The Bears Shortcoming

Chapter 28 - We Will Meet Again

           

The freezing weather bit my skin as we fought our way through the ancient city, it was easy enough at first, but there were more and more rebels the closer to the palace we got.

I wondered if I was even going to come out of this alive. I wondered if I even cared.

We were finally up the endless stone steps and the brass doors to the palace were right in front of us. I unsheathed my ebony sword and shoved it through the gullet of a charging Stormcloak before doubling back on myself and elbowing another rebel in the face, breaking his nose and sending him to the ground with a strangled grunt.

I glanced over to my side to see General Tullius fighting off a particularly tall and burly Stormcloak, and Legate Rikke effortlessly making her way through soldier after soldier.

"We need to get into the palace!" Tullius shouted to me, over the chaos.

After all the rebels had been dealt with, the rest of the Stormcloak men were left to wait outside whilst me, Tullius and Rikke made our way into the palace.

"Secure the door" Tullius said once we were inside. His voice echoed through the large room, but it wasn't in the same way that Ulfric's did. I wanted to hear Ulfric's voice again, but at the same time I didn't because I knew I had betrayed him and the only thing I'd hear in his voice now was hatred.

Have I made the right decision?

I didn't have to wait long, as Ulfric was sat slouched on his throne at the far end of the great hall. Galmar was standing next to him, battle axe unsheathed.

"Dragonborn" Ulfric called out to me and my gut wrenched "I see you chose to decline my offer"

I couldn't help it, tears clouded my vision and I felt suddenly weak. I had just fought off an entire army with Tullius and Rikke by my side, but I was an insect under Ulfric's glare.

I love him.

"Ulfric please" I whimpered.

General Tullius took over, unsheathing his sword and walking confidently over to Ulfric's throne.

"Ulfric Stormcloak! You are guilty of insurrection, murder of imperial citizens, the assassination of King Torygg, and high treason against the empire. Its over."

Galmar tensed and spoke up "Not while I'm still breathing it's not"

Even hearing Galmar's voice made me want to break down and cry, it reminded me of the days when me and Ulfric were a team.

I was so happy back then. What happened?

"Step aside Galmar!" Legate Rikke interrupted. "We're here to accept Ulfric's surrender"

Although she was strong enough to take down an army alone, Rikke was loyal to her cause and merciful, some of the reasons why I chose to follow her.

Ulfric stood up and I looked at him, my heart felt like it was being crushed again.

His strong facial features, dark eyes with a pigment of emerald green that had seen so much pain and death, tiny scars etched into his skin and beautiful dirty blonde hair that fell almost to his shoulders. It was all as I remembered it, but something was different this time. He looked betrayed.

Betrayed by me.

"I'll never surrender Skyrim into the hands of a corrupt and dying empire!"

Ulfric's words were inspiring but they sent ice cold daggers into my heart.

If only you loved me as much as you love your rebellion.

Rikke lowered her tone, "Skyrim dosent belong to you Ulfric"

"No...but I belong to her"

General Tullius let out a heavy breath and took a step forward, pointing his sword at the two men.

"Enough! You are both traitors and will die traitors deaths! Stand down and face public execution, or advance and face summary execution by my hands. It matters little to me. Either way I'll be sending your heads back to Cyrodill"

He's going to kill them.

Galmar and Ulfric unsheathed their weapons and they began to fight, their weapons clashed and the terrible noises rang in my ears as I tried to decipher what was happening. It was all a blur, and soon Galmar was on the ground, taking his final breath before meeting the end of Legate Rikke's blade.

Ulfric cried out at the loss of his dear friend, but carried on fighting. He was soon on the ground too, unable to match Tullius' and Rikke's skill in battle. I saw General Tullius lift his sword up above Ulfric's body and I leapt forward.

"NO! STOP!" I screamed at Tullius and Rikke. My whole body felt like it was about to implode.

"Yes, Yes" Ulfric spluttered, coughing up his own blood in an effort to speak "Let the Dragonborn be the one to do it; it'll make for a better song"

I unsheathed my ebony sword weakly and walked over to my wounded lover, trying not to stumble and fall on the way. The seconds felt like years.

Ulfric looked up at me helplessly, his face was covered in blood but I could see bags under his tired eyes. He obviously hadn't eaten or slept in days.

What have I done to you?

He spoke quietly and softly, so only I could hear.

"Don't forget me, Dragonborn"

I knelt down next to him and placed a kiss on his forehead before whispering in his ear.

"We will meet again"

I closed my eyes and remembered, I remembered the time when Ulfric and I fought a dragon together, I remembered when he picked me up and spun me around in his arms, I remembered him kissing me goodbye when i left for high hrothgar, and I remembered the look on his face when he found out I was alive after the battle at Whiterun. I felt warm tears run uncontrollably down my face as I grasped the hilt of my sword with a sweaty hand and thrust it forward with all of my strength.

We will meet again.

Ulfric grunted as his once enchanting eyes went blank and expressionless and his cold body fell to the ground with a thud.

"Talos be with you"

It's over. It's finally over.