The Bears Shortcoming

Chapter 16- The Embassy

                  

(4E 202 1st of Morning Star)

I woke up that morning facing an adorably sleepy Ulfric. His dirty-blonde hair was messy and strewn across his face whilst the soft morning light pouring the windows flattered his sharp jawline and defined cheekbones. He's perfect.

The next thing I knew, Ulfric's eyes were wide open and I was caught staring. I turned a very unflattering shade of red and smiled weakly. Ulfric chuckled and kissed me lightly before getting out of bed. I watched as he stood up and stretched, I didn't know you could have back muscles, but Ulfric had them and they were beyond attractive.

I got out of bed also and began to get some clothes on but before I could do anything Ulfric had picked me up and was kissing me once more. I noticed something different in his eyes, he looked sad.

"What's wrong?" I said, brushing his hair out of his face.

Ulfric's cheeks flushed and he looked at the ground briefly before speaking up

"Damn the greybeards! Why can't you just stay with me?" he demanded.

I looked up into his beautiful eyes "I'll be back so soon you won't even know I was gone" I whispered.

The Jarl grunted and carried on getting dressed, whilst I did the same. I helped him fasten buttons and straps on his cloak and I swear I saw him blush as I did so.

Ulfric escorted me to the outskirts of the city where he paid the carriage driver to take me to Ivarstead. I looked at Ulfric and we said our goodbyes.

"Like I said I-"I began before I was interrupted by a long and passionate kiss. The kiss was different this time, it was filled with warmth and love and I didn't doubt his intentions for a second.

"I love you Aiden" Ulfric brushed his hand against my face and my eyes widened. It was the first time he'd ever told me he loved me and my heart almost leapt out of my chest. "Return to me" he said quietly.

"I swear I will. I love you Ulfric" I planted a light kiss on his cheek before climbing up onto the wooden carriage seat and waving sadly before he disappeared out of view and Windhelm was far behind me.

(4E 202 15th of Morning Star)

It had taken much longer than I anticipated getting to Ivarstead, and even longer still to climb the 7,000 steps up to High Hrothgar. But finally I arrived and spoke with Arngeir once more.

"You have returned" Arngeir smiled at me gently and I realised how much I had missed the old man. He had been like a father to me and I was really glad to be back.

"I've come to finish my training master Arngeir"

"Yes child, you must travel to the ancient Nordic ruin Ustengrav, where you will find the horn of Jurgen Windcaller. He was the founder of the greybeards. This is your final test Dragonborn. Stay true to the way of the voice, and you will return"

The next month was all a blur. I found the ancient ruin and went through a lot of trouble just to discover that the horn had been stolen. I found a letter from the thief telling me to meet them in Riverwood.

When I arrived in Riverwood a woman named Delphine claimed to be part of an organisation that protected the Dragonborn. So I helped her, and in turn she helped me to discover more about what it meant to be Dragonborn.

Delphine was trying to find the cause of the mysterious dragon attacks, and she thought the Thalmor would be her best lead. Delphine needed someone to infiltrate the Thalmor embassy and find any useful information, and of course I was willing to do anything that involved killing Thalmor so I volunteered.

All the while I was missing Ulfric with each passing day, I promised him a few weeks and it had already been a month. I promise I'll be back as soon as I can Ulfric. Please don't give up on me.

Together, Delphine and I infiltrated the Thalmor embassy and I got inside without a problem. I found myself in a huge dungeon. I killed the interrogator and freed the man he was torturing before looking for information.

I searched the interrogator's body; he had a few coins on him and a key to get out of the embassy, but nothing else. I snatched the key and the gold and kept looking.  I stalked over to a nearby bookcase and began to search it for any journals or useful books. Still nothing. Just when I was about to give up and go home I was interrupted by two Thalmor agents wearing golden elven armour who must have come running when they heard the commotion.

"We know you're in here" the first one screeched "Come out now and we won't hurt you!"

Yeah right. I muttered under my breath. I unsheathed my daggers and threw them with as much force as my arms would permit. One dagger landed in the chest of a Thalmor agent, and the other dagger landed right between the second one's eyes. Not too shabby.

I pulled my dagger's out and I was about to sneak out of the embassy until I noticed a brown chest next to the door. I picked the lock and found three books and a lot of old scrolls inside. I read the first two books; they were about Delphine and her work with the blades- nothing I didn't know already. I couldn't find anything relating to the dragon attacks, but it was the third book that caught my eye. The cover of the book said :

THALMOR DOSSIER : ULFRIC STORMCLOAK

My brow furrowed. The Thalmor were keeping dirt on Ulfric this whole time. I wanted to burn the book and tell Ulfric straight away, but not before reading it myself. I opened it, expecting to find secrets about the rebellion that could be used against Ulfric; but instead to my horror, I found something inexplicably different.