Eyes Opened

Skyforge

The words between you and him were few and far between. The walk home was awkward, even with the Silver hand's ends snuffed out and Wuuthrad in his pack. Whiterun was quiet again, like the last time you came, but it wasn't the same. The guards were standing at their posts this time, speaking to each other. The stairs were a little easier to climb, the stars out in the darkened sky. The brightest light in the sky was at the forge. You followed Vilkas up those stairs as well, following some other people as well. It was a day, enough time for them to prepare everything. You reached the plateau, your eyes looking around. Most of Whiterun was there, even the Jarl standing at the forge, looking on at Kodlak's body. Vilkas separated from you, taking steps to the forge as Eorlund started to talk.

His words were muffled, you could hear them but your body tuned it all out. Your eyes were on Kodlak's body, then slowly panned to Vilkas. After a while, Eorlund stopped talking, his muffled voice silenced. Your eyes were still on him. It took some time but you worked up the courage. Walking to Vilkas you placed your hand on his wrist. The man sighed, before pulling it from you. "Just... leave me be." Your eyes widened slightly, before your hand hit your elbow, recoiling from him. You opened your mouth before you realized that it was no use. He wouldn't let you comfort him, not as you were. Not when it was your fault. Your eyes started to water before you took a few steps back. After a moment you turned your back, starting to walk off.

You got to the first step, only to be turned around by a rough hand on your shoulder. You had thought it was Farkas, yet it was Eorlund. You shook your head. "Some Companion I am... right?"

He shook his head. "You got back Wuuthrad, right? I mean the boy wouldn't have let you come back without it." You nodded in agreement, he was right about that. "There is one piece that Kodlak always kept in his room. I just don't feel right about going through his things. I'm not the one to do it."

"Oh, but I am?" You said sarcastically.

"Yes." He cleared his throat. "He thought of you as close family, like a daughter. He'd told me that he'd trained you some himself, often enjoying your conversations, especially if Vilkas joined in." You relaxed a little, looking into the old man's eyes. It was nice to remember what you'd had with him, even when right now it seems like you'd lost it. "The boy... is just emotional. Give him time."

"No. 'The boy' is right." You shook your head. "But I will get the piece... then I will do as he's asked." You smiled a little, though it was a mask. "Thanks, Eorlund." You took one last look at the scene, before walking back down, into the empty mead hall. The living quarters were silent, unlike anything before. It was cold. Passing his room you shook your head, before speeding up into Kodlak's study. Finding the piece was easy enough, it was in a drawer. After picking it up you looked past it, there was a leather bound journal.

Gulping, you slowly lifted it out of it's home as well. "His... journal. He was always writing in this. If I'm going... This would be the only... the only thing I'd have of my family." You nodded to yourself, cementing your decision. You headed back upstairs to give the shard to Eorlund, then pack up.