In the following weeks, the frost was thawing enough to beginning growing the crops. Gwen had wanted to return to the Palace of the Kings, to visit Ulfric and his library again, but she was needed at the farm. It wasn't until 7th of First Seed, First Planting, that she saw him again.

"Good day, my lord!"

Gwen looked up from where she stood with Hillevi at her stand in the market and smiled when she saw Ulfric coming into the Stone Quarter.

"Good day, Jarl Ulfric."

"Hillevi, good day." Ulfric bowed his head to her, then deepened it with a smile as his gaze shifted to Gwen. "Good day to you, Gwen."

Gwen blushed and bowed her head. "Good day, my lord. What brings you to the market?"

"It was getting stuffy in the palace. I thought I'd go for a walk, enjoy the fresh air. Would you care to join me?"

Gwen looked at her mother.

Hillevi smiled. "Go, Gwen. I can manage the stand."

Gwen smiled, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek before hurrying around the stall and walking with Ulfric as they left the market.

They walked through the city, weaving in and out of the streets. As they walked, though, Gwen noticed that Ulfric avoided the Grey Quarter. Passing by one of the pathways into the Gray Quarter, a scream sounded- someone calling for help.

"My lord, we have to do something. Someone could be hurt." Gwen said, looking between him and where the scream came from.

"Why? They are none of my concern."

Gwen looked at him, astounded. "They are citizens of Windhelm, they are your people."

"The only citizens that are of any concern to me are the Nords." Ulfric retorted, his tone hardening. "The elves can rot for all I care."

*smack*

Everyone nearby stared in shock as Gwen slapped Ulfric across the face, whispering and murmuring amongst themselves.

"I would have thought better of you, Ulfric Stormcloak." Gwen said, clearly disappointed. "Your father was much more tolerant of other races, but you... You're despicable!"

Ulfric stood there, cheek pulsing with pain, and watched as Gwen ran off in the direction of the scream- grabbing an axe from a nearby wood pile. 'She slapped me...' He smiled, seeing a bit of that free-spirit Jorleif told him of, then turned to some nearby guards and had them go after Gwen and see what was going on.

Down in the Gray Quarter, live-in help of the New Gnisis Cornerclub Malthyr Elenil was looking around desperately for help. Someone had attacked another of the residents in the Gray Quarter, leaving them to die in the streets.

"What happened?"

Malthyr looked up to see Gwen, one of the few Nords who paid he and his kind any mind. "Gwen, Tolerak was attacked. They looked like a bandit or thug of some kind."

Gwen knelt next to Tolerak, an elderly Dunmer she was rather fond of, as he lay crumpled in a bloody heap. He had been stabbed and a few of his ribs had broken in the fall, sticking out through his gray skin- the blood pooling around him. "He's still alive, but barely. He needs a healer." She looked up as some guards came running down. "You, fetch a healer! The rest of you, take Tolerak back home!"

The guards looked at each other, then at her but did not move. It was as if they were afraid of being near so much blood.

Gwen glared at them. "Must I say it again? Or would you rather I send you all to the healer?"

The guards jumped into action, hearing the anger in her voice as she snapped at them, and did as she asked.

Gwen was boiling with rage and took off running for the Palace of the Kings. She stormed in, called out for Ulfric, and found him in the war room with his housecarl, Galmar Stone-Fist.

"Bandits, my lord. Bandits have come into your city and wreaked havoc on its people. A man lay dying and you don't care because he is Dunmer and none of your concern. That is what you said earlier, is it not?"

Ulfric stood there, dumbfounded at her yelling at him- scolding him. "Gwen, I-"

"Save it, Ulfric." Gwen dropped his title, too angry to care. "Tolerak is a good man and one that I would proudly say that I admired. He's always helped look after me and it angers me to no end that the one person who is supposed to protect him as a citizen refuses to because he's nothing more than a racist, arrogant, troll humping bigot." She turned and stormed off, not wanting anything more to do with him at that moment.

There was an awkward silence, then Galmar started to laugh. Ulfric looked at him, wondering what was so funny.

"I forget sometimes what a free-spirited and outspoken girl Gwen can be." Galmar said, slapping the table. "She scolded you like a wife would of her husband!" He wiped tears from his eyes, Ulfric's expression and reaction to the whole ordeal hilarious. "She's a keeper, Ulfric!"

Ulfric sighed, rubbing his neck and shaking his head as Galmar tried to quiet his laughter. "'Troll humping bigot'?"

"I believe it was 'racist, arrogant, troll humping bigot'." Galmar said, his laughter simmering to a chuckle. "I understand your view on the elves and I share some of them. That being said though, and with all due respect, my lord, she does have a point. You could show more concern for the well being of the non-Nord citizens. You should, as jarl, show more concern for their well being."

A few days later, Gwen was walking down to the Gray Quarter to check in on Tolerak. She had been hearing the whispers and murmurs about how she slapped the jarl in front of everyone, but she didn't care. No one else seemed to care about what happened to the elves- or even the Argonians who worked the docks- and she would be damned to let it continue.

"Tolerak?" She knocked on the door and stepped inside. "How are you feeling?"

Tolerak smiled wearily at her from his bed. "Gwen... You shouldn't worry so much, dear girl."

Gwen sat next to the bed and checked his forehead. "Your fever broke finally. Did the healer tell you how much longer you would be bed ridden?"

"A few more weeks. She stepped out to gather some more medicine."

"I see." She patted his hand and smiled. "Well, don't worry, I'll help out at the shop."

"You are such a sweet girl." Tolerak smiled. "Thank you."

Gwen squeezed his hand gently and stood. "Someone has to look out for you." She leaned down and kissed his forehead. "Get some more rest. I'll check in with you again tomorrow." She tucked the old Dunmer in and stoked his fire before leaving his home.

"Gwen?"

Gwen turned to see- with great surprise- Ulfric standing just behind her. "What are you doing here, my lord?"

Ulfric sighed. "How is he?"

Gwen looked back at the door. "He's resting. The healer said he needs a few more weeks before he's back on his feet." She looked at Ulfric. "He's lucky to be alive, you know. A man his age can't handle an injury like that as much as you or I could." She bowed her head. "If you'll excuse me?" Pushing passed the jarl, she started making her way back home.

"Gwen, wait."

Gwen stopped and looked back at Ulfric. "What is it?"

"I'm sorry."

"Why apologize to me, my lord? I have nothing to worry about with such a jarl as yourself looking out for me. I am a Nord after all."

Ulfric growled and hurried after her as she turned away once more, this time grabbing her wrist and pulling her back.

Gwen looked at him, anger rising, with narrowed eyes. "Will you strike me now? Will you strike me for standing up to you? Will you strike me for being outspoken and actually giving a damn about the people of this city, including the elves and Argonians?"

Ulfric searched her eyes, seeing the defiance, stubbornness, and allure of her free-spirit and felt it radiating about her. "I admire you, Gwenethra Mae. You show no fear, nor remorse, no shame when you speak with me- even as disrespectful as it may be."

"I fear no man, no will I show remorse or shame when speaking to a man that has not earned my respect." Gwen replied calmly, trying to subside her growing anger. "Why should I respect a man who ostracises his own people simply because of their race? Why should I respect a man so quick to dismiss someone in need of help simply because of how they look?"

Ulfric loosened his grip on her wrist and let her leave, thinking on her words. 'Perhaps she is right.'