Some months later, Rayla found herself pacing the halls of the Palace of the Kings, awaiting news of her brother and Ulfric Stormcloak. News had reached the ancient city of Ulfric's capture and the capture of those travelling with him, including Jondric. They were taken to be taken to Helgen to be executed, but a dragon attacked the village and the ensuing chaos gave them the chance to escape. But since then, no word had come of their whereabouts and many feared the worst.

The doors into the palace opened and Rayla turned to see Ulfric and the soldiers who had survived with him entering the great hall. She ran to greet them, dropping all formalities as she threw her arms around Ulfric.

"You're alright..!"

Ulfric had become a very dear friend to her in the months since he had given her sanctuary at her brother's request. He made sure that she had everything she needed, found her the best teachers to give her more formal training in weaponry, and he kept her safe and hidden from Velanus. And all he asked in return was that she take over the extra duties that Jorleif had taken on when the rebellion began, allowing the poor man to return his focus to his normal duties and catch a breather.

Ulfric had grown fond of Rayla as well, finding her company and insights valuable additions to his court. When Jondric informed him of her situation, he took her in without a second thought- having no tolerance for men like Velanus. When she ran to greet them, he was not surprised that she dropped formalities and hugged him. In fact, he was relieved to see her again and returned her embrace.

Rayla hugged him for a moment longer, then stepped back and looked up at him. "You're hurt..!" She reached up and lightly touched his forehead, healing the gash shut. "You had everyone so worried..."

"You should know by now, Rayla, that there's nothing to worry about." Ulfric chuckled. His smile faded, though, as he added, "Rayla, your brother..."

Rayla's chest tightened, fearing the worst when she heard his tone. "Please, no... tell he isn't..."

"He's alive, but you should know something." Ulfric said. "It's been discovered that Jondric is Dragonborn."

"He's Dragonborn..?"

"He has been summoned by the Grey Beards to High Hrothgar."

"I see..." Rayla felt relieved that her brother was alive, but she had the sense that she may never see him again. She tried to put on a brave face for the Jarl and his men, offering them a smile. "Well, in any case, you're all home and should get some rest." She bowed to Ulfric, then excused herself. But just as she was about to turn away, the doors of the palace opened behind Ulfric. "No..."

Ulfric saw the immediate panic in her eyes at the sound of the doors and knew immediately that their guest- their unwanted guest- had to be none other than Velanus Falenshield. He turned, putting himself between Rayla and her husband- preparing for the situation to escalate. And quickly.

Velanus strode into the great hall of the Palace of the Kings, a contingent of nearly a dozen hired thugs accompanying him. He spotted Rayla and feigned a smile of relief, opening his arms wide as he greeted his estranged wife. "Rayla, my love, I have found you at last! Come, let me have a look at you, my sweet wife!"

Rayla's heart was pounding and she gulped, stepping closer to Ulfric. "V-Velanus, what are y-you doing here?"

"I'm here to take you back home, dear." Velanus eyed the men standing protectively around or in front of her. "You've been missing for over a year, my love, I feared the worst! You've had us all so very worried." He made to step closer to her, reaching out to take her hand, but Ulfric and the Stormcloaks barred his way. "What is the meaning of this?"

"You are not welcome in my halls, Velanus Falenshield." Ulfric snarled, glaring at the man.

"Surely there must be some misunderstanding." Velanus was beginning to grow nervous. "Rayla, dear, explain to Jarl Ulfric the situation."

"Oh, I am well aware of the situation, you worthless piece of shit." Ulfric's eyes narrowed even further. "I will not tell you again, Imperial pig, so I suggest that you leave these halls."

Rayla was sensing that things were going to escalate dangerously and she didn't want to see anyone else get hurt because of her. She wasn't about to go with Velanus, but she knew she had to stand up to him once and for all. She reached forward to grasp Ulfric's hand and when he looked back at her, she shook her head.

"Rayla?"

"I-It's alright, Ulfric... I need to do this..."

Ulfric nodded, stepping back just a bit to let her come forward and face her demon.

"I'm n-not going with you, Velanus."

"Rayla, enough of this foolishness. It's time to go home." Velanus reached forward and grabbed her hand, pulling her forward.

Rayla yanked her hand free and drew her clenched fists to her chest, shaking her head. "No! I won't go!"

Velanus looked at her, shocked at her defiance. "What is the meaning of this?" He looked at Ulfric and his men. "Have you turned into a harlet just like your mother? Whoring your way into the jarl's court because your father squandered what little your worthless family had left to its name?"

Ulfric made to punch the man, but Rayla beat him to it- surprising everyone in the room, including herself.

Rayla was determined not to give into him, no matter what, and when he accused her of infidelity? Well, that was the last straw. She took one of her already clenched fists and sent it propelling forward, slamming it into his nose and breaking it.

"How dare you..!" Velanus stumbled back, trying desperately to blink the pain away.

"How dare I?" Rayla asked, her fear turning to anger for the first time in seven years. "You abused me, every day, since our wedding night. You berated me, forced yourself on me, beat me for any conceivable reason you could come up with to justify yourself. For six years I endured it because I thought I had no other choice, not when it fell to me to bring the Blackthorn family back to glory in the eyes of my father! When I couldn't take it any longer, I ran and went as far away as I could, only to have you send mercenaries and hired thugs to do your dirty work for you!"

"You ungrateful bitch..!"

"No, you don't get to speak, Velanus." Rayla said, ignoring the rage filled tears slipping down her cheeks. "I spent my whole life living for my family, doing everything that was ever expected of me because it made my parents happy. I was lonely and lost when my brother left home. I thought perhaps getting married might change all that, but no, you made it all the worse. And I have had enough, Velanus, I will not endure it any longer."

"We are married before Mara, wretch." Velanus laughed, spitting blood onto the stony floor.

"And Mara as my witness, I spurn you. Now leave before you and your miscreants taste the steel of the Stormcloaks." Rayla began turning away, grabbing one of the soldier's swords as Velanus came at her with his own- shouting that if he couldn't have her, then no one could. She turned and drove the blade into Velanus' chest, stopping him in his tracks.

"B-Bitch..."

Rayla ignored the blood seeping from the wound, dripping onto her hands and down her arms- staining the sleeves of her dress. "You were warned, Velanus." She said, pushing him away from her as she withdrew her blade. She looked down at him as he gurgled and took his final breath, then raised her gaze to his hired goons- pointing her bloodied blade at them. "You will leave this city, immediately, or you shall meet the same fate."

The men who had accompanied Velanus balked at the venom in her warning and the look in her eyes- the fear she had once held completely gone.

Ulfric and the others were staggered at the outcome, not expecting Rayla to find her courage like that. They watched as the hired goons scrambled to heed her warning, then watched as Ulfric stepped towards Rayla and asked if she was alright.

Rayla barely acknowledged Ulfric when he took the sword from her and just nodded before turning away, asking for some time alone. As she made her way back to her room- closing the door behind her before going to the washbasin and cleaning the blood from her skin- Ulfric wondered if she'd be able to cope with her newfound freedom, having earned it for herself in a drastic manner.

The autumn colored leaves of the Rift brought a smile to Rayla's lips as Lillan's farm came into view. She had taken a few days to herself to process her newfound freedom, then decided to travel and take the time to reconnect with herself and those she cared about- starting with Lillan.