The ride back to Windhelm was smooth. It was the first time the Dragonborn had been able travel without the constant worry if bandits would attack. Nobody would dare attack an army of Stormcloak soldiers for Talos sake. Riding in front of her was Ulfric and Galmar. Walking beside her as she rode was Ralof. They had become good friends over the last few months during the war. It had been hard at times and having Ralof there to joke and laugh with her made it all bearable.

As they arrived into Windhelm a crowd of people had lined the streets to welcome their soldiers home. The banners of the bear blew proud in the wind as people cheered the arrival of their Jarl. The people called out to their Jarl calling him the 'True High King'. Ulfric didn't mind this of course, it pandered to his ego. As the dragonborn followed in behind him the crowd called her the ;Saviour of Tamriel', a 'true daughter of skyrim' and the occasional man complemented her looks calling her beauty a work of Mara herself. This made her blush with embarrassment.

Ralof noticed this and chuckled "100 Gold says you get a marriage proposal before the day is done, even without an Amulet of Mara"

She rolled her eyes and used her hand to slap his helmet "Knock it off, I don't need you to encourage them!"

Ralof laughed hard "Ysmir beard women your hand is strong" he said rubbing is helmet where she hit "By the way I was wondering, What are you going to do now the war is over?"

She thought for a moment "I actually done know.. go where the next adventure takes me I guess. Why? You missing the battlefield already?"

Ralof shook his head "No, I think I have done enough fighting to permit a place in Sovngarde. I'm going to go back to Riverwood soon. Gerdur has been so worried she's been sending 3 letters a week! Seen as though im going to be an uncle soon I should return and help her. Might even see if that girl from Helgen is around and have my own kids"

She smiled "Be sure to send my regards to Hod and Gerdur, I will come visit when the child is born"

Ralof nodded "Say, It aint my place to ask but you never talk about your family. Do you have any family to go home to?"

She looked at the ground and shook her head "No, my mother died when I was born and my father was attacked by bandits when I was in my 16th year. I managed to kill the bandits before they could take me as a slave but my father was too badly injured" she sighed "I worked at the Inn near the border for a couple of years but the owner wanted me to be more than a waitress. When I refused he kicked me out. I wondered across the border and that's when I got caught by those Imperial soldiers"

Ralof winced and reached up to put his hand on her arm in sympathy "Well looks like you haven't done too bad. Your parents would be proud" took his arm away "Besides, I bet that Inn keeper is kicking himself now. You should pay him a visit"

She looked at him and smiled "I already did. Lets just say he's probably still clearing up the mess from the FUS RO DAH I unleashed in his kitchen"

Ralof belted with laughter "Remind me not to anger you women. I fear the safety of my pots"

Ulfric looked back to see the Dragonborn and Ralof roaring with laughter. They had both survived Helgen together, clearly they shared a battle bond but he couldn't help but feel a little jealous. Everyone was so formal around him apart from Galmar. He missed the banter between one soldier to another. "With the war over, maybe I can get to know her so she can be herself around me too" he thought to himself.

As the Army arrived at the Palace of Kings, everyone dismounted their horses as the stable workers took them to shelter. Ulfric stood as the army stood silent awaiting his order.

"Sons and Daughters of Skyrim, we have returned to our home victorious! On this day we shall celebrate not only for our freedom but of those who have fallen fighting at our side. We shall raise our mead to them so they may join our celebration in Sovngarde. Go home and rest with your family's. The family's of those who have fallen will be given payment to help ease their loss. Those who wish to join me in my halls tonight are most welcome"

The army of soldiers cheered at Ulfrics words. Ulfric approached the Dragonborn and Ralof "Dragonborn, I realise you have a house in my city. But you are welcome to stay in my halls tonight as an honoured guest. As are you Ralof. Without you to help save the Dragonborn in Helgen we would not have her here beside us"

Ralof bowed "It would be honour my Jarl"

The Dragonborn smiled "And mine, Ulfric. I need to go to Hjerim to change into clothes not covered in blood. Ralof my housecarl will have some armor you can borrow also." She turned back to Ulfric "I will see you later Ulfric" and with that she began walking home with Ralof.

"Did you just call him Ulfric? Huh. I suppose titles don't matter when you're the Dragonborn"

She sighed "He asked me to call him that. It isnt a big deal. Besides I have gotten to know him quite abit over the last few months"

Ralof raised an eyebrow "I'm sure you have. Even Galmar talks to you like a equal, now thats something! I don't think Galmar even knows my name. Probably because I'm not the 'Dragonborn'."

"Believe me, it's a curse not a blessing" she mumbled.

After her housecarl Calder had run her a bath she sunk herself into the water. She moaned as the hot water eased her muscles. The life of a soldier is not one of luxery, oh how she had missed a decent bath! No more sneaking to the lake with the other women soldiers at night to clean themseleves quickly before one of the men thought it would be a good idea to spy on them.

She used the snowberrie soap to clean herself. She was looking forward to being in the jarls company not smelling like wet dog and blood for once. The thought of the Jarl made her heart jump. She didn't know why but every time she looked at him her heart fluttered. His voice alone could undo her. she remembered how she asked him about the greybeards and his time spent with them. He often told her that the greybeards wanted the Dragonborn to follow to their way of the voice. She was torn between the blades and the greybeards. Both could help her and both were needed. However her loyalty to both sides was put to the test when she was asked to kill paarthurnax. She told the blades where to stick their swords as she would not betray the one who helped her defeat Alduin. Ulfric laughed when she told him this, telling her she had the true heart of a warrior.

She continued to wash herself cleaning her scars. She didn't have that many thankfully but each one meant something. The one on her arm was the oldest and the worse, that came from the bandit who wanted to rape her after he attacked her father. She managed to grab the knife from him and stab his chest with it but not before he slashed her arm. It was a scar to remind her she was a strong, that she could survive even against the odds.

She got out of the bath and put on her robe. She opened her wardrobe trying to figure out what would be the best thing to wear. She didn't have a lot of things to wear as most of her inventory consisted of armor. Just as she was about to give up there was a knock on the door. When she opened it Calder was stood holding a package.

"My Thane, your friend Serana has sent this as a gift with her regards" Calder said handing her the package.

"Thanks Calder. I will be down soon. Make sure you and Ralof are ready!" She smiled

"Aye my thane, will be a feast to remember" and with that he left. She closed the door. She took the note attached to the package to read it:

"Dear Stormblade

Is that what your going by these days? I can't keep up with these names the Stormcloaks invent for you.

So I hear you won the war, congratulations. I hope skyrim will be at peace but I know that wont be the case. Us nords are drawn to battle even its with ourselves, the elves or vampires. Speaking of which you were right, Falion was able to cure me. I had forgotten what it was like to walk in the sun and feel its rays on my skin. Without it burning me of course.

No doubt you will be having a party to celebrate. I was going through the castle and found this dress so I thought it might look good on you. We both know you don't have a lot of normal clothes so I hope it will be of use to you. Stay safe and feel free to come visit me at the dawnguard soon ok?

Kind Regards,

Serana

P.S. Dont die"

She smiled, she had hoped she would get herself cured. It might mean the end of a immortal life but she could start living again without the hunger of human blood. She unwrapped the package carefully to find a blue dress. It was tight fitting around the top with a long drapped skirt. It was very formal but flattering. "Perfect" she thought as she put it on. The long sleeves hid her scars too which was a extra bonus.