Oh so this chapter was fun to write, really. Please leave reviews, I need to know if some scenes feel awkward or to vague when it comes to descriptions and fbeowifnsebgknsd. fboewigm. fhlai.

I do not own Bethesda, unfortunately. ;c

After walking down the grand staircase, Vaedi gazed upon the Gildergreen, the old dead tree in the middle of the Wind District, her light brown eyes following the fashion of which the long branches were in. She could feel her shoulders relax, her face lighten up. Despite the annoying preacher in front of the shrine of Talos, whom she muted out, she found the serenity of Whiterun quite enjoyable.

Her peaceful environment was soon interrupted when she heard a loud voice call her. "Hey, you!" the voice shouted, in a somewhat friendly manner. She turned to see it was Farkas, the man that pulled her away from her fight with his twin, Vilkas. "Vaedi, you mean," she said when Farkas came closer to her, looking like he was coming from the front doors of Jorrvaskr. She turned to him, seeing that his massive size had not been imaginable. "Sorry. So, Vaedi, have you thought about my offer?" he asked. He made sure to keep his composure as friendly as possible, and it seemed that it was working. "I… uh…" she stuttered, caught a bit off guard by his repeated request. "You know what?" she said, "Yes. Now, how do I sign up?"

Farkas chuckled. Not many people are as enthusiastic when it comes to joining the Companions, Gods, not many people are enthusiastic being in the Companions. "Talk to Kodlak Whitemane, our harbinger. He'll set you up," said Farkas while giving her a hard pat on her back, directing her towards Jorrvaskr. Vaedi lost balance and stumbled her step towards the boat-like building. Farkas chuckled again, with an embarrassed smile in return from Vaedi.

She headed up the small flight of stairs towards the two sets of double doors, decorated with ornate wooden patterns and dye. She opened one of them, to reveal a large mead hall, with two short dining tables across from each other and a long one across from Vaedi on the other side of the hearth in-between them. There was even more food than there was at Dragonsreach! When she saw no one was at the dining tables, she looked through the big room to see—and hear—a fistfight going. A Nord woman and a male Dunmer. At least five other Companions crowded around them, yelling in support, advice, and obscenities. She walked down the three stair steps toward the ruckus, and took another look of the place. There were wooden benches all around the room, and on one of them, she saw an elder with a younger man sitting next to each other, watching the fight from afar. He had no armor on, and he looked too much of a drunken nobleman to be the authority figure of such an esteemed guild, or so she had heard.

An old woman with a broom in her hand and a smile on her face walked up to Vaedi. "Ah, a newcomer, yes? You must be looking for Kodlak. He's in his chamber. Go down those stairs and to the end of the hall," she said. Her voice sounded like the most evil of bandits wouldn't lay a finger on her. "Thank you," Vaedi replied. She turned and walked toward what looked like would be a staircase to a basement, and walked down the stairs to open the door.

The barracks were almost as ornate as the mead hall. There were benches and side tables with mead and bread atop of them. No one was walking these halls except for Vaedi. At the end of the hall, she saw an open door, and heard the sound of two men talking inside of the room. She headed towards the sound.

Entering the room, the atmosphere of the room seemed to have a giant thundercloud above it. Vaedi could feel herself glaring at the figure sitting next to the man whom she'd figure would be Kodlak Whitemane. Vilkas. Thank the Gods she was silent, or else he would have tackled her on sight. She overheard him talking secretly with Kodlak. "But I still hear the call of the blood," Vilkas said with worry. Kodlak looked like the kind of man who was a sympathetic and generous Nord, rather than those who yell about their fights and how they'll bed the next woman they see.

"I know, Vilkas. But the feeling will pass. We can overcome this," Kodlak reassured. What in the name of Meridia were they talking about? Damn, is the Companions part of some secret cult no one knows about? Maybe she's just exaggerating. Maybe Vilkas is just some bloodthirsty brute ready for some action. The latter seemed more likely, knowing his dramatic manner earlier that day.

Just then, Kodlak laid his eyes on Vaedi. His face did not change when he saw the bad bruises and cuts on Vaedi's face from her fight with Vilkas. Vilkas showed the slightest of smiles, proud of the damage taken by that disrespectful wench. He crossed his arms and lay back in his chair, sending her insults through his mind, knowing she couldn't hear him. During this, she sent him dirty insults as well. After around five seconds of angry silence, Kodlak broke it.

"Well," he started. "A stranger comes to our hall." He then gave a glance to Vilkas, and looked back to Vaedi. "Though it seems you two have met before," he stated.

Vilkas wouldn't lay his eyes off of her, not yet done with his mental bashing.

"I would like to join the Companions," said Vaedi. She properly straightened her back and looked Kodlak straight in the eye, clearing her mind of any negative energy sourced from Vilkas' cold glare.

Kodlak saw that her face had changed once she had stated her request. A simple disliking against a man could not hinder her mind. "Would you, now?" he said. "Here, let me take a look at ya." He stood up, revealing his mighty height, and took the step or two it took to get to Vaedi. He put his hand on her chin, lightly lifting up her face. Turned it to the right, to the left. He observed her face, including the bruises and cuts. He stared deep into her eyes like reading small print. Vaedi stared back, of course, having nothing to hide. She could feel Vilkas glaring at her with the sense of "I hope you fail, bitch." When Kodlak believed he had seen enough, he released Vaedi's face. "Hmm, yes," he said. "a certain strength in spirit."

Vilkas' eyes widened, his brow furrowing as much as they could. "Master!" he cried. "You're not truly considering accepting her?" Vilkas was not one to speak out of turn, but he honestly couldn't let this happen. He crossed his arms in protest.

Kodlak quickly turned his head to Vilkas, making sure he felt his anger. "I am nobody's master, Vilkas. And besides, the last time I checked, we had some extra beds in Jorrvaskr," he paused. He turned back to Vaedi with the tranquility back in his eyes. "For those with a fire burning in their hearts."

Vilkas' brow did not relax, and his arms were still entwined with each other. "Apologies, but perhaps this isn't the time. I haven't even heard of this outsider," he said. His gaze went back to Vaedi, giving her more mental insults than before.

Vaedi looked back at him, and raised her eyebrows. Is this man honestly so immature that he's trying to convince their Harbinger that he's wrong? That's pathetic. Might as well lighten the mood as best she can.

"This one hasn't laid with a woman in a long while, eh?" she joked, nudging her elbow into Kodlak's side. Suddenly, without any kind of warning, Kodlak burst into a jovial laughter. The sight and sound made Vaedi join in with the old man, as she wrapped his arm around his shoulders.

What they were laughing at though, practically called a thunderstorm above his head. He sunk more into his seat the more they laughed. The last time people had laughed at him was when he was drunk and was shouting about his love for Talos and hagravens, and that was over five years ago. When their laughter had started to tire, Vilkas cleared his throat loudly.

"Ah, aha, yes," said Kodlak. "Anyway, how are you in combat, girl?"

"With my fists? You tell me," Vaedi said as she bopped her head towards the grumpy creature in the corner. Kodlak chuckled. "With my weapon, though? I've got much to learn."

"That's the spirit!" Kodlak said with a giant pat now on Vaedi's back. "Vilkas, go take her out to the yard. Test her arm," he ordered.

Vilkas obediently got up from his seat and gestured his arm to signal Vaedi to follow. They exited Kodlak's quarters, and walked down the long hall of the living area of Jorrvaskr. Vaedi had to speed up to catch up with Vilkas and his long and angry strides.

When the entered the main hall of Jorrvaskr, the Nord woman who was fighting that male Dunmer had a wet cloth against her bruised face. When she passed her, the woman only glared. Some other Companions were just sitting around, twiddling their thumbs and whatnot.

Vilkas pushed the door opposite of the main entrance to the courtyard. When Vaedi stepped outside, her eyes squinted due to the brightness. When they had adjusted, she saw that other Companions, including Farkas, were sitting outside at the tables in the outside eating area. Beyond the eating area, there were a few training dummies and some archery targets made of twine. A training area, she figured.

When the duo made it to the training ground, Vilkas now had a steel greatsword in his hands. "The old man said to have a look at ya," he said. He widened his stance, and gripped his sword tightly.

"Best get serious now," Vaedi said under her breath. She pulled out her warhammer from the sheath on her back, and clumsily remembered how heavy it was when she got a handle on it.

"Let's get this started," said Vilkas. His eyes peered into her soul, waiting for her to start.

Vaedi firmed her grip on her iron warhammer and plunged the first attack, which resulted with a sword deflecting her blow. She tried this multiple times, though Vilkas proves to be superior when it came to blocking. When Vilkas had finally attacked, Vaedi had barely enough time to deflect it, and it ricocheted to hit her side. Vilkas gave another blow, which Vaedi managed to duck under when she winced in pain. She swung her warhammer to hit behind his thigh, and smirked at the success. He lost his balance, and Vaedi smiled at the opportunity in front of her. She then slammed her hammer against his back, causing him to disarm and tumble to the ground.

Vilkas quickly grabbed his greatsword again and got back up on his feet. His eyes filled with rage, his teeth clenched like a hungry wolf's. He wouldn't let her go so easy.

We gave multiple swings of his greatsword to the point where Vaedi's warhammer was almost sliced in two. Looking at the state of her weapon, Vaedi threw it to the side. By this time, more Companions went outside to see the outsider fight for her place amongst their ranks.

Vaedi rolled her neck and shoulders. She brought up her hand, palm up, and bent her fingers forward. "Let's finish what we started," she said.

Vilkas threw down his greatsword and opened his arms in acceptance. To this, let out a war cry tackled the man. Her legs were too lightly on top of the man, and hardly got a punch into the man's face. Vilkas then threw her off, and got on top of her. "Here's what you get, bitch!" he yelled. He held down her neck and pinned her body down. He gave her multiple blows to the face, a few meant to leave a bit of a memory on her face whenever he saw her again. Vaedi squirmed under his heavy weight, trying to find a way to break free, which wasn't easy when she could feel her face practically getting smashed into. She realized that her arm was able to move under him, and wriggled it until it was free of his pin. She clawed onto the skin oh his prickly neck to the point of bleeding, and Vilkas winced. She then grabbed his arm with all her might, hoping to loosen his grip in any way. She managed to bend his elbow enough to punch the crook of his elbow, loosening the grip of her neck. Vaedi quickly got back up, wheezing from all of the pressure on her trachea, and got on top of Vilkas again.

"You son of a bitch!" she yelled. She landed a few good blows on his face, at least breaking his nose and cutting the inside of his mouth. Her punches seemed to have a bit less effort than before, though. Less strength, less of a drive, she had. Whether or not, she would never quit.

"You just never quit, do you?" Vilkas grunted. He grabbed her neck from underneath and the pair swirled around to where Vaedi's head was stuck in Vilkas' arm. His strength was increasing, his anger seething through this fight. He could feel his eyes burning.

All of the Companions were out to watch the death match, unsure of what to do. He wouldn't really try to kill her, would he?

Vaedi was latching onto Vilkas' arms. Her legs kicked so hard Vilkas was surprised they didn't fly off. To him, she was going to stop kicking soon enough.

Vaedi was soon to submit to him, but when she looked at him, she didn't see the silver eyes of Vilkas. She saw the golden eyes of a monster. Her legs kicked less and less the more she looked in his eyes.

"VILKAS!" roared a couple of deep, angry voices. Massive forces were pulled Vilkas away from his target. Each man pulled off each of his arms, and yanked him off of Vaedi.

Vaedi's deep inhales sounded like a begging for dear life. Like a black hole sucking in whatever it can take. She got on her knees and bent over to cough out the blood in her throat. Coughed out the blood and pain like one would rid an evil spirit from one's soul, she did. She massaged her neck to soothe the extreme pain as her breathing became more soothing.

"What in Talos' name were you thinking, Vilkas?" yelled Kodlak. He shot quick glances to Vaedi back to Vilkas, the anger equally exchanged between the two. "My quarters, NOW," Kodlak ordered.

After gaining back her strength, Vaedi stumbled to her feet and headed for the back doors of Jorrvaskr, making sure to keep her distance from Vilkas. She passed Farkas, who gave her a sympathetic gaze. The rest of the Companions were standing in silence as she looked at them on her way in. Every person in there was shocked, except for one, a Nord woman with red hair and three long stripes of teal war paint on her strong face. She wouldn't lay her eyes off Vilkas. Her face showed no affection, only disappointment. The rest stared at Vaedi.

In Kodlak's quarters, the two fighters were sitting at the table in which Vaedi first met Kodlak. They sat opposite each other, and neither dared look in the other's direction. Vilkas sat with his arms crossed across his chest, his right foot on his left to lift his right thigh off the chair to prevent any pain from contact. Vaedi carefully leaned her elbow on the table, minding the bruises and cuts on her arm. They sat in silence as each one became angrier with the other. Unable to stand the silence, whether or not it's with someone she hated or not, she decided to speak up.

"Nice skirt," she said.

"Shut up," said Vilkas. "Unless you want me to finish strangling you."

"You wouldn't get the chance, love."

"You're trying to quarrel with me now?"

"Oh, I wouldn't dare—"

"Enough!" shouted an outside voice. Kodlak stood with his arms crossed, his brow furrowed more than one can imagine. "Vilkas, I said to test her arm, not her neck! You almost tr-," he hesitated. "You practically lost control! You know you're better than this," he said. Vilkas slightly slumped his shoulders and stared at his feet.

"And you," he continued. "Vaedi, you've done more than to prove yourself a Companion. You held yourself well, but you lack restraint. I know you and Vilkas had a rough start, but that's no excuse for that behavior!" he rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I can't have you two always brawling whenever you two are in the same area! We are Companions. We fight together, not against each other. I'm nobodies master, but I will not let either of you do jobs until you two learn how to get along!" Kodlak stopped, and rubbed the bridge of his nose again, with his other hand on his hip. "I'm sending you two on a job. Together," he stated.

Both Vilkas and Vaedi's eyes widened with the company of raised eyebrows. They both glanced at each other; both shook their heads at each other. "Kodlak," Vilkas spoke. "How do you expect us to be alone with each oth—"

"You need to learn how to stand each other, to fight side-by-side. I'm hoping you both can at least be neutral with each other when this is over." Kodlak explained.

Vaedi nodded at this order. In all honesty, it would be nice if she didn't have the thought of someone wanting to kill her in her dreams at night. "Where do you want us to go, Harbinger?" she asked. "Some bandit cave?"

"No," Kodlak answered. "You two need to go somewhere your trust will be truly depended on."

The duo looked at each other again, asking in their minds where he could be thinking, both getting no answers.

"You're going to Bleak Falls Barrow."