Jorik sighed as he stepped out of Jorrvaskr. He glanced at Vilkas, "Are you sure you want to come?" Jorik asked. "I can easily do this mission on my own."

"No, you need a shield brother with this one. You'll be going up against a dragon," Vilkas reminded him.

"I've fought lots of dragons on my own," Jorik muttered with a scowl.

"I'm still coming with you," Vilkas stated with an annoyed shake of his head.

Jorik sighed and led the way out of the courtyard. They had to go to shearpoint to take down a dragon that hads been attacking one of the smaller villageMorthal. He wasn't sure how to do this. He had planned to go to Markarth right after this mission, but now he couldn't do that, not with Vilkas with him.

"What's bothering you?" Vilkas asked with an intent look.

"Nothing!" Jorik snapped, glaring at Vilkas.

"Jorik, you've been moody since you came back from Markarth," Vilkas stated.

"Vilkas, leave it!" Jorik grumbled.

"Fine, but if I die because you are too distracted…." Vilkas growled.

"If you die, your threat wouldn't matter. I would already be dead," Jorik smirked and picked up the pace so there would be no more talking.

~oooooooooooooooooooo~

Jorik groaned, rubbing his aching ribs as he stared at the dead dragon. He dropped to his knees when the soul filled him, calling to him.

Vilkas backed away when Jorik's eyes turned black, almost feral. He could honestly admit it unnerved him to see his friend like this.

Jorik fought for control, he could feel the other souls fighting for control. He groaned and doubled over, those souls whispered so sweetly to him. They pressed against his resolve, he was so tempted to give in to those sweet calls.

"Jorik…?" He heard Vilkas voice in the distance.

"What?" He growled, his voice deeper, louder like he was about to shout.

Vilkas hesitated and moved over to Jorik, hesitantly he place his hand on the man's shoulder. He was prepared for an attack, he didn't know what Jorik's mind set was at the moment.

Vilkas watched Jorik's eyes turn back to green, it was like watching green water slowly fill them, washing out the black. "Are you alright?" Vilkas asked.

"Yeah, fine," Jorik groaned. "You should head back to JoorvaskrJorrvaskr, I am heading to Markarth, there areis a few things that I need to check in on."

"I don't think you should be travelling alone right now," Vilkas stated, watching him closely.

Jorik rose to his feet unsteadily. He moved around the clearing avoiding the skeleton remains of the dragon. He could still feel them pressing against his will, but he fought back with everything he had. It was tiring to always fight the voices off, the sweet music of the dragon language. Without another glance at Vilkas he head down the hill towards Markarth ignoring the beat of the word wall and everything else. .

~oooooooooooo~

Markarth was busy as usual, guards were walking the streets. Jorik didn't see Argis anywhere and that worried him. He wondered if maybe his title as dragonborn wasn't good enough to protect the nord. He stopped the first guard he saw, "Where do I find Argis?" he asked.

"He's at the castle," the guard stated, before walking away to continue his patrol.

Jorik nodded and headed towards the castle. He wasn't sure what he planned or why he was making it a point of seeing Argis. As far as he was concerned it didn't matter, he was keeping his promise.

He found Argis standing in the shadows near the throne. Jorik walked over to him ignoring the Jarl. The Jarl was the last person he wanted to talk to, and he planned on keeping that promise.

"How are things going here?" Jorik asked Argis when they stood side by side.

"The Jarl hasn't requested my presence for any missions. So I have been stuck in this castle with nothing to do," Argis grumbled with a scowl.

"I have a few missions to do, find out if the Jarl will allow you to follow me," Jorik offered with a shrug. His eyes widened when Argis left him standing there and hurried towards the Jarl. He had to chuckle softly that Argis would react this way with his offer.

He waited for Argis to return and couldn't help, but notice the large smile on Argis' face. "I take it he said yes?" Jorik murmured.

"Actually he wishes to speak with you, but yes, he said it would be a good idea that I join you," Argis answered. Jorik looked curiously at the Jarl, not sure if he trust the Jarl.

Argis stayed close to Jorik. He had already heard the rumors, they intended to make Jorik a Thane. He wondered how Jorik would feel about that. "You wish to speak with me?" Jorik asked in a cold voice.

"Yes, I have heard you helped many people of my hold out. I wish to bestow the title of Thane onto you. You retrieved my shield where many couldn't, you've cleared out many of the forsworn," The Jarl stated as he rose to his feet.

"If I am to take this honor, what happens to Argis?" Jorik asked coldly.

"Even though he is your husband, he will be come your housecarl," Jarl Igmund said firmly, relief flowing through him now that he didn't have to worry about Argis anymore.

"Fine, I accept," Jorik said firmly. He turned to the steward and tossed him coins. "That should pay for Vlindrel Hall and its furnishings."

Argis watched on in surprise. He hadn't expected Jorik to buy a house and handing over so much money without batting an eyelash.

Jorik turned to Argis, "come on, let's check out this house," Jorik said and motioned Argis to take lead.

Jorik was surprised when he walked into the house, it was huge. Not what he expected. He glanced at the alchemy and enchantingry tables, then moved back into the main hall., Ppast the main hall was the kitchen along with the two bedroom. He noticed Argis moving his clothing into one of the bedrooms, but decided to leave it be.

"We'll go down to the tavern for something to eat. Tomorrow we'll head out to do a few missions," Jorik stated as he walked out of the house. He glanced at Argis to see what he thought.

"I'll have my pack ready," Argis said. He wasn't sure how he was supposed to act. Was he to act like a housecarl, or a husband, or what? He didn't know.

"When we are finished with the missions we will head to Whiterun," Jorik said as they took a seat at a table. He wasn't sure how that would work. He should have Argis stay in Markarth, but that wasn't fair to the man.

They sat there eating, their conversation awkward, not sure what to say to the other. Both men shifted uncomfortably a few times as silence descended. Jorik headed back to the house and straight to bed, hoping this would calm down between the two of them and not be so awkward.

~oooooooooooooo~

"You ready to leave?" Jorik asked.

"Yeah," Argis answered with his shoulders slumped. This was exactly what he expected when they married. He wasn't sure how this would work, they were so distant, like two strangers. In a way that was the truth. The only thing they had was Jorik's honor. If Jorik hadn't injured him long ago, he wondered what would have happened to him.

~ooooooooooooooooo~

Jorik and Argis trudged their way into Whiterun. They made their way slowly to Breezehome, Jorik grinned when he saw Lydia there with food already cooking. He was glad he had wrote the note and sent it out by currier.

"The master bedroom is upstairs," Jorik told him.

Lydia waited until the other man was out of sight. "So it is true…" Lydia murmured looking at her expectantly.

"Yes it's true. Does…" Jorik trailed off, not sure how to ask without Argis overhearing.

"No, he doesn't. I'm the only one in Whiterun that knows," Lydia told her quietly. "So what are you going to do?"

"I don't know, but I need to speak with Balgruuf. I should have talked to him before this, but…"

Argis sat on the bed, hearing every word that had been spoken. He knew Balgruuf was the Jarl here, but he wondered what Jorik's relationship to him was. Argis decided to ask Jorik when they had some time alone. He glanced around the room unsure where he was going to sleep. There was one large bed, and a table. He knew Jorik would be taking the bed, so that meant he would be taking the floor.

Jorik glanced up at the ceiling when he heard Argis move around. "Lydia, can you finish making supper. I need to talk with Argis," Jorik said and went to the stairs.

Jorik found Argis making up his bedroll on the floor. "Forget it, I think we can share a bed," Jorik muttered.

"No, its fine," Argis murmured, not meeting the other man's eyes.

"You're as sore as I am. We're both sleeping on the bed. It's big enough for the both of us," Jorik stated and grabbed up Argis' bedroll. Argis watched as he walked out of the bedroom with his bedroll. He decided he would get it when Jorik fell asleep, that was until he heard Jorik's order.

"Lydia, I am placing Argis' bedroll in your room, he is not to collect it until morning!" Jorik's voice thunder through the house.

"Understood my Thane. Though you should have it down here for the time being," Lydia said with a smirk.

Jorik scowled, but could see that Lydia was right. He grabbed the bedroll once more and brought them downstairs. He placed them in the Alchemy workshop and locked the door. He heard Argis coming down the stairs and grinned.

If they were married, they could share a bed. It didn't mean they had to do anything, but he will not have his husband sleeping on the floor when there was enough space on the bed.

Lydia shook her head and looked worriedly at her Thane. She wasn't sure what he was going to do now or how Balgruuf would take this new development.

"I'll be back shortly, I am going to talk with the Jarl," Jorik stated and walked out of the house. He wasn't sure what he was going to say. He wasn't even sure why he was so worried about Balgruuf reaction.

It didn't take long to get to the castle, especially with his mind wondering so much. He stepped into the castle and silence fell. A chill crept up his back as he met Balgruuf cold stare.

"I'll speak with you up stairs," Balgruuf stated and stormed up the stairs. Jorik hurriedly followed him, not liking the looks of this.

"Something wrong?" Jorik asked hesitantly as they walked into Balgruuf's room.

"I hear you've married," Balgruuf stated with a hard edge to his voice.

Jorik's mouth dropped, he didn't know how Balgruuf had heard so soon. "Yes it's true. But it's not what you think…" Jorik began, and then stopped to running a hand through his hair in frustration.

Balgruuf took a seat, not sure what to think now. "What do you mean?"

"A short while after you took my eye, I was out fighting with another and took his eye. I owe him and to save him I married him or he would be dead by now," Jorik explained. "It's a marriage in name only."

Balgruuf looked at him in shock, not sure what to say. He hadn't expected this. "Where is your husband now?"

"Here, at my house," Jorik answered uncertainly.

Balgruuf nodded silently and then met Jorik's eyes. "Come back tomorrow, we need to talk," Balgruuf ordered and motioned for Jorik to leave.

Once again he was in a haze as he walked home. He didn't bother greeting anyone in the house. He went straight to his room, not even noticing Argis asleep in his bed. He laid down and started when he felt someone next to him. He glanced over at a sleeping Argis and felt strange sleeping in the same bed with him. With a shake of his head he went back downstairs and stared into the fire.