Gwen was glad to be home, missing the luxuries she had available as a member of a noble family- most importantly a private bath. She had slid out of her armour, setting it on an armour stand her father had procured for her, and stepped into a nice warm bath. She soaked in the bath for awhile, enjoying the relaxing aroma of lavender. When the water began to cool, she stepped out of the bath and got ready for dinner with the jarl.

It was strange that Ulfric would invite her to dinner, but she found herself giddy and anxious to see him again. She dressed in a deep purple off the shoulder tunic with gold embroidery at the elbows, black pants, and black boots with gold trim and her hair hung loosely down her neck. She grabbed her cloak and bid her family a good night before heading out the door and making her way towards the Palace of the Kings.


Ulfric had asked Gwen to join him for dinner on a whim, but he was beginning to question if that was all it was. He paced in his room, somewhat anxious as he waited for Gwen to join him.

"If you keep pacing like that, you'll wear a rut into the floor."

Ulfric looked to see Galmar standing in the doorway. "Did you need something?"

"Gwen is waiting for you."

Ulfric sighed, rubbing his neck.

Galmar chuckled. "I'll let her know you'll be down in a bit."

Ulfric began pacing again as Galmar left, his mind turning back to Gwen. He had known her for a year now and in that time, she had come to mean a great deal to him.

After awhile, a knock came at the door and he turned to find Gwen standing there with a tray laden with food. "Galmar said you wanted to eat in here, so I offered to bring up the food myself."

Ulfric watched as she set the food on the table. 'Galmar, what are you planning?'

Gwen looked at Ulfric, her brow furrowing. "Are you alright?" She stepped over to him, reaching up to touch his cheek

He stepped back, his cheeks beginning to flush, and he nodded. "I'm fine. Shall we eat?"

Gwen smiled and nodded. "Sure."


As they ate their meal, Gwen shared tales of her time with the Companions and Ulfric filled her in on how the rebellion was going. Before they knew it, a few hours had passed and it was late into the night.

"I should return home." Gwen said, looking out the window and standing. "Thank you for inviting me to dinner."

Ulfric stood with her. "I enjoyed sharing a meal with you. We should do so again some time."

Gwen blushed and smiled at that. "I'd like that." She bowed to him. "I will take my leave, my lord. I wish you a good night." She turned to head for the door, but she stopped and turned back towards him when she sensed something was off. "Hey, Ulfric?

"What is it?"

Gwen walked back to where Ulfric stood, reaching up to wrap her arms around his neck and planted a kiss on his lips. She knew she caught him off guard, but she knew too that she had to protect him.

They stood there for a moment, seemingly immersed in the kiss, and when Gwen pulled back Ulfric looked down at her. Gwen smiled and pressed her forehead to his, then whispered, "Up in the rafters, north side of the room."

Ulfric knew in that moment that she had sensed the assassin lurking in the shadows of the rafters in his room. He reached up, brushing her hair aside and stroking her cheek with his thumb. "Your family will worry if you tarry much longer." He leaned down and returned her kiss, deepening it for a moment and taking advantage of what she was trying to do.

"And if I wanted to stay?" Gwen asked, trying to keep up their ruse as she reached beneath his cloak for the dagger she knew he kept.

Ulfric chuckled. "Then I'd be mad to deny such a beautiful woman her request." He heard the rustle faintly in the rafters and leaned down to kiss Gwen, spinning them as an arrow shot at them- deflecting it with his bracer.

Gwen drew the dagger as Ulfric spun them and threw it into the rafters as the arrow zipped passed and bounced off Ulfric's bracer.

They watched as the dagger struck and the assassin slumped forward, crumpling into a motionless heap on the stone floor. Outside, the guards had heard the commotion and burst into the room, finding Ulfric and Gwen unharmed and a dead assassin nearby.

"Are you injured, my lord?" One of the guards asked.

Ulfric shook his head. "I am fine, thanks to Gwen."

Gwen looked at the guards. "Search the rest of the palace, make certain that no other unwelcome guests are hiding."

The guards looked at each other, then at Ulfric.

"Do I need to point out that an assassin tried to slay your jarl?" Gwen asked, turning towards the guards with her arms crossed and eyes narrowed. "Because if anything happens to the jarl on your watch due to your carelessness and incompetence, I will personally see to it that you are stripped of rank and quartered. Do I make myself clear?"

The guards nodded and the senior officer gave further orders- having two of them retrieve the assassin's body and the rest took off to search the palace.

Gwen sighed as the guards all left and she turned to look at Ulfric. "Are you alright?"

Ulfric nodded, chuckling.

"What?"

He stepped forward and reached up to cup her cheek. "You would make a great commander in the field or a great jarl."

Gwen blushed. "I don't know about that." She searched his eyes for a moment before looking away and clearing her throat. "I wonder if I should apologize for kissing you like that."

Ulfric stepped closer, his hand coming to rest on her hip while he tipped her chin up towards him and met her gaze. "There's nothing to apologize for, Gwen. You found a way to handle the situation and I will not fault you for that." He leaned in closer, his nose brushing against hers. "I will not deny that I enjoyed it." He chuckled when Gwen's cheeks flushed a deep rosy red and he stepped back. "You should return home before your family worries."

Gwen's heart was racing, but she tried to keep her composure and bowed. "Thank you again for inviting me to share a meal with you, my lord. I shall see you again soon." She excused herself, her blush deepening as Galmar stepped into the room.

Galmar watched Gwen leave the room and looked at Ulfric. "What's got the lass all flustered?"

Ulfric smirked. "Just a little conversation we had."

"I heard about the assassin. You're uninjured?"

Ulfric nodded. "Thanks to Gwen."


Gwen walked through the streets, the chilled air welcome against her burning cheeks. 'I can't believe I kissed him...' She reached up and touched her lips, a smile growing. 'He even kissed me back...' Then thinking back on what he had said, her blush deepened and she shook her head trying to clear out the dirty thoughts running rampant in her mind.