Song of the Dragon and the Bear

Chapter 38

A/N Look! Another chapter! *smiles proudly* This chapter is a little bit of a filler, but we get to see Ralof and Ulfric, so that's nice!

The morning after he had heard the Greybeards summon the Dragonborn, Ulfric was woken by a knock at his door. He called to whoever was on the other side, saying that he would be at the door in a minute, then he tried to find some suitable clothes. Ulfric was far from a morning person, and he had been awake long into the night, so the process took longer than it should have. Finally, Ulfric opened the door, now dressed in one of his more regal robes and cloaks.

"Soldier," he said, addressing the man who stood at attention by his door. "What do you need from me?"

"There's someone who asked to see you, sir. A soldier from Commander Oaken-Song's company by the name of Ralof, sir," the man replied crisply.

Ulfric had to make an effort not to shout at the man as he asked, "Where is this soldier? I must speak to him at once."

"General Stonefist is debriefing him in the war room, sir."

Ulfric nodded and thanked the soldier before turning and striding down the corridor, trying not to think too much about what he was about to find and hear. If Vara had been with Ralof, he would have been informed. Not only was she a high-ranking officer in his army, but most of the Palace knew by now that there was something going on between them, a rumor Ulfric didn't do much to discourage. But if she wasn't with Ralof, where was she?

Ulfric pushed those thoughts away with a firm shake of his head. They wouldn't do him any good now. Taking a deep breath, he pushed open the door to the war room and stepped inside to find Galmar seated at one end of the table and Ralof standing at his side. The two were deep in conversation, but they cut off as Ulfric closed the door behind him.

Before Ulfric could say anything Ralof walked over to him, holding a parchment out to him in one hand. "Commander Oaken-Song made it out of Helgen," Ralof said, and Ulfric couldn't help the sigh of relief that escaped his lips. "She told me to give this letter to you. It explains why she isn't here with me."

Ulfric took the letter, and the soldier quickly backed away, out of arm's reach. Ulfric shook his head inwardly at the man's unwarranted fear, but his attention was swiftly drawn away from Ralof and towards the unfolded letter that now lay in his hands.

Ulfric,

If you are reading this letter, that means that Ralof has arrived in Windhelm before me. Please try and avoid yelling at the man too much; he did his job and got me out of Helgen safely. The reason I am not with him is that I was asked to inform the Jarl of Whiterun about the defenseless state of Riverwood. That dragon is a dangerous thing, Ulfric, and the people need to be ready for it. I'm going to help the Jarl in any way that I can, but it shouldn't take too long. I don't know when Ralof arrived at the Palace, but I shouldn't be more than a week behind him. Stay safe, Ulfric, I will see you soon.

Love, Vara

Ulfric's eyes scanned the letter again before he looked up at Ralof and Galmar. His general raised an eyebrow and gestured to the letter, which Ulfric carefully folded and placed in a pocket of his robes.

"Thank you for bringing this letter to me, Ralof," Ulfric said gratefully. "The rest of your company has been given the north end of the barracks. You all deserve a rest, so you won't be sent out for a few more weeks. Training times, however, are the same."

Ralof nodded. "Thank you, my Jarl." He bowed and walked to the door, but hesitated before opening it. "Commander Oaken-Song is one of the most caring people I've met, sir. You're lucky to have her."