Brand new story! I've been playing a lot of Skyrim lately, and this idea popped into my head when I was playing through the Companions story line. This takes place before the dragon born ever joins the companions, so Kodlak and Skjor are still alive. I hope you enjoy!
The night air was cool against his exposed face, blowing his hair across his forehead. He breathed deeply, taking in the peace while it lasted. He placed a hand on the pommel of his sword, fingers twitching with anticipation and adrenaline. Sensing another presence drawing close, he turned, met with a familiar face.
"C'mon Vilkas, Aela says its time to go." His brother, Farkas told him with a gentle smile on his face. He loved his brother, but he really was too carefree sometimes. The circle was preparing a raid on a well known Silver-hand base tonight, which Vilkas did not support. He found it cowardly to be sneaking in there in the middle of the night, as if they were thieves. Vilkas just didn't find the logic in this plan, and could sense it was only happening out of rage and spite. There was no theory, or even thought behind what they were doing tonight.
Still, he had to go along because technically Skjor (Who had made this insane plan) was his elder, even though Vilkas had been a companion for a longer time. He remembered Skjor's enthusiasm when announcing the plan to the circle. 'It will work wonders! Even though we are outnumbered, we will be able to take the base by surprise!" Aela and Farkas had been all for it, while Vilkas and even Kodlak were unwary, though the latter was too preoccupied to give his advice to the group.
"Yeah, I'm coming." Vilkas made an exasperated noise, but regardless moved to follow his brother. The two of them walked towards the city gates, where Aela and Skjor were waiting.
"Vilkas! I had thought you had chickened out on us!" Skjor chuckled, clapping a hand on the younger mans shoulder. Vilkas stiffened, and moved out of his grip
"No, I did not chicken out. I simply find this so called 'plan' of yours a waste of time." He turned to face Skjor and Aela, whilst his brother moved behind him, not wishing to be in the middle of the argument. "Honestly Skjor, how can we call ourselves companions if we are sneaking into the hideout? How can I feel honorable if I'm simply murdering my enemies in their sleep?"
A thick silence had settled for a moment, only broken by Farkas shuffling his feet against the stone road. "I..." Skjor started to speak, but was abruptly cut off by Aela. "Vilkas, I will have no more of your nonsense! This isn't a dishonorable way of fighting, it is simply a different tactic that we have never used before." She stepped in between the two men, facing Vilkas. "Now, can we get a move on please? I want to attack these cowards while the night is still young!"
Still grumbling his objections, Vilkas brought up the back of the procession, with Skjor in front, and Farkas and Aela in the middle. They had successfully made their way into the hideout, Aela using her bow to shoot a few lookouts on the way. All had gone according to plan so far, though Vilkas was suspicious. Sure, there wasn't an absence of Silver-hand members, though it seemed way to quiet for his liking.
Sensing movement out of the corner of his eyes, he signaled the others, telling them to go head. His brother shot him a worried glace, but Vilkas gave a slight smile at him, assuring him that he was okay. Farkas nodded, continuing to move forward with the others. Vilkas let the smile slip, his face becoming stony. He moved towards a side room where he had seen the movement, placing himself in the shadow of the doorway.
He saw a lithe figure moving between, beds situated throughout the room. The figure was small, clad in black leather armor set and hood*, with a large elven bow on their back, and twin daggers at their sides, making Vilkas tense up. This person was dangerous, and very sneaky. Vilkas crouched in silence, watching as the figure flitted from desk to chest, taking whatever was of value and wasn't nailed down.
His brow creased in disgust. They were a thief, and there was nothing Vilkas hated more than a thief. "Hey!" A soft voice startled him, making him snap his head up at the noise. The thief was waving to get his attention, motioning towards one of the sleeping Silver-clan members, who was starting to wake up. Vilkas tore his eyes away from the member and back to the thief, who was already on their way out.
Panicking, Vilkas could think of no where else to go but to follow the thief before he was caught. Walking as quickly and as silently as he could while crouched as difficult, as he wasn't used to it. He managed to make it into the room where the thief was and closed the door, breathing heavily, leaning against the frame.
"How's it feel to sneak around like a true thief?" His head snapped up at the sound of the voice, which was slightly muffled by their mask. They reached their glove clad hands up, undoing the mask and taking off the hood. Vilkas' breath shortened as he was met face to face with an imperial. And not just any imperial, a female. She had copper colored hair, pulled into a side braid, and bright hazel eyes.
She grinned impishly, snapping at him to get his attention. "Did you enjoy watching me work back there?" His brow tightened as he remembered what her so called 'work' was.
"You're a thief. How long-"
"How long did I know you were standing there?" She interrupted. "The whole time. You have very heavy footsteps, you know." As she talked, her head turned towards the door, and she put a hand up to stop him from speaking. "Wait." Vilkas waited with bated breath to see what she was doing. He saw her relax a little, facing him once again.
"Anyways," She shouldered her loot bag. "That was my sign to go. Everyone is back in there beds safe and sound." She grinned at his slightly flabbergasted expression. "It was nice to meet you, Mr. Companion!"
Vilkas let out a noise that sounded like a strangled cat. "How did you-" Again, she interrupted him.
"I just know. I can read you like a book." She winked at him, put on her hood, and slipped out of the room, as graceful as a cat.
*If you need help imagining what this looks like, just look up the Nighting gale armor from Skyrim
I hope you enjoyed that! This was seriously so spur of the moment. Also, if you can't tell already, Vilkas will be one of the love interests of our mysterious thief, but it won't just be him, I was thinking of adding some other dudes into the mix. Please review and tell me what you think!