Gosh, I'm so sorry I haven't posted in awhile. I'd come up with some amazing excuse, but I don't have an amazing one. I was just working a lot and playing World of Warcraft. What can ya' do? -Cough.- It won't take nearly as long for me to post a new chapter, since the next one is over halfway done already.

Dawn of a New Day

Serana danced around merrily, her dress that had been intended to pool around her feet had been fluttering up in the air for the majority of the day as she twirled around, the bards amused at her energy as they continued to sing and play their instruments.

It was near the evening of the day of the summer festival and everyone in the quiet little village became quite lively. Shopkeepers were selling many varieties of mountain flowers, traveling merchants were currently set up in the center of the village with many types of exotic fruits and trinkets for purchase, and bards roamed the village singing tunes and causing people to dance and be merry on such a fine day.

Without a doubt it was Serana's favorite time of the year. She hated the bitter cold winters Skyrim faced every year, so she'd take any kind of warmer weather in an instant. The Nord also knew that it would continue to be her favorite time of the year once she met him. He was a noble from a distant village. He, quite literally, swept her off her feet. She'd been in her own little world as she danced when suddenly she felt a strong pair of arms lift her up and twirl her around. At first she thought it had been her father coming down from their vast castle to join in the festivities, but she should have known better, for her father had turned into quite the hermit.

Instead, she was met with a handsome Nordic man, perhaps a few years older than she. He had a smile that made her heart feel like the gelatin substance that she'd eaten at the exotic food stand earlier. He told her his name was Vanilkan from a distant land full of beautiful flowers and the most precious of stones, his family the wealthiest household there.

She ended up spending the rest of the evening with him. From that day and onward, a beautiful relationship bloomed. Her father approved of her new suitor, but her mother remained wary. It was quite unusual, seeing as how her mother was the one who harped on her over and over again to try and find a suitor, so to have her flat-out show rejection towards the man she had given her heart to was rather out of her character.

Unfortunately for her, she'd find out why her mother had this distrustfulness towards Vanilkan.

The day her life ended was the day she had realized that she'd fallen head-over-heels in obsessive love with this man. She'd turned twenty-one that morning and her parents threw the most magnificent of balls. Many friends from many different villages came to join in on the celebration.

Her mother, Valerica, had spoken fondly of her choosing a suitor for marriage this day; ignoring Vanilkan whom had just walked through the entrance. As tradition goes, most Nords marry young, normally around their sixteenth of seventeenth year. Serana found it utterly shocking when her mother told her that some girls plan their marriage at fourteen and end up getting married at the young age of fifteen. Valerica knew her daughter was a free spirit and had avoided making her choose someone so soon in her life and had convinced Harkon to let her choose on the day she reached twenty-one years.

The choice was obvious. Or at least to Serana. Her mother, however, freely spoke of how she did not approve. Serana knew she never approved, but to have her finally say it on the day she was meant to choose was beyond hurtful.

The party continued, despite Serana's absence, having sneaked to find her beloved whom had disappeared once night had fallen.

It was strange. Vanilkan loved nights, so why tonight of all nights did he decide to leave? And without a word to her? Serana fumed as her mind drifted to the idea that her mother may have spoken to him.

Serana had bundled up, for the nights were quite chilly in Skyrim. She rubbed her nose as the cold air nipped at the pointed tip. Her eyes drifted up towards the bright, full moons. Normally nights as bright as this calmed her, but for reasons unknown, she found it to be eerie to have such light radiating from such large objects. Secunda and Masser had never been more discomforting.

Despite her rush to find her dear Vanilkan, she found herself moving at a relatively slow pace. When she asked a few villagers if they'd seen him, they responded that they last seen him traveling down the wooded path leading to the forest.

Something was not right. Serana could feel it within her frozen bones.

When she found him, it was not the fairy tale ending she had hoped for and expected. He was hunched over beside an ancient pine, his nails making deep clawmarks deep within the trunk. She started to approach him, but froze in her tracks when she seen what exactly he was hunched over. The body of what she assumed used to be a bosmer lay before him, scarred and ripped to almost no recognition. Her pulse quickened when Vanilkan turned to face her, his mouth smeared with the fresh blood of the aforementioned wood elf. His eyes were not one of compassion as they were mere hours ago. Instead they were a bright yellow that held a feral look.

Within moments, his skin changed from his former pale tone to a dirty brown; fur protruding from his flesh. His nose became elongated and a growl escaped his maw. Soon he was standing in front of the nord, her Vanilkan. A snarling beast.

A werewolf.

She took one step back and that was all it took. He leaped towards her, barely missing her as Serana took off deeper into the woods. She cried out as his claws sunk into her cloak, ripping it from her neck. Thankfully it distracted the beast and she got even further away as he helplessly tore through the fabric of the hood and cloak that once shielded her from the cold.

Would it have been smart to head towards the village? Most likely, but Serana would feel awful sending the beast into the village. What if he harmed, or even worse, killed those innocent people? Serana shuddered and continued running deeper into the woods, where the light of the moon could not penetrate through the dense branches of the pines.

She stopped for a moment to catch her breath, her body secured against a tree as she glanced behind her for any glimpse at all of the werewolf. She was relieved to not see him, but his howl in the distance made her tense up. She cursed at herself for not equipping her dagger, but the heated argument she had with her mother before leaving made any logic at all escape her.

But she could not run forever. She would have to fight.

She searched the forest floor until she found a stick, just sharp enough to harm the beast. As much as she didn't want to harm Vanilkin, she knew she had no choice in the matter. She clenched her hand tightly around the stick and held her ground as she heard him rustling through the bushes and stepping over branches from the few decaying trees. She turned just in time to see him leaping at her at a high speed, her instinct telling her to slash at the beast with the stick, successfully cutting at the flesh of his stomach. He bled, but not much. In fact, it seemed to only make the beast angrier.

Serana was no stranger when it came to fighting, for her father taught her everything he knew from a young age. But when it came to a woman fighting off a werewolf with nothing but a stick, chances of success were not favorable, nor on her side.

It was unexpected when the wolf pinned her down and onto the forest floor, her stick thrown off to the side. She clenched her eyes tightly, her fear of death making her act cowardly, for if she were to die, she did not want to die facing her killer.

However, as she laid there waiting for that killing blow, it never came. At this point, her curiosity got the better of her as her eyes fluttered open to see the werewolf staring down at her, not as if she were something to eat, but as if he were deciding if she were more important to him then to simply be a midnight snack. Then his eyes, his beautiful blue eyes, had shown themselves. He was her beloved once more. His form remained that of a wolf, but his hesitation and the changing color of his hues reminded her that he was still her Vanilkan.

"V-vanilkan..?" Those were the last words she spoke to him. She heard a rustle in the distance and his once blue eyes became feral once more, it all happening so fast that Serana wondered if she'd imagined it.

An arrow came out of nowhere and struck him right in the chest, the werewolf crying out in pain as he leaped off her. Just as she thought he was going to run away in fear, he charged at her once more as if he thought she was the one who shot the arrow. Before he got close, another arrow appeared out of nowhere, but this time it went straight through his heart.

Time stood still for Serana as the wolf landed to the ground with a thud, his body letting one last whimper escape. His pale skin replaced fur and once again he was her Vanilkan and not a beast. Serana let out a choked up sob, but couldn't find herself to go near him. Instead she pathetically remained on the cold, hard forest floor scooting her body away from his.

Warm, familiar arms found their way around her shoulders as she was helped up. She turned to find her mother, a bow slung over her shoulder, tears staining her mothers perfect porcelain face. In a moment of relief, she slung her arms around her mother and let her own tears cascade down her cheeks.

Serana and Valerica traveled home that night and she had explained everything to Serana. Her suspicions and why she continued to dwell on them until she was sure he was indeed a beast. Her mother hadn't wanted to betray her daughters trust and announce what she suspected him of being before she, herself, were positively correct. So when she rushed out into the cold, Valerica had followed. Serana realized that day that her mother cared far more for her than she had been led to believe, even risking her own life to follow her into the woods.

When Serana mentioned the last look Vanilkan had given her, her mother shook her head.

"They are nothing more than beasts." She had said.

Nothing more than beasts. Nothing more than beasts, but there was so much sorrow, regret, and even love in his eyes.

"Hello?" Serana shook her head as she woke up from her daydream, Caterina waving her hand in front of her face. "Would you please pass the gravy before my potatoes get cold?"

Jorrvaskr was bustling with chatting and the sound of dishes clinking together, all members of the Companions gathered around the table for their evening meal. Serana realized that she must have been in deep thought for longer than she originally realized. She looked to her breton friend and shook her head slightly before reaching for the bowl she had requested.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I was just," She glanced over to Farkas who was sitting to the left of her. "... thinking."

"Thinking, hm?" Caterina took the bowl of gravy from Serana. "You were in your own world."

Caterina began to drown her potatoes in gravy which gave Serana a bit more time to recollect all the events that had happened in her short twenty-one years of her life. Literal life, for her family decided to dwell in unholy matters after that event. She fell in love with a werewolf who had no control over his beast side. Then her parents turn to Molag Bal for more guidance, hence the vampirism. The entire process was degrading, but Serana wouldn't dare take it back. She'd feel too exposed without her fangs.

Serana didn't have a plate in front of her, for she was in no mood to eat. She'd go out hunting later anyway which was much more satisfying than food that the living typically ate. She rested her elbow on the table, her head tilting to look at Farkas. Werewolves were bad. Werewolves were something she'd never had an issue with killing after Vanilkan. But were all of them bad?

Nothing more than beasts. Her mother's words always rang through her head whenever she looked at Farkas. Hell, any of them in this hall for that matter.

Yet Serana couldn't help the fluttering feeling inside her stomach whenever she was around the big brute. Farkas didn't seem like the type of person to hurt a fly. He seemed too sweet to be a werewolf. Then again, she seen his strength and how he flung that Silver Hand member clear across the room. But on the positive side, she'd probably be dead if Farkas hadn't been there. Sure she could take on a few people by herself, but eleven or twelve? That would have been a slight challenge that could have put both her and Caterina in danger. Not even Bran would have been able to take on so many.

She sighed as she broke out of her thoughts, the sound making Farkas look to the vampire with a curiosity. If she were still alive, her cheeks would have surely been bright red as she realized that the reason he began staring at her was because he noticed that she was, in fact, staring at him. She quickly averted her gaze, jumping slightly when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Hey. Are you okay?" Caterina placed her fork down as she looked at the vampire with genuine concern. "You seem.. really out of it."

"I'm okay." Serana smiled. "Really! I am!" Her fake enthusiasm was probably over the top, for the breton couldn't help but chuckle and reach for another potato. Sometimes Serana wondered where she put it all.

"Sure you don't want any food?"

"We just ate a few hours ago at the inn." She gave her a sideways look. "Did you forget?"

"Well I'm hungry again." She grinned. "I'll eat for the both of us, then."

"You're a bottomless pit." Serana shook her head in disbelief and watched as she stuffed another bite of potato into her maw.

"Maybe I am."

It had been just an hour since the ceremony had taken place. Serana and Caterina were now full members of the Companions, thanks to him and Vilkas. The ceremony only took about fifteen minutes, which was probably a good thing. Farkas didn't know if he could stand in one place for so long while he listened to Kodlak giving an even longer speech. He loved the old man, but he's quite sure he'd fall asleep listening to him for so long.

The dinner was fantastic after the ceremony. Tilma and the rest of the servants did good that evening. So many potatoes and mammoth steak. Farkas felt like he was going to explode with anticipation when he walked through the door and smelt the food. He and Caterina, he noted, wasted no time in sitting down and munching on the food. He'd have to make sure to get his share before that girl in the future. For being a breton, she sure could eat. If she wasn't an active woman, he was sure she'd be about as big as a horker. He chuckled at the thought.

After a few moments of eating, he took notice of Serana looking him straight in the face as he ate. He didn't mind it, but it made him feel bad. She didn't eat much at the Bannered Mare. What if she was hungry? Noticing his awareness, she quickly turned away. Farkas smiled fondly at the woman before turning to Vilkas, who sat on his left.

"So what do you think of the food?"

"Kind of bland, but I just got done eating potatoes and crab legs, so I can't really judge." Vilkas only had a sliver of potato and a small chunk of bread on his plate. He didn't appear to be too excited about the dinner or the ceremony. Instead, all his attention was on Aela and Skjor on the other side of the table; the two talking and looking occasionally at the vampire. Given the chance, he was sure both Skjor and Aela would like the two new members, but they didn't really talk much to them. It did strike him as unusual, but maybe it was just none of his business.

"Hellooooooooooooooo new faces." Athis leaned on the table in front of Caterina and Serana, the mug in his hand tilting so bad that its contents splashed every which way onto the table in front of the vampire, the latter of which was giving the man death glares.

"Oh. Someone has an attitude." He leaned forward, just a mere few inches away from Serana's face. "I like my women tall. I'd love to get to know you better."

"So sad for you that I prefer my men tall and not short." She remarked, a snarky smirk crossing her features.

"Oh, my poor aching heart." The dunmer stood and placed a hand on his heart as if an arrow had pierced him straight in the center. He almost fell over, but caught himself on the table. He hiccuped and took another swig of his mead. Torvar, Ria, and Njada laughed at the silly elf's antics while Vilkas just rolled his eyes and continued to munch on his bread.

"I don't believe we've been properly introduced." Caterina held out her hand from across the table, much to Athis' surprise. Instead of shaking it, he gave her hand a swift kiss. Caterina laughed and tugged her hand away from him and they began to form a conversation. What of? Farkas had no idea, for his attention was now on his brother who had curiously enough began looking in the direction of Athis and Caterina. It was strange that his brother hadn't paid anyone a single ounce of attention tonight, save for that exact moment.

Farkas smiled to himself. Perhaps Vilkas had a crush. Oh, wouldn't that be something. Vilkas falling for the vampire's sidekick; a vampire hunter no less. Farkas being Farkas had to ask.

"So when are you going to court her?" Farkas leaned forward to block his brothers view of the duo.

"What are you talking about?" He scowled, a look of annoyance on his face.

"You and Cat. You show signs of jealousy."

"I-I do not show any sort of signs of jealousy." Vilkas grumbled, his voice as low as he could get it. "Besides, Athis flirts with all the women in the Companions. It never does any good."

"So you admit you like her?"

"Farkas, we've only known each other for two days."

"Yeah?"

"You can't fall in love with someone in two days."

"How do you know if it's never happened to you?"

"Because I.. wait what?"

"Never mind."

"Farkas, just." Vilkas rubbed his temples. "Please don't bring that up ever again. If I wanted to court someone, I would. You'd know it first, trust me."

Vilkas tried to keep his voice down as much as he possibly could, but he got the feeling that Serana heard every word, for a smile appeared on her face that was much brighter than any smile he'd ever seen. It put him on edge, but it did confirm his suspicions when she leaned over him to whisper something that made him and his brother both crack a smile.

"I don't think she's into mutts."

Vilkas discarded his armor on the floor of his room, relieved to be rid of the heavy plate for the time being and settled into his tunic. He got ready to retire for the night when he heard a growl of pain. Kodlak. He knew the old man had been having problems lately, which was quite evident when he had went to his chambers without showing interest in his dinner. The pains you got even when you weren't transforming were unbelievably excruciating.

He yanked open the door and began his search for the old man. Fortunately he was seated at the small table right outside his chambers, but he was not alone. Caterina was looming over the seated Kodlak, all her focus on a particular spot on his shoulder. Thinking swiftly, he slid behind the nearest door-frame.

"Well you have a huge knot right here." She poked at a particular spot and he grunted slightly. "See? Now I suggest you go to see one of the priests tomorrow morning."

"I appreciate your concern, girl, but really. I'm fine. Just a cramp in the arm." He laughed merrily at the breton.

"Are you sure, Mr. Kodlak?"

"Kodlak is fine, dear." He stood and patted her on the head. "Mr. Kodlak makes me sounds old, eh?"

"I suppose." She grinned. "But it makes you sound more professional."

Vilkas made himself known when Kodlak returned to his room, standing in front of the doorway to the open area of the main chamber room. Caterina turned and clumsily ran into the tall nord.

"Oof." She backed up and cleared her throat as an attempt to erase her embarrassment. Or at least that's what Vilkas assumed. He smiled sleepily at the breton.

"You know, I don't understand how on Nirn you manage to live through the things you encounter." She looked at him and scoffed.

"Why do you never have anything nice to say to me?"

"Why do you never have anything nice to say to me?" He countered.

He was sure their nitpicking would have led to a full blown argument had he not doubled over in pain at that exact moment. He fell to his knees as an agonizing pain shot through his stomach, his beast trying so hard to escape. Her open mouth shut so hard that he swore he heard her teeth click together, her jaw snapping in place. He expected the girl to run past him to get her vampire friend or to simply leave him be, but she did something quite unexpected.

Bending down to rest her body on her knees, she gripped his shoulders with firm hands and assisted in tugging him up.

"L-look." She stuttered as she struggled to assist him. "I'm not having you change right here. Just stand up. Please."

"I'm not going to change, you stupid girl." He spat at her. In truth he didn't know how to react to someone physically touching him during that moment in time. He glared down at the girl when he stood back up, the pains dissolving upon her touch. She gave him an equally as menacing glare before pushing past him to make her way to her rest area.

No words were needed.

Vilkas found himself infuriated for showing that side of himself to her. Infuriated that she wanted to help him in her own unique way. Infuriated that, despite him being half beast, she had shown no fear in him. Infuriated that his heart skipped a couple beats during the time of her attempted assistance.

He heard a noise and glanced over to Kodlak's door, the old man leaning against the frame with a wide smile, arms crossed. Vilkas turned and walked back towards his chambers, no words uttered from either beings.

Damn that girl!