A/N: I knowwww! I'm a horrible person! Horrible horrible but I have no excuses, my dears. Just no muse for much lately, and so much drama I barely feel like trying to write. Most of the chapters I start kinda come up as dead ends because my mood just doesn't match them! I dunno what to do about it, but maybe you readers can help! Let's try those prompts again to try to get the ideas flowing, huh? If you'd like to leave a prompt or idea, drop a review or leave me a private message! I really do love you all for sticking with the story and keeping it/adding it to follows even though it wasn't updated recently. Thank you all so much! Even the silent readers who check back or keep rereading! I appreciate it all!
Teddy bear 007: Hi! Thankies for leaving more reviews * Gives cookies* I love how you don't give up on me and updating! All your PMs make me smile when I see them! Thank you so much for the encouragement!
Metal Strike: Hello again! Teehee, you made me wicked happy when I woke up to see not one, but three reviews! And my goodness, I hope you did well that morning when you got up early! It's so sweet of you to say it was worth it! I'm super happy I put a smile on your face and that you enjoy reading it that much! * Gives cookies*
Disclaimer: Do not own, yadda yadda.
Notes for Chapter:
1: General note, and the only one for this chapter. Ulfric is wearing the cloak to hide his identity so Koudelka and he can be openly affectionate without starting rumors. Same reason why Koudelka is wearing normal clothing instead of her Brotherhood armor; almost no one recognizes her outside of it. Only a few people from the Palace and from Riverwood/Whiterun would know her face. Hiding in plain sight(I got it right this time, Rainbow Ninja! Be proud of me! * Gibs cupcakes*)
Chapter Rating: K. Nothing much outside of fluff happens.
Also, I'm very very aware that this chapter is very short and I apologize! But like I said, this is the only one that just flowed right out and I do like how it came out, especially considering how hard writing has been for me! I really missed it and I miss hearing from you guys! So drop me some feedback and prompts or ideas after this!
Koudelka stared at the Stone-Fist blocking her view of the alchemy shop's poisons pleadingly. She stole glances at Ulfric's back to ensure he was still occupied restocking his army's potion supply before scooting closer to Galmar.
"Please?" she whined softly, reminding Galmar strongly of a young pup he saw as a lad, begging for scraps while it's master's back was turned.
"No, absolutely not. The entire point of me even being here is to ensure that you don't steal everything that could possibly be toxic." he said sternly. The assassin sighed and sulked over to lean on the wall next to the shelves that the General was guarding, muttering to herself grumpily. The Stone-Fist eyed her with an amused expression before turning his attention to Ulfric, listening and mentally checking the potion list and numbers.
It was several minutes later that Ulfric finished and turned to meet his friend and the woman he was assigned to watch.
"That should be ready by Middas, it will last us a few months. If the Imperials decide to attempt to reclaim Solitude we will need it to..." he trailed off, glancing around the small shop before sighing softly. Galmar's eyebrows furrowed a bit.
"Galmar... Where is Koudelka?" he questioned lightly.
"What are you talking about? The runt is right there!" Galmar looked behind him at the spot she had previously been sulking in, only to find it devoid of any sign of her. His eyes darted to the shelves he had been guarding only to find them in the same state the wall was; empty.
"I leave you in charge of one woman for less than ten minutes." Ulfric jested with a smirk, heading out the door of the shop with a glaring Stone-Fist behind him.
"Do not pull that 'one woman' crap on me, Ulfric. She's harder to watch than a full brigade of new soldiers and war-dogs combined!" he grumbled harshly.
Ulfric glanced to his right as he caught the familiar glow of long blonde hair in the marketplace crowds.
"It seems she's enjoying the role of commoner today." Both men stopped by the entrance to The Winking Skeever to watch the mischievous woman flit through the crowd, not bothered by any looks or words sent her way as she bartered shop prices down. Ulfric glared a bit when a shopkeep got too close to her while visibly talking in a whisper, however he let it go as she quickly moved on from his shop.
"It's hard to believe that nobody recognizes her as the Dragonborn." Galmar said, hearing Ulfric hum softly in agreement.
"Head on in to the Skeever. I'll get her in a bit." Ulfric offered. The Stone-Fist quickly agreed and left the man to wrangle the blonde in on his own.
The High King watched Koudelka for a while longer, until she cut the heavy coin purse of a local nobleman off his belt. Ulfric rolled his eyes and pushed off the wall he had been leaning against to approach where she was sweet-talking a guard who had caught her action.
The whelp was no older than twenty years and was easily done in by her innocent eyes and nervous posture.
Ulfric sighed despite the smile on his lips as he watched the guard leave. He snagged a lock of her hair and tugged on it playfully. She turned and smiled, easily recognizing his cloaked form. Koudelka threw her arms around his neck in an excited hug, which Ulfric lovingly returned.
"I see that silver tongue of yours got you out of a bit of trouble there." Ulfric trailed his fingers through her hair softly. "However, I do believe you have a few things that need returning..."
Koudelka looked up at him curiously. "I don't have a clue as to what you're talking about, love."
"Do not think you can get away with that around me, thief." he teased.
The assassin's hands flew to her heart as she stepped back from Ulfric's embrace, an expression of pure hurt crossed her features. "Oh! To use such a harsh word on me of all people!" Both pairs of green eyes were suddenly drawn to the ground as a bottle of lotus extract fell from Koudelka's undersized dress pockets.
The assassin glanced back up at Ulfric's stern face before she looked over his shoulder, confusion and concern weaving into her features. "By The Nine, Galmar is that drunken already?"
Ulfric turned his head towards The Winking Skeever, realizing his mistake when he didn't see any signs of a rowdy Galmar attempting to start fights. The man quickly turned back to look at his lover before she could escape, but she had long since fled along with the poison.
The High King sighed and bent to pick up the small petal of deathbell on the ground, shaking his head before leaving to meet Galmar. He knew he wouldn't find her no matter how hard he looked.
The Stormcloak General looked up from his tankard when his leader approached alone, raising an eyebrow. "Where is Koudelka?" he questioned.
Ulfric glared and sat, lowering his hood before snatching his friend's second tankard of ale from the table and taking a long drink.
"I lost her." he stated grudgingly, rubbing his hand over his face while gesturing to the barmaid for more ale as Galmar's booming laughter drew the looks of several patrons.
"I am going to demote the both of you as soon as we get back to Windhelm."
The Stone-Fist's laughter simply doubled in volume and Ulfric swore under his breath as he heard a familiar giggle from somewhere in the room.
Yay! All done! What did you guys think? I thought it was a kinda cute and relaxing chapter xD Thank you for reading and don't forget to leave your prompts and reviews! I know it was SUPER short but I like how it came out.