Smoke filled Solitude as the smell of burnt flesh and blood rose into the air. Ulfric stood proud in the court-yard looking to the faces of his soldiers as they cried and cheered victory. They had done it at last. They had vanquished the imperial milk drinkers from Skyrim and freed all men from the oppression of the elves. No longer would any nord fear declaring their love and worship of Talos in public. Ulfric smiled as Galmar tried in vain to calm the crowd to allow Ulfric to speak. Ulfric looked to his left to see the one person who remained silent through all this cheer of glory - the dragonborn. Her stormcloak cloak moving in the wind as stood arms folded like a obedient soldier. He knew he could not have done this without her, she was the reason the scales had tipped in their favour. If she had not retrieved the jagged crown or worse given it to the Imperials he knew he would not be standing where he was now. He expression was cold like the north winds in skryim. A true nord women. Only months ago she had defeated Alduin in Sovngarde, the threat to all of Tamriel. She turned to Ulfric and looked him in the eye and a small smile crept upon her face. His heart jumped and he could do nothing but return the smile to her. Galmar had finally managed to calm to the crowd.
He stepped to the Jarl with great pride "Ulfric it is time".
Ulfric nodded and stepped towards the crowd as he began his speech. Unaware that the women behind him was watching with great intent. Hanging onto every word spoken from his deep voice. Not 1 hour before she had seen with her own eyes the power his voice could command when he used the Thu'um to blow the imperial soldiers away. It was the first time she had heard another Nord use it in combat. His low deep voice moved her dova soul to the core. She had not noticed however that when she had used her own Thu'um that he was also moved. Her feminine voice shook his bones with power. The dragonborn by all rights was a true master of the voice, commanding words that Ulfric had never heard before. It had taken him years to learn the way of the voice, understanding the meaning of each word in great detail. She however spoke in the voice like a dragon, her tongue made to command the dragon language in full strength. It put him in awe.
"A great darkness is growing, and soon we will be called to fight it, on these shores or abroad. The Aldmeri Dominion may have defeated the Empire, but it has not...defeated... Skyrim!"
A loud cheer came from the crowd, even Elisif was forced to celebrate the victory.
Ulfric took a deep breath as he turned to Galmar and the dragonborn "How I do?
Galmar chuckled "Not so bad, Nice touch about the high king"
Ulfric smiled "Thank you, I thought so"
"You know Ulfric, the men will be expecting one god-damned party after this victory. I say we head back to Windhelm and give it to them"
Ulfric smiled "Aye, that we should. Please prepare our men to head back home. Leave some in Solitude ofcourse incase the Imperial scum attempt to retake the city. I would speak to the dragonborn alone for a moment"
The dragonborn silently gulped. She had done everything he had asked for, helped him make sure the Stormcloak victory. She feared he would now forget her in pursuit of becoming High King. She knew he could be a selfish man and didn't agree with everything he stood for. But she knew his caused was right and that the Thalmor were not to be trusted.
Galmar nodded and left as he went to organise the men.
"We could not have done this without you Stormblade, You have saved Skyrim twice now for which we will forever be indebted to you. You fight like a true warrior with the voice of a dragon" he cleared his throat "What more could I ask of you? Nothing. You are free to roam should the gods have need of you elsewhere. Know this, I will always welcome you into Windhelm as a saviour, a true daughter of Skyrim and.." he paused "a true friend".
Holding back her emoutions she smiled "Thankyou my Jarl, it has been an honour to fight along your side"
"No" Ulfric interjected "The honour has been mine. I would also not have a friend name me by my tittle. You may call me Ulfric." He placed a hand on hers "Will you come to Windhelm with us to celebrate our victory? I understand if you wish to leave to another adventure however I would like you to come"
"I..." she thought for a moment. She hadn't really planned what to do once the civil war was taken care of. She looked at Ulfric as he searched her eyes for an answer. She couldn't let him down now, not after all they had done "I would be honoured, Ulfric. I shall get my horse" Ulfric smiled and nodded to signal her dismissal. As she walked towards the stables he could not help but stare. Ulfric knew he was more than fascinated with the dragonborn. Not just as a warrior or a tool for war but as a women. He would find a way to make her see that before she left him for another adventure.