Fate's Games

(A/N: I'll start by saying my character is a complete neutral in Skyrim's war. Tullius and Ulfric are both characters that you can go very much in depth with, though, and they are fun to write about. Personally, however, I don't care much for Ulfric or Tullius or the Thalmor. I'm not hating on them, but as far as I'm concerned, and don't hate me for it, they're all being childish. The Thalmor figure that just because Talos was human he doesn't deserve to be a god. Bad news for them; in every mythology in existence the gods are in the form of humans. Ulfric I believe does truly love Skyrim, and Tullius truly cares for the people. However, I'm pretty sure the both of them are in it for the glory too. I've seen my brother join both sides of the war, and their dialogue is almost literally parallel to each other, same words, same basic types of missions, same gifts, until the end of the war. Honestly the place would be better off being ruled by none of the three sides, but I digress.)

It Will Not Be For Nothing

She didn't know what had happened. All she knew was that suddenly her world, her land, had been plunged into Chaos. All she'd known was torn up in a fortnight. A Civil War spearheaded by none other than their Thane, Ulfric Stormcloak. She'd hated him at first. She'd despised him. But as she heard of the things that were going on, as she began to pay more attention to everything, she began to realize why it had been done… She realized why he had done what he had. Then her feelings began to change. Then there was gratefulness and sympathy. She watched the way he was with the dying soldiers, and each movement, each soft word he spoke to them, tore her to pieces until she would flee back home in tears.

She began to hate the Imperials. Hate them with a passion. She was scared, she was uncertain about the future, and when her Thane was ambushed, she'd been stricken with misery. They would execute him, she knew. They would execute him in a heartbeat and all of this would be for nothing… But he'd come back. He'd come back as proud as ever, and now more determined than ever. She didn't know by what miracle he was still living, but never before had she thought she could feel this way for one man's return. She'd heard he was coming back while she'd been buying fruits and vegetables. They were parading victoriously through the gates and she'd raced to see.

ES

She watched in awe as he and the men with him rode back into the city. But he looked distracted, mind elsewhere. Mind on the death and suffering of the land. Just then she felt herself being shoved from behind and cried out. She fell to the ground dropping the fruits and vegetables. The Thane's horse had been startled, had reared up, had almost sent him sprawling before he got a handle on it and looked down at her sharply. She forgot to breathe as his eyes met hers, cold and dark. His right hand man wasn't as forgiving.

Galmar seized her roughly, dragged her up and yelled, "How dare you, you little wench! He has not survived a thousand battles only to be killed being thrown from a horse because of a girl's stupid mistake!"

She had been terrified, near tears, but then the Thane's hand was upon her assailant's wrist, tightly squeezing. "Enough. Release her," Ulfric simply ordered.

"My Thane…" he began.

"Release her," Ulfric repeated. "There is enough cruelty in these streets." Finally she felt herself placed on the ground again. She fell to her knees and immediately began to gather up the fruits and vegetables, desperate to get out of the way, out of sight. But then he was there, simply kneeling and gathering up the objects. His hand brushed hers and they both paused. She trembled and looked up, eyes wide and frightened. He met her eyes with his own, calm and gentle. Soon enough he removed his hand. She shivered and looked down quickly, hiding her blush.

"Forgive me," she breathed.

"There is nothing to forgive," he replied. She didn't know what to say or do. He finished placing the things in her basket then stood once more. "You are the blacksmith's apprentice."

"Y-yes," she replied. He summed her up a moment then drew his axe and gave it into her hands.

"We will see how well he has taught you," Ulfric stated. She nearly dissolved. Easily the man swung back up onto his horse and motioned for his men to follow. Quickly she moved out of the way and watched in awe after them. Her eyes went to the axe and she swallowed dryly. Closing her eyes tightly she looked down at the ground as the rest of the town left.

ES

She'd never worked so carefully on anything before as she did on his weapon. With tenderness and caution she sharpened and improved it, ever careful not to ruin the material. It was a week before she even began to consider it done. "Hermir, you can do no more with it," her teacher had said, so she'd tucked the axe away and washed herself, preparing to present it to the Thane.

She entered the great throne room as gracefully as she could. She approached the Thane's throne and knelt before him. In a gesture of deep, deep respect she kissed his hands. He watched her approvingly, impressed with her conduct. He saw Galmar moving to drag her away, but with a simple motion he called the man down. "Leave her be. You should show such respect."

"My Lord, your axe," she said, drawing the weapon and placing it into his hands. He took it and looked it over, turning it in his hands.

"She has ruined it beyond repair, no doubt," Galmar said.

"The gods themselves should craft such a weapon," Ulfric replied, glaring icily at his friend and warning him through a look not to speak again. "Lady, you have proven yourself well indeed. What is your name?"

She shivered as his hand came upon her shoulder. She looked at it then back up at him. "Hermir, my lord," she replied. Ulfric nodded.

"I will remember it," he declared. Oh gods, why did she shiver at his every word, tremble at his every touch. She knew why. Oh how she knew… But she was nothing more than a little girl in his eyes. When she had been nursing he had likely been fighting his first battle.

"It would be my honor, my Thane," she answered, bowing her head low.

ES

All at once his fingers were beneath her chin, slowly lifting it so that her eyes would meet his own. She saw a sort of calm come over him. Softly he vowed, "It will all end soon, my lady. This war will end soon."

"Will the outcome be what you so wish it to be?" she asked before she could check her tongue.

"I do not know," he replied. "I pray it does, but if not…"

"It will not have been for nothing," she stated, placing her hands upon his knees on seeing his sudden hesitancy, his sudden display of weakness. It frightened her to see a moment of weakness in this man who was so strong, who fought so gallantly… It frightened her so much.

"Won't it?" he asked.

"Ulfric, your name will live on for eternity, your love for this land and your people will be sung of for centuries to come, your efforts will be written in legend," she vowed.

"The names of greater men than I have been wiped from existence, Hermir," he stated. She felt tears in her eyes and placed her head upon his knees. Gently he stroked her hair. "If they come, I will be executed. You know this as well as I. I will be executed, and my body will be left carrion for the animals." She sobbed, dreading the thought.

"Please, do not think such things," she begged.

"Will you dare to bury me?" he wondered. "Defying law, risking your very life, will you bury me?"

"Yes," she replied, and her voice was vehement, passionate, loathing. "At cost of my life, you will be given a proper burial." She could feel he was startled, taken aback. She looked up into his eyes, her own set and sincere, and for once he glanced quickly away, a sudden warmth coming to his face.

"Then you are braver than any man," he replied. "Go now, child, and bide the time until this all ends." Shakily she rose, composing herself, and left without a word more.

ES

"My lord, you are fond of her," Galmar remarked.

Ulfric looked sharply at him, his gaze warning him off. Soon, though, he closed his eyes and sighed, saying, "Perhaps."

"Will you act?" Galmar asked.

"When all of this is over, when this war is said and done, and when I know I will live to see another day, then, only then, will I act," Ulfric replied, rising and walking from the throne room, axe in hand.