A/N: Ahaha… Hi everyone. *Hides* I know it's been way too long and I'm seriously sorry for that. To be perfectly honest I wasn't even planning on continuing Heirlooms into another chapter, but you lovely readers who left me reviews seemed to enjoy it a lot, so I did. I love you guys so much for not only reading and following, but for taking even more time to review for me! Thank you so so much! Things have been crazy in real life, and it's all mostly personal stuff I'm not going to rant to you guys about, just know my tardiness is excusable(or not!)

Lvl34potato: I always love your reviews still! It makes me so happy to see someone who's consistantly into the story and always nice enough to review! (Not that other's names aren't popping up a lot, just this little french fry has been with me a while on this story!)

Mrsmiawallace88: Well, let's hope you get your wish! I personally hate her too, and agree she needs to be assassinated, but that's not up to me. *Grumbles* up to Koudelka.

Timeywimeyspaceywacey:I'm glad you like the dark chapters! Teehee

BrunetteAuthorette99: I just wanna start by saying thank you for following and for stepping up to leave a review as well! It really makes me feel good about this story! And you're correct on your assumtion(smashing imaginary goetee) what a bish, eh?!

Katschaba: You're right somewhat! But you'll have to read the story to really find out! Teehee. Enjoy!

All reveiwers, readers, followers, favorities(ers?): Thank you all so much for your pacience! I hope to see reviews and feedback from you guys and gals! I love hearing from my readers.

Also, this one won't be a word challege because it's a continuation of a previous chapter, but that game WILL be back on for next chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own or profit off anything I'm writing. However Koudelka is mine and you may not use or take her for your leisure. Thank you!

Important notes for the chapter:

(1) I don't really think that if you crouch in front of someone you're invisible in a logical sense, so I've changed it a bit so that if you've trained yourself fully in stealth(maxed your tree) Shadow Warrior is what causes you to be invisible when you're 'crouched.' So she is invisible, and when she stealths I mean she activates her SW. Sorry if you don't like that! *Sadface*

(2) Ulfric mumbles the Dova verse of The Dragonborn comes. You can find the translation almost anywhere online.

(3)"Hio enqoth geinmaar." This means 'You entomb me.' There was no word for Entomb, only tomb, so I added a Latin prefix. Anyhow, this was heavily inspired by the Arabic phase 'Ya'aburnee' which means 'You bury me.' A lover or spouse says it to the other, they mean they hope they die before their loved one, because the speaker could not endure the pain of losing the one their heart belongs to.

(4)"Hio enqoth geinmaar, Strundu'ul…" This means 'You entomb me, Stormcrown.' I had him call her that in a context where he's calling her his true queen.

Chapter Rating: M for Mature. There is sex in this chapter, if you're not alright with it, you can skip it easily. It's not too dire to the story time. However the pillowtalk after is!

Uhm, anyhow, I know this intro was long, but now you can get on with the story! Please enjoy and leave me a review! Oh! Also, there is a link in my profile to Koudelka, it's pretty crappy though. I had to take it with my cell phone, somehow screenshots on my computer get corrupted and distorted O-o So it's better than those! Her hair is down to her mid-back now. It's not a nuisance though, buns and braids and whatnot. I'll probably edit her more later, but for now here's an image! Enjoy!

When Ulfric awoke a few hours after dozing off with Koudelka in his arms, he was alone. He quickly stood up in a light panic, causing the covers to be thrown off his body. The High King stood and scanned the room for the woman he had been reunited with to no avail.

Ulfric ran a hand through his hair while turning back to face the bed. He sighed softly in relief to see a little scroll resting innocently on a pillow. His respite was short lived when he realized she wasn't there, coupled by her words the previous night.

"It's too late, Ulfric. You're to be wed."

What if it said goodbye?

The man snatched the letter up, swiftly unrolling the scrolled parchment before beginning to read the uniquely graceful, yet messy scrawl.

"Ulfric, stop panicking. I bet you even missed this, didn't you? Silly man. I'll be back in three days' time. I have a rather personal errand to run. Let Galmar be aware of my status, silently please. I've left a sign in the letter, but it's probably on the bed now since you opened this so quickly... Ugh. Predictable, hopeless fool."

-Kou

The man rolled his eyes at her seemingly infinite knowledge of him, glancing down. A simple pressed petal of Deathbell with a single black finger print rested on the rumpled sheets. Ulfric felt a smile cross his face and rushed to dress before plucking the petal up, going out the door to locate Galmar as calmly as possible.

When Ulfric ended up finding the Stone-Fist, he was arriving in the Palace of the Kings to begin his routine of 'abusing' the new recruits. 'The routines are hard, but still. They'll be thanking Talos for him when they're confronted by enemies.' The thought made the man chuckle lightly. The guards gossiped as if their leaders couldn't hear them. The High King met the man in the middle of the room.

"Galmar." At the simple tone the older of the two men knew something had happened. The depressed and emotionless tone that had been echoing his friend's every word was absent. Ulfric held out his clenched hand with a passive face. Galmar accepted the gesture and allowed his longtime friend to place whatever it was in his own palm. His eyes widened significantly.

"With your own eyes? You're sure?"

Ulfric nodded once. "Last night. She will be back in three days' time." The Stone-Fist let out a hearty and merry laugh, mumbling so only the party of two would hear.

"Resilient bitch." Ulfric could only laugh and agree, missing the woman already.

"You are sure, Rider? We are supposed to return in a day."

"Well, news of the sudden threat on Ulfric's betrothed will spread like wildfire. We'll be meeting him on the road. Then, we will accompany him to protect her." The horse snorted and swished his tail.

"You planned this with him?"

"Nope."

Shadowmere hung his head. "Of course not."

The assassin giggled and reached down to stroke her horse's neck. "Oh hush. You know you're always proud of my plans. Not to mention more than willing to cooperate." The Deadric horse didn't reply, snorting instead.

"Hm, let's just hope he's well on his way. I'm rather bored standing here."

It only took two hours for Koudelka to be proven correct. A group of about ten horses were approaching. Shadowmere's ears swiveled towards the noise and Koudelka shifted in her saddle. "Let's go give them a small scare, shall we?" The horse under her pawed the dirt and broke into a gallop, always excited to drop fear into people and animals. He was Deadric, after all.

Shadowmere sped up, aligning his stride to gambade over a fallen tree, landing in the middle of the road. The dark horse pulled his upper body into a rear and let out a near bestial shrill.

Koudelka smiled under her cowl as the Stormcloak's horses spooked and panicked, shuffling and whinnying uneasily, front hooves lifting off the ground in a half-rear. Swords were drawn quickly and she let out a soft laugh.

"My, my Ulfric. You've been training them to attack your favorite Dragonborn? Tsk tsk." She taunted. At her declaration, whispered words traveled through the mounted soldiers. Dragonborn, dead, killed, alive, bandits, Stormblade, and miracle were among them. The man addressed chuckled softly.

"Well, she's been lacking for quite a while. We will need to make sure she's still a warrior." As he finished his jest, Galmar guided his horse next to the High King. A genuine smile broke across his scarred face.

"Get in line, Stormblade. You're holding us up. Don't you know about the news from the Brotherhood? Your DarkBrotherhood in fact, my dear." He teased.

"Know? It's my Brotherhood, like you said. Of course I know. I did send my very best," she took her place to Ulfric's left and stroked her jubilant horse's neck," you know, to give us a challenge." Koudelka urged Shadowmere forward, causing the others to follow suit.

They ran into surprisingly few stops on the way to Riften. Every time they'd passed a would-be bandit camp or animal den, all that would be there were dead bodies or blood. Ulfric would look to Koudelka, who would reply with a shrug and a nonchalant: "Someone beat us to them."

Ulfric lead the way through the messy town of Riften. People bowed, some scowled, and others nodded and held a hand over their heart. Koudelka glared harshly at the doors to Mistveil Keep as they approached, and Ulfric threw a reassuring half smirk to her before pushing the large doors open.

The large group of Stormcloaks was greeted by the large main hall lavished with food and drink. Laila was quick to smile and stand, walking to Ulfric from her throne in the back of the room.

"Oh, thank The Nine you're here, dear." She buried her fingers into Ulfric's furs that were adorning his shoulders, forcing him into a sort of semi-hug. "I was so scared with everything that has been happening." The Jarl whined softly, drawing a huff from Galmar, who had been standing next to the High King. Ulfric resisted the urge to push the woman away, idly wondering where Koudelka had gone. The man pat her on the back lightly before pulling away.

"We should get to work on securing the Keep. Where was the infiltration made?"

"My bedroom, I haven't a clue what to do, Ulfric!" Koudelka's lips twisted into a frown when the woman clung to him again, and she revealed herself to the room.

"Common sense would say you assign guards to that area." She hissed in a cold voice, slowly stepping out of her Shadow Warrior(1) induced fog. The High King looked at her with warm eyes and gasps went up across the room. Ulfric's travelling group smiled proudly. Lalia wisely stepped back.

"Dragonborn…" Laila practically damned the word with the ice in her voice and Ulfric was quick to notice, turning his head back to the Jarl with an accusing stare. Apparently he wasn't alone. Galmar never did hesitate to say what was on his mind.

"Yes, she is alive. No news could be more joyous than Stormblade returning to us. Wouldn't you agree?" Ulfric noted the threatening tone in Galmar's voice, staring at Laila. The woman noticed as well, choosing to agree quickly. Her voice took on a new tone.

"O-of course, forgive me! I was simply in shock! How could I not be rejoiced at the news, let alone the sight! After all you've done, just for this city alone," Koudelka grimaced at her falseness, "come here, and let me see you." The older woman took a step towards the assassin. Koudelka quickly rejected the motion by wordlessly stepping back into the wispy green and black fog of Shadow Warrior, soon disappearing along with the fog.

Laila's face took on a mask of anger for a moment before she composed herself. She led herself back to her throne and sat, motioning with a hand to the garnished tables.

"Please, eat. Your soldiers must be tired after such a long journey." She stated softy, turning to whisper to her stewardess.

The men behind Ulfric waited for his nod of approval before sitting at the tables to dine. Galmar remained by his side. The High King looked aggravated and glanced to his friend. "Go and eat, I need to speak with her." The older of the two opened his mouth to argue, but decided against it. He did as Ulfric requested and joined the others.

Ulfric turned and took long strides to the door of the Keep, keeping the door open for an unnoticeable second too long.

Koudelka huffed and slipped out quickly within the second.

The High King was swift in finding the desolate and private training area. As he expected, he heard the sound of his lover emerging from her stealth soon after. He turned to face the blonde.

"What was that all about?" He questioned calmly, only confusion evident in his voice. "I understand you don't like her because of, ah… arrangements, but that was plain hostile. Even for you." Ulfric was surprised when she answered him monotonously.

"I apologize, my King. As an assassin I do not appreciate being touched by people. It is simply instinct, nothing more." She bowed before stepping back and fading into nothing, leaving Ulfric in an uneasy and surprised shock. Formality? "My King...?" He mumbled softly to himself, concerned as to why the woman was so detached. Was it over? She was just fulfilling her duty as one of his Generals now?

Ulfric Stormcloak was worried.

The High King shut the door behind him and leaned against it with a sigh. He had just spent the past half hour trying to convince Laila that it was in fact immoral to share a bed with someone if they aren't wed. She had followed the argument with a persistent plead of 'It's for my own safety.' To which he responded with a reassuring tone, stating facts about the guards on the balcony and in the hall outside. She eventually ran out of arguments and let him retire to his room, much to his relief.

Ulfric took in the welcomed sight of his room. The room itself was more than graciously sized; however it held no comparison to his own room. The bed was large and freshly made, but his eyes were quickly drawn to the open window that was casting an almost constant slow but strong breeze throughout the room. The man slowly walked over to the source of the refreshing feeling. It had a wondrous view of the lake around the fishing hold, allowing him to see the water lap softly against the wall below the window.

He ran a hand over his face before leaving it to rest in his hair, losing himself to thought. He was content with simply enjoying the clean breeze billowing off the water. He mumbled absentmindedly.(2)

"Dovahkiin, Dovahkiin

Naal ek zin los vahriin

Wah dein vokul mahfaeraak ahst vaal

Ahrk fin norok paal graan

Fod nus thon zindro zaan

Dovahkiin, fah hin kohaan mu draal…"

He smiled softly as a particularly strong breeze blew past him into his room, caressing invisible fingers through his mane.

"Beware, beware, the Dragonborn comes, Laila."

Koudelka released the breath she had been holding as her arrow easily pierced through armor into the heart of the Imperial General. "Finally," she whispered softly, "it's over." The assassin had been wiping out the camp for a while now. She had infiltrated the camp soon after her earlier conversation with Ulfric. Her boredom following said conversation mainly lead her to mischief, this time causing her to snoop around Mistveil where she stumbled upon suspicious set of Imperial armor. After mentally going through why it would be there, she assumed it was from when Maven had been Jarl. Koudelka then 'borrowed' it. Her fun had been ruined when she snooped through the General's chest, discovering plans of an attack on Ulfric while he was in the city.

The letter itself was odd, making references of a Thorn and a Rat, and it was repeatedly assured that infiltration would be no trouble.

Something she, of course, wouldn't ever allow.

The woman had left the camp to prepare for her work, absentmindedly taking a head-count on the soldiers within the camp. Seventeen, a relatively small number, including injured. When she returned to Riften, it was sunset. Koudelka hurried along to Honeyside to change to her assassin armor and retrieve her Legendary Deadric bow. Matching daggers were strapped to her hips before she headed out of the back of her residence to her deck. A forlorn glance was gifted upon the hold in the city behind her before she descended the stairs to mount Shadowmere.

The woman waited until around one in the morning before she fired her first shot. Koudelka was hidden in the hills surrounding the camp. The woman followed the same tactic for the full twenty-three minutes it took her to clear the camp. Kill one or two, back off, relocate, kill more, back off, and relocate. She showed mercy to none, an arrow to the heart or eye regardless of injury or health. She left the General for last.

Call it playing with her food.

Koudelka could practically see the fear in the man looking for her aimlessly, sword drawn. When the arrow pierced him, she smiled and released her breath she had been holding during her Eagle Eye. She looked up at the sky and frowned.

She needed to get back.

Ulfric awoke sometime in the middle of the night, sensing a strong presence in his room.

"Your change in breathing is obvious when you wake up, you know…" The mellow whisper of her voice made the man smile and sit up, the green blanket pooling at his waist. Koudelka sat in the window, one leg propped up in front of her in the sill, the other hanging inside the room. Emerald eyes glanced over at him and a smirk that the man could see for once, thanks to the lack of cowl, caused them to sparkle. Her Brotherhood cowl laid discarded on the floor by the window.

Ulfric motioned for her to come to him. He wasn't a dopey romantic those foolish bards sang about, but it had been so long since he had seen her with the assassin mask off and her hair down. The long ends in the front caressed her face perfectly; albeit he was near positive she did it carelessly with a dagger, however he adored that she kept the back so long, letting it cascade down her back when it wasn't in a bun. He loved her beauty, but not in the same respects as any other woman, no matter their beauty. Something so small and fragile looking was a perfected and deadly warrior. That was truly something gorgeous.

Koudelka pouted playfully at leaving her spot by the window. She crossed the distance between them, slipping her hand into his. The man pulled her into his lap on the bed, wrapping his arms around her as she happily pressed against him. Moments like these,

"I was scared…" she whispered,

There were no walls between them.

"I know," he threaded his fingers through her hair, "I'm so sorry that I hurt you." Ulfric had realized he never truly got to apologize to his lover. He regretted agreeing to the matrimony more than anything else he had done previously in his life. However, the High King already knew she had forgiven him, he knew it just as well as she did. For that, he was grateful.

He refocused on the woman before him when she pulled her hand from his own, slowly bringing it up to cup his left cheek. Koudelka tenderly traced the long scar marring his face. Ulfric leaned into her touch lightly, locking his darker green eyes to her lighter hues.

"This is ours…" The soft whisper caused the man's eyes to soften further, slowly closing the gap between their lips until they were but a hairsbreadth away from touching. She shivered as his warm breath trickled across her own lips.

Their lips pressed together tightly and tongues rushed to begin a passionate dance. A strong hand tangled into Koudelka's hair, and she let out a soft whimper. The familiar feeling of soft strands through his fingers was welcome. The woman atop him took his lower lip between her teeth, biting gently before pulling away, gazing down at Ulfric heatedly.

The man slowly ran a calloused hand under her leather armor, caressing the small of her back languidly. His fingers curled around the bottom hem of the armor, pulling it up her body and over her head to reveal her to him.

Koudelka blushed lightly and averted her gaze, shivering lightly from the breeze still blowing in through the window.

"Close your eyes…" It was a soft request, whispered gently as if the sound was delivered to her on the air of the wind. It asked for a large amount of trust on her part. Loss of one of her major senses to leave her partially at his mercy. An amount of trust she had for him in abundance. Koudelka complied and allowed herself to relax and shut her emerald eyes.

He smiled at her display of trust before cupping her cheek with his hand. The High King languidly traced her cheeks with his thumbs, trailing his hand down to her lightly reddened lips, sweetly taking her chin between his fingers to pull her towards him for a soft and fast kiss. He pulled away from her quickly, causing her brows to furrow in slight confusion. He laughed softly at her expression, but continued his exploration.

Ulfric was quick to begin planting soft kisses and nips to her neck while sliding his hands down further to tease her breasts. He caressed the soft mounds caringly, rubbing his roughed thumb around her nipples, but never giving her the satisfaction of actually teasing them. She arched her back to press herself into his hands, whimpering exasperatedly.

"Tsk tsk… Patience." He scolded playfully, removing his hands from her chest, letting them continue their journey downwards. He ran his hands up and down her sides, smirking at the shiver that ran through her. Ulfric trailed his hands over her stomach, tracing small and large scars that marred her otherwise flawless skin. He smiled at the memories of helping her care for certain ones; sure she was doing the same by the small smile on her face.

She squirmed lightly in his lap, reminding him of his previously forgotten arousal. He grunted softly and grasped her hip lightly, guiding her to slip off his lap and onto the bed. He was quickly to climb over her, meeting her now open eyes. She smiled and he met her soft lips in a passionate kiss. She tangled her fingers into his mane and pulled him closer, deepening the kiss. He delivered gentle nips to her lips while trailing his fingers down to untwine the laces to her Brotherhood pants, noting she kicked her boots off when he heard two thuds on the floor. She broke the kiss for air, quickly tugging the hem of his shirt up to slip it over his head. He finished unlacing her pants and left them to sit up to help her get the nuisance off his upper body. Her hands were swift to run over his chest, abdomen, arms, and sides, anything that was newly revealed to her.

Ulfric rushed to finish his abandoned work, tugging her pants off and throwing them to the dark carelessly. Calloused hands ran up the outside of her legs while he descended upon her chest to teasingly bite and suck on her hardened nipples. Koudelka let out a loud gasp, subconsciously spreading her legs for him. She whimpered softly at the attention he was giving her, letting out a soft moan when his hand came up to play with her neglected breast. The assassin slipped a hand between their bodies to stroke his neglected arousal through his pants before playing with the laces of the offending garment teasingly, causing him to groan and bite down on her as a non-verbal scolding.

Koudelka unlaced his pants with skilled fingers, pushing them down off sharp hips to encourage him to kick them off. He didn't disappoint her. He pulled away from her chest when the cool air caressed his member, planting soft kisses up to her neck. The woman under Ulfric ran her hands over his chest to push his shoulders back, and he followed her lead to lay on his back for her. Koudelka laughed softly and hastily straddled his hips.

His hands were on her hips within seconds and Koudelka teasingly rubbed herself against his throbbing member, never letting him slip within her tight heat. Ulfric groaned at her teasing, tightening the grip on her hips yet letting her have her fun. A small smile graced her face as she leaned down to exchange a chaste kiss with Ulfric while unhurriedly allowing his hardened cock to slip between her legs, burying deep within her tight velvet heat.

Ulfric's hands wondered up to her lower back, pressing his fingers into her flesh gently. He pushed his hips up against hers in a slow, hard thrust causing her to gasp and moan sweetly, arching her back against his hands. The assassin knew she wouldn't be able to keep the man under her for long, Ulfric wanted to be in control. She could feel the eagerness and power under her.

Talos knows Ulfric loved control.

He caved faster than she thought he would, only laying still for her to roll her hips a few times before he flipped her over onto her back with a growl. He grabbed her hips and slammed back into her, causing the woman to cry out quietly as he began a steady rhythm. She wrapped her legs around his hips to drive him deeper into her.

Ulfric leaned down to bite and nip at her neck, occasionally letting out a low moan when he thrust himself into her. Moans spilled from Koudelka's lips as she arched up desperately against the man over her, crying his name in an almost pleading tone.

"Shh… There are guards everywhere, love." He teased, knowing it wouldn't matter to her.

"I… ah, I don't care, Ulfric! Harder!" She panted in reply, causing him to pick up his pace, slamming into her hard enough to drive him into giving her now bouncing breasts attention, kissing down to the swell of her chest to take a pink nipple between his lips and teeth. He bit down softly and ran his tongue over the now reddened nub in his mouth, groaning as her walls tightened softly down around him indicating she was close, causing a bolt of fiery heat to pool in his stomach.

Soft kisses were trailed up her neck to her ear, and she shivered at the ministrations. The pleasure that was setting her nerves afire rendered her incapable of speech.

"Hio enqoth geinmaar." (3)He whispered softly, accenting each word with a hard thrust.

"Hio enqoth geinmaar, Strundu'ul…" (4)

Koudelka gasped loudly at his words, feeling them drive her over the edge as she came with a loud cry of his name, digging her fingers into the man's strong back, leaving angry red crescents in her wake.

The intense pleasure of the woman's already tight walls closing down around him coupled with the light pain from her orgasm induced vice on him caused Ulfric to follow her over the edge. The man bit down none too gently on her neck to be quiet, burying himself deep inside Koudelka to spill his seed within her.

He pulled away from the panting woman's neck, making sure to support himself over her before placing a chaste kiss upon the bite mark before meeting her lips gently.

"I love you more than anything, Koudelka." He mumbled, rolling onto his back. She followed his movement and made herself comfortable on his chest, tucking her head under his chin.

"I love you too," she went silent and held her breath causing Ulfric to look down at her curiously, "this… matter… will be handled by tomorrow. We can go home then." She finished. He took a deep sigh and ran his hand through her long hair.

"I was hoping to solve this in a non-violent fashion, my love." She snorted.

"And I was hoping to end it in a very painful kidnapping. Especially after this morning." His brow raised curiously, reminded of said time.

"Yes… About this morning. What was that about in the courtyard? My King? That's a bit formal for someone with your attitude, let alone a lover." The formality and coldness had been bothering him all day.

"Well," she giggled, "we were being watched. There was a guard on top of the balcony above the dummies. You need to learn to look up. No one ever thinks to."

He grunted and shifted, tugging her hair playfully. "Be quiet. Go to sleep, you'll need to be gone at least by the morning's seventh hour." She complied and relaxed, pressing a small kiss to his chest, over his heart.

Only after Ulfric was sure the woman he loved was asleep, did he let the darkness take over his own conscious as well.

Koudelka pouted as she tailed Ulfric around with Laila, unbeknownst to the High King. After a long discussion the morning after their lovemaking, the assassin had agreed to give the man until the night to get rid of the woman. Personally she hoped he would fail in the matter, just so she would get to watch the touchy-feely woman asphyxiate in her own bed.

She had watched them all day; the Jarl had been touching, petting, and clinging to the unwilling man for hours on end, no matter where he went. Koudelka was getting angry, and she couldn't help but feel some of it directed towards her lover. He should be shoving Laila off him. But he wasn't. She knew he couldn't in public.

Finally when the evening came, Koudelka was fed up. The man was hesitating and the jealous part of her knew it. However, the larger rational part knew he was waiting for some privacy.

In other words dinner he knew she'd invite him to in her chambers.

Guess who wasn't happy about that?

Regardless of the fact, she planned ahead and slipped through the door to the Jarl's room minutes before they entered, arm in arm. The table had been set up with one chair with the wall behind it, and the other across from it, leaving it open to the room. The doors to the balcony were left wide open to allow air into the room. The assassin's instincts were telling her something was wrong, and she was severely uncomfortable with the setup. 'I'm just being paranoid… Right?'

When Laila gestured to the chair against the wall for Ulfric, Koudelka straightened from her place against the wall; thanking Talos she had her Shadow Warrior. Ulfric himself even tensed, immediately uncomfortable. His right hand stayed in his lap, close enough to his battle axe to be safe, but far enough to be casual. Things were adding up in way she didn't like. The imperial armor she borrowed, the documents in the Imperial camp, the persistence and clinginess of the other woman in general, trying to get rid of Ulfric's strongest and deadliest warrior?

She was part of The Empire? The Imperial camp to the north of the city was part of her plan to ambush Ulfric was he was still in the city, then that means there would need to be another team to actually get into the Keep to kill him. Koudelka mentally cursed. 'There must've been a southern team I didn't find! That's what the plans meant. Thorns! Thalmar. Gods damn this woman!' Hesitant to leave the man alone, but having no other option, the assassin rushed out the open balcony doors.

Laila sent a charming smile towards Ulfric before taking her seat across from him, taking the green bottle of wine from the table between them to fill her glass. "It's so odd. It seems my cooks are late with dinner. Of all nights, too."

Ulfric shifted a bit and glanced towards the open doors as a thump came from the darkness. "It's alright. I didn't have much of an appetite, Laila. In any case I believe there's something we need to discuss."

She jumped up and laughed. "Oh, I must agree with you there, my dearest. We do have plenty to discuss. Perhaps we should just… step out onto the balcony? I was saving it for after our meal, but as you're aware, my cooks are being slightly incompetent today." The Jarl gestured for the man to follow her, and the High King stood, eyeing her warily as he stepped past.

Ulfric turned back to face her, leaning against the railing. His eyes trailed to his left and he held back a smirk. "So, Laila, you go on and tell me what it is you need to speak about. I can wait."

"Hah, well, my dear Ulfric. My discussion is more of a gift. A gift to The Empire. Those who will bring control to Skyrim!" The High King smiled as the woman seemed to wait for something to happen, and walked a few steps to the left, bending to pick something up. "That's why you need to be killed. The threat on my life was the perfect way to hand you over. That little assassin of yours was hard to lose. Just when I thought we killed her, she pops back up, the little bitch. But she's nowhere to be found now, is she?"

Ulfric growled softly at the words she used, straightening and walking to lean on the wooden door frame into the bedroom. "And would this," he lifted he arm to reveal the head of a Thalmar agent, eyes open in confusion and blood staining the once perfect platinum hair, "be your gift to me, Laila?" He discarded the gruesome sight back onto the balcony. The woman before him looked in horror at the sight, fear taking over her eyes and she stepped backwards several paces.

Warm breath wisped over the deceitful woman's ear, and her body stilled in shock as pain flashed through her system. Ulfric stood up straight as blood soaked through the redheaded woman's dress, surprised as his lover appeared from her fog behind Laila.

"I told you," she ran the blade deeper into Laila's flesh, "I know."

Koudelka let the body drop down onto the floor, locking eyes with Ulfric. The space between them closed and he cupped her face in his hands, pushing her cowl down to kiss her softly. He brushed her blond bangs from her eyes, tucking them behind her ear.

"People are going to start thinking I'm weak, with you killing assassins without me even being aware of their presence." He teased, leaning his forehead against hers. She smiled and pressed the blade of her second dagger horizontally against his abdomen.

"I'm sorry Ulfric, but we need to make this look like an ambush. No one else knew but her and those Thalmar, along with a few Imperials who are deceased as of last night." She looked up at the man sadly and he smiled and nodded to reassure her.

"I've taken much worse than a slice to my stomach. Don't worry yourself, I trust you, go ahead." Koudelka sliced through him easily; deep enough to need tending yet nothing deadly that she couldn't care for herself. He winced and hissed softly from the pain, planting a chaste kiss on her forehead.

"Once you get the signal to go ahead, you don't even hesitate, hm?" She smirked and shook her head, directing him to sit and keep pressure on the open wound.

"I need to make it look like they killed her, be good and sit still for me. Or I'll add to it." Koudelka threatened, moving outside to the balcony to pick up a blooded Thalmar soldier and his abandoned elven sword. She dragged them both into the room, nearly jumping out of her skin when the body was taken from her by Ulfric.

"Why aren't you on the bed where I left you?!" He let out a small laugh and tossed the body over by Laila's own. Koudelka stabbed the sword through the woman's corpse, over her own dagger's mark which widened and overwrote the wound, making it appear as though the soldier killed her. Ulfric stood next to the woman's corpse and sighed, a deep frown overcoming his features. He closed his eyes and whispered a soft prayer and Koudelka watched him sadly.

"This is sad. Very, very sad. How could it come to this? Can I trust no one?" She frowned and pressed her hand over his wound with a caring softness.

"You trust me with your life; you've shown me that countless times. Your trust means more than anything, and earning that was something that woman didn't do. This is not sad. She betrayed you, tried to kill me, and sided with those Thalmar bastards." Koudelka explained gently, tugging him down to press her lips to his own lightly.

"You're right. About everything. We'll take care of this mess, and then go home." He wrapped her in his arms and she smiled, happy to be back together with the man she loved.

They'd endure everything, no matter how difficult the challenge or how outnumbered they were.

Thank you for reading! I really hope you guys enjoyed this continuation, I kinda struggled with it, so sorry if it's not up to my normal standard. On top of that it was my very first lemon, so teehee... *Blushes* Don't be too harsh! Leave a review if you can too, please! Thank you, see you next chapter!