Eyes Opened

The Knowledge of the Elders

Never in your life were you as glad to see your husband as right this moment. Vilkas was kneeling on the ground, huffing softly. These last 6 months took their toll on him, you knew. This last month and a half was the worst, you both having to descend into Blackreach in search of a scroll. Just getting through this period of your life without him would have been maddening. You both made your home in the dark caves, seeking much comfort in one another- though that was to your delight. He looked up into the sky, this was the first time either of you had seen the light of day in that last month. "Ya... know... I kinda miss the darkness..." The sun shined bright on the snow around you. regardless of how horrible that place was, no matter how unsafe you felt there part of you would miss it. It was the part of you that loved to look at your husband studying any kind of ruins in the land. You might actually have gone crazy without him. The elderscroll was under your arm, you were looking at him with a hefty smile on your lips.

"Not me. It was neat for a long time. Downright beautiful sitting with you looking at the glowing mushrooms, but... I missed the air up here. The lack of dwarven spiders and automatons." He chuckled, slowly standing up. "I will admit though- knowing that we were down there alone together was wonderful. Would have been better if I didn't have to cover your mouth so the Falmer didn't notice us." You both give each other a knowing smirk before shaking your head.

"Sorry. I know it's dangerous but do you know how hard it is not to make noise when it feels like that?" Cute. You could still make him blush. You start to chuckle, the man giving you a confused glance. "Oh... s- sorry. You're just cute when you blush. Since you're always so... 'grr I'm a companion!' I never get to see you like this." He walked to you, lightly laughing himself.

"Grr, I'm a companion? Is that how you really see me?"

"No, but it's hard to put how you are into an impersonation. I'm not so broody I'm sexy." She smirked a little.

"Broody?" He tilted his head. "I haven't been that way in over half a year. Sexy, you have." He gave you a little wink. Both of you stared at one another before laughing. Perhaps down there and locked up in the blades encampment- or looking for that kook had actually wore on you more than you knew. You both took a few deep breaths. "So next we have to go to the throat of the world, and read it at the time wound. Partharnax was clear about that, right?"

You nodded. "Yes. Strange how there is a dragon that sets me at ease." You offered him a soft smile. "But before then..." He raised his brow. "We're going home."

"Wait, back down there? But-"

You shook your head. "No, goofy! Home. I know we lived there for a while but I mean, Whiterun. Our bed. Our brother. Our Aela." You chuckled softly. "I miss them dearly." You paused, looking up into his eyes. "We need to rest, recharge ourselves. If I was alone that's where I would go next, unless I was crazy." You smiled placing a hand on his cheek. "If you took my advice... moved on past me. I would come back home, enjoy the time with them and watch you with your wife, hopefully able to smile for you."

"But I didn't. I'm too hard headed for that." He chuckled. "I'm glad to know I do have some of Farkas' traits. There's no use in wondering what if. I married you. I only ever wanted you." He smiled, wrapping his arms around you gently. You exchange a smile with him.

"Sorry it's just still hard to believe. I keep thinking what if... what if none of this is real, and I'm still down there searching for the elder scroll by myself and barely alive and clinging onto a dream of being with the only man I'll ever love?" He placed his hand on your neck, pushing your gaze up to him with a thumb under your chin.

"I'm here." He pulled you into his arms, your head lying on his chest. "I'm really here and I'm not going anywhere, ever. You're my world, the only time I've never felt alone has been when I'm with you." He leaned in giving you a deep kiss, even if it was brief. "I like the idea of going home. Clearly you need to be reminded of your actual life. Hero you are but you're a companion first. Your my companion. Everything is just easier with you. Even the problem I had with transformations."

Your lips pulled into a bright, toothy smile. Looking into his eyes. "Alright, then it's settled. We'll go home, relax a bit then head up to the throat of the world. I'm not sure how hard this will be from now on, after all we've just spent half a year searching for a scroll, what else could be harder?" He chuckled a little, looking into your eyes. "Ending the long war?" You both laughed together.