CHAPTER FIVE
High Queen Gunhilde mingled with her guest as much as she could without endangering herself. She always kept Lydia nearby; Gunhilde knew she could trust her. Lydia has been her housecarl ever since Whiterun. They had been on many adventures and were close friends. So when she became Queen, Gunhilde kept her as her personal bodyguard.
Ralof walked up to the Queen and spoke. "Ah, Gunhilde, um... I mean my Queen; it is so good to see you again."
"Ralof! I was hoping you would come. I was afraid you'd be angry over what happened with Ulfric." Gunhilde said.
"How can I be angry? Ulfric challenged you and you won. It was a fair duel. I was actually disappointed in Ulfric. I thought he might accept the results of the Moot since you were going to pull us out of the Empire. But his ego got the better of him." Ralof responded.
"I really appreciate that Ralof. I like to be able to count you among my friends."
"You only see me as a friend?" Ralof teased.
"Well that depends, are you wanting to be a suitor?" Gunhilde smiled back.
"Maybe, I am." Ralof said more seriously and kissed her hand. "I have been attracted to you since Helgen."
"Then you have my permission to try and win my hand." Gunhilde smiled and winked.
"Ah, my Queen, have you meet my son, Hemming?" Maven Black-Briar interrupted.
"Yes, Maven, I believe I have. We spoke awhile ago actually." Gunhilde grimaced.
"Well, then I'll leave you too alone to speak some more." Maven left.
"I'm feeling tired, I believe I will go take a seat if you don't mind. I talk to you later Ralof." Gunhilde smiled and went to her throne.
"Do you actually think the Queen is going to choose a lowly soldier like you as her king Ralof?" Hemming snarled.
"I am sure I have a better chance than you?" Ralof smirked and left.
Gunhilde was sitting at her throne and drinking some ale when Falk Fire-Beard sat down beside her.
"Why did I let you talk me into this, Falk? I have Thane Erikur drooling all over my feet and Maven Black-Briar continually shoving Hemming in my face, I really haven't had the chance to talk to the person I really was interested in."
"So you have found someone to interest you?" Falk responded. "Who is the lucky fellow?"
"It's Ralof of Riverwood." The Queen said.
Gunhilde kept an eye on Ralof the whole time. She seen the interaction between him and Hemming and it looked as though Hemming wasn't pleased.
"Ah, so we have a bit of a competition." Sybil mused when she seen where the Queen was looking.
"Yes, Hemming is going to become a problem I'm afraid. Maven wants him to be married to me because that will give her all the power she wants and Hemming will do as his mother says." Gunhilde warned Sybil. "Maven is all about power and wealth no matter whom or where it comes from."
"Hemming, what happened, why are you not winning over the Queen's heart?" Maven chastised her son.
"She said she was tired and walked away, I didn't want to offend her, mother." Hemming cowered. "She seems very interested in that Ralof fellow."
"We need to find out more about him and somehow remove him from the picture." Maven said. "You might need to take a few lessons from Sibbi about how to woo a woman."
"MOTHER!" Hemming whined indignantly.
"Oh, shut up Hemming."
Gunhilde was getting rather weary with the whole situation and rose to address her guests. "My honored guests, it was a pleasure to have you all come and enjoy the festivities tonight. I have grown tired and I will be retiring for the rest of the night.
My servants will help you with your coats and see you out. Thank you again for coming and good night."
With that being said Gunhilde retired to her quarters and the guests began filing out of the Blue Palace.
Ralof headed to the barracks of Castle Dour before leaving on assignment the next morning. Maven had Hemming stay at the Winking Skeever until more permanent housing could be attained for him in Solitude. She wanted him to stay close to the Queen and try and win her affections. Maven would travel back periodically and try to curry the Queen's favor.