Ariella just wanted to go home. She cursed her young age and those she worked with being too old and fragile for any kind of fieldwork. She cursed the Mages in Bruma for being so irresponsible and not keeping any records, save for a first hand account, of such a precious and delicate item being moved. She cursed the blasted war that kept her stuck in Skyrim, but right now she was cursing the Companions most of all.
The Breton had only come to Whiterun to tell them of the Dragon problem, at the request of the lovely Stormcloak man and his family; Ralof had after all, helped her escape the Dragon attack. Well by helped she meant basically act as bodyguard until she found a bow, but even then her use was very limited. Not even the basic magic she knew was a big help, she was in a panic and couldn't concentrate properly.
Her heart ached at the thought of the Helgen disaster. While she knew she should feel sorrow at the lives lost she couldn't find it in her to feel for those she never knew, especially those who wanted to put her on the chopping block. No, what she mourned were the amounts of lost texts and journals.
She had only kept a few books on her yet it seemed her most private journal, her research study log and all her notes were gone: the scholar in her mourned.
Which is what she was. The Breton was a Scholar at the Library of Daggerfall and she had been ever since she was 15, the youngest scholar the Library had seen in a very long time, if not for the first.
And this scholar was certain she had no place in the Mead Hall of the Companions.
She wished she had never helped out with the giant. It had been pure luck anyway. She had intended the arrow to pierce the giants heart, yet instead it stuck the beast in the eye allowing for the Companions to take it down quickly.
Her original intent was to head directly to Winterhold to the Mage's College to do what needed to be done and then go home. Yet it appeared that wasn't likely to happen.
The man that had been there when she helped with the Giant, Farkas, had waited for her outside Dragonsreach. Unsure how she could refuse his offer and go her own way she found herself being dragged along to the hall of the companions.
"Talos take me." She muttered when she saw the red headed woman, Aela walking up to her.
"You fight well, you should consider joining us." She said with a smile.
"Uh…" Ariella started awkwardly, she was used to having her nose in a book not interacting with people. "I'm a scholar though, didn't I, uh, tell you this?"
"Aye, but you have a good eye as an archer and we could use more archers around here." Ariella nodded awkwardly and hoped if she explained her reason for being in Skyrim they would let her go.
"I actually have to be getting to the College of Winterhold, that's my purpose for being in Skyrim."
"Been to Skyrim before?" Farkas asked from behind her, she jumped slightly as she had almost forgotten he was there.
"No." Farkas and Aela glanced at each other and directed Ariella to a chair.
"Well then you clearly don't know how dangerous the road can be." Aela said, "Frost trolls, ice wolves, ice wraiths, snow bears. And that's just what you'll encounter when you near the college."
"I was going to take a carriage."
"Then," Farkas began shaking his head slightly "unfortunately you'll have to contend with Bandits, thieves and potential military raids. Skyrim is a war you know."
"I know." She said simply looking down at your hands.
"Someone," Aela started, gently resting a hand on Ariella's shoulder. The red head paused and sighed. "Now take no offence, but someone unprepared might not make the journey, unfortunately."
Ariella thought for a moment. It was true she ran into more trouble here than any other province, and with a war… and now Dragons. Would she really survive a journey to Winterhold? Maybe if she did train with them…
No. She just wanted to get home. She was done with battles and death for a long while now.
"Then perhaps you should accompany me. Unfortunately I have important business to attend to. The Library will be expecting me back soon." That was a lie, she had requested a few extra months, knowing Mages could be quite difficult to deal with. Especially the ones in Skyrim, notorious for being sheltered and untrusting of any outsider, especially those not gifted in the magical arts.
"Farkas we should take her to see Kodlak!" Aela announced, pulling the Breton to her feet.
"Kodlak?" Farkas asked with a raised eyebrow.
"He'll tell us if she has potential in the companions! The old mans read people well, you see." The last sentence was directed at Ariella.
"Oh no that's quite alright." She tried to pull away from them but the two Companions pulled her to the stairs, Farkas practically carrying her when she refused to go down the steps.
A/N: Originally written for the SkyrimKinkMeme.
I've also made up a lot of things, especially about High Rock so if you're looking for something with 100% accurate lore you've come to the wrong place.