The Great Hall was deserted when Darren and the guards accompanying him exited the cellars. For a moment he thought it was already late at night and everyone had gone to bed, but he could see light coming from outside. It was day yet no one was around? It was especially weird to see the throne empty as Balgruuf the Greater would normally take his duty very seriously. He had in the past attended court with a massive fever, just so two farmers could get a ruling over a chicken that may or may not have been stolen. 'By the Nine, where had everybody gone?' he thought to himself.

His unease only grew as he was led through the Great Hall towards the War Room, only to find that room empty as well. No signs of struggle so far, but he knew not everybody could just waltz in somewhere and breathe fire like he could. They would need to rely on actual tactics, stealth and trickery. And if done correctly, there would be no signs of trouble at all until it was too late. Darren took a quick sideways glance towards his escorts and cursed mentally. Those bloody helmets all looked the same! Guess he'll had to just wait and see.

Four more guards were lined up before the door to the Great Porch, each with their arms crossed and watching Darren and the handlers intently. Not a word was spoken. They just stood there. Then, apparently satisfied with the new arrivals, the second guy from the left took a step backwards and knocked on the door.

A few moments passed, then the door was pulled open by Ireleth wearing her full suit of armor. She only took one glance at the dragonborn before standing aside and gesturing him to enter. The guards moved aside to let him pass and his escort didn't make any move to follow him. Ireleth gestured towards a table near the edge of the porch and Darren could make out the jarl and someone else he didn't recognize. Behind him the jarl's housecarl started barking orders at the guards, the sound of her voice suddenly cutting out as the door closed behind her. Darren was certain of it now, something big was happening here. All the evidence pointed towards another quest for him to complete. The only question was who was responsible for it this time. The gods? The undead?

"Dragonborn." Balgruuf said as Darren came closer. "Have a seat. I have news for you."

The second person at the table was a large female orc who seemed vaguely familiar to Darren. Not that he recognized her face, but her face paint was rather unique. Still, he couldn't quite place her. She did match Lydia's description though so there was that.

"Dragonborn." The jarl repeated. "For the past day we have been on high alert while you were out of it. You see, there was a fight at your house. A possible intruder looking for the dragonborn. She just misses him by maybe half an hour at most but encounters his house carl. A fight breaks out. Fight break out often, but there was something more at work here…"

Balgruuf drops a large shining object on the table. A helmet, one the stormcloaks wore during the civil war.

"We found this at the home in question. But we already knew-"

"Knew what?" Darren challenges. "I fought by your side. I have been known to collect trinkets. I-"

"Stop it!" Balgruuf yells. "Someone has been attacking Thalmor patrols for almost a year now. And for almost a year me and Ireleth have known it was you. Because you are that fucking messy! We have covered for you several times now, but it is only a matter of time before they realize that their mystery army isn't guerilla storm cloaks fighting on the good fight but just the dragonborn dressed as one on a rampage. If it wasn't for their arrogance they would considered that maybe anything other than a massive ghost army is able to defeat them. And from there on out the list with powers is pretty short, don't you agree?"

Darren opened his mouth to interject, but thought better of it and looked at the table.

"So when that fight broke out at your place I was certain the jig was up and you managed to restart the war prematurely. They will not accept an hero of the empire massacring their troops in the name of Talos! But we are still not ready for another war! We-" Balgruuf lets himself drop down on his chair and continues in a much softer voice. "It takes time, and until then we have to keep up appearences…"

Darren fills a cup with mead and hands it to his jarl, then filling the other two cups.

"I won't apologize for the attacks. I could raze their little headquarters to the ground with all their collaborators in it during one of their parties. And they didn't restart the war over Ulric either, so I think even if I would be discovered Skyrim and the empire would still be safe."

"Ulfric drew Imperial blood, it was pretty clear he was rebelling against the empire. And we could sit here all day talking about his politics. YOU on the other hand fought against rebels in an Imperial uniform and is now targeting Thalmor exclusively. Not really the same, is it now?"

"Uhum." The forgotten third person on the table scraped her throat to gain their attention. "Perhaps you could explain our deal to him?"

Darren watched her, still not able to place her face, and wondered who she exactly meant with we."

"Ah yes! Darren the Lucky, Thane of Whiterun, I am happy to congratulate you on your coming wedding!" Balgruuf stood up and grabbed Darren's hand to shake it vigorously. He was smiling like he just won a large amount of golden Septims at a card game.

"My what now?"

"Your marriage. You have paid her dowry, given her an amulet of Mara and asked for her hand." The jarl waved towards to orcess. "She accepted. It did take her very long to find you, but it's nice to know things work out."

"That wasn't a marriage offer! I just paid-"

BANG! The woman slammed her armored fist down on the table. "The jarl is the one who rules over these legal matters. And we made a deal after his little Thalmor scare. I get your hand in marriage, he has someone keeping you out of trouble." Her tusks made her grin look even more smug.

Balgruuf refilled his own cup, having downed it already.

"You got not just yourself to think about now. And since not everyone is as indestructible as you are, your actions will have consequences. You can be a right pain Darren, but not the kind of arsehole to pull others down with you. That is why you keep Lydia here and not on your suicidal adventures. So from now on, you will behave. Let's see if you can still blame your luck if you are actually trying to stay out of trouble. "

Darren felt like the earth was being ripped away from under his feet. This was certainly a lot to take in. "Fuck!"