Tagged : Alana | Words : 657 | Notes : Not the most mind-blowing of starters.

”Joldy, you off for the evening?”

Fjoldir freed the helmet from his head, tucking it under his arm as he looked to the other guard that addressed him. Though he was looking forward to a quiet night of sleep at the barracks for the first time in a few days, he barely considered being dishonest. ”I am. Why?” She pushed a small, wrapped package towards him, small enough for him to grasp in a single hand. He inspected it as she spoke. ”I have to report to my post before nightfall, and I have a sister visiting who I need to get settled before that. This package arrived at the barracks, but it was meant for Jorrvaskr. Could you take it there?” Little did the guard know that Fjoldir needed absolutely no coaxing to make visits to Jorrvaskr. The place was beautiful and smelled like Sovngarde itself most days. It was the type of location any Nord would want to spend time around if they could help it. Fjoldir had been disappointed, before receiving his promotion to Dragonsreach, that his usual patrol had never taken him by the home of the Companions.

”Of course. I’ll take it there now.” The woman slapped his arm before turning to step away, flashing him a smile. ”Thank you, Joldy. Remember that I owe you a favor.” Fjoldir nodded to her before his attention generally returned to the slightly misshapen package in his hand. Needless to think, it was none of his business what was inside, but as anyone would, he pondered on it as he made for the doors of Dragonsreach. Who knew what kind of packages they could be receiving, when it came to the Companions. Fjoldir couldn’t afford to pay them much attention most days, but he did know that probably dabbled into all sorts of business suited for warriors that could probably lead to people sending them all sorts of items. By the time he’d pushed his way out the doors of the palace, though, Fjoldir had already put his analysis of the item out of his mind. It was making him have delusions about trying to join the Companions again, and those thoughts were the last he needed with the war.

As usual, about the time he passed by Heimskr’s screaming form (he was particularly enthusiastic this evening), the smells coming from Jorrvaskr taunted Fjoldir’s nose. Considering he hadn’t had anything to eat since the middle of his shift at the door, a shift that had lasted all day, the smells succeeded in making his stomach gnaw. He took a longing look at the stairs down to the Bannered Mare just before taking the few steps up to Jorrvaskr, pre-planning his trip to the tavern that he’d be taking very, very soon after he delivered this package and got out of his armor for the evening.

Disregarding his nose, Fjoldir stepped up to the front of Jorrvaskr, taking a peek to the sides of the building to make sure there was no one outside who could take the package from him. He also spared a squinted glance at the Skyforge above the mead hall, though it seemed no one was hovering around it. Fjoldir always felt intimidated when he stepped into Jorrvaskr, even though he had been inside twice for different reasons, and so as a last resort against having to knock on the door and risk having to be a lowly guard in the midst of legendary warriors, he stole quietly – as quietly as he could at his size – around the side of the building to take a glance at the rear of Jorrvaskr, where even more food typically sat arranged temptingly. He took extra care to make sure he wasn’t intruding on any important goings-on, waiting until he was sure he didn’t hear anything particular until he spoke up. ”Is anyone back here?”, he asked the evening shadows, only loud enough to be heard.

I HAVE BECOME A LIONHEARTED GIRL

Alana's day had been uneventful for the most part. Uneventful meaning that she hadn't had any official business to attend to. She hadn't been asked to take any jobs, but that was mostly because she had only returned the evening before from dealing with fortress that had been overtaken by bandits. It had quickly became the Companions' business when innocents had started being attacked. Alana had very happily volunteered for the job. There were few things she loved more than killing bandits. Some would tell her that she was no better than them, or that bandits were people too. Not as far as Alana was concerned. If they decided to take on such a role then they deserved whatever painful death found them. It was a terrible way to look at it, but it was how she had felt her entire life. It wasn't just about what had happened to her own mother. It was about what continued to happen. It didn't matter who. The bandits weren't selective. They would pick anyone off; men, women, and even children. They didn't stop at just robbing people. Alana had seen them kill in cold blood. She felt that they only deserved the same.

So since she had the day to recuperate, Alana had done her best to spend it well. Once she was up and moving she had headed down to visit with Skulvar. The man had been pleased to have some time with her. Usually she just came by to take Frost out, and didn't have time to visit. She had spoken with him for a couple of hours. He was finally beginning to trust Fenris enough to allow him in the house when Alana was around. Fenris had quickly made him uncomfortable by pouncing a mouse that had tried to skitter across the floor. Alana had been forced to look away from the scene. She had even covered her ears and made noise so she wouldn't have to listen to the mouse's shrieking. Skulvar's cat had not been pleased with Fenris when he stole the mouse from her, but she was smart enough to jump up onto a shelf before she hissed at him. Once Skulvar assured her it was over for the mouse and Alana had been able to look again, the cat was batting at Fenris' nose. The wolf seemed to be considering trying to reach the cat, but Alana hissed at him, and he came to rest by her side.

Once she was finished visiting with Skulvar she had headed out to visit Frost. The stallion had been happy enough to see her until he realized that she was planning on riding him. He was of the impression that he was on vacation. Alana had done her best not to laugh at him, but it hadn't worked. Frost stood out among the black horses in the Whiterun Stable, but Skulvar had been pleased to get new stock at the stable. Alana had threatened him when he had first seen him. She didn't want her boy distracted by breeding. Maybe once she didn't have to rely on him so much. Skulvar was welcome to breed him down the road, but for now she needed him more focused on work and war than reproducing. She had pulled the stallion out of his stall, and bridled him. Once he was bridled she had used the fence to mount him. Occasionally she could swing onto him from the ground, but using the fence was just easier. Seventeen hands of draft horse made mounting bareback from the ground a challenge, unless he was exactly enough downhill from her. It was pretty flat at the stable.

Her ride had been nice. Fenris had went with them, and as soon as Alana had let Frost open up they had been joined by an eagle. Miro was usually free to come and go as he wished, and while he would stay with her when she was outside; he rarely ventured indoors. After a nice gallop Alana had taken them into the forest so Fenris could hunt, and when he returned later with Miro, both of them bloodied and content, Alana headed back to the stable. They had been out for a couple of hours, but she was certain that if she had been needed at Jorrvaskr they would have came to find her. Working alongside the same people for three years had its advantages. They knew her well enough to always know where to find her if they needed her. Alana walked Frost back to the barn so he would have plenty of time to cool down. Leaning forward she rested on his neck, and wrapped her arms around him. Not one to be worked longer than he had to, Frost took her back to the barn quite reliably. Of course he ventured over to the lot with the mares, and nickered quite happily to the lovely ladies, rather than the gate Alana needed to take him through, but at least he got her there.

She took him into the barn, and into his stall. He was well behaved, if a bit lazy. Most importantly he was loyal and reliable. Alana could have ridden him though Oblivion if need be. He wouldn't have been happy about it, but he would have done it quite willingly for her. Alana made sure that he got a few treats and extra lovin' before she headed back up the hill to Whiterun. She was about to call Fenris and Miro, but she found them shortly after exiting the barn. The two were terrorizing each other as always. Miro was swooping low by Fenris' head, and the wolf was trying to catch him out of the air. Alana shook her head and whistled. The wolf came to her, perhaps a bit disappointed, and the eagle landed on her extended forearm. If Alana hadn't known any better she would have sworn that he was looking even more haughty than usual. Together the trio headed to Whiterun. Of course they were missing the fourth member of their strange family, but Alana was still trying to convince Kodlak to let her keep Frost in the training yard behind Jorrvaskr.

Once she was back at Jorrvaskr she had spent a few hours training. It would have been nice to just relax all day, but she wouldn't be thinking that if she wound up dead. When the smell of food began to reach her she had taken a seat on a bench, and began sharpening her multiple blades. She wasn't any good in a kitchen, so she would just sit outside and wait. Fenris was resting near her, and Miro was perched on the rock wall behind Jorrvaskr. She could hear Fenris sniffing at the air. He had always preferred fresh meat to cooked, but he seemed to enjoy the different scents that were filling his nostrils. Alana enjoyed it too. The food that was being prepared inside was always delicious. Alana usually had to find the motivation to rise from the table and make it to her room after she had eaten. She was surprised that her armour still fit properly, as well as they kept her fed here.

A soft call from Miro, and Fenris jumped to his feet. Alana stopped sharpening the blade to listen. The wolf trotted over the the side of Jorrvaskr, a soft growl coming from his barrel. Alana grabbed a dirty cloth she had been using to clean her blades with, and chucked it at him to make him stop. The wolf jumped and gave her a look, but then returned to stare at whoever was heading in their direction, except this time without growling. Soon Alana could hear the armour clinking as the person walked, and Fenris trotted back to her side. He clearly was not happy about a stranger coming near her. When the man called out, Alana put her hand on Fenris to keep him from growling again. "I am." She rose to her feet and headed over to him. It was harder to see in the evening light, but the bit of light left and the torches helped her make out his face. He was a guard at Dragonsreach. She had seen him quite a few times before, but she knew nothing else about him. The blonde smiled, trying to make up for the two other sets of eyes that were currently staring him down.

"Was it the food that lured you? I'm sure I can sneak some back here for you if you'd like." She was joking of course, but if he really wanted some she would happily bring him a plate. They would think nothing of her eating outside. She was frequently outside until bed. Fenris usually became restless quite quickly indoors. "Or are you here for a new job?" She winked with a glint in her eye. "Being a guard is great and all, but being a companion is better." Alana hadn't realized that she had become a walking advertisement lately. Realizing that he probably wasn't there for either reason, her right hand raised to scratch the back of her neck. It was an awkward gesture because she was bad at this. Where was Vilkas or Skjor? Or even Aela? Then again, Aela probably would have eaten him, or at the very least barked at him. Divines bless her, she had worse people skills than Alana. Alana could feel Fenris standing against the back of her legs. It was a terrible place for him to be. If she had to get away from this man she would have stumbled over him. Hopefully if it came to that Fenris would have been in front of her fast enough that it wouldn't be a problem. Most of her knives were on the table, but she had shoved one in her boot before getting up for greet the visitor. Once she had seen him she had realized it probably wasn't necessary, but she was always prepared for a fight.

WORDS 1,683 TAGGED FJOLDIR/KENT NOTES BLESS HER AND HER MENAGERIE

TEMPLATE BY WE WERE INFINITE ! OF CAUTIO 2.0

Tagged : Alana | Words : 730 | Notes : My length feels pathetic 8'D

Unless the feminine form in the dim light was growling – and he hoped not - Fjoldir had to assume he was being stared down by a very unhappy animal that didn’t like him so close to Jorrvaskr. It was a good thing Fjoldir was used to animals and had no particular fear of them, like some of the other guards who would have just as soon run at the sight of a rabbit as stick around long enough to consider the stain on their dignity. Well enough, then, that the form he assumed to be a woman spoke to him before any teeth, sharp as knives, started snapping at him in any way. Once the woman stood, Fjoldir could tell that the subject of the growling seemed to be at her feet, heeding the fact that she didn’t want the wolf to turn Fjoldir turned into dinner as of yet – Companions indeed.

Not worrying about the wolf, though, Fjoldir’s eyes set on the female, and he tried to match her bright smile (though he surely failed). Well, already he could say she seemed friendlier than the majority of the Companions. It wasn’t that the Companions were all trudging around with their behinds on their shoulders or anything of the sort – the Altmer pulled the haughty routine well enough to cover for every other race in Tamriel – but they were all typically on their business as honorable mercenaries and naturally fearsome individuals. Thus, they didn’t exactly go around casually shaking the hands of everyone who passed them or flashing them bright smiles…aside from the woman before Fjoldir now, who thoroughly surprised him with the offer she made before he could rattle off some awkward explanation for his arrival.

”Oh, no. All of the food smells great, but I wouldn’t want to…impose. I’m headed for my supper right now, actually,” Fjoldir explained, as if she needed to know his nightly plans. He made sure to digress quickly….and yet again, she had the right words to distract him from saying anything simple and useful, plus a wink too. Fjoldir couldn’t help but let loose a little huff in amusement, shying his eyes away to the nearby creatures who were both staring at him as if daring him to make the wrong move. People were occasionally dropping hints to Fjoldir that he’d probably fit in if he tried to join the Companions, so he had started to expect the words to fly at him every few weeks. Honestly, though, he’d never heard the words from someone he assumed to be a Companion, who also happened to be a woman and who had also brought it up as one of the first subjects of conversation. Fjoldir was sure it looked foolish when he moved a hand to scratch under his chin the moment she scratched at her neck.

What was he supposed to tell her, then? ”Maybe someday,” Fjoldir told her, as his best idea of how to answer, though he thought immediately that he came off as rude in saying so. For the time being, the package in his hands was totally forgotten. ”I mean…obviously, I would love to join. Anyone should.” Was he digging his grave deeper? Hopefully not. ”I don’t know if I’m as ready as some for the responsibility, and my skills aren’t exactly…the…sharpest either.” Fjoldir saw these Companions training sometimes, and he could remember seeing no one in his whole life who was so skilled with their weapons, with no sacrifice to their power. Fjoldir had the power part down, and he always had – the other guards and Siri could testify to his strength and fortitude, and to be honest, he was proud that he could defend his hold and his family with those two facets of his being. However, he would always be the first to admit that, though he was careful, he lacked severely in finesse. The Companions would run circles around him, even if they could probably train him properly.

For a few seconds, Fjoldir might have betrayed that he was thinking about the offer. Instead, he snapped back to attention, remembering his purpose for arriving. He presented the package to the pleasant woman, holding it in one large hand. ”But, uh, I did have business here. Someone sent a package to the barracks that was meant for Jorrvaskr, and I was asked to bring it by.”