Silent Moons camp was filled with activity. Mostly around the forge. No one paid attention to ravens fluttering about. They have always been there.

The birds flew around. Hopped under the cooking tables. Some even dared to steal cuts of meat. A few cawed loudly at the cook, swearing at their kin stealing his meat.

Several of the birds were around places you would usually not expect them. Just minding their business.

The captain of the fort, inspecting the forge and talking with the forgemaster, made a disgusted face. "Ugh, those buggers get everywhere. Make sure there is no bird shit on the gear."

No one noticed when one of the black birds stole a little booklet, lying on the workbench next to the forge.

XXX

Mori had taken a long route back to Lakeview. On the way, she stopped at a giant camp, flew to have a look at the forgotten redoubt at the western edge of Whiterun Hold, stopped by a few spriggan trees and then, finally, arrived at Lakeview.

"How did you get here later than us?" Bjorn grumbled. "You can fly, and we left after you."

"I had business to attend to," Mori refused to say more.

"Wyrd business?" Bjorn's face grew sly. "Or something concerning that dashing young Companion?"

Mori deliberated. "Both," she gave a nod in the end.

"Oho, someone is in a sharing mood. Are you nice because you want something?"

"I want something, yes. You do not have to comply."

"If I am able to and if it won't bring too many troubles."

"The Companions are going to investigate another mercenary group. The Silver Hand. They will come looking for clues about them here. Can you help?"

"I'll ask Falco. What did you say the name was? The Silver...?"

"Silver Hand."

"That sounds familiar," Bjorn pulled at one of his braids. "Come on, let's go ask Falco right now."

Mori followed after Bjorn, running along his long steps. She didn't even reach up to his shoulders, so she had to move faster. He knew. It was a game they would play every single time.

"So are you going to be nicer to me now?"

"Don't flatter yourself."

"Not even when I'm helping without asking for repayment?"

"Falco is the one doing the helping, seeing you don't remember anything."

"Ah, you wound me, lady o' beasts."

"No, you would have noticed that," Mori gave a grin full of fangs.

"I know," Bjorn chuckled. He stopped before the door leading to the room they had been using as an office. "Look, I'm glad you're not pissed at me anymore."

With that, he flung the door open.

Mori slipped past him. "I will be nicer if you keep it up," she gave a serious look. "Maybe even share my girly secrets with you one day."

"And what brings you two so violently into the office?" Falco, standing by the desk, put his hands on his hips.

"Our kitten needs a favour," Bjorn seated himself into his favourite chair, padded and covered in fur. Mori hunted that bear for him and brought the fur as a gift.

Mori hopped on the table, making herself comfortable. Falco had long given up on trying to make her sit somewhere else, so he always had a space clean just large enough for her to sit. He was considering putting a pillow there as well, but she didn't come that often, and it would obstruct him more than just an empty space.

"Do you know anything about the Silver Hand?"

"Those mercenaries?" Falco raised an eyebrow. He turned to bookshelves, filled with notebooks, ledgers, maps and other similar items. As he was going through the more recent notebooks, he continued: "An untrustworthy looking lot, but also not outright bandit-like, I think. They came to both us and the Grim Manor before the raid, actually."

He pulled a notebook out, opened it, turned several pages and then put it on the desk. "I made sure to ask Madam Grim about them when we were making plans for the raid. They were trying to convince us to leave our bandit problems to them, and if we would go for the Companions, not to join forces."

He put his finger down on one line. "Why should you waste the lives of your men alongside subpar warriors? You will lose your money and soldiers. After they are dead, you can come back to us with your offer. There, that's what the emissary had said."

"Did they say where you could contact them?"

Falco looked down at the book again. "Helgen."

"Didn't Madam say she heard about them coming from Falkreath with their tails between their legs?" Bjorn perked up. "I think they tried to convince the jarl first. Tough luck, the bastard was in league with the syndicate."

"Yes, I remember something like that too. What exactly do you need, Mori?"

"Can you let Erika of the Companions go through the notes on them? Or make a copy for her?"

"Something could be arranged," Falco scratched his head, looking at the book. "Do you know when she will be coming?"

"Not precisely. Soon."

"Alright, alright...Bjorn, tell Owen to stay on the lookout for the Companions along the Helgen road from tomorrow. When he spots them, he needs to invite them to Lakeview. Also, send Rina to ask in Falkreath about them. They might have taken the Riverwood road."

Bjorn got up from his chair. "Mhm," he hummed, giving Falco a kiss on the cheek. Then, whistling a tune, he walked out of the room.

Falco waited for the tune to get lost in the distance. "What else is bothering you, Mori?"

"I am...confused...about certain things," she started twiddling her thumbs. "I...get this strange feeling sometimes."

"Sometimes when?" Falco couldn't hide a smile appearing on his face.

"Well...it is...you know, it feels like...it feels like fear. But not that bad. But still blocking me from doing what I want. It constricts my chest, freezes my brain and steals my voice."

"Blocking you from doing what, exactly? Might it have something to do with your new favourite Companion?"

Mori felt heat rush into her cheeks.

"...it might."

"You didn't show yourself after the raid on purpose, right? Not because of Bjorn, but because of the lad?"

Mori nodded.

Falco pushed the paperwork away and leaned against the desk next to Mori. "My dear, you are being shy around the lad you fancy. That is completely normal."

"But I'm not supposed to be that!" Mori almost broke into tears. "I'm the Queen of Beasts! I'm supposed to be in control of myself."

Falco put his hand on her shoulder. "Mori, you're not a mystical being made of pure magic. You are a young woman of flesh and bone, just like anyone else. You always say how important it is to allow yourself to feel emotions and not push them away - heed your own advice. Give yourself time. Feel things. Get comfortable with yourself and your feelings. Then you will be able to do what you wish."

Falco grew thoughtful. "Is it that you are too shy to reveal your true self? I saw you fly back there like a falling star right after dinner with us, so you can't be having trouble when you're wearing a different form."

Mori nodded.

"Well, my dear, I would advise you to just spend time together. Get to know each other. Show him something of yours, of your world, you know? Get comfortable enough to not be afraid to be vulnerable. Then you can show him your most beautiful self."

"But...what if he doesn't want me? What if he wants the creature of legend he has been seeing so far? What if he wants the Queen of Beasts only?"

"Then he is a fool," Falco didn't hesitate, "and you should not concern yourself with him." He nudged her as her expression fell. "Who says you can't be the Queen as well as just you, hm? I know you feel more comfortable in beast forms, but maybe you should try to grow some confidence in yourself in all your shapes."

"But I'm more vulnerable as a human."

"You don't have to be. Remember the spells you were doing in Halldir's cairn back then? I would argue those are more dangerous than any claw or fang you could come up with."

She grew thoughtful.

"I will...try."

Falco grinned. "That's more like it! So your lad is that gloomy one, right? Vilkas? A fine choice, my dear. A bright lad, but also big and strong. Trust me, you're going to enjoy being small in his arms."

Mori's ears turned bright red. She jumped off of the desk and fled the office to the sound of Falco's good natured laughter. "I will add a note to the documents saying it's from you!"

XXX

Mori arrived the evening before their next meeting. Fidgeting, she kept moving the leather bag containing the bits and pieces ravens stole from Silent moons camp for her. In the end, she fell asleep with the bag between her leopard paws.

After her morning routine, she sat, tail tip twitching nervously, her eyes trained on the slope.

Vilkas appeared sooner than she expected.

Did he sleep less? I wish he didn't, but I am also glad I get to spend more time with him.

She made a few greeting noises, low pitched and almost raspy. The smile appearing on Vilkas' face when he heard melted her heart. She stood up, rubbing against his sides where the chainmail was covered by decorative fur.

In this form, she was just tall enough for him to lay a hand on her back while standing. He did so, while taking a better stance not to fall down from her show of affection.

"I'll take that as you missing me," he chuckled while scratching her shoulders.

She purred, making a deep, rumbling sound.

"I missed you too."

After a satisfactory amount of greeting, Mori parted herself from him and walked over the bag she had brought. She moved it towards him with one paw.

"Did you bring a gift for me?"

She nodded, pawing at it again.

"Alright, I will have a look," he sat down and took the bag to his lap. Mori sat behind him and put her head on his shoulder. She could feel him tensing under her weight.

While he was quickly looking through the papers and items, Mori let her imagination run wild. She tried to guess how her human form would compare, and if she could comfortably lay her head on his shoulder as now.

"How did you get these?" he asked, astonished. "That's...that must be right from their camp!"

Mreeew. Mori swept her tail from side to side. A large raven cawed somewhere among the trees. Soon it came flying. It circled above their heads, landed on the other side of the pool, picked a twig, took off and then landed in front of Vilkas. It looked at him from one side, then the other. Finally, it dropped the branch on his foot.

The raven looked at Mori. She nodded, grumbling contentedly. The raven cawed, then flew off.

"Did you ask birds to just...grab things?"

She nodded.

"Incredible." He raised his hand to caress her head. He wasn't wearing gloves. "It's a random collection, yes, but from what I saw, it has a number of interesting pieces in it. Thank you."

After a few pets, he grinned. "You really didn't like what Skjor said, huh?"

She grumbled, her ears moving lower.

"Don't mind him. He's unimportant."

I don't think you really mean that, Mori narrowed her eyes, but let it be. She let him caress her head some more, then stood up. With a mraur and a gesture, she beckoned for him to follow.

"No reading this time?"

She considered it. But...Falco told her to show him her world. She really liked that idea. She wanted to share. And maybe he could make some drawings, he was really good at it.

She also hoped he would like it, since he was interested in beasts and plants to a degree.

She shook her head, then assumed a playful pose, inviting him to follow.

"Alright, alright, I'm coming," he chuckled.

XXX

Mori took him all over the mountain range this time. She led the way, taking hidden animal paths. Wherever possible, she allowed him to hold a hand on her back as they walked side by side, which filled Vilkas with warmth and peace.

The touch of the pale fur was even better than he remembered.

First, she brought him to an owl tree. After calming the birds and offering them food she brought, they allowed for them to look around as much as they wanted. Vilkas even climbed the tree to see their eggs.

When he got down, he pulled a notebook and started making quick sketches. Mori looked pleased by that, a feline smile on her face.

Next she showed him bear cubs. For the bears, she produced honey from the satchel she was wearing on a leather strap around her neck. After the offering, the bear mother allowed them to peacefully observe, albeit from a distance.

Another stop they made was by a small stream, where colorful dragonflies darted in their hunt.

A lynx came to her call, almost close enough for Vilkas to touch. He didn't try. She was allowing him to see, but he was certain the beasts wouldn't be too pleased if he tried to invade their innermost space.

They visited a smaller grove, the central tree of which hosted a spriggan. The spirit didn't seem too pleased with Vilkas' presence, but once Mori stepped up with her calming, deeply rumbling mrowing, the spirit calmed. For this one, Mori offered sparks of magic.

Vilkas sat down and sketched, for he had never seen a spriggan so peacefully up close.

Every time he would stop to draw, Mori nestled next to him, laying her head in his lap.

XXX

The time he had ran out too quickly.

Parting with her at the foot of the first hills, the lights from the closest farm visible not far off, cost him all his willpower.

He knew she watched him go, and that made his heart both ache and flutter.

XXX

Next time she picked him up at the gates of Whiterun, donning the form of a white crow. She led him into the plains and once they left the farms, she shifted into her favourite leopard.

That day, they watched the birds, butterfly dances, walking mammoths and even dancing giants.

At the end of their time, she showed him a sabre cat den with a litter of three cubs.

XXX

"You won't believe what happened," Erika plopped on the chair in Vilkas' room.

"You ran across the Silver Hand in Falkreath?" Vilkas put his book away.

"Almost," Erika leaned forward. "I was just about done, not having more than tidbits. The folks in Falkreath are not a sharing bunch, let me tell you. But, just when we were about to wrap up, a person from LAKEVIEW approached us. Can you believe it?"

"Somehow, I can. What did they want?"

"They took us there, straight to the manor. To that Falco fellow, the one with the crossbows, remember? Man, he's a fucking spymaster," Erika threw her arms in the air. "He has a whole damn office filled to the brim with information. And he just gives me this look, then slides a packet over the table to me."

Hm. I guess he's very readable only when concerning their daughters, then.

Erika put said packet on the table. "It's not exactly everything, but I'm pretty damn sure we couldn't get more. From what I've read there, Falkreath is not prone to hosting the Hand, mostly because their jarl has other deals." She sighed. "And one more thing. They were approached by the Hand before the bandit raid. They tried to talk them out of it. But according to the description Falco gave me, the guy negotiating with them was fucking Bornolf."

"Bornolf? That complicates things."

"It does," Erika turned gloomy. "He most probably has someone around here feeding him information. We should ask Deirdre about it."

She stood up, stretched and then pulled a piece of paper from the packet. "Oh, and this is for you, apparently. Read it and then bring the packet to Kodlak."

After she left, Vilkas unfolded the paper. In an elegant handwriting, it said: My daughter wanted you to have this. Hope it helps. F.

XXX

"How goes the search for the Fragments?" Kodlak, having put down the report from Erika, turned to Vilkas.

"I wrote to Nevras, because around here, no one knows anything," Vilkas shook his head. "Now we have to wait."

XXX

This time Mori didn't take him anywhere. Instead, the circle of spriggans awaited him upon arrival.

Mori was standing in the middle. One spot in the circle remained empty, right in front of her. She beckoned, inviting him in.

It's alright, they won't harm me, not with her around.

Vilkas took a deep breath to calm down. He left his things on the ground, took off his shoes and waded into the pool. The water was cool, but not freezing, thanks to the warm late spring they've been having this year.

The water went halfway up his calves in the deepest spot.

Mori's fur started lighting up with magical wisps the color of a starry night. She purred and stretched her neck forward.

Does she want me to touch her like the spriggans do?

He looked around. All of the bark-covered spirits were already running their wooden fingers through the fur, humming their strange, primally alluring song.

Vilkas reached out. His hand hovered above Mori's head for a heartbeat, then lowered.

Something, a feeling, hit him like a rock. It catapulted him out of his own consciousness, stealing all sense of his own body.

Instead, he felt the flow of water. Every single drop, moving in a stream, cool, refreshing, life-giving. Life force of uncountable creatures sparkled in every little wave, stream, droplet. The water seeped into the earth, where millions, billions, innumerable grains rested. Roots of grass, trees, every single bush reached deep, eating from the earth and giving back.

The earth went deep, deep into the dark abyss, changing into a cold, hulking mass of stone. The mass lifted, high, high above, grounded in the depths, yet arching its back up to the sky, rooted, but free. In the depths, way below the chill, hot bloodstreams of lava flowed. High up in the peaks, biting winds ate the proud mountain, devouring it pebble by pebble.

And above it all, an ever changing sky with an infinite amount of stars spread, encompassing the entirety of being. All sorts of sounds and scents filled the winds, carrying them around like messengers. Snowy pines, wolves howling, fluttering of winds, chatter from the marketplace, lavender, wet earth, saltiness of the sea, beating of hooves, the last cry of a deer before a sabre cat ended its life.

Vilkas' eyes shot open. He sat up, gasping for air, water splashing everywhere from his frantic movement. His body felt weighty, as a mountain, his head light as the winds in the highest peaks. He could hear his own blood thumping in his ears, like the flow inside the trees.

He blinked, unable to focus his eyes. Coughs broke through his throat. He felt unable to take enough air in, as his chest weighed down like a rock.

A cold nose touched his forehead.

His confusion lifted, his lungs filled with air and his eyes focused.

Mori was looking at him, worried and apologetic.

"What was that?!" he shuddered, crawling ever so slightly away from her.

She made an almost desperately sounding mew and tried to approach.

"No, p-please no," Vilkas moved further back. "I-I can't take any-anymore." He kept retreating, stopping only when his hands touched dry grass.

Mori stayed in the water, eyes sorrowful.

It hurt his heart.

But that was secondary. The hurt he felt was overrun with...a mountain of emotions he couldn't even start decoding, all wrapped in panic.

He moved out of the pool, shaking violently.

Mori tried to approach once more.

He flinched.

She froze, ears moving back. Few heartbeats later, she hung her head. She raised it again, eyes glistening, and breathed out in his direction. Soft warm breeze enveloped him, drying his wet clothes, hair and skin.

After that, she turned around and left.

No! No, come back, I'm sorry! Don't go!

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't call out to her. Shivering, he collapsed on the ground and closed his eyes.

XXX

"What's up? You've been out of it ever since I came back," Farkas tapped Vilkas on the back. "You even let mistakes slip during training."

Vilkas sighed. "I messed up."

"What did you mess up? I have never, and I mean never seen you so miserable. Not even after Hrakni died. You were off, but functining."

"Functioning."

"Yea, that. Well, now you're off, not fun-ctio-ning, not sleeping, barely eating, and even worse, not watching the whelps like a hawk." Farkas looked at him from up close. "Did you...fuck up a meeting with a lady?"

Vilkas' expression changed.

"Huh. Didn't expect to be right," Farkas looked surprised. "Don't mope. Just go and make it up to her."

"But I can't just make it up to her," Vilkas groaned.

"Why not, what did you do?"

Vilkas told him.

As he was talking, Farkas' eyebrows climbed higher and higher. "That's...weird. But look, she messed up first, and from what you told me, she knows it damn well. She never should have taken you for that high ride."

"What good is that?"

"She should be more understanding of your reaction," Farkas lifted a finger. "So you can still make it up. Both of you. Especially since she is so in love with you she would spend days here, in our loud hall, in a city full of people, when before, she wouldn't even show her nose when we were around."

"I wouldn't say in love-"

"Uh-uh-uh," Farkas shushed him. "Only you can be so daft to not realise that. Now listen. She's probably scared you hate her, or something. So. Just go there and leave a message with a gift. To make sure she knows you don't. Ask to meet again. She's bound to come there at some point, no?"

"But-"

"It's easy. It happened only when she was glowing in water. Just don't touch her when she's glowing in water. Problem solved."

Vilkas couldn't fight the logic in that.

"My word, you are making mountains out of anthills. Overthinking as always. Let's just sit down and write that stuff, so you can leave it there with something pretty." He paused for a moment. "Or, considering who it is for, a piece of bloody meat."

XXX

Vilkas found his steps leading him towards the temple.

He stopped for a moment under the Gildergreen. He never felt the pull towards the divine, had no need of it. But now, his turbulent heart called for some sort of...succour. Maybe he could make peace with the enormity of all Mori had revealed. Sometimes he still dreamt of his entire being dissipating into the mass of the earth under his feet.

He shrugged and resumed his direction. Worth a try.

It was late, most of the temple was empty. The only one present was Danica's other apprentice, priestess Inge. She was cleaning up, but stopped what she was doing and approached him once he closed the door.

"Good evening. What brings you to the temple of our lady?"

I was not expecting the lack of remarks and biting words.

"I...would like to contemplate in peace and quiet for a bit, if I may."

She smiled. "Of course. I haven't finished cleaning the main hall, so please come this way." She led him to a small alcove with windows leading to the sacred garden they kept in the area behind the temple, winding around the mountain beneath Dragonsreach.

"Do you need water or perhaps some incense?"

"No, thank you."

"Hope you find what you need," she bowed her head. "I will be in the main hall."

I like her. I hope the head priestess role will pass onto her, not Imelda.

He looked around the alcove. There was a bench, basin now empty of water, incense stands, plants and fresh air coming in from the open windows and a small wooden statue of Kynareth. Prayer beads rested under the little altar.

He sat down and touched the beads. Not knowing what to do with them, he left them, looking up at the little altar.

Now what?

I don't know how to pray. Or if I even want to...

The alcove did feel peaceful, though. Vilkas decided to go with that, leaning back against the wooden wall and closing his eyes. He let his thoughts run free. They would always run back to the overwhelming sensations.

Does she feel this every time she does the...thing?

I miss her.

It felt like I would never come back to me. I was just...gone. The world. Not me. I don't want to not be me.

Does all magic feel like it?

It can't. Otherwise mages would have gone mad, every single last one of them.

The smell of wood, plants and fresh night air lulled his brain. With no loud noises permeating his thoughts, he slowly relaxed.

It wouldn't have been so bad had I had some warning...feeling the water was actually quite nice. Freeing.

I wish she would shift. Talk to me.

Is she scared? Nervous?

"Did you come for me?" a voice broke through his thoughts. His eyes flew open.

Imelda was approaching, a smile boding nothing good on her lips. He stood up, stepping away on instinct. His back bumped into the wall.

"Were you just shy on the square before? You are a sweet one, did you know?"

"I didn't come to see you, please leave me be," he frowned, trying to control his voice to not sound too aggressive.

Why does she scare me so? I could just...overpower her, throw her to the wall, sweep her legs under her and run...

"Why else would you be here? Little liar. You don't go to temples."

He tried to make a break for the exit. "I did this time. I won't be staying."

She put her arm up, her hand against his chest. "Stop playing hard to-"

He grabbed her wrist, twisting it away. She yelped. Anger rising in his chest, he tightened his grip. "I thought I told you not to touch me."

Something in him enjoyed seeing her shiver in fear at the low growl of his voice. With great reluctance, he released her wrist.

"What is going on here?!"

Before Vilkas could react, Imelda broke into tears. "Mistress Danica!"

That was all Danica needed. She turned her thorny gaze towards Vilkas. "And here I thought you were different from that swine of a man you call brother. Now you come and cause ruckus in my temple too?!"

"Mistress, no-" Inge appeared behind Danica, but the head priestess wouldn't listen. She silenced her apprentice with a gesture.

Vilkas let out a bitter chuckle. His face grew dark, contorted in disgust tinged with threat. "Don't ever insult my brother to my face again, priestess."

The apprentices flinched, but Danica stood firm. "I knew I should have taken you two when you were just children. Ripped you from there even through your tears. Now you've just turned into foul-mannered mercenaries, who have no honor of the Companions of yore, just like all of the rabid bunch nesting in Jorrvaskr today."

"You're the foul-mannered one, priestess. Otherwise you would have tried to find out what happened, let me speak. You just listened to your precious apprentice. You're just as bad as Skjor," Vilkas drew near, his stance and threatening aura forcing even Danica to step back now. "You wouldn't have protected us either. Go choke on your pride and ill-gained haughtiness. I won't come again."

With that, he began walking out. The women quickly scattered out of his way. He could hear Inge trying to catch Danica's attention, but once Imelda's teary voice rose, Inge had been ignored.

Just like Skjor. Bah!