AN: I officially decided that Adelia and Vilkas' theme is 'Heartstrings' by Secret Garden. I really love the melody of it, it reminds me of first love…so sweet. Haha I'm being stupid. As always my dear readers I thank you for your continuous support, my story just passed 3,000 hits the other day, and I can't honestly tell you how happy that makes me! LOVE YOU ALL! Please enjoy this next chapter!
The Mind of Ysgramor: Chapter 12
23rd of Frostfall, 4E 201
"No, no, no! Ria! When you swing, make sure you are keeping your feet planted or you'll go flying with the weapon in hand!" Vilkas shouted as he watched the Imperial practicing with the training dummies in the yard.
It had been a long morning. With Farkas gone, Vilkas was temporarily put in charge of his trainees, and he still had his own to worry about. He hoped his brother would return soon, he didn't know if he could handle Njada being a bitch to him when he tried to change her stature and Torvar yelling at him that he never owed him money when Vilkas hadn't even brought up the subject.
His prayers were answered that moment when he smelt his brother coming up the steps, and quickly he rounded the side of the building to greet him, leaving Ria to continue whacking the already shredded hay being she stood in front of.
"Farkas, you've returned," Vilkas said as he approached his twin. "I assume that you retrieved the fragment successfully?"
"Aye, and I hope Tilma's got some fresh food on the table, 'cause I'm starving."
Vilkas noticed something then, and he glanced around warily trying to look for the answer.
"Where's the whelp?"
Farkas rubbed his neck nervously and looked down in shame.
Vilkas then noticed something else. His nose cringed.
"You changed." He said firmly.
"I didn't mean to, honest. We got ambushed by Silver Hand and they had us surrounded and she was behind a gate and-"
"Farkas! Slow down!" Vilkas growled, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You're saying then that she saw you change?"
Farkas sighed. "Yes, she saw."
Vilkas groaned and began pacing around. "This is perfect, she knows! She knows our secret and she's only been here for a little over a month! Gods, how is Kodlak going to respond to this?"
"Look, I'm sorry Vilkas, there was no other-"
"There is ALWAYS another way, Farkas. We don't even know if we can trust the girl yet and now she knows the biggest secret that our guild contains."
"She wasn't shocked by it though, that was the weird thing, she just kinda stood there but we kept going afterward, and she looked fine by it," Farkas suggested.
Vilkas ignored him. "Where is she now?"
"She went up to Dragonsreach to talk to the Jarl, said something about buying that dinky little house at the beginning of the Plains District."
Growling, Vilkas began pacing again, trying to calm himself before he exploded. His beast blood was boiling over.
"You should know though, she has a secret too that I found out today."
Vilkas turned to his twin, "And what is that exactly?"
"I know you won't believe this, but Vilkas…she's…the Dragonborn."
He stood waiting there at the top of the steps for the whelp to come back from her visit at Dragonsreach, as Farkas had confided in him that even though he had made a mistake, the girl was worthy enough to move up the ranks of the Companions.
Soon enough, he saw the distinct blonde making her way through the Wind District and slowly approach the steps to Jorrvaskr. She looked up and saw him staring down at her and cocked an eyebrow in curiosity.
"Vilkas, what are you doing out here?"
"We've been awaiting your return." He stated.
Her face contorted. "Why were you waiting for me?"
"Come, follow me," he said as he gestured to her to do so.
Turning around, he began walking around the side of the building to approach the courtyard. Once there, he quickly took his place amongst the rest of the Circle, as they all stood in a crescent shape near the edge of the stone wall. Adelia walked toward them and looked around warily, and Vilkas could smell her nervousness; her heart was beating erratically.
"What's going on?" She asked with a slight frown. Knowing now that all of the people standing around her were in fact beasts and having no one else around as witness probably unnerved her, Vilkas guessed.
"Your initiation," Kodlak said with a warm smile. He lifted his hands as if addressing a large crowd and began to speak as loud as he could.
"Brothers and sisters of the Circle, today we welcome a new soul into our mortal fold!" He held out his hand toward the girl. "This woman has endured, has challenged, and has shown her valor. Now, who will speak for her?"
Farkas then stepped forward. "I stand witness to the courage of the soul before us." He gave her a wink.
"Would you raise your shield in her defense?" Kodlak asked the younger man.
"I would stand at her back, that the world might never overtake us," Farkas said firmly.
Kodlak nodded. "And would you raise your sword in her honor?"
"It stands ready to meet the blood of her foes," he replied gruffly.
"And would you raise a mug in her name?"
Farkas gave a wide grin. "I would lead the song of triumph as our mead hall reveled in her stories!"
"Then the judgment of this Circle is complete," Kodlak said proudly, "Her heart beats with fury and courage that have united the Companions since the days of the distant green summers. Let it beat with ours, that the mountains may echo and our enemies may tremble at the call."
"It shall be so," Vilkas agreed along with the rest of the Circle.
"Well, girl, you're officially one of us now. I trust you won't disappoint," Kodlak concluded with a nod.
Adelia shook her head. "I won't, Harbinger, I promise you this." Vilkas smiled at her determination.
"Good," Kodlak replied. "Now, let us all join in the hall."
"For what?" The woman asked.
"Your celebration, of course!" Farkas chuckled as he wrapped an arm around her waist, "Every Companion who is accepted gets a feast in their honor."
Adelia's eyes widened in worry, and without even asking, Farkas began leading her inside the hall.
The party lasted for hours, and it was a wonder that a guard didn't show up in the hall demanding the warriors to settle down. After the feasting was over with and they all were tipsy from liquor, Farkas brought out his lute and began to play, which influenced Athis to start playing the wooden flute and Brill, Vignar's assistant, to play his drum. The make-shift band encouraged the warriors to start a charade of dancing, with the spotlight of the feast, Adelia, leading them. Now that she was somewhat intoxicated, she let loose as she spun and jumped about to the music.
Vilkas watched in amusement as the little Nord woman continuously grabbed the other Companion's hands and began dancing around with them, only to switch off and grab another's and lead them in her frenzy. He sat in the corner of the hall, content with just observing the others in their drunken mischief as he guzzled down a tankard of ale. Glancing at Adelia once more, he chuckled at her appearance. She was as red as a tomato from her alcohol buzz plus exertion from dancing, and plastered a toothy grin on her face from ear to ear. He saw her catch his gaze for a split second, and as soon as she did she skipped over to his side and held out her hands.
"Vilkas, come dance with me!" She said, panting.
He grunted in response as he took a swig of his ale, and swallowing, muttered, "I don't dance."
She rolled her eyes. "I'm sure if you tried that you would."
He smirked at her and raised his brows. She opened and closed her palms impatiently as she held her hands out to him, and groaning he stood up and relented. She squeaked happily as she grabbed his arm and dragged him to where the others were hopping about, and, taking hold of his hands, she began bouncing around and spinning, causing him to do the same. She giggled loudly as he constantly tripped over his own feet and oddly he found himself smiling back. Eventually the music picked up faster, and Vilkas thought he was either going to vomit from spinning so much or collapse on the floor.
Eventually the ladder happened when Adelia let go of him suddenly and he went flying to the ground, and soon after she toppled over as well, laughing hysterically.
"Oh goodness, that was fun!" She cheered.
"You're such a child," Vilkas responded, holding his now pounding head.
Nonetheless, the rest of the Companions applauded to the newest recruit, because she of all people had finally "put Vilkas in his place."
As the warriors retired to their beds one by one, Vilkas remembered that he needed to discuss something with the girl. When he saw her coming down the staircase to the living quarters, he grabbed her roughly by the shoulder.
"I need to speak with you, now."
She yawned and rubbed her eye. "Can't this wait until morning? I thought you said we weren't allowed to have anymore conversations at night."
"I said you are not allowed to come to me. That isn't the point, I need to discuss something important. Come with me to my room."
She didn't so much decide to follow though because he was already dragging her along without her consent. When they were inside he closed the doors and sat at his desk. She sat on his bed, looking around curiously.
"So…I heard that you learned something quite interesting about my brother while out on your Trial."
She froze. He could sense her nerves starting to act up again.
"Farkas told you?" She said quietly.
"We're twins, of course he told me. Besides I could smell it on him right when I saw him."
"So then it's true," Adelia muttered as she looked down in thought, "All of you, the Circle, I mean, you're all werewolves?"
Vilkas nodded. "So, I suppose you think we're going to make you into one now that you know, right?"
Adelia shuffled her feet. "Something like that."
"Well lucky for you we aren't. If it had been previous to…well, that doesn't matter. What matters is how we're going to manage things around here with you knowing," Vilkas informed.
"I won't tell anyone, I promise!" Adelia said with a shriek.
Vilkas slapped a hand to his forehead. "You really think I'm threatening you? I just need you to understand why it must remain a secret, so you know before you open your mouth just what you may be getting yourself into."
"It's because the town folk and the Companion contractors would go berserk, right?" Adelia considered.
"Aye," Vilkas agreed, "But it's not just that. The Companions have been a respected group of mercenaries since Ysgramor himself, and by someone finding out what we really were…Our guild would cease to exist as we know it. Then there's the problem with those blasted silver bastards…"
"You mean the ones that attacked me and Farkas?" Adelia piqued.
"Yes, those were the Silver Hand, a group of werewolf hunters who unfortunately happen to know about us and our other halves. They've managed to ambush us out on our tasks frequently, and some of us have had a pretty rough time getting back in one piece. The weapons they use…the way Kodlak describes it is that silver is fatal to cursed beings such as us, and one solid hit could end one's life briskly. The mark that the silver leaves, it never goes away, and remains a constant reminder of what could've been lost," Vilkas said solemnly.
"You mean like the scar on your chest?"
Vilkas snapped his head up abruptly, "How did you know about that?"
"The night I came to you to ask about the armor I made, you weren't wearing a shirt. I was gonna ask about it but I didn't want to make you angry," the woman said shyly.
Vilkas leaned back in his chair. "I got that scar the first time I encountered the Silver Hand. I was with Farkas, and if he hadn't been there I probably would've been skinned alive that night."
Adelia paused for a moment. "You know, the way you talk about the blood, you don't sound too fond of it. You, or your brother," she said after a while.
Vilkas took a deep breath. "When my brother and I were introduced to the blood, we believed that it was what all Companions aspired to become a part of someday. The truth of the matter was revealed to us not too long ago by Kodlak. Those who are connected to the beast blood are not honorable, the sole reason being we use our animal instincts to kill and not our raw abilities. When one who is part of the beast perishes, they are not allowed entrance to Sovngarde, and as you are Nord I'm sure you realize how important this is. They are instead taken by Hircine, Daedric Prince of the Hunt. They are sentenced to his grounds for all eternity, to prey and kill as they wish. Some of us would like nothing more, like Aela and Skjor. The rest of us, we wish to see Shor's Hall one day, Kodlak especially, and while my brother and I are not too keen on thinking about our demises at the moment, we will follow our Harbinger's wishes. Kodlak believes there may be a cure out there for lycanthropy, and at the moment is continuously spending his days doing research on it. For the time being however, we have agreed to not use our transformations, if only to distance ourselves from the beast."
Adelia nodded in understanding. "When Farkas changed I…well, I didn't know what to think at first. I suppose I just accepted it, since I've seen so many odd things since I've been here."
"Yes, odd is a good word to use for Skyrim's many legends and beings. Speaking of which, I do believe you have a certain secret that my brother discovered. Something about seeing a wall and absorbing an energy and passing out?"
Adelia gasped. "He told you that too?"
"Yes, he did, Dragonborn," Vilkas exaggerated.
She groaned as she buried her head in her hands. "I didn't want anyone here to find out," she whispered.
"And why is that?"
Adelia looked up sadly. "I didn't want to be treated better or worse just because I'm some supposed legend."
Vilkas stared at the woman curiously. For a moment he couldn't believe the gods were so cruel as to gift their blessing upon a girl who couldn't even look someone in the eyes.
"I don't think you need to worry about that," Vilkas affirmed, "Around here your arm is more important than all that magical nonsense."
"But it's not nonsense!" Adelia whined. "I killed a gods-damned dragon the other day and all of a sudden its' spirit was a part of me! I was so frightened, and then the Greybeards…they only made it more frightening. I didn't know what to do, and still don't! The first thing I did after I slayed that dragon, I ran! Says a lot about being this 'Dragonborn'. Ugh!" She threw her head into her hands once more.
"Wait, you saw the Greybeards? Is that why you were gone for so damn long?" Vilkas asked, his voice raising.
Adelia nodded. "They recognized me as Dragonborn; told me to go find some ancient horn to bring back to them. Apparently it's in some tomb called Ustengrav. I was gonna go set out for it tonight after restocking my supplies here, but as you know that didn't happen."
"You have business to attend to here, your little Dragonborn drama does not need to interfere." Vilkas said straightforwardly.
"Well I can't just ignore it! It's part of who I am, supposedly, it doesn't just get put aside."
Vilkas let out a deep sigh. "Then what do you suggest you do?"
Adelia twiddled her fingers and looked to where he sat, "Well, go and retrieve that horn for one. The sooner I do that the sooner those old geezers will stop harassing me about it."
"When will you leave to retrieve it?" Vilkas asked.
"Tomorrow, more than likely. After I sleep off all the mead I drank," she smiled at her own comment.
"Someone will have to take responsibility for your contracts, meaning they get the benefit of the coin as well," Vilkas stated.
"I'm sure Ria will do it for me, she seems to like me well enough," Adelia suggested.
"And who will go with you?"
Adelia pondered for a moment before glancing over to him slyly.
"No," Vilkas scowled.
"Aw c'mon, you're the only one who really understands all this Dragonborn crap! Besides, Lydia is out of commission because she's doing something for the Jarl. Please Vilkas? I promise you won't regret it. You get to see a tomb! How exciting is that?" The girl pleaded with large eyes.
"You know how many tombs I've been to in my lifetime? There's one overlooking Riverwood for Talos' sake," Vilkas replied with his arms gesturing to the supposed direction of said town.
"Please, Vilkas?" Adelia replied, cupping her hands together and jutting her lip out.
"Argh," Vilkas grumbled, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Fine. But, we leave at sunrise, I don't care if you get enough sleep or not."
Adelia jumped up from the bed excitedly. "Great! I'll go get my things packed and get some sleep. Thanks a bunch Vilkas!" She ran over to him and gave him a half-hug, then pranced her way out of his room.
He sat there for a moment before groaning loudly.
"What in Oblivion did I just agree to?"
And more importantly, why?
AN: I think everyone is starting to see why haha. Remember to FOLLOW/FAVE/REVIEW if you enjoyed/are enjoying this! The next chapter is gonna be a small trip to Ustengrav and possibly something beyond that! Thanks again for reading!