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Dragonheart: Rise of the Harbinger	By : Lady_Kae Category: +A through F > Elder Scrolls - Skyrim Views: 9483 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters used from the game TES: Skyrim. All characters and game related material, save for original content is property of their respective owners and no money is being made from this fiction.

Chapter List
- 11
- 12
- 13
Chapter 11: Rising to Glory

Tarrowlyn walked back into her home with a soft smile on her face, and she strolled leisurely into the greenhouse. Rayya took great pleasure in cultivating the blooms for Tarrowlyn and the housecarl and steward of the manor had proven to have quite a green thumb. " Rayya, I have a favor to ask of you..." Tarrowlyn began.
Rayya chortled as she stopped pruning the bushel of jazbay berries she was at and she turned to look at her thane. " What it is, Tarrowlyn? Normally when you ask me such a question there is danger involved." Rayya had been on her share of adventures with the thane of Falkreath and she leveled her honey brown eyes on the other woman.
" I want you to take Lucia and Alesan camping here in the hold. Preferably near Half Moon Mill so that they're not too far from home in case of an emergency. Not tonight though. Maybe in a day or two..." Tarrowlyn said. She grabbed a pair of shears herself and clipped a few blooms from her bushel of lavender and once more from the pot holding her dragontongue flowers. She needed to make some more of her soap. She had grown accustomed to the scent ever since Sigrid had gifted her with it after her flight from Helgan.
The fact that Farkas liked it as well was a bonus.
Rayya smiled softly. " Your heart is finally on its way to healing, my thane. I'll get them packed and we'll leave in the morning." She said sagely. Rayya knew why it was that Tarrowlyn wanted her to take the children for a day or two. She wanted to be alone with Farkas. " A word of advice...Werewolf men are prone to give into their more baser and primal instincts."
Tarrowlyn stopped short as she had been walking away from the green house and she turned to her housecarl. " I'm counting on it." She purred, earning her an amused chuckle from her long time friend.

The kids waved merrily as they walked away from the manor with Rayya, and Tarrowlyn slowly waved back. The soft smile on her face spoke volumes however and she turned to head back up the hill. Farkas was at the forge, and by the look of things he was in the midst of shaping some new armor. In the last few months he had learned quite a bit about smithing from the dragonborn. Tarrowlyn's smile brightened a bit at the sight, though she entered her home instead. She had to get the chores done before she could do anything else.
Farkas smiled as he walked into the manor later that evening. Tarrowlyn had just finished supper by the smell of things and he felt his mouth water. She had roasted some venison that night, and the smell of freshly baked potatoes, roasted leeks, and carrots were joining the tantalizing scents. Farkas couldn't deny that he had grown accustomed to Tarrowlyn's cooking over the course of the last few months and he had a bit of a leaner look to him because of it.
One of the many reasons I love her as much as I do...he thought as he walked into the main hall.
" Don't even think of sitting down until you've washed up Farkas. You've been working the forge today and you're covered in soot." Tarrowlyn admonished from the kitchen.
Farkas had just been in the process of pulling his normal chair out to sit in it and he sighed in annoyance. Sometimes he wondered if this is what marriage felt like, constantly being chided for things he should have already done. Wordlessly, Farkas walked into the kitchen to wash his face and hands. " You're scary when you do that, you realize." He said as he poured water into the basin. He grabbed the washcloth from where it was hanging and dunked it, only to ring it out again. He needed to wash his face first before he washed his hands.
Tarrowlyn chuckled as she walked over to him and she took the damp cloth from him. " You missed a spot."
Farkas leaned back before Tarrowlyn could touch him with the cloth and he smiled. " I'm a grown man, Tarrowlyn. Just tell me..." he began, laughing all the while as Tarrowlyn kept reaching in. He stepped backwards in an effort to get away from her and she followed.
" By Stendarr, would you just stay still Farkas?! It's in a tricky spot and I...OH!" She had squeaked out the last part when both tripped a little and Tarrowlyn found herself pinned between some of her storage barrels and Farkas. Her hand was still raised with the washcloth in her grasp, though now she found it hard to recall why she had it to begin with. Farkas was gently grasping both of her wrists in an effort to keep her from just smothering his face, and she all but felt her pulse quicken under his strong fingers. Her eyes were locked to his, both seemingly caught like a deer in lamp light, neither moving an inch or speaking.
The feel of his body so close to hers was maddening, and it all but erupted a fire that blazed intensely through her veins. Before she had even thought it through, Tarrowlyn closed the distance between them.
Their lips met furiously and Farkas' eyes closed at the sensation that was coursing through him. He groaned delightedly as he zeroed the space between them and Tarrowlyn moaned against his lips. He let go of her wrists and effortlessly picked her up, only to deposit her on the top of the barrel she had just been pinned against. Her legs wrapped themselves around his hips tightly, eliciting a gasp from both of them when his erection pressed against her heat.
Their hands began moving on their own and Tarrowlyn smirked against Farkas' lips as she began fighting to loosen his belt. Farkas had already pushed the hem of her dress up as far as he could get it and his fingers looped around her knickers, hurriedly drawing them away from her.
Tarrowlyn cried out against his lips when he began caressing her womanhood, and Farkas seized that moment to taste her once more. She moaned throatily as his tongue and fingers caressed her in tandem, stimulating her further and building the flame that was their desire higher than she had ever felt it go. Tarrowlyn roughly shoved his pants away from his hips and Farkas hissed in delight as his aching rod came into contact with her dripping center. He pushed his hips forward, entering her tight heat as both their jaws went slack.
His blue eyes were locked to hers now as he gently rocked into her, earning a gasp each time he parted her inner folds with his body. Tarrowlyn was fisting his shirt at his shoulders tightly and her legs were still wound around his hips tightly, keeping him as close to her as she possibly could. Farkas dipped his head down to kiss her, and Tarrowlyn moaned softly as he did so. By the gods, Farkas mused as he kept up his gentle possession of her, she felt like heaven wrapped around him. He paused a moment and he couldn't contain the smirk that crossed his face. Farkas scooped Tarrowlyn up against his chest and he began striding for the stairs main hall. He wanted her in bed, skin to skin.
Supper could wait a little bit.
Tarrowlyn gasped with every step Farkas took, only to have it turn into a wanton moan as he began climbing the stairs. His cock was pressed tightly to her womb, and it felt as if it was winding around inside of her with every move he made. " Farkas! Wait, I...OOOOOOOHHHHH! Tarrowlyn keened. It had been so long for her, and that was all it took to send her careening into bliss. She undulated in his arms as he kept climbing the stairs, though she noticed hazily that he was moving much faster now, and Tarrowlyn’s voice rose an octave as she kept spasming around him.
“ Damn!” Farkas groaned as they reached her bedroom door. He pinned her to it tightly as he began poling in and out of her now, and his mouth claimed hers heatedly. His tongue was twirling and caressing Tarrowlyn’s as his hips moved on automatic, and he hissed in delight as Tarrowlyn screeched her bliss into his mouth again. “ Get the door open…” he growled out against her lips.
Tarrowlyn’s hand began blindly searching for the latch, and she cried out in her rapture as her head knocked against the wooden door when it flew back. “ Farkas, please!” she cried out shrilly.
Farkas chuckled sensually as he paused his movements, his blue eyes bright and half lidded as he looked at her. “ What's the matter?” he purred sexily.
“ If you want me in that bed, you need to give me a moment to find the latch. We’re not going anywhere, and Rayya’s got the kids for the next three days.” Tarrowlyn growled out. She cried out as Farkas gave her a rather hard thrust for her cheek and her back arched high against the door. She was already sensitive from having climaxed twice in a row. Her hand slipped against the latch accidently, and the door swung open. They tumbled inside as Farkas lost his balance and both couldn’t keep themselves from laughing as they collapsed in a tangle of limbs.
“ Why don’t we try that one more time?” Tarrowlyn laughed as she tucked his ebony locks behind his ears. “ We need to get into the bed.”
Farkas smirked and he shook his head. “ I think right here is just fine.” he purred in response.

Tarrowlyn sighed languidly as she curled up to Farkas. Her hair was severely sex tousled and her eyes were closed in intense satisfaction. They had finally made it into the bed about an hour ago, and that had only been after he had gotten frustrated with her dress. Needless to say, it was in tatters on the floor.
“ You owe me a new dress.” Tarrowlyn said as she snuggled deeper into Farkas’ embrace.
“ Worth every septim.” Farkas replied breathlessly. His arms wrapped tightly around her and he craned his head enough to be able to plant a kiss on her forehead. “ I might pick up quite a few…” he added with a small smile. He closed his eyes and leaned against the pillows, just relishing in the fact that everything was just perfect at that very moment. Absolutely perfect.
Tarrowlyn turned her head to look up at him and she chuckled. “ You are not going to keep literally ripping my clothing away in an effort to get me naked, Farkas.” Tarrowlyn laughed brightly as Farkas pulled her over him and their lips met with a happy hum from the red headed woman.
“ But I liked doing it.” Farkas shot back with a broad grin. If he had been in his wolfen form, his tail would have been wagging so fast it would have been a blur.
“ The answer is no, Farkas.” Tarrowlyn finalized, though she was smiling broadly right back to him.
“ Once a month?” he asked. By the gods, Tarrowlyn mused, his smile was infectious. He couldn’t hold back the chuckle the rumbled through his chest as Tarrowlyn shook her head no, which only mussed her hair further. “ Once every three months?”
“ No, Farkas.” Tarrowlyn kissed him sweetly as she giggled and she felt his hands come to rest against the small of her back. “ No more tearing or shredding my clothing to get me naked.”
Farkas’ eyes narrowed a bit. He could already feel his arousal mounting within him once more. He would get them something to eat once he was done. “ Good thing you’re already naked then.” he purred seductively. It didn’t take much effort to push Tarrowlyn down as he impaled her on his manhood, earning him a surprised gasp from his lover.
Not needing any further cues, Tarrowlyn sat up and she couldn’t keep herself from moaning wantonly as she came down hard on his rigid length. Her body rose and fell on its own, as her eyes were locked to his the entire time. She cried out in surprise when Farkas pulled her off of him, and she felt him maneuver her in front of him on her hands and knees.
“ I’m sorry, Tarrowlyn, but I need…” Farkas began only to groan as Tarrowlyn slid her heat over him again without missing a beat. “ Grab the headboard.” he growled out. Forlan was starting to exert his influence now of all times. It figured the wolf would wait this long to do so.
Tarrowlyn did as she was told, and she felt his strong hands settle on her hips as he hunched over her. “ Farkas…” Tarrowlyn whispered as she looked over her shoulder. It was a sultry, sensual whisper that made Farkas throb within her and she hissed in delight. “ Do you remember what I told you the first time?”
Farkas’ eyes nearly went golden in his lust. “ You told me to make you howl, Tarrowlyn.” he replied.
“ Make me howl again, wolf.” she ordered.
A low growl echoed from Farkas and he drew back. He slammed back inside her with all of his weight behind him and Tarrowlyn’s head snapped back in both shock and delight. Yes, Farkas was a lover, but Tarrowlyn needed a man who could be gentle and strong. He had made love to her earlier, and now she needed to feel his strength and ardor. Farkas kept up his ardent pace, and he leaned forward with one hand on the wall for balance.
His hand slid up from her hip to palm her breast and Farkas nosed her hair out of his way. His lips then latched onto her neck as he suckled the sensitive flesh behind her ear. “ Tarrowlyn…” Farkas whispered almost reverently in her ear.
“ Farkas!” she screamed in reply. Tarrowlyn was already beyond sensitive from their lovemaking earlier and she was already building harshly under this thorough beat. “ Farkas, I...I...I’m Ahhhh!” She rolled her head further to the right without realizing it, exposing her throat to Farkas submissively.
Farkas’ eyes did turn golden then and he growled lowly as his own release began rising to meet hers. “ Mine.” he snarled possessively in her ear. Tarrowlyn moaned wantonly in response and Farkas continued to growl as he began reaching his limit. With a guttural groan, Farkas bit down into Tarrowlyn’s exposed skin and she screamed his name as if it were a cry of relief. Both climaxed at the same time, and Farkas felt his head grow light from the intensity of it. The saltiness of her skin, the sweet, sweet taste of her blood on his tongue, the feeling of her wetly gripping his length as her hips undulated wildly against his in her abandon were all so much to take in. Farkas reveled in it, in her.
Finally they both seemed to come down from their high and Farkas painfully released the hold he had on her shoulder. His jaw hurt from having bitten down as hard as he had. He heard Tarrowlyn whimper as he pulled away from her and he worriedly looked her over. “ Are you alright?” he asked her.
Tarrowlyn nodded wordlessly and she panted heavily as she shivered at the same time. “ Damn.” was all she said.
Farkas all but collapsed on the bed this time. While it had been a briefer interlude than before, it had been extremely intense.
Tarrowlyn flopped against the bed beside him and she curled up into his embrace. She nuzzled his chest sleepily and she smiled as Farkas kissed the top of her head affectionately.
" Heal that bite, Tarrowlyn." He whispered drowsily. He was already starting to fall asleep. He’d nap first and then get the food. Farkas wasn’t about to let the spread Tarrowlyn cooked for them go to waste.
" Later." She mumbled. She was falling asleep as well. She felt Farkas kick the blanket up over them and she sighed happily. It finally felt like something was going right for once.

The three days that the two had to each other were spent in a constant state of undress. Neither of them got much work done either, as Farkas would smile broadly as he hauled a laughing and shrieking Tarrowlyn up the hill or around the house as he strode strongly for the door whenever the mood struck him. On the fourth day, they had finally managed to calm themselves enough to be able to cross each other’s path without wanting to tear the other’s clothing off. It was well and good, as the kids were due back that day.
Tarrowlyn hummed to herself as she smiled brightly. She was chopping some vegetables for their supper that night and she was waiting for her children to come running through the front door any second now.
“ Tarrowlyn! I have urgent news for you!” came Rayya’s voice as she all but burst through the doors of the manor.
Tarrowlyn came running from the kitchen when the other woman made her presence known. " What is it, Rayya?" The redhead asked. Her green eyes were wide and fearful as she waited to hear what had happened. Please let both Alesan and Lucia be alright.
" The Glemorils! We found them. They're just south of Bilegulch Mine!" Rayya said excitedly. “ Don’t worry! The kids are right outside.” she added quickly. “ Last I saw them they were running over to see Farkas as he got to the forge.”
Tarrowlyn’s shoulders slumped in relief though she immediately began planning. “ I need to get a message to Kodlak…” she whispered. “ Thank you Rayya!” Tarrowlyn ran for the back of the house as she began tearing her apron from around her waist. She needed to get her armor and head out now. It would only take Farkas about an hour to reach Whiterun on Thunder’s back and it would take her a couple of hours to get to Bilegulch if she wanted stealth on her side.
Farkas was hammering the impurities out of what would be a shin guard when Tarrowlyn burst out of the house. “ What in oblivion?”
“ Farkas! I need to you leave for Whiterun! Tell Kodlak we found them! I’ll be back there after nightfall.” Tarrowlyn said hurriedly.
Farkas shook his head. “ What about Gemaine, Tarrowlyn?”
Her green eyes leveled on his brightly and Farkas swore he could see a flame glittering in those emerald depths. “ I’ll be able to handle him if he dares cross my path again.” she said confidently.
Farkas sighed heavily as he weighed things over. It seemed as if their time together had not only healed her heart, but had restored her boundless confidence as well. “ Very well. I’ll head out now.” he replied. “ Don’t keep us waiting long.”
Tarrowlyn nodded and she took off down the eastern road. She had some hunting to do.

Kodlak was reading in his study when Farkas came in. His silver eyes leveled on the younger man kindly. “ Well, well. Look what the plains have blown in. Where’s Tarrowlyn?”
“ Hunting.” Farkas replied obliquely. Both Njada and Torvar were within hearing distance. “ She knows where they’re at and she said she’ll be back after nightfall.”
Kodlak’s eyes narrowed. “ You allowed her to go alone?”
“ She wouldn’t let me go if I had tried Kodlak. She’s very much back to her old self again.” Farkas retorted with a smile.
Kodlak’s brow rose in curiosity. “ So everything is as it should be?” A small smile was visible behind his beard and Kodlak set his book down. He stood up and poured them both a tankard of mead. Handing one to Farkas, Kodlak raised his mug in a silent toast that Farkas returned.
Farkas nodded.
“ Best any dragons then?” Kodlak’s voice was knowing and Farkas nearly spit out the mouthful of ale he had taken. Kodlak’s laughter boomed through the study at the guilty look on Farkas’ face and he clapped the young man strongly on the back. “ I thought as much. I was hoping she’d come around with time. Now, sit lad. Tell me what you two have been up to in the months you’ve been gone.” He closed the door so that they could chat privately and Njada visibly scowled.
She had been hoping to hear what Farkas had been up to.

Every nerve was wired for the slightest sound as Tarrowlyn crept as silently as she could into the cave that housed the Glenmoril Coven. Tala, I’m going to need your help in a moment. Tarrowlyn could smell all five of them in the main cavern, and she felt Tala pacing wildly.
Fine by me, human. I’ve been itching for this moment a long time. the wolf growled back.
Rhythmic chanting met their ears as Tarrowlyn began to silently discard her armor and she smiled a bit ferally. “ Now things get fun.” she whispered. She dashed around the corner and she threw her blade into the hag farthest from her. With her presence known now that one of their number was dead, Tarrowlyn dodged a few fireballs before taking to the air and she transformed mid jump, a blur of red death to the next of the witches she pounced upon. A blast of heat made her roar in displeasure and Tarrowlyn narrowed her golden eyes on the witch that had dared to burn her.
“ You belong to Hircine now, Companion!” she screeched, holding a clawed hand out to blast the werewolf again with another fireball.
“ Not before you see him first hag!” Tarrowlyn bellowed back. Her claws sank into the wench’s throat next, splattering the ground with black blood. “ I am a warrior of Jorrvaskr! I have trained with the finest Skyrim has to offer under the eye of Kodlak Whitemane! Do not think I will be bested so easily!” She was tackled from the side by a gigantic frostbite spider and her hackles raised in her rage. Her hands gripped the mandibles of the beast as it brought its fangs down and she wrenched her arms apart, leaving the spider to screech as it was left utterly defenseless.
Tarrowlyn was a whirl of crimson death as she felled all that came into reach of her claws and she felt Tala’s presence waning as the transformation began to subside. Once back to her human form, Tarrowlyn grabbed her blade and sprinted in, sending the shining steel through the last witch’s lower jaw and through the top of her head.
“ A nice showing.” came a purr that immediately put the dragonborn on edge. “ Such beauty and deadly grace.”
Tarrowlyn’s green eyes narrowed, though they were flickering back and forth between emerald and gold. “ Why am I not surprised to find you here, Gemaine.” she snarled. She was stark naked, and she smirked. She could do this now. And she was more than ready.
“ I followed you here when I recognized you leaving the road. I daresay I’m surprised to see you even survived the aftermath of Bloated Man’s Grotto.” Gemaine stepped fully into the firelight and Tarrowlyn visibly growled at his scent. It still reeked of death.
“ What can I say, I’m a survivor.” Tarrowlyn’s eyes were still golden as they watched the man before her intently. She had no armor, but that gave her a little bit of an advantage in speed.
“ Survive this.” Gemaine shot back. He dashed in, closing the distance and Tarrowlyn met him in the middle, her blade raised high and ready to level some justice for the torture the man had subjected her to.

It was nearing dusk when Farkas and Kodlak emerged from his study and the two were laughing softly about something.
“ I’m nervous to be honest.” Farkas said.
“ That nervousness is a good thing, my boy. Especially with a woman like her.” Kodlak replied softly. “ Any news of Tarrowlyn yet?!”
Shouts of the negative met their ears and Farkas shrugged. “ It would take a good couple of hours to reach Whiterun on foot from Bilegulch Mine, Kodlak. Even with her speed, she probably didn’t make it there until after midday as it stood.”
Kodlak nodded sagely, though the festivities were quickly interrupted when something began bashing against the door hard enough to rattle the entire mead hall. Kodlak pulled his warhammer from his back as his eyes narrowed before they flashed gold a moment. “ So they have finally come…” he whispered softly. “ Warriors of Jorrvaskr! TO ARMS!”
No sooner had the words left Kodlak’s mouth, the doors splintered and flew inward. Athis had barely had time to duck before he had been skewered by the sharp wooden shrapnel.
The silver hand began pouring into the mead hall and Farkas bellowed in his rage as he swung his blade into his first victim of the night. There would be many more he was certain.

Tarrowlyn held her side as she weakly walked towards the gates of Whiterun with a burlap sack in hand. There were many bleeding scratches and cuts littering her arms, along with dried patches of blood speckling her face. Some of it was her enemies, but she knew most of it was her own. Her magicka was tapped above all else and she hissed as she began making her way through the marketplace. She stopped briefly a moment however. Even at this time of night, there was always some sort of boisterous noise coming from the Bannered Mare, and it was silent. At the top of the stairs in the wind district, the dragonborn could make out the tail end of a large crowd. Despite her injuries, she hastened up the stairs, groaning against the pain as she climbed as fast as she could will her body. Sure enough, there was a large crowd gathered around the foot of the stairs leading to…
“ Jorrvaskr!” Tarrowlyn whispered in her shock and terror. Her green eyes went wide at the sight of the ruined doors that she could see from where she stood and she began shouldering her way none too gently through the crowd before they realized who she was.
“ The poor dear is in for a nasty shock…” came one whisper to her left, Ysolda if she could place it right.
Tarrowlyn was breathing heavily as she reached the foot of the steps leading to the mead hall and her eyes looked upon Torvar and Aela. They were wounded, though not grievously so, and there were two dead men sprawled on the ground before them.
“ The silver hand…” Torvar began softly. He had massive amounts of bruising around his throat, and both his eyes were blackened. “ They finally built up the nerve to strike Jorrvaskr…”
Tarrowlyn’s eyes filled with tears and she looked to Aela. “ Just head inside, little sister.” the huntress of Jorrvaskr said softly. There was anguish in that voice, Tarrowlyn noted.
Not needing to be told twice, and despite her body’s protesting, Tarrowlyn dashed up the stairs and she ran right through the ruined door. The inside of the mead hall was a mess. All the tables were either broken or upended, there was food and mead all over the floor, and the smell of blood hung in the air like a tapestry. A pile of their fallen foes was sitting near old Vignar’s room, and Tarrowlyn took solace that there was not a single companion amongst the dead there. She was just about to survey the well being of her shield siblings when Vilkas came stomping up to her. His cheekbone was severely bruised and his nose and lip bloodied, though his eyes were full of fire as he leveled them on her.
“ Where in oblivion have you been?!” he demanded, catching hold of the front of her armor as he pulled her face to face. His eyes had gone golden in his rage, and Tarrowlyn immediately shoved him off.
“ I was doing Kodlak’s bidding, Vilkas. In fact, I sent Farkas back this morning to tell him I was returning with that which he asked me for.” Tarrowlyn retorted hotly in turn. The two of them seemed to rub one another the wrong way every time they were both injured. If he kept berating her, the dhovakiin was sure she was going to hit him, grievous wounds and all.
“ Well I hope it was a damn good errand then, Tarrowlyn, because it meant you weren’t here to defend Jorrvaskr, or him!” Vilkas bellowed. “ He’s dead, Tarrowlyn! The old man is dead!” He pointed behind him to where Kodlak lay on the floor, still as a winter morning and Tarrowlyn felt her heart plummet into her stomach at the sight before her, effectively quelling the rage that had been roiling there a moment ago. Farkas and Njada were flanking him like an honor guard on either side and both were crying openly. He hadn’t even looked over his shoulder to acknowledge her presence. “ On top of that, the silver hand took the shards of Wuuthrad that we had collected! You certainly picked a fine time to be away, doing who knows what! Playing lapdog for the jarls again?!”
Tarrowlyn dropped the sack to the floor and her fist flew across Vilkas’ jaw strongly as that last statement made her snap. All it had done was bring all the anger, and newfound sorrow right to the surface, and the dragonborn couldn’t contain it. She barely heard Farkas demand that they both calm down and her burning green eyes leveled on Vilkas as he stayed his twin. “ Don’t you dare condescend me in such a manner! You know as well as I what Kodlak's one wish was before he was to appear before Shor...I’ve been gone the last five months hunting the Glenmoril Coven amongst the wilds of Falkreath. And as you see, I have not returned empty handed!” she shouted right back. She grabbed the bloody end of the sack and upended it, sending the six heads inside rolling across the floor. “ I would have been back much sooner not only if I had my horse, but if I hadn’t been waylaid three different times on the way back.” She picked up a head that looked nothing like the rest and Vilkas’ eyes went wide. “ As you can see, the silver hand not only struck here.”
Gemaine’s sightless eyes were skyward in death, his mouth dropped open in an eternal scream of anguish.
Vilkas stumbled backwards a bit as he looked between the six heads in shock. That had effectively killed both their fires it seemed. “ By the gods…You did it…” he whispered. His eyes went wide as Tarrowlyn visibly teetered and he rushed forward to catch her. “ Why haven’t you healed yourself?”
“ I’m tapped at the moment.” Tarrowlyn bit out. “ Gemaine’s last blow on me was drenched in a very potent magicka poison. I haven’t even regenerated what I can use. It almost proved fatal on the road here. Listen, I’ll be fine. We need to get the others healed in case they come back. Njada, run over to the temple and get Danica and the other acolytes. Ria, there should be a couple potions in the chest there. Give two to Athis. Make sure Torvar gets the other.”
Farkas was silent as he watched Tarrowlyn give her orders to the rest of their shield siblings. Even with one arm slung over Vilkas’ shoulder, she was the picture of resilience. She managed to stand on her own two feet again after a moment and she began collecting the heads from the floor. It wouldn’t due to have the grotesque things about after all. Gingerly, she began making her way towards the back door and the twins followed her silently.
" You're with me, Tarrowlyn. We managed to find out that they're headed for Driftshade Refuge." Vilkas said as they entered the underforge. “ We’re going to wipe those bastards out once and for all.”
" Send a few heads rolling for me." Farkas said simply.
Tarrowlyn nodded in acquiesce, though she remained silent. This wasn't how she had wanted to see everyone after so long. Not only that, Kodlak had not been a man prone to vengeance. She remembered his words from long ago, and they had stuck with her since. She would accompany her shield brother regardless however, so that he would not meet the same fate as Skjor had. She would do all she could to keep the rest of her shield siblings alive. Kodlak had always stressed the importance of their tight knit family. " Can you do me a favor as well, Farkas?" she said softly. She didn’t dare turn around lest the twins see the tears forming in her eyes. If she had only been faster, if only she hadn’t been as injured as she was, Kodlak would still be alive and everyone wouldn’t be in the states they were.
" I already know what you're thinking. I wanted to let you know I was headed there now." Farkas saw his brother turn to look at him curiously and he ignored the questioning glare he was getting. " I'll only be there to make sure everything's alright and I'll be coming back here."
“ Thank you.” Tarrowlyn whispered. She felt his hand on her shoulder and he dipped his head in low to capture her lips softly. Her eyes fluttered closed at the simple kiss and she returned it fully, tenderly caressing his stubbled cheek with her exposed fingertips. “ Be safe.”
“ You too.” he replied sweetly.
Vilkas’ brow was raised high at the sight before him, but he didn’t dare say a word yet. What had happened in the five months they had been gone? “ You two didn't elope on me, did you?" He said teasingly once Farkas had made his exit. Oh the look on her face had been worth it, even if she managed to pay him back for it later. “ Take your breastplate off and I’ll heal what I can, alright?”
Tarrowlyn nodded, her face scrunched up in agony and her armor squelched wetly as it was pulled away from her back. “ I know I mentioned I was waylaid three times on the way back.” she whispered. “ Once was Gemaine, the other a bear before I could get my armor back on, and the last was a damn dragon. I’m getting sick of this, Vilkas.” She kept her back to Vilkas as she removed her shirt as well. It was nearly crimson with her blood.
Vilkas chortled a little. “ Save some for us then, would you?” he teased. Light filled his palms as he ran it over her bloodied back and the gashes there healed with nary a scar. “ When did you get your armor back on?” he asked as he looked over the puncture from what looked to be a wickedly curved claw.
“ Just before I reached town. It hurt too damn much to have it on. I didn’t want to look a fright coming into town all bloodied like that. At least my armor hid most of it.” Tarrowlyn breathed a sigh of relief as Vilkas finished healing what he could. “ That’s much better, thank you.”
“ You’re welcome. And, Tarrowlyn, you never answered my question. You and Farkas didn’t elope on me did you?” His fingers ran across that raised scabs of a clear bite mark on her neck. “ And do I get an explanation as to what that was about before Farkas left?”
She turned nearly as red as her hair and Tarrowlyn pulled a fresh shirt from her pack. “ No, we didn’t. I promise.” she replied quickly. “ As for that, Farkas and I were discussing about bringing you into the fold as well. Once we've avenged Kodlak and brought the shards back, I will explain everything. It may take some time, but I promise you I will.”
“ I know you will. And it’s a shame, I’d be honored to be your brother in name.” Vilkas said with a chuckle. He laughed fully as Tarrowlyn blushed almost as red as her hair and he patted her shoulders affectionately. “ Especially after the display I just witnessed.”
Tarrowlyn shook her head in exasperation and she used part of the sack to wipe the blood from the inside of her armor. In all honesty, she wouldn’t mind that either.
“ Don’t think I didn’t notice what you’re wearing, Tarrowlyn.” Vilkas said mirthfully. “ How long have you been wearing it now?”
“ Almost a month.” she finally whispered. “ I’m surprised you didn’t comment on what else you saw.”
“ That’s not my place to be honest. What you two do behind closed doors is your business.” Vilkas chortled. “ But I’m glad to see you back to the woman I remember. There’s more light and life in your eyes then there has been in months. I can’t help but wonder how much of that Farkas is responsible for.”
Tarrowlyn’s face softened at the mention of Vilkas’ younger twin. “ Quite a bit of it…” she admitted.
Vilkas chuckled as he led the both of them towards the exit, though his mood was growing darker by the minute. “ Come on, little sister, there’s hunting to be done.” his voice had a bit of edge to it now as his rage and grief came to the fore. Those bastards would pay for raising arms against Jorrvaskr and it’s companions.

“ AHRRAAAHHHHH!” Tarrowlyn bellowed as she swung her blade, neatly beheading the member of the silver hand that had gotten too close to Vilkas’ gasping form. He had been hit in the chest with an armor piercing arrow, though thankfully it hadn’t gotten too far in. “ Let me pull that first Vilkas. I still can’t use my magicks yet.”
“ I think I much prefer you as a warrior as opposed to those stuffy mages at the college.” he said, hissing as Tarrowlyn pulled the arrowhead from his skin. “ Damn.” He pulled his chestplate away to survey the wound and both scowled when they saw it. It had almost hit his heart.
“ I told you to let me shoot those two.” Tarrowlyn chided. “ There’ll be plenty of time to go rushing headlong into battle, brother. That time will be soon I’m sure. Besides, Farkas would kill me if I let you die.”
" That would be couterproductive in the long run, I'll admit." Vilkas chortled as he healed the wound.
“ We need to keep moving, come on. I’ll scout ahead so that you can get your armor back on.”
Vilkas nodded. “ I’ll be right behind you then.”

“ KRII!” Tarrowlyn shouted, her eyes narrowed with a fire that had Vilkas worried for her now. She had been hurt badly during this fight, as it was the leaders of the silver hand they were up against.
Vilkas knew she refrained from using her thu’um if she could help it. If she was getting pissed, and using her thu’um, her situation must be dire indeed. “ Tarrowlyn! Transform while you can!”
“ No! I ….Urghk….” Tarrowlyn was stopped short as a silver dagger was forced through her breastplate and into her soft belly. The burn was intense, the pain unreal where the pure silver met her flesh. Her vision swam a moment as if felt as if everything she had was being forcefully drained from her, and when she looked up at the man stabbing her, her eyes had turned golden. Her canines had gotten longer as she bared her teeth in her rage and she swung her sword arm to kill the bastard.
Vilkas bellowed a war cry as he ran the last of the leaders through on his greatsword and he pulled it free as he looked over to Tarrowlyn. “ By Ysmir…” he whispered fearfully. She was on the verge of transforming now. Vilkas hurried over to her and he grabbed her pauldrons in an effort to get her to look at him. “ Tarrowlyn, you need to calm and center yourself...The danger has passed...Don’t heed that call in anger! Only in need!” he begged her. There was little he would be able to do if she transformed and went on a rampage. Damn it all, if Farkas were here, he’d be able to calm her in some way or another. His eyes brightened at that thought and he got as close as he could so that she could only see his eyes. “ Tarrowlyn, think of Farkas...Look me in the eye and think of my brother.”
Tarrowlyn’s eyes flashed back to green a moment, though her eyes filled with tears at the same time. How she had loved looking into his eyes as Farkas had flexed into her, claiming her body tenderly and reverently. Tarrowlyn had felt as if Farkas had physically worshipped her body. She wrested control of her mind back from the beast attempting to take over and she gasped as if struggling for breath. “ Vilkas...The dagger...It burns!” she choked out. It did more than burn! She was growing weaker and weaker by the second! It felt as if all her strength and vitality were flowing through her to that stab wound.
“ I know. I’ll get it.” he said gently. Shaking his head, Vilkas wrapped his fingers around the stock of the blade and gave it a hard tug so as to free Tarrowlyn of the agony she was in. She choked back a scream as it left her, and Vilkas winced. That hadn’t been the first time he had been forced to do that and he hadn’t enjoyed it then either. “ Can you heal yourself Tarrowlyn? That’s a nasty wound.” he whispered.
Tarrowlyn groaned pitifully at the residual pain and she shakily cast her healing spell in an effort to stem the flow of her lifeblood. The bleeding stopped a little and Tarrowlyn swore. She could have sworn she had regenerated enough magicka to have healed everything. Vilkas hauled her to her feet and slung her arm over his shoulder in an effort to get them moving.
“ I’ve already got your half of the gold and valuables set off to the side, little sister. Come, let’s get back to Jorrvaskr. The other’s should have Kodlak’s funeral prepared by the time we return.” Vilkas said gently. He felt a bit better now that he had avenged the man who had been more of a father to him and Farkas than Jergen had ever been.
Tarrowlyn nodded as she gave him a faint, and slightly bloody smile. It had been a bad night and both were ready to leave it behind them.

“ Alesan and Lucia are fine, Tarrowlyn.” Farkas whispered. They were in his room in the living quarters of Jorrvaskr and he was cleaning and bandaging her wounds. His eyes were drawn to a single spot on her left shoulder however and he trailed his fingers over the now fresh scar. " I thought I told you to heal that."
Tarrowlyn couldn't help the smirk that traveled over her face at that statement. " What if I told you I wanted to leave that one, Farkas? That I wanted a physical reminder of that night." She whispered shyly. " I want to be able to run my fingers over it and recall what I was feeling when your teeth punctured my skin. To know it wasn't a dream."
Farkas didn't have a reply to her. Words had never been his strong suit, but he didn't have to speak to tell Tarrowlyn how that made him feel. He tied off the bandages around her waist and he turned her around carefully so as to not agitate the wound. His fingers trailed like a whisper over the skin of her cheek and Tarrowlyn leaned into the contact. His nose rubbed hers as he drew closer to her. Her breath fanned over his lips softer than a summer breeze. His fingers laced into her hair as they met sweetly and tentatively. They had only shown a random display of affection every now and again since the last time they had made love. Farkas didn't want to push Tarrowlyn too fast after all.
Tarrowlyn's hands pulled at his chestplate to keep him close and she chuckled a little against his lips as she deftly undid the buckles holding it closed.
" You do realize someone could walk in at any moment?" Farkas growled out. The feeling of her hands on him was nothing short of exhilarating as she shoved his armor away. He could understand all too well why she wanted this, despite the circumstances going on upstairs. She wanted to feel alive, needed to throw off the fear and doubt, yearned for someone else's feeling for her. He hissed to keep himself from groaning too loudly when her fingers wrapped around his swollen length. " Are you sure you're up for this?"
Tarrowlyn nodded quickly as she lifted her hips to allow Farkas to pull away her undergarments. " Nothing too rough." She whispered. She couldn't explain why she needed him at that very moment, but Tarrowlyn couldn't stop herself from giving over to the passion climbing between them. Her head flew back as Farkas entered her willing body with a quick thrust and her hands gripped his bare shoulders tightly. Tears were flowing down her cheeks as Farkas eased her against the bed and their hips met at a slow, leisurely pace.
Farkas kissed Tarrowlyn to keep her quiet and she gasped prettily against his lips the deeper he pressed himself inside her body. He would never be able to get enough of her.

Vilkas was lost in thought as he made his way through the living quarters to his brother's room. So wrapped up in his ruminating that he didn't realize that he had already arrived at Farkas' room. " Tarrowlyn. The jarl wishes to see you in Dragonsreach before we commence with the funeral.” he said loudly. He had heard the two of them from down the hall, well, only thanks to his wolfen half. Anyone else besides the remaining members of the circle wouldn’t have heard a peep, even standing next to the door. It didn’t help the smell of sex was very strong near Farkas’ door and the elder of the twins narrowed his ice blue eyes. Vilkas was going to give Farkas a swift boot to his ass if her wounds got any worse as Tarrowlyn had been nothing short of drained and unable to use her magicks. Thinking of her state reminded him that he needed to go see Danica at the temple to find out what kind of magic was on the blade.
“ I’ll head that way in a few minutes!” Tarrowlyn replied shakily, though Vilkas heard Farkas mumble something and Tarrowlyn giggled spritely.
Vilkas couldn’t keep the corner of his mouth from turning up despite his somberness. Farkas was a very lucky man, and Vilkas would forever envy him for having landed Tarrowlyn as solidly as he had. Then again, Vilkas had been carefully aloof with the dragonborn so as to not turn her to himself. While Tarrowlyn was more than worthy of pursuing, Farkas had staked his claim on her long ago, long before Vilkas had fallen inadvertently for her. That had been during Farkas’ eight month absence from Jorrvaskr. “ You had best hurry. Aela’s nearly finished with the preparations up top.” he added, though it was hard to keep his tone terse with her. As much as Vilkas desired her, it was only a base physical attraction. However, he loved her much like a brother would his sister. It was his pet name for her when they were by themselves. His brow arched as he heard a muffled, yet sharp gasp float through the door and into his ear. What in Dibella’s will was Farkas doing to her in there? Surely he had stopped long enough for the two of them to speak?
This is my brother we are talking about. Vilkas thought amusedly. “ Tarrowlyn, I could always just wait out here so you have some help going up the stairs.” Another gasp and heavy breathing answered that and Vilkas fought back a bark of laughter. Oh, Farkas had not stopped a bit, and he was torturing Tarrowlyn for it.
“ Nnnnooooo...No tha-tha-thankahhhhHHHHH!” she stammered, her voice obviously pleasure laced. “ Shit!” Her high pitched swear told Vilkas that Farkas had just done something that Tarrowlyn either loved him doing, or that he had just discovered something that he would undoubtedly use later. “ Aye aye aye I’ll be fi-fi-fi-fiiiiiiNNNNNEEEEE!!”
Vilkas shook his head from a bit as he listened to her attempt to hold a conversation. Farkas certainly had some kinks that he was putting the poor girl through. He had shared enough women with his brother to know how much of an exhibitionist Farkas could be. Not only that, Vilkas was sure that Farkas was peppering his own commentary, very racy commentary for that matter, in with the conversation Tarrowlyn had attempted to have with him. Probably along the lines of Vilkas knowing for certain what they were up to behind closed doors. Well, no chance in pulling her out at the moment. Farkas didn’t sound anywhere near done just yet. Shaking his head once more, Vilkas began striding for the stairs to the mead hall. He was going to have to keep everyone upstairs for now.

Farkas panted heavily against Tarrowlyn neck as she too gasped for breath. They were just now coming back down from the high their lovemaking had induced and Farkas nuzzled her tenderly once he had collected himself a bit. His blue eyes opened and he noticed that there was a slight glint of a gem or something dangling from her neck. Turquoise soon became noticeable after closer inspection and Farkas looked down at the bronze colored pendant with much more interest. Tarrowlyn’s eyes were still closed in her contentment so she couldn’t see the look on his face. Silvery blue orbs went wide with shock as he realized what it was she was wearing and he looked down at her with a tenderness that couldn’t be rivaled by anyone else.
It was an amulet of Mara. Now the question running through his mind was when and if he should make a comment on it. After all, making notice of the necklace of love was little less than a marriage proposal. " Tarrowlyn, you're..." he began. A series of hard knocks against the door told them both that Vilkas had grown impatient with them. Tarrowlyn still needed to see the jarl after all.
" Dammit, Vilkas, I'm coming, alright?!" She snarled at the door. Well, the mood had been effectively killed. " I'll be back shortly." She whispered to Farkas tenderly. Tarrowlyn closed the distance between them to kiss him deeply and Farkas' chest rumbled happily at the contact.
" I'm sure we'll be getting things underway once you get back." Farkas whispered in reply. His forehead rested against hers as he spoke. He wasn't too keen on letting her go just yet, but he knew he had to. Besides, he could always just whisk her back downstairs once everything was done so they could get some much deserved sleep. Tarrowlyn still needed to recoup from her injuries from Driftshade.

Tarrowlyn was feeling much worse for wear as she climbed the steps to Dragonsreach. Her brow furrowed a bit as she put undue pressure on her wounded leg and she fought off a wave of nausea that immediately followed the pain. Note to self, no sex unless I'm fully healed. As good as Farkas was, now I feel like I've been trampled. Then again...She thought with a slight smile. ...it was my fault he took me in the first place. Then again, he's very easy to seduce. Tarrowlyn chuckled a little in her mirth as she kept climbing, wishing for all the world she had a walking stick or a cane to lean against. She could feel blood starting to trickle down her bandages. Just get it over with, dragonborn. You need to stay strong. The pain she felt in her heart at Kodlak's passing was starting to rise to the fore again, compounding on the physical pain she was already in. With that pain rose all the guilt she had been trying to stem, had been trying to taper as it truly wasn't her fault.
That didn't ease the burden of his death any less.

Tarrowlyn had tears streaming openly down her face as she carried the shield of Whiterun over to where Kodlak’s body lay on it’s pyre. Soon Aela would light the flames and her grieving would begin in earnest. As with Farkas and Vilkas, in the last year Kodlak had been both father and mentor to her. She would miss him dearly. The shield she carried was a token of Jarl Baalgruf’s esteem for the late Harbinger, and he had asked that Tarrowlyn lay it to rest with him so that he might have it with him on his journey to Sovngarde. She carefully climbed up and set the shield at his knees, pausing only a moment to look at his face one last time. “ Thank you for everything Kodlak.” she whispered. She gingerly stepped down and Farkas eased her back to the ground when she had faltered a bit. Tarrowlyn had not fully healed from any of the harrowing battles she had been in, and it was showing. The normally graceful, and proud warrior had weariness etched into every facet of her being.
“ Who will start?” Vilkas asked, his throat tight. He hadn’t thought this day would come so soon.
“ I will…” Aela piped up. She took a deep steadying breath as she looked sadly upon Kodlak's prone form. “ Before the ancient flame.”
“ We grieve…” Tarrowlyn whispered along with everyone else as her head fell. She had said these words too many times already, for her father, her brothers, and now for the man who had guided her to who she was today.
“ At this loss…” Eorlund continued.
“ We weep.” Farkas intoned monotonically. He could see Tarrowlyn crying silently beside him and he gently squeezed her shoulder at the sight she made. It was obvious to him that her dressings needed to be changed again, but there had been no time. No matter, he would sweep her down to the underforge to check everything over before they joined the wake.
“ For the fallen…” Vilkas said, his voice wavering slightly as a few tears trickled down his face.
“ We shout…”
“ And for ourselves…” Farkas finished, already drawing Tarrowlyn close so that they would be able to make a quick exit to the underforge. Not only did she need fresh bandages, but Farkas could also see that she was on the verge of breaking down. She had been holding it back too long.
“ We take our leave.”
Tarrowlyn allowed Farkas to sweep her away before anyone else could see her and the moment the entrance to the underforge had closed, she felt him pull her tight against him. Sobs wracked her body in earnest now, and her fists beat ineffectually against his chest as she let go of all the grief, torment, and shame that she had been feeling since her arrival the evening four days prior.
Farkas sighed heavily as he held the smaller woman against him, taking care not to hold her too tightly. With the extent of her injuries, he was terrified to hurt her any further. He felt a few tears fall to his cheeks and from there they landed in her hair.
It took a few moments, but Tarrowlyn finally settled down.
“ You going to be alright?” he asked her softly.
Tarrowlyn nodded and she looked up to the entrance as it opened, revealing Eorlund. “ I have them right here.” Tarrowlyn said. She already knew what he was coming for.
Farkas watched as Tarrowlyn handed the smithy a small bundle, and Eorlund opened it to reveal the shards of Wuuthrad. “ Ah yes...They’re all here, with the exception of one, which Kodlak had. Would you mind retrieving that for me in a moment?”
Tarrowlyn’s shoulders shook a little and Farkas was about to offer to get it when her voice came up. “ I’ll do that in just a moment Eorlund...Farkas, stay here as I’m sure Aela and Vilkas will be joining us shortly.”
Farkas sighed a bit as he shook his head and the entrance opened and shut with Tarrowlyn’s exit. “ She’s not doing so good Eorlund. One of the injuries she received has all but sapped her strength and magicka. She could barely heal herself from what Vilkas was telling me. It’s a miracle she’s even walking and standing right now.”
“ Aye, I barely caught a glimpse of the wounds she had, but those two stab wounds to her leg and gut….” Eorlund shook his head in dismay. Any other man would have died from the injuries Tarrowlyn had suffered from. “ Vilkas showed me the dagger she was stabbed with. It’s a cursed blade, Farkas. She’s lucky to even be alive, as it’s supposed to drain your vital essences away. It might take a week or two, but she’ll be back to her normal self, physically at least, by then.” Eorlund replied. “ I suppose it’s the dragon part of her that helped her survive there.”
Farkas nodded silently as he leaned against his favorite spot in the underforge. Sure enough, as Tarrowlyn had predicted, Aela and Vilkas soon entered as well and all three looked between one another.
“ Kodlak was unable to name the next Harbinger of the Companions.” Vilkas said worriedly. “ I might go into his quarters and see if he made mention of anything in his journal about who he wanted to name his successor.” He swallowed hard, as his mouth was dry, and he looked to his twin. “ Where has our other shield sister gone now?”
“ She’s getting Kodlak’s shard from his room for Eorlund.” Farkas whispered, his eyes distant as he stared into the ground. He wanted to get away to Lakeview for a week or two with Tarrowlyn after all this. Just him, her and the kids...Okay, maybe he could convince Rayya to take the two scamps camping near Half Moon Mill for a day or two again so that he and Tarrowlyn could have some privacy; among other things of course.
“ Speaking of...I’ll be up top if you need me.” Eorlund said. He needed to get those flames burning hotter than they ever had.

Tarrowlyn found the shard easily enough and she stopped a moment when she saw Kodlak’s journal on the endtable. She shook her head resolutely and continued out of the room. She wanted to go home to her children. She winced as she limped up the stairs leading to the skyforge and she felt tears prick at her eyes at the sight of the pyre burning strongly. “ Eorlund…” she said, hoping her voice had more strength than she felt.
“ Ah, perfect. I’ll help you back down, but you need to join the rest of your shield siblings in the underforge.” Eorlund said. He gently set the shard with the rest and he smiled a bit. “ I need to prepare them for mounting again if you’re curious. Alright, up you get lass. I’m not about to allow you to keep walking on that leg until you can either heal yourself or go to see Danica at the temple.”
Tarrowlyn sighed as Eorlund scooped her up into his arms and he carried her back to the entrance. “ Thank you Eorlund.” Tarrowlyn said softly.
“ You’re welcome lass. Do try to keep from doing too much more for the night, hm?”
Tarrowlyn nodded as she entered the underforge and she had to hold back a sigh when she heard Vilkas and Aela going back and forth. Were those two ever going to get over it? Her eyes met Farkas’ from across the room and he shook his head. That was enough to tell her to not interfere on this. That suited Tarrowlyn just fine. She needed some much needed downtime anyways. She silently crossed over to where Farkas was leaning against the wall and she felt his arm come to wrap around her on it’s own. Despite the somber mood, Tarrowlyn smiled a little and she leaned against him. Even during the three days they had been to themselves, he had been much more solicitous with these simple gestures that Tarrowlyn had no qualms in accepting. It wasn’t about the way their bodies sang when they were joined, it was these innocent, sweet bits of contact that Farkas wanted and needed from her that made her love him. He had since shed his chest plate and she sighed a little at the sound of his heart as her ear came to rest over it. She felt as if she could fall asleep standing she was so tired.
“ The old man had one wish before he died.” Vilkas began, leaning over the basin with a fire burning in his blue eyes as he leveled them on Aela. “ And he didn’t get it! Simple as that.”
Aela had a fairly cool look on her own face as she crossed her arms stubbornly. “ Being moon-born is not so much of a curse as you might think, Vilkas.” she spat. They had always disagreed on this issue.
Vilkas shook his head irately even as he growled a bit in his frustration. “ That’s fine for you. But he wanted to be clean. He wanted to meet Ysgramor and know the glories of Sovngarde. And all that was taken from him!” Vilkas’ voice rose to a near shout as he finished and Tarrowlyn flinched noticeably in Farkas’ arms. Vilkas had forgotten how guilty the dragonborn felt for not returning sooner with the witches heads and he looked to both of them apologetically as Farkas had leveled a glare on his brother for that statement.
“ And you avenged him.” Aela countered, her eyes narrowing on Vilkas now.
“ Kodlak did not care for vengeance.” Farkas finally said, his tone terse as he kept a tight hold on Tarrowlyn. She was tensed as if she wanted to bolt from the underforge and he wasn’t going to allow her to do so. She was going to get some rest, and by Shor, Farkas would have no qualms in locking her in his room until she did so if she kept being so stubborn.
Both Vilkas and Aela looked over to Farkas now, as he had been silent their entire argument and both saw the sad state Tarrowlyn was in. It wasn’t so much that she was leaning into Farkas for comfort, but that he was the only thing keeping her standing at this point. His arm was looped strongly around her waist, her bandages were already in need of changing and her color was so pale Aela would have sworn she was in her death throes already.
“ No, Farkas, he didn’t.” Vilkas admitted softly as he stood straight. “ But that’s not what this is about. We should be honoring Kodlak, no matter our own thoughts on the blood.” He drew one of the heads from the burlap sack and he looked over to Tarrowlyn where she was leaning into his brother with her eyes closed. Any normal person would have thought her sleeping, but Vilkas knew she was trying to stem her tears. She had just battled against all five witches, Gemaine, a bear, a dragon, and then the silver hand alongside him on top of the loss they were all undoubtedly feeling. She had been through too much too soon, but this wasn’t over yet. Vilkas had a few healing potions in his room he would give to her, no questions asked, and then they were going to the temple to get that curse removed. For what was coming, he needed Tarrowlyn hale and hearty. All four of them had to be. He then dropped the head in the basin where it landed with a sickly sounding squelch. Surely they had to have caught the gist.
Aela’s face fell at this. “ You’re right, Vilkas. It’s what he wanted, and he deserved to have it.” she whispered as she herself leaned over the basin this time. The hag's eyes had clouded over in death, and Aela fought the urge to throw the severed appendage against the wall.
Vilkas walked over to where Tarrowlyn and Farkas stood and he looked between the two. “ Tarrowlyn...Are you going to be alright?” he whispered.
“ I feel as if I’ve been trampled by a herd of mammoth, Vilkas. I’ll be fine.” Tarrowlyn replied wearily. “ I don’t have much of a choice in the matter. We don’t have the luxury of time at the moment.”
The brows of the other three all furrowed and Farkas locked eyes with his brother. Wordlessly, Vilkas took her from him and Farkas quickly left the underforge. Aela crossed over as well, pulling some fresh bandages out of a leather pouch on her hip. “ Sit her over here Vilkas.” she ordered gently.
Tarrowlyn hissed as Aela bared the stab she had received in her thigh and she bit back a shout of pain as the huntress of Jorrvaskr began binding it tightly. “ Not too tight, if you mind. I still need blood to be able to reach my foot.” she growled out.
“ Sorry.” Aela said. She shook her head as she noticed the growing bloodstain on the front of Tarrowlyn’s dress. “ We should have taken care of all this first.” she murmured sadly.
“ That’s neither here nor there now, Aela. The four of us are in this together.” Farkas replied as he entered the cave once more. He handed Tarrowlyn three potions and she looked to both Vilkas and Farkas stubbornly. “ I’ll make you drink them if you don’t do it yourself.”
She looked over to Aela, who was also giving her the ‘You had better do it’ glare and Tarrowlyn growled under her breath. “ All three of you know how much more potent mine own are.” Tarrowlyn grumbled as she uncorked the first. She drank the first one down and she sighed in relief as some of the internal injuries healed. The second brought her color back, and Tarrowlyn chuckled at the fact that Aela had just replaced the dressing on her thigh as it healed as well. The third had her feeling back to rights almost, but she noted that the wound in her side still persisted. Probably because of the blade being cursed. she thought. “ Can we please carry on with what we were discussing before I diverted everyone’s attention?” she snapped.
Farkas smirked as she stood, but he didn’t let her get too far from him as his arms wrapped around Tarrowlyn’s waist again, drawing her against him. She blushed at his brazen display, but she settled against him wordlessly none the less.
Vilkas sighed as he looked at the other three remaining members of the circle. “ Back to Kodlak.” he said softly. “ The old man used to speak of a way to cleanse his soul, even in death. You all know the legends of the Tomb of Ysgramor.” Vilkas said, his voice strengthening as he spoke.
Tarrowlyn stood straighter as Vilkas spoke. Was it true that they could give Kodlak his dying wish despite that he had already crossed into Aetherius? Her green eyes turned up to Farkas who shrugged a bit. Again, it had been said many a time that while Farkas had Ysgramor’s strength, it was Vilkas who had his brains, Tarrowlyn mused with a soft smile as she leaned back into Farkas’ comforting hold. '
Aela’s eyes went wide as well. “ There the souls of the Harbingers will heed the call of northern steel. We can't even enter the tomb without Wuuthrad, and it's in pieces, like it has been for a thousand years!” she exclaimed.
Vilkas was just about to counter when the door to the underforge opened and all four looked curiously as Eorlund walked in. It had been a solid three hours since they had come down here to start hashing things out in the first place.
“ And dragons were just stories. And the elves once ruled Skyrim. Just because something is, doesn't mean it must be. The blade is a weapon. A tool. Tools are meant to be broken. And repaired.” Eorlund interceded as he strode towards them all. There was something on his back…
It looked like a massive ax.
Vilkas looked at the smithy in awe. “ Is that…” he stammered, walking forward to meet Eorlund in the middle. By the gods, his eyes had to be deceiving him! “ Did you repair the blade?”
“ This is the first time I've had all the pieces, thanks to our shield-sister here.” Eorlund replied as he looked over to Tarrowlyn. His eyes closed as he took a deep breath, and he looked between the four. “ The flames of a hero can reforge the shattered. The flames of Kodlak shall fuel the rebirth of Wuuthrad. And now it will take you to meet him once more.” He looked between the four of them this time and his eyes settled on Tarrowlyn once more. Kodlak had always known there was something about the young woman, and he had held Eorlund in confidence that he was certain he had chosen the next Harbinger. “ The rest of you, prepare to journey to the Tomb of Ysgramor. For Kodlak. As the one who bore the fragments, I think you should be the one to carry Wuuthrad into battle.” He held the mighty blade out to Tarrowlyn who blanched a bit. Wordlessly, she took the blade and nodded.
Her green eyes took in the mighty blade in her hands and a resurgence of strength flowed through her the longer she looked at it. Yes, they now had the means of curing Kodlak, all that was left was for them to get there. “ I’ll meet all of you at the gates. I need to stop at the temple before we leave.” Tarrowlyn said, her voice determined now. “ Vilkas, grab that head if you would please. I’ll grab another sack to put it into.” And with that, the young woman ran out from the underforge to go get ready.

A light snow was falling as the four treaded carefully on the ice spanning before them. The island they were heading to was only another few minutes away and Tarrowlyn’s green eyes looked about alertly. Her time adventuring in the wilds of Skyrim had made her wary of open spaces like this. Dragons liked to use spaces like these when they attacked. Not only that, but Tarrowlyn had grown much more efficient in ranged combat. She prefered to snipe her opponents down with her bow from afar to even the odds a bit. A hand settled on her pauldron and she looked over her shoulder to Farkas.
“ You alright?” he whispered, his worried blue gaze looking over her intently. It had been a rough couple of days for all of them, but Tarrowlyn had shouldered a sense of guilt that if she had been there sooner, Kodlak wouldn’t have died.
“ I will be.” Tarrowlyn whispered. “ It’s not that cold today, you think?” she asked, smirking all the while. She didn’t want any of them worrying about her. They had to think of themselves if the time for battle came.
Farkas chuckled and he chanced a look over his shoulder to see where Aela and Vilkas were. They were both still a little ways off, inspecting something on one of the neighboring isles. “ I know what you’re trying to do, Tarrowlyn, but it’s not going to work on me. I know you better than both of them do.” he replied, cupping her cheek affectionately. Once all this was over, he was going to ask her to marry him dammit. Farkas had wanted to when he had first seen her necklace after their interlude two days ago, but everything that had happened had shoved that neatly to the wayside.
Tarrowlyn’s eyes fluttered closed as Farkas leaned in to kiss her tenderly, his breath fanning over her lips. Both her gloved hands rested on his gauntlet, not allowing him to let go even if he wanted to and both of them jumped when Vilkas cleared his throat. Dammit all, why had he waited for the last possible second?! She was muttering under her breath as she continued forward, and Tarrowlyn swallowed hard as she looked at the dome leading to the crypt.
A hand settled on either pauldron and with a gentle shove, Farkas began steering her forward again. “ Nows not the time to be getting cold feet, Tarrowlyn.” Farkas said.
“ That was so funny I forgot to laugh, Farkas.” Tarrowlyn remarked sarcastically, though her poor feet were feeling the chill through her boots. “ I..I just worry what Kodlak might say once we get there.” Tears twinkled in her eyes a little and Farkas shook his head. “ What if I do hold some blame for not being there with the rest of you to defend Jorrvaskr?”
“ Now is not the time to be having such doubts, sister.” Aela said confidently as she and Vilkas joined the other two. “ We are here to bring honor to our fallen Harbinger, to grant him his last request. Eorlund entrusted the Wuuthrad to you. Obviously, there’s more to you than the rest of us can see. We all know your strength, Tarrowlyn, as all three of us have fought side by side with you at one point in time. You are worthy of the title Companion of Jorrvaskr. Don’t ever doubt that.”
Tarrowlyn smiled as Aela’s hand came to rest on her pauldron. “ Thank you sister. Now, I believe I have a wolf to hunt.” There was a familiar gleam back in Tarrowlyn’s eyes as she led the way down the stairs. Soon, the four entered the tomb and Tarrowlyn looked around. “ Vilkas, you and Vignar know the lore the best. Are we here?”
“ Aye. This is the resting place of Ysgramor. And his most trusted generals. You should be cautious.” he said almost reverently as he walked towards the statue dominating the center of the entrance room.
“ What do you mean by cautious, Vilkas?” Tarrowlyn inquired further. She pulled the ancient blade off of her back; though the sight of such a petite woman wielding such an awesome blade was beyond humorous to Farkas. He’d have to offer to carry it back. It would be an honor to do so for that matter. The blade of Ysgramor itself in his grasp…
Vilkas turned to Tarrowlyn as he sat on the ancient altar. “ The original Companions. Their finest warriors rest with Ysgramor. You'll have to prove yourselves to them.” He explained as his bright blue gaze leveled on his shield sibling. “ It's not that you're intruding. I'd wager they've actually expected us. They just want to be sure that you're worthy. Be ready for an honorable battle.” His tone was wistful and his eyes sad as he looked down at this.
“ Did the books say how to gain entry?” Tarrowlyn asked, though she hadn’t liked the tone he was using.
“ Return Wuuthrad to Ysgramor. That should open the way.” He stepped out of the way so that Tarrowlyn could ease the mighty ax into the statue’s waiting hands hilt first and he watched the door open as he said it would.
Farkas and Aela entered first and Tarrowlyn paused a moment. “ You’re not coming?” she questioned expectantly.
“ Kodlak was right. I let vengeance rule my heart.” Vilkas eyes shut tightly at the thought of his mentor. “ I regret nothing of what we did at Driftshade, Tarrowlyn. But I cannot go any further with my mind fogged or my heart grieved.” His weary gaze met hers and Tarrowlyn patted his pauldrons sympathetically.
“ I understand. I’ll be sure to look after Aela and Farkas then.” Tarrowlyn replied gently.
Vilkas watched as she disappeared into the tunnel and he sat back down once more. Being here made the grief all too real for him. No, he wouldn’t be of use other than the aid he had given Tarrowlyn as it was.

Farkas and Aela were looking scouting a little ways ahead when Tarrowlyn joined them. “ Aela, take the middle, I’ll take point, Farkas, cover the rear.” she ordered. She had automatically moved into leader mode, as she’d rather put herself in the most amount of danger. Putting Aela in the middle offered her additional ranged support as Tarrowlyn had her bow at the ready as well. Keeping Farkas in the back not only ensured to Tarrowlyn that he would be safe, but would be able to cover them if something came around the back.
Without any complaint, Aela and Farkas took their positions and Tarrowlyn kept silent as they entered the first major hall. All of them were no more than three steps from one another as Tarrowlyn carefully guided them around the room to find the next doorway.
“ So you seek the flame of the Harbinger?” came an ethereal voice from everywhere and nowhere at once. “ Let’s see if you got what it takes.”
Tarrowlyn loosed her arrow the moment movement caught her eye and one Companion ghost crumpled to the ground, already felled. She put her bow away as she pulled her blade from its scabbard and a swarm of seven or so ghosts rushed towards them. Aela had already retreated to the back, and her arrows were flying fast and true. Farkas had rushed in headlong with a bellow and Tarrowlyn found herself watching him a moment. It was as if he was effortlessly moving in his armor, his actions were smooth and liquid. His sword sunk into the gut of one ghost, and he had a bit of a feral smile on his face as he wrenched it from his fallen foe. Their eyes met and Farkas had a rather roguish grin on his face. He tilted his head to the side as if he was telling her to hurry up and Tarrowlyn smiled to herself.
Well, who was she to keep him waiting?

Farkas and Aela were both breathing heavily as Tarrowlyn healed their wounds before they continued forward.
“ Now that was a battle.” he whispered happily. “ How many companions get to claim they fought and bested the original five hundred?” Farkas winced as Tarrowlyn tapped him upside the head and he smiled unrepentantly.
“ Keep still would you?” she demanded.
“ I’m going to scout the area ahead. I won’t swear on it, but I think we might have to fend off a nest of spiders before we continue on.” Aela had noticed all the signs of the giant frostbite spiders being here.
Farkas paled a bit at the thought of the large eight legged beasts and he shivered a bit. “ I’m sorry…” he whispered.
“ For what?” Tarrowlyn asked. She came around the front to make sure everything else was fine and Farkas smiled a little ruefully.
“ This for starters, knowing that I don’t want to leave it here…” he whispered, closing the distance and kissing Tarrowlyn passionately. Farkas felt her hands come to rest on his chest as his fingers lightly caressed her warm cheek. The heat of her skin sank into his digits as his hand traveled to the riotous red locks that were battle mused and he felt Tarrowlyn hiss a bit from the chill they imparted.
“ There’s a mass of webbing that needs to be….” Aela began as she walked back to where Farkas and Tarrowlyn were. She trailed off as she looked to both of them, and a soft smile graced her face. Farkas had never been this solicitous with a woman, much less another companion. Twas beauty that tamed the beast? she pondered as she watched them. Farkas seemed as if he had no intentions on letting Tarrowlyn go any time soon.
“ Farkas…” Tarrowlyn whispered against his lips. “ This is hardly the time or place…” Her green eyes slowly opened to meet his and Farkas grinned a bit wolfishly at her. If he had been in his other form, his tail would easily be wagging at that moment.
“ So was Dustman’s Cairn.” He shot back playfully. Oh the blush that flooded her cheeks was well worth that comment.
“ What was that about Dustman’s Cairn?” Aela asked, laughing lowly at the looks that were shot her way. They hadn’t even noticed her?
“ Nothing Aela.” Tarrowlyn said hurriedly. “ What did you find?” She asked the other woman as she looked at Farkas again for a brief moment. Damn him for kissing her like that. All it had done was nearly divert her attentions. Tarrowlyn chided herself for giving into him so easily on the same note. She knew Farkas treated her differently, but she needed to know where they stood. Were they just lovers? Did he want more than this? What if they were to marry, what about the kids? Tarrowlyn’s mind was going a million miles a minute it seemed.
“ There’s some very thick webbing blocking the way and there are a whole bunch of hatched spider eggs in the next corridor. If I didn’t know any better, we’ve got a pretty hefty nest to clear out.” Aela said.
Farkas shook his head. “ Can I have a moment with her Aela?” he said honestly. He sighed in relief as Aela nodded and then went back the way she came. “ This is it for me.” he whispered. “ I’m not going any further. Ever since Dustman’s Cairn the big crawly ones have been too much for me…I…” Farkas shuddered visibly at the thought of how close he had been to being spider chow. He was still getting night terrors from that fight. The only time he had slept easy was when he and Tarrowlyn had been on their own at Lakeview. It had been because he was holding her, loving her...Her presence soothed him. “ I can’t fight them, Tarrowlyn. Even now I can hear my armor rattling.”
Tarrowlyn smiled sympathetically and she pulled a gauntlet off for a moment to stroke his cheek with her fingers. “ I understand Farkas. I hold no love for the eight legged varieties myself.” she replied. Just one more kiss...Just in case...she thought. Nothing was ever certain in life, nothing except death and taxes. And in Tarrowlyn’s opinion, love was now also on that list.
“ Say hi to Ysgramor for me.” Farkas dipped in one last time to kiss her and Tarrowlyn’s uncovered hand nestled itself in his hair as she pulled him closer. “ Be careful.”
“ I will, on both accounts. I’ll see you and Vilkas soon, Farkas.” Tarrowlyn replied as she began stepping away from him.

Vilkas looked up as Farkas joined him in the entry room. “ What’s the matter? Tunnel too small for you to fit through?” he teased. There had been many an occasion where Vilkas had been sent into a room because of his smaller build. It was odd that while he was the older brother, Farkas had the bigger build. Ah well. Vilkas knew that they complimented one another. Farkas was the brawn while he was the brains.
“ Worse….Spiders.” Farkas shuddered once more as he took a seat beside Vilkas. “ I’m going to ask Tarrowlyn if she wants to marry me.”
Vilkas smiled a little as he looked to his twin. “ You’re a lucky man, Farkas. Tarrowlyn and I grew quite close during your absence, not as close as the two of you are now of course, but I will admit I envy you. The dragonborn…” he whispered this last part in awe. “ She’s more than likely the most powerful nord in Skyrim, and you’ve bedded her at least once.”
“ More than that.” Farkas replied with a cheeky grin. “ She’s never been the dragonborn to me, Vilkas...She’s always been just Tarrowlyn. She could be the last of the Septim line and I would still love her. It’s not her title that makes her who she is. It’s that unbelievably big heart of hers.
" The name Dragonheart suits her, for maybe it’s not just the soul of a dragon that she has.” Vilkas joked.
“ Be careful how you say that with her around. I've watched her breath fire before.” Farkas said leaning next to his brother. “ Did you bring any ale?”
“ Yep. I’ve got the bottles chilling out in the snow at the moment. I knew I was going to be left waiting for a bit.” Vilkas replied.
“ Do you think she’ll say yes?” Farkas’ tone was a bit nervous and Vilkas clapped his brother on the shoulder.
“ What do you think?” he said encouragingly.

Tarrowlyn came through a secret passage by herself about an hour later, and she looked at the twins with a soft smile on her face. “ It’s done.” she said softly, wiping tears from her eyes. Kodlak had not blamed Tarrowlyn in the slightest for her late arrival to Jorrvaskr. That was soothing to her spirit.
Vilkas’ head fell forward as a few tears streaked his cheeks. Now the old man could have the afterlife he wanted in Sovngarde.
“ That’s not everything, is it Tarrowlyn?” Farkas asked her. Tarrowlyn looked as if she had something heavy weighing on her mind.
“ It’s nothing important, Farkas. I’m going to head home for a little while. And Vilkas, you’re welcome to join Farkas the next time he comes to visit.” Tarrowlyn replied, her tone light.
“ I’ll be sure to take you up on that offer then, little sister.” Vilkas replied with a sad smile. His eyes brightened as Tarrowlyn pulled Farkas down to her a bit roughly, her lips crashing against his possessively. Vilkas knew why she had done it too. She wanted to show both him and Farkas that she didn’t care who was present or if they knew. He soon heard the clank clank of plate boots making their exit and Vilkas looked at his brother expectantly. Farkas was watching her leave the room and Vilkas shook his head. “ What are you waiting for?”
“ To be honest? That perfect moment. I’ll know when to ask her.” Farkas replied breathlessly. Damn if he didn’t want to pin her down somewhere and have his way with her for that display though.

“ She didn’t say a word at all about it?! Are you certain?” Aela shouted, her tone baffled.
“ No, Tarrowlyn never said a single word about Kodlak naming her the new Harbinger. However, Farkas found his journal when we returned from Ysgramor’s tomb. He had been planning this a while it seems.” Vilkas replied. “ She needs to return to Whiterun and Jorrvaskr if that’s the case.”
“ You know it’s not that simple, Vilkas. She’s the dragonborn and as we all know, she's the only one who can put those things down for good. The only thing we can do is run things the way we always have. Besides Skjor, we were Kodlak’s most trusted and he turned to us to help him lead the rest of the companions. Just because Tarrowlyn is the new Harbinger doesn’t mean that has to change, especially with her constant travel needs.” Farkas countered from where he was leaning against one of the support pillars. “ If anything, having the Harbinger out in the field would bring more honor and glory to the Companions, and we may get even more of a surge of new recruits because of that.”
“ Like we need any more newbloods running around and causing problems.” Vilkas replied, his tone thoroughly annoyed. He was the one that always got stuck testing them. He had also been thinly hinting at Gemaine as well, that traitorous snake!
Farkas shrugged. He’d rather see Jorrvaskr see a surge of newcomers than none at all. “ Oh and Vilkas?”
“ Yes?”
“ I’ll be leaving to see Tarrowlyn in about two weeks. Be ready to go.” Farkas said cryptically.
“ Does she honestly have a good reason for all the secrecy?” Aela asked him. “ Surely she should know none of us would ever turn on her.
Farkas didn’t reply at first, but he looked to both Aela and Vilkas with a serious gleam in his eye. “ Would I be keeping this secret if I felt it wouldn’t result in any harm?” he asked finally.
Aela was floored by this question, and Vilkas’ eyes narrowed in thought. “ She’s protecting something, or someone, isn’t she brother?”
“ I won’t answer that right now.” Farkas replied, but both Aela and Vilkas knew that was an immediate yes. “ I’m going to head off for a bit. I’ll see you tonight!” he called over his shoulder.
" What could those two be hiding?" Aela whispered, her gaze locked onto where Farkas had just been standing.
Vilkas shook his head as well. " There's not telling, Aela." He responded exasperatedly. " Sooner or later the cat will be out of the bag, I'm sure."
The visit to Tarrowlyn’s home never came, as she had been summoned out into the Rift by Jarl Layla Lawgiver. This honestly put Farkas out; as well as Vilkas as he had been promised answers, and the twins were fairly glum for it. Farkas had been fully intending to ask Tarrowlyn to marry him during his next visit. Well, there was nothing for it now, he would have to wait until she returned.

End Book I
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Dragonheart: Rise of the Harbinger