Sorry for the delay! Again! Work has been absolute hell and with a virus taking out programs and shutting down network connections; it doesn't leave me much down time to sneak in a few paragraphs! Ugh! Cannot wait for my new job to start (in May!). Now we are getting back into some questline material from Skyrim, and I know that it doesn't actually follow the quest order but, let's be honest, did you really want me to stick to the correct order of quests? Or cut out a few things so that we can see what develops between Neri and Kharjo? As soon as this gets posted I will be working on the next chapter. I hope that it doesn't take me 5 days for the next one. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 21

He watched over her sleeping form, occasionally checking the sun to judge the time. Kharjo reflected on the previous day, how quickly it had changed from a, more or less, relaxing day to one of fear. He had almost lost her.

He had made a stupid mistake and lost his footing in the heat of battle. True, he wasn't used to fighting on that kind of terrain, a side of a mountain that was completely iced over, but that was no excuse. He put himself and especially her in danger. It should have been me on that platform. She could have finished the dragon off easily if I hadn't made a bad situation worse.

Kharjo readjusted himself on the freezing stone that he sat upon. With their ride having returned to Solitude or possibly Whiterun, they were on their own to travel the rest of the way to the stone city in the mountains. After the battle, they decided to rest the night on a stony outcrop once it became dark. Of course, they probably could have completed their journey that evening, but at least this way, if they came across opposition, they would be ready for it.

As he continued to fidget, he grew still as he brushed against Neri's back. She stirred slightly but only scooted closer to him. Kharjo could tell that she was cold, these chilly Skyrim nights (and days) were not meant for anyone.

Although it wasn't much, Neri could feel herself get a little warmer. She was still in that gentle transition of sleep and wakefulness, still unsure if it was a dream or reality. She desperately wanted to roll over and beg him to lie with her; join his warmth with hers, but she didn't. The possibility of this being reality was too harsh and would only further her embarrassment of that unforgotten night. Instead, she decided to try to wake herself up by reliving the battle that happened the previous day.

It was a close call yesterday. Normally, if someone was fighting at her side and made a mistake, she would yell at them for their error and send them away; she wouldn't have put herself in danger for the sake of the other person either. But this was Kharjo. He was in danger, and she felt obligated to save him. And the fact that she hadn't mentioned anything about the incident, or even silently blamed him still swam through her head. It's because you love him, you idiot. If it were anyone else you would have gutted them yourself or kicked them off the cliff for putting you in danger. He is different. Face it, you love him.

It was true. She did love him. But she had been trying to tell herself "no" because she couldn't have a place in his life after their mission.

Pushing her thoughts aside, she began to rise, cautiously moving away from Kharjo's form that was so close to her own.

"Morning," he said while inching away from her, trying not to be awkward about their closeness.

"Morning. Nothing happened I assume?"

"All is well. Not even a fox roamed by."

"Ah, but it is the rabbits you have to look out for," she grinned at him.

He smirked at her bad joke and hung his head.

She stretched her arms and flexed her back at an unnatural angle, "We should get moving again. Solitude isn't far."

Kharjo waved her away as he started to tuck away the bedroll. "Do you think we will have a warm welcome like Windhelm?" he smiled.

She gave a small shrug while strapping on her weapons, "Probably not to the same caliber as good ol' Ulfric. It is hard to say how they will react."

"Dovahkiin, Jarl Balgruuf of Whiterun sent word that you might be arriving. Jarl Elisif already sent her response," a guard greeted them at the base of a low hill.

"I received her message while I was in Whiterun. Is it possible to speak with Jarl Elisif today?"

"Yes. She has left a space on her docket every day for you," he said flatly. "I am to escort you," the guard gave a quick glance to Kharjo, his eyes roaming over him and lingering on his weapons, "and whoever follows you, into Solitude."

"And I am to report immediately to the jarl?" Neri questioned and crossed her arms over her chest. She didn't like the way he had eyed Kharjo, and she didn't want to feel pushed around like she had at Windhelm; being summoned was not something she was keen on.

"If you wish. But if you would like to take care of other business, you may do that."

Kharjo looked down at Neri who turned her sight on him as well. Without saying a word, he nodded and turned his attention back to the guard.

"Lead the way to the jarl then."

The guard gave a slight bow and turned on his heel. Kharjo began to instep but behind Neri but she quickly corrected him, tugging on his arm so he was adjacent with her. He looked down at her with a warm smile but she didn't look his way. Even with all of the awkwardness between them, this amazing woman continued to keep him at her side rather than push him away or degrade his status into something small.

Guards were stationed at the gate, guarding the high doors that held the secrets of this mountain city in such a cold and harsh place. They glanced at the pair of Khajiits but didn't question further as the guard that led them pushed the doors open.

Kharjo did what had become his ritual and took in the city around him. The city was dominated by tall, strong, stone structures with wooden support beams. He thought that the dark stone would have made the city seem dreary and lifeless, but it was a beautiful day and the sun shone brightly on the buildings and caused the lighter stones of the walkway to shine. The rigidity of the city's rocks were softened by the occasional outcropping of grass, trees and flowers that lined the streets, grew next to buildings and some even cropped up in the middle of the street but gave the look that they were meant to be there.

They turned down a long street and it soon became obvious that they were in a more residential area. Families hung back and made way for them, eyeing the odd trio. Kharjo quickly took in their looks, trying to figure out what they were thinking. Fear? No, it wasn't that. Curiousity? Intrigue? Perhaps.

Moving up a short hill, they passed under an archway into the courtyard of the Blue Palace. The walls towered over them, boxing them in. The guards stood vigilante at the pillars, keeping the newcomers in their sights.

Inside, the palace opened up into a wide foyer with intricate designs along the columns and panels. Earthy tones in the décor pulled in the wooden furniture and the moss that hung from the walls. There was no second level in the entryway, just a high ceiling, but ahead, they could see the dual staircase that lead to the voices echoing from above. More plants decorated the hall, softening the hard surfaces around them.

The level above showed a small meeting area where several individuals had congregated. It was obvious that this was not where larger, more formal meetings would take place, but it was an intimate and comforting setting. The sun beamed down from a high window, casting a soft, white light on the petite figure sitting on the throne. The individuals of the court eyed the pair but gave no signs of suspicion. Turning her head to face the newcomers of the room, the woman gave a small smile and a gentle wave of her hand to silence the gruff-looking warrior who spoke from her side.

Even if she doesn't listen to us and give Khajiit a chance, her name certainly does portray her appearance and actions, Kharjo thought. Out of the few jarls he had met, he noticed that she was the first that didn't slouch in her chair but sat with the upmost regality.

"Dovahkiin Neri," she said sweetly; her voice lacking the callousness that so many other Nords spoke with. She turned her attention to Kharjo and gave a soft smile, "And greetings to you, Khajiit." Though she said his race, there was no trace of judgment in her voice. "Thank you for seeing me so soon. I received word of your possible request from Jarl Balgruuf. How fare you in your travels?"

Kharjo watched her as she spoke, her soft voice floated through the room, beckoning those who were near to listen. A soft smile played on her lips but it failed to reach her eyes which seemed to hide a certain sadness.

"This is Kharjo. He guarded Ahkari's caravan that traveled between Riften and Dawnstar. The journey has been an interesting one so far, but I believe it is far from over. I understand that Jarl Balgruuf has informed you of what I would be looking for, but I would like to speak for my own people, and so would Kharjo."

Kharjo watched as the jarl waved her hand indicating Neri to continue. He studied the individuals of her court but all seemed to be listening to Neri's case, holding their judgment in reserve. He stayed silent for most of the conversation, trying not to let the hope rise within him too soon. Just as he was about to let his attention falter, he noticed the warrior closest to Neri roam his eyes over her, his sight lingering on the crown attached to her belt.

"You make a strong case, dragonborn," Elisif said. "I for one have no qualm with allowing Khajiit into cities. I feel that every individual is just as prone as the next to thievery or acts of misconduct. However," she ran a finger along the wood grains of the arm of the throne and gave a gentle smile, "you will not receive the same favor with every hold."

"We are aware of that."

"I can help you with the other holds."

Here it comes, Neri thought.

"We could use your expertise on the battlefront," when the Khajiits stood motionless, Elisif continued, "I will not deny it. I have been hoping that you would join us in the fight to stop this rebellion and bring Ulfric to justice. If you join us in this war, I swear on my life that I will grant Khajiit admittance to all cities in Skyrim. I cannot promise how others will accept your people, but I can at least give you that first step." She stood confidently, holding her hands serenely laced in front of her hips. Taking a few steps forward, she ignored the sudden stillness of the room as everyone of her court held their breaths. Descending the stairs, she held out a hand to Neri but not in the dainty formality that was of royalty, but in the Nordic, rougher way of showing respect, ready to clasp Neri's wrist.

The female Khajiit stared at the woman's small hand for a fraction of a second before closing the distance while reaching for her armor. She could feel the eyes of everyone in the room holding steady on her. Slowly, she removed her gauntlet and glove to clasp the wrist of the jarl before her. Elisif gave Neri a warm smile and tightened her grip on the fur under her fingers.

"I will help you in your effort to quell the rebellion. But if the holds still refuse, I will hold you to your oath."

"I wouldn't expect anything less," she smiled as Neri released her arm. Elisif gracefully moved back to her chair and addressed Neri again, "General Tullius would like to speak with you about some developments on the battlefront. You can find him in Castle Dour, would you like an escort?"

"No, thank you, Jarl. We can find our way. Thank you for your time," Neri gave a slight bow. Sensing Kharjo was following her actions, she turned on her heel and headed out of the palace.

Once they had made their way outside, Kharjo wasn't paying attention to the city anymore; his attention was on the female at his side. Her steps seemed a little lighter but her face didn't betray her emotions. "That went better than expected," he said tentatively.

"Yes," she said simply.

He waited a few paces, "You don't think so?"

"I… believe her. But I don't exactly have any other choice right now. I don't like having my back to a wall. After this war is over, we will see what she says. And if she doesn't keep up her bargain… it looks like I will be on the run from the Imperial Army and Skyrim would be losing another member of royalty."

They walked in silence. Everything hung on this war and yet nothing seemed certain anymore. Kharjo could feel the tension in his shoulders but he couldn't even begin to imagine what Neri was feeling. He desperately wanted to reach out to her, hold her close, comfort her, nuzzle her fur, and protect her from harm; but alas, he could not. She wants nothing to do with me. Why can't I get that through my thick skull?

Once they reached the castle, guards escorted them inside to meet General Tullius. Neri studied the Imperial general before her. He was an older man with gray hair and wrinkles along his face, but his muscles and form proved that he was a formidable force and a strong warrior. Tullius was leaning on the edge of the table that had a map of Skyrim with various flags marking important locations and troops. Across the table was a woman with heavy armor but she hung her head low.

Tullius continued on the thought he had been on without paying any attention to their newcomers, "I told you that I did not want this to turn into a waste of time! Not only did you spend that valuable time on this excursion but you lost men in the process for this wild goose chase!"

"With all due respect, sir, we did encounter Ulfric's men. They were searching for the crown too," she replied but continued to hold her head down.

"Yet you found nothing! Nothing! They had obviously cleared it out first, even if there had been something there."

"Sir, I do believe that there was something there. And it wasn't Ulfric's men who cleared it out. We were already stationed there by the time the Stormcloaks arrived. When we did search the ruins something had been through, and recently."

Taking a deep breath, Neri prepared herself for yet another risk. She cleared her throat and gave a small wave at to the Imperial soldiers before her, "That would be me."

"You?" General Tullius said, straightening himself and giving her a quizzical look. "Oh, you are the dragonborn."

"Yes, I am. And as I said, I was the one who cleared the ruins."

"But when?" the woman said, her composure changing from shame to shock. "My men had been camped there a few days prior and no one had been in before them!"

Neri gave a simple shrug, "I am an exceptional rogue."

The Nordic woman narrowed her eyes at the Khajiits and muttered under her breath, "More like thief."

Kharjo couldn't help snapping his attention to the woman and narrowed his eyes and ears, a low rumble trying to break its way out of his throat. Neri shifted her weight from one foot to the other and in the process nudged Kharjo's arm, helping to calm his mood.

"I believe that Jarl Elisif informed you that I might be joining your cause. I think this will help prove my ability and loyalty," Neri untied the crown and held it up in front of her.

"You found it!" Tullius said in disbelief. He took a few steps forward and reached out for it but waited for Neri to deposit it in his hands. "I guess you were right about its existence Legate Rikke. At least it is out of Ulfric's hand." After taking in the sights of the crown, he handed it off to a soldier behind him and turned back to Neri. "So, you are willing to join our cause, Dovahkiin?"

"Yes."

"And your follower?" he eyed Kharjo like any other man of his army, judging the warrior's strength.

"He is following me. Not the Empire."

"Very well. We will be converging on Fort Dunstad. We must take the stronghold from those Stormcloak bastards. Legate Rikke can give you more information as she will be joining the legionnaires. They depart tomorrow morning. So, be sure that you are ready."