Gilse felt a chill embrace her body and dropped her head in resignation. The divines had not been kind after all. She kept her gaze stubbornly on her shoes as she heard Ulfrics footsteps approach. She watched his hand enter her field of vision, as he firmly gripped her chin and raised her face towards his. "Gilse?" he asked softly. She met his eyes shocked at the anguish she saw reflected there.

Watching her closely he waved the missive in front of her and raised his eyebrows in inquiry. Gilse began imploring him with her eyes to at least let her explain. His eyes narrowed, the familiar unemotional mask dropping over his face. Very deliberately, he slapped her hard leaving an imprint on her face.

She was shaken that he would rebuke her so publicly. His eyes left hers focusing on something over her shoulder. "Galmar escort the Dragonborn to her quarters and place a guard," he said, his voice emotionless. Gilse felt her heart drop to the floor. It had been awhile since he called her the Dragonborn in such an insulting tone.

Galmar was surprisingly gentle when he took her arm and led her towards the war room. Once they were out of earshot she tried to explain, "Galmar I". His hand tightened on her arm. "Not one word Gilse! Not one word," he spat anger and disappointment palpable in his voice. They were silent the rest of the way to her room. He paused just inside her door and shook her roughly.

The flicker of fear in his eyes stopped her cold. This was her first time seeing Galmar out of control. He crossed his arms and loomed over her sternly and said, "Its good you are afraid lass what were you thinking? Ulfric is within his rights to have you whipped, imprisoned, executed even". He suddenly grabbed her face looking at the damage. "I can listen to your side of the story lass, but I need time to cool off first. It's the only way I can keep from smacking you myself," said Galmar. He stomped out to the room banging the door shut behind him.

Galmar retired to the small upstairs dining room to have a mug of mead. He realized he was stalling. He was still angry with Gilse, but he no longer wanted to beat her. He had a soft spot in his heart for the little elf. Ulfric had changed since he met her. She soothed a lot of the bitterness and anger in the Jarl. The changes were remarkable to everyone who knew him. Eventually, Galmar felt enough in control to speak with her. It was time to find a way to sort things out.

Gilse was surprised when Galmar returned so quickly with two mugs of mead. He seemed more himself when he handed her a mug and said, "You have my attention lass. What do you have to say for yourself?"

Gilse hesitated before she relaxed and opened up. The Jarl of Windhelm's offer of a haven to the dunmer was well known in Morrowind. After much soul searching she decided to make the journey to Skyrim. She was awed and impressed to meet the Jarl at Helgen. He was something of a folk hero back home. After her escape with Ralof, Gerdur sent her to Whiterun to report the Dragon attack.

Being new to Skyrim, she adopted the Jarl Balgruuf's stance in the war. It made sense to stay neutral until she got a better grasp of things. Galmar interrupted her at that point asking how sending a missive was neutral. He was startled when her whole demeanor changed. She became more animated, occasionally pounding on the table for emphasis.

Her story fascinated him. Gilse found out she was Dragonborn upon defeating a dragon attacking Whiterun. Jarl Balgruuf rewarded her with the title of Thane. She sworn an oath of loyalty upon accepting that honor. But more important, Whiterun became her home. She had two people depending on her, Sofia her adopted daughter and her housecarl Lydia.

Gilse stood and began to pace the room seemly looking inward. She was quiet so long Galmar wondered if she had forgotten he was there. Then she continued her narrative and Galmar felt vindicated. But her words sealed her fate

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