"Are you certain she's coming?" came the gruff, lightly growling voice of a Nord. It echoed faintly throughout the great hall of the Palace of the Kings.

"When has she ever arrived on time?" came the reply, tinged with a hint of amusement. The speaker was dressed in a noble's clothing, but to simply call him a 'noble' was to insult him.

High King Ulfric Stormcloak was not 'just another noble'. He sat upon the throne; one hand rested on the end of the armrest, fingers drumming idly upon it, while the other hand hosted his head as he relaxed and waited.

The first Nord uttered a 'hmph' sound. Ulfric knew why.

"She has been our ally and friend for years, Galmar. She welcomes our healers and allows them to better learn their craft at the College. Why, then, do you still distrust her so?"

"It's not that I distrust her, Ulfric," Galmar replied, scratching at his beard briefly. "It's more so the fact that you tolerate her being late so consistently. I had thought you'd find it offensive that she dictates when you two actually meet-"

The door to the Palace of the Kings swung open, groaning loudly as it moved. Both Galmar and Ulfric turned their attention to the door; Ulfric had lifted his head out of his hand and was standing up now.

"Loud as ever, Galmar," came a feminine voice from the door. It was a voice they both recognized and trusted... even if it did belong to a high elf. The figure stepped inside, to reveal a high elf with long, pale blonde hair and green eyes, dressed in finer clothing and boots. "I'll have you know I left early, hoping to get here early... but I was, ah... 'held up' by bandits on the road."

"Bandits. Is that the best excuse you can come up with?" Galmar replied, crossing his arms with a scowl.

She didn't reply, choosing instead to close the distance between her and the throne. She stopped a respectful distance from the throne, however, dropped to a knee, and bowed her head.

Ulfric was used to the respectful gesture by now, but he wasn't used to any of his friends or closest allies bowing to him.

"Glad to see you made it in one piece, Runael," he said, gesturing for her to rise with a hand. He sat back in his throne once more. "And the bandits?"

"Most are dead. There were a couple that ran away." She rose to her feet once more. "Were I not trying to get here as quickly as possible, I'd have hunted them down."

"What proof have you that bandits truly impeded you?" Galmar said. Ulfric recognized the tone and purpose of the words: his right-hand was trying to drive the point home that her continued tardiness when summoned to Windhelm was inexcusable.

"Proof? Why, Galmar, I am wounded that you do not believe me." She clutched a hand to her chest and staggered exaggeratedly, as if he'd actually harmed her.

"Be at ease, Galmar." Normally, Ulfric would have let Runael and Galmar have their usual 'greeting argument' - they were friends, and the arguments were their own unique version of exchanging pleasantries - but Runael's mention of bandits had reminded Ulfric as to the purpose of his request for the Arch-Mage's visit. "I believe her, given the bandit problem we are having of late."

"So the rumors are true," Runael said, turning her attention to Ulfric. Galmar cleared his throat rather pointedly, which made Ulfric sigh faintly and caused the high elf to roll her eyes. "Your Majesty," she added, casting a 'there, happy?' glance at Galmar - who returned it with a sort of smug smile.

Ulfric gestured toward the war room and stood once more. The motion was clear in its intent; Galmar led the way, while Runael followed him. She, in turn, was followed by Ulfric.

"The rumors are true, unfortunately. There were several weeks in the past where bandit activity had been practically non-existent, but now they've returned, and in force." It was Ulfric who stood at the table in the middle of the room, hands resting upon its smooth surface - and upon the bottom edge of the map of Skyrim that adorned the table. This same map had been used during the war against the Empire, and most of the flags that had marked Imperial and Stormcloak positions had been removed. One red flag, however, was placed upon Rorikstead.

The high elf noticed this, and tapped the top of it gently.

"As far as we can tell, Rorikstead was taken over by bandits," Galmar said. "It's not unheard of for bandits to raid villages, towns, and even cities... but to hold the place they took? This isn't usual bandit activity."

"What do you think it means?" Runael asked.

"They are growing bold, and have unexplained strength," Galmar offered.

"I agree with Galmar, but I think there's more to it, as well. Scouts have reported that there are runners coming to and going from Rorikstead, as if with messages." Ulfric turned his gaze to Runael's eyes, which were locked with his own now. He wondered if she thought the same as he.

He was not disappointed.

"You think someone's leading all of the bandits. A single man or woman, in command of all of Skyrim's bandits."

"It would explain the lack of activity," he said with a nod. "Perhaps that was in-fighting between the bandits as a single leader was established. The greater strength upon their return, the unusually organized movements since their return..."

"And you haven't tried to reclaim Rorikstead, where their single leader may be located... why?" she asked. Were it anyone else, Ulfric would have been incensed by the question, but he knew she was open to the possibility that he had a reason for it.

"Because, same as you on your way here, bandits have hindered our own movements. My scouts don't report an overwhelming bandit presence in Rorikstead, so at first, I thought I could send a squad to handle a few brigands. They were hampered and picked off by bandit ambushes on the road, in various places. A second attempt, this time through the woods, was met with the same result, but much quicker."

"They let your scouts live, though?" Runael was surprised at this.

"We don't understand it, either," Galmar said with a nod. His finger rocked the red flag back and forth slightly, the gesture rather idle. "I have a theory that they don't want to invite Ulfric to send an army out, however. If they picked off the scouts, we'd be blind - and rather than send out more scouts, we'd send out an army in response, so as to purge any possible ambushes with the greatest of ease."

"Seems a bit over the top," she mused.

"I didn't say it's how we'd react. I was presuming it's how they think." Galmar gave a small shrug and withdrew his finger from the flag.

She only answered by giving a small nod of understanding.

"We would have sent out an army by now," Ulfric said after a few moments' peace, "but Rorikstead is no longer just 'a town we need to reclaim'. If the bandits of Skyrim are being led by someone, they are undoubtedly in Rorikstead. If we march an army out there, it wouldn't fall to ambushes, that's true... but-"

"It would be seen by bandit scouts, and they'd report it to Rorikstead. The leader, in turn, would turn tail and escape," she finished. Galmar looked irritated that she interrupted the High King of Skyrim, but Ulfric really didn't care. He liked Runael enough that he didn't mind her completing his thoughts.

"Exactly." Ulfric straightened up slowly. "I can't say for certain why they let our scouts live, but I do know it will prove their downfall. Scouts travel alone, equipped well enough to fend off wild beasts and the occasional stray bandit or what have you. They definitely don't have the strength to face an entire ambush alone, let alone threaten the bandits' positions."

Runael seemed to be understanding, for she was starting to shake her head. A wry smile was crossing her lips, and she was starting to chuckle faintly.

"Ohh, no. You are not sending me out to handle all of Skyrim's bandits alone," she said. Ulfric laughed a little at her surprised expression once Galmar shook his head.

"Aye, we aren't." Galmar, too, looked quite amused at Runael's expression. "You know where to find those two friends of yours, though. The ones that helped deal with the blockade eight years ago."

"Mia and Adalla?" Runael said, blinking a few times. Ulfric frowned at the reaction; he'd seen that face before.

"You don't know where they are," he said.

"No, I do know... but I don't know when they're returning from Solstheim. Visiting their friends in the Skaal Village," she explained upon seeing Galmar's confused expression. "Still, you... what, you want them to handle it on their own?"

"Ideally, I'd prefer it if all three of you worked together," Ulfric said. "The three of you together wouldn't be a particularly threatening presence, like the scouts. Nor would you draw the attention of the bandits' ambushes, because you are not of my armies, and you do not possess the numbers of a squad. Sending one of you alone is likely sending you to your death. I could just as easily send the two of them, but you and I think alike quite often, Runael. I would greatly prefer if you had a hand in this, to act in my stead where I cannot."

She looked at the red flag upon Rorikstead's position on the map, and bit her lower lip gently.

"If you..." She hesitated briefly. "Were..." Another pause. "...May I speak plainly?"

Ulfric gave a nod of approval.

"You're crazy, you know that? Asking the Arch-Mage of the College of Winterhold to deal with a bandit problem?"

"I'm not asking the Arch-Mage," he replied, extending a hand, palm out, to quell Galmar's outburst at her not-so-subtle 'insult'. "I'm asking a friend and close ally for her help, and hoping that two of her own friends will help as well. My soldiers can only do so much without being harried by these ambushes outside of the towns and cities. I don't trust any mercenary or sellsword with this task, either. As I mentioned, my scouts are permitted the freedom to move around Skyrim, but they aren't the sort to take on this threat head-on."

Runael was silent for several moments. Ulfric knew that she would ultimately accept. She'd never let him down before or declined his requests for her help.

"I'll... send word to Solstheim," she began slowly. "See if Mia and Adalla both want to help me with this. I'll also see if my apprentice wishes to help."

"That makes four," Galmar said with a frown.

"Elsera will never shut up if I leave her behind to do something this risky," Runael said with a chuckle. "She'll insist I don't go at all-"

"Then why tell her?" Galmar asked with an exasperated sigh.

"And when I tell her I'm going to do this, she'll demand I let her come with me. It's just how she is."

"She's protective of her Arch-Mage," Ulfric commented.

"Aren't you?" she replied, shooting him a quick wink. The words and wink both made Galmar grumble incoherently, but it earned a small chuckle from Ulfric.

"I am, yes." His own reply earned him a disbelieving look from Galmar, who was looking between him and Runael now.

They both knew the truth, of course. While Runael would occasionally offer a playful flirt here and there, nothing had ever developed from it. One evening, a couple years ago, Ulfric had confronted her on it. He'd been unsettled by the flirts, and had decided to determine where her mind was at. He had wanted nothing intimate with the high elf, and was prepared to make that point very clear if she suggested it. She, however, had stated that her flirtations were all playful, none of them serious. She had offered to stop - an offer he took quite readily. Obviously, she had 'forgotten' about it since then, but now that Ulfric knew the intent behind her 'flirting' - all in good fun - he simply took it in stride.

Besides, it served to confuse Galmar. Ulfric respected his right-hand completely and utterly, and the two had been friends for a very long time... but it was always entertaining to have a little fun at Galmar's expense. Never anything worse than confusing him, of course; it was absolutely disrespectful to do anything more than that.

"So," Runael cleared her throat, "surely you didn't invite me here just to give me this task and send me on my way? High King or not, that's rather rude of a host."

"Of course not," Ulfric said with a chuckle. "Dinner is being cooked as we speak, and your room is ready for your evening stay, as per the usual. Seeing whereas they're in Solstheim, I don't foresee you setting about this task in the next few days, either. We have time to catch up."

"My letters aren't enough?" she asked, quirking a brow.

"Your letters are always business. When was the last time we spoke, not as High King and Arch-Mage, but rather as friends?" His words brought a half-grin to the high elf's lips and a weary sigh from Galmar.

"Fair enough," she said with a small smile. "Allow me to get settled into my room, then, and I'll be back so we may catch up on non-business matters." She bowed her head to him, and departed only when he returned the gesture.

"She likes you," Galmar grumbled quietly, once Runael was out of earshot.

"Of course she does. I like her, as well. We wouldn't be friends if we disliked one another," Ulfric mused.

"You know what I-"

"I know what you mean, yes. On a serious note, you are wrong. Runael and I have the utmost respect for one another, and we are good friends, yes... but it is no more than that." Ulfric was only a little surprised at Galmar's decision to speak up about the matter.

"You say so from your own perspective, but can you say with certainty that she feels the exact same way?" Galmar asked, voice bearing hints of a challenge.

"Enough," Ulfric said with a sigh. "Let's suppose there were something between Runael and I. What would it matter?"

"She is a high elf," Galmar said, as if it explained everything.

"And she has earned my complete trust over the years. She was formerly of the Thalmor, at that, but even despite that - and owing largely to her part in breaking the blockade eight years ago - I trust her."

"A Nord and a high elf do not belong together," Galmar muttered.

"And we are not," Ulfric replied sharply. "Leave it be, Galmar. I know you speak of it out of concern, but your concern is unnecessary with this. All of this makes me think you distrust her, and it contradicts what you said earlier." These words left Galmar speechless for a time.

"I do trust her," he finally said, "but I will always have the safety of Skyrim and her High King at the forefront of my mind."

Ulfric wanted to continue speaking about it, but decided to let it go. He knew how Galmar could be when it came to such things, and knew it could be hours before he set his right-hand's mind at ease... if only for a few hours' time. High elves were always a touchy topic for Galmar, and Runael, considering the trust they both had in her, was even more touchy as a topic... for if she was to betray them, it would dig far deeper and sting more painfully than almost any other betrayal Ulfric could imagine.

But he knew Runael. She hadn't earned his trust on minor favors or snippets of advice. Before and after he became High King, she was one of his biggest supporters - she had even taken part in the battle at Solitude, turning her magical prowess to healing for wounded Stormcloaks. Her words and points of view provided alternate perspective on many matters, as well, and Ulfric valued that.

He wouldn't admit it to anybody, but he most valued her ability to help him forget, even temporarily, some of the more cumbersome duties that came with being High King. If she could make him laugh or keep him amused, he would end up in good spirits. When he was in good spirits, he made better decisions when matters came back to mind.

Runael was good for Skyrim. Of that, Ulfric had no doubts.


A.N. - Are Runael and Ulfric going to become 'a thing'? Well... that's telling.

To me, the best way for a high elf to earn Ulfric's trust is to take every opportunity to help him further his own agenda, as it's presented... and even then, that takes a lot of time. I do feel like, from such a perspective, eight years is more than enough time for a high elf to not just earn his trust, but become acknowledged as his friend. Helping him with the civil war doesn't hurt matters, either. If his interactions with Runael seem uncharacteristic for his canon character, just keep that in mind.

That said, I did feel a little awkward writing this chapter. A high elf talking all friendly-like and casually with Ulfric Stormcloak? Were it not for the circumstances I'd set up, I'd have found it quite unbelievable myself. And not just 'Ulfric Stormcloak', but the High King of Skyrim. That friendship had a massive part to play in making it a touch smoother.

On the flip side, I had a lot of fun writing the exchanges between Runael and Galmar. That, in comparison to Ulfric and Runael exchanges, was easier. Friends who like playfully ribbing each other.

I kind of feel like I've hit a dead end of sorts. Not that I've stopped writing altogether, but I'm not 100% sure what to focus on with Chapter 7 (I have the next two done. Well, the next chapter for certain; think I finished 6, but I can't remember... and I don't want to check it right this second). There are several areas I could address, but the difficulty of choosing one... maddening, somewhat. I'll figure something out, though.

-Spiritslayer