The power of the Voice
The power of the Voice is the key to her destiny. But one cannot hurry their destiny, especially when it involves Alduin and Ulfric. Dragonborn/Ulfric Stormcloak
A.N. Ever since I played the Stormcloak quest line, I've really wanted to write something about Ulfric. This is my take on Ulfric and the civil war.
Disclaimer: I do not own Skyrim or its characters.
Prologue
I came to Skyrim to seek my fortune as a sellsword. Instead, I found Alduin and Ulfric. I am fascinated by both and yet even after three years since my arrival at Skyrim, I am still not ready to face either of them. All I can do now is to learn about them from distance and become worthy of their attention.
It all began in the Talos forsaken town of Helgen. I had that honour of sharing a wagon ride with Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak on the way. I could have had the privilege of meeting my end where he met his, had it not been for Alduin's timely intervention. But right up until my head was placed on the execution block, I didn't really believe I was going to die. When you are young, you feel invincible. Still, there was more than the naivety of a youth that made the prospect of immanent death seem so surreal. I felt the presence of a powerful force in the air and an inexplicable faith that the force wanted to keep me alive.
My first impression of Ulfric wasn't all that remarkable. He was built like a Nord warrior but his attire seemed to suggest that he was a man of some importance. It didn't surprise me when Ralof informed the clueless horse thief that the man was a Jarl. What struck me more than Ulfric's first impression was the sense of pride in Ralof's voice as he declared that the Jarl was the true High King. Ulfric himself just looked tired, as if he hadn't slept for days.
It was only when he stood in front of the Imperial General Tullius, I began to understand, aside from their anger against the Empire, what made the Stormcloak soldiers so fierce and loyal. Even as bound and gagged, Ulfric had that commanding aura about him. It wasn't just the height difference that made Tullius look like a dwarf compared to the Jarl of Windhelm. The contrast was almost comical as it was the Imperial who were supposed to have all the power at that moment. Tullius was the victorious General who had captured a rebel leader. He had managed to have the Jarl bound and gagged, waiting for his turn on the execution block. Yet for all that, Ulfric looked more of a man than Tullius ever could.
General Tullius' speech was rather dull, but it was part of his speech that turned my curiosity about the Jarl of Windhelm into all consuming desire to become close to the man. Tullius' words enlightened me over the significance of the gag that Ulfric alone had been wearing.
"A hero doesn't use a power like the Voice to murder his king and usurp his throne."
The Imperials were afraid of his voice and for a good reason. The Jarl of Windhelm knew how to turn his voice into a terrifying weapon. How fitting it is that he was called Ulfric Stormcloak.
I didn't know a single Shout then, but I remember feeling a strange sense of kinship with him. He has always been an enigma to me and from what I have found so far about him, I suspect he always will be. Yet, I also have the sense of affinity to him just as I feel the connection to Alduin whom both I and Ulfric owe our lives.
The power of the Voice links us together. It is why we will end up seeking each other out. It is why we cannot turn away from our paths which will cross again at some point.