4E 181, 20th of Sun's Height, Sun's Rest...

It had been four months since Gwen was taken by the bandits and she was beginning to lose hope that anyone would find her. She had no idea where she was being kept, no idea what their goal was in keeping her there, but she was just grateful that they hadn't tried to rape her. Yet.

All the while, Ulfric and the others continued their search for her- scouring the hold for any sign of her. Ulfric refused to give up, even after they had to return to Windhelm to recoup. They sent out search party after search party, with no new news as to where Gwen could be. Then, just a few days before Sun's Rest word that a group of bandits wearing the same armour that Torsten had described of the ones who took Gwen seen at Mistwatch- a tower south of the city near Darkwater Crossing.

Ulfric, having had the news brought directly to him, order the messenger to inform Jorleif and Galmar that he was going ahead alone to find Gwen. He took his fastest horse and urged it to go as fast as it could, making his way through the forest to Mistwatch.

'It's Sun's Rest today...' Gwen thought, looking down at the hay bedded floor of her cell. 'I would have taken Fjotli to the festival... I hope everyone's alright...'

Over the weeks that Gwen was held captive, she had been thinking about her family and about Ulfric. It amazed her that even as much as she tried to avoid him, made excuses not to talk to him or see, cut their conversations short, he still tried to make amends. He made the time to try to see her, speak with her, and she was childish about it. She had been so focused on her anger over how he treated the elves and Argonian citizens that she didn't take the time or want to take the time to understand why he held such hatred towards them. She felt it was her duty to look after them since Ulfric wouldn't and she didn't consider what his reasons were.

'Ulfric...' Gwen sighed, pulling her knees to her chest. 'I wonder how he's doing... I wonder if he even noticed I was gone...'

There was a commotion somewhere within the tower and it was getting closer and closer. Gwen stood, backing away into the darkest corner of the cell to hide. A bang sounded at the nearby door and Gwen put a hand to her mouth as she watched the head of one of the bandits rolling across the floor. She looked out into the room, seeing someone walking about and checking the cells. When they reached her cell door, they jiggled it and leaned forward when they realized it was locked.

"Gwen?"

Gwen's eyes widened and she stepped forward, seeing a familiar face for the first time in months. "Ulfric..?"

Ulfric sighed in relief when he saw her. "Hold one moment while I unlock the door."

Gwen stayed put as Ulfric rummaged through the bandit's pockets, trying to find the keys. Once he had, he slid the key into the lock and opened the door.

"You came for me..."

Ulfric stepped into the cell and reached up to touch her cheek, looking her over. She looked thin, dirty, but unharmed. "Of course I did..."

Gwen stepped forward, wrapping her arms around him and burying her face into his chest. "I was beginning to lose hope anyone would find me..."

Ulfric held her close, thankful that she was alive. "You're safe now..."

Ulfric had led Gwen out of Mistwatch, holding her hand as they stepped over the bloodied bodies of the bandits- some of them dismembered. Gwen felt a bit sick seeing blood splattered all over the walls, some of the bandits with their guts spilling out onto the floor. It made her a bit fearful of Ulfric when she realized that he had come for her alone and practically slaughtered the bandits.

'He came for me on his own and killed the bandits that took me...' She glanced at him as they exited the tower. 'Why though?'

Ulfric led her out of the tower and through the woods towards his horse.

"Ulfric?"

He stopped and looked at Gwen.

"Why did you come for me?"

He looked at her surprised. "You were in trouble."

Gwen looked away, letting go of his hand. "As was Tolerak, but you didn't come to help him..."

Ulfric sighed, realizing that she was still upset with how he handled the situation on First Planting. "Gwen..."

Realizing she was still upset, Gwen knew she needed answers. "Why do you hate the elves and Argonians so much?"

Ulfric looked away. "What do you know of the Great War?"

"Not much. Da never mentioned it and no one ever seems like they want to talk about it."

"During the Great War, I fought alongside Galmar and Rikke- who had joined the Legion- however I was captured by the Aldmeri Dominion during the Dominion's campaign for the Imperial City. While imprisoned, I was interrogated by a Thalmor named Elenwen for information, under which they learned of my potential value being the son of the Jarl of Windhelm, and assigned me as an asset by making me believe information obtained during the interrogation was crucial in the capture of the Imperial City in Cyrodiil. I later found out that it had fallen before any information could be gained by them. I was able to escape, but something made me wonder if they let me escape- having further plans for me."

"I'm sorry, I didn't know..."

"In 175, the Great War ended with the Empire signing the White-Gold Concordat, an act which banned the worship of Talos in the Empire. During the war, the Nords lost possession of the Reach due to an uprising by a group of Bretons known as Reachmen. Igmund, son of the previous Jarl of the Reach, stated his family and their Imperial colleagues sought help from my militia and I in ousting the Reachmen invaders. Igmund's father, Hrolfdir, promised that if we re-took the Reach, then he as Jarl would allow free worship of Talos. I agreed and marched his militia to the gates of Markarth and retook the city. The leader of the Reachmen, Madanach, was captured but was spared by prominent Markarth citizen Thonar Silver-Blood, as he was deemed more valuable alive than dead. The surviving Reachmen fled to the hills of the Reach and became known as the Forsworn. As a result of the battle, which was later known as the Markarth Incident, I stationed a Nordic militia in the area to aid in keeping the Forsworn that had retreated from retaking Markarth. Hrolfdir initially kept his promise to us and allowed free worship of Talos for a time. And when the Imperial Legion arrived to restore the rule of law, I refused them entry into the city until they also agreed free worship of Talos would be allowed. With chaos running through the streets of Markarth and the reports of deaths rising every day, the Empire had no choice but to grant us our worship. It did jeopardize the peace agreement with the Aldmeri Dominion, but Igmund implied that the Empire simply hoped that the Dominion wouldn't find out about the free Talos worship. When they eventually did, my men and I were scapegoated in order to avoid incrimination and prevent a war. Eventually, the Empire rescinded the agreement due to pressure from the Aldmeri Dominion, and we were expelled from the city and imprisoned shortly after with Hrolfdir's help. The betrayal left me bitter towards the Empire."

"What of the elves and the Argonians? Even the Khajiit?"

"My reasons for general disdain for the Argonians and Khajiit are my own. My hatred of elves is based in personal experience."

"But that was during times of war. Can you not look passed what happened and see that not all elves are like the Thalmor? A few soldiers should not distort the entirety of the race."

Ulfric looked at her. "You are naive, Gwen. You cannot possibly understand the effects of war."

The sound of hooves came through the trees and Galmar emerged with a half dozen guards.

"My lord, you shouldn't be so careless and charge in blindly." Galmar said as he joined them.

"She's safe, though, is she not?" Ulfric asked, wrapping an arm around Gwen's waist.

"Are you alright, lass?" Galmar asked, looking to Gwen.

Gwen blushed as Ulfric drew her in closer, but she nodded and bowed her head. "I am now. Thank you for coming for me."

"Thank the young lord for that, lass. He came to save you, alone, when word came that the bandits who took you had been seen."

Gwen looked up at Ulfric, his arm still around her waist.

"We should get you home to your family." Ulfric said, guiding her over to his horse and helping her up into the saddle before hopping up behind her.

Gwen sat, Ulfric holding her close to him, as they led the party back to Windhelm. They remained silent as they travelled north through the forest.

"Ulfric?"

Ulfric looked down at her.

"I'm sorry..."

"For what?"

"I was just so angry that you refused someone help that I didn't consider why. Then I avoided you, found excuses not to talk to you or see you, I cut any conversation we had as short as I could before running away. It wasn't fair to you, nor was it for me not to take the time to understand what reasons you have for the disdain and hatred you hold." She looked back at him over her shoulder. "So for that, I'm sorry."

Ulfric looked down at her, surprised. Here was the young woman who had stood up to him, who had slapped him, scolded him, who had shown an outspoken and stubborn determination and will to protect those around her- regardless of race- and she was apologizing to him.

Smiling, he leaned forward- his lips right against her ear- and said, "There is nothing for you to apologize for. You stood up for what you thought was right, just as I do with the rebellion. You are strong willed, stubborn, free-spirited, outspoken, and beautiful. It's enough to make a man lose his mind."

Gwen felt a strange sensation run through her body as she felt heat surrounding her. "W-What are you saying?"

Ulfric chuckled, his grip around her waist tightening a bit. "I never stopped looking for you, you know."

Gwen made to answer, but they had returned to the city and came to a stop at Hollyfrost Farm. Her father was in the field, her mother and sister at his side as they tended the crops with Tulvur.

In their fields, the Cruel-Sea clan heard hooves approaching and looked up to see that Ulfric and the others had returned- Gwen with them.

"Gwen!"

Gwen slid out of the saddle and ran to her sister as Fjotli barrelled towards her. She embraced her little sister and held her close. "Oh, cub..! I missed you!"

Fjotli clung to Gwen as she stood and looked at Ulfric. "You brought Gwen home."

Ulfric smiled at her. "I promised I would."

Torsten and Hillevi ran to embrace Gwen, grateful that she was safe and home.

"Mum, Da...!"

Hillevi looked her over as Torsten went up to Ulfric and thanked him. "Are you alright? They didn't hurt you did they?"

Gwen shook her head. "No. I'm alright, Mum, I promise." She turned to thank Ulfric once more for saving her and bringing her back home, but he had already left the farm and was halfway across the bridge. 'Ulfric...'