Whiterun has always been a place where you will likely visit in Skyrim. Its centralized location and booming trade kept it products and people flowing in and out of its protective walls. With the civil war going on the walls never looked so appealing to residents of the hold. Once lax guards under the eye of Commander Caius are constantly on the lookout for anything suspicious in these dangerous times.

Gir and Jalf have been assigned to the gates for gods know how long ever since they were caught urinating in public after having too many bottles of mead at the Bannered Mare. The two knuckleheads didn't care. The only hard part of the job was the boredom of nothing interesting coming along. Just the same traders, citizens, and nobles wandering in and out. They would occasionally see the Companions off one of their missions and always asking if Aela mentioned them. The pair stationed at the gates to Whiterun didn't think they'd see anything worthwhile reporting that evening.

Until something obscure rounded the corner.

It was some traveler. Whoever they were they were tall, taller than most Nords even. Gir was instantly on high alert keeping a keen eye on this guy, although when Jalf saw them Gir swore he froze in fear for a bit there. They had to guess the traveler heading for the gates was over seven feet tall. Not only that they carried a bundle of iron greatswords on their back. How and why someone would wield that many Gir couldn't guess. Their faces was cover with a hood and the cowl of their cloak covered the lower part of their face. It even looked like a headband wrapped around one of their eyes, but the guards weren't sure under the cover of dark. Their armor looked to be made of some kind of darkened steel. A set composing of the cuirass, leggings, shin guards, arm gauntlets, and shoulders enveloped the still approaching giant and seemed to not reflect the moonlight as much. The cloak around their shoulders appeared tattered and falling to pieces.

Gir was trying to piece together all this information and tried to string together theories if this person is too dangerous or not. Absolutely with no doubt in his mind, but he couldn't just not let someone inside with that reason alone. He'll have to dig in and ask a few question.

"Hold there, this is the city of White…"

They stopped right in front of Gir, and boy were they taller than he thought, at least a couple heads taller, but their build looks somewhat slender and not as bulky.

"…run, w-what business do y-you have here?" Aw shit, he was stuttering, and Jalf picked up on it. Now he's even more terrified than before. He even saw him give him a look said 'I don't think we can handle this guy' look.

"Work"

They spoke, or should he say 'she' spoke. He was sure it was feminine. Almost sounded like the Jarl's housecarl, but a bit off and not as aggressive in speech. Had a small High Elf lit to it? She an elf? Explains the size difference, although Altmer aren't THAT taller than Nords.

They both stared at each other.

"What kind of work?"

"Mercenary work"

"…You any good?"

"I haven't been hired before."

"…."

"Oh…well…there's always work for your kind, and plenty of opportunity to get the hang of the trade, I suppose. The civil war is always recruiting for mercenaries to help their causes." Oh gods, the huge swordswoman is a hireling. Hired to kill people. Oh gods, I'm people!

"No"

"…What?"

"I don't do wars"

"Okay, well...there's already plenty of dangers in Skyrim to tackle."

"I am aware"

"Right, well it's late in the evening…"

Gir assumed if they have the decency to hold a conversation and they must be okay. He glanced over and Jalf for his input, but he just gave him quick shrug.

"Will you allow me passage into the city, please? I seek somewhere to rest"

They did say please, Gir noted, "Sure, why not. Head to the Drunken Huntsmen just inside to up the hill to your left. The blacksmith across from their can with any smithing needs in the morning."

"My thanks" and then she proceeded into the gates that Jalf opened.

"Did you see that size of her?"

"Yes, I did Jalf, and thanks for standing there gawking while I did all the work, AGAIN."

"Hey, c'mon I'll buy you a bottle later."

"See, this is how have cemented ourselves at these posts."

"You're right about that, easiest paycheck I ever got."

It was a slow night again for Elrindir. Just him behind the counter and Jenassa lounging in her little cubby hole, waiting for someone to come in. Not many customers bother entering his establishment even if it's in front of the gates. He's tried to serve people food here with the game they bring in from hunting with his equipment. He wasn't much of a cook, but you can't go wrong with a good fresh hunk of venison. Unfortunately, his amateur skills can't compare to Hulda's new working girl Saadia. People head over to the Bannered Mare for good food, strong drink, and merry music, things he does not have. Some travelers will even buy archery equipment at Warmaiden instead of the Drunken Huntsman with the reason he can only surmise is that it's ever so slightly closer to the gate and has crafting tools. Only real archers ever drop by since he has some of the rarer stock available, but lately not many adventurers have been showing up.

"You want to renew that lease, Jenassa?"

"Sure, I still have plenty from my last job."

"You were lucky that that Imperial nobleman's bodyguard had a knee injury and he hired you on."

"Even more luck that he was the generous type, down two lowly bandits in front of him and he showers me with thanks and gold."

"Must've been his first time in Skyrim."

"I assumed that, considering he was from Cyrodiil on his way to Solitude."

"What was he peddling, if I may ask?"

Before Jenassa could continue the entrance doors creaked open and what stepped in instantly made their eyes widen. An imposingly tall figure had to duck under the doorway to step into the main room. Not only that they were ridiculously armed with multiple greatswords bundled behind their back. Elrindir only had things pertaining to archery to trade, so they couldn't be here for that.

The tall figure made their way to him in a couple silent strides.

"Hello, my friend. In the mood for hunting supplies?" He usually opened conversation with this line of dialogue. Even if they clearly weren't going to buy bows or arrows, he could at least ask if they wanted some.

"Actually, the guards at the gate directed me here saying you have lodging available here."

What? He's going to have to have to talk to Gir about that piece of information. In truth, he doesn't provide lodging. He only started renting out the spare bedroom to Jenassa when he needed the extra coin and she was a regular of his here.

"Unfortunately I have no rooms to spare. I've never actually rented rooms out to people anyway and from what I've heard, the inn down the road is full."

The figure didn't say anything. Are they pissed? Well that's tough. They'd either have to sleep outside or...

"May use the floor then? I can pay."

"…Are you sure about that? That seems unaccep…"

A hefty pouch tossed onto the counter.

"Will this be sufficient?"

There's enough here to cover Jenassa's rent twice…

"If you insist, you can rest here for as long as you need, just as long as there's no trouble."

The figure nodded once and proceeded to a corner of the room, sat down, and did not move all night.