Chapter 2

Ulrik was making his way down the road to Winterhold, enjoying the weather that seemed to be a sign as to how the outcome of today would go. Halfway to Winterhold, he noticed what appeared to be a patrol of Stormcloaks headed his way.

The Jarl of Winterhold was a strong supporter of the Stormcloaks and had worked for years to keep the Imperial menace away from Winterhold. Although Ulrik had served in the Legion, he was conflicted over the situation in Skyrim. He sympathized with his Nord brothers and sisters over the mistreatment at the hands of the Empire. However, he also understood that the Empire needed all the help it could get simply to stay afloat and that Skyrim should help.

General Tulius and his men recently had grown more bold and had retaken Whiterun and made a move into the Rift. There were also rumors abound that the Stormcloaks were low on recruits in the North and were trying desperately to gather more troops.

All this seemed irrelevant to Ulrik except as the patrol got closer he noticed that it wasn't a patrol at all. There were 11 Stormcloaks making their way down the road, being led by Field Commander Kai Wet-Pommel. Kai was noticeable through his typical Stormcloak Officers Armor, which was made of some of the toughest leather and bear hides in all of Skyrim. As Field Commander, the Fort Commanders of Winterhold reported to him and he dispatched and allocated troops where he saw fit within the hold. Ulrik knew who they were looking for even before Kai said his greetings.

"Ulrik Ice-Mane! I bid you a fine welcome on this day brother!" Kai said when he got within vocal range.

"Field Commander Kai Wet-Pommel, how goes your war with the Imperials?" Ulrik replied.

"As a matter of fact it is over these matters that I wish to consult with you. I was hoping you might join me in the Officer's War Room back in the Jarl's Longhouse."

"I'm sorry but I have a very busy day ahead of me, and I'm late for an appointment already. So if you'll excuse me, I'll be on my way." Ulrik said making his way past Kai and his escort.

"Ulrik this is serious. We need your help and expertise. You served with the legion for 10 years! You know how to fight and you know how to train others to fight in a professional army. We need people like you more than ever. Don't turn your back on Skyrim." Kai said as he rushed up to stand in front of Ulrik.

"Kai I understand what you mean. I also understand that you need people to help your cause, which I will say is a just one. However, I've left the fighting behind and am trying to just live a rather peaceful life out here in Winterhold." Ulrik said with thoughts of Malene running through his head.

"Will you at least do an old friend a favor and hear me out? If not now then perhaps tomorrow when you are less busy?"

"Kai I am almost 10 years your senior, and I've known you only a few winters. I doubt that would qualify as an old friend." Ulrik said with a sly grin.

"Not myself, but my father, Hrog. He spoke highly of you and of the times you shared together in the Legion."

Ulrik's mind stumbled at the thought of his dead and former comrade. Hrog had been about 6 or so years older than Ulrik and had been under his command back when he'd been a Legate in the 4th Legion. Hrog had been one of those men who'd gladly put away his bow to take out his sword and wade into the thick of battle. This characteristic spoke of his outlook towards life as well. Hrog had been one of the few people that Ulrik had numbered among his friends.

"Your father was a brave and honorable Nord. I was both sad and glad to hear he fell in battle when the Empire retook Whiterun. I'm sure he gave the Imperials a good thrashing before he finally left this world for Sovngarde. For his memory I will honor your request. I will walk with you into town and I will listen to your proposal."

"Thank you Ulrik." Kai said as they set off up the road to Winterhold. "As you more than likely heard, the Imperials have struck into the Rift. They overran our forward camp in Falkreath and marched through the mountain pass at the Rift's Western border. Our forces are holding out in Ivarstead, Treva's Watch, and Faldar's Tooth. The troops at Faldar's Tooth are stopping the Imperials from headed down the road to Riften itself. They're being pressed badly and our spies report a sizable amount of troops have left Whiterun headed east. We've no idea where they're headed, but we're assuming they're going to try and hit Windhelm to cut off the Rift from reinforcements."

"They're going to hit Winterhold." Ulrik said calmly. This prompted Kai and his escort to come to a halt.

"What makes you say such? Do you have information that leads you to this assumption?" Kai said shakily.

"It's a hunch. I served with General Tulius as did your father. His way of attack would be to try and take one hold at a time. However, by moving his army to the north and attacking Winterhold, he also threatens Windhelm's security. If Ulfric sends aid to the Rift, Tulius will react accordingly and more than likely will have this army swing south to hit Windhelm from the North, while his main army, which is no doubt hidden in Whiterun Hold, swoops up from the Southwest. However, if Ulfric doesn't send aid then Riften stands on its own and those troops from Whiterun will mostly harass the Winterhold-Whiterun border. It's a pretty bold move but a clever one none the less. Tell me Kai, what news from Hjaalmarch and the Pale?"

"We've not heard from our spies in Hjaalmarch and I'm not due to receive a report from the Field Commander in Dawnstar for another 2 days. Why do you ask?"

"Hmm, well in my opinion, I'd say to bolster your troops on the Whiterun border and send some patrols into the Pale. You might want to send a rider to Dawnstar just to see how everything is going. The Imperials are growing bolder everyday it seems and you'd had best be ready for anything. By the way Kai, I noticed the fleet that Ulfric had constructed. Not bad if I might add. Without that fleet the Imperials could land right on Ulfric's doorsteps without so much as a scratch on their Imperial Frigates. "

"I will send out more reinforcements and order that patrols be sent out immediately. Thank you for your advice. I really do mean what I said earlier that I require more men like you. The WinterGuard needs strong and seasoned leaders such as yourself."

"You've got plenty of leaders to help you out, as well as a lot of young boys willing to assume those roles." Ulrik said placing emphasis on the 'boys' segment of his comment.

"Well your right about the boys, but I really could use a man like you out on the western borders of Winterhold. I've need of a good Fort Commander to take charge of Fort Fellhammer."

And with that Ulrik's assumptions all played out. The young Field Commander was hoping to have him, a very influential person within the hold, to take charge of the Western borders and therefore not only would he have a seasoned Commander helping him, but he'd be able to draw more recruits with such an influential Commander.

"So you want me to take control of a fort to help you gain more recruits, is that it?" Ulrik stated accusingly.

"Well not entirely. The problem is that one of our Commanders out there recently took ill. The illness has pushed the old timer to the point where he no longer does nothing but remain in his bed all day. We need you out there. No one else has the experience or the intelligence that you possess. Plus I need someone out there I can trust. Someone I know will take charge if something happens."

"And what 'something' are you expecting?"

"I'm not sure. As you said yourself, the Imperials are growing bolder. I'd rather have a seasoned warrior at my back than a bunch of scared boys." Kai said

Both men broke out in laughter. Although Kai was young, he'd been trained ever since he was a boy by his father. He numbered among the few who could rightfully call himself a man in the WinterGuard.

"Plus, I want you to begin to train the troops out at the Forts to fight as an army fights, not like a bunch of barbarians wildly swinging axes in any which way. I'd really appreciate if you would consider this offer of mine."

Ulrik looked up as they neared the newly constructed stone walls of Winterhold. With the increase of income for the Hold, the Jarl felt that better protection was a wise investment. They'd been completed a few months back and look strong and sturdy. Guards patrolled the battlements and a pair stood by the open gates which led to the Hold Capitol. Beyond the gates he could see her. Her silk smooth blonde hair stood out on a beautiful day such as this. He saw her and thought of how she would react if he told her he was leaving to join the war. He longed to be with her and he wanted her to be his wife. However, he knew deep down that the Stormcloaks needed his help, and a part of him wanted to aid in the cause to free Skyrim. He was truly conflicted as to what course of action to take.

"I need to think a little over this. As I said my appointment awaits me up ahead. I will return to you tomorrow and inform you of my decision."

"Thank you Ulrik. Please consider this. I really need you out there."

With that, Kai Wet-Pommel and his escort walked off into the city. It was highly likely that Kai was headed to the Jarl's Longhouse to dispatch reinforcements and riders as Ulrik had suggested.

Ulrik stood there for a moment waiting for Kai and his men to head off past the gates and pondering on what to do. It was a few minutes before he realized that Kai was gone. He made his way through the gates and into the embrace of Malene.

"Well that took you long enough!" Malene stated rather impatiently.

"As you may have seen I was held up." Ulrik said referring to his walk with the Stormcloak Field Commander.

"I know I saw you all coming. Is everything all right? Did they give you any trouble?" she asked worriedly.

"No I'm ok, just talking about some things. Kai Wet-Pommel's father served under me back in our days in the Legion."

"I didn't know that. Was he a friend of yours?"

"Yes he was, a very good one at that. He came to me when the civil war broke out and tried to get me to join them. I turned him down. Now a part me wishes that I'd been with him in Whiterun fighting off Imperials. Maybe then he'd still be alive."

"Maybe, or maybe you'd be dead alongside him. If you'd gone to fight in the war I wouldn't have met you. There would be no us, and don't even get me started on the status Winterhold. Your decision has benefitted a lot of Nords, most of all me."

Malene's last statement had her blushing and Ulrik's heart jumping. Ulrik almost wanted to ask her to marry him right then and there, but he had a whole day planned with the perfect moment to top it all.

"Thanks for that Malene. It really makes me feel better. Oh by the way Happy Birthday!"

"Thanks Ulrik. So where's my gift?" Malene said jokingly.

"Well I've got the whole day planned out, and I've already talked to your father so your mine for the day. Shall we?" Ulrik motioned for her to take his arm.

They made their way via a private horse drawn carriage to a designated spot along the eastern shoreline where there was a neat little eating area set-up where they shared a nice lunch and talked about how her little brother Ingar really looked up to Ulrik.

Afterwards they made their way out to Snow Veil where Ulrik took her shopping for a new dress freshly imported from Hammerfell. They dined in a private room of Oncar's Old Tavern where the meal was rather delicious and the dancing was delightful.

They ended the night on the docks of the Winterhold Port holding each other and staring at the moon and the stars up above.

"I really enjoyed my day with you Ulrik. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect ending to a perfect day." She said before kissing him.

"Well it's not over yet." Ulrik said as he went down to one knee. He pulled out the ring which he'd been waiting to give her all day. "Malene, ever since I've met you I knew that no other woman would ever fill the loneliness in my heart. I love you Malene Snow-Song. Will you make me the happiest Nord alive and become my wife?"

Malene stood with tears forming in her eyes and smiling. She bent down and kissed Ulrik.

"Oh Ulrik I thought you'd never ask! Of course I'll…" she was cut off as the harsh shrill of a woman pierced the night.

Ulrik stood up and they both looked off to the direction from which the scream came. It appeared to have originated from the within the city, which now had smoke from fires rising up above it.

The sounds of steel ringing verified what Ulrik had been dreading. The war had finally reached Winterhold.