"Are you really willing to do this?" whispered Ulfric as we made our way to Whiterun. "Smuggle me into the city? Commit treason?"

"I can take you somewhere that only the Circle of Companions knows about. You'll have to trust me, though. And keep your head down."

I led him to the old tower outside the Underforge, leading him to the door. I opened it, let him slip inside first, then followed after him.

"Right," I said as I pushed my hood down, "you're safe for now. Only five people know how to get in here, and they're all close to me. They won't do anything without my approval."

"I'm putting a lot of trust in you, Ylva."

"Believe me, I want you to stay alive. I wouldn't do anything that'll endanger your life. So relax. Wait here. I'll bring you some food and water."

"How about a case of mead instead?"

"You'll get your reward when you teach me. For now, food and water."

He huffed and sat down on the cold stony floor. "Fine. What am I supposed to sleep on?"

"I'll bring you a bedroll. Don't worry your head about it."

With that, I left him in the hall and walked into the main room of the Underforge. Aside from the chest-high, stone basin in the center of the room, and the three totems of Hircine that Aela had gathered some five years ago, it was empty. I slipped through the stone doorway and headed to Jorrvaskr.

As soon as I set my foot inside, Vilkas had enveloped me in a hug. I gasped as his arms tightened around me.

"Where have you been?" His voice was an urgent whisper, full of worry. "I thought you would've been back hours ago, and there were Thalmor Justiciars sighted on the road south of Whiterun, and—"

Stunned, I pulled out of his embrace. "Thalmor? So close to Whiterun?"

He nodded and pressed his hand to my cheek. "I was afraid they were on their way to capture you." He sighed, his hand falling away. "Ylva, they were escorting prisoners to be executed."

I let my head fall. "Ulfric was right. It's only gotten worse."

"Why bring up Ulfric? Love, what are you saying?"

"I need you to come with me. There's something I have to tell you."

We made our way downstairs, heading into our room to talk. I closed the doors behind me, leaning my forehead against them while Vilkas paced behind me.

"Ylva, what's happened? What is going on?"

"I talked to Ralof, like I said I would. He knew where Ulfric was, where I could find him."

"And?"

"I found him."

"And you didn't turn him in? You know it's the right—"

"Because he is so much worse than I am, yes?" I turned to face him. "He fought for his home, his people, those who died for nothing in the Great War. He started this rebellion for people like Jergen. Men and women who gave their lives in a fruitless war."

"But he also did it because he coveted a throne."

"Well, perhaps, but that does not mean I'm going to drag him to his death."

"So what did you do? Where is he?"

"I... I brought him here. To Whiterun."

His jaw dropped, eyes wide with disbelief. "You what?!" He started pacing again, making wild hand gestures as he went. "Of all the stupid, half-planned, and reckless ideas you have ever had... I thought you opening that first blasted Black Book without knowing what it did was the worst idea you would ever have, but clearly, I was wrong! Ylva, what were you think—actually, it was clear you weren't thinking—"

"Vilkas! Please!"

He stopped pacing again, arms at his side and anger in his eyes. I had forgotten just how temperamental he could be. Usually, he was calm and collected, but he had a fire burning in his soul. I had to admit, I was terrified of him in that moment.

His voice dropped as he asked, "What were you thinking, Ylva?"

"Vilkas, my parents were torn from me by those elves. I don't want them to make anymore orphans of this land's children. I want them out of Skyrim. Is that too much to ask?"

"So you decided to... join forces with Ulfric? Start another underfunded, weak rebellion that will result in Ulfric sitting his pompous posterior on Skyrim's throne? That is, by far, the worst idea you've ever had, Ylva."

My throat burned with tears I was too proud to shed. "This is when I need you the most, Vilkas, and all you can say to me is that I'm just a foolish halfwit too caught up in a personal grudge to see the consequences of my actions?"

"That isn't what I said."

"But it's what you meant, isn't it? You don't think I can do this. You think I haven't thought about my actions. You think I rushed into a deal with the devil. Is that it?"

"Ylva—"

"Is that it?!"

His head dropped. "I am afraid you don't see what you've done. I don't understand why you didn't think to ask me about all this. You can come to me with anything, anything, Ylva, and yet, you didn't come to me about this. Why? Because you were afraid I would tell you it's a fool's errand?"

I shook my head, the tears finally spilling down my cheeks. "The damage is done. Like it or not, it's done. There's nothing to be done now but to go with it." I turned my back to him, opening the doors. "Ulfric's in the Underforge, waiting for me. I have some things to give him."

"Ylva—"

"I'm done talking to you, Vilkas. It's clear you won't see things my way."

"Ylva, don't walk away from me."

Jaw set, I stormed out of the room.

In the hall, I found Jergen and Embla both standing outside their room, staring at me with wide eyes.

"Why were you and Papa yelling?" asked Embla, who was still running a terrible fever. A soft sheen of sweat glistened on her brow, and tear tracks traced down her face. "Were you fighting?"

I sighed, knelt down in front of them. "It's nothing to worry about, little ones. Go back to bed. It's late."

I escorted them back to their room, tucked them in, then left. On my way up, I retrieved a bedroll that had been lying next to the whelps' room.

Bedroll tucked under my arm, I grabbed a tankard of water and a plate of food. No one seemed to question me as I left Jorrvaskr. Although, it was possible that they had heard Vilkas and me yelling, and they had questions, but were too afraid to ask them.

I went into the Underforge and found Ulfric right where I left him. He gave me an impatient look as I tossed the bedroll at his head and handed him the food and water. "What took so long?"

"I had a... discussion with my husband. Took longer than I thought."

"More than a discussion, I'd say."

"What are you talking about?"

"I can tell when a woman's been crying, Ylva. Your eyes are puffy, and your cheeks are stained. The talk didn't go so well?"

I wiped my hand furiously across my eyes. "It's not your business, Ulfric. Just eat your food and get some rest."

The door to the Underforge opened, and I spun on my heel to see who had come. I was expecting Aela, since she came to commune with Hircine every evening.

I did not expect to see Vilkas.

"What do you want now?" I could not keep the venom out of my tone. "To yell at me some more? Tell me off in front of Ulfric?"

"No, Ylva, I haven't." He stepped closer, craning his head to look at Ulfric behind me. "I've come to tell you that our children heard us."

"I know. They stopped me in the hall."

"Then you know they're both worried. Really worried."

I sighed, grabbed Vilkas by the elbow, and dragged him back outside. "Why do you insist on coming after me every time we fight? Why can't you just let me go?"

"If I do, you'll do something stupid, and I could lose you. I won't ever let you go, Ylva. Especially not when you go away angry." He cupped a hand to my face. "I acted out of turn. I should've trusted you. But, Ylva, what were you thinking?"

"I can't stand to see our land defiled by the elves. This is our home, Vilkas, and it will always be our home. The Thalmor are going to hurt Skyrim, more than any civil war ever could. They'll use up her resources, burn her forests, pillage her towns and cities. Worst of all, they will kill her people. Men, women, and children will fall victim to the axe if someone doesn't take a stand. Who better to stand against them than me, an orphan of their own doing?"

"Dozens of people would be better, Ylva. You are my wife, the mother of my children. You can't just go traipsing all over Skyrim, kicking dirt in the Thalmor's eye when you have twins who need you. When... when I need you." He leaned forward and pressed his forehead to mine. "I cannot lose you again, Ylva. I can't. I won't. I would rather die and go to the Hunting Grounds than lose you again."

I held onto his arms, fighting back tears once again. "You won't lose me. The gods told me that I was to fight one last battle, lead Skyrim to freedom once more. The people of Skyrim have never needed their Dragonborn more than they need her now."

"As always, I will support you. I will stand by you and be there for you. But I will also be that voice of reason. Just promise me that you'll listen to that voice every now and then."

I smiled a little. "Of course. I need you, Vilkas. I will always need you."

Eyes closing, he pulled me into his arms, holding me as tightly as he could. "If you think this is the best course of action, then I trust you. But what, exactly, is your plan?"

"I'm going to poke a really big bear with a very sharp stick. See what happens."

He chuckled deep in his throat. "Typical Ylva. I didn't know I married such a reckless woman."

I smiled. "I'm the Dragonborn. 'Reckless' is in the job description." I nestled my face deeper into the crook of his neck. "I'm sorry for yelling at you."

"I'm sorry for not listening. I was scared. Still am, if I'm honest."

"Me, too. This is a time of fear."

He hummed in response.

"Which is why I want to fight. I don't want our children to be afraid. I want to show them what it means to be proud of our home, what it means to be a Nord. They need to stand for something, else they'll fall for anything."

"I know. Just... don't let yourself get carried away."

I nodded against his neck. "I'll keep a level head."

"Now that you have Ulfric's support, what's next?"

"Gain access to the Empire's resources and armies. Tullius has started heading out, going back home to Cyrodiil, so that will leave Rikke in charge of the forces here. She's a Talos-loving Nord. She may listen to my side. Help me make an appeal to the Empire itself."

"And if not?"

I sighed. "Then we use the remaining Stormcloaks. We'll manage." I chuckled a little. "Could you imagine—the Companion wolf, the Eastmarch bear, and the Empire dragon all united under one banner? What could stand against us?"

"Not much." He kissed my cheek, his stubble scratching my jawline. "The Dragonborn, Ulfric Stormcloak, and the entire Imperial army? Those elves won't stand a chance."