Kratos, Irileth and their merry band of battered soldiers made it back to Whiterun as night was falling. The return trip was significantly longer with the majority of the men having minor injuries and all of them being exhausted. They had been spotted from the walls and an escort of soldiers and a healer met them at the city gate. The healer and priestess of Kynareth, Danica Pure-Spring, approached them immediately, and addressed Irileth, "My people are standing by at the hall of Kynareth to receive the wounded. Are there any that can't wait, that I should see to now?"

Kratos shook his head slightly, "No, healer. They have all marched far. These men can make it to your clinic, but I believe almost all have some form of injury."

Danica turned to Kratos and gave him a business-like nod, "Very well, we will triage them at the hall." The company continued up into the cloud district of Whiterun and halted at the halls of Kynareth.

Kratos turned back to the men, "Everyone to the healer's clinic. All of you are to be examined and cleared for duty. Dismissed!" The soldiers all snapped a salute, fist clenched over heart, and made their way to the clinic. Kratos saw Danica cock and eyebrow at Irileth and receive only a small shrug in reply. With a snort he started up the steps to Dragon's Reach.

The great hall was buzzing with activity when Kratos and Irileth entered but fell silent when their presence became known. The Jarl was pacing as they approached the dais. "Well?" he asked, halting next to the throne, "What of the garrison? What of the dragon?"

Irileth stepped forward, "The tower is badly damaged, my jarl, and much of the western garrison is dead as well. The dragon responsible has also been slain." She nodded towards Kratos, towering silently beside her, "Kratos slew the beast. I fear that without his aid we would have been insufficient for the task." Jarl Balgruuf rubbed at his face briefly.

"Victory then, but costly." He shook his head slowly, "Still," he said turning and pitching his voice to carry throughout the hall, "we have much to celebrate! The beast is dead and Whiterun is the first hold in centuries to successfully repel a dragon attack!" He picked up a drinking horn and thrust it into the air, "For Whiterun!" the hall cheered in reply. "Bring out food and drink! Our returning heroes must be famished. Tonight we celebrate and on the morrow we will continue to prepare Whiterun." Balgruuf stepped down off the dais and approached Kratos and Irileth, "You have both done great deeds for this hold today. And you will be properly rewarded. Tonight we will feast, but, Kratos, I will send for you on the morrow when I have figured how best to show the gratitude of the hold.

The great hall swiftly became a feast hall as great quantities of food and mead were brought out and more tables were hastily set up. Celebrants of consequence began to pour into Dragon's Reach to take part in the celebration and the good news traveled like wildfire through the city, igniting parties at the Bannered Mare and the other inns throughout the city.

Kratos ate and drank quickly and sparingly, as he found the atmosphere in the hall quite difficult. Many people in such a small space he found off putting and it swiftly became far too loud. Moreover people were constantly approaching him with congratulations, slaps on the back and questions about the battle. Kratos' silence and stoic refusal to acknowledge most of those who approached eventually drove them away, but there were always more revelers to replace them. It swiftly drove him to frustration and he made his escape from the hall to a dim corner on the upper level walkways overlooking the main hall. It was there that Irileth found him, forearms resting on the railing. She walked up and leaned similarly up against the railing, not saying anything and preserving the relative quiet. After a few minutes she turned her head and spoke, "Not much for a feast?"

He shook his head and rumbled back, "No. I am not."

"I understand." She shifted her weight to her other foot, and flashed a razor smile, "You don't want to meet your fans."

Kratos let out a snort that could almost be called a chuckle. "I definitely do not. There are too many people. It is grating."

Irileth watched him from the corner of her eye. "You lived alone for a long time," she gestured broadly "out there. I've seen it before. Hunters who get used to the quiet of the wilds and find the city to be too loud."

Kratos nodded and stood, folding his arms across his chest, "You are correct. It is too loud. Especially when there are so many 'fans'."

She shrugged, "There are many who wish to congratulate the dragon slayer. Tales are already circulating, though none more incredible than the truth. I think you'll have to live with some notoriety, Kratos." He grunted and turned to leave, walking a few steps. "Kratos," he stopped and turned. Irileth approached and held out her hand, "It was an honor to fight beside you, man."

Kratos clasped her forearm, "You fought well, elf." He turned again and continued on his way, making his escape from the great hall out into the cool night air. He immediately went down to the Bannered Mare to arrange lodging for the night. He shunned the crowded common room and went directly to his room at least here he could find some privacy if not as much quiet as he would like.


Kratos whiled away the morning impatiently before finally receiving a summons from the Jarl at almost noon. Kratos immediately set out for Dragon's Reach. The guards at the door recognized him immediately and opened the doors as he neared. Without pause Kratos strode through the doors and down the great hall. The Jarl stood and cast his arms open wide as Kratos approached, "My good man! I have decided how to reward you properly. First I present you with this," He beckoned a guard forward carrying a large single-bladed great axe with an intricately engraved head. "A weapon from my armory. May it serve you well." Kratos took the weapon and examined it. Clearly it was of much finer workmanship than the rough tool he currently used. He nodded his thanks to the Jarl. "Moreover, I name you Thane of Whiterun. This is not simply a ceremonial title. You will oversee and rule a stretch of Whiterun in my name. The holding of Havverfjord is now yours. You are empowered to judge, collect taxes and raise a body of men to stand in the defense of the hold. To aid you in this you will receive a housecarl and steward. Proventus will also provide you with a list of the current edicts and laws that you are to uphold as thane. You have preserved many lives in my hold and we all are grateful. Proventus, will give you the remaining details."

Though neither his face nor careful nod showed it, Kratos was quite surprised. All of this had been a rather novel experience for him. He was appreciated by a people, recognized somewhat for his deeds, they were grateful and moreover, wanted him to stay. It was different from being constantly at war, harried from place to place, always betrayed and hunted by gods. It was… pleasant.

Proventus' call snapped Kratos out of his reverie. He approached the aging imperial, noting the armored woman standing at his side. She was tall for a woman, likely a full 6 feet and strong, long limbed build. She was dressed in plate armor over leather and furs with a sword at her side and a round shield on her back. "Kratos, allow me to introduce your housecarl, Lydia. She will fight beside you and help you to manage your lands. First and foremost she will guide you there. Your new steward served the previous thane and is already on your holdings as he is a resident. I… feel it only fair to be open with you. The lands you have been granted have had their fair share of troubles. The previous thane was removed and imprisoned for corruption and misuse of power. Lydia is aware of all the details and can inform you later." Proventus gave him a tight smile, "I am pleased to see Havverfjord is in better hands now." He gestured to a small stack of books and papers on the table, "These should serve as reference materials and answer any other questions regarding the state of your holding and Whiterun law." With a deep nod Proventus withdrew, leaving Kratos standing next to his new housecarl.

Lydia swallowed down her nervousness and stepped forward extending a hand, "It is an honor to meet you, my thane." She felt dwarfed when he clasped her forearm and gave it a light squeeze, which she returned. His only reply was a nod. "May I inquire as to your plans, specifically, when you wish to go and see your holdings?" She waited as he stood silently, considering her question she assumed, for she could read absolutely nothing on his face.

"We will go there now. Are you prepared to travel?" She nodded her assent.

"I assumed you would wish to see Havverfjord. My pack is ready, I will return with it presently." Lydia bowed and retreated to her room. She could not tell if this assignment was a vote of confidence in her abilities or a complete lack. She had trained in the Jarl's household for years and had risen higher than many street urchins would have ever dreamed. But now she was placed with this strange, unknown new thane, about whom she had heard outlandish and frankly frightening stories. Beating a giant to death with its own club! She opened the door to her room and snatched up her pack quickly. She had absolutely no idea what to expect from this new expectation. With a sigh she slung the pack across her back and hurried back from the main hall. Whatever it ended up being she would make the best of it and turn it to something good. She had never been one to give up. It was how she had survived on the streets as an orphan, avoided the whorehouses in her youth and made something real out of herself. This will be hard. It will be a challenge. A challenge you will learn and grow from. You will become stronger and you are already strong.

Once the girl had gone to get retrieve her pack, Kratos set off for Farengar's workshop to speak with the man and retrieve the pair of horns he had left in his care. Farengar's work shop was filled with desk space, all covered seemingly at random by various books and papers, with an alchemy station in one corner and a strange pentagonal workstation adorned with glowing runes next to it. Farengar himself was facing away from the door, at one of his desks, and was muttering quickly to himself under his breath as he scanned over the tablet Kratos had retrieved and various tomes. Kratos approached much quieter than any would expect for a man of his size. "Wizard." The squirrely court wizard yelped and started, throwing his hands up and losing his grip on his quill.

"Kratos!" He looked around for his lost quill for a moment before looking back at the man towering over him "Why? Just… why?" Seeing his quill slightly under the desk he bent to retrieve it. "I swear you get some sort of perverse glee from doing that." Kratos' face was a blank and stoic as ever, but internally he must admit that there was some truth to the wizard's words. It was humorous.

"Have you learned anything from the stone, wizard?"

"Oh you mean the two or three thousand year old tablet written half in a language I don't speak and half in carvings open to a wide variety of interpretation? It's definitely about dragons." He sighed, tossed back the hood of his robes and rubbed at his head. "I share your impatience. I want to know as well! This is going to take time though. To be honest I don't know how long."

"I am going to my lands."

"Congratulations, by the way" Farengar interjected with an absent wave of his hand.

"If you learn anything, send word. If you need something else retrieved, inform me. I want to know more about these dragons. Namely the large black one." Kratos retrieved the bundle of horn and slung it over his shoulder.

"Yes, yes. I'll send word when I have anything concrete. Or if I need some doors kicked in or something." He bent immediately over the desk again, picking up where he had left off.

Lydia reentered the main hall to her see her thane coming out of Farengar's workshop with the dragon's horns bundled together as a sling over one shoulder. Kratos walked up to her quickly. "Girl. You are ready?" Lydia blinked at that. Girl?

"Uh, yes, I have everything, my thane."

"Good. We are leaving." Despite not truly knowing their destination, Kratos led the way out of Dragon's Reach. Lydia, walking behind could not help but notice that he seemed to carry almost nothing, just the horns and a small leather satchel that couldn't hold more than a waterskin and small quantity of food.

"My thane, Havverfjord will be at least a two day journey. Are you sure you do not need any more supplies. I can quickly get something suitable together."

"No. There is no need. I have gone farther with less." With a shrug that Kratos a few paces ahead could not see, Lydia let the subject drop. Once outside of the city walls, Lydia would indicate the direction, but Kratos still led the actual column of travel. They headed west towards Rorikstead. The actual town of Havverfjord and the associated lands and homesteads was approximately at the midpoint between Whiterun and Rorikstead but north, in the foothills of the mountains. Kratos set a punishing pace throughout the day and Lydia was hard pressed to keep up, especially in her armor, which wasn't something she could remove as she was supposed to be the one guarding him.

When they stopped for the night she was well and truly exhausted. They quickly set up a sparse camp, gathering some tinder and dry material which Kratos lit quickly using his axe and a flint. Lydia was about to suggest putting together some sort of stew or hot meal when she saw Kratos had already half consumed a dry biscuit and some sort of jerky, the most Spartan of trail rations, sitting and staring into the small fire. With an inward sigh she dug out her own cold meal.

She was jerked out of her reverie when he spoke, "The old man said you knew more of my lands. Of the situation there."

"It has seen its share of troubles. The previous thane was removed some time ago, but under his stewardship the people suffered. Taxes were very high to support his… more lavish lifestyle and any who spoke out against him were taxed and persecuted out of the holding. By the end he had no men at arms and bandits had set up in the surrounding county, along with who knows what else. The wilds of Skyrim can be dangerous. There… there were rumors that he had an arrangement of some kind with the bandits in exchange for a portion of their thieving. They say that is why he was removed by Jarl Balgruuf." She paused, "You will not find it a prosperous place."

Kratos merely let out a grunt, "I do not need money." What he needed was more information. He was in this strange place and he did not want to accentuate his ignorance of commonplace things. This woman however was sworn to him now. There would be few sources safer. He was quiet for a time, before speaking again, "Tell me of the Stormcloaks and this Empire."

Lydia frowned, shooting a glance at him, "I'm afraid I don't exactly take your meaning. What about them precisely?"

"Who they are, how they came to be. I am a stranger in these lands. There was also a war with elves. I would know of this as well." Lydia was beginning to think that the strangest and quietest rumor she had heard may be true. She had heard a whisper from Riverwood that someone there had met a man who was not from Nirn but from some other plane or realm of oblivion. Kratos had come to Whiterun from Riverwood. Feeling somewhat out of her depth, being neither politician nor historian, Lydia began to explain the history of Skyrim, the Empire, and the Great War, as well as the current state of affairs. They talked long into the night, Kratos only occasionally asking questions. Seeing her stifle a yawn, Kratos interjected, "This sufficient for now. I will take the first watch."

Lydia nodded her assent and quickly removed her armor, leaving on her heavy gambeson before getting into her bedroll. She was exhausted and all too happy to go sleep, but wanting to put her best foot forward with her new thane she spoke up, "Wake me when Secunda rises and I will watch until morning." Kratos only let out a soft grunt in reply and walked a few paces away from the fire, leaning against one of the boulders that so often dotted Whiterun's plains.

Kratos watched the open plains and sat enjoying the calm and chill night air. He would freely admit that there was a beauty to this land. The same sort of ancient wildness that was present in the northlands of his own plane existed here as well. He found it very peaceful. He watched the second moon rise over the edge of the horizon and sat looking up at the sky bathed in the light of two moons. The poets would have much to say about this sight. He stood and walked over to the girl, he was about to speak when she shifted in her sleep and curled tighter under the blanket. He hesitated for a time before walking back out look at the moons and stars. It was a night worth seeing.

"Girl. Wake up." Lydia awoke feeling far better than she was expecting and was surprised to see the pre-dawn light at the horizon. She scrambled up quickly and immediately set to strapping on her armor.

"My thane, you did not wake me! I should have had the second watch so you could rest as well." She was feeling quite flustered. An excellent start to their association, a housecarl that can't even wake up to keep watch on the camp! It was mortifying! Kratos only shrugged and stoked the fire.

"I did not require rest." Lydia mulled that over. It seemed almost that the man did not know what to do with someone else in the camp. She set water to boil for tea and then proceeded to pack up the remainder of the campsite. When it was ready she poured out two cups and took one over to Kratos. He accepted it gravely and nodded, "My thanks." They stood side by side in silence for a few moments watching the horizon grow brighter. Kratos finally took a sip and made small, pleased sound of surprise. At Lydia's glance he explained, "I do not like tea. But this is good. What is it?"

"Snowberries mainly. It's my favorite blend." They settled again into silence, but this one feeling much more companionable. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised he has never had snowberry tea. He didn't know who the Thalmor were. At this point nothing should surprise me about him really. With a nod to each other they broke down the rest of the camp and wiped away the last traces of their presence.

The rest of their journey passed in much the same fashion, a quiet day of travel with the evening spent explaining some of the commonplace aspects of history and Skyrim life to Kratos. On the second day they entered a more developed area of the holding if still very sparsely populated, passing farms and homesteads occasionally as they went.

At around noon on the third day from setting out from Whiterun they arrived in Havverfjord proper. It was a small town of a few thousand people not much more than the main road and a few offshoots. They garnered more than a few stares as they proceeded up the main thoroughfare towards the northern end of town where the thane's longhouse was located. Not that Lydia could blame them. She would freely admit that she had had a good stare of her own the first time that she saw Kratos. The man had a ferocious appearance. She knew this would only serve to fuel what she expected was already rampant speculation about their new thane.

The longhouse was surprisingly large and obviously very well maintained. Kratos didn't spare it even a momentary glance and immediately tromped inside. The inside of the longhouse was highly decorated with many rugs, wall hangings and ornamental pieces. There was a large table in the main hall of the house to serve as a gathering place, with rooms breaking off from that primary hall and stairs and the far end leading up to the second story.

"Hello? Who is there?" An exceptionally average nord man walked out of one of the adjoining rooms. He had shoulder length brown hair and still held a quill between his ink-smudged fingers.

Lydia stepped forward, gesturing back towards Kratos, "This our new thane, Kratos. My thane, this is the steward of Havverfjord, Thomas."

"A pleasure, my thane. I hope that you find everything here to your liking." He eyed Kratos' considerable size, "I see now that I needn't have retained any of the wardrobe of your predecessor as it will clearly be unsuitable."

Kratos nodded to him and continued to slowly peruse the hall. He gestured at the hanging banners "Were these taken in battle?"

Thomas hesitated and looked over at Lydia. "No, my thane," he answered slowly, "they were not." Kratos let out a small snort.

"Remove them. This hall is full of the gilding of a corrupt and weak man. I want none of it."

"I must warn you the financial state of affairs is… not strong. What would you like them replaced with?"

"Nothing."

Thomas was taken aback at that. "Nothing, my thane?" Kratos shot him a quick frown. "As you say. Nothing it is. How shall I dispose of the items?"

Kratos shrugged, "Give them to the people. Or turn them to coin for the holding. See to it." He paced around the room some more, "Compile a list of pressing concerns, but first, I am told there are bandits on our lands. Find the one who had the most recent encounter and send them to me immediately."

Thomas cleared his throat, "I will set to work immediately. My thane, it is customary that an event is held in which the people of the holding come to meet you and swear to you."

Kratos turned to Lydia, who had followed him as he examined the hall and asked in a low voice "This is an important custom?"

She nodded and in a similarly low tone replied "Yes, my thane. It will cause some remark if it is not done quickly."

With an exhale of annoyance Kratos turned again to his steward, "It will be tomorrow. You will find I do not care for ceremony. Let it be simple." Kratos in his explorations happened upon the armory and his lips curled slightly as he looked inside. He quickly snatched up a sword and round shield and headed for the exit passing by Thomas, "Girl, let us see what you can do." Lydia followed on his heels, when she passed the spluttering Thomas she just turned, walking backwards and raised her hands slightly and shrugged at him before hurrying after Kratos.

He went around the side of the longhouse and found a small cleared side yard. He examined it briefly, gauging its size. He nodded, "This will do." He settled the sword and shield in his hands and turned to face Lydia. "Come girl. Show me." Lydia was unsure of how to proceed. She wanted to put forward a good impression of her skills, but also was not clear on the rules of training that this new thane of hers would expect. If nothing else she was interested to see how he fought without his preferred axe, and in her favored style no less. After a moment's hesitation she drew her blade and attacked. Kratos seemed to almost dance around her, deflecting rather than blocking her blows, always diverting the force of them. It was rather infuriating and Lydia did not like to feel toyed with. She began to strike in earnest, hard and vicious blows, but now also had to keep up her guard as Kratos blade would flick out quick as a serpent and test her guard. She clenched her teeth as another strike flickered by her guard and pinged her armor. I am outmatched. But I will have at least one good blow! She thought as she began to fight more recklessly. She did not see a frown snap into place on Kratos' face. Lydia extended herself to far in a lunge and Kratos lightly kicked her foot further out of place. The next thing she knew she was on her back in the dust with the wind knocked out of her. Kratos had pivoted quickly and punched her down with the end of his shield.

She looked up gasping to see him on one knee beside her, resting a hand on his thigh. "You are skilled," he rumbled, "but you lost your temper." He scowled again. "A warrior is nothing without this." He reached out and tapped her forehead twice with a thick finger "It is your greatest weapon." He stood.

"I'm sorry, my thane –"

"Do not be sorry." He interrupted, extending a hand down to her, "Be better." She took his hand and he lifted her to her feet.

"I will."


AN: Thanks again to everyone who has read and reviewed the story. If you are enjoying it, please do leave a comment. It does increase my writing motivation.

It's unfortunate that since this is such a niche crossover that it won't see the traffic of a main Skyrim fic. But what can you do?