The sound of my horses hooves clopped down the road. Thorn shook his head and I gave him a pat on the neck. Thorn was ready to be in a nice warm stable filled with hay and oats to eat. To be honest I was ready for a warm bed and a tankard of mead. Even a bowl full of hot goat stew would be nice right about now. I clamped a hand as my stomach rumbled. Maybe my mind should be on the road and not on my stomach. It was quite a nice day to ride. Despite the fact that the sky was grey and it was threatening snow, the cold air wasn't too much for her or her home bred horse.

"So Brenna, I have a favor to ask."

Ulfric kicked his horse's flanks to catch up with Thorn. He had pulled back to speak with Galmar about the courier whom had arrived earlier that day as we had broken camp just outside of Gallow's Rock. I had been in there once and cleared out bandits for a farmer whom had been having problems with the bandits pillaging his supplies and fields. My attention turned back to Ulfric.

"Anything my king."

I gave him a smirk as my pack clinked with each of Thorn's steps.

"The moot is convening within the next three days. They will formally announce me as High King and I will be crowned within the Fortnight. I wish you to be there while I make council and get everything ready for my coronation."

He seemed a bit awkward in asking me this.

"Well I had planned to travel back up to see the Greybeards. I need to learn some more in the dragon tongue."

Ulfric cast his eyes down as he foucused on a white patch of the horse he was riding. I gently place my hand upon his.

"But I guess I can postpone my trip. So long as you promise to aid me in my studies from time to time."

Ulfric looked up with a smile. He seemed genuinely happy since I had seen him in victory at Solitude. There seemed to be no mention of the Amulet that he had mentioned after the battle. To be honest it had long since passed in my mind. He opened his mouth slightly as if he wanted to say something. He closed his mouth and his eyes focused on the road. I could see the gates of Windhelm in the distance as we camp upon the city.

"I….uh… where are you staying at?"

"Probably Candlehearth. Why do you ask Ulfric?"

"I was wondering if you would stay with me, at the palace of Kings. It would make me happy."

The Stormcloaks pushed open the doors of Windhelm with much fanfare. Trumpets and drums sounded through the streets and there was much cheering. The snow started to fall lightly and the crowds threw rose petals as they sang songs about Ulfric.

"I would be honored to stay with you Ulfric. But you should smile, the crowds love you."

I said as I waved at a few people. Ulfric relaxed into his saddle as he waved at a few of his people. Galmar spurred his horse to match pace with us.

"Ulfric, the Thalmor Ambassador is waiting for us in the keep."

What a way to start the week, I though as I rolled my eyes. The Thalmor didn't stand much chance and we needed time.

"Galmar, have Jorleif tell them I will be receiving no visitors till after the Months end. If their business is important it will wait till after everything is settled. Oh and Tell Jorleif I will be having a guest so make the guest chamber up."

Ulfric said with a stern look. Galmar nodded as he hurried his horse to reach the palace before the rest of the victory party. I shook my head darkly as I placed my helmet upon my head.

"The Thalmor are nothing but trouble."

I stated as I dismounted from Thorn. The horse stamped his hoof as if he was in agreement in my statement. Ulfric nodded as he dismounted as well. I glared as the Thalmor passed by and walked out of the castle. Ulfric's gaze became as cold and steely as the winter sky. Ulfric turned his head and pointedly walked into the castle. The hall was warm and inviting, I felt at home as Ulfric paused to talk to Jorleif. His Steward smiled and waved at me as I looked around the hall. The stone works of Windhelm always amazed me, ever since I had fist seen them as a little girl. Ulfric held a smile on his face as he offered me his hand.

"I'll show you where you'll be staying."

I had removed my gauntlets and placed them in my pack, I took his hand and he led me through the Palace of Kings. A Nord woman was waiting for us as Ulfric had shown me to my room. It was a massive room with a huge bed, much bigger than any guest room I had expected. There were many books on the bookshelves and clothes laid out with petals of lavender scatterd through the chests that contained the clothes. The hearth was warm and cozy with a pitcher of honey mead and some cheese and bread laid out. A statue of Talos stood in the corner and the bed was covered in many warm bear furs.

"Ulfric this place is too nice. I can't stay here."

I said, gently removing my helmet.

"But Brenna…."

I let out a sigh as I gave into Ulfric's request.

"Umm well… Jorleif will have dinner prepared in a few hours, Frigg will take care of you while you're here. I think she has a bath drawn for you."

Ulfric turned and walked out of the room, cursing in the dragon tongue as he walked down the hall way. The mirror showed that my face was just as flushed as Ulfric's was. I placed my helmet on the dresser as I sighed. I didn't deserve all of this attention from the soon to be high king.

"M'lady, here let me aid you. The bath is nice and hot. I bet your bones are weary from traveling."

I nodded, not saying anything. My fingers were clumbsy as they tried to undo the straps of my armor. Frigg helped me undo my hair from the long braid that fell down my back. The water was hot and as soon as I slid down into it, I felt the grime of the long trip from solitude wash away. Frigg combed out my hair and prepared some oils and a nice smelling perfume. I had only ever encountered such a wonderful smell when my mother was preparing for a ball. It was a wonderful memory to reflect back on.

"Here M'lady, I'll find something to put on that wound you have there."

Frigg stood up and exited the room. I looked at the wound on my shoulder. This was the first time I had really gotten to examine it. It looked nasty and it felt stiff, but there was very little pain unless I raised my arm over my head. Someone cleared their voice from behind the latticed screen that separated the bath corner from the rest of the room.

"Brenna?"

At the sound of Ulfric's voice, I scrambled to cover up.

"Yes?"

I squeaked. His voice sounded nearly as uncomfortable as I felt.

"Umm don't worry, I'm not going to look. But I have brought a gift for you. I placed it on your bed."

I heard the sound of Frigg's voice chasing Ulfric out of the room. She grumbled as she returned with a salve to place upon my shoulder to clean the wound out and a few bandages.

"By the nine, I don't know what that man was thinking! Interrupting a lady in the bath, just ridiculous."

Frigg shook her head as she gently placed the salve on my shoulder and covered it up with a wool bandage.

"Thank you Frigg. It's much appreciated."

"You're welcome child. How old are you? You aren't what I expected the Dragonborn to be."

I had gotten that a lot when I did my first bit of training with the Greybeards. Those old monks were just expecting someone more than what I was.

"I'm close to my twenty fourth year here in the spring thaw."

I chuckled. Here in Skyrim, Spring Thaw was a bit of an oxymoron. It was never truly warm enough for the ground to thaw. I didn't know how the farmers were able to produce their products.

"You're Thane Aldur's daughter."

This was a statement more then a question. I nodded in confirmation to the statement.

"Your mother was such a beauty. I remember when you came here for Jarl Ulfric's father's funeral. It was a sad time. But you have grown so much since then"

"Thank you Frigg."

I stood up and quickly dried off. Frigg helped me put on some warmer clothes. They were a tiny bit bigger than what I normally wore. The fur around the collar was exquisite and made me feel as if I was a lady in a hold. But I wasn't. I was just the daughter of a Thane. I wasn't worth really anything. I wasn't royalty or noble blood, I didn't deserve Ulfric's affections. I cared about him, I truly did. He deserved better than me. I looked at the box that had been placed on the bed. I opened it up and gasped as I saw what was in it. A beautiful silver necklace imbedded with emeralds and sapphires. It must have been expensive. I fumbled with the clasp, but Frigg stepped in and helped me.

"How old is Ulfric?"

I asked, saying exactly what was on my mind.

"He's almost fourty or so. He's getting old and needs to settle down."

Frigg said in a motherly voice as she tightened up the chain around my neck so the necklace would hang properly.

"He has taken quite a fancy to you, Lady Brenna. I think it's quite nice to see him take an interest in something other than this damned war."

I nodded, so it was true and I wasn't really imagining things. Ulfric did like me. I looked up at the sound of knocking at the door. It was Jorleif. I was glad that it was him and not Ulfric. He announced that dinner was ready and Ulfric was waiting.

"I hope I know what I'm doing."

I muttered under my breath. Frigg chuckled at me.

"Just be yourself child, you have nothing to worry about."

"I hope you're right Frigg. I hope you're right."

I sat at Ulfric's right hand at dinner. Galmar had taken to using a drumstick to illustrate to Frigg how he took down one of the Imperial officers. Beside him sat Frigg, whom I had learned was Galmar's wife. Istar laughed as he drank deeply from the tankard at his hands and the Ale flowed freely for him. The Bards struck up a song and more laughter sounded from the crowd that had gathered for dinner. I laughed at a joke that Radolf had told about the Draugur and the Friar. Ulfric maintained his silence and his brooding stare for most of the night. I hoped that I had done nothing to insult him or anger him. Ulfric's temper was quite legendary. But as the hearth fires dimmed and the candles burned low, people slowly started to trickle back their homes. I excused myself as there were only a few people left, I returned to my room. On the stairwell, I was accosted by Ulfric.

"You look so beautiful."

"Thank you Ulfric."

His blue eyes stared into mine. I felt as if he was examining the deepest parts of my soul and my past. His eyes had a way of making a person feel as if every pore of their being was being examined and scrutinized in the harshest possible way. I looked up at him. I had fought by his side since we had been prisoners at Helgen and we have traveled far together. It seemed like it had been years since we had first met. Our eyes locked and what couldn't be formulated into words was conveyed in a deep look. He gently took me by the chin and kissed me deeply. I felt the heat rise up to my face and as he pulled away from me he embraced me in a heavy, deep hug.

"I don't deserve you Ulfric."

I whispered into his chest.