Chapter 7: Someone Special

A/N: I know what you're thinking, when is this going to become a love story? The answer is maybe in this chapter! By the way, if any whip expert is reading this, I have absolutely no idea how to use a whip or really anything that can be done with one. And if you're like me and don't know anything about whips, then I am an expert on the subject and everything in this chapter is true! :)

Ulfric's Journal Excerpt:

There's something about that girl. I can't stop thinking about her. I may be falling in love with her. Deeply. I dreamt the other night that she came to me with her blue eyes shining with wonder. She took my hand and led me out of the city and into the forest. There, a thousand touch bugs lit up the world such as starlight might. She smiled like a young girl I had once met in Windhelm. I was so glad that she had shared this living fantasy with me and only me. I smiled back at her and she ran to my open arms to embrace me. But then I found myself cursing the daylight that awoken me from her phantom eyes and lips.

Yet, there can be no way for me to make my dreams a reality while this war goes on. If Galmar heard of my thoughts, I don't know what he'd say! With the war, there couldn't be anything more than me and a soldier.

To hell with the war! If there is any chance that Talos is generous enough to allow her to love me, then I would gladly wed her.

Yet, I find myself wishing she were a wealthy lady or important person rather than a simple girl. It would make more sense for me to court and marry some sort of princess or guild master.

But listen to my foolishness. I hardly know the first thing about her! And here I am thinking of marriage! Then my plan must simply be to understand who Leixa really is. Then, I can have such outrageous thoughts.

Windhelm, Eastmarch

Arriving back in the city, Leixa was so relieved. It was nighttime when she got there, so she slipped into the Palace and found her room. She put her things away, but found that she wasn't the least bit tired. She decided that she would go for a walk around the city and perhaps see if Hermir was still up and if she had made any progress on her whip.

On her way, she noticed something strange. Frozen blood from the murder had not yet been cleaned up. But what she found more unusual was that it seemed to be leading somewhere.

She was hardly able to contain herself when she realized this could help her solve the mystery! She followed it to a part of the city she couldn't recall seeing before. It lead right up to a house that she knew to be abandoned. She recalled that it belonged to the Butcher's first victim. It was interesting, to say the least.

She passed by the blacksmith's, but found no one outside. She then continued on back into the Palace. Before she reached the door to the upstairs, she found Ulfric standing awake looking over his battle plans.

"Can't sleep?" she asked.

He jumped and spun around. "I didn't know you'd returned," he said.

"I just got back an hour ago. I didn't think anyone would be awake."

"I guess my question is why are you back? I wasn't expecting you for at least another two days."

"Well, let's just say that I'm not going to be welcome in the Reach for a little while."

"Were you found out?"

"No, but I was thrown in jail after being framed for murder."

"What?"

"Sit down. I'll tell you the whole story."

They both sat down and Ulfric poured them a glass of wine. She told him in detail what had happened, leaving out the story about her past.

"Leixa, I'm so sorry. I had no idea that it would be so dangerous. I never meant to compromise your safety," he said.

"Of course not. Believe me, sir, I don't think that at all," she replied.

"Leixa, you said you don't know how to used most weapons. Do you want me help you learn? It may be best for your safety."

"Actually, if you wouldn't mind, that would be wonderful."

"Great, we can begin tomorrow if you want."

"Yes! Thank you sir!" she smiled, "I probably should go to bed now. Goodnight, Ulfric." She the hurried by him and dashed upstairs, her heart fluttering.

"Goodnight...Leixa," Ulfric breathed into the darkness, but she was already upstairs. For the longest time, he just stared after her.

The Next Morning, Palace of the Kings, Windhelm, Eastmarch

"Well, you're not nearly as bad as I dreaded, but not nearly as good as I imagined," Ulfric said to her. He had only began five minutes ago and already Leixa had missed the target, tripped over a bench, and almost beheaded herself.

She groaned in frustration and put the sword down. "Why don't I just give up while I'm ahead?" she sighed.

"I beginning to wonder," he said, "Didn't you say you killed, what, seven people?"

"Actually, it was more like eight. And I beat two in a brawl, but I'm just no good with a sword."

"Where did you get this sword?"

"Hermir. Down by the blacksmith's. She made it custom for me, but I'm still no good."

"Don't think of it like that. Maybe a sword just isn't your weapon."

"No kidding. I was trained to use a whip."

"A whip? Who on earth trained you with a whip?"

"My mother. I know no one uses them anymore, but it's the only thing I'm good with. Hermir said she'd try to make one, but it's kind of a lost art."

"Have you tried using a bow?"

"Yeah. No good with that either..."

"Maybe you just don't know how. Come on, stand up."

She did as she was told and he handed her a bow. He asked her to fire a shot, and she did, but missed the target completely.

"Alright, when you pull back, only use three fingers. Also, keep both eyes open. And spread your feet farther apart," he instructed.

She did this and looked at him skeptically. But she drew back with three fingers, kept both eyes open, and shot. She hit the very outside of the target.

"Are you kidding me?" she asked.

"That was better. But try again, slowly," he said.

She did. She stood side-to, drew back, and-

"Hold, on," Ulfric said, "don't move." He walked up to her so that his chest was against her back. He adjusted her aim ever so slightly. Her face flushed with heat. The fur that he wore brushed her cheek. "Release," he said. She did without really realizing what she was doing. It hit the target dead center.

"Perfect," he smiled at her, "You know, I think there may be hope for you yet."

She grinned, but quickly turned to hide her blush.

"Did I ever tell you that you remind me of someone?" he said. She looked back up at him with curiosity. "There was a little girl here when I first became Jarl. She was maybe fourteen or fifteen. I was told she had done something extraordinary and that my father wanted to make her a symbol of revolution. But she came to me and only asked to be allowed to leave. I granted her this, but I never saw her again. It was her eyes, I think. They were the same as yours."

"Yes, I know this girl. She was called Talos' Child. The girl fled from the Thalmor through the wilderness of this country on a pale horse with a white hood. It took her three days to reach the city. I believe the story was that she staggered into the palace around midnight and collapsed in front of the Jarl. The moonlight shined down on her like a light from the heavens," Leixa said, "You think I'm the same girl?"

"I never said that," he said, "I imagine you to be younger than she would have been."

"I'm flattered. However, that very year I was fourteen and I was living in Skyrim. It was a strange year for me. Lots of changes. My father died that year, too. I became an orphan. I went to live with my aunt for two years and then I just traveled around to wherever they'd have me."

"You're the girl?"

"It only took two days to get here from Markarth. The horse was fast, but I had to constantly hide. I never traveled at night unless I had to. I stayed close to cities and towns when I could, but I often had to sleep outside. I never arrived here on a pale horse. My horse was a mix of browns. Once I entered Eastmarch, the hold's guards greeted me warmly and escorted me to the city. My horse had died by then when it fell into a freezing lake. I was given a new horse to ride. A cream-colored pony. I rode into the city alone, but I was sent to a fort afterwards. When your father died, I was summoned to be at his funeral as a symbol. They thought that it would inspire others to take up the cause. I stayed in the city for a while. When you arrived, the first thing I did was ask you if I could leave. I packed up my things and sent a letter to my aunt. A week later, I was living with her. My story really isn't that exciting at all. But changing things here and there made for a better song."

"I'm sorry."

"You shouldn't be sorry. You were the only person who allowed me to live my life the way I wanted. I owe you my gratitude."

"Leixa Heartstong. I remember now. I heard about you when I was in prison for that year after the Markarth incident. I regret to say this, but I let you go thinking that it would be much more powerful if you were to disappear. And it worked. There is a beautiful painting that hung here once. It was taken down after I killed Torygg."

"It doesn't matter. I should stop trying to be normal. I see now that I never can be. So I guess I'll be whatever I can be now to help with the revolution. I can't be that symbol. Maybe one day I'll tell you my whole story, but not now."

"Then we'll just have to make you a soldier. We'll continue this tomorrow. Right now, we've got a siege to plan."

They spent the next few hours planning an attack on Whiterun. It was decided that the next week, Leixa would go to Whiterun to scout out the area and decide exactly what obstacles they might encounter.

That night, Leixa talked to Jorleif about the house he told her that she would need to get the key from the girl's mother. She did this the next morning before Ulfric was awake. The woman seemed fine with letting her have the key.

As she was heading back, she heard the joyful call of "Leixa!" it was Hermir who was eagerly waving to her to join her.

"Look at this!" she smiled and held out a long brown whip. "It took me a while, but I think it's perfect!"

"Oh, wow! Amazing!" Leixa said and took it in her hands. It felt so familiar and comfortable in her grasp.

"You sure you can use that thing?" Hermir asked.

Leixa grinned. She let it unravel to the ground and cracked it once to get used to it. "When I was a kid, my mother would toss up clay discs and I would crack them out of the air," she said, "but seeing as that's not really an option..." she took a look around and then snapped it over at a local stand, snatching a dagger from it and catching it in her hand.

"How'd you do that?" Hermir gasped.

"It takes a lot of hand-eye coordination," Leixa explained and gave the dagger back to the stand's owner, "Normally, though, I don't have to worry about grabbing things. Simply cracking it at someone can knock an eye out, strangle a person, and really do some damage if you hit them in the right spot."

"Damn."

"Yeah, but I nave to get going. Thank you so much! Here," she handed her a purse of gold, "This should cover it!"

"Thank you! Have fun!"

Leixa grinned and wrapped the whip around her. She then continued on to the palace.

Later, Palace of the Kings, Windhelm, Eastmarch

"Let's see how useful that piece of hide really is," Ulfric said to her and brought her out to the courtyard. There, four guards stood ready with swords and axes. "These men's goal is to pin you onto your back or disarm you. Your goal is the same. Take out all four. Ready?"

She nodded.

"Begin."

The first two guards came at her. She first snapped the whip at one of their helmets. He staggered back a step and she took the opportunity to crack the other guard's axe out of his hand. With another crack, she hooked it around his ankle and pulled, sending him onto his back. By this time, the other three were all charging at her from all sides. In one fluid motion, she snapped the whip from side to side and disarmed the two on her right and left. Snapping it forward, she knocked the guard in front of her back to buy time. Then she again cracked it at the guard on her right. It wrapped around his waist and she pulled him to her. Once he was there, she shoved him into the guard on her left and they both stumbled to the ground. Finally, she caught the arm of the last guard and pulled him onto the ground in front of her. She grabbed his sword and sat on top of him, holding the blade to his neck. She then grinned up at Ulfric and released the guard.

"Impressive," Ulfric said as he watched her wrap the whip around her. He was amazed, but wouldn't admit so. She looked so beautiful and elegant as she fought. It was like watching someone create art. And he was mesmerized.

"Thank you," she replied, excited to be able to show off her skills.

Tell her she looks beautiful, something inside Ulfric said. But he couldn't.

"Are you hungry?" he asked instead.

"Oh, uh...yeah. Yeah," she answered.

He smiled and extended his hand. "Come on." She took his hand and followed him inside. No one was there. When she asked why, he explained that Galmar was out at one of the camps and making preparations for the upcoming attack. Jorleif was out on a break. And most of the staff was in another part of the palace. He led her to the kitchen and got behind the counter.

"Well, looks like I get to show off my cooking skills," he said to her. She rolled her eyes. "What was that? You don't think that I can cook?"

"Please, rich boy like you? You can't convince me you've ever really done hard work in your life," she laughed.

"You insult me!" he replied, "I'll have you know that I have done some pretty back-breaking work in my time."

"Really? Son of a Jarl working a forge? Tending a farm? Chopping wood?"

"I was a soldier, young lady."

"No doubt funded by daddy's money?"

He hook his head. "Like you know how to cook."

"Actually, I do," she joined him behind the counter and found a pot. She began preparing a soup of beef, carrots, cabbage, leaks, and potatoes. "I spent a few years with the Bretons in my travels. I picked up a few things here and there."

"Really? Tell me about that."

She did so as she worked. When she served the soup, amazing was the only word that came to mind for Ulfric.