Just an quick tid bit, this story takes place a couple years after the main questline, though there are some other quest lines - such as the Civil War quest line - which haven't been 'completed.' This is why Rabdom mentions the opposing sides as if they were still at war.
"Wow, look at this view! I can see the docks from here!"
Rabdom was half leaning over the bridge going into Windhelm; how he could see past the walls of the city, Dolniir didn't know how. He was sure he didn't want to know. Rabdom happily hoisted himself onto the wall just as the Nord went to scorn him, and began walking on it with his arms stretched out on either side of him. A few passing guards paused and watched the elf curiously; surely they were making faces at the elf from under their masks. At the gate, one of the guards seemed hesitant to let the duo in – Rabdom jumping off of the wall made it look like he had appeared out of nowhere – however decided better of it.
As Dolniir passed, the other guard muttered, "Keep an eye on that elf, hm?" Dolniir nodded, though not fully paying attention to the man. Rabdom seemed unaware that anything was actually said.
The inside of Windhelm was as it had always been – dark and dreary looking. At least, that was how Rabdom seemed to be taking it. Once they entered, the Dark Elf made a sound and scuttled closer to the Nord, as if looking for protection. Dolniir again tried to ignore him. At least he was smart enough to not go wandering off.
Fires lit alongside the early afternoon sky, which was quite redundant. Beggars and rich folk alike wandered the streets almost aimlessly. One beggar in particular was brave enough to approach them. Dolniir was about ready to shoo the woman off when Rabdom, speaking quickly and in an almost low voice, reached into his satchel and pulled out a couple items. Dropping them into the woman's hand, Rabdom nodded, smiling ear to ear. The woman seemed astonished, continually thanking the elf as they walked away.
"Did you really have to give her those gems?" Dolniir asked when they were out of earshot. "You could have probably sold them and bought yourself a good two dozen arrows." Rabdom shrugged.
"I can always get more if I really want to," he assured. Those words left Dolniir a bit uneasy, but he let them pass.
The Palace of the Kings seemed quite daunting for first time visitors. Rabdom had actually stopped in his tracks when they first began to approach it, and gave a questioning sound. Probably gawking at it, no less. Dolniir simply hurried him on, and after a moment the Elf followed. Three guards were standing near the door; two that were – assumingly – on duty and one standing at the fire near the entrance. The third looked up as they approached, helmet under his arm, and instantly gave a twisted expression. Whether it was of confusion or disgust, Dolniir couldn't tell.
"Good day," Dolniir greeted as he passed. The man gave a nod in return, though he seemed to be watching Rabdom carefully.
"Hi!" Rabdom squeaked, waving enthusiastically. Instantly the guards jumped.
The one by the fire instantly looked startled at the sound of Rabdom's voice. Dolniir couldn't blame him. Once inside, Dolniir stopped Rabdom before they could go any further. Rabdom squeaked.
"Listen carefully," Dolniir said under his breath, leaning over so the elf could better hear him. "We're meeting with Ulfric, and I want you to stay quiet, alright? Don't touch anything, don't look at anyone, and especially don't go wandering off. You hear me?"
"But -!" Rabdom started. Dolniir instantly glared. It took a long moment of Rabdom pouting before the elf finally nodded. "Okay," he said sadly, and bowed his head. With a sigh, Dolniir started forward. Rab followed rather closely behind.
A few various people were sitting at the long table in the middle of the room. A few had looked up when they had entered, and one of them – a Nordic looking man – kept his eyes trained on the two as they passed. Rabdom instantly seemed uneasy, trying to inconspicuously get on the other side of Dolniir and as far away from the man as possible. Dolniir hoped that the man was smart enough not to try anything. He didn't feel like getting into trouble yet.
Whether it be luck or coincidence, Ulfric sat on his high throne, relaxed as he spoke to his advisor – that's who Rabdom assumed it was – in a hushed tone. The advisor, who looked to be speaking urgently about something, looked up instinctively as the duo approached. He said something quickly to Ulfric and instantly straightened from his leaned over position, looking the two over with some sort of distain. Ulfric turned his head as well, lifting it from the resting position on his hand. He looked to Dolniir and then to Rabdom – a flash of confusion danced across his face at the sight of the elf, however after a moment, a slight smirk spread across his face.
"Jarl Ulrfic," Dolniir greeted, and gave a slight bow to the Stormcloak leader.
Rabdom, who stood cautiously behind Dolniir and looking as if Ulfric would jump up and strike him at any moment, attempted to mimic the Nord. The best Ulfric received was some kind of awkward head bow. The Jarl's advisor didn't seem too amused.
"To who and what do I owe this visit?" Ulfric asked. The way he spoke and sat made Rabdom believe that he was quite bored.
He couldn't blame him; he would hate to be cooped up all day in a gloomy palace like this, making war plans and trying to make the country better. Or, you know, overtake the country and make yourself High King. It was much more fun to be neutral; that way he could off either side without much worry. Well, except for his friend Del; he was a legate for the Imperials, and he was sure there were plenty of people who liked to see him dead. But he wouldn't do that to one of his friends. That would be a terrible thing to do! He was sure that the Argonian would come back to haunt him if he did something like that to him anyhow.
"I am Dolniir Denuros, and I bring news from the Mage's College," Dolniir replied. "Findings from a few of the old structures that still lie around Skyrim that the few of the other mages thought you should see."
Instantly, the man reached into his own satchel and pulled out a leather book. It looked quite old, Rabdom noted, and he was half tempted to snag it from the Jarl when no one was looking. But that would probably upset Dolniir, and he didn't want to see Dolniir upset.
Dolniir seemed quite ready to walk the journal to the Jarl, just as the Jarl's advisor seemed ready to meet the man half way, when Ulfric stood, without question, and met the Nord himself. Rabdom lowered his head ever so slightly and seemed to shy away as the Stormcloak leader approached. Something flashed in Dolniir's eyes as he glanced back to him.
"Interesting," Ulfric mumbled as he opened the journal and began to read. Rabdom shifted from one foot to the other, trying his best not to think of ways that he could sneak into the palace later and steal that book back, even for a little while.
"I haven't been able to look through it all myself," Dolniir said, "but I've found some pretty interesting things in there. You might think about sending some of your men to these locations to scrounge around." Ulfric hummed at the idea.
Finally, after a long bout of reading, the Nord close the book and said, "I haven't the time to read it all at the moment, but it seems highly intriguing." There was a pause, and instantly his eyes fell onto Rabdom, who had stood motionless all the while. "Might I ask why you brought this Dunmer into my hall?" A flash of some almost unreadable emotion – fear, perhaps? – went through Dolniir's eyes. If there was anything else in there, then he was surely good at showing it.
"A companion of mine," Dolniir explained. "He's been traveling with me to Winterhold, and I found it unfit to leave him unattended outside." Rabdom almost felt offended. Ulfric raised an eyebrow in question, however didn't voice his opinion.
Instead, he asked, "Haven't I seen you before?" It took a moment for Rabdom to realize that he was talking to him.
"I don't think so," squeaked the Dunmer. It was lying if it was only half the truth, right?
The Jarl's advisor seemed startled; the man jumping slightly as the elf spoke. Someone behind him choked on their drink. Ulfric, however, seemed quite unfazed. He simply looked the elf over, expression showing that he was fully doubting what the elf was telling him. It took him a moment to nod and seem at least a little sated with that answer.
"Well," said the Jarl as he returned his gaze to Dolniir, "I thank you for your assistance. I'll make sure to send word to the College if I find any more interesting news." Dolniir seemed pleased at that prospect.
Rabdom was getting jumpy. He could feel eyes boring angrily into his back. Although he enjoyed Windhelm – the stories of murder and children going insane intrigued him – there were sure a lot of people who wanted him dead here. They barely even knew him, for Sheogorath's sake! Not to mention, he felt bad for the other Dark Elves that lived here. They were treated so poorly. Maybe that was why he tended to keep from here unless nessicary?
Seeming to read off of his anxiety, Dolniir said, "I would enjoy staying longer, but my… companion and I must be off. It is a long journey from here to Winterhold, not to mention a cold one." Ulfric gave a short laugh and a nod.
"I wish you save travels then, brother," said Ulfric as he headed back to his throne.
Dolniir nodded and turned, and Rabdom had half a mind to dart out before him. The man who had been staring at him earlier made him think otherwise.
"Do we really have to leave now?" Rabdom whined once they were out of the large double doors. There was a definite nip in the air now. Strange, and the sun was just getting higher, too.
Dolniir gave Rabdom an amused look. "We've barely gotten an ounce of sleep, Rab," said the man. "I was thinking we'd stay at the inn 'til morning. Maybe have a few drinks?"
"Ooo, ooo, can I go looking around?" Rabdom asked excitedly. "I have a friend I want to say hello to, and I need more arrows, too!" Dolniir sighed.
"I suppose we do need supplies," Dolniir muttered to himself. After a long bout of thinking, the man said, "Fine. But don't go getting yourself into any trouble."
"Oh, I won't!" Rabdom assured.
Without so much as a goodbye, Rabdom dashed from their original path and towards the lower parts of Valunstrad. Dolniir hummed to himself; now what could the elf be up to going there?