Chapter 19

Family Ties

The next morning Rona roused to the inviting smell and sound of sizzling food and Bishop playfully humming The Dragonborn Comes. She sat up, a blanket drifting off her shoulders revealing her bare upper body. Her hair was a wild mess around her face and she was still quite sticky between her legs and rather tender.

"You're in a good mood," she mumbled sleepily while rubbing her eye.

Bishop smiled broadly as he flipped strips of meat in a pan over the fire. "A great mood actually! I feel like a new man Ladyship!" he declared. Karnwyr sat nearby staring hungrily at the cooked meat, licking his chops. Bishop dumped them onto a plate and tossed the hungry wolf a slice. He passed her a cup of hot tea and the plate of food, "Here you are - eggs and seared venison for the lady."

The plate was stacked full with two helpings of scrambled eggs, four strips of venison and a large cut of bread. "That's way too much," she said ogling it.

"Eat up," he said giving a low, sensual growl, "You're going to need your energy for everything I have in store for you."

She laughed, throwing him a curious look before taking a sip of the tea. Her first bite into the eggs made her realize just how ravenous she really was and she scarfed everything down. Bishop stared at her the whole time, either impressed by how quickly she ate or by the fact that her breasts were exposed and she wasn't shouting him to pieces for looking.

It didn't matter to her either way, she enjoyed his lustful gaze. It made her feel wanted and desired. When she finished, she pushed her empty plate aside and said, "Guess I didn't know how hungry I was."

"Mmm, well after last night I'm not surprised at all," he smiled, laying down next to her on his side. He grasped her shoulders pulling her in and caressed her, kissing her skin lightly.

She moaned and protested holding a hand to her nose, "Nooo, I need to bathe, I smell."

"You smell intoxicating to me," he murmured through sweet kisses.

She got up suddenly, allowing the blanket to fall from her body and looked down at him, inviting him to follow her. "You coming?"

His swollen nethers twitched in reply and he stood to join her, practically chasing her down into the water. She laughed splashing at him as he fought to grasp her through the running water. Finally he got a hold of her and pulled her in tightly, pressing his hips against hers and with a sensual grin he slid his cock between her thighs, spreading her tender, swollen lips apart. She moaned at the feeling, laying her head against his chest while his hand curled through her dampened hair, massaging her scalp.

"I didn't hurt you last night, did I?" he whispered gently.

She looked up into his burning amber eyes and smirked, "No, I assure you, all that screaming was from pure bliss."

"Hmm," he grinned grasping her leg and pulling it up, "Then you won't mind if I get another taste of your tightness?"

She pushed herself against him eagerly, giving him the go ahead and he slid himself inside taking her again.

They spent days by the river, making love endlessly, only stopping to eat, sleep and bathe. Karnwyr made himself scarce every time their howls of pleasure echoed through the forest.

Bishop took her in all positions, bending her in ways she'd never imagined. She lost track of time with not a care in the world wanting nothing more than to indulge in this new world of pleasure. If she'd known how good it felt, she would have done it so much sooner. She almost regretted waiting as long as she did, but as Bishop held her close every night, sleeping deeply beside her she was glad he was her first.

One night, after a marathon of sex all day, they lay beside each other, panting and heaving. Bishop sounded exhausted but still insisted breathlessly, "I can keep going if you want."

Rona took a deep breath and said, "I'm tapping out. I can't feel my legs."

He rolled over, head in his hand and chuckled, "So I've finally defeated the Dragonborn."

She cocked her head at him, "Oh please! You couldn't get it up again even if you wanted to. Go ahead - if you can you can have me however you want."

He pursed his lips, looked down at his limpness and wiggled it with a hand, "Damn, you called my bluff," he sat upright and stretched, "Ah well, who's hungry? I'm starved."

"I could eat," she sighed, stretching and pulling a blanket over herself.

He started fixing them a meal, cooking up some of the last of every little thing they had.

Rona hadn't touched her lute in days, too tired to play and voice strained from all the screaming. Still, she was itching to sing something and pulled the lute up to her nude body and plucked at the strings.

Bishop grinned, "Going to play your own rendition of The Dragonborn Comes?"

She rolled her eyes, "I hate that song. Everybody sings it and they all sing it badly."

"That red-headed woman sang it pretty well if you ask me," he said mindlessly while skewering some vegetables and venison.

"Oh! You mean Eira?"

"Is that who that was?" he finished piercing food to skewers and placed them over the fire, "Talk about drop-dead gorgeous. Wish she'd kissed me instead of you." Rona felt a twinge of envy and scowled at him, he glanced back chuckling at her expression. "Feeling jealous, Princess?" he teased.

"Not at all! Why would I ever be jealous of a tall, beautiful nord woman with long flowing red hair, sexy curves and the voice of a goddess?"

He lay back beside her, wrapping an arm over her shoulder, "Certainly not you, I hope. Besides, I've got my sights set on only one Dragonborn...I honestly don't think I could handle two." She smirked and nudged him in the ribs playfully.

They spent the evening flirting and joking over their dinner and Rona sang a few songs to entertain him afterwards. When their laughter and chatting died down the only sounds in the vicinity were the crackle of the fire and the chirping of torchbugs. Rona held a warm cup of tea in her hands and a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. Bishop lay beside her, quietly nodding off.

She'd been thinking for days about everything Bishop had said their first night there. She was hesitant to ask him anything else though for fear of losing him once and for all. Jules was his younger brother, she gleaned that much from his outburst. They'd obviously been very close but from the way he'd said it, his brother was no longer alive.

There was still so much she didn't know about this man who'd woven his way into her heart. She'd started to wonder if his past really mattered at all. He'd suffered a lot as a child and it made him the man he was today. Someone who had trust issues, certainly, but who was deeply caring and protective of the ones he did open up to. He was brutally honest to a fault, vigilant, strong, sexy, and quite talented in many ways.

She'd decided to stop asking him questions, having heard all she could stand anyhow. If he chose to tell her then she'd listen, but it didn't matter anymore. Bishop was Bishop, he was here with her and that's all that mattered.

His hand stroked her arm, "What's on your mind Sweetness?"

She set aside her cup of tea. "Nothing," she murmured.

"Don't want to sleep alone do you Ladyship?"

"Why would I when I have you to keep me company?" she smiled and lay back down beside him.

Uttering an affectionate growl he pulled her in closer. Sleeping in each other's arms again. She would never grow tired of it.

The two spent more than a week secluded in a world of their own making, keeping each other company and doing what lovers did best. Rona drowned herself in the pleasures he provided nearly forgetting her purpose. It was only when they were going at it on a small island by the waterfall that they were reminded of the world outside and the reason for their journey. As they both neared their climax the roars of a dragon echoed over the mountains.

Bishop held for a moment listening for it, but Rona didn't care. She was almost there and it would have been better to come while engulfed in flames than to never come at all. She bucked her hips against him, making him groan. He looked down at her surprised and more aroused by her eagerness and flippant disregard of the potential danger.

He lifted her onto his lap, letting her take the lead, and using his body to make it happen. She squirmed on his lap and screamed his name as she peaked. Her forcefulness brought him to climax as well and he released it inside as he often did now.

Knowing she was using a contraceptive he preferred to finish inside her, though he wasn't opposed to showering her with his essence on several occasions as well, such as the first time she took him in her mouth and between her breasts.

As their cries rang through the trees, Rona slumped against him, exhausted and he held her, still listening for danger. The dragon's roars became more distant and he relaxed and sighed, "How do those damn things always find you?"

"It's cause I'm too loud, I think," she mumbled against him, exhausted.

He laughed at her, "You could never be too loud Lightfoot. In fact I prefer it, the louder you are the better and then I know I'm doing my job right."

She smiled fondly at him and grazed his lips with a kiss before drawing herself to her feet and stumbled. Bishop caught her and lifted her up into his arms. "Ladyship, you're as light as a damned feather," he said as he carried her back to their camp.

"And you've got nice broad shoulders," she replied grasping them.

He seemed pleased with the compliment, flexing his shoulders slightly.

The minute he set her down her energy slowly returned. She stretched and staggered around camp looking for her clothes. She put her underwear and dress on for the first time in what felt like days. Bishop looked displeased, groaning, "Mmm, Ladyship, no, don't do that. These clothes are too restrictive." He tugged at her dress sleeves, still totally nude himself.

She laughed at him as she pulled on her boots, "I need a break!"

"Tired already? Because I could keep going, I'm ready whenever you are, Sweetness."

"Bishop, it's been eight days of endless sex, I can't even walk straight anymore," she threw his underwear at him.

"You didn't seem to mind it every time I had you flushed and breathless beneath me."

She blushed lightly and rolled her eyes, "We really need to go to Whiterun, today. We're nearly out of supplies."

"Just the mead, I can forage and hunt for you any old time," he suggested.

"I need civilization!" she declared, "And as much as I'd love to spend the rest of my life indulging in endless pleasure with you I have things to do. Dragonborn, remember? Dragons to kill, destiny to fulfill?"

"I'd much rather stay here and fulfill you," he teased. She dumped his clothes into his lap and he finally caved in and pulled his underwear and pants on. They both dressed and packed up their messy campsite. Rona made a mental note to wash the bedrolls and the blankets thoroughly after the hot mess they'd made all over them, not to mention the sour smell they emitted, which was enough to make her eyes water.

Bishop took every passing opportunity to grope her and kiss her lips as he passed by putting things away. After the last one, she crooned, "Don't make me shout you off a cliff." He retreated, laughing raucously.

As Bishop mounted his steed Rona excused herself for a moment and wandered off into the brush by the waterfall. She pulled her mother's urn from her pouch. It'd been so long since she held it. She had considered spreading some ashes up on High Hrothgar, but as she slowly started hating the place decided against it. Instead she wanted to spread them in places that held deep significance to her, where she enjoyed being. Places where she knew her mother would have enjoyed being. She sprinkled some at the edge of the river and pocketed the urn. With a last glance at the beautiful scenery she left to rejoin Bishop.

They found Karnwyr a ways down the road, gnawing on the remains of a rabbit he'd caught and called him along. He seemed happy to finally be on the move again and ran around wildly barking at every little thing, even taking a few risky chances to excitedly weave through their horses legs. Thankfully both Karinda and Whiskey were so used to the wolf and his antics that they hardly bat an eye.

Whiterun was only a few hours from where they were and they arrived while it was still daylight out. They stabled their horses and made their way inside passing by several guards nearby. One of them seemed to recognize her and ran right over.

"Lady Rona!" he called, pulling his helmet off revealing his bald head and bushy beard.

"Dagun! Hello - what are you doing back in Whiterun?"

"Oh, Sigrs and I had to take leave from Riverwood after a dragon attack," he said dejectedly.

Rona's eyes widened, "Are you alright? Is he alright? What - when did it happen?" Could she have prevented it? Could she have protected them? She panicked inwardly.

"Oh, everyone is fine for the most part," he said faltering slightly, "It was a little over a month ago, but we took care of it with, well, mostly no problem. Sigrs got a pretty bad burn to his back and shoulder, he's been staying up at the Temple of Kynareth for healing. As for me, my rockjoint was acting up again and I knew if I stuck around I'd be useless against another dragon attack so they traded us out. My nephew Talun is still up there though with a couple of new recruits."

Rona sighed, relieved that they were okay.

"Relax Ladyship," Bishop said clapping her on the back, "You can't protect everyone all the time."

Dagun glanced at the ranger, slightly dismayed to see he was still accompanying her.

"I'll have to go visit Sigrs and see if I can use my magic to help," she said pulling his attention away from Bishop.

"That'd be mighty kind of you miss - oh! I almost forgot! Jarl Balgruuf wanted me to give this to you if I saw you around," Dagun pulled a slightly crinkled envelope from his trouser pocket.

She accepted it, looking at it curiously, "I wonder what it is?"

"More gold I hope," Bishop said, to which Rona rolled her eyes.

"Don't know, been keeping it for you for a while now," another guard called for Dagun, "Whoops, sorry Lady Rona, but I've got to get going. It was nice seeing you," he left to go make his rounds when he stopped and turned back, "Hey! If you get a chance tonight, mind stopping by the Bannered Mare? We'd love to hear you sing again!"

She smiled at him, "I'd love to!"

They waved goodbye then Rona and Bishop walked down the path towards the marketplace, both staring at the envelope. Rona stepped off the path and tore it open.

"So? What'll it be this time?" Bishop pried, "We going off to find some magical golden goose that shits gold bars, or perhaps a dragon killing Daedra in disguise?"

She ignored his snide comments and pulled out the formal looking letter and read it out loud, "The noble Jarl Balgruuf the Greater of Whiterun hereby summons the Lady Dragonborn Rona Thoraminh to appear before the court at her latest convenience."

Bishop leaned over her shoulder, "Damn, he even put it on fancy parchment and signed it personally. Looks like you're really going places Ladyship."

"I wonder what he wants to see me for?"

"Well, let's not waste any time finding out," Bishop suggested leading the way.

Inside the palace they found everyone in court dining at one of the tables, Rona hadn't realized it was already supper time until the scent of delicious food filled her nostrils and made her stomach growl. She blushed as Irileth and Steward Proventus both looked over at her mid-chew. Jarl Balgruuf hadn't noticed her though as he was busy chastising one of his children.

"What have I told you about fighting with your brother, Frothar?"

The boy with shorter hair laughed, "It's not my fault if Nelkir is too much of a milk-drinker to defend himself!"

"Hey!" Nelkir shouted, throwing his steak knife at the boy, "Take that back!" It flew past his head and bounced off the back of the chair.

"Father! Did you see what he just did!?"

"Papa, when's my new dress going to be finished?" the little girl pestered Balgruuf as the two boys continued bickering louder and louder, calling each other every childish insult under the sun.

"Draugr-breath!"

"Skeever-brain!"

"Mammoth-nose!"

"Shut up Frothar or I'll make you regret it!"

"Oh yeah? I'd like to see you try, Nelkie, you big baby!"

"I will! I know things about you that you don't want anyone to know!"

"Oh yeah? Like what," Frothar mocked.

"Like how you've got a copy of the Lusty Argonian Maid hidden in your bottom dresser drawer!"

"Hey! I do not! Father he's lying!"

"You're the liar!"

"ENOUGH!" Balgruuf bellowed slamming his fists on the table forcing the dishes to clatter everywhere and knocking over his mug of mead, "GO TO YOUR ROOMS! ALL OF YOU!"

"But papa I didn't do anything!" whined the little girl.

"You too Dagny - GO! And don't come back until you all learn some damned respect you ungrateful little bastards!"

Nelkir flinched at the remark and looked at his father with pure disgust before following after his siblings.

Rona glanced over at Bishop who also appeared rather appalled by the scene in front of them. After a moment, while Balgruuf made to compose himself and called for a fresh mug of mead from his maid-servant, Irileth piped in, "My Jarl."

"What is it Irileth," he seethed, clearly not interested in talking about what just happened.

"We have guests," she said plainly.

Balgruuf looked up from his tossed plate and his rage melted from his face, "Dragonborn. I wasn't expecting you," he got up grumbling and throwing his napkin from his lap, "Damned guards, can't even inform me of visitors..."

He approached her and she said, "I received your letter sir...er your summons."

"Yes, I was wondering when you'd grace us with your presence again. If you would follow me Lady Rona, we have much to discuss," he glanced at Bishop and said, "I'm sorry but your companion will have to stay here, I must speak with you in private."

Bishop cocked an eyebrow, arms crossed and said, "You'd deny the Dragonborn her personal guard?"

Balgruuf laughed, "I sincerely doubt Miss Thoraminh needs protection."

Bishop scowled but before he could put his foot dangerously in his mouth Rona gave him a reassuring look and said, "I'll be fine, just wait here for a minute."

Bishop grumbled, walking away from them and took a seat on one of the benches near the front doors, Karnwyr following at his heel.

Balgruuf escorted Rona to his upstairs balcony. He lead her outside where the cool breeze touched their faces and he casually leaned his back against the railing. Irileth stood nearby keeping a watchful eye on the Jarl.

"Welcome to the Great Porch of Dragonsreach," he said waving a hand up to an arched wooden contraption hanging from the ceiling, "This is where King Olaf One Eye once trapped the dragon Numinex, at least, that's what the legends say."

Rona turned and looked out at the sprawling landscape as the wind twisted her hair in her face. Skyrim's beauty never ceased to amaze her, though she knew the Jarl hadn't brought her there to admire the landscape. She asked, "What did you want to discuss?"

"Straight to it then, eh?" he turned back casually leaning over the railing and clasping his hands together, "I heard all about your meeting with Ulfric. You play a dangerous game with that man."

She looked over curiously at him, "You have eyes in Windhelm?"

"Of course I do, girl, who do you think I am?"

Irileth twitched slightly and Rona said with dawning realization, "The dark elves."

"Hmph," Balgruuf confirmed her speculations, "I've been standing precariously at the sidelines of this civil war, keeping my eyes and ears wide open. I need to know where Whiterun stands between these two factions at all times."

"Where do you stand?" she asked him.

He grit his teeth stating firmly, "I stand on the side of Whiterun as I always have. No doubt General Tulius and his friends in the Empire will tell you that I owe them my loyalty, and perhaps I do. Ulfric Stormcloak would say that I owe my allegiance to the nord people as they fight for Skyrim's independence. Perhaps this is also true. The day might come when I am forced to draw my sword for one side or the other. But that day has not come yet."

"You're waiting," she guessed, "for me to choose a side."

His eyes flicked over to her, "You are a quick study, girl...so much like her."

"Like who?" Rona tilted her head slightly.

Balgruuf sighed heavily, running a hand anxiously through his hair, "Your mother. Claudia... she was a real firebrand that one. I see a lot of her in you. You have her eyes and her height," he chuckled, " the rest of you though definitely comes from old Serlas."

Rona cast her gaze to the dimming skies before posing her next question, "How well did you know them? My parents?"

"Your father, I've only met him a few times when you were still no higher than my knee. As for Claudia..."

Rona's pulse quickened, she could already guess. When she'd returned to him many months ago after slaying the dragon outside Whiterun he'd asked about her mother. She'd only given brief details, informing him that she'd died. She recalled the pained look he gave at the news.

Balgruuf cleared his throat, "She was an old flame of mine."

To hear the words though was a whole other thing. Rona knew her parents were only together briefly. She only existed because her mother and father met in a tavern one fateful evening, both sloshed on ale which lead them to a bedroom and then a single night of passion together. Nine months later and her father received a letter that he had a daughter.

She always knew in her heart that her mother was like that. Claudia was someone who could never stay in one place and would never let anything or anyone tie her down whether that be her family's old farm, a string of one-night stands or a child resulting from those flits of fancy. Still, she had to know more.

"How long?" Rona asked curtly.

"Me and Claudia? Damn... about five years. It's not like we were in a relationship girl, I hope you know that...you know how she was," he said diverting his gaze.

Rona knew she shouldn't ask this next one, but lost the battle with her tongue, "Were you having an affair?"

She made the Jarl blush. He put a hand to his mouth, coughing slightly, "I can't believe I'm explaining myself to you."

"I'm sorry," she felt conflicted. This man had been her mother's lover at one time or another, she'd never known him herself but this situation made him feel like some sort of long lost relative, "I don't mean to pry, it's just, there's so much I didn't know about her."

"Hmm...I understand. My wife was on her deathbed when I met your mother. I'm ashamed to say that our relationship began shortly after her passing. Not exactly an affair, but not exactly proper behavior by a man who just lost his wife either."

Rona didn't know what to say. Was this what Jarl Balgruuf wanted to speak to her about? Calling her here just to say, ah yes, by the way Dragonborn, I used to bed your mother on occasion? She felt incredibly uncomfortable.

He noticed her uneasiness and said, "I wouldn't have told you all this if I didn't think it was important Lady Rona. There is a reason I'm explaining this to you now."

"Why's that?"

He hesitated before he asked, "What do you think of my children? From what you saw today?"

She looked at him baffled, what kind of question was that?

"Tell me honestly," he added.

"They're spoiled rotten," she practically spat the words at him, "They don't know the meaning of respect or empathy. If you were to tell me they'd inherit your throne tomorrow I wouldn't trust them as far as I could throw them. Your sons are ready to kill each other and your daughter would sell off your citizens for a new doll."

Balgruuf's face twisted and he burst into laughter, pressing a hand to his head, "Damn woman, I asked for your honest opinion and you gave me a lethal tongue lashing, I see the Greybeards have taught you well," he sighed before slowly admitting, "You're right though. It's difficult to manage an entire city and raise three brats all my own. I suppose I spoil them too much, started doing it after they lost their mother. You though...Serlas did right with you. You turned out to be a respectable young woman and for that we're all grateful, especially considering you're Dragonborn now."

She pressed him, "But why are you telling me these things?"

He called to his Housecarl, "Irileth, bring Nelkir here would you? I want him to meet the Dragonborn."

"Yes Jarl Balgruuf, right away," she left them to collect his son.

He turned back to Rona and said, "I want you to meet my youngest Nelkir." She stared at him, perplexed as he explained, "He is a dark child. I don't know what to do with him. He was always a quiet lad, but lately... something has changed. He's become brooding. Violent. He won't say a word to me about what's been bothering him. Though I suspect..."

Rona went to ask why he was introducing her to this boy and what any of it had to do with her when Irileth returned with the child in tow. His arms were crossed and his long hair swept over his eyes. It was hard to see but she could tell he was scowling underneath.

"Ah Nelkir, there's someone I would like you to meet," Balgruuf called.

The boy came up to them and when he glanced up at Rona her jaw nearly hit the floor. They shared the same sparkling green eyes and he had most of her mother's facial features. She felt a shudder crawling up her spine but forced it back.

The child sneered at her, "Hmph, another wanderer here to lick my father's boots. Good job."

Balgruuf roared at his son, "Watch your tongue boy! That's the Dragonborn you speak to! Show some damned respect!"

Nelkir looked her up and down, unimpressed and said, "I thought the Dragonborn was supposed to look tough. You just look like another dumb girl wearing a stupid dress."

Rona's eye twitched, she was half-ready to slap the mouth off this kid. But as Balgruuf made to lash out at him again Rona butt-in quickly, kneeling down to his height and said, "Yeah, I am the Dragonborn, do you want to hear me shout?"

His face lit up with interest for just a moment before he turned his head shyly and said, "Yeah...sure...I guess."

She turned away from them both and stood as tall as her petite frame would allow and hurled three different shouts to the skies.

"FUS RO DAH!"

"KAAN DREM OV!"

"FO KRAH DIIN!"

Nelkir seemed most impressed by her frost breath, as the frozen words twisted in beautiful crystalline spirals through the air. There was a childish delight playing on his face which he tried so desperately to hide under his long hair.

"Can you shout fire too?" he asked quickly.

Rona smiled at him, "Ah, no. I haven't learned that one from the Greybeards just yet. But when I do I'll come back and show you if you'd like."

He blushed and mumbled, "If you want to, I guess..."

"Come on Nelkir, your father and Dragonborn Rona have much more to discuss," Irileth said directing the boy away from them.

"It was nice meeting you Nelkir," she called, giving him a friendly wave. Nelkir glanced back at her one last time before leaving.

The second the door snapped shut Rona dropped her cheerful facade and turned, glaring at Balgruuf, "My mother had a son and you didn't think to tell me about him!?"

He looked at her surprised, "Ah...hmm. So you could tell, eh?"

She threw a hand out dramatically, "He's the goddamned spitting image of her!"

Balgruuf chuckled slightly and leaned back against the railing, "I suppose he is..."

Rona turned away from him and looked out over the twinkling stars slowly appearing in the darkening sky, trying to let her mind settle with the thousand questions raging in her head. The two of them were quiet for a moment before she finally breathed, "How old is he?"

"Just turned nine this past winter," he said.

Rona felt sick to her stomach. Her mother had a baby boy when she was fourteen years old and she hadn't bothered to tell her about him. Had he been abandoned by her too? Had he ever known her?

"Was she involved in his life?"

Balgruuf scoffed, "Claudia? No. Not at all. She birthed the boy and gave him to me, said she was no good as a mother and that if she kept him he'd die of starvation and neglect."

Rona cringed at him, "How do you know he's yours then?"

He laughed, "Oh I wondered for many years. But as he got older, I knew. He's mine. My poor bastard son. It was hard trying to pass him off as my dead wife's last child you know. He's almost too close in age to Frothar. Most people, they're wise to the fact he came from another woman, it's just a matter of silencing their damned whispers about it."

She shook her head, wanting desperately to return to the night before where she was happy and comfortable in Bishop's arms. She wanted to get away from all of this. Anything to do with her mother she wanted to escape it and leave it all behind.

"Why are you telling me all this?" she asked, choking back her frustration.

"Because I want you to know that you have family here in Whiterun. This war affects all of us, but especially my children - my son - your brother," he sounded desperate, "Your mother left me in charge of that boy's safety and I plan to see him through it all," his voice grew louder, more fraught, "Ulfric grows impatient with my stalling. I'm afraid he'll make an attack on Whiterun sooner than later. I need to know that I have you at our backs."

She scowled at him, "So you'd have me join the Imperials? Is that it?"

"No! No, I'm not saying you join either of them - just promise me you will guard this city if Ulfric - if any of them make a move! Promise me that you'll protect my children!"

She shook her head at him and began to walk away, "I can't." Their conversation had lead to such uncomfortable territory that she couldn't stand to be there anymore.

He shouted at her back, "What do you mean you can't!? You'd just as soon let Ulfric overrun this city and slaughter us all!?"

"I can't do this! This is too much. I'm sorry about your position and about him - your son. But I just can't do this right now."

She was nearly at the door when Balgruuf barked, "He's your mother's son, your brother!"

She thought of what Bishop would say or do and she turned back, letting regretful words slip free, "That's not my problem! She chose to hide him from me! To exclude him from my life and it was her choice to abandon the both of us! He's a stranger to me - just another face in the crowd."

"And what of your unending compassion!? I heard all about what you did for the people of Windhelm, why would you forsake Whiterun? After all I've done for you woman!" He was enraged, fists clasped and shaking.

She studied him, realizing now that everything he'd done for her, the title, the house, the money, it was all because she was Dragonborn and perhaps because of the blood tie she shared with her mother. It was all calculated. Everything he did was an attempt to manipulate her and garner her favor with him.

She glared at him, trembling with just as much anger, "You used me. All of it was just a ploy to get at me wasn't it? And your son? What, he was your ace in the hole? The hidden playing card? 'Protect us Dragonborn! Look you have a brother to watch out for now!' You selfish prick! Well you made your bed, now you get to lie in it."

She swiftly spun on her toe, practically racing for the door when he drew his last card and played it, "How well do you know that ranger of yours Rona?"

She stopped in her tracks, hand on the door. Her heart beat harder. He knew about Bishop? Did he know something she didn't already?

"Has he told you who he really is yet?"

She kept her breathing steady, listening, waiting.

"Ask him about the Thrice-Banished, Dragonborn...Or go on playing your dangerous games if you prefer."