The gathering for the moot to choose high king was a maelstrom of activity. There had been a vote cast by courier to the jarl of each hold and it surprised everyone to learn that it was to be held on the fringes of whiterun. It made good common sense for its central location but with the city not able to support the number of people wishing to attend a settlement of tents had arisen on the borders to encircle the towering gray walls like a festive skirt.
Body guards in abundance attended each ruler in profusion save one Ulfric Stormcloack stood tall and proud with only a single protector if it could be called that they were speaking in low tones as close friends would. Even if it were not for the eye catching armor and weaponry none could mistake the other traits of the short woman, the dragonborn was a fixture that had traveled extensively throughout all the holds. Already there were whispers in the swelling crowd and citizens peeping out of tents as they passed.
Denizens of the city had come to welcome her home, before the conflict had erupted this had been her first home after all in the sense that she owned a residence. As the representative of solitude Jarl Elisef's retinue had a prime location across the stream closest to the gate leading into the city. She stood watching the same as the others; she remembered her first encounter with both of them. She tried to keep her bitterness to herself in a mask of impassivity but it didn't stop unkind feelings from passing through her mind. 'Surely there is no justice'.
As if she had whispered that thought directly into her ear the dragonborn turned and made direct knowing eye contact. She murmured a protective spell around ulfric and began a casual stride in the young queens' direction. Elisef wished the earth would open up and swallow her.
Sniffing lightly the expression on the intimidating female was downright inquisitive "What plants are in your perfume? I think I smell nirnroot, and deathbell"
Of all the things to ask what a strange thing, the young jarl was completely at a loss for words and just looked at her in confusion. Dumbly reaching into her sleeve she withdrew a decorative vial folded into her scarf and held it out in offering. With an eager eye and nose her visitor examined all that she could and even went as far as to dab her tongue over the lightly purple liquid. She enthusiastically listed the ingredients she perceived and allowed herself a final whiff before handing it back reluctantly.
The dragonborn smirked slyly "Ah, you're more clever than I gave you credit for, smells pretty and it builds up poison immunity."
The shock must have shown, telling her inquisitor that she in fact had not been clever and not aware that her fragrance was potentially dangerous. Thankfully those in the surrounding area were much more impressed by her alleged intelligence and were already too busy thinking of who to pass on this juicy gossip to first to notice the look that had danced on her features. Ulfric had come over in impatience and made a gesture to his companion to tie up the little encounter. With a nonchalant shrug she turned to follow but not before subtly delivering a charming wink mouthing 'be careful'.
Once they were in the privacy of breezehome and the housecarl had been sent off Ulfric took a seat and looked at his friend curiously "What are you playing at woman?"
"I trust the strength of your sword arm, and thu'um just fine, but I'd thank you to either figure it out on your own or leave it be for now." She cheekily retorted, dropping her pack with a mild thud and crouched to get the embers burning for the fire. Seeing her crouching in the ashes like a peasant ulfric frowned slightly. She should be in a much finer home with servants to take care of menial tasks like these.
"You could have had your servant attend that before you sent her away" he groused
She made a dismissive gesture at his tone before responding "As a housecarl the only thing I expect of her is that this place is not a pig sty, robbed blind, or burned to the ground while I am away. If I am here I expect her to go to her family in Riverwood"
"What sense does that make at all? Her duty is to serve and protect." He pushed
"I like my privacy and I can't very well expect her to be any match for the dark brotherhood or any other formidable enemies. It's much easier for me to keep myself safe than to look after someone else"
"So you are saying that I am also a burden on your home?"
"Now, now don't be difficult." She fished a flask out of her pack and handed it to him he unstopped the cork and sampled the aroma and found it to be cyrodilic brandy "I think we've little to worry about at the moment the majority of those here praise you as living legend"
"Me?" he scoffed "and what of you dragonborn stormblade, thane of whiterun?"
"Rather a mouthful of a title isn't it M'lord? You should give me a another name something that rolls off the tongue and has a pleasant sound and meaning something simple and fitting"
Ulfric took a drink of the potent liquor and passed it back with a smile "That's a tall order with all your mismatched reputations, why ask for a name and not take one?"
"Names are meant to be given by kin. You don't have a mind of disowning me now do you?" She took a swig herself and began setting about for things to toss into the stew pot carefully examining and sniffing each ingredient for purposes known only to her before adding to the concoction.
"Ha! Now who is being difficult? Give me a moment such an important thing shouldn't just be tossed about lightly" He slouched into the thin cushion of the chair and began in a low voice to recite words and sounds of the old language. The timbre was barely more than a whisper but it carried a musical lilt that had them both relaxing and it carried on for a long while as the young woman began moving things about the small home to her preferences. By the time he was able to start stringing together appropriate words the stew was already done and being served with a half loaf of bread. They ate in companionable silence and he was shocked to find the random assortment of foods quite pleasing to his palate. After they'd both eaten she ignored the chair in favor of sprawling on the floor in a more comfortable position.
As they watched the fire sway and crackle he decided it had been enough time to put forth his attempts.
"Jun-Feyn?"
"Kings Bane? A bit inappropriate don't you think?"
"Drem'brii?"
She pondered it a moment then shook her head. "Doesn't fit my looks or my personality"
"Kest'in? Just a jest that wouldn't work at all"
She snorted in amusement "That would be an awkward introduction to plow the person over like a rampaging mammoth; no thu'um words"
"It's good I saved the best for last then Fel-dun"
Her eyes sparked in interest "That will do just fine I think. Fel-dun stormblade of whiterun" she tested out the words savoring the feel of the designation.
He hummed pensively "Why not Fel-dun stormblade of wildhelm?"
"The reasons are too long for the telling this eve, I intend to lay traps on the windows and doors before we sleep" she fished a small inscribed stone put of her pocket threaded with a leather chord and she handed it expectantly to him.
He took it eying it thoroughly before winding it securely around his wrist and tucking it neatly into the bracer. "What is it exactly?"
"To keep you safe, you don't need to know anything other than that" With that parting remark she began warding all openings to the building and pointed him in the direction of the master bedroom and taking the smaller one for herself.