Chapter Text
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It took Aeilif a moment to remember where she was when she woke up. She could barely remember the previous evening. Had she fallen asleep right at the table? Yes, and then Aela had shown her downstairs to a room and she had fallen asleep before she hit the pillow of the bed.
She could see now that the room around her was filled with beds, now all empty. Each bed had a small nightstand next to it, and there were washbasins and mirrors towards the edges of the room. This must be where the newer members slept. She vaguely remembered Aela saying something about that before she fell asleep.
There was some light conversation coming from above, and the remnants of an absolutely delectable smell. Judging by the volume compared to that of the meal the previous evening, breakfast was long over. She hoped there was still some food left on the table. How long had it been since she slept in a bed? First Seed? Either way, she felt better rested now than she had for a long time. She splashed her face in the washbasin, taking a quick glance at her face. Divines, maybe that was a mistake. She looked haggard. She scrubbed a bit harder at the dirt.
Once Aeilif had finished washing, she gathered her few belongings. Only the axe, and the small purse from Gerdur with a few septims. It was a harsh reminder of the position she was now in. Her traveling pack, weapons, money, supplies were all long gone. She would have to find a way to rebuild. She sighed deeply and started up the stairs. Of course, now she would need to decide where to head next—
“Ah! New blood. I thought you would sleep all day.” Vilkas appeared rather suddenly at the top of the stairs, holding a sword out to her. “Come on. Let’s see what you got.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“You really expect to join our ranks without proving yourself? Come out in the yard, show me what you can do with a blade.”
“I hadn’t really intended to—” Aeilif started, but Vilkas was pushing her towards the back door of Jorrvaskr. Had she agreed to join the evening before??
She found herself standing in a small courtyard, clearly a training area. There was a pleasant shade area with picnic tables, and multiple well-used training dummies and archery targets against the back wall.
Vilkas stood across from her expectantly, waiting with sword in hand.
“Come on, then. I would have killed you by now.”
Aeilif sighed and readied the sword she had been given. The steel shone in the morning sunlight, and the handle felt exceptionally balanced. Much better than the cheap sword she had owned previously. She aimed a few strikes at Vilkas’s armor. He took a step backwards, eyebrows raised.
“Not bad. Not bad at all. No need to take my head off, there. Your form needs some work but I can tell you have some experience. How did you learn your craft?”
“Been doing some mercenary work for the past few months.” Aeilif dropped her gaze, suddenly uncomfortable. “Nothing important.” She felt suddenly wary and distrustful. She’d only known these people for a few short hours, aside from rumors and stories. This all felt very sudden. What was she doing here?
“Well, I’ll certainly put a good word in for you with the old man. You’ll have to go talk to him before you can officially join,” Vilkas replied. “Here, take that to Eorlund to be sharpened, why don’t you? His forge is up above, to the left. Then come back down to the living quarters. That’s where Kodlak will be.” He turned and walked back into Jorrvaskr.
Aeilif stared for a second at the sword. She hadn’t really intended to stay here, much less join the Companions. But perhaps it wasn’t such a bad idea. She could make some more money, and at least have a stable place to live. Hit the road again when she was back on her feet. She shrugged to herself and carried the sword up the stairs where Vilkas had directed.
At the top of the stairs was the largest forge Aeilif had ever seen, and at it stood who she assumed to be Eorlund Graymane. He turned when he heard her approach.
“Ah, you must be the new blood,” he greeted her. “I see Vilkas has you running errands. Don’t let them boss you around too much. Nobody is in charge of anybody in the Companions.”
“Isn’t Kodlak in charge?”
“No, not really. The Harbinger is more of an advisor. But if you’re headed back down, could you bring this shield to Aela?”
“I thought you told me—nevermind. Sure.” Aeilif shrugged and picked up the shield. Eorlund grunted and turned back to the forge.
“Ah, there you are,” Aela said when she came back into Jorrvaskr. “Ah, you got my shield from Eorlund. Thanks.”
“Sure, no problem.”
“Now, you already spent the night, but let’s get you settled in for real,” Aela continued. “Hey. hey, ice-brain! Over here! Come meet the new blood!” she hollered across the hall.
The man who looked like a bit larger version of Vilkas stamped across the room. “Oh? New blood?”
“Yeah. this is Aeilif. She’s our visitor from last night. Vilkas says she has a decent arm.”
“Hi Aeilif!” The man flashed her a wide grin. “Good to see a new face around here. I’m Farkas.” He reached his arm out and shook her hand so hard she thought her arm would fall off.
“Thanks. Pleasure to meet you,” Aeilif gasped.
“Let me show you around and introduce you to everyone,” Farkas said, motioning for her to follow him down the stairs.
The next half hour or so Aeilif found herself meeting the other newer members (“whelps”, farkas called them), learning her way around the hall, listening to his excited ramble about it and stories of each of the members. She learned that he was Vilkas’s twin brother, and that they’d been brought to Jorrvaskr when they were very young. In fact, most of the members she talked to mentioned that they’d lost something in the lives they’d had before which led them to the Companions. At least these folks seemed to fit her own situation. She told them very little about herself, only that she was from Riverwood and that she had been traveling the past few months.
The living quarters as a whole were tidy, but very much lived in. Despite the warriors coming in and out, the floor was swept spotless, and there were always snacks in bowls on the tables. Aeilif noticed signs of individuality even in the whelps’ common area; a book on a bed, an old blanket, a half eaten loaf of bread on someone else’s. She glanced at the bed she’d slept in the night before, with the ruined axe sticking out from under it.
When he showed her where Kodlak Whitemane’s quarters were, they heard a voice from inside.
“Farkas, are you with our newcomer? Do come in.”
“Yeah, I am.” Farkas pushed the door open and held it for Aeilif.
Kodlak was at a small table with Vilkas, who had his arms crossed and glowered at her. She hesitated slightly. Kodlak motioned her forward. “It’s alright, Vilkas. Come here now, let me have a look at you.”
Aeilif stepped in front of the older man. He looked at, and then stared at her intensely. His eyes were piercing, and she felt suddenly uncomfortable, as if he could see into the very core of her being.
“Ah. You’ve got a good heart, child. Fiery, motivated. And quite a fighter, aren’t you? Yes, you are welcome here. What is your name?”
“Aeilif—sir.”
Vilkas scoffed, but Kodlak just smiled. “That’s Kodlak to you. Aeilif, we will be honored to have you as a companion, once you’ve been through initiation. You go finish your tour now, but my office is open if ever you need anything.”
Aeilif thanked the older man before Farkas led her down another hallway. The conversation had been brief, but it stuck with her as they went through the last few rooms.
Just as they were ready to round the corner back to the whelps’ corner, Farkas called to an elderly lady in the corner.
“Hey Tilma, wanna meet our newest whelp?”
“Yes, Farkas, one moment.” Tilma set down her broom and brushed her hands off on her apron. She turned to Aeilif with a smile. “I’m Tilma. I’ve been tending to the warriors of Jorrvaskr for as long as I can remember. What’s your name, dear?”
“Aeilif. Nice to meet you. I enjoyed your food last night.” Aeilif smiled slightly.
“Good. You eat as much as you need now, alright? You look like you could use it. And let me know if you need anything.”
“Thank you, Tilma.”
“Of course. No, you’ve already had six today.” Like lightning, Tilma whirled around and smacked Farkas’s hand as he reached for a sweet roll off of a nearby plate. “Share, for goodness’ sake.”
“Aw, you’re no fun. Yes ma’am,” Farkas sulked. “We gotta finish up anyways. Bye, Tilma.”
“See you two at dinner. Don’t be late.”
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When the tour came to an end, Aeilif sat down on the edge of the bed that was now hers and looked around.
“Well? What do you think?” Asked Farkas.
“This seems like a good place,” she answered. “Thank you for accepting me. And for the tour.”
“Of course. You got any other questions or anything?”
Aeilif shrugged. “Well… what do I get started on?”
“Well, actually, we do have something that needs done. Right here in the hold. A few bandits,” Farkas explained. “You up for it?”
Bandits? She’d dealt with bandits before. Aeilif shrugged. “Sure.”
“Here’s a slip with the details.” Farkas reached into his pocket handed her a missive. “Pretty straight forward. Just go take care of the problem, let me know when you’re done, and I’ll get the paperwork taken care of. Make sense?”
“Makes sense.” Aeilif scanned the slip before putting it away.
“Great! I’m around if you need anything. Good to meet you.”
“Thanks, Farkas. Good to meet you too.” Aeilif watched him walk away with a wave.
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