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Chapter 7- Bah! Politics...

[This is pretty intense, huh Bjorn? Jarls are kinda scary! :'(]

"Yeah, no kidding!" It's so silent in here, I can hear the breathing of that guy next to the Jarl from the bottom of these stairs. The nobles here have stopped speaking and are seated in their chairs around the two tables next to the large fire pit in the room. The room spreads out to a large area with a large staircase at the front by the large wooden doors, with carved stone pylons going to the ceiling. Looking up I can see large, and thick, wooden rafters that stretch across the top of the hall, each one thick enough to crush a man should it fall. This hall is truly massive and as we go up the stairs I see the second floor of the building, lined with rows of nobles and guards. The sea of people on either side have all eyes on our group, but more on Ulfric as he stands at the top of the second set of stairs that lead to the throne that Balgruuf sits atop. The heat from the fire at my back, and Ralof and Miranda on my left and right respectively.

It was at this point that Jarl Balgruuf replied to Ulfric's statement. "Yes, your letter that you sent said you wished to meet with me personally, though not much else was said. I have allowed this out of respect for you as a fellow Jarl, although if it is to hear my answer on if I will join you against the Empire I will have to decline as I have not made a definite decision on the side I choose yet." He wasn't moving from his relaxed position on his throne. His head propped on his hand as he rests the elbow on the arm of the throne. The Jarl was dressed in what could only be described as high quality furs. Jewels adorned him and his crown rested atop his head, one would think you were in the presence of the High King himself from how he was dressed and the presence he exudes.

Ulfric doesn't even give his words a chance to be thought about and responds with an unwavering voice. "I no longer care of this useless war." His words make the room widen as everyone can sense the truth in those words... this wasn't a façade to gain favor or attention, this was the truth. Even Balgruuf looked surprised and leaned forward with full attention. It is not hard to know of Ulfric's obsession that he held to free Skyrim from the clutches of the Thalmor, and a withering Empire that would allow them to rule for them in their stead. Nice one Ulfric... you have captured their attention now. "We fight for Skyrim and it's people, that is true, but right now there is a new problem that has just surfaced in Skyrim. A threat so atrocious that if it is allowed to exist then there won't be a Skyrim for long." A chorus of gasps is heard and murmuring starts as Balgruuf raises a hand and the voices stop immediately.

"What kind of threat would make you pause on all of YOUR ambitions Jarl Ulfric. You swore to rid Skyrim of the Thalmor and to free it from the clutches of the Empire and now here you stand before me throwing those ambitions at my feet." He laughed slightly, but I can tell it was laced with a bit of worry. It seems that even Jarl's have a respect for Ulfric, ememy or not, and to see one stop all of his previous mindset towards him and suddenly become interested is amazing. "If this was your way to get my attention then my friend you have it without a shadow of a doubt."

I saw a man come out of a side room drabbed in robes of a mage and a woman in leather armor near him. They looked on to see where this was going, and my attention was drawn back like a magnet as Ulfric cleared his throat. "You have seen what it was that has caused my ambitions to be put to a stop now. Well less of a stop and more of a different approach, but regardless... I won't bat an eye if I am not High King after this. The threat that is presenting itself is beyond the Thalmor, or the Empire. It's mere existence would put the Great War's casualties to shame and the Oblivion Crisis would be nothing more than a blip." Another chorus of gasps as some begin to hold their breath and Jarl Balgruuf gives a knowing look. He saw the dragon then? Alduin had to have flown over, or near the city for him to have this kind of reaction, but I doubt he knows who it is. Alright Ulfric... bring it home. "Alduin, The World Eater, has returned."

That was what lead to the loudest chorus of voices of distress, disbelief, acceptance, and all together arguments. Guards were trying to settle the crowd down and then Balgruuf stood from his throne. He had a face of disbelief, but deep down he knew Ulfric was speaking the truth. "SILENCE!" It all stopped right there and I saw the look of fear behind Balgruuf's eyes. "How do you know of this Ulfric?! Where did you hear of this?!" I can hear his voice break a bit and Ulfric looked with an emotionless expression. This face of his and the tone he used was like a hammer driving in a railroad spike to a keyhole and it was making it more impactful.

"To tell you the reasons of how I know of this, I will need to walk you through yesterdays events." Balgruuf gave him a nod and Ulfric began pacing around the top step of the Jarl's throne, switching his gaze from Balgruuf, to the nobles and guards, and back to Balgruuf as he recounts the tale. "Yesterday... I was captured in an Imperial ambush. It was my own incompetence that lead to this and we were to be executed that morning in Helgen!" No one spoke, but a smirk found it's way to my lips as I looked on to him. He is humiliating himself willingly for more merit... a double-edged sword, definitely, but it has the chance to work well in our favor. "I was muzzled and bound like a prized pig as we were hauled off to the place that would be our deaths. I watched as my men were disheartened and some even cried, while others accepted their fate. The very opposite of my army's mindset! Yet even I found myself cursing my fate, but unable to act!" I haven't seen them all be on the edge of their seat like they are now. Keep it up Ulfric.

"As we were being unloaded off the carts, Bjorn..." He points to me and then I nodded to him. "... started a scene with Tullius himself in front of all of us. The giant of a man went unnoticed by all of us and only appeared when a few of my men prayed to Talos! They groveled under to him to send them safety and lo and behold Bjorn was there... as if he appeared out of nowhere and was even bound with us and dressed in rags of a beggar." I stood impassively as some looked at me with a skeptical glance, and Balgruuf turned to look at me with a unreadable expression. I refused to give any acknowledgement and then watched as Ulfric continued. "After earning the rage of the General, he was hauled off to be the first executed and even gave them all the choice to stay their blades, yet they did not. The axe came down on his neck at the block and SHATTERED LIKE GLASS!" The amount of emotion there sent some into a state of awe at the words Ulfric yelled. The presence he exuded from his speech made many of them look to me differently. "I watched him kill the headsman and a swarm of the guards that ran to cull him, and this inspired me and may charge, Ralof..." Ulfric pointed the finger at Ralof and he nodded as well, though it was obvious he was a little nervous from the attention. "... to fight back against our captors and soon the Stormcloaks were freed from our binds and began to fight back against the Imperials that surrounded us all." Ralof, Miranda, and I all felt a surge of pride and stronger feelings from the recounting of the events, and by proxy, pride for the praise. Miranda wasn't a Stormcloak yet, but she is considered one now, which helps her.

"That is when we heard it... the Roar that shook the skies and the earth, and from around a mountain we watched a large dragon round it and head for the tower closest to us in the center of the city. It's scales were blacker than any darkness I ever seen and it's eyes were glowing like 2 coals in a fire. With a thunderous boom from it's maw the sky darkened and it cried flaming rocks that shook the ground. It then looked onto Bjorn and then studied him before saying 'Interesting', and flying off to set the city on fire and rain destruction everywhere." I saw out of the corner of my eye the woman with the wizard clench her fists... something she knows maybe, or perhaps she is angered for the loss of life she is about to hear? "We all took cover in a secondary tower and began our way up and out of the tower to a nearby house. The roads were blocked by rubble and so we needed to jump to a house to circumvent this. As we ran up Bjorn pulled Ralof back as if he was shown the immediate future and saved Ralof from being crushed by a falling wall as the dragon slammed it's head through. Without any hesitation he ran through and tackled it to the ground from off the side of the tower and began to choke it so it couldn't breathe fire on us, as we escaped. As we ran I heard it speak to Bjorn while we fled to the other side of Helgen to use the barracks and the escape tunnel underneath the city." More eyes back to me in awe, but the woman and the wizard gave me a scrutinizing gaze.

"What followed next was a battle that I could only describe as being from story books. I watched them both do battle and seen Bjorn throw the dragon around as the beast threw him into walls in an effort to kill Bjorn, but Bjorn wouldn't die. He wouldn't stay down as his injuries mended themselves like they were nothing, but bruises. It is then I heard the beast laugh as they landed in front of us and it gave it's name. 'You're interesting Mortal! I will do the honor of giving you my name, Alduin! THE WORLD EATER!'" This sent the court into a commotion, but Ulfric yelled louder and silence fell to his roar. "BUT HE DID NOT WAVER! While the rest of us turned into a panic, Bjorn remain strong! A beacon of strength that inspired us to move forward and his words that he uttered did nothing, but inspire us further! 'Hear me World Eater!'" Ulfric spread his arms as if he were going to catch the sun from falling. "'You stand before Bjorn Firemane, The Fist of Talos!'" The gasps were heard once more and some shouted blasphemy, but they fell silent when Ulfric continued. "We felt our hearts get bolstered and Bjorn looked to me and motioned for me to lead my men and women to the exit of Helgen. We ran... we ran as fast as we could and only stopped once we reached the Barracks. I turned just in time to see Bjorn cover Alduin in oil and slam a torch to his scales, lighting the bastard up! Bjorn jumped to us and soon after he and I lead all of the survivors we had out through the tunnels and to freedom, but Helgen burned to the ground. It was completely destroyed and the best we could do was get out with who we could in the end. We then watched as Alduin flew over in the direction of Riverwood and Whiterun!" Now everyone was convinced further and a few shrieks were heard. I now have enough to assume that, yes, Alduin fly over here and passed them by.

Ulfric then turned back to Balgruuf and then looked him in the eyes and with no nonsense in his voice, spoke. "You see Jarl Balgruuf... this is the threat that has made me see that there is no more need for this blasted war right now. There is no need for me to fight the Thalmor and Empire for Skyrim, because with the World Eater's return... there won't be a Skyrim to fight for." He let the words sink in and saw Balgruuf's gaze went to me and then he motioned to Ulfric.

"I believe you, Jarl Ulfric..." All eyes fell to Balgruuf and some were angered that he would just believe the story right there. "... but I need more than your word for proof. I demand actions to prove this to be true." He spoke a bit more sure of himself, as if to convince his own mind that this is just a farce. What are you gonna do? "I would see his 'divine' durability for myself." I rose an eyebrow at this and I finally saw his game with this. Alright... let's play.

? POV

"This story of The Fist of Talos is just a farce. This is to most likely sway the Jarl to join Ulfric's side in this war. Ulfric had me in the first half of the story and his account of Helgen, as well as the description of the dragon, match all eyewitness accounts to seeing it fly around the area and towards the mountains. Ulfric will most likely cut the meeting right here." I watched as Ulfric stood unwavering and with a level head and emotionless face he waves for the giant of a man to come over to him.

"If that is what you wish, Jarl Balgruuf then we will oblige by this. Bjorn, remove your top clothing." I was surprised by this, but what is his game here? Bjorn began to strip off the top half and threw them to the side as if he was sure of his survival. Does he know what is to happen?! "Test away, old friend. You may use anything that you wish." Ulfric then stepped to the side as Bjorn kneeled before Balgruuf.

I watched as Balgruuf was taken aback, but steeled himself as he hung his hand out to receive a weapon and it was his housecarl, Irileth, to hand him her blade. Balgruuf schooled his expression and then spoke. "Last chance to back out from this, Bjorn. I will forgive this disruption to my court if you choose too, but you are never to return to Whiterun if you do so now." I watched him lower his head and... SMILED?!

"Swing the blade, my Jarl. It is cold and I would like to put my clothing back on." I and Farengar are taken aback, as is everyone else. "This idiot! Does he not know he will die!? And that attitude of his! I want to punch him myself for taking such a disrespectful tone with him!" Jarl Balgruuf tightened his grip and then I saw him wind back and swing at Bjorn's neck. The blade struck and then... shattered...

The hall was silent, I was silent, Balgruuf was shocked, and Farengar looked angered. I... I felt rage. This was a farce! It had to be! Damn Irileth and her poor weapon management! That is what it is and I will prove it! I started my way to the throne and no one moved to stop me... good. "Never use what an incompetent elf such as Irileth provides, my Jarl. I'll handle this myself!" I seen Irileth scowl at my words, but I didn't care about what a knife ear thought of me.

I unsheathed my sword that held a powerful lightning enchantment on it and it sparked as it left the sheathe. The Jarl tried to stop me with a yell. "Delphine! Stop!" I didn't and I swung down onto this redheaded fraud. As my blade met his neck it sparked up a storm that everyone shielded their eyes from. I looked at my work as I heard no shatter and then inspected the bloody mess, but there was no blood. I saw that my sword was imbedded into the center of Bjorn's neck and he then stood up and took the sword out with no trouble. The wound knit itself closed with red tendrils and left not a scar and I could do nothing, but stare dumbly as he handed me my sword. I looked at the blade and my heart dropped... it was cracked. "What is this monster?"

"I believe this will satisfy your curiosities my Jarl. I still must decide on who my Fingers shall be and this is taking up a large amount of my time." The monster spoke and I looked up to see him standing there with not a single care in the world.

Balgruuf POV

I couldn't believe it. The sword Irileth took to many a battle... gone. It was all the proof I needed to believe this story and then Delphine, the impulsive woman, sauntered forward and took her most powerful blade and sheathed it in the man's neck. The lightshow was a surprise, yes, but the way this man... no. Talos's Avatar is what he is, of that I have no doubt after what he just did! He stood and ripped the blade from his neck, as he did I watched his flesh knit itself closed and then handed Delphine her blade. I... I never thought I would... Gods have mercy on me and my people!

"If this man is truly a form of Talos in physical form... what have we done? What have we done?! To wound Talos, or any part of him will surely head his wrath! I must apologize to him! I have to take his wrath away from us in any way I can! That includes offering Delphine's head, of which I will happily do! She may be a big help to Farengar, but no help is worth the brazen actions she has committed today!" I looked at him as he stared at me and I could feel his gaze piercing me. Was he judging me? I don't know! I'm shaking, I can FEEL it! "I believe this will satisfy your curiosities my Jarl." He... forgives us? "I still must decide on who my Fingers shall be and this is taking up a large amount of my time." I... I don't believe it. The Gods are truly merciful to us this day. I couldn't help, but nod to him and then looked over to Ulfric, who was standing there smiling. He inclined his head and then Bjorn spoke to him. "Jarl Ulfric, I will take my place down by the fire again." He had his hand over his heart and bowed slightly and Ulfric nodded to him. The giant of a man began to get dressed again and when he was finished the girl, by the fire scoffed and waved him over to her.

"You always have to find a way to mess up my work on you, don't you Bjorn?" Is she mad? She talks to him like she is disciplining a child! However my surprise was shown more on my face as Bjorn began to laugh and kneeled in front of her so she can go about fixing his clothes and hair.

"Maybe I do it to get you all over me, Miranda. Your hands are calloused, but still soft." He laughed a bit more as she blushed, but continued to fix him up. I am speechless, as is the rest of my court and then I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked over to see Jarl Ulfric standing there with an impartial look, as if he is conducting business as normal.

"Now then... for the reason why we come." I gulped a bit, hoping to the gods it isn't to take my crown or head, because there is no doubt he will have it if he desires to send Talos's Will after me.

Bjorn POV

"Well that show pretty much solidified it all to me. I seen the look in his eyes after the lightshow, but damn did that woman, Delphine I think, hurt me pretty good." I looked at my health as I seen it was a quarter of the way empty. It was still regenerating pretty fast, but it was the fact that if I let her do so she could kill me in at most 5 good hits. "That was scary, but I have new information to work with. Either way we made our statement and now the Jarl of Whiterun will be putty in Ulfric's hands."

"Wh-what is it you want, J-Jarl Ulfric?" Oh man we might have done too well, but still Ulfric's idea to present me like this to the world is probably the best plan. ALSO since I am technically the personification of Talos, then that gives even more merit to Ulfric's side of the war about Talos being a actual God. There can be no question now in the eyes of the people. Say what you want about Ulfric, but behind that gruff exterior is a conniving and intelligent man. The Fingers though was totally my idea as well. If I am gonna make a mythos then I am gonna at least have my own two cents in it.

Ulfric looked at Balgruuf and then sighed. "Pull yourself together, Balgruuf. Your a Jarl! Be strong for your people!" With those words Balgruuf straightened up and then breathed in and out. After calming down he looked to Ulfric to continue. "Better. I am here because I have a request only you can accomplish, my friend. I require you to help me call a Summit." Balgruuf's eyes widen a bit and then he goes to say something, but Ulfric continues. "Let's face the facts... the other half of Skyrim doesn't trust me asfar as they can throw me, and so I need a impartial person to send letters out to get their attention... on both sides. I can handle my side and they will go, but it will look better if you still send messengers to them. We will also need a group of people traditionally neutral to Skyrim to oversee and sponsor the meeting. I was thinking of hiring the Companions for this job. This is the reason we came here and why I need your help Jarl Balgruuf. Without you my plan to unite the holds against the threat that is Alduin fails... and then we all die." He says with a tone that is laced with a hint of apprehension and fear. I know he isn't scared, but this will help drive the point across.

Balgruuf looked to be in thought and it seems now he is weighing the pros and cons of this situation. Smart, but ultimately futile. The ultimadum is set and there is only one good option, so please be smart enough to see that Balgruuf. After what feels like hours Balgruuf sighs and then walks back to his chair. He plops down and then breathes in deeply and then says through tired breaths. "This court meeting here today is adjourned... all nobles return to your homes. Brother." He looks to a big man next to him who looks to be in shock still from the events and is really staring at me with stars in his eyes... uhhhh awkward much? He eventually turns to Balgruuf and then the Jarl continues. "Go to the Companions hall and tell them to send Kodlak over here. Tell them a job just came up and if they accept I will give half my personal treasury to them." This widened the eyes of the man Balgruuf referred to as 'Brother' and then he runs out of the building as if Alduin was after him. The sea of people parted as they also began to leave, but look back at us all a bit. Miranda had finished with the top and then turned my head to fix my hair so I stayed like this and opted to listen.

"Thank you Balgruuf. Old friend you won't regret this and regardless of how it goes you will have the personal request and favor of both me and The Fist of Talos! Right Bjorn?" I nodded and then Miranda pouted as she messed up a spot on my head from the sudden motion of me. I laughed nervously and she gave me a scolding look. It honestly made me chuckle a bit more after that. "Now then I believe we should move this to your war room upstairs Balgruuf." I heard Ulfric say.

"Yes... let's go. Irileth... send Kodlak upstairs when he arrives and then take a trip to the skyforge and get some skyforge steel. I'll pay for it personally."

"Yes, my Jarl." I heard the elf bow and then move to stand by the entrance to the Keep. At this point Miranda had finished and then she smiled as I stood up and looked to Ulfric. He nodded and Balgruuf motioned for us to follow. I hope this ends soon as well. I don't need sleep, but I feel like I do after this. Politics is tiring business.

DING!

Quest Complete!

Neat!

Author's Note:

Hey guys! Glad to see that you are all replying as well with feedback for my writing. If you couldn't tell, this is the first story I am writing ever. I hope it isn't too hard to read either and I will hope to improve with each chapter! Bit of a short chapter too, but I am going eat with my Father today so I ended it there instead of moving it upstairs.

ArtoriasTheRock: Thanks! I hope to see and read more of your wonderful comments!

Alzieferin: Great Comment XD! No seriously though thank you and I hope you have fun reading this some more.

Crywolfseven: Thanks and 2 things

1. I wanted to make it have a more unique approach with how he explains the Gamer. The way I chose was to say "I don't know... it's just instinctual" this does two things. It makes it to where no one that knows will be surprised when he does new things they never seen before and makes them not know when he will stop having things show up. The second part makes it hard to plan on how to stop him if they have no baseline to draw from.

2. I feel like the games actually didn't do Ulfric justice since he is actually a VERY smart man! He is charismatic and intelligent so I can see a Ulfric not ruled by game script actually think of some really good ideas. Also in this chapter Bjorn even thinks about how having a literal piece of Talos on his side makes all that he is fighting for have a large spark of truth. This will no doubt piss off the Thalmor even more and I won't be surprised if they send a hit squad after Bjorn... that will be messy.

Donbasos: Thanks for the feedback and yeah I see what you mean when I read that at the bottom. I will try to do better as I am still learning and all that. I hope you like this chapter too Don! Also as you posted that latest comment I just posted this chapter XD.