Chapter 5

A/N: this story will follow the main quest line, but I have taken a few minor liberties in how it all plays out.

Bo awoke to see the sky a light grey, and knew it was just starting to be dawn. He looked down at the sleeping form of Jane; her mouth open slightly while her hand gently gripped his tunic. He shifted slightly; his arm had become numb after laying on it all night, and his movement caused Jane to wake, her eyelids fluttering open and she looked up at Bo. Blinking a couple times, she smiled up at him and let go of his shirt to rub her eyes.

"I survived," she whispered, biting her lip. The action almost elicited a moan from him, and he quickly threw the blanket off of him and stood up. The shock of cold air-cooled his blood, and he breathed in a couple deep breaths. Although confused, Jane kept her questions to herself and got up as well, and within a half an hour the camp was dismantled and they were yet again making their way through the thick snow towards Windhelm. As Bo predicted, by the afternoon the tall grey walls of a Windhelm could be seen through the fog. It looked so incredible that when they got through the gates Jane stopped moving to stare open mouthed at the city.

"Ulfric will be in The Palace of Kings," Bo pointed towards the back of the city, and Jane nodded, knowing exactly where it was and what it looked liked. They entered through one of the tall iron gates and walked down the long corridor to where Ulfric sat on a tall throne, speaking to a man Jane recognized but couldn't remember his name. When Ulfric spotted Bo he raised his hand in greeting, and Bo bowed slightly.

"I am glad to see you Bo Gro Graul, there is much to do."

"Jarl Ulfric, tell me what to do and I shall be off."

Ulfric's voice was even sexier in person, and Jane stood shyly behind the tall Bo. Ulfric stood up from his throne and stepped down to grasp Bo's arm.

"You are always so eager to help, but you'll run yourself into your grave if you don't take care of yourself."

"I am strong, my Jarl, I can handle it."

"And who is your friend, Orsimer," Ulfric turned to look at Jane, who blushed. Bo stepped aside and introduced her. "This is my friend Jane, she is accompanying me on my travels."

"Jane," Ulfric took her hand and gently kissed it, his thick red beard tickling her. "It is a pleasure to meet you." His eyes momentarily gazed down, and then back up meet her look.

"It is an honor to meet you, Jarl Ulfric."

"And has she helped you with your Stormcloak duties?" Ulfric turned back to Bo, who stuttered:

"No-no my Jarl, we've only just met, on my way to here."

"It's okay Bo Gro Graul," Ulfric chuckled, and then motioned for the two to follow him. He led them to a small side room, which held a table with a large map of Skyrim and many little red and blue tags sticking into it Jane knew represented the Imperial and Stormcloak camps.

"I thank you for retrieving the Jagged crown for me, your next task is to deliver an axe to Jarl Balgruuf in Whiterun." He picked up a large iron axe and handed it to the Orc.

"Whiterun?" Bo asked nervously.

"Yes, he will know what it means. If he does not agree to side with the Stormcloaks we will wage war on Whiterun."

"It shall be done, my Jarl," Bo replied quietly, bowing again. He turned and quickly left the room, almost running out of the Palace of Kings. Jane jogged to keep up; he didn't stop until he had reached Candlehearth Hall. Bo reached the counter and was going to ask for two rooms when Jane cut in.

"One room please, large bed."

The owner looked at Jane in shock, glancing up at Bo and back at the woman.

"Uh… fifteen septim."

Bo reached into his pouch and produced the septims, and the Nord told them which room. Jane grabbed Bo's hand and pulled him towards their room. Closing the door behind them Jane faced Bo and crossed her arms.

"What's troubling you Bo?" She asked.

"It's nothing…" Bo mumbled, looking away.

"Don't lie to me," Jane reached up and grabbed the Orc's chin, forcing him to look at her.

"What troubles you?" She whispered.

Bo frowned, and growled. He pulled his head back out of Jane's grasp and turned away from her, huffing. Then his shoulders sank and he bowed his head.

"I was on my way to Cyrodiil for a while, when I was ambushed by a group of Imperial Soldiers looking for Stormcloak Rebels. At the time I wasn't a soldier…" he stopped talking, and Jane's stomach dropped. She knew what he was going to tell her.

"Ended up on a cart due to Helgen, to be executed. Was kneeling in front of the block, convinced it was all over, when a huge Dragon drops out of the sky and burns the whole place down. I barely escaped. That's how I was introduced to the Stormcloaks. Ulfric was there, as well as some of his rebels."

Bo dropped down into a chair and rubbed his aching temples. Jane walked up behind him and touched his shoulder.

"When the Dragon first arrived, he roared. When he did that… something happened. Inside me, something stirred. I would be lying if I said it hadn't scared me. When Ralof urged me to go to Whiterun and talk to the Jarl about the Dragon attack I… didn't go."

Jane rubbed his shoulders gently, and Bo's head dropped down.

"Bo…"

"There are whispers that the Dragons are back. And with Dragons comes a Dragonborn. I don't want it to be me."

Jane knelt down beside the Orsimer and gently lifted his head up, cupping his cheek. He closed his eyes and let out a deep breath. Then he opened them again to look at Jane with his clear blue eyes. Jane thought wistfully, they were the most beautiful colour.

"I know it must feel terrifying to have that weight on your shoulders, but Bo if anyone could be chosen as Dragonborn you are the absolute perfect choice." Jane reached up and stroked his ear, taking a deep breath.

"If anyone can bear the burden, you can, Bo." Jane smiled at him.

Bo growled softly, resisting the urge to shiver from her stroking his ear.

"You could talk a man into jumping off a mountain," Bo replied huskily, just barely controlling the emotions in his voice. Jane reached forward and wrapped her arms around his neck and Bo impulsively pulled her up from the floor and onto his lap. He reveled in her touch as she caressed his hair. He wanted to enjoy the moment completely but a part of him wondered desperately why she treated him with such kindness. The Orc part of him screamed that this was forbidden, unheard of, intimacy between Orsimer and other races just were not accepted. Bo Go Graul thought maybe if they didn't kiss, he could prolong her affection, but knew one day it would end. Try kissing a beast with tusks; she'll surely be repulsed.

Bo wrapped an arm around Jane's waist and laid his head in the crook of her neck, feeling so comforted by her words and gestures.

"Will you…" he whispered shakily. "Come with me? To Whiterun?"

"Of course Bo." Jane replied softly, her breath tickled the back of his neck and sweet voice gave him shivers. He realized he wanted this woman, badly, but he would never risk scaring her away, and so he pushed his urges down and out of mind.

Later that evening Jane and Bo ordered dinner and found a small table in the corner of the room downstairs. Bo ordered Jane mead, something she had never tried, but after taking a hesitant sip had found it to be pretty good, and drank some more. A bard struck up a lute and started to sing a nice song. The food was good, the drink was good, and the company was even better. Bo told her all that he had done for the Stormcloaks up until now. Jane knew the Stormcloaks quest line, but was content with just listening to his deep and attractive Orc voice, watching him while he sat with his back against the wall, whenever he paused to drink his mead and glance over at her.

Alcohol and a full belly was recipe for sleep, and Jane started to doze off when she felt a hand gently shake her shoulder. Squinting, she looked up with blurry eyes at Bo, and smiled.

"I think you're drunk," Bo teased.

"WE are drunk dear Bo," Jane retorted.

Bo laughed and helped her up, and they stumbled their way back to their room. Bo tried to ignore the looks they received, but as always he never failed to notice it, and Jane either hadn't bothered or hadn't cared. Bo closed the door behind him while Jane threw the covers back and crawled into bed.

"Get into bed Orc," Jane called out.

Bo barked out a laugh, shaking his head at the drunken woman.

"You're crazy, woman."

Jane growled, pointing to the empty space beside her. Bo raised his eyebrows in surprise, feeling the stirrings of arousal.

"Did you just growl at me?"

"Hurry up!"

Bo chuckled quietly and began to take his armor off. Jane huffed and pushed the covers out of the way, making room for him.

"Come here you big Orc." Jane whispered.

Bo finished removing the last of his armor and his tunic and then crawled into bed. Jane shifted closer and laid her head down on his bare chest, wrapping her arm around him. Bo sighed happily, and with his left arm around her, stroked her hair absentmindedly, his mind clouded by the alcohol. If he had been sober he would not have allowed himself to be so close to Jane, the time in the woods was necessary. Or so he told himself.

"Just know, Bo, that I believe in you. Completely." Jane closed her eyes and kissed his chest.

Bo looked up at the ceiling, hot tears pricked at the corners of his eyes. He cursed the alcohol and making him emotional.

"Thank you," he whispered, but Jane was already fast asleep and didn't see the tears that escaped him.