I cannot recall any fine details of our voyage; time does not exist in shadow. I do believe that Nocturnal was guarding us as we treaded through cobwebs and hives of Draugr, for we surfaced just south of the White River without manifesting complicating injuries. I plummeted into the recesses of my mind; I acknowledged that I should begin at least considering the treacherous future that lay before us, but I could not - I was drifting away from reality as though caught in a lucid dream. My body was moving and I could feel sweat create friction against my armor, but I thoroughly convinced myself that at any moment I might awaken and initiate a new day burdened by lethargic aristocrats' quests. Ordinarily I yearned for adventure, but in comparison to my situation, anything else sounded refreshing.

Ulfric was as quiet as I and more useless. He dragged his boots over the stone, stirring every creature from its slumber, and reclined behind me so that he would not become involved in combat unless I became overwhelmed. We came across a series of ancient Nordic puzzles, to which I had hoped he would contribute even a pondering 'hmn', but alas, he reluctantly sank against a pillar and waited until I finished tampering with the peculiar stones. I might as well have been dragging his corpse! If I was mindful enough to feel frustration, I would have let the Jarl have it – he was alive, wasn't he? Might as well make the best of it! But, alas, my social passiveness got the better of me and I ignored his absence. I was trained with objectivity; although I must be feeling something, I moved mechanically, locking the trauma away to be opened at a more convenient time. Not to say that Ulfric did not know what he was doing with the axe he wielded nor that he did not have experience – I have heard many, many tales – but he was a man of passion. War was personal; every political and physical move he made was carried out with purpose. I suppose that was what drew me to him initially, for I could have cared less whose side conquered Skyrim as long as I was still able to make a profit.

The sun blared into our eyes as we ascended from the crypt. I scouted the area until I was confident we were alone with the wilderness; then, turning to the blonde Nord, I released an exasperated moan. "The area is clear, my Jarl. We should rest here for the remainder of the day; it will be too risky to move while it is light outside. As soon as the sun sets, we can travel to Riften."

Ulfric rested against a boulder, extending his left leg in a manner that rendered him jaded. "What's in Riften. . .?" he began to question, but the answer must have come to him, for his brows drew together with condensation. "You don't mean to say that you have relations with the Thieves' Guild?"

Such a genius, he was. I chuckled to myself and dropped my bag before prying into its contents. "It should be safe enough for us to stay for just a few days. Everyone knows they're located under the city, but no one bothers actually straying down there. Besides, very few people know I am affiliated with them and ino one/i will expect you are."

"But I'm not," he frowned.

"Exactly."

"And I do not wish to become affiliated with them. They've caused quite a ruckus in my city, and for what? They have no purpose. They're unorganized. They're – "

"Ulfric," I interrupted rapidly before my face blossomed red. "I mean, er, my Jarl – they're not so horrible. But really, this isn't a matter of agreeing or disagreeing with them; this is about survival. Where else would you suggest we go?"

He peeled his gloves from his hands and tossed them aside in defeat. "Are you sure they can keep their word?"

"I'm sure," I answered. I must have sounded quite self-assured, for he leaned his head back and closed his bloodshot eyes. However, the true answer was not as simple as the one I offered him; the guilds' members were highly opinionated people that came from a variety of backgrounds. Even if I was ranked as their leader, I had still yet to prove myself to them, and had only just begun to earn their respect. Convincing them to allow me to keep a stranger, let alone the leader of the country's dueling force, in their home would be difficult. And to ask them to keep quiet about it? Ah, I could already feel my coin purse lighten.

I resumed fishing for my guild uniform and had just begun to strip my heavier armor when Ulfric, whom I had presumed to have fallen asleep, whistled. I spun on my heel to face him and lifted my tights over my breasts in a vain attempt to retain my modesty. "I told you to get some rest!" I scowled.

"Nords have the ability to sense when a woman is undressing," he smiled meekly. "Besides, I am still Jarl of Windhelm. You have no authority to tell me what to do, mother."

My brow arched. "So your reputation precedes you."

"And what is the good word?"

"That you're a pervert," I replied, trying to maintain a stern visage. I launched the trousers at his thick head, but he caught them, and for theatrical purpose whiffed their scent.

"Ah, sewer."

"You smell yourself, my Jarl," I mused. I was relieved to discover this distraction, as childish as it was. And though I'd never admit it out loud, I was also pleased to be subject of Ulfric's lighter side; I had only witnessed this bantering with his housecarl and allowed myself to foolishly believe that he thought of me as exceptional. Realizing that I now stood before him dressed only in rags, I snatched the trousers out of his grasp and proceeded to dress myself in the dark garments.

"That is possible. I was due for a bath before. . ." he drifted, a frown engaging his features once more. "I never knew you were a member of the Thieves' Guild."

"No one asked," I answered honestly, sheathing my potions, daggers, swords, arrows, and bow on my back and belt. "My membership did not impede my success as a Stormcloak – in fact, I'd say it benefitted you."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, my Jarl. If I had not joined the guild, I would not have acquired the blessing of Nocturnal – I would not have learned how to sneak, steal, or battle as well as I do," I waited for him to argue, but when he did not, I hesitantly continued. "May I give you some advice?"

His right appendage drew from his temple to his lips. "What is it?"

"You have one weakness – you generalize people, whether it is their race, occupation, spirituality, what have you. You think because I am a thief, I am selfish, but you know better, do you not? Every individual has a past. You cannot define them because they have artificial commonalities with another who has disappointed you."

"I do not think because you are a thief, you are selfish – rather because you are selfish, you are a thief," he snapped. "Next time you wish you offer me advice, refrain."

My gaze drew to my feet. I knew not if what I felt was shame or anger, but whatever it was, it was unpleasant and made me feel. . .vulnerable. I busied myself by retrieving a half loaf of bread. "I apologize. I shall speak no more."

The remainder of the afternoon was spent in silence. Ulfric rested while I perched on the boulder above him, bow and arrow in hand, ready to release on any unfortunate man or animal that dare come near. The hours drew short, nevertheless, for the sun settled behind the peak of the mountain earlier than it settled on the cities of the shore and we were able to resume our adventure across Skyrim.

We were veterans of the land and knew of shortcuts that could avoid the small towns established against the rivers. When we arrived at Riften, the sun was renewing its cycle by harboring light through the surrounding pines – we'd made it just in time! But we didn't have a minute to spare; I observed the absence of Stormcloak guards and recognized the silver of the Imperial Legion. The Empire had beaten us. Ulfric and I exchanged a look of uncertainty before proceeding to the West gate, where I ushered him behind some thrush.

"We need a plan," I explained. The look he gave me assured me that he already knew that, continue, please. "I, err. . .we could pay them off, but they would most likely report our presence in the city anyway. I could kill them, but the guards' absence might be noticed and a thorough search of Riften might occur."

I pursed my lips. Every idea dwindled down to the possibility of suspicious activity. My experience with Imperial guards rendered them idiotic, but I was confident security was thickened due to the current state of affairs. "Dammit."

Suddenly Ulfric decided to be useful. "Caravans."

I blinked. "What. . .?"

"We will wait until a group of traders come along; we'll jump out, blend in, and pass through the gate and into the city. It's been a very long time since I've been in Riften, but if memory serves me right, there's enough people there that we won't attract attention to ourselves."

I grinned. Oh, I could've hugged the moody bastard! "That's brilliant," I whispered, peeking through the thrush to check the guards' post for any changes. "How'd you think of that?"

"Galmar did, actually," his lips drew thin. "It's an old tactic."

"It's a good one," I tried to assure him. The situation was too dangerous to recede to earlier events; even if we weren't quite ourselves, we certainly couldn't get away with acting on a whim and dragging our feet. We could not dwell on the possibility that Galmar, a friend of mine and an even closer friend of his, had perished in last night's attack. I set my hand on his knee and gave a gentle squeeze. "We need to focus just a little longer, my Jarl. Once we're inside the city, we can gain access to all the information we need. That's one of the perks of being a member of the Thieves' Guild – everyone's a gossip."

"If you're not careful, I might bed you out here in the open."

The only thing that mattered was he was thinking of sex and not slaughter, right?

A/N: Thank was you to everyone who reviewed. I was given some lovely opinions and feedback regarding my writing style; hopefully it has improved since the last chapter. I was planning to go a little further into the plot this chapter, but as I began to write, I recognized a few opportunities for the Dragonborn and Ulfric to become a little better acquainted with one another. Their relationship in the game is very professional, so for them to break down piece by piece and reveal their usual, casual selves should make their romance more natural. Also, while this fic is a bit heavy, I wanted to incorporate a bit of fluff and drama and humor – hopefully it works. Ha.

Thanks for reading. Please drop a little 'hello' before you change the URL to a cheap porn website.

- I. N.