"Gwen, would you like to come with me to the Palace of the Kings? I have a few things for the jarl's steward."

Gwen looked at Torsten and smiled. "Sure, Da."

"I'll take Fjotli home." Hillevi said, holding the tuckered out girl in her arms. "Don't be too late, dear?"

Torsten nodded and turned towards the palace with Gwen as Hillevi took Fjotli back home. They walked through the streets and into the Palace of the Kings, Torsten greeting Jorleif when they grew closer to the throne of the jarl.

"Torsten, my old friend!"

"Jorleif, you look well!"

Gwen looked around, having never been inside the Palace of the Kings before, as her father spoke with Jorleif. The architecture and stonework was impressive, the vibrant yet ancient banners decorating the walls hung gracefully along the walls.

"You're the young woman from earlier."

Gwen turned and looked to see the same young man who had helped Fjotli find her. "You're the young man from earlier." She bowed her head to him. "Thank you again for helping my sister."

The young man smiled, then glanced over at where Torsten and Jorleif were busy talking. "Would you like a tour of the palace?"

Gwen glanced at her father, then returned her gaze to him. "Are you sure it'd be alright?"

The young man chuckled. "I'm sure. I do live here."

Gwen smiled. "OK, but I shouldn't be gone for long."

The young man gestured for her to follow him and led her through hall after hall, from room to room- explaining what each was for. After awhile, they came out into the library and the young man chuckled as Gwen marvelled at the collection of books. "This library is nothing compared to the College of Winterhold's collection, but we do our best."

Gwen lightly touched the spines and smiled. "It is a remarkable collection. I've never seen so many books before!"

"You're welcome to come visit the library any time you'd like."

Gwen looked at him and smiled. "Really? The jarl wouldn't mind?"

Again, the young man chuckled. "No, he would not."

Gwen smiled, then blushed as she withdrew her hand and bowed her head to him. "Thank you for giving me a tour of the palace."

"Of course." He watched her for a moment, then asked, "Torsten Cruel-Sea is your father?"

Gwen nodded. "Yes. Well, he's my adoptive father. The Cruel-Sea Clan found me washed up on the shores twelve years ago."

"Washed up on the shore?"

"I don't remember much, but I was on a ship out at sea when a storm hit. I was thrown overboard into the icy water and clung to the nearest bit of wreckage I could grab onto. Next thing I know, Hillevi is at my bedside tending to my fever." She smiled sadly, looking at the young man. "She and Torsten took me in after that, raising me as their own."

"You're lucky to be alive."

"I owe them my life. I try every day to repay them for their kindness. I just hope that it's enough."

The young man smiled and he looked out of the windows and saw that it was starting to get a bit dark outside. "We should return to the main hall."

"Da! I hope I haven't worried him!"

The young man chuckled and smiled. "Let's hurry back, then."

Gwen followed him back to the main hall where she found Jorleif and her father sitting at the table, chatting.

"Ah, Gwen, there you are!" Torsten said, seeing her joining them. He stood and bowed to the young man. "I do hope that my daughter was no trouble?"

The young man shook his head. "Not in the slightest. I should apologize, I was the one who dragged her off for a tour of the palace."

Torsten smiled. "I see. She has always been amazed at new things."

Jorleif stood and joined them. "I apologize, my lord, I should have given the tour myself." He said, looking at the young man.

Gwen looked at him, confused. '"My lord"?'

Torsten, seeing her confusion, chuckled. "Goodness, it would seem that my daughter doesn't quite know who you are. This is my daughter, Gwenethra Mae." He looked at Gwen. "Gwen, this is Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak."

Gwen's face erupted with heat as it flushed with embarrassment. "Please forgive me, my lord!" She bowed to him, trying to hide her face. "I should have realized who you were sooner!"

Ulfric chuckled. "It's alright. I should apologize, it was rather amusing and a nice change of pace to speak with someone who didn't recognize me."

Gwen looked at him, trying to ignore her embarrassment. "Da, we should hurry back home, lest Mum give us another lecture."

Torsten chuckled. "Of course." He bowed to Ulfric and nodded to Jorleif. "We'll take our leave. It was a pleasure as always doing business with you, Jorleif. My lord, if you'll excuse us?"

Ulfric nodded. "Of course." He looked at Gwen, his smile growing. "I meant what I said earlier, Gwen. You're welcome to peruse the library any time you'd like."

Gwen felt as though her head would explode. "T-Thank you, my lord." She bowed and quickly followed after her father as they made their way home. "Why didn't you tell me that was the jarl sooner, Da?"

Torsten laughed. "And miss out on that reaction?" He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and smiled, planting a kiss on her head. "It would seem the jarl has taken a shine to you. It has been a long time since I've seen the man smile like that."

Gwen stood by the window of her room, looking out towards the Palace of the Kings. 'So that was Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak...' She smiled to herself and pulled the blanket around herself tighter. 'He's so young... and handsome...' She blushed to herself and turned away from the window, sliding into bed.

Back in the palace, Ulfric stood in his room looking out the window towards the Stone Quarter and the housing. 'Gwenethra Mae... such a beautiful name for such a beautiful girl...' He smiled to himself as he thought back on what Jorleif had told him. 'I wonder just how free-spirited she is.' He turned in for the night, finding that he couldn't get the strange, beautiful girl he had met earlier that day out of his head. 'I do hope she comes to visit again.'