Author's Note: This little event, if I had to pin it down in a clear and concise timeline, happens before the I promise prompt, which would be why there is still a hint of angst in the air. However, I'm definitely looking forward to writing down some Companions and College of Winterhold shenanigans.

As always, I hope you enjoy and thanks for reading.

Prompt: Not my idea of a good time, but…

There was a deep, fathomless silence between Gabrielle and Faendal as they made their way towards Whiterun. After traveling through the icy mountains, getting lost in the long stretches of forest, and being chased for days by angry bears, the road to Whiterun was unbearably boring. It was far too easy to get lost in thought.

When they finally cleared the tree line and looked out towards the farmland outside of Whiterun, Gabrielle considered the thought that maybe Skyrim was out to torture her. Faendal was busy scoping out all of the escape routes back to the mountains and the Redguard had to grab him by the collar before he could run away. In the distance, they saw a giant fighting a small group of people. The two adventurers could only assume that they were all either insane or ridiculously stupid. They exchanged a glance before Gabrielle sighed and began to drag Faendal towards the battle.

"You can't be serious! Did we not just escape from a giant's camp?"

"Maybe," Gabrielle responded, making sure to bump Faendal's knees against some rocks.

"And now you want to go towards the giant?"

Gabrielle sighed again and said, "It is my duty as a warrior to help those in need, even if they are too stupid to live."

However, by the time the two were in spitting distance, the giant was falling to the ground dead and a surly looking red-headed Nord woman walked up to them. She looked them over before sniffing in disdain.

"Well, that's taken care of. No thanks to you."

Faendal would swear up and down later on that there was the sound of a battle song being played in the distance. He clearly saw Gabrielle's face twist under her helmet and her hand fisted in its place at the back of his shirt. Then he felt her hand relax and saw her mouth go up in what he assumed was supposed to be a polite smile, but looked more like a condescending smirk.

"You didn't look like you needed help."

The Nord woman stiffened and almost growled at them, "Certainly not. But a true warrior would have relished the opportunity to take on a giant. That's why I'm here with my Shield-Brothers."

Gabrielle opened her mouth to speak, probably to say something derogatory and that would ensure a fight broke out, but stopped in confusion.

"Shield-brother?"

The woman put a hand on her hip and smirked, "An outsider, eh? Never heard of the Companions?"

At the Redguard's silence, the woman continued, "An order of warriors. We are brothers and sisters in honour. And we show up to solve problems if the coin is good enough."

Gabrielle looked like she would enjoy chewing glass more than showing interest in a group like the Companions, but Faendal could see that her interest was sparked. The woman could too. She seemed to enjoy Gabrielle's attempt to appear bored, but finally broke the short and uncomfortable silence.

"If you have an interest in joining, you'll have to talk to Kodlak Whitemane up in Jorrvaskr. The old man's got a good sense for people. He can look in your eyes and tell your worth."

The woman stared at the two of them before her smirk softened and she added, "If you go to him, good luck."

With that, the group of warriors walked away and left Gabrielle and Faendal staring after them. After a moment, Gabrielle let go of Faendal and he almost fell to the ground in surprise. He looked at her and opened his mouth to speak, but she beat him to it.

"She reminds me of my sister."

"Your sister?" Faendal echoed in shock.

Gabrielle nodded.

"So are you going to join?"

She looked off towards the Companions, walking further and further away, and then turned towards the city of Whiterun in the distance. There was an anxious energy in the air around them before she looked him in the eye and it all deflated.

"I don't know."