Tooth and Claw: Chapter 3

Chapter 3: The Raising Fighting Spirit

4E: 176 – West of Lake Ilinalta, Falkreath Hold

The elk grazed nearby, Ivar spotting it from afar. He shushed the child beside him, earning a nod. He smiled at her as she readied her bow, little fingers fumbling to get an arrow out from her specially made quiver.

"Easy now, cub. Take it nice and slowly. Crouch down and watch your step moving forward. We don't want to alert the creature of our presence" he instructed. He got into position, the girl mimicking his stance as they crept closer to the grazing elk.

Once they got close enough, he signaled for her to notch her bow. Wetting his finger, he held it up to feel the breeze. "Aim to the left, cub."

Aela gave her father a confused look. Ivar winked at her and she nodded. Little hands pulled the bow string taught, aiming slightly to the left. She let the arrow fly and watched as it hit a branch, just before the elk.

Ivar got up, brushing his pants as Aela watched the elk run. His wife's eyes stared back at him, hardened with resolve. "One more try, papa. Please," his daughter pleaded, already reaching into her quiver.

He laughed, patting the girl on the shoulder. "No, cub, we shall try again at dawn break" he said, earning a frown.

"But, it's not even dusk yet!" Aela protested, looking at the direction the elk went. "We can still catch it."

"Aela, what is the first rule of hunting?"

The girl looked down, defeated. "Respect the animals for they provide us with what we need to survive," she replied, placing her bow on her back. Ivar smiled, ruffling the girl's already messy hair before walking towards their horses.

"Besides, cub, we're supposed to go to Whiterun today for the Solstice" he reminded her. He lifted her up on the horse, handing her the twin bags of game they had caught before pulling himself up on his own horse.

"Do you think the twins would behave this time?" the girl asked, not really paying attention as they rode down the path.

"What do you think?" Ivar responded, earning a smile from his growing daughter.

--+--

The ride to Whiterun was long, though they made up good time close to Fort Greymoor. Aela ran once they entered the gates, bow hitting the girl's heel as she went. Ivar shook his head as he dropped off the fresh game at the Bannered Mare, earning him some gold before joining his family at the steps of Jorrvaskr.

Katja sat at the steps, laughing heartily as Aela took on both of Jergen's twin boys. "Quiet a fighter, isn't she?" He heard Kodlak say, handing his wife a tankard of mead.
"She's strong for her age. Small but strong, not to mention incredibly fast," Ivar said bowing at the older Nord before joining his wife at the steps. "She caught a rabbit with her bare hands just last week."

"Did she now?" Kodlak said as he watched the children play fight. Aela dodged as Farkas lunged at her, hitting his own brother in the process. Thorald Grey-Mane leered as the girl laughed at her playmates, hitting Avulstein in the stomach before running away. Little Olfina giggled as her brothers chased the other girl, Jergen's boys following suit.

"She'll make an excellent Companion someday," the older Nord said, leaving the proud parents to watch their daughter.

"That, she will" Katja beamed proudly, Aela smiling at her as she ran past them. "She will be."