Argis began weaving through men and women wearing identical Stormcloak uniforms, donning their helmets and hefting their shields. She lost sight of him soon after that. Everyone seemed to be pressing forward, moving as one giant mass toward the gates of Solitude just up the road. Gianna stumbled and ran toward the ornate tent where Ulfric had been and found it empty. She cowered down into the tent and tried to remember to breathe.

She heard a sound like breaking thunder followed by the screams of hundreds of soldiers from a distance. She kept crouched down in the tent for what seemed like hours before she heard voices outside of Ulfric's tent. She ventured a frightened look outside of the tent and saw wagons approaching another tent nearby. Robed figures appeared and began unloading the hurt and injured, moving them toward the tent.

Gianna rushed over to help. She wasn't strong enough to carry the armored soldiers, but she brought potions to the wounded and ladled water into their mouths. As soon as the injured were treated, another wagon was already approaching. Some of the men were already dead or suffering from wounds so great no small potions could cure their ills. One of the robed priests knew restoration magic and was helping, but in between casting he was weak and helpless. Gianna scanned every face that she treated, searching for Fen or Argis, but saw no one familiar.

After hours of tending to the sick, she glanced at Solitude and saw smoke rising from the city. Fear gripped her heart and she refused to give into the feeling. Instead she pushed through, helping the sick and dying. Assisting the priests. She lost track of time but suddenly everyone paused in their work as a large cry went up from the soldiers. Some of them were coming out of the city. Everyone was cheering. A weak cry came from the wounded in the tent. The Stormcloaks had won the city. Solitude had fallen.

The first soldiers to make it back spoke of Uflric and the Dragonborn, shouting through the Imperial forces like a tidal wave of destruction. They said that Elisif had pledged her allegiance to Ulfric and the Jarl had General Tullius in custody. The war was over and only a moot was keeping Ulfric Stormcloak from being named High King immediately.

Gianna found it difficult to be excited for the news. If the battle was over, and Argis hadn't found Fen in time, she could be tending to his dead body in the next wagon. The fear paralyzed her heart and she refused to think about it. A galloping horse through the deserted camp made Gianna exit the sick tent in time to see Argis dismount and run into Ulfric's tent.

"Argis!" she called out, rushing to the tent. He caught her by the arm as he exited the tent.

"Behind me Gianna. Now." Argis was tense as he mounted the horse and held his arm for Gianna. She hopped on the back and they were immediately galloping toward Solitude. The gates were broken wide open and Stormcloaks were everywhere, cheering and rounding up Imperial soldiers. The large tower over the main city well had fallen and several shattered barricades littered the city. Argis dismounted and led her by the hand through the soldiers, bodies, and broken debris of war. They walked up a small staircase and Argis beat on the door to a residence.

"JORDIS," he howled against the door, pounding again. It opened shortly and an armored Nord woman with long blond hair and a fresh, young face greeted them. Her expression was dire. "Where is he?" demanded Argis.

"Upstairs," said the woman, Jordis. "He's not responding well. I'm not sure he can even hear..."

Argis pulled Gianna through the door and drug her up the stairs. They passed a large table and into a spacious bedroom. What was this place? She saw on the table as they passed the familiar armor she had seen only twice before- an armor made of the bones of Dragons.

"The Dragonborn is here?" asked Gianna, though Argis ignored her as he walked to the side of the bed.

Fen. There was Fen laying on the bed over the blankets. His entire torso was bandaged and his forehead gleamed with sweat. There were several potions on the side of the bed.

"Why isn't he taking them?" asked Argis through teeth grinding together in frustration. "Send for a healer?"

"I have Argis, everyone is busy. The cost of life has been very great," said Jordis, her voice defensive. "It's his fucking fault. He told the healers not to come here. He said he didn't need them. He told some bullshit story about dragon blood keeping him safe. You know he just didn't want to.."

"Fen," said Argis, slapping a rough hand against the man's pale face. "FEN," he shouted, louder this time. "Fennrick you wake up right now you dumb asshole. DRINK."

"Argis, please," shrieked Jordis. "You aren't helping."

"Fen," said Gianna, finding her voice. She walked to the other side of the bed and crawled softly onto the mattress next to her beloved. "Fen," she whispered again, taking his face in her hands. There was a hitch in his breathing and he struggled through swollen bruises on his face to open his eyes.

"Little chef..."

"I'm here Fen," she said, tears falling now. "Don't die Fen. You need to drink some potions. Why did you send the healers away Fen? I need you to live. I love you. Don't leave me...again."

"You," he croaked, his voice sounded raw and faint, "you...left me." He wheezed unhealthily, his eyes seeming unfocused. "Not real. You're not real."

She kissed him, softly and gently against his lips, afraid to do anything more with him in such bad shape. A tear landed on his cheek as she hovered over him. "Drink, Fen," she coaxed as Argis held out another bottle. This time, he made a giant effort and some of the liquid managed to make it into his mouth. Gianna kissed him again, ensuring the potion would stay in his mouth, urging him with her lips to swallow. After the first gulp, the rest went down easier and easier until he was breathing better and drifting off into a more peaceful slumber.

The exhaustion of the road, the battle, the healing tent, and the shock of finding Fen finally caught up to Gianna as she laid next to Fen and fell asleep, her hand resting against his chest. She needed to feel him breathing, feel his heart beating, so she could sleep soundly.

The next morning, Fen was still sleeping when Gianna awoke. She lay there for several minutes, watching him sleep. His auburn beard was long and wild and his face was thin and ragged but it was Fen. Her Fen. She quietly slid off the bed and tiptoed down stairs to the kitchen.

She walked in on Jordis heaping some congealed mess into a bowl. Gianna realized it was some disgusting mockery of oat breakfast and she glared daggers at the woman. "What are you doing?" she asked.

"Cooking breakfast," said Jordis brightly.

"No," said Gianna, plainly. "No you fucking are not. Get out. And for the love of Talos, do not ever serve that to any living creature."

The young woman seemed horrified but she backed slowly out of the kitchen. Gianna didn't want to worry about Fen or the conversation they needed to have once he was awake. She just wanted to cook. She busied herself making a breakfast that could have probably fed half the Stormcloak army outside.

She was busy dishing out heaps of seasoned eggs, beef sausage, buttered toast and roasted potato wedges when Argis walked into the room. He walked straight to Gianna, picked her up, and spun her around. She gave a frightened squawk but was smiling at the housecarl. "By the gods, I missed you Gianna," said Argis, looking lustily at the food. "It has been a long many months of shitty, shitty cooking."

Gianna was laughing and scooping out a plate for Jordis, who still seemed a little afraid after Gianna had chased her from the kitchen earlier.

"By the Nine," breathed Jordis as she took a bite of the breakfast concoction.

"Told 'ya," said Argis with a mouthful of eggs. Gianna just chuckled. She was working over a simmering pot where she was cooking a light breakfast gruel she could feed to Fen in case he would have any trouble eating solid food. The word from Solitude was that Ulfric would be giving a speech today before beheading General Tullius in front of the troops. There was a loud knock at the door, interrupting their discussions.

Jordis opened the door and stuttered, "My...my...my Jarl?"

Ulfric Stormcloak walked into the entry way, followed by the bear skin wearing man Gianna had seen the previous day in the war tent. "Where's the Dragonborn?"

"Upstairs," said Argis, still shoveling eggs in his mouth. "He's stable. Still sleeping."

Gianna's eyes drifted and she couldn't even hear what the housecarls and Ulfric were discussing. Gianna was too busy thinking about Fen. She had thought she was unworthy when he was Fen, Thane of Markarth and a Dark Brotherhood Assassin by night. Fen the Dragonborn. Fen the hero. The most important man in Skyrim had wanted to end his life if he couldn't be with her. How was that even possible?

Ulfric began walking up the stairs with Argis and Jordis hot on his heels. Gianna hung back in the kitchen. She wasn't important enough to hear what the Dragonborn had to say to Ulfric Stormcloak. She had to remind herself that the Dragonborn was Fen. Her Fen.

The thin breakfast gruel she was cooking for Fen was bubbling away over the fire. Gianna dished out a single helping in case Fen was hungry after his discussion with Ulfric. She sat by the fire, stirring the rest of the gruel with a small smile on her face. When she had met Fen, he had been the Dragonborn and a Dark Brotherhood Assassin and a Thane and she hadn't even known. But she had loved him. She would love him forever, no matter what happened here. Once she accepted the truth, she wasn't even unhappy or uncomfortable anymore. She loved Fen. Nothing else mattered.

Ulfric Stormcloak came storming down the stairs joined by his housecarl with the bear skin covering. They departed in a dignified huff. Gianna was watching the door confused when Jordis and Argis walked down stairs and into the kitchen. "He only wants you Gianna. You should go up now," said Argis.

Gianna brought the bowl she had scooped out and a large spoon as she walked up the stairs to the master bedroom in the house. She walked into the room and saw Fen sitting up in bed, his auburn hair a mess having gotten so much longer. His beard was longer than she'd seen and unkempt. But his dark brown eyes lit up with a soft inner light when she entered the room. She set the bowl down on the night stand and touched a warm hand to Fen's cheek.

"Fen," she breathed. She couldn't stop the relieved smile that he was alive. Smiling because he was here and she was touching him. "I missed you so much."

"Gia...why did you leave," he asked, his hand reaching up to hold hers against his cheek.

"Argis wanted to protect you. I couldn't let you fight a war unprotected," she said, plainly.

Fen chuckled, bringing her hand to his lips. He kissed her hand lightly before continuing, "I have other housecarls. And I am not exactly helpless."

"Well, I know that. Now," said Gianna. She was still smiling. She could barely accept that she was here with her beloved right now. "You never told me, Fennrick," she said the name she had heard Argis say and watched Fen wince slightly.

"Gia, I need to tell you something important," said Fen, sitting up still holding her hand.

"You're the Dragonborn. I figured that out already," she said, giving a shy smile.

"That wasn't it, little chef," he said, grinning. He looked paler than when she'd last seen him, and scruffier, but otherwise he was the same. "I love you, Gia. I should have told you before I left."

"Fen," said Gianna,looking into those dark brown eyes. "Are you still," she took a deep breath, pausing to lick her lips, "mine?"

"Always," said Fen, and he pulled her hands until she leaned into him and their lips met. They kissed, for the first time in months, and Gianna felt all of the emotions as though she had never left for Falkreath and he had never left for the war.

"Why didn't you tell me," she asked, pressing her head into his neck and snuggling up against her beloved.

"I tried. When we first met, you thought I was the Gourmet, but I didn't lie when I told you I wanted to stop hiding. I thought the Dark Brotherhood would be the hardest part for you to accept," he said, looking into her eyes. "When you accepted me despite the murders, I knew you were special. But you had such an issue with me being a Thane of Markarth. I thought, if you knew I was the Dragonborn, you would run. I didn't want you to run."

"I still want to run. A little," admitted Gianna. Fen squeezed her hand when she made that admission.

"Why," he asked, bringing her hand against his chest. He looked at her, and Gianna no longer wanted to hide anything from him.

"Because you're a hero. Everyone in Skyrim knows your deeds. And for all you have done, all you have given," she said, leaning closer to him on the bed. "You deserve much better."

"Gia..." he started, but she interrupted.

"No. Fen, you do deserve better. I'm," her voice broke and she broke eye contact. "I am no one."

"Why do you say that..." Fen asked, defensively.

"Because you could have anyone," she said. "And you deserve someone as amazing as you."

"But I only want you. You are amazing," said Fen, pulling her hand and urging her closer. "I told you, months ago. I'm yours."

"No. I won't let you settle for..."

"Gianna. I told you about my past relationships. My very first housecarl. I loved her but she died, while we were fighting in Blackreach. It," he paused, making a loud sigh before continuing, "it wasn't an easy death. We had been engaged. I mourned for...so long. I thought I was done with love until I met Mjoll."

"Your girl from Riften?" asked Gianna, trying to keep the heartache out of her voice.

"Yes. She is a wonderful woman. A fierce warrior. I still consider her a friend. She found happiness with a man. He wasn't a warrior or a powerful figure. He was just a man. Aerin."

Gianna's brow creased, confused. Fen was still holding her hand and speaking softly.

"Some might think he's not as worthy as Mjoll. That he isn't a warrior. Isn't as strong as she is. But all I ever saw in him, was a man who made Mjoll happy. I never could. She found someone who could make her happy."

There was a pause when they both stared at one another. Gianna was frowning.

"I looked, Gia," said Fen, his tone serious. "I did look. And the only person who made me feel again; the only person who made me smile and made me happy. You."

"You said you were mine, but then you went to die in a war..."

"I didn't want to come home to an empty house. Without you, there was nothing waiting for me except responsibility and more people forcing me to hide behind different identities. I don't wanna be the Listener, the Dragonborn, the Thane. I just wanted to be Fen."

"I love you Fen," she said, her face feeling hot from absorbing all he had said. "What happened with Ulfric?"

Fen gave a humorless chuckle and attempted to sit up in the bed, wincing slightly. "He wants the Dragonborn to make General Tullius a head shorter. He thinks it will make for a better song once this war is all said and done."

The thought of Fen beheading someone made her stomach twist uncomfortably. "I told him no. I am done fighting for Ulfric. I believe in his cause, and he will make a fine High King, but he doesn't need me anymore." He gave a warm smile, reaching up to gently caress Gianna's cheek. "There's only one role I want to focus on right now. I promised you, I would get you set up doing whatever you wanted. I mean to put all my energy into that for as long as I am able."

"Are you retiring from your other positions as well?" asked Gianna, holding his hand to her cheek and nuzzling against it.

"You can't retire from the Dark Brotherhood. I wouldn't want to. Being Dragonborn comes with a few nasty side effects. Mainly, that I have the soul of a dragon and it behaves like a dragon. It's my nature. I need to dominate and destroy. Killing for the Night Mother is the way I am choosing to exercise that part of my nature. Plus," he said giving that lopsided grin she adored, "It's fun."

She laughed, shrugging her shoulders. "I suppose loving every part of you explains why I find your affinity for murder cute." She moved her hand to push some of his long dirty auburn hair away from his face. "You were at my trial."

"Aye. I couldn't believe they found you guilty. Group of assholes..." he muttered darkly.

"But you're the Thane of Solitude? You could have pulled some strings, as the Dragonborn, and had me released?" she asked.

"Oh, because that's just as fun as breaking you out of prison in the middle of the night," he said, sarcastically.

"You're incorrigible," she groaned, causing him to laugh. It was so nice to hear him laughing again. She had missed the sound so much. "You should have broken me out sooner. I was in there for over a week. There were fleas!"

"I walked out of that luncheon, and right into an ambush. I fought my way out and ran straight to the Brotherhood, only to find it in flames. I almost burned alive, but Mother saved me. I had to get her to a new sanctuary, bury my dead family members, and then get back to the contact who was paying for the Emperor's death. I took a break before meeting him though, so I could break you out of prison and get you safely into hiding.

"I chose Markarth because Argis is my most loyal and trusted housecarl. It's also the house where I spend the most time. Like I said, stone doesn't burn. I worry sometimes that maybe my Shouting fire could reduce a city to ashes before I even realized what I was doing.

"You know most of everything else. From now on, I will be as honest and open with you as I am with any of my housecarls. I want you to trust me. I know that will be hard. And even if you struggle with it, I will be patient. But I hope you don't ever doubt that I am hopelessly, truly, deeply in love with you. I'm yours, Gia."

"And I'm yours, Fen," she said, leaning down to kiss him. "So tell me the story about the Dragonborn and Alduin.."

There was so much time now and no more secrets between them. There was finally time to work on their relationship and build a life together. Gianna was excited for the future, but also excited to finally learn about the past. She could hear the greatest legends in recent history straight from the dragon's mouth.