Ralof watched mesmerized as Ulfric climbed down from his throne and approached him. Jarl Ulfric usually waited for people to come to him. Something was wrong here. Ulfric grabbed a tankard of mead and offered it to him. "Ralof my good man I'm relieved to see you. Not many made it out of Helgen," he said beaming at him. Ralof patted Gilse on the shoulder and said, "Thank my friend here. She saved my life".
Ulfric looked down at Gilse and said somewhat pensively, "Would that she be as generous with all of Skyrim. The Dragonborn has declined to serve". Suddenly Ulfric embraced Gilse from behind running his hands up over her breast, before deliberately pushing his fingertips under her neckline. He looked Ralof straight in the eye the challenge was unmistakable. Ralof choked on his mead. Ulfric was staking a claim? He was so shocked he almost missed the distressed look she shot him. What was going on here?. Wait! "She's the Dragonborn?" he almost shouted.
Giles was thoughtful for several minuets. On the one hand, it wasn't fair to involve Ralof. He was among her few friends in Skyrim. On the other hand, Ulfric's behavior confused her. What was he playing at? She wasn't romantically involved with Ralof. But she refused to allow Ulfric the upper hand in whatever game he was playing. She used his own words against him, "Ralof I'm still weighing things in my heart. And yes they say I'm Dragonborn". She ran her fingers along the Jarl's arms bringing her hands to rest upon his. Ulfric's hands were now sandwiched between hers and her breast. She glanced up her voice full of promise, "Jarl Ulfric surely I can spend time with Ralof? I doubt he's planning my escape."
Ulfric released her and took a step back. He smiled but it didn't reach his eyes. "You may spend time with Ralof. He is one of my best men," he answered. Ulfric wrapped an arm around Ralof's shoulders drawing him away from Gilse towards the throne. " The Dragonborn is not allowed to leave the city. Come greet Galmar he's been worried about you," said Ulfric. But, he hadn't forgotten the elf. His eyes vowed retribution for the way she had turned the tables on him.
Gilse wondered if she really had run of the city. She decided to test the waters so to speak. The nords were busy with their reunion when she slipped through the door. She walked towards the gray quarter, only to stop when someone called her name. Brunwulf Free-Winter was rushing to catch up with her. "Gilse! Rumors of a dunmer Dragonborn is sending shock waves through the gray quarter," he told her smiling approvingly. He pounded hardly on her back " Come meet Oengul War-Anvil. Stone-Fist himself arranged for you to be his assistant. I bet that stuck in his gullet! Well done Gilse! Well done," he enthused.
When Gilse was finally able to get a word in edgewise she sputtered, "Oengul? Assistant?". Brunwulf hesitated before speaking, "Galmar hasn't informed you?" He arranged for you to help Oenngul around the forge. It will be your contribution to the war effort".
Gilse relished a chance to stay away from the palace during the day. They had reached the blacksmith forge and Brunwulf made the introductions. Oengul a burly nord revealed his assistant Hermir was pregnant. He needed help with the heavier work. He looked doubtful at Gilse's slight form and shrugged. Brunwulf stayed to chat briefly but then left them to become better acquainted. Oengul recommended she watch and learn before actually starting work. Gilse was quiet content to hang around the forge.
It was starting to get dark when Ralof can to find her. He started teasing her about running off like a cat with its tail on fire. He then invited her to have a drink with him at Candlehearth hall. They walked to the inn in companionable silence. The place was full but they managed to find some empty seats. Ralof called for mead and then settled back and looked at her. "So tell me my friend what's the story with you and Ulfric? And why are you refusing to become a Stormcloak?" he asked.
Gilse told her story in great detail. She learned she was Dragonborn during a dragon fight in Whiterun. Jarl Balgruuf the Greater rewarded her by naming her Thane. She had planned to visit High Hrothgar after joining the rebellion. Gilse described her first impressions of Windhelm, and why she decided against joining the Stormcloaks. Ralof listened carefully. He said he'd respect her choice, but hoped she would change it. It was getting late but Gilse was reluctant to return to the Palace. Eventually she and Ralof talked themselves out and sat getting drunk on mead.
Ulfric was having a bad night. It was almost morning and the Dragonborn had not returned. He had decided to reward Gilse by allowing her to service him. Apparently she lacked the ability to show up and do her job. Was it so hard to spread her legs for her betters? He could have any woman he wanted. Didn't she realize the honor he was bestowing on her, by deigning to lay with an elf?
The whole palace was asleep except him and the night guards. His spies informed him, she was still drinking with Ralof. He was so tempted to have her escorted back. But he refused to give her the satisfaction. The sound of doors closing alerted him to her return. Gilse and Ralof were standing near the entrance whispering heads close together.
Ralof took a step and almost stumbled, but the elf caught his arm steadying him. Since when had Ralof lacked discipline? He drunkenly embraced her before heading down to the barracks unsteady on his feet. Gilse watched him disappear before heading towards the throne room and presumably her bed. Well she would have to fulfill her duties before he allowed her any sleep.
Gilse did not see the figure standing just inside the door until she almost crashed into him. Ulfric! Without a word his hand clamped down on her arm and he marched her up the steps into her chamber. "Jarl Ulfric?" she inquired softly. This didn't bode well for her. "Dragonborn you have been in my ranks one day and already you neglect your duties," his tone was neutral. "But... I spent the day at the forge learning my duties,". she defended herself. "Working the forge does not negate the other duties assigned you," said Ulfric. He inclined his head towards the bed.
Gilse blushed deeply. "How did I earn this penalty?" she asked quietly. Genuine surprise flickered across his face. "I assigned you this duty in leiu of serving in my ranks. It's not intended to censure you elf," said Ulfric. "You can change your duties at will," he said watching her speculatively. "I won't join your cause! You may as well go find a nice nord girl," she countered.
Ulfric walked over to her bed. "Come elf, this won't take long. Lose the armor and prepare yourself," he said over his shoulder. When Gisle began absorbing dragon souls, strong emotions caused her senses to heighten. In spite of everything, she still found Ulfric attractive. Just thinking of being with him sent her into overdrive. Her sense of sight, touch and smell were enhanced. Her hands were shaking as she fumbled with the ties of her armor. She could almost feel the movement of the air around her hands. Her fingertips noted every nuance of the texture of the leather ties. The fur of her studded armor caressed her body as she peeled it off. She lowered her undergarment stepping out of it..
It was chilly in the room. Gilse was totally nude except for her boots. She felt self-conscious because Ulfric was fully dressed. She sat quickly hiding in her long curly hair and went to work on her boots. Ulfric surprised her by coming around to help her. "My name is not Dragonborn it's Gilse. You should at least know the name of the elf you plan to be intimate with,". She scolded him.
Ulfric chuckled shrugging out of his fur coat. He knelt between her legs and positioned her on the edge of the bed. All of her feminine charms were on display and available to him. He glided his fingertips along her legs from ankle to calves and around the backs of her knees. Waves of fervent almost pulsing heat followed his hands. Slowly he repeated those light sensual strokes leaving a trail of sensations.
The intensity of her reaction to him left her reeling. The man was barely touching her legs and she was losing control. She noted a strange almost imperceptible vivacity reminiscent of her thu'um resonating, responding, aiding her libido. Instinctively she knew it was the dragon blood. Her thu'um was reaching for Ulfrics. She could feel an answering resonance within him.
Ulfric planted light kisses on her knees. "I know your name Gilse. I'm also learning you are highly responsive,". he said. She made a sound of protest in her throat. He must have heard because he sat back on his heels regarding her. "It's a gift of the thu'um you know heightened sensuality" he said gently. Gilse licked her lips. "And if I don't want those gifts?" she asked. He leaned in and kissed the pulse in her temple. "You will find it has its uses," he told her.