Authors Note: Stories alternate between Character's POV. See top of chapter to know what POV it will be in. My OC and any storyline I add that is not canon to the ElderScroll Series belongs to me.

Mjolnir

Mjolnir sighed, by now she was sure all of Whiterun had heard of her return and she knew that if she did not go to Jorrvaskr and face her shield brother and sisters that they may come breaking down her door and drag her to their great hall. She wouldn't blame them if they had removed her from their company. She would deserve it. But she hurt more over Farkas' cold greeting or rather lack of. Even though she knew it was unfair to feel that way. She had up and gone out of the blue. There was no notice left for him. Not that I had much warning myself, Mjolnir thought glumly.

Still, Farkas has a right to be angry, she mused making her way up the hill towards Dragonsreach where the Jarl had called upon her almost as soon as he had found out she was back in his city. It was midday and Mjolnir had not rested well, besides her beast blood all her wounds were slow to heal and her body was exhausted. She found this unusual but refused to see an actual healer. She skirted around the big tree, staying as far from Jorrvaskr as possible and began to climb the stairs up to Dragonsreach.

Two years had passed and yet Whiterun had remained unchanged. It was like she hadn't left at all. The Jarl's great hall was long with nicely carved pillars that stood tall and in the center of the floor was a massive fire pit that was never without flame, ensuring that the inhabitants and their guests would be protected from Skyrim's harsh cold climate. At the back of the room was Jarl Balgruff who sat in his mighty throne, above it hung an ancient dragon's skull, a felled beast from a time where dragons were the overseers of their human enemies.

"Ah, if it isn't Mjolnir the Dragonborn," Jarl Balgruff's voice boomed, commanding attention and respect from all those who could hear him. "I thought you might be dead. I was shocked to hear you are in fact alive. And well I hope?"

Mjolnir nodded slowly "My travels took me to…unexpected places." To this the Jarl's brow rose just slightly although he refrained from asking too many invasive questions. To this Mjolnir was grateful, she guessed when you save the city from a dragon's attack and help better prepare the Jarl's mage to understand them, it left leeway to overlook strange behavior.

"Of course." the Jarl said, stroking his beard thoughtfully. Beside him was his housecarl, Ireleth. A stern and down to business dark elf who took her role very seriously. Sharing a look with Mjolnir that she would fight to the death, Dragonborn or not, if she had attempted to do anything funny to the Jarl, she would kill her. Mjolnir somewhat welcomed the idea of death.

"I called you here to give you my condolences on the death of your housecarl, Lydia." How could Mjolnir forget? Lydia's death had weighed heavily on her mind and all she could do was send back her sword and shield to Whiterun in hopes that Lydia's family could grieve. Meanwhile she had buried Lydia in the depths of the Reach in some decrepit place under a tree near the cave in which she was slain. Piling the top of the grave with heavy stone to prevent some animal or worse from digging her up.

Mjolnir should have listened but insisted and pushed them on. Had she known the deeper into the cave they went they 'd be ambushed by a falmer hoard, she never would have gone. "She fought very bravely." Mjolnir said quickly, drawing herself out of her guilt laden thoughts. "I know she is in Sovngarde."

The Jarl nodded a silent agreement. "A warrior's death then. Her parents would be proud of her. They have been compensated for their loss as will you be. And try to stick around for a while."

Mojlnir walked away 500 gold richer but she couldn't say she was satisfied with what she got. Although Lydia did die a warrior's death, she felt it unjust to receive such compensation. So rather than keep the gold she left it at the shrine of Talos and made her way to Jorrvaskr, ignoring the urge to turn and go home.

Outside was Aela the Huntress whose deep red hair glimmered in the sunlight as she stood eagerly waiting.

"I thought that Farkas was pulling our legs." She said immediately as Mjolnir walked over to her and greeted her lamely. She expected Aela to be angry at her being gone but she acted as if nothing had happened at all. Somehow this made Mjolnir feel even worse.

"Why did you not come to Jorrvaskr last night? We would have celebrated your return." Aela's brows furrowed as she studied her shield-sister's face and under her keen gaze she recognized the fatigue in Mjolnir's eyes and the slight hunch of her shoulders. She could also smell blood, fresh blood. It was more than the beast blood that had taken a toll. It was something else. Something foul. But Aela couldn't figure out what and she knew Mjolnir wasn't inclined to say.

"I had some things I was taking care of. I wanted to come as soon as possible," Mjolnir replied while adding a bit more quietly, "Besides I thought perhaps…I wouldn't be welcomed anymore."

Aela scoffed at her, did Mojlnir really believe they would turn her away? They had taken an oath and the companions would stand by their words. She was sure that Mjolnir had her reasons for her long absence.

"Well we can talk all about it. Come inside. Many people wish to see you." Aela griped Mojlnir's arm tightly, as if she was afraid she would disappear into thin air. Mojlnir tried not to wince in pain and followed the huntress into the hall of the companions where several people were seated at the long tables that overlooked the fire pit. To the far right Farkas sat with his brother Vilkas, turning away immediately once he saw her. Vilkas shook his head, annoyed with the drama unfolding.

"Don't mind him. He's licking his wounds like a pup. He really did miss you." Aela rolled her eyes pulling Mjolnir to the table that was across from where Vilkas and Farkas sat. All the while people were in a merry mood, stopping to joke and poke fun at Mjolnir. Some say that perhaps her shadow had frightened her, causing her to get lost. Or that perhaps she lost track of time in one of the old ruins, trying to meticulously search every nook and cranny, something Mjolnir was especially known for.

Others welcomed her back warmly and even Vilkas raised his mug to her. They would probably speak later. Overall a deep worry was lifted off Mojlnir's chest and she relaxed eventually, happy to be back and for once did not feel like some looming fate was hanging over her head.

"So tell me, sister." Aela said as the day had dragged on and the festivities had gotten louder and more rowdy. Their conversation was paid little attention to or heard for that matter. "Where did you go all this time? Surely you don't expect me to think you were hobbling around in some cave looking for lost riches." Aela paused and when Mjolnir did not answer her right away her brows knitted together in concern. She and Mjolnir had always shared their troubles.

"You look changed. You are not the same person who left here those years ago." Mjolnir laughed lightly. Across the fire pit Aela could see Farkas' head snap in her direction where he would hastily look away, fearing Mjolnir would see him.

"No, I'm not the same. I am not the person who I once was." She replied bitterly, blinking back unwanted memories. Even though Mjolnir did not wish to speak of her 'adventures' she was eager to lay loose her woes and troubles as they themselves had become heavy and filled up so much space in her mind that it was all she could think of. And so late into the evening she recounted as much as she could, even including the guilt she felt over Lydia's death which had been the catalyst in a sea of poor decisions..

She recalled to Aela of her time sent into a daedric soul gem to fight off conjured deadras and to kill some mad mage who had nearly succeeded in killing her. Gods, Mjolnir squinted, it had felt like an eternity trapped there. Over and over she was revived to fight them off until she got it just right. Come to think of it, she should return that star to the priestess…but why lose such a valuable item? Nelacar had assured her she hadn't been there longer than an hour, time was distorted and she felt thin.

Molag Bal had ensared her as well, noxious black clouds consumed her in that abandoned house and before she knew what had happened she had butchered that innocent man and then the priest right after him. Inheriting the wretched mace that loomed over her. Mjolnir couldn't help but wonder when Molag Bal would send another to fetch it for him. Afterall deadra were finicky and their favor fell out just as quickly as it was gained. Humans were nothing but a means to an end to them.

Clavicus the Vile. Not as bad as Molag Bal in Mjolnir's opinion but much more cunning and vampires that took shelter in the caves Clavicus' shrine was in was a nuisance to deal with. Still, it had been simple enough task and she had been sad to see Barbas go. She wondered how the smelly mutt was doing anyhow.

A large portion of her absence had come from her adventures with Serana, a daughter of Coldharbour, ironically a title gained through Molag Bal himself. Which would have inevitably brought them to the soul cairn and to many other unsavory places. The fighting had been long and mostly unrewarding and very perilous. Lord Harkon was dead and Serena free and humans were safe from vampire invasions. But when everything was said and done and the fight was over, both Mjolnir and Serena felt more incomplete than when they had first started. They parted ways and it was bittersweet.

And once Mjolnir had thought her work was done and she would return to Whiterun, to the Companions, she met Hermaeus Mora. By far the most strange daedra that she had encountered. It was much more calculating and cunning than even Clavicus the Vile and as vicious as Molag Bal in his quest for knowledge. Hermeaeus was different. Hermaeus was the wisest of all daedra and his last words to Mjolnir left her feeling haunted when she had appeared the victor.

Aela leaned back in her seat, her face twisted in uncertainty. Mjolnir looked so far away but it had been a while since she had said anything and at that point Aela figured she would say no more.

"My," She breathed at last and folded her arms. "What were you thinking? You ought to have minded your own business and stuck to what you were good at." Mjolnir couldn't help but agree, her curiosity had not killed her and instead returned to her an even more grim fate.

"I still have so much to do." Mjolnir confessed after a moment, the mead in her hand could not quell her neverending tasks. Dragons. The war. Brynjolf. At this Mjolnir scoffed. Brynjolf recruiter and second in command of the thieves guild, the exact opposite of what the companions prided themselves in. He had found her at her absolute lowest, coaxed her into the guild and when he refused to accept responsibility to be the head of the guild he pushed it onto Mjolnir. Which clashed greatly with her interests.

And while they were considered the scoundrels of Riften and well known throughout Skyrim there was an acceptance there that Mjolnir got that would not be given from the Companions, not even from Aela. It mattered not how awful your past was or what you did in your free time, as long as you brought in coins you were well received. But on top of that Mjolnir observed that nearly all of the thieves guild were easy going and accepting regardless of one's past. She thought of Sapphire and Rune who had befriended her. Late in the Ragged Flagon despite everyone's flaws and wrongdoings they could sit amongst themselves in peace and Molnir yearned for that wholeness. Sometimes she cursed Alduin for interrupting her death.

Aela sighed, she should have known Mjolnir would not be here for long. She was Dragonborn after all. And where she could not understand her troubles she could at least ease her load and not pressure her.

"Will you tell Farkas? Or will you disappear into the night?" Mjolnir winced, wondering if Aela guessed her darkest secrets.

"I will tell him." Mjolnir answered, raising her chin slightly. She did not like disappointing those around her, least of all Farkas. But she was no coward and would face his fury head on.

"At least rest, I can smell your blood all over you." Aela's smoky eyes were on Mjolnir who felt like a small child being chided. "And if I can smell you I know Farkas can. He will keep you here even if he isn't speaking to you."

Mjolnir didn't doubt it. Farkas may have been picked on for not being as intelligent as others but she knew he more than made up for it in his strength. "I had planned to rest." She lied "My wounds, they are not healing well. I will wait until then."

Aela nodded and took a deep drink of her mead. "Let's talk about something else. You have come back! We should celebrate!"

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