CHAPTER THREE
It took over three weeks for Gunhilde to return to High Hrothger after the defeat of Alduin. She spoke with Paarthurnax then Arngeir then returned to Whiterun.
"Jarl Balgruuf, Gunhilde returns to Whiterun." Irileth announced.
"Send word I wish to speak with her immediately." Balgruuf ordered.
"Yes, my lord." Irileth nodded.
Gunhilde went straight to Breezehome to settle in and put away her things. She wasn't home long before there was a knock on the door.
"Lydia, answer the door while I change out of my armor." Gunhilde ordered.
"Yes, my Thane." Lydia opened the door to the Jarl's housecarl Irileth.
"The Jarl requests your Thane's presence at once." Irileth told Lydia.
"I will tell her immediately." Lydia responded with a slight nod.
"My Jarl you requested my presence?" Gunhilde asked.
"I did Thane Gunhilde. I expect a full report on Alduin this evening. I also want to see when you are going to schedule the Moot." Balgruuf inquired.
"Send couriers out immediately for the Jarls to head to Solitude for the Moot. This needs to be over as quickly as possible." Gunhilde replied.
"Make it so Proventus." Balgruuf ordered.
Jarl Balgruuf, Irileth and Gunhilde arrived at Solitude and went directly to the Blue Palace. All the other Jarls were also now present. The agreement from High Hrothgar was read to the Jarls and the Moot began. Four hours later the results were in and read as the following:
Jarl Elisif the Fair-1 hold
Jarl Ulfric of Windhelm-4 holds
The Dragonborn Gunhilde- 4 holds
Never before, had a Moot been this split over their High King. Jarl Elisif the Fair was out but now they had a tie between Ulfric and the Dragonborn. This had to be ratified quickly. By the looks of it Ulfric was none too happy. The Dragonborn was in shock that she was even considered a candidate.
"Well what are we going to do now Dragonborn?" Ulfric roared.
"I guess have a vote between the two of us." Gunhilde proposed.
The other Jarls discussed amongst themselves and agreed. Jarl Balgruuf however wanted to pose a question to the Dragonborn before the second vote.
"Gunhilde, how do you stand on the issue of Skyrim's independence from the Empire?" Balgruuf asked with nods from the other Jarls.
"I feel we should be independent from the Empire. This gets us out from under the Thalmor's thumb. But we should remain staunch allies to the Empire with continued trade. Skyrim needs to build their own military force to protect itself from all our enemies. Anyone, regardless of race, is welcome to join our force if they wish to defend Skyrim. Also all races in Skyrim should be treated fairly and with respect." Gunhilde answered.
Ulfric enraged by the inclusion if the other races spouted off with venom. "Skyrim is Nord land and should only be for the Nords!"
With both the stances of both candidates clear the Moot deliberated again. The deliberation was a lengthy one. It was well after midnight before the results were in.
Jarl Ulfric of Windhelm - 3 holds
The Dragonborn Gunhilde - 6 holds
Ulfric was beyond livid at being denied the seat of High King. The Dragonborn expected this response, so she was not surprised at what Ulfric did next.
"As per the right granted to me in the previous agreement, I challenge you Dragonborn in the old ways to a fight to the death!" Ulfric roared.
With Ulfric's challenge this showed the other Jarls that he was only after the throne for himself. The Gunhilde was going to secede from the Empire just as Ulfric wanted. But instead of accepting the results he challenges her.
"As I expected you would Ulfric, I accept your challenge. I will meet you in the courtyard of Castle Dour in half an hour." Gunhilde announced.
All the Jarls lined up on the walls above the courtyard to witness the fight. Captain Aldis repeated Ulfric's challenge and turns the fighters loose.
Gunhilde and Ulfric circle each other sizing up their opponent gauging each others armor for weaknesses. Ulfric swings his blade at Gunhilde who blocks with her shield. Gunhilde returns the blow surprising Ulfric with the strength of her sword arm. A few more blows traded. Gunhilde bashes Ulfric with her shield staggering him backwards, landing a blow on his side. Ulfric's armor deflects most of the blow, but still earned a cut of her axe.
"FOS RO DAH!" Ulfric shouts suddenly. Gunhilde slides a few feet back but maintains her footing. Everyone watching being shock at the sight of the Dragonborn only being slightly affected by the Thu'um. Ulfric being stunned at the effect his shout on the Dragonborn wasn't ready when Gunhilde charged him. She bashed him twice with her shield knocking him off his feet. She then swings down with her axe; Ulfric barely manages to block it. She swings again harder breaking his shield. Ulfric shouts again, sending her sliding back giving him time to regain his footing. Ulfric and Gunhilde rush each other, Gunhilde spins and dodges his sword and before he can turn around she swings her axe high lopping off his head. Galmar Stone-Fist was livid at the defeat of his chosen High King. Galmar charged the Dragonborn but before he got to her he was hit with six arrows from the Solitude guardsmen. Galmar died for his Jarl as he had always vowed he would.
"Ulfric was a fool to challenge her. She has defeated Alduin, how did he expect to win?" Balgruuf said.
Gunhilde is presented with the jagged crown of old at her coronation. It only seems fitting with her being the Dragonborn. The Emperor is in attendance as well sending word for them to meet in a few days to go over the treaty between the new independent Skyrim and the Empire. Ulfric's body is taken to be buried with his ancestors.
"I shall take my seat and reign as High Queen in Solitude. Brunwulf Free-Winter will become Jarl of Windhelm. There may or may not be a few changes in the Jarls over the coming weeks. I will also make a priority of building our own military force for the protection of Skyrim" Gunhilde announced.
The feasting began and continued until late that evening. High Queen Gunhilde retired to rest up for the meeting with the Emperor in a few days. The next day High Queen Gunhilde calls Jarl Balgruuf for a private meeting.
"Jarl Balgruuf, I wish for you to take Elisif with you to Whiterun. She needs to leave Solitude and I feel like Whiterun would be a good place for her to stay." Gunhilde said." She might even be good company for you or even Hrongar."
"It would be a delight to have Elisif the Fair stay at Dragonsreach. Her beauty would definitely brighten up the place." Balgruuf smiled.
"Falk, will you call Elisif in please." The High Queen ordered.
"Yes my Queen." Falk Fire-Beard nodded. Falk returned with Elisif quickly.
"You wish to see me, High Queen?" Elisif quietly asked.
"Elisif I have decided you will travel with Jarl Balgruuf to Whiterun and stay in Dragonsreach until you decide what you will do next. The change would do you good I believe. No need to worry, Jarl Balgruuf is every bit the gentlemen, even if he has a bit of a temper at times." Gunhilde informed Elisif.
"As you wish, High Queen." Elisif meekly agreed.
"Now if you will excuse me I have other matters to attend to, and the two of you have travel plans to discuss." Gunhilde politely dismissed them.
After Balgruuf and Elisif left Falk Fire-Beard stepped up to Gunhilde to speak.
"Are you sure that's a good idea, my Queen?"
"Falk I understand your concern for the young lady, but I can not have the former Jarl and High Queen hanging around in Solitude. Whiterun will be more suitable for her than the other holds. Elisif is also young enough to remarry and she needs to do so soon. I hope Jarl Balgruuf or maybe his younger brother Hrongar could win her over. If not, the Battleborn's have several young wealthy sons that could catch her eye. The Grey-Manes have two. There's even several available men in the companions." The High Queen explained.
"I see. Erikur is the only one available here, and he's definitely not a good prospect." Fire-Beard said.
"I also want an official letter sent naming Dengeir of Stuhn as Jarl of Falkreath." Gunhilde informed Falk. Gunhilde got up to go to her quarters and turned to her court wizard saying, "Sybille I wish to speak with you privately in my quarters."
Sybille Stentor followed the High Queen into her quarters and closed the door behind them.
"What do you have on your mind Queen Gunhilde?" Sybille asked curiously.
Gunhilde turned to her and smiled. "I am very much aware of your unique qualities if you understand my meaning. I have a couple friends who share those same qualities. I have no problem with it as long as you continue to be discreet about it. I actually find it to be quite useful to have associates such as you. As long as you refrain from using your influence against me, I will welcome your continued service to the court. Do we have an understanding?'
"I understand clearly and thank you." Sybille said.
"That's all I wanted to say. Enjoy your day." Gunhilde opened the door for Sybille to leave.
As Sybille left she thought to herself 'this one has quite the interesting associations, we may work well together'. She then went to her own quarters.