4E 182, 15th of Sun's Dawn...
"Gwen?"
Gwen stirred, finding herself laying on a bed of grass in the middle of the forest. "Askar?"
Askar, the Harbinger of the Companions, smiled. "Easy now, lass. You gave us quite a run for our money."
Gwen sat up with Askar's help. "What happened?"
"Do you remember anything from last night?"
Gwen closed her eyes, trying to remember. "I remember a sense of power and strength, running free..." She looked up at Askar. "I didn't hurt anyone did I?"
Askar chuckled and shook his head. "No, but you gave us a hard time last night. After your first transformation, you took off into the wilderness. Nearly made it to Riverwood before we caught up with you."
Gwen sighed with relief. "I'm sorry."
"It's no trouble." Askar stood, offering her a hand. "We should get back to Whiterun, though. You need to return to Windhelm, right?"
Gwen nodded, taking his hand. "I do."
"Then let's hurry back."
"Thank you for everything, Askar." Gwen hugged the Harbinger before hugging her mentors. "Thank you all for everything."
"Safe journey back, Gwen." Askar said. "And remember, you always have a place here in Jorrvaskr."
Gwen smiled and waved farewell to the friends she had made before departing through the city gates of Whiterun and rushing to the stables where her horse awaited their journey home.
4E 182, 16th of Sun's Dawn, Heart's Day...
Ulfric wandered the streets of Windhelm, much as he had the year before. The festival of Heart's Day was booming and the townsfolk were enjoying themselves as they did every festival.
As he weaved through the crowds, he thought back on the last year. One year ago to the day, he had met Gwenethra Mae- the beautiful young woman with honey golden hair and eyes as blue as the skies.
Since that day, he found himself thinking about her every day- wondering what she was doing, when he would see her again, what her favourite colour or food or book was. He found himself growing to admire her free-spirited and outspoken nature, her willingness to help those around her, her stubbornness and defiance in the face of what she believed to be wrong, her tenacity, her strength and courage- especially after what had happened in the Gray Quarter when Tolerak was attacked. And when she was taken by the bandits, he stopped at nothing to find her- spending four months sending out search party after search party, even with no new news as to where she could be. He refused to give up on her and when he finally caught a break, he refused to wait for any backup and went after Gwen alone. When he reached Mistwatch, he didn't hesitate going in and cutting down each and every bandit that crossed his path- the anger he felt overwhelming even as he couldn't figure out why he was so angry. But when the danger had passed and he found Gwen- weary, dirty, and a little thin- he was just relieved to see her alive and overall well. The anger subsided and a calm washed over him just being near her. When she had asked why he came after her, he gave her the best answer he could but it did make him wonder.
'Why did I go after her? What is it about her that makes me feel so protective of her, so calm when she's by my side?'
"You're looking well."
Ulfric stopped, having wandered outside of the city to stand on the upper walkways of the bridge, and looked down where he saw a face he had not seen in months, a smile growing. "Gwen, you've returned."
Gwen, who had just returned to Windhelm and put her horse in the stables, smiled up at him. "Shall I come up or would you like to come down?"
Ulfric chuckled and made his way down the stairs and met her at the start of the bridge. He looked her over, seeing her garbed in Nordic gear- from her Nordic Carved Armour to her Nordic sword and shield to her Nordic bow and arrows- with her honey golden hair hanging over her shoulder. "You look well."
"As do you." Gwen made to hug him, unsure if she could successfully with her armour still on.
Ulfric embraced her, ignoring her armour and just glad to have her in his arms. When they stepped back, he noticed something different and moved aside her bangs. "Your eye..."
Gwen reached up, laying her hand over his as it rested on her cheek. "Troll." She knew he was talking about the nearly healed gashes over her right eye. "Caught me off guard."
"It will leave a scar..."
Gwen nodded. "Yes, but it's healed nicely over the past few weeks." She saw the concern in his eyes. "Ulfric, I'm fine, I promise."
Ulfric sighed and offered a small smile. "I see that. Come, let's find your family."
Gwen nodded, walking with him back into the city. "So, how have you been?"
"I've been well. No real change since your last letter." Ulfric glanced at her. "How was the return journey?"
"Lots of rain, then snow, but luckily no trouble on the roads." Gwen sighed as they stepped into the city. "It was nice to see the rest of the province, but I did miss Windhelm."
"Gwen!"
Ulfric watched as Fjotli came running up, jumping into Gwen's arms as their parents hurried to join them. He smiled, seeing them overjoyed to have her back home, but he couldn't help feeling jealous that he didn't have more time with her to himself.
"My lord, good day to you."
Ulfric bowed his head. "Good day to you as well. I will leave you to enjoy time with Gwen now that's she's returned." He turned to Gwen, doing the same. "Gwen, if you have time later, it'd be a pleasure if you would join me for dinner."
Gwen blushed a bit and nodded. "I'd like that."
Ulfric bid them a farewell and headed back to the Palace of the Kings, leaving Gwen to deal with the teasing from her parents.