The Bears Shortcoming

Chapter 6 - The Jarl

(4E 201 13th of Sun's Dusk)

I heard a sharp knock on my door; it was undoubtedly the annoying middle aged man as he seemed to continuously be my only visitor.

"What do you want?" I seethed, the loathing evident in my voice. 

The door opened slowly with a creak and my eyes widened as I saw no one but Ulfric Stormcloak enter my bedroom. He looked different when he wasn't on his throne, he looked more human.

"I'm sorry my Jarl, I thought you were-"

"Don't apologize" Ulfric said, he smiled at me. It was the first time I'd ever seen him smile and it felt like something inside of me had caught fire. "How are your injuries?" he said softly.

 My expression changed and my face went void of any emotion "I'm fine" I said bluntly, I remembered it was his men that did this to me in the first place. I noticed the Jarl was holding a bag in his hand.

"I'm sorry they did this to you" Ulfric's tone was growing more firm.

"That dosent change anything" I snapped.

"You were stealing from my city"

"And you nearly killed me for it! I was stealing because I have people I need to protect, people that trusted me"

Ulfric stared at me sternly; I saw confusion flash across his face. "Thieves don't trust, they steal"

I glared at him "I'd rather be a thief than kill people for a living"

 Suddenly I felt scared, like I'd made a huge mistake.

Instead of killing me or getting angry, Ulfric smiled gently and put a firm hand on my shoulder. He looked me in the eyes. His hand was warm. "I hope that we can change your opinion of us, the Stormcloaks fight for the people of Skyrim. And I would bleed for the chance to free her from the empire and its cruelty"

I was warmed by his response and his patience. He started to leave the room and I called after him. "What happens after you retake Skyrim from the empire?"

Ulfric glanced behind his shoulder. I couldn't see his face but I knew he was smiling.

"Then, we take the fight to the Thalmor"

It was as if this man knew everything about me, I knew he understood pain and loss like I did. And I decided that Ulfric Stormcloak was the man who was going to make Skyrim great again, and help me get justice for what was done to my mother.

After Ulfric had left the room, I noticed he had left the bag he was carrying behind. I walked over curiously and opened it. Only to find my very own leather armor and all of my belongings. I almost squealed with joy. I ran my fingers over the buckles and scratches in the armor, it smelled just like the guild. I felt a pang of home sickness in my stomach.

I slipped the armor on carefully, and slid a pair of light ebony daggers into the straps I'd had specially adjusted by Tonilia. My coin purse sat snugly in one of the pockets and suddenly I felt like myself again. For the first time in a while, I cracked a genuine smile.

A few hours later, I walked into the great hall and approached Ulfric.

"Ready to take the fight to the empire?" he grinned "Speak with my lieutenant Galmar, he has something for you"

Ulfric motioned to a man standing a few metres away. Galmar was Ulfric's second in command. He was short but broad and muscly; his face was twisted into a constant frown. He was wearing thick armor made of fur and bone and a helmet that appeared to be in the shape of a bear. A huge steel battle-axe rested on his back. "I was told to speak with you" I said, approaching slowly.