Battle for Windhelm

Chapter One

A Storm Is Brewing

—

Jayden Black wasn't your average Nord; his life was drastically different from the rest of the Nords who called Skyrim their home.

For starters, he was the High King, elected after the Moot chose him over his mentor, Ulfric Stormcloak. All that was thanks to his cousin, the Dragonborn. He was only eighteen years old when he was declared to be the ruler of Skyrim.

The fact that his uncle, Garrett Black, was the Emperor (appointed after the death of Titus Mede II) just made things seem crazier than they already were.

Second, he was moon-born. A werewolf, given the gift of lycanthropy by his best friend who just happened to be the Harbinger of the Companions. It wasn't uncommon to see Jayden sharing a mug of ale with Jason Miller, laughing and talking about their hunts.

Next, he wasn't even born a noble. He grew up in Riften with his parents and his four younger siblings. At just seven years old, after a devastating house fire, he took on responsibility for his three sisters and one brother.

And finally, there was the fact that he was dating the newly appointed Inquisitor, aka Brianna Smith. She also just so happened to be a part of the Thieve's Guild alongside her brothers and her cousin.

It was this relationship that led him to aid the Inquisition in the present day, alongside many others he had the great pleasure of meeting. That included the Fahnhaelviets from Orlais, an alcoholic pirate named Mari, an ex slave named Jarred, and even a rowdy surface dwarf named Boris.

At the present moment, Jayden was standing outside the War Room of Skyhold, waiting for Brianna to be done talking with her advisors (Cullen, Kelly's boyfriend; Leliana, EJ's crush; and Josephine, his uncle's fiancé).

He'd half expected to see Jason coming over, asking if they could scope out the area and see if there was wild game to be hunted.

Instead, he found a courier coming towards him.

"Are you here for the Inquisitor? If so, you'll have to wait, she's in a meeting." Jayden started automatically, straightening himself.

"Uh, no, I'm here for you, Your Majesty. I got a letter from Windhelm from a Galmar Stone-Fist for you. He said it was urgent." The courier seemed visibly shaken as he handed Jayden the sealed letter.

"Galmar? I thought him and Ulfric were taking care of things in Windhelm while I'm gone." Jayden frowned, glancing down at the wax seal on the letter.

"They are. Something came up, though. Galmar paid me a pretty sum to come all the way out here to deliver this."

"Well, stick around, because if it's urgent, I'll need you to deliver a letter back to Galmar."

With that, Jayden broke the seal and unfolded the page, his heart sinking and his inner wolf raging at the words he read to himself...

"High King Jayden,

You and your group of Stormcloaks are needed back in Windhelm urgently. We've just received word that General Tullius plans to attack since you're away helping that Inquisition with that damned hole in the sky.
Bring only Commanders Michael Black and EJ Nichols, as well as Stormblades Ray Narvaez Junior, Gavin Free, and Eren Black. Tullius will be here in three weeks.

Get here as soon as you can.

x Galmar Stone-Fist"

"Oh Gods. That coward!!" Jayden exclaimed, his eyes turning a darkened yellow as the courier shook in fear at the sight.

"Jayden?! What's wrong?!"

Stopping momentarily, Jayden turned to look at the only woman who could ever calm him down.

Brianna.

"General Tullius is going to attack Windhelm. The Stormcloaks and I have to leave." Jayden explained, ignoring the look of concern and disapproval on her face. "If Tullius is going to try and attack when I'm not there, then maybe I should give him a little surprise."

"You could be killed, though!" Brianna exclaimed, shaking her head. "What if something happens to you?"

"Nothing will happen. I know I'll have you to return to, Bri." Jayden immediately pulled Brianna into his arms and gave her a comforting hug. "You know I'll carry you in my thoughts while I'm gone."

"I know. Just be careful, and stay safe."

Brianna pulled back from the hug slightly, and Jayden gazed down into her eyes and knew immediately he'd have to win this war.

For her.

—

A few hours later, while the other Stormcloaks were preparing to leave the next day, Jayden was in his room composing a letter for Galmar.

He was halfway through it when he heard a female clearing her throat.

"You didn't think I'd find out, did you?"

Jumping, Jayden turned to look at his cousin, Janny Black. Also known as the Dragonborn to some.

Janny was drastically different from the rest of their family, even Eren, who was her twin brother. Aside from being Dragonborn, she also hated the civil war, initially refusing to side with anyone. She genuinely hated killing people, that is until she was forced to kill a random stranger in order to survive a sick torture game.

"Find out what? Two of your siblings and your dear cousin are leaving to finish this war?" Jayden asked sarcastically. "You would've found out eventually, Janny. I know you."

"I want to come with." Janny stated simply, crossing her arms. "I'm finally choosing a side in the war, and I'm choosing the Stormcloaks."

"No. It's too dangerous. Galmar specifically said to not bring anyone else." Jayden shut her down immediately, turning around and going back to finishing his letter.

"You weren't in Helgen with me. You didn't sit beside Ulfric in that cart. You didn't watch hopelessly as the Imperial captain decided you'd be executed alongside the rest."

Jayden groaned as Janny turned him around, and he saw the strange look in her eyes.

Was he imagining it, or did it look like she was planning revenge?

"Are you saying you want revenge on Tullius for sending you to be executed?" Jayden asked, crossing his arms.

"That's exactly what I'm saying, Jay." Janny responsed, mimicking his body movements. "Like I said, you didn't experience the dragon attack on Helgen like I did. You don't wake up years later screaming for innocent people to run."

"My answer is still no. You could get killed, and then where would we be? You're too important to the cause, cousin."

Jayden could hear the groans of frustration from his feisty cousin as he turned back around to finish the letter, before he heard Janny give one final quip.

"Then why did Galmar ask for you, High King? Aren't you just as important?"