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<\/p>\nIt took Frina several days to make it to Windhelm.<\/p>\n
She had dashed along the streets in Solitude, wanting to catch up to Ulfric and Galmar as they began their journey home but not feeling as though it was really her place to travel with them.\u00a0 The carriage driver had very wisely moved his business out of harm\u2019s way when the fighting started, so there was no option available to take a quick ride to Windhelm.\u00a0 She watched the two men turn left, down toward the docks.\u00a0 That meant that they would be taking the ferry back to Windhelm, and she wouldn\u2019t be able to do the same for probably another day.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
She looked around at the still-smoldering piles of rubble. People were beginning to emerge from whatever safe spot they had found before the heavy fighting began.\u00a0 There were a few soldiers, looking a bit worse for wear, trudging back down the road toward Dragon Bridge.<\/p>\n
I really don\u2019t know what to do next. All this time I\u2019ve had someone else telling me where I should go, and what I should do, and before that I had a goal. A purpose. I was going to Windhelm to fight for Ulfric in the Civil War, to finish the job that Briinda started and wasn\u2019t able to complete.\u00a0 And now\u2026\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n Maybe I should go back to the camp, where we were last night, and see what they need to have done next?<\/em><\/p>\n No. Galmar\u2019s on his way to Windhelm. \u00a0The whole of Skyrim is ours. They\u2019re probably dismantling the camp by now.\u00a0 Or just patrolling the roads.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n Well, this isn\u2019t doing me any good, just standing and staring.\u00a0 I have to go that way now anyway, no matter what I decide to do next.<\/em><\/p>\n She started walking west, passing some of the slower-moving soldiers.\u00a0 They called her \u201cStormblade\u201d and clapped her on the back, or said \u201cgood job out there! I\u2019m glad you were with us,\u201d and she tried to smile back, to thank them.\u00a0 But it was hard to put anything like a smile on her face.\u00a0 She managed to nod, and once or twice said a few words of encouragement, but it seemed as though a great void had opened in front of her.<\/p>\n I wonder if all soldiers feel like this at the end of a war, just waiting for someone to tell them what to do next.<\/em><\/p>\n She kept looking ahead, wondering whether there was any chance she might catch up with Roggi and Dardeh, and travel with them for a while. They were the closest thing to family she had left in Skyrim, after all.\u00a0 But she saw no broad back in gleaming ebony, no tall Nord with a dragonbone greatsword slung across his back, and as she continued walking she realized that they had been through as great a trial as anyone else and probably wanted some time to spend with each other, resting and simply being together.<\/p>\n She chuckled, thinking about that.\u00a0 I can\u2019t believe it but I\u2019m going to miss hearing Dardeh failing to be quiet at night.\u00a0 The two of them just love each other so much. <\/em><\/p>\n That thought made her think of Ulfric again, and she frowned. \u00a0He had been so noble, so uplifting, so inspiring when he spoke to the troops both before and after the battle.\u00a0 He had fought like a man possessed, a seasoned warrior with the extra skills that came with the Voice; remembering those moments sent shivers of excitement rushing through her body.\u00a0 She would never forget the sight of him \u2013 eyes flashing, axe raised high, as he turned to grin at Dardeh and spur them all on to greater feats.<\/p>\n But there had been those other moments. As she thought of them, she began to debate herself, chewing on her lip as she went.<\/p>\n Why couldn\u2019t he have accepted Tullius\u2019 offer to surrender? <\/em><\/p>\n Because then the Imperials would have stopped at nothing to release him. You know that. There would have been no peace whatsoever in Solitude, and there\u2019s little enough of it now.<\/em><\/p>\n And what about not accepting the mantle of High King, right then and there? That was what we worked for, all that time. Wasn\u2019t it? And Roggi was so angry right then. I wonder why.<\/em><\/p>\n I don\u2019t know.\u00a0 Maybe Galmar was right. <\/em><\/p>\n Amidst all the furor and confusion in the courtyard, after they had slain Tullius, Frina had seen Galmar approach Dardeh and put a hand on his shoulder.\u00a0 She probably would never forget what he had said.<\/p>\n \u201cI know you grieve for those we have lost, Dragonborn. I see it in your eyes. But remember, the measure of a man is taken at the moment of his death. And know this for truth, the ghosts of many heroes walk among us.\u201d<\/p>\n Dardeh had nodded, with tears standing in his eyes. \u201cI know this for truth as well, Galmar: they are feasting in Sovngarde with Ysgramor and the Heroes even as we speak.\u201d<\/p>\n Frina didn\u2019t know exactly what made Dardeh so emotional about Sovngarde; he\u2019d actually cried when Ulfric mentioned it. But it made her think. Maybe it wasn\u2019t just putting Ulfric on the throne that mattered to all these men. <\/em><\/p>\n Maybe I\u2019ll be able to sort it all out later.<\/em><\/p>\n She spent her first night out of Solitude at the Four Shields Tavern in Dragon Bridge.\u00a0 Faida recognized her from the night before she\u2019d stolen the courier\u2019s orders, but Frina was greatly relieved when it became obvious that she hadn\u2019t seen that bit of thievery.\u00a0 She went to bed wondering whether or not she could even sleep and woke up some twelve hours later, exhaustion and injuries having taken their toll on her body.<\/p>\n She crossed the bridge and made her way east, along the shore, once more following the trail she\u2019d made several times during the past weeks. She stopped at the Stormcloak camp east of Morthal, where a number of wounded soldiers still rested. They hadn\u2019t heard the news yet, and when she told them of the great victory at Solitude they cheered. Some of them cried.\u00a0 They all vowed to survive, and heal, and be fit again in time to see Ulfric crowned High King.\u00a0 Frina just nodded at that, and told them that they had time, the Moot had to be convened, and that probably wouldn\u2019t happen until things had settled a bit and the Jarls had cemented their power in each of the holds.\u00a0 She slept there in the camp that night, once again dropping into the sleep of great exhaustion; but when she woke the following morning Frina felt almost alive again.<\/p>\n She spent a few moments with the quartermaster. He was very happy when she purchased a set of scaled armor from him and had him make a few small adjustments to its fit.\u00a0 The leathers she\u2019d worn since arriving in Skyrim were frankly disgusting at this point, covered with blood and full of the smell of smoke and death.\u00a0 Besides, she thought as she looked herself over, this armor actually flattered her figure, flat and wiry though it may be.<\/p>\n She set out to the east.<\/p>\n What is it that you want, Frina? <\/em>She asked herself that question in her sister\u2019s voice, wondering what Briinda would have advised or what she herself would have wanted to do following the end of the war. That was silly, though; Briinda would have been married to Roggi. She would have wanted children.\u00a0 She\u2019d have been trying for that with every bit as much fire and enthusiasm as she had tried to help Ulfric win the war. It made Frina giggle to think how different Roggi\u2019s life would have been if Briinda had lived. He would have been happy either way, she thought. Wouldn\u2019t he?<\/p>\n And what is it that I do want?<\/em><\/p>\n I want\u2026 a place to live. I want something to do, something that\u2019s important, that involves helping people. I want\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n I want to know Ulfric better.<\/em><\/p>\n She frowned, thinking that. It had been a young girl\u2019s silly dream, imagining herself with a great war hero.\u00a0 She had seen him at what might have been his finest. But she had also seen him be cruel, and sarcastic.\u00a0 That was hardly the hero and the happy ending she had imagined during the long trip from High Rock to Windhelm, before she had actually joined the Stormcloaks.<\/p>\n And yet\u2026<\/p>\n She walked slowly, taking her time, and darkness was falling on a third night when she approached the Nightgate Inn.\u00a0 The road had been surprisingly quiet. She\u2019d needed to slay a pair of frostbite spiders, but that had been all.\u00a0 She\u2019d also had to work her way around the remnants of several battles; only the cold kept the sites from collecting flies, and she hoped the bodies would be removed and cared for soon, before the animals created too much chaos. Before summer came at the very least.<\/p>\n The sun was blazing in a clear, cold sky when at last she crossed the river and saw the gates of Windhelm before her. She smiled. Windhelm had been their home when she was very young.\u00a0 It made sense for her to go to Windhelm before deciding what to do with the rest of her life, surely.\u00a0 There was at least some semblance of familiarity there, for her. That\u2019s what she\u2019d told herself for the entire last day of her trek. And yet, as soon as she opened the gates and stepped through, she found herself walking straight ahead, past Candlehearth Hall and up the broken stairs to the Palace of the Kings.<\/p>\n Ulfric was on his throne, holding papers that he scanned intently, deep in discussions with Jorlief, when she walked in.\u00a0 Try as she might, she couldn\u2019t keep the smile off her face while making her way down the long hall toward him.\u00a0 She had almost reached the end of the enormous feasting table when Ulfric glanced up, sensing movement.\u00a0 He looked back down at the papers without acknowledging her presence and for a moment her heart fell.\u00a0 Then it was as though he suddenly realized who he\u2019d seen. His head came back up, he looked at her, and a soft smile spread across his face.<\/p>\n \u201cStormblade. You\u2019ve arrived. I trust the journey treated you well.\u201d<\/p>\n Frina couldn\u2019t stop smiling at him in return.\u00a0 \u201cIt did, my lord.\u00a0 I stopped at our camps on the way here to tell the injured of our success.\u201d\u00a0 Her smile faded. \u201cThere is a lot of work to be done, if the truth be told.\u00a0 Many dead still line the roadways. We should give them a proper Nord burial as soon as we are able.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe should, should we?\u201d Ulfric said. Frina was afraid she had crossed some line with that until she realized that his eyes were twinkling.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, sir.\u00a0 At any rate, I have come, as you asked me to.\u00a0 Is there anything I can do to continue helping?\u201d Please give me something to do. I can\u2019t stand feeling useless.<\/em><\/p>\n He surprised her by laughing. \u201cTrue sons and daughters of Skyrim reign in every city. We\u2019ve crippled the Imperial Legion and cut off its head by killing General Tullius himself. What more could I ask of you, Stormblade?\u00a0 No, you\u2019re free to roam. I suspect the gods have needs for you elsewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n Frina sighed, and looked down at the floor.\u00a0 I was afraid of this. He really doesn\u2019t have any use for me. <\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI see.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThat said,\u201d Ulfric continued, drawing her attention back to his face, \u201csome of the Legion\u2019s staunchest men have doubtless organized themselves to operate out of the Empire\u2019s hidden military camps in the wilderness.\u00a0 If you come across any Imperials in your travels \u2013 well, I expect you\u2019ll know what to do.\u201d<\/p>\n Before she could stop herself, Frina started talking. \u201cThat\u2019s just it. I don\u2019t know <\/em>what to do now. I haven\u2019t any particular reason to travel. I don\u2019t have a home any longer \u2013 my parents have both passed and, well, you know what happened to Briinda. I can\u2019t very well move in with Roggi and Dardeh. I\u2019m sure they\u2019d be polite and allow me to stay, but\u2026\u201d She trailed off as she realized that the corners of Ulfric\u2019s mouth were twitching upward, and there was a twinkle in his eye.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd? Do go on.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m\u2026 I\u2019m sorry, sir. I got carried away. I guess I was hoping\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at him again and saw that the hint of humor she\u2019d seen had become a full grin.\u00a0 He was laughing at her.<\/p>\n Damn it all.<\/em><\/p>\n She stomped on the floor. \u201cBy the Nine, Ulfric, you told me to come here so we could discuss my future. Here I am. I need<\/em> a future. Are we going to discuss it, or am I going to have to stand here and grovel in front of the throne like a common peasant?\u201d<\/p>\n There was a moment of complete silence.\u00a0 Jorlief carefully slunk several steps to the side, away from the throne.\u00a0 Frina held her breath.<\/p>\n That was stupid. That was just stupid. You may have fought by his side but he doesn\u2019t owe you anything.<\/em><\/p>\n Ulfric leaned back in his throne and began to laugh. At first it was just a chuckle, but the longer it went on the louder it got, until he was actually wiping tears away with the back of his hand.\u00a0 Jorlief slipped a couple of uncomfortable glances her way; he clearly didn\u2019t know what to think about the outburst.\u00a0 Neither did she. \u00a0She loved hearing that laugh, simply adored the sound of it; but she didn\u2019t know what it meant. Maybe she was about to be led to the headsman\u2019s block.\u00a0 Or to that awful room in the dungeon where Roggi\u2026<\/p>\n \u2026 best not to think about that.<\/p>\n Finally, the laughter tapered off.<\/p>\n \u201cFrina,\u201d he said between chuckles. \u201cThank you for that. I haven\u2019t laughed so in ages.\u201d\u00a0 He stood, groaning slightly as he rotated his shoulders and stretched his arms out behind him. He stepped down off his dais to stand in front of her.\u00a0 His eyes were twinkling.<\/p>\n \u201cYou are correct, of course. I did ask you to come to me and here you are.\u00a0 And I have been deep in planning and administering and trying to work out responsibilities for almost every moment since Galmar and I returned to Windhelm.\u00a0 I am in need of a break.\u00a0 Come with me, and we will talk.\u201d\u00a0 He turned to Jorlief, looked at the man\u2019s expression and again burst out laughing.\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t worry, my friend. I\u2019m fine. I\u2019m just very tired, and our Stormblade has reminded me that there is more to life than paperwork.\u00a0 Have some food sent up to my quarters, if you would.\u201d<\/p>\n Jorlief relaxed slightly, and nodded. \u201cRight away, my lord.\u201d<\/p>\n Ulfric took Frina\u2019s hand.\u00a0 She nearly jumped; but even though she managed to keep herself from flinching, her heart started to pound.\u00a0 He led her a few steps toward the map room \u2013 and the entrance to his private quarters \u2013 then paused and called back across the throne room.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd Jorlief? Clear my schedule. I believe I shall be taking the rest of the day off.\u201d\u00a0 He looked at Frina and smiled again. \u201cCome, my warrior. Keep my company for awhile.\u201d<\/p>\n She looked into his eyes, searching for any clues as to what he might want and found none.\u00a0 It seemed, at least at the moment, as though Ulfric meant exactly what he had\u00a0 said: he was tired and wanted to spend some time in pleasant company.<\/p>\n Well, it\u2019s not a life plan, but it\u2019s something for the next few hours.\u00a0 I can do that.<\/em><\/p>\n She smiled, and followed him up the stairs.<\/p>\n She once again took the seat opposite him at the small table and sighed gratefully as he offered her a goblet of wine.\u00a0 Her feet hurt from the long walk and she was still more tense than she had expected to be.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, my lord,\u201d she murmured as she sipped it. \u201cThis is good. I didn\u2019t realize how tired I was, either.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat did I tell you about \u2018my lord,\u2019 Frina?\u201d he said, his eyes twinkling over the top of the goblet as he followed the statement up with a drink.<\/p>\n She smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cAlright. Ulfric. Thank you. So tell me, do I call you High King now?\u00a0 I mean, in public?\u201d<\/p>\n Ulfric chuckled quietly, but shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cNo. Not yet. We\u2019ll wait for the Moot to name me High King; it will be better for all that way as we start to rebuild.\u00a0 And to collect and bury our dead, as you mentioned.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled at her.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope that means the Imperials, too,\u201d Frina murmured. Then she flushed.\u00a0 I just asked the man whether I should call him High King and here I am telling him how to do his job? <\/em>\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m sorry, I don\u2019t mean to presume.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s fine. Many of those Imperial soldiers were people who I fought beside, years ago. They deserve as much respect as our own dead.\u201d\u00a0 Ulfric leaned back in his chair and stretched his arms out in front of him, then sighed heavily.<\/p>\n \u201cNo, you may not call me High King quite yet. But that doesn\u2019t mean I won\u2019t start acting like one.\u00a0 There is far too much work to be done helping the Jarls rebuild and enforce their right to rule. It\u2019s a precarious situation; the Empire may well try to reclaim Skyrim, and we need to be ready for that.\u00a0 There\u2019s also the small matter of the vacancies on the High Council and the absence of an Emperor.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut we\u2019re not part of the Empire any more, are we?\u201d<\/p>\n He paused for a moment as a servant knocked and entered the room with a tray of food. This time it was perfectly roasted pheasant and vegetables, and Frina\u2019s mouth started watering as soon as she smelled it.\u00a0 Ulfric waved the servant away and nodded to her that she should begin.\u00a0 He rubbed his eyes; and Frina could see the weariness just under the surface.<\/p>\n Of course he\u2019s tired. I\u2019m tired myself, and I\u2019m \u2026 how much younger than he is?<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re right, of course,\u201d he said, starting in on his meal.\u00a0 He took a bite and continued talking around the food, as she started in on her own. \u201cWe\u2019ve broken away. But there is still trading to consider and, like it or not, Cyrodiil is the seat of power for most of Tamriel. It\u2019s important to us, what happens there.\u201d<\/p>\n He paused for a sip of wine and then continued speaking.<\/p>\n \u201cNot only that.\u00a0 In spite of the Dragonborn\u2019s best efforts we still have dragons about, wreaking havoc. And then there are the vampires. It may take a while for the Moot to convene.\u201d<\/p>\n Frina\u2019s brow wrinkled. \u201cVampires?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. They\u2019re becoming bolder with the uncertainty of the war. There are enclaves of them lurking about but we\u2019ve not had the resources to go after them. You surely noticed the period of time when the sun went dark, some time ago?\u201d<\/p>\n Frina shuddered. \u201cHow could I not?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRumor has it that it was a powerful vampire artifact in use that caused that. Praise Talos it has stopped happening; but that still suggests that there is a threat to be dealt with.\u201d<\/p>\n Frina stared down at her plate, suddenly feeling guilty about having insisted on taking Ulfric\u2019s time.\u00a0 He had so much to deal with right now.\u00a0 Things that were far more important than her petty little concerns were all on his shoulders.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m \u2026 sorry.\u00a0 Here am I, all concerned about myself, and you have all of these far more important things to think about.\u201d<\/p>\n She jumped, then, as Ulfric reached across the table and gave her hand a brief squeeze.<\/p>\n \u201cYour future is, of course, the most important thing to you, and why would it not be? It is the same for any of us. Well, then, let\u2019s talk about your future.\u201d<\/p>\n Frina started to shake her head but he interrupted her.<\/p>\n \u201cOne of the things I can do as High King \u2013 can do as Jarl, but even moreso now \u2013 is to dispense with forfeited property.\u00a0 I offered you a home in the city once and you have not purchased it.\u201d<\/p>\n Frina flushed. \u201cNo, I haven\u2019t. I \u2026 can\u2019t afford it, sire.\u201d<\/p>\n He didn\u2019t look directly at her, rather kept eating and talking at the same time.\u00a0 \u201cAs it happens, you will not need to purchase a home.\u00a0 There is a place that has just become available. Its former occupant is no longer with us, his efforts working against our cause having been discovered with the help of our friend the Inquisitor. I wish to give it to you.\u00a0 It is a very small home, an apartment really, not even as large as these quarters, but it is yours if you will have it.\u201d<\/p>\n Frina stared at him.<\/p>\n He\u2019s giving me a home? Actually giving me a place to live?<\/em><\/p>\n Still he didn\u2019t meet her gaze.\u00a0 \u201cYou may get the key from Jorlief. Go through the Gate of Kings and turn left by Olaf One-Eye.\u00a0 It is just to the right, at the base of the stairs.\u201d<\/p>\n Frina took another bite of her meal \u2013 it seemed a shame to waste it, and Ulfric was certainly devouring his \u2013 and tried to picture the path to this place he was giving her.\u00a0 Out the gate, turn left by the plaque to King Olaf, and\u2026<\/p>\n \u201cBut \u2013 that\u2019s the Gray Quarter!\u201d<\/p>\n As soon as the words left her mouth she regretted having said them aloud. She felt herself turning red, the heat of her face warming her hand as she brought her goblet to her mouth hoping to cover her own embarrassment.\u00a0 She dared a glance at Ulfric and saw that he hadn\u2019t taken his attention off his own plate, but had a tiny smile on his mouth.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, yes. Barely.\u00a0 It is just a few steps into the Quarter. More importantly, it is very close to the palace.\u201d\u00a0 He looked up at her and smiled. \u201cI told you before, Frina, I need to have trusted, loyal people nearby.\u00a0 It would not do for me to move you into the palace right now.\u00a0 But you will be only a few moments away.\u201d\u00a0 He paused for another sip of wine.\u00a0 \u201cAs I\u2019ve told you, you are free to roam and engage with any of the enemy you may find.\u00a0 But in the meantime, if you can do anything for the people of Windhelm I would consider it a great service.\u00a0 I\u2019m going to be a very busy man for the foreseeable future.\u201d<\/p>\n She stared at him in awe.\u00a0 A place of my own. He really is giving me a place of my own. And \u2026 he wants me nearby.<\/em><\/p>\n She rose and walked to his window, staring out.<\/p>\n \u201cI am honored, sir, but I don\u2019t feel as though I\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She nearly jumped out of her skin as Ulfric\u2019s warm hands came down onto her shoulders and turned her around.\u00a0 She found herself looking into his eyes and saw there a warmth that she had never thought she\u2019d deserve from a man as great as he.\u00a0 Only in her childhood fantasies had she been face to face with a king, being regarded with kindness and, maybe, something more.<\/p>\n \u201cFrina,\u201d he said quietly. \u201cYou more than earned any reward I am able to give you. I did not name you Stormblade lightly. Our men rallied around you. You gave them confidence and hope that they did not otherwise possess. When they saw you fighting they were encouraged to continue. Please accept my gift. They will all understand that you deserve it and would wish you to do so.\u201d<\/p>\n Frina found herself fighting her own body\u2019s urge to tremble once more.\u00a0 I won\u2019t. I don\u2019t want to appear weak. Not after those lovely words.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cVery well. In that case, I accept.\u00a0 And thank you, Ulfric. I had no real place to go, not any longer. I will do everything I can to help smooth the path ahead for you.\u201d<\/p>\n He smiled at her and raised one hand to stroke the side of her cheek.\u00a0 Then he sighed, and it seemed to her that his smile grew sad.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd now,\u201d he said, \u201cI must let you go to inspect your new home.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He shook his head.<\/p>\n \u201cTruly. It is not that I have not enjoyed your company. \u00a0Again.\u00a0 I would keep you here longer. But I fear that I must send you away now, before I do something that you and I\u00a0 both will regret.\u201d<\/p>\n Frina\u2019s head swam. She didn\u2019t want him to send her away. She wanted to stay right where she was, if not a bit closer.<\/p>\n \u201cI have done things in the past that I have regretted deeply,\u201d he continued, his voice soft, \u201cand I would not have you become one of them. I have no desire to have you hate me.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBut\u2026\u201d she said again, wishing that something more intelligent and useful would come out of her mouth.\u00a0 But I don\u2019t want to leave.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cNo, don\u2019t argue with me. It is not right, not now.\u201d\u00a0 Ulfric dropped his hands and stepped back.\u00a0 \u201cBesides, my dear, I am an old man and you have reminded my mind and body how very tiring this business of rule can be.\u00a0 I would like to be in better form the next time we share an evening.\u201d\u00a0 He smiled warmly.\u00a0 \u201cGo now.\u201d<\/p>\n Frina heard the next words to come out of her mouth as though they came from someone else, and wondered what had possessed her to say them.<\/p>\n \u201cSo there will be a next time?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWithout a doubt,\u201d he said calmly and without any hesitation.<\/p>\n Frina took a deep breath and shook her head to regain her focus. \u201cIn that case, I\u2019d best go see Jorlief about a key.\u00a0 Thank you again. I don\u2019t have words for how much.\u201d\u00a0 She smiled at him, hoping he would see how very grateful she was. \u201cI\u2019ll see what I might be able to help with tomorrow and, of course, if you should need me for anything\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026I will send for you immediately,\u201d he finished the thought.<\/p>\n Frina smiled at him again and made her slightly unsteady way out the door of Ulfric\u2019s quarters and down the stairs to find Jorlief and retrieve the key to her new home.<\/p>\n There will be a next time.<\/em><\/p>\n That thought made her practically giddy.<\/p>\n She was even giddier when she found the space that Ulfric had given her.\u00a0 At first the idea of living in the Gray Quarter had her skin twitching \u2013 the very idea of living near Dunmer!\u00a0 But as she walked down the few steps to the door he\u2019d indicated she realized that he had been right. It was only barely in the Gray Quarter and was practically within whistling distance of the palace.\u00a0 And she had to admit that the brightly-colored hanging above the door, threadbare though it might be, was a welcome bit of vibrancy in this otherwise monotone city.<\/p>\n She stepped inside, dropped her pack and weapons beside the door, and gasped.\u00a0 It was, as he had told her, not even as large as his private chambers. It was basically one very tall room with a sleeping loft above half of it. But in that room was everything she could have imagined wanting.\u00a0 There was a kitchen, enchanting and alchemy stations and plenty of storage.\u00a0 The loft had room for two to sleep, one above the other.<\/p>\n Just inside the door was a weapons rack.\u00a0 Frina returned to it after looking around the space and smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cI know just the thing to put here,\u201d she said to the space, and found the elven sword Ulfric had given her in Solitude.\u00a0 She would never use it herself; regardless of anything else, she wanted no more to do with elves than absolutely necessary.\u00a0 But it had been a gift.\u00a0 When she placed it in the center of the rack it gleamed like gold.<\/p>\n Frina walked around the space once more, unpacking the few items she\u2019d carried with her in her backpack, enjoying the experience of finding the perfect place for each thing.\u00a0 When she was done she turned to survey her new home and smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you, Ulfric,\u201d she murmured. \u201cI\u2019m going to like it here.\u201d<\/p>\n It took Frina several days to make it to Windhelm. She had dashed along the streets in Solitude, wanting to catch up to Ulfric and Galmar as they began their journey home but not feeling as though it was really her place to travel with them.\u00a0 The carriage driver had very wisely moved his business … <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/4-2-22-2.png\")
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<\/p>\nPart II: The Storm<\/a><\/div>\nPrevious<\/a> \/ Next<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"