I stared up at the beautiful winter sky. The air was cold, but with my Nordic blood, I hardly noticed it. The aurora of lights was breathtakingly beautiful, even more so tonight than usual.
I dangled my legs over the edge of the roof, still gazing at the glittering stars above me. I often came up here to the top of the Palace to think or just breathe the peaceful air. It was a calming place to be. A soft sound drew me back from out of my distant thoughts. Footsteps. I smiled because I recognized them. They were the steps of my husband.
He sat down next to me on the edge of the roof. For a few minutes, he said nothing and only stared up at the glittering sky with me. Eventually, he sighed in bliss and said, "The stars are almost as beautiful as you are, my love."
I rolled my eyes and wrapped my arms around Ulfric. He knew I was self-conscious about my looks, and he never stopped calling me beautiful. I loved that about him.
Silence fell between us again, and we sat there, arms intertwined, for a few more moments before I said, "My father used to tell me that stars represented souls in Sovngarde. He said that those who had been extraordinarily brave or had dedicated their lives to serving the gods had souls so bright that they pierced the veil between the two realms."
"Your father sounds like he was a wise man."
"He was," I replied softly, thinking of the fabulous man that was my father. "I like to think that he is one of those stars up there, shining brightly to guide me on my way," I whispered into my husband's shoulder.
"Any man that raised a woman as amazing as you deserves the highest honor. I am sure that he is up there." Ulfric paused for a few moments before asking in a quiet voice, "Do you think that my soul will join the stars when I pass?"
Ulfric sounded so uncertain, despite all that he had given to the gods and Skyrim. "I know you will, Ulfric. You have dedicated your life to fighting for Talos. You may have made mistakes along the way, but you are a good man." I smiled at him. "I wouldn't have married you if you weren't." Ulfric laughed and we spent the rest of the night watching the stars in each other's arms.