20th of Sun's Dusk

I made sure that I was wearing the wolf armor and my Companion's cloak. Eric told me that I look impressive and Vilkas even gave me a nod at that. It was wasted on the bearded monkeys. I am not going to enjoy working with those two unless there's a serious attitude shift. As soon as I walked in, Galmar started harassing me to join the Storm Cloaks. I tried to be polite but I finally told him to shut up and let me speak. When he managed to get his jaw off the floor he was finally quiet. I told Ulfric that what I had to say was for his ears only and we should speak in private. I had to promise that this wasn't an assassination attempt so I promised him that if he didn't attack me that I wouldn't harm him. When Galmar asked why they should trust me, Eric spoke up. "Are you saying you doubt the word of the Harbinger of the Companions?"

I think it took both of them a minute to process that. Once they did, we finally got some privacy because what I have to say to Ulfric isn't for his entire court. They were moderately civil until I mentioned the Thalmor dossier. Then everything went completely sideways. Things didn't get any better until I did lose my temper and slugged Ulfric in the jaw for insulting Eric. We fought for a bit. Ulfric tried to shout at me and seemed startled when nothing happened. When I shouted I used Whirlwind Sprint to plow into him. That sent him flying across the room and into the wall. Galmar wanted to intervene, but I told him pointedly if he tried it, I'd have no trouble letting some hot air out of the grumpy old windbag. Ulfric waved him off, "No, Galmar. If she wanted me dead, I'd be dead. Leave off."

I started yelling at Ulfric while he was still laying on the ground and I had a good long rant. I was so angry about this "if you're not with me, you're against me" idiocy that I think I've told a Jarl to stop wearing his backside for hat. Some of us have other obligations that mean we can't back you openly. I told him he's going to make peace with Balgruuf if he wants to be high king any time soon. Someone competent and capable needs to run Skyrim if when he gets to be Emperor. I can put his ass on that throne or I can hand Skyrim to the empire. It's his call which side of the scale I put my thumb on. They're both at a stalemate and I can break it. It's all a matter of which side we step into the fray for. Ulfric asked why I'd break tradition and join the war. I explained that I'm not breaking tradition since I'm fighting the one war the Companions have always fought. It's the war that the Companions were created for, the very reason that the Companions exit, the very reason that every Harbinger since has done their utmost to ensure that the Companions continue to exist, and that is the war against the Elves. I gave Galmar the dossier and made him swear to make Ulfric read the parts he needs to see and left. As I was walking out I heard Ulfric tell Galmar, "Gods above, Galmar. I think I'm in love with a married woman." It made Eric angry but maybe Ulfric will be a bit nicer when he shows up to the peace conference.

21st of Sun's Dusk

It seems that everyone is out to sabotage this peace conference. Tullius showed up with that Thalmor twat and Rikke. As if anyone needed more proof that the Empire has become a Thalmor hand-puppet. I'm certain that if you look down the Emperor's throat far enough, there'd be a Thalmor face staring back at you. Do you know why I call them hand-puppets? Think about the sock puppets you played with as a child for a moment I'm sure you'll get the idea. Ulfic brought brought his favorite over inflated gas bag. Then Delphine invited herself and Esbern. I don't mind Esbern because he's got some tact but Delphine has all the tact of a mammoth in heat.

The first order of business was to kick that twat of a Thalmor out. Humans are talking and this doesn't concern you. She can hike back down the seven thousand steps alone. Tullius had sense enough to muzzle Rikke and Ulfric kept a leash on Galmar. Ulfric was polite, almost deferential with me. I hadn't expected that from him. I had to remind Delphine that the Blades serve the Dragonborn not the other way around. The look I got from her for that… Esbern only nodded and smirked a bit. After that things went pretty quickly. I'll need to pay Ulfric for the weregild to Karthwasten even though it was Altmer I'm sure. Storm Cloaks are a lot of things but killers of noncombatant women and children… no. Thalmor on the other hand…Totally not above hiring some unscrupulous mercenaries and dressing them like Storm Cloaks and sending them in to do murder. Or using illusion spells to get the same effect. No matter how it happened, those people need something to ease their suffering and now they'll get it. I'll distribute it myself with some words in few of the calmer ears. Done properly, this will increase Ulfric's standing, not damage it.

The short version of the treaty is that we traded Markarth for Riften. Neither Ulfric nor Tullius realize what just happened . Riften is a sink hole with walls the smugglers have been carving holes in for ages. I could move half of Ulfric's army through there and Tullius would never know it unless I wanted him to. There are so many ways into and out Riften that link up with the Ratway that it may as well not have walls. Markarth would be harder to take back than Riften and the silver coming out of Cidna is more beneficial to you than it is the Empire. That, Ulfric, is a gift if you're smart enough to see it. I don't know that you are after all the posturing about the weregild to Karthwasten. I told you there'd be gold involved in getting a truce and that I'd cover it. I just have to go sell off more stuff than I'd planned. No matter, I'll make up some more before I leave. My new stuff is better anyway. It'll be enough to keep Eric and the girls well fed, for the rest of their lives, if comes to that.

Balgruuf sat next to me at the conference while we hammered this thing out. He was shocked that it worked but he's been good to his word. I do like that man. He's what a Jarl is supposed to be. Vilkas sent me a courier to tell me that Balgruuf seems to have everything in hand, so that's one less worry while I figure out how to lure a dragon in. Esbern says he's got ideas so I'll talk to him.

22nd of Sun's Dusk

Esbern has been having the time of his life at Sky Haven Temple. He's got more old lore books to rummage through than he knows what to do with. It's Sovengarde for a lore librarian. In his research, Esbern uncovered the name of a dragon that might just be curious enough to answer my call and have the information I need. I'm only taking Eric with me to Whiterun. I've told the others to stay home and be on the lookout for a Thalmor attack. Here's hoping this works..

26th of Sun's Dusk

I made it back obviously, but I'll fill in the last few days. I called up Odahviing and he answered me. We fought until I could get him to chase me and Balgruuf sprang the trap. Odahviing confirmed Alduin was hiding in Sovengarde. He offered to take me to the portal if I would release him since only those with wings can get to Skuldafn. Odahviing says my Thuum is stronger than Alduin's so he'll no longer serve Alduin. I took him up on the offer and he was good to his word. He even said he'd wait to see if I made back and needed a lift home.

Just getting to the temple was a battle. Three dragons and swarming draugr. Alduin was clearly expecting me even though he was still underestimating me. He really believes that no jor could possibly kill him. I made it into the temple. That's when the draugr really started swarming. I had to make sure to keep my back against something solid. Farkas saved my life with the awareness training he made me do. I owe him all the mead he can drink at the Bannered Mare for a week for that. Once I was through the temple with all the tricks and traps I had to fight the lich priest. He was worse than the dragons. I ended up using some poison on Dawnbreaker and chugging some potions myself to finish the fight. I remember thinking that I'm this close so I'm not dying today . I had to hunt for his staff to open the portal but I finally found it.

I said a prayer to Talos and jumped. It's times like that you find out which gods you really believe in. Not the ones you think you believe in but the ones deep down that you reach for when things are at their worst or most uncertain. I came through the portal and landed in Sovengarde in a pea soup fog. Spirits came out of the fog to warn me about the dragon lurking. I asked if anyone had seen Kodlak but none had. I shouted for clear skies and told them to stay close so that I could lead them to Shor's Hall. None were willing to risk it so I went alone. I knew Alduin could hear me shouting, but if I'm being honest, I was baiting him. I'd bested him once in Mundus and wanted him to know I had come here to Sovengarde for him. I made it to the Great Hall only to be stopped by Tsun the Mighty. He wanted me to fight him to gain entry, but I stopped him just long enough to ask if Kodlak had made it to his door. He told me that I'm the first in a very, very long time to reach them. That unsettled me but Kodlak is a canny old warrior and not such easy prey. That thought gave me hope and so I fought with Tsun. Once I overcame him, we stopped and he let me pass. Inside I found Hakon, Gormleith, and Felldir, the Tongues from the scroll. The ones I learned Dragon Rend from. Together we went to shout to clear the mists Alduin had called up.

It took all four of us shouting together to clear them. Each time we cleared them, Alduin would roar, and they'd come back. Each time took a bit longer and the mists were a bit thinner. I knew he'd have to come and face me again. I made sure Dragonbane was charged and ready. I took my potions and waited. After the fifth time we cleared the mists, he came. Alduin was mighty. I will give him that much. He roared at the heavens and fire and brimstone pelted down on us. I roared back with DragonRend and the Tongues joined me in that. Once I was able to get him on the ground, I went to work with Dragonbane. He snapped and thrashed but he didn't manage to give me much hurt. My armor is good and the enchantments I put on it were proof against his fire. I think he was surprised him that a jor was winning against him for a second time.

I got to watch Alduin being unmade. I didn't absorb his soul, so I don't know how long he's banished for this time, but I suspect it will be longer this time than it was last time when they cast him out with the elder scroll.

With Alduin gone, the mists vanished, and souls started swarming to the hall. I saw a few I recognized in the stream of souls to Shor's Hall. That made me smile. I saw the bard from Olaf One-Eye's Tomb, too. Then I saw Kodlak and went running, only to be stopped short by Tsun. "The living may not touch the dead." Kodlak heard me running and stopped. He turned to greet me and I had to grin at him, "I see you finally made it, old man." Kodlak snorted, "I wasn't about to let that beast take me. Give me more credit than that. I knew you were the right choice as Harbinger. I will see you here when your time comes. Until then we will sing of your deeds." Kodlak cocked his head, "They're calling me. I have to go. " I nodded and stepped back and he went in.

Tsun looked at me puzzled so I answered his question before he could ask it. "Kodlak became my second father, after I lost my first. When I found out he'd been infected with the wolf-taint, I fought the wolf spirit Hircine sent to claim his sprit and won. I knew that would send him to Sovengarde. Then I found out that Alduin was here, eating souls." Understanding dawned on his face, "So you came here to slay Alduin and save Kodlak." I nodded. "Do you know how to return?" I shook my head and Tsun sighed. "Another doom-driven hero. I will send you back with a boon from Shor for this mighty deed." "Hey, the world doesn't save itself," I shrugged, "Someone has to take care of things like this. I wasn't sure, when I came, if I could get back." Tsun laughed, "That only makes it more remarkable that you came at all. When your time comes, I will pleased to welcome you but the living should not linger here in a place for the dead." Then he shouted at me and I was back at the Throat of the World.

This time there were even more dragons flying the dance of victory in my honor. I've never seen so many in one place. Paarthurnax was there and also flying in my honor. The only thing I could think of was that I needed to find Eric and tell him that I'm back. When Paarthurnax landed we spoke for a while. I think it surprised him when I kissed his nose and thanked him for his help. Then I went to find Eric. I stopped just long enough to send some couriers. One went to Vilkas with a note telling him he could burn the letter and another to Tullius and Ulfric to tell them they can resume hostilities. I told the second courier to take his time. Skyrim can use a bit of a break. Let everyone bind up their wounds and rest a bit longer. I tipped him enough gold that he can spend a day or two in the brothel that everyone says is in Solitude before delivering his message that the war is on again. I might have told him go there and stay until the gold runs out before delivering those two messages.

I feel entitled to a few days off so it will be a bit before I write again. Eric and I are going to the hot springs outside Darkwater Crossing and finally have some time to ourselves. Now that things have settled down some, maybe we can at least practice at making some babies of our own. We're going to go paddle around the hot springs and skinny dip. I've packed for the trip. It's mostly ale, mead, and food. Very little in the way of clothing.