I do not own Skyrim, only my OC's.

FUS-RO-DAH!

FUS-RO-DAH!

FUS-RO-DAH! FUS-RO-DAH!

Anna screamed over and over. Her throat was burning from her continuous screaming, yet no matter how loud she yelled nothing happened. Tears were rolling down her face in frustration. It had worked before, she didn't image it! Anna collapsed to her knees,

"Why isn't this working?" She screamed pounding her fist into the ground. She knew she was saying the words right, but she didn't feel the power that had previously appeared in her chest.

Anna felt a warm hand on her back. Valt knelt down next to her and whispered, "Its ok, Anna." He rubbed her back for a few minutes, trying to help her calm down. Once she could fell her tears slowing she sat up and looked into his concerned eyes.

"I did it before." Valt just smiled at her statement.

"I know, I believe you. Don't worry about it, we'll train for a week or so, then the grey beards can help you with your voice." Anna didn't know what she had done to earn the trust of this man. In all honesty Valt was still a stranger. All she knew about him was that he was an old hunter who had decided to help her with training. Valt stood and held out his hand, "Come on Anna, let's get back to the inn." She took his hand and pulled herself up.

"Thanks." She smiled at him, wiping her tear streaked face. Valt nodded and smiled. They moved in silence as they walked to the inn. Anna's mind however was buzzing. It wasn't over her inability to produce a shout, but rather her thoughts were focused on Valt. This man was truly a mystery, he said that he was a hunter, but that just didn't add up. The way he moved in battle wasn't that of a careful hunter, but rather like an aggressive solider. On top of that, he had known who she was. How could he possibly know that if he was just a hunter?

Anna broke the silence right before they entered the inn, "Valt, can I ask you a question."

He turned, "of course." This man had been so kind of her, Anna didn't want to seem rude or disrespectful, but she had to know.

"Who are you? I mean, who are you really? What's your story?"

"Stories," Valt turned continued walking towards the inn, "are best told when you're nice and warm in a bed." Anna hoped that meant he would tell her as soon as they were in the inn.

Anna's bed was made of straw. It wasn't the softest material to sleep on, but with the smooth sheets that covered the rough straw it made the bed somewhat comfortable. Valt stood over her and pulled a big thick blanket over her body. She felt like she was a little girl again, with Ulfric tucking her in bed before he retreated back to his throne room to deal with his rebellion. Valt sat down next to her and spoke.

"My story. I feel like I'm old when I share my story," Valt smiled up at her, which she only return with a scowl, a hint to get on with the story.

"Ok, ok, I get it, just don't fall asleep. Most of my youth was spent growing up in Windhelm, learning how to fight so that I could join the army. When I was eighteen I joined the army, but I was assigned as a common guard in Windhelm. That all changed about a week after Ulfric Stormcloak returned from studying at the grey beard…"

FLASH BACK

Valt stood at attention with the rest of the guards. They all looked alike, wearing chainmail and a helmet that covered their face. That didn't matter to Valt however; he just stood straight, looking forward with undivided attention. Ulfric Stormcloak was leaving that day to join the Imperials in the war with the Thalmore. He would be taking Windhelm's army, as well as half the city guard. Valt wanted nothing more than to join the war, to prove himself in battle. Ulfric was going down rows of lined up guards, asking them each different questions. Valt could feel the sweat running down his sides as he waited for his chance to impress Ulfric. He had never been so nervous in his life.

Finally Ulfric approached him, "Do you want to fight in the war solider?" Was all Ulfric asked.

"Ye-" Valt's voice cracked. "Yes sir!" Valt wanted to hit himself. He was not doing a good job of impressing this man.

"Hm. You do seem eager. Draw your sword." Valt reached to his side and attempted to draw. As he pulled his sword from its sheath, his hand slipped form the handle and the sword fell to the ground. Ulfric laughed as Valt franticly bent over to retrieve his fallen weapon, "Perhaps some more experience would do you good before you run off to play war." Valt was glad that his helmet covered his burning face. He had ruined this moment, now he would be stuck as a mere guard for the rest of his life.

Ulfric continued along the line up until he had talked to every city guard. Once he was done, he thanked the guards and headed out into the courtyard. Valt followed him, determined to talk to Ulfric and convince him to let him fight. When Valt arrived in the courtyard, he noticed Ulfric heading to the exit of Windhelm. He also saw an Argonian watching the future jarl of Windhelm. Valt slowly drew his bow, his instincts telling him that the Argonian meant Ulfric harm. Valt watched as Ulfric passed the lizard, as he did, the Argonian drew and dagger and lunged at Ulfric screaming, "Die you raciest curd!" In a flash Valt drew his bow and fired. His aim was true, before anyone could react, his arrow was burying itself in the heart of the lizard.

Ulfric looked up see had just saved his life. Once he spotted Valt he approached him, "So, you're not so good at interviews, but you're obviously a good warrior." Ulfric stared at Valt while he rubbed his beard. "I think you deserve a spot on my personal guard."

FLASH FORWARD

"So I was able to go with him to fight in the Great War. Ulfric only fought one or two battles before he was captured by the Thalmore. I thought I was a failure, I was supposed to protect him, but he ended up being captured anyways. But I continued to fight; it was during this time that I met my wife, Ella."

"You're married!?" Anna interrupted. A shadow fell over Valt's face as she said this.

"I was married." Anna could hear the hurt in his voice as he said this, but before she could say anything he continued with his story. "Well the Great War ended, as you know we lost. Ulfric was eventually released, and when he was I joined his personal guard again. He met my wife, but he never approved of her."

"Why not? She was a warrior like him." Anna asked. Her father was a great man; she couldn't see him disliking anyone except those that supported the Empire.

"Because she was an Imperial. For that alone he disliked her, but still he was willing to tolerate her. Anyways I joined him when we freed the Reach from what are now known as Forsworn. We agreed to help them with this problem, as long as the Reach was able to worship Talos after we won. Your father was a truly powerful warrior, with the power of his voice and the strength of his arm he was nearly unstoppable. We won because of him, but the empire didn't keep their side of the bargain. They were supposed to let us worship Talos, but they withdrew their side of the deal. That is what really fueled Ulfric's want of rebellion.

Right before Ulfric went to Solitude to confront the High King, he called me into his chambers. I remember the moment as if it were yesterday."

FLASHBACK

Valt opened the heavy door to his Jarls bed chamber. He had never been in this part of the castle before, nor had he thought he ever would be. When he stepped into the room, he saw Ulfric sitting on a big armchair, with a little girl sitting on his lap.

"Aw Valt. Thank you for coming. I want you to meet Anna." The girl smiled up at Valt. She looked so small and so innocent. Valt smiled at the girl.

"Hello."

"Valt this is my daughter," Ulfric didn't even pause for Valt to take in this new information, "In all of my battles there has always been only one or two men I could count on. You are one of those men, and now there is something else I want to count on you to do." Valt nodded. He would do anything for his Jarl, "The life that I am choosing to lead will be dangerous. Should something happen to me, I want you to take her into your own family." He wasn't asking. He was telling Valt what to do.

"Yes my Jarl," was all Valt replied, taking one last look at the cute, smiling girl before leaving the room.

FLASH FORWARD

"So why didn't you come for me until now?" Anna asked. According to what Valt had just said she should have been placed in the care of Valt after Ulfric had fallen to the Dragonborn.

"We had a falling out of sorts. Ella and I joined his rebellion, during which she was captured and tortured. We tried to save her, but it didn't go so well."

FLASH BACK

Valt charged into the advancing ranks of Imperials. He was badly outnumbered, but that didn't matter, he was a seasoned fighter, these Imperial soldiers were obviously new recruits. Valt jabbed his sword into the heart of one, danced away, the lunged again, nearly cutting one young man in two. The others approached him more carefully, trying to surround him. Before they could, Valt's ally came to assist.

FUS-RO-DAH

Ulfric Stormcloak blasted these men away with his powerful voice. Without any mercy, Valt and Ulfric ran to each fallen man, ending their life before they could even stand. Only one man was able to get to his feet. He dropped his sword and begged loudly for his life. Valt happily ended that. Valt and Ulfric surveyed the room. The two men were surrounded by countless dead Imperials, but this room did not hold what they were search for.

Valt advanced into a hall which connected to the last room in this fort. His wife had to be there, dead or alive. Valt kicked the heavy wooden door open and ran in, only to be met with a wall of fire. A mage inhabited this room. Valt threw himself to the left, barely moving out of the way of the fire. Ulfric merely ran through the fir and charged at the mage. His steel axe met the mages conjured sword. While they were fighting, Valt noticed two Imperial soldiers trying to sneak up on Ulfric. Valt would have none of that. He threw his sword at one man with pin point accuracy, the sword sunk into the man's chest. The other soldier noticed that Valt was no longer armed, so he took the opportunity to attack the unarmed Stormcloak. Valt dodged the man's pathetic thrust and side stepped so he was behind the soldier. In one quick motion, Valt wrapped his hands around his head and broke his neck.

Valt turned to see if his Jarl needed his assistance, only when he did something caught his eye. A woman was chained to the wall, her body covered in blood. Valt forgot everything else happening in that room and ran over to her. It was his wife, with cuts and incisions all over her body. The blood no longer flowed, however. His wife was dead. He was too late. Tears of rage filled his eyes as he buried his head into her blooded blouse. He wrapped his arms around her, wishing that she would magically come back to life. He felt a hand on his soldier and turned. It was Ulfric.

"I'm sorry Valt. It's too bad she wasn't a Nord; she might have lasted long enough for us to save her." Anger filled Valt's body as Ulfric said this.

"What?" He said coldly.

"Imperials are weak. If your wife had been a Nord-" Before Ulfric could say another word Valt had a dagger to his throat. He didn't remember where he got it, but he knew he would use it if Ulfric continued.

"Ella was perfect," Valt was shaking, it was as if the blood in his body had been replaced by liquid anger, "If you ever say otherwise, I will kill you." Valt meant it. He really did. After a few moments of silence, Valt lowered his dagger. Ulfric just watched as his once loyal soldier walked out the door, never to be seen again.

To be continued…

Thanks so much for the review. Honestly reviews are what inspire me to write and update faster, so please, if you like this chapter, or if you have any comments or suggestions, review. Thanks a lot, hopefully I will be updating soon.