29th of Rain's Hand
Alduin's been defeated, Hunter (Odahviing) is my Call Dragon, I spoke to Daddy in Sovngarde, and I'm the Champion of Sheogorath, Daedric Prince of Madness.

Yes… a lot has happened.

The dragon terrors are over now, and I can somewhat breathe. I had to enter Sovngarde to defeat Alduin. In Shor's Hall… Daddy was there. I forgot that Nord heroes go to Sovngarde. It was a memorable moment, but I'm going to miss him so much. This time, a lot more.

Odahviing, 'Snow Hunter Wing'. He helped me with the location of Alduin. Now, he's my 'Call Dragon': I just Shout for him and he'll come for me. A cheeky dragon, that one! He calls me 'brit bron', which means 'beautiful Nord'.

Sheogorath, Daedric Prince of Madness. I did not expect this. First Molag Bal, now him. Sheogorath isn't all THAT bad, although he seems to adore my cheeks. A LOT. He's a gentleman, I guess, now that he's not going to tear out my entrails and skip rope with them.

Right now, my main concern is the Imperials. I've finally joined the Stormcloaks. I retrieved the Jagged Crown for the Jarl. But I messed up my left arm. You know who was the most alarmed?

Jarl Ulfric.

He fixed my arm, Journal. I'm feeling better already. All I could think about last night was… him. How sincere he was. How concerned for me.

I wanted to speak to him about the Dunmer situation in the Grey Quarter. I couldn't find a good time. But I will.

Today, I'll be travelling to Whiterun to deliver Jarl Balgruuf his axe. It's time for him to pick a side. If he keeps the axe, he'll side with us. If he returns it, he's siding with the Empire. I hope all goes well.

You know, I almost forgot that I was the Thane of the city.


Location: Dragonsreach, Whiterun
30
th of Rain's Hand
11:13am

"I suppose it's time I give him an answer…"

"And he's requested that I do not leave until I get one." Kayleigh said, the axe resting in her hands as she stood in front of the Jarl of Whiterun.

"I see..." Jarl Balgruuf signaled for his steward, Proventus Avenicci, to take the axe from Kayleigh. "Will you excuse me, Dragonborn?"

She took a few steps back. "Take all the time you need, my Jarl. I'm not going anywhere." She patted Vigilance on his head.

"Thank you," He then looked at his steward . "Proventus, what do you make of all this? If Ulfric were to attack Whiterun…"

"As in all things, Lord, caution… I urge us to wait and see." He suggested in a trembling voice.

How long are you going to wait? Wait, wait, wait… nothing but wait… can't you suggest anything else?

"Prey waits…" Irileth said.

"I'm of a mind with Irileth," He nodded to his Housecarl. "It's time to act."

Oh, really?

"You plan to march on Windhelm?" Proventus asked.

"I'm not a fool, Proventus," Balgruuf narrowed his eyebrows, hearing such a question. "I mean it's time to challenge Ulfric to face me as a man, or march his Stormcloaks up to the gates."

"He'll do no such thing!" Proventus exclaimed. "A dagger in the back is all you could expect!"

"He was rather, straight forward with Torygg…" Irileth added.

"Torygg?" Proventus turned to the Dark Elf in disbelief. "He simply walked up to the boy and murdered him!"

Via the old Nord way! Don't you people know ANYTHING?

"That 'boy' was the High King of Skyrim." She corrected.

Balgruuf glanced at the both of them. "I'm not the High King, but neither am I a boy!"

Isn't it obvious?

"If Ulfric wants to challenge my rule in the old way, let him. Though… I suspect he'll prefer to send his 'Stormcloaks' to do it for him." He looked at Kayleigh.

Kayleigh held up both hands in truce. "I'm sorry, my Jarl, but I can't be the judge of that."

"He's already proven his personal strength," said Irileth. "Now he'll seek to prove his army's."

"Then might I urge you to consider General Tullius's request?" Proventus then spoke, obviously a little cynical. "I mean, if you are bent on offending Jarl Ulfric..."

"Ulfric is the one who's offended…" Irileth mumbled, as if she was saying the Stormcloak's name in disgust. "But, Proventus has a point: Ulfric had made it clear: in his mind, to refuse his claim is to side with the Empire."

Unfortunately…

"And what harm is there in letting a few legionnaires die in place of your own men?" Proventus added.

Whoa…

"It seems cowardly…" Balgruuf explained.

"Was it cowardly then to accept the White-Gold Concordat?" Irileth questioned.

Ouch!

Balgruff was baffled in hear that coming from his Housecarl. "This again? That was different! Was I given a chance to object to the terms? No! The Jarls weren't asked, we were told! And we had to like it!"

Of course, Jarl Ulfric didn't like it so…

"The chests of gold didn't hurt…" Proventus had to add the icing on the sweetroll.

Balgruuf was beyond angered that his integrity was being questioned. "Damn it! This isn't about gold!"

"It's time to decide." Irileth had enough of beating around the bush.

"Lord, wait," Proventus stopped them. "Let us see if Ulfric is serious."

"If I may," Kayleigh politely cut in. "This is as serious as it will ever get. If you want to act, you'll have to act now."

"And I will…" Balgruuf's features wrinkled as he got to his feet. He picked the axe out of his steward's hands and gazed at it. "About this axe, Dragonborn…" He handed it to her. "You can return it to the esteemed Jarl of Windhelm. He has my answer. Make sure he gets it."

Kayleigh accepted the axe. "As you command," Before she left, she decided to add one last thing. "I don't like this anymore than you do. After all, I am Thane of this city. But you've made your choice and I've made mine. I'd say we are no different," She bowed before him. "A good day to you, Jarl Balgruuf."

"And to you, Dragonborn."

"Sir." She nodded to Proventus and she received one in return.

As she headed down the steps, she pulled the hood of the hooded cloak forward and her ears picked up a new conversation between the Jarl and his steward. "Proventus! Bring me my pen. And the good parchment."

"Are we writing a letter, my Lord?"

"Yes. To General Tullius. I need to make a few things clear before I accept these Legionnaires of his…"


Location: Palace of the Kings, Windhelm
30
th of Rain's Hand
8:39pm

"Dragonborn," Ulfric greeted with a hint of a smile. "You're back."

"Yes, my Jarl," Kayleigh and Vigilance entered the war room where Ulfric and Galmar were seated. She pulled back her black hooded cloak to address them. "And I have your axe. Jarl Balgruuf asked me to return it to you."

Disappointment was all over the fair Jarl's face. He was clearly expecting a different reply. "Then I was wrong about him," He accepted his axe back and kept it on the table. "You were right, Galmar." He got up from his seat and walked over the map of Skyrim on the table.

"Again?" He joked, getting up from his own seat.

"I'm in no mood to joke..."

"Give the word, my Lord, and Whiterun will be yours," Galmar declared. "I've toured our camps. We're ready."

"Is any man ever ready to give the order that will mean the deaths of many?" Kayleigh could tell: Ulfric was having second thoughts about this. It was almost as if he did not want to do this.

"No," Galmar agreed. "But neither is every man able to give that order when he must. You are that man, Ulfric. You've been that man before and you'll be him again. And these men and women – they call themselves Stormcloaks because they believe in you!" He pointed at Kayleigh, using her as an example. "They are the meanest, toughest, sons of bitches Skyrim has to offer. And they want this!"

Whoa! NICE! A smile was forming on Kayleigh's lips.

"They want this as much as you do. Perhaps they want it more!"

Leave it to Galmar Stone-Fist to convince his Jarl, his old friend…

Ulfric looked up from the map, appearing unsettled. "You're certain we're ready? Whiterun's army might be bolstered with Legionnaires for all we know."

"Um," Kayleigh held up a finger and cut in politely. "If I may, my Jarl."

"Go ahead." He turned to her.

"As I left, I overheard the Jarl and his steward. They are taking in Legionnaires in their armies."

"Well… what a surprise," He said sarcastically and looked at Galmar. "Those walls are old, but they still stand, Galmar."

Galmar smirked. "We are ready for that. And I might be old myself, but I'll kick those damn walls down with my bare feet! If you would only ask me to do it!"

Ulfric chuckled, as did Kayleigh. "And I'm sure you could do it. Dragonborn. How do you feel about this?"

She was amazed that he wanted her opinions on everything. "Well, my Jarl," She tucked her dark auburn hair behind her ear. "This is… a little hard for me as he made me Thane of the city, but… being a Stormcloak is more important to me than being Thane. As much as I don't want to take the city by shedding blood, it seems we have little choice. Balgruuf has declared war. I don't think we should hesitate to give him one."

Ulfric smiled at her, pleased with her answer. "I've heard enough. Alright. Send the word, Galmar: 'On the 2nd of Second Seed, a new day will dawn and the sun will rise over Whiterun'."

Galmar was contented more than he will ever be. "And the sons and daughters of Skyrim will greet that down teeth and swords flashing!"

"So it begins…" He mumbled. "Head over to our camp in Whiterun then, Galmar. Get your men ready. The Dragonborn will join you soon."

"Aye." Obeying, he left.

"Is there something else you require of me, my Jarl?" She asked Ulfric.

"Yes, there is." He walked around the war table and up to her. "I require you to tell me how you're feeling today."

She giggled. "A lot better," She massaged that arm. "All thanks to you. Thank you for caring about me."

"I do care about you, Dragonborn." She made it seem that he had not cared about her before. "After all, you are the woman responsible for vanquishing a great evil from Skyrim. You're a Nord, and we have to look out for each other. If I don't care about you, then who else will?"

"Good point, my Jarl. That is most gracious of you," She thanked with all her heart. It was nice to know that someone out there was caring for her.

She was glad it was him.

"But… is that why you didn't arrest me for Daren's murder?" She instinctively asked. "Because you cared about me?"

He kept his small smile, but chose his words carefully. "You did not do anything wrong as far as I'm concerned. Besides, we needed you, Dragonborn. You can't be fighting Dragons from within a cell block, now can you?"

She grinned and nodded. "No, sir. I can't see that happening." So I see…

Damn it…


A/N: I hope you guys are enjoying these updates! :D Next, the Battle for Whiterun!

[I'm still so very sick :'(]

And I hope I'm going at a smooth pace for their romance to develop. This is harder than I thought because Ulfric is hard to write. I don't know what that man is thinking half the time when I play :/

Close to 30 chapters... I never thought it'd get this far! And I'm really overwhelmed by the support. I'm gonna cry!