Welcome to my first story. Please give it a chance. My writing skills get better after the first few chapters. I'm progressively learning since I haven't done story writing for years. Thank you and I hope you enjoy. :)

It was the 15th of Frostfall. The weather was colder this time of year. My Dwarven armor felt like ice to my skin. But my Nord blood ran strong and fought the chilling feeling, keeping me steady and calm. I was in the training grounds of Jorrvaskr. Standing in front of me was Vilkas, wielding his Skyforge Steel sword and shield. To my right, his twin brother, Farkas. Wielding his Skyforge Steel Greatsword. And to my left, Aela the Huntress. Wielding her bow which she was famous for.

I stood there holding my Dwarven sword and shield waiting for one of them to make a move. Suddenly, I noticed Aela draw an arrow and release. I quickly put up my shield to block it. At that same moment Vilkas came at me with a strong swing of his sword. I then raised my sword to block his and pushed him back with my shield. Shortly after Aela caught my attention with another arrow passing just past my head. (I wear enchanted circlets instead of helmets.)

"You'll have to be quicker than that Shield-Brother." Aela said with a chuckle as she drew another arrow.

As I concentrated on her arrow, I heard Farkas roar as he charged in with a massive swing with his greatsword. I had no choice, I shoved Vilkas again with my shoulder, raised my shield to block the arrow, then finally folded my arm over my head to cover my back with my shield. At that last second I felt the massive thud of Farkas' strike. It hurt a bit but I didn't show it.

"Enough!" Said a familiar voice from the direction of the Skyforge.

It was Jarl Balgruuf. Standing there in his fine clothing and circlet.

"I'm glad to see the Harbinger of the Companions hasn't lost his touch in the ways of combat." The Jarl said with a grand smile on his face.

I stood up shaking off the pain in my arm and back from Farkas' blow. Aela and the twins then started walking towards the doors of Jorrvaskr, probably to get themselves a drink.

"What can I do for you, my Jarl?" I asked while sheathing my sword.

"Not for me." He said quickly. "But for the Empire."

I looked at him with a shocked look on my face. It had been two years since the Civil War against Ulfric Stormcloak had ended. After the battle I was named Legate and released from the services of the Empire.

"What do you mean, for the Empire?" I asked with hesitation and confusion. "I was released from them two years ago."

Balgruuf laughed and said, "That is true. But once you're known and accepted by the Empire, you never know when they'll call upon you. I recieved a letter from General Tullius asking that if I see you, to ask you to return to Solitude."

When I heard those words I clenched with hatred towards Tullius. But I knew what Bulgruuf spoke was true. I wasn't a full supporter of the Empire in Skyrim. I strongly agreed with Ulfric's beliefs, but I had owed Hadvar a great debt for saving me from Helgen and the rogue Stormcloak soldiers who had ambushed me on the way to Whiterun.

"Did it say what he wanted from me?" I asked with sadness in my voice.

"No." Bulgruuf replied with a worried look on his face. "To be honest, I prefer it that way. The less I have to deal with the Empire the better."

Balgruuf then turned away with a wave of his hand and began walking back towards Dragonsreach. I knew if I returned to the Empire, things would become complicated between my Shield-Siblings and myself. I joined the Companions shortly after the war and within the year I became Harbinger after Kodlak's death. I had led them the same way Kodlak had. Everyone was equal.

I walked into Jorrvaskr trying to plan out what I would say to everyone. I knew Aela would take it the hardest. We grew close after the death of Skjor. However, we seemed to have drift apart after the visit to the Tomb of Ysgramor. I had given up the beast blood and she refused. I can understand her anger, she was my forebear after all. But being a werewolf was unbecoming of a Paladin.

"So what did he want, Karrick?" I heard Vilkas ask from across the main hall.

I looked up with a sign of disappointment. "The Empire is asking for me back."

Everyone shot a look at me without hesitation and the room grew quiet. They could all see clearly that I was not happy at all with the words I had spoke.

"Just don't go." Farkas said after spitting up his mead.

"It's not that simple." I said. "Once you're in with the Empire you can't ignore their summons. They find it as treason."

Vilkas' eyes grew wide and his mouth dropped as he fought out the words, "So you mean..."

"Yes." I said quickly. "I have to return or the Empire will hunt me down for an execution."

I could feel the room go cold as each of my fellow Companions started to grow upset, confused, or even angry towards me. I didn't want to leave. Jorrvaskr was my home and these people were my family.

"Alright then." Farkas said, breaking the silence. "Our brother has a duty to uphold and we must respect it. Besides..." He walked up next to me and put his arm around my shoulders. "I'm sure he'll be back before we know it and everything will be as it was. Right Shield-Brother?"

I couldn't help but smile at Farkas' kind heart. I looked up and nodded my head in agreement.

"Then, let it be!" Vilkas shouted. "Tonight we shall drink heartily and in the morning we will wake feeling like piss and see our brother off."

Everyone laughed and cheered. However, there was one person in the room who was not laughing or cheering. Aela, who was leaning against a pillar of the room. She just had a death-glare right at me and I knew that she wanted to probably slice my throat in my sleep. She then began to walk towards me and I shuttered as though freezing as she got closer.

When she was standing in front of me she just stared right into my eyes without blinking. The fire of anger burned from her eyes and right into my very soul. Then without warning, she punched me with all of her force and her Ancient Nord Gauntlet just caught my cheek as I fell and sliced just under my left eye.

Farkas began to help me up and when I watched Aela walk away I swore I heard her say, "Damned Imperial milk drinker."

I stood on my feet and the room grew quiet as Aela walked down the stairs to the living quarters. As the door closed behind her, everyone started to pick up the tone a bit. Tankards of mead began being passed around to everyone. Vilkas brought one for Farkas and I.

"I wouldn't worry about Aela." He said with a smile. "She'll come around eventually."

I grabbed the tankard from Vilkas and faked a smile back at him. Only I knew just how upset she was. She loved me. But she refused to speak of it after I gave up on the beast blood. I could still remember what happened that day.

(Almost two years ago)

(Tomb of Ysgramor)

The spirit of Kodlak's beast was slain. I then spoke to Kodlak.

"Kodlak, your beast spirit is defeated." I said with a smile

Kodlak looked at me with a sign of relief as he began to speak, "And thus cleansed my soul from the clutches of Hircine. I can now pass on to the land of Sovngarde."

Aela and I stood there and held hands as he told us that I should lead the Companions as it's Harbinger. When his spirit finally faded, I turned to the brazier that was used to burn the Glenmoril Witches' heads to release the beast spirit from those that want to be purified. I had kept all the heads for the trip. Just enough to clear Kodlak's spirit and possibly every member of the Circle who had the beast blood within them.

As I took out the next head to purify myself, Aela grabbed my arm.

"What are you doing?" She asked in shock.

I looked into her eyes and seen that she was hurt by my choice.

I took my hand and placed it on her cheek and said, "I'm doing what I think is right. I must release myself and anyone who wishes to join me of this curse."

Her eyes began to tear up. She placed her hand over mine.

"It's not a curse, it's a gift." She said with a sadness in her voice that I have never heard before. Even when Skjor died.

"I'm sorry." I replied. "But I have to do this. It's for the best."

She then backed away with tears rolling down her cheeks. She looked as though she was about to say something but instead turned and ran out of the room. I took the witch's head and threw it into the fire and prepared myself for the fight that would remove the werewolf within me.