Chapter 7


When she arrived at the Palace of Kings, the hall had been transformed into an impressive sparkling venue. Many people had arrived before her, and stood around conversing and laughing with one another. Jane thought everyone looked fantastic, she'd never seen so many beautiful gowns, and was excited for a taste of Skyrim's upper class. She figured she wouldn't have many more chances, so she soaked up the rare opportunity. It was warm and inviting inside the Palace, but Jane was unsure what to do, since she only knew one person here tonight and had not seen him yet. So she accepted the delicate glass of wine offered to her by a nicely dressed server, and stood alone sipping her drink. It didn't take very long to spot Ulfric, his red hair was rare even in Skyrim, and before Jane could muster the courage to go up to him he glanced around and spotted her. For a moment he simply stared at her, and Jane swallowed nervously, clutching her drink. He quickly recovered and excused himself from his current conversation and walked up to her.

"I didn't know whether you would come or not." Ulfric gave her a handsome smile and took her hand, raising it up to his lips.

"How could I not, with such a gift you bribed me with?"

Ulfric laughed, a deep warm laugh that reminded Jane of honey, and she smiled back. Ulfric offered her his arm, and Jane rested her hand on his soft velvet suit and was led towards the middle of the room.

"You look very much a high King tonight, Jarl Ulfric," Jane complimented, earning a very happy grin from the man.

"And you Jane, are absolutely beautiful, and not just in a dress."

Jane blushed, surprised by such a compliment, and murmured a thank you. Ulfric introduced her to many important people, people Jane thought would be very beneficial for a man like Ulfric Stormcloak to have on his side.

"I think I understand this evening," Jane whispered, leaning close to the Jarl. "The people you have introduced to me so far appear to have worth if they sided with the Stormcloaks."

"You are a smart girl, Jane. That is exactly the intent of tonight." He winked, and then was called away to another little group of people. Jane lingered back and smiled, enjoying the sound of Ulfric's accent, which for her, personally, was hugely attractive. She had always enjoyed listening to the various male voices in Skyrim. Bo didn't have a Scottish sounding accent, but his voice was just as unique to his race, and she had always enjoyed listening to Orsimer speak when she played.

The room hummed with voices and laughter. Dinner went by just as smoothly as the conversations, Jane sat to the right of Ulfric and had many decent discussions with her "fellow" Nords. Although Jane noticed that there were very few of the Elven races, she had only spotted one round bellied Dunmer with a booming voice, and it confirmed Ulfric's attitude towards the other races. That part had been disappointing to realize, but the food had been delicious, and Jane had eaten to her hearts content. When things started to die down, and eventually everyone started to leave little by little, Jane lingered around, hoping she could have one last word with Ulfric before she left. However she couldn't see him anywhere in the hall, so she hunted down his steward and, upon inquiring his whereabouts, was told he had retired to his quarters. Jane knew where Ulfric slept, since she had been to Windhelm many times, but still felt like she was perhaps trespassing, and wondered if Ulfric would be upset. Reaching his room, she knocked lightly on the door. A moment later Ulfric appeared, in nothing but a pair of tan colored breeches, and Jane realized she should have left it until the morning.

"I-I'm sorry, Jarl Ulfric, I did not mean to disturb-"

"You did not disturb me Jane," Ulfric held up a hand, and then stepped back, motioning for her to step inside. He closed the door behind her and fetched a dark blue robe to cover him, telling Jane to please sit, but Jane remained standing.

"Actually, I just wanted to ask you a question. I meant to catch you before you retired… but I was too late."

"No it was my doing, I couldn't find you so I left early. Parties are not my favorite thing, and I will endure them only as long as it is necessary."

Jane laughed nervously, reaching up to touch her hair.

"So, what is it you wanted to ask?"

"Well I was wondering if I could… join the Stormcloaks."

"Really?" Ulfric fixed his clear blue eyes on her.

"Yes."

"That is wonderful news! Of course you may join our rebellion, I only ask that you prove your worth by performing a small task."

"I will do anything you ask of me, Jarl Ulfric." Jane bowed her head, silently cursing her self for speaking so brashly, when she felt a hand on her chin. Ulfric lifted her head up and leaned forward. He was just about to kiss her lips when Jane quickly pulled back. She turned around and let out a shaky breath.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, and heard him sigh.

"You did nothing wrong, it is I who should be apologizing. Please forgive me for my behavior." Ulfric placed a hand on her shoulder and Jane turned back around to face him.

"I have no problem admitting that you are a … desirable man, but I'm sorry. I cannot return your feelings. I'm really sorry you wasted all your time and money on this beautiful dress for me."

"I am not sorry for giving you a present, I hope you can see my intentions were not what you think. I think I've had too much to drink tonight."

"I should probably go now." Jane was really uncomfortable, and turned to leave.

"When you come back from Whiterun with Bo Gro Graul, come see me, and I will give you your task."

"Thank you, Jarl Ulfric."

"Goodnight Jane."

"Goodnight sir."


The cold air hit her face like a brick, which was a welcomed change from the stifling hot palace. It also numbed her mind, which was what she really wanted. Trying to put the thoughts of what had happened between her and Ulfric, she instead thought of Bo, and how much she looked forward to seeing him. She entered their bedroom, which was completely dark, and for a moment Jane wondered if she had missed Bo in the hall, until she heard his soft snoring from the corner of the room. Quietly she stripped off her dress and pulled out all the pins in her hair, running a hand through it to make sure she hadn't missed any. Shivering in her underclothes Jane reached blindly for her pack, gasping when her toe stubbed the leg of a chair.

"Jane?" Bo called out, his voice tense.

"Yes Bo, sorry to wake you. I stubbed my toe."

"Light a candle silly." Bo replied, and before Jane could say no, issued a tiny spark of flame to light the nearest candle.

"Oh."

Jane still wore just her underclothes, and Bo quickly mumbled an apology before turning his back to her.

"It's okay Bo, I'm not naked." Jane chuckled, ignoring the butterflies in her stomach, and recovered her clothes. She slipped them on and then slid into bed beside the modest Orc, extinguished the candle and then turned to face Bo. Bo turned around but remained away from her, and made no move for contact. Jane frowned slightly, confused by his change in behavior.

"You reek of mead, " Jane sniffed.

"There was nothing else to do."

Jane laughed, and pulled the covers closer to her.

"You smell like rich perfume."

"There was a lot of that in the Palace, enough to choke on."

This time Bo laughed, a low rumble.

"Did you enjoy yourself?" He asked, curious as to what had happened without him.

"As much as I could in that stifling hot room. I didn't know anyone besides Ulfric, so that sucked. But the food was incredible."

Bo chuckled, tuning on his back slightly. He looked at Jane in the semi darkness.

"Did anything else happen?"

"No," Jane quickly replied. "Everyone left here and there so I slipped out when I saw Ulfric was gone."

" Are you sure everything is alright? You sound tense."

"I…" Jane sighed, burrowing her head into the pillow and let out an exasperated sigh. "I guess there's no point in lying. I went to Ulfric's quarters to see if I could talk to him. That's why I stuck around for so long. He tried to kiss me after I asked to join the Stormcloaks."

"He tried to kiss you?" Bo failed to hide the surprise in his voice.

"Yeah, I didn't let him though."

"Why did you stop him? He is clearly fond of you."

"Because." Jane replied. "I don't like him that way. For starters, I barely know him."

"You do not think him handsome?" Bo asked, confused that Jane had not allowed Jarl Ulfric to kiss her. Many women, mostly Nords, pined for his affection.

"No it's not that… he is very handsome. I… want nothing more than to travel with you, my favorite Orc." Jane looked up and shyly smiled. "I am not fit to be a Jarl's lover, or for one to be mine."

Bo was silent. He had only known Jane for a few days but she was already having an effect on him, it confused the Orc.

"What are you thinking?"

"I guess I just don't understand how a beautiful human like yourself could possibly want to travel with an Orc like me."

"Bo…" Jane shifted closer so she could look him directly in the eyes.

"I'll tell you why I can like you. I was taught that it is wrong to judge a person by their skin color, their race, and the way they look, the way they even dress. I have seen and experienced the kindness in you, in only a few days, and that is beautiful." Jane reached up to cup his cheek, gently stroking his tusk with her thumb.

"No matter what you think, or what people might say, you are not a beast, Bo. Nor are you ugly, or hard to look upon. I enjoy looking at you, actually." She smiled, and Bo blushed.

"You are too kind…"

"Bo," she replied sternly, and then softly again as she saw a tear escape his eye. "Bo, listen to me. You deserve happiness so stop fighting it. I'm not going anywhere. I'm glad you saved me, I wouldn't wish anyone else to have done so."

Jane leaned forward and kissed his tear-stained cheek. In a tremendously short time she had grown attached to the young Orsimer, and thought the world of him. Trembling, Bo pulled Jane forward and held her close in his arms.