Wanderer

Chapter Twenty-Five

I felt utterly helpless.

My hands were chained above my head, my feet barely brushing the ground. My shoulders ached from supporting my body weight. Cold air blew across my near naked body, causing me to shiver. It had only been a few hours, but it never took long with Ivan. I let my eyes scan the cavern, surprised that he left the torches lit. I could feel his eyes on me but it was hard to tell where he was. But I knew I was not alone.

"Why don't you show yourself, instead of hiding in the shadows like a coward."

A deep chuckle filled the cave, it's owner remained hidden. "Come now, darling, aren't you happy to see me? I thought you'd be overjoyed to finally be reunited."

I did my best to hide the shiver that ran down my spine as I felt his breath on my neck. I wanted to crawl out of my skin as his hand ran across my back and down to my rear end.

"Overjoyed? The only thing I look forward to is the day you rot in Oblivion." I spat, sneering as he moved into my sight.

"Oblivion? I had always hoped for Sovngarde myself." He said, his green eyes dancing with something that terrified me. I nearly laughed when he mentioned Sovngarde. He took notice of my amusement. "Ah, well I guess you would know about Sovngarde, wouldn't you?"

I ignored him and simply let my mind wander to Ulfric. There were writings about powerful sorcerers being able to connect to another's mind and communicate with them. Perhaps I could do the same if I could focus.

Ivan grabbed my face roughly, forcing me too look at him. Our faces were inches apart, his hot breath fanned my face. Ale lingered on his breath, and I noticed empty bottles scattered throughout the cave.

"Why did you leave me, pet?" He asked, releasing my face to bury his in the crook of my neck. My insides squirmed but I could do nothing as my father pressed himself against me. "I've missed you." He continued, his hands roaming my body. I clenched my teeth, squeezing my eyes shut as I tried to think of anything else as Ivan touched me. There was a time not too long ago when someone I loved had touched me this way, and I didn't flinch or grow nauseous.

Ulfric.

I squeezed my eyes shut, unprepared for the torment I was about to be subjected to.

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

I awoke, startled as someone said my name. I glanced around the empty tent, then checked outside to see if anyone was there. When I realized I was alone, I got a sudden sense of dread that it was Asdis. It sounded desperate, and broken. Very unlike the strong woman I had grown to love.

Deciding to make myself useful while I was awake, I did a few laps around the small camp we had made for ourselves. A few soldiers slept peacefully around a fire, while a few other officers resided in another tent. Galmar sat awake, his back rested against a tree as he gazed into the dark forest, barely illuminated by the moon. I glanced up at the stars, a sad reminder of the effect they had on my life and how Asdis thought it silly we relied on such guidance from the silent sentinels.

 I sat next to my friend, not a word between us. It wasn't necessary. Galmar knew what I was thinking, and I was grateful for his understanding. A rare thing Galmar and I shared that I had hardly shared with even Asdis was a silent understanding. I never needed to explain myself with Galmar, nor did he. We always knew what the other meant, even if we did not say it. True, we fought at times, and there are times where he did not condone my behavior, nor I justified his. But we always knew that we would be okay, regardless of it all. And that was enough for me sometimes. Especially now. It was Galmar who broke the silence.

"The moon is awfully dim tonight, it'd be hard to continue tracking anytime soon. Especially with a fog settling in." he pointed out.

I nodded in agreeance, "Unfortunately, old friend, you are correct. I would not get anywhere with this type of setting."

Galmar did not respond, but gave me a sidelong look before turning his gaze back to the foggy forest. We sat in silence for a little while before I spoke again.

"Do you think I'm ready to be King?"

I did not look at Galmar, but I knew he was thinking long and hard about my question. My stomach turned at the honesty I knew I was about to receive.

"I think you are ready to a King. I think you need more time to be High King." he replied, a soft tone in his voice. "And when I say that I do not think you need to learn more, or be more experienced. I think you need more time to know someone, for being High King without a queen is an awfully lonely and strenuous job." he explained further.

I looked at him, surprised that he would be so bold to admit I needed a queen. "Galmar-"

Before I could finish, a desperate plea rang out through the night, waking several soldiers from their slumber.

"Help! Anyone!" 

The voice was young and breathless, obviously exhausted from running. I heard some rustling toward the direction the voice came from. To say I was completely shocked to see a haggard Lancion and a exhausted Silva clinging to him would be an understatement.

"Oh by Talos, thank the gods it's you." Lancion said, tears brimming his eyes as he practically sprinted toward us.

"Lancion." I breathed, taking the boy in an embrace along with Silva who clung tightly onto me. "I'm so relieved you two are safe. I do not know what I would have done had you been harmed."

Silva sniffled against my chest as she was transferred from Lancion's arms to mine. "Ulfric, I was so scared the whole time. And now that mean man has Asdis."

I tried my best not to go rigid at the news, for fear of frightening Silva. If I seemed upset or bothered it could worry her more. And for such a tiny body, too much emotion can be overwhelming. 

"What man, Silva?"

"His name is Ivan. He kept calling us his grandchildren and asked us about Asdis and her whereabouts." Lancion piped in, sitting wrapped in Galmar's fur cloak. I turned to the boy as he continued. "He came for us in the night, when we were sleeping. He kept talking to the crystals attached to his belt as if they were his children." 

"Do you know where he is now?"

Lancion nodded, a dark look in his eyes. "A cave, it isn't too far from here."

"Take me."

WOAH! Lookie! I'm back! Sorry it took me so long to get here, but I've been super busy and kinda in a funk. I can't promise more frequent updates but I will do my best!

Love ya!