The Dragonborn, Hilda, was on Solstheim when she received a message asking her to be a part of Ulfric's escort to some formal affair in Solitude. They wanted someone capable but who fit into the setting, rather than appearing to be a threat. Well, Hilda could certainly pull that off. She had received an invitation to the ordeal herself. She had been undecided on whether she would actually attend, but this gave her the best reason to be there. She was actually needed. She composed a response, trying not to sound too eager to be of service. In truth, she was quite delighted. She hadn't heard anything from any of them since the war had ended. She had basically been set free to continue doing her own thing, and was concerned that her work with the Stormcloaks was over. It was nice to know that she could still serve some purpose.
She wondered if Ulfric would have any more words for her this time than, "Make it quick, I'm a busy man." She was a little taken aback the first time she heard him say that. But it shouldn't have come as a shock. He was always so serious and focused… and passionate. So, so passionate! About Skyrim, that is. Always Skyrim. What didn't make sense was her attraction to him. He'd never given her so much as a second glance, but she hadn't been able to stop thinking about him. That's why she had gone all the way out to Solstheim - seeing if a change of scenery would help her to clear her head. It seemed to be working.
It was probably just the dragon part of her nature that wanted him. She found herself growing more and more draconic in nature as she consumed more of the souls of these magnificent creatures. Or was she just becoming hardened by her experiences? No one who became as familiar with ancient powers and killing remained unchanged. But it certainly felt to her like there were two natures at war within her. The rational, human nature, and one more primal and ruthless.
As a human, she found his dedication admirable. The draconic part of her couldn't help but notice that he was someone who, in addition to having proven his strength in battle, the other humans respected and followed. Dragons respected nothing more than strength. Hilda was certain that she was stronger than him. Part of her said that she should challenge him and take his power, but both parts of her purred at the thought that even the strongest needed a mate, and who else would be acceptable but the second strongest? She didn't know much about dragon mating rituals, but felt that a dragon likely would have just gone in and claimed what should be theirs by right of strength. So this is why she had hauled herself to another land and lost herself in another world.
She wondered if this other part of her was why she also was so intensely curious as to what Miraak looked like behind that mask. The First Dragonborn and the Last Dragonborn. That right there was a better match than the Last Dragonborn and some random High King in a history filled with High Kings. Well, at least her time on Solstheim had given her a bit clearer perspective on the Ulfric situation. She felt ready to approach him much more objectively.
Hilda sent her response and a letter to Calder, her Windhelm housecarl. If she left the day after tomorrow, she could travel to Solitude on foot with the entire party. If she lingered a bit longer, she would be forced to make quite the entrance. It really wasn't much of a choice. Hilda opted for the entrance.