"So, what now?" Farkas had more energy than any one person should have been allowed to have. He bounced as he walked, spinning around constantly to make sure they were keeping up and bombarding them with questions to keep the talking.
Luthien and Vilkas didn't need to talk. They were both content with the silence of the world around them and the unwritten future that awaited. They were exactly where they were supposed to be, walking the path the gods had designed for them to walk, and they were walking that path together.
"We should go troll-slaying," Farkas said. "Or maybe we could find one of these so-called dragons I keep hearing about, and bring it to its knees. We should do something."
"We're going to Riften," Vilkas spoke up.
"Ooh, to take out the Thieves Guild." Farkas's simple grin was infectious, and Luthien found herself laughing. "Nice. I like the way you think, brother."
"We're not taking out the Thieves Guild. We're going to the temple to seek the blessing of Mara."
"Oh," Farkas's brow furrowed. "Well, I guess that's fine too, but why do we need her blessing? I've always been happy with the blessing of Talos, but Mara's all right too, I suppose. How does she help warriors though?"
"She helps them take a wife," Vilkas said, reaching out to take her hand in his. "Make a home and family with a woman they love."
"Oh…" and then it dawned on him. "Ohh! Now I get it. So you two are finally gonna do it? It's about damn time."
"Do you want to come with us?" she asked.
"Of course I'm coming with you. I go where my brother goes. Always."
"Not everywhere," Vilkas grinned. "I have a feeling once we get home to Whiterun, you're going to have to start going a few places without me."
"What's that supposed to mean? You're trading me in for her? I don't like the sound of that one bit." She could see the playfulness in Farkas's eyes.
"Someone's going to have to stay home and take care of the children while the Dragonborn is out defending the world. She'll need a strong shield-brother at her back to protect her. And that's where you come in. You'll look after her when I can't."
Had he just said children? They hadn't brought up the prospect of having children since they'd set out for Ustengrav, and though she hadn't thought much about it herself either, it made her heart swell to know he had been thinking about it.
"Huh, I never figured you for a househusband, Vilkas. Next thing, you'll be telling me you want to open a quiet little shop in Solitude and that you're thinking of taking up knitting."
"I'll never knit," Vilkas declared, the three of them bursting into laughter. "But in all seriousness, I won't always be able to travel with her, and I'll expect you to go in my stead."
"All right," Farkas nodded. "I can live with that." He was quickly distracted by a flutter of movement up ahead, and when Vilkas saw it was just an ice wraith, he hung back and let his brother rush forward to find glory.
"Did you really mean what you said?" Luthien asked. "About having children?"
"I'd never considered it an option before, but now that I can see the world through much clearer eyes, I keep returning to what you told me your mother used to say… about hope and light in a dark world." He paused, turning into her and reaching for both of her hands to hold between them. "I am ready for hope, Luthien. You've been a light in my darkness since the day we met, and I want to bring hope into this world with you."
"Together, then?"
Vilkas squeezed her fingers gently. "Together."
~Fin~
A/N: First of all, thanks to everyone who's been reading and commenting on Taming the Wolf. It's been a pleasure sharing it with you all. There are sequels to this story, but I will probably not be posting them here on this site, as they are a bit darker and more graphic and I have no desire to break the rules put in place by the site. Riding the Storm and The Dragon Queen both can be found on my personal website, complete with screen caps from the game for anyone interested in visiting. The link is in my profile for those who wish to follow.