I stood at his right side, slightly behind the throne, just trying to stay out of line of sight. I didn't want to influence the Moot by my presence, but I wouldn't leave Ulfric's side. He wished for me to be there and I gave him my word. I didn't know if my presence was making him a bit more comfortable or if I was just making him antsy or irritable. I recognized Jarl Grey-mane, I was there when the Stormcloaks took Whiterun and Jarl Grey-man was put in power. I recognized Jarl Silver-blood from Markarth, he was a better man then a few others in his family. He had done a good deal to help me out during my stay in Markarth. Sorli from Hjaalmarch after we had usurped Ravencrone. Many of them were vocal in their support for Ulfric, but the one that had me a bit worried was Elisif of Solitude. Galmar stood on Ulfric's left hand side and sent me a look that conveyed the same sort of emotion that I was feeling. My heart raced as Jarl Grey-mane stood up.

"I put forth my vote that Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak of Windhelm will ascend the throne as High King. All in agreement raise your right hand!"

Slowly hands raised, I counted in my head, eight votes… wait… nine. The vote was unanimous! I let out my breath, unbeknownst to me I was holding it. I looked over at Galmar and he seemed to resumed breathing just as I had done.

"Is there anyone who would speak out against the decision of the Moot?"

There was silence. This was where I expected something to happen. But there was nothing but silence. I watched Elisifs face harden and her lips drew a thin line across her face. I could tell the woman wished to say something, but thankfully she held her tongue.

"Then it is decided, all hail High King Ulfric Stormcloak!"

"Hail High King Stormcloak!"

There was a huge roar that rivaled anything that a dragon could muster. The Stormcloak soldiers that had swarmed the hall and settled in the back stamped their feet, banged their shields and swords, and shouted with gusto. I half expected the windows to shatter from the resounding cheers that shook the halls of the Palace of the Kings. Galmar's sigh of relief came with a massive pat on the back to Ulfric. I laughed as he was nearly thrown from the throne upon which he sat. The ladies of the court clapped their hands delicately while the men loudly called well wishes to the new king. Ulfric excused himself for a moment and I quietly followed him. Once again I found him in his room, leaning against the mantle of the fireplace. I didn't know what to say to him.

"Ulfric…"

"This is what I wanted, what I worked hard for. A united Skyrim! I'm so close! But it still feels as if I'm far from what I hope to achieve!"

Ulfric snapped, barely giving me a glance. I bit my lip and watched him closely.

"The Thalmor will try to stop me and it's only a matter of time! I just don't feel ready for something like this despite it's what I'm working for!"

Ulfric growled as he slammed his fist into the stone wall, ratteling the mantle piece and upending tankards on the table in front of him. He turned angrily at me.

"You're the Dragonborn can't you do something about this?"

I blinked at him before turning on my heel and walking back down the hall. I mingled my way out of the massive doors, no one would know where I went. I sat on the stairs of the Palace of Kings and leaned my head against a stone brazier. Flurries of snow whipped by and the frigid wind played with my hair, dragging it across my face and nearly freezing the tears to my cheeks. I tried to take a deep and calming breath. My breath came out in white wisps, twisting and turning before disappearing with the grey smoke of the lit fire atop of the brazier upon which I rested my head. The fire crackled and popped, It was rather comforting in what seemed to be a confusing time. She turned her eyes to the white mountain to the south, High Hrothgar. Maybe she should go ahead and return to the Greybeards instead of staying here like she thought. A deep breath escaped her once more before she stood up and brushed the snow off of her clothes. She returned inside to the warmth of the Palace of the Kings. Ulfric was back in the throng of people, drinking deeply from his tankard. His tanned cheeks had a bit more color to them, but I turned and headed up the stone stairs. My things had been placed in Ulfric's room, but I found my pack and looked about for the rest of my things. I gently closed the door before I made to put a few bandages, some potions, and some of my reagents into my bag. I found my quiver and counted the Glass Arrows in it. My bow was lain against the side of the dresser and I gathered it up as well. The door swung open and the room shook. I spun quickly on my heel, withdrawing the ebony dagger from my hidden sheath in my boot, but it was quickly knocked out of my hand and I was roughly shoved against the wall.

"Where are you going Brenna?"

The stench of mead was heavy on his breath, I managed to turn my head a fraction of an inch to the left. It was just enough to look over my shoulder.

"I'm cutting my time here short, I'm going to see the Grey-beards. You don't want me and I'm not good enough for you Ulfric."

I tried to roll my shoulders as Ulfric pressed his chest against my back. My spine popped a little and there was a loose stone jamming its way into my ribs.

"Pleash, I don't want you to go anywhere…"

Ulfric's voice was slurred.

"By the nine how much have you drunk?"

"I was leaving after my eighth…"

I swore loudly. Ulfric nuzzled his face into the back of my head. I winced, trying to move slightly, just something at all.

"Ulfric please! You're hurting me."

Ulfric let me go and I slumped down in the chair with my pack. It felt good to breathe easily once more. Ulfric was having a bit of a problem standing up strait. He laughed hard and then staggered sideways, I quickly caught his arm and tried to keep him upright to no avail. I landed on top of him with a thud. I ended up hitting my elbow hard on the stone floor and it shot pain up my arm and it felt as if someone had set fire to my already injured shoulder. I let out a gasp of pain, drawing in air sharply as Ulfric roared with more laughter. I grabbed at my elbow, rolling on to my back. I tried hard to keep the tears from welling up in my eyes. Despite Ulfric's drunken stupor, he gently picked me up and placed me on the bed. Ulfric gently kissed me, his face burning with a combination of passion and alcohol. I could feel the heat radiating off of his skin.

"Pleash don't leave me."

Ulfric muttered into my hair as he started the nuzzling thing once more. I gently ran a hand down his cheek with a tenderness that I didn't know I possessed. I ran my fingers through his dirty blond hair and gently ran a finger along his jawline.

"I won't ever leave you my king."

It was a hard promise to make, but I would always be there if Ulfric needed me. No matter where I was needed as the Dragonborn, I would always make Ulfric the sole priority in my life.

I woke up early. It was the wee hours in the morning and the sun hadn't even risen over the hold of Windhelm. The last bit of warmth was coming from the left over logs that were blazing last night. My bare feet stepped down on the cold stone floor; it almost felt as if the heat had been sucked right out of my body. I pulled a shirt over my head for warmth, what little it provided. It was always rare to get much light out of the month of Evening Star, but it seemed as if the night was darker than usual. I sank into a chair by the dying fire and gently placed my head in my hand. It was hard to remember what day it was, the month was all I seemed to know the time by. If I recalled correctly, Saturalia should be close at hand and I couldn't help but wonder what kind of parties would be enjoyed. I sat for hours, wondering what I should do about my predicament. Once or twice, Ulfric rolled over in his bed and then called me back to the increasingly inviting pillows. I made up my mind, After Ulfric was crowned high king, and I would take my leave and head to High Hrothgar. Maybe if I was lucky I'd spend the rest of my days as a lonely spinster and take in a bunch of rabbits for company. No that wouldn't do, maybe I'd take Brynjolf up on his outstanding offer to join up with the thieves guild. With one last beckon before I returned to bed with Ulfric. I would miss this sorely, but I didn't feel right staying in one place for too long. My eyes grew heavy as I let sleep over take me once more.

"Brenna."

I mumbled something in coherent. I rolled over and muttered something into my pillow again.

"Brenna!"

Someone shook my shoulder. I jarred awake, pulling the knife I had safely hidden under my pillow and placed it at the neck of whomever was trying to wake me up. Ulfric had looked up at me in surprise, scrambeling backwards from the blade.

"Ulfric! By the nine I'm so sorry!"

I apologized as I stuck the dagger back into the little hiding place I had found for it. I scrambled to try to get out of the bed, but fell, my feet and legs tangled up in the blankets and furs. Once again in two days I found myself face down on the cold stone floors.

"While you're here you don't need to worry about keeping a dagger on your person at all times."

Ulfric said as he pinched the bridge of his nose with his fingers. I raised an eyebrow. He probably had a massive headache if he truly drank so much to drink last night like he said he did.

"You drank much last night."

I said as I slipped on some clothes and pulled my boots over my feet. He sat down on the bed beside me.

"I find it's truly becoming a morning routine for me to apologize for my actions from the previous day."

I fell silent. I didn't quite know what to make of all of his apologies.

"You're going to be High King now; you need a good Nord woman at your side to help keep your temper."

I said slowly, biting on my lip with each word. I busied myself with my boots, trying to make sure that they were on tight and proper. There was silence from where Ulfric sat. He sat by the fire place with his head in his hands, he looked intently into the fire. Shadows flickered around his face, he looked as if he was carved from stone.

"You are the strongest spirited Nord woman I have ever met. You infuriate me and enchant me at the same time, Brenna. I don't understand how you can do such as that."

Ulfric muttered.

"I'm not a high born noble woman, just the daughter of a Thane who happened to get lucky enough to be the dragonborn."

I stated.

"Being the dragonborn is something. But regardless of being the dragonborn, you have courage, spirit and a hell of a sword arm. I wouldn't want anyone by my side but you."

Ulfric took both of my hands into his rough and calloused ones. I felt a growing sense of dread in the pit of my stomach.

"At the battle of Solitude you were wearing an amulet of Mara, are you still unmarried?"

"I'm still unmarried, I just wear the necklace you gave me."

"Then become my queen, be the woman who helps me see my short comings. Be my better half. I've shared my bed with you twice and I don't want to share it with anyone else."

My heart pounded and I swore that while it leapt into my throat, my stomach dropped into the soles of my boots.

"I don't know the first thing about being queen."

I admitted.

"And I don't know how to be High King, we will learn together."

"As long as you're at my side, I think we can do it. Together."