Chapter XXXVI - Whelps and Welcoming
"Hmm, I don't know what Kodlak's thinking letting that whelp join our ranks."
Aela averted her clear blue gaze and turned her face from Skjor's. His arms were slinked around her slim waist, and her arms hooked around his strong neck. Gently touching her cheek, he pulled her face around and asked tenderly,
"What's the matter?"
Aela frowned and shrugged, diengaging herself from him, he watched as she moved across the room; he knew better than to draw her back. Aela hugged herself and shrugged again,
"I don't know...I would never question the old man's judgement, but..."
Skjor gingerly edged up alongside her and stroked her arm gently,
"But?"
He prompted and Aela turned and fell into his embrace once more.
"I think we should think before we pass judgement. I mean, she did save Farkas from that giant, and she did appararently slay a dragon at the watchtower. She may be a valuable asset to the Companions. I heard that Kodlak was planning work for her."
Skjor nodded and sighed lazily.
"Yes, he did tell me that. I also heard from Njada that she pummeled Vilkas out in the yard."
Aela flashed a wicked little smile at that and laughed lightly, moving closer to him,
"Well it's about time. Talos knows that Vilkas is not the sweeter of the two and probably deserved a little slap."
Skjor chuckled throatily and gripped her waist a little tighter.
"Vilkas is just more rigid than Farkas. He's the most wary of us all...Although his wariness is not without warrant - she did help sack this city."
The Nord woman looked away and bobbed her head in agreement. She felt him tremble a little at her touch as she brushed her long fingers along his stubbly cheek,
"I know...he seemed more cut up about that than anything, but Vignar will vouch for her - it's because of the Stormcloaks he's now Jarl."
The silence was heavy. For a moment they stood there in eachothers arms and Aela moved first. Leaning forward, she kissed him softly and sweetly.
"We should run out tonight."
Skjor breathed huskily and Aela purred her approval and smiled. They were disturbed by a light tapping on the chamber door. Breaking away from Aela, Skjor straightened his iron breastplate and nodded for Aela to answer the door. The Huntress nodded and pulled open the oaken doors. Standing in the threshold was Fehn with her shield in her hands. Taking in the scene, Fehn looked from Aela's cold hard stare to Skjor's stern gaze.
"Uh...From Eorland, up in the forge."
She blundered and held out Aela's shield to her. The Nord took the shield quietly and looked over it while Fehn rocked on her heels and tried to ignore Skjor's glaring. Finally when the Huntress deemed the shield alright, she returned her attention to Fehn,
"Well, well; our fresh meat."
Fehn frowned,
"Excuse me?"
Aela scoffed and nodded for the girl to come inside. Slipping inside, Fehn wrung her hands nervously. Skjor flicked a critical eye over her and stated flatly,
"So, Kodlak did actually induct you. I hope your ready for a hard apprenticeship, we here at Jorvaskrr don't simply roist in the mead hall like drunken rabble, no, here, we train and hone our skills. At the end of the day, young pup, you earn your mead."
Fehn nodded said solemnly,
"Yes, I understand. Galmar said that I need to work more on my footwork."
The big Nord folded his arms accross his chest and exchanged a wry glance with Aela before the Huntress rounded on Fehn,
"Well I'd say you've earned your drink for today. I heard that you wrecked Vilkas in the yard? But tell me, do you think you could batter him in a real fight?"
Fehn gaped like a carp for a moment. Of course Vilkas would surely waste her in a real scuffle. He had a lot of strength were Fehn had speed, his was very tactical whereas Fehn was slapdash. No, she would never willingly cross blades with Vilkas unless it was a fencing match and nothing more. Aela and Skjor were both watching her determidly, and Fehn could feel their eyes on her.
"I prefer to let my blade do the talking."
Aela the Huntress laughed aloud and clapped the smaller girl on the back heavily. Fehn grimaced and Skjor barely hid a smirk,
"Ah, brilliant! You might be worthy of the Hunt yet! It's about time warriors were not posturing milk drinkers. Finally a woman who is humble and lets her actions speak for her. That is wise."
Fehn blushed a little at the praise and felt her shoulders shrink up. Aela winked at Fehn and turned to Skjor,
"Well, she should be shown where she and the other whelps sleep."
Skjor curtly bobbed his head and unfolded his arms. Turning his sharp gaze on her, he said,
"Aye, that she should, but first; tell me, new blood, are you sure that the life of a Companion is befitting of you?"
Aela turned and watched Fehn as she thought. The Imperial threw her own gaze to the floor before muttering levelly,
"I am honoured to be embraced by the Companions. I hope I can serve our outfit well."
Aela raised her eyebrows, smirking at Skjor, her eyes twinkled. Skjor huffed and placed his hands on his hips,
"Hmph, a little evasive. I can't see why you and Vilkas have cause to argue - but good answer none-the-less."
Fehn smiled and ducked her head,
"Me and Vilkas don't exactly see eye-to-eye, but he's a good person and I would trust his sword-arm with my life."
Fehn saw as Skjor's face softened and he gave her a lop-sided smile,
"Now that is an answer befitting of a Companion. Aela?"
The Huntress nodded and said,
"Very good. Farkas can show you where you'll be resting your head. Farkas!"
Fehn turned and gazed down the low-ceilinged hall and saw as Farkas emerged from his own chamber. He must have abandoned the role of umpire in Njada and Torvar's arm wrestling match. Swaggering up the hall, he poked his shaggy head around the door of the chamber and asked a little sullenly,
"Did you call me?"
Aela laughed and jested,
"Of course stone ears! Who else?"
Farkas rolled his eyes and nodded slowly. Aela grinned and came up behind Fehn, throwing a muscled arm around Fehn's slight shoulders, the Huntress requested,
"Can you show the new one where she and the other whelps sleep?"
Just then did it seem that the burly Nord man seem to notice Fehn. Staring at her with his icy blue eyes, his face seemed to soften as he looked upon her and her limitied stature.
"Oh right,"
He began tenderly and nodded for her to follow him,
"yeah, follow me."
Fehn nodded and he started to walk down the hall. Turning to Aela and Skjor, she nodded,
"Ah, thank you for your time."
Aela shook her head,
"Not at all."
Skjor dipped his head to her and rumbled in an undertone,
"Yes, yes. Welcome to the hall, kid."
With a final wave, Fehn bid them farewell and jogged up alongside Farkas.
"Aela and Skjor like to tease me - but they're good people and they push us to be our best. Eh, it's good to see a new face around here."
Fehn had to take three steps for every one of his.
"It gets boring around here sometimes."
Fehn frowned and countered,
"Surely not? I thought you were a band of advernturers, sell swords?"
Farkas grinned and turned an eye on her as he kept up his brisk stride,
"Adventuring can get boring too. I can only kill so many bandits and clear out so many vampires, y'know?"
Fehn laughed and pointed out,
"Yes and Skyrim does seem to be in abundance of bandits and vampires."
Farkas tapped his nose and nodded in agreement. They were gaining on the doors which lead to the sleeping quarters. Following Farkas down the well-lit hall, he said a little forlornly,
"I hope we keep you - this life is dangerous. Alright, here we go. You'll sleep here. Just pick a bunk and fall down in it when you're tired."
Fehn nodded and smiled up at him a little shyly,
"Thanks Farkas."
The big man nodded in return and smiled thinly. Patting her shoulder, he said,
"Oh, and welcome to the Companions."