The Bears Shortcoming

Chapter 25 - Farewell

           

(4E 202 25th Mid-Year)

A familiar smell filled my nostrils, it smelled like damp and stone, but it also smelled like home. I could hear the soft crackling of a warm fire and the sound of a busy marketplace outside of the room I was in. I opened my eyes and everything added up. A comfortable wooden bed, blue and yellow tapestries hanging from the stone walls, a roaring fire, I was in my old room in the palace of the kings.

My hands were tied to the bed, but not painfully so. I sat there for at least an hour recalling the events that had took place the last time I was conscious.

That look on his face when he saw me...I thought to myself. He hates me.

I swear I would have hit myself if my hands weren't bound.

I couldn't stop thinking about Ulfric and the way he looked at me until the very man who had been on my mind the whole time walked into my room and sat himself on the end of my bed.

My stomach tied in painful knot after knot and I felt as if I was going to explode. He didn't look at me, he just sat there until he finally spoke up:

"Why, Dragonborn?"

His voice was low and soothing, just like I had always remembered it, but this time something was different. There was disappointment and sadness there, and it tore me to shreds.

"Ulfric I am sorry, please-"

"Why?!" He demanded, more aggressively this time.

"The Thalmor killed my parents. They'd kill all my friends and everyone I hold dear, they'll kill you Ulfric! They'll kill you when you've finished being useful to them I swear-"

"The Thalmor are helping me to fight the unjust empire!" the Jarl bellowed. He saw the fear in my eyes and his expression softened.

After what seemed like a moment of thinking, he reached over to the restraints on my hands and untied me, taking my hands in his. He moved in closer until I could feel his breath on my face, and then he captured me in the most enchanting kiss, his lips moved with mine and I remembered how much I had missed him. I never wanted to leave.

"Dragonborn...I am sorry I kept this secret from you" He said to me quietly "But I am allied with the dominion for the greater good"

"So then why do you keep it a secret from your people?" I whispered.

"It's for the best"

I took the Jarls face in my hands and looked into his eyes "Ulfric please listen to me" I said to him quietly, "When you have won the war, you will have done the Thalmor a huge favour, and then they will betray you! By getting rid of the empire you're getting rid of everything that is keeping the dominion away from Skyrim"

Ulfric put his hand on the back of my head and our foreheads touched "The Stormcloaks are strong enough to fight any empire, or any dominion" he said to me "So come home Dragonborn. Please"

I pulled away and pleaded with the Jarl, my eyes growing wet "No Ulfric, stop this war, stop the fight, and be with me, just you and I forever"

"You know I can't do that, Aiden"

"Why not?"

"I am the rightful high king of Skyrim. Skyrim needs me and I need her"

I pull away from him and stand up slowly so that I am looking down on him.

"There are people I need to protect from the Thalmor Ulfric. The Thalmor had my mother killed, and they would have most of my friends killed too. I won't stand idly by and let that happen"

Ulfric raised his voice slightly, and I could see pain in his expression. I just wanted it to be like it was, but the war had started to consume him.

"And what of me?" he barked "Does my love for you mean nothing?"

A single tear fell from my cheek.

"There is nothing more that I want in this world than to be by your side Ulfric. But whilst you are allied with the Thalmor I cannot have anything to do with you"

"I see" the Jarl said darkly. He looked at the ground briefly before rising up from his sitting position so he stood tall over me.

"Then by my right as Jarl I banish you from my city and my hold. Do not return here or I will have you executed"

His cruel words were like icy daggers in my heart and I felt more tears fall from my eyes.

The war had eaten Ulfric up and consumed his life, he had become insatiably power hungry. There is no doubt that he cares for his people, but what of anyone who isn't a nord? What of the argonian dock workers or the dark-elves who live in squalor? What of Brynjolf and Vex, who do not share the Stormcloak beliefs? I want to live in an equal country, free of the dominion.

I want to live in peace.

"Go now" Ulfric said coldly.

I did as he said and started to walk out of the room, but when I reached the door I turned around and looked at the man I loved one last time.

"I will see the Dominion bleed Ulfric. Pray that you are not on their side when I do"