JON AWOKE TO THE SOUND TO OF A HAMMER BEATING METAL. He and Arya had stayed in the Dragonborn's and Daenerys's home in Whiterun. Although small it was well furnished and their housecarl Lydia treated the two of them as honored guests. Jon was surprised to learn that Daenerys was an excellent cook and served both he and Arya delicious venison steaks. He was even more shocked when she told him she forgave him for his attempt on her life and that she harbored no ill will towards him or Tyrion for their betrayal. After dressing, Jon found Daenerys using the forge at Warmaidens. She was in the process of removing the slag from a piece of steel to repair a broken great-sword. She is full of surprises Jon thought to himself former queen, now wife, mother and also a simple smith.
The Dragonborn had filled him in on all that had transpired since Daenerys's arrival in Skyrim. Jon was stunned to learn that Westeros was actually a long lost piece of Beleriand. Sauron had caused so much bloodshed to try to find the lost Silmarils. Jon wasn't surprised that Daenerys had distinguished herself in the battle to stop, but what took his and Arya's breath away was her willingness to trade her life for the Dragonborn's. Both he and Arya both agreed that she had changed, but there was a problem. The fact she bore the Dragonborn son was a serious issue. Bran would see the child as a threat and Daenerys's supporters would either want the former queen restored or her son installed as ruler.
"Talion, give me more heat. Remember what your father said 'the hotter the fire, the stronger the steel'"
Jon watched as Talion Dovahkiir helped his mother repair the damaged weapon. The former seemed to glow around her son. He could see her joy and the love in her eyes. Jon decided there that was something he couldn't take away. It would be a travesty for him to undertake such an order. He felt a presence walking up behind him and he glanced at Brianna. Her light blue eyes, fair pale skin and long flowing red hair made her the most beautiful woman Jon had ever seen. He had heard that she and Eldarion, son of Aragorn and prince of Gondor had briefly been in a relationship. But she put her loyalty to the Dragonborn and the Akaviri ahead of their relationship and it failed. At twenty five, she was both one of the most desired and feared women in Skyrim.
"If you're looking to court my stepdaughter, good luck Jon" Daenerys teased. "Her father believes that whoever bests her in combat is the person she'll marry."
Embarrassed, Jon began to apologize, but Daenerys brushed the apology aside.
"Many suitors have tried for her hand and she crushed all their hearts. She's done more damage to men's hearts than all the dragons did during the Dragon War."
Jon laughed at the joke, but quickly changed the subject "Talion is not a Nord name, how is it you named your son" he asked.
"We named him after the Gondorian Ranger" Daenerys answered. She went on to explain how she met Talion and how he warned them of the danger. "The sword I carry is his. He gave it to me to use against the armies of Mordor and Skyrim's enemies."
"So the Dark Lord Sauron gave you a ring of power that faked your death and then planned to use you as a blood sacrifice to resurrect the fallen Ranger" Jon said aghast. "Not even the Red Wedding is as dastardly as that plot."
"But Talion worked against Sauron the entire time until Geralt was forced to kill him."
"You finally found peace Daenerys, but I fear that Stark will not see it the same. He will consider your son a threat to his reign and want him dead."
"If Bran Stark thinks he can kill me and my son without repercussions, the hell my husband would unleash on Westeros would leave the realm in ashes" Daenerys warned. "I may now reside in Skyrim, but I'm still loyal to Westeros. Why do you think I fought against Sauron."
"It matters not Daenerys. Talion has royal blood in him" Jon stressed. "You never abdicated the throne or were slain. You cheated death. Your son legally can challenge Bran when he is of age. And I suspect that he will be as fine of swordsman as his siblings. Bran would lose if he fought someone trained by the Akaviri."
"That's why neither I or his father are going to tell him that he is royalty."
"You would deny your son his birthright" Jon asked in disbelief at Daenerys's words.
"My ambition to capture the Iron Throne was my undoing. I don't want my son going down the same road. It would only lead to his ruin. I don't want him becoming like me or Ulfric. He has expressed a desire to join the Akaviri like his brother and sister. He already has begun training."
Jon picked up a banded iron shield that bore both the Targaryen-Dovahkiin symbols and admired the craftsmanship. "Where's Kellian? I was hoping to see him."
"My stepson is posted in Middle-earth."
"When did the Blades build a castle in Middle-earth" Jon questioned.
"Queen Arwen was kind enough to give us Rivendell and the Akaviri converted the hidden valley into a stronghold. Kellian was given command of the fortress."
Pride swelled in Jon's heart for his old friend "I would like to visit him again."
"Perhaps you can someday, but he takes his duties seriously."
"Daenerys I want you to know that I will do everything in my power to sway Bran, but I can't make any promises."
"Thank you Jon. That's all I can ask."
Little did they know that Arya had been eavesdropping and anger surged in her. If that silver-haired villianious cur thinks that her son won't make a move against my brother then she is deluded. And Jon was suppossed to kill her, not try to persude the King that she poses no threat Arya seethed inwardly. Arya quietly packed her belongings and slipped out of Whiterun. When the Dragonborn spoke to her and Jon, he explained that Ulfric had gone into hiding and could not be found. What Arya kept from Jon and the Dovahkiin was that she was in communication with Ulfric and that he promised to help her if they failed to kill Daenerys. Arya also knew that the Stormcloak was hiding in Skuldafn. She also knew that Ulfric had ascended to Dark Lord status and she would have to tread cautiously.
ARYA FOUND SKULDAFN COMPLETELY REBUILT SURROUNDED BY DRAUGR, WHITE WALKERS AND STORMCLOAK VETERANS. As she walked up the steps, she felt a massive gust of wind and heard a loud roar as the biggest dragon she ever witnessed landed before her. Blacker than night with eyes redder than rubies it was terrifying and impressive. It looked at her and fear gripped Arya and she stood paralyzed in terror. She had been before Drogon before and the other drakes that Daenerys possessed, but this dragon was one of Middle-earth and by the looks of it from the First Age making it an ancient elder dragon.
"Please forgive Ancalagon for he can be so protective of his Master" a deep male voice announced. "And who are you that you so brazenly walk before my stronghold" a powerful figure with a crown upon his head walked out in front of the dragon asked clad in black armor as black as the dragon's. A massive sword hung on his hip that Arya recognized as Witch-King of Angmar's.
So this is Ulfric Stormcloak Arya thought to herself "My name is Arya Stark and if you are Ulfric Stormcloak, I need your help."
"Ah Arya, brother to Bran Stark, ruler of Westeros. I see your assassination plot of the Dovahkiin's wife failed. I warned you not to underestimate her" Ulfric said.
"Her stepdaughter intervened during the fight."
"Don't make excuses for your failure" Ulfric snarled his eyes flashing yellow in annoyance while taking a few steps toward Arya. "You should have prepared for the Akaviri Knight. Surely in Westeros you have heard of their legend."
"Now Jon has promised to speak to my brother on her behalf. Although she doesn't want the throne, her son Talion represents a grave threat to Westeros. He must die. A Targaryen cannot sit on the throne of Westeros" Arya continued.
"So you want me to do your dirty work? And what exactly would I gain from killing the young son of the Dragonborn? I killed his first wife and it cost me my jarlship."
"Don't you want revenge" Arya asked losing her patience with Ulfric.
"What I want is the death of all Elves. What I want is the throne of Tamriel and that begins with the death of the Dragonborn."
"Then unleash Ancalagon and destroy him."
"Nay, Ancalagon I have other plans for. Perhaps I will cleanse Whiterun with a Balrog" he said with a sinister smile.
Arya's eyes opened wide in alarm and surprise. She had heard of Balrog's - Maiar who were corrupted by the first Dark Lord Melkor/Morgoth. The Maia Gandalf the Grey fell in Moria defeating Durin's Bane and that was the last one seen in this world . . . until now. If Ulfric possessed a Balrog and Ancalagon the Black, he would be unstoppable. Arya stepped forward and took a knee.
"Thank you . . . Lord Ulfric."
Ulfric smiled and his eyes flashed yellow at hearing her words.