4E 181, 20th of Sun's Dusk, Warriors Festival...

Ulfric walked through the streets of Windhelm as the Warriors Festival boomed about him. Everyone seemed happy, enjoying themselves. And he knew he should be too, but something was beginning to weigh on him.

It had been four months since he rescued Gwen and brought her home. Four months since she had apologized for acting so strange around him, for not taking the time to understand his position. Four months since she had begun training with Galmar in order to become stronger so that she could protect herself and her family better. And in just three days time, Gwen would be leaving for Whiterun to train with the Companions.

"My lord?"

Ulfric turned to see Gwen approaching him. "Gwen, good day to you."

Gwen smiled. "Good day to you." She looked at him, sensing something was off about him. "Is everything alright?"

Ulfric nodded. "Would you walk with me?"

Gwen nodded. "Of course."

They walked through the streets, silent, and out onto the bridge outside the city gates.

"Are you prepared for you journey to Whiterun?"

Gwen nodded. "I won't leave for a few more days, but yes, I think I am."

"How long will you be gone?"

"I'm not sure." Gwen sighed. "When the bandits took me, I was helpless and too weak to stop them. I couldn't do anything but sit in that dingy cell and wait for someone to rescue me. Galmar has taught me enough to get by, but things are beginning to stir up again with the rebellion so I thought it'd be best for me to go elsewhere to train and let him give you his full attention." She looked at Ulfric. "I need to be able to protect myself and my family. However long it takes, I'll train until i can reach that point."

Ulfric chuckled at that.

"What's so funny about that?" Gwen looked at him, her brow furrowing as she wondered if he was making fun of her.

"Nothing. It's admirable of you is all. You are truly a remarkable woman."

Gwen blushed at that and smiled. "Thank you." They were silent again for a moment before Gwen spoke. "I'll miss you, Ulfric."

Ulfric looked at her when she said that. "Oh? And here I had assumed you held disdain towards me even after I rescued you from bandits."

Gwen looked at him, glaring playfully at him. "If I recall, it took you four months to find me."

"But I did find you in the end, did I not?"

Gwen smiled at that. "That you did. And I will always be grateful to you for that." She blushed and looked at the sky. "I mean it, though. I will miss you."

Ulfric smiled. "I will miss you, too."

They stared at the sky for a bit, thinking or just simply enjoying each other's company.

"Ulfric, can I ask you something?"

"Anything."

"Why did you come for me?" Gwen glanced at him. "I mean, why did you really come for me?"

"I told you once before: you stood up for what you thought was right, just as I do with the rebellion. Not one person has had the courage and the strength to speak to me or act around me the way you do without fearing some kind of recourse. I admire how strong willed, stubborn, free-spirited, and outspoken you are, your willingness to do everything in your power to protect those around you. And you are incredibly beautiful, which just adds to your allure. It's enough to make a man lose his mind."

Gwen blushed at that, meeting his gaze for a moment before breaking it to turn towards the city gates when she heard her family calling to her. "I should go..." She thought a moment before reaching up and planting a kiss on his cheek. "Thank you, Ulfric. For everything. I hope that one day I can repay you."

Ulfric stood there, stunned, as Gwen hurried off and joined her family by the gates before going back into the city. That strange sensation that had been plaguing him for months now was growing stronger and he wondered what it was about Gwen that made him feel like that. He put a hand to his cheek, a small smile growing at the warmth that lingered even in the icy air around him. 'You are quite unique, Gwen.'

4E 181, 22nd of Sun's Dusk...

Ulfric never liked celebrating his birthday, but this year it was different. Gwen came to visit him.

Ulfric was in the war room, going over the maps and reports that had come in from the Stormcloak camps, when a knock came at the door.

"Gwen, lass, good to see you!" Galmar said, greeting her.

"And you, Galmar. I hope I'm not interrupting?"

"We are reviewing reports from-" Ulfric started, but Galmar interrupted him, "Actually, we were just about to take a break. What's that you have there?"

Gwen looked down and blushed. "I um, it's for you, my lord." She handed him the package, her heart sinking a bit when he set it to the side without looking at it. "Forgive me for interrupting, you. I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday before I left for Whiterun." She glanced at Galmar before she bowed. "I'll take my leave. Again, please forgive the interruption."

Galmar watched as Gwen retreated from the war room and he sighed, reaching over and smacking Ulfric upside his head. "What's wrong with you?"

"Ow, what the-?" Ulfric rubbed his head and glared at Galmar. "What was that for?"

"That girl came all the way up here just to wish you well on your birthday and she even brought you a gift. Yet what do you do? You set it aside without a single glance or word of thanks."

Ulfric and looked at the package.

"Well, go on. Open it."

Ulfric opened the package to find inside a fur lined and trimmed cloak made of cave bear fur and leather with a fasten fashioned from bear claws. He touched it and felt how soft and warm it was.

"Divines that looks expensive." Galmar noted, looking at the cloak.

Jorleif came into the war room with a handful more reports and noticed the cloak. "Oh, Gwen finished it finally? Just in time for your birthday, too. She's been working on that since you brought her home, as a thank you gift."

Galmar gaped at Jorleif. "Gwen made this herself?"

Jorleif nodded. "Yes. Torsten had mentioned it just a few weeks after she returned home. He was looking for merchants who had cave bear pelts in stock."

Galmar looked at Ulfric and sighed. "Well, now don't you feel like a royal ass?"

Ulfric felt the warmth and softness of the fur, his finger tracing the stitching as he admired the craftsmanship. 'She made this just for me?'

4E 181, 23rd of Sun's Dusk...

Gwen hugged her parents and her sister as she bid them farewell.

"Come back soon, Gwen." Fjotli said, tearing up a bit.

Gwen smiled. "Don' worry, Fjotli. I'll write to you every day."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

"Well, you should go while you still have the sunlight." Torsten hugged her one last time before she mounted into her saddle.

Gwen nodded and began to urge her horse onward, only stopping when she saw Ulfric and Galmar standing at the bridge. She smiled when she saw that Ulfric was wearing the cloak she made for him and raised a hand to wave as she passed by.

Ulfric and the others waved until she was gone from their sight.

'Safe travels, Gwen. Divines watch over you.'