{"id":3937,"date":"2019-08-23T17:28:29","date_gmt":"2019-08-23T17:28:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/?page_id=3937"},"modified":"2020-02-23T20:33:08","modified_gmt":"2020-02-23T20:33:08","slug":"chapter-21","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/volume-iv\/part-ii-the-storm\/chapter-21\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 21"},"content":{"rendered":"

I doubt those two had even a moment of sleep. I\u2019ve never seen two people so\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

Frina yawned and stretched, and nibbled on the meager rations her nervous stomach would allow her to consume.\u00a0 It had been a very short night between her excitement and nervousness over the battle just ahead, and the periodic interruption to her quiet of Dardeh making small but resonant sounds in the next tent.\u00a0 At first she\u2019d been appalled, and embarrassed; then she\u2019d decided to just laugh at it.\u00a0 They were so very happy to see one another again.<\/p>\n

Dardeh had been almost a different man than when she\u2019d seen him last. In spite of being disturbed by the battle sites he had seen he was calm, and clearly happy to see Roggi in spite of whatever disagreement they\u2019d had earlier.\u00a0 It was obvious that some great weight had been lifted from his mind; and for that she could put up with a little bit of noise as the two of them got reacquainted.<\/p>\n

They came stumbling out of their tiny tent grinning sheepishly and wolfed down a bit of breakfast. Galmar emerged from the command tent, yelling at everyone.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get going! We\u2019re going to take the city! Get yourselves up the road and meet the brothers preparing for the attack! We\u2019ve already been working on the approach with siege engines, now it\u2019s time to show them what Stormcloaks are really made of! Fight well, or die well! Talos be with you!\u201d<\/p>\n

A cheer went up from the camp; and in groups of two or three they began jogging up the slope and onto the road to Solitude. Frina gathered Roggi and Dardeh and followed those groups, feeling more and more nervous.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is it,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019m ashamed to admit that I\u2019m afraid.\u201d<\/p>\n

To her complete surprise, Dardeh reached out and patted her on the shoulder.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cI know what will help,\u201d he said. \u201cHere. Meditate with me for a minute.\u201d\u00a0 He moved to the side of the road and knelt, his eyes closed; and Frina felt herself breaking into a smile.<\/p>\n

She knelt down beside him.<\/p>\n

Praise you, Talos. Be with us this day for we are about to take on a great enterprise in your name, to restore the right of your people to worship you as they see fit.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cOh all right,\u201d she heard Roggi grumble, and opened her eyes to see him kneel beside Dardeh.\u00a0 A moment or two passed, and then he rose again.\u00a0 \u201cTalos be with you, you two. Now let\u2019s get going before we miss it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dardeh chuckled and stood, holding out a hand to Frina.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t give us a hard time, Roggi,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cYou knew this was important to us from the start. And I think,\u201d he added, poking his husband in the arm, \u201cthat it\u2019s important to you as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Roggi said, dusting himself off, \u201cif it wasn\u2019t, I wouldn\u2019t be here. Now let\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

They could see the outskirts of the battlefield well before they could see any of the individuals in it, and before they could hear it. Columns of smoke rose from structures near the outermost gates of Solitude and from near the stables.\u00a0 The smoke hung heavy in the air, the sun through it giving an eerie yellow cast to everything around them. As they moved closer they could hear intermittent explosions. Frina was immediately taken back to the battle for Whiterun, and looked around to be sure there were no flaming pots of oil coming for them here.<\/p>\n

As they passed beneath the first set of arches marking Solitude\u2019s outer gate she saw the Stormcloaks massed on the final approach to the city. At their head, facing down the hill, was a familiar figure wearing armor draped in blue, his enormous pauldrons making him seem larger than life.<\/p>\n

\u201cUlfric!\u201d she cried in surprise.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, of course he\u2019s here,\u201d Dardeh muttered. \u201cYou don\u2019t think he\u2019d miss a chance to look important, do you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBehave, Dar,\u201d Roggi said. \u201cThis is going to make a huge difference. Two of you who can Shout? Nobody on their side can do that. Tullius probably doesn\u2019t even believe it can be done; you saw what he was like.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrue enough,\u201d Dardeh said.\u00a0 He looked at Frina and smiled. \u201cYou ok?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d she said.\u00a0 No, I\u2019m not. I want to see him. I want to hear what he\u2019s saying. <\/em>But she wouldn\u2019t say that to the man who had just stunned her by joining her in asking Talos for his protection.\u00a0 Dardeh was not a demon. He was a Nord, just like her; a Nord who prayed to Talos, the god of men.\u00a0 \u201cYeah, I\u2019m fine now. Thanks. Let\u2019s go hear what he\u2019s up to.\u201d<\/p>\n

She followed Dardeh\u2019s broad back up through the burning remnants of barricades and carts, and slowed as they neared Ulfric.\u00a0 She thought for a moment that he looked at her and nodded, and her emotions swelled; but then she looked around, back at the large group of soldiers, and realized he might well have been acknowledging any of them.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

He started to speak.\u00a0 Just as it had in the throne room in the Palace of the Kings, Ulfric\u2019s voice soared, heavy with power and authority, and she stood in awe and listened.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is it, men! It\u2019s time to make this city ours!\u201d\u00a0 He looked around the group, meeting each man\u2019s and woman\u2019s gaze, and a cheer rang out from the ranks. \u201cWe come to this moment carried by the sacrifices and courage of our fellows \u2013 those who have fallen, those who are still bearing the shields to our right. On this day our enemy will know the fullness of our determination, the true depth of our anger, and the exalted righteousness of our cause!\u201d<\/p>\n

Gods, yes. Yes!<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe gods are watching!\u201d Ulfric shouted, his voice harsh with anger and passion. \u201cThe spirits of our ancestors are stirring! And men under suns yet to dawn will be transformed by what we do here today.\u201d\u00a0 He paused, and looked them all over. \u201cFear neither pain nor darkness, for Sovngarde awaits those who die with weapons in their hands and courage in their hearts!\u201d<\/p>\n

Frina heard a noise beside her and turned to see Dardeh, his head bowed, with tears slipping down the sides of his nose.\u00a0 She wanted to ask him what was wrong, but Roggi stood beside him and put a hand on his shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe now fight our way to Castle Dour,\u201d Ulfric continued, \u201cto cut the head off the Legion itself.\u00a0 And in that moment the gods themselves will look down and see Skyrim as she was meant<\/em> to be: full of Nords who are mighty, powerful, and free!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

A great cheer went up from all the soldiers.\u00a0 Even Dardeh drew his sword and waved it over his head.\u00a0 Frina found herself wiping tears of her own out of her eyes, unable to stop staring at Ulfric and wanting nothing more than to fight at his side.<\/p>\n

This is it, sister, she thought, closing her eyes and sending all of her love to the sister who had not lived to see this day but who had sparked the flame in her own heart.\u00a0 We\u2019re fighting with Ulfric. This is it.\u00a0 She opened her eyes and looked at Roggi,\u00a0 fierce and proud, holding his sword high, his eyes glistening, and knew he was thinking the same thing when he glanced at her and nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cReady now!\u201d Ulfric screamed. \u201cEveryone! With me! For the sons and daughters of Skyrim!\u201d<\/p>\n

Another massive cheer went up; and then a huge explosion of sound ricocheted off the tall stone walls of Solitude as Dardeh Shouted.\u00a0 Frina didn\u2019t know what words he had shouted, but she recognized the surge of energy that coursed through her – and through everyone else given their excited expressions.\u00a0 She saw Ulfric look startled for just a moment, then grin at Dardeh and point at the great gates of the city.<\/p>\n

They all rushed in.<\/p>\n

For just a moment it was dead silent, save for the crackling of flames.<\/p>\n

Then Galmar growled, \u201cWhat was that?\u201d and ran forward toward the central marketplace.\u00a0\u00a0 Frina looked around to find a target.\u00a0 Behind her, she heard Roggi shout \u201cYou\u2019re mine!\u201d<\/p>\n

Suddenly the Imperials poured into the streets, rushing down the ramp from the blacksmith\u2019s shop, coming out from behind the stall where the woman had been who had asked Frina to skewer a Stormcloak or two for her.\u00a0 She sprinted after Dardeh and then had to pull up as he stopped short and Shouted.\u00a0 A huge burst of sound and a visible shock wave spread out from in front of him, and three of the Imperial attackers flew backward into the wall of the ramp.\u00a0 For a moment she hesitated, not wanting to see whether he had turned the men to ash; but they rose and ran forward again, and it was too confusing for her to think about anything but survival from that point on.<\/p>\n

Frina blocked an attack from a swordsman to her right, then pivoted and caught him in the abdomen with her axe.\u00a0 He fell, groaning, and she put him out of his misery with her pick.\u00a0 She turned to follow Roggi toward a huge clump of Imperials and then winced along with everyone else as a piercingly loud, metallic noise threw the weapons out of the hands of at least two of them.\u00a0 She looked around, in confusion, because Dardeh had run up the ramp to her left; then she saw Ulfric advancing on the disarmed men.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

It was Ulfric!\u00a0 He did it!\u00a0 He disarmed them!\u00a0 By the Nine I don\u2019t care what it takes, I\u2019m going to see Ulfric on that throne. <\/em><\/p>\n

She waded into the clot of men, trying hard to hit only those with the brown and red Imperial armor, praying to Talos that she would not strike any of her brothers and sisters in arms.\u00a0 Blow after blow she threw.\u00a0 As it had been in all of the other battles the cacophony of noise was nearly overwhelming; there were shrieks of pain, taunts, grunts and the near-constant clash of weapons, and over all of it the roar of flames. Every so often a phrase would come clear.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m getting bored!\u201d\u00a0 That was Galmar, swinging a huge warhammer around him in a circle, crushing any skull it contacted. It was hard not to laugh, even as she ducked to avoid the wild sweep of an Imperial sword.\u00a0 Behind her, once, she heard Roggi swearing. \u201cSon<\/em> of a\u2026\u201d followed by the juicy sound of his greatsword slicing through a man.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

She looked up from pulling her war pick out of a man\u2019s side just in time to see Ulfric sneering at the Imperial bearing down on him.\u00a0 \u201cYou call this a fight?\u201d he laughed, then opened the man with a two-handed swing of his war axe.\u00a0 She saw Dardeh, on the ramp to the blacksmith, about to be overrun by Imperials and dashed to him, only to duck as Ulfric again disarmed the men with his Voice.\u00a0 Dardeh stood from the attack, turned to his left, and Shouted up the ramp catching another group of Imperials and sending them through the air.\u00a0 He turned and waved at Ulfric, who laughed long and loud.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The two of them are just showing off for each other! That\u2019s what they\u2019re doing!<\/em><\/p>\n

She saw a sword being raised and screamed.<\/p>\n

\u201cUlfric! Behind you!\u201d<\/p>\n

He turned. \u201cWhere did you come from?\u201d he yelled; and in the next breath swung with both hands once more on his war axe and lopped the man\u2019s head off.\u00a0 Frina watched, mesmerized, as it went sailing out over the surging troops and landed in the middle of one of the fires burning in the center of town.<\/p>\n

It took Frina a moment to shake herself back into focus, and by that time Dardeh had run ahead and demolished the last of the barriers erected around Solitude\u2019s main square.\u00a0 He was rushing back toward her when Ulfric Shouted once more, blowing a man off his feet.\u00a0 Roggi came up behind him and lifted his sword high over the downed man.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf death is what you want, you\u2019ll have it,\u201d he growled, stabbing straight down into the man\u2019s body.<\/p>\n

Frina swallowed hard.\u00a0 She\u2019d seen him do many things, and heard him do others, and in spite of that it was still hard for her to reconcile this hard man with the smiling one who had hugged her and told her she\u2019d done well.<\/p>\n

I\u2019d better get moving or he\u2019ll never have reason to praise me again.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

They surged forward, past the barricade Dardeh had destroyed, and around the corner near the Bard\u2019s College.\u00a0 Frina\u2019s heart fell as she watched Ulfric and Galmar running straight ahead into a group of at least a dozen Imperial soldiers, with two or three archers farther up the slope towards Castle Dour.\u00a0 She found the nearest of them and slipped up behind him, attacking with both hands and dropping him easily.<\/p>\n

That might not have been honorable. It was effective, though.<\/em><\/p>\n

Her ears started to ring; for not only were the soldiers on both sides screaming at each other but also Ulfric Shouted again, disarming the opponent directly ahead of him.\u00a0 A moment later Dardeh shouted, throwing two more of the men into the air.\u00a0 One of them landed awkwardly and started screaming, holding his leg.\u00a0 She could see that it was broken, bent back in on itself at a horrible angle; and before she could do anything else Galmar took a few steps forward and put the man out of his misery with a hammer blow to the head.<\/p>\n

Frina looked up the hill and saw a lone archer standing in front of a barricade and taking aim at Ulfric, who was in the middle of a group of four Imperials.\u00a0 He was handling them well, but he couldn\u2019t see the archer at all.\u00a0 There was no time to waste.\u00a0 She sprinted uphill and slammed into the man as hard as she could; he loosed his arrow just as she struck him and it flew harmlessly into the juniper bushes at the side of the road.\u00a0 She screamed at him as she brought her pick down.\u00a0 \u201cNot Ulfric! Not Ulfric!\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking ahead, she could see that there was only a single Imperial soldier beyond the barricade.\u00a0 That man was holding a warhammer, but he was all that stood between the Stormcloaks and Castle Dour.\u00a0 She turned and screamed back at the battle.<\/p>\n

\u201cUlfric! Up here!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

She didn\u2019t wait to see whether he had heard. Instead, she turned and hammered at the barricade until it fell and then rushed at the lone soldier guarding the castle doors.<\/p>\n

What fools to leave the door mostly unguarded! Surely they must have realized that somebody would get through? <\/em><\/p>\n

The man they\u2019d left behind was very possibly the best ordinary soldier they had in the entire city. That\u2019s what she decided a few moments later as the two of them circled each other, he with his hammer horizontally in front of him and she with both weapons high, looking for any sort of opening.\u00a0 He lunged at her, sliding his left hand in toward the right and taking a wicked swing at the spot where her skull would have been had she not rolled at the last second.\u00a0 She swept her axe around as she rolled and caught him on one thigh, slicing it open; he hissed but did not falter as he gathered his hammer up again.\u00a0 Frina scrambled to her feet and waited until he took one stumbling step toward the left, his injured side, and then swung as hard as she could with her pick.<\/p>\n

She missed.\u00a0 The pick hit the ground.\u00a0 She yanked it up as hard as she could and whirled around to find the man grinning at her, his warhammer high over his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot quite as clever as you thought you were, are y\u2014\u201c<\/p>\n

His words ended as an arrow entered one of his temples and came all the way out the other side of his head.\u00a0 He dropped in a heap, his warhammer thudding to the dirt just short of Frina.\u00a0 She turned to see Roggi, standing grim-faced in the archway to the castle courtyard, his bow held high.\u00a0 He turned and waved behind him, and then ran to help her to her feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou ok?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes. Thank you. That was way too close.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTold you we needed to watch out for each other,\u201d he panted.\u00a0 Frina smiled at him, a part of her mind noting that yes, Roggi was older than he had been when she was a child. The exertion took a greater toll than it had in the past. And how much more then would Ulfric and Galmar be suffering?<\/p>\n

She watched anxiously until the two figures appeared, trotting up over the rise, with Dardeh bringing up the rear, facing back into the city, Shouting down the Imperials trying to stop them.\u00a0 She pushed open the door to the castle and held it while Ulfric, Galmar and Roggi pushed past her.\u00a0 Dardeh ran to her and said \u201cget inside,\u201d and held the door open for another moment or two before following her in.<\/p>\n

Her ears rang at the sudden quiet of the castle\u2019s interior, its solid walls blocking out most of the noise of battle.<\/p>\n

\u201cSecure the door,\u201d Ulfric said, nodding at Dardeh.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlready done,\u201d Galmar rasped.<\/p>\n

Frina gazed around her at the same calm, clean interior that she\u2019d stood in on the day she had heard General Tullius and his Legate talk about taking Whiterun, and shook her head.\u00a0 It was hard to believe this was the same place.\u00a0 It was hard to believe that she was the same person she\u2019d been then.<\/p>\n

\u201cUlfric, stop!\u201d came a woman\u2019s voice from the next room.<\/p>\n

\u201cStop what?\u201d he yelled, in a tone that said he knew the woman. \u201cTaking Skryim back from those who would leave her to rot?\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

They moved forward, all of them, through the doorway and into what was clearly General Tullius\u2019 war room. It was hung with the rich red and golden banners of the Empire, pristine rather than tattered as were those in the Legion\u2019s outposts.\u00a0 Maps, scrolls and books littered the large central table.\u00a0 A woman in the armor of an Imperial Legate stood blocking the chair in the corner.\u00a0 Frina moved out of the way to the side and gasped as she realized that the man sitting in that chair was none other than the General himself, arms resting on his legs, head hanging.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re wrong, Ulfric,\u201d the woman said. \u201cWe need <\/em>the Empire. Without it, Skyrim will surely fall to the Dominion.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Empire\u2019s <\/em>going to fall to the Dominion if we\u2019re not strong, Rikke,\u201d Dardeh murmured, \u201cand we\u2019re not strong without our freedom.\u201d\u00a0 She shook her head at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were there with us,\u201d Galmar said. \u201cYou saw it. The day the Empire signed that damn treaty was the day the Empire died.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ulfric took another step closer to the Legate. \u201cThe Empire is weak. Obsolete!\u201d It sounded to Frina as though he was almost pleading with the woman. \u201cLook at how far we\u2019ve come. With so little! When we\u2019re done rooting out the Imperial influence here at home, then we will take our war to the Aldmeri Dominion.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roggi hissed. He\u2019d been standing quietly to the side, but when Ulfric spoke he shook his head, turned, and slammed the heel of his hand down on the map table. He didn\u2019t speak, but he didn\u2019t need to.\u00a0 She glanced at Dardeh, who was shaking his head as well.<\/p>\n

Frina didn\u2019t know what to think.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re a damned fool,\u201d Legate Rikke spat.<\/p>\n

\u201cStand aside, woman!\u201d Galmar said. \u201cWe\u2019ve come for the General.\u201d<\/p>\n

She took another step forward, blocking them from the General.\u00a0 \u201cHe has given up,\u201d she said calmly, \u201cbut I have not.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ulfric spoke, quietly, again almost pleading with her. \u201cRikke. Go.<\/em> You are free to leave!\u201d<\/p>\n

He\u2019s known her for a long time. They were in the Great War together. Maybe they were more than that. Who knows?\u00a0 It doesn\u2019t matter. Ulfric is giving her a chance to live, is trying to spare her life.<\/em><\/p>\n

I honor this man with everything I am, even if she does not. <\/em><\/p>\n

Rikke sneered out from under her helmet. \u201cI\u2019m also free to stay and fight for what I believe in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re also free to die.\u201d This time Ulfric sounded disgusted.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is what you wanted? Shield-brothers and sisters killing each other?\u00a0 Families torn apart?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is exactly why I am in this war,\u201d Dardeh snarled. \u201cTo stop it.\u201d<\/p>\n

She ignored him, completely.\u00a0 \u201cThis is the Skyrim-\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cDamn it, woman, step aside!\u201d Galmar yelled.<\/p>\n

She drew her sword. \u201cThat\u2019s not the Skyrim I want to live in.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRikke,\u201d Ulfric began. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to do this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou leave me no choice,\u201d she snarled. \u201cTalos preserve us.\u201d<\/p>\n

And then there was chaos. Suddenly Rikke took a swing at Galmar, who swung back. Tullius vaulted out of his chair, yelling \u201cDie, villain!\u201d and attacked Ulfric.\u00a0 Dardeh leaned forward and Shouted, and Tullius was tossed onto the ground.\u00a0 Ulfric Shouted, attempting to disarm Rikke, and Roggi jumped between her and Ulfric, swinging at her wildly.\u00a0 Tullius stepped out from behind both of them and attacked Galmar.<\/p>\n

Frina raised her weapons, trying to see where she could be of use and not hit an ally, and finally started beating on the back of Tullius\u2019 heavy armor. She heard a groan, off to her right, and looked over just in time to see Dardeh sink his double-edged sword into Rikke\u2019s chest.\u00a0 Then everyone was on Tullius, and she didn\u2019t dare move for fear of striking Roggi, or Dardeh \u2013 or Ulfric \u2013 so she stepped back, and just as well.\u00a0 Tullius retreated to a nearby half-flight stairwell and turned to take aim at Ulfric.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, I dare you,\u201d Ulfric sneered, and then Shouted.\u00a0 Tullius flew backwards, landing awkwardly and scrambling to regain his feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cEnough,\u201d she heard him wheezing. \u201cEnough. This is enough.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is it for you,\u201d Ulfric said quietly. \u201cAny last words before I send you to Oblivion?\u201d<\/p>\n

Frina shuddered.\u00a0 He really means to kill Tullius! I thought they might just take him prisoner. But\u2026 I suppose\u2026 If he lives, what remains of his forces will try to come to his rescue and the war will just drag on.<\/em><\/p>\n

Tullius gave a quiet little snort of sarcastic laughter. \u201cYou realize this is exactly what they wanted.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat who wanted?\u201d Galmar asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Thalmor. Who else?\u201d Tullius said, shaking his head. \u201cThey stirred up trouble here. Forced us to divert resources and throw away good soldiers quelling this rebellion.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dardeh snorted. \u201cYou\u2019re the one who threw away soldiers. Nobody said you had to do what the Thalmor wanted.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a little more than a rebellion, don\u2019t you think?\u201d Ulfric said quietly.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s our way of life at stake,\u201d Roggi said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe aren\u2019t the bad guys, you know,\u201d Tullius sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe not,\u201d Ulfric said. \u201cBut you certainly aren\u2019t the good guys.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps you\u2019re right,\u201d Tullius said, not looking at Ulfric. \u201cBut then what does that make you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes it even matter?\u201d Dardeh mumbled.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou just said it yourself,\u201d Ulfric said, smiling.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt makes us right,\u201d Galmar said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf nothing else, it makes us the winners,\u201d Roggi added.<\/p>\n

Tullius looked down at the floor. \u201cAnd if I surrender?\u201d<\/p>\n

Frina watched Ulfric\u2019s eyes grow wide for a moment.<\/p>\n

Roggi snorted. \u201cOh yes, do that.\u201d\u00a0 Frina stared at him and shuddered at the hungry look in his eyes. Dardeh shook his head at his husband.<\/p>\n

I am completely out of my element here. I don\u2019t even understand half of what they\u2019re talking about. All of these people, except for Dardeh and I, have known each other for years, and Dardeh has worked with them at a high level for some time now. I have nothing to add, but\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d she whispered, trying to catch Ulfric\u2019s attention, pleading with him. Let the man live. Don\u2019t kill him. There\u2019s nothing to be gained by killing him. Look at how defeated he is already.\u00a0 <\/em>But Ulfric simply sneered.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Empire I knew never surrendered.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat Empire is dead<\/em>,\u201d Galmar growled. Then he raised his warhammer and shook it at Tullius.\u00a0 \u201cAnd so are you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo be it,\u201d Tullius sighed.<\/p>\n

Galmar looked up at Ulfric. \u201cJust kill him and let\u2019s be done with it already.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome, Galmar,\u201d Ulfric said, smirking. \u201cWhere\u2019s your sense of the dramatic moment?\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cShor\u2019s balls<\/em>, Ulfric,\u201d Roggi snorted. He sat down heavily and shook his head.\u00a0 Frina quietly moved to the chair next to him, and took his hand for a moment, giving it a squeeze.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy the gods,\u201d Galmar said. \u201cIf it\u2019s a good ending to some damn story you\u2019re after\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHmm.\u201d\u00a0 Ulfric looked around, and smiled \u2013 a smile that had the hair on Frina\u2019s neck rising \u2013 when he saw Dardeh pacing nearby.\u00a0 \u201cGood point. What do you say, Dragonborn? Do you want the honor?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dardeh made a disgusted noise. \u201cNo. That honor<\/em> belongs to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ulfric shrugged. \u201cAs you wish.\u201d He raised his axe and looked around the room. \u201cThis moment, we five will be immortalized in song.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA song I for one will never sing,\u201d Roggi muttered.<\/p>\n

Ulfric pulled back his axe and brought it down in one enormous blow.\u00a0 Tullius\u2019 head dropped from his neck and rolled drunkenly across the floor.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd to think,\u201d Dardeh said. \u201cThe first time I saw you, that\u2019s what he was trying to do to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s true,\u201d Ulfric said. \u201cAnd now it\u2019s done.\u201d\u00a0 He took a few paces back and forth across the room and then sighed heavily. \u201cWell, I suppose some kind of official statement is in order.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go gather the men in the courtyard,\u201d Galmar said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Elisif?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you worry about her. I sent my best men to round her up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frina was shocked when Ulfric looked directly at her and smiled. \u201cStormblade. I want you to have my sword. A token of my appreciation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frina took the sword \u2013 a stunning piece of elven make, humming with magic – but looked up at him and shook her head. \u201cSir, I did very little \u2013\u201c<\/p>\n

\u201cHush,\u201d Roggi whispered to her, patting her hand. \u201cJust take the gift. You\u2019ve done plenty.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow then,\u201d Ulfric continued, \u201cthe men will expect a speech. Will you stand by my side, Dragonborn?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dardeh looked up at the ceiling and laughed, a single bark of humorless laughter.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Ulfric. I genuinely thank you for the offer, but I think you should leave me out of your speech.\u201d\u00a0 He moved to stand beside Roggi\u2019s chair, and put a hand on his shoulder. Roggi reached up to cover Dardeh\u2019s hand with his own; and not for the first time Frina was struck by the love these two men showed each other in even the smallest of moments.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what about you, Stormblade?\u201d Ulfric said. \u201cI wish to honor you, the truest of Stormcloaks.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frina looked at Roggi.\u00a0 He sighed, smiled, and nodded. \u201cGo,\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n

I trust Roggi. If he thinks it\u2019s ok, then it\u2019s ok.<\/em><\/p>\n

Frina rose from her chair and took the few steps to Ulfric\u2019s side. \u201cIt would be an honor, sir,\u201d she said. \u201cOn behalf of myself, and my sister, who wanted nothing more than to fight at your side.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ulfric gazed at her for a long moment, with an expression that she had no way to read.\u00a0 Then he smiled. \u201cVery well. Come. The people await us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Galmar left first, followed by Ulfric.\u00a0 Frina made her way across the room.\u00a0 Behind her, she heard Dardeh.<\/p>\n

\u201cRoggi. Are you alright?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will be, my love.\u00a0 I will be.\u201d<\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

Galmar was already speaking when Frina stepped through the door and, smiling, made her way to stand beside Ulfric Stormcloak.\u00a0 All of the surviving Stormcloak troops, many of them bleeding, or with black eyes beginning to shine, stood in the courtyard. To the last one, they were grinning from ear to ear.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd now, I present to you Ulfric Stormcloak: hero of the people, liberator, and High King of Skyrim!\u201d<\/p>\n

A raucous cheer went up from the assembled troops. Frina couldn\u2019t help but smile.<\/p>\n

Ulfric looked around and nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am indeed Ulfric Stormcloak. And at my side, the woman we know as Stormblade.\u201d He smiled at her.\u00a0 Frina felt a lump rising in her throat.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

We did it, Briinda. We did it. This is for you, my dearest sister, and for Talos.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd indeed, there are many that call us heroes,\u201d Ulfric continued. \u201cBut! It is all of you <\/em>who are the true heroes!\u201d\u00a0 He pointed out at the crowd, and Frina saw him pick out Ralof, standing triumphantly at the back of the group, and then turn and point to Galmar, Roggi, and Dardeh.\u00a0 Then he swept his hand across the space before him.<\/p>\n

All of them. They truly were the heroes.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was you who fought a dying Empire that sunk its claws into our land trying to drag us down with it. It was you who fought the Thalmor and their puppets who would have us deny our gods and<\/em> our heritage!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDamn right,\u201d she heard Dardeh say from behind her.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was you who fought our kin who didn\u2019t understand our cause, who weren\u2019t willing to pay the price for our freedom! But more than that, it was you who fought for Skyrim, for our<\/em> right to fight our own<\/em> battles, to return to our glory and traditions! To determine our own future!\u201d<\/p>\n

He was shouting to the crowd, but Frina saw him staring at her.<\/p>\n

And what future will you have, my lord? What will happen now? Will I have any part of it? <\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd it is for these reasons that I cannot accept the mantle of High King,\u201d Ulfric said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Frina gasped, turning to face him, her shock echoed in the faces of the assembled soldiers.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course<\/em> not,\u201d Roggi muttered, standing in front of them with his arms crossed.<\/p>\n

Ulfric smirked at him. \u201cNot until the Moot declares that title should adorn my shoulders will I accept it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what about Jarl Elisif?\u201d a woman shouted from somewhere in the courtyard.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, what about the Lady Elisif?\u201d Ulfric said. \u201cWill she put aside her personal hatred for me, and her misplaced love for the Empire, so the suffering of our people will end? Will she acknowledge that it is we Nords who should determine Skyrim\u2019s future? Will she swear fealty to me, so all may know that we are at peace, and a new day has dawned?\u201d<\/p>\n

Frina looked out across the courtyard and saw a woman in noble clothing, surrounded by angry-looking soldiers.\u00a0 It seemed to her that the Lady Elisif was not in a position to do anything but agree with Ulfric at that moment.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2026do,\u201d she said, holding her chin up defiantly.<\/p>\n

She may not have had a choice, but she conducted herself well.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThen it is settled!\u201d Ulfric shouted, raising his voice in such a way that no one would be able to say, later, that they had not heard him.\u00a0 \u201cThe Jarl will continue to rule Solitude. I will garrison armies here to ward off Imperial attempts to reclaim the city.\u00a0 And, in due time, the Moot will<\/em> meet, and settle the claim to High King once and for all.\u00a0 There is much to do, and I need every able-bodied man and woman committed to rebuilding Skyrim. A great darkness is growing, and soon we will be called to fight it on these shores or abroad! The Aldmeri Dominion may have defeated the Empire, but it has not defeated Skyrim!\u201d<\/p>\n

Great cheers rang out, from all sides: the soldiers, those few townsfolk who had ventured forth to see what was transpiring in the city\u2019s center, shopkeepers lining the walls of the smithy\u2019s balcony.<\/p>\n

Roggi, however, was not cheering, and he was not smiling.\u00a0 He took his place beside Dardeh and murmured, \u201cI was afraid that was what he would say.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d Dardeh said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a great darkness building. And we will be called to fight it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Dardeh said, wrapping an arm around Roggi\u2019s shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s what Arngeir said, too. Season Unending.\u00a0 But for now, husband, perhaps it is time for you and I to gather our children, and return to our home, and maybe use our skills to help rebuild what has been torn apart.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roggi smiled at him.\u00a0 \u201cI do suppose there will be call for miners, won\u2019t there?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dardeh nodded. \u201cYou know there will be.\u00a0 Miners \u2013 and dragon slayers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roggi laughed. \u201cLet\u2019s go home, Dar.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dardeh nodded, and used his arm to turn Roggi toward the gates. \u201cLet\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frina watched them walk away, utterly wrapped up in each other, and knew she had no business inserting herself into their moment.\u00a0 She turned back toward Ulfric and Galmar.<\/p>\n

What do I do now? I came here to fight this war, and now it is done. Where shall I go?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019d I do?\u201d Ulfric asked Galmar, grinning.<\/p>\n

\u201cEhh\u2026. Not so bad.\u00a0 Nice touch about the High King.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Ulfric said. \u201cI thought so.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frina couldn\u2019t help it: she burst into giggles, all of the stress of the past days breaking out.\u00a0 She couldn\u2019t stop.\u00a0 Ulfric looked at her and started chuckling as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou find me amusing, Frina?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, my lord,\u201d she snorted.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m sorry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHuh,\u201d Galmar said. \u201cWell, it\u2019s a foregone conclusion, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I know,\u201d Ulfric said, winking.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Imperials are not going to leave us alone,\u201d Galmar grumbled. \u201cThey still have camps in the hills. They\u2019ll still strike out at us wherever and whenever they can.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ulfric stretched his arms out behind him. \u201cI\u2019m not afraid of the remnants of the Legion. In time they\u2019ll all give up and go home. What I fear, though, is that the Thalmor will see our victory here and turn greater attention to our shores.\u00a0 We must be prepared to face them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frina\u2019s giggles stopped, abruptly.\u00a0 No wonder Ulfric had been so hesitant to begin the heavy fighting. He saw beyond the end of the civil war to see the danger lurking on the other side.<\/p>\n

By the Nine. What have we done? Talos help us all.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd of course,\u201d Ulfric said, stepping closer to her, \u201cwe couldn\u2019t have done it without you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you, my lord. If there is anything else I can do for you, you need only ask.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ulfric smiled and leaned over to speak softly into her ear. \u201cIn that case, Frina, come to see me in a few days, once I have returned to Windhelm. We will speak of your future at that time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Frina gulped, not only from the nearness of the man but from the words he spoke.\u00a0 Her future?<\/p>\n

\u201cCome, Galmar. We\u2019ve still much work to do,\u201d Ulfric said, turning to his old friend.<\/p>\n

\u201cAye.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two of them walked, side by side, toward the gates of the city.\u00a0 Frina followed, at a distance, watching the two figures in blue move down the streets, stepping around dead bodies and around still-blazing fires.<\/p>\n

And she wondered where she should go.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Part II: The Storm<\/a><\/div>\n
Previous<\/a> \/ Next<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I doubt those two had even a moment of sleep. I\u2019ve never seen two people so\u2026 Frina yawned and stretched, and nibbled on the meager rations her nervous stomach would allow her to consume.\u00a0 It had been a very short night between her excitement and nervousness over the battle just ahead, and the periodic interruption … <\/p>\n

Continue reading “Chapter 21”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":3540,"menu_order":21,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3937","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3937","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3937"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3937\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4621,"href":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3937\/revisions\/4621"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3540"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3937"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}