Just curious. Ulfric evidently knows Delphine, and by the looks of it the two of 'em are pretty close (as in, have worked together in quite a few occassions). What I can't think of is, how did he know who she is?

She's everywhere. I suspect Saadia knows her too. Not sure. One time I walked in the bannered mare and Delphine was eating bread in Saadia's room. "Not here! We'll talk at the Riverwood Inn."

Perhaps people know her as Delphine, but Ulfric certainly knows that she's someone of importance. Ulfric didn't say something along the lines of "What is this chick doing here, in a peace negotiation?" in High Hrothgar

Perhaps Ulfric knows that she's a Blade? But how?

Well, they were both imperial soldiers who fought a lot of Thalmor. Probably ones of prominence too. It wouldn't be too out of place if they had crossed each other's paths or had joint missions.

Hmm... perhaps. Still, Delphine was supposed to be a specops, and wasn't Ulfric a field soldier?

Yeah, but I could see maybe them having different roles in the same battlefield or something.

Well, it's not that much of a stretch that in few places during the war, they've met and had discussions here and there between battles. That could be how he knows her.

Since they have worked together, it's likely they introduced each other the very first time they've met.

How did Ulfric know she was a Blade? Why, her Blades armor, of course.

I did find it odd that he addresses her by name, but it's entirely possible that it's just that: he knows her name. Just that. Not that they've worked together. He's trying to garner sympathy with a faction that he knows is hostile to the Thalmor.

Well, he was a Thalmor prisoner during the war. Maybe she had something to do with his release/escape?


Which is more likely. No doubt he's been to Riverwood, and most likely they met there. If her being a Blade and at the negotiations was a surprise to him, he wouldn't let it show.

yeah, I personally find it difficult to believe he knows she's a blade prior to the ceasefire negotiations. The blades, even during the Great War, would have had to keep their identities secret to ensure their survival.

One time I put off coming to see her so I could do a few side quests. Went into the Bannered Mare and got attacked by the drunk guy in the iron horned helmet who complains about Whiterun security. Delphine is there and kills the guy and then tells me I need to come see her like yesterday!

Hmm well I know that she works with the court wizard at Whiterun...if you don't do Bleakfall barrow right away you see a conversation between the two of them about the Dragon Stone. So she is obviously moving behind the scenes but how much is unclear.

I never did understand why the Blades where at that negotiation.

All I know is that they both fought in the great war..but I'm sure that's been established

i would think that it is in ulfric's best interest to know everyone that is a mover and a shacker.

and with the amount of soldiers and spys that he has.....he would know about her.

Many Blades were also members of the Order of Talos, at least in Oblivion.

as a student of the Graybeards he may know Delphine's place as a former Blade and as a Jarl and a leader and a soldier it's possible he knows her from the war.

I think it's more likely in the framework of the Summit that he has no doubt that everyone there has importance and even if he only knew her as a warrior he wouldn't think to question her place at the table if the Graybeards and Dragonborn didn't.

As bradleyh noted, the connection may well be Talos. Elenwen is referred to by Ulfric as your "chief Talos hunter." And the Blades are Thalmor targets just as Talos worshippers are, so its possible Delphine contacted Ulfric to arrange mutual support/underground railroad operations. (Before the MQ starts.) This may sound like treason, but recall that (i) the Blades haven't been part of the Imperial forces since the Oblivion Crisis; and (ii) the Empire disavowed and disbanded the Blades after the Great War.
Ommamar: As for why the blades are at the negotiations, Esbern explains to Arngier that they have important information about the dragons. Doubtless they wanted to make sure that partisonship did not derail the negotiations.

Not too many people know thu'um. It's a rather useful ability. One that a blade could make use of. While Delphine may never have revealed her status as blade, I'd bet her and ulfric did meet several times during the war. Always good to make contacts.

I think that they went to high school together and were sweethearts until their senior year when Ulfric dumped her for a Nord girl.

dumped her for Elisif. AHA! NOW we see why he killed Thorygg and keeps Elisif on the throne if the stormcloaks win!