Waltz for Masser

He was slouched against the wall, hands folded as he glared at the dancing crowd. Parties. He hated parties, but he had to mingle with the upper classes of Skyrim – such as they were. The bard's song quietened down and he took a moment to scan the faces of twirling dancers. Nords mostly and other Thalmor like him. It was strange seeing them all dance seemingly okay with each other, but he knew better – he wouldn't be Commander Ondolemar otherwise.

The serving girl who was passing by forced on him a glass of Arenthia red, so he shrugged and growled at her thanks. He wasn't fond of social gatherings, but it was expected of him to show up and since this was a - BALL – and Elenwen insisted on his attendance, the altmer mage had no choice. Every Thalmor agent was engaged in a conversation with a visitor to their Embassy or on the dance floor – all except him. He disliked dancing – it was a waste of time in his opinion.

Ondolemar downed down the glass to half, when his eyes trailed off at the latecomer whose cheeks were slightly tinted – from the cold outside, perhaps? Dressed in elegant black doublet laced with silver lining, it was evident he wasn't a usual rate of guest. Hm, his eyes may be betraying him, but he could swear a dunmer just entered the invitation only ball issued by Elenwen herself.

A bunch of people obscured his vision from Ambassador and the mysterious dunmer guest. Then, a nuisance of a mer approached him. "Here you are! All alone. How was your travel here, Commander?"

His nose instinctively scrunched at the mere sight of Ancano, advisor to College of Winterhold at the time. In reality, he was a spy, just like most of them. Dealing with him always made the other altmer grow annoyed. He gaffed down another quarter of his glass and Ancano's smug look intensified. "Not gonna say anything, are you? You're still the same. A shame, really."

Commander didn't think the same and after the one way monologue bored Ancano out of his mind, he removed himself from Ondolemar's presence and he let out a sigh of relief. Finally. Some peace at this charade of a ball.

He sipped and searched for the guest, tracking one face from another and still no sign of the mystery latecomer. The mage's scowl deepened. Something was fishy here. He was about to talk to Elenwen about the dunmer guest when he found him, standing alone in the middle of dance floor, eyes flickering and then their gazes met, the dunmer raised an arm and made hand gesture, smiling at the altmer mage.

No, it wasn't aimed at him. Why would it? The dunmer crossed the room and was standing beside him, the sheepish grin still plastered and he observed the Commander's face with interest. "You're the best looking guy here." He stated, softness of the dunmer's voice startled the Thalmor Commander, for few moments. Then, the next sentence had him completely staring at the mysterious dunmer. "Wanna dance with me?"

To mask his... startled state, he sipped from his glass, thinking on how to best turn down the guest. The mystery guest waved with hands in the altmer's face to gain his attention. "Let me guess, you only dance with someone you like. Okay then..." He clasped his hands as if he found a solution to a thousand year old puzzle, red eyes beaming with mischief as he tip – toed closer (the altmer mage was a tad more taller) and they shared a glare/gaze, the dunmer spouting some real nonsense now. "Look into my eyes... you're – going – to – like – me... you're – going – to – like – me...did it work?" He asked as if it was a serious question and the Commander snorted, thinking of an excuse to shake off this unwanted attention.

"... I can't dance." He stated the cold truth – it wasn't required of Thalmor officers to know how to dance (thank you, Divines!) and he didn't take courses back on Alinor. There was no need as his mother said – a good agent always adapts to the situation and performs with elegance and grace.

But the dunmer wouldn't take a no for an answer. "You'll be fine. Come on. I'm looking for someone and I can't be on the dance floor alone." He started dragging the poor Commander who only gaped, setting the glass on a nearby table. He can't shake off the guest – this is a big event apparently and there are to be no disturbances – Elenwen's orders.

Succumbing to his fate, he thought – hell, why not? Maybe this will things off his mind long enough to actually enjoy this evening outside of his station in Markarth.

The bard and her ensemble started playing a catchy tune ideal for body to body dances. Clueless as to how to dance, he let himself be dragged and waited for at least a crude and quick explanation from the dunmer, but none came. He set the altmer's arms around his waist and with other, he encased his hand in his and they started off the bat. This was going to a disaster – Commander wanted to bolt and run while he still could from the critic eyes of colleagues and other guests, but surprisingly the grip on his hand was stronger than he'd anticipated. The waltz was slow, but he didn't know the choreography, so he followed the lead of dunmer, rather poorly. They somewhat twirled with the rest of dancers when that part came and on recoiling, Thalmor Commander hit the dunmer slightly, but he brushed it off with a half smile, continuing as if nothing happened. The altmer had enough of his humiliation on a stage, intent on leaving. The dunmer guest caught his hand – a pleading look in those red eyes. He sighed heavily, already regretting his choice to finish the dance. They went back into position and Ondolemar vividly remembered how he observed the other pairs dance before the mysterious dunmer arrived.

They resumed where they left off and the awkwardness hung over them and got worse when they collided with Ancano and a female Thalmor agent. The woman demanded an apology, but the dunmer stuck his tongue at her, grinning at the Commander.

This time, with more confidence, they closed the distance and he put his hands on the dunmer, now knowing what to do. They danced with such gracefulness, the whole dancing floor let them have more space, each concentrated on their steps, hold. When others picked up their dancing partners in the air, he mimicked quickly, grabbing the dunmer and set him down, their cheeks were flushed with the pumping adrenaline. Yes, that.

A small round of applause came from the onlookers to all the dancers and the dunmer simply bowed – like all guests, then his gaze fixated on something behind Commander's shoulder. Before he could turn and see what it was, the dunmer excused himself with a gesture, winking and leaving the Thalmor on the floor, alone. His gaze followed after him, but eventually lost him in the crowd. Finding himself partnerless, he had no reason to be on dance floor, so he retreated back to his spot, picking up his glass, thinking and even more thinking.

What the hell was that? A stranger approaches, demands a dance, gets one and then disappears on him? Wasn't that considered rude, odd at best? He didn't even get his name. And where did that dunmer go to?

And why was it bothering him he'd left him alone in the middle of dance floor?

"You look like an abandoned puppy." He nearly jumped out of his skin, staring at the Ambassador who for some reason was smirking. "I see you got acquainted with our special guest. That was quite the performance. I didn't know you danced." She pursed lips at him and the Commander scowled. "I don't dance."

"If you say so. Say, did you talk with him about something?"

Besides calling him the best looking man in the room and asking for a dance? Not really. Only... small talk, one might say. The altmer mage shook head. "No. He didn't talk much. But one thing interests me."

She narrowed eyes, waiting. "Is he really on the invitations list?"

Elenwen shortly nodded. "Yes, his name was on the list. I have yet to learn anything – but he seems important."

"I see..." Ondolemar's voice trailed off, looking around in the huge crowd for the dunmer who was nowhere to be seen. "Well, he managed to get you dancing. That's a feat none dared to set in motion. Until now." She said, almost mockingly in her neutral voice coated in honey.

"You're saying it as if I am an un – approachable monster who eats his victims by simply gazing at them."

She cocked an eyebrow, amused. "You said it, not me, Commander. In any case, the clouds nesting around you are gone. At least for a couple of minutes."

Was she mocking or she really meant it? Was his bad mood so visible? And he tried to stay hidden so he won't sullen the ball. Oh well. Still, the mage had doubts about the motives of the dunmer guest – he knew nothing about him. ...Maybe that he was an excellent dancer who taught him in under a minute how to dance to impress.

Elenwen also looked at the crowd, a knowing look and he knew that she knew. "Aww, Commander, you're searching for him?"

Altmer mage shook head. "Ambassador, I only want to know the motives of our single dunmer guest. For some reason, I feel like... something isn't right." There, he voiced his fear that the guest used him, got everybody focused on them so... something – someone – the one the dunmer was looking around –- got a chance to do something that would jeopardize the ball and Thalmor in general. And he totally fell for it.

He jumped from his position. "Ambassador, I fear we've a prob-!" The room shook and the music stopped, people comically stopped in their tracks, still with one leg in air, desperately searching for the source – but he and Elenwen probably knew where the wind was blowing.

Someone used the chance and infiltrated their personal quarters – for information. And they had only one on the list of suspects – the dunmer guest.

Elenwen and Ondolemar sprung on their feet, moving through the crowd and occasionally pushing them outta the way.

Ondolemar gritted teeth. The nerve of that dunmer! He tricked him!

The personnel were drugged by a strong poison, unmoving. No point in wasting time on them. The culprit may still be nearby. By the time they reached the outer courtyard to Elenwen's solar, they found that a few of guards stationed outside were paralyzed, but alive. Elenwen stormed off to her solar and Commander stayed outside on lookout – in case the foolish dunmer would show his face.

When the Ambassador to Skyrim, Elenwen came out, Ondolemar knew shit got real. "The dossiers are gone, he took them. Our intel. He must be working with Blades. There is no mistake now."

Blades, the washed up so called protectors of Septim line? Huh, don't make him laugh!

"Madame, I am terribly sorry. I took the bait. Someone from the inside must have helped him."

Her eyes flashed dangerously. "I'll have all personnel be sent to Rulindil for questioning. But that doesn't matter – we all fell for that trick, Commander. Now, let's go back and pretend nothing serious happened. I need this night to go smoothly. Are we clear?" The last words sounded like a threat. Ondolemar swallowed down, dryly. "Yes, Madame."

She acknowledged his words, walking back to the ball. Ondolemar traipsed behind her, hell bent on finding him. "Madame, I'll find him. I have spare resources..."

"Then do it. You are free to leave and return to Markarth if you want, I'll handle it here."

"I'm going. The sooner the better. I won't stand for being taken for a fool by some dunmer!"

She glanced behind her, smirking. "Keep that fire, Commander. When you find our little dunmer, you handle him. I believe you want some answers before you leave."

"A name, for instance. He probably used an alias, but it's a better lead that none."

She nodded. "He introduced himself as Ledni Frolg and I doubt that's even a name by dunmer standards. Either way, find him and use any measures necessary to find out why he took the dossiers and to whom. I am counting on you, Commander."

Jaw clenched in anger at his own stupidity, he didn't retort. The Ambassador watched him. "Take the back door, there is a horse ready."

Grateful, Ondolemar thanked her and was on his way, taking shortcuts now and then through the courtyard and empty gardens covered in snow.

He reached the small un - conspicuous building on far end – his way out without the prying eyes of likes like Ancano. The horse was there, just as Elenwen said. The altmer mage swung himself up on the horse, held the bridle firmly and urged the horse to run like there was no tomorrow.

This wasn't over. He'll get to the bottom of this conspiracy and theft of important documents. And find out who the dunmer is and who is he playing for.

TO BE CONTINUED

Author's Notes - I am sticking with my OC Dragonborn dunmer Glorfindel Girethi for all my future Elder Scrolls projects - not that they are read as much as I wished - no matter. I wanted to say I'll be borrowing some storyline aspects from Final Fantasy 8 for this story as I am trying out where it'll lead. We will have to see. get ready to see all guilds cooperating in overthrowing a deadly plot! See you in next chapter, ladies and gents! n_n