Notice: This is a continuation to the story "Something To Fight For" my first story. If you know the Skyrim/Dawngaurd story than don't worry, it should be fairly easy to follow along the story. Read on.
Whiterun has fallen
Those were the words he had told her anyways. The days were growing cold as the orange leaves began changing, meaning the nights would come sooner. Hunting would soon be scarce and the woods surrounding Falkreath would soon to be invaded by hunters hoping to obtain meats and furs for the coming winter. Deliveries of mead were shipped across Skyrim as its' contents became ever more popular in the coming winter. It all seemed almost unnoticeable from inside the manor, most of which was just conversation brought in from Lydia as she spoke to her thane.
Serana sat in the library, staring at the pages of a book she knew nothing about, lost in thought. Just the thought of Lydia brought annoyance to her, but even her company would be better than this. It had been weeks since Lydia left with him to Solitude. She was promised it would only be a few days, that's what every letter she'd received from him up to this point had said anyways. She looked up, sighing as she looked out the snow covered window to see it was only late afternoon. Serana glanced down as she heard a small exhale to see Gnaw roll onto it's back as he stretched before settling into a comfortable position. Serana stared down at him for a moment before tearing her gaze away and standing, trying not to think about the one she truly missed.
Serana stretched her arms up for a moment, her hood falling over her head as she did. She walked out of the room and into the main hall where she ascended the steps to her room which was built in for her between him and Lydia's separate bedrooms. It broke off from the others in which it was made from a darker red wood as well as a decorated alchemy lab with ingredients covering most of the space on every shelf and table. She never had cleaned it after the first day as it always had reminded her of her mother, especially since most of it was brought from her laboratory. As Serana began gathering ingredients for another experiment, her thoughts went back to the past months. The days he would unexpectedly drop an endless assortment of ingredients in her room, the way he never tired of her company, the nights they would...Serana glanced down at her hands and noticed she had cut herself on one of the thistles. As she sighed, turning to grab a cloth, she wondered what he was doing at this exact moment.
Solitude Forest
"It's really not your faults, it's just...you caught me in a bad mood" Arthius said as he yanked his Daedric sword from the corpse of a bandit, taking in a deep breath as he felt his cuts heal from the enchanted weapon. The shadow that covered his body disappeared as the last enemy was slain, revealing his face as well as the black and blue armor that now covered him. He stood from his kneeling position, sighing and watching his breath in the cold winter night, the moonlight barely peering through the woods. The shadow nearby giggled as Arthius turned to him, pushing himself from the tree he was just leaning against.
"All done, Listener?" He giggled once more before clapping his hands in excitement. Arthius smiled as he put his sword away as he walked towards the figure, still unable to resist that contagious giggle.
"Yes, now back to our conversation we were having"Arthius said.
"Oooh, of course my dear Listener, what would you ever have of poor old Cicero?" Cicero replied, slightly bowing as he did. Arthius contained his chuckle towards the homicidal jester.
"Now, what were you doing in Solitude?" Arthius asked as he crossed his arms, getting a bit more serious. Cicero smiled a bit wider putting his hand up to his mouth as if to conceal another giggle, although it had never stopped him before. Arthius kept his cold stare on Cicero for a few more moments before Cicero's wide grin went down to a small smile.
"Well, if you must know-"
"I must" Arthius quickly responded.
"Well then Lissssstener, if you must know then let me graciously explain. You see, with all the fun that's been going on with Whiterun and what not, more and more people want more and more other people to go away and Cicero is so ever happy to do it" Cicero giggled as he played with his dagger that he pulled out without Arthius' knowledge.
"Why haven't I heard about this?" Arthius said as he crossed his arms.
"All contracts go through me first, that's how it's always been"
"Oh oh ooooh, Listener. Our poor poor mother has tried again and again and again to contact you, but with all that you're doing, you barely have time for us anymore, and dear Cicero gets lonely. So our wonderful Night mother came up with the splendid idea that we carry contracts without you seeing them first, everybody wins!" Cicero squealed, doing a little dance as he did.
"The night mother only speaks to me, Cicero" Arthius said. Cicero paused for a moment before looking up at him with his smile frozen on his face.
"Cicero can feel it, she can't tell Cicero but Cicero can feel what our lady is feeling...what she's thinking" Cicero smiled.
"If you don't believe oh so faithful Cicero, why not ask the night mother yourself? Until then my dear Listener, Cicero's blade cries out, begs for more as the night mother demands it. Farewell" Cicero said with a giggle before bouncing into the darkness.
Arthius watched the jester disappear into the woods, unsure of what his intentions truly were. Cicero's loyalty to the night mother was unquestionable, but his loyalty to the listener has always been on unsturdy grounds to him. He pondered the result of the night mother turning her back on him many times before, but it seems it may be happening after all. Arthius sighed at the thought of Cicero choosing between them, although he had a good idea of who he would end up siding with. After a few more moments, Arthius turned and began his walk back to Solitude, not bothering to summon Arvak.
Proudspire Manor, Solitude
"Well...I'm not making a move without the Harbinger's consent" Vilkas spoke, crossing his arms with authority. He sat at the dining table along with Farkas, Aela,Agmaer, Lydia, and Jordis.
"We're not suggesting such a thing, we're simply stating the obvious. We need to aid the empire, Whiterun is in shambles and we can't just let Ulfric keep control." Lydia spoke.
"The companions have not sided in the war and we don't plan to do so, that's how it's been and that's how it's going to stay" Aela spoke.
"So what, you plan to just let your hall go to waste, or be pilfered by that tyrant?"
"Oh, don't worry, we'll be taking back our home no matter who's in control. What we're saying is that we won't be doing it for anyone else besides the Companions. That said, we're not making any moves until we receive the approval from the Harbinger" Farkas said.
"I agree, although the condition of Whiterun is of great concern, we need someone Ulfric might listen to, and the heroic legend of the nordic lands is probably one of them" Agmaer said. A hush fell over the room as the doors of the manor were opened with the following of footsteps. Jordis sprang from her seat and rushed to the front of the manor to properly greet her thane.
"G-greetings my thane, how are you? May I get you something? We- I forgot to gather supplies but I can run down to the market, or perhaps there's something from the tavern I can-" Jordis was cut off as Arthius walked by, patting her on the top of her head as he did. She watched him pass by for a moment before sighing and sitting down in a nearby chair. Arthius walked into the dining room, wiping his face as he did before looking up at the group staring at him. Arthius sighed as he put down his shield and pulled out a chair.
"Good, you've returned from your walk, now we can discuss-" Lydia began.
"Hey, Arthius, Vilkas and I were about to head down to the Winking Skeever, you feel like tagging along?" Farkas spoke up.
"Yes, that sounds pretty good right now" Arthius said before pushing himself up out of his seat.
"But- Arthius, we still need to-" Lydia began once more.
"Be sure to watch after the manor while we're gone Lydia" Arthius called back as he and the twins walked towards the door.
"But- my Thane-" Lydia began again.
"Jordis" Arthius called. Jordis' head shot up at this, quickly standing up at attention.
"Yes my thane, whatever duty you bestow on me, I will follow through without any-"
"Would you like to join us?" Arthius said as he opened the door, the twins walking through. Jordis paused for a moment, blinking at her Thane before slowly nodding.
"If...that's what you wish. I'll follow your lead" Jordis said as she hesitantly grabbed her shield.
"Great to hear. Agmaer, if anything comes up don't hesitate to send word" Arthius called out with a more serious tone. Agmaer chuckled as he slowly rose from his seat.
"I don't remember having to take orders from you Arthius, last I remember we both lead the attack on Castle Volkihar" Agmaer spoke as he turned the corner to see Arthius off.
"Last I remember you had to be spoon fed for a week afterwards by Torvar" Arthius said, barely able to finish his words as they both broke into laughter. Agmaer wiped his brow as he laughed, moaning at the dreaded memories of the drunk bastard spilling hot soup so many times.
"I-I'm pretty sure you had more bandages leaving than when you arrived at Jorrvaskr" Arthius said. Causing Agmaer curse loudly as he held his side. After a few moments and more than a few shots of annoyed glances from both Lydia and Aela, the two finished.
"If anything comes up, you'll be the first to know" Agmaer said. Arthius nodded with a smile before turning to the waiting Jordis outside, closing the manor doors behind him. After a few moments, Lydia sighed before walking back up to the dining area where Aela remained.
"I can't believe him, Whiterun, the place where we had our beginnings has fallen and he acts like...that" Lydia said. Aela shot her a glance before slowly rising to her feet.
"Explain to me how that's out of character of him" Aela spoke.
"Fair enough"
"Either way, think of our Harbinger how you may, but even you understand that hes capable of more than any man we know of" Aela spoke. Lydia turned to glance at Aela for a moment.
"And what do you mean by "Even you""? Lydia questioned.
"Nothing but the rambling of a hunter outside of the woods. If you'll excuse me, I'm going to retire to my quarters. Wake me if something arises" Aela spoke as she turned, stretching as she descended the stairs leading to the lower level where a few beds were set for the circle.
Winking Skeever, Solitude
It was quieter in the tavern than usual, although it isn't much of a statement. Lisette's soothing voice played throughout the room, voices coming from the various groups scattered in the building picked up any silence that may have taken it's space as Corpulus wiped down the bar, chuckling to himself over any joke or conversation he overheard among the crowd. Arthius and the twins sat around a small table not far from the bar, Jordis was absent from her Thane's side as she sat amongst others at the bar.
"That's three mugs...and you're still on your first" Farkas smiled before taking another drink. Arthius chuckled as he stared into the liquid inside of his mug, hesitating before taking a small sip and then placing it on the table.
"When did you go soft on us brother?" Vilkas grinned as he sat in his chair, arms crossed.
"Around the same time Aela had you fixed, Vilkas" Arthius spoke, looking up at Vilkas with a smug look. Farkas coughed a laugh into his mug, spilling some of its' contents onto the floor. Vilkas chuckled, wiping his brow of the mead that had splashed onto him. After a moment, Vilkas turned at the sound of a small cheer to see Jordis slam a mug onto the countertop and cheering victoriously as Hadvar sitting next to her coughed up his mead as a crowd of some companions surrounded them. After receiving praise from some of the other patrons, Jordis turned to see the three men staring at her. She paused for a moment before respectfully nodding to Arthius and turning away. VIlkas sighed as he turned back around to the other two, throwing a glance to Arthius.
"So, Arthius, what's her story? She slow or something?" Vilkas asked as he reached for his mug.
"Not sure myself really. She's gained quite the reputation for herself at a young age, earning much respect from the higher ups, officers and other figures of rank. Maybe she's not used to serving someone with so much respect, maybe it's the fact that she's representing Solitude-"
"Or that she gets to be so close to the almighty hero of legend" Farkas cut in with a grin. The three laughed at this, getting a glance from Jordis as she wondered what was said.
"If you ask me, Arthius, you need to give her your oh so great appraisal. The leader treatment like you did with Lydia and Aela" Farkas said as he took another sip from his mug.
"Hm, sorry to disappoint but nothing happened between Lydia and I. And I don't have any interest in changing that for the young one either" Arthius spoke. Farkas and Vilkas glanced at eachother for a moment before Vilkas made a playful biting motion, causing Farkas to burst out laughing. Arthius sighed before reaching down and grabbing his mug, quickly drinking its contents before setting it down again.
"So then...what happened at Whiterun?" Arthius asked. Farkas and Vilkas finished with their chuckles before looking at Arthius with serious expressions.
"Well, we're a bit unsure of that ourselves" Vilkas said. Farkas crossed his arms, settling back into his seat
"It was morning, nothing worth mentioning had happened. Few moments later the city's under attack, no warning, no signal, nothing. Just the sky raining fire from the catapults" Farkas spoke.
"An army can't just appear out of nowhere, Whiterun is the center of Skyrim, that many troops can't move without being noticed" Arthius spoke.
"Well tell that to the guards. Anyway, the companions stayed out of the combat, no need to involve ourselves now, regardless of the circumstance. After it was all said and done, the city was crawling with Stormcloaks. Most treated us well, Ysgramor legend and all that mixed well with Ulfric's ideals, he even gave us a visit"
"That's nice of him" Arthius said in a sarcastic tone.
"Yeah no kidding? It was all good for a day or two, no reason to raise alarm, we knew it was a possibility. That's until we were told that if we were to stay within their walls, we would be part of whatever Ulfric was leading. Now, if it were simply like that, we would have simply left...but…" Farkas said, sighing as he said his last word.
"That would mean leaving the hall" Arthius said. Farkas nodded before reaching down and grabbing his mug once more.
"We had no trouble deciding to leave Ulfric's cause, that's not what kept us from leaving for so long, brother" Vilkas said .
"It was being forced to leave the hall, leave the forge...leave our home"
Arthius nodded at Vilkas before leaning back and staring up at the ceiling.
"Kodlak probably would have said that you were fools to endanger yourselves, staying within the walls of a man who wishes to drag you into war because of the fear of leaving a pile of wood and a pit of fire, but I understand. I hold nothing against all of you for having trouble leaving it all behind. I know how it must have felt" Arthius spoke. The three sat in silence for a few moments before Farkas spoke up.
"Whatever decision you make, brother,know that we have your back" Farkas said with a not. Vilkas followed his brother , nodding at Arthius.
"Thank you" Arthius said with smile to the twins. After a few more moments, Farkas leaned back, bringing the mug to his lips with a small smile.
"Speaking of home, how is the little bloodsucker?"
Dragonsreach, Whiterun
"What is our next move my king?" Galmar spoke. Ulfric sat in the throne, a goblet resting in his hand as he overlooked the hall.
"The men are in no rush, we should follow their hearts. We have nothing to worry of anyway if the empire tries to take this city back" Ulfric spoke. Galmer nodded before rising from his knee and excusing himself and leaving Ulfric to attend to his duties. As Ulfric sipped from his Goblet, he grinned as something came across his mind.
"Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about you Dragonborn. You'll meet your fate soon enough, soon, soon my champion will be ready, and nothing will stand in his way…"
And that is the end to the first chapter. I probably will be anything but consistent uploading these chapters but hey, if you followed my last story you're aware of that, and I hope to see old friends as well as some new ones. Hope you enjoyed. If you want more, nothing pushes me like a good review. And if you liked it enough to Follow or even Favorite, it'd mean the world to me. Thanks.