Ulfric lowered his head and kissed her. Gilse felt as though the air between them was heated with the essence of her own arousal mixed with his. His smelled of leather laced with his own unique male scent. He deepened the kiss. His tongue brushed her lips demanding entry. Her mouth opened eagerly accepting him. Ulfric tasted of warm mead and Gilse could even taste his thu'um. She had no words to describe it. He moaned it was one of the most erotic sounds she had ever heard. She was disappointed when he broke the kiss. "Face down," he whispered moving back slightly as she slipped off the bed. His hands settled on her pulling her against him.
She was vaguely aware that he was fumbling with his clothing. She tensed expectantly. He snuggled closer slipping his hands around her to caress her skin. She felt the fabric of his tunic rough against her back. Gilse made an effort to relax. Her mind had not caught up with her totally sensitized body. It was almost as if there were two sides to her. Her body relished the act. Her mind felt oddly detached more of an observer than a participant. It was unsettling to be on her knees allowing a stranger to immerse her in the best intimacy of her life.
Ulfrics arms tightened around her. He whispered, "Relax let me make it good for you". It became a contest of wills. Ulfric took pride in his skills as a lover. He was determined to coax her into letting go. She was determined to hold back. She was already falling for him and it had to stop. She was unwilling to risk her heart. Ulfric was patient and eventually got his way. Her climax when it finally came was exquisitely satisfying. It surprised her when Ulfric began to plant kisses along her spine. That he would want her again so soon was heady stuff. But she was fighting to keep a distance between them. When he kissed his way up her back, she knew she was in trouble.
"So Dragonborn shouldn't you be at the forge helping Oengul? Or would you prefer to stay and service me?" a deep voice drew Gilse from sleep. She opened her eyes and the first thing she saw was Ulfric. He was still wearing his rumpled trousers and under-tunic from the previous night. Gilse sat up and began hugging her knees. She shook her hair forward covering her body. The daylight seemed to chase away any lingering illusions from the past night. Apparently she was good enough to sleep with, but not good enough to undress for. She didn't even know why this was upsetting her but it was.
She needed time to compose herself. Besides it felt to odd to dress in front of him. But he didn't seem inclined to leave her bed anytime soon. She placed her hand on his leg. "Jarl Ulfric may I be alone?" she asked. He glared icily at her hand "You weren't invited to touch me Dragonborn! Remove your hand from my person," he demanded. Gilse felt blindsided, and not in a good way. She snatched her hand back scooting off the bed at the same time. She retrieved her blue robe, slipping it on and collecting her shoes as she ran from the room. She took the steps two at a time skidding to a halt near the door of the war room. She blushed furiously when the three nords in the room turned to look at her in shock.
Jorleif smiled at her a blank look dropping over his face. He often did that. Ralof looked concerned. Galmar took one look at her and approached, looking her up and down as if checking for damage. "Are you hurt lass?, Did you anger the Jarl? " he seemed guarded when he asked that last part. Gilse started talking in a rush, " I have to get out of here! I'm going to stay at the inn for a few days".
Galmar glanced towards the door. "Are there reasons I should deny that request? Orders from the Jarl perhaps?" he asked. Desperation was creeping into her voice, "I promise there are none! Please Stone-Fist, you could always send for me if I'm needed". Gilse hated begging. But she felt so ill-used that begging was better than facing Ulfric. Galmar studied her for a few minuets before speaking. "You have two days. Use them wisely," he said. Gilse heard movement in the hall behind her. She didn't stick around to find out who it was. Two days later she returned to the palace with a fierce resolve to protect her heart.
Gilse's days fell into a routine. She spent her mornings helping Oengul at the forge. He was a hard taskmaster, but she didn't mind. Brunwulf Free-Winter usually stopped by for the mid day meal and to catch up on the latest gossip. The local nords tolerated her at first because she was Dragonborn. But they really warmed up after she helped Jorleif solve a murder. Gilse spent most of her free time helping restore the Gray Quarter. It was hard at first to break through the apathy of her people. But gradually things began to change.
The Gray Quarter was now the cleanest area of the city. The locals chipped in and purchased Blackbriar Mead for the New Genisis Corner club. The proceeds went towards the restorations. Ulfric never mentioned the Gray Quarter. It was almost like a conspiracy of silence was in place to keep everything low-key. Galmar wasn't directly involved but he dropped helpful tips in casual conversation.
As the days passed, Gilse stopped trying to understand Jarl Ulfric. To the casual observer he appeared to spend his time slouching on his throne. However, Gilse soon realized Ulfric was an outright warlord. He was often up early training with his elite city guard. Very few in Windhelm realized the palace guards were a highly trained warrior unit devoted to their Jarl. He spent his afternoons in the war room with Galmar and his advisers. When he was on the throne, he would often assess reports and dispatch orders using his steward.
Over all he seemed larger than life, driven by whatever demons possessed him. For the most part he ignored Gilse, until night fell and he choose to oust his demons upon her body. Ulfric was a passionate if not thoughtful lover. During the nights he devoted to her, he never once totally undressed or allowed her free access to his body. He always insisted she stay on her knees.
Physically she enjoyed sleeping with Ulfric. He made her experiences with him mind-blowing. But, she felt deprived of the emotional side of intimacy. Consequently, she became more withdrawn. Ulfric was such an enigma. Something she wondered if he even had feelings like other men. Gilse found herself wishing she could shake that infuriating self-control of his. She longed to see the human side of him. Maybe she should have been careful what she wished for.
Gilse would always remember the night her relationship with Ulfric changed. He requested she retire early that evening. However, she was restless and could not sleep. Hours later she thought a walk around the courtyard might help. She stayed in the shadows as she made her way downstairs hoping to avoid a run in with the guards. At once she could make out low voices coming from the war room. Why were they meeting secretly in the middle of the night? Inching along the walls, Gilse remembered she had an invisible potion stashed in her room. Making quick use of it she quietly crept to eavesdrop just inside the door to the war room.
Ulfric was saying, "It all hinges on Whiterun." Gilse felt her blood run cold. Sofia her adopted child was in Whiterun with Lydia! One hour later Gilse was pacing around her room highly agitated. Ulfric was planning a march on Whiterun! She had to warn Balgruuf! She tried to think discarding one plan after. Dawn was approaching before she finally settled down. She knew what she would do. Skipping morning abolitions, she gathered quill and paper and composed a missive to Jarl Balgruuf of Whiterun. In it she laid out everything she knew of Ulfrics plans. She didn't own a seal so she simply used plain wax. She had to hurry if she wanted to reach docks before the couriers departed. She stashed the parcel in her satchel and headed out.
She didn't expect to find Ulfric standing with his back to the door of the war room. Had he even been to bed? Simultaneously she realized two things. He was alone and wearing fur armor leaving his upper body bare. It took a moment for her to realize what she was looking at. Thin white crisscrossing lines covered his back from the shoulders down. Gilse was genuinely shocked. Who had taken a whip to the formidable Ulfric?
She felt compelled trace one of those scars with her fingertip until it disappeared under his armor. His response was electric. He stiffened and a slight shudder ran through his body. He turned and penned her with his gaze, daring her to say anything. His eyes were slightly vulnerable. To Gilse this was more intimate than the most passionate sex between them. Once he seemed satisfied she would stay quiet, he said two words, "Get Out!."