Eyes Opened

Confrontation

Farkas took a bite of the peasant leg while sitting next to you. Downing the last of your mug, you tapped it on the table, chuckling a bit. "Farkas! Come on. You did not throw your two handed sword directly into the mammoth and kill it."

"But I did!" He took a drink of his ale while Tilma stopped by, giving you another. "Thanks Tilma!" He chirped happily as you took a drink.

"No, you didn't." You laughed. Leaning back in your chair, you took a look around. Everyone seemed to be in high spirits, with the absence of Kodlak who was downstairs still going over texts and Vilkas who was still out on his job. You were a bit worried, more than worried but it was all you could do. Believe in him and try to be calm. Farkas was a help, yesterday he'd seen you crying in the yard. This was his idea, you'd been alone for the last two weeks. Not even able to go outside without him. You'd told Farkas it was as if the heart of this hall was gone, the thing that you knew was going to make everything okay. That was when he said you couldn't be buried in books anymore, even if they were helping Kodlak.

"Fine, if you say so." He pats your back before taking a bite of bread. "But drink some more, okay?" It was a whisper, you nodded before tipping the mug up, Farkas reaching over and pushing it up further. Surprised you pulled the mug away not before the ale was spilled all over you anyway. Farkas started to laugh, then stood up looking for a towel. Njada stood up, her brow furrowed under the helmet.

"Are we just going to sit here and laugh like this while Vilkas has been gone for two weeks?" You got quiet, looking down at your plate. "Shouldn't we be out there looking for him, or am I the only one concerned?" She looked right at you, the aura she had forced your gaze up, connecting with her eyes. She shivered. "You're not even gonna say nothing? You should be worried about him the most!" She hit the table with a fist, staring at you.

"Hey now, she's doing all she can." Farkas spoke.

"Right. I am sure she is just miserable. Sitting there laughing with you, sharing looks. I am not the only one that sees this, am I?"

Skjor cleared his throat. "That's enough Njada. She's been..."

"Oh what do you see in her? What does Vilkas see in her? She's just some spoiled little rich girl who will probably go home crying to her father when she doesn't get exactly what she wants here. It's one thing to whore yourself out it's another to pretend to be all noble and innocent about it. Admit it, Vilkas only likes you for your body and you only want to drool over him!"

Aela stood up, only to have you clear your throat. You set the mug down. "Well." You spoke with an exhale, before standing up. "This is the first time any of you have seen me above ground within Jorrvaskr since he left. I was content downstairs sharing my worries with myself, but I was asked to make an appearance. Far-"

"Farkas!" She called out, looking to you. "Of course it was him. The way you two fawn all over one another when he's gone is dis-"

You quickly hit both hands on the table, Aela looking to Njada. "They are friends, are they not allowed to be?" Aela interrupted her for you, but it was no matter, you were already on your way to fixing it. Walking swiftly towards the woman.

"Friends yes, but anyone with eyes can see that she's a who-" The follow through to your punch swiped past Njada's jaw, the woman whipping her head involuntarily as you re-centered yourself. You fell into a stance that Vilkas taught you, your weight in the next punch with your hand up to cover your head should she strike back. Again her jaw was rattled, you striking with your other hand into her gut. It was harder than you intended but perhaps Vilkas' passion rubbed off within you. Njada doubled over, holding her midsection.

Aela started to laugh, Farkas simply sat down with wide eyes. You swung your arm up, hitting her in the jaw too, your hand sliding off of her face, knocking her helm off to crash into the ground. You grabbed her by the hair, gritting your teeth. Pushing the woman to the ground face first you drove your knee into her back, Njada giving a pained grunt. "Damn Njada, she hits harder than she used to, huh?" Aela was clearly enjoying this. You drove her head into the wood flooring, before letting go of her hair and standing up.

Njada didn't bother to speak, she merely lay there, curling up encase you were going to strike again. "As I was saying, Njada. I'm trying not to worry. He's a big boy, he doesn't need me to worry about him. He can do the job with or without me. Apologize to Farkas."

"What...?" She coughed, looking up to you.

"You didn't offend me, your words meant nothing. You don't know me. You never gave me the chance. I don't care but I refuse to simply let you disparage Farkas. He's a good man who cares a great deal about his brother. He's family to me, just like all of you. Maybe I'm a little closer to him because he's pleasant to be around."

She chuckled a moment, before spitting at your feet. You took her wrist, yanking her to flatten out a bit sending your shin into her gut. She spit a bit more on the floor, the fluids mixed with a bit of blood. "Whatever you think about me, don't fall into the mistake. Don't fool yourself into thinking you somehow care about him more than I do. I'd be weak like you if I'd decided that he couldn't handle it on his own. I'm less concerned about the amount of time he's been gone and more concerned with how to help him relax when he is back." You smirked, licking your lips. "Since you've already decreed that he uses my body maybe I will actually let him?" You watched her wince. "Or did you only say that because you wish it was you?" You chuckled a bit. "I'm not a cruel person, but you seem to bring it out in me. I imagined this is the only way to get respect out of you. Not that I care anymore, you lost the respect I once gave to you." You cleared your throat. Dropping her wrist you shook your head. You eyes met Farkas'. "This is why I didn't want to come up here. You may like me but without... well I just don't fit in without him." You started to walk towards the stairs.

Farkas smiled just as you passed him, before a familiar voice spoke. "I uh... don't fit in without you either." You turned quickly to the door, Vilkas standing there with a backpack, a hand on his ribs just under his chest but a smile on his face. He looked a little worse for the wear. You felt your eyes start to water, pushing the tears away with the back of your hand. He started to walk towards you even though you were unable to move. This was a dream. You were convinced. You'd never stand up to Njada, Vilkas was gone, possibly never coming back. It wasn't until he pulled you in close with an arm around your waist, dropping the pack in the process. You sprang your arms around him, pushing yourself into a tight hug. He hissed a bit. "Damn. Hurts more than I thought it would. Next time I cannot leave you here."

You backed off, hands up in the air before looking up to him. Choking on the words you barely managed to get out. "You... big moron." You pushed his good shoulder lightly. "Don't ever do that to me again. If you don't take me, take someone. Anyone."

He chuckled. "Well, obviously not Njada."

"H... how long were you there...?"

He smiled softly. "Long enough to know she deserved it and that you want to help me relax." Aela had moved to Njada, helping her to her feet with her arm over her own shoulder to hold her in place. "I promise to never go alone again." You smiled softly. "I do need to lay down though. I would have been here sooner but I was hurt badly. A farmer took me in, fed me and let me heal. I'll tell you everything, but I have been walking a long way, I miss my bed."

You looked to Aela, who smiled. "Go tend to him. I'll take her to Arcadia's." You looked to Farkas who waved you on with a hand gesture.

Starting towards his room you spoke softly. "Let's get you healed and resting." You smiled softly. "I'll make dinner for you, then you can tell me." He looked to you, simply smiling, as if he were the lucky one.