Author's note: Sorry I haven't been updating as much. I allowed one review get to me, but you know what? I said screw it. So what if you want to call them Mary Sues, this is my creation, MY story. I will have them the way I want, the way my sister agrees to have them and I will have fun doing it. Thank you to anyone who has been patient with me, waiting for updates. They will be coming now, and after this I'm working on the finale of A Raven and her Cat.

~Rose~

Aan Nonvuul Sil

I groaned sitting up, rubbing my sore arm I forced myself out of bed. I sighed hearing Ulfric's booming voice ring through the castle, remembering that he said Erik left today I quickly made my way down the stairs to find the dining room full of new soldiers, scouring the crowd I smiled spying Erik. Ulfric continued his speech for a moment before wishing the men luck, with that everyone seem to clamor about as he turned to leave. I slipped into the crowd, forcing myself to smile when Erik made his way to me.

"Val! Listen about last night..." I held my hand up, smiling to try and ease his nerves.

"Just come back safe Erik, I don't want to be delivering your body to your father." He froze a moment, as if surprised before wrapping me in a tight embrace. I froze, feeling eyes on us as he let me go.

"I promise I will Val." With that I heard Galmar's voice boom from the doors, immediately everyone began filing out. Sighing I turned, running right into someone.

"Are you always so friendly to men?" I stepped back, glaring straight up at Ulfric as he glared down at me, I couldn't help but shudder under his stare.

"Allowing a friend one final embrace before I wont see him till Talos knows when? Please if you have anything important to say then come find me oh wise Jarl." I couldn't help my tone as I turned on my heels, walking back towards the war room to look at the map.

"Val, Val!" I rolled my eyes, ignoring Ulfric's calls to me as I slammed the door, looking up to see Kiraya staring at me.

"Did I wake you Kiki?" She scoffed, flicking her tail while leaning against the doorway.

"Between that Jarl's booming voice and him screaming your name I wasn't sure what I was to wake up to. What did you do now?" I laughed, walking over to the map.

"Erik embraced me, I told him don't die. Apparently Ulfric didn't like that." I froze, hearing the door open.

"Really Ulfric I don't see what you see within, oh hello ladies." I looked over my shoulder, shooting a glare at Ulfric before turning back to the map.

"Hello Jorleif, sorry I'm just figuring out the best way to Riften."

"What will you be doing there?" I sighed, lowering my head as Ulfric moved across the table from me. I didn't raise my head as I spied Jorleif walking to one side of the table.

"Ulfric calm yourself, she's obviously just wanting to explore a bit. Look here Val." I followed Jorleif's finger as he pointed out the best route, though I felt Ulfric's eyes on me the entire time. Kiraya finally came by my side, slipping her tail around my ankle.

"This one wishes to go with you sister, Thrynn left last night to return."

"No I didn't." I couldn't hide my smile as Thrynn walked through the door, stretching. "But I'm thinking I should've instead of sleeping in that chair. Where's the food?" I shook my head, standing up.

"Kiki come with me we'll make food, anyone else want something?" Ulfric scoffed, shoving his way past Thrynn, who watched the man leave fore turning back to me and tilting his head. "Causing the Jarl to get upset already Val?" I held my hands up, sighing heavily.

"I just let Erik embrace me and told him come back safe, that tis all!" I shot a look to Jorleif as he chuckled.

"That explains it, forgive me Val but I must go after him. Do you mind making enough for us? Galmar went with the soldiers to get them settled in." Nodding I gladly went to leave only to have Kiraya stick a paw in front of me.

"Sister the clothes came, go get changed." I looked down at my miner's clothing before turning back to her.

"Sister please I just-" I stopped when she snarled, pinning her ears back. "Alright, for the love of Talos calm down." I quickly made my way past a laughing Thrynn, muttering a few choice words as I walked towards my room. I paused, hearing Jorleif's voice.

"Ulfric you need to calm down, she's not making trouble-" I shuddered feeling the building shake as a powerful wind surged through the hall.

"I know Jorleif, it's just something about her. I don't understand it and yet..." I heard the chuckle, retreating to my room as their conversation continued. Looking to the corner I was surprised to see a dress already picked out for me. It was a deep red, almost like a garnet, the trimmings were beautifully done in a golden fabric along with a matching band sewn in the middle of the dress. Sighing I slipped out of the miners clothing into the dress, reminding myself to thank the ladies later. After shaking the dress out a bit I sighed, pulling my hair out of it's do I let it fall down my back before working it into one long braid. I winced when I heard the door open, looking towards it I saw Kiraya poke her head in.

"Sister did you see the, oh my..." I blinked, looking to her confused as she stepped in with wide eyes. "Your hair... you must wear it down. Sit." I rolled my eyes, sitting on the edge of my bed as she kneeled upon it, skillfully working my hair. I smiled, closing my eyes enjoying the feeling of her claws gently tugging my hair.

"Kiraya how long has it been since we've just been able to sit and relax?" She paused, I could picture her puzzled face, before I heard her purr.

"Tis been a long time... Not since we came to Skyrim... But I meant to inform you that Thrynn has paid for the housing and everything will be moved in by tonight. I'm sure Ulfric will be glad to have us out of his home." I shrugged, wincing as she pulled a knot out. "Allow this one a moment, but put the circlet on." Standing as she left I slipped the circlet on top of my head, surprised by the snug fit. Slipping on my shoes I looked up to see Kiraya return with a necklace in her hand, I blinked spying the large circle on the end.

"And what is that?" Kiraya smiled, slipping behind me as she placed it around my neck, making sure to move my hair around the chain.

"It's a amulet of Mara, Thrynn gave it to me to give to you. It has a enchantment on it to help with casting restoration." I blinked, looking at the strange amulet before smiling.

"I suppose I'll have to thank him later. Come now, I think everyone is waiting for food."

On our way to the kitchen I stopped to ask a guard to invite Aventus, explaining that just inform the lad I had sent him and it would be alright. Kiraya and I entered the kitchen to begin prepping the food, while discussing what exactly to make.

"This one does require meat, I shall prepare the venison chops with salmon steaks." I nodded, looking to the others ingredients.

"I think a vegetable soup will do just fine." Nodding we both set off with our cooking. I had just gotten done with chopping the vegetables when I heard a familiar voice screaming.

"Let me go! I did nothing wrong!" I gasped, rushing from the kitchen to see the guard with a buddy carrying a screaming Aventus into the palace.

"Aventus! Put him down!" The guards gladly dropped the poor lad on his ass as I slid to him, looking him over to make sure no harm was done.

"He refused to come out without seeing you, so we brought him the best we could." I sighed, forcing my rage down before smiling stiffly to the guards.

"Well in the very least you got him here, thank you for that." Aventus sniffled as the guards shuffled off, I sighed heavily before smiling to him.

"Are you alright? I merely wanted them to invite you here for some food before we discussed a few things." He sniffled, looking up to me.

"Did you finish our contract?" I laughed, helping him up.

"All in time Aventus, all in time. Come now, how about you help my sister and I in the kitchen?" Aventus froze, staring at me as I began walking.

"But if you didn't finish the contract then why bring me here?" I stopped, looking back to him curiously.

"Aventus I know you are alone, and I know you don't wish to return to the orphanage. I'm offering to take you under my roof, you need not consider me a parent but a friend if you so wish but I will call you family." Aventus looked like a deer trapped by wolves as I offered my hand, a soft smile upon my lips. "I know what it's like to lose everything you love, to have nothing to look back to, but if you give me a chance I'll be willing to help you until you know to take care of yourself." I blushed as he ran to me, swatting my hand out of the way as he wrapped his arms around me, I gently placed a hand upon his head and softly hummed, feeling his tears soak into the dress.

"In all my life I have never seen such kindness in one person." We both jumped, I moved in front of Aventus when Jorleif came from the door.

"What of Ulfric?" Jorleif smiled, waving a hand.

"He's as stubborn as he is wise. Aventus it's good to see you out again." I blushed as he hugged me again, peering around my skirt. He stepped out, puffing his chest up as he spoke with a proud look on his face.

"She's my new mother." I blushed, staring at Aventus wide eyed when I heard a door open.

"Sister did you think of whom shall watch the furless child while we are on our travels?" I rolled my eyes, looking to see Kiraya peering out of the door to the kitchen.

"Alright enough. We'll discuss when food is upon the table. Come now Aventus." With a happy grin he took my hand, we followed Kiraya back into the Kitchen as Jorleif headed back to the war room.

A few minutes later Kiraya shooed us from the kitchen, Aventus helped me as we set the plates, looking up I spied Ulfric watching us from his spot against the wall. Rolling my eyes I turned back to watch Aventus set the last plate with utensils down. Turning from the table I saw Kiraya walk out smiling, carrying two trays for the food.

Taking our seats I smiled proudly as Aventus sat close to me, his smile hadn't faded the entire time since he called me his new mother. I was impressed to see Gale finally emerging from the rooms, yawning up a storm, shaking the sleep from his face.

"Food already? What will we do without you two in the palace?" Kiraya didn't wait for anyone else to join as she dug in, I smiled as Thrynn walked in taking the seat next to Kiraya while Ulfric and Jorleif to join next to Gale. As we ate I realized very soon that Kiraya was growing more and more unsettled. I turned to her to say something when she growled, looking up at Ulfric with a glare so fierce Talos himself would have ran.

"This one demands to know where Ralof has been sent off to?" Ulfric scoffed, looking up to Kiraya's glare without flinching.

"What does it matter to you where I send my officers?" I poked Kiraya's foot with my own, not taking my eyes off Ulfric as he stared at Kiraya. Before she had a chance to reply I heard Gale pipe up.

"Val what necklace is that you're wearing?" I blinked, looking down to see it had fallen in the crevice of my bosom. Casually reaching between them I pulled the amulet out, dipping my spoon back into my soup. Gale laugh before smiling. "Well if I had known you were interested in marriage I would've asked a few good men to come by." I dropped the spoon back into my bowl, feeling my face flush as I froze, slowly regaining my composer I turned to Kiraya, who was already tensed up.

"I beg your pardon Gale?" Kiraya pinned her ears to her head as he continued, slowly sliding back on her bench.

"Women in Skyrim wear the amulet of Mara to show they are looking for a suitor." I nodded my head, closing my eyes as I spoke.

"It seems my dearest sister forgot to mention that part when she gave it to me for the enchantment." I gave a shout as I lunged at Kiraya, who was tripping over the bench trying to get away. "You will not get away this time you liar!" Kiraya yowled as we tumbled, not caring as the men stood at the table, not sure whether to intervene or if to run for cover. I glared at Kiraya as I pinned her with my dagger to her throat, she only smiled her cocky smile at me as I kept her pinned to the floor.

"Dearest sister you know I only want what's best for you." I gasped as someone wrapped their arms around me, pulling me from her before I started kicking, growling I threw my elbow back, making clear contact with something before dropping to the floor, glaring I soon felt horror overflow me when I saw Ulfric rubbing his face. "By the Gods you just hit the Jarl..." I shot her a look before slowly standing up, spying Gale and Jorleif running for the doors as the guards quickly cleared out. I looked back to Kiraya as she sat on her knees, looking from Ulfric to me as if waiting to see what happened. Thrynn cleared his throat before grabbing Kiraya's hand pulling her away.

"Come on Aventus, come with your aunt and I, your mother and Ulfric need some time alone..." I couldn't help but wish they stayed as they all left. The air in the room slowly became heavier as he started walking towards me, making me take a step back each time he got close.

Glancing down I saw my dagger, slowly side stepping a bit I saw him smirk and couldn't help but wonder he was about to do.

"You start a fight with your sister, hit me, act as though you're going to get to your weapon, and expect to just get away with it?" I was frozen, not sure how the bear of Windhelm would react as he approached me. "You came here seeking a new life, but what have you done for yourself? Do you stop for a moment to think about what you could do if you stopped holding back?" I blinked, not truly understanding .

"Ulfric stop. This is not something I'm going to discuss with you, not now." I gasped when I heard a strange language come from his mouth, feeling a surge of air rush into me as I flew into the throne, shouting as I landed roughly. I sat up quickly, only to gasp when I saw Ulfric kick my dagger away, approaching me swiftly. "Ulfric you need to-" We both stopped when we heard a war cry, before spying Aventus lunging at Ulfric with my dagger in his hand. Ulfric swiftly moved to the side, not before the dagger caught his cloak causing a large tear within.

"Aventus!" I rushed from the throne, throwing myself around him as Ulfric stared at his cloak, his expression stoic. We all turned as Jorleif rushed back into the room out of breath.

"My Jarl the Altmer Emissary is here and wishing an audience with you!" Ulfric's expression became dark, turning towards Aventus and I he threw his cloak to the ground.

"You two, stay here. What do they want this time?" I sighed as they left, looking towards the torn cloak I chewed the inside of my cheek debating if to run or to stay as instructed. Aventus ran off suddenly, making look up to see him coming back with a pouch in his hands when the door to the war room closed with a bang. Taking it I smiled, knowing exactly what it was; sweeping the cloak into my arms I perched myself upon the steps to the throne. Letting Aventus sit beside me, leaning upon my shoulder he watched me get to work upon the cloak with the bone needle that Kiraya had no doubt slipped to him.

Looking up briefly I watched as Ulfric stormed back into the room, followed closely by a Altmer woman who was being kept back by Galmar.

"Ulfric you know this is the best thing for all of Skyrim, let us unite these forces! Stop this useless rebellion and allow the Empire to keep it's foothold within Skyrim. We are not so different wanting the best for Skyrim." Ulfric climbed the stairs nodding to me as he took his seat upon the throne.

"You are lucky to be alive here Elenwen within these walls, you dare insult Skyrim by insisting I taint the Nord blood and honor by marrying this elf?" Another Altmer stepped around, her bright red hair a contrast to the blonde.

"This elf has a name Jarl Ulfric, it's Silene-" She stopped, turning towards Aventus before scoffing. "What respectable Jarl allows a child to be here within a private meeting? In rags of all things." I turned her sharply, pausing at the task within my hands.

"You would do well to treat my son with some respect Silene, it is not wise to make enemies with those from foreign lands." Silene let out a single laugh, waving her hand towards me as if to dismiss me. I rolled my eyes, turning back to finishing the mending work.

"And a woman who speaks with such lack of respect to those obviously better than her, just who do you think you are?" Ulfric sat up straight in his throne, glaring down at Silene his voice boomed through the room.

"Her name is Val Dareloth-Kioni, you would do well to remember the name of the future queen of Skyrim." I heard a muffled clawing sound from the door, ignoring the sound of claws being dragged away as I raised my brows to him.

"Ulfric..." I smiled my practiced smile before hiding my face behind my hair, trying to decide if to play along or let him deal with the storm sent from Oblivion. I turned back as I heard a shout from Silene, who was stomping her foot upon the steps.

"NO, NO, NO! THAT WOMAN? WHAT DOES SHE HAVE THAT I DON'T, I AM OBVIOUSLY BETTER FIT IN THE UPPER-" Elenwen held her hand in front of Silene, eyeing her sorely before stepping forward once more. She turned her attention to me.

"Val wasn't it? Where do you hail from?" I sighed, looking back to the Altmer to find her piercing golden eyes locked onto mine.

"Twas born in Skyrim, yet raised in Elsweyr. I only recently returned to Skyrim." I found it best to leave out the minor details. Elenwen nodded, looking towards Ulfric with a click of her tongue.

"And what was your reasoning for returning to Skyrim?" Before I had a chance to answer the door to the war room opened, revealing Gale.

"She returned here with her sister Kiraya to see if either of them would be suited to Ulfric's choice of a woman for Skyrim." I nodded, letting myself return to my work as Gale stood next to the steps near me. "Instead of a woman bound to Skyrim all her life he wanted someone who could bring differences as well as preserve the old ways. What better way than a daughter of both Skyrim and Elsweyr?" I closed my eyes as Silene shrieked, pointing at Ulfric.

"This is a ruse! She is nothing more than a Skyrim woman born here and pretending so he can attempt to get out of this! There is no sister-" Before I could say anything, I heard the scrapping of claws against the floor.

"If there tis no sister, how is this one here?" Smiling wickedly Kiraya waltzed into the room, glaring at Silene with a ferocity I hadn't seen in many moons. Silene's jaw became a bit slack before she pulled herself together, her nose wrinkled.

"A Khajiit a sister to a Nord? What in the name of Xarxes is going on?" I quickly shook out the cloak, laughing a bit as Aventus crawled under it before roaring like a bear.

"Now, now Aventus behave yourself in front of the guest." I couldn't help but laugh as he snuggled up to me, looking to Silene.

"Why should I respect a woman who has no respect for father?" My breath hitched as Silene sneered at Aventus, worried about what would happen until I heard Ulfric's booming laugh. I felt a warmth rush over me as I turned to him smiling, enjoying the deep rumble of the sound and the slight smile on his face.

"Settle down young cub, Elenwen if there is nothing more necessary I suggest you take the elf with you and leave." Silene puffed her chest up once more, biting her lip before Elenwen chuckled.

"Now, now Ulfric wont you at least offer your guest a bite to eat or a place to sleep? After all it is near the sun's setting." I gave a sigh of relief as Jorleif stepped up from Ulfric's right side, finally saying his in put.

"We will have the servants heat up what is left over from Val and Kiraya's cooking, there is a spare area where you may stay the night but we will have guards posted. Take a seat at the table as I go tell them." Silene muttered as Elenwen nodded, graciously accepting the seat.

"There better be no fur within my food." I smiled as Kiraya's growl caught Silene off guard, causing her to curse as she banged her knees to the table. "That was on purpose!" Kiraya turned to me while I shrugged, not wanting to get caught in the middle. I blinked when I notice Aventus yawning, snuggling up against me a bit more.

"Did you not get enough sleep my boy?" I smiled, running my fingers over his soft hair as he nodded. "Well then, why don't you catch some sleep?" He looked at me, his eyes barely staying open as he smiled.

"Will you sing me a lullaby?" I blushed, but smiled softly.

"As you wish little cub." Kiraya sat down on the steps, wiggling on her butt before staring at me intently waiting to hear, I could feel everyone's eyes upon me once more when I began singing.

Quiet now, Silence now it's time to catch some sleep

The sun's gone down, the stars come out to wish you your sweet dreams.

Quiet now, Silence now it's time to catch some sleep

The moon's light glows upon us now, to guard and protect

The sun will come another day, then you can run and play

but for now my child, sleep and dream

I stopped when I heard a slight snoring, looking down I saw Aventus fast asleep in my lap, Kiraya was purring next to me her eyes dancing to keep open. Nearly jumping out of my skin I was surprised to find Ulfric next to me, his stoic expression back upon his face.

"Shall we take him to bed?" I nodded as Ulfric swept him up out of my lap, wrapping him in the cloak he began heading towards the rooms.

Sighing I stood, smiling briefly to our guests I apologized and chased after him, surprised to see him just entering my room with Aventus fast asleep. Silently approaching I peered around the door frame just in time to see Ulfric set Aventus down, tossing another fur upon him before standing up with a smile upon his face. Stepping back I smiled at Ulfric, realizing how happy I was to see a side of him I didn't think existed, but that seem to disappear immediately after he closed the door.

"I suppose I am in debt to you now for helping me." I shook my head, my smile fading before motioning to the door. Ulfric nodded and led me to his chambers, which I was surprised to see the bed upon a platform. Jumping I spun around as Ulfric began closing the door behind us, catching a glimpse of two guards at the doors I assumed I wasn't getting out of here tonight.

Ulfric motioned to the bed, taking a seat at his table.

"Sleep, I won't bother you." I looked at him confused until he looked towards me. "There are traitors in our midst I will not sleep until they are gone." Nodding I climbed into bed, watching him as I slowly slept into the Void's warm embrace.