IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: Has anyone seen the new Dragonborn DLC? I'm going to write a new adventure for Jon, Ralof and Odahviing when its release draws near, set before Season's End. Tell me your thoughts on that!

The thanks to you guys without accounts. (This time, it doesn't count you Foacir.) To Blade Agent99, thanks for the review! I'm really pleased you liked Selina! I've always been a little unsure about using the Dark Brotherhood, but this time they have a very important purpose. The Daedra thing came from some lore I think, but who knows really. Talos is the head of the Nordic Pantheon, but that is a weird branch from the main, 'proper' pantheon with Akatosh and the gang. The Imperial one, from Oblivion. Nope, the Daedra are just a race of mer with the Princes being very powerful ones, but not gods. Not at all, hence why Akatosh could kill Dagon in Oblivion, for example. The Mythic Dawn are nuts (sorry). They are fanatic in truth. To DragonXander, thanks for the review! Wow, not sure if you catching it in time is good or not. Don't worry, I'll write more on her. I didn't realise that (like Alsfur it would seem), she would be so popular. Vote her in the poll if you want. Vile's motives are not entirely clear, but then he is a Daedric God. Think of it this way; the High Elves see the Princes as Gods. So, Vile could actually be hailed as a 'real' god, as opposed to the restricted worship he has now. Nope, I haven't read any of James books. That said, I do understand the whole laugh at mistakes (though normally I'm screaming at the screen to keep to the book.) Hunger Games movie did it very well though. Almost exactly the same. And Haymitch was just as badass. To Delphine hater, thanks for the review! Or should I call you Samer? Okay, sure. I'm really glad you liked all of it, and how the High Elf system of Government worked. That's cool. Also, I am glad the Dark Brotherhood thing paid off. Thanks everyone.

Okay, I didn't want to do another split chapter, but it made this one longer and Alsfur's bit wasn't all that long anyway. So, here you go. Out much quicker.

Please review! I forgot to mention, but we're actually getting near 200! (Kind of).

Carl Ralof Wood

Carl Ralof Wood walked down the steps to the throne room of the Palace of Kings. They were preparing to leave for Whiterun, Jon, himself and about thirty guardsmen. Alsfur was there, with steel at his side, as was Lady Ysold. Ralof remembered when he was fighting Jon's firstborn with a wooden sword. It felt strange to have seen him grow up, as if Ralof was a Stormcloak himself. He felt blessed to have been allowed such a huge influence on his growth.
Ralof turned his thoughts to Jon's second son, who wasn't here. Just as he thought that, the boy bounded down the steps. He was tall, too tall for his age, and well built. He had far more of Ulfric in him than Jon, or Lady Ysold, something that brought up too many unpleasant memories for Ralof. Flashes of the Civil War came back to him, but the Carl was practiced at shoving the thoughts deep down by now, so it didn't bother him anymore.
In truth Ulfgar was more like Jon than Alsfur. He was sober and quiet, but even at ten, he had shown a great interest in the feudal system and justice. He was forever watching Jon's audiences, when Lady Ysold didn't take him away. But he had a violent temper when warranted, and he didn't have the charisma of his brother. He was the joker card of the family without a doubt.
Ralof left Lady Ysold and Jon alone as they said their goodbyes, instead turning to grasp Alsfur's arm.
'Stay safe, Alsfur. Keep your sword sharp and trust no one.'
'Not even the women?' He joked.
'Especially not the women! Look after the guards in my absence. If I see any missing, I'll string you up by your feet.'
'Not now you won't.'
Ralof looked up at him. No, I won't, he thought. Alsfur topped him by a good several inches.
'Watch my father, Ralof.'
The Carl looked over at him quickly. Jon bore the marks of the last attack, even now. His face was slightly drawn, but he was no longer stooped. That said, his movements were still heavy. The last attack had been a particularly bad one, yet he was insistent on making the journey now. Talos be with us.
Ralof Wood looked around to greet Ulfgar, who was approaching. Ralof ruffled his hair. 'I'll teach you your sword when I get back.'
'You better get back quickly or Alsfur is going to have to teach me, and he's rubbish.'
'He's not that bad.' Ulfgar looked unsure. 'Look, I promise you I'll teach you when I return.'
'Promise?'
'You have my word. Now go and say goodbye.' The Housecarl pushed Ulfgar off to say goodbye, watching them fondly before he managed to snap himself out of it. Before I know it, I'll have turned into a woman.
He quickly strode off to find the guards that would be accompanying Jon on his journey to Whiterun. They would also stay there while the business was being taken care of, so naturally Ralof had picked some of the best men available to him. He knew that once Jon was in Whiterun, he would be isolated and alone. He needed reliable men around him. That said, the Housecarl also knew that Jon would never forgive him if he didn't post some good men around his family. In terms of Skyrim politics, he was right, as his heir was left in Windhelm and he needed to be protected, so Ralof had left the very best men with them, Nords of strong will and loyal hearts. They would be safe under their guard.
The Nords chosen for the escort were in the courtyard outside the main building. In truth, the Palace of Kings was no palace. It was a fortress. Huge, thick walls covered a square compound. On Ralof's left was the blacksmith's quarters, the castle blacksmith, not the public one. It was built into the west wing of the palace and also there was the fletchers. On the other side was a stable and near that the heavy oak door that led to the barracks and prison. The armoury was situated in the stone site of the blacksmiths quarters so no escaped prisoners could get their hands on any weapons through chance opportunity. The walls themselves were fortified with crenellations and regularly placed barrels that would be filled with oil during war times. The entrance itself was huge, not as big as the main gate to the city itself, which was already heavily fortified, but the huge doors, made of solid silver with springy wood on the inside to absorb the most impact, which altogether made a formidable defence.

Ralof drew his attention from the walls to look around for the Jarl's escort. He found them by their horses, outfitted in the black surcoat of Windhelm with mail and metal pauldrons, along with a variety of well crafted, shining steel weapons. They were all tough men, scarred and ready to die for the Jarl. They were not lazy, or incompetent; only the best served Jon personally.

As he approached the Captain raised his hand in greeting. Ralof smiled and grabbed his arm. 'Are the men ready?'

'We're awaiting the Jarl's word.'

'Good. Send a man to raise the Stone Guard. They should be ready for Carl Alsfur's command.'

'They are, Housecarl.'

Ralof was pleasantly surprised. 'Good.' He didn't know what else to say, so instead he turned away back to the palace. When he entered, things were moving along. Alsfur was standing next to Jon, and Lady Ysold was watching them, holding Ulfgar's hand. Even Ralof felt proud as he watched Alsfur stand next to Jon, tall and fierce, with his silver blue eyes and dark hair. He noticed that Lady Ysold was crying gently, but he stopped himself from intervening; it wasn't his place. Luckily Jon wasn't oblivious. He strode back to her and took his wife in his arms. Ulfgar moved away to his brother, but Lady Ysold sent Jon off quickly, and Alsfur only gave Ulfgar a quick hug, then watched his father kiss his youngest son, before sweeping from the room.

The day was clear as they mounted their horses and Jon led the large force out of the city, which now included the men of the Stone Guard, some two hundred men-at-arms. The people of the city watched them as they left, calling out names of various carls among Jon's retinue or wishing the Jarl luck. Ralof noticed a large group of young girls stare out at Alsfur. It seemed the young women of Windhelm would be mourning his loss, and he smiled. It was weird to be unheralded, yet among giants. In a way he missed Hadvar, his oldest friend, but he was down in Cyrodiil; last he heard, he was a officer in the Legions. He hadn't seen him in years, and he suppressed a rueful smile. With grumpy Jon next to him, the chances of a good conversation looked pretty slim. But then Alsfur was next to Jon, so it wasn't impossible. Thank Talos the boy had taken on some of his mother's traits. One Jon was enough, but Ralof didn't think he could handle two. But then the Jarl turned to him, ready for conversation. It's going to be a long trip, he sighed, smiling.

Carl Alsfur Stormcloak

They were five miles from Windhelm when Father stopped him. Ralof looked at him questioningly, but he waved on the Carl. He turned away reluctantly, signalling the large party to do the same, dividing the Stone Guards from the escort. Father turned to Alsfur, his expression heavy. He hasn't properly recovered from the last attack. He felt a burst of anxiety for his father. He noticed his son's expression though, and his face turned to iron. Alsfur knew that look; he wanted no pity.

Father looked back at his guardsmen before turning to his son, steadying his horse gently. He looked awkward.

'What is it, Father?' Alsfur asked.

He looked down, as if he was struggling with something immense, before meeting his son's eyes. 'Your actions at Amol will determine what kind of Jarl you will make.' Alsfur felt a dark mood settle over them. 'I for one, think you will make a good Jarl,' he continued uncomfortably. Alsfur let him continue wordlessly. Father looked hard again at Alsfur again, studying him very carefully, his eyes piercing into him before reaching into his saddlebags. A rush of anticipation surged through Alsfur, before he caught sight of what Father was reaching for; it was Kodaav, the ancestral blade of Clan Stormcloak.

It was made of shimmering, old skyforge steel, forged in the first era. He looked on numbly in shock as the black sheath was drawn out of Father's saddlebags. Only the Jarl ever carried Kodaav… Jarl Jon Stormcloak turned to his son, his expression fierce, yet tender, and presented him the hilt of the sword. Alsfur took it gingerly, careful not to drop it, yet every fibre of his body shrieked his disapproval.

'I can't take this,' the younger Stormcloak managed to choke out, drawing back his hand.

'But you can, and will, Alsfur.'

The son was ready to argue but then a spasm of pain shot through his father's face, and he let out a small cry, his face bunching tightly. His hands were white as he gripped the sword. Alarm shot through Alsfur; it could be another attack!

He reached out his hand, unsure. 'Are you alright, Father?'

Anger filled his face. 'I'm fine!' he snapped and Alsfur flinched. Real pain covered Father's face as he realised what he had just done. His figure crumpled slightly and his eyes took on a pleading look. 'I'm sorry. It isn't your fault.'

'No,' his son replied tightly; 'it's the gods.'

His father let out a bark of laughter. 'The people's, more like. I hate their ignorance.'

'Then why not tell them?' he probed gently.

His Father looked at him seriously. 'Here's another life lesson, Alsfur. You are a hero while you look like one, but as soon as that's gone; what are you really expecting to find?'

'But they owe you a debt!'

'And the best ones are never paid. I have been rewarded anyway, by the gods. I have two strong sons, a beautiful wife, power, money and position. The gods have been kind, in their own way. But don't thank them, Alsfur; never thank them.'

He moved his horse closer. 'Make me proud, son,' he said quietly, before passing Kodaav to him and riding off back to the escort. The army of Stone Guards was waiting for Alsfur on the opposite hill, and he headed towards them, his mind reeling from his conversation with his father, Kodaav heavy in his hand.

Believe it or not, I spent ages wrestling with myself to give Alsfur Kodaav. It's actually a pretty big thing, if for nothing else but Jon doesn't have it anymore. Anyway, review please!