Weeks passed by and Gwen tried to avoid Ulfric as much as she could. A first impression tells a lot about a person, but it didn't tell her everything. Ulfric had seemed like a kind, gentle man but when Tolerak was attacked his demeanour changed. It angered Gwen that he would be so callous and judgemental towards the elves residing within his city- the Argonians who resided outside the city walls not facing as much prejudice. She couldn't believe someone who was supposed to protect his people would be so quick to cast them aside simply because they weren't Nords.

Despite his invitation to peruse his library and his constant attempt to try and speak with her or spend any time with her, Gwen wanted nothing further to do with the man. She tried to keep busy, barely acknowledging him when he passed by, and when Torsten had business with him she found an excuse not to go along with him.

One day while out in the fields with Fjotli, Gwen heard a commotion down the road a bit. She looked in the direction of the commotion- what sounded like arguing and horses- and wondered if there were some travelling merchants stuck on the road.

"Cub, go home and fetch Da. Tell him there's something going on down the road."

Fjotli nodded. "Are you going to help?"

Gwen nodded. "Hurry now, it sounds like some merchants got their horses stuck."

Fjotli turned and ran back to the farm as Gwen hurried down the road.

"Are you alright?" She called, seeing a group of what appeared to be travellers trying to free their wagon from a ditch.

"The wheel is stuck." One said, looking up as she approached.

"Would you like some help?" Gwen asked.

"We do need another set of hands."

"Let's see what we can do about that wheel, now shall we?"

Gwen sidled up next to the wagon next to a few of the travellers and shoved against the wagon as they tried to push it forward and free the wheel.

"Heave!"

They felt the wagon moving and gave a few more pushes before they freed the wheel and got the wagon back onto the road.

"Thank you, lass. You were a big help."

Gwen smiled. "Of course. Are you coming in or going out of town?"

"We're going out of town. Need to get our cargo home before the next storm hits."

"Well, if you take the southern road just be careful not to get too close to Mistwatch. The tower there is full of bandits who attack travellers and hold them for ransom."

The travellers looked at each other and smiled. "Oh we won't have any trouble with them."

One of the travellers stepped closer to Gwen, reaching up and touching her hair. "Such a pretty lass like yourself would fetch a pretty price."

Gwen felt nervous and stepped back. "Good thing I'm not travelling then. I should get back to work now. Safe travels."

"We need to repay such a kind young lady for coming to our aid." One of them said. "Perhaps we can show you a good time?"

"Thank you, but I'm afraid I'll need to pass."

"Come now, lass, no harm will come to you."

"I said no, now please be on your way."

Gwen tried to make her way back up the road towards the farm, but the travellers surrounded her and gagged and bound her before throwing her over one of their horses.

"Gwen!"

Gwen looked back, seeing her father running towards them. She tried to call out, but her gag was tight and she couldn't get anything more than a muffled cry as the travellers kicked their horses and took off.

Torsten ran after them as best as he could, but the travellers and Gwen quickly disappeared. "Gwen..." He turned and ran back up the road, into the city and to the Palace of the Kings.

"My lord..!"

Jorleif and Ulfric had looked up from their conversation as Torsten came bursting through the heavy doors, nearly completely out of breath.

"Torsten, what's the matter?" Jorlief hurried to his side, steadying him as he started to slump forward. "Easy now, take a deep breath and calm down."

Torsten did as instructed and looked at Ulfric when he caught his breath. "My lord... it's Gwen..."

Ulfric stood and looked at him. "What happened to Gwen?"

"She's been taken... Bandits on the road... Fjotli came to get me, told me Gwen went to help some travellers stuck on the road... They tricked her and took her..."

Ulfric stepped down from his throne and called for Galmar. He looked at Torsten, placing a hand on his shoulder. "We'll find her, Torsten. I swear to you we will."

Torsten looked at the young jarl. "Please, you must bring her home."

"I will."

Gwen stirred as the horse she was on came to a stop. She looked around, seeing that she was in a strange and unfamiliar area- lush and green. The person who had been holding her steady on the horse slid out of his saddle and pulled her off the horse, slinging her over his shoulder. Gwen tried to scream and kick, wriggle free from his grasp, but to no avail.

"She's quite the fiesty one." One of the travellers- or bandits rather- said, laughing. "It'll be interesting having her around."

"We should have some fun with her."

They took her into a tower and tossed her in a hay bedded cell. The one who had been carrying her untied her and removed the gag before stepping back and closing the cell door, locking it behind him.

"Let me go!"

The bandits laughed and left her alone, ignoring her demands to free her and let her go home.

Gwen looked around, frantic to find a way out. But there was none. She sank to the floor, pulling her knees to her chest and burying her face in her arms. 'What am I going to do...?'