Wanderer

Chapter Nine

My eyelids opened to a darkened room, the moon just barely offering enough light to see. Groggily, I picked myself off of the bed and made my way to the feasting hall.

There were a few people lingering in the hall, either eating or drinking. I grabbed a bottle of mead and picked up an apple from a bowl.

" How are the preparations going, Wanderer?" A voice said, a heavy tone of disgust evident in it's phrasing.

I turned to a seemingly agitated Ulfric who sat on his throne, sipping ale.

" Fine. Most everyone is coming, as well as the Jarl." I said, confused as to why he was angry.

" How can you be so sure nothing will go wrong when you're... distracted?" Ulfric spat, not even looking at me.

Irritation grew in my stomach, " Pray, tell, what is it that I would be distracted by?"

" I know about you and Galmar. " he said, leveling his eyes with mine. I let out a snort.

" What?" I chuckled.

" If you want to run into his arms and give him your love, fine. But don't let it get in the way of your duties." He threatened, quieting the hall.

" Excuse me?" I asked incredulously, advancing on him. " I do what I must to get you where you fail to get yourself. Without me, you would still be fighting a petty war, mindlessly killing innocents and destroying families. And distracted? Was it not mere weeks ago I pulled out out of the legs of a maid while you neglected your duties. Don't you dare challenge my efforts, Ulfric Stormcloak. " I said, causing his face to go red. With that, I turned and left the hall, fuming at the Nord.

~~~~~~~ Ulfric P.O.V.~~~~~~~

Wanderer walked briskly out of the room, leaving me angered at her outburst.

How dare she belittle me like that in front of my people?

Shaking with rage, I stood and left for the training grounds, deciding it was best to exert my anger in a useful way. On my way to the grounds, I heard some of the maids whispering to each other.

" I bet they'll get married, they'd make a fine couple."

" Nonsense, Galmar doesn't seem the marrying type."

" They'll have to if she's pregnant."

I fisted my hands, doing my best to ignore the chatter. No one was practicing on the grounds due to the dark. I pulled a sword from a nearby rack and started hacking away at the dummies. Several minutes passed before a voice behind me interrupted my onslaught.

" Now what did that dummy do to you?" The voice purred.

I turned to Elena, the flouncy redhead I had shared a bed with weeks ago. Her bright green eyes glistened intelligently, letting me know she was here to listen.

" I am in no mood to talk, Elena." I said, turning away from her to mount the sword.

" Then I'll not talk, maybe I can just get your mind off of it?" She crooned, tugging on my sleeves. I turned, smiling slightly.

" Perhaps."

Without speaking, she silently stole me away from the grounds and into a secluded area. Even if Elena did not have the uniqueness or intelligence of Wanderer, she was ample enough to please him. And that's all he desired.

Pleasure.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next two days were busy. Maids and guards alike raced across the palace, in efforts to make everything perfect. The hall was decorated in shimmering golds amd silvers, covering the Stormcloak banners. I had not seen Wanderer in the previous day, and did not expect to until later tonight. Galmar made it adamant that he had no intentions of courting Wanderer, and apologized for any offense. He had given Elena a few septims so she could go buy some things for tonight, after all, a jarl's woman must look the part.