Astaria's mood didn't improve much as the Winter Ball approached, especially after a very strong disagreement between her and the dressmaker, something that took Ulfric hours to sort out.

She had wanted armour included in the dress.

The dressmaker had told her it was impossible.

The whole argument had made Ulfric's head hurt, Astaria adamantly denying to go anywhere near the ball without some sort of armour on, she was, after all, a high target. While Ulfric had agreed, it made convincing the dressmaker no easier, claiming armour was not a part of a nobles attire.

Eventually, and after many threats from Astaria, the dressmaker had relented, storming away to start the monstrosity, as he called it.

Astaria avoided everyone approaching the ball, and it was clear that silent fury followed her every step. It showed most in her lessons with Ulfric, where he was very careful not to say or do something wrong.

It wasn't until their last lesson before the ball that he decided to say something.

"I do hope you are going to be in a better mood tomorrow." He growls as she turns to walk away for the evening.

Her amber eyes looked back at him. "I will be perfectly civil."

"Oh? So that anger won't come out at all?"

"I cannot guarantee that, but I will certainly try."

"Astaria-"

"What else do you want from me Ulfric?" He looked at her surprised, her expression clearly showing her despair. "I cannot help it. I am trying, believe me, but when words have been said…" She trails off with a sigh. "I have little good memories of Winter Balls and I was honestly hoping that this year I could change that, preferably hoping I wouldn't be here at all."

"Why?"

She shakes her head. "It doesn't matter. I will be on my best behaviour, I promise." Her expression changed then, becoming a worried frown. "I swear Ulfric, if I get any marriage proposals tomorrow, on your head be it."

He was taken back by this. "Marriage proposals?"

Astaria rolls her eyes. "I am one of the most powerful people in Skyrim, people are going to try and take advantage of that."

Ulfric hadn't considered it, the thought had never crossed his mind that that would even be a possibility at the Ball, and he felt worry jab at him.

"You're hardly the type of person to let someone take advantage of you like that." He said it as carefully as he could, not entirely sure of her reaction.

"And I have every intention of tearing down anyone that does so." She said it calmly but he caught the inflection.

"Carefully, I hope."

"As long as the treat me with respect."

His worry only grew as she left. This was something they were not prepared for.

The Ball the next day approached quickly, excitement filled Windhelm, this was one of the few celebrations where everyone was involved. It was the Nord's way of celebrating the middle of winter, and while only certain people were allowed in the Palace of the Kings for the evening ball, the streets were still filled with celebration, all thought of war gone for the day.

With the ball only an hour away, Ulfric found himself awkwardly standing outside Astaria's room. He was already dressed, his normal coat having been replaced by one of a much more royal blue trimmed through with gold and his armour underneath gleaming. He knew that wearing things like this would become more common were he to become High King, but it didn't mean he had to like it.

He stared at the door, debating with himself. He was already expected downstairs to start greeting people but there was something he had to do first.

He knocked.

"Come in."

Opening the door Ulfric found Astaria sitting in front of a mirror, brushing her hair. She was still in her normal clothes and looked like she was in no hurry.

He couldn't help but frown. "Shouldn't you be getting ready?"

She raises an eyebrow looking at him through the mirror. "And shouldn't you be downstairs? I have plenty of time."

He watched the brush go through her hair before clearing his throat. "Well…I wanted to give you something first."

Ulfric approaches, trying to ignore her stunned expression. He pulls a small pouch out of his pocket.

Astaria found herself blushing. "You don't have to give me anything Ulfric." She said quietly.

He grunts. "I know, but I want to." He opens the pouch and starts to pull out a cord, as he pulls out the end of it, her eyes widen.

"How did…?"

"With great difficulty." He smiles, placing her fixed amulet of Talos in her hand, her hand closing around it.

"I…thank you." She has no other words as she stares at it, noting that it didn't look like it had been broken at all.

"May I?" He asks and she nods. He places the cord over her head, letting it rest down around her neck before moving her hair out of the way.

Her hand automatically rested on it, not even noticing that his fingers lingered in her hair. "Thank you Ulfric, I mean it. This…this means a lot to me."

He bent and kissed the top of her head lightly. "You do deserve something good on your birthday."

Her startled eyes met his and he gives a low chuckle. "Don't look so surprised, are not all Snow-born's born in winter?"

Astaria blushed. "Well, yes, but…"

"Don't worry over it." He gives her shoulder a squeeze. "Now, hurry and get ready, I don't want to be the only one greeting guests." He leaves her sitting there, watching after him, still stunned.

He couldn't help but grin to himself.

Half an hour later, Ulfric was tiring of greeting people, his mood wearing thin by the false smiles and laughs that the nobles greeted him with. While tonight wasn't meant to be about the war, it was still on everyone's mind.

He was just about to greet another nobleman approaching him when Galmar cleared his throat to his right. He looked and Galmar nods back towards the war room, he frowns, wondering what required his attention when he saw Astaria standing there.

She was nervous, that much was clear, but about what Ulfric had no clue. She was stunning. The dress was the same royal blue as his coat, embroidered with gold, falling just before the floor. It cut low on her chest but not low enough to reveal anything, the amulet of Talos sitting as a centrepiece. The dressmaker had done well in being able to hide the chest piece as armour. What Ulfric didn't know of course, was that she had demanded a final altercation to the dress, the ability to store her knives, which were now carefully hidden on her lower back.

Her hair was out, which surprised him, falling in waves down her shoulders, her two normal braids had been redone but higher, almost sitting like a crown on her head and tied back so they tumbled into the rest of her hair, one having dragon tongue flowers braided in, stopping just above her ear. The vibrant yellow bringing out her eyes.

She catches his eye and gives a shy smile and he finds himself being elbowed hard in the ribs by Galmar.

"You can fawn later." He growls so only Ulfric can hear. "Focus on these nobles first."

"I wasn't fawning." He grumbles, dragging his gaze away from Astaria.

Galmar just snorts in amusement.

The night got on easy enough, food being served as everyone happily talked and moved through the small crowd, discussing mostly irrelevant things. Astaria observed it all with faint interest, she knew most of the people here and knew almost all their tactics in trying to gain the upper hand. Almost everyone that talked to her seemed to know this and thus avoided trying any such tactic, a few were careless, but with some well-placed words to the right people, it was quickly set straight.

As much as she hated it, she knew how to fit in, it set her teeth on edge but she never let it show taking conversations and people as they came, almost everyone wanting to talk to her, something she was not entirely used to.

Ulfric was mostly drawn by the higher up nobles, who seemed to enjoy cornering him for long discussions on vary topics, much like always, they didn't even notice he was distracted, his eyes often searching the people for Astaria, Galmar always giving him a nudge when he got too distracted. Galmar already had to stop him twice when he saw Astaria talking to men and laughing, jealously almost completely overriding everything else, something he was definitely not used to.

Astaria always had a cup in her hand, as did most of the other women in the room, however, she made sure that hers wasn't filled with wine, she detested the stuff, so whenever she had a chance and noticed that her glass was low, she would slip away and refill it with mead.

It was on one of these that Ralof spotted her, he was on guard near the war room.

He snorts with laughter. "The wine not good enough for you?"

Astaria looks at him and half smiles. "Mead goes down a lot easier."

"I'm surprised you can hold it so well." He looks concerned. "Just go easy on it, there's still a long while to go yet."

"I am well aware." She says tiredly.

"You look amazing by the way."

She blushed and grinned at him. "Thank you Ralof." But then she looked worried. "Do you know if the Snow-born's got announced in?"

Ralof shakes his head. "Can't say I do."

"Hmmm," She looks through the crowd of people. "I haven't seen them, it seems strange that they would miss this."

He was about to say something when a nobleman called her over, she sighs and gives an apologetic look to him.

"Back into it."

He nods her off, not hiding the grin.

It was about half an hour later however, when her night got much worse. She just finished a conversation with a much older noble gentleman, who's name escaped her, when two women, a year or two older than her approached.

She had to bite the inside of her cheek hard to stop herself groaning.

Nilsine and Friga Shatter-Shield stood before her in matching dresses of green, dirty blonde hair and blue eyes. Twins were rare in Skyrim and Astaria wished she didn't know these two.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't little Snow-born." Nilsine started, looking down at Astaria. "You've certainly made quite the impression.

Astaria drew herself up, not going to be put down by the two women. "Nilsine. Friga. Nice to see you again."

"And you little Snow-born." Friga says, looking her over. "I love what you are wearing."

"It is quite beautiful isn't it?" Astaria said brightly, hoping that someone would come along and save her from the conversation.

The two women share a look, obviously thinking that Astaria would miss it.

"Tell me, Astaria, why would you join this cause?" Friga asked. "I mean, we don't fight, it's unlady like."

"Well, that is your choice, and this is mine." Astaria was doing everything she had been taught to keep herself calm. It wasn't working.

The women looked offended.

"But what kind of man would want a warrior as a wife?" Nilsine asked coldly. "Just look at you," her eyes wondered to the scar on Astaria's neck. "You are damaged already."

Friga snorts. "Not that that is still anything against your height."

Nilsine laughs. "Oh, this is true. Still, and then there's this whole Dragonborn thing…"

Astaria trained their voices out, having to move her hand behind her back to let it clench tightly hoping that no one would notice. She would not let them get to her.

"Tell me, who did your dress?"

Astaria felt as if a light had come on. She could get a one up on them.

"Jarl Ulfric commissioned it actually." She said it casually, pleased by the looks of shock on the two women's faces. "Especially for tonight. Had to have to me making an impression see." She gives a casual glance around the room. "And I certainly seem to be doing better than you two."

Dark looks crossed their faces and Astaria felt pleased for a moment.

"So the rumours are true."

She blinks and frowns. "What rumours?"

The two women share a look.

"You mean you don't know?"

"Tsk tsk, Astaria, you have been naughty."

Astaria was taken back by this. "What?"

"Rumour has it that you have been sleeping your way to the top little Snow-born." Nilsine said airily. "Oh yes, the rumour insists that you and Ulfric are very close."

Fury bubbled in Astaria's stomach, she bit it down, her hand clamped so hard behind her back that it was cramping her arm.

"Oh? And who exactly started these rumours?"

Ulfric looked up suddenly, he'd been in a conversation about the war effort, something that Galmar was now taking over for, when he'd felt the air shift. Something was wrong.

Almost automatically, he sought out Astaria, spotting her with her back to him and he instantly knew that whatever was wrong, was to do with her, her hand clenched tightly behind her back and it was shaking.

Excusing himself, he walked over, surveying the smug expressions on the two women's faces of who she was with, something that disappeared almost as soon as they spotted him.

"Jarl Ulfric," One said.

"How nice to see you this evening." The other continued and they both curtseyed.

Ulfric stood close to Astaria, feeling her silent fury. "It's Nilsine and Friga Shatter-Shield correct?"

"Yes my Jarl. I'm Nilsine."

"And I'm Friga."

He was unamused. "You two know the Dragonborn?"

"We've been friends for many years sir."

He glanced at Astaria, who was keeping her expression mercilessly blank. "Well, I hate to interrupt, but I need to borrow her for a few moments."

"Of course sir."

"We were finishing our talk anyway sir."

They curtseyed him off as he took Astaria arm above her elbow. She allowed him to steer her into the war room.

"Are you alright?" He asked quietly.

Astaria was shaking with anger. "No."

"What got you so on edge so quickly?" He asked, a little stunned. "The night has been going smoothly."

A dark look crossed her face but she was unwilling to talk.

Ulfric pushed a hand through his hair with a sigh. "I cannot read minds Astaria."

She looks away from him. "Those two have been a bane on my existence since the day I was born. They do anything and everything to make sure that I seem like nothing but a-" She cut herself off, not wanting to say anymore in case the anger got too out of hand.

But Ulfric now understood. "They told you about the rumour."

Astaria glared at him. "What?"

He frowns. "I've been getting questioned all night on it. It is…unsettling that so many believe it."

Astaria had to vent on something and the closest thing happened to be a chair, which was quickly kicked, smashing it into a wall.

"Bloody, foul mouthed, cock sucking whores." She growled out, pacing. "They have no honour, I should go out there and-"

He grabbed her to still her and hopefully calm her down, silently hoping no one would walk in to find out what the noise had been. "Astaria, calm yourself. It is just a rumour."

Her amber eyes were furious. "Yes, a rumour that practically destroys my honour Ulfric. Sleeping my way to the top, how ridiculous. What's the bet they made that up when they found out I was Dragonborn? They had to bring me down a few pegs so they came up with-"

He covered her mouth, stopping her rant. "We can deal with it later. I realise you are upset, honestly I'm surprised I'm the only that noticed and I was on the other side of the room, but you need to calm down."

She glared at him but finally allowed herself to relax. He steps back and she folds her arms across herself almost protectively.

"I was hoping that they wouldn't be here." She said quietly.

"I have no doubt." He said gently and brushed a loose strand of hair back behind her ear. "Just try to avoid them, I don't really want anyone shouted apart tonight."

Astaria gives a weak smile and just nods in agreement.

They head back out, staying together for a moment before going their separate ways and entering new conversations. The night was only about half way through and both silently hoped that she could keep it together.

It was bordering on midnight when the announcement of the dance came up, Astaria almost letting out a very loud groan of disapproval. She enjoyed dancing, but being as popular as she had been tonight, this was going to be ridiculous.

Sure enough, more than one man wanted the first dance.

She felt ridiculous the more she danced, she couldn't even sneak away to get more mead to try and pass the time, but what really set her on edge was watching Ulfric dance with other women, jealously suddenly topping her emotions.

However, she kept it in check, it only showing a very ugly side when she saw the Nilsine and Friga were trying to get Ulfric's attention. Bowing out of the dance she was in and apologising, saying she just had to sit down, she snuck back over to Ralof.

"Having fun?" He asked quietly.

"No." She said carefully. "Do you think you could do something for me?"

He raised an eyebrow. "And leave my post? No way."

"I'll stand and wait till you get back. Please Ralof, it's a matter of life and death." She practically begged.

He looked confused. "Ulfric will have my head."

"I'll take the blame if something happens, trust me." She said it casually, meanwhile, looking through the crowd of men waiting to dance, finally spotting two suitable. "Please Ralof?"

Reluctantly, he agrees. "Fine. What do you want me to do?"

She grins. "See those two very old gentlemen there? Sitting next to each other looking very gloomy."

They weren't hard to miss and he nods.

"I want you to go over to them and tell them that those two fine looking women there, in the green dresses, have been begging to dance with them."

Ralof looks at her sceptically. "Life and death huh?"

"Trust me. It is."

With a disapproving look, Ralof heads off into the crowd. Astaria watches with great amusement as the two men's faces light up as they eye off Nilsine and Friga, quickly walking over. Naturally, the two women had been raised too polite to refuse and quickly found themselves in embarrassing dances with the two men.

Astaria allows herself to laugh quietly, the jealousy and anger now sated slightly. At least they didn't get the entire upper hand.

Ralof returns. "Was that necessary?"

"Absolutely." She sighs and looks at the mead on the table and that no one, for the moment, was trying to get her attention. "I'm going to have a quiet drink for a few minutes, anyone asks, I've gone to the rest room."

She grabs the nearest bottle of mead and ducks past him into the war room, even though he was still watching her disapprovingly.

Ulfric grew tired of dancing, politely refusing several offers and sinking into his throne, holding back a groan, exhausted. He watched the dance continue wearily until he realised that the one he was looking for was missing.

Astaria.

He sighs, not overly surprised. Where had that woman gone now?

He sees Ralof looking nervous outside the war room and knows instantly. Getting to his feet, he tells Galmar to stay and walks over, ignoring looks thrown at him from varying people.

"Let me guess-"

"Yes sir." Ralof answers quickly, obviously trying not to get into any more trouble.

"Relax Ralof." He waves his hand. "I've worked her out, it's not your fault."

Ralof just nods furiously, still standing to attention as Ulfric walks past.

Astaria was sitting in the back corner, her feet resting up on a second chair. Her eyes were closed and she was resting a bottle of mead on her forehead.

"I'm almost jealous that you managed to slip away first." He said, coming over and leaning back on the table next to her.

Her eyes open and she smiles warmly. "Drink?" She holds the mead out to him.

He gratefully accepts and drinks. "Definitely haven't had enough of that tonight."

"Nor have I." She grumbles, taking the bottle back as he passes it to her, taking a sip. "Especially to be dancing that much, I don't think I've ever had my feet hurt so much, even after all the running around Skyrim I've done."

He clears his throat. "I'm actually surprised you know how to dance, I don't think I ever recall you dancing at these events."

Astaria snorts. "Please, I have good footwork remember? Part of that comes from learning how to dance well."

"You're comparing knife fighting to dancing?"

"Trust me, they are closer than you think."

He smiles warmly and watches her take another drink before passing it back to him. "How are you holding up Astaria?"

Her smirk surprised him. "Better after teaching those two a lesson." When he looked concerned, she laughs. "Don't worry, I just gave them dance partners that they will never forget."

Ulfric smiled, he had been worried that she'd use violence on them.

"I know better Ulfric." She said softly, reading his gaze. "Violence against them would mean little. You have to play their game and that's exactly what I did, as much as I despise it." They sat there for a moment, the music playing softly in from the hall, before she gives him an overly serious look. "Ulfric, do you even know how many marriage proposals I've received tonight?"

He was taken back for a moment. "What?"

"Thirteen." She glares at him. "Thirteen men have asked me if I would like to marry them, three of them even had amulets of Mara and I was convinced that another two weren't going to give up at all."

Anger and jealously curled in Ulfric's stomach but he bit it down. "Well, you were expecting it."

Astaria's eyes flashed. "I'm honestly surprised that anyone was game enough given the rumour. I guess I can be glad that people don't believe it as much as I feared."

Ulfric hesitated a moment before taking the risk. "I do wonder though, how much truth is in it?"

Her amber eyes bored into his. "I hardly think that it's appropriate to discuss it now."

He did agree, there would be too many ears trying to pry into what they were talking about in here. Instead, he looks at her with a very serious expression. "Astaria, may I ask you a very serious question?"

She raises an eyebrow at him as she takes a drink. He steps forward and leans down to her level, leaning on her chair, she watches, a little shocked and weary of his actions and what he could possibly want to ask.

"May I have this dance?" He grins, holding out his hand.

Astaria's cheeks burn. "You're an ass, have I ever told you that?"

"Multiple times."

She looks at his hand and he could see she was cautious. "Ulfric, this is going to cause a stir."

"I am aware, but I would be ashamed of myself if I did not ask the most beautiful woman here to dance."

Her face turned red instantly and she moved awkwardly moved in her chair, looking away from him.

"I mean it Astaria." He said softly, resting his hand over hers. "Please, dance with me. Worry about all that nonsense later."

She looks back at him shyly, unsure for a moment before taking his hand. He pulls her up and takes the mead bottle off her, putting it on the table. He then leads her out the door back into the hall.

It was almost as if silence fell across the room, Astaria letting Ulfric lead as she wasn't entirely sure she trusted her legs. She felt ridiculous but she knew that she had silently hoped he would ask her to dance.

"This is ridiculous." She mumbled to him.

"Embarrassed?"

She doesn't get a chance to respond as he takes her hand proper and his other hand rests on her waist, her hand resting on his arm. A traditional song starts, setting them in a slow dance.

"Relax Dragonborn, you didn't have a problem with all the other men." He couldn't hide the note of jealously this time.

She gives him a sharp look. "Well, they weren't you, were they?"

He gives her a strange look. "I'll take that as a compliment?"

Astaria realised what she had just said. "I…I think I should learn just to not talk. It seems I like digging holes."

He chuckles. "Actually, I was hoping that we could use this moment to talk." He felt her tense under his hands.

"I hardly think this is the time either." She says quickly, a note of panic in her voice.

"Is it ever going to be?" He asked quietly.

She was flustered now, luckily not affecting her steps. "Well…eventually, yes…I guess, but we are surrounded by people Ulfric-"

He gives her waist a gentle squeeze, drawing her attention back to him. "No one is listening, they are certainly watching and talking amongst themselves, but not listening."

Astaria glances around, finding he was right and this just made her nervousness worse.

He watches her curiously. "Do you mind if I ask why you are so reluctant?"

She licks her lips. "I...I don't know how..."

Ulfric thinks for a moment, he could understand what she was talking about and he smiles gently.

"What if I just talk then?"

"O-okay." She didn't know why she was agreeing to this, this terrified her.

Surprised, but kind of relieved, he smiled.

"Thank you Astaria."

Smiles nervously. "Don't thank me yet."

His hand tightens a little on her waist. "Well, I guess the best place to start would be the beginning?"

Astaria's heart raced, she was trapped and couldn't run away from it now, a part of her not wanting to and she watched him with a cautious gaze, aware that a lot could change between them after this.

"I will admit, you weren't the only one shocked after that kiss." He looks at her sheepishly. "I'm still not entirely sure what came over me, I had to sit there for a while to think about it." He looks worried for a moment. "Your…comment, yesterday, about power? That resonated with me more than what it should have, because, at first, that is all that I thought it was. The power of your voice is unlike anything I have ever seen before." Nor felt, he added silently to himself.

"After I found out the following day you had left, I was furious. I had wanted to talk it over with you, simply because I thought it was convenient to do so, and I was curious as to whether or not it was the same reason you had kissed me back."

Astaria was taken back by this. She had never denied kissing him back, but to do so because of power…

"Of course not." She said quietly before she could stop herself. "Ulfric, I'm probably the only woman in this room that doesn't give a damn about what power you wield."

He gives her a sad smile. "That did not stop me thinking it, after all, you are a noble and is not power part of their game?"

She frowns. "Yes, but I'm hardly like other nobles am I?"

Ulfric gives a soft laugh. "No, this is very true, but even though that was clear from the start, I still had my doubts. You are, after all, the Dragonborn, and a very young and beautiful woman."

As much as she blushed at his words, she didn't entirely understand. "So?"

"So? I am much older than you Astaria. I was also curious as to why someone like you would take an interest in me?"

Astaria had no answer for that, in fact, she had never even looked at the age gap between them, it had never bothered her.

He sighs. "It wasn't until the dragon attack that I realised that it was something more. You don't know this, but you actually saved my life that day, and Galmar's, although he would definitely never tell you. The dragon had us cornered and your shout got its attention just as it was about to deliver the final blow." Ulfric's expression turns distant for a moment. "And then watching you fight that dragon…I don't think I'd ever felt more afraid for someone in my life."

"I know you were the one to carry me inside." Astaria could feel her chest tightening, looking at the pain on his face. "And I know you guarded outside my door for most of it."

Ulfric flinches at this. "Something…I am not entirely proud of." But he looks at her and sees no judgement in her expression, just worry on his behalf. He laughs softly. "Astaria, I don't think I've ever been attached like this to someone before, and I have no other words for it. I find myself worrying incessantly for you and it's honestly driving me mad. That kiss the other day…" He trials off his eyes wondering to her lips and back to her eyes. "You have no idea what effect that had on me."

Astaria wanted to say something, felt it necessary to say something, but she didn't know what, all she could do was look at him, her emotions unclear.

"I don't know what else to say Astaria." His voice had dropped as he stared at her. "You both infuriate and fascinate me."

"Ulfric, I-" She freezes, feeling movement behind her.

Someone that couldn't be seen.