Certainty did not come easily to Skjor. As a lifelong, battle-hardened soldier always on the lookout for threats and danger, Skjor could only count a handful of moments in his life when he experienced certainty. All of these moments stemmed from one place in particular: Jorrvaskr. It was through Jorrvaskr that Skjor found a home, honor, and purpose. He'd even found a family. He had a Father-like figure in his Harbinger, a maternal figure in kind, old Tilda, several Shield-Siblings that he both adored and loathed, depending on the hour, and a mate who was his equal in every sense of the word.
Aela was a woman who commanded attention upon first glance. Between her long, fire-kissed hair, brilliant green eyes, and fierce combat abilities it was not uncommon for men to fawn over Aela when first seeing her. Upon first joining the Companions, many whelps would often be unable to keep from gawking at Aela, accumulating many injuries in their distraction. The Companions jokingly referred to this ailment as an "Aela-mint". Eventually, though, with all the time spent in each other's company, they would get accustomed to Aela, seeing her primarily as a Comrade in arms. And if they didn't a sparring session with Aela would surely cure their ailment.
Skjor never grew accustomed to being near her. The time he spent with the Huntress only fueled what he felt for her. He worked with the Huntress, ran through the night with her Wolf, and fell in love with the woman. And for whatever reason that Skjor would never understand Aela returned those feelings. Ever the Huntress, Aela toppled him one night as they ran through the night in one of their late night hunting excursions and did not release him from her grasp until well into the next day. In the nights that followed, more often than not, the two could be found in the company of the other.
It wasn't exactly forbidden for Companions to become involved, nor was it unusual, particularly amongst the Inner Circle, given the proximity and Blood bonds, but there were certainly challenges. Privacy was at the foremost of these challenges. Gone were the days of simply bursting into one another's quarters in the event of a late-night, last-minute job. The Companions soon learned the importance of knocking before entering. Farkas couldn't face either Aela or Skjor for nearly a fortnight after one particularly visual incident. It was half this reason that Aela and Skjor had begun to explore the possibility of a home outside of Jorrvaskr. The other half pertained to a far more personal reason: their future goals.
In the darkest hours of the night, prior to the first light, when it seemed the rest of Skyrim slept the two would sometimes speak of their future wishes and dreams. It was a rare occurrence, as Aela typically loathed such "sappy talk", preferring to focus on the present and actions over words, but occasionally she would indulge Skjor, particularly when he encouraged her by sharing his own hopes for them. On one Winter night, after a night of feasting and drinking after a particularly well-earned victory, Skjor spoke in an alcohol-loosened tongue of all he longed for in a life with Aela.
"A little girl, with long red hair and brilliant green eyes, with her Mother's skill with a bow"
"No. Grey eyes, just like her Father"
He broached the idea of a new home shortly after and their search began.
The first home the pair considered and looked at was Breezehome. The location was ideal, both right near the Marketplace and Jorrvaskr. It was a simple home with only the basic living spaces of a kitchen, bedrooms, and storage but it met Skjor's standards. Unfortunately, it did not meet Aela's.
"What do you think, love?" he asked his mate as his eyes swept the inside of the home. He was pleased enough with the home, but could see from Aela's rigid stance and small frown that she was not.
"It's a little small, dear. This house would work for the two of us, but…" she did not finish but did give him a pointed gaze, a slight flush upon her cheeks. Although it was only the two of them on this walkthrough of the home the Huntress was still uncharacteristically shy when it came to the mention of children. It was a quality Skjor found immensely endearing. He fought the urge to smile.
"You are right, as usual. For all the benefits its location offers, there are just as many disadvantages with the size. We'll continue searching" He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pressed a kiss to her temple, his mind ablaze with possibilities for their new home.
The next home Skjor showed Aela was Heljarchen Hall. This, Skjor felt, was perfect. It was a large, two-story home abundant with bedrooms, dining space, and living space. It held a variety of features such as an alchemy lab, armory, and greenhouse. There was even ample land for livestock and to expand the home if needed. And, being North of Whiterun, it was still relatively close to Jorrvaskr. And if she wasn't pleased with the location there were similar properties near both Morthal and Falkreath, depending on his love's landscape preferences. At the first opportunity, the warrior took his mate to see the property, excited at the delight that would surely illuminate her emerald orbs.
…only to see a scowl upon her pale features upon arriving.
"What the fuck is this?" Aela blurted out, the scowl on her face deepening with each inch of property she took in.
Skjor frowned in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"What do you mean what do I mean? This is what you consider a home? This behemoth of rubble in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by wolves, spiders, and bears?"
Skjor stared at Aela in incredulous disbelief and confusion. Was she not "Aela the Huntress"? Since when did being in the wild, surrounded by game, bother her? "I-I thought you'd be pleased. The land is expansive. We have room for crops, animals…"
"Are we Farmers now? Growing wheat, milling flour, and raising chickens?" she hissed.
"It is a large span of land that we may do what we wish. My love, I am sorry. I thought you would be happy with such a home to build our legacy and pack."
"There is no reason for us to be out in the wilderness like this." He raised an eyebrow at her, his eyes meeting hers in a mental reminder of one very good reason for them to be there. Skjor didn't understand. Both of them were considered the strongest and fiercest of the Circle and here was Aela fretting over spiders? Annoyance drenched her tone, so much that Skjor was tempted to reply with just as much of an edge in his words but resisted. Years on the battlefield had taught him of the need to tame one's temper and think before acting. He waited patiently for her to explain further.
Aela sighed in response. "It's different. It wouldn't just be the two of us out here in the wild. Think about it, Skjor. Small children? Here?" Her explanation was short and minimally detailed, but Skjor needed no further explanation. Her tone said it all. His time with Aela had made him well versed in reading between the lines and listening to, not what she said, but how she said it, to truly decipher her thoughts and perspective.
Can I keep them safe here?
He reached for her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing it gently. "Love, you are the most capable warrior I know. Please never think otherwise. We will continue searching for our home but please never think you are incapable of something. It simply isn't true."
A soft smile placed itself upon her face, replacing the fury. She closed the distance between them before the two returned to Jorrvaskr.
With Aela's aversion to Heljarchen Hall Skjor had scraped the similar properties in Morthal and Falkreath and focused his search on homes within cities. This proved to be more challenging than Skjor expected. With all of current events plaguing Skyrim such as the Civil War and return of dragons many citizens were moving into residences within cities for additional safety. Options were limited but Skjor made due. Aela was bound to like something.
Hjerim was next on Skjor's list, being a large expansive home able to be customized but still within the safety of the city. Truthfully, though, he knew this home was a long shot. Word had reached his ears of "The home where a serial killer kept the remains of women he brutalized". He anticipated that this house would be a dealbreaker for Aela. After all, just because they were werewolves didn't mean they'd want corpses littering their home. What he did not anticipate was the reasoning behind her refusal of Windhelm: the dirt.
"This city crawls with filth"
Skjor had to use every ounce of discipline a lifetime as a soldier had given him to resist the urge to roll his eyes at this assessment. Aela- The Huntress. Aela, who was raised in the woods as a child and spent the majority of her days smothered in dirt, felt this city was dirty?! However, just as soon as the annoyance of Aela's comment permeate through him, so too did the effects of the mental image of Aela smothered in dirt wash over him leaving him distracted, to say the least. The annoyance was quickly replaced with more pressing urges, which became the focal point for the rest of the evening, leaving the house seeking for another day.
Vlindrel Hall at Markarth was no better, between the threats of the Forsworn, the stone interior, numerous stone steps, and the plethora of mines. Riften, however, took the prize as the disaster. Skjor regretted ever setting foot in the city the moment Aela saw Honeyside. It was a long road back to Whiterun from Riften with his mate raging at him, asking if he was trying to turn their future children into pickpockets, brigands, or murderers. Skjor had nearly waved the white flag on this endeavor when he heard of another home available: Proudspire.
Truthfully, Skjor cared very little for Solitude. It was, he felt, everything wrong with Skyrim bound within stone walls. Honor was forgotten for the sake of appearance and there was far too much emphasis on what another could do for you rather than what you could do for another. The silence of Solitude was not one of peace and security as was often claimed but of the city's determination to hide and conceal what went on behind closed doors. Still though, he saw no harm in at least looking at the home, particularly as he and Aela had taken a job nearby.
It was a nice enough house: large and near both the Blue Palace and Marketplace. There was ample room in its multiple levels to accommodate a growing pack as well as storage for the ample gear and armor he and Aela owned. It was a house Skjor knew many would vy for and would sacrifice a limb to live in but Skjor felt terribly out of place in, scarred and decked out in his wolf armor. It was a house but, to Skjor, just didn't feel like a home. Not to mention the cost…
When he heard the cost of Proudspire Manor Skjor was certain he'd be visiting Hircine's hunting grounds far sooner than he would like or anticipated. He prayed to whatever deity was watching, and likely roaring with laughter at his predicament, that Aela would dislike this home as well.
The Huntress didn't. She loved the house. Of course she loved the house. Aela disliking the home would have been far too easy.
"A fine house". It was a mild sentence on its own, but coming from Aela it was practically a song of praise. "There's so many guards around I would hardly have to worry". She gave a small smile.
That was what did it. Her smile. How could he say no to that? What was it that Eorland always said, especially after a few pints of ale? Happy wife, happy life? Skjor could not help but return that smile, even as his blood pressure continued to escalate at the thought of the cost. "Then let's do it,". He grasped her hand in his and the two made their way to Falk Firebeard to let him know of their decision.
If Skjor had thought paying the massive cost of Proudspire would be the hardest part of moving he was sadly mistaken. It was telling the rest of the Companions. Although it had been no secret that he and Aela were seeking a den of their own the Companions had been shocked when they learned of the location. The whelps sat in stunned silence, a rarity for the outspoken bunch. Kodlak, although understanding graced his cerulean orbs, was silent in his sadness, as was Vilkas. Skjor could have sworn he saw a shimmer of tears in Farkas' eyes.
"Come now," Skjor attempted to lighten the atmosphere. "You act as though we're leaving Skyrim. We'll only be in Solitude. And even then we'll still be here the majority of the time, training, or on job runs. It'll be of little difference"
"Indeed. You all were thrilled at the idea we were considering our own space." Aela chimed in, likewise appearing startled by the palpable sadness in the room.
"We meant the occasional room at the Bannered Mare! You lot were going at it like damn rabbits, we just wanted a reprieve every now and then. Not for you to scamper off to a whole new hold!" Tovar replied, alcohol from his empty tankard giving him temporary liquid courage to speak his mind and ignore the glare from Aela and scowl from Skjor.
Not one to leave a shield sibling alone, Vilkas likewise offered his thoughts. "We didn't realize you were looking to move so far away. It is… different, thinking of you both no longer living here in Jorrvaskr with us. I did not expect for either of you to ever leave our home"
"We are happy for the both of you," Kodlak finally spoke, offering a small smile.
Skjor couldn't help but look down in thanks, nodding slowly. Truthfully, he did not ever imagine leaving Jorrvaskr either. Although there was great excitement at living in a new home with Aela and beginning their life together this did not fully conceal the deep ache within his chest.
In the twilight hours after hunting in the night Aela and Skjor lay together in his bed, Aela's head pillowed upon his chest while his arms were wrapped around her. Despite the long hunt that made their limbs heavy and weary, neither seemed able to cease their deep thoughts. "A septim for your thoughts?" he asked Aela, a finger trailing up upon her face in gentle caress.
She was a silent a moment, though both Wolf and Man knew she was awake and contemplating. He did not push her, waiting instead patiently for her reply. Within minutes he was granted. "Are we doing the right thing?" The Huntress asked.
Skjor was not surprised at the thought but the question caught him off guard. It was unlike Aela to ever question her actions, such was the strength of her will. "I thought moving to Proudspire excited you."
"It does. It did," she sighed, her own hand trailing up his firm figure until it rested gently against his chest where his heart beat for her. "But I did not realize how difficult it would be to leave Jorrvaskr. Its been my home a decade for me, and several more decades for you"
Skjor gave a sound in agreement, "Aye. It has been my home longer than the land of my birth. But, admittedly, it has not been my home in times of late."
She frowned. "It is no longer?"
"No. Jorrvaskr is and always will be close to my heart but my home is you. All else is simply four walls and a roof" he answered simply.
The Huntress was silent but her face curled further within him and she tightened her grip on her mate. He returned the embrace, pressing his lips upon her fore. "Do you wish to stay here at Jorrvaskr?"
"Yes"
"Then its done. We stay."
"What about Proudspire? We've already paid for it. I doubt Firebeard would be open to giving a refund…"
Skjor paid no mind though, giving her a wolfish grin "A problem for another day, my love. We've more important matters to take care of." He maneuvered himself atop of her, his lips glossing over her flesh looking for the perfect place to begin a heated trail.
He did not need to see her face to know there was a smile on it. A smile that changed into a smirk as the great Huntress toppled him, straddling the Warrior. He was thankful more than ever for the vision his Wolf allowed him in the night as it enabled him to sweep an appreciative glance alongside Aela's form. War calloused hands roamed a curvy figure toned from a lifetime of hunting and the two became one…
…until they were interrupted by a loud pounding at their door.
"Aela! Skjor! You in there?" Vilkas voice called out.
Farkas voice joined him "Open up! We know you're back from your hunt. We need to talk to you!"
The mates groaned at the interruption. "One moment!" Skjor replied, though evidently neither clear enough nor quick enough for the twins as they burst into the room, opening the door and immediately spouting a ramble of swears at the sight of their shield siblings, once again, entangled.
"For fuck's sake!" Vilkas swore as he covered his eyes in both embarrassment and shame.
"What did you not understand about 'one moment'?" Skjor hissed as he used his form to cover Aela's nude form. It was unclear whether it was the man's chilvary or the wolf's possessiveness over his mate's figure that was the primary driving force of this action.
Vilkas opened his mouth to reply but was interrupted by his heavily blushing twin. "It doesn't matter. Just get dressed and meet us in the training yard with the rest of the Companions. We got something to show you."
"The rest of the Companions are up at this hour? That itself is a sight" Aela replied dryly. Still though, she humored the brothers and, once they left, rose to get dressed. Skjor followed suit, though not before taking several moments to calm the pressing matter that had arisen. In other circumstances, he would have stolen the additional moments with Aela to finish what they had started but he had little faith in the brothers to have enough sense not to repeat what had just transpired.
The pair made their way to the training yard where they found the rest of their shield siblings and Harbinger waiting for them, eagerly speaking amongst themselves/. They all rose once the pair reached them.
"A gift! From all of us." Torvar offered by way of explanation, pointing to a stack of sawn logs placed near the archery targets, beaming and holding a tankard of ale as he did so.
"You interrupted us for this? For a pile of sticks?" Aela retorted sharply, her war-painted brow furrowed in confusion.
"Not a pile of sticks: building materials. Materials you will use to create an expansion in the living quarters and renovate a private wing for the two of you. Away from eyes and ears…" Kodlak explained, giving the twins a sympathetic glance. "Given the land it won't be a large expansion and you will still have to share the common areas with us but there would be plenty of space for the two of you…" the Harbinger had enough wisdom and tact not to elaborate but he did give a meaningful and pointed glance at the couple.
"We discussed it while you were both out hunting. We don't wanna see you go. We want you to stay. And if you need more space, well, then more space is what we'll give you." Vilkas explained.
"Belathor will bring the rest of the materials later this afternoon. Once he does we can get started on the renovations." Athis explained.
"We'll all pitch in and help with the renovations," Ria added, the rest of the Companions confirming their agreement.
"I… don't know what to say." Skjor admitted.
Vilkas clapped him on the back. "A fucking first!" he chuckled. "Just say yes"
The grey of Skjor's orbs met the green of Aela's in wordless conversation, the corners of their mouth upturned in small smiles. With nothing but certainty in their voices they replied together.
"Yes"