Disclaimer: Skyrim belongs to Bethesda. I want to thank everyone who left me feedback. I really appreciate hearing from you. And now the conclusion of Jarl Ulfrics folly!
The Jarl began to lay out his thoughts, all the while feeling his housecarls piercing blue eyes on him. Galmar listened to every suggestion, occasionally making comments. Nearly two hours later Ulfric called upon the guards to provide an escort. He was headed into Windhelm itself. Galmar rushed to change into his dress uniform before joining Ulfric and his bodyguards near the entrance to Ysgamors Palace. It was time to put their plan into motion.
Meanwhile upstairs a different scene was playing out. Gilse had made her way up to Ulfrics rooms as directed. She was amazed at the luxury of his suite. Apparently Galmar had ordered her a light meal and a bath. It was Chelsea one Ulfric's personal guards who filled the bathing tub with scented water and provided a tray of sweet rolls cheese and mead. Gilse rushed through her bath afraid to linger. She did take time to savor the meal. Alone with nothing to do she settled in to thumb through the various books in the room.
It was well past midnight when Ulfric returned to the palace. The day had been a long and trying one. He had spent hours among the people of Windhelm. In the process he revisited some of his most deeply held beliefs. He said goodnight to Galmar before absently making his way to his room. He stripped himself of his fur coat and the armor he had worn all day.
Approaching his bed he stopped in his tracks taking a step backwards. A curvy figure was nestled among the furs in his bed sound asleep. His first reaction was shock. He never allowed women in here. Things between them were not settled to the point that she was invited into his very bed.
He was tempted to admonish her for being here. He imagined her submissive groveling at his feet. The thought didn't sit well with him. He wanted her proud and confident, a proper consort for the High King of Skyrim. Sliding onto the bed he felt the softness of the feminine body besides him. Reaching over her shoulder he drew the furs over the two of them. For the first time in his life, Ulfric Stormcloak future high king of Skyrim slept besides a woman.
Gilse felt the cold air brush her back as she awoke and immediately snuggled closer to the amazing warmth surrounding her. Course hairs tickled her cheek. She opened her eyes in bemusement to see blond hairs, a chest rising and falling. Jarl Ulfric! Gilse found herself literally wrapped around the man. Her head lay nestled in the crock of his arm, one of her legs was inserted between his. One of her arms was trapped beneath him the other was draped around his waist.
She was aware of the exact moment he awoke. His arms tightened around her and he whispered something unintelligible. She buried her head further into his arm trying to buy time. How had she managed to sleep all night unscathed?. His lips brushed her shoulder planting tiny sparks of pleasure. Those wicked hands of his began to run up and down her back leaving sensuous heat in their wake. She stiffened as she felt an answering response in her lower body. It was a sobering thought the power he held in those fingers and lips.
Ulfric tugged playfully at a lock of her hair and said, "Dragonborn look at me". She paused at what she saw in his eyes, emotions she could not name and a hint of vulnerability. She had to be imagining things! Jarl Ulfric vulnerable? He lowered his eyes first.
His next words were startling, "Gilse I visited the Gray Quarter. You are entitled to your grievance against me". That got her attention. She watched him cautiously. His eyes were as serious as she had ever seen them. He said, "In my rush to serve Skyrim, I have neglected this city. What is Skyrim without her people? Her heart? I deserve your censure and accept it". Gilse could not believe what she was hearing.
He was watching her closely and smiled ever so slightly at her expression. But something in that smile suggested self-mockery. "I invited Brunwulf free-winter to become my advisor on affairs within my city. I issued orders lifting all restrictions on living quarters. Windhelm's citizens may purchase available property anywhere within the city".
Gilse started to speak but he placed two fingers over her lips. "I want to know where your loyalties lay Dragonborn. You will have time to think about it, but I want an answer before we leave this bed," he stated.
Suddenly he leaned close and kissed her. The instant his sensual lips brushed hers, her Thu'um began to hum, his answered. He deepened the kiss plundering her mouth. She could taste the thu'um, if passion had a taste this would be it. It was sensual and so erotic, small bursts of static infused with their combined sexual energy. He worked scorching kisses downward across her collarbones. The heated air shimmered around her. He smelled so good, so hot, so right! It felt as if his scent was meant for her alone.
She shivered at the intensity of the passion between them. He broke the kiss his body moving to cover hers. He was watching her as he pressed her thighs apart making room for himself. She explored the texture of his skin; hot rough she couldn't get enough of touching him. His thumbs working their magic sent her over the edge. He chose that moment to make love to her slowly and thoroughly. The Thu'um intensified the sensations it was overload. Gilse had heard whispers of the little death from the priestesses at various Temples of Dibella, she had never expected to experience it for herself.
Even the most passionate lovers eventually need to recoup. It was well into the afternoon before Gilse found herself wrapped in Ulfrics arms, her head on his chest. She was utterly content, you could even say she was happy. Suddenly he hugged her to him and said, "I have a proposition for you. In your role as a Thane of Whiterun, you chose to inform Balgruuf of forthcoming danger, perhaps rightly so. By restricting you to Windhelm, I separated you from your loved ones. I am honor bound to reunite you. I invite you and your household to live here as my personal guests." She stared at him in confusion. He knew about Whiterun and her family?
He kissed her forehead and continued talking, "There is one condition you must swear to remain impartial in this civil war. Your missive to Balgruff will be excused this once due to your oaths. But you can have no further involvement without approval from Galmar or myself. You must be sincere Gilse, I will not tolerate any further betrayal. In return I offer you an alliance, you will be afforded every honor and courtesy. I must have your answer here and now , what say you?".
Gilse was thoughtful, this was a life changing decision, "And if I refuse?" she asked. "You will summon your household and prepare for exile. I personally will escort you Dawnstar, to board a ship to a destination of your choosing. You will be banished from Skyrim forever," he stated. He caught her chin locking eyes with her. "I can't afford traitors Gilse, the choice is yours," he stated simply.
She raised his hand to her lips bestowing a chaste kiss,"My Jarl," she acknowledged him. "Do we have an agreement?," He asked wanting to hear her say it. "Yes," she whispered and all was well. He rewarded her with a genuine smile sliding from the bed to begin dressing in a hurry. "Lets go tell Galmar! He has been waiting for your decision," said Ulfric.
He stopped at the door to say over his shoulder, "I'll meet you in the war room". Gilse shifted slightly and felt an unaccustomed soreness. She slipped from the bed and washed quickly, but took her time dressing. Ulfric had pleasured her over and over all through the morning. That devilish mouth seemingly taking on a life of its own. How she had delighted in his body, reveled in his lovemaking. He had behaved as though he wanted to be absorbed into her body, she had encouraged him. She had given herself freely to Ulfric the Jarl, and in the process found Ulfric the man.
The next time Gilse saw Jarl Ulfric he seemed younger and more relaxed than she had ever seen him. He was also wearing an Amulet of Mara.
The end.
A/N: And so we reach the end of Gilse and Ulfrics story. I have enjoyed writing this and I hope you had fun reading it. I left the graphic details of the lemon for the reader to fill in because I wanted to stay within the rating rules of this site. Thank you for reading this and I hope you will let me know what you think. I always welcome constructive criticism as long as it's constructive. I take it to heart to improve my writing and future stories.