Author's note: Hello! I really hope you enjoy this story and know that constructive comments are always welcomed! English isn't my first language so if you see some mistakes please let me know!
Disclamer: All the universe and characters belong to Bethesda.
"I've been looking for you. Got something I'm supposed to deliver - your hands only."
A courier's voice was the first thing Ellyra heard when she pushed the door into Jorrvaskr. She was almost convinced he was talking to Aela, who was entering the mead hall just behind her. It was quite a surprise when he handed her a sealed letter. Her eyes went to her fellow companions. The whelps were sitting at the table, but none of them was looking at their food: they were watching the courier. The twin brothers, Farkas and Vilkas, stood by each side of the Courier. The poor man seemed quite small next to the two intimidating giants. Ellyra could not remember the last time courier had entered Jorrvaskr.
"We told him we would give you the letter when you come back, but the man insisted" Vilkas said in his thick, nord accent. "He waited for you while you were... busy."
Vilkas knew that she had been gone hunting with Aela. The Companions were serious on that matter: no one could know that the members of the Circle were werewolves. There was no way they could send the courier after her when she was gone hunting.
While the delivery man left the mead hall, the woman observed the seal on the letter. she recognized it quickly as her family crest. It had been almost a year since the last time they had contacted her. Her fingers got rid of the seal in a hurry to find out what was written. After reading the few words that the letter contained, she made it disappear in her pocket.
"What was it?" Aela asked.
"Business. Just someone asking the companions for help. I'll take care of it."
Most of the companions just went back to concentrate on their food. Yet, the Circle was not very convinced. They had seen her face change as she was reading the letter: her eyes widening, her expression darkened… Her shadow disappeared through the door of the living quarters. Vilkas exchanged a look with his shield-siblings before the three of them went after her, down the stairs and into the dark yet cozy basement.
Under the dim light of a single candle, Ellyra was packing some essential objects into a bag: some food, potions, warm clothes… She was not aware of her actions since she had read the letter: although short, its words echoed endlessly in her mind, urging her to act as fast as possible. She barely even noticed when the rest of the Circle entered her room. They stood there in silence, waiting for her to notice their presence. It was Aela voice that brought her back to reality:
"Are you sure that this is about the companions?"
Ellyra stared at her friends and shrugged.
"All I can tell you is that it's personal business. Please trust me on this."
"Kodlak trusted you enough to let you become Harbinger." Vilkas declared after a short moment. "I shall do the same."
The woman could feel that the nord was not entirely convinced by his own answer.
"I'll be back before any of you can worry. I promise."
On that note, she grabbed her bag and left her shield-siblings and Jorrvaskr behind. Deep down, she knew that they were already worried. Yet, they did not need to know about the goal of her journey: as it could not be considered noble.