A black mare crested the ridge of the hills running south of Whiterun. Its rider, cloaked and silent, gazed down at the city. "A Nord's last thoughts should be of home." She had been told once. Home. When she thought of the word she saw the spires of Dragonsreach towering over the districts, the well in the center of the market, the Gildergreen in front of Jorrvaskr, and the imposing eagle that rose up from the Skyforge. But the city brought other thoughts to mind as well. A bloody civil war, a pact with a dragon, a generations old curse. But it was home, or the closest thing Fenris had ever had to it. Remembering nothing before waking up in the back of a cart on the road to Helgen, she had escaped execution for a crime she couldn't remember and made her way north, to the same spot she now stood. She had come home to live out her days as a Companion. As much as she may have liked to give up the fight, Fenris was a Nord and battle was in her blood. Gently kicking the horse, she crossed the farmlands and river before coming to a halt at the city gates.
"My Thane, welcome back," the guard greeted her as he took the reins of her horse as she dismounted, "It's been some time since we've seen you in these parts." Fenris gave a nod in reply.
"Any news to report?" she asked, pulling the saddlebag from the horse and hefting it to her shoulder.
"You know, I saw something near Shimmermist Cave to the northeast. Some sort of creature. Small and wicked, never seen its like before."
"I'll be sure to take care of it," Fenris said over her shoulder as she passed thru the gate. Adrianne Avenicci, the blacksmith, gave her a nod and quick smile as she passed. Not wanting to go thru the Plains District where the market stood, crowed with people, Fenris took the stone steps to the next district and made her way down the empty street to Jorrvaskr, home of the Companions. According to local legend, Jorrvaskr was the oldest building in Whiterun. It once existed by itself on the mountain, with the rest of the town springing up around it over the centuries. Jorrvaskr itself was originally a longboat made for the return of the five hundred companions of Ysgramor, a legendary Atmoran hero who founded the group of mercenaries that had become the revered Companions. Fenris had joined them when she first came to Whiterun, and had earned their respect. Enough so that when Kodlak Whitemane, the Harbinger, or unofficial leader of the group, died, she was named his successor.
That seemed to happen often for her. She would find herself drawn into one guild or another and after quickly climbing the ranks; Fenris was, unquestionably, the single most powerful person in all of northern Tamriel. She didn't care anymore though. She wanted rest and a life of her own, something she never had. With the sun setting at her back, Fenris pushed the heavy double doors of Jorrvaskr open and they swung in easily on their well worn hinges. The merriment that had filled the mead hall a moment before ceased and all eyes turned to the woman standing at the entrance. There were new faces among the Companions. Fenris' eyes picked out the ones she knew. Ria, Athis, Vignar, and Aela stood when Fenris approached.
"Harbinger," Athis reached out and clasped Fenris' forearm in greeting.
"It has been too long shield sister," Ria said, greeting Fenris in the same manner. Vignar gave a smile and a nod but said nothing, sitting back down. He looked much older than she remembered. Aela grasped Fenris' arm and put a hand to the Harbinger's shoulder.
"Sister, you have been sorely missed. Come. Share a drink with us and meet the new bloods."
"Gladly," Fenris replied, "I'm going to stow my gear before I settle in though. I won't be long. I am in dire need of a drink. Where are the others?"
"Vilkas is taking care of some bandits out west. Farkas is below and I think Tovar is down there. If you see him, send him up with a cask of Colovian Brandy. We will drink the good stuff, eh?" Aela called after Fenris had begun to descend the stairs to the living quarters.
A few people mulled about in the halls below ground. Some called out greetings as Fenris walked by. Others began whispering to those around them, asking who the stranger was. A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. She felt good being anonymous for the moment. As she neared her quarters, a large Orsimer stepped into her path. He had olive green skin and dark hair. Tusks jutted up from his lower jaw and a battle ax was strapped to his hip. He crossed his thick arms and gave a small grunt.
"Who are you whelp? This is the hall of the Companions and no place for citizens." He glared down at her. Fenris kept her face calm as she slung her pack from her shoulder to the ground. Her eyes sparked a little as she removed one glove and then the other. She pulled back her hood and looked the orc in the eye.
"Fus!" She didn't put much breath into the word, but when she spoke the ground shook and the man staggered and fell to a knee. Shock spread over his face and those of everyone in the hall.
"Easy Ogol," a voice called from a room to the side, "I wouldn't try to go toe to toe with the Dragonborn if I were you." Fenris turned to the man. He was tall and dark and just how she remembered him. Farkas stepped from his room and came toward them. "Harbinger," he greeted Fenris, his eyes bright under the war paint.
"Harbinger?" Ogol rumbled as he rose to his feet, "Forgive me. I did not know you. I am at your service." He gave a half bow.
Fenris put her hand out to him, "I remember you from Largashbur, Ogol. Well met bloodkin. I'm glad you have joined our ranks. We were in need of your combat skills."
"My Harbinger does me much honor." He shook her hand.
"I go by Fenris," she said, implying she preferred her name over her title. He gave a nod and stepped aside, letting her pass. Farkas grabbed her bag and put an arm around her shoulder, walking with her to the back rooms.
"I'm not sure your Thu'um was necessary, but you got your point across. You always had style, pup." He pushed his nose into her hair and nuzzled her. Fenris knocked his arm off her and punched him in the chest.
"Don't make me use it again," she jokingly warned, "I won't be so easy on you. I know you're made of sterner stuff." She opened the door to her chamber and entered, unfastening her cloak and throwing it over the bed. Farkas handed her bag to her and took a seat at a small table in the corner.
"I'm glad you're back, Fenris." After a moment he added, "I know the rest of the Circle will be too. Athis joined us as well as joining Aela's pack." The Circle was the innermost group of Companions. Only those who were the most trustworthy and brave were allowed the honor. With the addition of Athis, of whom which Fenris was proud, there were only five members. Fenris, Aela, Farkas, and his twin brother Vilkas made up the lot. Joining Aela's pack though was not something she wanted to hear. Lycanthropy was something the Circle was cursed with. At least, some of the circle saw it that way. Kodlak, the former Harbinger feared for his soul while afflicted with the beastblood and sought a cure. He had died before one was found and his spirit hid in the tomb of Ysgramor until Fenris and the others were able to separate him from the wolf and he moved on to Sovngarde. Vilkas and Farkas had decided to be cured as well and had rid themselves of their moonborn side. Fenris had done the same.
"I assume he knows that he now serves Hircine, Daedric Prince of the hunt?" Fenris' words came out a little harsher than she intended. It hurt her to think that another hero of Skyrim would not join the other Companions in the Hall of Valor. She stopped unpacking and put her hands on the end table, slightly hanging her head.
"He knows," Farkas said solemnly. Fenris brought her head back up and turned to her shield brother.
"How have other things been while I was away?" He glanced at her to see if her words held duel meaning, but if they did she didn't reveal anything.
"About the same as always. We have had more reports of Falmer though. They are becoming increasingly common in caves. I pray to Talos we haven't witnessed the beginning of their return. Those creatures are foul beasts." His forehead creased as he thought about them.
"Aye. I heard from the city guard there were some north of the river. Has there been a contract issued on Shimmermist Cave?"
"No. But being this close to town we should probably deal with it anyway."
"I will handle it. I need to put in some work around here." Fenris stowed the last of her gear and sat across from Farkas.
"If you go, take a recruit. They need some experience. Although Aela and I had been thinking to send Ria for the job. We had hoped to bring her into our faction soon, with your approval."
"I trust your judgment. You have been here and I have not. If you think she should go to prove her mettle then send her." She stood back up and slightly stretched her back. "Come. I don't want to talk anymore business tonight. Let's root out Tovar and that cask of brandy." Farkas smiled.
"Sister, you sure know the things a man likes to hear."
"Quiet down! Quiet!" Farkas roared over the din of the great hall, "For those of you who don't know, our Harbinger had returned. So show some respect and raise a mug in her name! Fenris!" The clamor started up again as the Companions all drunkenly sloshed their drinks around, calling out Harbinger and Fenris. Some even called out Dragonborn, but were quickly shushed by their peers. It had become common knowledge that the Dragonborn didn't like being called "Dragonborn". Although some people didn't understand why, others thought it was wise that she shirked the title in favor of her name. Fenris wasn't even sure if it was her real name though. In Helgen, she had been asked who she was by Hadvar, a Nord in the Imperial Army. She blurted out "Fenris" before she actually thought about it. But she owned the name and it became who she was.
Vignar brought her another drink. This time it was mead. She had already downed three ales and a brandy or two, and the effects were beginning to distort her.
"Say, Vignar, where is Tilma? I haven't seen her yet," Fenris' words slurred ever so slightly.
"By the Nine, Harbinger, you don't know?" she raised an eye brow and just blinked at him, "Tilma died a year ago. She was just old. Went out in her sleep, ya' know? Peaceful. Divines bless her." Fenris felt her heart sink a little. Tilma had always been old but she seemed like she would just keep going forever.
"Who do we have for a maid now?"
"Hroki. A Silver-blood from Markarth. She has been boarding with one of the families in the Wind District. Got a job over at the Drunken Huntsmen if I'm not mistaken. She's a decent enough lass. Most of the new bloods around here get in some trouble with the Circle for sniffing around her too much though." Vignar went on about the recruits having too much fire in them and some other things that Fenris didn't really listen to. She was half watching Aela quickly jabbing a dagger between Tovar's fingers, which Njada held firmly in place, and half drinking her mead. She hadn't been this sloshed since she had met Sam Guevenne. That was a week she wasn't sure she wanted to remember. Ended up, Sam was a Daedric Prince and found that Fenris was pretty entertaining when drunk. She realized her face was slightly scrunched up thinking about it. Her life was so crazy when she looked back on everything she had done. She smiled a little. She had done so much.
"You don't look drunk enough yet," a completely inebriated Tovar called over, not even looking at Aela's knife anymore, "Wanna race?" Fenris blanched.
"Race?"
"Yeah. First one to the bottom of their drink wins. Wadda-ya, say Harbinger?" And with that he slumped onto the table with a snort. Njada laughed and pushed him over so she could take his seat. Fenris just shook her head, feeling all the alcohol when she did. She caught Farkas' eye and gave a half wave and a nod signaling she was retiring for the night. He raised his mug to her and took a drink.
Fenris pushed herself up from the table and carefully picked her way over to the stairs, careful not to step on Tovar, who was in the middle of the floor. People were drinking in the lower halls but not so many that she wouldn't be able to sleep from the noise. Falling into her bed, she told herself to try and remember to ask for a head count tomorrow. She had never seen so many people in Jorrvaskr before. Her last thoughts before sleep took her were of the only Companion not present and when he might return.