History TrueCompanions / Literature

* A large part of Kaladin's story arc in the first book of ''Literature/TheStormlightArchive'' is turning around the circumstances he was thrown into, being assigned to a crew hauling a manual-labor-carried military bridge by hand, and expected to eventually die there like everyone else assigned to that duty, and turning his bridge crew into TrueCompanions. [[spoiler:It certainly pays off.]]

* In Creator/RobertAHeinlein's ''Literature/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.

*** However, it's implied that the Marauders began to fall apart prior to Peter's actions. When reunited in the third book, Sirius and Lupin discuss that Sirius believed Lupin was a traitor before he was imprisoned, and that Lupin truly believed Sirius was guilty of the Potters' murders. That combined with Peter's choices suggest some serious discord between the lot of them, though what caused the relationship's deterioration is never explored. One possibility is that it goes all the way back to [[spoiler: their fifth year when Sirius tricked Snape into seeing Lupin when he was transformed, which evidently caused a good amount of tension between the two of them as seen in memory scenes.]] [[WeWereYourTeam It may also be that James Potter was the glue that held the group together]] and that the other three were never especially close, which would have made their relationships difficult to maintain once James and Lily were forced to go into hiding. Another possibility is that it was a result of the atmosphere of mistrust Voldemort was intentionally sowing in the wizarding community, with no one knowing who they could trust or how far. Given that each of the Marauders was most likely doing work for the Order independently (or in James' case hiding), they would have had a much harder time to know and trust each other as well as they did while spending every day together at school.

*** However, it's implied that the Marauders began to fall apart prior to Peter's actions. When reunited in the third book, Sirius and Lupin discuss that Sirius believed Lupin was a traitor before he was imprisoned, and that Lupin truly believed Sirius was guilty of the Potters' murders. That combined with Peter's choices suggest some serious discord between the lot of them, though what caused the relationship's deterioration is never explored. One possibility is that it goes all the way back to [[spoiler: their fifth year when Sirius tricked Snape into seeing Lupin when he was transformed, which evidently caused a good amount of tension between the two of them as seen in memory scenes.]] [[WeWereYourTeam It may also be that James Potter was the glue that held the group together]] and that the other three were never especially close, which would have made their relationships difficult to maintain once James and Lily were forced to go into hiding.

* In Creator/AndreNorton's ''Literature/{{Catseye|1961}}'', Troy's ability to communicate with the enhanced animals leads to a true companions group of which he is the only human member.
* Norton was very fond of this trope, particularly in her ''Solar Queen'' series. Free Traders collectively regard themselves as true companions with respect to the larger trading corporations (although they freely and very roughly compete with one another). The crew of the titular ship forms a very tight bond amongst themselves throughout the stories.

* In Creator/AndreNorton's ''Literature/{{Catseye}}'', Troy's ability to communicate with the enhanced animals leads to a true companions group of which he is the only human member.

* A large part of Kaladin's story arc in the first book of ''Literature/TheStormlightArchive'' is turning around the circumstances he was thrown into, being assigned to a crew hauling a manual-labor-carried military bridge by hand, and expected to eventually die there like everyone else assigned to that duty, and turning his bridge crew into TrueCompanions. [spoiler:It certainly pays off.]

* ''Creator/SimonaAhrnstedt'' does this in her debut novel ''Literature/{{Overenskommelser}}'', where Beatrice has Sofia and Vivienne, and Seth has Johan and Jacques. The two [[BetaCouple beta couples]] Sofia/Johan and Vivienne/Jacques hardly interact though, except for in the epilogue, that only has been printed in the paperback version of the novel.

* The members of The Raven in James Barclay's ''Literature/Chronicles of the Raven'' and ''Legends of the Raven'' novels. They never actually swear anything beyond their normal BadassCreed, but they consider the Raven to be more than family[[spoiler:, in some cases abandoning their real families]]. And, together, if they're on their game, [[spoiler:however many of them there are]], no matter the odds, they will win[[spoiler:, or make a very good attempt]].

* The members of The Raven in James Barclay's ''Chronicles of the Raven'' and ''Legends of the Raven'' novels. They never actually swear anything beyond their normal BadassCreed, but they consider the Raven to be more than family[[spoiler:, in some cases abandoning their real families]]. And, together, if they're on their game, [[spoiler:however many of them there are]], no matter the odds, they will win[[spoiler:, or make a very good attempt]].

* The Rampion Crew in Literature/TheLunarChronicles. Comprised of Cinder, Thorne, Scarlet, Wolf, Cress, Iko, Jacin, and Winter.

* The crew of the [[CoolSpaceship Hermes]] in ''Literature/TheMartian'' qualifies. After leaving Mark Whatney behind on Mars, when they are [[spoiler: given the opportunity to save him at the risk of the entire crew dying as well as the cost of staying in space for an additional year, they all wholeheartedly agree.]] They also show just how effective an entire crew can be when operating together, as opposed to the single astronaut left on Mars.

* Creator/LloydAlexander's ''Literature/ChroniclesOfPrydain'': [[TheHero Taran]] and his companions — [[TheWisePrince Prince Gwydion]], [[WanderingMinstrel Fflewddur]], [[BigEater Gurgi]], [[DeadpanSnarker Doli]], and [[RebelliousPrincess Princess Eilonwy]]. They are even referred to in the narrative ''as'' "the companions."

* Literature/SherlockHolmes and Watson are each other's TrueCompanions.

* In the Creator/DavidDrake RCN series, Daniel Leary realizes that Adele Mundy, Hogg, and Tovera and himself have become an odd little family.

* The Clan in ''EarthsChildren''.

* A funny example of this in ''Literature/EndersGame'' and its sequels, specifically the "Shadow" books. Ender's "jeesh" become much closer then they are with the families they hardly remember, united under Ender's leadership. The only exception being ironically Ender himself who is cut off from the others, emotionally at first and later physically.

* Literature/InDeath series: Eve Dallas ends up getting this. It consists of her husband Roarke, her best friend Mavis, her father figure Feeney, her mother figure Dr. Mira, and her friend and partner Peabody at least. Roarke, on his part, has Summerset for a father figure, and the people listed for Eve.

* ''Literature/LordOfTheFlies'' offers an aversion.

* Kate, Reynie, Sticky, and Constance in ''Literature/TheMysteriousBenedictSociety'' trilogy.

* In the "Literature/Skulduggery Pleasant" series, there are the Dead Men, a group of combat-mages known for coming back from suicide missions and having a strong bond to each other, originally consisting of Skulduggery Pleasant, Ghastly Bespoke, Anton Shudder, Saracen Rue, Erskine Ravel, Dexter Vex, and Hopeless. Corrival Deuce was a honorary member of them, and also one of the few people they took orders from. They fought during the War against Mevolent, which lasted for a few hundred years until sometimes in the late 1860´s. Larrikin replaced Ravel while he was lost, and became permanent member after Hopeless died. After the war, they disbanded, but stayed friends. Skulduggery continued to work for the Sanktuary, as a detective now, not a soldier. Ghastly opened a tailor shop, and helped Skulduggery out when his fists were needed. Anton Shudder started a hotel for outlaws, renegades, and outcasts. Erskine Ravel became Corrival Deuce´s loyal assistant and political companion. Dexter Vex adventured around the world. It isn´t known what Saracen Rue did, and Larrikin died.

* In the "Literature/Skulduggery Pleasant" series, there are the Dead Men, a group of combat-mages known for coming back from suicide missions and having a strong bond to each other, originally consisting of Skulduggery Pleasant, Ghastly Bespoke, Anton Shudder, Saracen Rue, Erskine Ravel, Dexter Vex, and Hopeless. Corrival Deuce was a honorary member of them, and also one of the few people they took orders from. They fought during the War against Mevolent, which lasted for a few hundred years until sometimes in the late 1860´s. Larrikin replaced Ravel while he was lost, and became permanent member after Hopeless died. After the war, they disbanded, but stayed friends.
Skulduggery continued to work for the Sanktuary, as a detective now, not a soldier. Ghastly opened a tailor shop, and helped Skulduggery out when his fists were needed. Anton Shudder started a hotel for outlaws, renegades, and outcasts. Erskine Ravel became Corrival Deuce´s loyal assistant and political companion. Dexter Vex adventured around the world. It isn´t known what Saracen Rue did, and Larrikin died.