Thorunn made a swift recovery the next morning. Ulfric had not left her side, warding off needless visitors, taking charge of her doses of health potions, and when the evening concluded, taking her in his arms as they slept alongside each other. She did not know their plans for announcing the pregnancy, but she doubted Ulfric was thinking about politics. When she woke, her eyes opened to his face, a lock of blond hair strewn across closed eyelids.
She moved a hand up to rest on his cheek. His eyes slowly fluttered open before a smile reached them. "Good morning."
She returned the smile. With surprising energy, she sat up and crawled over him to get out of the bed. She heard him sigh contentedly and turn to watch her. "We have come a long way," he said quietly.
She tossed a smile over her shoulder at him as she dawned her cloak. "We have," she agreed.
"I couldn't help but notice you have been spending an alarming amount of time within the dungeons lately," His tone had taken on a business edge. He propped his weight up on his elbow. "Any particular reason?"
She turned to look forward again, fastening her cloak with a silver Stormcloak brooch. "You did request that I speak with the assassin and attempt to make him see reason."
"Hm," He paused in thought and Thorunn turned to face him. "For a fortnight you have been late to bed because of this prisoner. Should I worry that he is stealing your affections?"
"You should worry that I will bash your face in if you ever suggest such a thing again."
He laughed. If only Thorunn was actually joking. "You wound me, dear lady." He stood, his smile lingering as he approached her. "We should get going before Sybille smokes us out. She cannot be pleased about our thievery of her bed." He pulled his cloak on, and with it the stoic attitude of a king. "Come, there is something I want you to see."
Ulfric had taken her to the courtyard, where tens of soldiers in Stormcloak armor trained with dummies or each other. Many she recognized, including Ralof and Istar Cairn-Breaker, the Stormcloak Commander of Haafingar. Many other faces her memory jogged at, most of them having been covered in the blood of Imperials last she saw them.
She looked over at Ulfric curiously. "Why here?"
Metal rung off of metal as steel swords clashed against each other. "You will be commanding these men soon," Ulfric told her, looking out at the training Stormcloaks with a prideful gaze. "I would have you know their names."
Only a few of the Stormcloaks taking a knee looked their way as they passed. Most of them were Nords, naturally, but some she noted were Bretons, Redguards, Imperials, or even mer. Contrary to Stormcloak propaganda, Skyrim was home to more than the Nords. Its army alone was proof of that.
Istar Cairn-Breaker, a handsome bearded Nord with auburn red hair and only one eye that he could see from, approached them once he'd seen they were here. "Your Majesty," he breathed in awe, putting a fist on his heart as he bowed his head. "Honored I am to stand in your presence." His good eye passed to Thorunn and he nodded in curtly acknowledgement, which she returned. "And you, Thorunn Stormblade. What can we do for you?"
Istar had played a vital role in taking Haafingar, Thorunn recalled. She'd stormed Fort Hraggstad with him at her side not long before the Battle of Solitude. He was a savage warrior, wielding a massive two-handed maul that struck fear in his enemies and killed those it didn't. He hailed from Solitude itself, if she remembered correctly, and had the most powerful reason of all for joining the Stormcloak Rebellion: The Thalmor took the life of his beloved wife while she knelt at the feet of a Tiber Septim statue.
"At ease, Commander," said Ulfric. "We are only passing through while I introduce my betrothed to some of the soldiers. Bring me Vunthar, Isha, and Kemaan, if you will."
"Of course, sir," heeded Istar, then left their presence to fetch the requested soldiers. He returned with the three at his side.
One of the soldiers was a seasoned Nordic man with cropped white hair and a notable scar striking the length of his face; another was a petite Bosmeri woman with a bow strapped around her shoulder and soft features; and the last was a Redguard man that looked to be no older than twenty-five, dark haired and freckled with a short beard.
Ulfric recognized all of them and greeted them with a warm smile. "Soldiers, this is my betrothed. As you well know, she played a key part in taking Solitude. She's due as much credit as I am in winning this war. Please, introduce yourselves."
The old man with the scar stepped forward. "Names Vunthar," he said, his voice gruff and accented. "Joined up after a bunch of Imperial lapdogs tried to steal me boots." He tapped his feet against the ground to draw attention to them. When Thorunn looked back up, he was grinning crookedly. "They didn't win."
She laughed.
"I am Isha," the Bosmeri woman said. Her voice was accented as well, but not with that of a Nord; instead of those native to Valenwood. "I could not save my own homeland from the Aldmeri, and so I come here to save yours." She had a rabid look in her eye that immediately earned Thorunn's respect.
She remembered Malborn, who'd helped Thorunn immeasurably while she infiltrated a Thalmor-sponsored party. Apparently, the Aldmeri Dominion was 'cleansing' Valenwood, and in this cleansing, Malborn's family was murdered. Thorunn wondered if this Isha had experienced something similar. She was reminded of how important it was to keep the Aldmeri Dominion out of Skyrim at any cost. "Your service is invaluable," she said respectfully.
"It is." the Bosmeri woman agreed, smiling appreciatively.
"And I am Kemaan," the Redguard said, bowing with a smirk on his lips. "I fought alongside my people in Hammerfell to push back the Aldmeri, and after hailing victorious there, I ventured to Skyrim to make more use of my sword arm."
She noted that all three of these people were here because of the Dominion and not because of the Empire. She supposed there wasn't too strongly a difference between the two now. "Your people are impressive," she said to Kemaan. "The first to defeat the third Dominion if I recall correctly."
"You do," Kemaan confirmed readily. "And remember it. The Redguards are unbent."
"That they are."
"Thank you for your time. You are dismissed." said Ulfric, not unkindly. The three soldiers dispersed after paying their respects with a bow or curtsy, then Ulfric turned to Thorunn. "You see? Three people, no more similar than winter and summer, and yet they unionize to fight a corrupt Empire in the name of the true High King."
"It is remarkable," she concurred. "But I am still uncertain why you bring me here."
"A king is lucky if he knows even a few names of his subjects, let alone their stories. In order to connect with your subjects, Thorunn, you must know their loyalty is true. The only way to know this is to know them. In return, you must give them a reason to be loyal to you. A man is much more likely to side with his friend than a stranger."
"Is this my first lesson at court?" Thorunn asked, amused though she valued his guidance.
He smiled. "The first of many. You have much to learn. Hopefully, we will have all the time in the world."
He said that like they wouldn't. "I do not particularly relish in the idea of going soft for politics," she said, ignoring her concern.
"You won't." His smile grew. "You'll go soft for this." He moved a hand to her stomach, rubbing it affectionately.
But she wouldn't, she knew, though she did not say it. The life developing within her would be the reason she hardened herself. She knew that the moment the child came into the world, she'd guard it as gallantly as the dragon had guarded its egg while she and her party took it down at the top of that mountain.
Ulfric didn't wait for a response that never came. He nodded his head and they left the courtyard to return to the palace.
The day progressed peacefully up until a courier arrived with the seal of the Aldmeri Dominion. He swiftly took his leave after giving the letter to Ulfric, something that raised Thorunn's suspicions. She looked down at Ulfric as he slouched comfortably in his throne, peeling the roll of parchment open.
The entire court seemed to hold its breath as they waited for a reaction. When Ulfric finished reading, he lowed it, taking in a sharp breath and rubbing his chin anxiously. Wordlessly, he handed the letter to Thorunn.
Congratulations on your engagement, Ulfric Stormcloak. Let us hope it is a long one, no?
It will not be if the Aldmeri Dominion has any say in it. The moment you donned your crown, you signed Skyrim off to war, and this time we will not be open to negotiate.
Expect us.