Chapter 2:
A few weeks later.
It had been an average day at Jorrvaskr. Seeing as there were only a few recruits at the moment, it made Vilkas's job a lot easier. He just to watch them hacking and slashing away at training dummies, commenting on their form and occasionally their stance. They'd learnt enough by now to at least stand right, thank the divines. Once that was done, he had made his was down into the living quarters to talk with Kodlak. The old man had been having a hard time moving up to eat with the rest of them, and so Vilkas had taken it upon himself to visit him.
They had sank into discussion so easily, that it took him a while to notice the new scent drifting down from above.
"But I still hear the call of the blood." He explained to Kodlak quietly.
"We all do, it is our burden to bear but we can overcome it." Kodlak replied with a firm look at the young man before him.
"You have my brother and I obviously but I still don't know if the rest will go along quite so easily..." Vilkas trailed off as the scent finally hit his nose.
"Leave that to me." Kodlak said with a soft nod, before his eyes were brought up to the woman who now stood before them. Vilkas surveyed her quietly. She didn't have the look of a warrior, she looked more prepared to stab you in the back than fight you honourable, or so he thought.
"A stranger comes to our hall." Kodlak remarked, looking at the woman, who stared back at him.
"Eli would like to join the companions." The woman spoke though her thick Khajiit accent, her strangely blue eyes flicking to glance between the two men. Vilkas crossed his arms, brow furrowed at the woman. Humouring her, Kodlak spoke.
"Would you now? Here, let me have a look at you." After a few moments of pause. "Hm. Yes. Perhaps. A certain strength of spirit."
"Master, you're not truly considering accepting her?" Vilkas said, turning to look at Kodlak, surprised.
"I am nobodies master Vilkas," Kodlak said sternly, looking firmly at the younger man. "And last I checked, we still had some empty beds in Jorrvaskr for those with a fire burning in their hearts."
Vilkas's frown deepened. "Apologies. But perhaps this isn't the time. I've never even heard of this outsider."
"Sometimes the famous come to us. Sometimes men and women come to us to seek their fame, it makes no difference." Kodlak said, looking at Vilkas before he turned back to Eli. "What matters is their heart."
"And their arm..." Vilkas muttered, causing Eli to look at him, her eyes sharp.
"Of course, how are you in battle girl?" Kodlak asked.
"Eli can handle herself." She said crossing her arms firmly, meeting his gaze full on.
"That maybe so." Kodlak said sitting up a bit. "This is Vilkas, he will test your arm." He turned to the young man. "Vilkas take her out to the yard and see what she can do."
Vilkas looked at the old man for a moment before sighing.
"Aye."
He rose and marched out past Eli, however he could hear her walking after him, staying close. Eager to get this over with, he hurried up the stairs and into the main hall before practically sprinting outside. Eli however matched his pace, and remained beside him the whole time. He stopped out in the yard and turned to face her.
"The old man said to have a look at you, so let's do this." He said. "Just have a few swings at me so I can see your form. Don't worry, I can take it."
Eli nodded and drew her weapons, two shotty looking steel axes that had seen battle many times before. Vilkas drew his sword and his shield before standing across from her. Eli didn't wait for him to say go, she simply charged at him, swinging her axe wildly. In quick succession she struck his shield firmly, sending shock waves down his arm. She was much stronger than she looked. He quickly sheathed his weapon and she did the same.
"How was that?" Eli asked, crossing her arms triumphantly.
"Not bad. Next time won't be so easy." Vilkas said with a small nod at her as he crossed his arms firmly. "You might just make it. But for now, you're still a whelp to us, new blood. So you do what we tell you."
He then drew his sword and handed it to her forcefully. "Here's my sword, go take it up to Eorland to have it sharpened. And be careful, it's probably worth more than you are." On that note, Vilkas turned and marched off back into Jorrvaskr without so much as looking back at her. Eli stood there for a few moments fuming over his treatment of her before she marched across the courtyard and headed up to the skyforge. Eorland was grinding away at another sword and Eli had to tap him on his shoulder to get his attention. Rising from the grindstone he turned to her.
"What brings you here?" He asked, walking around her to head over to the forge.
"Vilkas sent Eli with his sword..." Eli said, presenting it to the older man. He looked at her with a knowing smile.
"I'm guessing you're the newcomer then?" He said, taking the sword from her and placing it down on the workbench behind him.
"Does Vilkas always send newcomers on errands?" Eli asked, glancing back at Jorrvaskr.
"Oh don't worry too much about it." Eorlund said with a wave of his hand as he turned to work the forge. "They were all whelps once, they just might not like to talk about it."
Eli grinned a little as Eorlund looked at her again.
"And don't always just do what you're told. Nobody rules anybody in the companions."
Eli nodded and tucked the piece of information away in the corner of her mind.
"Someone has to be in charge though..." She questioned but Eorlund simply shook his head.
"Well I'm not sure how they've managed it, but they have. No leaders since Ysgramor. Kodlak is the Harbinger, and he's sort of an advisor for the whole group, but every man is his own. Every woman, her own."
Eli nodded along to what he was saying.
"Eli needs to be going." She said once he'd finished and turned to leave.
"I have a favour to ask." Eorlund said, making her turn back to look at him.
"What is it?" Eli asked. He moved over to the table again and picked up a shield.
"I've been working on a shield for Aela. My wife is in mourning and I need to get back to her soon. I'd be much obliged if you could take this to Aela for me." He asked, holding out the shield to her.
"Eli would be happy to lend a hand." Eli said taking the shield from him.
"That's a good girl." He said with a smile before waving her off as she headed back down the stairs to Jorrvaskr. She jogged back inside, carrying the shield in front of her, heading back down to the living quarters. She walked past an older woman sweeping the floor, heading down towards the harbingers quarters. She could hear Aela talking with someone and she soon found the other woman in Skjor's room.
"Eli has your shield." Eli said when the woman turned a sharp eye on her. Aela's face instantly softened.
"Ah good, I've been waiting for this." She said taking the shield and raising it to inspect it. She then glanced at Eli again. "Wait...I remember you. So the old man thinks you've got some heart, I guess."
"You know this one?" The older man cut in. "I saw her training in the yard with Vilkas."
Aela grinned. "Ah yes, I heard you gave him quite a thrashing." She turned to look at Eli.
"Don't let Vilkas catch you saying that." Skjor said, crossing his arms.
"Do you think you could handle Vilkas in a real fight?" Aela suddenly asked and Eli blinked.
"Eli doesn't care for boasting." Eli said with a small shrug.
"Ah, a woman of action." Aela said, appraisingly. "I like your fire; you'll make a fierce companion. Here, let's have Farkas show you where you'll be resting your head."
"Farkas!" Skjor called from where he stood. There was the sound of hurried footsteps before a familiar man appeared at the door.
"Did you call me?" the man asked. Eli blinked. While this man looked exactly like Vilkas, aside from his armor, his voice was completely different.
"Of course we did ice-brain." Aela teased, crossing her arms. "Show this new blood where the rest of the whelps sleep."
"New blood?" Farkas questioned, looking at Eli for a moment. "Oh I remember you. Come on, follow me."
Eli glanced at Skjor and Aela once more before following after Farkas quickly.
"Skjor and Aela like to tease me, but they are good people. They challenge us to be our best." He said as he led Eli down along the corridor. She remained silent however. "Nice to have a new face around. It gets boring here sometimes." He continued, glancing back at her. "I hope we keep you, this can be a rough life."
Eli nodded at him and hurried her step to keep up with him.
"The quarters are up here. Just pick a bed and fall in it when you're tired. Tilma will keep the place clean, she always has."
Farkas stopped just outside the doorway and turned fully to look at her.
"Alright so here you are. Looks like the others are eager to meet you. Come to me or Aela if your looking for work. Once you've made a bit of a name for yourself, Skjor and Vilkas might have some things for you to do. Good luck, welcome to the companions." He said, gesturing into the room. Eli went to squeeze past him when he suddenly stopped her.
"By the way, if you're looking for something to do...we've got trouble over in the rift, apparently there's a bunch of falmer causing trouble."
"Alright, Eli will handle it." Eli agreed finally speaking.
"So you do talk. Fine, go and deal with them and try not to get yourself killed." Farkas said before he headed off back towards his room. Eli watched him go before heading for the door again. She could tell she was going to have to work hard to earn any respect around here.
