Ulfric had been subjected to a morning of rather uninteresting meetings that had served to decrease his already-low opinion of the Solitude upper-class. He had returned to the Strong-Shields' home with a bit of time to begin getting ready for the party before dinner should he need it. He didn't. He didn't primp and preen like these Imperialized Nords did. He did discover Hilda to be entertaining two such individuals upon his return. He thought he recognized them from the party, but hadn't spoken with them.
He knew that landing someone of his anticipated political position in a marriage alliance would be a major win for the entire family of the one who succeeded in that endeavor. What he had not considered was that the Dragonborn would be nearly as much of a win - possibly not politically, but socially. If someone, such as the Strong-Shields, who had them as a captive audience, managed to land not just one, but both, they would be set for generations. While he had failed to consider the prestige that a marriage to the Dragonborn would provide, these greedy families clearly had not. While she didn't seem to experience quite the intensity of would-be prospects that he had last night, it seems as though she had not gone entirely unnoticed. He felt an unwelcome pang of an emotion that he couldn't quite place. She was here as his guest. He had made it clear that she was to attend with him last night, but hadn't specified that she was to do so again today. He hoped that she would gather as much without him having to repeat the instructions.
Jorleif had advised Ulfric before leaving that he should consider potential marriage prospects while he was here. What Ulfric had not been prepared for was being thrown into that pack of slaughterfish. Clearly these women or their families had all received the memo that the future High King was in dire need of a wife and heir, and were eager to be the ones who provided. Of course, there would be conditions. None of them were offering this out of the kindness of their hearts. The woman would come with all sorts of agendas that would benefit herself and her family's situation, not Skyrim as a whole.
Once Ulfric had desired marriage. After his hopes were callously crushed, he had found it best to focus on his work. He still enjoyed a woman's company from time to time, but it was almost more work than it was worth to try to find one that engaged in the act for its own pleasure. They all had some ulterior motive - some goal that they saw him as the means of obtaining. He found that his singleness had allowed him to focus on the good of Skyrim in a way that he doubted a married man would have been able to. But it appeared as though that singleness of mind would not be able to last much longer. If Skyrim's best interest required him to have an heir, he would have to seriously consider taking a wife. He only hoped that he could find someone who would be a strong queen, beloved by her people, as the queens in the times of old. He certainly wouldn't find that here in Solitude.
To Ulfric's relief, Hilda sent her male visitors away and went to the party with him again. As people walked in small groups towards the Blue Palace, Ulfric's mind continued to mull over his latest concern. He began compiling a list of all of their supporters and close relatives of supporters who would be of a suitable station or character to be wife to Skyrim's king.
"So I only remember about two names from last night, and I don't remember anything about what my new acquaintances do for work." Hilda said. "I didn't have time for that private tutoring lesson you suggested," she grinned at Galmar, who was walking on the other side of Ulfric.
"I'm sure Arne spent the afternoon bawling his eyes out." Galmar said.
"Probably. I don't guess I have to remember those things. I'm the Dragonborn. Dragonborns don't have to call people by their proper titles and such, right? Everyone is "hey, you"?" Hilda asked, hoping for an answer to the affirmative.
"I don't think there are many Dragonborn around to compare your eccentricities with, so you will probably be fine." Galmar replied.
"Well, the impression I've got is that all Dragonborn are slightly unhinged, so I think I'm just gonna go with it. Everyone's already afraid of me anyways," she said. "…I think. And if they aren't, they should be!" she added.
"It's already sounding like tonight's going to be better than last night," Galmar responded.
"Better would be if I got that special treatment that I want," Hilda said, referring to her line of nearly-naked men comment the night before. "…and deserve," she added tentatively.
Galmar laughed. "I wouldn't bet money on it," he said.
"No, I wouldn't, either." Hilda replied.
Ulfric had been able to piece together what was going on in the first part of their conversation, but this last part had him stumped. What did the Dragonborn deserve that she wasn't getting? He hoped it wasn't something she expected from him as her escort to the party. He made a note to ask Galmar about it at the first opportunity. He really admired how the two of them got along so well. She was always much more reserved with him. He suspected his friend knew about a side of her that was as of yet a mystery to him.
"Although if they knew that's how to snare a Dragonborn, I'm sure we would be seeing all sorts of new fashions," Galmar added smugly, almost as an afterthought.
"Hey, I didn't say anything about snaring! How about "delighting" instead?"
"It still might work." Galmar replied thoughtfully.
"How long does it take to circulate information anonymously?" Hilda asked with a smirk.
"At a gathering like this, much less time than you would think. You want me to start a rumor?" Galmar offered mischeviously.
Called on her bluff, Hilda declined his offer. "No. I do appreciate it, though. Maybe next party."
"I'd do it," he said.
"I know you would." Hilda replied. "Please don't."
Unable to resist, Ulfric asked, "What are you two going on about?"
"Nothing important!" Hilda quickly exclaimed.
"Then please enlighten me as to what is so unimportant that you needed to discuss it for half of the walk here," he said.
"Please don't!" Hilda pleaded. "It really is entirely irrelevant to anything that is going on. Just a suggestion as to how the party visuals could be improved a bit."
"I am curious to know what you think would make the party look better. Perhaps Elisif could be convinced to incorporate your suggestion." Ulfric said, watching Hilda closely to gauge her response. She had certainly reddened since he had involved himself in the conversation.
"You know I'm going to tell," Galmar said.
"I know." Hilda sighed. But he wouldn't be able to tell right then. They were crossing the courtyard and about to enter the Blue Palace.
When Ulfric finally was able to learn what the conversation on the way to the party was about, he was a little stunned. He was correct in guessing that Galmar knew about a side of her that he didn't. He knew that the Dragonborn lived life fully - enjoyed food, drink, fighting, storytelling, and celebrating as much as the next Nord, but when he thought of her, other appetites were never what came to mind. She was a legend - someone come straight from the prophecies to fulfill an important role. She was a soldier - someone whose contribution to his war effort was priceless. She was a hero - someone admired and looked up to by countless numbers of his countrymen. He found her attractive, of course - what red-blooded Nord man wouldn't? But he never considered her attractions. It was outside of the image of the exalted Dragonborn conqueror that he had painted in his mind. The question of whether she found him attractive entered his head, unbidden, but he quickly dismissed it with surely not. But now that Galmar had opened him up to this possibility, he found it returning, unwelcome, repeatedly throughout the evening. Each time, he quickly dismissed it as impossible.