The normally imperturbable man picked up the clothing he’d dropped and neatly refolded it. He set the bundle just inside the doorway and said, “I will send servants to straighten the place up.”
“Thanks.” As he turned to go, Jaenna added, “Also, if you see a soldier with my barrettes, express your condolences, because when I find out who stole them…”
Hrothar sighed and left.
***
After taking her midday meal, Jaenna once again approached the Jarl’s throne. “So, Ulfric. Can I have my sword back today?”
It was hard to read the man’s composed face. “I find it unusual that my own sword has gone missing.”
“Come, now,” Jaenna said. “Don’t be petty. All because your sword is missing doesn’t mean you can’t give me back what is mine.”
Ulfric regarded her. Did the corner of his thin lips twitch? “I do not see why my… guest should have her sword while mine is absent.”
“Oh, so you also don’t like not having your sword, either?” Jaenna smirked. “Annoying, isn’t it? Not knowing where it is?”
Ulfric leaned forward on his throne and folded his hands. His head was level with hers. Now she was certain that his face expressed amusement, although the signs were subtle. “Would you like to know where your sword is? Not that you can have it back, of course.”
Jaenna snorted. “Of course. Fine. Where is it?”
Ulfric inclined his head. He reached for the leather thong around his neck and pulled the key out of his shirt, looking at it almost pensively. He twirled the bit of silver between his fingers. “There is a chest at the end of my bed,” he explained. “I keep it in there. It is locked, though, so you need not worry that your sword is unsafe.”
Jaenna’s eyes widened. Gods, was he teasing her? Had Jaenna ever wondered who had ordered her barrettes taken? The man that surely had them was staring her right in the face. He knew she couldn’t pick the lock, and he was dangling the key before her nose. She had to admit that the longer he participated in her little game, the more her respect for the Jarl replaced her dislike.
“If you are still unconvinced I have taken good care of it,” he added, “I would be pleased to show you your sword if you come by my room.”
Jaenna swallowed. She looked up at him from under her eyelashes. He met her gaze squarely.
This was… unexpected.
She licked her lips. Ulfric sat back, slouching again on the throne. “By the way,” he said, “I don’t suppose you saw a ghost last night?”
Jaenna smiled. “I don’t suppose you’ve seen my hair barrettes this morning?”
Ulfric only chuckled.
***
Chapter 4 will be up in a day or two! This one was a little short because this was the best place to stop. Some more Ulfric and Jaenna action coming up soon… although whether Jaenna’s opinion of Ulfric improves (and his of her) remains to be decided until much later.
P.S. Thank you so much for the lovely comments! I’m so happy to hear people are enjoying the story and are liking Jaenna’s characterization. <3 I love how you anons were able to see how Jaenna’s pride has trapped her and how her understanding of the Stormcloaks is changing. I also look forward to her upcoming display of awesome draconic vengeance! You inspire me to keep writing. :)
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timeasmymeasure
“Don’t Shoot the Messenger” F!DB/Ulfric, Part 3e
Date: 2014-05-03 10:07 pm (UTC)“Thanks.” As he turned to go, Jaenna added, “Also, if you see a soldier with my barrettes, express your condolences, because when I find out who stole them…”
Hrothar sighed and left.
***
After taking her midday meal, Jaenna once again approached the Jarl’s throne. “So, Ulfric. Can I have my sword back today?”
It was hard to read the man’s composed face. “I find it unusual that my own sword has gone missing.”
“Come, now,” Jaenna said. “Don’t be petty. All because your sword is missing doesn’t mean you can’t give me back what is mine.”
Ulfric regarded her. Did the corner of his thin lips twitch? “I do not see why my… guest should have her sword while mine is absent.”
“Oh, so you also don’t like not having your sword, either?” Jaenna smirked. “Annoying, isn’t it? Not knowing where it is?”
Ulfric leaned forward on his throne and folded his hands. His head was level with hers. Now she was certain that his face expressed amusement, although the signs were subtle. “Would you like to know where your sword is? Not that you can have it back, of course.”
Jaenna snorted. “Of course. Fine. Where is it?”
Ulfric inclined his head. He reached for the leather thong around his neck and pulled the key out of his shirt, looking at it almost pensively. He twirled the bit of silver between his fingers. “There is a chest at the end of my bed,” he explained. “I keep it in there. It is locked, though, so you need not worry that your sword is unsafe.”
Jaenna’s eyes widened. Gods, was he teasing her? Had Jaenna ever wondered who had ordered her barrettes taken? The man that surely had them was staring her right in the face. He knew she couldn’t pick the lock, and he was dangling the key before her nose. She had to admit that the longer he participated in her little game, the more her respect for the Jarl replaced her dislike.
“If you are still unconvinced I have taken good care of it,” he added, “I would be pleased to show you your sword if you come by my room.”
Jaenna swallowed. She looked up at him from under her eyelashes. He met her gaze squarely.
This was… unexpected.
She licked her lips. Ulfric sat back, slouching again on the throne. “By the way,” he said, “I don’t suppose you saw a ghost last night?”
Jaenna smiled. “I don’t suppose you’ve seen my hair barrettes this morning?”
Ulfric only chuckled.
***
Chapter 4 will be up in a day or two! This one was a little short because this was the best place to stop. Some more Ulfric and Jaenna action coming up soon… although whether Jaenna’s opinion of Ulfric improves (and his of her) remains to be decided until much later.
P.S. Thank you so much for the lovely comments! I’m so happy to hear people are enjoying the story and are liking Jaenna’s characterization. <3 I love how you anons were able to see how Jaenna’s pride has trapped her and how her understanding of the Stormcloaks is changing. I also look forward to her upcoming display of awesome draconic vengeance! You inspire me to keep writing. :)