such a way. God help him to think two years ago he didn't have kids. He never thought himself a good father figure but it seems like he was doing an okay job at it. He loved these kids like they were his own, it didn't matter that they were adopted.
He picked up his sword one handed and sheathed it on his back without disturbing the small child in the crook of his arm. She clapped happily as he began walking out of the room. He passed his and Farkas' old circle's quarters, no longer home to warriors but to children. The twins Tryg and Leif shared Vilkas' old room and Grace had Farkas'. Farkas had moved into Skjor's old room so the kids could have space.
Vilkas went upstairs, passing the Whelps' room. He could hear Torvar snoring and Athis talking softly to Nadia as he passed. Upstairs, Ria was speaking with the new whelps, Tarija and Erik about the latest news. Both Nord newcomers, they raised a glass at Vilkas' passing form before resuming talk with Ria. Vilkas didn't see the kids, Farkas or Aela so he tried out in the courtyard.
Sure enough, there they were. Farkas was standing by a small blonde haired boy who was rubbing a new welt on his cheek angrily. He was held back by his collar by Farkas but he looked as if the fight had been taken out of him already. Leif was being held back by Aela, who gripped his wrist tightly, keeping him from mauling his fraternal twin brother.
"What's going on here?" Vilkas asked, slightly exasperated.
Tryg turned his blonde head in Vilkas' direction, his big blue eyes angry and pointed at Leif accusingly. "He hit me!"
"He called me stupid!" Leif snapped back. "He won't give me my arrows!"
"I don't have them!" Tryg snapped back, still rubbing his cheek. "Not my fault you're too stupid and lost them!"
"UNK!" Grace flailed in Vilkas' arms. He set the child down and watched her toddle up to Farkas' leg and wrap her little arms around it. She couldn't wrap them all the way around his thick leg but she tried anyway. Farkas smiled and let Tryg go so he could pick up the small girl. It looked like a giant bear cuddling a small porcelain doll. Tryg thankfully didn't lash out at his brother even when freed. Leif looked ready to kill so it was best he was still a captive.
Vilkas folded his arms and scowled at the boys. Both of them instantly looked down at the ground, ashamed. "Tryg. Give him his arrows." He cut the child off before he could defend himself. "I know you have them so don't lie to me." Tryg shut his mouth and nodded.
"Sorry Da."
"Don't say sorry to me. Apologize to your brother."
Tryg's mouth shot open. "He HIT me!"
"I'm aware and I'll punish him for that later. For now, apologize to your brother."
Tryg kicked the dirt. "Sorry." he muttered.
"Go play, Tryg." Vilkas dismissed him and watched the blonde quickly run off back into Jorrvaskr, not having to be told twice.
"But Da, he-" Leif began but when Vilkas glared at the boy he shut his mouth.
"And you…you know better than to lay your hands on your brother, especially when I told you I was coming to handle it."
"But Da…he kept calling me stupid!"
"We both know you are not stupid Leif but that was childish behavior." Leif was so smart he scared Vilkas sometimes. He saw a lot of himself in Leif at that age. Stubborn, quick to anger, scholarly and very serious about training. His twin Tryg was much more carefree and affectionate.
"Sorry…" The raven haired boy muttered sullenly.
"Your brother will give you back your arrows, but Aela will not be training you for at least a week."
Leif's big green eyes widened. "What?!"
"That's the punishment for striking your brother. I'll hear no argument about this."
Leif grumbled but seemed to accept the punishment. "When is momma getting back…?"
Vilkas rolled his eyes at Aela and Farkas' amused smiles. "I told you not to call him Momma. He's your father too."
"That's too confusing." Leif huffed. "and Momma doesn't care. He told me so."
"You still shouldn't call him your mother." Vilkas chided him but knew Leif probably wouldn't listen. He just sighed. "Go play Leif and keep your hands off your brother."
"Yes sir." He ran off back into Jorrvaskr and passed Tilma on the way in. She yelled at him for running but when he was out of sight, Vilkas saw the old woman smile. She had missed children being apart of Jorrvaskr.
"So…" Farkas began. "where is Mommy?" Aela snickered beside him and Farkas looked like he was barely holding back a laugh.
"Mommy." Grace echoed and played with Farkas' giant thumb.
"Doesn't that get old for you two?" Vilkas scowled.
"Nope."
"No."
Came their quick answers and Vilkas sighed, defeated. "He went to see the Jarl early. He was summoned late last night and told that the Jarl needed to see him at his earliest convenience."
"What in the Gods names could be so important?" Aela huffed, crossing her arms. "We were supposed to go hunting later."
"Could be about that demandable civil war starting." Vilkas offered. The high king blasted apart with a power no man should rightfully possess…the storm cloak rebellion…Nirn was going to hell and fast.
"Vilkas?" Came the voice of the Harbinger.
All heads turned in that direction to see Vincent rounding the corner to the courtyard. Grace squealed happily and made grabby-hands at Vincent. The redhead smiled and took the small child from Farkas. He looked a bit tired and Vilkas guessed the talk with the Jarl must have been a taxing one.
"You're up early, Grace…" He commented off-handedly and bounced her a bit in his arms. She giggled happily as he did so and clung to his pastel coat.
"She woke up when Leif barreled into our bedroom, screaming about his brother." Vilkas offered.
"Is he in trouble again?"
"Aye. He hit Tryg."
Vincent rolled his eyes a bit. "Such a temper on him. He's too much like you."
Vilkas only felt mildly insulted. "Too much like me?"
"To fiery for his own good." Vincent's blue eyes narrowed slightly but he had a smile on his face. "And stubborn as hell. I'm sure you used to hit farkas."
Vilkas looked slightly put out. "Only when he deserved it…"
"I never deserved it." farkas defended with a grin.
"You always deserved it." Vilkas snapped back.
"What did the Jarl want…?" Aela asked, changing the subject. "We were supposed to go hunting early Vincent."
"I know, I'm sorry." his smile fell a bit. "I unfortunately have grave news. Tilma!" He called for the old woman who was cleaning up around the tables. She came over quickly.
"Yes, dear?"
"Do you mind taking Grace inside for a bit?"
"Absolutely. Come to me little darling." She cooed and took the baby from Vincent's grasp before scurrying inside.
"So, what's going on?" Farkas probed, crossing his arms anxiously, wanting to know the bad news.
Vincent took a deep breath. "He told me a Dragon attacked Helgan."
Vilkas felt his heart stop for a moment. "What?"
"Eye witness accounts." Vincent nodded. "A giant Black Dragon attacked Helgan…it killed a lot of folks…not many people made it out."
"A dragon…" Aela gaped and glanced at Vilkas. "Like the warnings you've been getting?"
"Aye." Vilkas answered morosely. He'd kept them all updated when he had visions as he promised he would. Only the circle knew and Vilkas planned to keep it that way. "Had another last night too. Much more clear than all the others."
"That's not all…Apparently late last night a dragon attacked outside the city walls and a bunch of guards and…some guy…stopped it. They say he absorbed the soul and that he's the Dragonborn."
Vilkas sighed. "I was told the Dragonborn was in Skyrim now…"
"Did anyone feel a rumbling last night?" The Harbinger questioned. Aela nodded.
"Yes. I thought it was distant thunder though. I fell asleep not long after."
"Well, apparently it was a bunch of old men on a mountain top, calling for the Dragonborn." Vincent sighed. "This is just too strange for me."
"It's a Nord thing?" Aela offered, not very helpfully.
"Did you see the Dragonborn?" Farkas asked.
Vincent shook his head. "No. According to the Jarl, I just missed him."
"So now what do we do?" Aela asked looking to the gathering storm clouds in the distance.
"We wait." Vilkas answered. He too looked out at the gathering clouds and frowned deeply. "The Dragonborn will come to us eventually. The companions have a role in fate to play yet again."
Vincent nodded and almost jumped when a loud crack of thunder sounded in the distance. "I just hope this isn't the end."
Vilkas could have sworn he saw dark wings moving among the black clouds. Unconsciously he reached out and took Vincent's hand before muttering.
"Gods preserve us."
Fin
Alright. That is officially the end of Wolves and Magic. I'm going to start working on Dragons and Daedra so if you want to see that, add me or story alert or something, meh I don't know how it works really, or just keep your eyes open for it to appear. I have five bonus chapters to do, plus any other requests. I won't mark the story as complete until I finish all the bonus chapters.
About the kids, as a quick side note, I promise they will be explained in bonus chapters and in case you weren't paying attention, they are adopted. No M-preg. It kinda freaks me out a bit so I tend to shy away from it. I really like Leif by the way. He's just so cute in my head and I love his little attitude. Tryg is an old Norse name that means 'True' and Leif I believe means 'Love' So their twin names together is True Love.
NotsurewhybutIseethembeing'together'atanolderage. (soM-pregbothersmebutTwincestdoesn't?WtfIdek.)
I updated fast! Wooooot! I just really wanted to move onto the bonus chapter of Vincent's head perspective I bet. I have so many…'fun' imagery I want to use for him. Hurr.
Anyway, thank you everyone who read this story to it's bitter, bloody end and I hope to Talos you enjoyed it!