Chapter 1

Cold Lava

This contains elements that might make some readers unhappy, at the time I wrote this was was stressing out about moving in a few weeks, finishing a course's final assignment, and also having a cold. So I was a little sleep deprived too… Yet I hope you can find something in this short story that you can enjoy. I tried putting in some humour when I was editing it.

Ulfric Stormcloak could not believe the predicament he and his small deploy of guards got into, in his own land nonetheless, while travelling to his peoples camps to bolster their spirits, they were ambushed by a massive hoard of bandits. Filthy excuses for Nords were what they were. He seethed beneath his muffle the entire trip as they brought him and his three surviving men to the very border of his land, up in the cold hills in a run down castle. It felt like hours of trudging and struggling against his binds.

Inside as they were dragged towards the prisons the bandit leader came out of wherever he had been dwelling to find out what his men caught, "Hey chief. Look who we found wandering the wilderness with only a small amount of guards."

"Ulfric Stormcloak!" The Chief looked excited, "Not only have you captured a Thalmor wizard, but you also got your hands on the leader of the rebellion! This calls for a toast, take him to the cell with the elf and do away the other three as we did with the elf guards."

"Yes sir."

Ulfric sent his men wild looks and struggled against his binds to try and defend them, they looked back at him with a mix of fear and anxiety. They feared their lives but also worried for their great leader, what would the bandits do with him? Would he live without them to protect him? What was that about a Thalmor wizard in their territory, what evil were they up to before being caught?

As they were dragged, kicking and fighting to the last second to their deaths while Ulfric was pulled into the cells while putting up his own resistance. Inside the mentioned Thalmor looked up, eyes like molten lava as he watched with a cold and uncaring expression as Ulfric was thrown inside. As Ulfric crashed into the wall, unable to put his hands up to defend himself from the impact thanks to his hands being bind behind his back, the Chief laughed and looked to the elf, "I will be back for you after letting you have some time with your new companion."

With that sickly said promise he and his men left the two enemies alone, instantly Ulfric hunched up and glared threateningly down at the Thalmor, the elf looked up at him with disinterest in his eyes and a blank expression. Completely unfazed by the Nord's glare and growls, "So you are the leader of the rebellion… I am hardly impressed." His voice was almost condemning and filled with scorn.

He was a lucky elf that there was a muffle, else Ulfric would shout the haunting Thalmor to pieces against the wall, he hissed in reply and struggled to get free of the heavy cuffs around his wrists so he could remove the muffle and do just that. The Thalmor watched without a change to his perfectly unmarred golden face. How Ulfric wanted to ruin it with his fist.

Without success, Ulfric grumbled in annoyance and searched the room for something to help him escape, hoping he could save his men before…

There were battle yells that echoed down the murky halls followed by roaring laughter causing a chill to run down Ulfric's spine. The elf looking out of the bars with an almost disapproving sigh, "They are setting your men against trolls it seems in their filthy pit, like the barbarians all you humans are. There is no elegance in the way you end your adversaries."

Elegance? This is what Ulfric hated the most about the elves, they believed killing was an art form, something to be treasured and refined like a song. Nothing about killing was good; every time Ulfric took a life he felt regret… only Thalmor and their supporters met his axe without a giving him even a twinge of remorse. He hoped his glare told the elf what he thought and how much he wanted to strangle him.

Ulfric looked away with distress again as he heard more yelling followed by laughter, the haunting elf gave a small mocking huff and closed his eyes, he sat on the dirty ground with a more relaxed expression then most proud Altmer would have in such a dirty situation. One knee was lifted with a forearm casually resting casually on it.

But even with his casual, disinterested air Ulfric could sense how taunt the elf was, ready to spring an attack when an opening arose or preparing for something. It sent the hair on the Nords neck on ends, he decided to examine the elf later when his mind cleared and the slaughter outside was finished.

The Chief returned with a couple of his men when everything sounded like it settled down, the thug sent the pissed off Ulfric an acknowledging grin before turning his malice filled eyes to the Thalmor, "Now that the show is over, time for some fun. On your knees elf."

Even from their positions a little distanced from the three men, both the Thalmor and Ulfric could smell the thick scent of alcohol on the Chief's breath. Ulfric watched with burning, angry eyes as the Thalmor surprisingly did as he was told, his cold and disinterested expression never changing even in the almost disgracing position. The two other men stood to make sure the Nord didn't do anything stupid while watching with oddly ravenous looks.

The Thalmor knelt as comfortably as he could manage on the hard stone with his hands between his knees to keep himself upright; his molten eyes glanced uncaringly at Ulfric before staring back up at the Chief without a hint of anxiety of what he knew was coming next.

Ulfric's eyes widened as he watched the Chief unlace their pants and position his semi-hardness' tip against the Thalmor's lips, the elf gave a barely noticeable grimace that slightly crinkled his nose before parting his mouth to let the Chief thrust inside so their stomach pressed against the elf's chiseled nose. The man moaned and began to thrust inside while gripping the elf's medium long white-blonde hair to control the movements of his head along with each thrust.

All whilst this happened the elf kept up the defiant look in his eyes, strong till the end just like a true Nord. Ulfric almost felt admiration for the Thalmor as he stood in horror against the far wall at what he was witnessing, a sick feeling twisted in his stomach as the Chief moaned and panted as he quickly fucked the Thalmor's warm mouth, making it impossible for the haunting elf to get in required breath. With his alert ears Ulfric could hear the occasional hitching intakes of air the elf struggled to take in through his nose.

Then the breaths stopped as the Nord bandit moved faster bringing them towards their shouting release quickly, Ulfric's nose twisted in disgust as he watched cum drip from the corners of the elf's mouth, dribbling down their chin and neck and had a similar expression as the rebel leader. When the Chief pulled out the Thalmor did not hesitate to spitting out cum onto the man's feet and took in needed breaths as refined as possible, not showing how desperate he needed it.

Smack! The Chief's fist backhanded across the Thalmor's unflawed face making his head jerk sideways a little before they gave an almost mocking sneer up at the Nord, not fazed by the small dribble of blood that was released from a nostril nor caring much about the cum staining his pointed chin that mixed with his red life force, "Still defiant? Good," The man chuckled darkly, "it would be boring if you stopped fighting so soon. Your final defeat will be sweet tasting."

"A pure-bred Thalmor never accepts defeat, especially to a barbarian." Said the elf in an almost chiding voice, filled with mocking scorn making the Chief hit him again before he backed up with thought on his face. Grinning the Chief gestured to the bandits watching with hungry eyes.

"Have at him boys." Crossing his arms the cruel man watched as his two men fell upon the cold expression elf while keeping one eye on Ulfric. One man stood in front of him and mimicked their leader by taking the elf's mouth making their hardness slick with blood, while the other knelt behind the Thalmor. They pushed aside the almost ragged robe end and pulled the black trousers down the elf's hips and used a hand to make the elf raise on his knees a little to give access to his entrance.

With a dry mouth Ulfric wanted to look away from what was unfolding before him, but something about the defiant elf made him unable to. He watched the Thalmor's expression as the bandit behind him thrust inside; there was a flicker of pain followed by anger before dropping into his cold look again, like he was indifferent to his situation.

"Trying to fight me more then usual today, elf? Because the leader of the Stormcloak's is watching?" Mumbled the bandit against the elf's pointed ear and Ulfric caught the small shiver from the elf at this action, "You know it never lasts long especially when I do this…"

A muffled startled sound escaped the Thalmor as the bandit latched their teeth into his pointed ear's tip, his eyes frosted over for a moment with inclination before hardening again into his cold look, only to repeat when the bandit nipped his ear while thrusting upwards into the slightly resisting body.

Before Ulfric knew it, it was over. The two huffing bandit's pulled out after releasing, and along with the Chief they left with no parting words, when they were gone the spitting Thalmor pulled up his trousers to keep some dignity in front of his Nord enemy and took up the same position Ulfric first saw him in. Albeit more uncomfortably, while wiping his mouth and chin clean on his robe sleeve, smearing blood across his slightly stubble jawline.

"Filthy barbarians, when I get out of here they would regret earning the wrath of a Thalmor Wizard." He hissed with annoyance before relaxing against the wall, when his molten eyes landed on Ulfric the Nord felt himself shift uneasily, after what transpired he had no idea how the elf held onto his superior voice, "You may think this demeaning. But know that these filth won't let you simply sit around as an observer."

And the Thalmor's words rang with truth that made Ulfric shiver, yes these bandits wont let him be, after all he was the leader of the Stormcloak's, Jarl of Windhelm and a hero to many all across Skyrim. It won't be long until the Chief wanted something from him… that something being somewhat similar to the Thalmor's situation.

The very thought made Ulfric feel cold. But in retaliation his determination grew stronger in his stomach as his firm eyes began to search the room again, "You wont find anything to escape with," Said the elf in his chiding voice making Ulfric give him an annoyed glare, "the only way out of here is when the situation is right. It would be a good idea to… go with the flow… I believe some of you humans say."

If he didn't have the muffle he would have asked what the Thalmor bloody meant, before it dawned on him, Ulfric thought over what the elf was trying to tell him and decided, reluctantly, that he was right once more… Ulfric had to play along until both he and the Thalmor could get an upper hand.

Meeting the elf's eyes Ulfric tried to speak with just his looks making the elf sigh, "Come here and I will undo that. But expect me to tie it back on after we are done speaking… and don't bother using that shouting business." Pausing as he made a decision, Ulfric decided it was best to go along with the Thalmor. As much as he hated it, they were in this situation together and had to rely on the other.

Best to make friends when surrounded by mutual enemies, at the thought that spoke in his father's sage-like voice Ulfric sighed and knelt so his back was to the elf. Nimble hands untied the muffle with ease allowing the Nord to flex his jaw, when was the last time he was muffled… oh right. He was young and a prisoner of the Thalmor being tortured in the Embassy.

Ulfric winced as the memory made the scar on his cheek burn; quickly he stood to create some distance between him and the Thalmor then turned to look down at them with a threatening glare, "Know that I don't trust you elf."

"And know that I don't care." Said the Thalmor in an even tone, "Trust is unimportant, all that matters is the fact that you don't stuff things up for me."

At the uppity words Ulfric growled and bit down his Thuum as it rose in retaliation, "Stuff what up? That you allow bandits to assault you like some kind of whore?" There was a flicker of resentment in the molten eyes and the elf's lips parted in an angry snarl making Ulfric feel like he succeeded in something thought impossible, "Don't think your 'superior' attitude does anything for me elf, not after 'that' display."

"I do not take pride in what they do to me or the fact that I allow it, boy. But what these men put me through… I have been through worse and come out alive," Whispered the Thalmor in an even tone making Ulfric wonder what could possibly be worse then what he just witnessed, "and I am not without a plan. Once I am free, these men will know to fear me. A Thalmor Wizard."

"And where is your magic now, Wizard?" Ulfric slit his eyes, not liking the way the elf spoke to him like he was a child, they didn't look that old compared to other elves and probably was younger then Ulfric in human years. His blue eyes flickered as the Thalmor raised his wrists to show cuffs that glimmered with an enchantment.

In an almost admiring voice he said, "Silencing Enchantment. Very old… used to be found all throughout Tamriel during the Oblivion Crisis," The elf lowed his wrist back to his raised knee and looked up to meet Ulfric's eyes, "but every enchantment has a weakness so it fell out of favor… with humans of course."

A weakness, huh? Ulfric blinked as he caught onto the almost suggestive tone the Thalmor used, did that mean they knew a way to combat the enchantment? If so then Ulfric felt a little hope in his chest, even if he hated relying on his enemy he had to admit the elf's presence was becoming very encouraging.

"Who are you anyway to be in Stormcloak territory? A Justiciar?" Ulfric crossed his arms and glared down at the Thalmor. They looked back at him with a hint of boredom making his mouth twitch it preparation to shout, the elf seemed to ponder whether to reply or not, or how much information to hand out.

"Carnath." He did not speak his position in the Thalmor ranks making Ulfric feel suspicious, most elves were proud of what they did and bragged about it unless hiding dangerous truths from their enemy. What did this elf have to hide? Was he so highly ranked that he didn't want the Thalmor's number one enemy knowing, or just so low he didn't want to admit it? Was he a small time wizard in the ranks?

Without another word as they both heard multiple footsteps heading their way Ulfric reluctantly allowed Carnath to retie the muffle around his mouth, a bit tighter then it originally was making him glare, and took up position against the opposite wall. While the Nord scowled as the slightly drunk bandits walked past to retire for the night the elf closed his eyes and ignored the jeering eyes that looked in on him.

"Hey, elf-whore. Come warm my bed." Sniggered a bandit along with his friends making Carnath open a disinterested eye to look upon them, when the gate was unlocked he sighed in that disapproving tone and stood, not showing any discomfort from before or fear. When the door was locked again behind the elf, he disappeared along with the rush of bandits without a glance back at his cellmate. Ulfric saw him leave with hands groping like he was some passing prostitute.

After the last bandit went past, Ulfric lay down on the foul cot and grimaced as he breathed in the pungent scent from the furs. He could faintly pick up the smell of the elf, or at least how he smelt before being soiled by the reeking bandits. It was tangy, like the spiced wine Ulfric once had back before the war in Solitude. For a moment he wondered if it was still being made and if he could manage to get a bottle or two smuggled over when he got back to Windhelm, before drifting asleep to keep up his strength.

Sleep was broken by dreams of his men dying in a pit with laughing men betting on them, and of the calm faced Thalmor being 'attacked.'