Several weeks had past since her father had slapped her in the markets then dragged her home, and Ullia had felt utterly alone as she stared out the window of her father's home. Her father wouldn't let her leave the house at all, even if he would be with her. It had been so long since Ullia went to the Gray Quarter to walk with Athal and she longed to spend time with him. Ullia knew it would happen. She knew there would be a time when she could no longer be with him. It was stupid of them to think they could be together in the most hateful city in Skyrim. Despite it all, she couldn't help but think of their first kiss by the fireplace; of his firm yet gentle grip on her body, the feeling of his lips on hers and the tingling she felt afterwards.

"I'm going to the market to get food," her father said, interrupting her thoughts.

"May I come with you? Please father, I haven't left the house in such a long time. I won't leave your sight I promise," pleaded Ullia. Her father looked at her with furrowed brows, so she continued, "I will go mad if I stay in here. It'll just be a moment, nothing more."

"Hmph. Fine, you may come with me. All Nords deserve breathe in the fresh air of this country. But you may not speak a word to anyone. Just follow me in silence. Are we clear?"

"Of course father. Whatever you say. Thank you." Relief overcame her when he allowed her to go out. While she still couldn't go by herself and see Athal, it was a step forward at the very least.

Ullia breathed in deeply as soon as the front door was opened. The brightness of the sun blinded her, but felt soothing against her skin. It had been too long, Ullia thought to herself.

At the market, Ullia spent most of her time focusing on the puffs of clouds formed by her breath while her father bought food from Hillevi. She did not ask if she could buy tomatoes this time, or offer to make him soup. Instead she held her tongue and behaved.

"Alright, we're finished here. Let's go back home," he said, grabbing her right arm and walking back towards the house. As Ullia passed by Aval's stall, she felt his hand touch hers, pushing something into her palm. She grasped whatever it was, and shoved it into the sleeve of her dress to make sure her father wouldn't see it.

Warmth beat out the cold when they entered into the house, and Ullia immediately missed the cool crisp air.

"Well, now I suppose you can return to your sulking. You deserve it, you know," said her father. He turned and headed for the kitchen, no doubt in search of a drink. Ullia glared at his back before heading upstairs to her bedroom.

After closing the door, she sat on her bed and took what Aval had handed to her out her sleeve. It was a piece of parchment that been folded in a messy way. Ullia unfolded the note, and read what had been written on it.

"Meet me behind the stable at midnight, from Athal," she whispered, and held the note to her racing heart. For the longest time she hadn't been sure if he was alright or not after her father had come home with bloody knuckles hours after she was dragged home and to say that she was relieved was an understatement.

This was madness, she thought to herself. On one hand, she really did want to see Athal again, but on the other hand she knew that if she got caught sneaking out, her father would fly into a rage. Ullia didn't even want to think what would happen if they were caught together. She knew in her heart how much she longed to see him again, to talk to him, and to kiss him.

When night fell, she knew for certain that she had to go see him again.