Well here is a new chapter. Tomorrow there won't be as many chapters. After tomorrow this story will only be updated once a week.

The weeks passed quickly, the knowledge of dragons returning was quickly fading. Those weeks turned into two months and then three months and there was still no sign of dragons. People were starting to think that one dragon had met its demise.

Jorik knew better, but he kept silent. That same presence he had felt when Alduin made his appearance and in the ruins was still there, waiting. He could still feel the dragon, somewhere out there.

Some days would see him at Dragonreach talking with the Balgruuf, other days would see him spending time with Kodlak. When he wasn't at either places' he was out in the wilderness doing missions for people who had asked for his help.

Now there were messages being sent to him from other holds. Helga would hold onto them until he returned. Whiterun was his new home, people here knew him and welcome him. He even had offers from some of the residences for him to reside at their houses. To his amusement there had been a couple offers of marriage. Those he turned down as gently as possible.

He walked into the Bannered Mare and smirked as Mikael scowled at him. For the longest time he had all of the women to himself. Now, most of the females and a few men turned to him for a night of fun. He didn't mind, actually he now looked forward to his nights. He never knew who he would find in his room waiting for him.

"Helga, do you have any more bounties that need to be cleared up?" Jorik asked as he took a seat at the bar.

"No, you've done the last of them," Helga answered as she brought over his mead.

Jorik sat in silence, wonder what to do now. He had a few missions that took him out of town to Falkreath and Riften, but there wasn't enough to do the trip. Two missions, was not worth the time to make that long of a trip. He sighed, finishing his mead, trying to come up with a plan. Instead of staying downstairs like he usually did he went to his room. He sighed in relief when there wasn't a female waiting for him.

He glanced at the trunk at the end of his bed. Helga had it moved up here for him a while back. She had basically made this his room, but he wanted a house of his own, not a room in an inn.

He looked at the stack of message on his table. His eyes widened, there hadn't been that many before. He scanned through them, there were a few new ones. He grinned, tomorrow he would head out and start the missions.

~ooooooooooooo~

Balgruuf sat in his room, court was now over for the day. He was surprised Jorik hadn't stopped by. He wondered if Jorik was going to buy the house he offered. He picked up the stack of reports waiting for him. His steward had already went over them, but they needed his signature or his attention.

A few were reports of what was going on in Whiterun. Most had Jorik name mentioned in them somewhere. He wasn't surprised that Jorik had made a name for himself here. He glanced at the other notes, smiling for the first time today. The problems with bandits nearby were eradicated, all the caves and old ruins near Whiterun were clear for now. It was good news, he wouldn't have to worry about people in his hold dying unexpectedly for the next little while.

He glanced up when the door to his office opened. "My Jarl, there is a problem, a dragon has been spotted near the eastern watch tower," his steward said urgently.

Balgruuf rose to his feet quickly and rushed to the war room where everyone was waiting. He was surprised to see Jorik there. "I requested that Jorik to be present since he was there for the Helgen attack," Irileth stated.

They all listened to what the guard had to say. Balgruuf was so focused on the guards words, that it didn't register someone was leaving. He glanced around when the report was done. Jorik was already gone. He knew where the Nord was heading, and hoped his guards and the Companions would get there in time to help him.

~ooooooooooooo~

Jorik ran as fast as he could towards the tower in the distance. He heard other join him, but couldn't be bothered, he had one focus.

Ireleth and the Companions followed closely behind Jorik. She was surprised at the pace he was keeping. If he kept this place up, he wouldn't have any energy for the fight that was to come.

Jorik felt something inside of him rise and fill him. He felt powerful, he could feel the other dragon near. His mind blanked as he stared up the skies. A thundering roar sliced through the murmur of the guards.

Jorik watched as the dragon flew overhead, he grinned, a part of him that he never knew he had anticipated the fight, wanted this fight, this challenge. The noise surrounding Jorik vanished, a voice older than anything whispered through him, saying words he knew nothing of. A language he only ever heard in his dreams. Chanting that had happened at the stone wall from the crypt grew within him, thrumming through him. Words he knew nothing of spurted out of his mouth, "Meyz Dovah, krif al do wuth." (Come dragon, fight as of old.)

People stopped and stared at Jorik, his eyes pure black as his voice filled the air. They listened as he uttered words that no one knew anything of. They backed away from him uncertainly, the dragon no longer flying around. It had landed in one spot further away from them, but closer to Jorik. Jorik stood alone fighting it, speaking to it. They watched as the dragon was about to fall. "No, Dovahkiin," everyone heard the dragon say with his final breath.

Jorik stood there swaying – Dovahkiin. That one word thrummed through him. The word he saw months ago, burned bright, filled his being. He opened his mouth – "Fus" – split the air, thundering from his mouth.

He felt different, like waking from a long slumber. His body felt more invigorated, his mind clearer, sharper. What was once a mystery to him, that old language, he understood what it was. Dragon tongue, he didn't know the language fluently, but now he had answers. Knowledge filled him, the dragon that he had killed, Mirmulnir, his presences filled him when he taken the dragon's soul. He knew that was what he did, absorbed the dragon's soul. Dovahkiin, Dragonborn, every Nord knew the old tales of Talos and other Dragonborn.

"You're Dragonborn," a soldier breathed in awe.

Jorik said nothing, there was nothing he could say. He glanced around him at the people watching. He noticed a few of the Companions were there, quite a few of the guards. It wasn't a secret, people knew what he was.

"You should inform the Jarl what happened here," Ireleth stated, looking at him oddly. She had seen many unusual things, but never something like this.

Jorik nodded as he walked away, stunned by the events that just happened. He had felt different when he absorbed the soul, and still felt different. If he was to believe the old tales then he had a soul of a dragon.

He walked into the castle heading straight for Balgruuf. He knew without a word being said that everyone had heard the shout from the mountains. It had thundered across the skies calling for the Dovahkiin. Jorik stood there watching as Bulgruuf and his brother talked.

"What happened at the watch tower?" Bulgruuf asked urgently.

"The dragon is dead, Irileth and the soldiers that were there defeated the dragon. The tower needs repairs, but other than that it's safe enough for now," Jorik answered.

"I knew I could count on Irileth," Balgruuf murmured with a relieved grin. "But something else happened didn't it?"

Jorik stared at him for a moment, "No, nothing of importance," he stated firmly.

"Then why would the Greybeards call for the Dragonborn?" Balgruuf asked with knowing eyes.

"That is for them to know and whoever it is they called," Jorik answered firmly. "If there is nothing else, then I shall take my leave."

"Irileth will be returning soon. She'll have the answers I am looking for Jorik," Balgruuf warned.

Jorik didn't bother answering as he walked out of the castle. He nodded to the guards that greeted him, but other than that he wouldn't allow anything else to change. He walked into his room at the Bannered Mare, he could feel people staring at him. He knew what happened at the towers had already made its rounds, he wouldn't be able to keep it a secret for long. He smiled grimly, he finally had the answers he was looking for. All those strange dreams had been telling him he was the Dragonborn.

~oooooooooo~

Irileth stood in front of the Jarl after securing the tower. She had brought two guards with her, for their side of the story if the Jarl wished to hear.

"What happened out there?" Balgruuf asked impatiently.

"Didn't Jorik explain to you what happened?" Irileth asked uncertainly, she never thought Jorik one to hide things.

"He said, you defeated the dragon, and the tower is safe once more," Balgruuf told her impatiently.

Irileth stared speechlessly at her Jarl. She couldn't utter a word if she wanted to. She knew her shock was showing with her mouth hanging open, but she was stupefied that Jorik had said she did it.

"Irileth?" Balgruuf asked raising a brow. He had never seen her this shocked or show this amount of emotion through her usual calm mask.

"We didn't kill the dragon. We didn't even hit the dragon. When the dragon flew overhead, Jorik said some words in a different language. Then he moved far away and the dragon landed right in front of him. We were going to help, but he snarled at us to stay away. After that the fight was between him and the dragon. He killed the dragon and something strange happened, the dragon went up in flames and something surrounded him. One of the Nords called him Dragonborn, though I am not too sure about that," Irileth explained. She wasn't even sure what happened out there.

"So the Greybeards had been calling for him," Balgruuf murmured as he walked away. Irileth followed closely behind him, waiting for her next orders. "In the morning have one of the guards escort Jorik here." He sat on his throne contemplating who would be best suited as a housecarl for Jorik.

"What are you planning Balgruuf?" Irileth asked.

"I am to make him Thane. He has more than earned the title. Everything he has done for my hold and its people over the past few months' shows that he has more than earned the title. Now I just need to figure out who to have as his Housecarl. The person needs to be an excellent fighter, loyal, able to keep their silence of their Thane's private life," he murmured thoughtfully.

Irileth listened to the list, that didn't leave many candidates. Too many of the soldiers weren't good enough to fight by Jorik's side. Plus this person had to be able to not pass judgment on anything he did, she knew that quite a few guilds would be looking to have him join and some of those guilds didn't have the best names. They also had to be able to think straight with him around. She had noticed how most of the females ogled him, she even noticed some males ogling him too. She had to admit he wasn't bad looking for a human. Unfortunately, that cut down the list a lot.

Irileth walked into the barracks, easier to think this way. She glanced around and noticed Lydia talking with the other soldiers. She thought Lydia was still on the mission that she had given her. Then she remembered that she had come back late last night. She didn't need to look any further, all she needed was Balgruuf permission. "Lydia, follow me," Irileth ordered as she headed for the door. She knew she didn't need to make sure the girl was following.

"What's going on?" Lydia asked as she followed Irileth. She had automatically grabbed her sword and shield, before heading to the door. She didn't expect Irileth to answer, but followed her to the main hall. Her curiosity piqued as they walked over to the Jarl.

"Balgruuf, I think we found who we are looking for," Irileth stated as she moved out of the way to show Lydia.

"I think you might be right Irileth," Balgruuf said thoughtfully as he walked around Lydia. He noticed that the woman always kept him in sight and ready to defend herself at a moment's notice. He smirked as she met his gaze without flinching, her hand at her side near the hilt of her sword. It wasn't a threatening posture, but a ready one. "Have you heard of Jorik?" he asked.

"The Nord that comes here often? Yes, I've spoken to him a few times. Even sparred with him once," she answered with a grin.

"How did you fair sparring against him?" Balgruuf asked curiously. This was the first he heard of Jorik sparring with anyone without the other person scowling.

"It was interesting. He's a good fighter and very controlled. He beat me easily, but I was able to get a few good shots in," Lydia answered trying to keep the grin off her face. The shocked look on the Jarl face wasn't making it any easier.

"I am making Jorik Thane, but there is a good chance that he will not be around Whiterun much. He has been called by the Greybeards, though he denies that he is Dragonborn," Balgruuf told her watching her expression closely.

"What is you wish me to do my Jarl?" Lydia asked bowing her head respectfully. She knew Jorik and the Jarl were friends, one of the Jarl's trusted friends.

"If you are to be housecarl to Jorik, you'll need to remain silent about his personal life. Your job will be simular to Proventius along with the usual housecarl role.. He hasn't yet bought a house, he is planning on it, but doesn't have the funding yet," Irileth stated.

"What do you mean simular as Proventius?" Lydia asked, making sure she understood what they expected of her.

"Your positions will be more than a housecarl, to protect everything he owns and him. Jorik is a very private man and there only a few he trusts. But people all around the nine holds call on him to answer their problems. He receives letters most days, usually he doesn't have time for the simplest things. Your job is to make his life easier, any way you can," Balgruuf stated, he cracked a smile when he saw the question in her eyes, but he also saw the answer. He knew then that she would be a good housecarl. She didn't look disgusted or overburden with the rules he placed on her. He wondered if she understood his hidden meaning, when he saw the intent stare he knew she understood the hidden message.

"Where do I stay when he doesn't need my services?" Lydia asked.

"Here at the castle," Irileth answered and then nodded her dismissal.

They waited until Lydia was out of sight, "what do you think?"

"I think she will be perfect. She's not subservient, but she knows what to ask and not ask. Jorik isn't an easy man to get to know and I think Lydia might be able to earn his trust," Balgruuf answered.

~oooooooooooo~

Jorik made his way up to the castle with two guards following him. He had been informed that he been requested at the castle. It wasn't often Balgruuf requested his presence. He walked into the main hall, Balgruuf sat on his throne.

"You requested my presence?" Jorik asked with an amused look.

"Irileth told me what you didn't," Balgruuf stated, watching him closely.

"Then you have the information you wanted, so why do you need me here?" Jorik asked with a quirk of his brow.

"You are Dragonborn, whether you like it or not. The Greybeard have called you, and you should see them. They can help explain better what it means to be Dragonborn," Balgruuf told him firmly.

Jorik bowed his head, running a frustrated hand through his braided hair. He sighed and met the Jarl's eyes. "I guess I can't escape destiny now can I. I'll see the Greybeards when I am ready, not until then. As for Dragonborn, yes I am, but I am not sure if I want it," Jorik told him tiredly. He didn't say this to the Jarl, he said this to his friend. He dropped his stoic mask, showing Balgruuf his turmoil. He could see understanding in the other man's eyes and knew he wouldn't push this situation.

"There is another thing we need to do. For all of your service for Whiterun Hold. I name you Thane of Whiterun. Lydia will be your housecarl, she is a trustworthy woman," Balgruuf told him.

"What is expected of me with this new title?" Jorik asked leery, he had heard of Thane. Most aspired to be one, it meant honor, prestige, but it also meant that you're at the keep most of your time.

"I expect nothing more or less than what you have been doing," Balgruuf stated. "It's an honorary title, but one that shows all you've done for my hold."

"Then I accept," Jorik murmured as he bowed to Balgruuf. "Now I need to speak with your Steward, I have a house to finally purchase and furnish."

Balgruuf grinned as he motioned Jorik towards the stairs. Now that his friend was taken care of he could turn himself to his other worries. The war and Ulfric. He knew Ulfric wanted his allegiance, but he couldn't turn his back on the Empire. They were what brought coin into Skyrim, and Skyrim needed them or they would be back to warring with each other.