Maris' disappearance had left a void in vilkas that he had never completely gotten over. But, as you do, he went on with things and he was happy for the most part but there was always they nagging feeling in the back of his head that it would be better if Maris was there.

It was just after Tamriel had been hit with the tragic news that the Emperor had been assassinated by the black hand. Vilkas had found himself in bandit hideout In the hills near dawnstar and he had gone pretty deep. There was Intel that this was a splinter of the silver hand and that they had fragments of wuuthrad. He hadn't brought a shield sibling. He was always a line wolf a and he could handle a few bandits.

Vilkas had cleared the final room and there was only one bandit between him and the fragments. Though he had managed to catch Vilkas off guard.  He fell backwards. He hit the ground harshly, dropping his sword. He groaned and went to sit up but the Bandit already had her sword to his throat.
"Aww, poor little wolf." She hissed. "Regretting coming alone are we?"
Vilkas winced as the tip of the sword dug into his neck.
"Who said he came alone?" Came a voice that seemed to come from everywhere.  Vilkas opened one eye hesitantly.

Suddenly a hooded woman appeared, as if from no where. The bandit turned in surprise only to be met by a hand the throat. The hooded woman yanked her aside by the hair and buried her teeth into the bandits neck. She let out a piercing cry that died into a gurgled bloody scream. Vilkas could only watch in horror as the bandit began to fall limp. She dropped her weapon wich fell to the floor with a deafening clatter. She grew silent and collapsed into a heap on the floor.

Vilkas stared unblinking at the woman in the cloak. She was covered in the bandits blood, her sharp fangs stained red. She wore black and red armor and her hood covered most of her face. She pulled down her hood and put her hand out. Vilkas found himself looking up into the most beautiful blue eyes he had ever seen. Her unbelievably long, pure white hairfell and curled round  her shoulders. He went to speak but it simply cane out in a jumble of spluttered nonsense. It couldn't be... but it has to be... but...
"The names Maris, your's?" She smiled... It was... but why did she not recognize him? Was it the dim light? The age? She still seemed young, far too young to say that there where only 4 or 5 years between them but those fangs... being a vampire would explain that.
"V-vilkas..." Hemuttered, hoping that he would see a glimmer of recognition in her eyes but nothing... maybe she had just forgotten about him...
" Come on, I won't bite... not you at least." She smirked, thrusting her hand out further. Vilkas took it and Maris helped him to his feet.
"So,  what are you doing in a place like this?" She asked.
"Well... I'm a companion..." Hemuttered coldly. How could she forget? She promised she wouldn't.
"Oh, I've heard if you companions." She shrugged.
"Really?" Vilkas asked hopefully.
"Yea, friend of mine mentioned it once ortwice." She said waving a dismissive hand andturning away.
"So... um... Maris... why are you here?" Vilkas asked, scowling.
"Meh, got hungry." She stated.
"Your a vampire then?" Vilkas asked, though alreadyassumed the answer was yes.
"What gave it away?" She grinned  showing her shining fangs. "Don't worry I'm not dome kind of monster that snatches children from their beds, i'm nice."
"So... New to skyrim?" Vilkas asked.
"Yea, arrived a little wile back." She shrugged.
"Ah... I see... well... I've got a job to be doing..." Vilkas mumbled.
"Need any help?" Maris asked.
"There isn't much to help with but you can come along if you really want too..." Vilkas said, setting of towards the final room where the fragments where.
"What are the companions like then?" Maris asked, following silently behind Vilkas. If she wasn't talking then he would have doubted she was  even there.
"I guess you could say we were like Mercenary." Vilkas said.
"Hmm... I might have to look into it..."