When Ulfric swept in through the gates of the city he called home, a light snow was starting to fall. Tightening his cloak around his shoulders, he headed back for the palace, only to be interrupted by pieces of a conversation.
“…but if he’s back and plans to stay, don’t you think that’s reason to worry? He’s one of the king’s top officers!”
“Perhaps he simply means to find work, like he said he does.” Before Captain Lonely-Gale could continue, he noticed Ulfric approaching, and smiled politely. “My king. How was your trip?”
“It went as well as expected. I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation…” Viola Giordano, who was watching him with wide eyes, practically jumped forward in her excitement to speak.
“We were just discussing the return of Tomas, King Ulfric! He’s been gone for months, and now he just pops into the city, asking for work and chatting up the Dunmer!” she announced eagerly. “Is everything alright? Did you call him to the city to prepare for something?” Ulfric winced, feeling unusually vulnerable under the Imperial’s searching eyes. Somehow, he felt like she had known about the letters he had sent Tomas, all of which had gone ignored.
“I didn’t call him here,” he replied simply. “Do you have any idea where he is?”
“I saw him in the inn earlier, but that was a few hours ago. I’d ask there, all the same,” Captain Lonely-Gale offered. With a respectful nod, Ulfric departed, hurrying towards Candlehearth Hall despite his best efforts to keep his speed in check.
“He’s not here,” Elda Early-Dawn said apologetically. “He was here for a while, catching up with everybody. He’s just as much a gentleman as he always was.” She smiled brightly, obviously charmed by the Bosmer, and Ulfric shifted nervously.
“Do you know where he’s gone?” he asked. Elda shook her head.
“Not sure. He’s got a room here, if you want to come back later. If you’re in a hurry, he did mention going to say hello to Helgird. You could check the Hall of the Dead.” Ulfric nodded, relieved, then left the inn as well. He felt a tad ridiculous, dashing from place to place like a damned detective. But he needed to see Tomas with his own eyes. He needed to remember that he was real.
The Hall of the Dead was characteristically quiet when he entered. In the distance, he could hear Helgird laughing over a softer, deeper male voice.
So, it’s true.
Trying to keep his footsteps as quiet as possible, he approached the end of the hallway, then peered cautiously around the corner.
And there he was.
His hair was still as scruffy as ever, though it looked cleaner than it had the last time he had seen him. Everything else was the same—the dark, piercing eyes, the charming smile, the way he leaned forward when listening to a conversation. His typical armor had been replaced with some simple city clothes, but there was no doubt. After nearly a year, Tomas was standing in front of him, unaware that he was being watched.
For once, the King of Skyrim was at a loss for words. He retreated behind the wall, alarmed at the feeling of sweat on his forehead. He felt like a much younger man, flustered over an attractive friend.
What would he even say if he walked up to them? A million different options rushed through his head, each more frightening than the last. It’s good to see you. I’ve been looking for you. How dare you leave for so long? I missed you so much. It was no good. There was nothing he could say without preparing himself.
And with that, he left Tomas and Helgird to their conversation, and returned into the snow.
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timeasmymeasure
M!DB/Ulfric: "Unforgettable" 2/?
Date: 2015-06-29 04:14 am (UTC)“…but if he’s back and plans to stay, don’t you think that’s reason to worry? He’s one of the king’s top officers!”
“Perhaps he simply means to find work, like he said he does.” Before Captain Lonely-Gale could continue, he noticed Ulfric approaching, and smiled politely. “My king. How was your trip?”
“It went as well as expected. I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation…” Viola Giordano, who was watching him with wide eyes, practically jumped forward in her excitement to speak.
“We were just discussing the return of Tomas, King Ulfric! He’s been gone for months, and now he just pops into the city, asking for work and chatting up the Dunmer!” she announced eagerly. “Is everything alright? Did you call him to the city to prepare for something?” Ulfric winced, feeling unusually vulnerable under the Imperial’s searching eyes. Somehow, he felt like she had known about the letters he had sent Tomas, all of which had gone ignored.
“I didn’t call him here,” he replied simply. “Do you have any idea where he is?”
“I saw him in the inn earlier, but that was a few hours ago. I’d ask there, all the same,” Captain Lonely-Gale offered. With a respectful nod, Ulfric departed, hurrying towards Candlehearth Hall despite his best efforts to keep his speed in check.
“He’s not here,” Elda Early-Dawn said apologetically. “He was here for a while, catching up with everybody. He’s just as much a gentleman as he always was.” She smiled brightly, obviously charmed by the Bosmer, and Ulfric shifted nervously.
“Do you know where he’s gone?” he asked. Elda shook her head.
“Not sure. He’s got a room here, if you want to come back later. If you’re in a hurry, he did mention going to say hello to Helgird. You could check the Hall of the Dead.” Ulfric nodded, relieved, then left the inn as well. He felt a tad ridiculous, dashing from place to place like a damned detective. But he needed to see Tomas with his own eyes. He needed to remember that he was real.
The Hall of the Dead was characteristically quiet when he entered. In the distance, he could hear Helgird laughing over a softer, deeper male voice.
So, it’s true.
Trying to keep his footsteps as quiet as possible, he approached the end of the hallway, then peered cautiously around the corner.
And there he was.
His hair was still as scruffy as ever, though it looked cleaner than it had the last time he had seen him. Everything else was the same—the dark, piercing eyes, the charming smile, the way he leaned forward when listening to a conversation. His typical armor had been replaced with some simple city clothes, but there was no doubt. After nearly a year, Tomas was standing in front of him, unaware that he was being watched.
For once, the King of Skyrim was at a loss for words. He retreated behind the wall, alarmed at the feeling of sweat on his forehead. He felt like a much younger man, flustered over an attractive friend.
What would he even say if he walked up to them? A million different options rushed through his head, each more frightening than the last. It’s good to see you. I’ve been looking for you. How dare you leave for so long? I missed you so much. It was no good. There was nothing he could say without preparing himself.
And with that, he left Tomas and Helgird to their conversation, and returned into the snow.