Gilse felt they were mocking her. Ulfrics manner suggested the dunmer ranked far beneath him. She felt confident would never want to touch her. She decided to call his bluff while she had the upper hand. He needed her far more than she needed him. She sashayed right into his personal space and stared at him defiantly. "You wouldn't dare," she taunted. The stunned silence that fell was only broken by the crackling of the fires in the braziers".
Even Ulfric looked shocked. Finally he said, "Elf you have infringed far too much". He reached for her catching both of her wrist in one hand. Galmar looked like he would intervene, but Ulfric silenced him with a look. Gilse attempted to dig her heels into the carpet but he dragged her into the war room. "Let go," she panted attempting to kick at him. "Your wishes are no longer relevant," he stated backing her against the wall. "Nor are mine, I wished you to serve as Dragonborn. But we're stuck with this instead," he stated. His mouth came down on hers like she was precious to him.
Gilse held herself absolutely still. Deep down she was very attracted to the formidable Jarl. She came here to join his ranks, never expecting intimacy. But..but now The Ulfric Stormcloak was kissing her! She knew his contempt for her people. But, in spite of that he was kissing her. She was not foolish enough to think he had real feelings for her. But, knowing that he desired her, gave her a heady feeling of pleasure. Desire could grow into something more. She returned his kiss with everything in her. He moved away from the wall lifting her for better access to her mouth. She wrapped her legs around his waist.
Ulfric used his arm to clear the table of red and blue flags. He placed her flat on her belly over the table. His weight came down over her back. "Do you agree?" he whispered into her neck. Her heart was beating fast, but she managed to answer, "yes". He immediately jerked her robe up out of his way. She felt the hair on his legs brush the backs of her thighs. There was the slightest hint of irritation in his voice as he said, "Now lets see just how much I dare".
Galmar crossed his arms feeling uncomfortable. The sounds from the war room left little doubt about what was taking place inside. Ulfric had never used seduction to manipulate anyone. He worried for the wee elf. He was sorely tempted to put an end to it. But it wasn't his place to interfere. Hopefully, this would be enough to quell her impertinence. Ulfric had little tolerance for insolence and sass. As the father of daughters, Galmar was a little more understanding of the female idiosyncrasies. He sighed and asked Jorleif to prepare the guest room, hot water, and cloths for bathing.
Gilse sighed as Ulfric relieved her of his weight. Her disappointment was almost palpable. She remained still listening to the rustle of fabric as he adjusted his clothing. "Was it good for you elf? I expect it wasn't," he mused almost to himself. He smacked her behind very lightly to get her attention. "You can always change the nature of your service Dragonborn," he admonished. Although the room was dim, she could feel his eyes on her. "When you issue a challenge little elf, you must deal with the fallout," he stated as his hands smoothed her robe down covering her. He walked over and paused near the door. "I won't apologize," he sounded defensive.
Gilse didn't move until she heard his footsteps recede into the other room. She slid off the table gasping at the soreness. She leaned against the wall unable to face the group waiting for her in the throne room. She desperately needed privacy and time to collect herself. It didn't happen. Galmar entered the war room accompanied by an elder dressed in mage robes. He offered her his arm "Come lass let's get you settled". She turned towards the wall refusing to acknowledge him. She gave a yelp as he simply scooped her up and headed towards the stairs she hadn't even noticed.
He entered the first room on the right and gently laid her on the bed. "Do you need the healer?" he asked watching her with concern. She shook her head. The elder bowed slightly. "Keep yourself clean and use this salve for any soreness," he told her placing a small jar on the table. He left the room closing the door firmly behind him.
Galmar helped her sit up. He stood there in silence watching a lone tear run down her face. "Dragonborn we agreed that you would work on your manners," he lectured her sternly. He sighed tiredly and said, "You will have the use of this room during your stay here". Gilse lay awake long after he left her. She had allowed even encouraged Ulfric to copulate with her. It had started out great, but then he had used her like she was his property. Uncomfortable and feeling self-conscious, dawn was starting break before she fell into a fitful sleep.
Up another staircase and down the hall Ulfric was also having trouble sleeping. Alone with his thoughts, he admitted to himself being with the elf had been an excruciatingly satisfying experience. It was something he had fantasized about, since first saw her exquisite body on its knees before him. He felt a little guilty for deliberately taking her before she was ready. He thought if she disliked it enough she would change her mind and join his ranks. But she hadn't, maybe he should re-think that strategy. Meanwhile, personally he fine with the service he had assigned to her. He planned to use her until he got her out of his system.
So this was the end! Among strangers, far from home, an ignoble death! Gilse hissed at the female captain, "keep your foot off me!". Only memories of the people who loved her gave her courage to approach the chopping block with her head held high. They would expect it of her. Never would they tolerate one of their own groveling before enemies. Still it took all that was in her to bend a knee at the block. Her movement was graceful as she moved her hair aside and used it to cover the block. Somehow it was important to her not to lay her face in the blood of others. There was a sense of unreality and despair as she laid her head on the block…..
Gilse woke in a blind panic scrambling from the bed. She was tangled in the covers and landed in a heap on the floor. Looking wildly about, heart racing she realized it was a dream. "Are you alright Dragonborn?" she hadn't heard the guard come in. Reality intruded "Just a bad dream," she said taking the hand extended to help her to her feet. " Dragonborn, I was proud to serve as your shield brother when you aided us with the dragon ", said the guard his disembodied voice coming out of his faceplate. All she could see were his eyes. She nodded her head "thank you". He headed towards the door boots clicking on the stone.
Gilse was reluctant to leave the room. The events of the last evening left her feeling awkward. Someone had left lukewarm water and bathing cloths in the room. Her belongings were near the cupboard along with a stack of books. Her armor had been cleaned. Even her eleven dagger, freshly polished laid on top of her clothes. Her two bags of coins sat side by side near her boots. She noticed a little bottle of scent near the bathing cloths. A peace-offering? She added a few drops to the water and reheated it using a fire spell. She methodically washed ever inch of her skin using the soapy scented water. Feeling slightly refreshed she took her time dressing in her studded armor and combing her hair out.
She caught sight of herself in a steel mirror propped on the table. The woman looking back at her appeared vulnerable, even fragile. The shadows under her violet eyes accented them, making them seem piercing. The dunmer considered such eyes a thing of great beauty. They were very rare. Gilse inherited hers from a Priestess Of Dibella, her mother.
She studied her reflection. The heart-shaped face and soft angles were a gift from her father. Very little was known about him. Her mother hinted he was of mixed heritage himself. Her jet black curly hair suggested he was at least partly redguard. Her thoughts drifted to her mother. What advice would she have for her daughter? Her mother celebrated and took such joy in the dibellan arts. She would probably say "Take charge and make the Jarl think your ideas are his own". Shaking herself out of such frivolous thoughts, Gilse decided to put the room to rights.
Hunger finally drove her down to the main hall. A hush settled over the room when she entered. Most of the nords present refused to meet her eyes. She imagined they were trying to be tactful but in a way it made it worse. Gilse sat gingerly on the bench near the trestle table and selected an apple to nibble on. She was aware of Ulfrics presence near the throne, but ignored him. He didn't seem in the least bothered by his behavior last night. And why should he be? He had gotten his pleasure out of it. Her mind insisted on torturing her by replaying how had gotten his point across.
Galmar had been covertly watching Gilse since she entered the room. She seemed withdrawn and kept staring into space. Obviously, she needed to get out of the palace and relax. He would have to carefully manage Ulfric to get him to agree to it. He was considering his options when the divines gave him a gift. The doors to the main hall swung open and a familiar figure entered bringing the elements with him. He stood there, his head and shoulders dusted with snow. Ralof!
Gilse's heart lodged in her throat when she saw him. She wondered how much of the gossip he had heard. His face lit up when he noticed her. He said, "Ha! I had a feeling you'd join up. This is terrific news". He grabbed her in a bear hug which she returned. "We'll take back Skyrim together eh?" he said. She stiffened. He gradually seemed to realize her posture. He eased his hold on her and looked at her face noticing the unshed tears. He seemed nonplussed. "are you ok?" he asked softly.
Ralof had been oblivious to the tension in the room. But now he became aware of it. His friend was standing rigid In his embrace. The guards wouldn't meet his eyes. Jorlief was looking at his boots. Jarl Ulfric was staring at him in stony silence. Galmar was watching Ulfric. Why did he feel like he had committed some faux pass? Wait he had seen the dragon bones outside the city. Was the court in mourning? Ralof was happy to see his friend and Jarl Ulfric again. But he had no idea what was going on so he crossed his arms and waited. He considered himself an open-minded nord. But even he was not ready for what Ulfric did next.
A/N: I would love to hear what everyone thinks of this story so far. Please review and let me know how I'm doing.