I have not even started the quest about the love triangle between Camilla, Faendal, and Sven, but I got the option, "Follow me, I need your help." when talking to Faendal.

As a side note, I bought all my lumber for my house from Riverwood.

Is Sven alive? if a dragon or something killed him it might make Faendal available.

I don't know. I didn't check, but the fact that I still had the option to talk to Faendal about him and Sven liking Camilla would mean that the quest hadn't failed yet.

Interesting. Is Farendal any good as a follower? I never used him.