Arminius and the other two Legionnaires had made it to Solitude about a couple of days later. They dismounted and entered through the main gates on foot. Walking past the thriving community, they could hear chatter coming from one person to another.
"It's the Dragonborn!" "The Dragonborn is here!" he could hear them whisper. Ignoring the attention, he followed closely behind the two Legionnaires who were leading him to the Castle Dour. When they arrived, the two stepped aside and gave a chest salute.
"General Tullius is in the war room, sir," the Tribune stated.
"Thank you, soldier," Arminius said, and paced off. Making his way through the training yard, he would occasionally receive chest salutes and "Legate!" from Legionnaires who recognized his rank. He would make a quick nod to them and walk off at the same pace.
Eventually he reached the door to the war room, where the two guards standing on each end saluted him as well. He walked through, and met General Tullius on the other side. He walked up to him and saluted, "General Tullius."
Tullius acknowledged him, "At ease, Legate."
Arminius noticed Legate Rikke in the room, along with a new face he doesn't remember seeing before.
"Arminius, I have some news that may either please you or shock you, depending on your perception of the situation," Tullius stated, making way for the Breton in the fancy clothing to approach. "If I may, I would like to introduce you to Councilor Amaund Motierre."
Councilor?
Motierre approached Arminius and extended his hand for a greeting.
"Well, if it isn't the Dragonborn himself!" Motierre said enthusiastically. Arminius took his hand in a shake, but still held a questioning look on his face. "I've read up on your involvement in the Skyrim civil war, and I must ask; was it you that was holding the front gate at the Siege of Whiterun?"
"Yes, it was," Arminius replied simply.
"And if my history is correct, you also were the one who led the landing at the Battle of the Cold Harbor?"
"Yes, I did," Arminius replied again.
"Oh, excuse me, where are my manners?" Amaund said. "Fortunately, no introduction for you is necessary; I already know who you are and what you did. Saving Nirn from the dragons is something that can never be forgotten through history, and provides a great trait for the role that you would be assuming later on."
Arminius raised an eyebrow.
"Oh, excuse me again," Amaund said, almost like a snob. "I like to talk in a way that keeps people anticipating what's to come."
"Sir?" Arminius said, hoping that the Breton councilor would get to the point.
"Yes, of course," Amaund acknowledged. "Legate Constantine, I have travelled here from the Imperial City to offer you a chance that only few have been given. As you may know, the Emperor has recently been assassinated, leaving the throne empty. Now the Elder Council has discussed the issue on who is to replace it, and we have considered some interesting candidates. But you, however, stand out far beyond any other."
Arminius was confused, and looked around at Tullius and Rikke, seeing if they understood.
"What are you saying, Councilor?"
"I'm saying that you are the one that this Empire needs. You are a well-known Legate, a hero of Tamriel, and one with the dragonblood. I could say that you hold every trait that Tiber Septim and his heirs were."
Arminius understood now.
"To put it simply; you are more than eligible to assume the role as Emperor of Tamriel. Will you accept the opportunity and help bring balance to this Empire?" Amaund Motierre said, glorifying his words. Arminius stepped back in shock, with his hands in the air.
"I…I don't know what to say…" Arminius stuttered.
"Then maybe I can convince you," came a heavily accented Nord voice behind him. They all turned to see the blonde haired Nord standing in the doorway, with a crown on his head.
"High King Balgruuf!" Tullius exclaimed, him and Rikke both bowing and saluting.
"Balgruuf!" Arminius said happily. "It's been a long time."
"It has, friend," Balgruuf said with a smile on his face. He put his hands on Arminius' shoulder plates. "But what the councilor here is saying is correct. You are the Dragonborn, and the last great Emperors were Dragonborn as well. The return of the Dragonblood lineage to the throne would be the key to rebuilding this Empire. You are also the hero that has saved Nirn from the Dragons; and a hero coming into power will serve as the inspiration that the people need to be strong and united once more. And you being the Emperor…you have been in the shoes of the common citizen, and you understand more than anyone else the problems we are faced with."
Arminius looked down, and pondered for the moment, realizing that Balgruuf was correct.
"I implore you to consider it, Arminius; for the people," Balgruuf said.
"I second that," Tullius added.
"I agree as well," Rikke also added. Arminius felt the overwhelming support from his colleagues, and decided to make the decision.
"I'll consider it," Arminius answered. "I…just need some time…to take it all in of course."
"Take the time you need, but please consider that we are in a hurry," Amaund said. "The Empire is still vulnerable, and the more time wasted, the more likely a Civil War will break out."
Tullius said that he, Rikke, and Motierre, along with an emissary convoy would meet him in Falkreath which is where he is to give them his final consent to take him to the Imperial City. In the meantime, Arminius needed to speak with some people.
He had retreated from Solitude, and found himself in the mountainous, snowy and secluded region of Northern Skyrim. He dismounted his horse, and walked into an open field, looking up in the sky.
"OD AH VIING!" He shouted, an aura of energy coming from his mouth and thrown into the sky. He waited, and for the short time all he heard was the wind. Eventually, a dragon's howl came from the sky, and the silhouette of a dragon came flying down. Coming into view, its features held red scales, and curved horns on its head.
The dragon swooped down and land on the field next to Arminius, making the ground shake.
"Dovahkiin," the dragon said, in its low rasp monstrous dragon voice. "I sense that I'm not here to assist in battle."
"No you're not," Arminius said sternly. "I need your input on an issue of mine."
"A joor needs a drahlun from a dovah? Speak of it then," The Dragon insisted.
"Odahviing, I was told by a councilor today that I was being chosen as the new Emperor for the Empire of Tamriel, what should I do?"
"Hmm…most impressive, Dovahkiin," Odahviing said. "Paarthurnax always spoke of you to accomplish many great things."
"I know he did," Arminius said.
"Whatever you choose to be, Dovahkiin, I am at your command," Odahviing said. "Wherever you would be, I am never too far."
"You're right," Arminius said, smiling.
"Hmm…perhaps you would wish to speak to Paarthurnax," the dragon put. "He could give you the 'input' you are looking for."
"Yes, I would like that," Arminius replied. "Please take me to him."
Odahviing lowered his head and his long neck, providing for Arminius to be able to climb on top of him. Once he was mounted, they were off to the throat of the world.
Back at the manor, Marcurio and Esbern, along with Erik and Delphine, had met up with the rest of the old team like it was a reunion. They had all gathered in the dining room area, where they were all discussing the current situation. Delphine was keeping watch of the front door while listening in on their conversation, and Esbern being old, passed out on the couch. Hadvar was pacing back and forth across the room, with his hand on his chin.
"So from what Marcurio told us," he started. "We know for sure now that the Thalmor are coming after us." Erik, who was sitting up against the wall closely next to Mjoll, spoke up.
"What did we do to have them come after us?" He asked. Marcurio, who was sitting in one of the chairs, piped in.
"Does it really matter at this point what we did?" He snapped. "All that matters is that we need to stick together and stay alive."
"He's right," Jenassa said. "We can't waste any more time on why, we just need to secure the perimeter of this home and make sure that the Thalmor doesn't find us here." Erik was thinking on one of his long thought out, but stupid plans.
"What if we ignore all the other Thalmor, and we kill their leader, Elenwen?" Erik insisted.
"So we can give the Thalmor another reason to kill us?" Marcurio said. "Besides, that insane High-Elf is damn near untouchable, it would be foolish to try and get to her." Erik then felt a hand on his bare arm.
"Erik, don't get too ahead of yourself, it can cost you a lot," Mjoll said.
"But we need to do something!" he complained. "We can't just sit here and wait for them, while they are out there possibly terrorizing our families." This struck Hadvar, knowing that he has his Uncle, Aunt, and cousin in Riverwood.
"Calm down," Hadvar reassured him. "We're going to wait for Arminius to come home, and then we can settle things." Erik stood straight, and pointed at him.
"What about you family in Riverwood, Hadvar? Don't you think they are in danger?" Erik said. Hadvar stayed silent, only glaring at him.
"No," Delphine said from the front door. "The Thalmor may be ruthless, but even they don't do what's unnecessary. They're specific, so they are restricted from causing havoc among random citizens."
"But what about those they have arrested under only 'suspicion'?" Erik questioned. "They can surely do that to our families. Not unless we go out there and make a stand."
"Dammit, Erik!" Marcurio yelled. "You Nords don't know anything about thinking things through! It's almost always about 'Honor', and throwing yourselves headlong at the enemy! That's the biggest reason the Stormcloaks lost the Civil War; they were all so focused on their honor, and fairness that they forgot about the strategy. For the Divine's sake, haven't you ever heard of living to fight another day?" Mjoll and Erik gave a look that showed they took offense at the Imperial's bitter words about Nords. At the end of his rant, Jenassa slammed her fists down onto the table.
"ENOUGH!" She yelled, angrily. "We can sit here and argue about what we could do and turn on each other, or we could do what we should do and that's to STAY ALIVE!" The four in the room listening to her, remained silent with a look of shock on their faces. "Now we are going to wait until my husband, our leader, returns here. Then HE will make the decision on what to do with ourselves. Do I make myself clear?"
The room remained silent, every one of them looking down in regret that they were so bitter to each other. Jenassa took that silence as an agreement, and sat back down with a cold expression, obviously upset about the conversation.
So for me, this kind of felt like a lazy chapter. Oh well, I have to keep it at the top, right?
R&R.