Chapter 15

Kili sat down near the blazing fire of the mess hall as she waited on Roxanna to return with her healing potions for her burns and cuts. Njada was off in the corner glaring at her, but Kili couldn't bring herself care.

"Kili, my girl, what happened?" Kodlak's voice asked as Roxanna came running over to her once again with Ria close behind.

"Another Dragon Kodlak, but I'm fine I assure you," She said with a small smile on her lips.

"Kiki...There's poison in this wound..." Roxanna said softly as she looked over Kili's stomach, "Were you attacked by someone before the dragon?"

Kili swallowed and looked at the ground, "I was attacked on the way to the dragon's burial sight...Kodlak do you know anything about 'The Black Sacrament'?"

Kodlak stiffened, and Roxanna's fingers stopped moving. Kili looked back and forth between them both looking for an answer, knowing it was not going to be good.

"That would be the work of the Dark Brotherhood…" Kodlak said as he sat down next to Ria, "How do you know of such witchery?"

Kili swallowed again and looked towards the flame in the middle of room, "It was on the note of the one who attacked me and my friend Delphine on the way to Kynesgrove. Does that mean someone wants me dead?"

Kodlak nodded, "They will most likely send another, when the one you sent does not return for some time."

Kili nodded and felt Roxanna's hands move again.

Njada stood up, pushing her chair back across the floor behind her, "So she's a criminal and wanted by the Dark Brotherhood. Are we seriously going to keep her if she keeps in having out lives threated like this?" Njada snapped.

Ria stood up, "If you're so worried about your life Njada leave!"

"Who are you to order me around?!"

"All right that's enough!" Kodlak yelled, "Njada you know nothing of Kili's life, because you never listen. And if you wish to stay here, learn to mind your fowl tongue,"

In the half a year that Kili had been here, she had ever seen such anger in Kodlak. She bit her tongue; she was angry and scared all at once. She feared what the others thought, but mostly about Vilkas. How would he react to this?

"FINE!" Njada yelled and stomped outside, slamming the door behind her.

Kodlak sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, "Anyone else have anything to say?"

Ria spoke up, "I want her to stay. She's done nothing wrong,"

Roxanna stood up as she finished dressing Kili's wound, "I second that,"

Aela was next, "I agree with my shield-sister. Kili should stay,"

"I wish for more than that," Skjor said as he stood up next to Aela, "She should have the chance to join the circle, as one of our leaders. See that the Dark Brotherhood is involved only means that she is feared by the wrong sort of people. We could use this. I say let Farkas test her when she is ready."

Kili's head snapped up, "You want me to be one of your leaders?" she asked in disbelief, "Why in the name of Talos would you want that?"

"You've proven yourself worthy of a chance Kili." He answered, "Does the Harbinger agree?"

All eyes turned to Kodlak. He ran his fingers through his beard, and sat up, "Give her the chance to prove herself. If she be worthy, she will be our sister."

"You are all too kind..." she muttered, "I'm being targeted and you all wish me a leader,"

"You've proven yourself Kili," Roxanna said softly as she stood up, "You'll be fine."

Kili nodded and looked back down at the ground; she hoped Vilkas would be as understanding as they were.

Kili sighed and laid back on Vilkas' bed, she had changed out of her armor and to one of his shirts, waiting on him to come back for his job. Tilma had brought her some food, saying that the others would understand if she wanted to be alone for a while. She thanked the older woman as she left.

She nibbled on some of the bread and cheese, not really sure what else to do, she was tired and sore, and had a lot on her mind. Her stomach seemed to be as upset as she was; she put the food back down and put the plate on the night stand beside her. Then she snuggled up to the pillow, and smiled when Vilkas' scent filled her nose, and she slowly drifted to sleep, hoping her dreams would give her some comfort till Vilkas' returned.

Kili found herself in the middle of a field surrounded by a thick fog. She moved her head around franticly trying to figure out what happened. Her heart race increased as she started to panic.

'Relax my huntress you have nothing to fear...' a voice whispered.

"Who's there," Kili asked as she moved forward as she continued to try and look through the fog.

The voice didn't respond, so Kili debated on whether to keep moving not. She raised her hand to her throat wanting to calm down and think, but instead of skin of her fingers touching her neck, there was leather. With a gasp she looked down at what she was wearing. Some sorts of wolves hide...a very big wolf...

'Yes...armor that holds my blessing. You are under my protection, as well as your friends...' the voice said.

As the voice finished the fog turned red and faded away revealing the Companions, all fully armed. Kili stared wedged eyed at them, their backs turned to her in a circle; Farkas, Roxanna, Aela, Skjor, Kodlak, and Vilkas. Terror ripped through Kili's body, as she looked at each of her loved ones.

"Who are you?" she asked, voice raised a few octaves in her fear.

'You will find out soon enough my dear...' the voice whispered as a man appeared in front of her, his face covered with a skull of an elk, slowly had kneeled to her level, taking her hand in his, "For soon you will be joining them,"

He took the glove off her right hand, and slipped a silver ring, with the head of a wolf on her middle finger. Kili stood there frozen in fear, as the cold metal fit her finger perfectly. Slowly a burning feeling ran from hand up her arm and consumed her body, she opened her mouth to scream, but instead of a scream she let out a howl...

"Kili, wake up!"

Kili gasped as her eyes snapped open. Vilkas stood over her looking concerned. He wasn't wearing his armor like in her dream; he was wearing a light tunic and trousers, and his skin was cleaned, and his hair was still slightly damp. Another bath if she had to guess. She sat up franticly, and looked her clothing; same shirt as she had on, no armor.

"Kili..." Vilkas whispered, as she looked at him again.

Tears formed in her eyes, and a bitter sob filled her throat, as she slung her arms around his neck tightly. Vilkas was taken back by her fast movement, but wrapped his arms around her to return the hug. When he returned to Jarvvasker he could smell her as entered, and couldn't to see her again. Roxanna said as she went to his room to rest, and was probably asleep from her journey. Of course it mattered not to him, as long as she was home. He went to his room and saw her sleeping peaceful, and decided to take a bath so she could rest. When he returned she was thrashing and whimpering about. His beast called out her, wanting to comfort her.

"It's all right love here," he whispered into her ear.

"Vilkas...I was scared..." she sobbed out in to his neck.

He pulled her away from his neck wanting to look at her face. She sniffed as fresh tears ran down her face, he gave her a small smiled and whipped the tears out form under her red, puffy eyes.

"It was just a dream love," he whispered,

Kili just shook her head and rested her head under his chin. He frowned at that, woundering what could have gone her so rattled, what had she dreampt? With a sigh he desided not to push the matter, she would talk when she was ready.

"I missed you Vilkas," she whispered, as her hand came up and rested on his shoulder.

A smiled formed on his lips again, "I missed you too," he said as he ran his fingers through her short hair.

"You hate it don't you…"

Vilkas bit back a growl, and pushed her back again, to face him, "What's gotten in to you?"

"I just…I don't know…" she said shaking her head in fustration, "I feel so over stressed...like there's not enough of me to go around…"

Vilkas tilted his head to the side, and looked her over. Her hair being shortened wasn't as bad as Roxanna had lead him to believe earlier. He rather liked it; the way it seemed to frame her face. He ran hand from behind her neck and up to her cheek, to run his thumb through the short strands. He watched her eyes flutter slightly, and her mouth part open.

'Tease her…make her feel wanted…' the wolf whispered to him

Surprisingly he couldn't help but agree with the beast. He titled her chin up and moved his lips closer to hers.

"Let me help you forget…" he whispered softly against her lips, then kissed her gently.