The Legend of Zelda: Skyrim - Chapter 28 - Proving Honor
Wruuthgar shard in Dustman's Cairn; enjoy
Also a lot of various conversations and happenings
I do not know when the next chapters will be uploaded, but they will be uploaded "eventually"
It was early morning when Link opened the right gate door and stepped into Whiterun, but he didn't have long to look around before he was almost knocked over by someone barreling into him.
"Where have you been!? We thought you were dead!"
Link found himself in a tight embrace, in fact, he could swear he was being lifted off the ground slightly. "I've been busy." His voice was muffled due to his helmet currently pressed against the Argonian's shoulder.
"Busy. You could have sent a letter, or a parcel!" Swift reprimanded.
"I didn't think of that." Link admitted as he was freed from the hug.
Swift was standing there with her arms crossed against her chest, her tail lashing behind her. "You have five seconds to tell me where you've been for the past two months."
"High Hrothgar and dungeon delving." Link replied as he reached up and removed his helmet.
"Dungeon delving." Swift repeated, her eyes narrowing. "And I suppose you took your time and brought back lots of useless weapons to sell? How much gold do you even have?"
"Enough." Link looked up from placing the helmet temporarily in his pack.
"I see." The Argonian went silent, as if she knew she wasn't going to get a proper answer. "What were you doing at High Hrothgar?"
"Voice Training."
"How does that work?" Swift eased up and let her crossed arms fall to their normal positions at her sides.
"…It just… does." A simple explanation. "Never really thought about it, it just happens."
Swift rolled her eyes. "Lamest explanation I've ever heard, but I imagine it must be hard describing something like that."
"It is." Link then thought of something. "I never thought to ask before. Khajiit have… interesting names, so why…" He didn't know how to finish the question, but Swift seemed to catch on.
"It's because his first name is near impossible to pronounce, so everyone calls Sam a variation of his middle name instead."
"…Makes sense. Do you think if I asked him, he'd tell me?" Before Link could get a response, he nearly tripped as Swift grabbed his arm, then began to drag him up the cobblestone road towards the market.
He got a few questioning looks, to which his response was to give an awkward wave with his free arm.
Soon, Link found himself before Sam's stall, the Khajiit giving him a curious look. "Where have you been?"
"He said he was 'dungeon delving and at High Hrothgar.'" Swift responded for Link.
"Interesting." Sam set down a wooden object he had been fiddling with and stepped out from behind the stall, then quickly hugged Link. "It is good to see you again, my friend."
Link gladly returned the hug, then freed himself from the Khajiit's embrace. "You as well." He glanced at the wooden object on the table. "What's that?"
Sam picked up the wooden object. "This?" He showed it to Link, revealing it to be a carved dragon statue. "I was making it to sell, but now that you're here, do you want it?"
Link thought about it. "Sure. How much do you want for it?"
Sam shook his head. "No. You're a friend, I won't accept payment." The Khajiit offered the statue to Link. "Take it."
Link accepted the offered gift and inspected the carving. "I didn't know you carved statues."
"I've been doing it for a few years now." Sam said. "Only recently have I started to take pride in my work."
Swift walked up to Sam and hugged him from behind. "And you've gotten very good at it. Have you told him the news yet?"
"About what?" Sam asked.
The Argonian playfully swatted a clawed hand at Sam. "That our parents are traveling here to visit."
"Oh. That. No, I haven't told him yet, though I suppose *you* just informed him." The Khajiit replied.
Swift smiled, then looked over one of Sam's shoulders at Link. "They'll be here during the warmer seasons, for our wedding, but we have a lot to plan first."
Sam nodded. "I think they were wanting you at Jorrvaskr, Link, some of them were asking about you a week ago."
"What for?"
"None of them would say. Said it was 'Companion business'." Swift released Sam from the hug and stepped around him. "We'll keep you informed about the wedding as it gets closer."
"Suppose a congratulations is in order." Link offered as both the Argonian and Khajiit gave parting hugs.
"Eventually, yes, but not yet." Sam responded as he and Swift let go of Link. "Go on, do whatever needs to be done, we'll be here when you get back."
"I had one question."
"What is it?" Sam asked.
"Swift told me everyone calls you by your middle name, because your first is too hard to pronounce."
The Khajiit bared his fangs in a grin. "She told you that, did she? That is true, perhaps one day, I will tell you."
Link stepped away from the market stall, raised a hand in farewell, then turned and began to walk towards the overturned boat in the near distance.
Link was greeted by Tilma when he entered Jorrvaskr.
"Hello dear. We haven't seen you in a long while." Greeted the elderly woman.
"I've been up at High Hrothgar."
"Did those Greybeards summon you again?" She questioned.
"No. I just decided to go there for Voice Training."
"Training… and do you believe you were successful?"
"I'd like to think so."
"Good. Now, there shall be none of that Shouting here, understood? I trust you to be on your best behavior." Tilma scrutinized Link, who nodded.
"Of course."
Tilma smiled and leaned on her broom slightly. "They should feed you more, a still growing warrior like you needs more meat on those bones of yours."
"We'll keep him well fed, Tilma." Farkas' voice reached the two from somewhere to Link's right.
Tilma looked over. "Farkas." She briefly acknowledged, before she moved her gaze back to Link. "Know that you are always welcome here, child, no matter what happens. I'll take my leave now, have my own things to do…" The old woman took her broom and walked away, past the long table and towards the stairs leading to the living quarters.
"She didn't bother you at all, did she? Sometimes she asks too many questions." Farkas walked up to Link.
"No."
"Good. Thought I should mention that Skjor wants to talk to you."
"Did he say why?" Link asked.
"No, he just said something about "proving honor". You'd better not keep him waiting any longer."
"Do you know where Skjor is?"
"No need to look for me, I'm right here."
Link found Skjor sitting in a chair, nursing some sort of drink in a metal tankard.
"You wanted to see me?"
"I did." Skjor finished his drink and set the tankard down on a nearby side table, then leaned forward in his chair. "It's time for you to prove yourself. Last week, a scholar showed up, claiming to know where we could find another fragment of Wuuthrad. He seemed like a fool to me, personally, but if the scholar is right, the honor of the Companions demands that we investigate this claim."
"Wuuthrad?"
"An ancient axe used by Ysgramor to slaughter countless Elves." Skjor explained. "It was destroyed by cultists in the Second Era, its fragments scattered across Skyrim, and presumably lost to time. Dustman's Cairn, a barrow nearby Dragonsreach to the north, was the location the scholar told us about.
"Your Trial - something each initiate takes to truly become a Companion - will be to investigate this claim. Farkas will be your Shield-Sibling on this venture. He'll answer any questions that you might have. I would answer them, but I am unfortunately pressed for time at the moment."
Skjor got up from the chair he had been sitting in and stepped around Link. "Try not to disappoint us. You may think yourself able in combat, but all you seem to have fought are undead and dragons and bandits, not real warriors."
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"You have a lot to learn still, Link." With that cryptic response, Skjor left Link's presence.
"I wouldn't take what Skjor said personally, he's just seen a lot of potential Companions get themselves killed due to stupidity." Farkas announced.
The Nord had wandered up to the table while Skjor was speaking, and Link turned around to face him. "And does he think that will happen to me?"
"Not if I can help it." Farkas responded. "That's why I'm going with you."
Link went silent for a moment, then asked, "What do you know about this scholar Skjor mentioned?"
Link was lying on his bed in Breezehome, staring up at the vaulted wooden beam ceiling overhead.
After he had questioned Farkas, the two had left Jorrvaskr, only for Farkas to suggest seeing Lydia and Breezehome before the two set off.
So, here he was, upstairs in his room while the two warriors had their conversation around the fire pit downstairs.
'What do I want out of this?' He asked himself. 'To keep everyone safe? Yes. To what extent?'
He was interrupted from his thoughts by the pack on the nearby table rustling - a series of chirps and squeaks alerted him to the dragon hatching's presence.
Link got up from the bed and crossed the wooden planked floor over to the pack on the table, moved his armor aside, then un-did the drawstrings and threw the flap back. He was rewarded with Cobalt scrambling upward and gliding into his waiting arms.
The dragon hatchling preened happily and leaned against Link as he walked over to the window and looked out at the plains and beyond.
The muffled voices of Lydia and Farkas floated up from below, and as Link set Cobalt on the windowsill and allowed the dragon to look outside, he came to a conclusion.
"Cobalt."
The dragon hatchling turned his head to look back at Link.
"I'm afraid you're going to have to stay here with Lydia for a while."
Cobalt squeaked in confusion as he turned to face Link, then nearly fell off the windowsill. Link caught the hatchling before that happened.
"It's getting too dangerous for you to travel with me." Link lifted Cobalt so the two were looking at each other.
The hatchling shook his head and emitted a sorrowful chirp.
"I know. I'm sad too, but I don't want to take any chances." Link told the hatchling as he placed Cobalt on the bed, then began to sort through his pack.
Soon, Farkas called for Link, as he was ready to leave. Link quickly donned his armor, then picked up Cobalt and left his room, then walked the balcony and down the stairs.
"All set?" Farkas asked Link as he approached.
"As much as I can be." Link replied as he turned to Lydia. "I want you to watch Cobalt until we get back."
Lydia held out her hands and watched as the dragon hatchling leapt from Link's shoulder and glided over to her. "I can do that."
Farkas motioned for Link to follow him out the door, and they were off to the stables.
It had been around a thirty minute ride over to the barrow. However, it seemed it wouldn't be so easy getting in.
There was a near deafening roar as a dragon flew low and nearly missed colliding with Link and Epona.
"Not again, I fought two of them yesterday!"
"Two?" Farkas questioned as he leapt off his borrowed horse and slapped the beast on the rump to cause it to take off.
"Yes, two." Link didn't bother going into further detail as he reached behind him and drew an arrow from the quiver as he unhooked his bow from his shield.
"Don't you get tired of fighting these things?"
"It varies." Link notched the arrow to the bow string and took aim as the dragon turned and began to fly towards him.
"Dovahkiin!" Roared the dragon as it flew overhead.
Link let go and watched as the arrow sailed through the air, quickly embedding itself in the dragon's chest. "I bring it down, then we finish it off together?"
"Sounds like a plan." Farkas agreed.
Link then got an idea. He put the bow away, then took out the Clawshots; he then released the chain on one, causing it to plunge into the ground. Link gave the chain a pull, making sure it was stable, and then aimed the second Clawshot upward and fired.
Blood sprayed as the weapon sank into the dragon's chest. As it roared, Link yanked on the chain, causing the dragon to plummet towards the ground.
Before the dragon landed, Farkas was already running towards it, greatsword poised high.
Link leapt off of Epona and drew Dawnbreaker, then headed towards the downed dragon. Farkas was ducking and weaving around it, dodging bites and wing attacks as the dragon became more injured by the minute.
Then Farkas got sent back by the dragon's tail, causing Link to run up and swung Dawnbreaker at the dragon's face. He then dodged a bite attack, then leapt up, grabbed one of the dragon's horns, and swung himself onto the dragon's head.
Link had to focus to keep his balance as the dragon tried its best to dislodge him, meanwhile, Farkas had recovered and was attacking the beast's wings.
"This thing can't last much longer! Kill it!" Farkas yelled as he ducked to avoid being knocked back by one of the wings.
Link held onto one of the horns with one hand as he raised Dawnbreaker, then stabbed downward.
The dragon let out a death roar as it reared back, then fell to the ground, Link jumping from the head at the last second. As Link landed and regained his balance, Farkas stepped back and watched as the corpse began to burn away.
"Strange how it does that."
Link nodded in silent agreement as the tendrils rose from the dragon and began to swirl around him, soon being absorbed.
"We can enter the barrow now."
The entrance to Dustman's Cairn was set in the ground, being accessible by a series of stone steps that were placed in a curved formation against the circular wall.
There was nothing of note outside the barrow, save for a lone empty stone coffin set against the right wall, and a raised lit brazier set before the carved stone doors.
Farkas opened the left door and stepped inside, Link following close behind.
Once the door closed, they were standing before a series of descending carved stone steps.
"After you." Farkas waved a gauntlet covered hand and stepped aside.
Link quickly walked down the steps and entered the first room. There wasn't much. A table in the middle, three dead Draugr from upright sarcophagi, a chest next to the table, some burial urns and some side tables.
Link approached the table first and picked up a book lying on a pedestal. It was a copy of the Battle of Sancre Tor. He put it in his back for later reading, then checked the chest directly to the left.
It was locked, but soon after, it was open. The chest held twenty Septims and a ruby gem. Link took both, then he and Farkas advanced past the open doors.
The next room held several alcoves, some filled with bodies, others were empty. There turned out to be a series of these alcove-filled rooms, and each of these rooms held one Draugr each.
The two warriors made quick work of the undead, and pressed on.
There was a short tunnel that led to a small room, and a set of descending stairs, then Link and Farkas found themselves in a room with various tables and shelves with items.
Link took all of the various alchemy items, and things that he thought were useful, then he passed the arcane enchanter and towards a room with a lever.
"Seems the way forward is blocked. Go ahead and pull that lever, perhaps it will open the door." Farkas told Link.
Link entered the small room and collected the items in it, which were some potions and more alchemy items. He then walked up to the lever and threw it to the side, only to look back as the gate closed, locking him inside the room.
"I should have figured that." Farkas shook his head as he walked over to the gate. "Don't worry, I'll get you out of there."
"That's where you're wrong. It's time to die, dog." An ominous voice rang out as the nearby door slammed open.
Multiple people flooded into the room, all wearing armor and wielding weapons.
Link retreated away from the gate as the newcomers quickly surrounded Farkas. "Who are they?"
"Stay calm, Link. I have this under control." Farkas looked back and smiled slightly before he focused on the person closest to him.
"We knew you'd show up here, Companion." The woman smiled cruelly. "A piece of your founder's weapon? No one would pass up the opportunity to take it. That's why myself and these other Silver Hands laid a trap for you."
"Who's the kid?" Asked one of the Silver Hands.
"That doesn't matter." The woman snapped. "He wears that armor, he travels with these beasts - he dies."
"Should be pretty easy." Laughed an Orc. "Killing you both will make an excellent story."
"None of you will live to tell it." Farkas growled, raising his greatsword. "He's under my protection."
"He is? Why? He looks like he's never fought a real battle in his life!" The woman questioned.
"He's fought dragons, if that tells you anything." Farkas remarked.
"Dragons?"
"Enough! She ordered us to slay as many Companions as we can, and we're starting with these two!" The woman ordered.
The group of Silver Hand advanced upon Farkas until his back was up against the gate.
"Any last words before we kill you?" The woman smirked.
Farkas dropped his greatsword, then looked back at Link before he breathed deeply and closed his eyes. The Nord then turned to face the woman. "May Hircine take you all."
And then, Farkas' body began to twist, and contort in shape, bones cracked, claws and fur and fangs grew…
There was an enraged roar as the werewolf sprang up and tore into the nearest Silver Hand. Link was helpless, all he could do was stand there in the safety of the room and watch as Farkas decimated the group of attackers.
'He's a werewolf.' Link thought faintly. 'When was he going to tell me this?'
Soon, the Silver Hand lay dead, and the werewolf turned to face Link. The beast growled softly, then backed away from the gate, and ran off through the now open doors.
A second later, the gate opened, and Farkas reappeared, kicking the greatsword aside as he ran up to Link and hugged him. "You're okay." He seemed to be reassuring himself.
Link returned the hug. "You're a werewolf?"
"Yes. I hope I didn't scare you." Farkas said as the two separated.
"Scare me? No. When were you going to tell me?"
"Hopefully never. Unfortunately, they forced my hand." Farkas took a deep breath. "Only some of us Companions are 'blessed' enough to have gained Hircine's Favor. We're known as The Circle."
"…Can I join?"
"No. At least not for a long while. …Kodlak would probably kill us personally if you were turned properly … I don't know what happened to you for you to gain your wolf transformation, but the process of gaining Hircine's blessing is… brutal. Here's what you can do though, prove to me that you have the honor and ability to be a Companion, and then we'll talk." Farkas left the room and stopped to pick up the greatsword before he walked over to the open door.
Link followed, finding that he had more questions than answers.
The open door led then down a twisting path until it opened up slightly. Two Silver Hand were standing on the other side of a raised section.
They spotted Link and Farkas, drew their weapons, and charged.
Farkas immediately decapitated one, then slammed the other against the wall with the greatsword. While the remaining Silver Hand was stunned, Farkas ran the man through, then kicked the body aside.
"I'm going to warn you now, the Silver Hand - they will stop at nothing to kill you. Understand?"
Link nodded silently.
"I know. I should let you fight something… but I don't want to risk you getting hurt. I don't want to carry you to Jorrvaskr on my back." Farkas explained as he turned from the bodies and continued to walk down the tunnel.
Link preoccupied himself with taking the various alchemy items that were scattered throughout the tunnel, as well as taking a flawless amethyst and a few Septims from a raised pedestal in an alcove.
The two soon came across an iron door and opened it, then stepped though then turned right and went across a raised bridge with a caged walkway.
They dodged arrows from various attacking Silver Hand and entered a sloped hallway lined with alcoves. Some had dead Draugr, others were empty.
They weren't alone for long, as the Silver Hand that had been in the bridge room soon found them, the fight also awakened the various sleeping Draugr, and it soon became a bloodbath.
Link was left to take care of the Draugr while Farkas took care of the Silver Hand, simply because Link was unprepared to fight real warriors, as others had stated previously. He had fought hunters before, but not trained killers like the Silver Hand.
The first Draugr lunged at Link, but he tripped the undead and stabbed it in the chest. It turned to ash… and then the weapon sent out a shockwave that killed the remaining undead.
Through the next door were more catacombs. After dealing with a lone Draugr, a nearby urn was checked - it contained twenty Septims - and the two walked into the next room.
There was a lone Silver Hand standing over a dead Draugr, and another member standing on a walkway at the far side of the room.
Farkas dealt with the one on the ground, while Link hid behind a pillar, he and the Silver Hand exchanged arrows back and forth until Link got a lucky shot in, and the Silver Hand clutched at their chest and fell off the walkway.
Once the other Silver Hand was dead, Link checked the contents of the room. There was a locked chest under the stairs, which contained thirty Septims and a Flawless Ruby. The tow climbed the wooden stairs and found a pull chain to the left. It opened a hidden room with a chest. The chest contained two hundred Septims and various elemental arrows, which Link gladly took.
Past the hidden room was a dead Silver Hand lying on a stone coffin, and a lone Draugr. It was slain with Dawnbreaker. There were several burial urns around the room. Most were empty, but those that weren't contained a total of fifty Septims, two amethysts, a ruby, and a gold ring.
Through the door to the east contained another locked chest, and a large coin purse that contained three hundred Septims. The chest took three lockpicks to open, and it contained a spell tome for what Link learned was Telekinesis. When the tome was opened, it turned to dust, and knowledge of the spell entered his mind.
There was a Pine Thrush Egg, a silver amethyst ring, and some hanging moss near the basket to the left. Link took these, then descended the stairs to the south.
On a table to the right of the stairs was a steel sword, eleven loose septims, two potions of minor magicka, and two potions of minor healing. Link left the sword and took the items, then checked the various burial urns. All of them were empty.
There were more Draugr in the next room. They were quickly killed. Another Silver Hand was alerted to their presence, and ended up rushing Link.
Link twisted to the side, which allowed Farkas to approach and fight the Silver Hand. Farkas swung the greatsword and decapitated the Silver Hand member.
The two stopped to rest, then moved on. Down the slope was another locked chest, with two burial urns in an upper alcove. The chest contained two sapphires and fifty Septims, and the two burial urns contained ten Septims each.
The next room had more Silver Hands. Farkas snuck up on the first one and killed then instantly. The other three members were alerted and soon rushed Farkas, leaving Link to ambush them with arrows. Once the Silver Hand members were dead, the two entered the next room.
Behind the door was a coin purse that held one hundred Septims, along with the rings. Link took these and walked down the stairs, avoiding the obvious pressure plate trap.
Two Silver Hand members ambushed him, and Link found himself pinned against the wall in a chokehold while the other Silver Hand faced Farkas with a raised weapon. "One step forward, and he dies."
While Farkas distracted the one Silver Hand, Link got an idea, and he drew Dawn, then reached up and stabbed the Silver Hand holding him hostage.
The warrior let go, and Link retreated to let Farkas again deal with the Silver Hand. They were easily killed as the others had been.
There was a chest to the far left corner. It was unlocked, and contained twenty Septims.
When Farkas and Link entered the crypt, there was a lone Silver Hand waiting for them. Not wanting another ambush, Farkas rushed forward and engaged the warrior.
Link risked opening the door while Farkas was preoccupied, and saw two Silver Hand below an enclosed walkway. They seemed to be fighting some Draugr, so Link left them alone.
Farkas soon killed the one Silver Hand, and after that, when the two entered the walkway, they discovered that a Silver Hand member and a Draugr had killed each other.
Once Link and Farkas crossed the walkway and entered the next corridor, more Draugr ambushed them. They were killed nearly instantly.
After the Draugr were dead, there was a Silver Hand around the corner and three more Draugr to fight.
Farkas dealt with the Silver Hand, while Link fought the undead with Dawnbreaker.
Once the Silver Hand members and undead were taken care of, Link collected the various alchemy ingredients, and checked a nearby chest. It contained twenty Septims.
The next corridor ended above a room with a lone Silver Hand. They were killed with a well aimed arrow. Link checked the nearby apothecary satchel and checked its contents, which were a few deathbells, before he took the whole thing. There were numerous burial urns down the stairs, as well as various alchemy ingredients, one potion of cure disease, and a locked chest. The burial urns were empty, the chest contained an emerald and twenty Septims, and Link collected the alchemy ingredients and potion before he and Farkas moved on.
The next room was the one Link had seen from the enclosed walkway. There was nothing of value save for a chest, which contained a key, and various alchemy items. Link took these, then walked up to the large iron doors and tried to open them. They were locked.
"Maybe that key you found will work?" Farkas suggested.
Link tried the key and it unlocked the door.
Once the door was unlocked, the two were greeted by several Skeevers. Link merely kicked them out of the way and continued walking.
There was a door that led to a room with an alchemy lab, and a table with three dead Draugr lying on top.
There was a locked door to the southwest. When the door was unlocked, there was an urn and a potion of minor healing on a shelf. The urn was empty, and Link took the potion before checking the rest of the room.
There was a cave into the west, with a burial urn in the rubble, and a door to the east. The urn was empty as well. Farkas and Link walked through the door and continued on.
More Skeevers attacked the two, but they were killed instantly. There was another alchemy lab in the next room, and a door to the east.
Down a tunnel were a few Frostbite spiders. A few dodged poisoning attempts and the spiders were soon dead. The two headed downstream over a series of natural bridges, and through another door.
There were yet more Skeevers and Frostbitten Spiders, and they too were no match for the two warriors. The two took the higher path around the side of the cave and entered the next room.
There were two Draugr that were easily dispatched. Down the corridor was a wall carving - a ruby was lodged in the carving which was easily removed - and the room after that contained various alchemy items and dead Draugr. The alchemy items were collected, then Link and Farkas followed a path until they happened across an iron door.
The two walked through the iron door and were greeted by a grand sight: sealed alcoves and coffins lined the room of the vast hall, but that wasn't what Link focused on.
There was a Word Wall up the stairs, far away from where they stood. There was a table with items on it, but they would have to get closer to tell what they were.
"I don't like the look of all these coffins. Be on your guard." Farkas told Link as the two made their way across the room up to the table.
There was some sort of fragment on a small raised pedestal, as well as some soul gems and healing potions - revealed to be two petty and one black soul gem, and two grand health potions - there was a large chest next to the Word Wall, which Farkas opened while Link approached the glowing carved symbols.
His vision blurred as the familiar chanting reached a crescendo, and then faded away as a word forced itself into his mind - Toor.
It was the second Word of Fire Breath.
"What was that? You just stood there for a few seconds, as if you were frozen." Farkas reached out and plucked the fragment of Wuuthrad from its resting place.
"I absorbed a Word of Power." Link explained.
"I see." Was all Farkas said.
Then, the air was filled with the sound of stone hitting the ground, followed by weapons being drawn and footsteps.
Seventeen Draugr left their resting places and began to slowly walk towards Link and Farkas from various sections of the room.
"I hope you have some sort of idea as to how we deal with these." Farkas growled as he raised his greatsword.
"I'll think of something." Link responded as he watched Farkas run over to the closest Draugr and promptly slice it in two.
Link drew Dawnbreaker and swung it at a Draugr that swung its own weapon at him. The weapon stabbed the undead, and it burst into flames.
Farkas decapitated another Draugr and looked over at Link. "Need help?"
"No." Link responded as he ducked under an undead swinging a waraxe, then spun to slice at an approaching Draugr.
"Fair enough." Farkas replied as he brought the greatsword hilt down upon an undead's head, killing it.
Link turned back and stabbed the Draugr that had swung the waraxe at him, then picked it up and threw it at yet another approaching undead, which cut it in half.
Farkas looked on in approval, then ran two Draugr through at once with his greatsword.
Link then used Frostbite against a Draugr, then Ice Spike against another, both were killed nearly instantly.
Farkas swung his greatsword in an uppercut, slicing a Draugr from waist to shoulder.
A Draugr tried to ambush Link from behind, but he spun and disarmed the undead, then ran it through with Dawnbreaker. As well as turning to flames and ash, a wave of light curved from the weapon and struck another Draugr, also turning it to ash.
Farkas then ran the final two through with the greatsword, then stopped to rest briefly.
Link turned to Farkas to see his fighting progress, only to be sent back by the last Draugr that turned out to know shouts, and it used Unrelenting Force.
Dawnbreaker was knocked from Link's hand and it spun across the stone floor towards Farkas.
Farkas ignored the weapon and charged the Draugr, only to be locked in a stalemate as the undead's weapon was caught in the greatsword's crossguard.
Link was without a sword for a moment, but he didn't need it to fight. He quickly approached the undead and used the Fire Breath shout against it.
The Draugr turned to face Link and lunged towards him, flames consuming the monster as Link easily dodged the attempt to attack.
This allowed Farkas to swing his greatsword at the Draugr, chopping off an arm, which made it drop the warhammer.
The undead didn't seem deterred though, as it picked up the weapon with its remaining hand, then swung it into Link's shield.
Link was sent back by the attack, so he took his bow and fired an arrow.
The arrow struck the undead between the eyes, and then it was also struck by lightning.
"What was that?" Farkas asked Link.
"It's something with the bow. It must be enchanted." Link responded as he waited for the undead to focus on him again.
Link decided to use Ice Spikes against the Draugr. It went down to one knee, prepared to Shout again, and was run through by Farkas.
"That's the last of them." Farkas declared. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine." Link picked up Dawnbreaker, then found a lever that opened up a winding dirt tunnel.
Farkas followed him through this tunnel, and they came across another lever. When it was pulled, it opened up a sarcophagus that ended up being in the first room.
"What is that bow?" Farkas asked Link as they walked towards the barrow's entrance.
"I'm the Thane of Falkreath now, Jarl Siddgeir gave it to me for helping out various citizens there." Link explained.
Farkas looked impressed. "You're the Thane of two holds already? I wonder if it's possible for you to gain the title in all of them…" He led Link out of the barrow and up the stone stairs outside. Once they reached the top of the stairs and onto solid ground, Farkas turned to Link, and then hugged him. "Well done. You've more than well earned the right to join us." Farkas then stepped back from Link and walked over to his waiting horse.
Once Link had vaulted onto Epona, Farkas turned the horse to face him. "I'll give you the things I found in that large chest once we get back, let's get going."
"You're back." Skjor was standing by the doors that led outside to the back, once Link and Farkas entered Jorrvaskr after dropping the two horses off at the stables. "Were the two of you successful?"
Link held up the fragment of Wuuthrad as proof.
"Well done." Skjor smiled. "Did you encounter any resistance?"
"The Silver Hand were there." Farkas growled darkly.
"The Silver Hand?" Kodlak's voice reached Link and Farkas, and they turned around to see the other Companions gathering.
"Yes." Farkas nodded. "They were mostly there for me, somehow they knew one of us would travel there."
Kodlak scowled. "We'll need to be more vigilant. They're getting more daring." He looked at Link. "Are you alright?"
"I'm still alive, so I suppose so." Link responded.
Skjor looked Link over while he accepted the weapon fragment. "…I think it's time. Kodlak, gather the others and meet us outside." He and Farkas led Link out the doors and to the courtyard.
Once the other Companions gathered outside, Kodlak walked to the front and turned to face Link.
"Today, all of us gathered here bear witness to a tradition since times immortal, since the days of the Five Hundred Companions. Link, today, you risked your life to retrieve a fragment of Wuuthrad from Dustman's Cairn, with Farkas as your Shield-Sibling, for your Trial."
Kodlak turned to Farkas. "Farkas. Would you say that Link passed the Trial?"
Farkas nodded. "He exceeded my expectations. When the Silver Hand ambushed us, he fought them valiantly and courageously. He didn't waver in combat… and helped fight a dragon before we entered Dustman's Cairn."
"The two of you fought a dragon?" Aela asked.
"We did." Link confirmed.
"…I see… Farkas, would you battle alongside Link, defend him if needed, and if offered, raise a glass in his name?"
"I would, Kodlak."
The Harbinger nodded. "And what of the rest of you? Do you say the same?"
Kodlak was rewarded with several variants of "yes"
"Then it is settled. Link, by all the honor that I, Kodlak Whitemane can bestow upon you, I welcome you into the ranks of the Companions." Kodlak smiled. "You've made this old man very proud."
"Thank you."
The Companions gathered around Link and offered him their greetings and congratulations, then walked back inside Jorrvaskr. Farkas then approached him. "Well, you did it. I knew you had it in you. How does it feel to be one of us now?"
"Great, all things considered."
The two heard footsteps approaching, Link turned to see Eorlund Gray-Mane walking towards them from the Skyforge.
"Eorlund." Link greeted the blacksmith.
"I heard you were accepted to be a member. Well done. You may buy Skyforge Steel weapons from me if you wish, and I will give you one for free, of your choosing." Eorlund offered.
"The renowned Eorlund Gray-Mane, giving away Skyforge Steel? Never heard of it." Farkas joked.
"I remember a bright eyed young lad spending hours fawning over a dagger before eventually picking that very same greatsword." The blacksmith responded with a smile.
Farkas muttered something the other two didn't catch, and walked past them into Jorrvaskr.
Eorlund walked Link up to the Skyforge and let him look at the various weapons scattered about.
He eventually picked a battleaxe after much deliberation.
"Just like Ysgramor himself. A fine weapon." Eorlund complemented. "You know, I think they might have a huge feast soon. You'd better get back before they take all the food and drink."
Link shook Eorlund's hand, then walked back to Jorrvaskr and opened the doors.
He wasn't expected to be greeted by two goats. "…What is this?"
"I remember you once telling us you tended to goats back home." Skjor began. "We all figured you'd want to do that again. Don't worry, we've already planned everything, we'll even escort you home after the feast."
Link was rendered speechless and all he could do was nod as he was led to the table…
The next few hours were full of feasting and conversation. Farkas gave Link the contents of the large chest they had found, which included the following: 500 Septims, an Ebony Waraxe, and a Scroll of Fire Storm.
After some time, Link was indeed escorted to Breezehome, along with the two goats.
He was reunited with Cobalt, and after more conversations, Link found himself in his room, lost in thought.
'I won't forget today for a long while. I think it's time I finally head to Rorikstead…'
But, as it usually were, fate had other plans…