Chapter 22
The Companions
Aela lead Rona down some steps into what appeared to be their sleeping quarters, then further down a long hall where two men could be heard speaking quietly amongst themselves.
"But I still hear the call of the blood."
"We all do. It is our burden to bear. But we can overcome."
"You have my brother and I, obviously. But I don't know if the rest will go along quite so easily."
"Leave that to me."
Aela stopped for a moment and mumbled, "Hmm...ah, best go on without me girl. I just remembered something I need to take care of."
Rona made to say something but Aela moved so fast she couldn't get the words out in time. Then Karnwyr decided to go his own way and loped down the corridor and into the room where the men were talking. She chased after him as she heard one of them shout, "What's this? Someone let a dog in here!?"
She stopped by the doors and saw Karnwyr sniffing at their boots, "Karnwyr!" she clicked her tongue, calling him to her, "Sorry about that."
The old man, who was obviously Kodlak stared at her like he'd just seen a ghost.
"You a new recruit?" the other man asked her. He looked quite a bit like Farkas and she realized the two must be brothers. He had his arms crossed looking her up and down warily, "Or you need to hire us for a job? If you're here to hire, you'll need to talk to Aela or Skjor upstairs."
Kodlak interrupted him, "So the Dragonborn finally comes to our old hall. Welcome Rona."
"Dragonborn," Vilkas whispered, "You can't be. There's no way."
Kodlak looked over at him, "If Aela was telling us the truth, then this girl is most certainly the Dragonborn of legend," he chuckled, "I always knew Claudia's daughter would do great things. Please, come take a seat, we have much to discuss... Vilkas if you'd excuse us please."
Vilkas got up from his seat and left them, frowning skeptically at her as he walked by.
She took his spot while Karnwyr laid down at Kodlak's feet instead of Rona's. She was surprised that the wolf was so quick to trust this man, though he did have a gentle and welcoming air about him. He reminded her of a kindly, old grandfather.
He gave her a warm smile, "I sense that you have a strong spirit. We have some empty beds in Jorrvaskr for those with a fire burning in their hearts. Perhaps you are here to join us?"
She shook her head, "Unfortunately no, I don't think with my training I'd have much time to work as a mercenary again."
"Ah, that's right, you're a member of the Fighter's Guild aren't you? I still remember the day Claudia got the news. We celebrated all night in your honor, the poor woman sang songs until her voice gave out."
Rona tried to imagine her mother feeling anything for her when she showed such little interest her whole life, then she wondered how her mother had heard about her joining the Guild when she never wrote.
"How did she know that I joined up?"
Kodlak thought for a moment, "Well I believe she received a letter from your father. He often wrote to her about you."
Rona was thunderstruck. All this time he'd kept in touch with her mother. Yet the woman still refused to make an effort to reach out, to just say, hey I'm here. I care, I think about you.
Rona couldn't help it when she said, "You all talk about her so kindly, like she was such a wonderful person...You know she abandoned me, don't you?"
Kodlak crossed his arms and nodded his head, "Oh yes, we are all quite aware of that, at least the few of us who were around back then. Hmm," he paused thoughtfully, "I'm sure you have many questions about her. Claudia often confided in me. I can offer some insight into her life. I will answer any questions you may have to the best of my knowledge," he offered.
Rona struggled to think of any other question that wasn't some form of, why didn't she want me? Why didn't she love me?
She finally said, "How long was she a Companion?"
"For quite some time, twenty years at least. She wasn't the first of your family to join us you know."
She shook her head, "I didn't know."
"Curious," he paused scratching at his chin, "Your namesake, Rona Benanius of Chorrol was the first in your family to join us."
Rona cringed at the sound of her middle name, although she was intrigued. She never knew that her mother had named her for such a woman, she always assumed - that her middle name at least - came from some old fuddy duddy family member from a long time ago.
"She was a warrior?"
He chuckled, "Not at first no. Rona Benanius was a maid that served the royal family of Battlehorn Castle in Chorrol in the third era. Shortly after the Oblivion Crisis she returned to Skyrim, bringing your mother's family back to their homeland. She joined the Companions in an effort to fight the creatures left behind by the Oblivion Gates and to bring peace to our realm. She had quite a story. Your mother idolized her, wanting to be free of the provincial farm life that her family ultimately fell into."
Rona looked down at her hands, resting in her lap, "She really hated being tied down, didn't she?"
"Claudia was quite capricious, yes. When she found out that her father had arranged for her to be married to a local farm boy from Helgen she ran away from home and made her way to us, begging to join. She wasn't much of a warrior, but my, did she have spirit!" He gave a hearty laugh, smiling warmly, "I trained her sword arm and she made good friends with the Shield-Sisters of old. Grella, Aela's mother, was her closest friend. Together those two couldkill wild bears, trolls, draugr and giants as simply as picking daisies in a field."
Rona was feeling things she didn't want to. She couldn't believe she was actually relating to her mother, or could she? After all, she'd said herself she was too much nord to handle and she had a similar story of being foisted into a life she hated that she ran away from. She was more her mother's daughter than she thought.
Kodlak crossed his arms and leaned towards her, "How much has your father told you about your mother's past?"
She looked away from the man, "Ata never liked to talk about her much. He always tried to avoid speaking ill of her. I think he hoped that someday the two of us would reconnect and he wanted to make sure I could give it a fresh start." She felt bitter thinking back on those days, "When I did try she just abandoned me again. Literally left me all alone at an inn for months..."
He looked morose, "Yes, I know. I gave Claudia quite a bit of grief for it when I'd heard. We went there to find you but, thankfully, your father had already collected you and taken you home."
Rona couldn't help herself when she said, "I hate her."
Kodlak nodded, knowingly, "As I imagine you would. It's only natural for a child to despise a parent that abandoned them."
"How can you speak about her like she's this wonderful person then?" Rona demanded, scowling at him.
"Because it is how I knew her. Claudia was a free spirited woman, that's for certain, though she was not without her demons either. She was fickle and had a bit of an unpredictable temperament. Her heart was in the right place, her actions though, sadly were not."
Excuses! These were all just pointless excuses. "Do you know she has a son too? Another child she abandoned!"
Kodlak's eyes widened, "You know about the boy?"
Rona was stunned, this old man knew about her brother when even she didn't?
"Yes, I... I only learned of his existence, recently," she stammered, turning away.
"I'm sure you know the boy is better off. She could barely handle you as an infant considering you nearly died in her care."
Rona whipped her head back so fast she nearly got a crick in her neck, "What?"
"Hmm, I see Serlas never told you about your birth. I would say he was far too kind to keep the harsher stories to himself."
"Tell me," Rona beseeched him.
He hummed, stroking his beard, "Perhaps I should start from the beginning were born here, in these halls. The Shield-Sisters of old attended your birth, helping your mother to have you. I'll never forget when I first saw you, my you were a precious little pup with a cry that could shatter glass, a trait you seem to have kept," he smiled with a twinkle in his eye.
"Aela and her mother Grella did what they could to help her, trying to get you to nurse. Claudia struggled quite a bit with it and often pushed you away. I'm afraid it was my mistake, suggesting she return home to the peacefulness of her farm to care for you over the next few months. I thought it would help her. I was deeply wrong in that regard."
He paused, for a moment, looking anxiously over at her, "This is very distressing girl...are you sure you want to hear the rest?"
She nodded fervently.
He pressed his lips together and carried on, "Grella was worried of her leaving. She knew what it meant to have a little one and understood better than any of us the feelings a woman has after a child. So she left to visit Claudia after a week. What she discovered nearly tore hers and your mother's friendship apart. The cottage was in complete disarray. You were on the floor, wrapped in soiled blankets, left alone for gods know how long, starved and screaming like a banshee. Grella found your mother up at a tavern in Helgen, drunk off her wits. When she arrived with you in tow Claudia went mad. She cried, trying to get away from you, wanting nothing to do with you. The poor woman was going mad attempting to care for you and when she couldn't stand it anymore she just left you."
Rona looked down at her hands feeling a rush of grief taking hold, she clenched her teeth trying to hold it back.
Kodlak leaned forward and touched her hand. She looked up into his kind face as he said with a grandfather's gentleness, "I know how you must feel about her. Claudia often confided in me her struggles. I assure you, that you were oft on her mind. She loved you dearly, though she didn't know how to show it. She knew all too well that she could not be your mother, no matter how much you wanted it."
Rona's lower lip trembled and her face cringed as the tears spilled heavily from her eyes, and she let out a sob. She felt ashamed to be crying in front of this man who might as well be a stranger to her. He pat her hand gently in an effort to comfort her and looking quite mournful himself said, "There, there child." He sat back and passed her a handkerchief. She wiped at her eyes and blew her nose noisily.
He smiled slightly under his beard, "Don't fret girl, for this tale has a happier ending than you might think... We knew Claudia couldn't care for you, so we told her to look up your father, to find him so that we might give him a chance to take you. Grella said she'd raise you herself if she had to, but when Serlas showed up in as little as a month, we knew you were in good hands. That man took one look at you and fell in love."
The tears spilled even harder from her eyes hearing this. She wanted to go home to Cyrodiil more than ever, to forsake her journey and give up on being Dragonborn. She hadn't realized just how homesick she was. She cried and cried burying her face in her hands. Karnwyr even came up to her whining and licking at her arm, trying to cheer her up. He nestled his head in her lap and looked up at her with big eyes.
Kodlak looked down at the wolf and said, "What a good companion you have here. You have a way with wolves I see."
She choked on a laugh and wiped at the tears in her eyes, "He's my friend's wolf actually," Friend? She thought. It seemed they were much more than that by now. She started thinking about Bishop and how good it would feel to fall into his strong embrace. He always knew how to take the pain away. She wondered if he would join her in leaving Skyrim. "He's probably wondering where I am right now," she said standing.
Kodlak nodded, "Well my dear, if there is anything else you wish to know, you may ask me."
"Actually, before I leave, can I ask you, what do you know about Nelkir? Did my mother name him for some great warrior too?"
"Actually she didn't name him. She gave him to Balgruuf the minute he was born not wanting to have the same attachment to him that she had for you."
"Why?"
"It will always be a mystery to me. Grella seemed to understand better, though unfortunately she is no longer with us."
"Nelkir seems…angry. The same as I was at his age. I'm worried for him," she couldn't believe she was saying so after denying it so much the night before.
Kodlak nodded, "I have already discussed it at great length with the Jarl. I told him that when the boy is old enough to carry a sword to send him our way. I believe that the troubled children of Claudia need the training of a warrior to guide them and help them find their place."
She frowned and said, "Please don't tell me there are more of us."
Kodlak chuckled, "No need to worry girl. Rest assured, you and the boy are her only children."
Rona gave a sigh of relief as Kodlak stood and gripped her hands warmly, "Thank you for visiting Lady Rona. It was a pleasure to speak with you. I hope when your training ends that you will come join us someday."
She smiled up at him and gave him a hug. He was surprised, but returned it, patting her on the shoulder, "Go with honor and glory young Dragonborn."
When Rona left Jorrvaskr it was still fairly early in the day, several hours past lunch for sure as she and Karnwyr were both feeling hungry. She made her way home mulling over the stories Kodlak had told her. Instead of feeling incredibly sad like she thought she would, she actually felt like the burdens of her and her mother's past were lifted. The veil had come off and a light shone through. She still wasn't sure why her mother had been so averse to raising her own children, but she was grateful that there were people who cared enough to help her.
As Rona approached the house she saw Bishop standing outside, back pressed to the wall, arms crossed, scowling off into the distance. Something was obviously bothering him, as he was so deep in thought that he hadn't noticed her or the wolf approach.
She stopped beside him and leaned around looking into his face, "You okay?"
He jumped, throwing his arms out, "Shit! Ladyship! Don't do that!"
She stifled a laugh and said, "Sorry, I didn't know I'd startle you like that. Hey let's go get some tavern food, I'm starved!"
He grasped her arm and said, "No, we need to leave right now."
She yanked her arm back and frowned at him, "Why? We just got here."
He looked around anxiously, before moving in close to her and said in a hushed voice, "Look, I can't explain here. We need to leave town. Please, Ladyship."
She cocked her head at him smirking, "Did Bishop do a bad thing?"
He raked his head with his hands furiously and insisted, "Now is not the time to get smart with me. I'm being serious with you for once. We need to leave now."
She blinked, knitting her brows together, "Okay. Well, I left the dragon bone up at the Skyforge, the blacksmith said it would take about two months before my weapons would be ready."
"Great, let's go," he said walking away from her.
"Back to the farm?" she called.
He waved a hand through the air, "Anywhere, just not here!"
They set out down the path opposite to Riverwood. Rona complained after looking over a map that it would take them twice as long just to get home, but he wasn't having it. He pressed on, completely ignoring her. She watched as he fidgeted and glowered down at each and every passerby on the road. He seemed far more paranoid than usual and she wondered what had happened but knew better than to press him for answers until he'd calmed down.
They passed by the western watchtower where she'd killed her first dragon. She stared off at what remained of the broken building and thought she saw the outline of a woman's ghost sitting at the edge of the top landing. The second she blinked the woman had vanished. She was positive that it was Jillian. Rona was used to seeing the Dragonborn ghosts of yore now. They often followed her, usually in her dreams, guiding her on her path.
She realized then that no matter how much she missed her friends and father she would have to finish her journey. If she didn't carry on then the dreams would never stop plaguing her.
They spent several hours silently following the road ahead. As dusk fell they reached a fork in the path with a sign indicating the location of each hold. Falkreath marked to their left, but instead of taking it Bishop pulled off the road to the right into the brush. Rona followed him as they passed by three tall, stone henges marking what appeared to be a large burial mound. She wondered if it was the resting ground of soldiers fallen in battle from long ago.
Bishop passed right by it leading them down to a small streamlet where the water travelled through the underground and trickled through an open trench before retreating underground again. Luna moths fluttered around, touching on the lavender and wildflowers strewn about. It was very pretty, romantic even.
She twitched when Bishop finally spoke for the first time in hours, "Let's rest here tonight."
She agreed and they set up their camp, doing their best not to disturb the wildlife. Rona's stomach growled loudly as she finished tossing a few logs onto the small fire she'd made. Bishop smirked and said, "I'll go get us some dinner, wait here alright?"
He seemed to have relaxed a bit, now that they were far from the city and the road. Knowing him though he'd be securing every inch of the perimeter. An hour passed and the sun set. Rona kicked aside an apple core she'd munched onto curb her appetite and went togo fish around for her flute from Karinda's saddlebag. She sat back down by the fire with the tent at her back. She blew into it gently giving off a slightly off-key sound. She tried a few more times. She was feeling rust from not playing for so long. Finally, she got into the swing of it again and played a quiet song.
(The Song is Reis Glorios by Erutan)
Not far off Bishop heard the faint sound of Rona's flute and relaxed knowing she was well. He sat atop a rock, overlooking a giant's camp nearby. A strange, purplish, glowing tree stood tall in the center of a pond. The giants had all but disappeared into theircave below. He knew they would be no trouble if they just kept their distance.
Karnwyr was nearby, tearing into the leg of their evenings kill. Bishop had already cleaned and dressed the elk, leaving thick cuts of it wrapped in a swatch of its pelt when he wandered off to collect his thoughts on the hill with his elbows to his knees and his fingers laced together he cast his eyes over the landscape, searching for any sign of an enemy, some semblance of a man or a woman who might be following them. He'd had the distinct feeling that someone was following him all day. He took extra caution, suspecting every traveler, tradesman and passerby of nefarious intent. He couldn't trust anyone.
His mind was tangled with unclear thoughts. He knew she'd ask why they left so abruptly, as she always did, and he'd have to give her some kind of explanation. The question he battled with now was whether he should give her the truth or a lie. For so long he'd started to open up, to trust her and share the pain of his past and again and again she returned to embrace him and dull the sting of memories long past. She proved that she wasn't afraid of him or his wolf…let alone much of anything else either.
He'd started to question how he really felt about this woman. Everything about her was intoxicating to him. Every laugh and every smile was so pure and genuine and the way she looked at him with her sexy green eyes, long lashes fluttering briskly when he held her close in his arms. Her scent was the most invigorating to had the soft and sensual smell of fresh wildflowers from her soaps and perfumes, but after a long day's travel, or an evening in his bed he could smellthe distinct aroma that was hers and hers alone. It wasn't off-putting in any way, in fact, it pleased him. He liked to bury his face in her soft locks and breathe it in, memorizing it so that when she left it on him he could enjoy it and remember her.
It was her voice though that made him want to bare his soul to her. It almost pained him when she couldn't or wouldn't sing. He'd rarely experienced a night of restful sleep before meeting her. The gentleness of her lullabies calmed him on a deeper level than even he could understand. He could actually fall asleep to the soothing sound of her vocalizing and rest peacefully through the night without nightmares plaguing him and sending him into fits of restlessness.
But when she sang with formidable power and a commanding authority, that is when he felt true awe. She was incredibly strong for a woman so small. The ferocity in which she faced down dragon after dragon standing before them as though she were ten feet taller than she actually was astounded him.
Her strength and physical prowess stirred the sexual desire within him, but it was her compassion and joy which pulled at his softer side...something he was unquestionably uncomfortable with. Especially now that the Aldmeri Dominion was using it against him.
He groaned loudly and pressed his face into his hands, sitting like this for a minute or more before the sound of a voice carried up to him. He glanced down at the strange tree in the center of the pond and watched as a wispy woman with hair like fire and skin like snow tread through the ankle-deep water. The water remained quite still despite her beautiful dance through it. She spread her arms elegantly through the moonlight and sang,
(The Song is The Wolven Storm by Malukah)
"These scars long have yearned for your tender caress
To bind our fortunes, damn what the stars own
Rend my heart open, then your love profess
A winding, weaving fate to which we both atone
You flee my dream come the morning
Your scent - berries tart, lilac sweet
To dream of raven locks entwisted, stormy
Of violet eyes, glistening as you weep
[Foreign Language]
She looked up at him then, their eyes meeting. She shared the same glowing green gems as Rona and her gaze bore into his soul just the same. His heart pound in his chest and he stood, watching her, allowing the feelings he tried so hard to keep at bay to finally wash over him, accepting them.
I know not if fate would have us live as one
Or if by love's blind chance we've been bound
The wish I whispered, when it all began
Did it forge a love you might never have found?
The wolf I will follow into the storm
To find your heart, its passion displaced
The wolf I will follow into the storm
The wish I whispered, when it all began
Did it forge a love you might never have found?"
She gave him a knowing look before vanishing in a pillar of white flames. He knew then that he had to go back to Rona, he needed to be with her, not off alone, brooding by himself. Bishop ran down the hill, collecting the neatly wrapped parcel, leaving Karnwyr to continue enjoying his meal. The wolf could care for himself just fine.
As he approached their camp he heard the wonderful sound of her voice echoing across the plains. It was different from Eira's in that it was lighter and more innocent. He stopped to listen to her words and knew that just as Eira had sang for him, that this song was for him too. It filled him with a deep yearning that hurt his heart. Was this love? Could he deny it anymore?
(The Song is No One But You by Erutan)
"See the summer's light
Round with rays so bright
Fading out of sight
Melting in night
Hold me unto you
No one but you
No one but you
Hold me unto you
No one but you
No one but you
All the world is dear
When my love is near
Oh to linger here
Far from all I fear
[Chorus]
Love is like sailing by moonlight
Reading the stars, navigating by night
I know tomorrow I'll be closer to you
You are the one that I want
No one but you
See the morning light
Round with rays so bright
Waking from the night
Brilliant is the sight
Hold me unto you
No one but you
No one but you
Hold me unto you
No one but you
No one but you"
He walked slowly into the camp, watching her closely as she finished her song. Her eyes were closed as she crooned the words. The moonlight accentuated her perfect heart shaped face and luscious pink lips as they parted gently. A ripple of soft skin showed at the neckline of her dress, her cleavage dipping as she leaned over her lute, playing with a profound dedication to her craft. He had to have her.
Bishop dropped his parcel to the ground, startling her. She looked up at him, lashes fluttering over herbeautiful eyes, a gentle smile curled at her lips, happy to see him.
He undid the buckles on his clothes and tore his shirt off. A wry smile perked at her lips as she admired his form, setting her lute aside. He knelt down in front of her and she said, "So I take it we're skipping dinner and going straight for dessert?"
He growled low, "I know you're hungry Sweetness, but I'm feeling quite ravenous myself." He grasped her under her arms, lifting her up with him, she laughed with that infectious sound before he smothered it in a deep kiss. He let her slip to her feet, still pulling her close to him as he reached around for that feeble button on the back of her dress. He found the damn thing and set it free allowing her clothes to fall to the ground as he moved on, tugging her white underwear from her body next.
Her delicate hands dug into his back as he lavished her neck with open mouthed kisses, sucking and pulling sharply at her tender skin, leaving his mark on her body. She mewled and whimpered into the night sky. He couldn't get enough of those sounds and travelled up to her flushed ears, nibbling gently at the tips and causing her to create a new song that made his already constrained nethers, swell painfully. He pulled at his belt, undressing his lower half so that he might pair his skin to hers.
She reached for him, wrapping her soft hands to his thickness. He groaned, burying his face in her hair. Her touch was electrifying, but he wanted to hear more of the magical songs he could make her sing so he scooped her up into his arms and lay her down on their bedrolls. He fell beside her and traced the hardened nubs on her perfect breasts with his tongue and slowly made his way down, kissing and biting gently as he went.
Each moan and whimper compelling him onward until he reached his prize. He buried his face into her sweetness, taking his time tracing each and every fold with his lips and tongue, gently teasing the erect bundle of nerves at the top before digging into her more forcefully. A smile played at his lips as she squirmed beneath him, squealing and raking her nails through his scalp. It wasn't until he slid his fingers deep inside, searching for that secret spot that set her off that he received the encore he'd wanted.
He knew he found it when her tunnel convulsed tightly, gripping his fingers. He moved them in and out swiftly, pressing that spot, making her scream with pleasure. He pulled his face away, sitting upright so he could watch her writhe in ecstasy and listen to her plead with him between moans to just get on with it. He dug in deeper and pressed his thumb to her aching nub, making her peak. Her back arched and her womanhood convulsed around his dripping fingers. She came hard, before falling limp, panting, breathless. He withdrew his fingers and tasted her sweet nectar, making her burn a deeper shade of crimson than before.
He grinned at her, pleased to have satisfied her and intended to do it again, immediately. He positioned his owndripping need between her folds, pressing himself against her opening, watching her twitch from the overstimulation. She was most likely feeling sensitive from her climax, so he took his time and leaned in close to her, catching her lips with his own and teasing her relentlessly down below, waiting for her second wind.
It wasn't long before she grasped the back of his neck crying out with need. He responded to her desperate pleas by sliding his entire length within, feeling his own pleasure overtake him. He bucked into her body, pushing himself further and further with each thrust. She wrapped her legs tightly around his waist, refusing to let go. He growled low, kneading her breasts and enjoying them to the fullest and before long felt his cock throbbing, his own climax reaching near. He cried out her name as she clamped down around him and he gave her everything he had, releasing himself within.
He felt lightheaded and fell to the side of her, withdrawing himself. He pulled her against him, wrapping his arms around her petite frame, keeping her close so that he might protect her. Her eyes were closed and a sweet smile played on her perfect lips. He touched her face and kissed her gently.
She smiled through it and looked into his eyes as she said, "I'm still hungry."
He laughed at this beautiful, sweet woman, kissing her on her forehead before pushing himself up to fix her a meal.