Author's Note: Odd is back.
Put Down
Sahana lifted her head, staring up at the darkening, roiling clouds. She yawned, unfazed. She pulled her legs up and rested her chin on one knee. In her fingers, she twirled a blade of grass. She heard his approach and looked over. Vilkas stood a few feet away, as if waiting for her permission to come closer.
She smiled and patted the ground next to her. He moved to sit beside her. "It's been nearly two sennights," she said. "How are you adjusting to being beast free?"
"It is different. Pleasantly so."
Sahana nodded, frowning now. She plucked the grass blade from the ground and brought it to her face. It was yellowed…dead. When a fierce wind assaulted them, she released it. With a sigh, she perched her chin on her knee again.
The color blue suddenly dazed her. Soft flower petals caressed her nose and then her cheek. Eyes wide, she looked at Vilkas. He offered her a small – almost shy – smile. He cleared his throat, holding the flower out for her to take. She did.
Smiling to herself, she sniffed the flower. "Thank you," she murmured. "It's pretty." Hard and cold as she sometimes was, she still possessed some strange feminine qualities. Receiving flowers, especially from this man, warmed her heart.
Vilkas stretched his legs out, leaning back on his hands. Sahana fell back, tucking one arm under her head to serve as a pillow. They were silent for a long moment. He looked down at her as she dragged the flower's petals over her cheek and down to her chin.
"Correct me if I'm wrong," he said, gaining her attention, "but it seems like you've been avoiding me lately."
Sahana listened to his heart race. Recognizing this man, her wolf always shied away, hid herself so well that Sahana sometimes wondered if she was still there. She hadn't troubled Sahana at all; there had been no desire to change, to hunt… She simply mourned.
Sahana turned onto her side, facing away from him. "Being around you…hurts too much."
Vilkas glared at her back. "What are you saying?" he growled.
Sahana looked over her shoulder at him, into his slashing silver-blue eyes. Even without his beast, he managed to look more animal than man. Because she didn't exactly know how to put what she was feeling into words, she settled with, "You make me feel lonely and empty…"
Vilkas ground his teeth. He took her by her shirt collar, tugging her up into a sitting position. "You're not making any sense," he snarled into her ear. This was a woman who had lain under him, desperate for his touch, for his kiss. He even remembered the look she'd given him – a look that had appeared in many a dreams after that encounter.
She buried her face in the curve of his neck, taking his scent deep. She reached up and let her fingers burrow into his dark hair. "Maybe it's not me, but…"
Vilkas didn't move an inch. He was acutely aware of her lips against his skin, one of her hands in his hair and the other feeling his back muscles through his shirt. It was when her words finally sunk in that he had to pull away to look at her. "Your beast…?" he mumbled.
Sahana nodded a little, "She hides. Hides from you, hides from me. I can tell that she's in pain, in need of her mate."
"And he's gone," Vilkas said, but sounded as though he were deep in thought. Of its own accord, his hand rose to stroke her hair. "You had three witch heads," he recalled, "but was there more of them?"
"Most likely, but my injuries prevented me from advancing," she grumbled. Her shoulder was scarred horribly. The witches were undoubtedly deadly. "I remember that there was an upper level that I wasn't able to clear out."
"We need to go there."
Sahana stared at him for a long moment. "You want me to get rid of my wolf?"
"This isn't about me," Vilkas said, gaze narrowing. "It would seem that she has already made the decision for you."
Sahana's eyes widened at that. Had she? Life was not worth living unless she had her mate, Sahana thought. When she looked at Vilkas, she could understand that. She couldn't even begin to think about a life without this man.
"I get it," she said on a sigh. "I'll take care of it."
"Don't say it like that." Vilkas trapped her hand in his much larger one. "I'll be going with you… And now you look surprised."
"Well, I was not expecting you to say that. I can handle—"
Vilkas held a hand up to stop her. "I won't leave you now, when you've done so much for us." For me.
"If your mind is made up, I won't try to stop you from coming." A raindrop fell on her nose and she flinched. "Should we wait until morning?"
"Seems like the best plan of action for now."
"Yeah…"
Vilkas made sure he woke up early the next day. Sahana was waiting for him on the upper floor, playing with her hounds. Both dogs barked excitedly, twirling around in circles or jumping up on their mistress. Sahana crouched down and they practically tackled her, slobbering up her face with their kisses. Still, she only smiled.
Vigilance saw Vilkas' approach and ran off to find something else to do. Meeko wouldn't leave until Sahana hugged him tightly and told him that he was a "good boy". When she was able to, she stood up and brushed herself off. "Weather's fine today," she told him. "I've packed essentials."
"Same."
"I've told Aela and Farkas what we're doing. They'll look after things while we're gone."
Vilkas nodded. "Then let's go. The faster we get this done, the faster we can get back."
Sahana frowned, nodding. She could admit only to herself that she feared losing her wolf. She wondered briefly if Farkas or Vilkas had been frightened at first. After all, they had lost a major part of themselves. She couldn't remember what it was like being without her wolf…
"…hana. Sahana!"
Her eyes jumped up to meet Vilkas'. He stood at the door, staring at her with a quirked eyebrow. "It's time," he told her.
With a resigned sigh, she grabbed her pack and followed the man. Her shoulders drooped and each step away from Jorrvaskr seemed to grow heavier.
"You have nothing to fear," she thought she heard Vilkas say as they were approaching the Whiterun gate. "The way your body feels as though it is always wound too tight – that'll go away. The constant urge to change and hunt and kill – that'll be gone, too. Your mind and body will finally be at peace, working in sync once again."
She looked at him, then; he was already staring right back at her. "Do you remember what that was like?" he asked her. "Do you remember a time when you did not feel conflicted every moment of your life?"
Sahana averted her eyes, managing a slight shake of the head. "The beastblood is intense, and makes you forget…" She spoke in a hushed tone. Vilkas nodded in understanding.
The man placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. He wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms and simply hold her, but it wasn't safe yet. He frowned, thinking… He had never worried so much about safety before.
Sahana had him protecting his heart. And because he was not a daft man, he knew that could only mean one thing.
"This is it," Sahana muttered when they reached the cave. "The remaining witches are within." There was no light inside that they could see, but their expressions remained neutral. That is, until Vilkas couldn't help but cough and gag a little.
"The smell coming from in there is like one from your worst nightmares," he grumbled. He glanced around. "There is no trace of life."
"Indeed, the vilest monsters live here," Sahana found herself saying. "Nothing can hope to bear with this evil stain."
"We head in now," Vilkas said, glancing her way. "You lead."
Sahana stepped into the darkness and Vilkas trailed close behind. They ascended to the second level of the cave and Sahana paused near a tunnel. "There is one back there," she whispered. "She is talking to herself."
"I will take care of her," Vilkas said and put a hand up to stop Sahana's immediate protest. "I want you to locate any others so this can just be over." He sounded weary, and that had Sahana willing to do almost anything he said.
"Fine," she said. "Don't get hurt." Vilkas scoffed, as if the idea was ridiculous. He waved his hand and she pressed on.
Sahana moved slowly, creeping along the wall. She was cautious, not willing to give her enemies the chance to prepare themselves. She searched, but found only one other tunnel - she made her way through it, guided by lanterns and sconces.
She stopped, listening to two different things at once. Vilkas was back, having dealt with the other witch swiftly. The last witch paced restlessly in this chamber, moving closer to Sahana's position. She had no time to move back, into the darkness where she could simply dispatch the witch with a poison-tipped arrow.
"And the beast is back again…" The witch's smile was malicious.
Sahana stepped forward, not in the least perturbed. "You've something I need, wretched one."
The Hagraven laughed, a hoarse sound that offended Sahana's sensitive ears. Even when the witch advanced further, Sahana did not back down. Vilkas still clung to the shadows, a predator even without his wolf. He would not allow harm to come to her, not if he could help it.
"Come and take it, then!" the witch cried. "The caverns will fill with the beast's blood on this night!"
Roaring flames came to the witch's hands. Vilkas decided at that moment to leap forward, sword at the ready. The witch screeched in surprise, turning her attention to the warrior closing in. Sahana nocked an arrow and let it loose, trying for the foul witch's heart.
The witch's flames jumped after Sahana as the Hagraven moved to avoid the arrow. She was too slow and it buried into her arm, coming out the other side. Sahana managed to evade the ball of fire, though it struck the wall behind her – too close for comfort. Remembering the crippling power behind that spell had Sahana moving further away in a hurry, not willing to take chances with it.
Vilkas swung his blade when he was close enough. The Hagraven's frail, decrepit form was deceptive. This witch seemed more agile than others, moving away from Vilkas' blow with ease. When he swung again, she ducked low and to the side, moved in close and grabbed Vilkas' dominant arm. The witch lifted one leg and dug into Vilkas' own with her vicious talons.
Flames came to life in the witch's free hand and Sahana's eyes widened in horror. She felt her heart stop. Her wolf, reacting to her intense emotions, slammed hard against the door that would allow her freedom.
With preternatural speed and strength, Sahana soared forward and took the witch to the ground, holding her clawed hands down. Sahana exposed her lengthening fangs and her eyes began to glow a brilliant amber color tinged with crimson. She snarled, teeth snapping threateningly. It was obvious enough without Sahana having to fully shift that her beast was in agony.
Sahana's face elongated to accommodate her fangs. Tears spilled over her face as she opened her mouth wide, ready to tear out the throat of this wretched creature beneath her…
"Sahana!"
She pulled back and her eyes reverted to their natural brown color as she looked at Vilkas. He didn't meet her eye, only plunged the tip of his blade into the witch's neck, severing the head from the body without giving her time to even scream.
Slowly, Vilkas' pale, intense eyes found her. "If that was it, let's be rid of this place…"
Sahana nodded a little. "I will die happy if I never have to come here again."
"Don't say things like that," Vilkas grumbled, not liking the image it put in his head. "What do we do with the remaining head – after you set your beast free, that is?" He chose his words carefully, knowing that her relationship with her wolf was one that he did not understand.
Sahana was silent for a moment, thinking. Finally, she shrugged, a strange smile on her face. "Keep it in case Aela ever wants to be free of the beastblood?" Sahana laughed heartily, knowing the likelihood of that.
Vilkas stared at her, his smile so soft that it was barely there. He enjoyed the look on her face, wished that it could last forever, but…
"Sahana, should we head straight to the tomb?"
She looked up at him, her smile gone. And he caught another glimpse of the fear in her.
Sahana stood, staring into the familiar blue flames within the Tomb of Ysgramor. She held one of the witch heads by its hair, dangled it above those flames. She hesitated. Her wolf could not prepare herself for what was about to come.
"I am here, Sahana."
She looked over, into Vilkas' eyes. His face was carved of stone, but his eyes were soft and warm. That expression on his face had her chest tightening painfully. Neither of them looked away, not even when Sahana willed herself to let go of the witch's head.
Her wolf was wrenched from her – giving her no time to brace herself. All of her strength left her in that moment and she fell to her knees. Her wolf yelped and howled, driven mad with pain. She turned her massive head, her eyes instantly finding Sahana – the betrayer.
The wolf bared her fangs, salivating as if she were eyeing a juicy piece of meat. Vilkas moved then, drawing her attention. "Eyes on me, beast!" Vilkas held his blade, moving away to find an advantageous position.
Sahana tried to stand, but failed. Her small action brought the wolf's head back around, eyes wide and crazed. "No…!" But it was too late. The beast lunged for her. Sahana threw her arms up to protect herself, but the blow never came.
Vilkas had slammed into the wolf, managing to throw her off course. She held fast to his arm, though – and between her powerful jaws, he heard his armor start to crack. She lifted one great paw and swiped at his face, drawing a long crimson line from his cheek down to his chin.
Sahana forced herself to stand, setting an arrow on her bowstring. "Be at ease," she whispered and the arrow flew towards its target. The wolf yelp as the arrow dove into her eye. She released Vilkas with another cry, swinging her head this way and that.
Vilkas didn't allow her to suffer any further. He lifted his blade and brought it down swiftly. Like Farkas and Vilkas' wolves, she simply vanished from sight. He turned to Sahana as she let herself fall back on her arse. "Sahana…?" He was by her side in the next second.
Sahana took a deep breath and realized that everything was different now. Her thoughts slowed down to be processed, and they were no longer about the next hunt, the next taste of blood. Her body felt lighter, like it was her own again. For the first time in a long time, she felt herself relax.
She looked at Vilkas and, despite all the changes, her love for him remained. Tears streamed down her face before she could stop them. Vilkas' smile was small as he reached up to brush away one of those tears with his thumb.
"Your face…" She reached up to touch the wound with gentle fingers.
Vilkas shrugged carelessly. "Just another scar to add to the collection." His hand dropped to her arm. "It is rather fitting that they would leave their marks behind." She looked down, then – realized that his fingers were tracing the scars left by his beast's teeth.
"Vilkas," her voice was just barely above a whisper, "thank you." She leaned close, resting her forehead against his shoulder. "I want to go home now."
"Then let's go."
Sahana pushed herself to her feet, wiping away the remainder of her tears as she did so. When Vilkas took her hand, she looked down at their laced fingers, and then up at his flushed face. He looked at her from out of the corner of his eye. "Don't question it," he mumbled. So she only laughed. "That's not any better…"
Chapter end! Thanks for reading!