The following morning, Ulfric woke to Gwen still in his arms. He smiled and stroked her hair, listening to her breathing. He stayed like that until she stirred, looking up at him with a sheepish smile.

"Morning."

"Morning."

"How'd you sleep?"

"Better than I have in weeks." Gwen pushed herself upright and looked down at him. "What about you?"

Ulfric reached up to touch her cheek and smiled. "Better than I have in a long time."

Gwen leaned into his hand. "So what now?"

"What do you mean?"

"What are we going to do about us?"

Ulfric thought a moment, then flipped her onto her back- earning a himself a giggle. "I could marry you."

Gwen blushed, looking away. "Be serious, Ulfric."

"And what if I am?" He replied, looking down at her.

Gwen looked back up at him. "Why would you want to marry me? There's a lot you still don't know about me."

"Let's see..." Ulfric leaned down, kissing her neck. "Because you're beautiful. And you're intelligent. And you're strong."

Gwen giggled and bit her lip as she fought against the sensation rising within her with each kiss Ulfric placed on her neck in between each reason.

"You're confident. You're courageous. You're skilled in battle. You command a great respect even when you don't realize it. And even your secrets give you allure that drives me mad." He glanced at her. "Shall I go on?"

Gwen shook her head. "I think I get it." She cocked her head and looked up at him. "I didn't know you had such a soft and gentle side, Ulfric Stormcloak. I must say I am surprised."

"Teasing now, are we?"

"Only fair, is it not?"

Ulfric chuckled. "That it is." He leaned down and kissed her, pressing into her. "Though, it's hard to resist you." He pressed his knee against her loins, smirking when she gasped and let out a little moan- which she tried to hide. "I want to take you somewhere. It's along the way home, just a bit off the main road."

"Oh? Now you've peaked my interest even further."

"Good." He pressed into her one last time before moving away and getting dressed. "We should get on the road here soon."

Gwen glared at him playfully and sighed, getting dressed herself.

After a quick breakfast, they were back on the road- Ulfric taking the lead. They pressed on passed the Nightgate Inn and turned east of the inn into the wilds until they reached a cave at the edge of a large lake.

"What is this place?"

"This is Bronze Water Cave. Yorgrim River pours into this lake before it continues to the rapids that lead to the White Riven."

"It's beautiful." Gwen slid out of her saddle and tied her horse to a nearby tree.

"I like coming here from time to time. I always feel calm."

Gwen smiled, looking at him. "Let's go for a swim!"

Ulfric watched as she stripped off her armour and her clothes- save for her underclothes. He blushed when he noticed how slender she was as she ran barefoot down the hill and dove into the lake.

"Come on, Ulfric! The water's wonderful!"

Ulfric smiled and stripped out of his armour and clothes- save his underclothes- and dove in after her. He swam to her, coming up right behind her and grabbing her.

Gwen squealed as Ulfric grabbed her from behind, pulling her into his arms. She squirmed free of his grasp and ducked under the water.

Ulfric waited patiently, but Gwen caught him off guard when she jumped up onto his back from behind.

For hours they stayed like that, swimming and horsing around in the lake. When the sun began to slip down behind the mountains, they decided to make camp for the night and stay in the cave.

"Thank you, Ulfric." Gwen said, sitting by their fire in her underclothes and a tunic.

"For what?"

"For taking me to Dawnstar. For bringing me here. It means a lot to me."

Ulfric smiled at that. "Anything for you, Gwen. You should know that by now."

Gwen returned his smile and leaned against him. "I know. And I hope you know what that means to me."

"I know."

The rest of the journey back to Windhelm was nice and short. They pulled their horses to a stop at the stables and unpacked their gear before heading into the city.

"Would you like me to walk you home?" Ulfric asked as they stopped in the courtyard of the Palace of the Kings.

"I'll be OK." Gwen reached up and kissed Ulfric, grateful it was dark and their sweet little exchanges wouldn't catch unwanted attention. "Can I come see you tomorrow?"

"I'm sure Galmar and Jorleif will have work for me, but you're welcome to join me. Divines know I'll need the company."

Gwen chuckled. "I'll see you tomorrow then."

Ulfric stood there until she disappeared around the corner and he smiled. He made his way into the palace and up to his room, catching Galmar's attention as he passed through the war room.

"You've returned."

"I have."

"Did Gwen find the answers she needed?"

"She did."

Galmar sensed there was more to it than that. "You seem different somehow."

"I don't know what you mean." Ulfric said, ignoring Galmar's coy smile.

"Sure, and I'm the Lady Mara."

"Let's just leave it at she wasn't the only one to find answers."

"I see." Galmar chuckled. "Well, get some rest. We have a lot to catch you up on tomorrow."

Ulfric nodded and headed up to his room. Setting his things aside and collapsing onto his bed, he smiled and came to a decision. 'I'm going to marry that woman.'