The nightmare was always the same. Every night since her abduction on what had started as a simple walk to clear her head. She could still feel the damp chill, hear the screams and pleading of those caught in the Imperial roadblock, as one by one they were put to the executioner's axe. She could smell the blood, and see the lifeless faces. They were all guilty by association. All assumed to have been with the Stormcloaks. It had been months since that dreadful moment, and the nightmares still came.
They were harder now, more frequent, more inclusive. The tension of having to choose sides in this brewing war. Deciding between the Stormcloaks, and the Imperials had warped them into visions of her death for making the wrong choice. But what was the right choice? Ulfric hadn't tried to help her when she was wrapped up in the ambush that captured him. He just stood there silently, accepting his sentence along with everyone else's. Innocent people, not just her, caught up in a crime not their own simply by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Yet he stood there, like a large blonde stone statue with no voice. And what of the Imperial army? One man tried to tell the captain she wasn't on the list, but when he was ignored, he did little else. Until the dragon attacked. He helped her escape, she owed him for that. But did she owe the Army allegiance for the action of one man?
The nightmares kept coming. Her parents, believing mistakenly that she was helping the Stormcloaks. She had sent them a message, telling them of the capture. But someone had reached them first. They sent one message in return, calling her traitor, for ignoring her Imperial blood, and siding with the enemy. Her father saying she was no daughter of his, her mother saying she was dead to her, her siblings an older brother and sister following their lead. Further messages trying to explain how wrong they were went unanswered. Had it not been for a lucky conversation that sent her to The Companions, she'd have been alone. An overheard snippet of conversation about the bonds between The Companions. Had she never entered Jorrvaskr, never run errands for that surly, brooding, loudmouthed oaf Vilkas, and earned her place among them, her new family, she wouldn't currently be wrapped in the strong arms of her husband. Now if only she could bring herself to tell him everything.
Farkas was the best thing to happen to Jessa since her world was turned upside down. He exuded a calmness, a quiet strength, and soothing anchor for her to cling to when her own strength failed her. On one of her training assignments with The Companions, the final test, Farkas was her shield brother. It was then that he had captured her heart. Unlike so many other men, He didn't jump to her rescue at every battle. He didn't treat her as a fragile flower, he let her fight, beside him. He trusted her to fight her own battles, and ask if she needed aid. He wasn't like his twin at all. He was soft spoken, quiet, and intuitive, and as she found out, had a lovely dry wit. He was humble, and often thought of himself as others had, as the less intelligent of the brothers. He was very much like her. She had somehow managed to lock herself in an old cell that day. Much to her chagrin. When Farkas saw what she'd done, she was waiting for the chastising to begin. Instead, he put his hands on his hips, and said "Now look at the trouble you've gotten yourself into" then he grinned, his eyes warm and mirthful as he looked for a way to get her out. Jessa blushed, and sheepishly grinned back. It was then, that their first secrets were shared.
Dozens of Silver Hand members came from every direction surrounding Farkas. Jessa began to panic, worrying her actions were about to get her shield brother killed. Before she could find a way to help, Farkas transformed before her eyes, into the largest werewolf she had ever seen, wiping out every single one of the Silver Hand. He ran off to find the lever to her cage, and came back in human form once more. She thought she had imagined the whole thing until he shyly said "I hope I didn't scare you" Jessa just smiled, placed a hand on his arm, and said "Oh, no. You wait until you see what I can do. Of course we'd need a dragon..." Farkas chuckled, and replied "As long as it doesn't involve spiders." Something passed between them when they touched, the eye contact lasting longer than it should have between shield brother and sister.
It was another tragedy that brought them together past soft glances, shy smiles, and subtle flirtations. Kodlak's death showed them all how short life could be. How quickly it could be taken. They were laying Kodlak to rest, she had chosen to wear her Amulet of Mara, a wordless statement that spoke of her desire to wed. As they stood together after the ceremony Farkas noticed it.
"Is that an amulet of Mara?" He asked.
"It is" Jessa shyly smiled
"So you wish to marry then?" was his next question, looking, for the first time, a bit unsure and nervous.
"Why? Are you interested?" It was her turn to be nervous now.
Farkas grinned, "Not going to lie, I am. You?"
"Not going to lie, I am" was the breathless reply.
"Well it's about damned time the two of you quit pussyfooting around!" laughed Vilkas
All of The Companions attended the ceremony. All her new family, and friends. All wished the newlyweds well, including that oaf Vilkas, a loving term now for her brother-in-law.
The nightmares still come, but they are mixed now with pleasant dreams. And she is no longer alone. As strong arms pull her closer, and loving inquisitive eyes look into hers, she finally tells him everything that brought her here, the choice she is struggling to make, as two sides wish to make use of her talents, and newly discovered power. Farkas, with the wisdom of a sage, puts his hand over her heart, and says "listen to this, it will never lead you the wrong way". And she had to agree. It had, after all, led her to him
