On the third day Farkas went to bed early, planning to leave at dawn. He was going to find them and tell them... Tell them they were reckless, dumb and… He was almost asleep, when a familiar sound woke him up in an instant. Barking. He rushed out of his room without thinking, wearing only a shirt and linen pants.
"Vilkas! Damn you!" He shouted when they met at the door. "Are you okay?!"
"I'm fine," his brother answered. "Something wrong? You look… pale."
"I was…" Farkas stammered. Suddenly he felt embarrassed. He and his brother were close but they never talked about it. "I was worried about you," he admitted finally. "I was going to follow you this morning."
"Ha!" His brother laughed and gave him a powerful hug. "My little brother was worried. It would take more to beat us. Much more."
"I guess I'm getting old and soft," Farkas snarled. "So, what happened?"
"Ask Aline," Vilkas told him. "I'm completely exhausted. We travelled the entire day almost without stopping. Where does she find all that strength, I wonder?"
She was sitting at the table in the end of the room. Kodlak's chair was like an empty hole next to her. Farkas sat on it without thinking. They needed to move on.
"Vilkas told me to ask you, what happened."
"There is nothing to talk about," she shook her hear wearily. "We went there, killed everyone and came back. I guess Kodlak wouldn't want revenge, but I feel better now."
"Me too," he admitted, looking at her. She removed her armor with a sigh of relief. Underneath, she was wearing only a tunic and he noticed a strange amulet on her neck. Was it…
"An amulet of Mara?" He asked aloud. "You're looking for marriage, then?"
"Oh. I found it on one of the bandits we killed along the way. Strange to think that the villains want a family life as well, isn't it?"
"So you want to get married?"
"Well, I thought about it. Sometimes I feel… lonely. But I did not expect so much interest."
"Someone proposed to you?"
"Well, yeah. A few people."
Farkas frowned. He didn't like the thought of her getting married. She shouldn't be distracted. The entire world depended on her.
"And what did you say?"
"I'm still wearing it, right?"
She seemed a little embarrassed. He wanted to ask about all those suitors she rejected, but it was a personal issue after all. Definitely not his business.
"Actually…" she began hesitantly. "I hoped that it would encourage someone. But perhaps he is not interested."
"I can't believe there is a person in Skyrim that would not be interested," he said harsher than he meant to.
"I know, I know," she leaned back in her chair with a sigh. "I'm a hero, rich, famous and all. But I wish someone just liked me, even without those things."
I like you that way, Farkas realized. He did not desire money or fame. He liked her the way she was, courageous, smart, funny, enjoying little things in life just the way he did. She never joked about his intelligence, unlike his own brother. She was a real friend to him. But he remained silent knowing that when she mentioned 'someone', she had a specific person in mind. Marriages were treated extremely pragmatically, but perhaps she liked someone enough to make preferences.
"I guess I should go to sleep," she said, when the silence was becoming too heavy. "See you in the morning."
A moment later she disappeared in the room she shared with Ria. Farkas cursed under his breath. He should have said something. Anything. He knew that he would have at least a few answers before falling asleep - friendly, a little reserved and comforting at the same time. But it was too late.
So he went to bed too, but did not spare a single thought on what he could have said. There was a more pressing problem on his mind. Who was that? Who did she like more than others? She said "he is not interested", so it was a man. To tell the truth, she could have anyone. Farkas suspected that even a jarl would not reject her. So who was it? A warrior? Someone more skilled with words and mind? A powerful mage? Or perhaps someone rich and influential? No, that world would never suit her. She would never allow being locked in a gilded cage. She could not live without adventures and needed someone who would accompany her on her travels, talk to her, understand her…
"What's wrong with you?" The voice of Vilkas sounded loudly in the silence of the night. "You've been tossing and turning for over an hour now. Are you sick?"
"Oh." Farkas felt like a child stealing cookies. "It's nothing really. I'm fine. Sorry."
"You did look pale today," his brother added. "Try to get some sleep."
Farkas went completely still but thoughts came to his mind uninvited. Aline's spouse would be a lucky person. Their life would never be boring. They often travelled together, Farkas never refused when she asked for his company. It was always fun. Dungeons, crypts, bandits, vampires… They had much in common and he really enjoyed the time they spent together.
Perhaps even Vilkas wouldn't refuse such marriage although he always emphasized his independence. Actually, he would be a very good candidate. Excellent, experienced fighter. Strong, resolute personality who would never allow being dominated. Refined and smart for a warrior. Perfect.
Farkas resisted the urge to leave the bed and get some air. Something was definitely wrong. His emotions were in a complete turmoil. It was going to be another night when a dull ache in his chest prevented him from sleeping. Perhaps Kodlak was right about the wolf blood. Perhaps he was losing control.
