Night fell upon them and the fire warmed them both a lot. Kalea had slept for two hours and opened her eyes just to find Ulfric asleep as well. She smiled, pulled the journal out of her bag and read another entry of her mother's diary:
Dear Diary,
Ralof and I arrived at Riverwood shortly after our escape from Helgen. His sister owns the lumber mill and might be able to help us. He also said I should consider joining the Stormcloak rebellion.
To be honest—all I want is that this war is finally over. Something tells me that both sides may be unjust. Ralof said that Ulfric would probably know what the coming of the dragon means. I said that I would think about it.
The walk to Riverwood was safe and I enjoyed the beauty of Skyrim again after that long time. Well, we were attacked by a wolf and I never realized how well I could handle a sword. I grabbed its jaw and slashed it with my sword. Alright, it was not my sword at all—might have belonged to one of those bloody Imperials that we killed on our way out of the keep.
I'm so tired from my journey that I need some rest now.
Kalea grew even prouder of her mother. And finally she was able to learn the whole story. She smiled and pushed the book back into her bag and got up to take a look out of the cave. Everything was silent when suddenly,
"What are you doing?"
She jumped and turned just to see him getting up. "I—I just—nothing, I just wanted to take a look—"she stammered and approached the fire again.
"Don't do that at night—we cannot be certain what's out there."
"Sorry—"she mumbled and felt quite ashamed. He must think that she was a silly little Princess that knows nothing about the world. And he might be right; she never went that far away from home.
He knelt down in front of her, cupped her face and said, "Don't think I'm angry with you. I just want you to be safe."
She held his gaze for what seemed to be a lifetime, her heart leaped massively in her chest but in the next moment he shifted away from her and continued to stare into the flames. After several moment she took a heart and whispered,
"Ulfric?"
He looked at her and signaled to go on.
"Can I—could you—could you hold me, please?"
This seemed to surprise him a lot but finally he nodded and she crawled towards him. Her head rested on his shoulder while he placed his arm around her. Kalea enjoyed his warm body so close to hers and finally drifted off to sleep again.
Inside the Golden Hall two children ate a soup while Eowyn was with them. They had found them outside, exhausted and on the edge of their consciousness.
"They had no warning. They were unarmed. Now the wildmen are moving through the Westfold, burning as they go!" Eowyn hissed at her uncle.
"Where's mama?" the girl asked but Eowyn silenced her gently.
Gandalf turned to look at Théoden. "This is but a taste of the terror that Saruman will unleash. All the more potent for he is driven now by fear of Sauron. Ride out and meet him head on. Draw him away from your women and children. You must fight!"
"You have two thousand good men riding north as we speak. Èomer is loyal to you. His men will return and fight for their King," Aragorn added.
"They will be three hundred leagues from here by now. Èomer cannot help us. I know what it is that you want of me. But I will not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war," the King replied sternly.
"Open war is upon you! Whether you would risk it or not!" Aragorn said more urgently.
"When last I looked, Théoden, not Aragorn, was King of Rohan!" the King snapped back.
"Then what is the King's decision?" Gandalf questioned and stepped closer.
A while later the guards called outside, "By order of the King, the city must empty. We make for the refuge of Helm's Deep! Do not burden yourselves with treasures! Take only what provisions you need!"
Gimli grumbled, "Helm's Deep! They flee to the mountains when they should stand and fight! Who will defend them if not their King."
"He's only doing what he thinks is best for his people. Helm's Deep has saved them in the past," Aragorn said calmly as they entered the stables.
"There is no way out of that ravine. Théoden is walking into a trap. He thinks he's leading them to safety. What they will get is a massacre. Théoden has a strong will, but I fear for him. I fear for the survival of Rohan. He will need you before the end, Aragorn. The people of Rohan will need you. The defenses have to hold," Gandalf explained.
"They will hold," Aragorn promised determined.
Gandalf turned to Shadowfax and stroked his fur as he said, "They grey pilgrim—that's what they used to call me. Three hundred lives of men I've walked this earth and now I have no time. With luck, my search will not be in vain. Look to my coming at first light on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the East."
Aragorn opened the stall gates. "Go!"
Legolas jumped back as Gandalf rode out of the stable and over the plains of Rohan.
Ulfric and Kalea trained for a while early in the morning.
"Watch your legs," he said but it was already too late. She stumbled and dropped to the ground. He offered her his hand and helped her up on her feet again. For a split second their eyes were locked once more, but he began to charge for her again and this time she was more careful.
"Now—I think we should move on. We have to go through that strange forest," he said and packed his bag. She took her bag and together they entered the forest.
"Why is this one not on your map?" she asked curiously.
He shrugged. "Maybe the map is a bit older?"
"But a forest is not popping out of the ground within ten years," she stated and he nodded thoughtfully. She was right—something was definitely not in order here.
"Kulaas—Take the hand of your vahlok!"
"What?" she said and Ulfric turned to look at her with a questioning frown.
"I didn't say anything," he said but she simply stared blankly at him.
"His hand—take his hand, Mon do Dovahkiin!"
She had no idea what that was all about, but she grabbed Ulfric's hand without hesitation. He winced a bit as they both suddenly felt a strange aura surrounding them.
"Close your eyes, dovah!"
"Close your eyes!" she said and he did what she said.
Eowyn opened a chest in which lay a sword. She unsheathed it and began to practice. She swung around and was met by Aragorn, who blocked her parry.
"You have some skill with a blade," he said and with a swift move she swung her sword and rendered Aragorn vulnerable, gaining the upper hand.
"Women of this country learned long ago: Those without swords may still die upon them. I fear neither death nor pain."
"What do you fear, my lady?"
"A cage. To stay behind bars until use and old age accept them and all chance of valor has gone beyond recall or desire."
"You are a daughter of Kings, a shield maiden of Rohan. I do not think that would be your fate," he bowed and Eowyn gazed after him as he left her standing alone.
Kalea found herself lying on the ground. "Ouh—"she mumbled and lifted her head to cast a glance around. She could see a little creek in front of her and a pack of deer standing in the shadow of some trees.
"Ulfric?" she called and turned just to find him lying on the ground. She managed to get up and stumbled towards him, dropped on her knees and placed her hands on his chest. She gently shook him until he grumbled, moaned and finally opened his eyes.
"What—happened?" he asked quietly.
"I don't know—we entered that strange forest and I could hear that dragon's voice again. He said I should take your hand and that we should close our eyes."
Ulfric sat up with a start and cast a glance around. "We—we are back—"he whispered.
"Back? Where?"
He smiled at her until he gestured into the distance. Kalea looked into the direction and her eyes grew wide. Though she grew up in a mountain it took her breath for she had never seen such a high mountain in her entire life. Her jaw dropped open and Ulfric chuckled.
"Where are we?" she breathed.
"This—is your mother's homeland. My homeland."
Unable to speak she stared at that high mountain in the far distance. The only thing she was aware of was his voice saying,
"This is Skyrim."
