Edited as of 16-11-2015. See notes at end.

Skyrim: The Unlikely Companions
Prologue

The gentle breeze that swept inland from the lake brushed past the blooming trees, carrying the sweet scent of their blossoms. Though the sun was setting, the birds sang their song as if praising the beautiful, clear painted sky. Lord Falintaor Valanocke smiled at his wife, who was painting the scene before both him and his guest, Lord Highal. The semblance was uncanny but her skill added a certain touch to it that made the painting seem vivid and alive.

After the hand-maiden had poured all of them wine, she left with little but a bow and a practiced smile, just as tense as Lord Falintaor, though he concealed it well, sipping his wine.

Lord Highal was no ordinary man and many would envy that a prominent diplomat and ambassador such as Falintaor would be graced with the company of this man; a most noble appearance even by Altmer standards. His hair was a deep dark red; a stark contrast to the cold, sharp features of his face which seemed to be carved to perfection. He was clad in elaborate and gemmed robes and countless rings, some even enchanted, adorned his fingers. "My son, Taurmillan, has risen amongst the ranks of the Thalmor as is to be expected of one of my own. He was most pleased to hear that your Cirilonde wished to marry him and insisted the ceremony take place at our estate, should you agree to that."

Falintaor's attire was vastly different from Lord Highal's. His dress-robe was made by the finest tailors but weren't as elaborate, matching his more humble nature. His white-golden hair and beard were neatly trimmed and his dark-green eyes held more warmth. "As would only be appropriate, Lord Exarch," Falintaor agreed. "I'm very honored that he finds my Cirilonde pleasing. I assure you she'll have no issue to leave Alinor and be at his side."

"I'm sure," Lord Highal's smile was without warmth. "However, I understood from my son that she still desires to travel to Skyrim and enroll at its College in Winterhold?"

Lord Valanocke swore inwardly. No doubt Cirilonde had discussed this with Taurmillan, Lord Highal's son that it had reached his ears this way. But he remained composed and took a sip of his wine to hide the nervous twitch of his lip. "She's young and ambitious. The wedding will occupy her mind soon enough, I'm sure. It's why I had her return to Alinor; she'll have all she needs and desires here."

Or so I hope…After all, his daughter had been rather adamant about attending the College. However, she also very well knew that it was of the essence she answer Taurmillan's courtship as it would improve things for them all.

Falintaor's gaze was locked on the lake and the gardens surrounding them. Somewhere, his daughter and her husband to-be would be out for a stroll.

Tallerin, the Wood Elf gardener, had really outdone himself over the course of the past days once the word had reached his ears that two prominent men would visit his Lord's estate. He had even gone as far to tame the song birds to perch not too far away from them so their song, gentle and sweet, could be heard. The whole scene before them would have been beautiful and even romantic, but Cirilonde felt anxious and trapped. Nerves, dearest of mine, her mother had assured her, telling her daughter about the feelings that had bloomed when her father courted her mother.

Taurmillan, however, did not spark any such feelings as he had not made any efforts to reassure her. He looked very much like his father, save for his cold, harsh and grey eyes. Like his father, he was no common Altmer and had been present at some of the most historical events in the fight against the Empire, who had submitted to the Aldmeri Dominion after the Great War.

"…Men are weak. All we have achieved in but a few decades is proof to our supremacy. Even now, Skyrim has become a cesspool of disarray and chaos because the apes squabble over their holds." His voice was clear, rich and strong.

Hesitant at first, she laid her gloved hand on his and he looked down at her. They had been walking with their arms linked so this sudden gesture of affection surprised him as she had been so tense. "I "I hope it's not all misery and hope in your eyes. Just look at all this…" she gestured at the gardens and a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "And yes, Skyrim is in chaos, but there's knowledge to be found there at its College in Winterhold. Many great Mer attended in the past even during the Arcane University's glory days."

He turned to her, a small sigh escaping him. "Surely you're still not thinking of attending that place? There's nothing left of it but rubble and ruin."

She hesitated, her thumb rubbing the back of his hand, but her heart was racing. "I don't just want to be your wife, Taurmillan. I want to be an educated woman you can be proud of having as your wife. You're no ordinary man, and…"

Her eyes widened at first but then closed when he cupped her chin and kissed her, pulling her close against him. But she didn't feel anything. She wasn't repulsed by any means, she was attracted to him, but she didn't feel that overwhelming 'wave' of energy like she had once in the past. But she returned the kiss. "I'm a patient man, my Cirilonde," he purred, stroking her cheek with the back of his hand. "And I have no qualms to practice it while you attend this College of yours before we marry."

"Thank you so much for understanding," she said, relieved that this would give her some time and space to breathe. She was going to get married…and it terrified her.

Little did Cirilonde knew that even far greater things were at play in the Highal's family and once Lord Highal found out about his son's true plans and intentions. He would have to act and handle this situation discreetly, and the first step lay in taking care of Cirilonde.

Cirilonde squinted her eyes as she had finally made it out of the mountain pass from Bruma to Falkreath and the sun's glare briefly blinded her. The wind she had heard howling overhead in the pass, now greeted her by chilling her to the bone. She wrapped her robes and fur collar tighter about her before reaching for the map of Skyrim she had obtained prior to making her way to this land. "So I could take a carriage straight from Falkreath," she mused and looked up from her map, out ahead. From the high slope she stood, there was a worn pathway that led down to what had to be Falkreath.

But as she continued, the nagging feeling she'd had for the entire journey only grew stronger. Granted, she had stuck to the roads and been cautious, yet, the trip had been far too easy as she'd not encountered any dangerous wildlife or bandits.

As she followed the winding path that led to a crossroads, she froze when four men appeared from the darkness, all High Elven Thalmor, clad in the typical black and gold leather, hooded robes.

"You there, you are to come with us at once!" Cirilonde's instincts kicked in the moment one of them drew their sword upon closing in and she ran as fast as her long legs managed. Bolts of fire and lightning shot past her as she bolted into the dense forest off the beaten path. Branches tore at her white-golden locks and thorns lashed at her face, clothes and ankles.

A soundless shriek escaped her lips when the breath was knocked out of her and her body painfully tensed before she fell face-down in the mud, stunned by the bolt of energy that hit her in the back. By the time she attempted to get up, the four Thalmor agents were already there.

"A pointless, pitiful effort," said one of them as he gathered the rope from his belt. He had barely grabbed Cirilonde's wrist when he leapt up, startled by the horrid, gurgling sound his colleague made as he choked on his own blood before collapsing.

Before the remaining three could even utter another word or take action, a bolt shot into the throat of the Thalmor to Cirilonde's right and the second made a soundless cry as a swift, red-eyed shadow repeatedly stabbed him before breaking his neck. The fourth, last Thalmor's eyes shot in all directions to catch the invisible assailant, his elven blade at the ready in one hand while the other crackled with static.

"Found you!" He snarled, shooting a bolt of lightning forth from his gloved hand, but nothing was hit.

Cirilonde trembled, hurt and chilled to the bone as she lay terrified in the cold mud and snow. She looked up at the Thalmor who towered over her, who still looked for the invisible assailant, but there was nothing to be seen or heard, save for the silent rustle of leaves and branches and the howl of a beast in the distance.

"Who goes there?!" The Thalmor's voice betrayed his fear in spite of the snarl set on his face as he spun around. "You are a fool to think tha-,"

Cirilonde shrieked in horror. The man who had come from the darkness had been like a shadow; silent, cold and swift before plunging a dagger into the Thalmor's back and breaking his neck.

"Please don't hurt me!" Cirilonde covered her head. She must have looked pathetic in her mud-drenched robes and tear-stained face.

"Get up, sera, we need to go." The shadow's voice was rough and deep and reached a hand out to her. She looked up and saw that the red-eyed shadow was a Dunmer; the ashen-skinned elves from Morrowind. He was clad in dark, leather armor. Thick strands of pitch-black hair stuck out from underneath his hood. "Not going to hurt you," he added irritably.

Cirilonde took his hand and he motioned for her to follow, which took her a lot of effort whereas he was nimble and quick. Then again, he hadn't been lying face-down in the mud and snow like she.

Just when she was about to ask where she was taking him, he pulled her against him, covering her mouth and hiding the both of them behind a rock formation. He hushed her and allowed her to look with him, past the rock, to the hidden trail ahead, where a group of twelve men, clad in blue cloaks, walked in silence and darkness until suddenly, torches were lit all around them and cries were heard.

"It's an ambush!" One of the blue-cloaked men was silenced by an arrow in his throat before he could even draw his sword.

The Dark Elf had spun around with his dagger out, shielding the young High Elf, but it was too late. They too were surrounded by a group of five men clad in Imperial armor. "There's more here!" Before they could even protest, they were pushed to the men in blue cloaks, who had surrendered.

"What are these knife-ears doing here?" One of the battle-scarred women, a Nord, spat upon seeing the two elves. The two elves were forced to their knees alongside the blue-cloaked men and all were to put their hands on the back of their heads.

A man approached the lot and Cirilonde glanced up, shuddering from both fear, cold and adrenaline. The man's face was mostly obscured by his helmet, but judging by the medals and adornments on his armor, she could tell he was a high-ranking Imperial general of sorts. He regarded the two elves with a raised brow.

"Sir! Sir!" All heads turned to the panicked, young scout who came running, almost stumbling over his feet. "General Tullius, Sir, there are four Thalmor…"

"Catch your breath, boy." Tullius, the man before her, turned to face the scout. "What of the Thalmor?"

"There are four of them…" The boy was out of breath and frantically pointed in the distance where the elves had come from, barely able to speak as his sides ached. "…all of them are dead. Over there at the clearing."

Tullius' eyes locked on the Dark Elf, who had remained very silent and calm despite all that had transpired. "So even the Dark Brotherhood tries to mingle with the state of affairs?" Tullius reached for the dagger sheathed near the Dark Elf's chest. When he pulled it out, he looked at the fresh blood that still stained the blade. "Get all of them on a cart. Tie them all up and make sure our Hero of Skyrim over there can't utter a word like we planned."

"Bu-," The Dark Elf nudged Cirilonde with his foot, giving her a warning glare and shook his head.

It was futile.

As of 16-11-2015 I polished this prologue up because it still felt that it was missing something and I'm rather satisfied with the result. I hope it stays that way!
I have also posted this fan-fiction under the same name and title at ArchiveofOurOwn but this fanfiction will be updated both here and there.