So I had avoided reading anything about the last part of the main quest....after capturing the dragon at Whiterun and making the "deal", got transported to the place where I could find the portal to go after Alduin.

First of all, I noticed that from here (I guess there's no way to take a follower there) I no longer could collect any more levelling points; it seems locked for the ever after. Is this normal? After entering Svongarde and so on, met the "heroes" and we defeated Alduin. Then I was transported back to High Hrothgar where there were dragons mingling around, and spoke with Parthunax (whom I had spared earlier)

Obviously there are
still quests available, and then I guess the civil war thing still isn't resolved, but is there a point where the game actually ends? (like New Vegas or original Fallout 3) No final cut scene or anything, or an epilogue even if you were to go on and deal with the civil war issue? I'm wondering whether now since I've completed the main quest I should pack it in if there is no real definite "ending" to the saga, which by the way has been a superb and enjoyable experience. Thank you, Bethesda, an amazing 200 plus hours of adventure and immersive realism.

As well, after all this, going back to Whiterun I was attacked by an ancient dragon when I used the "summon dragon" command (thinking that this might trigger an ending). Why are dragons still attacking now that Alduin is finally history? Is this normal? If the game has no formal ending, I might play a little more with it, since I'm quite attached to my Nordic warrior/mage woman. All this at level 40, on Adept mode.

Comments? Thanks, and I'm not afraid of any spoilers at this stage.