#in whiterun? home of the companions and the gildergreen?

[unsettlingcreature]

hmmmm i wonder how hard it is to like. edit the interior of a space in skyrim. i would love to change how the inside of taverns look to be more like ... you know. an actual tavern/inn people could stay at.

[argisthebulwark]

Time Moves Slow - Vilkas

sfw, gn reader Summary: After returning from Sovngarde the Dragonborn finds that a handful of hours for them has been years for those in Tamriel and reunites with their loved one. Others Linked: Farkas, Brynjolf, Teldryn, Miraak, Cicero

All duties were forgotten as your boots touched ground once more. Vilkas was all that mattered. Bruises ached with every step but you hurried through Whiterun without thinking - it was quieter than you'd expected, shops closed and stalls unmanned. Maybe they'd anticipated another dragon attack. The Gildergreen's branches stood bare and a few unknown citizens cast wary looks when you hustled toward Jorrvaskr. Heart pounding you shoved the hair out of your face, grimacing at the layer of dirt coating your skin before entering Jorrvaskr. The hearth’s fire banished the nervous chill from your bones. Companions filled every chair around the hall, some engaged in conversation and others hunched dutifully over books. The friendly buzz of conversation halted when you entered. You didn't know these eyes. Some held questions while others seemed hostile. "Who are you?" One voice broke the silence and panic set in. You'd only been gone hours. There was no chance someone scrounged up this many recruits in that small matter of time. "Who are all of you?" You'd never felt so lost in your own home. One woman swung an axe over her shoulder when she stood from the table. "Where is Vilkas?" "You know the Harbinger?" The woman's brow quirked up and your stomach dropped. At least she extended a hand toward the living quarters. "He doesn't get visitors. You should see him." Numbly you let the woman lead you through Jorrvaskr. The weapons adorning the walls were polished, portraits you'd never seen hung down the hallway. You swallowed a scream when you saw an accurate depiction of your face after Kodlak's. "Sir, you have a visitor." "I don't get visitors." Vilkas' grunt sounded rougher than ever. Your hands shook when the Companion cracked open the door to the Harbinger's office - there hadn't been a door before. You stared in awe at the scarred wood hung to make the Harbinger's quarters more private. "She seems to know you. Didn't tell us a name." The silence was so harsh you swore everyone in the hall heard your heart. "It'll only take a moment, sir." "Fine." He sighed and the woman snuck you a quick grin. You tried to return it but you couldn't shake the horrible sensation that something was deeply wrong. "Send her in. If it's a new recruit have Jorlyn ready the training yard." "Good luck." With an encouraging pat on the shoulder she departed. You stared at the crack in the door and gathered the screaming mess of your thoughts - Vilkas was behind that door. Had you somehow altered life on Tamriel after slaying Alduin? The World-Eater was surely important to the fabric of time, had you changed something fundamental during a few hours in Sovngarde? "Are you going to stand there all day, or can we get this over with?" All rational words were banished when you shoved open the door. Vilkas' dark hair was shorter than before and streaked through with grey. He flipped through some book and his foot tapped against the leg of his chair. Tears stung at your eyes when you took in the scars you'd never seen before, a clearly aged tattoo on his forearm, a wedding band on his ring finger. This couldn't be Vilkas - but that scowl didn't lie, you'd heard the voice that had whispered sweet promises to you only that morning. "Vilkas." Your voice broke around his name. His black glare finally tore away from the book and for one terrifying moment he didn't seem to know you. His thick brows tightened, mouth in a tight line when he turned to you. "My love?" His gaze softened when he dropped his work. He stood slowly, moving as if he feared approaching you. You couldn't stop tears cascading down your cheeks when Vilkas' fingers finally traced up your jaw, tugging you closer and allowing you to clutch at his unfamiliar armor. His stubble tickled at your skin when he kissed your face, eager hands drawing your body to his. "Where have you been?" His voice shook with each word. Your face stung from tears and Vilkas' familiar fingers combed through the back of your hair, one nervous kiss placed atop your head. "We have so much to discuss."

[thefloppinspriggan]

Medronas had heard of Whiterun: the trading hub of Skyrim, the jewel of the tundra plains, home of The Companions, host of the Gildergreen, and many, many other epitaphs lost in exchange of hands, rumors, and conversations. He had not heard of Riverwood -- a small hamlet by the lake, where the fat hens roamed in contentedness and the water felt cool to touch and flowed at an even, steady pace. Foreign was this sense of peace for it had been some time since he took notice of the warmth beneath the leaves. After some minor chatter with the villagers -- who seemed well enough -- he made his way past the logging camp to a spot along the bridge. It was a place as good as any to sit for a little while and to simply be.

[thefoxdenrp]

I Made the Right Choice... Didn't I? - Kaylyn Drabble Pt. 4

<Part Three>

Not long after the words left Aslan's mouth, Kaylyn was scrambling to get out of the cart. She threw herself at him, giving him a proper hug. "I love you, Aslan. I always will. You are a part of my heart as well, Big Brother."

He hugged her back just as tightly, rarely hearing her speak such emotional words. "I love you too, Kaylyn. Now go. I'll bring your things for you."

She laughed and let go. Of course he knew what she was planning. She had a feeling he knew all along how this trip to Riverwood would go and had been prepared for it the moment they started following the river.

The Breton turned towards the gates of Riverwood and took off, running as fast as her legs could take her. She raced through the small town, jumping over the chickens in her way and dodging anyone who was crossing the street. Across the bridge on the other side of town and down the winding path on the side of the mountain.

When she turned the bend, instead of following the path the whole way, she cut through the woods there. Kaylyn stumbled down the steep hillside, almost tripping a few times and having to brace herself on some of the trees to stop herself from rolling down the hill completely.

Reaching the bottom, she found herself behind Pelagia farm. This brought back memories. It was this farm that was being attacked by a giant and the Companions were fighting it when she came along and helped with a few arrows. Kaylyn jumped the fence, hoping they wouldn't mind if she just cut through their fields but also not caring much either.

Her lungs were burning and begging for oxygen, her legs ached from the exercise, and her heart was beating so hard she would feel it in her ears. Still she pushed on. Whiterun was right in front of her. The stone walls she called home. Kaylyn made her way to the gates and barely heard the guards call "Hail, Companion" behind her as she pushed the door open enough to squeeze her body in.

She turned left and took two steps at a time up to the Wind District. Like in Riverwood, she dodge around the townspeople as she raced past the temple and around the Gildergreen tree. There before her was Jorrvaskr. Her home. Tears formed her eyes and poured down her cheeks. Normally she would hide this but she didn't care right now. Not when her goal was so close.

Kaylyn climbed the stairs, clinging to the last bit of strength that she had. When she pushed the doors open, she was greeted to the noisy chatter of the hall and the warmth from the hearth. She didn't pay attention to the stares she got as she scanned the room and found Kodlak thankfully among the crowd. Her heart skipped a beat when she noticed Vilkas next to him.

She approached the men and went down to one knee, bowing her head. "Harbinger Kodlak... I...I..." Her words were suddenly lost to her, making it hard to speak. She paused to caught her breath, aware of the silence that took over the hall.

Slowly Kaylyn looked up at Kodlak, but her eyes drifted more towards Vilkas. Tears were streaming down her cheeks freely. "I want to come home."

[arklay]

which skyrim hold is ithrenil's favourite to travel around or take jobs in? are there any they try to avoid? and how did she feel about the civil war, as i imagine as a member of the dark brotherhood, something like a war could be extremely profitable for them?

oooo omg so i’m gonna be honest, i haven’t played skyrim in so long and i have the memory of a goldfish, BUT will try to answer this!! thank you so much harper 💖

so ithrenil was only ever actually in the dark brotherhood in cyrodiil, where they are originally from, and it was only for around six years. though to some that may not seem like enough time to become a truly accomplished and ruthless assassin, her bloodlust following what happened to her mother and their family’s home fuelled her. a bit over ten years before they are taken captive by imperial soldiers at skyrim’s border, she slipped out of the brotherhood’s cheydinhal sanctuary when the city erupted into chaos. she had been reassessing what she was doing there for a while, she had strayed so far from her goal of wiping out known werewolf hunters and took the opportunity to do what she does best: disappear into the shadows and hopefully any remaining brotherhood members would believe they perished with the sanctuary. ANYWAY, so just cause i don’t know if i’ve said it anywhere but yes, they were affiliated with the dark brotherhood but not during the events of skyrim. that is of course until she hunts them down as well... but that’s an interesting thought to think of, i hadn’t thought of how profitable the civil war would’ve actually been for them if she stayed with the brotherhood. 

(insert goldfish memory, i can’t remember the specifics about this) in terms of the civil war, ithrenil was pretty indifferent to it all. you’d think being from cyrodiil, she would hold some allegiance to the empire, but spending the first fourteen years of their life secluded in the jerall mountains followed by over six years in an organisation that carried out contracts no matter what their targets’ standing, she never really cared much for politics, and this continued in the years leading up to her arrest at the border where she spent her time quietly travelling all over cyrodiil in search of werewolf hunters. plain and simple, if it didn’t concern her, she didn’t care. being amongst the companions also kind of just reinforced this, they didn’t get involved with politics and most of them didn’t care about the war either. i haven’t really come to a decision yet on who they’d side with and i can’t remember for the life of me who i chose the last time i played, but i am leaning more towards the stormcloaks. i think if the companions were to be pulled into the civil war, they’d back the stormcloaks seeing as vignar and eorlund support them, and the group would stick by their shield-sibling and his brother. but there’s also the whole like. battle for whiterun situation... 🤷🏼

easy peasy, their favourite hold is definitely whiterun. they found a home there with the companions, even if they lost a few members on the way, but she had truly never felt as though she belonged somewhere before arriving at jorrvaskr. originally she was just looking for work after the chaos that was helgen, but somehow she managed to walk into a mead hall that held other werewolves. truly a moment of lone wolf finds their pack. a soft little thought for you is when farkas put together this little picnic for them along the white river, and it was the first time anyone had ever done something like that for her. she ended up buying the tundra homestead because it overlooked the spot where he set everything up. they also like sitting under the gildergreen in the city from time to time. holds i think they’d try to avoid... honestly i have no idea at the moment. i’m sorry my answer for this isn’t like super in depth cause i’m just having such a tough time remembering the quests and locations based on the holds, like other than the main cities of course. my brain wants to say maybe eastmarch though because of windhelm? i don’t even know why

[madam-whim]

!! for the tesblr ask, how bout 19 or 10?

♥ @reachfolk

Thank you for asking! <3 I decided on 10 for this one! So, here’s how my LDB Rienn made her first friend in Skyrim, who also became the best friend she ever had.

__________________________________________________

Last Seed wasn’t the coldest of months. Farkas knew this. But this was still Skyrim, and Oh, I’ll be fine was not what he wanted to hear from a fragile-looking woman who was currently planning on sleeping on one of the benches surrounding the Gildergreen. Outside. Alone. Even though it was still summer, there was a chill in the air that never really seemed to go away, and with the sunlight now gone for the night, it would hardly get any warmer. The woman simply had to know this, and yet...

He usually tried to stay out of other people’s business, but this? This was certainly not fine. Farkas was a man who went with what his gut instinct told him, and it had served him well so far, despite his brother’s repeated attempts at convincing him to “think things through”. Right now, said instinct was screaming at him to help this stranger, who kept insisting that she was alright. Farkas did not believe her for a second.

Maybe it was the way she was dressed – her boots and cloak had seen better days, and the dress she was wearing hardly even fit her. Perhaps it was borrowed, because while it would probably fit a Nord woman of average height and size, it hung loosely on the stranger’s frame and was long enough for her to nearly trip on the hem whenever she took a step. Maybe it was the haunted look in her eyes that made him doubt, or maybe it was that she looked exhausted. One way or another, she more than likely needed help. Or maybe just directions.

“You should really get out of the cold”, Farkas advised her. “It’s only going to get worse until the sun comes back up.” But the stranger only shook her head. “I’m from Bruma”, she said in a small voice, “I can handle a little cold.” Farkas nearly laughed out loud at that. “That’s still in Cyrodiil, though”, he argued. “It’s different here, colder. The wind feels like you’ve been cut with a blade sometimes, if you can still feel your face, that is. And you’re… not dressed for the weather. Also, you’re not a Nord.” At least she did not look like one. More like an Imperial. Or a Redguard, maybe. She seemed to be just about as stubborn as every Nord in existence, though, because she just shrugged, even though she didn’t sound as confident as she probably meant to when she answered. “I’ve had worse”, she claimed.

That was still not even close to what Farkas wanted to hear. Most people who decided (or were forced to) sleep in the streets at least had the common sense to choose a more sheltered spot. And while the stranger did look like she’d had a rough few days, she didn’t look like a beggar. Not like someone used to being out here. Farkas still hoped she was just a bit lost.

“If it’s a place to stay for the night you need, the Bannered Mare’s your best bet”, he tried in another attempt to talk her out of possibly freezing to death. “You must have passed it on your way up here, it’s hard to miss.” “I did”, the stranger replied, wrapping her cloak tighter around herself. Then, she sighed. “Look, I’m not stupid. I’m not from around here, as you know. I don’t know much about this place, but I do know I don’t have the coin for the inn. So, the bench it is. It’s got a brazier next to it, so I won’t freeze. Probably.” She still tried to appear confident, but Farkas didn’t miss the insecure look in her eyes. Those were… strange, he’d noticed. They were a shade of brown that seemed almost golden. Maybe that was common for Imperials? He had no idea. He had bigger problems on his hands anyway, like making sure the stranger didn’t die. “So you’re saying you came to the city knowing you had no coin, and still chose to spend the night here?”, he asked with a raised eyebrow. She had said she wasn’t stupid, but that meant she had to have known this wouldn’t work out. “I didn’t plan to be here”, she muttered, defensive. “I didn’t expect to be stuck in the Jarl’s keep for as long as I was, and by the time I got out it was too late to make it back to Riverwood before nightfall. Just my luck.”

At that, Farkas paused. He had overheard some of the guards talking about a messenger from Riverwood earlier, one who’d insisted to see Jarl Balgruuf, claiming to bring news from Helgen. And then there were the rumors about dragons… The Companions had heard about them, of course, half of Whiterun had been talking about them, but if Helgen had truly been destroyed by such a beast, if the rumors were true and this woman knew something…

“Are you the one who brought news of the dragons?”, he asked, lowering his voice just in case someone walked by. The woman just groaned. “Oh, fantastic. Let me guess, the entire city has heard about it by now? Look, I really can’t tell you anything, I promised the Jarl I would keep this to myself until they’ve figured out how to deal with those things. He says he can’t afford a panic right now, and who knows what he’ll do to me if he finds out I’ve been telling people about what I’ve seen?” “Alright”, Farkas sighed before settling on the bench the stranger had been planning to sleep on. This was going to take a bit of convincing, not that he was surprised. “Sit with me.” The woman hesitated for a moment, but then joined him. It wasn’t like she had anything better to do. “Now”, Farkas continued, “look straight ahead. See that building?” “The one that looks like a boat turned upside down?” “I… suppose”, he muttered. He hadn’t really thought of it that way, but now that she mentioned it… But now wasn’t the time to think about the shape of the roof. “That’s Jorrvaskr, home of the Companions. Do they ever tell you about us down in Cyrodiil?” The stranger nodded. “Yes, but I haven’t heard much. The Nords in Bruma sometimes tell stories, that’s all. The Companions are similar to the Fighter’s Guild, from what I’ve gathered. Is that right?” “To be honest, I don’t know what the Guild is like”, Farkas admitted with a grin. “As for us, we fight, sometimes for glory and honor, sometimes for the good old septim, and then we drink and swap stories. You won’t find better warriors in all of Skyrim though. So if the Jarl has a dragon problem, he’ll be coming to us sooner or later. Might as well tell me about it now.”

The stranger turned to really face him, as if considering whether she could trust him. And then, suddenly it was as if a dam had been broken, and everything the woman had tried to keep to herself simply bubbled to the surface. “Can’t really get into more trouble than I’m already in”, she muttered. “So fine. Yes. There are dragons out there. Or at least one. I… barely escaped Helgen with my life when it attacked.” There was a story there, Farkas just knew it, but he didn’t interrupt. If he wanted to gain the woman’s trust, he’d have to let her speak. “The people of Riverwood helped me when I got there, and in exchange I was asked to get the news to the Jarl”, she explained. “But he doesn’t have any idea on how to defend the city either, and his court wizard is equally clueless, just… very enthusiastic, and now they want me – me – to go look for some artifact in a barrow on the off chance that it might tell them something useful, but there might be undead there and I’ve never held a sword in my life, and how they got the idea that I’m the right person for the job simply because I avoided being burned to ash is beyond me! I wanted to become a bard, not… not monster food!”

As she spoke, her voice rose and for the first time, she didn’t seem lost anymore, just desperate and angry. That was understandable, Farkas thought – after all, she’d barely survived a dragon attack and now she was being told to risk her life for something that could still turn out to be worthless. “Well, we might be able to help with the barrow problem, at least”, Farkas offered with a smile, but the stranger only rolled her eyes at him. “I still have no coin. Or do honor and glory suffice as payment this time?” She sounded almost bitter, Farkas thought. This was the voice of someone who hadn’t experienced much kindness lately, which was reason enough for him to offer it freely. “There’s enough honor in helping to defeat a dragon for most of us”, he shrugged. “Come on up to Jorrvaskr with me. They’d let you stay the night too, if you tell them how you escaped Helgen. That should make for quite the story. They’ll be entertained, and you, my friend, will no longer be cold.”

He rose, and to his relief, the stranger followed suit. “Beats sleeping under a dead tree, I suppose”, she sighed. “That it does. The name’s Farkas by the way.” “Rienn.” “Well then, come on, Rienn. Oh, and once we get in there… Don’t mind my brother. He pretends to hate everyone at first, that’s just how he is.” “That sounds… reassuring”, Rienn said, but there was a trace of laughter in her voice, and for now, that was good enough.

[fishbians]

filidais said: Tell us about Faun!!! They sound like the cutest imo.

Faun!! She’s my newest.

I have a mod that randomizes start locations, equipment, etc, and she got randomly assigned to post-attack Helgen (very unlike vanilla...lol). So I started off her story - she hates executions, and always leaves Helgen when they happen. She came back to her home village completely destroyed. Friends, family, everything, dead, gone. With only the gold in her pocket and a longbow to her name, she set off for Falkreath for shelter.

She scrapes by for a while killing game in the forests nearby, and interestingly enough finds comfort in Arkay, god of death, and sometimes talks to Runil when she’s returned from hunting game. She is lonely, though, and things aren’t quite the same when your entire life has been reduced to rubble and ash.

She gets restless in Falkreath and finds herself in Whiterun hold hunting and selling in the bigger city there. She does run into the Companions, but doesn’t like the hungry, unsatisfied look in Aela’s eyes when they meet, so she avoids Jorrvaskr on the whole. She ends up asking Danica Pure-Spring about the Gildergreen, and this is where her faith in Kynareth really takes shape, after she retrieves a new sapling for the temple. Between Arkay and Kynareth she’s beginning to find peace in death and spiritual comfort in her treks in the wilds. It’s not sunshine and rainbows, but it’s definitely a new beginning.

As ever though, she’s still seeking Something, and ventures out to Morthal. This is where she realizes vampires are a problem, and that Orc that talked to her in Whiterun was right - she finds that she can’t sit by while vampires try to take over Morthal and kicks Movarth’s ass. This is what spurs her to join the Dawnguard - she realizes that she’s been desiring some Purpose. (That and the fact that she’s lonely as fuck and needs kinship.)

Cue meeting Isran. She doesn’t like him. Everyone else is perfectly fine, but she Really dislikes his “kill everything” attitude - it’s the same kind of mentality (in a dragon but you know) that got Helgen destroyed. She can get behind it a little because Arkay and vampires aren’t exactly friends (especially Molag Bal’s vampires, Molag Bal and Arkay are very much enemies), but when she meets Serana - wait, I’ll get the journal exerpt:

MY OWN CHARACTERS MAKE MY HEART SOFT

And they’ve just emerged from the Soul Cairn, and Faun is like, fuck, sure she’s a vampire and I’m not, but we’ve both lost everything. And that’s the kind of companionship Faun needs right now, someone who doesn’t just sympathize but can actually empathize and know what it feels like to lose your family, to feel like you’ve lost your home, how everything changes in an instant.

She’s 100% the softest character I’ve made, she’s just Trying to Make It and she’s Growing. And I fuckignm..love her

[storytimewithcort]

Skyrim Drabbles (Farkas) (Part 1)

Fandom: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim 

Basic Summary: Short blurbs from various points in my Dragonborn's life in Whiterun.

Warning: violence a bit

A/n: When playing, I travel with Aela, Barbas and Meeko. Because sexy badass ladies and puppies, obviously. However, I married Farkas, because he's a sweet big 'ol puppy dog...wolf...man. I adore him. So here's an fictionalized story about my player/oc interacting with Farkas. Mostly his point of view. 🧡

Part 1 of 2

--------

Aela shouted as she released an arrow in the direction of the beast charging towards Farkas. He steadied his stance as the troll came barreling in his direction and the arrow slammed into its shoulder. Farkas could see the blood flowing from the wound, but the troll seemed unaffected from the injury. He glanced over to Ria as she pulled out her sword, Farkas followed suit, his greatsword slightly shining in the dull light of the gray afternoon.

Moments before the troll reached melee range a dual-pronged arrow came flying through the sky striking the troll in the side of the neck. The troll cried out, stumbling down onto one knee. He heard Ria charge the beast as soon as it fell, but he instead tried to see where the new arrow came from. Across the field he spotted someone on a horse. They were in full armor so he couldn’t see much of their face, but it seemed they were taller than he was and they had their sights locked on the troll as they docked their bow to shoot another arrow at it. This one hit at the same time as another one of Aela’s arrows and the dual impact felled the beast almost instantly. Ria quickly made a gash across his chest to ensure the kill.

The helpful warrior trotted their horse up to the troll and hopped off next to Aela.

“You're a good shot!” Aela boasted, always pleased to meet someone who shared her affinity with a bow.

“Thank you. Just luck really, I'm still getting used to using a bow.” They responded, surprisingly soft spoken. They slipped off their helmet and spoke again, their back to Farkas, “I hope I wasn't intruding, I just couldn't let that brute run rampant so close to a family farm.”

He hadn't been caught off guard like this in years, Farkas had expected a burly Nord not too different from himself, but when the archer turned his way they, she, was anything but. Her high cheekbones implied elven heritage. Her light eyes in contrast to her deep woodsy colored hair were bewitching. Her hair looked like it was once painstakingly braided into a beautiful and intricate design,  but days of traveling and helmet wearing had made strands poke out all over and a long chunk of dark mahogany fell in front of her left ear.

“Shit” he muttered bewildered as he vaguely heard Aela invite the woman to Jorrvaskr.

----

Another gray day stretched out over the Gildergreen tree beneath the stairs leading up to Jorrvaskr. Farkas stood atop the hill watching down on the few townspeople mill about and a couple young girls looking for coin. He wasn't too focused on anything in particular until a sight caught him by surprise. Under the tree was the Dragonborn, a fighter who just yesterday he watched sparing with Vilkas and Aela with a ferocity that he hasn't seen in anyone without wolf's blood.

She,Téli, had been spending a lot of time at Jorrvaskr the last few days since she came to Whiterun. After she met the few Companions and helped fall a troll last week with ease, she had been coming by to both train and do any little errand the Circle requested from her. She did every task no matter how small or opposingly violent with no question. And she did them well. There were even rumors that said she could take down an actual dragon single handedly. She was obviously a mighty warrior.

Here she was squatting down to an orphan child with a soft smile across her face. The little girl looked enamored as she listened to whatever story Téli was telling. Her eyes looked so peaceful and kind as she reached into her pack and pulled out a few gold pieces, not copper, gold pieces and handed them to the child. She also handed over a netted bag full of apples and yams to the girl with a little laugh as the girl squealed in appreciation. The sound somehow floated across the courtyard all the way to where Farkas stood and he was floored by the sweetness of the sound. He had never really thought about how nice laughter could sound, but he quickly decided laughter could sound beautiful if coming from the right person.

"What are you looking at?" Vilkas' voice sounded, breaking Farkas from whatever weird draw the warrior down below had on him. Vilkas' matching dark hair to Farkas' own blew in the damp breeze.

"The tree." Farkas answered. Only a partial lie.

Vilkas looked down to the tree and cocked his head to the side. "Aye, it is looking much better these days. Whatever magic the Dragonborn achieved is a blessing to Whiterun." Taking step closer to his brother, "What do you think of the Dragonborn? I'm still not convinced we can trust her to be a Companion."

Fumbling over his words at first, Farkas managed to respond. "I..I think she is strong and....soft."

"Soft!?" Vilkas spit out the word with confusion until his gaze caught said person patting the head of a girl by the tree, with an almost maternal look in her eyes. She then picked up their pack and smiled as she made her way up the stairs leading to Jorrvaskr. Looking back to his brother, Vilkas saw the lopsided smile Farkas typically saved for a particularly delicious meal or newly tempered set of armor.  Vilkas let out a tuft of laughter, "You like her!"

"Quiet!" Farkas hissed as Téli reached hearing range of the twins.

"Good day." She greeted, smile still intact.

----

Farkas couldn't understand why she was so enthusiastic today. It was pouring rain and the whole city seemed to be in a somber mood. Every one except Téli. She showed up at Jorrvaskr early in the day, begging Farkas to follow her. He couldn't say ‘no’ to her, he was too caught up in how pleasing she looked. This was the first time he had seen her without armor. She was indeed of elven descent, tall and willowy, despite her obvious arm muscles that came from wielding her large steel warhammer. Her simple gray and blue dress was perfectly tailored for her, and as much as Farkas liked a solid woman who stood strong in armor, he couldn't help but flush at the sight of her gentle yet supple curves. Her hair looked recently washed or at the very least combed out. Every part of her looked as soft as he thought it would.

She now pulled on his arm as she dragged him down the steps leading toward the main gated entrance to Whiterun. She stopped at the bottom of the stairs and pointed to the left where a row of houses stood.

“There it is!” she exclaimed with glee.

“There's what?” he asked, looking between the buildings around.

“This house!” she clarified, letting go of him to  running up to one of the houses. “This one right here is all mine.” Pulling out a key with a flourish before turning to open the door. She runs inside and disappeared, leaving Farkas to follow behind shaking his head in amusement.

She showed off the mostly empty building like it was a castle made of gems and gold. She explained how as much as she enjoyed doing jobs for the Companions, doing jobs for the Jarl paid better. It also opened up real estate opportunities.

“I moved in last night! I finally got to bathe without worrying about who else in the inn might try to steal a peak. I got to sleep in a decent bed, and I actually cooked breakfast today. It's silly and domestic, but I love it.” Téli said happily.

“Does this mean you are hanging your armor up? Going to be a city girl now?” Farkas laughed.

“Heavens no. It's just nice to have somewhere to come home to after diving into caverns or fighting dragons.” She walked over to a little fire place, striking up a little fire to warm the house. “I've spent enough time in Whiterun this past month, I know it's a nice place to come home to.”

Farkas took the seat next to her, pulling himself close to the newly growing warmth the fire could offer his damp clothes. He watched her as she added some wood to her little fire. Her clothes were now also pretty wet, but she didn't seem to notice how they clung or maybe she just didn't care. Vilkas had pointed out to him a few days ago how comfortable Téli acted around him and he still didn't know how to take the news.

“Why are you showing me your house?” He asked when she glanced his way.

“Because I'm excited.”

“But why me?”

“I..” she started before chewing her bottom lip for a moment in thought. “Well, you've always been nice to me. You trust in my skills. You are far more clever than you think you are. And you don't ever act like I'm harassing you by just being around, which honestly is how a lot of people seem to act around me.” She shrugged, “Mostly, I just like spending time with you. I know this isn't as exciting as slashing draugrs...” She trailed off, but it didn't matter, Farkas was through the roof with joy. He couldn't remember the last time someone had so many kind things to say about him. It was also the first time he felt this enamored with someone outside of his family and the Circle.

He was smitten. Vilkas would never let him live this down.

--------

Part 2 coming soon. Thanks folks!

[friend-of-giants]

14. Your OC makes a new friend. For Wren. 💙

Sorry it took me months to get around to this! I started it when you first sent it then finally got around to finishing it.

This is combined with the "your OC helps a cat down from a tree" prompt from a list by @reachfolk I wanted to show off a softer side of Wren.

No warnings, it's rather wholesome. Too wholesome. Not sure I like it all that much 😂

Whiterun.  It was good to be back again.  Wren had forgotten how much she missed the city, having been absent for so long.  It didn't feel like Riften here - the community was more tightly knit, and there were significantly less thieves, though it didn't quite feel like home.

Being back made her feel a profound emptiness; she knew she would never be able to settle in this city again.  Too many ties to an unwanted past, but a visit now and again couldn't hurt. 

She sat upon a bench beneath the Gildergreen, eating a fresh baked honey nut treat and quietly taking in her surroundings.  Behind her, Heimskr droned on about Talos as he always did to an audience of none, and from farther out she could hear the ringing of steel and shouting from Jorrvaskr as two of their warriors went head to head in a sparring match.  Wren missed watching them practice out in the yard, and wondered if Athis was still in their ranks.  She was glad to know they were accepting of her people, despite what she had heard of the history of the Companions. 

Her thoughts were interrupted by an out-of-place sound from above her.  A meow?  She looked up, and lying in the branches above her was a fluffy white cat, its tail hanging down and flicking lazily as it observed the wind district from its perch.  

Wren shrugged and went back to eating, hoping the cat wouldn't drop into her lap and get fur all over the honey nut treat she had been so desperately craving.  

She finished her snack after a while, and before she could think of what else to do with her day, a small voice piped up from behind her.  

"Will you help me?"  The words were quivery, teary.  A child's voice.  

Wren glanced around the plaza, and seeing nobody else but Heimskr and a couple of guards, she realized those words were aimed at her.  With a sigh, she turned around and squinted at the child.  "What do you need?"

A teary eyed Imperial girl, no more than eight or so, stood next to the huge tree, wringing her hands nervously.  She looked up, and Wren followed her gaze to see the cat again, who was staring down at them with its piercing yellow eyes.  "He's stuck.  The guards won't help me."

"Cats don't get stuck in trees.  He's just taking a nap and will climb down when he's done."  

The girl pouted, sparking a bit of pity deep within her.  A single tear ran down a rosy pink cheek and she sniveled.  "Please?"

Wren let out a defeated breath and stood, then silently cursed herself that she was barely taller than this little girl.  She glanced up the tree and thought over her options.  

The trunk was gnarled, with rough bark that would make for an easy climb.  Unrelenting Force? No, she didn't feel like being dragged to the dungeons for accidentally harming it, not after that chicken incident in Rorikstead.  

Overhead, the cat sat back on its haunches and began cleaning itself.  An idea suddenly struck her, and she grinned triumphantly.  

"Watch this," announced Wren, taking a few steps back.  

The girl tilted her head in confusion and followed her away from the tree.  "Aren't you going to climb up there?"

"No need.  Stand back, now."  The girl obeyed, albeit reluctantly.  Wren looked directly at the cat and took a breath, and as quietly yet effectively as she could, Shouted.  "Gol hah!"  

The cat immediately quit licking itself and looked down at her expectantly.  "Get down and come here," Wren commanded, and the cat obeyed, as if it understood.  Within moments, the cat leapt down from the trunk and strutted over to them, its tail held high and flicking happily. 

The girl stared wide-eyed at Wren, her mouth hung open.  "How did you do that?!"

"I'm the Dragonborn, I can do all sorts of neat things with my voice," she bragged.  Wren bent down to grab the cat and lifted it into her arms, giving it a good scratch behind the ears.  It purred contentedly.

"Dragonborn?  Brenuin told me all about you!"  The child smiled broadly and bounced with excitement.  "He told me all about that time you stole a bottle of ale for-"

Wren held up a free hand and shushed her, side eyeing the guards and hoping they didn't hear.  "Yeah, I helped him out once.  What else did he tell you?" 

"Well, he didn't tell me you were so short."

"Hmph, of course not," she muttered, trying not to show too much annoyance on her face.  The cat began to squirm in her grasp, and she handed him over to the girl, who held her arms out eagerly to take her little friend back.  "Here you go, kid.  Take him home."

"My name's Lucia," she corrected with a pout.  "And I don't have a home, I sleep at the inn."

"Oh.  Sorry.”  Wren looked away, ashamed, but it wasn't as if she could have known.  Gods, please don’t cry, she thought, not sure if it was directed at Lucia or herself.  This kid had found a weakness that had long since been swept aside, but now had come rushing back, biting at her heels like a pack of strays.  She turned back to Lucia, who stood sullenly by the Gildergreen, holding onto the cat as if he meant the world to her.  

“Dragonborn?  Lady?”  Lucia set her cat down and it scurried away further into the city, and she approached cautiously with her hands behind her back.  “Don’t look so sad.  I can handle myself.  Brenuin takes good care of me… when he’s not drunk.”

“He’s always drunk,” Wren said coldly.  "I can go smack some sense into him if you want.”

Lucia giggled.  “Can I smack him, too?”

"Tell you what, kid, I'll let you take the first hit."  The smile that grew on Lucia's face was as bright as the sun itself, and Wren let out a little puff of a laugh.  "Let's go find him."

[thefoxdenrp]

I Made the Right Choice... Didn't I? - Kaylyn Drabble Pt. 3

<Part Two>

A week had past since she ran into her friend and the pain in her heart only seemed to grow more and more with each passing sunset. The guilt ate at her, making her lose her appetite most of the time. She had come to Skyrim for Aslan. She had joined the Companions for the hope of finding him. Now she had! Why did she feel so lost though? Nightfall was worse because sitting around the fire turned her mind to the halls of Jorrvaskr during supper when all the Companions sat around the hearth and feasted together, laughing loudly and telling tales of their latest missions. The stars above her reminded her of a certain Nord and a flower filled field. It was why she retreated so fast into her tent, to hide away from the pain.

Kaylyn had been watching the flowing water of the river they travelled along before she started to notice how familiar this area was. Were they? She sat up on her knees and leaned over the side of the cart, trying to look pass Aslan.

"Hey now!" The man laughed, glancing over his shoulder at her. "You're gonna tip the cart if you keep moving like that." He teased her.

"We're at Riverwood! What? I thought we were heading for Morthal!" Her heart pounded in her chest. If they were close to Riverwood... then... She looked to the east. Whiterun was just a short walk from here. Home... The thought shocked her, making her shake her head.

"I took a detour." Aslan pulled over a few yards from the gate and dismounted from Setti. "Little sister..." He came over to the cart, standing directly in front of her. He gently cupped her face with both hands. "You are a part of my heart. You have been since that fateful day we met. You are the only family and friend that I have had in my life after I left home. It pains me to see you in such pain."

Kaylyn gaped at him. Pain? He... he saw that? Of course he did. Aslan always knew her better than she knew herself. She fought for words to say, but he pressed a thumb to her lips and continued.

"My home is wherever I roam. Only needing to return to you from time to time when I need a bigger piece of home in my life. The nomad life though is not for all. Do not feel guilty if it is not for you. You have grown so much in the years we have been apart. You have made a life for yourself, you have found a home in Whiterun, and more importantly, you have made friends there. I follow my heart when I travel. Now..." He placed a hand over Kaylyn's heart. "You must follow your own. What is it telling you?"

Kaylyn stared at him. His skin spreading over her like a warm blanket. How was he able to shine a light to guide the way when she felt so surrounded by darkness? But... there were others who shined light for her as well. Villagers of Whiterun flashed in her mind, relaxing under the Gildergreen, nights spent in the Bannered Mare. The visions that lingered the most were the Companions. Watching Henrik at the Skyforge, laughing with her fellow whelps, training in the yard, meals around the fire. All the members who were her friends more than fellow Companions. Like Farkas, Aela, Signe, Sunni... Vilkas...

"Home." The words choked out of her. "It's telling me to go home."

Aslan pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her forehead before hugging her tightly. "Then go, Little Sister. Follow your heart."

<Part Four>