Authors note
I do not own the elder scroll series. god i wish i did. but they belong to bethesda, i just like playing with the characters. Fair warning there are spoilers for main storyline, companions, and the forsworn. please review tell me what you think regardless. most of the story will be from Farkas perspective, but it will switch everyonce in a while.
Upon her arrival in Whiterun Li'ine caused quite a stir. Not only was this half naked Redguard woman, covered in blood but she was raving about dragons attacking Helgen. Li'ine knew she wasn't particularly liked in Skyrim, solely because of her race, and the loss of her early memory and possible criminal past didn't help matters, and most of the natives skirted around her keeping their distance. Hungry, homeless and desperate for work she approached the companions.
During her flight from Helgen, she had barely stopped in Riverwood, stopping only to grab a better sword, and some food, before hurrying to inform the Jarl of Whiterun of the danger. She might have been a native of Hammerfell but she knew the dragons would affect everyone, she knew it instinctively, and so she had run towards Dragonsreach, only stopping to try to aid some warriors bring down a giant. A woman, with war paint on her face had suggested she come to Jorvasker and seek entry into the companions, as her and her group walked away from the dead giant and very confused woman. Li'ine shook her head and continued on to Dragonsreach. Once Li'ine had informed Jarl Balgruuf of the dragon, he was willing to let her help out; but not before sending her out on an errand to an ancient Barrow crawling with drauger, for some artifact for his court wizard.
When she returned, Li'ine along with Balgruuf's housecarl Irileth left to deal with a possible dragon at Whitewatch tower. Li'ine had never fought a dragon before, and she like most of the nords of Skyrim thought they were legend. But nothing works so much for belief as having one crash your own execution. It was a long battle and haveing spent all of her arrows, she was forced to dodge in and out hacking and stabbing where she could, never getting close to the dragons dangerous mouth, and trying to not use the guards as bait. As the dragon finally fell, through their combined efforts, she sat exhausted on the ground head in her hands, suddenly she was overwhelmed with knowledge flowing into her very being, and most of it she didn't understand. Her head reeling she stood up, planning to bolt away from the quiet guards. Their awed tones and reluctance to come near her was enough reason for her to want to flee. Irileth approached her cautiously, and informed her she might be the dragon born. After wearily shaking off their adoration, she trudged back to Whiterun, making it back to Dragonsreach at dawn, she reported to the Jarl, who then proceeded to give her more confusing information, and to make her a thane.
"A thane in rags with only a sword to her name." she sniggered to herself as she walked down the steps heading for the bannered mare wanting nothing more then an ale and sleep. She was stopped once again by the woman with war paint, from earlier.
"I'm Aela." She said politely, throwing Li'ine off by the compleate juxtaposition of personality from before. Aela grinned wolfishly, like she had just discovered her next meal. thats better. Li'ine thought briefly, before Aela continued. "I am a member of the companions, we are looking for new recruits to our family, and you dragonborn just might have what it takes."
Li'ine shook her head wearily she hadn't slept since before Helgen. "I wish I could but I have none of the qualifying traits."
Aela smiled and shook her head "Nonsense, you practically took that dragon yourself, we watched." She finished catching the perplexed look on her face. "Come you can stay the night in our recruits hall, and tomorrow you can decide." Aela pulled her towards Jorvasker halting any protests the exhausted Li'ine could offer.
Three weeks later Li'ine was now an official member of the companions. She really had Aela to thank for that, for bringing her in giving her a home, no matter how temporary it may prove. Kodlak was friendly but had an air of hardend nobility. The old man, it was how she came to see him, constantly trying to protect his surrogate family, and keep it together. Skijor was gruff but fair, Aela was a fierce warrior, the other new recruits always vying for attention. "What did you kill today?" she was rather tired of that question, death was not something to be boasted over, and since the beginning of her journey her opinion on death had been changeing. she didn't remember much before Helgen but small things were starting to come back to her, the reason she had left Hammerfell to begin with was still a mystery though. Li'ine shook her head she would remember eventually. She went up the stairs heading for the table she was starved. There were Vilkas and Farkas sitting at the other end of the table, Vilkas was distant and rather cold, but considering that not only was she a redguard, but she had also found favor amongst Kodlak, and most especially with his younger twin Farkas.
Li'ine sighed; Farkas had been her shield brother on her initiation task, and even though she had blundered gloriously by trapping herself and forcing Farkas to reveal his secret to save them from the silver hand. He still treated her as an equal, and was really her only true friend in all of Skyrim at that point.
"Will I get to be a werewolf?" She had asked awed as another legendary myth was suddenly in front of her.
"Only a trusted few gain the beast blood." He had said smiling slightly. When they had returned she had been officially initiated into the companions, only to be approached later by Skijor and Aela. She met them under cover of night outside the under forge and had become a complete member of the group, with the blood of the wolf running through her veins. Her first transformation had been startling and she could only think of fleeing the city. Once she had come back to she was naked, and Aela was there with her gear. They then had gone to retrieve a shard of the ancient war axe Wuuthrod from the silver hand.
That night would forever remain imprinted in her brain. They had made their way through the cave system, wolf heads impaled on spikes, warnings to intruders. Every cage she passed another dead werewolf impaled and dismembered sealing her hatred. The crushing blow was when Aela and her saw the leader stab Skijor killing him instantly. The next few weeks passed in a blur, as her and Aela exacted their revenge on the unfortunate souls. When she finally returned to Jorrvasker, Vilkas informed her in his typical disapproving tone that Kodlak would like to see her. She barely nodded acknowledgement, before heading to the baths. She was stopped on her way by Farkas. He looked concerned.
"You have been gone a long time." He said softly before his nostrils flared slightly and she found him sniffing her. "You smell of blood and fatigue, you should get some rest and a bath, Kodlak will wait till morning."
"Oh? Vilkas informed me that it was imperative?" she said wearily.
"Yes well the whole place is in grief for the loss of Skijor and we have all been more cross then we should be. Go rest, I will inform Kodlak that you will speak with him tomorrow." Farkas said patting her shoulder before walking off giving a small wave over his shoulder. Li'ine smiled slightly before going to follow his advice.
"The silver hand be cursed!" Aela raved, "First Skijor and now Kodlak. We must claim retribution!"
"That isn't what he would have wanted." Vilkas admonished "You." He said pointing at Li'ine, "New blood you're coming with me to retrieve the fragments of Wuuthrod. Aela you and Farkas get things taken care of here. We shouldn't be gone long." He said before turning to leave, Aela grunted before storming after him, Farkas stood silently with Li'ine.
"Is this my fault?" She said softly, the first shot at family she gets and already it's falling apart. And the thought that she had caused the old warriors death nearly broke her heart.
"No." Farkas was a man of few words but he wasn't stupid like the rest insisted, "this was coming for a long time. We were to disparate on how to handle issues but now that decisions have to be made the blame is being pushed on a scapegoat….usually it's me, but I can't say im pleased with the responsibility falling on you."
Li'ine smiled for the first time in days, his small kindness towards her was enough to push through the continued exhaustion and sleep deprivation caused by the overbearing responsibilities that kept getting thrown at her. First dragons, now cults. What next? She thought briefly, "Thanks Farkas, hey when this is all over I have some things I need to do would you be willing to accompany me."
"You've been a good friend to me, and that means something. I would be honored."