LOOKIE! An update! XD
Again I am sorry for the wait, I hope that is was worth your patients. ;) So please tell me what you think, just please be constructive. Love you all! Thank you again!
~Ace
Chapter 18
Kili tossed and turned in her bed roll, grabbing Farkas' attention. Her lips moved as she started to murmur. Sadly, he couldn't understand what she was saying. Her words were a jumbled up mess. Not wishing for his shield sibling to spend the rest of the night restless, he moved closer to her. Her murmurs turned to whimpers and she started to jerk back and forth.
"Kili, hey girl, wake up," he whispered, as he gently shook her shoulder.
The woman didn't wake; her dreams only seemed to get worse at Farkas' touch. She started to thrash, trying to get away from him. Growling a bit more frustrated, he grabbed both of her shoulders to shake her awake. Startled from herself, the nord woman snapped out of the terrors.
"Farkas?" she gasped, and looked up at him in disbelief.
"What the hell where you dreaming about?" he snapped at her, "You were sleeping like the dead one minute, then tossing and turning like you were possessed,"
"I…I was…" she stammered with her answer, not sure if she it would be wise to share, "It was nothing…"
"The hell it was," he huffed, "You looked like your were in pain,"
"It was nothing Farkas…" she muttered and pushed at his shoulders, wanting him to let go, "It was just a stupid dream…"
"Kili…"
"Please…Just let it go…"
Farkas frowned at her begging, a pleading woman was one of his few weaknesses, but he felt like he shouldn't let this go.
"I promised my brother I would protect you…"he said softly as she turned away from him, trying to get out of his hold.
"You cannot protect me form dreams Farkas…Besides, dreams can't hurt you," she whispered and looked ahead of her, "I will be fine Farkas, I promise,"
Sighing, the nord gave her a nod and moved away from her. He respected her choice, but it didn't make him feel better about the situation. He watched her as she stared into the small fire between them. She was collecting her thoughts…that much he could tell. So, sleeping probably was the last thing on her mind to do.
Finally he stood up, grabbing her attention, "Pack your things,"
"Why?" Confusion laced in her voice as she watched him, "You want to leave now?"
"Yeah. You're not going to sleep after a nightmare, and there are only a couple of hours before dawn anyways. Why not get a head start?"
"Farkas…You have yet to rest and there is no way to know what is out there, even if dawn is almost here," Kili argued.
He snorted and shook his head, "Please, I am used to not sleeping much. I am pretty sure I can handle anyone or anything we might run into,"
"Farkas…"
"Kili, you worry too much girl. I will be fine," Farkas stated, not giving her room to argue further and handed her, her bag, "Now start packing,"
"I don't always worry…I just like to have caution…" the nord woman muttered and started to roll up her sleep roll.
Farkas chuckled, "And why is that princess?"
Kili shot him an irritated look. "I am the Dragonborn, remember? Dragons like to attack me at random,"
"So? That just means traveling with you will be more of a challenge,"
"Ugh…Maybe you are an ice brain…"
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"So, Farkas…how long have you and Roxanna been together?" Kili asked as she jumped onto a rock that sat in her way along the path.
"A while," he answered simply and walked around the rock.
"Oh come on," she whined, "Nothing spectacular happened to draw you near her?"
He snorted and shook his head, "She just treated me like a normal person. She didn't make fun of my lack of smarts, or call me names…she just treated me like man."
"And the fact that she's not human doesn't bother you?" she asked.
"What are you getting at? You saying I can't love someone if they aren't human?" he snapped at her, not liking where this conversation was going.
"No! By the Nine Farkas, Roxanna is like my sister, she could have eight eyes and half troll and wouldn't care. I was just wondering how you two came to be such a strong couple. You seem to do almost everything to keep each other happy,"
"What, ya taking note on how to treat Vilkas when we get back?"
"What?! No!"
Farkas laughed, and shook his head, "You are too easy to tease,"
"I was being serious you oaf!"
"I don't think my brother likes the same things I do," he winks and continued on, "Roxanna came to Jorrvasker much like you did; looking for a roof over her head and a way to make money. After a while of doing jobs together, I started to fall for her charm. Before I could tell her my feelings she was chosen to join the circle, and that nearly drove us apart…"
"What happen?"
"Nothing I wish to share with you now…but we got past the issue of course and moved on. Of course once I admitted I had feelings for her, it scared her and she ran off…I handled it poorly," he explained, and his face fell slightly.
"Why was she scared?" Kili asked softly.
"You would have to ask her that…It's not my place to say." He answered and kicked a pebble that was in front of them, "Anyways, as I said she ran off, and I was too dumb to run after her,"
"Sometimes chasing after someone isn't the best choice of action Farkas. You are together now despite what happened or didn't happen. Do you think it would be any better now if you had ran after her?" Kili asked as she watched his body language.
Farkas looked up at the ski, their steps not faltering, "Yeah…it might have been worse. I could have scared her more and possibly ended up hurting her more than she ever did me by leaving,"
Kili smiled and patted his broad shoulder, "See? No reason dwelling on things that could have or should have been. It's not worth the confusion and heart ache."
When she removed her hand he looked over at her, "You sound as though you have experience?"
Her lips twitched a little, "Before I returned to Skyrim, my thoughts dwelled in the past. What I should have done to save my family, what I could have done to prevent losing my siblings…Cara most of all. I had her hand in mine…and I let go to run faster…And now I find out I am the Dragonborn of all things. What if my siblings were like me? Would I still feel lonely with heavy burden or not? Stupid questions like that are similar to the ones I used to have…"
"That's a common feeling most of us nords go through Kili. Just because you are the Dragonborn doesn't make you any different when it comes to hardships,"
Looking back at him, Kili smiled again, "Now you sound like Vilkas,"
"Eh, I try. Can't let him have all the brains," he shrugged, "Anyways, the site is just over that hill,"
Kili looked where he pointed and tilted her head, "Another burial ground…."
"You have been in one before?"
"On the side of the mountain…some thief stole a golden claw from the shop keep in Riverwood. I offered to get back for him. I found the thief caught in a spider web after I killed the maker of the web. I said I would cut him loose if he gave me the claw and I wouldn't hurt him. Of course, I kept my end of deal but he ran for it and got a knife in the throat by a Drauger," She explained.
Farkas made a face, "A Drauger…?"
"According to the Grey Beards, they were men who served under the World Eater and now serve him in death since they betrayed their own kind to gain power with the dragons," she explained the trailed off question.
"Note to self, never side with Dragons…"
Kili chuckled and shook her head, "Yes, side with the Dragonborn. You have more fun that way,"
The nord chuckled and nodded, "And she is easy to tease since she is sleeping with my brother,"
"Farkas!"
"HAHA! Sorry, couldn't resist," he cheered and patted her on the back, "Don't worry, Vilkas will most likely get me back later…Not something I look forward to…"
"Hmph, serves you right…" Kili muttered under her breathe and hopped down a few of the steps that lead down into the sight, "ready to wake the undead?"
"No, but we really don't have much of a choice in the matter,"
Kili looked around the entrance and noticed the blood splatter next to the door. Frowning she stepped towards it and ran her fingers across the spatter, still wet. "This is blood is pretty fresh…"
"And I know who it belongs to," Farkas muttered.
The nord woman turned her head and looked at the dead body laying under the stairs. "Let's hope who ever did this is long gone. I would hate to have to deal with more that what's all ready waiting on us inside,"
"Right…Lead on, I'll be right behind you, watching,"
Kili flashing him a smile and headed towards the door, pushing the iron doors open the pair made their way down into the tomb. They made their way down the stairs into the first room, when the torches were lit.
"Since when do the dead need light?" Kili asked out loud and pulled her blade off her back.
Farkas did the same and made the way to her right, "Looks like someone has been digging here and recently, tread lightly,"
"And here I was hoping to only deal with the undead…" she muttered and looked around the room before pressing on, "Think there's money in the chest?"
"One way to find out…" Farkas answered he moved towards the chest as where Kili moved towards the table.
"Seems like who ever is here or was here was looking at other burial sights…" she whispered and she ran her fingers over the map.
Farkas didn't respond, he simply jabbed his bladed into the lock of the chest and prided it open. Kili looked at him dumb founded for a moment before shaking her head.
"What? I'm not the lock picking type,"
"Big hands?"
"No, I have no patients…"
The dragonborn snorted and walked around the table toward the hall way, "I could have guessed that, Farkas,"
"Best not to get between me and money," he said and grabbed the money bag before he followed after her down the hall, "Be careful around the burial stones, I don't want to haul you back to Jorrvasker on my back,"
"That hurts my feelings, Farkas," she teased, as she looked the burial areas.
"Last thing I want is a reason for Vilkas to kick my ass,"
She laughed and looked around one the corner, watching her steps as she went, "Oh yes…that would be terrible…"
The nord shook his head as he followed her step for step. "What are you looking for?"
"Traps…also, if you're really looking for more money, these corpse probably hold a few coins wrapped up in them."
Farkas froze and looked at her bewilded-like "I'm not touching a dead man for money…that's just…"
"Wrong?" she asked looking back at him.
"Gross…"
Another laugh left Kili's lips, as she pressed on, following the few light lanterns in their path.
~*~*~*~*~*~888888~*~*~*~*~*~
With a frustrated scream Kili thrust her steal blade upward into the draugr's stomach before throwing the undead enemy into the ground. Breath coming out in hard pants she looked around franticly for her shield sibling. The draugr had surrounded them when they went further into the burial rooms, splitting them up into the maze of hallways.
"Farkas?" she whined out, trying to backtrack her steps, "Farkas!"
Rounding corner franticly, another draugr moved form its grave shelf in front of her. Kili stopped before she ran onto the undead, and took a few steps back, trying to catch her breath. The dragur growled, and snapped it's rotten teeth at her. The dragonborn grit her teeth, and tightened her grip on her sword. Another growl came from the undead and raised its weapon to charge her…
SLINK
Another blade pierced the dragur's chest, haulting its charge. Kili released her breath with gasp, staring at the blade, before looking at the dragur wide eyed. With a gargling grunt the dragur slipped off the blade and fell to the ground, leaving Farkas standing behind the fallen enemy.
"You okay?"
Kili nodded and fell back against the wall, "Do you think this is really worth it…?"
"Honestly…hell no…and when we get back…remind me to punch Skoj in the face…" he huffed and lend up against a near by wall as well.
"I'll back you up on that…" she said lightly and wiped the sweat off her forehead, "In any case…we need to keep moving,"
"Agreed," he muttered and pushed off the wall, he seethed his weapon back on his back and walked towards her to help her up.
"Thank you for coming with me Farkas…I would have hated to fight those things by myself,"
"Well…Vilkas, refused to let you go alone,"
Kili looked up at him, and raised an eyebrow, "Why? You didn't know dragurs were here until I said something. For all you two knew this was just a grave sight."
"Umm…" he started, "It's best you not worry about that right now…I'm sure he'll tell you later," he evaided and headed toward the door that lead deeper into the tomb.
"Farkas…What are you hiding from me?"
"Kili, please…don't push this right now. I wouldn't even know how to explain it if I could…"
"But you are hiding something?"
The twin frown and turned back around the face the her, "In a way…yes, we are hiding something, but now isn't the time or place to talk about the issue. Just know that it is for your safety."
The dragon born frowned and crossed her arms, "Did Vilkas threaten you?"
"No,"
With a sigh the nord woman uncrossed her arms and decided it was best to let the matter be. With a nod, she silently told the other to open the door. He nodded back and pushed the wooden door open and led the way.
They both weaved around the collapsed supports of the hallways and in to a larger room. Again the torches were lit, only this time they were placed around two thrones like chairs over looking the rest of the room. Kili looked over the room and noted that iron bars blocked the way out, and there was an embalming table next to the bars.
"This looks like a sacrificial room…" she muttered and headed down the stairs.
"Regardless of what it looks like, we need to find a way out of here." Farkas noted as he followed her.
"It shouldn't be that hard to find a switch…"
Kili moved over the mound of dirt and rocks, which stood in the middle of the room, to a side room. She noticed the lever on the far wall.
"Hey, Farkas! I found a lever!" she shouted to her back out and made her way over to it.
Not waiting on his response she reached over and pulled it down.
BAM!
With a jolt, the dragon born turned around to see iron bars blocking her escape. In a panic she grabbed the lever again and tried to turn it back, but it didn't budge. She was trapped. Another shot of fear ran through her as she pushed off the lever and ran towards the bars.
"Farkas!"
The companion chuckled as he approached the bars, "Now look at what you've gotten yourself into…"
Kili gritted her teeth at him finding humor in her predicament, "This isn't funny!"
"From my point of view it is,"
"Farkas…"
"Just sit tight, I'll find the release," he stated, with a smug smile still on his lips.
Kili groaned and hit her head against the bars. How could she have been so foolish? Trying to prove herself worthy of the Companions and she falls for a simply trap. Unexpectedly, footprints filled her ears, they were moving towards them quickly. She looked up to see Farkas jerking his two handed blade off his back, he heard them too.
"Farkas…" she whispered pressed up against the bars.
Seven armed people entered the room and made their way to surrounding Farkas. Kili heard her soon to be shield sibling growl as he backed up to the bars. He stood in front of her, as if protecting her. Who were these people?
"It's time to die, dog," one of the men spat out, "We knew you'd be coming here…"
"You're mistake, companion," another snapped.
"Which one is that?" a woman asked.
"It doesn't matter. He wears that armor, he dies,"
"Farkas…" Kili repeated, "Who are these people?"
Before Farkas could answer one of the strangers spoke up, "It seems the dog has a little bitch with him."
Farkas growled again, only this time more animal like.
"We'll kill her, after we deal with you," another woman, "Killing you both will make for an excellent story."
"None of you would be alive to tell it…" Farkas snarled out threateningly.
Kili opened her mouth to speak again, but was cut off by Farkas throwing his sword down. A snarl left his lips as he hunched over, his body started to bulge and pop. Growls left Farkas's lips again, only this time they were in lower octave, and more harsh. Kili took a few steps away from the bars in shock.
"What…what's going on…" she whispered.
She watched as Farkas armor pulled apart and fell to the ground. Once his skin was freed from the constricting armor, his bones continued to pop and stretch. Kili pulled her gaze away from her transforming friend and looked at the armed strangers. They too were in shock. Farkas let out a pained yell as his jaw dislocated and developed vicious fanged mouth, his entire face structure transformer. Hair spurted all over, tearing his skin as if it was paper. His fingernails grew at an alarming rate into razor-sharp claws, as he was forced on to all fours. Kili started crying as she watched in horror, her nightmare from before, was being a reality. He let out an ear-bursting howl and stood up on his hind legs once again, towering over his enemies.
"KILL HIM!" one of the men screamed out in horror and charged towards the beast.
Farkas reverberated and slammed his claw in the man skull. The two women tried to attack from the right and left flank, they were both countered by Farkas' arms slamming them against the bars, breaking their necks. Once the woman slinked to the floor, the wolf-beast lunged forward, jaw snapping open towards the orc's neck, shredding the flesh off with his teeth. The remaining three men screamed and started ran back towards where they came. Looking out from his kill, Farkas licked his fangs and ran after them with great speed, stopping them before they left the room. He grabbed two in the back of the neck, snapping the bones with a squeeze. The last enemy met his end with the Farkas' jaw to his face.
Kili sobbed and crumbled to the floor, watching the blood splatter as Farkas finished off the enemies. She blinked a few times, taking in as much air as she could, fighting the urge to vomit. Soft growling filled her ears, and she looked up.
"Farkas..?"
The wolf responded by barking and snapping his jaws at her though bars. She yelped as blood flew form his jaws, gagging again she curled up into ball. Tears continued to run down her cheeks as she looked away from the blood red eyes staring at her as she tried to get away from the beast that was once her friend.
After a time, the growls became whimpers, as Kili started to calm down. The fear of her nightmare echoed in her mind as she dared to look up at the beast again. His eyes had changed, no longer the dark, angry red as before, now they were the calm, silver she was used to seeing.
"Farkas?" she asked softly.
A whimper was his response, as he held his head in shame. She watched his ears lay back against his fur, as he whimpered again. Slowly she crawled towards him, keeping an eye on his movements. Gradually, she reached out and touched his snout, feeling his hot breath against her arm.
"Is this what you were hiding…?"
He nodded against her hand.
"Where those people after you…because of this?"
He bobbed again.
"Is..." she struggled to ask the question, swallowing she made herself ask, "Is Vilkas a werewolf too…?"
Farkas didn't respond at first, he simply looked into her eyes. Seeing the look in her eyes, determination, he nodded. A sighed left Kili's lips, and she leaned against the bars.
"I knew it…" she whispered.
The werewolf grunted, asking the question; 'How?'
"I've had…nightmares," she answered, "At first, I didn't think anything of it…then last night…what you just did, was in my dream last night…only instead of you changing, it was Vilkas…"
Farkas released a long sigh out of his nose and lowered his head more.
The dragon born flashed his a sad smile and gently rubbed his snout, "…I understand why you hid it, please don't be ashamed,"
His snorted and pulled back from her hand, looking around he spotted another lever from where the attackers entered. Looking back at Kili for a moment and nodded before running off. Kili waited for no more than a few minutes before the bars moved and she was free form her temporary cell. Reaching and grasping the ruff wall beside her she slowly pulled herself up, trying to avoid looking at the dead bodies in the room.
"Kili,"
Her head snapped up at Farkas' voice calling her, "…Yes?"
"Umm… could you bring me my bag…"
Blinking a few times she tried to figure out where his bag had even ended up. Looking around once more. She found random pieces of his armor and his blade was where he threw it…
"I left it near the thrones…I was going to get some of the moss for Roxanna." Farkas answered, sensing her confusion.
Nodding to herself, the nord woman made her way over to the chairs and grabbed the bag. Turning on her heels she made her way to wear Farkas' voice was coming from.
"Farkas?" she asked timidly.
"Over here…just, just leave it go back to the other room. I'll be there is a moment," he ordered as soothingly as he could, knowing that she was still terrified, but the last thing he need was for her to see him exposed.
"Oh…okay…" she agreed and turned back towards the room.
Looking down at one of the bodies, she started to feel sick again. Yes, she had killed people before; yes she had faced death on a daily bases…but never had seen people being mutilated.
"Kili…"
The dragon born turned to face Farkas as he called out her name; he was wearing a simple shirt and pants. The transformation must have left him nude. She blinked and looked back up at his face, when she was done looking him over.
"I hope I didn't scare you…" He said, trying to make light of what she just witnessed.
Kili frowned and gave him a hard look. Her arms wrapped around her chest, acting as a shield in a way. "Explain…"
Farkas tensed slightly, at the bite in her words, "It's a blessing given to some of us. We can be like wild beasts; Fearsome,"
He heard her swallow, her eyes shifted back and forth as she searched for the words to say.
"Are you going to turn me into…one of these Beasts?"
"Oh no…only the Circle have the beast blood…Prove your honor to be a Companion,"
"You call this honor!" she snapped and threw her arms out, "You tore them to shreds! That wasn't killing, Farkas, it was slaughter!"
"You don't think I know that?!" he barked back at her, causing her back away, "It was either use the cures or let them kill us both! And trust me, I am not proud of this predicament either!"
The nord sighed and turned away from her. She had a right to act this way, he knew that. He feared this would happen before left home, and now he was going to have to tell the others what happened. He rubbed his temples at the thought of telling his brother; now that Kili knew the truth she may leave Vilkas.
"Why did you call it blessing and then a curse…"
Farkas blinked at the smallness in Kili's voice as she spoke to him again.
Taking a deep breath he looked at her again, "Because the circle is divided on what it is…Vilkas, Kodlak, Roxanna, and myself feel like the beast blood was a mistake; Aela and Skjor feel like it's a blessing…"
"Will they want me to take the blood as well…"
"Vilkas threatened to break their necks if they even offered it to you…so I doubt the issue will be presented to you."
Kili shifted under his gaze, not sure what else she should say.
"Eyes on the prey, not the horizon…" he muttered and looked back towards the other hallways, "Best we keep moving, still the draugr to worry about,"