Chapter 7
Aela and Martin walked through the wilds of Skyrim exchanging stories and tales about the times since Martin had left. From bandits to giants almost getting into whiterun and much to Martins surprise a vampire den in Riften deep in the ratways. "too bad I wasnt there." he laughed. "they wouldve been easy pickings and wouldve been fun to mess with." Aela tilted her head. "oh how so love?" she asked causing Martin to blush slightly at him being called love. "like you and the circle I still have a beast form its just….different." he replied. The huntress looked around seeing as they were in the farthest points of winterhold. "may I see it?" she smiled looking up at the vampire taking his hands in hers. Martin looked away slightly. "a-are you sure? You may not like what you see." Aela pressed her hand on his cheek having him face her. "please ill be the judge of that." she replied kissing his cheek.
Martin looked at her smiling as he stepped back. "ok but just ready yourself." Aela watched as Martins eyes glowed a menacing yellow before he grabbed hold of his chest as if in pain. Aela stepped forward to help but stepped backward before Martin let out a roar as an explosion of what seemed to be blood Aela looked in awe at Martin now in his Vampire lord form. She had heard stories and legends of the Vampire lord but had never seen one in person. Martin looked at the huntress. "so? What do you think?" Aela walked up to the vampire taking his hand in hers. "its different but I think it suits you." she smiled before taking a step back. "theres a bandit camp not to far from here. You up for a challenge?" she smirked before changing into her werewolf form letting out a howl. Martin smiled raising his hands as he floated in midair. "youre on. My goddess of the hunt." Aela blushed under her fur as she and Martin charged forward towards the camp.
3 days later.
The two walked into the feast hall of yorvaskr with a thunderous applause from the other companions all waiting. "there he is!" Farkas yelled holding up a mug of mead. "get in here you two theres plenty to go around." Martin smiled at Aela taking her hand in his causing the huntress to blush a dark red. "come on you two love birds get in here before the whelps get all the food." Vilkas laughed. The two sat together as the others each took turns welcoming Martin back to the companions and how good it was to have him back. All be it for Njada who stood on the farthest side of the room away from the merriment. Farkas stood up tapping his mug. "everyone lets here it for the return of our shield brother Martin. Who we all owe a deep amount of gratitude and owe an enormous apology." Everyone at the table nodded. "if it weren't for him Kodlak would still be cursed with the wolf blood that kept him from his dream."
Martin smiled as Farkas continued. Kodlak is in Sovenguard now with the rest of the warriors of Ysgramor all chanting in the mead halls above singing songs of praise to our countless victories." The others cheered holding mugs in response. "Now then Martin get up here. Give us a speech worth hearing!" Martin smiled and looked at Aela who returned the smile as he stood up holding a mug in his hand. "thank you Farkas." He laughed looking around the table smiling and looking at all the familiar faces. "I missed you all. All this time ive been away." he looked at his drink before continuing. "ive met many good people in my travels and adventures. It wasnt an easy road. But somehow I knew I would return to the companions." he raised his mug. "to Kodlak to the companions." Everyone raised their mugs in response repeating it with more cheer and pride the hall had heard in months. "to Kodlak and to the companions." Everyone drank and ate the night away while Martin shared stories of his adventures. To everyones surprise they learned that he was the mysterious warrior who had not only put an end to the theives guild but also had destroyed the dark brotherhood single handed. Not to mention all the strange and yet interesting artifacts he had gathered through his travels.
"you really have been busy friend." Vilkas playfully punched Martins shoulder as he gazed at the razor of Mehrunes dagon. "you shouldve seen the pests that came after me for it." he responded as everyone listened in. "one bandit even ran up to me claiming he could take me on without a weapon." He looked around smirking as everyone waited for him to finish. "a second later he was laying face first in the snow." Everyone cheered downing another mug of mead. Aela smiled watching as Martin held out the axe Wuuthrad to Farkas. "is this..?" he looked at the Ax held out by the imperial as Martin nodded. "yes. In my opinion no one else deserves this Farkas. You had my back that night. And still did when we took on the silver hand. If anyone deserves to wield this for the honor of the companions its you."
Farkas looked at Martin then to Aela. "but what about Aela? Shes just as worthy as me is she not?" Aela smiled. "you know full well Farkas that I prefer a bow or dagger. Heavy weapons are more your thing." Farkas took the ax in hand smiling at Martin. "I wont let you down brother." he smiled pulling Martin into a hug which the imperial returned. "I know you wont." as the two finished the embrace Aela stepped forward. "Farkas I need you and Vilkas to accompany me and Martin to the underforge for a meeting of the circle." the two brothers looked at each other then to the other two. "of course. Once the party has died down well make our way there."
after a few more hours into the night the 4 members of the circle went to the underforge quietly as to not wake the few who were asleep. Martin walked in lastly looking around seeing the huge stone bowl in the center fighting his Vampire urges until Aela took his hand in hers. "its ok." she said giving him the warm smile that always brought him to peace. The two walked into the center of the room joining the two brothers. "so whats going on if I may ask?" Vilkas asked looking at the two. "we saw Kodlak at the tomb. And he has given Martin the blessing of being the next harbinger." The brothers looked at Martin in shock. But after a while smiled. "well why wouldnt it be Martin?" Vilkas asked. "hes come a long way since he first joined us." Farkas folded his arms smirking. "besides he saved all our asses from the silver hand, if anything im all for it." Aela smiled hugging Martin around his neck. "and of course my vote is three." she smiled kissing the vampire on the cheek. "so its official." Martin smiled wiping away tears. "I wont let anyone down. I promise."
(wow another chapter down. And one more left. Cant wait as its gonna be more action packed than ususal. I have been getting a lot of questions why is njada such a bitch in this story. Well lets be honest no one likes her. And don't worry shell get a lesson taught next chapter. Until then see you all in the final chapter of the bat and the wolf.