A Stormcloak Affair
Part 5
It was a long ride to Whiterun, which took days. Aine was tired and run down. She went to the Bannered Mare and asked Hulda if she could have a room for a few hours to take a nap. Hulda agreed and to no coin from Aine. After a few hours, Aine awoke refreshed. There was a lot at stake and she was nervous. She wasn't sure how Jarl Balgruuf would react. She didn't want to let Ulfric down. Aine wondered what he meant by he wanted her by his side. Did he want more from her? Her body ached for Ulfric's gentle touch and alluring musky scent. She wanted to be his and everything it had to offer, for she was madly in love with Ulfric; despite him being twenty years her senior. She was only a child during the Great War and never really knew her father.
Aine moved on to Dragonsreach to see the Jarl. Jarl Balgruuf was lounging in his throne as usual with his legs spread. The only thing missing from this image was the Jarl's hand down his britches. Why do Jarls sit that way?, Aine said to herself. Aine approaches the Jarl.
"Greetings, Dragonborn. What business do you have in Whiterun?" "I have a message from Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak.", said Aine in response. "What message do present me?", asked Balgruuf knowing very well what was coming.
"This is Ulfric's battleax. Will you accept it?", Aine said nervously.
"How well do you know Ulfric?", said the jarl taking the ax. "That is irrelevant. We…um… He wants only what is best for Skyrim.", said Aine as her face began to flush.
"Well, well I see that you know him intimately.", said Balgruuf in response to her rosy cheeks. "I will need to speak to Ulfric personally. There is matter that needs discussion before I give him my loyalty. Let's go to Windhelm, so I can see your lover. We leave at first light.", said Balgruuf still holding the ax. This wasn't exactly true.
She had never lay with Ulfric or any other man in fact. She knew what sex was and how she felt about him or how he made her feel. He made her lose control whenever he was near. But what did Ulfric want from her?
Balgruuf dismissed Aine, and she proceeded to Whiterun Market District, for she was hungry. Wanting to buy some fruit, Fralia Grey-Mane approaches her saying, "You're a Stormcloak. Please follow me; I need to speak to you in private." Aine follows Fralia into her home. As soon as Aine opens her mouth, Fralia's son Avulstein comes over with is battleaxe aimed towards her. "Avulstein, put that down! She's here to help us find Thorald!", says Fralia frantically.
"All right, mother.", conceded Avulstein. "I can't take any more of this. No weapons, please. Let's just talk.", proclaims Fralia.
"We can't trust anyone! Who knows what they'll do if they find me here. How do we know she's a spy for the Battle-Born? Don't be foolish mother!, says Avulstein.
"I'm sorry, Fralia. I don't understand what is going on. What does this have to do with me being a Stormcloak?", asks Aine. "Thorald's disappearance has been hard on all of us, but Avulstein has taken it badly. He's afraid of being taken as well, so he hasn't left the house. All he talks about is Thorald. Please, help Avulstein if you can. Something has to be done, or we're all going to lose our minds. He's my son. I just... I feel it in my heart. You'd understand if you had children. He is a Stormcloak supporter.", explains Fralia.
"I know that Thorald's not dead. I just know it. The Imperials have him, and are keeping him somewhere. But I don't know where. Those damned Battle-Borns... They know something. They're hiding it. They practically taunt us with it. They must have some sort of proof! There's got to be something in that house of theirs. I just know it. I don't dare leave the house myself. So I need your help.", pleads Avulstein.
"I'll see what I can find out.", says Aine with a heavy heart.
Aine sneaks her way into the Battle-Born home. She finds a locked door in the first floor bedroom and decides to pick the lock. She is successful. Inside the small closet she finds an Imperial Missive. It states Thorald Grey-Mane is being held captive by the Thalmor in Northwatch Keep. Aine quickly leave the Battle-Born home without being detected and proceeds back to Grey-Mane home. "Avulstein, I know where Thorald is. He is alive for now but currently being held by the dirty Thalmor in the Northwatch Keep.", said Aine.
"I will go there at once.", said Avulstein.
"I don't think that is a good idea. You don't want your mother to have both of her sons missing.", said Aine.
"That is quite wise.", concluded Avulstein.
"I will do my best to retrieve him. You have my word as a Stormcloak.", said Aine exiting the Grey-Mane home.
It was time to find a bed for the night so Aine went back to the Bannered Mare and rented a room from Hulda for the night. She lay in her bed missing Ulfric. A tear went down her face.
Meanwhile, Ulfric so smitten with Aine needed to do something. Galmar urged him to propose marriage, as it was the only logical outcome. "Ulfric, once we drive out the Legion, you will become High King. And with that you need a queen. Aine is Skyrim's best option. She is Dragonborn, for Talos' sake! But you need to act quickly before someone else takes her off your hands. Do you want her ending up with Ralof? After all he saved her in Helgen, is a Stormcloak officer and closer in age.", laid out Galmar.
"Galmar, you old friend; you are absolutely correct. I need to marry her before I accidentally impregnate her. I can't control myself when she is around. She makes me feel like a young man again.", said Ulfric.
"I know she does. I can see it with own eyes, even the bear on my head sees it.", chuckled Galmar.
"I need to have a ring made for her. But I don't know what kind of stones she likes.", said Ulfric hopeful.
The next morning, Aine and Balgruuf make their way to Windhelm by carriage. Balgruuf wore Ulfric's battleax on his back and a wooden sword sheathed. Aine wasn't sure what to make of the wooden sword.
Ulfric is getting ready for the day. It would prove important. His afternoon was full of meetings. But before that he needed to go to the market. There he speaks to an Altmer merchant named Niranye. "I need a ring made for someone special but I don't have a clue what she would prefer.", stated Ulfric.
"Yes, my Jarl. May I ask, is this an engagement ring?", asked Niranye.
"Yes, it is.", said Ulfric in response. "And who might the lucky lady be?", asked the merchant.
"Aine… that is, if she will have me of course", said Ulfric in a hopeful voice. "Aine, you say. I think she would very much enjoy a gold ring with jade in the center. This will take a few weeks to be made. And if, I might add; she has been in love with you for over ten years. I'm sure she will gladly take your hand in marriage.", said Niranye informing Ulfric.
"Ten years you say… I had no idea.", said Ulfric in a surprised manner. He remembers Aine was friendly with Niranye in the past.
"Is there anything else I may assist you with?", inquired Niranye. "I will take a couple of those tunics and the green fine dress, please.", said Ulfric.
"That will make 900 spetims. 50 for the clothing and 850 for the ring.", said Niranye.
"That sounds, fair.", says Ulfric handing over the coin.
It was midday and Ulfric wanted to get back to the Palace. Before getting there he runs into a young girl, named Sofie. "Jarl Ulfric, it is a pleasant day to be seeing you here in our wonderful city of Windhelm. Would you like some flowers? They are quite beautiful today.", said Sofie.
"I will take a few pink ones and red ones.", said Ulfric handing over the money. "Oh, thank you. You are most generous.", said Sofie.
"What is a girl like you, selling flowers? Where are your parents?", asked Ulfric.
"My mother died when I was very small. My father is one of your soldiers, and he hasn't returned in months. I do what I can to get by.", said Sofie with a tear in her eye.
"You are welcome to stay in the palace until we find out what has happened to your father. There is plenty of food and the fire is always burning.", said Ulfric in a loving manner. Sofie reminded Ulfric of Aine. She wasn't much older when she lost her parents.
That afternoon Ulfric and Galmar met with Scouts-Many-Marches. They learned that the Argonians could be of great use in the Stormcloak army. The Argonian people have an excellent stealth advantage, making the perfect spies and the ability to breath underwater. He promised the Scouts-Many-Marches that the Argonian people would be allowed to move into the city if they agreed to fight for their home in Skyrim. "I wish the Nords, Argonians and Dark Elves in Windhelm got along better. To what do I owe this generous offer?", asked the Argonian.
"Aine made it clear to us, that we need to fight for all of Skyrim"., replied Ulfric.
The next meeting took place with Brunwulf-Free-Winter. Ulfric opens the conversation by stating, "We are thinking of rebuilding the Gray Quarter.". "It will take time to rebuild, but the Nords are no strangers to hard work.", responds Brunwulf. "Then it's settled. We will send builders to the Gray-Quarter and show the Dunmer, they are welcome.
After the meetings concluded Ulfric went up to the living quarters, left the gifts for Aine on her bed and got ready for bed. He was exhausted. He lay awake in his bed, wondering if Aine had truly in love with him for over ten years. Looking back, there were signs. He was just too stupid to see it. If he had known about Aine's feelings for him sooner, he would have given himself to her. He longed to feel her warm body against his. He loved her and was beginning to love her more and more each day.
The next day, Aine had returned from Whiterun with Jarl Balgruuf. Ulfric was pleased to see her but didn't know why Balgruuf was here. He was wearing the ax. Ulfric first approaches Aine and gives her lovingly a kiss on the lips. Aine goes up to her chamber, so she can take a short nap. Then he proceeds to greet Balgruuf. "To what do I owe this surprise?, asked Ulfric.
"I needed to speak with personally, Ulfric, before I agree with you.", explained Balgruuf. "
Why are you sending your mistress on a diplomatic mission?", said Balgruuf. "She's not my mistress, Balgruuf. Tell me what you want before insulting me any further.", snarled Ulfric.
"If I am to take your side, then you need to take mine.", said Balgruuf handing him the wooden sword. Ulfric knew what that meant.
"I will gladly provide refuge for your children should the time come.", said Ulfric knowing he had gained an ally.
Aine entered her chamber to see new clothing laid out on her bed and red and pink roses next to her bed. She hangs the clothing up in the wardrobe, smiles and proceeds to change into her linen dress. Aine lay down in her bed and drifted off lightly.
Ulfric went upstairs to see where Aine had gone. He wanted to thank her for bringing such an important ally to the table. Slowly Ulfric opens the door to her chamber only to see her lying down. He went over to her and sat at the bed. She was nearly naked, and he was so close to her. "Are you not well, my love?", Ulfric asks right before giving her a kiss on her forehead.
She opens her eyes and says, "I'm fine, just a little tired. I hope you don't mind that I came up here to take a nap. Thank you for your lovely gifts, my heart."
"I don't mind. I am eternally grateful to your service. Balgruuf is now an ally and your proposal for the city seems to be shaping up nicely.", said Ulfric looking at her body. Aine sat up in the bed and pulled Ulfric in for a deep sensual kiss. In response to her advances, Ulfric proceeds to remove his fur cloak and part of his tunic revealing his hairy chest.
"Why didn't you tell me you were in love with me all this time?", asked Ulfric positioning himself on her. Ulfric gently thrusts his body against hers with their clothing and bedding between them. Aine pulls Ulfric even closer to herself feeling the warmth of Ulfric's chest and taking in the intoxication of his pheromones.
"I wasn't sure you felt the same way and I didn't want to look like a fool", said Aine.
"You could never be a fool in my eyes", said Ulfric kissing her again.
Reluctantly, Ulfric says, "Dinner is to be served shortly, and we shouldn't be late. We have a lot to celebrate and I have invited Sofie, the girl selling flowers in the city to the palace. I have Jorleif looking in to the whereabouts of her father. I think you would like her." Ulfric puts on his tunic and cloak again and proceeds to his chamber closing the door behind him. He lets out a shout, breaking some pottery and moving a table. He wanted to make love to Aine, but he couldn't leave his guest waiting.
Aine gets out of bed washes herself down and refreshes her amber curls. Looking into the wardrobe she decides to wear the finer green dress. In the throne room she sees Ulfric at the head, Galmar to his right, Balgruuf beside him and Sofie sitting on the left side of the table. Ulfric is pleased Aine is wearing one of the dresses he bought her. The colors matched her complexion and the fabric hugged her feminine curves. Aine seats herself left of Ulfric next to Sofie and Jorlief.
Ulfric proposes a toast, "Soon we are to march on Solitude. This would not be possible without the help of Aine. We will take back what is rightfully ours."
"Skol!", shouted the rest of the table. Aine looked over to Sofie, and they started talking amongst themselves.
Balgruuf looking at Ulfric and Aine says, "I'm sorry Ulfric, I meant no offense earlier."
"Let us eat and be well.", says Ulfric. The atmosphere was joyful everyone was eating and drinking well.
Aine could tell Ulfric had more than is fill of mead. She places her hand on his knee moving it towards his groin and says, "My bear, I think it is time to retire."
"Please join me, my love", says Ulfric barely able to stand. Aine brings Ulfric to bed and helps him get under the covers. She decides to lay next to him with her head in his chest.
The next morning Ulfric awakes with his arms around Aine, but she was fully clothed. Aine looks up at Ulfric and give his a kiss. "I believe I may have had too much to drink last night", says an embarrassed Ulfric.
"It is true, you did but I brought you to bed before you were able to do anything foolish.", said Aine giving him another kiss. There is a matter I need to discuss with you.
"Thorald Grey-Mane is one of your supporters in Whiterun. It seems he is being held captive by the Thalmor. I request to get him out of prison.", exclaimed Aine.
"I need you by my side but if you must go. Please take an Argonian with you. Their stealth abilities are superior to your own. I will await your return in our camp near Solitude.", replied Ulfric with a heavy heart.
"I spoke to Sofie last night. She is a sweet girl and reminds me of myself. She needs a family... When the war is over, I would like to adopt her. I hope you don't object.", said Aine.
"We can discuss the adoption after Solitude. I don't think you should do it on your own. She isn't your responsibility. I was sure you'd like her. She also reminded me of you when you were her age.", said Ulfric getting the feeling Aine wanted to be a mother.
Later that day, Aine left with one of the Argonian dock-workers to Northwatch Keep.