4E 182, 6th of Sun's Height...

Ulfric sat by Gwen's beside as the healer went to work, drawing out the liquid silver just as they had for five days now.

"There, that should be the last of it." The healer said. "I am amazed that she could withstand so much silver in her system, considering her nature."

"Will she be OK, now?"

"She needs lots of rest, but given time she will make a full recovery." The healer said, standing. "At least physically. There is no telling what sort of psychological damage inflicted during her imprisonment."

"Thank you."

The healer took her leave and Ulfric sighed, grasping Gwen's hand.

"Did you know?" Galmar asked, coming into the tent.

"Know what?"

"That she's a werewolf?"

Ulfric shook his head. "I don't think anyone knew. Not even her family."

"Why would she hide it?"

"Because of the prejudice against others of her kind." Beirand said, joining them. "My sister shares the beast blood that Gwen bears. They are seen as mindless beast with a stigma of Hircine, the Huntsman of the Princes. Many of their kind are hunted as such, but not all are mindless beasts- only those who are forcibly turned are mindless. Those who are given the blood as a gift retain their being and sanity."

Ulfric looked at Gwen, realizing that it must have been hard to hide her secret from so many people for longer than he could imagine.

"Ulfric, you should rest. We can take shifts watching over her."

Ulfric shook his head. "I need to stay by her side."

"Then I will stay with you." Beirand said, taking a seat across from him.

Galmar took his leave as Thadis came into the tent, resting his head on the bed. He quelled the unrest in the camp, assuring the men that Gwen would be alright and asked that no one breathe a word of what they saw at Northwatch Keep. He made the men who were present swear an oath of secrecy for Gwen's sake, then sent them about doing their duties.

Some time in the night, Gwen stirred and found herself in a tent.

"Gwen?"

She looked to see Ulfric to her right, holding her hand. "You look tired." She said, managing a weary smile.

Ulfric chuckled a bit. "You're one to talk." He leaned forward, kissing her hand. "How do you feel?"

"Weary, physically and mentally." She replied, then remembered what happened when they found her. "Was anyone else hurt?"

Ulfric shook his head. "No, only the Thalmor were found dead."

Gwen sighed with relief. "Good..."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Gwen looked at him. "About that?"

Ulfric nodded. "Why didn't you tell anyone?"

Gwen sighed. "Only the members of the Circle in the Companions are gifted with the beast blood. I had proved myself and accepted the beast blood because it was another tool with which I could protect the ones I cared about. But I was sworn to secrecy." She looked at the ceiling of the tent. "Until now, at least." She felt the weight to her left and looked, smiling when she saw Beirand passed out.

"He came straight to Windhelm when you were taken once Igmund refused to go after you." Ulfric said. "I was harder on him than I should have been."

"It wasn't his fault that the Thalmor took me." Gwen reached up, stroking Beirand's hair. "He thinks he failed me, doesn't he?"

"He has blamed himself for weeks."

Gwen smiled, sighing a bit. "He's always done everything I asked, everything that could be expected of him as a housecarl. He's exceeded any expectations that I had for him. He's become more to me than just a housecarl. He's like family now."

"Speaking of family, yours is doing well." Ulfric said. "They're worried, rightfully so, but they're fine."

"Good. I'm glad." Gwen looked at him. "How long was I gone? I lost track after a few weeks."

"Three months."

"And yet you still found me? Against all odds?"

Ulfric leaned forward. "Of course. I never gave up hope that we would find you. I used every resource I had to find you. And I will again and again, if it means keeping you safe."

"Ulfric..."

"You should get some more rest." He stood, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "When you're ready to get back on your feet, then we can talk again."

Gwen nodded, feeling the weariness taking its hold again. "Thank you for coming for me."

"And I always will."

4E 182, 10th of Sun's Height...

Nine days since her escape from Northwatch Keep, Gwen was finally able to get back on her feet. She was still weak and needed more time to recover from the torture she endured, but she no longer needed to be bedridden and she was goof to travel.

She walked through the camp, being greeted by the soldiers and welcomed back after so long. It warmed her heart to see that they treated her the same, despite having seen her beast form and the carnage she left behind.

"Gwen, you're up!"

Gwen smiled, carefully hugging Ralof. "About time, too. I hate being stuck in a bed all the time."

Ralof chuckled, looking her over. "Well, you're still a bit thin and a bit pale, but considering what you went through you look well overall."

"Thanks. Do you know where Beirand is?"

Ralof nodded, pointing to where he stood training with some of the soldiers. "He's been training every day since he came to us for help. He trains hard and rigorously in hopes that he won't ever let you down again."

Gwen sighed. "He shouldn't be so hard on himself."

"You should speak with him. None of us can seem to help him understand that."

"Thank you, Ralof."

Ralof watched as Gwen made her way to the training grounds, glad to see her up on her feet. 'I wonder if she knows what the men are calling her now.'

"Beirand?"

Beirand looked up from his training to find Gwen standing to the side. "My Thane, what are you doing up? You should be resting."

"I've rested enough. I was hoping to speak with you, if you can take a moment or two?"

He nodded, going to sit with Gwen as she took a seat nearby. "How are you feeling?"

"Well enough, considering."

"My Thane, I..."

"Before you say anything, I want you to understand something." Gwen started, placing her hand over his. "You did not fail me. You did all that I asked of you and more. You have far exceeded my expectations. You did everything you could to help find me."

"But I couldn't stop them from taking you..."

"Beirand, I tasked you with watching over our home while I was out. You followed your orders. No one will fault you for that. Even if you had insisted, I would have gone on alone anyway. That's just how I am." She squeezed his hand. "Stop being so hard on yourself, alright? You'll only worry me more."

"My Thane, that was never my intention." Beirand looked at her, feeling guilty.

Gwen chuckled. "You know, you may be slightly older than me, but you're like a little brother to me."

Beirand blushed at that, looking away.

"In the best of ways, don't get me wrong." Gwen continued. "You're like family and that will never change." She turned his chin towards her. "So please, lighten up and smile again for me?"

Beirand couldn't help but return her smile and her embrace when she leaned forward and hugged him. "I will not fail you, my Thane."

"I don't doubt that for a second." Gwen sat back and put her hands together. "Now, then. There's something I would like your opinion on."

Ulfric watched as Gwen walked through the camp, being greeted and welcomed back by the men. It pleased him to see that they treated her no different, even after seeing her beast form and the carnage she left in her wake.

He was no longer jealous of her relationship with Beirand, seeing that she truly did view him like family just as she did Ralof or any other of the men. During his search, he began to realize that while he did love her she needed to remain free to do as she wished- regardless of his desire to keep her by his side at all times. She had proven, despite what she had been through and had to do, that she could handle herself.

"Have you told her yet?"

Ulfric looked over as Galmar joined him, knowing what he was talking about. "Not yet. She needed rest, I didn't want to add to her troubles."

"You need to tell her, Ulfric. It's been months now since you admitted it to yourself; it's time you admitted it to her."

Gwen sat alone at the edge of camp, up on the hill a bit, and looked out over the forest. It was a peaceful night, one she hadn't had in months.

"May I join you?"

Gwen smiled and nodded, patting the spot next to her as Ulfric joined her. "Of course."

Ulfric sat beside her, looking out over the forest. "It's peaceful tonight."

"That it is. Very welcoming and pleasant."

"How are you feeling now that you can move about again?"

"Better than being stuck in bed all the time."

Ulfric smiled at that. "Good." He looked down as Gwen looped her arm through his, intertwining their fingers as she slid her hand into his.

"So, are we ready to have that talk now?"

"I believe so."

"Would you like to begin or shall I?" Gwen asked, glancing up at him before settling her cheek against his arm.

"I suppose I could start."

They sat for a moment in silence as Ulfric chose his words carefully.

"I told you once before that I could marry you."

"Giving me reasons like how beautiful, intelligent, courageous, strong, and confident I am." Gwen teased.

Ulfric smiled. "Glad to see your humor still lingers."

Gwen's smile grew. "The Thalmor couldn't break, not one bit." She bragged a bit. "But, please, do continue."

"I meant what I said that day." Ulfric looked up at the stars and the two moons sitting high in the night sky. "I love you, Gwen, and I intend to marry you."

Gwen looked at him, her eyes widened with surprise.

Ulfric looked down at her, smiling at her surprise. "Cat got your tongue?"

Gwen stuck her tongue out and smiled. "I'd rather you catch it." She looked back out over the forest, her smile growing. "I've been thinking since that day, you know. And it took me some time to admit it to myself."

"Oh? And what might that be?"

Gwen leaned over and kissed him, lingering for a few moments before pulling back and pressing her forehead to his. "I love you, Ulfric Stormcloak. With all my heart. And I think I always have, I was just too afraid to admit it."

Ulfric returned her kiss, carefully pulling her closer. "Will you marry me, Gwen?"

Gwen searched his eyes and nodded. "I will."