As if on cue Brunwulf Free-Winter separated himself from the wall and approached the group. "Jarl Ulfric, Stone-Fist, I will cover her fine," he offered. The little elf seemed all to happy to accept. Galmar watched speculatively as she departed with Jorleif and Free-Winter. Pity the lass was dunmer, but that could be worked to Jarl Ulfrics advantage. The next time Galmar saw Gilse, they were in the fight of their lives.
Two days later
It was quiet in the Gray Quarter. Gilse adjusted her new studded armor, before slinging her elven bow over her back and heading for the road. The sooner she got out of Windhelm the better. She noticed an unusual amount of activity among the guards near the gate. But no one challenged her as she quit the city. She smelled smoke as she crossed the stone bridge leading to the main road. Movement caught her eye, archers lined the barbican over the main archway. The old rickety cart abandoned by the end of the road was burning. More archers were taking shelter under the overhang next to the stable. The carriage was on its side. The horse and driver had vanished. Now she could make out guards and Stormcloak soldiers among the trees across the main road. All of them had their weapons drawn and ready. Bile rose to her throat as she realized the smoldering shape on the road was the remains of a person.
She did not need to see the dragon shadow approaching to understand what was happening. Paralyzed by fear she just stood there unable to move. A guard pulling her to safety yanked her out of her daze. The dragon came in fast spreading flames in its wake, and was met by a barrage of arrows and cross-bow bolts. Gilse drew her bow and joined the fight. She was unaware of the passage of time. Her entire focus was on making every arrow count. The dragon put up a fight but eventually damage to its wings caused it to land. The rest of the fight was short but brutal.
Afterwards, Gilse never remembered how she ended up in the middle of the road. the Dragons final roar, "Dovahkiin No!" rang in her ears. The tiny sparks flickering along the edges of the dragons iridescent scales mesmerized her. The dragon imploded. flames shot out seeming to flake off and flicker in the air before melding together and reaching for her. Her essence seemed to embrace the strange energy, absorbe it, welcome it. It was like healing magic yet very different. She had no words to describe it.
As she was basking in the glow of the energy, the guards surrounding her stood out in sharp relief. Their expressions ranged from questioning, to horror, to wonder. Galmar who seemed to have lost his bear hat, was looking at her in disbelief. It took Gilse a moment to recognize Jarl Ulfric dressed in steel armor coming towards her. He gave voice to what the nords among them were thinking, "you're Dragonborn". The look he gave her was inscrutable. "You're the one the Graybeards were summoning," he added. His manner suggested he found his own words distasteful.
Gilse was not thrilled to face Ulfric again. She was unwilling to revisit this Dragonborn business. With all the recent upheaval in her life, she had not yet come to terms with it. She turned and started to walk away. She didn't see Ulfric signal the guards who moved in unison to cross their swords blocking her path. She turned back to him with a questioning look on her face.
It was only with the greatest difficulty, Ulfric managed to control his anger. He was not used to people turning their back on him. He dismissed the idea of her just walking off. The Dragonborn would not roam free until she joined the rebellion. The risk of her falling into Imperial hands was just to high. He would discuss this with her once he and Galmar dealt with the aftermath of the Dragon attack. "Dragonborn I need you to retire into the city until you and I can talk," said Ulfric. She asked, "Do I have a bounty in this hold I don't know about? You have no cause to hold me!".
He decided to try to reason with her. "You are partly correct," he admitted. "But the gift of the dragon blood obligates you to serve Skyrim," he stated. Gilse stepped close reaching up to pat him on the arm "I'll pass," she said. Ulfric stared at her in shock. That she dared enter his personal space was bad enough. That she would physically touch him sealed her faith.
Galmar stepped threateningly towards her, "You lack manners elf" he shouted. Ulfric stopped him. "No Galmar I'll handle it. She has a lot to learn and it's time to begin the teaching of it," he said. His arm shot out and flicked her back with just enough force to cause her to lose her balance and fall on her rump into the snow. He stood over her, gray eyes stared into lavender ones daring her to move. Minutes passed no one moved. Apparently satisfied he backed off a little. "Dragonborn," the way he said it was insulting implying she was not worthy of the title. "Always. keep. a. respectful. distance. when. addressing. a. Jarl," he said each word separately. He signaled his guards and said, "Escort the Dragonborn to the barracks". He looked back down at her. "Think very carefully little elf. You won't win if you tangle with me," he said before turning away.
It was a subdued group that headed back to Windhelm. Her escorts were sympathetic to her plight, they themselves having witnessed her side of things. Gilse decided to nap once they made their way to the barracks. It was dusk when she awoke. The shadows around the barracks had lengthened and the room was chilly. She wanted to stay under the warm hides, but figured it was time for the evening meal. Slipping out of bed she dressed quickly in her blue mage robes and leather boots. She dug in her pack to find a wooden comb and took the time to work the tangles out of her hair leaving it free on her shoulders. Long hair was rare in Skyrim and she could sit on hers. Gilse visibly squared her shoulders and went to join the meal.
The throne room was a bit crowded. Apparently the word was out that the Dragonborn had been found. Ulfric spotted her the moment she entered his hall. He watched speculatively as Galmar went over to greet her and began introducing her to the other nords. It amused him to watch the reactions to her race. To him it was illogical that the Dragonborn would be a dunmer. But who understand the reasoning of the divines? Galmar was chatting lively to the elf almost flirting. Ulfric couldn't figure out what the old bear was up to. He couldn't be smitten could he? He wasn't usually interested in her kind.
Galmar seated Gilse at the table conspicuously avoiding the space near the doors. She picked at her food, preoccupied with her thoughts and fears. As the meal ended Ulfric walked to his throne accompanied by Galmar. Gilse ignored them. She focused on small talk with the guest who were departing. Eventually there were only a few people milling about. Jorleif announced Jarl Ulfric was ready for their interview.
Ulfric deliberately waited until the hall was clear before summoning the dunmer. He didn't trust her not to make trouble. However, his patience could only extend so far. It was time to make things clear to the elf. He made the magnanimous gesture of standing near the throne to await her. It was the last courtesy he would extend her.
Gilse stood a respectful distance from the Jarl. She nodded her head politely "Jarl Unfric,."she greeted him. He smiled at her "Allow me to welcome you to Windhelm. You seem familiar do I know you?" he asked "I was at Helgen," she answered. It seemed to click for him "Ahh yes Helgen, destined for the chopping block if I remember. What brings you to my city Gilse Ondyn?," he asked.
She was tired of the small talk. Maybe if she could make him angry enough he would throw her out. She said, "I escaped Helgen with Ralof who told me of the great rebellion. I was ready to sign up until I saw the Gray Quarter. It's disgraceful".
It was fascinating how fast he changed from the indolent Jarl to a defensive one. "Perhaps the dunmer living in the Gray Quarter should work to improve their own lives," he suggested. "Warriors such as ourselves don't have the leisure to indulge such petty complaints. We are fighting for bigger things. As Dragonborn all of Skyrim is depending on you to help free us from the Imperial Yoke. You should join," said Ulfric. Gilse hesitated before speaking, "All of that is self-serving Jarl Ulfric. If things were a little different, I would consider your offer. Now it's to late".
Ulfric felt frustrated. He was through arguing with her. Why he had attempted to reason with a low-born elf at all way beyond him. "In spite of your criminal past, you're a law-abiding citizen yes?" he asked. Gilse nodded her head in agreement.
He said, "By law I 'm entitled to service from everyone in the territory. By my right as Jarl I hereby conscript your services into our ranks. I am also issuing a decree that you stay in Windhelm, until you decided to obey said law and take the oath". He looked down at her as if to say "your move". "I know it's shocking, but I am not a citizen of Eastmarch," she informed him.
He said, "The laws apply to you once you enter the territory. Now solider you may serve honorably as Dragonborn." He stopped and deliberately ran his eyes over her body lingering on the chest area. "Or since I don't have much need for camp followers, I can arrange a more personal service. Either way you will serve, what say you?" he asked. Ulfric leaned against the throne and stared smugly at her, confident he had her trapped. Galmar let out a guffaw, he walked away shoulders shaking as he tried to gain control of himself. It was amusing to watch Ulfric dig himself in deeper.
A/N; Please review. I want to know what you think and thank you for reading this,