Scattered By Destiny
AN:
JC785: Hello there fellow readers and reviewers, JC785 here. I hope you enjoyed the last chapter. I think I finally have an update schedule...or something close to resembling one. Basically, you can expect a chapter before the one month mark of the last chapter.
FlygonNick: This is also where we begin to introduce elements of the story that diverge from the path you all know and love. How and why? You shall see, but it's an interesting twist on things and will explained...OR WILL IT?
Shoutout to reviwers from last chapter: DatAwesomeBro, Dunka99, Guest, and Drem yol lok Odahviing.
JC785 & FlygonNick: Enjoy the Chapter!
Chapter 10: A New Life
By: JC785 and FlygonNick
"My word Nicholas, you have it!" Danica said in awe of Nettlebane before her.
Nicholas had returned to Whiterun the night before, and decided to retire for the night. By the time morning came, Vilkas had still not returned after disappearing the night before. Nicholas asked Kodlak about Vilkas's behavior, but Kodlak didn't say anything to that, just saying that it wasn't nothing to worry about and that the warrior would return soon enough. Eventually, Nicholas decided to go to the Temple of Kynareth by himself and show Danica the tool.
"Yeah, wasn't easy getting it either." Nicholas said, remembering getting burned by the stu.
"Oh no doubt. But your actions were not for naught. The only thing you must do now is travel to the Eldergleam Sanctuary. There, you can gather the sap from the Eldergleam with Nettlebane."
"Wouldn't you want to do it Danica? This seems like something big for someone like you." Nicholas held Nettlebane out to her. Danica only backed up from the tool as it was held to her.
"I would...but the tool has been tainted by the hagraven. I'm will not touch the foul thing now."
"Foul thing...umm..ok?"
"Please trust me on this Nicholas, it is much more doing with faith than it is physical."
"Its alright, I gotcha." Nicholas said, and Danica smiled at him.
"Thank you Nicholas, this will please Kynareth so, and will bring a sense of life to the town once more." Danica said to Nicholas, who nodded and put the dagger to his belt. He needed to let Kodlak know of his intention to head out to the Eldergleam Sanctuary and retrieve the sacred sapling. He debated asking one of the Companions for help, but realized they were probably too busy for him at the moment.
"I'll be back soon." Nicholas said to the priest, who nodded and bid goodbye to the strange young warrior who had made Whiterun his home.
"Alright, so first thing's first. Jorrvaskr. I could probably do with finishing up that Spark spellbook that Kodlak found for me the other day, too, before I head out. Not like the tree isn't going to be any deader." Nicholas muttered as he made his way to the home of the Companions, nodding to a Whiterun Guard as he walked by. Nicholas made his way into the boathouse and walked into his room. He quickly opened his chest, sat down on his bed, and poured over the Spellbook for the Sparks spell. He had sort of attempted it when he punched Farengar in the chest, but now he needed to truly learn the spell. If he could master this spell, then he would be one step closer to being strong enough to find his friends.
He wondered how they were doing...if they were safe. He wondered how his family was doing? If they were OK.
Nicholas sighed before the book in front of him burst into flames and materialized into ash, and then nothingness. Nicholas took in a deep breath and focused on his magicka before two sparks danced between his pointer finger and his thumb. Nicholas aimed his hand at the far wall and fired an arc of lightning at the wall for a moment before ceasing the attack, allowing his magicka to regenerate.
"So that's done. Now to go see Eorlund Grey-Mane about these gauntlets."
Nicholas walked out of Jorrvaskr and up to the Skyforge. As he walked up the stairs, he could hear the sounds of metal banging on metal. He reached the final step and saw Eorlund working on the gauntlets that he had come up here for. Eorlund turned and saw Nicholas, to which he gave a small smile.
"Ah, Nicholas, good thing you're here. I just finished the gauntlets you asked for." Eorlund said, picking the gauntlets up off the table. He then handed them to Nicholas who tried them on. "What do you think?"
"They feel amazing. So this is Skyforge Steel that you're always talking about." Nicholas said while looking at the impressive hand protectors.
"Indeed it is. While it doesn't compare to Ebony or Dragonbone, Skyforge Steel is still excellent for a novice like yourself."
"...Can't really tell if that was an insult or compliment, but whatever. Thanks for the gauntlets Eorlund!" Nicholas said as he walked back down the stairs and into Jorrvaskr. He went down to his bunk and started packing a traveling bag with his notebook, food, and other essentials.
"Well, that's about everything." Nicholas grabbed his bag and walked back upstairs. When he came up, Aela was in the main room sitting down with some food. She turned her head to him and smiled.
"Hey there Nicholas. Where are you off to?" Aela asked as she finished her food.
"I'm going on a quest to the Eldergleam Sanctuary. Its gonna take a few days though, so thats gonna be fun," Nicholas said with a shrug.
"Care for some company, whelp? It's been too long since I got to go on a proper quest." Aela said to the young man, who smirked.
"Sure thing. Vilkas is still MIA, and it's always awesome to hang with my favorite Shield-Sister for the day. Let's roll...unless you need to do any prepping of your own?" Nicholas asked the Companion, who shook her head and patted the enchanted bag at her waist.
"All taken care of. I always pack a bag just in case I have to leave for a job right away." Aela explained to Nicholas, who smiled slightly. That was a good habit he needed to pick up. You never know when something like that would be handy one day.
"Alright then, lets go." Nicholas opened the door and Aela quickly followed behind. When they got outside, there was a man in front of Nicholas.
"Excuse me, young warrior," the man, a young looking Breton in simple clothing, said to him. "I couldn't help but overhear you are making a pilgrimage to the Eldergleam Sanctuary earlier with Danica?"
"Yeah, what about it?" Nicholas asked the man, resting a hand on the dagger strapped to his waist..
"First, let me introduce myself. I am Maurice Jondrelle, a simple traveler and follower of Kynareth. I've come from High Rock to gaze upon the beauty of the Eldergleam, and pay homage to its glory. I am unfamiliar with this land however, and I am certainly no fighter. I was wondering if you would allow me to journey with you?" Maurice said with grace.
Nicholas looked at him, then directed his attention to Aela. "What do you think? I don't know the whole policy on tag-alongs with quests."
"Well, since Companions never turn from a cry of help, I see no harm in him joining." Aela said with a nod.
"Alright then, come on Maurice." Nicholas waved his hand towards the Breton.
"Thank you Companions, may Kynareth give you blessing on your journeys hereforward." Maurice said with a wide smile on his face. With a new member in tow, the Companions made their way out of Whiterun.
The three rented horses from the Whiterun Stables with some of the Companion's funds. Even on horseback, the trip still took 3 days around the tallest mountain in Tamriel, which Aela told Nicholas about on the trip. She told him of how another goddess, Kyne, gave life to men at the Throat of The World. Nicholas listened with curiosity, as he was still getting history lessons from Kodlak and Farengar. The history of this world was infinitely more interesting than the history of his own world, but probably because their was more magic and monsters involved with this one.
The trio passed through Ivarstead on their way, restocking on some food and giving the horses rest for a bit. After another day, they had finally reached to entrance to the Eldergleam Sanctuary early in the morning of the 3rd day.
"Well its about time. Riding on a horse for 3 days doesn't do well for the crotch...Still, its better than being in a damn car," Nicholas said as he grimaced a bit while walking.
"Oh don't complain welp, it was better than walking here for a full week," Aela said with a smirk.
"Friends, lets go! The beauty of Kynareth waits for us!" Maurice said running forward into the cave entrance. Nicholas and Aela trailed behind quickly, and stopped when the reached the opening to the grotto. The trio made their way inside the cave, but they stopped a short distance into the cave at the sight of something incredible.
"Wow, this place is huge..." Nicholas said as he eyed the beautiful grotto. The roaming green flats of land, the colorful flowers decorating the area, and the gigantic tree which gives the cave its name, the Eldergleam.
"Incredible...such beauty in an area, bestowed by Kynareth herself..." Maurice said in in pure awe His eyes were gleaming in excitement and joy, like a child.
"It is rather impressive," Aela said as she walked behind the two, eyeing the beautiful grotto with a small smile on her face.
They weren't the only ones in the grotto as well. Other travelers were in the fields of grass, either on their knees praying, or moving around to feel the nature. The trio quietly moved past them and moved up the path to the Eldergleam. The path itself was comprised of roots from the trees, one root so large that it blocked the path.
"We can try climbing over this." Aela suggested as Nicholas walked up to the roots, examining the, for a moment.
"That...or this!" Nicholas pulled out Nettlebane and slashed at the root. Right as he did that, the root curled up and moved out of the path.
"What are you doing!?" Maurice shouted at Nicholas as he strode post the root .
"What? Danica said Nettlebane would help us get the sapling, this is helping, dude," Nicholas replied as he slashed the next large root.
"Stop! You're hurting the Eldergleam!" Maurice shouted once more.
"Relax, we're here now." Nicholas said as they finally reached the tree. Nicholas walked forward with Nettlebane, but was suddenly held back by Maurice.
"Nicholas, wait! I know of a way to get the sapling, without harming the Eldergleam!" Maurice said to the young warrior, who looked at the priest skeptically.
"How are you gonna get it without Nettlebane?" Nicholas asked the man, who looked back at the large tree for a moment before he looked Nicholas in the eyes.
"Watch." Maurice let go of Nicholas and walked forward to the tree. He then got on his knees and began to pray.
"Blessed mother of nature, Kynareth. I come to you as a humble servant of your word, asking for your help. The Gildergreen is dying, its leaves all but gone, its bark old and brittle. With a sapling from the great Eldergleam, the Gildergreen can be restored to its former glory. Please, help to restore a piece of your beautiful nature."
A few seconds of silence followed before the ground in front of Maurice shifted, and a small sapling rose from the ground on a root. Maurice gently picked up the sapling and brought it to Nicholas. "That, is how we get the sapling without Nettlebane."
"Ok, that was indeed impressive, Breton." Aela said with admiration.
"Yeah, it was." Nicholas said with a smile. "Thanks Maurice, glad we brought you along."
Nicholas took the sapling from Maurice and placed it in his pack. As the 3 turned around and started walk down the hillside, Nicholas in front and quietly cursing all of the roots blocking his path.
"I can barely walk with all of these-shit!" Nicholas yelped as he tripped over a root, causing him to go falling towards the ground. His lantern went flying out of his hand and smashed into the Gildergreen Tree above them, showering the tree with glass, oil, and fire.
"NO! You fool!" Maurice yelled out, horrified as the entire chamber began to shake. Screams erupted through the cavern as strange creatures suddenly emerged from the ground. They looked humanoid, except that they were made out of wood and covered in a large amount of insects that buzzed furiously.
"Spriggans!" Aela hissed as two of the creatures appeared behind them. Nicholas moved in front of Maurice, who was shaking his head in horror. The Spriggans that had appeared in the beginning of the cavern effortlessly took down the people who had been in the cavern before them, splattering blood all over the grass.
"Not good!" Nicholas muttered as he pointed his sword at the advancing Spriggans, who buzzed even angrier at the young warrior. Nicholas rushed at the creature and slashed at it, raking his blade across the chest of the Spriggan before he jumped out of range of the wood creature's claws, though the Spriggan advanced closer regardless and continued to slash at Nicholas.
Aela stuck close to Maurice and tried to protect him from the Spriggans, but he ran away from her and flung himself onto the ground next to the Eldergleam Tree.
"Maurice, stay there!" Nicholas yelled as he kept slashing the the Spriggan. Maurice hugged the back of the tree, but he felt a root moving around his legs suddenly. Maurice tried tugging at them, but his arms were brought back by more roots, pinning him to the Eldergleam. "Nicholas, help!"
Nicholas whirled around and ran towards Maurice, only to find his legs ensnared by the roots as well. He glanced behind him and saw the Spriggan he had been fighting with advance slowly towards him, so he raised his shield to block the inevitable slash that would end him.
"Nicholas! Maurice!" Aela yelled out, frantically fighting off three Spriggans at once. While she was winning, her Shield-Brother would fall before she could get chance to help him.
Nicholas tried freeing Maurice's arms while trying to get his own legs free. It wasn't working though, the roots kept wrapping themselves around Maurice, growing ever tighter. Maurice let out a cry of pain at this.
"Maurice, any ideas?!" Nicholas yelled as he started to hack at the roots around his legs with his sword. The Breton was panicking with no hopes of escape, but then, he stopped and started to speak.
"Kynareth, creator of nature. Please spare us from the wrath that you send to us. Innocents die, and the ground here gets tainted with blood every second your rage continues. Please, I beg for your mercy and forgiveness!"
The Spriggans rushed forward at once, disarming Aela and knocking her to the ground, despite them all being broken apart and barely standing. But before another blow could be struck, the Spriggans disappeared, the bark falling to the ground and the insects flying away, while Aela watched on in awe. The roots slowly unwrapped themselves from Nicholas and Maurice, who collapsed to his knees. As Nicholas went to help Maurice, a new voice sounded through the grotto. No more than a whisper that brushed against the minds of the three that were intruding upon its Sanctuary.
"Leave…..now…."
Silence hung in the air after that, with Aela picking herself up, and Nicholas holding up Maurice on his shoulders. The trio walked out of the cave, passing by bodies of worshipers that had met a terrible fate all too soon. When they finally exited the cave, they each got back on a horse, and began riding again. The trip back was filled with silence, only a few words spoken. It took almost 2 days, before the trio arrived close to the village of Riverwood.
"Maybe we should stop in Riverwood for the night? I wouldn't mind a bit of shuteye after that crapfest back in the Eldergleam cave...though even if I'm in a bed, it won't stop the nightmares from that tree," Nicholas remarked as they approached the town.
"I wouldn't be opposed to it. I-" Maurice began to say before a bright red flash illuminated the path in front of them. Each of their horses neighed and reared up, forcing all 3 of them off. The horses retreated into the night, but Nicholas and Aela didn't try to retrieve them, but instead watched as the path in front of and behind them burst into flames, cutting their escape routes off. The two Companions got around Maurice to protect him from the unknown assailant.
"Thought you could escape the wrath of Sithis, now, did you?" a familiar old man's voice cackled. Nicholas recognized it, but he couldn't figure out where.
"Who are you!? Show yourself!" Aela barked as she drew her bow, carefully notching an arrow while Nicholas drew his sword and drew upon his magicka in his free hand. Maurice stood behind them, watching the red glow warily.
"My name? I suppose I can indulge you whippersnappers a bit. I am Festus Krex, magician and assassin of the Dark brotherhood. I believe we met the other day," the man chuckled as he materialized in front of the two warriors. He stood at about Aela's height, and was a bald and wrinkled old man clad in a black and red robe sort of outfit with a hand emblem on the front.
"Begone, assassin. You don't want to meddle with the affairs of the Companions," Aela growled at the magician, who smirked.
"Maybe, maybe not. But I do believe I owe you two a proper fight. The other day, I was simply training a new recruit. Now that I am free...perhaps we can settle things for good?" The old man said with a chuckle.
"Why bother? You have no reason to fight us. Besides, you're outnumbered," Nicholas said to the man as he drew his sword.
"Maybe I am, maybe I'm not. Your untrained eye sees nothing!" Festus said with a cackle.
"Leave now, old man! Before I pin you to these trees with my arrows!" Aela hissed at the assassin, who grinned horribly.
"You see…while we may not have a contract for your life…" Festus said as he raised a hand, only for two shadows to jump out from behind two trees and rush Nicholas and Aela from the sides. Two men garbed in black leather armor and holding weapons, one had a wooden longbow and the other a steel battleaxe.
"That doesn't mean we can take a bit of initiative, and take out a threat to us," Festus said as he held out his hand as it glowed bright orange, a single iron dagger held in his palm. The dagger suddenly jerked into the air and burst into flame before it was sent hurtling through the air and into the forehead of Maurice, who fell backwards as a stream of crimson trailed down his face.
As this happened, Nicholas ducked under the swing of the larger assassin's battleaxe and slashed at his back before kicking him away as hard as he could. Aela easily dodged an arrow and fired one of her own at the assassin archer, nicking him in the upper arm. Both Companions watched as Maurice fell to the ground and remained still.
"No! Maurice! You…bastards!" Nicholas yelled held out his hand and fired a stream of flames at Festus, who held up his hand with a bored expression. A shimmering aqua-colored force-field materialized out of thin air, intercepting and blocking the attack. Nicholas lowered his hand and charged at the wizard with his sword raised as the two other assassins rushed Aela, who let out a bark-like laugh.
"Let me beat you idiots like the dogs that you are!" Aela snarled as she fired an arrow at the axe assassin, who deflected it with a gold-colored shield he pulled off his back. The second arrow she fired, showever, caught the man in the shoulder, causing him to yell out in pain.
Nicholas ran at Festus and swung downwards, but the assassin simply dodged the flash and fired an arc of lightning at the teen, who took the bolt directly but slammed his shield into the man's chest, sending him stumbling backwards. Nicholas shook off the lightning, thankful it wasn't a strong one like last time, and charged at the wizard again.
Festus sidestepped another slash from Nicholas and thrust out his hand, creating a blast of air that slammed into Nicholas and sent him skidding back several feet, though he managed to stay standing. Festus then held out his hand, creating a shimmering purple sword made of flames in his hand.
"Shame. I was hoping that wind-blast spell would tear you to ribbons. I guess I still have a few kinks to work out, hmm?" Festus said as he levelled the sword at Nicholas's chest while the teen grinned back at him.
"Come on, old man. Show me what you've got!" Nicholas said as he rushed forward, slashing at the man's chest. Festus blocked the slash and held out his free hand, which burst into flame. Nicholas broke away from the magician and dove to the side as the old man hurled a massive fireball towards him, which exploded against the mountain behind them. Nicholas rolled into a crouch and ran at the magician again, stabbing at his chest while the man prepared to fire another ball of flames. As the blade touched Festus, he suddenly exploded in a wreath of shadows.
"What the hell? Is this even in the game!?" Nicholas demanded furiously as the old man appeared from the side, snapping his fingers and creating a purple flaming bow. Festus notched an arrow and took a moment to aim before firing it, catching Nicholas in the shoulder.
"Ha! Magic at its finest!" Festus laughed as he notched another arrow, firing at Nicholas. The teen gripped his sword tightly and managed to block the arrow with his sword before sprinting at Festus once again. Festus blinked in surprise and dispelled the bow, but didn't have time to block the slash that Nicholas sent his way, ripping open his robes and spilling blood on the ground. Festus staggered backwards with a groan, sending a burst of ice at Nicholas who was blasted off of his feet and sent to the ground.
"Blasted kids…" Festus grumbled as his hands glowed bright orange over the wound, which began to quickly seal up. Nicholas got to his feet, ignoring the cold and shutting out the pain in his shoulder before he rushed forward once more.
Aela dodged another arrow shot from the smaller assassin and drew an iron dagger as the larger one advanced towards her. The man swung the axe again and again, forcing Aela to back off and to stay out of range while trying to avoid the arrows. The man then lunged forward, bashing the shaft of the weapon against Aela's shield and stunning her before he swung his axe.
Aela leaned backwards, catching a glancing hit against her arm from the axe, before she swiftly kicked the assassin in the chest, sending him stumbling backwards and into the line of fire of the archer assassin, who accidentally shot his partner with an arrow in the shoulder.
"Now's my chance!" Aela thought as she prepared herself to finish this and help out her Shield-Brother, who was still battling the wizard known as Festus.
Aela then sped forward, stabbing the man in the chest and yanking out the blade as she slipped behind him, stabbing him in the back. The man spun around and punched her in the face, breaking her nose before he fell to one knee, coughing up as blood.
"No! You little bitch!" the other assassin yelled as he fired arrow after arrow at the Companion, who smirked and easily dodged the projectiles. Aela switched to her own bow, but instead of shooting the archer assassin, she stepped on the back of the assassin she had injured and fired an arrow into his skull at point-blank range, killing him instantly.
Nicholas and Festus continued to battle back and forth, taking and dishing out blows in a ferocious display of magic and swordsmanship. While Nicholas had been the better fighter, Festus could heal his wounds instantly and could incredibly strong magic. However, the fight was more or less even, as Festus was tiring and had no armor to protect him to Nicholas's sword when he did land a blow on him.
Nicholas ducked under a slash from the conjured blade and kicked Festus in the chest, sending him to the ground, but not before the wizard cast a spell that sent Nicholas flying through the air and into a tree. The wizard slowly got to his feet, even as Nicholas crashed onto the ground, shaking in pain. To Festus's amazement, the teen then began to rise, albeit facing the other way and hunched over.
"You'd make an incredible assassin for us, young man. Its a shame I have to kill you," Festus said with a small smile as spark of lightning danced between his fingertips. The wizard fired a bolt at Nicholas, who dropped to the ground as he spun around and pulled out his bow, ready to fire. The teen's teeth were bared in a snarl as he fired an arrow into the chest of the wizard, who howled in pain as he fell against a tree. Festus sent a firebolt at the teen Nicholas, causing him to yell out as the ball of fire exploded against his armor, sending a burst of pain through his chest.
Aela continued to trade shots with the assassin archer, and was quickly growing annoyed. She had received several scrapes and cuts from the archer, who had four arrows stuck in various parts of his body. He was trying to keep out of sight, which Aela would not allow him to do.
"Come out and fight like a man!" Aela barked at the man, causing him to step out from behind a tree and shoot an arrow at Aela. The Companion sidestepped it effortlessly and shot the man between the eyes. The man stumbled backwards, trying to notch another arrow, but he fumbled with it for a moment before he fell forward. The man didn't get back up again.
"Now...to deal with the wizard," Aela said with a pant, limping towards the other fight.
Nicholas blocked a fireball with his shield, hissing as the flames burned him regardless of him blocking the attack, and rushed at Festus as the wizard swung his hand downwards. A arc of lightning flew out from his hand, but Nicholas leapt over it and slashed at the wizard, slashing at his chest and spraying blood through the air. Festus curled his hand into a fist and punched Nicholas in the chest, sending him flying through the air as a gust of wind smashed into him.
"I can't keep this up...He's getting too many hits in…" Festus growled as he healed the wound again, his robes slashed apart and drenched in blood. He saw that the female Companion was making her way towards him, and saw just past her his two brothers lying on the ground dead. Nicholas got to his feet, panting heavily but ready to keep fighting/
"You…you have not seen the last of the Dark Brotherhood…We shall return…" Festus said coldly as he held his hand out and snapped his hands, vanishing in a black burst of flames.
"…what the hell was that about?" Nicholas panted as he fell to one knee. Aela rushed forward and caught the teen as the world swam around him. Nicholas felt Aela set him down gently on the ground and pull something from her bag, a large red bottle of healing potion.
"Sit up and drink it. It'll heal what he did to you," Aela said in a low voice, placing the bottle to Nicholas's lips. Nicholas slowly drank the potion, feeling his strength return and the pain in his chest fade away.
"Better, whelp?" Aela asked the teen, a note of concern in her voice.
"Much better...thanks," Nicholas said to Aela, who smiled at the teen.
"For a new blood, you fought very well back there. I am proud to have you as a Shield-Brother, Nicholas," Aela said as she helped the teen get back to his feet. Nicholas blushed and rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
"Thanks...that means a lot to me, actually." Nicholas looked around and noticed the body of Maurice and shuddered.
"Such is life, in Skyrim. Many hard years under the snow can be ended in an instant. Everyday's a struggle, every moment is fought for...but we cherish it all the while," Aela said in a quiet voice, looking up towards the sky with a small smile on her face.
"I guess you learn to appreciate what you have when it's all you know, huh?" Nicholas asked Aela, who nodded. The archer tended to her own wounds for a few minutes, drinking down some healing potion herself before looking towards Maurice.
"We'll have to get him back to Whiterun. We can't let him fester out in the cold, and it wouldn't be proper to go to the inn while he waits for us," Aela said as she walked over to Maurice's body. She closed his eyes and looked at Nicholas and said "Try to find one of the horses. I think I saw them run towards the river."
Several Hours Later:
Whiterun:
"Thank God we're back," Nicholas muttered as he trudged into the city. They had dropped off Maurice's body to one of the Guard's, who had explained to them that Maurice had family elsewhere in Skyrim. They would keep his body in the Hall of the Dead so it could be collected and returned to High Rock, the home of the Bretons. Nicholas and Aela both said their own somber farewells to the man before returning to Danica with the sapling in hand.
"Oh my word...is this truly a sapling from the Eldergleam?" Danica said with excitement.
"Yeah, it is. Just take it please." Nicholas said as he shoved the sapling into Danica's hands. She momentarily forget about the sapling and gave Nicholas a confused look.
"Did something happen during the trip?" Danica asked.
"Oh no, it went just fine, if you don't count that the Eldergleam tried to kill us, and the Dark Brotherhood tried to kill us, and then Maurice got killed by them," Nicholas said bitterly. Aela placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it for a moment, trying to comfort the teen. It wa the first comrade he had lost in battle, and it wouldn't be the last during his time here.
Nicholas sighed and he nodded slightly Danica. "Sorry...Its been a rough few days and I wasn't expecting the quest to turn out so badly."
"I'm deeply sorry Nicholas, I hadn't realized these events would happen." Danica apologized. "All was not in vain though, we are finally able to restore the Gildergreen."
"Yeah, that is a positive to all this…" Nicholas mumbled. Nicholas turned away and said, "I'll see you some other time, Danica. Good luck with the sapling."
Without waiting for a reply, Nicholas walked out of the temple and sighed deeply. Aela walked out after Nicholas and said, "Are you going to be alright, Nicholas?"
"Maybe. I don't know, Aela. I mean, I had to kill before, and while I hate that...its necessary. People can't be reasoned with in this world, and sometimes you have to take a life...But seeing someone die like that...someone who was a friend, an ally...it hurt," Nicholas said quietly as he rested his hand on his sword.
"Makes me wonder if I truly belong in this place after all. You all don't seem to be bothered by the death and chaos here...Maybe I don't have the stomach for it," Nicholas said as he began walking away from the temple.
"I wouldn't say that. You've adjusted rather well to this world, and while you may be a bit of an oddball, you've certainly become an important part of Companions."
"You think so?" Nicholas asked Aela, turning to face her.
Aela smiled in response and said, "Follow me."
The pair walked past the Eldergleam Tree to Jorrvaskr and around the back, only to see a majority of the Companions gathered in the courtyard. In the middle of them all, was Kodlak, Vilkas, Farkas, and Skjor. Aela walked up and joined them, and told Nicholas to stand in the middle of them. Nicholas looked at each of the men and women around him with a confused expression on his face.
"Uhh...what's happening?" Nicholas asked Kodlak as he walked over to Nicholas, a small smile on his face, but when spoke it was to all of the Companions gathered together outside.
"Brothers and sisters of the Circle...today we welcome a new soul to our mortal fold," Kodlak said, his voice projecting several emotions, the most noticeable was pride. "This young man has endured, has challenged, and has shown his own valor. Who will speak for him?"
"I stand witness to the courage of the soul before us." Aela said proudly to Kodlak.
"Would you raise your shield in his defense?"
"I would stand at his back, so the world might never overtake us."
"And would you ready your bow in his honor?"
"It stands ready to meet the blood of his foes."
"And would you raise a mug in his name?"
"I would lead the song of victory as our mead hall reveled in his stories."
"Then the judgement of this Circle, and the Companions, is complete! His heart beats with fury and courage that have united us all since the days long passed! Let it beat with ours now, so that the mountains will tremble and echo at the call!"
"It shall be so!" All of the Companions around the courtyard said in unison, with erupted into cheers and applause afterwards. Nicholas looked all around him, at the people that cheered his name and clapped for him. Everybody around him was an extension of him now. He had a new family in the land of Skyrim. Nicholas smiled for the first time in days as Kodlak walked forward and placed a hand on his shoulder and said, "No matter what, you belong here, Nicholas. You've become part of our pack, and we wouldn't trade a soul like yours for anyone in Skyrim."
"You really mean that?" Nicholas said quietly, earning a nod from the old warrior.
"You've been through a tough time, young man. You may be from another world, another life...But you have a new life here, now. A life of honor, valor, and courage. A life where your foes will flee in terror once the see you approaching, and one where in life and death, the Companions will always be with you, and you with them." Kodlak said with pure pride and hope.
Nicholas smiled at the man, and wiped away a few tears of joy that his trickled down his face. "Thank you Kodlak, for everything."
"Your welcome Nicholas. Now, what say we go enjoy a couple mugs and sing the songs of honor inside." Kodlak smiled again and walked forward with Nicholas into Jorrvaskr.
Everything had changed for Nicholas in just a matter of weeks. He was brought into a new land, but already has proven himself as a warrior. He has faced foes, made an enemy, but most importantly, he is not alone. He is part of a collection of warriors, a new family. But he will not stop his search for his friends. He knows they're out there, and Nicholas will find them.