Last time on the Legend of Varion…

Varion went into Riften and was immediately put off the city because, let's face it, it's a pretty terrible place. He then met with Isran, leader of the Dawnguard, and now counts another organisation amongst his titles and people he works for…

Now, back to the story…

The rest of the week passed quickly. Aela arrived back in the city the day before the companions were due to depart, and Varion welcomed her gladly. Vilkas and Farkas did the same, as everyone was eager to finally make the journey to Ysgramor's tomb for Kodlak. The day of departure came and Varion rose early. Lydia would be staying behind, and for once, she didn't put up a fight. "This is a matter of honour for the companions Varion. I know that I can't go this time" she had said, her words echoing in Varions mind as he walked to the Skyforge. "Honour". Everyone kept telling him about honour, it was key to the nordic way of life. Varion had never been one for honour and tradition, growing up outside Skyrim. He didn't follow all their customs and traditional stuff, he made his own definition of the word.

"But this isn't about me" he whispered to himself, thinking out loud. "This is for Kodlak". He climbed the steps to the Skyforge and saw Eorlund standing there, holding a marvellous looking axe. Varion ran his eyes up and down the weapon, it was a truly remarkable weapon. Eorlund noticed his gaze and chuckled.

"Aye, quite the weapon is it not? The original weapon of Ysgramor. I think you should be the one to carry it now" he said, extending his arms to offer it to Varion. The dragonborn raised an eyebrow, but accepted the weapon nonetheless.

"I'm honoured" he said sincerely, placing it on his back. He had little intention to ever use it, preferring a sword to a battleaxe, but the weight of it on his back was comforting in a strange way.

"It suits you" said a voice from behind him. Turning around, Varion saw Aela make her way to the top of the stairs, Vilkas and Farkas close behind. "Ready to go?" she asked. Varion nodded.

"Let's do this. I've got the head" he replied, holding up the bag containing the disgusting item. He wasn't exactly sure how it would work, but he was going to figure it out, whatever it took.

"Well then, that settles it. We ride for Ysgramor's tomb," Vilkas said solemnly. Varion couldn't blame him for his mood. Vilkas hadn't been in a right state of mind since Driftshade. It was clear that the slaughter had weighed heavily upon him and his heart was heavy. Varion understood and sympathised with this, though the back of his mind did worry as to just how much harder Vilkas took it than himself, seeing as he'd been fine after about a day.

"For Kodlak!" Farkas announced and turned and walked back down the stairs. Varion made to follow after him and Vilkas, but a hand on his shoulder stopped him. He glanced back at Aela who was looking at him with concern.

"Something wrong?" he asked curiously.

"How are you feeling?" she asked gently. Varion raised an eyebrow.

"I'm fine. Why?" It wasn't that he didn't appreciate her concern, but this was coming out of nowhere. They hadn't seen each other in about 5 days and she immediately assumes something is wrong? Her gaze flicked away from his before regaining eye contact.

"Varion. Something has been bothering me. About you" she said, almost sounding hesitant. Varion tilted his head.

"Well, thanks" he said sarcastically, trying to lighten the mood. Aela rolled her eyes.

"That's not what I meant. After this is all over, I'd like to talk with you. Please" she requested, again with unusual gentleness. Varion placed his hand on hers as she'd yet to remove it from his shoulder.

"Sure, if you want" he said nonchalantly. He wasn't feigning ignorance, he literally had no idea what she wanted to talk about. "Now, enough about me. Let's go" he demanded, moving off to catch up with the brothers at a jogging pace. Aela quickly caught up and they ran in silence down to the stables where the brothers were waiting for them. Quickly mounting his horse, Varion sighed. "I was really hoping to get a break from riding horses" he groaned internally.

X-X-X-X-X

The tomb of Ysgramor wasn't particularly impressive, but then again, most nordic ruins aren't at first sight. They had spent an entire day riding there, only stopping to rest the horses. Thankfully, the weather had remained clear as if the sky goddess herself approved of their task, and thanks to their beast blood, the circle was able to keep up with Varions energy levels. "Well, this is it," Farkas announced, voicing everyone's thoughts. Varion nodded, and pushed the doors open. What greeted them was a small room with burial urns littered around the place and an imposing statue in the middle of it. It was of a warrior, carved with great detail from stone and it stood at least two feet taller than Varion. Despite his nature, Varion walked up to the statue and stopping in front of it, gave a small bow to the figure. The other companions all did the same.

"Ysgramor. Leader of the 500 Companions" Varion said quietly. The others were quiet. Being inside this place felt strange, unlike any nordic ruin that Varion had been in before. It had a special kind of energy, one that felt more familiar. "It's time you took back what is yours" Varion added before pulling Wuuthrad off his back. Carefully, he placed the weapon in the statues hands and the second he did, a rumbling noise sounded. Glancing behind the statue, he saw a doorway open up, revealing a passageway leading further into the ruin.

"Well, the way is clear. The axe worked" Aela said, excited that they'd actually succeeded. Varion nodded in agreement.

"I wasn't looking forward to shouting open the doors if it didn't" he admitted in what was only half a joke. Farkas and Aela both moved past the statue and drew their weapons, slowly making their way into the ruin. Varion went to follow them, but was once again stopped by a hand on his shoulder. "Can people just get my attention by speaking? What's with all the shoulder touching" he thought with childish frustration before looking at Vilkas, the shoulder toucher in question.

"Varion. I'm sorry" Vilkas apologised. The dragonborn looked at him curiously, implying that he wanted him to continue. "From the moment you came into our hall, I've been less than welcoming. I was wrong that day. You are a true warrior" he said and Varion nodded slowly.

"My thanks, but why all this now?" he asked, wanting Vilkas to get to the point. Couldn't this wait until after they'd freed Kodlak?

"I can't go into that tomb" Vilkas finally said, shoulders slumping as he did. Varion sighed. "My grief, over the last few days, has clouded my judgement. What we did at Driftshade, I don't regret it, but my heart is heavy from the blood we spilled, the anger I felt. You've felt it, the energy in this tomb. I won't feel right to enter while my heart is weighed down" he explained, his tone laced with shame and regret. Varion clasped his shoulder.

"You've nothing to apologise for. Rest. We'll free Kodlak" he said reassuringly. He was in no position to judge Vilkas, and even if he was, he wouldn't. He understood the mans conflict all too well. Vilkas gave him a grateful smile and with that, Varion turned and followed his friends. The journey through the tomb wasn't easy, because as Varion had learned during his time in Skyrim, nothing was ever easy. Instead of Draugr, Varion and his companions were attacked by ghostly apparitions who Aela theorised were the spirits of Ysgramor's trusted generals. "If anything, their skill would confirm that theory" Varion thought with frustration. The draugr were easy to battle, their clumsy swings something that a child could avoid. These warriors were trained and knew what they were doing, the living companions actually had to try to defeat these ghosts.

"It's a shame Vilkas wouldn't come with us" Aela noted as she slit the throat of a ghost, watching it fade away as she did. "He'd have known far more about these than us" she explained as she parried a war axe swing with her shield.

"All I want to know is how to kill them" Farkas grunted as he cleaved a ghost in half. Despite being ethereal in appearance, they still somehow had physical mass and weight, and they died the same way a mortal would.

"Not sure if this counts as killing them. They're already dead" Varion snarked, parrying a ghostly greatsword with his own Blade of Whiterun. The blood was gone from it and it shone orange with the glow of the enchantment which Varion was glad for. It was a representation of Varion, Thane of Whiterun, the hero, and that was someone Varion aspired to remain every time he wielded the blade. If he ever went on another quest for revenge, he'd use a different sword.

"Good to see you're not losing your sense of humour" Aela retorted sarcastically as she finished off her enemy, to which Varion simply chuckled before doing the same. Surprisingly, the ghostly opponents didn't seem like they were fighting at full force. Instead of fighting to kill, it seemed like they were fighting to test the strength of the living.

"Makes sense. Companions don't kill companions" Varion thought absentmindedly. He delivered a devastating kick to the stomach of the final ghost in the room before plunging his sword directly into its face. It disappeared around his blade and he breathed heavily, sheathing the sword.

"This is tougher than expected" Farkas grunted, stretching as he did.

"Aye. These ghosts aren't the usual pushovers we find in ruins" Varion replied, casually examining a quiver with arrows that was left lying next to a coffin. They were of ancient nordic make, somehow still in useable condition after so many years. Shaking his head, he dropped them. He was hardly a bow man. Their journey continued through the tomb as per usual, striking down every ghost in their path. However, they eventually came to a doorway with webbing covering it and Varion growled in frustration. "Damn spiders. Of course we have to fight spiders" he complained, burning away the webbing with a basic fire spell. Aela rolled her eyes in mock annoyance, but Farkas looked uneasy. Aela walked in first to scout out ahead, but Farkas went to get Varions attention. Before he could rest a hand on the man's shoulder, Varion spun around first. "If you want my attention, ask. You don't have to touch me" he said. In actuality, he had a reason beyond mere annoyance for this. He worried that someday someone would touch him by surprise and on instinct, he'd counterattack. He was hoping to avoid that by making the ground rules as soon as possible. Farkas nodded, but his expression was a sheepish one.

"I can't go on Varion" he said with shame.

"What? Why not?"

"Ever since Dustman's Cairn, the big spiders, they've been too much for me," he said, not meeting Varions eyes. "I can fight anything else, just not those. I'll just get in the way. Everyone has their weakness. This is mine" he said softly. Varion groaned internally, but made no sound.

"It's alright. Aela and I can finish this. Go back to Vilkas" he commanded more gently than he felt. Farkas finally met his eyes and nodded thankfully.

"Give the old man my regards" he said solemnly before turning and walking away. Varion turned and followed after Aela. When he caught up without Farkas, surprisingly, she said nothing. He could only assume she knew about Farkas' fear. They made it through the spider infested cave with annoyance, but no major trouble. Thanks to their beast blood, poison of the wild no longer affected them as much and their strength was more than enough to match the smaller spiders. When a larger spider came down from the ceiling, Varions voice simply set it aflame. Before long, they made it out of the cave, cleaning the spiderwebs off their blades with disdain.

"I can understand why Farkas hates those things" Varion commented absentmindedly. Aela scoffed.

"When you're the companions resident beast hunter, you get used to these kind of things" Aela replied with a jovial tone. Varion gave her a small smile. In this deep, solemn moment, it was good to have someone like her with him.

"Are you ready to keep going?" he asked. Surprisingly, Aela's expression became uncertain, but only for a moment.

"Yes. I'm ready. For Kodlak" she said, more reassuring herself than him. He placed a hand on her shoulder and she nodded, giving him the confirmation he was looking for. Sheathing his sword once again, Varion walked towards the next set of doors, ready to finish what he'd started.

X-X-X-X-X

After fighting through more waves of ghosts and even a few booby traps, the pair finally made it to the centre of the tomb through large nordic double doors. The inner sanctum to Ysgramor's tomb was not as flashy, as Varion would've expected for such a massive legend. Or perhaps this was what the ancient nords considered as flashy? Varion gazed around the room, taking in the architecture. It had carvings on it like a hall of stories, reflecting the battles of Ysgramor, though they weren't as numerous as the ones he'd seen before. They slowly descended the stairs leading to the centre of the chamber, still cautious for any further trials. Varions grip on his sword tightened as he saw another spirit form at the end of the middle part of the room, next to a strange pedastal with a glowing blue flame. As he got closer, the spirits features became recognisable. The hair, the beard and the kind expression of it's ethereal eyes. He heard Aela's breath hitch and he himself was stunned. His arm lowered to by his side. "Kodlak" he said softly, not quite willing to believe what he was seeing.
"It's good to see you again my friends" Spirit Kodlak greeted, nodding to the pair in turn. "I only wish it was under better circumstances" he added in jest. Varion moved closer, sheathing his sword as he did.

"Kodlak, I…" he trailed off, unsure of what to say. The old man simply nodded, never losing that familiar knowing expression.

"I knew the companions would come here. My fellow harbingers and I have been waiting for you" he said. Aela moved to stand next to Varion and he could've sworn that her eyes were shining.

"There's only you here?" she asked curiously. "What fellow harbingers?" Kodlak nodded.

"You only see me because your heart only knows me as harbinger. However, old Vignar could probably see half a dozen of my predecessors" he noted. Varion mentally wondered how damn old the cranky Grey-Mane was, but that wasn't important. "And they all see you" Kodlak continued with pride. "The ones in Sovngarde, the ones who are trapped in Hircine's realm with me, all of them watch you Vairon. You who have conducted yourself with great honour and made the journey here that hasn't been made in centuries. Only a true companion could make it this far" he praised and Varion couldn't meet his eyes. He turned to Aela. "You have done well too Aela. I'm proud of you. You've come so far since you were young" he added in a fatherly tone.

"Kodlak, how do we save you?" Varion asked.

"You have the witch's head?" he asked in turn. Varion held up the bag with the disgusting item still inside. "Then cast it into the fire. That will release the witches magic, for me at the very least" the old/dead man/spirit commanded. Varion did so, and as he did, the fire changed colour, becoming an almost angry red instead of the comforting blue it had been before. Kodlak fell to his knees. As he did, a large orange ethereal wolf burst out of his ethereal form and charged at Varion. Stunned, he didn't react in time, but Aela did, delivering a kick that sent the wolf staggering to the side. Evidently, like most ghosts they'd fought, this one could touch and be touched. By extension, it could kill or be killed. Varion and Aela moved slowly as they and the wolf circled the room, never looking anywhere but at the enemy.

"That's a big wolf" she commented absentmindedly. Varion readied his sword.

"A wolf is a wolf" he replied simply. They engaged it in battle and while the creature was strong, it was still just a wolf. Varion dodged it's forward bite and thrust his sword into its neck while Aela slid across the floor and stabbed her dagger into its stomach. Despite these normally lethal wounds, the wolf continued to thrash around, clearly not done. Growling in irritation, Varion lept backwards, watching Aela get to her feet and do the same. The wolf still limped towards them, eager to go on in spite of its injuries and Varion sighed. "Will you do the honours?"

"My pleasure" Aela replied as she let an arrow fly. It embedded itself in the wolfs ethereal skull and the beast gave off a defeated howl before collapsing. It faded, and as it did, Kodlak stood back up.

"Kodlak. We destroyed the spirit of the wolf in you" Varion called out, walking back over to the old man. He sighed.

"I feel it lad. I feel like myself for the first time in too long. Thank you both" he said, sounding truly at ease. "The other harbingers remain trapped in Hircine's realm though" he added mournfully.

"What can be done for them?" Varion asked. He didn't exactly know who they were or if these spirits deserved his help, but if it was Kodlak's desire, he'd help. Surprisingly, the spirit shook his head.

"No, your place is here for now. But perhaps the heroes of Sovngarde can one day aid me in their rescue" Kodlak answered wistfully. "The harrowing of the hunting grounds. What a tale that would be" he said, sounding younger and more excited than Varion had ever heard him.

"Harbinger, I-" Aela began, but Kodlak raised a hand to silence her.

"I am no longer your harbinger, Aela. You may use that title in regards to Varion now" he said, gesturing to the nord in question. Despite already knowing about it, Varion still felt shocked and mostly unworthy. She glanced over at him, surprise on her face, but she didn't seem disappointed.

"Kodlak" Aela said, repeating her earlier attempt to start conversation. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for the silver hand. I-" Once again Kodlak cut her off.

"Enough Aela. You owe no apology. It was simply the way things turned out" the old man reassured her, putting a hand on her shoulder comfortingly. She nodded, blinking away the tears that had built up. Kodlak then turned to Varion.

"Kodlak. I wish we had more time. I've got so much more left to ask, to learn" Varion said, speaking his regrets. Seeing as it was the last time he'd probably see Kodlak, he figured nothing should go unspoken.

"I know boy, I know" Kodlak sighed. "I wish I could've helped you further. But what was it you told me, about carving your own path?" Varion remembered back to when he'd discussed with Kodlak why he'd wanted to join the companions, a conversation which seemed ages in the past. "I've no doubt the road your life will take is going to be a grand one. But I cannot be a part of it anymore" Kodlak said softly, regret in his tone. Varion nodded firmly, trying to fully accept the reality in front of him. "Lead the companions to glory Varion. I hope some day that you find the peace you seek". With those words, Kodlak's spirit vanished, leaving Varion and Aela staring at the spot he stood.

"Goodbye old man" Varion muttered. Aela was silent and they remained that way for a while.

"So, 'harbinger', what next?" Aela asked, a teasing tone in her voice that Varion had missed. Despite this, he groaned in annoyance.

"It's Varion. I don't like being called by titles" he sighed, and Aela just sniggered at this. "I think it's time we had back home. I've missed my house" he admitted. Aela simply nodded, but they made no quick effort to leave. They wandered around the place taking in the architecture and retrieving a few treasures here and there. Most interesting was a shield that Aela theorised to be the shield of Ysgramor. At Varions insistence, she took it, leaving her old steel shield there in place of it.

"Will we return here one day?" she asked curiously. Varion shrugged.

"I know Vilkas wants to be cured. Farkas too. I take it you don't?" Aela shook her head.

"I'm at peace with the fate that awaits me after death. I don't see the blood as a curse, and I want to see Skjor again" she explained. Varion nodded, accepting her choice.

"Guess I was right about her and Skjor" he thought to himself, though the thought was oddly bitter. That surprised him, he didn't think he had it in him to be… jealous? Maybe that wasn't the right term.

"What about you? What will you do about the blood?" Aela asked, snapping Varion out of his thoughts of Skjor and putting him into a new intense thought session.

"I don't know" he answered unsurely. "I've never really lived this life worrying about the next. But even if I take that into account, I don't know if I'd prefer the mead halls of Sovngarde to the endless fight of Hircine's realm" he explained, his dragon nature coming to mind as he spoke those words. Admittedly, his Dov nature hadn't reared it's figurative head since the slaughter at Driftshade. While he was happy to not have to deal with it, he was also worried about dealing with it again.

"Well, whatever you choose to do, I'll always respect you Varion" Aela said softly. Varion met her gaze. It was kind. Despite her clear love of the hunt, skill in battle and ferocity, she'd shown him a far gentler side of herself ever since that dragon hunt, and he'd come to treasure it. He wasn't exactly sure what he'd done to earn such trust for her to be this nice, but he promised to never break it.

"Thank you Aela" he said sincerely, placing a hand on her shoulder just like Kodlak had done, though the connection between her and the old man was far, far different to the one they shared now. "What did you want to talk with me about?" he asked. Surprisingly, she wouldn't meet his eyes.

"Later" she said simply, walking off towards the exit. Varion shrugged in mild exasperation, then followed along. After a moderately short walk (they'd found another damn easy exit door) they met back up with Vilkas and Farkas at the tombs entrance. The twins were happy to hear about Kodlak being freed and they were equally accepting of Varion as the new harbinger, with handshakes and congratulations all around. Varion walked up to Ysgramor's statue and pulled the axe from his hands, placing it back on his back.

"I think the companions should look after this," he explained, not that the companions were complaining anyways. With all their business in the tomb concluded, Varion gave a nod to Ysgramor's statue and walked out of the ruin, the circle at his back. As they rowed back to land, Varion took the time to consider how damn crazy his life had turned in such a short time. He was dragonborn, Harbinger, a werewolf and a vampire hunter. That was a long way from the bounty hunter he'd been before he came to Skyrim. It was a lot to take in, plus the issues of his inner dragon nature and the threat it posed. Also, apparently his massive vague destiny that everyone kept telling him about. That was a lot to deal with for someone in their early 20's.

"Something on your mind?" Aela asked again. Varion turned to her and gave a small smile.

"No. Everything's fine for once" he replied cheerily. It was only partially a lie. He had a lot to deal with in the future, but he'd do so with friends by his side. Aela, Lydia, Faendal, the circle, they were all there for him, and in the back of his mind, he felt as if someone was watching over him. Perhaps it was just the high of becoming Harbinger and freeing Kodlak, but Varion relaxed, allowing himself to remember his father. Perhaps the two men who had changed his life would meet in Sovngarde, and hopefully they'd be proud of how far Varion had come. His smile only grew at the thought, though no-one commented on it.

"I'll make you proud Kodlak, and you too, old man".

A/N:WE DID IT! WE COMPLETED THE COMPANIONS QUESTLINE! With that, the first overarching story of The Legend of Varion has been completed! You can consider this the end of Vol 1 or season 1, if you were to divide it like that. I really want to thank everyone who's taken the time to read, like and review this, I didn't expect this story to get nearly as much appreciation as it has, and I'm very grateful.

Rest assured, this story is far from done! We've still got many, many more adventures to go through with Varion and his friends and I'm really excited to see how much further it goes! The further we get, the closer we get to my original arcs and the more fun interactions I have planned! Leave your thoughts in the reviews, I'd love to hear them!

Thanks for watching, see you all next time!

Next time on the Legend of Varion…

As Varion walked down the path to Breezehome, his eyes narrowed as he saw a piece of paper on his door, stuck there by a dagger. As he got closer, he removed the weapon and read it, groaning as he did. It simply read "I've got a plan", but Varion knew exactly what this was. "Guess you were bound to figure it out eventually Delphine" he muttered, already preparing for the next big adventure in his life...