The Bears Shortcoming

Chapter 10 - Death

(4E 201 30th of Sun's Dusk)

The road to Whiterun was long and weary. I tried to prepare myself for the events that were about to unfold but I felt nothing but regret and sadness. Jarl Balgruuf showed kindness to me when no one knew me, I was poor and alone and he took me in. And now I'm about to invade his city.

Over the months that I'd been staying in Windhelm, I found myself falling for Ulfric more and more. The way his eyes had a pigment of green that you could only see if you looked up close, and the way his voice was so low and comforting that he could make you feel safe even if there was a dragon attacking, to the way he looked at me on the day of the dragon attack like I was the only thing that mattered. For a short time, he made me feel important, but now that was all gone and all Ulfric cared about was his war. All he harbored for me now was loathing since I kept my secret hidden from him.

Deep down, I knew that I trusted Ulfric and I felt terrible for keeping such a big secret from him, but at the same time I felt like he was being unreasonable with me, and he wouldn't even give me a chance to explain.

I spent the journey to Whiterun thinking about betraying Jarl Balgruuf and caring about Jarl Ulfric. Just as I thought my head was about to implode, we arrived at the city. Men were already lighting fires outside the walls and getting ready to break down Whiterun's defenses. 

After everyone had arrived at Whiterun, Ulfric approached Galmar and placed a firm hand on his shoulder.

"You were right, Galmar" he said gruffly

"Again?" There was a hint of dry humor in Galmars voice, but Ulfric dismissed him.

"I'm in no mood to joke" Ulfric responded to Galmar with the same sharp tone he used to speak to me back in Windhelm. I felt a pang of sadness in my stomach but I pushed it back down. I needed to keep my head clear if I was going to come out of this alive and have any chance of seeing the guild again. 

Galmar stood up straight and looked at his friend "Say the word my lord, and Whiterun is yours"

"Send the word, a new day is dawning and the sun rises over Whiterun" Ulfric spoke poetically and it almost made me smile, it was as if he'd been practicing for this proud moment. Although the Jarl sounded fearless, like any leader should be, I noticed a spark of guilt flash across his face. Ulfric was only human, and he was about to give an order that meant the deaths of many.

"So it begins" Ulfric murmured.

The army of Stormcloaks gathered around Galmar, who was kitted out with stormcloak armor made out of fur and bone. There were metal studs all over him, Galmar looked so deadly, it was as if merely touching him could pierce your skin. He drew his huge battle axe from his back and took a deep breath.

"This is it men! What we do here today, we do for our country! For all the true Nords of Skyrim!"

I winced at the Nord comment and looked around me, I was the only elf in the entire fleet, and suddenly I felt a lot more alone than I did before.

"Everyone on me! Let's show these imperial milk drinkers what true Nords look like!" Galmar bellowed, before running towards the drawbridge into the city, the Stormcloak army following closely behind.

Ulfric hadn't spoken to me since Windhelm. I wondered if he'd care if I died in battle today, I wondered if he'd even notice. 

When I entered the city, my eyes widened. There were flames everywhere. The houses and shops that were once friendly and welcoming, they were all burning to the ground. It was a horrible sight to see, but I knew that I was on the right side, and that I was fighting for a just cause. I took out my daggers and cut an imperials' throat with one swift action. 

This is for Skyrim.

We worked our way up to the market square and I saw a familiar figure fighting beside me. He was a nord with long blonde hair...I had to think for a second but then it hit me. Ralof!

I shouted above the chaos "Ralof! Good to see you again!"

Ralof turned his head and gave me a quick smile before drawing his sword as an Imperial soldier approached, their steel clashed and I took the opportunity to sneak behind the Imperial and stab him in the belly, allowing Ralof to deliver the killing blow to his head. Sneaking was what I was best at after all.

Ralof turned to me and hugged me "Glad to see you're still alive! And I'm glad to see you joined up! You fight for a noble cause"

I smiled at him "You too. Now let's show them what we're made of"

Ralof nodded in agreement and drew his sword once more, we stood side by side, cutting down anyone who stood in our way. For a moment, I forgot my sadness and guilt over Ulfric and I was happy that I had a true friend in this war. Until it all came crashing down once more.

We got surrounded by about seven imperials, the first few were easy but me and Ralof got separated in the chaos and we were unable to work together as we had been. I fought them off as best I could until there were none left for me to fight. I looked over to see a group of imperials surrounding my friend.

Ralof fell on his knees with a strangled grunt as an imperial shoved a sword through his chest. I screamed and tears blurred my vision as I watched as Ralof's once bright, friendly eyes went blank and expressionless.

During my short moment of weakness I felt a sharp pain in my belly, and I looked down to see an iron arrow sticking through my torso. Before I had a chance to scream out in pain, another arrow penetrated my shoulder. I tried to breathe and instead I coughed up  clots of my own blood. I fell on the ground, full of sadness and pain. And then, it all faded into nothing.