Location: Vilemyr Inn, Ivarstead
25th of Rain's Hand
7:16pm

Well, that was a 'pleasant' Peace Council. Kayleigh was just glad it was over and she had accomplished what she had wanted to. Now, all she had to do was travel to Whiterun, but she decided to spend the night in the Vilemyr Inn in Ivarstead and then travel the next day.

Upon entering the Inn, the first person she saw seating at a bench was Galmar Stone-Fist. However, Ulfric Stormcloak was nowhere to be found. Galmar drank from a tankard and seemed rather dazed, but in this case – drunk.

"Um, officer?" She called out. "Where's the Jarl?"

"Ulfric? He's outside, by the bridge. Said he needed to clear his head," Galmar informed, but in a rather slurred manner. "Ever since his contact with that Thalmor at High Hrothgar, he's been rather dull."

Kayleigh realized where all this was going. Oh, Jarl Ulfric…

"But I told him," He took another sip. "A tankard of strong mead is all he needed."

The corner of Kayleigh's mouth curved into a small smile. "I know what you mean."

Location: Bridge leading to Ivarstead

Just as Galmar said, Ulfric stood over the bridge, looking into the clear water and twirling his Amulet of Talos that he had around his neck. The moon was like a spotlight on the river. Nearby crickets were singing their night song. Kayleigh made her way to the Jarl of Windhelm, who seemed oblivious to her presence.

"May I join you?" She asked politely with one of her little smiles.

Ulfric turned his head to her and produced a little smile of his own. "Of course, Dragonborn."

Kayleigh lifted herself off her feet and sat on the stone bridge. Vigilance laid on his stomach and licked his paws. Soon after, she casted a Candlelight spell. A little ball of light hovered over them. "If you don't mind, my Jarl, I find it a little dark despite the moon."

He held his smile. The Dragonborn was looking ravishing under the Candlelight spell, despite the scratches on her fair cheeks. "Not a problem. Did Galmar tell you where I was?"

"More like he slurred it, but yes he did. I had actually expected the both of you to have been on your way to Windhelm by now."

"We needed a little break from climbing down 7000 Steps," He said, and gazed into the river. "And besides… after that Peace Council? I wouldn't blame him if he needed a drink."

"I told myself to control my anger, but it looks like it didn't work." She faked a laugh.

"I was no different from you, Dragonborn." He admitted.

"At least you didn't say much. My thoughts were pretty much voiced out!" She said with a little giggle and then chose her next words carefully. "Elenwen had no right to say that back there. I wouldn't blame you for how you reacted."

"You want my honest opinion, Dragonborn?" He looked at her. "You were too nice."

She giggled. "I thought so too."

He gave her another smile and soon enough, silence surrounded the once more. "Um..." She started out, grabbing his attention. "I wish to apologize. If I was too harsh to you during the negotiations. You've shown me so much kindness after... after what had happened back in Windhelm and I-"

"In times of war, these are the kind of negotiation one would expect. I apologize if demanding cities stained your opinion of me."

"I've never really known war. I don't know what truly goes on. Now I do."

"When you've dealt with the dragon menace and joined our ranks, Skyrim will return to her former glory. Things will be the way they were meant to be."

"Indeed," For that few seconds, Kayleigh debated on whether or not to talk to him about something she had known for a while. She did not see any harm in it, considering she had confessed everything about her past to him, and what she was about to ask was no different, but overall, it was hard to talk about. She then settled on simply asking him about it. "Jarl Ulfric… these next few words might seem… harsh, but it's only-"

The Candlelight spell expired and the ball of light disappeared. She quickly summoned another one. "It's only because I'm curious and I know how much it's affecting you. Especially after seeing Elenwen."

This was new to Ulfric's ears. Where was she going with this? "Alright. Go ahead."

That was when she opened up her satchel and pulled out a brown-orange notebook. Looking at it for a little while, she handed it to the Jarl with both hands. "I think you should have this."

Ulfric accepted the notebook. "What's this?" He asked, utterly confused.

"It's a Thalmor Dossier."

Ulfric opened it to the first page and saw the words 'Thalmor Dossier: Ulfric Stormcloak' written on it.

"Yours."

He gawked at her with a look of disbelief.

"When I broke into Elenwen's embassy in search for clues about the dragon attacks, I came across this." She explained. "I had wanted to give this to you when I would see you the next time, but I forgot."

Only three pages had been occupied and he read every single word.

Status: Asset (uncooperative), Dormant, Emissary Level Approval
Description: Jarl of Windhelm, leader of the Stormcloak rebellion, Imperial Legion veteran

He could not believe what they had uncovered.

Under interrogation, we learned of his potential value (son of the Jarl of Windhelm) and he was assigned as an asset to the interrogator, who is now First Emissary Elenwen.

And what they had done to him.

He was made to believe information obtained during his interrogation was crucial in the capture of the Imperial City (the city had in fact fallen before he had broken), and then allowed to escape.

But he read on.

As long as the civil war proceeds in its current indecisive fashion, we should remain hands-off. The incident at Helgen is an example where an exception had to be made - obviously Ulfric's death would have dramatically increased the change of an Imperial victory and thus harmed our overall position in Skyrim.

He closed the dossier and remained shell-shocked. "By the Gods…" He managed to whisper.

Kayleigh realized how hurt he must be right now. She gave him some time before she spoke. "I wish I knew what to say, Jarl Ulfric, but I don't. All I can hope is that, you would forgive me for having to bring you this information. But I realized that if I hadn't, you would not know what kind of people we are up against."

He did not utter a single word to her. Instead, he continued to stare at the river. He closed his eyes, and finally responded to her by nodding slightly. "You did nothing wrong, Dragonborn. Thank you for bringing me this." He looked at her with a little smile.

She still gave him an apologetic smile.

He held up the dossier. "But this does explain so much," He admitted. "During the Great War, My father and I… we were both captured as prisoners and tortured for information. He didn't give in… but I did. I gave them information but my father took all that pain. He died and I left the prison shortly after."

Kayleigh listened intently and could feel the shame and remorse in his voice.

"Every day, when I sit on that throne, I think about how cowardly I had acted in that prison. How I gave in like a weakling to that Thalmor…" He said with a disgusted look on his face, ashamed of himself. "My father would still be here if I hadn't…" He trailed off.

"My Jarl, if I may?"

He sighed but decided to let her speak. "Of course."

"The Thalmor are a scheming bunch. They will be willing to do anything to get what they want. You had no choice. You would have died in there," She explained. "And besides, they led you to believe that they were using the information you gave them. Which means what you gave was probably not of much value to them at all. They were just looking for an excuse to let you go what the dossier citied."

He turned his head to her, trying to find meaning and logic in her words.

"You never did anything wrong, Jarl Ulfric." She furnished another small smile. "You can never."

He finally produced a full smile. "Your words give me faith, Dragonborn. Thank you."

"Not at all, my Jarl." She was happy to see that smile on his face once again.

For a second, he found it hard to tear away from her green eyes. They reflected sincerity; she was being honest with him. "Are you on your way to Whiterun?"

"Yes," She nodded. "I'm going to capture that dragon in Dragonsreach and finally put an end to Alduin. It's best I don't waste any more time, you know?"

"Agreed. Then come with us," He offered, straightening his back from having leaned over the bridge. "We'll give you a ride to Whiterun. You can reach before dawn breaks."

"Really? My Jarl, if you offer me anymore kindness, I'm going to explode with happiness!" She squealed.

He chuckled at that. "I'll take that as a yes, then," Ulfric held out his hand to her. "Come on. Let's go get Galmar."

"If we can tear him away from the mead." She joked, and took his hand to get off the stone bridge.

Location: Whiterun Stables
26th of Rain's Hand
4:05am

The Sun was starting to peek over the horizon when two horses entered the Whiterun Stables. Galmar rode on his own horse while Ulfric and Kayleigh shared another.

Holding on to his hand, Kayleigh got off the horse. Vigilance trotted next to her. He then kissed the top of her hand. "My lady." He smiled.

What chivalry. She giggled. "My Jarl. Thank you for the ride."

"Anytime. Take care of yourself. The next time I see you, it better be when you join the Stormcloaks."

She nodded, and continued to grin. "You can count on it."

"Good luck, Dragonborn. Talos guide you." So saying, he and Galmar started to ride off. Ulfric turned his head one last time and waved to her.

She waved back with much joy. "And you, Jarl Ulfric."

A/N: Surprise! I managed to finish this one within 3 nights. Next up, ODAHVIING, BABEH! YEAH! XD

Enjoy! Please review! :D