Take up arms

As I entered the guild hall, two companions were having a brawl while a few others were watching.

"Those two at it again?"

I looked behind me and saw the woman I saw earlier at the farm outside Whiterun, I asked her where I could find Kodlak.

"Oh, it's you. Have you come to converse with Kodlak?"

"Yes. Where can I find him?"

"He spends most of his time these days in his study. Down the stairs, at the end of the hall."

"Alright, thanks."

"Good luck to you."

As I came down and entered his study, he was having a conversation with another companion.

"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."

I approached him with the best confident expression I could muster, and he exclaims

"A stranger comes to our hall."

"I would like to join the Companions."

"Would you now? Here, let me have a look at you. Hmm. Yes, perhaps. A certain strength of spirit."

The other companion next to him then interrupts

"Master, you're not truly considering accepting him?"

"I am nobody's master, Vilkas. And last I checked, we had some empty beds in Jorrvaskr for those with a fire burning in their hearts."

"Apologies. But perhaps this isn't the time. I've never even heard of this outsider."

"Sometimes the famous come to us. Sometimes men and women come to us to seek their fame. It makes no difference. What matters is their heart."

"And their arm."

Kodlak then looks back to me.

"Of course. How are you in a battle, boy?"

"I can handle myself."

"That may be so. This is Vilkas. He will test your arm. Vilkas, take him/her out to the yard and see what he/she can do."

Vilkas: "Aye."

So I followed Vilkas out into the courtyard behind Jorrvaskr.

"The old man said to have a look at you, so let's do this. Just have a few swings at me so I can see your form. Don't worry, I can take it."

The fight begins and he and I both put on a defensive stance. I aimed to impress so I moved around him cautiously before striking to demonstrate discipline and patience in my fighting.

"Come on. What are you waiting for?"

I give him my mightiest strike as I come crashing down onto his shield.

"There you go!"

With a few more quick strikes he sheathes his sword and says to me

"Not bad, you're stronger than you look. You might just make it. But for now, you're still a whelp to us, new blood. So you do what we tell you. Here's my sword. Go take it up to Eorlund to have it sharpened. And be careful, it's probably worth more than you are."

I walked around and up to the Skyforge platform and spoke to the Blacksmith tending it there.

"What brings you here?"

"I have Vilkas' Sword."

"I'm guessing you're the newcomer then?"

"Does Vilkas always send newcomers on errands?"

"Oh, don't worry too much about it. They were all whelps once. They just might not like to talk about it. And don't always just do what you're told. Nobody rules anybody in the Companions."

"Are you a companion?"

"Why? Who says I have to be? Skyforge Steel is my art and honor, and The Companions need the best, so they come to me.

Not actually a Companion myself, but none of them know how to work a forge properly, and I'm honored to serve them. My name is Eorlund Gray-Mane. I work the Skyforge. Best steel in all of Skyrim. All of Tamriel."

"Quite a forge you have there."

"The Skyforge? Aye, my clan-fathers have worked it since the first Gray-manes came to Whiterun. Skyforge Steel is all The Companions will use, for good reason."

"It's great to meet you, Eorlund. but I'd better get going now."

"I have a favor to ask."

"I've been working on a shield for Aela. My wife is in mourning and I need to get back to her soon. I'd be much obliged if you could take this to Aela for me."

"Glad to help."

"That's a good man."

As I came down into the living quarters, to bring Aela her shield, I walked in on a conversation between her and Skjor.

"Are you prepared for tonight's hunt?"

"I've been thinking we need to be more... Discreet."

"There's nothing wrong with what we're doing."

"You know the old man doesn't like it. Let's just not be too obvious."

I walked in and interrupted telling Aela I have her shield.

"Ah, good. I've been waiting for this. Good to see you made it up here."

Skjor chimes in.

"You know this one? I saw him/her training in the yard with Vilkas."

"Ah, yes. I heard you gave him quite a thrashing."

"Don't let Vilkas catch you saying that."

Aela then looked back at me asking

"Do you think you could handle Vilkas in a real fight?"

Now I don't normally care for boasting, but at the time I thought it would make a good impression with them.

"I'd kill him before he drew his sword."

That was probably not true and knew it very well...

"Woah, ease up there. We're rough, but there's no need to kill a Shield-Brother over a dispute. I like your fire, though. You'll make a fierce Companion.. Let us 'hunt' together sometime."

I awkwardly blushed so much I felt like a tomato.

"Here, let's have Farkas show you where you'll be resting your head."

Skjor: "Farkas!"

Farkas then comes running to the room.

"Did you call me?"

"Of course we did, icebrain. Show this new blood where the rest of the whelps sleep."

"New blood? Oh, I remember you. Come on, follow me."

We then walked out into the hall

"Skjor and Aela like to tease me, but they're good people. They challenge us to be our best.

Nice to have a new face around. It gets boring here sometimes. I hope we keep you. This can be a rough life.

The quarters are up here. Just pick a bed and fall in it when you’re tired, Tilma will keep the place clean. She always has."

We then got to the bunk room.

"Alright, so here you are. Looks like the others are eager to meet ya. Come to me or Aela if you're looking for work. Once you’ve made a bit of a name for yourself, Skjor and Vilkas might have things for you to do. Good luck. Welcome to the Companions."

So after that I decided to go and introduce myself to the other companions in the quarters.

"Hi there. My name's Fjorn Firewolf."

"The latest recruit! Right? Wait, is that right?"

"Yeah, I just joined and I was out sparring with Vilkas in the yard earlier."

"Good to meet ya! The name's Torvar."

He shakes my hand.

"So.. What do you think it means to be a Companion?"

"It means when I have troubles, I always have someone on my side. We have Shield-Siblings to keep our backs as dangerous as our fronts.. I think."

"Why did you join The Companions?"

"A man of my station has many debts. I'm not much use at labor or learning, but I can throw a punch with the best of 'em, The Companions let me fight for gold. So I fight."

"So, what are you up to today?"

"Might head down to the meadery later. See what they're brewing up. You can smell the honey on the wind."

"Okay, goodbye then."

"Hey there. My name is Fjorn Firewolf. What's yours?"

"Ah, fresh blood. Hope you know how to handle yourself. Athis. I never thought they would 'actually' let me join the Companions. But now it looks like they're letting anyone in these days."

I wasn't sure whether to take that as an insult or not

"Why were you and her fighting earlier?"

"Njada? Who can say. Perhaps it was her time of month. Perhaps it is some elaborate Nord courtship ritual. Perhaps she is prejudiced against my kind.. Or, maybe she just senses that I am competition.

"So, what do you think it means to be a Companion?"

"It means signing on for the Nord ideas of how to live your life. Honor, battle, glory, all that. "Even an elf can be born with the heart of a Nord," Kodlak said when I joined. I think he meant it as a compliment."

"Why did you join the Companions?"

"Fortune and glory, friend. Fortune and glory."

"Well, I'm gonna go meet the others now."

"Until next time."

"Hello! My name-"

"Yeah yeah I know. Fjorn."

"You're Njada?"

"Yeah, what do you want?"

"Just mingling with everyone?"

*Scoffs*

"Why were you and Athis fighting earlier?"

"He thinks that if he talks like a Nord, about honor and glory, he can just walk in here and we'll all accept him. Meanwhile he's always going on about how his way of fighting is the best!

Would he even be here, if the Red Mountain hadn't blown up? If his people hadn't abandoned their homes to the Argonians? I don't like him. I don't trust him. In the heat of battle, will he risk his own skin for one of us?"

"Why did you join The Companions?

"So I wouldn't have to answer stupid questions from idiots."

"So.. do you think I have a shot here?"

"I'm still trying to figure out why the old man let you in in the first place."

"What do you believe it means to be a Companion?"

"Just because you've been accepted here so quickly, don't think I'm going to help you rise any faster. Fight well, don't be a lout, and you'll be fine. You don't need my help."

"Alright.. Thanks, I guess.."

"*Sigh* If the Circle vouches for you, I'm sworn to respect their judgment. But that doesn't mean I like it."

"Hi. My name's Fjorn. What's yours?"

"Oh, hey it's you! I'm Ria, You were at Pelagia Farm, right?"

"Yeah, I was there for the giant attack yesterday."

"I was the newest Companion until you came along, I guess that's ok. Just means I can show you the ropes!"

"In that case, any training or advice you can share about being a Companion?"

"Oh um.. Of course! We're all in this together right? I'm not an expert at any skill like some of the others are, not yet anyway. But I'm happy to pass along advice that I've learned in my time here. Everyone here has their own skills and interests. Make sure to talk to the others and see what they can teach you."

"So why did you join the Companions?"

"Are you kidding? I've wanted to be with them since I was a little girl. Haven't you heard the stories of Kodlak and Skjor fighting off the hundred-and-one Orc berserkers? Skjor says it was more like forty, but he's just being modest. Where else would I want to be but here? Learning with them, fighting at their sides."

"What do you think it means to be a Companion?"

"So much. This group... this family... this band... this is the best thing I've ever been a part of. The oldest fighting group in Skyrim, and nothing but glory from Ysgramor's day to our own. To be counted in that line is a bit of immortality. Even if I never see Sovngarde, I'll have that much."

"That's inspiring, thank you for sharing that."

"Oh, wow.. Thanks, I guess. and you're welcome, I wish you luck during your time here."

"You too, I should be going now"

"Oh, okay then. Bye!"

As I'm about to leave the quarters area I hear Athis and Torvar talking to eachother

Athis: "What kind of weapon do you prefer? I like the smaller, quicker blades."

Torvar: "Yes. you're quite fond of saying that. You know I like hammers and axes.

Athis: "Aren't they slow? I can get in and out before you have one swing."

Torvar: "Let's test that some time."

I weighed into the conversation with a remark before leaving the room

"Smaller, quicker blades can't pierce heavy armor."

After leaving the quarters area I headed back up and inquired with Aela about work to start with.

"It seems that predators have taken up residence and have been attacking farmers and travelers. Someone's got to head out there and take care of the beasts."

"Where is the den of these predators?"

"The Jarl said there was an incident reported at Greenspring Hollow. That's not good, hunters often make camp there. If you follow the road from Whiterun west to Fort Greymoor, then take the northern road, you'll find the Hollow near the foothills of the mountains. Here, I'll mark it on that map of yours."

"I'll take care of it."

"Good. I knew that we could count on you. It's simply a beast, but be cautious. The beasts of Skyrim are made of sterner stuff than most."

And with that I left Jorrvaskr and headed down to the city gates, but on my way out I saw Irileth, the Jarl's Housecarl speaking to some guards near the Barracks about Riverwood.

Guard #1: "Yes, Housecarl. We'll leave immediately."

Guard #2: "It's just us against a dragon, is that it?"

Irileth: "I can't afford to send anyone else, and we don't know where the dragon is. Your main job will be to keep and eye out and get the people to safety if the town is attacked."

Irileth: "I don't expect the three of you to fight off a dragon by yourselves. But I do expect you to do your duty."

Guard #1: "Of course. We'll keep Riverwood safe. You can count on it. Let's move out. Time's a wasting."

After that, the guards jog away out of the city to Riverwood and I strike up a chat with Irileth.

"So... not to be racist but.. How did a dark elf come to be Housecarl?"

"Balgruuf and I share a battle bond. We met as youths, and forged our friendship in the fires of war."

"What threats does the Jarl face?"

"Take your pick. Dragons, Stormcloak assassins, Ambitious and unscrupulous nobles... Sometimes I think his own children want him dead. And those are just the physical threats. Assaults on his sanity are another matter entirely. Every day, he deals with obsequious functionaries and incompetent bureaucrats. Sadly, I'm not allowed to eliminate them.. Well, not yet, anyway."

"Alright, well I need to get going."

"Until next time."