A/N: It has been a long time since I wrote a fanfic and it is my first time writing fighting scenes, so I hope you'll like it. English isn't my first language so there might be weird sentence forms (I sometimes make weird sentence in my first language to begin with so I don't hope for miracles here XD) and other mistakes, feel free to help me improve my writing with constructive comments! Also, I deviate a bit from the game scenario at times, but do not worry, fate has it covered!
Update: You might wonder where the "hurt/comfort" come from at first, but do not worry, it will be quite clear arriving the 7th chapter.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Elder Scrolls.
The sky was clear, with the sun shining brightly over the plains that seemed to extend for miles, making it easy to spot the city surrounded by strong looking stone walls. It looked so white, almost sparkling as it bathed in the sunlight on top of the hill. Birds singing could be heard in the gentle breeze and as the butterflies fluttered over the flowers on the side of the road, one could not help but think "what a beautiful and peaceful day"... yeah right. Others might have had time to stop and relish in the beauty of it all, Evelianna, in fact, would certainly have been tempted too, under normal circumstances... but right now she was far from "normal circumstances". She didn't quite understand exactly what type of circumstances she was in, but she at least knew it was nowhere near normal. First she wakes up in a carriage, wrists bound tightly and surrounded by strangers in the same predicament, no memories whatsoever of her past, let alone what happened for her to be in this situation... whatever that situation was. Then she learns she is to be executed even though her name, the only thing she does remember, isn't on their "list"! Just because she found herself in the same perimeter as stormcloaks who were fated to the block, she had to share the same fate too! What fine justice... After that, all hell breaks loose as a dragon attacks. She had somewhat been thankful for the well timed attack that spared her from loosing her head, that is, for the few seconds she was able to run for cover before the deadly flames turn in her direction. The following hours had been hectic to say the least as everyone was trying to save their lives in the panic brought by the sudden appearance of a creature known only as bedtime stories, a simple legend at best. Even now, the small woman was amazed she actually succeeded in escaping death so many times in such a short time. The execution block, the dragon, the stormcloaks that attacked her since she had decided to follow the imperial guard... Hey, she had been sentenced to death just from standing near them! There was no way in hell she'd follow them if she had a choice! In the end, they were able to get out and reach the guard's hometown in one piece. As they entered the house of their host, she finally felt herself able to relax a little since she had woken up. Even more when Hadvar, the imperial guard with whom she escaped, promised to vouch for her, should she ever be chased because of her presence in Helgen, which he believed to be a mistake to start with.
They tried to get some rest for the night and surprisingly she was able to get a reasonable amount of sleep. Must have been the exhaustion. Morning came and next thing she knew, she was back on the road, alone this time. How could she refuse the favor asked of her when everyone had been so kind in their hospitality to a complete stranger? So here she was, brooding over everything that had happened to her and trying not to get dizzy from the storm of questions that swirled in her mind as she traveled, clad in the oversized leather armor she had found in the undergrounds of Helgen, along with the short sword she had used to protect herself and back her new friend against the stormcloaks. It was not much, but it was better than just her ragged clothes and her bare fists to protect herself on her way to Whiterun. The favor asked wasn't hard, she had to go to the city, all the way up to Dragonsreach and ask the Jarl Balgruf to send more men to protect Riverwood against the dragon that was seen heading that way.
Thankfully, she had no encounter with wild predators or bandits on the way. Maybe they were all hiding from a greater threat, like a giant, flying, fire-spitting lizard for example... At least the sky seemed cleared for now and she wasn't going to wait for it to show up and finish what it started in Helgen! Pushing back all her thoughts and questions, she quickened her pace, wanting to get to the protection of those stone walls as soon as possible. It's not that she was a coward, she was just not foolish enough to think she'd stand a chance in the middle of almost flat plains with a worn out armor and an old sword if the dragon was to appear. She would be as good as a target practice in these conditions. There was a difference between bravery and foolishness and she wasn't so inclined on the latter. She did prove her courage in Helgen by taking up a sword to defend her friend even though she didn't even know if she had any experience in battle at all. Whether she indeed had experience or natural skills, it appeared she did have some abilities in fighting... unless it was simply sheer luck. Another mystery to add to the list. In any case, she had come to the resolution to improve her fighting skills if she wanted to survive on these lands until she finds a place where she belongs. She might not remember who she was before, but she knew to some level that she wasn't the type to do nothing. She just couldn't picture herself simply sitting back and waiting for something to happen. So the young woman was determined to find a place, a guild of some sort, that could help her learn to defend herself. Once she would be finished with the task at hand of course. Hopefully there would be a place in Whiterun that took in wannabe warriors other than the Imperials. She wanted to learn how to fight, not enroll in a war she knew nothing about.
The meeting with the Jarl went better then she expected as she was able to approach him as soon as it was known that she had been in Helgen. The Jarl had accepted to send more guards to Riverwood right away and she even got a tip about some warriors guild called the Companions to whom she should go if she was interested in becoming a skilled warrior. Well, looks like luck was on her side for now! Eager to meet these Companions, she skipped toward their headquarters called Jorrvaskr and when she reached it she opened the door without a second thought.
The sight before her wasn't what she expected. Well, she didn't really know what she was supposed to expect in the first place but it certainly wasn't an incoming tankard in line with her face moments after she came in. She dodge just in time and it crashed in the wooden door that had just closed behind her. Looking over the source of the uncommon projectile, she saw two people trying to punch the light out of one another. They were being cheered on by some who were watching the fight, while other chose to just ignore the whole thing. No one made any attempt to separate the two whatsoever.
"Good dodge there" She turned her head toward the unexpected voice and saw an imposing guy with dark hair approaching her with a smile. She blinked a bit, quickly getting over her surprise of the whole thing.
"ah... Thanks, I guess? Hum... is it always like that?" She pointed toward the fight still going on and the man laughed heartily.
"Not always but enough to get used to it quickly. I'm Farkas by the way, and you are?"
"Evelianna" She offered a small smile and he grinned back. Something about him was warm and gave an easy-to-approach kind of feeling after the first impression of big muscled brute you'd get looking at him from a far.
"So, Evelianna, what brings you to Jorrvaskr and it's flying tankards?" There was amusement sparkling in his eyes and twitching up a corner of his lips into a smirk and she must have had the same amusement in her eyes.
"I would like to join the Companions." She said without hesitation. It seemed to please him because he nodded approvingly and his smile grew wider.
"Then you should go speak to Kodlak, he is our Harbinger. He's the one to decides who enters the Companions. You'll find him down the stairs, his room is at the far end" He replied, nodding his head toward the stairs and she thanked him before going to them.
Once downstairs she made her way to the back while looking around. Seems she was the curious type. It was obviously the sleeping quarters and as she went further ahead the next rooms she passed actually had doors. Surely the bedrooms for the higher rank warriors. Now at the end of the corridor she was met with three doors, one in the center, one on the right and one on the left. The one in the center was the most logical guess and she approached it. Behind the closed doors could be heard two men conversing and she stopped as the seriousness in their voice made her hesitate to knock. She didn't want to interrupt a serious discussion, but she didn't want to intrude or look like she was eavesdropping. Before she could make up her mind, the exchange stopped abruptly and she took this chance to knock. She heard one of the voice telling her to enter and she opened the door.
"A stranger comes to our hall" Said the older one as he gazed upon her approaching form. She could see in his eyes the wiseness that came with age and experience. Eyes that seemed gentle yet held a sharp edge behind that gentleness, making her think one should beware not to underestimate him. It must have been the Harbinger so she only glanced over the younger one as to not look like she didn't acknowledge his presence. That would have been impolite in her opinion. In that short glance she noticed that he had dark hair and a somewhat familiar face but she couldn't put her finger on it. But she wasn't there for him and she didn't want to waste time looking at him a second time when she was supposed to speak to the older one. However she did have the time to notice his judging gaze and she realized she was still in an oversized chest armor with her ragged clothes and boots underneath and an old sword at her belt. Besides her getup, since she had been on the road for most of the day since early morning, her otherwise fair complexion wasn't so fair at the moment. On top of that she had a small stature compared to the standard nordic woman, yet she wasn't frail even if her muscles weren't that apparent, after all she had experienced their strength back at Helgen. At least her ebony hair weren't disheveled as she had braided it that morning. Plus she had been able to take a bath the night before, so she wasn't smelling like a peasant. Still, in overall she was far from being at her best. "Way to make a good first impression Evy!" She thought, but she didn't lower her head under their gazes, instead she straightened her back and met the eyes of the older one with determination.
"My name is Evelianna. I would like to join the Companions" For a moment she thought she saw the ghost of a smile grace his lips before he spoke.
"Would you now? Here, let me take a look at you." He observed her from head to toe and back up again with a pensive expression. "Hmm... yes, perhaps. A certain strength of spirit."
"Master! You're not truly considering accepting her!" Interjected the other. Evy could almost feel his frown without even looking at him.
"I am nobody's master, Vilkas. And last I checked, we had some empty beds in Jorrvaskr for those with a fire in there hearts."
"Apologies. But perhaps this isn't the time. I've never even heard of her." Replied the man named Vilkas and although his words were respectful toward the Harbinger, their content slightly ticked off the young woman. What? They only took in famous know it all? Still, a part in the back of her mind was relieved to hear he never heard of her, as it comforted her in the possibility that she was not a wanted criminal in her past. Nor was she some hero or renown person, but at least it seemed she wasn't an outlaw.
"Sometimes the famous come to us. Sometimes men and women come to us to seek their fame. It makes no difference." This made her feel a bit relieved, even if she didn't show it. But her relief was short lived as the dark head opened his mouth again... and her dislike for the man just grew.
"For all we know, she could just be some good for nothing leech that only seeks to live off our hospitality! Look at her, she doesn't even have a proper armor! She's hardly material for good warrior." He snarled and her glare met ice-blue eyes belonging to the irritating man beside her. How dare he talked of her like that! Still, she tried to push back the anger rising up in her as she still had enough reasoning to know yelling at the conceited brute wouldn't help her get accepted. She gritted her teeth and crossed her arms, her tone still holding some bite from her anger while her voice was sipping with sarcasm.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know I had to be some rich already-topnotch warrior to be accepted! I thought the dummies I spotted outside were for training and improving one's skills, or are they just mere decorations?" She turned to the Harbinger and was satisfied to hear a growl from beside her as she continued, with a calmer but still determined tone, since the elder didn't try to insult her unlike the other. "I am no leech. True, what I am wearing are the only belongings I possess. I have no gold and no well-fitted shiny armor. This is the only one I have and I got it from a dead man's body, so is my sword. But as far as I'm concerned, he didn't need them anymore while I did. I actually had intended to find some smith who would agree to exchange this armor for one of my size, but when I learned of the Companions, I was so eager to come here that I forgot what I was wearing." She ignored the "hmph" beside her but the brute didn't feel like being ignored as he spoke again.
"How can you expect to be trusted in a battle when you can forget the simplest thing as soon as your "eagerness" takes over?"
"These are two different things!" She snapped back, so fiercely compared to her previous reactions over more insulting looking comments he had made that he looked taken aback for a second there. He couldn't be blamed this time since he didn't know of her memory loss, much less how deep she was affected by it, though it didn't keep her from blaming him anyway.
"Now, now" The elder said and she looked back at him, hoping she didn't just blow her chances to be accepted. "Do not worry child, one's armor doesn't matter. What matter is their heart"
"And their arms" added the brute and Evy gritted her teeth but ignored him as best she could.
"Of course. How are you in battle, girl?"
"I have still much to learn, sir." And then came the infuriating snarl.
"Of course. Any way you look at it, those tiny arms can't possibly wield a weapon properly enough to protect you from the weakest bandit that would cross your path" And then she couldn't resist turning his way once again to reply to this irritating man.
"You cannot judge my worth by my looks only. Like I said, I am aware there is still much I have to learn. I don't know what amount of skills you seek in newcomers, but I do know that I wouldn't be alive right now if I didn't have at least some skills!" Somehow, she had been able to reply more calmly than the anger still flaring in her wanted to. What had she done to be so disliked by a man she just met was beyond her, but right now she disliked him just as much. Nevertheless, she would not let him have his way. She would join the Companions and improve her skills until she becomes strong enough to beat the hell out of him and shut him up for good! He opened his mouth but was cut off by the Harbinger.
"Well, you already proved to have quite a fire in your heart. Now, Vilkas, how about you go test our new recruit on the sharpness of her skills, since you have already begun testing the sharpness of her tongue." The old man smiled, amusement sparkling in his eyes and the brute gritted his teeth.
"As you wish Harbinger. You. Come with me" He stood up, making her take a quick step back to get out of his way, in case he was tempted to push her out of his way, as he went to the door. He didn't even look back to see if she was indeed following him. As much as she didn't want to, she still followed him to the backyard.
"Here" And without more notice he shoved a sword and a shield unto her, not waiting to make sure she had it in hand before letting go. He went back to the weapon stand and took a shield and a sword too before going in front of her. "now come to me with all you've got" Oh how he didn't need to say it twice! She launched a first swing of her sword and blocked it easily with his shield, pushing her back with it and making her stumble a bit but she was able to regain her balance and came back, using her anger to fuel her attack but staying cautious not to let it blind her. After a few swing on her part, he begin to attack her as well. Even though her armor obstructed some of her movements, she was still able to stand her ground for some time. She was so focused on him she didn't even realize the increasing numbers of spectators around the training ground. At some point, her foot stepped on a rock and made her unstable just for a few seconds. He took that chance to push her back with his shield before she could regain her footing and her back fell hard on the ground, her shield and sword slipping out of her grasp from the impact. Instinct taking over, she rolled on the side and away from him, catching her sword while standing up in a swift movement, not willing to give him satisfaction. Unfortunately, her strengths were beginning to decrease little by little and he finally pushed her back to the ground, pointing his sword to her throat.
"Well... you might actually have more skills than I thought. But you sure have a hell of a lot more to learn, indeed. Now..." He lowered his blade and let her stand up from the ground on her own before handing her his two-handed sword "bring my sword to Eorlund up at the skyforge and try not to let it slip from your hand. It's worth more than you, whelp" And with that he turned and walked toward the doors while she glared at his back and groaned. What the hell whelp? She almost wanted to toss his sword aside, but decided against it and just stomped away toward the stairs that lead toward sounds of hammer hitting against metal. Unnoticed to her as she climbed the stairs, a pair of ice blue eyes was observing her for a minute before looking back to the doors leading to the mead hall.