Leola went back to bed when she reached the castle, and she stayed there. Morning came, but she refused to stir. Several times over the course of the day, servants came to her door to offer her some food, but she sent them all away. She didn't feel like eating, or coming outside, or being sociable, or anything like that. All she wanted to do was lay in her bed and cry. The Gods had given her something she'd always wanted, a father, only to take him from her before she really got to know him.

When her friends arrived from Solitude, Galmar was waiting for them. They all came straight to the castle, eager to see Ulfric and Leola so they could hear about the Sovngarde portal.

"Welcome back," Galmar said to the group as they arrived, all bright-faced and smiling at him.

"Are Ulfric and Leola back?" Aventus asked as they approached him, and Galmar paused, glancing downwards.

"The Princess has returned," Galmar said slowly. "I think it best that you all take a seat."

"Oh, Talos, what's happened?" Erith asked, her brown eyes widening right away. Galmar gestured again towards the table, and all of them sorted themselves into seats.

"King Ulfric and his daughter Leola were successful in their mission to deliver the Dragonborn's soul to Sovngarde," Galmar began slowly, placing his hands on the table as he gazed intently at them all. "Leola came late last night to the palace to seek my help, though, and when I reached the clearing where the dragon had landed, I found her father...dead."

"What?" exclaimed almost everybody in unison, all eyes widening and shocked gaps filling the room.

"Leola says that after her mother's soul entered the portal, her father collapsed," Galmar continued. "She was able to call back the dragon to return both herself and the King's body here. I have not yet made the announcement as I wanted to ensure that you all heard it first from us, rather than some gossip on the streets as you made your way here."

The table was silent. Nobody really knew how to react. Erith's brown eyes were filling up with tears, and Aventus reached over, placing his hand atop hers.

"Leola," Erith said in a soft voice. "I have to go see Leola."

"The Princess is in her room," Galmar said with a nod, and immediately, Erith stood to her feet and hurried off.

"So what happens now?" Aventus asked, looking towards Galmar. "If Skyrim is without a High King, it'll be chaos."

"Skyrim will not be without a ruler for long," Galmar replied. "It is Ulfric's heir who will be crowned High Queen."

"Is she ready for that, though?" asked Bottar in a low voice. "I mean...she hasn't even been a Princess very long, and now she's to be a Queen?"

"She has no choice but to be ready," Galmar said. "I intend to stand by her side, though, as I stood by her father's - and I trust that the same can be said about the group of you?"

"Of course," Aventus answered almost immediately. "You know full well that every one of us will be by her side."

"Good," Galmar said with a nod. "She's going to need the help, after all - we all know it."

Back in Leola's bedroom, the young interim Queen was curled up in her bed. She had the blankets wrapped right the way around her, her long blonde hair falling in loose and tangled waves. Her face was red and her eyes were puffy, their blue colour intensified by the contrasting redness. A knock came at her door, and she lifted her gaze.

"Come in," she half-mumbled, and the door opened. In came Erith, her brown eyes filled with concern. The moment she saw Leola, she rushed to the bed and flung her arms around her lover.

"Oh, Leola," she said softly, and the instant she was in Erith's arms, Leola burst into tears again.

"I miss him, Erith," she sobbed out in a strangled and choked voice, and she could feel Erith's gentle hand rubbing her back.

"I know, Leola, I know," Erith murmured, though Leola could hear that she, too, was getting choked up. "Come here, I've got you…"

Leola nestled herself against Erith. She'd thought that she was out of tears to cry, but fresh new ones burst forth from her eyes as the brunette held her. She had needed Erith this whole time. She wasn't sure how long she stayed there, but before long, she began to hear sounds outside the window - a murmur rippling over the town, wails in the streets. They knew.

Of course the town was going to cry. Ulfric was their King, their Jarl. Many of them knew him personally. Cared for him. Respected him. The townspeople were probably as shocked as she was.

"We should get you something to eat," Erith told Leola gently when her sobs finally subsided.

"I'm not hungry," Leola replied softly.

"Maybe not, but you still need to eat - when was the last time you ate? Yesterday?"

"...yes."

"Then you need some food. And water, you're probably going to get dehydrated after all this crying. I know you're hurting, Leola - believe me, I know - but life goes on."

Leola was silent for a moment before finally letting out a sigh. "Alright," she said finally.

Erith took Leola by the hand and helped her to her feet. The princess was wobbly, but Erith steadied her gently. She took the brush from the dresser and ran it through Leola's golden hair, gently working out the tangles until it shone again. She pulled out a new dress, a simple green one, and she helped Leola to change out of her old dress and into the new one. Leola remained quiet the whole time - thoughtful, pensive.

"Erith," she said softly.

"Yes?"

"I wish...I should have insisted that you go with him instead of me," Leola murmured, her blue eyes gazing towards Erith intently. "If you had gone, you could have healed him...you have magic, I don't, you could-"

"Stop that," Erith said firmly, putting a hand on Leola's arm. "This is not your fault and there's nothing you or I could have done."

"But you don't know that," Leola insisted.

"From what Galmar told me, it doesn't sound like my magic would have been of much use," Erith said. "Just please, Leola...don't blame yourself for this."

Leola was quiet again before nodding. "Alright," she said softly. "I'll try…"

"Good," Erith said. She moved to stand right in front of Leola, outstretching her arms and placing them gently on Leola's hips. "Look at you, my beautiful Queen."

"Oh, stop it," Leola said, swatting Erith's hands away and feeling a warmth spread across her cheeks.

"That's my girl," Erith said, lifting one hand and placing it under Leola's chin. "You'll get through this, my darling. I'm here for you."

"I know," Leola said softly, giving Erith a sad smile. "I love you, you know that?"

"I love you too," Erith replied. She tucked a lock of Leola's hair back behind her ear before stepping closer. "I will always love you," she said, leaning in and placing her lips on Leola's in a tender, adoring kiss.