History TrueCompanions / Literature

* GarthNix's ''TheSeventhTower'': This describes the relationship between Tal and Milla pretty nicely. For most of the series, they do ''not'' like each other. At all. In fact, Milla's reaction to another character admitting he had attempted to kill Tal was "You should practice harder." Even at the end of the series the two couldn't really be called friends. But they trust each other, and know they can depend on each other in a crisis.

** The ''Animorphs'' series also gives us the Andalite term "shorm" -- meaning "tail blade" in the Andalite language, it is used to refer to a friend you trust enough to let them hold their tail blade against your throat. Ax and Tobias are like this even before [[spoiler:Tobias is revealed to be Elfangor's son--and thus Ax's nephew]].

* Katniss, Haymitch and Peeta in "''TheHungerGames" trilogy.

* In Creator/RobertAHeinlein's ''StrangerInAStrangeLand'', the main character (who was raised on Mars) thinks sharing water with someone means forming an eternal bond of love and trust. [[MarySue Because he's very special]], the first half dozen or so people he "shares water" with really do feel connected through him, so they quickly end up forming a close-knit group. After that, more and more people get invited to share water with the group, eventually forming the beginnings of a worldwide cult.

* ''GreatAltaSaga'': Jenna's band. Though it eventually develops into an army, for most of the book Jenna has few enough followers that she can afford to be very loyal to all of them. In general, all of the Hames were designed to be this way.

* In his alternate history novel ''TheYearsOfRiceAndSalt'', Kim Stanley Robinson uses the device of the karmic ''jati'', or a group of individuals who are reincarnated in close proximity to each other throughout successive lives, to maintain a link between his characters over the seven centuries of narrative. The same half-dozen souls reincarnate into each stage of the story, maintaining their individual personalities even as their names, genders, ethnic origins, social standings and species change.

* StephenKing created his own word for this: ''ka-tet'', which in the High Speech of ''TheDarkTower'' means a group bound together by fate. The perhaps "truest" depiction of true companions in King's world, and also the most tragic, has got to be the Losers Club from ''{{IT}}''.

* ''TheWheelOfTime'' has several examples. The Aes Sedai, the Aiel clans(particularly the Maidens Of The Spear), the first main group from the first book. Etc, etc, etc.

* [[KurtVonnegut Kurt Vonnegut's]] word for it (in ''CatsCradle'') was ''karass'', which carries an important additional connotation that they are together for some fated purpose. A karass is the group of people whose actions shape each other's destinies or who share destiny-shapers, with no regard for whether you've met them or are even aware of their existence. So, for example, if an airline pilot becomes suicidal and decides to take his passengers down with him, the man whose rejection of his advances led to that despair is part of their karass.

* TerryPratchett's ''{{Discworld}}'' series:

* ''{{The Lions of Al-Rassan}}'' deals with an unlikely crew made up of two [[CrystalDragonJesus Crystal Dragon Christians]], two Crystal Dragon Muslims, and two Crystal Dragon Jews. They repeatedly do things like ride hundreds of miles to protect the family of other true companions, or fight off members of their own ethnic group to protect their crew.

* The Flock in ''MaximumRide'' is composed of [[LegoGenetics six avian-human hybrids]] who are completely unrelated (except for Angel and the Gasman, who are brother and sister) but have formed their own sort of "family" because they have been living together practically since birth. However, [[spoiler:it's revealed in book 3 who Max's mother and father are, but she leaves them behind (with promises to visit frequently) because she and her Flock have to go [[SavingtheWorld save the world]].]] However, this makes [[LikeBrotherAndSister Max and Fang's relationship]] more than a little awkward. Max also states more than once in the books that the Flock are pretty much the only five people on the planet whom she trusts implicitly, and Fang seems to have his own even higher level of trustworthiness within that circle.

* In his alternate history novel ''TheYearsOfRiceAndSalt'', Kim Stanley Robinson uses the device of the karmic ''jati'', or a group of individuals who are reincarnated in close proximity to each other throughout successive lives, to maintain a link between his characters over the seven centuries of narrative. The same half-dozen souls reincarnate into each stage of the story, maintaining their individual personalities even as their names, genders, ethnic origins, social standings and even species change.

* ''TheDresdenFiles'': Harry has a talent of sorts for this; not only has he forged bonds with Murphy, Thomas and several other wizards, he's been true companion to (at least) three Knights of the Cross, the Archive, ''and'' a broad selection of pixies and other lesser Fay (who granted him the title of 'Za Lord'), complete with a loyal (and adorable) guard. Not to mention Mouse.

* ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings'': As mentioned above, the Fellowship of the Ring, including [[TheMentor Gandalf]], [[BashBrothers Gimli]] and [[HeterosexualLifePartners Legolas]], [[SupportingLeader Aragorn]], the {{Hobbits}} and [[TheLancer Boromir]]. Their bond is such that [[ElvesVersusDwarves Legolas and Gimli]] are able to overcome their FantasticRacism, and even after Boromir [[FaceHeelTurn betrays]] the Fellowship, they [[RedemptionEqualsDeath forgive him]] and give him a [[DueToTheDead warrior's funeral]]. They also find the strength to go on after [[MentorOccupationalHazard Gandalf's]] HeroicSacrifice due to ThePowerOfFriendship.

* [[KurtVonnegut Kurt Vonnegut's]] word for it (in ''[[CatsCradle Cat's Cradle]]'') was ''karass'', which carries an important additional connotation that they are together for some fated purpose. A karass is the group of people whose actions shape each other's destinies or who share destiny-shapers, with no regard for whether you've met them or are even aware of their existence. So, for example, if an airline pilot becomes suicidal and decides to take his passengers down with him, the man whose rejection of his advances led to that despair is part of their karass.
* Definitely applies to the direct associates of {{Gotrek and Felix}} (as well as the title pair themselves) in the ''Slayer'' series. The pair have gained and lost more than a few members of their ever-changing crew due to the grim, dangerous nature of the Warhammer world, but their enemies pay dearly for every one. Very dearly. Both of the eponymous characters have gone into unstoppable killing rages because of a lost friend, slayer or no. Though originally brought together by a binding oath to record Gotrek's mighty doom in battle to redeem himself of a past shame(The goal of all members of the [[DeathSeeker Slayer cult]],) It becomes obvious that Felix sticks around for more than just the Oath.

* ''Republic Commando'': The key concept in KarenTraviss' take on the [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy Mandalorians]] in her novels. This is lampshaded in the fact the Mandalorian language doesn't ''have'' separate words for "friend" and "family member," and has a proverb that translates to "Family is more than blood." At least two ''{{Knights of the Old Republic}}'' fanfics have [[TokenEvilTeammate Canderous]] "adopting" [[spoiler: Revan]] and the rest of the crew.

* In his alternate history novel ''{{The Years of Rice and Salt}}'', Kim Stanley Robinson uses the device of the karmic ''jati'', or a group of individuals who are reincarnated in close proximity to each other throughout successive lives, to maintain a link between his characters over the seven centuries of narrative. The same half-dozen souls reincarnate into each stage of the story, maintaining their individual personalities even as their names, genders, ethnic origins, social standings and even species change.

* The four protagonists of ''{{Circle of Magic}}'' and its sequels eventually begin to refer to themselves as siblings.

* In RobertAHeinlein's ''{{Stranger in a Strange Land}}'', the main character (who was raised on Mars) thinks sharing water with someone means forming an eternal bond of love and trust. [[MarySue Because he's very special]], the first half dozen or so people he "shares water" with really do feel connected through him, so they quickly end up forming a close-knit group. After that, more and more people get invited to share water with the group, eventually forming the beginnings of a worldwide cult.

** Similar to the above, the witches, especially Nanny, Granny, and Magrat/Tiffany/Agnes. Getting witches together is like trying to herd cats, but they visit each other regularly to make sure they're all sane, and will band together if the threat is great enough.

* The [[FiveManBand five core characters]] of the ''{{ColSec Trilogy}}''. [[spoiler:By the end of the second book, [[TeamDad Bren Lathan]] is well on his way to becoming a {{sixth|Ranger}} true companion.]]

--> ''.."The Nautilus suffered a collision that cracked one of the engine levers, and it struck this man. My chief officer was standing beside him. This man leaped forward to intercept the blow. A brother lays down his life for his brother, a friend for his friend, what could be simpler? That's the law for everyone on board the Nautilus''.

* OlderThanFeudalism: ''Literature/TheBible'' has many examples of true companions scattered throughout (BashBrothers David and Johnathan get the most screen time in the Samuels and probably Kings). The more-recent New Testament refers to Jesus as a "Friend that sticks closer than a brother" which, given that in those days relatives were true companions by default, is pretty darn close indeed.

* The [[FiveManBand five core characters]] of the ''{{ColSec Trilogy}}''. [[spoiler:[[TeamDad Bren Lathan]] is arguably a {{sixth|Ranger}} true companion after the end of the second book.]]

* ''TheThreeMusketeers'': "One for All, and All for One." They also provide the main page image.

* ''Literature/LordOfTheFlies'' offers a ''[[HighOctaneNightmareFuel very brutal]]'' aversion.

* ''HarryPotter'':

* As mentioned above, the [[TheLordOfTheRings Fellowship of the Ring]], including [[TheMentor Gandalf]], [[BashBrothers Gimli]] and [[HeterosexualLifePartners Legolas]], [[SupportingLeader Aragorn]], the {{Hobbits}} and [[TheLancer Boromir]]. Their bond is such that [[ElvesVersusDwarves Legolas and Gimli]] are able to overcome their FantasticRacism, and even after Boromir [[FaceHeelTurn betrays]] the Fellowship, they [[RedemptionEqualsDeath forgive him]] and give him a [[DueToTheDead warrior's funeral]]. They also find the strength to go on after [[MentorOccupationalHazard Gandalf's]] HeroicSacrifice due to ThePowerOfFriendship.

* ''LordOfTheFlies'' offers a ''[[HighOctaneNightmareFuel very brutal]]'' aversion.

* TwentyThousandLeaguesUnderTheSea: Captain Nemo claims (and the few interactions Aronnax had with the Nautilus crew never shows us any different) that this is the relationship between the crew:

* Henry Wadsworth Longfellow gives us this example:
--> "Two good friends had [[SongOfHiawatha Hiawatha]],

* Will, Halt, Horace, Gilan, Evanlyn, and Alyss from RangersApprentice. Oh, and their horses.

* Will, Halt, Horace, Gilan, Evanlyn, and Alyss from RangersApprentice.

* Halt, Will, Horace, Gilan, Evanlyn, and Alyss from RangersApprentice.

* 'The Floating Outfit' in the novels of JTEdson.

** Arguably. the wizards of the Unseen University: They may not like each other, especially at meal times when they're fighting for the last goose, but ever since Ridcully put a stop to the [[KlingonPromotion old way of doing things,]] they've made it very clear that only wizards are allowed to disrespect wizards.

* ''TheThreeMusketeers'': The Musketter; "One for All, and All for One." They also provide the main page image.

* Onyesonwu, Luyu, Diti, and Binta become TrueCompanions in ''Literature/WhoFearsDeath'' thanks to all undergoing the Eleventh Year Rite together. Later on, they, along with Mwita and Diti's husband Fanasi decide to accompany Onyesonwu on her quest West.

* ''Sisterhood'' series by FernMichaels: At the beginning, we have Nikki Quinn, Kathryn Lucas, Julia Webster, Myra Rutledge, Charles Martin, Alexis Thorne, and Yoko Akia. Then Julia dies, and Countess Anne "Annie" Ryland de Silva takes her place. Lizzie Fox and Maggie Spritzer become part of it. Then a group consisting of Jack Emery, Harry Wong, Bert Navarro, Ted Robinson, and Joe Espinosa eventually gets formed. Yes, it gets a little complicated after awhile.

* ''TheThreeMusketeers'': The Musketter; "One for All, and All for One."

* As mentioned above, the [[TheLordOfTheRings Fellowship of the Ring]], including [[TheMentor Gandalf]], [[BashBrothers Gimli]] and [[HeterosexualLifePartners Legolas]], [[TheAragorn Aragorn]], the {{Hobbits}} and [[TheLancer Boromir]]. Their bond is such that [[ElvesVersusDwarves Legolas and Gimli]] are able to overcome their FantasticRacism, and even after Boromir [[FaceHeelTurn betrays]] the Fellowship, they [[RedemptionEqualsDeath forgive him]] and give him a [[DueToTheDead warrior's funeral]]. They also find the strength to go on after [[MentorOccupationalHazard Gandalf's]] HeroicSacrifice due to ThePowerOfFriendship.

** Surprisingly enough the wizards of Unseen University are a bit like this too, once they finish arguing. This most likely has something to do with Ridcully overcomming the system of constant assassinations for the top. The wizards started to settle in on their possitions and instead of killing each started to argue, become relaxter, softer and begann to form groups in order to argue with other groups.