Eriah and her family were riding back to Windhelm in Thaer's carriage. Samuel and Sofie, exhausted from their imprisonment by the Thalmor were fast asleep. Eriah was exhausted physically and emotionally. She still didn't know how she was going face Ulfric after what she had done to him in her rage. She was leaning against Farkas's shoulder, resting her eyes, while Sofie dozed with her head on her lap. Samuel was on the other bench. Odahviing was flying at a leisurely pace, circling around and keeping an eye on things from above. He was high enough that no one would notice him unless they looked up. "You doing alright?" Farkas asked his wife. "Tired. Not just from worrying about Samuel and Sofie but from transforming as well," she replied, groggily. Farkas empathized. Eriah had only taken the beast blood because Aela and Skjor had actually convinced her that he himself would be safer to be around after they learned the two planned to marry. It was a decision that the Dragonborn had wrestled with and she decided to just go with it. She had still been convinced that Farkas's own beast spirit wouldn't harm her but another side of her decided the risk wasn't worth it. Since then, like all werewolves, she didn't sleep very well and it was made worse by the fact her dragon soul saw the wolf spirit as an intruder. Essentially, what she was (the Dragonborn) warred with what she became (a werewolf). That's why she was now hunting down the last Glenmoril Witch to cure herself but the damn hagraven had seen what she had done to her sisters and was adamantly eluding her.
"You know Ulfric will want to see me when we return, right?" Eriah then asked. Farkas hummed, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "As you should. When we learned the Thalmor had taken the kids, you did kind of sock him in the face. It's not like you to raise a hand in anger. Even I was surprised. Do you want me there? I can be there to support you if you want," he said. Eriah sighed. "No. I made that mistake. I have to pay for it somehow. I'd feel better knowing that you're getting the kids home while I clean up my own mess. Ulfric may be a friend to me but I still brought harm to my Jarl. My honor won't allow me to make excuses for that. I've stood by his side since Helgen, I supported him throughout the war, learned to trust him as a friend...and then I go and do that. What sort of example am I setting for Samuel and Sofie if I don't own up to my mistakes?" she asked, rhetorically. "I personally feel Ulfric understands why you were so angry and I doubt he'll do anything drastic to you after that. You have a legitimate excuse for your anger," Farkas pointed out. Eriah brought her face up. "Perhaps but that doesn't excuse what I did. I'm appalled at myself for letting my rage get the better of me. This is who I am, Farkas. I feel horrible about it so I'm going to do the right thing," she said. Farkas smiled at her before kissing her forehead. "You do what you feel what's right, my love. Anything to help you sleep at night," he said. Eriah smiled tiredly before leaning back against his shoulder. She needed some sleep.
A few hours later found the Companions and their children in Eastmarch and Windhelm soon came into view. Eriah and Farkas planned to put them to bed when they got to Hjerim. Thaer pulled his wagon up to the bridge and the family disembarked. Paying him for his service, Eriah wrapped her arm around Samuel's shoulder to guide while Farkas picked up Sofie and carried her because she didn't wake up. The Dragonborn stole a glance at the red dragon high above as Odahviing flew out of sight into the mountains at Windhelm's back. She decided that Ulfric didn't need to know he was there. He wasn't the kind of dragon who drew unwanted attention to himself. When they entered the city, they were greeted by Jorleif who seemed relieved they had returned. "Thank the gods you've managed to get your children back, Dragonborn." the steward said. Eriah just nodded before her face went serious. "I take it that Ulfric will want to see me?" she asked. "You are correct but I'm here to tell you that he has an order for you first. Get your children back to your home and taken care of before you come to the Palace." Jorleif replied. "Tell him I will be there shortly," Eriah replied. She and Farkas then took their children home. Entering the house, the family was greeted by Bran and Vix. "Hey boy," Samuel said, petting the husky. The animals followed the Companions to the children's room where they helped them to bed. Vix immediately jumped into Sofie's bed and curled up next to her mistress. Bran curled next to Samuel's bed as the boy himself fell back asleep. Eriah went upstairs to the armory and removed her Blades sword to hang it on a weapons rack. She also pulled her armor off and placed it on an empty mannequin. Farkas went to check on Calder, who was sleeping in his room.
"I'm off to the Palace of the Kings," Eriah said after brushing her hair and changing into new clothes. "You sure you're going to be fine on your own?" Farkas asked, joining her in the master bedroom as she put the brush down. "I've faced scarier things than an angry Jarl, Farkas. I'll be fine. For all I know, Ulfric may just want to inquire after the children. He may not even bring up the incident at all," she replied. "That's the spirit. I know you and he have a tight friendship. You'll be fine. I'll start dinner for you. We've all had a rough couple of days so I'll make it a good one to celebrate our success getting Samuel and Sofie back and for Calder's recovery," her husband said. Eriah couldn't help but feel her love for him swell in her heart. She embraced him and he responded in kind before giving her a deep kiss. "I don't want to keep him waiting for much longer so I'll ask about Calder when I come home," Eriah said when the kiss broke. Farkas nodded and saw her out the door.
Outside, the Dragonborn took a deep breath. Her nerves were strained because she didn't know what to expect. She had put on a brave face for her husband but that's all it was. She walked down the street in the residential area and emerged next to the Palace. She walked up to the door, nodding her greetings at the guard, and entered. She paused a moment to assess the area. Ulfric was slouched on his throne, like usual, and when he saw she had come, he motioned for her to come before him. Eriah crossed the great hall before going down on one knee, fist over her heart and head bowed. "Jorleif tells me your mission in Haafingar was a success. I'm glad to hear your children were brought home safely," Ulfric said. "Yes, my Jarl. I left a message for Elenwen about the grave mistake she made by abducting them in the first place. You may think I'm inviting retaliation from the Aldmeri Dominion but I honestly don't give a damn. I made it clear that if they cross me again, my Voice will shake Tamriel to its roots. Long have I considered myself as a dragon and dragons are the last creatures on Nirn you ever want to anger. If the Dominion wishes to push its luck, I will destroy them all even if it takes me the rest of my life," Eriah replied.
Ulfric looked down at the top of his friend's head. He knew the Dragonborn well enough to know she wasn't joking about this. He was of the mind that women were often at their most beautiful when they were passionate about protecting their loved ones and Eriah was no exception. He was truly honored to be counted as one of her friends. After the Battle of Solitude, Ulfric's prediction that his allies in the nobility would pressure him to take Eriah as his wife had come true in earnest and he has spent the better part of six months shooting the idea down while simultaneously keeping the Dragonborn away from the political meetings whenever they insisted she'd be in attendance, hoping to put the pressure on her as well. Both of them knew political battles like that were ones that Eriah simply could not fight. She had no mind or patience for politics so Ulfric did his part in fighting those battles for her as a true friend would. Things got significantly easier for both of them when she married Farkas but it also opened up a new set of arguments that she, at least, be given a position in his court once the Moot declared him High King. Ulfric was slowly making it clear that the Dragonborn was free to do as she pleased and would not be tied down to the court in any capacity. She would aid him in the second Great War they all knew was coming but that was as far as it went.
"On the contrary, I think you were wise to send that message. We know a war with the Dominion is inevitable but you've given Skyrim an edge over them. I don't have a clue about your actions at the Embassy while you and your husband rescued your children, nor do I care to know, but I have a strong feeling that you did a thorough job when you got in. All that matters is that your family is safe," the Jarl said. Eriah bowed her head lower before raising her eyes to meet his. "Aside from reporting the success of my mission, I came here to answer for what I had done when we learned the Thalmor had taken my son and daughter. I raised my hand against you, my Jarl and friend, and I have no defense. I will do whatever you ask as my penance," she said, bowing her head. She had noticed that Ulfric's face had slight bruising from when she punched him and her shame was evident. Ulfric was quiet for a little bit as he thought it over. On the one hand, she had been way out of line but there was still the fact that her children had been in jeopardy. He understood that she had been blinded by fear and rage. "I have no intention to reprimand you, Dragonborn," he said finally.
Eriah looked up at him in surprise. "You sell me short if you truly believe I lack mercy. Have I not been a friend to you all this time?" he asked. He got up and motioned for her to stand. "You were thinking of your children when you punched me. You were looking for someone to blame and I was the only one you could lash out against because Windhelm is my city and because I was the one the Thalmor forced to deliver the message of the abduction to you. I've come to believe they intended to turn you against me. The fact that you came back in peace shows they failed. You have no need to pay for what you did. You were well within your rights as a mother to be angry," he explained. Eriah looked at her boots. "That still doesn't excuse the fact I hit you," she said. Ulfric reached out and set a hand on her shoulder. "If you feel you owe me something, perhaps you can repay me by healing this bruise. I had a feeling it would come to this while you were away. You're an honorable woman and you always try your hardest to make amends if you wronged someone. While I'm content to let it slide on account of the circumstances, you've never been one to do the same." he said. Eriah considered him for a moment. He made perfect sense, as always. That was part of the reason a side of her had fallen in love with him long before she met Farkas and that small part of her still did. He was a kind man when one got past his rather rough exterior. Ulfric was a man who had seen the horrors of war, broke under torture, and yet still possessed the strength to rebel against the Empire. "I can do that," she said quietly.
Letting some magicka flow into her hand, Eriah raised it to the level of the bruise on the Jarl's cheek. She dared not touch him, lest he learned of that secret part of her she was content to keep hidden. Ulfric felt the warmth of the healing spell work its magic on his injury. He felt it was worth telling her something to set her heart at ease with the whole thing. "If it makes you feel better, Dragonborn, you actually held back a lot of your strength when you punched me. I've gone up against people who hit even harder than that and you're one of the strongest people I know. The fact that I got away with a bruise, when you're perfectly capable of breaking my jaw, speaks volumes of how you value me as a friend," he said. Eriah dropped her hand when she was done. "Thank you, Ulfric. I'm a little annoyed that I always think the worst of people when I react badly to things. Farkas did tell me that you weren't likely going to reprimand me because of the situation but I didn't believe him," she said, stepping back a bit. "You found a good husband. Let him guide you in the times where you don't trust yourself," Ulfric said amiably. Eriah smiled a little before she turned towards the doors. "I should probably head home. My children are likely still asleep after that ordeal but I want to be there when they wake up," she said.
"Of course." the Jarl said. The Dragonborn started walking away. "And Eriah?" he called, stunning her enough to make her look back. In all the time they'd known each other, Ulfric had called her by name only once before. He always called her Dragonborn, even after they established their friendship. It had never really bothered Eriah so the fact he chose to forgo calling her by her title a second time was rather...touching. "Take a few weeks off from traveling. You've been out of the city a lot recently doing Talos knows what and I'm sure that after what's happened, your children will want to have their mother home with them so they can learn to feel safe again. I haven't had the pleasure of meeting them either so bring them by the Palace sometime after things get back to normal. Can you manage that?" he asked. The Dragonborn blinked before a smile split her face. "I can do that. Samuel admires you greatly. I'm starting to think he'll be a soldier when he grows up and I can't think of a better man for him to serve." she said. Ulfric smiled back. "I'll extend an invitation to you to bring them here in a couple of weeks' time. Right now, focus on getting them back on their feet. Windhelm is still one of the safest places in Skyrim and the Thalmor will not get past me a second time," he promised. Eriah nodded before continuing down the great hall. She reached the door, pulled it open, and left with a farewell nod to the Jarl. She had to remember to visit Wuunferth soon and thank him personally for helping Calder and Bran as well. Right now, she needed to get home to be with her children and the man she loved.