Unworthy
Garret walked into Jorrvaskr with the intent on joining the Companions. Having defeated both Harkon and Alduin, the dragonborn found himself both bored and in desperate need of fellowship. He told the member s of Dawnguard that there was no way in Oblivion that he was going to let them turn him into a werewolf. He didn't need that kind of stress and left them to their own devices. He was met with two of the members fist fighting. Shaking his blonde head, he left them fighting and headed downstairs on the directions of Tilma.
Downstairs he walked down the long hallway and to a room at the end of it.
"But I still hear the call of the blood." Vilkas was saying.
"We all do, it is our burden to bear but we can overcome."
"You have my brother and me, obviously. I don't know that the rest will go along so easily."
Garret walked into the room and spoke to the elder.
"A stranger comes into our hall."
"I'd like to join the Companions." Garret said. The old man regarded him with amusement.
"Would you now?" He asked. "Let me take a look at you. Yes, certain strength of spirit."
"Master, surely you're not considering accepting him?"
Garret narrowed his blue eyes at Vilkas.
"I'm nobody's master Vilkas. And last I checked we had some empty beds in Jorrvaskr for those with a fire burning in their hearts."
"Apologies. Perhaps now isn't the time. I've never even heard of this outsider."
Garret rolled his eyes.
"I'm sure you have." He retorted. "You just haven't realized it." Kodlak laughed at the boy's response. He didn't know it, but Vilkas' face was annoyed. Garret had spoken to Vilkas offhandedly and flippantly, so Kodlak didn't doubt that the young imperial was brave.
"Sometimes the famous come to us. Sometimes men and women come to us to seek their fame. It makes no difference. What matters is their heart."
"And their arm," Vilkas said.
"Of course. How are you in battle boy?"
"I can handle myself."
Kodlak smiled.
"That may be so. This is Vilkas; he will test your arm. Vilkas take him out to the yard and see what he can do."
"Aye." Vilkas said, standing up and running from the room. Garret took off after him.
"I'm more than capable of keeping up with you!" Garret called.
They got upstairs and outside.
"The old man said to have a look at you. Where's your weapon?!" Garret waved his hand and a sword of energy appeared. Vilkas glared at him and Garret laughed. "The Companions don't use magic to do battle."
"Wow, you really don't like magic." Garret giggled. There was some laughter from the others. Garret dispelled the sword and raised his fists.
"You don't have a proper weapon?!"
"Not unless you'd like to get hit with frost and fire enchantments."
Vilkas felt his patience snap and he swung at Garret. Garret sidestepped easily, and caught the blade, using Vilkas' momentum against him. Garret grinned cheekily when Vilkas stumbled due to a well place kick. The companions were all outside with the exception of Kodlak. Vilkas rounded on him. "Though, you might want to rethink that no magic stuff." He teased. Vilkas swung again, this time higher and Garret ducked below the blade, only to be kneed in the face. "Nice!" Garret said. "Careful with the nose." Garret was barely finished speaking when Vilkas swung again. This time, Garret managed to disarm him, much to the Companion's surprise.
Garret looked surprised himself. Then he grinned mischievously. Vilkas watched in horror as the boy threw the sword into the air and rushed him, landing three solid blows. The sword came down and Skjor cursed, thinking that they were both about to get skewered. Garret caught it though and raised an eyebrow at Vilkas. Silence reigned in the training grounds and Vilkas found himself surprised that he was beaten by a boy that looked like he could barely carry a blade. Garret lowered the blade and turned it over to Garret.
"Not bad." Vilkas said after a moment. "You might just make it. But for now you're still a whelp to us new blood. So you do what we tell you."
Garret rolled his eyes. "Take this sword up to Eorlund to have it sharpened. And be careful! It's probably worth more than you are."
"Gee thanks." Garret muttered. "Douchebag." Garret disappeared up the stairs to the forge. Skjor shook his head.
"He's got talent." Skjor commented casually. "A bit reckless but that will go with time."
"He's foolish." Vilkas said.
"It's been a long time since anyone was able to disarm you."
Farkas nodded.
"That was interesting. Where did he learn to do that?"
"I don't care, it's dangerous."
Vilkas stalked off and Farkas shrugged, heading inside. Aela smiled, she liked the boy already and they hadn't been properly introduced. She and Skjor headed inside to discuss important matters. When Garret knocked on her door she was surprised to see him.
"I have your shield."
"Ah, good I've been waiting for this. Are you new here?"
"This is the new recruit. I saw him training in the yard with Vilkas."
"Ah, yes, I heard you gave him quiet the thrashing."
Garret blinked.
"Don't let Vilkas catch you saying that."
"Do you think you can handle Vilkas in a real fight?" Aela asked.
"That depends. Are there rules to this fight or am I allowed to use whatever means are at my disposal?" Garret asked. "I wasn't playing dirty today but I'm not above it."
Skjor and Aela laughed.
"You've got fire."
"And ice and lightening." Garret joked. Aela laughed again. Garret's eyes twinkled with mirth.
"I like this one." Skjor said.
"Let's have Farkas show you where you'll be resting your head."
"Farkas!"
The sound of feet running alerted Garret that they weren't alone. He turned to find himself facing a bigger version of Vilkas.
"You called me?"
"Of course we did icebrain. Show this new blood where the rest of the whelps sleep."
"New blood? Oh, hello. Come on, follow me."
"See you guys later."
Garret followed Farkas out.
"Skjor and Aela like to tease me." Farkas said. "But they're good people. They challenge us to be our best."
"Ah."
"It's good to see a new face around here. It gets boring sometimes. I hope we keep you; this can be a rough life. The quarters are through here. Just pick a bed and fall into it when you get tired. Tilma will keep the place clean, she always has. Here we are. Looks like the others are here to meet you. You can come to me or Aela if you're looking for work. Once you've made a bit of a name for yourself Skjor or Vilkas might have something for you. Good luck and welcome to the Companions."
"Thanks Farkas."
Garret walked into the room where he received a warm welcome from Ria and Torvar but Athis and Njada were standoffish. Farkas decided it was time to rescue the boy.
"By the way, if you're looking for something to do."
"Yes?"
"We got a letter here about someone needing some muscle right here in Whiterun hold. I don't know what the fight was about and it's not my business. I need you to go there, look tough and scare this milk drinker into submission. That's all alright, I don't want to hear about a killing, understand?"
"Got it. I'm on it like wolves on meat."
Ria and Torvar giggled, even Farkas chuckled as Garret left. When Garret came back, he was sporting a black eye but he was grinning like a fool. Farkas laughed as he told Garret that sometimes it was fun to push people around. But when Garret asked for more work, he sent him to Skjor.
AN: Playing through the Companions quest line, I could help but make these internal comments when Vilkas' snarky self was protesting about the Dragonborn joining the Companions, even though I had already completed the several of the other storylines and destroyed the Dark Brotherhood some time before speaking to Kodlak. Thought it would be funny as hell to have a Dragonborn return the snark and beat the crap outta him while he was testing their arm. The trick with the sword I saw in an old movie and I thought it was cooler than fighting dragons. Also, the "wolves on meat" is a derivative of the "white on rice" phrase, since they don't have rice in Skyrim. Anyway, review and tell me what you think.