Dragonborn Saga

Chapter 707: Grand Thane

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"Gods bless you, Jon Dare! Dragonborn! You're a Nord Hero and you deserve all the blessings of the Divines!" Dengeir of Stuhn hugged Jon Dare so tightly like a kid hugging his parents with a smile from ear to ear.

"Thank you, Jarl Dengeir. Falkreath has regained its stout defender." Jon tried to get away from the short bald man's hug but it was just getting awkward.

"I hear you have become Thane in Solitude and Whiterun. Now you are only a Thane in one Stormcloak hold that is Winterhold, the one you really care for I know, but that won't really do." Jarl Dengeir said.

It seemed that the short Jarl Dengeir, who just regained his Jarl title, had intended to do something fun. He jumped on the table of the negotiations and announced it to all the noblemen present in the meeting as it was finally over.

"Everyone, listen to me, by Talos! I, Dengeir of Stuhn, Jarl of Falkreath and a follower of Skyrim's true High King, Ulfric Stormcloak, take my first action as Jarl of Falkreath and appoint the Dragonborn Jon Dare as Thane of Falkreath."

To this sudden announcement, all the Jarls and Headmen present in the hall were in awe, and most if not all congratulated Jon Dare and Jarl Dengeir.

"With this, the Empire Holds had no advantage against the Stormcloak Holds with their luck in the Dragonborn. He is Thane in four Nord Holds, two of the True Sons of Skyrim and Two of the Empire." Dengeir of Stuhn added proudly while considering himself the one who brought this equalizer, "Thane Jon, I hope we work together in rebuilding Helgen and doing what's best for the people."

"Thank you, my Lord." Jon thanked Jarl Dengeir and accepted the new position given to him.

"No no no! That won't do." But someone interrupted the moment from the Imperial side.

It was Jarl Brina Merilis of the Pale, the replacement for Jarl Skald the Elder.

"What's wrong, Brina?" Dengeir asked, "You may hold the respect of a veteran but that gives you no right to question my decisions, even if you are Jarl."

"I'm not questioning your decisions, Dengeir. It is your family's Hold and you can burn it to Oblivion for all I care." Jarl Brina replied, "But you were mistaken when you said that Thane Jon Dare is Thane to Two Imperial holds. He may be Thane in Whiterun but Jarl Balgruuf only sits with the Empire but he always considered himself neutral to this war."

As Jarl Brina said that, everyone looked at Jarl Balgruuf who didn't really deny it. He doesn't like the War, he chases out the Thalmor whenever he can, he still worships Talos, and he doesn't allow the Imperial Legion to have its way in the city of Winterhold.

Brina was right. She stood among the Empire's faction and called out to Jon.

"Thane Jon, Dragonborn. May I ask you a question?" Brina spoke.

"Go on." Jon nodded.

"You promised Jarl Dengeir to aid Falkreath. I think that's noble of you. But you have always been a rival to the former Jarl of the Pale, Skald the Elder, and quite frankly, you raided our docks once and burnt our ships, and you've always harassed our economy." Brina said.

"Guilty as charged." Jon replied.

"I know it was Skald's fault but now that he is no longer in power, will you be willing to open a new page with Dawnstar?" Jarl Brina asked.

"Why not?" Jon shrugged his shoulders, "But that depends on you, Jarl Brina."

"Then my first act as Jarl would be appointing the Dragonborn Jon Dare as Thane of the Pale." Jarl Brina replied firmly, "It is the highest honor a Jarl can bestow and I hope that you work for the betterment of the Pale and the rest of Skyrim."

Authority for Prosperity, Jarl Brina Merilis and Jarl Dengeir of Stuhn offered Jon just that. So long he is Thane, he is free to develop and invest in their hold however he likes.

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Jarl Dengeir of Stuhn was the former Jarl of Falkreath before his nephew, Jarl Siddgeir. The two Jarls had different opinions about whom to support in the Civil War and so the Empire organized a coup d'etat in Falkreath and made Siddgeir the Jarl.

Siddgeir was an incompetent Jarl and while he had no reason to have an ill relationship with Jon, he fancied himself to be the rising star among Jarls yet the limelight was always focused on Jon, the reason why Siddgeir only grew jealous of a rival he couldn't even rival.

Now with Dengeir back to Jarlship, Siddgeir was banished and his hold, Falkreath, is now open for business as much as Jon desires.

On the other hand, Dawnstar always had an advantage over Winterhold before the rebuilding of the city thanks to its flourishing mining and dock businesses. However, Winterhold toppled this advantage and became the new Dock of the North as well as possessing the strongest fleet in the Sea of Ghosts.

Brina Merilis was once a Thane of the Pale and was a very strong opposer to Jarl Skald the Elder and all his policies. As a veteran of the Legion from the Great War, she had her loyalty to the Empire and was once selected by General Tullius to be the candidate for the vacant seat of Jarl of Solitude after the death of Jarl Elisif the Fair but that job went to Jarl Bryling thanks to Jon's help.

All in all, Brina Merilis was a straightforward woman and sought immediate friendship with the Dragonborn Jon Dare even if she was once his political opponent.

And with this, Jon Dare became Thane to the Pale and Falkreath in addition to Whiterun, Haafingar, and most importantly Winterhold.

"That won't do."

But another woman spoke, this time it was Jarl Lela Lawgiver.

"Maybe Jarl Brina was right when she considered Whiterun neutral but we all know that Winterhold is Neutral just as much if not even more." She said and then announced proudly, "While not the wisest or the strongest of the Jarls, I, Jarl Lela of Riften, shall be the equalizer and name Jon Dare Thane of the Rift. Gods know he just saved my hold from falling to Imperial hands and that must be rewarded."

"Winterhold is Neutral?" Jarl Igmund of Markarth asked, "Jarl Balgruuf may have sat away from the Empire to make it clear that Whiterun is neutral but Jarl Korir has always been sitting behind Ulfric. No way in Oblivion is this Neutral. I say you Stormcloaks only want to have better luck with our Hero, the Dragonborn. Thus, as a gesture of gratitude for not allowing Markarth to fall into rebel hands, I name Jon Dare Thane of the Reach."

And another two holds went under the wing of Jon Dare.

From the Stormcloak faction, Jon is Thane to Winterhold, the Rift, and Falkreath. From the Empire's faction, Jon is Thane to Haafingar, the Pale, and the Reach. He's also Thane of the neutral Whiterun.

Seven of the Nine Holds of Skyrim had Jon as Thane.

"I really appreciate all of this. Such honor is too much for me to…" Jon wanted to show his gratitude for this unplanned event he suddenly found himself in but he was interrupted.

"I name you Thane of Hjaalmarch!" Jarl Idgrod Ravencrone said in her old slow voice "The spirits of the mountain advised me to do so."

The mystic and eccentric Jarl of Morthal, Jarl Idgrod Ravencrone, was a woman who was blessed with the gift of the Sight. She could see, hear, and know things out of the scope of perception and was a known user of the arts of Divination. Even Alina Dare would pass by Jarl Idgrod every time she crossed Morthal and pay a visit to ask for her wisdom for the visions she struggles with.

"Alright." Jon was weirded a bit but he accepted the title honorably, "Thank you, my Lady."

Now it has become Eight holds out of Nine. Every Hold except Eastmarch, the domain of Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak.

Suddenly, all the eyes were now looking at Ulfric instead of Jon, anticipating, waiting.

"You don't really have to." Jon looked at Ulfric and laughed awkwardly.

"I know." Ulfric, on the other hand, seemed tense and uncomfortable with the situation.

He can't trust Jon Dare, the man who opposes his war, who puts hurdles against his army's provisions, and who brews one scheme after the other in order to make himself the most iconic hero of the land.

It was Ulfric whom songs were sung about, now it is the Dragonborn and Jon Dare. But just as this meeting is over and the participants leave High Hrothgar, the entire Skyrim will know that Jon Dare is the Dragonborn and the Dragonborn is Jon Dare. He will become an epic, a legend, or even a Divine.

Just like Tiber Septim, one day Jon shall sacrifice his allies and make a mountain of their corpses to lay the foundation of his Empire.

That's how much Ulfric recognized Jon.

He had no doubt that Jon Dare is the future of Tamriel, a future that will cover the heavens and pierce through the Aetherius.

It made him bitter, it made him unwilling to allow Jon to pass him over.

He doesn't have to follow the line of those idiotic Jarls and make Jon anything.

Jon understood what was going on in Ulfric's head and almost burst into laughter. The Thane of Eastmarch is the hardest Thane Title to acquire in the game after all. One must finish the entire Civil War for it to be acquired either by siding with Ulfric and letting him win the war or by siding with the Empire and getting rid of Ulfric.

So…

"One must offer his services for the Jarl's land and its people to be given the title of Thane." Ulfric spoke, "It seemed that Thane Jon has done very well everywhere else."

"As I said, it is not necessary." Jon smiled bashfully.

"It would seem so." Ulfric shrugged his shoulders and started walking past Jon and everyone else.

He wasn't dissatisfied with Jon but he can't trust him and Jon can't force Ulfric to give him the Thane title like everyone else… or can he?

As Ulfric passed Jon, a strange movement attracted Ulfric's eyes as something fell off Jon's side and Jon hurriedly went down to catch it before it touches the ground.

"Whoops!" Jon exclaimed as he held that object up and spoke sarcastically, "Kitty cat, stop pushing expensive things off tables."

While Jon seemed to be scolding his famous black cat and rubbing her head with his left, his right had an item that made all who looked at it just freeze. Some were so stunned they even forgot their mouths go round and some exclaimed by the names of many Aedra and Daedra.

Jon then stopped what he was doing in one of his silliest acting moments and looked at those people who were looking at him and acted as surprised as he was.

"Oh, God! I totally forgot I brought it with me." He said while taking note of the item he was carrying, the item that attracted all of that attention.

Ulfric himself was looking at Jon as if he was hit by a mammoth's trunk and got his face stomped by its arse. His head felt light and he was seeing stars from the shock he was having.

"This is…" Someone spoke while pointing at the object.

"Yeah." Jon laughed awkwardly, "I planned to use it to throw some weight if you people weren't going to agree to the Truce. It's useless now."

"By Oblivion, what is that?" But it seemed that one individual, in particular, wasn't aware of the identity of that item, namely General Tullius.

"It is one of Skyrim's most treasured legends… and a lost artifact that is honored by all Nords." The one that replied was Legate Rikke, whose head went light as well.

"It is the true symbol of the High King of Skyrim." Jarl Balgruuf the Greater spoke with an obvious grin.

"Maw unleashing razor snow, of dragons from the blue brought down.

Births the walking winter's woe, the High King in his Jagged Crown."

Ulfric chanted for he knew the song even though he was doubtful of the crown's existence, but as the most well-versed in the Thu'um of all Jarls present, he knew what this is without a doubt.

The Jagged Crown appeared in the hands of Jon Dare.

"The Jagged Crown." Jarl Idgrod Ravencrone approached Jon on her cane, "It heralds back to a time before jarls and moots. Back to the time when a king was a king because his enemies fell before him, and his people rose because they loved him."

"How does this crown work exactly?" Foreseeing the trouble Jon was brewing, General Tullius asked.

"High King Harald Hand-Free, descendant of High King Ysgramor, forged this crown from the teeth of a Frost Dragon." Jarl Idgrod replied.

"Legend holds that a portion of the power of every king who has worn it is said to be contained within." Master Arngeir said, "For the Jagged Crown to reappear before us in High Hrothgar, the Greybeards will sing the honor of this day."

General Tullius realized what sort of a pro-gamer move Jon has just pulled out on them and how the Jarls from both factions now see Jon. In a way, neither the Empire nor Ulfric could have done what Jon just did as he united the Jarls of Skyrim by heart, not by sword.

The General laughed and shook his head. Jon may have opened the road for the armies to fight but he may have just taken away their desire to do so.

As for Ulfric, he was at a loss for words as he simply watched the Crown.

"Congratulations." Ulfric spoke and his mind raced to make this situation advantageous for him as soon as possible.

Only one answer remained.

"You have done Skyrim and her children a great service by retrieving the Legacy of the Ysgramor's Dynasty, the founders of Skyrim." Ulfric spoke and let out his words heavily, "It would be a pleasure to have Jon Dare, the Dragonborn, as Thane of Eastmarch."

Jon can't be the High King, he is no Jarl, he doesn't desire it.

But he is the one who holds the Jagged Crown, the symbol of a King, as deserving as he may seem, he is now too much to compete against. Something must be done.

"It seems we are witnessing an unprecedented moment in Skyrim's History." Ulfric spoke, "The Dragonborn Jon Dare retrieved the Jagged Crown that was lost for 4000 years and became a Thane in every Hold in Skyrim. I see that the title of a Thane won't cut it anymore."

Ulfric was planning something, and they all smelled it. He was trying to keep Jon in check.

"If my young friend Jon was to accept it and all the Jarls were to let me speak on their behalf, I would like to suggest a greater title." Ulfric looked at all the Jarls and secretly winked to Jarl Dengeir of Stuhn to support him.

"A Greater Title?" Jon asked, "I don't deserve all that honor."

"No, you do." Jarl Dengeir popped up behind Jon, "Jon Dare, Dragonborn. Since the Jagged Crown is in your hands and you don't desire to be High King, then one day after this war, you will decide who the High King is to be."

Jon wanted to shout "YOU SLY BASTARD!" but he was actually enjoying where this is going. It seems that Jarl Dengeir is a sly fox and has a head for politics more than Ulfric and the rest of the goat-headed Stormcloak Jarls.

"That's too much duty for me." Jon implored with an awkward smile.

"The Dragonborn Emperor always assigned Skyrim a High King via the result of the Moot." Jarl Dengeir of Stuhn said, "You are no Emperor… yet… but you are a Dragonborn. You should keep the Crown until a King is appointed. An honor to Skyrim's traditions."

The sly Jarl Dengeir hid the word "yet" to provoke the Empire's faction but he made a point to which all Jarls agreed.

"What say you, my Lords?" Jarl Dengeir asked the other Jarls, "Should the title be Thane Regent?"

Regent is a title that was imported from Akavir in the Second Era and it meant for a Man to rule a Kingdom or an Empire at the behest of its absent or incapable monarch. Jarl Dengeir slyly added Thane to Regent in order to make it clear that Jon is merely a Thane who holds the crown until a High King is apparent.

But it seemed too official for Jon's taste.

"Jarl Ulfric suggested a title greater to a Thane." Master Arngeir interrupted the talks, "It would be an honor to consider my simple suggestion and turn it into Grand Thane."

Grand Thane!

Not just any Thane… but a Grand Thane.

The Grand Thane of Skyrim, The Dragonborn, Jon Dare.

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