Hey Everyone,

Sorry I haven't been posting lately but I have some more chapter ready to go, I am in the middle of double checking them before I post them.

I definitely haven't abandoned this story.

Please keep the reviews/ comments coming.

Also if anyone has any ideas for sassy/ bizarre / bad jokes or cliché things I could use in this story please send them to me and I will mention you before the chapter if I end up using them. (In next chapter will give you more of an idea of what I am after - spoiler alert!)

Thank you again to all who read and follow this story.

Edwin had changed into the dress Ann gave her, with her necklace and ring on show, but with a hooded cape over the top as she walked into the Palace of the kings with Ralof and Lydia in tow (this is because she wanted to look her best for Ulfric). When they entered, they noticed Ulfric sitting in his throne having a conversation with Galmar, Edwin motioned for them to wait as they listened.

"Balgruuf won't give us a straight answer." Galmar said, as William and Jorleif walked into the room

"He's a true Nord. He'll come around." Ulfric replied

"Don't be so sure of that. We've intercepted couriers from Solitude. The Empire's putting a great deal of pressure on Whiterun."

Ulfric raised an eyebrow, "And what would you have me do?"

"If he's not with us, he's against us."

"He knows that. They all know that."

"How long are you going to wait?"

Ulfric paused for a moment, "You think I need to send Balgruuf a stronger message."

Galmar huffed, "If by message you mean shoving a sword through his gullet."

Ulfric shook his head, "Taking his city and leaving him in disgrace would make a more powerful statement, don't you think?"

"So we're ready to start this war in earnest then?" William said, joining the conversation

"Soon." Ulfric replied

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

"Torygg was merely a message to the other Jarls. Whoever we replace them with will need the support of our armies."

"The men are ready when you are. My Jarl." William said

"Things hinge on Whiterun. If we can take the city without bloodshed all the better. But if not..." the rest of Ulfric sentence was left unsaid.

Galmar crossed his arms, "The people are behind you. If they are not, then let them die with their false kings."

"Many I fear still need convincing." Ulfric looked saddened at the thought, "We've been soldiers a long time. We know the price of freedom. The people are still weighing things in their hearts."

"What's left of Skyrim to wager?" Galmar asked

"They have families to think of." Ulfric replied

"How many of their sons and daughters follow your banner? We are their families." Galmar said with a passion in his voice few could match.

Ulfric smiled, "Well put, friend… Tell me, Galmar, why do you fight for me?"

Galmar frowned at the 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?"

"I'll die before elves dictate the fates of men. Are we not one in this?" Galmar said with a look, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Ulfric stood up from his throne, "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." Ulfric said in a voice so passionate that everyone that was standing in that room was inspired, everyone in the room stood a little straighter at his inspirational words.

'That is why people will fight for you Ulfric, and why I love you.' Edwin thought to herself.

Galmar nodded at Ulfric, "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."

Ulfric walked over to Galmar and clasped a hand on his shoulder, "I would gladly retire from the world were such a day to dawn."

At this moment Edwin spoke up, "And I would gladly retire by your side." She said as she lower the hood from her head.

Ulfric turn to face the person who spoke; as soon as he saw it was Edwin he walked across the room. When he reached Edwin he hugged her tight and gave her a passionate kiss. "Thank Talos you are alright." Ulfric said as he released her from their kiss.

"I am fine Ulfric. Ralof has been a true warrior and has looked after me well." Edwin said as she acknowledged the people standing behind them.

Jorleif cleared his throat, "Jarl Ulfric, your council is about to arrive for the weekly meeting." Ulfric didn't want to let Edwin out of his site just yet, "Will you join me in the meeting?" he asked.

"I would… but I need to discuss something with my brothers… maybe, my brothers and I could use the war room, so that way you know I am not far away."

Ulfric sighed as he brushed his hand along Edwin's cheek, "I understand, you may use the war room but I will ask if once you are done you come and join me please." Edwin nodded her head.

Ulfric kissed her again, before a voice from behind Edwin spoke, "My Jarl?" the person behind Edwin said. As they broke apart, Edwin turned around to see who was talking. She saw John was standing near the door with a group of people who must be Ulfric's council, they had concerned looks on their faces.

"It is alright Shatter-Shield, this is Edwin Shadow-Oak… the woman I love." Ulfric said to the man standing at the front of the group, "She has to talk to her brothers while we have our meeting," squeezing Edwins hand, "We will continue this later Edwin." With that the group standing at the door walked forward. Ralof, Lydia, and the Shadow-Oaks went into the war room, while Ulfric, Galmar, and Jorleif and the group of men sat down for the council meeting to discuss Windhelm.

Once the Shadow-Oaks were settled in the war room with Ralof and Lydia, Edwin started to explain, "As you probably guessed, my dragon blood has activated. Ralof and Lydia accompanied me as I made my way to High Hrothgar to talk to the Greybeards. After talking with them they sent me to collect the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller. When I arrived at the area where the horn was supposed to be, I found this note." She handed the note to John, who read it before giving it to William, "It is written by the blade who sent us that letter asking for help." John said,

Edwin nodded at that, "Exactly, I was thinking we could go and deal with both at the same time." Then turning to Ralof, Edwin asked, "What can you tell us about the Inn in Riverwood."

Ralof contemplated for a moment before answering, "Well, the land that Riverwood is built on belongs to my family. Gerdur, as the family head, lets the people who live in the town do what they like with the buildings as she has a special trade agreement with all the businesses in the town. The Giants Inn is currently run by a women called Dalphine. I can't tell you much about her except she came to Riverwood five years ago from Cyrodiil, but Gerdur could tell you more."

"Well, in that case this what we will do, Ralof and Lydia you two are staying here to get some rest. Brothers, we will head out after lunch, go to Riverwood and work out what is going on… Shadow-Oak style." William and John grinned at that comment, Edwin continued, "Once we have dealt with this, and before I go back to the Greybeards we will travel back here." They stayed in the war room chatting until, Galmar came to let them know the council meeting was finished. When they returned the main hall, Edwin saw Ulfric in a conversation with the man he called Shatter-Shield earlier. Ulfric saw Edwin approach him, "Edwin, this is Torbjorn Shatter-Shield. Torbjorn, may I present Edwin Shadow-Oak, my courtier."

Torbjorn bowed to Edwin, "My lady it is a pleasure to meet you," then turning to Ulfric, "My Jarl, I better get going, both my wife and daughter are still most upset and I need to check on them."

"Of course, my condolences again on what your family has been through. I assure you that I will have my best men on investigating this." With that Torbjorn left.

"Poor man, his oldest daughter was kill by the person who is killing women in the street at night." Ulfric shook his head, "Anyway come let us eat." Gesturing towards the table.

Once they were eating, Edwin looked over at Ulfric, "Ulfric, I will have to borrow William for the afternoon as we have some family business to take care of. I promise we will make it back tonight, but can you look after Julie for the afternoon." Before Ulfric could respond John spoke up, "Don't worry about Julie this afternoon, Suvaris, a Dunmer here, will look after her for me, but will drop her back tonight before it gets dark."

"In that case, tell her to bring her to the Palace, and Suvaris can stay and eat with us before she returns to her home, with a guard escort." Ulfric said, "Edwin, I trust you to return tonight. And please leave Ralof here as I need to talk with him."

Edwin just smiled, "I have asked both Ralof and Lydia to stay as they need some rest and I will have my brothers with me."

After the meal, John, William, and Edwin went to get ready as they had to change into their family armour. Once they were ready, and John had spoken to both Julie and Suvaris about what to do tonight, they headed off. When they reached Riverwood, it wasn't very late in the day (it didn't take long as they took their horses), "Come on, we will talk to Gerdur first as she will have information about this Delphine person. Gerdur will be at the mill." Edwin said as she lead Shadow around to the mill, sure enough Gerdur was at the mill, looking out over at the river. "Gerdur, it is good to see you again friend." Edwin said as Gerdur turned around and they hugged. "Edwin it is lovely to see you. Where is Ralof? And who are these men with you?"

"Ralof is fine, he is in Windhelm. These are my brothers, John and William Shadow-Oak." Edwin said gesturing to her brothers as she said their names, "I need to talk to you about Delphine who runs the inn; what can you tell me about her." Gerdur look puzzled at why she was asking but decided to answer the question anyway, "I am afraid there is not a lot I am allowed to tell you, as I made a promise. Look, she is originally from Bruma in Cyrodiil, her husband was lost, presumed dead in the Great War. Anything else I can't tell you." Edwin's eye went wide at that information, she turned to her brothers who had the same look of their faces, 'could it be…' all the Shadow-Oaks were thinking to themselves; Edwin turned back to Gerdur, "Thank you, that is a big help…"

The Shadow-Oaks mad their way to the inn, tying their horses to the post outside before entering, once inside they saw man standing behind the counter, "Welcome to the Sleeping Giants Inn. If you are after a room, you will need to speak with Delphine."

Just then, before they could respond, a voice came out of the room to the right, "Orgnar, do we have…" Delphine said as she walked into the main room, she paused when she saw who was standing in front of her.

Delphine's eyes began to water as her hand went over her mouth, Orgnar frowned, "Delphine are you alright?" he asked but Delphine paid no attention as she only had eye for William.

"I can't believe it…" she said as she moved towards him, "Your alive… thank the Nine Divines your alive…" Delphine said as she and William hugged.

"Hello my beautiful… lovely… darling… wife." William said as he kissed her on top of her head, then finally on her lips.