Vilkas frowned as he leaned against the wooden beam, watching the kid crawl around the stone street playing with plants and gracing anyone who walked by with a smile. The young kids in town quickly flocked to him, begging and pleading Vilkas to let them play with him. Vilkas hesitantly agreed and instantly they all sat in a semicircle around the child.

Vilkas watched him attempt to sit up before giving a clap. Alexandra was right. They needed to give him a name. They couldn't keep calling him it or child. He had to think of something. Even if it was just a nickname.

Then they heard a cry.
" I promise I didn't down anything!" One of the boys promised. One of the girls swatted his hand away and picked the child up into her arms, rocking him softly until he hushed. Vilkas found himself shocked. She was just like Alexandra.

" How intriguing to see the Companions take on a cub."
Vilkas turned and saw Carlotta walk up to him.

" We didn't really have a choice. We can't abandon him."
She nodded in agreement. " What did you name him?"

He paused.

" So you haven't then."

" No, not yet." He admitted slowly. She stayed quiet as she turned her attention to the kids.

" Will you be able to take care of him?" She started, catching his attention," It takes a lot to raise a child. You have to give them love, protect them, cherish them. The Companions are busy people, will you have time for him?"

Vilkas frowned as the sorrow hit his heart.

" They are already getting attached. Besides there is no place to leave him."

" Leave him at the orphanage in Riften. Alexandra travels down there a lot doesn't she? She will be able to visit. Besides, I heard it's doing well with the new woman in charge."

Vilkas's mind turned. He hadn't thought of that. He had made the trip multiple times, he'd find his way.

Whether the other Companions wanted to admit it Carlotta had a point. They weren't in the condition to give him everything he needed. It wasn't fair to the child to bounce from person to person, getting love from each one when they had time. He needed love and affection 24/7.

He took a deep breath.

" I'll head out tomorrow night." Then he picked the child up and began to leave.

He'd do it no matter how much it would make Alexandra hate him.

Vilkas returned the next day from a job only to find the hide out a mess yet again. The hours slipped by, taunting him with each second. He hated to be the person to ruin it but he had to. It just wasn't right to let the cub stay.

Yes, he had named him cub. It wasn't a name but it was better than calling him it all the time.

For all of dinner he couldn't look at Alexandra once. The guilt would be too heavy in his heart. He knew how much she cared for the cub, he knew she'd never want to see him once he came back.

He quickly excused himself and made his way down to his room to pack before anyone else saw him. Then midnight struck. He pulled his pack out from under his bed and slung it on his back. Once it was secure he made his way through the hall to pick the cub up. He was silent as he snuck into his brother's room and peered into the makeshift crib. That's odd, he could have sworn Farkas was watching over him tonight. . . Perhaps it was Aela's turn.

He turned and went back into the hall where he froze in his tracks.
" Alexandra-"
She stood with a bag on her back and the cub in her arms.

" I know what you're wanting to do," She started softly," As much as I want to keep him I know I can't. You won't be able to take care of him alone for that whole trip so I'll go with you."

Vilkas pressed his lips together into a thin line and nodded. It looked as if they were traveling to Riften together yet again.