Amaya awoke early from her slumber, stretching before she readied herself for the day. Her family had not yet arrived from Windhelm, where they were staying at the palace, but they would later in the day. Amaya had spent most of the night decorating, rearranging, and readying the house for them. Her housecarl, Jordis, had helped her eagerly. Jordis was a lovely girl with Nord blood in her veins, and she had been thrilled when she learned who she would be serving. The two women dusted, swept, lit fires in all the hearths, bought and cooked food, and made up rooms until the whole house felt like home to them. Amaya had even purchased Jordis a proper bedroom set, having it placed in her quarters downstairs while Jordis had been out collecting flowers and herbs for cooking and decorating. The manor all but sang out in the warm, familiar tones of a family home. Amaya had only bid Jordis good night when she felt everything was perfect, and now, she could only hope her family would be pleased as well.

After dressing and readying herself, Amaya took the steps to the Blue Palace early, wanting to get settled in before court was called. Her chambers were exquisitely bedecked in blues and silvers, a proper room for a Nordic enchantress. In one corner sat a large enchanting table, and in the opposite sat an alchemy alter. There were bookcases filled with the many tomes of her magical predecessors that lined the room, making it smell of the crinkled pages of old books and leather. There was a bed in the center surrounded by screens for privacy, had Amaya decided to live in the palace, which would have been customary had she not had a family. The whole room was luxurious, and Amaya stepped in, smiling like a child.

"What do you think?" came a voice from behind her. Ulfric's, she recognized, turning on her heel.

"It's lovely. Fitting for a place called the Blue Palace, I'd say," she answered, and Ulfric nearly smiled. He looked tired. "Late night?" she inquired.

"It's nothing. Just settling in. Getting used to things. It just doesn't feel like home yet, I suppose."

"Understandable. I can fix you a few droughts of sleeping, if you'd like. Might help."

"Perhaps. We'll see how today turns out."

"Very well."

With that, Ulfric nodded slightly, dismissing himself. Court would begin shortly. While Amaya was not required to attend, it would be a few days more before the remaining Thanes would arrive, and the court looked empty. Figuring Ulfric could use a friendly face, Amaya would join court halfway through the proceedings, after working for the remainder of the morning.

Time passed slowly as Amaya worked, her fingers deftly pulling together elixir after elixir. Piles of herbs turned into powerful potions at her fingertips, the once-bare shelves slowly filling with the fruits of her labor. After hours of meticulous handiwork the inventory stood strong before her, and she was pleased. Pausing to look over a particularly rare tomb that she had pulled earlier, she heard a rather soft gasp from the main hall, followed by the low rumblings of people speaking in hushed tones. Intrigued, Amaya lifted her eyes from the book, walking through her open doors and into the hall to listen.

"I meant no offense. I simply think that, now that the time for war has passed, it would be beneficial for the people to see their homeland's future secured," came the rumbling voice of a man, boastful in character. It was followed by the chiding of Greta, Ulfric's appointed Steward.

"Addvar, this is hardly the place for this conversation."

"I am just coming to the king with the words that no one would say to him. He has a right to know, dear."

"It has been noted. Thank you. You may leave."

The bitterness in Greta's voice was nearly palpable as she spoke, her words sharp enough to rip through her husband's skin. How embarrassing for her, Amaya thought, as she listened on in silence. Ulfric cleared his throat before speaking. He asked Greta if her husband was always so forward, adding to Greta's discomfort. Greta all but whispered her answer, replying with a short apology before calling the next matter to light. Deciding that perhaps her place was not at court, Amaya resolved to stay within the confines of her chambers until it was time for her to return home. While her body returned to work, her mind wandered to her daughters. She was beyond excited to be reunited with them. The thought of them running to greet her as she walked through the door made her smile unendingly, and so it was that time passed swiftly, memories of her family sweeping over her as she fulfilled her duties.

By the time that court was dismissed, Amaya had just finished her final potion. It was a drought of sleeping. She had assumed that Ulfric would likely call for one. The day, it seemed, had been particularly trying; in all the years that she had known him, he had never spoken to her about the affairs of the heart. Not of women, not of love, and certainly not of marriage. Figuring it to be outside of his area of expertise she had suspected that perhaps the mention of it had rattled him enough to give him pause, and pause was all Ulfric needed to lose a night's rest. As she shut and locked the doors to her space, she took notice of Greta and Ulfric going over the day's complaints and requests. She joined them, welcomed by Ulfric, who stepped slightly aside to make room for her. Greta spoke animatedly, reading from a list she had kept.

"We had many requests for a burial ceremony for those taken by the Imperial Army. This includes many hundreds of soldiers in the field whose lives were cut short in battle, and for those like my own brother who were executed for treason."

"Consider it done. I will send word to Rorlund. We will take a day, here, in Solitude. We will call it the Day of Remembrance. I would be especially honored to speak of your brother to the people, would you allow it."

"How kind of you, that does my heart good. I would appreciate that. I will send out word to the public. All we must do is pick an official day for it. Perhaps on a Loredas or Sundas, as a day of rest, where the people can attend masses?"

"I like it. I will leave it up to you, I have made enough history. Is there anything else?"

"The farms you ordered rebuilt are coming along swiftly. The people seem pleased. I hear talk that many call you a king of the people. You should be proud, that was a wise decision."

"It was the right choice for my land. These people feed us, sustain Skyrim. It was best for everyone. I am pleased that construction goes well."

"There's… Only one other thing."

"I was wondering if you'd bring it up. I know. I will think on it. Your husband made a fair point."

"Forgive him. Sometimes I truly believe that man doesn't know when to stop talking."

"It's nothing. It's good to know there are honest men left in Skyrim, at least. Go home to him, Greta. Give your family my regards. Thank you."

Greta smiled solemnly, said her goodbyes, and left. Ulfric turned to Amaya, and the two spoke briefly on their days. He waved for her to follow him to his chambers, where he called a servant to pour out two glasses of Black-Briar Reserve. The two settled down at the small table in his quarters, speaking quietly on the day's events and reflecting on the discussions of the court. Amaya knew it would only be a matter of time before one of them brought up the prospect of marriage again, but she did not expect Ulfric to be that person.

"What do you make of the idea?" he asked, rather out of the blue. They had been discussing tax rates in the holds previously, and Amaya was a bit taken aback by his candidacy on the subject.

"I'm not sure. I don't think that my opinion should have any sway, though. Have you ever given marriage a thought?" she replied, equally as open. Ulfric paused, and when he spoke, his words seemed heavy and deliberate.

"My mother and father were very much in love. Before High Hrothgar, before I left them, I would watch the way they spoke to each other. The way they looked at each other, even. Everything they did, they did with the other in mind. Even as a young boy, their love was so obvious. It was something that I always assumed I would find one day," he started. Amaya nodded in response, regarding him without words. He continued.

"When I took Toryyg's life, Elisif was… She was shattered. She loved him, and it showed. All I could think about, all I could see, was my father's face on the night I came home after my mother passed away. She had been sick. We knew it was only a matter of time. That didn't make it any easier. I did that to Elisif, and no matter how prepared she was, there is nothing in this world that can prepare you for the loss of your soul mate."

"Ulfric…"

"I know it was for a reason. I had cause. I had justification. But that doesn't change anything."

"What are you saying? That you never found love because you didn't deserve it?"

"No. I'm saying that love is once in a lifetime, and if I'm going to be married, it cannot be for a political alliance or to please the people. They deserve a queen, but I can't force myself to marry someone I have no love for. It would be an injustice. It would be disrespectful to my parents, and to the king before me. I had no great love for him, but I do have a great respect for the bond between husband and wife. I hope that makes sense."

"It does. I just hope you find the love you're waiting for."

"Perhaps I have missed my chance," he finished, downing the remainder of his glass in one fell swallow. Amaya half smiled.

"Tell you what," Ulfric panned, "Put together a list of available women. That sounds archaic, I know, but listen. You're one of my most trusted friends, and I hope you know that. You and Stonefist are the only people I would trust this with, but he's not here, and I feel like this is better in your hands regardless. Make a list of people suitable for marriage, and I will court them, and we will go from there. Is that doable?"

"You're right, that does sound archaic. I will do my best regardless," Amaya replied, rising from her chair.

"That's my girl. Speaking of, aren't your girls home?"

"They are. Avulstein too."

"And I hold you here captive. Go home. Give them my regards. Will I see Avulstein at court tomorrow?"

"That you will," she said, taking the drought of sleeping from her satchel and placing it on the table before him. "But for now, get some rest. It has certainly been a hectic day."

"You're always at my back. Good night, lass."

"Good night," she replied.

Making her way home, she could see the lights from her house coming down the walk from the palace. She could hear her daughters and her husband speaking animatedly before she even opened the door, and was overcome by them before she could close it. They spent the night eating and making merry, and when the girls were put to bed, Avulstein pulled Amaya into their chambers. He had wanted to try for a child of their own for years, and now that the war was over, it had come up again. Without reason to tell him no Amaya consented, and they spilled into their bed, entangled until satisfaction overcame him. After that they slept, and Amaya dreamt of Windhelm's bitter cold until morning's light.