Authors Note: As I was playing Skyrim I noticed that Ulfric seemed to be the most warmly dressed Jarl in the game, it got me thinking why? He's a Nord, they're supposed to be resistant to the cold aren't they?
I mean Galmar is in a sleeveless shirt with half a bear draped over his head, but here's Ulfric with a long thick coat and wolf cloak. This is the product of that wondering.
I changed the castle by adding a way to get to the wall tops feel free to decide where you think it is.
Chapter one
It was late evening at the Palace of kings, the heads of the Stormcloak rebellion were gathered in the main hall feasting upon the food laid out before them. Only one Nord's platter remained untouched, Ulfric Stormcloak's. "Is Something wrong my Jarl?" Galmar asked noticing that Ulfric had yet to eat even a crumb. Galmar's question drew Ulfric out of deep thought.
"No, why do you ask Galmar?" He responded tiredly.
"Your not eating." Galmar pointed out simply, he grabbed a leg of goat and began tearing into it like some wild beast.
"I am not hungry." Ulfric replied as he stood slowly. "I am sure you will all allow me to excuse myself." He stated.
"Where are you off to?" Galmar asked with concern.
"Just for a walk my old friend." Ulfric replied over is shoulder as he disappeared through a door.
Galmar grunted knowing Ulfric was safe inside the castle and had no need to follow, a few minutes passed and he was about to bite into a chicken leg when he noticed Ulfric's wolf pelt cloak, slung over the back of the chair he had previously been occupying. "Damn it." Galmar grumbled as he quickly stood and grabbed the cloak, dashing through the same door Ulfric had passed through only minutes before.
Many minutes had passed and Galmar could still find no trace of his Jarl, he had looked in every room along the passageway. He was becoming increasingly frustrated and opened the last door that was at the very end of the corridor, beyond which were a set of steep winding stone steps that lead to the top of the palace walls.
Galmar grumbled quietly to himself as he climbed the stairs, he could feel the air becoming colder the higher up he went and was relieved when he finally reached the top.
Once he was on the frigid snowy wall tops he looked around, searching for any sign of his Jarl. To his left he spotted Ulfric leaning against the battlements not too far away, looking out over his hold.
Galmar quietly made his way over to the Jarl who was lost once again in thought, he noticed the younger man slightly shiver every now and then. He draped the wolf skin cloak over Ulfric's shoulders and stood back waiting for the man to speak. "Huh? Oh Galmar it is you. You look grumpier than usual, what's the matter?"
Galmar growled in annoyance before speaking. "Are you trying to make yourself ill?" He demanded angrily.
Ulfric had a surprised expression on his face, slightly taken aback at the other man's hostility. "No, of course not, why would you think that?" He asked trying to appease the older man's anger.
"You left your cloak behind, you know Wuunferth enchanted it especially for you. How could you just leave it in the main hall when you knew you were coming up here?" Snapped Galmar furiously.
"Easy Galmar, save your anger for the battle-field and Imperials. I have had a lot on my mind recently and I'm sorry for forgetting it, I shall do my best to remember it from now on." Ulfric replied trying to soothe his angry and concerned friend. "See that you do. The rebellion certainly doesn't need it's leader stuck in bed with a high fever." Galmar retorted his anger subsiding. Ulfric nodded in agreement as he pulled the cloak tighter around his shoulders, him being ill was the last thing they needed. "I suggest we head back down, I'm sure there is still much food left for you to eat Galmar." Ulfric stated with a rare mischievous grin, Galmar chuckled and shook his head not knowing what he was going to do with his Jarl. "And what of you?" He asked with a suspicious glance.
"Bed." Was the one worded reply. Galmar looked his Jarl over, he knew Ulfric hadn't been sleeping much these past few weeks and it showed, he looked pale and worn out.
Once back in the main hall the two went their separate ways. Galmar back to his place at the feasting table, and Ulfric to his chambers for much needed rest.
After he finished eating his fill Galmar slowly made his way to Wuunferth's personal quarters, he disliked entering the wizard's domain, it always made him feel uneasy.
"Galmar? Well what brings you to my humble quarters?" The Wizard asked as he lent over his enchanting table.
"Ulfric was up on the wall tops a small while ago..." his answer interrupted by an annoyed Wizard.
"And? Is he not entitled to go where he pleases in his own palace?" Wuunferth replied with annoyance at being disturbed for such a trivial scrap of information.
"Without his cloak. Let me finish next time." said Galmar also becoming annoyed.
"Oh... hmm, well that's not good. Any signs of fever?" Wunnferth asked with concern, turning to face and equally concerned Galmar.
"Not sure." Galmar grunted. Wuunferth raised an eyebrow.
"Why's that? Your usually good at spotting the first signs of fever in Ulfric." He stated, his concern growing as Galmar explained.
"Over the past few weeks he hasn't been sleeping much, and he hasn't been eating properly. Missing a meal here and there or just not eating much in general." Explained Galmar grimly, Wuunferth nodded and made his way over to his alchemy lab. "I'll make up some fever medicine, just incase. You keep an eye on him and let me know if you think he has even the slightest of fevers." The wizard ordered, Galmar nodded a serious expression his face, he knew how bad a fever Ulfric could get. He remembered the time Ulfric had gotten one as a young child a few years before he had gone to High Hrothgar, the poor boy had almost died and had been extremely weak for weeks after the fever had subsided.
Before turning in for the night Galmar checked in on Ulfric, he quietly knocked on the door and when no answer was heard he quietly entered.
As silently as he could Galmar crept up to the sleeping form of his Jarl and checked for any signs of fever, he sighed in relief when found none.
As he quietly made his way to the door a floorboard squeaked causing Galmar to stop instantly, fearing he had woken his Jarl he looked over to Ulfric who only rolled over and mumbled something in his sleep.
Galmar closed the door behind him and headed for his own bed for some much needed rest.