Author's Note: This was originally just a short one shot based on (guess) a prompt at the Skyrim Kink Meme but it has now evolved into something much, much bigger.

Spoilers - If you have not completed the two main quests (Civil War and the Dragons) and do not want to be spoiled, press the back button on your browser now. This story includes both and as well as a slew of side-quests.

Disclaimer: These characters do not belong to me. No infringement intended and no profit will be made from their use.

Otherwise, enjoy! And don't forget to leave a review!

Dragonsreach, Whiterun

It's often believed that the Jarls of Skyrim were the busiest people in the region. But educated men, men, like Proventus Avenicci, knew better. For behind every powerful man, there is someone who helps him remain in power. In the case of Jarl Balgruuf the Greater, it was Proventus who kept the city of Whiterun running. While Jarl dealt with keeping his hold secure, the city's day-to-day operations fell to his steward and for the most part the capital ran smooth.

But if everyone had their off days then for Proventus today was shaping up to be one of those days. In addition to be woken up late and having his wonderful breakfast stepped on by one of the Jarl's children (don't ask), he had to deal with complaints from both Battle-Borns and Gray-Manes and received news that yet another bandit brigade was attacking travelers on the road.

'I wonder if it's too early to start drinking.' He peered into the kitchen where one of the maids started preparing food. 'If they're now just starting then it must be noon.'

He marched back to the rather empty throne room. Jarl Balgruuf and Irileth were in the War Room talking about Riverwood's defenses, his children were in their rooms and the maids who normally tended to the area were tidying the other rooms. It was just the Imperial and the two guards.

But the brief quiet moment could not bolster his mood.

'I told Caius noon,' he grumbled. 'If I wanted to waste time I'd go buy something from that loudmouth Belethor.' He wasn't surprised that even the simplest task would come with headaches. A few days ago the Jarl had declared that Whiterun had a new Thane. They had called her 'Dragonborn,' a term all but lost on the Imperial adviser but if his Jarl said she was to be Thane, so be it. And every Thane needed a housecarl. Proventus had Commander Caius choose the guardsman he believed worthy of the title. Caius gave him his choice and promised to send the person to Dragonsreach by midday.

Except midday had came and went and Proventus was starting to think the people of Whiterun didn't like him. The sound of the front door opening jarred Proventus from his thoughts. A lone Whiterun guard sprinted up the stairs and stopped short in front of him, out of breath.

'Finally.' Another minute and the Imperial would go looking for the person himself.

"Pardon...my lateness sir," the guard explained while taking huge gulps of air. "A band of thieves...delayed my...arrival."

'I don't doubt.' Proventus straightened himself and cleared his throat.

"You are Lydia correct?" He asked. The guard nodded, earning a look of annoyance from the older man.

"I asked a question and I'd expect an answer," the steward said sternly . "Are you Lydia?"

"Yes sir."

"Remove your helmet." Helmet removed, Proventus gave her a once over. Aside from the flushed face, this Lydia was no different from any other Nord he met. The Jarl's adviser continued. "I don't know if word has spread yet, but Whiterun has a new Thane. And you have been selected by Jarl Balgruuf to be her housecarl."

The woman looked stunned. Apparently, no one told Lydia what was going on. The stunned look was replaced with one of extreme pride. "Thank you. You honor me with this title." She began scanning the room for something or someone and was confused when she didn't find it.

Proventus noticed her confusion and asked, "Is there a problem?"

"Where can I find my new Thane?"

"It will be sometime before you two are acquainted," the Imperial stated as he started towards Farengar's laboratory, "The Khajiit ran off before I could introduce you to her."

"What!"

5 weeks later

The Bannered Mare, Whiterun

'The gods are laughing at me!'

Lydia finished her mead and placed her head on the table and wondered which of the Divines or Daedra Princes she pissed off. The Nord waved her empty tankard towards the closest barmaid, "Saadia. Another one." Saadia grabbed the goblet and disappeared into the small crowd. Lydia was about to return to herself loathing when she heard a voice call her name; a voice that she wished she didn't hear.

"Hey Lydia," the voice of Skulva Sable-Hilt reached her ears along with a heavy hand on her back. "Why the long face? Miss cleaning up your lord's hairballs?"

When the identity of the new Thane was finally discovered, Lydia did get teased quite a bit by the townsfolk but eventually the jabs and teasing stopped.

Except for Skulva.

Like some of Whiterun's residents, the stable owner saw the Khajiit's new position as an affront. He was even more outraged when he heard that Lydia was designated as the housecarl.

"A beast," He taunted her once as Lydia was returning from delivering a package to the Battle-Born Farm. "You're going to be working under a beast! No true Nord would stoop to that level! You should complain to the Jarl!"

If it wasn't for the guard patrolling the area she would have beat the man into a pulp so fine that the wild animals wouldn't go near. That wasn't the first time and it wouldn't be the last. In fact, anytime the two crossed paths he would state, no, he would scream about how Lydia was working for a beast. And now he was going to start up another "conversation" with her again.

"Hey L'yda," he slurred. Lydia let out a menacing growled and turned towards the man. His flushed face, glazed eyes and wobbly stance was a dead giveaway on his condition. Skulva was drunk. And if Lydia couldn't stand the man sober...

Lydia grabbed the hand on her back and twisted it, though she was sure Skulva felt no pain in his state. "Walk away Skulva, before I ram this down your throat."

Skulva opened his mouth to speak but another voice interrupted him. "Skulva," Ulfberth clapped the man on the back, "Sinmir wants to buy you a drink." Skulva hiccuped and staggered towards the other man and Ulfberth took a seat at the housecarl's table.

"Thank you Ulfberth."

"No problem. It looks like you were going to put him through a table." Saadia arrived with two cups and a large bottle of mead. "So, no sign of the Thane, huh?"

The housecarl shook her head and stared into her tankard as if it could help her with her problems. In a low voice she asked the bearded man "Is it wrong to hope she doesn't come back?"

Ulfberth stopped drinking and looked to his friend, slightly perturbed at her words. Lydia caught his glance, downed the contents in her cup and continued, "When Avenicci told me I was to be a housecarl I imagined my Thane to be a strong noble Nord, you know? Like the one my father would tell me about. Not a weak, dirty, skooma-addicted, thieving, Moon Sugar-producing dirty cat."

"One, you called her dirty twice." That earned Ulfberth a punch to the arm. "Hey! And two, this Khajiit must be something special if Jarl Balgruuf made her Thane. Ever thought of that?"

"Besides," he lowered his voice and scooted closer to Lydia, "From what the guards told me she helped to kill a dragon. And there is word she might be Dragonborn!"

"What!" Lydia jumped her chair, knocking it over.' No, no, no. The Dragonborn is a Nord. It's always been a Nord. Not a Khajiit. No, no, no.'

"Ah Proventus how are you?" Ulfberth's greeting jarred her from her small mental turmoil. The Jarl's steward stood in front of her as stoic as ever with a piece of parchment in his hands.

"Well enough, Ulfberth. Hello Lydia."

"Evening, Proventus. Did you need something?"

"Yes actually," he cleared his throat, "I've come to inform you that the Thane has purchased Breezehome and your belongings are being moved there as we speak."

"Is that all?"

"This came for you." He handed her the sealed letter and promptly left the inn. Lydia stared at the folded letter and melted wax as a thousand questions flew threw her mind. A nudge from the weapons merchant brought her back to reality. Lydia opened the letter and read the contents.

Lydia,

Hope this letter finds you well. My name is M'rasha and as you know I am your new Thane. I wish there was time for us to meet but with the return of the dragons I had no time for pleasantries. But now thins have quieted down (somewhat) and I will be returning to Whiterun soon. Possibly within the week.

I'll make sure to bring you back something from Markarth or Solitude.

M'rasha

She read it again and again. Something was off. The language, the penmanship. If it wasn't for the senders name. But what if... Lydia refolded the paper that gave her more questions than answers and placed it in a pouch.

"Well."

"She in the west. Solitude or Markarth. M'rasha will be returning soon."

"'M'rasha', huh. That's definitely a Khajiit name. But at least you will finally meet her. Be happy!"

Lydia stared into her mead. No. The week couldn't end quicker for the housecarl.