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<\/p>\nEdwyn stared at Geor and grunted in satisfaction.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, this will do nicely.\u00a0 I can\u2019t imagine how she could possibly know the difference.\u201d<\/p>\n
They\u2019d dressed Geor Mandel in Edwyn\u2019s purple Colovian outfit.\u00a0 In spite of needing to stifle the almost visceral urge to tear it from him and wash<\/em> it \u2013 an urge which was absurd in light of the amount of time they\u2019d spent cleaning Geor before putting him in it \u2013 he had to admit that the results of Vyctyna\u2019s efforts and the face changer\u2019s were spectacular.\u00a0 Geor looked exactly like him now, and his mind was as pliable as maker\u2019s clay.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you think you are ready, Geor? Can you do what we need you to do?\u201d<\/p>\n Geor stared at him and said, in tones that were identical to his own, \u201cIf my mistress commands it, thus I will do.\u201d<\/p>\n Edwyn laughed. \u201cMy, my. Yes, you even sound like me, condescension and all. Well done.\u201d\u00a0 He raised his voice and called out.\u00a0 \u201cVyctyna, my dear. Could you come here for a moment?\u201d<\/p>\n He heard her light footsteps pattering up the stairs, and turned to smile as she popped into the room.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat can I do for you, boss?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cElisif is likely to be home soon, and I need to be absolutely certain that our plan will unfold as devised.\u00a0 I\u2019ve asked our friend here whether he can perform as required and he assures me that he can \u2013 if you say so.\u201d<\/p>\n Vyctyna tipped her head to the side, crossed her arms and tsk\u2019d.\u00a0 \u201cWe have <\/em>talked about this, boss, I promise you. I don\u2019t quite know why there should be an issue.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNor do I,\u201d Edwyn purred. \u201cHowever, if you could go over everything with him one more time I would very much appreciate it.\u201d<\/p>\n Apparently he\u2019d managed to let a cold edge sneak into his voice in spite of his best efforts, for Vyctyna gave him a sharp sideways look before heaving a sigh. \u201cYes, of course, my lord,<\/em>\u201d she said, emphasizing the last words in a way that left no doubt how little she enjoyed having her abilities doubted.<\/p>\n Edwyn winced. She\u2019s an accomplished vampire even though she\u2019s young, and it really was inconsiderate of me to doubt her. But we can\u2019t take a single chance of being found out. <\/em><\/p>\n He stepped out of the way, allowing her to move closer to Geor. I truly want Elisif to have the child she desires. She deserves some happiness, after losing Torygg the way she did.\u00a0 I wish I could be the one to give her that child, but alas I cannot. All I can do is provide her as good a substitute as is available. And if she knows it is not I who is making love to her on this, or any other evening, it will cheapen her experience of motherhood.<\/em><\/p>\n I want to be High King. I would prefer not to do so by hurting Elisif. Harkon would call me weak for this. I don\u2019t care.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cNow, Geor,\u201d Vyctyna said. \u201cWhat have we discussed?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m to lie with Elisif and give her a child, as you asked, Mistress,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd tell us the sorts of things you\u2019ll say to her,\u201d she prompted.<\/p>\n Geor\u2019s face betrayed no emotion whatsoever as he began reciting some of the intimate and rather specific things they\u2019d discussed.\u00a0 It wouldn\u2019t do for him to say something inappropriate in the heat of the moment \u2013 cry out another woman\u2019s name, praise something about Elisif that Edwyn himself had never mentioned before, anything that would make her the least bit suspicious. That had been Vyctyna\u2019s idea, and she had worked hard to convince Edwyn to go along with it. He\u2019d reluctantly acquiesced, closed his eyes and replayed memories in his mind. Geor had repeated all of his words back to them, afterward.<\/p>\n Edwyn had been mortified and probably very red by the time they\u2019d finished; but to his perpetual relief Vyctyna had reassured him. \u201cDon\u2019t be a prude, boss,\u201d she\u2019d told him. \u201cIt\u2019s the best way to make sure this works. And face it, there are only so many parts and so many words to describe them in the world. You\u2019re a special man, but in the end you are a man, after all.\u201d<\/p>\n That is true enough. And so is Geor. In some ways he is more of a man than I.<\/em><\/p>\n He brought his attention back to the present as Geor ended his recitation.\u00a0 He nodded at the man and then at Vyctyna.<\/p>\n \u201cFeeling reassured now, boss?\u201d she asked, grinning.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I am.\u00a0 Now I think it\u2019s time for us to withdraw.\u00a0 Geor, meet Elisif when she arrives home.\u201d<\/p>\n Geor looked at Vyctyna for confirmation.\u00a0 She sighed.<\/p>\n \u201cGeor, when the master tells you to do something, you must do it just as if the order came from me. Do you understand?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, mistress. I understand.\u201d<\/p>\n Vyctyna turned to Edwyn and grinned. \u201cAlright, boss, I\u2019m out. I\u2019ll be over at the inn if you need me.\u201d\u00a0 She paused for a moment, furrowed her brow, and then moistened her lips. \u201cOr perhaps I\u2019ll be out hunting. I won\u2019t be far, though. I\u2019ll be glad when Aggie gets here.\u00a0 Hope everything goes well.\u201d<\/p>\n Edwyn listened to Vyctyna\u2019s soft footsteps receding and waited until he heard the door close before turning again to Geor.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s nearly time, Geor. When Elisif arrives, she\u2019ll be looking for you.\u00a0 Call to her from the bedchamber and then do as we\u2019ve planned. I\u2019ll come get you once she\u2019s asleep.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs you wish, Master.\u201d<\/p>\n Edwyn left Geor in the bedroom and then withdrew, positioning himself just inside the little-used sauna room across the way. Elisif never used the sauna; in fact, she actively disliked the space, so he knew she would not be likely to even look in his direction as he waited.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t long before he heard her arrive, and patter up the stairs, and begin chirping excitedly to Geor about her busy day.<\/p>\n He pushed the door open just enough to peer out through. Geor was standing near the doorway to the bedroom, listening to Elisif attentively but saying nothing more than \u201cmmm-hmm\u201d every so often.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, my love, shall we try again? It is the right time, after all.\u201d\u00a0 Elisif tugged on Geor\u2019s hand.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOf course,\u201d Geor murmured, smiling and following her through the doorway.<\/p>\n Edwyn realized that he was feeling an uncomfortable sensation, one he was not overly familiar with.\u00a0 He\u2019d long since ceased being anxious over most things in life, but for some reason the idea of potentially losing face with Elisif weighed on him heavily.\u00a0 He slipped quietly from the sauna room and inched forward across the room until he could see Elisif\u2019s back.<\/p>\n Then he pulled the shadows in around himself and watched, with a strange mix of delight and disgust, interest and embarrassment, as the man who looked exactly like him made love to his wife. He wavered between enjoying the view of Elisif\u2019s lithe form and admiring the indisputable skill with which Geor attended to her every whim.\u00a0 And all the while, he uttered quiet homage to whichever deity Elisif favored, that she might conceive quickly and bear easily.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t know how Vyctyna could have picked a better specimen.\u00a0 <\/em><\/p>\n I really can\u2019t believe I\u2019m doing this. The lengths to which I go for your dream, Harkon. I hope you\u2019re watching from Coldharbour.<\/em><\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n Ulfric was at his desk when Frina walked in.\u00a0 He looked up and smiled.<\/p>\n \u201cHello, love,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Frina smiled back. Someday I will be used to this man declaring his love for me, but so far it hasn\u2019t completely sunk in. <\/em>\u201cHello, yourself,\u201d she said, crossing the room to kiss him on the cheek.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s this? New clothing?\u201d His gaze swept down her length and then back to her eyes.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s lovely. I wouldn\u2019t have thought you the type to wear Colovian styles.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI liked the colors, Ulfric.\u00a0 It kind of goes with yours, don\u2019t you think?\u00a0 If I\u2019m going to be the King\u2019s consort, I should look the part. Besides\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She frowned. She didn\u2019t like the \u201cbesides\u201d part, not one little bit.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know. I think your good cooks are having an adverse effect on my waistline. Everything feels kind of tight these days.\u00a0 So until you let me get back out into the field and work some of it off again\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n He laughed.\u00a0 \u201cI know you want to be out there on the front lines, Stormblade, but given how uncertain the state of the province is still, I must insist that you stay close by my side.\u201d<\/p>\n She sighed heavily. \u201cI know. But it\u2019s going to be months yet before we can do any work in the city, to say nothing of anything else.\u201d<\/p>\n Ulfric smiled indulgently and turned back to his papers.\u00a0 \u201cYou have plans underway, I presume?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. We have architects and miners scouting likely spots to harvest new stone for the steps and all.\u00a0 It\u2019s just going to take a lot of time. Moving blocks that big isn\u2019t\u2026 as easy as I\u2019d thought it might be.\u201d I really hadn\u2019t taken the weight into consideration. I\u2019m so simple sometimes. It doesn\u2019t matter what station in life I\u2019ve risen to, I can\u2019t simply wave my hands and ignore the laws of nature.<\/em><\/p>\n Ulfric chuckled. \u201cI suppose that explains why you\u2019re restless, then. There isn\u2019t much to keep a woman occupied in this castle.\u201d<\/p>\n Frina\u2019s temper flared. \u201cIt\u2019s not that I\u2019m a woman<\/em>, Ulfric, it\u2019s that I\u2019m a soldier and I\u2019m not used to being idle!\u201d<\/p>\n Ulfric raised one eyebrow and cast a sideways glance at her.\u00a0 She sighed, and let the irritation drop away.\u00a0 I don\u2019t know what is wrong with me today. I\u2019m so touchy. <\/em>She rested one hand on his shoulder.<\/p>\n \u201c<\/em>You have the entire province to be concerned about and people like Galmar to \u2026 ride herd on. I\u2019m just at loose ends, and there are only so many hours of alchemy a person can practice without using up every valuable ingredient in the city.\u201d<\/p>\n Ulfric chuckled. \u201cWell perhaps I should send for Roggi then. You are aware that his skill in alchemy is exemplary, yes?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, I didn\u2019t know that. Really?\u201d<\/p>\n He nodded. \u201cYes. One of his many talents is the creation of delicate poisons. He used them to great effect on our behalf, when he was first a member of the Stormcloaks. Perhaps he could give you lessons.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHuh. I don\u2019t know why I didn\u2019t know that about him, especially given that he was family.\u201d She frowned for a moment, but then shook her head. \u201cAt any rate, I expect he has other things to keep him occupied, what with a home and a family. And who knows what he and Dardeh are doing now.\u00a0 Slaying dragons, no doubt.\u201d<\/p>\n She waited for some kind of response, but instead of addressing her Ulfric slammed his hand down on the desk.<\/p>\n \u201cDamn!\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI thought we might have solved the problem when you disrupted the Blood Horkers\u2019 operations, my love,\u201d he said. \u201cBut these reports say that piracy has begun to crop up once more, up along the more remote areas.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cReally?\u201d You mean I went through all of that terror for nothing? <\/em>\u201cThat\u2019s just awful. I don\u2019t know why anyone would\u2026 it makes no sense. Who in the world benefits from disrupting the East Empire Company?\u201d<\/p>\n Ulfric shot her a sharp glance and began rubbing his chin.<\/p>\n \u201cAs usual you prove yourself a most insightful companion, my dear. Who, indeed?\u00a0 That is the question of the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n Frina blinked.\u00a0 Me, insightful? What is he talking about? <\/em><\/p>\n \u201cUm\u2026 Do you have someone in mind?\u201d<\/p>\n Ulfric rose from his chair and paced the room a few times. \u201cYes. I do indeed. But I need more to go on than a simple hunch.\u00a0 I wonder.\u201d\u00a0 He stopped before her and took her hands.\u00a0 \u201cIf I recall correctly, you said that the person who told you about the pirates was someone in Riften, is that not so?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes. He\u2019s\u2026 sort of\u2026\u201d She furrowed her brow, trying to parse out what their relationship actually was. \u201cRoggi\u2019s relative by marriage. Kind of. Half.\u201d<\/p>\n Ulfric peered at her in confusion. \u201cWhat are you saying?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI get confused with all these complicated family things. Dardeh \u2013 the Dragonborn\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYes, I know who Dardeh is,\u201d Ulfric muttered.<\/p>\n \u201cHe has a half-sister. She\u2019s married to\u2026 the man I heard this from.\u201d<\/p>\n Ulfric stood and walked toward the door. \u201cI need to return to the throne room soon, Frina. Tell me, what is the man\u2019s name? For I feel positive that I need to speak to him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cUm, it\u2019s supposed to be a secret.\u201d<\/p>\n Ulfric turned at the door and glared at her. \u201cFrina, don\u2019t be absurd.\u201d<\/p>\n She felt her irritation flare again. \u201cIt\u2019s absurd to keep a promise?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNo, but you\u2019re my wife. Are you truly going to keep secrets from me? Very well, then.\u201d He strode back to his desk and pulled out a sheet of paper. He reached for a quill and an inkpot, and dipped the quill into it.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sending for Roggi. He\u2019ll tell me what I need to know, since you won\u2019t. In fact he may know more.\u00a0 We need shipping to be free and open, Frina, or we will all suffer for it. In fact, were you not the one who said those same things to me?\u201d<\/p>\n Frina suddenly felt unaccountably angry and emotional.\u00a0 She felt herself flushing and even a bit dizzy.<\/p>\n \u201cWhy is it that he\u2019s the one you always want to call for, Ulfric?\u201d she snapped, finding herself fighting back tears for no reason. \u201cYou have advisors, good ones, right here in the palace. Why is Roggi so special to you?\u201d<\/p>\n Ulfric\u2019s hand, and the quill in it, froze in mid-air. Frina waited for him to speak, but when he said nothing, she continued railing against him, a part of her mind wondering why she had suddenly turned into a shrill shrew of a wife.<\/p>\n \u201cHe told me that you were in a much better position than he was to discuss what happened between the two of you that made him so angry at you, and he wouldn\u2019t tell me why. Don\u2019t you think I deserve to know, Ulfric? You\u2019re the two men I love most in this world, and there\u2019s something about you, something important, that you\u2019re both keeping from me. The whole time we were fighting in the war, he kept telling me to be careful around you and tried to warn me that I might get hurt by getting close to you. Why is that? And why did he come to our wedding even though he kept telling me that he couldn\u2019t stand to be near you? What does he know about you that I don\u2019t, husband<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n Ulfric set the quill down and turned to face her. \u201cHe said those things, did he?\u201d His voice was very quiet.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, he did.\u201d Suddenly she found herself weeping, for no reason that she could put a finger on. \u201cHe told me that when I said that I wanted to get back to you. Because he knew that I was in love with you, Ulfric, and he said\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat did he say?\u201d<\/p>\n Frina\u2019s mind went back to that dark night when she and Roggi had gone to the battle at Fort Snowhawk.\u00a0 She remembered how Roggi had gone completely white when she\u2019d said Ulfric had told her what had happened between them. She remembered Roggi apologizing for being harsh with her, after having grabbed her and spoken sharply on their way there. Then, after they\u2019d taken turns saving each other from a bad end in the battle, he\u2019d told her to be careful. And then he\u2019d said\u2026<\/p>\n She suddenly went cold.\u00a0 She looked up and found Ulfric staring at her. She knew her eyes must be completely round with horror, judging by the look on his face.<\/p>\n Oh no. It can\u2019t be. I thought, when he said that he understood, that Roggi was talking about being in love with Briinda.<\/em><\/p>\n Roggi was married to Briinda, but now he\u2019s married to a man, which is a thing that surprised me more than I could say. And Ulfric told me that it had been many years since he had shared his bed, or any other\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n It can\u2019t be, can it?<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it that he told you, Frina?\u201d Ulfric prompted again, very gently.<\/p>\n Frina moved back to the edge of the bed and lowered herself onto it, fearing that she would faint if she did not. She started sobbing.<\/p>\n \u201cHe said that he knew what it was like. He said \u2018I understand how it is. Trust me, I really do.\u2019 \u00a0He was talking about getting back to you, wasn\u2019t he? What happened between you, Ulfric? Were you lovers?\u201d<\/p>\n Ulfric sighed. He looked defeated. She\u2019d never seen such a look on his face before. But he didn\u2019t look away from her. He held her gaze, firmly, even as tears welled up in his own eyes. He spoke, very quietly.<\/p>\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBy the Nine, Ulfric,\u201d she forced out between sobs. \u201cHow could you?\u201d<\/p>\n He rose from his chair and stepped toward her. \u201cMay I come sit beside you?\u201d<\/p>\n Frina wanted to scream at him, tell him to move away from her, but she was acutely aware at that moment that she was in the presence of the true ruler of Skyrim and that she was his wife and had no right to deny him. She nodded, even as fat tears plopped from her eyes onto her new clothing.<\/p>\n Ulfric sat down gently, and took one of her hands in his, as he had the night he had asked her to marry him. He started to speak and then stopped; once, twice; and on the third time he finally sighed and simply said her name.<\/p>\n \u201cFrina.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat? What can you possibly say to me to make this better?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI love you, my own Stormblade. That is the truest thing I can say. I have given you my heart, such as it is, my dear wife, and bound my life to yours. What happened in the past is just that. The past. The distant past, at this point.\u201d<\/p>\n Frina couldn\u2019t look at him.\u00a0 But\u2026 Roggi.\u00a0 My dearest brother. The man my sister loved more than anything in the world.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI told you that I had done things I deeply regret. That is the chiefest among them, Frina. I can\u2019t truly explain it except to compare it with something you know well.\u201d<\/p>\n She shook her head.\u00a0 She was trying hard to remember how she had come to the conclusion that it was ok that Roggi and Dardeh were married, because they loved each other so much.\u00a0 That it didn\u2019t matter that they were both men, only that they were completely devoted to each other.\u00a0 And she tried to stretch her mind, to extend that acceptance to the idea that Roggi and Ulfric had shared something special as well.\u00a0 Every time she thought of it she sobbed harder.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat thing, Ulfric?\u201d she managed to force out of her throat, even while not being able to look at him.<\/p>\n \u201cYou told me that you came to Skyrim for me. That you came back to Windhelm for me. That you couldn\u2019t stay away from me. You told me those things, did you not?\u201d<\/p>\n Frina nodded.<\/p>\n \u201cYou came to me out of love and devotion, and unless I utterly misread the situation, a fair amount of desire.\u201d<\/p>\n She sniffled, and then nodded.\u00a0 \u201cI can\u2019t deny that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRoggi and I\u2026\u201d he shook his head again and sighed heavily. Then it seemed as though a dam had burst, the words rushing from him in a rapid torrent. \u201cWe also could not keep away from each other. He fascinated me. The sheer power the man has. The depth of his imagination. I had pushed him, led him to become an inquisitor to benefit our cause and then became obsessed by how good he was at it. He would do anything I asked. It was not a healthy obsession. I … coerced him into being with me, the first time, and I regret that more than anything else I have ever done. I truly did not anticipate the pull that would emerge between us, and neither did he.\u201d\u00a0 He paused for a moment, took another deep breath, and continued.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter that it was a mutual desire that kept us together, and both of us knew that it was wrong because of your sister. I did try to separate them, Frina, but not because I wanted her. I wanted him. For a time I thought it was more than simple mutual desire, but it wasn\u2019t. Roggi loved your sister and I loved\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Ulfric paused, and looked down at the floor, as if searching for an answer there.\u00a0 Frina watched emotions ripple over her husband\u2019s usually-stoic face: confusion, anger, sorrow, and finally disgust.\u00a0 He frowned.<\/p>\n \u201cI loved myself.\u00a0 As much as it pains me to admit, that is the stark truth. And then Roggi left. To marry her. It was a difficult, ugly parting and I am ashamed to admit that I have harbored resentment toward him for all the years between then and now.\u201d He laughed, a quick burst with no humor in it. \u201cAnd yet I still admire him and, I believe, he still respects and admires me. You saw how we still work well together, in spite of the resentments. I am fascinated by him still, by how much he has grown through being associated with the Dragonborn. If I could choose another advisor to have at my side perpetually, I would choose him. I \u2026 suspect he would not appreciate knowing that.\u201d<\/p>\n She looked at him and saw the distress on his face.\u00a0 For the first time ever it occurred to her that Ulfric looked his age, looked as much older than her as he actually was.\u00a0 He was in pain, and that pain accentuated the deep lines on his face. He was disgusted with himself. It was as plain to her as anything ever had been from this man who was usually so good at presenting an almost stony visage to the world.<\/p>\n As appalled as she was by this sudden shift in her understanding of the world, Frina wanted nothing more than to comfort Ulfric.\u00a0 She scrubbed a hand across her eyes.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2026 don\u2019t know what to say, Ulfric. She was my sister.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know. I know.\u201d\u00a0 He buried his head in his hands.\u00a0 \u201cI had hoped never to need to reveal any of these things to you. They happened a very long time ago, and I never imagined then that I would ever even cross paths with you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI was just a child then,\u201d she said, feeling as though her voice was coming from somewhere far away, perhaps someone else\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n Ulfric sat up and turned to face her again. \u201cAll I can tell you now is this. Nothing that transpired a decade ago \u2013 more than that – has anything to do with you, my love. It doesn\u2019t change anything that has happened in our lives since you first came to my court. It doesn\u2019t change the fact that I watched you fight my battles and help me win my war, and grew to love you as the time went by. \u00a0It doesn\u2019t change the fact that I want you by my side, now and for as long as I am fortunate enough to survive this world. You are my wife, and you will be my queen consort, but only if you are willing. It is complicated, and painful, and for me more than a bit shameful, but it does not erase what we <\/em>have shared, you and I. \u00a0It is desperately sad to me that words are all I have to offer you as proof of my sincerity. I am not a romantic man, and my<\/em> words in particular are simply not enough.\u00a0 But they are all that I have, in spite of my station. I hope\u2026\u201d he swallowed, hard, and his voice grew softer, \u201c\u2026I hope that you will not leave me, my Stormblade, for you are dearer to me than any other person I have known.\u201d<\/p>\n Frina looked at him, gazing into the green eyes she loved, taking in the shapes of the face she always wanted most in the world to see, and sighed.\u00a0 He\u2019s right. And I told myself before I agreed to marry him that I would do so even if his motives were not completely pure, because Skyrim needs him to be its High King.\u00a0 I would be nothing but a hypocrite if I were to abandon those ideals now.<\/em><\/p>\n There were a great many things that she wanted to tell him; but words stuck in her throat and all she could do was nod, and wipe her eyes with the back of her hand, and hold her arms out to him.\u00a0 It was difficult, at first; but as they held each other the familiar warmth of his body enveloped her and she found herself relaxing.<\/p>\n This is still my Ulfric. He lived for a very long time before he met me, and experienced a great many things. I\u2019m sure many of them wouldn\u2019t make me happy.\u00a0 But they made him who he is.\u00a0 And that\u2019s the man I love. And if he cared for Roggi too, well\u2026 I guess that simply means that the three of us have a deeper bond than I knew.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m very sorry, Frina,\u201d Ulfric whispered next to her ear. \u201cI would have preferred never to hurt you with this.\u201d<\/p>\n She pulled back and smiled at him; a small smile, all she could muster at the moment, but a smile nonetheless.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019ll be alright, my love,\u201d she said. \u201cIt was just a shock.\u00a0 And I don\u2019t know why everything has been hitting me so hard the past few days. I seem to be just a mess.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis must have been weighing on you for some time, even if you were not immediately aware of it.\u00a0 Given the things you\u2019ve told me that you and Roggi discussed, I\u2019m not surprised.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe didn\u2019t want to give it away, either,\u201d she said quietly. \u201cHe cares about me. I believe he cares about you as well, Ulfric. He is at least loyal to you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTo the Jarl of Windhelm, at least,\u201d Ulfric muttered.<\/p>\n \u201cIs that not enough? After all this time, is that not a great deal?\u201d<\/p>\n Ulfric nodded. \u201cI suppose it is.\u201d<\/p>\n She took a deep breath. \u201cHis name is Brynjolf,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Ulfric turned to her, his eyebrows quirked in a confused frown. \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe man who told me that there was a problem with shipping. His name is Brynjolf and he lives in Riften.\u00a0 I met him here not long after I first came to Windhelm, right after you gave me your axe and told me to deliver it to Balgruuf. He was here with Roggi. The two of them are friends.\u201d<\/p>\n Ulfric rubbed his chin. \u201cAnd he knows about shipping in Skyrim\u2026 how?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not entirely certain, Ulfric. But he\u2019s the one.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell then. I will write my letter after we see to matters of court. I will write it to him rather than to Roggi. Will that be suitable?\u201d<\/p>\n She nodded.\u00a0 Ulfric rose from the bedside and held a hand out to her. She took it, and stood up.<\/p>\n She was about to step closer to him, to embrace him once more, to try to convince herself that it would be alright.\u00a0 But suddenly she found herself dizzy.\u00a0 She reached out to steady herself on Ulfric\u2019s arm, but felt as if her head was being squeezed in a vise, her ears ringing. She heard Ulfric\u2019s voice, asking whether she was alright, but couldn\u2019t answer as it suddenly felt as though there was an odd pressure in her neck.<\/p>\n Then she dashed for the back of the room, barely making it to the basin that was still resting on its stand before her stomach emptied itself.\u00a0 She spent several ghastly minutes there, over the basin, with Ulfric coming up behind her and wrapping an arm around her shoulder.<\/p>\n Finally the ringing in her ears and pressure in her head receded, and her stomach settled itself.\u00a0 She wiped her mouth with the cloth next to the basin and slowly straightened up.<\/p>\n Why have I not paid attention to this? How long has it been? How many weeks?<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWhat is it, Frina? Should I call for the healers?\u201d Ulfric looked desperately concerned, and she couldn\u2019t help but chuckle at him.<\/p>\n By Talos. It makes sense now. What incredibly ridiculous timing.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cNo, I\u2019ll be fine. I probably just need to eat something.\u00a0 Some dry bread, perhaps.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been wondering that exact thing for a couple of weeks now, Ulfric, and I believe I\u2019ve finally figured it out.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWhat are you talking about?\u201d he said, his face still furrowed.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been so emotional. Every little thing has made me want to cry.\u00a0 I\u2019ve been feeling more and more uncomfortable in my clothing.\u201d\u00a0 Frina tugged at her new outfit, moving it around until it sat a bit more loosely on her frame. \u201cAnd I\u2019ve just gotten sick.\u00a0 In the morning.\u00a0 Undoubtedly being upset didn\u2019t help much, but still.\u201d<\/p>\n Ulfric shook his head. \u201cI still don\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou will when I mention that my last span of moon days happened … some time ago. I haven\u2019t really been paying attention.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYour last\u2026. Oh!\u201d<\/p>\n In spite of everything that had just happened, the sorrow that would take some time to heal, and in spite of feeling quite weak at that particular instant Frina couldn\u2019t help but giggle at Ulfric, who first blushed a deep rose and then went pale.\u00a0 Surely a man of his age must have had some experience with a woman\u2019s body, regardless of any dalliance he might have had with another man. He had never had any difficulty dealing with hers, at the very least.<\/p>\n \u201cDoes this mean what I think it means?\u201d he breathed.<\/p>\n She closed her eyes and smiled, nodding, before opening them again to gaze at Ulfric.<\/p>\n \u201cI think so.\u00a0 My lord Ulfric, I believe that you are to be a father.\u201d\u00a0 She started counting on her fingers.\u00a0 \u201cI think it must be about\u2026 nine weeks or so, by now.\u201d<\/p>\n Before she had a chance to react, Ulfric had wrapped himself around her and was holding her so tightly that she could barely draw a deep breath.<\/p>\n \u201cOh my lovely Stormblade,\u201d he murmured. \u201cThe gods are good to us, my love. You have given me the greatest gift I have ever received.\u201d<\/p>\n For a brief moment an unhappy thought flitted through her mind. He just wants a child to cement his claim to the throne. <\/em>But he pushed her back to arm\u2019s length, and as she studied his face her doubts fell away and her heart warmed.\u00a0 She\u2019d never seen Ulfric with a look of joy like the one he wore at that moment except on one occasion \u2013 the night of their wedding.<\/p>\n We will go forward from here, Ulfric Stormcloak, you and I. We are strong people. We will face what is ahead, whatever it may be, you and I and our child, and we will be stronger for having gone through painful times, both separately and together.<\/em><\/p>\n They called for one of the servants to clean the room, Frina apologizing profusely but then dissolving into laughter when the girl winked at her and said \u201cnew mothers do get the sicks sometimes, especially with the first one. It\u2019s not to worry about, my lady, unless it doesn\u2019t go away.\u201d\u00a0 Then Frina had a small meal, with Ulfric fussing over her.<\/p>\n At last they went to the great, long audience chamber and Ulfric took his throne, preparing for the day\u2019s business.\u00a0 Frina stood beside him, one step down.\u00a0 She turned to smile at him and her heart melted at his expression.\u00a0 His face spoke of sadness that he had needed to hurt her by telling her the truth.\u00a0 But it also spoke of great joy and love, \u00a0concern, and hope for the future.\u00a0 And for that, Frina was exceedingly grateful.<\/p>\n Edwyn stared at Geor and grunted in satisfaction. \u201cYes, this will do nicely.\u00a0 I can\u2019t imagine how she could possibly know the difference.\u201d They\u2019d dressed Geor Mandel in Edwyn\u2019s purple Colovian outfit.\u00a0 In spite of needing to stifle the almost visceral urge to tear it from him and wash it \u2013 an urge which was … <\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/baakay.com\/FanFic\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/5-1-16-2.png\")
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<\/p>\nPart I: Modulation<\/a><\/div>\nPrevious<\/a> \/ Next<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"