It would forever aggravate Ulfric Stormcloak that the day the Dovahkiin entered his palace he was not at his throne.

Of course, at the time he was annoyed by some kid Thane that got lucky with a dragon when the warrior politely interrupted battle plans to offer his allegiance. After the initial distrust and skepticism came a growing respect for the growing soldier, then the "By Talos, you're the only person on Tamriel that can out-Shout a Greybeard; I'm toast if you hate me" followed by the "son of a barrel, the only reason we missed you being a woman is because we expected and wanted a man as Dragonborn, like idiots." But that is getting ahead since Ulfric has not yet picked up Elana's favorite censored curse.

"Balgruuf won't give us a straight answer," The huge man snapped, with a cursory glance at the figure that slipped through the door way. But there was no threat to be had, so he returned his attention to the Jarl.

Ulfric leaned heavily on the table covered with maps and markers. "He's a true Nord. He'll come around."

Galmar snorted and re-crossed his arms. "Don't be so sure of that. We've intercepted couriers from Solitude. The Empire's putting a great deal of pressure on Whiterun."

"And what would you have me do?"

The Jarl's most trusted friend leveled his gaze. "If he's not with us, he's against us."

"He knows that. They all know that," sighed the weary general.

"How long are you going to wait?"

Ulfric looked back up at Galmar. "You think I need to send Balgruuf a stronger message."

The soldier laughed a little as if to say, 'of course.' "If by message you mean shoving a sword through his gullet."

"Taking his city and leaving him in disgrace would make a more powerful statement, don't you think?" Both shifted uneasily in the resulting silence.

"So we're ready to start this war in earnest then?"

"Soon."

Galmar nodded. "I still say you should take them all out like you did Deadking Torygg."

Ulfric winced slightly, and then strengthened. "Torygg was merely a message to the other Jarls. Whoever we replace them with will need the support of our armies."

His friend struck his own chest with a fist. "We're ready when you are."

"Things hinge on Whiterun. If we can take the city without bloodshed all the better. But if not..." He trailed off, letting the imagined, crushing failure sweep in silence.

Galmar spoke again. "The people are behind you."

"Many I fear still need convincing."

The larger man waved a dismissive hand. "Then let them die with their false kings."

Ulfric growled, taking on the voice of a king. "We've been soldiers a long time. We know the price of freedom. The people are still weighing things in their hearts."

Galmar snorted. "What's left of Skyrim to wager?"

"They have families to think of."

"How many of their sons and daughters follow your banner? We are their families."

The Jarl smiled sagely. "Well put, friend. Tell me, Galmar, why do you fight for me?"

Galmar started, surprised at the deep question. "I'd follow you into the depths of Oblivion, you know that."

"Yes, but why do you fight? If not for me, what then?"

The warrior stood straight. "I'll die before elves dictate the fates of men. Are we not one in this?"

Ulfric shook his head slightly. He spoke, "I fight for the men I've held in my arms, dying on foreign soil. I fight for their wives and children, whose names I heard whispered in their last breaths. I fight for we few who did come home, only to find our country full of strangers wearing familiar faces. I fight for my people impoverished to pay the debts of an Empire too weak to rule them, yet brands them criminals for wanting to rule themselves! I fight so that all the fighting I've already done hasn't been for nothing. I fight... because I must."

A deep, weighty silence fell over the four in the war room: the Jarl fighting to be King, to free his people; a warrior loyal to the bone and death to man he had protected longer than he cared to admit; a common soldier, acting as guard now finding renewed purpose; and the stranger, who smiled to themself as if all the world's questions had been answered.

"Your words give voice to what we all feel, Ulfric. And that's why you will be High King. But the day words are enough, will be the day when soldiers like us are no longer needed."

The general and would-be-king looked wistful. "I would gladly retire from the world were such a day to dawn."

"Aye. But in the meantime, we have a war to plan." He turned to the solitary figure. "And who are you?"

The figure stepped forward and bowed. "Forgive my intrusion. I am Elan, Companion and Thane of Whiterun. I was with Jarl Ulfric at Helgen and wish to join the Stormcloaks."

"Helgen, eh? Ulfric told us all about that mess. If you survived that, you'll likely do well. What did you do to earn the title of Thane?"

"I was somewhat instrumental in defeating a dragon outside Whiterun shortly after Helgen."

"Somewhat?" interjected Ulfric.

Elan shifted to face the Jarl. "I was an archer and swordsman there and ready to face the dragon, though I had no personal call to do so. While the dragon may have been slain without me, Jarl Balgruuf decided to honor my efforts."

"You do not wear the Companions' armor."

"It has more gaps for the cold to seep through."

The two men chuckled. Galmar drew Elan's attention. "Alright, before you can take the oath, you're going to have to prove you can survive."

"I can handle anything you throw at me."

"Good boast, now back it up with actions. I'm sending you to Serpentstone Island. If you survive, you pass. If not, well you weren't going to be much use to me anyway."

"What's at this island?"

Galmar grinned at the memories. "It's where men have tested their mettle for ages. There's a strange rock formation, built by the ancients. Something about it attracts Ice Wraiths. Kill one and I'll have all the proof I need to know about you."

Elan nodded. "I'm off then." And he turned on a heel and strode away.

"Hmph. Kid's a go-getter at least. I hope he survives. That wit needs some work and if he's dead that'll never happen."

A/N: Apologies that there was a lot of dialogue taken from the game, hence the slightly early update. But it develops a lot of essential information. But Happy New Year! Here's to new chances and getting Oblivion on sale from Steam!