Heavenly judgment and plan baked to perfection
So far, nothing has gone our way. Let's summarize what has transpired so far. Shit happened and we got delayed by Ulfric's fucking men in Windhelm, then we learned the name of our enemy and then it went off the charts when we learned that the Heart of Lorkhan may or may not be still active and very much existing. Now, back to reality, two days have passed and I pondered about the Heart more than I should have, considering my agreement with the ex – Thalmor. I saved the world once and I have the Hammers of Justice going after my ass ( plus Ondolemar's). The Heart can rot in Red Mountain. We won't tell anyone of the supposed discovery.
I was a humid afternoon and Cir came by and opened the windows so I get some fresh air. I was preoccupied with writing my journal. I had nothing else to do as Viran and Cir did all the housework and I was bored to the bones. I was sitting on the bed when someone knocked and I lifted up head from writing. "Come in." I knew it was Ondolemar before he entered. The stern knocking gave him away every time. I patted the bed and he sat down. My heart still raced when he was near me, but I was getting used to his closeness and grumpiness. "I am bored." He exclaimed and I put the feather back in inkwell, closing up my journal. "Let's go and see if they're back. Odahviing should be back with Gelebor by now." I said, getting up and reaching for Auriel's Bow and quiver of Sunhallowed arrows. At least Gelebor will make me some more. I am sure I had some elven arrows stashed somewhere... hm. Viran has them probably. I'll ask him later. We had a hunter's trail to walk upon.
XxXXxx
In the middle of walking to the spot, it started raining. "Can you do something about it?"
I grimaced. And here I though he disliked my Thu'um abilities. "Sure." A glance at the sky and intake of air. "Lok Vah Koor!" It stopped raining and sun came out. I grinned at the Altmer as we continued on the way. We reached the place and Ondolemar grabbed my arm suddenly. "Wait. Before you summon the dragon, I have something to say."
I was taken back by this. I kinda knew what our talk would will be about. "You don't want anyone to know about the Heart." I said and he nodded shortly. "Yes. It has to stay between us. If what you said is true and it's so potent, it's best we don't tell others."
I see. I trust Gelebor and my other winged friends, but this was between us two. Even good intentions can lead to misfortune. The Tribunal was a sound example. "It stays between us, Ondolemar. It's a promise."
He cracked an almost - smile and I made three more steps. I wonder if Odahviing has been waiting for me to summon him. "Od Ah Viing!" I shouted and we waited patiently. A minute has passed before we saw the encroaching shadow in the sky, getting closer. It was the snowy dragon. I made out a rider on its back, just barely. Ah, it must be the Knight - Paladin Gelebor.
Odahviing was circling, descending slowly. He landed near us. "I am back as you requested, Dovahkiin."
"Thank you. You've earned a rest. I'll call upon you later. You can stay in Morrowind, so I have you close by, but somewhere remote, if you please. The locals don't like dragons, just like Nords."
The snowy hunter dragon scoffed – more like roared in annoyance. "So I shall. If you have need, call and I shall come."
The Knight - Paladin Gelebor gracefully jumped from Odahviing's back and the dragon flew off, to the direction of south. He had a earnest smile on his face. He approached us and he held out a hand. I laughed and hugged him, catching him off guard. "I am glad you agreed to come, Gelebor."
I let go and he looked around, the scenery was very different from Forbidden Valley. "It's … a change. But you dealt with Vyrthur for me and it's time I repaid my debt, friend. If I may, where is the vampire girl... Serana was her name?"
I blinked. "She's at Fort Dawnguard, in safety. Or she was the last I knew. Why are you asking?"
Gelebor shook head. "I was just curious and I wanted to apologize for getting her involved in Vyrthur's twisted revenge. Also, I expected her to be here with you."
"Nah, no. She has suffered enough. Also, I have my own, big problem now and I've gotten another involved." The two elves glanced at each other curiously. "Gelebor, this is Ondolemar. He was with Thalmor, the ones going after me. Odahviing, the dragon filled you in, didn't he?"
Gelebor nodded and shook hands with ex – Thalmor. "Yes, I know. The dragon told me quite a deal about how you saved Tamriel, friend. The last time we met, you didn't tell me who you are and when the dragon showed up on the balcony, I was scared. Then, it spoke and told me everything and that you requested my presence at once. It was a shock at first, but I understand now. I gather you have a plan, Glorfindel. What's it entail and what's my part in it?"
Ondolemar looked around and his ears twitched slightly. "I don't want to alert you, but we've got company."
I grabbed the bow, setting an arrow in the bowstring and aiming. Ondolemar's palms flared up with destruction magic and Gelebor readied his sword. A familiar voice called out, distressed. I knew that voice! Viran was running towards us, his pupils larger than usual, his expression was seeded with fear. "Fin! They...They have taken Cir! I couldn't do anything!"
He clutched at my clothes desperately. "Who took Cir? When? Where?!"
"A dozen of Bosmers and Khajiits! It all happened so fast. I was inside the house and Cir was tending to her plants when they attacked. They took her as hostage and each time I tried to take her back, they threatened to use Cir as body shield. I couldn't hurt her, Fin! They told they'll wait for a ransom of twenty thousand gold pieces until the break of day. They will release if I bring them the money to the place they said they'll be waiting. If I try anything "funny" they'll kill Cir. I had no choice but to watch as Cir was taken by those brutes."
This was getting out of proportion. Thalmor won't give up, it seems. "Viran. Tell me where they are."
"Near the border of Skyrim. "
"Then, it's settled. Viran, I want you to go home and wait." As I suspected, he didn't like the prospect of the idea. "No! Cir is my wife! I have to save her!"
"And I am her brother. And I am the one the bastards want. You know I don't want to get you involved in this fight."
"It's too late, Fin. I got involved the moment those bastards kidnapped Cir."
I exchanged looks with Ondolemar and Gelebor. Viran eyed the Snow Elf and it came to me. "Sorry for the short introduction – this is Viran, my brother – in law. Viran, this is Knight – Paladin Gelebor, a friend from Skyrim."
They shook hands and I briefly exhaled. Just don't panic. Cir is a tough girl. "I don't think you should come, Viran. They are with the Thalmor." They clearly knew where to find me and I was told by one of their people that my whereabouts were unknown... but Estormo was under the compulsive truth potion's obedience. That means some units, like the bosmers and khajiits we killed two days ago know of me. And Hammers have no idea I am here, since we killed Estormo. But how do the agents know? Maybe there are more groups here, searching for the Heart of Lorkhan and we killed their comrades and now they want revenge. After all, Khajiits can smell presences of others, so it's not a surprise they tracked me down. And they got Cir now and they think we'll fall into their trap. Little do they know... I glanced at the sky. I'll do this myself. "They want me? They'll get me. Viran, Ondolemar and Gelebor. I want you to go to the house and stay inside. It'll be dangerous."
"Are you crazy? You want to take them on alone?" Ondolemar uttered in disbelief and Gelebor shortly nodded. "I'll differ to your decision, friend. This clearly wasn't the time for the plan. I'll talk with you after you save your sister." Without further words Viran and Ondolemar ran, leading the way to our house and I turned my attention to the border. Gelebor caught up with them and they soon vanished from my field of vision.
They'll regret picking a fight with me. I'll go faster through air than on land. Every second was precious. Who knows what the Thalmor scums are up to... "Od Ah Viing!"
I summoned the snowy hunter dragon again and he came almost immediately. "I am sorry for calling you so soon, but I'll need your wings. And Thu'um."
Odahviing made a disgruntled noise I emphasized as a chuckle and I hopped on his back, minding his scales. "Fly towards the border with Skyrim. I hear some idiots want to have a bad weather time." We flew to that direction and I hoped I wasn't too late.
Airborne, I explained the plan to dragon and he eagerly agreed. We'll do a double Shout and Cir will hide under Odahviing's belly. She'll be safe and we'll dispose of the idiots in an unconventional way. And I won't get my hands dirty with their kind.
The Thalmor agents were setting up a camp and Cir was nowhere to be found. "Can you see a dark elf woman somewhere?" I asked the dragon as it was more likely to spot her than me. Odahviing's sharp gaze bore into a mushroom to the east of camp. " A woman is bound to a gigantic mushroom. I presume that's the woman we came to rescue."
I had to focus my vision, and it was really Cir. A stone fell off my chest. She's fine. Thank you, Azura. "Are you ready, Odahviing?" I said slyly. Cir is safe underneath the mushroom, the thunder bolts won't strike her. The snowy hunter dragon's voice rumbled. "Ready, Dovahkiin."
"On three, then."
We flew over them and the Bosmers fired some ebony arrows our way, but Odahviing was very swift. The Khajiits were casting lighting spells at him. Foolish. We'll give them a taste of true lightning. "Three."
"Two."
I smirked devilishly and I could swear the dragon was sharing my intentions and looking forward to the lighting show. "One. Strun Bah Qo!" We said in unison and the skies crackled and boomed as our Voices became one and the weather changed drastically, the skies rigged with black clouds and bolts. "Have fun, you bastards!" I screamed at the distressed and freaked out agents of Thalmor. Each soon met an end at the strike of heavenly judgment. When they were dead, Odahviing landed and I got off, running towards Cir who screamed her lungs out out of fear. I saw the tears in her eyes. "Fin! You came and saved me!" I severed the ropes binding her with a dagger and she hugged me. "I was so scared!" She sobbed and I patted her back. "You... did this? Is that a... d...dra..." She stuttered upon seeing Odahviing. "He's a friendly dragon. He won't eat you, don't worry. And yes, it was me... I'll calm it down." She let go and wiped her tears.
"Lok Vah Koor!" The skies cleared and the lighting bolts stopped, the clouds became their normal color and sun went out. She was amazed. "Wow. Fin. We could soooo use this for growing produce much faster."
I chuckled. "Well, there's one use of that. Come, we're going home. Viran is all beside himself with fear."
Cir really, really reluctantly let me get her on top of Odahviing's back. The dragon disapproved, too. "Dovahkiin."
"I know, I know. After this, I won't summon you for a while. A pinky promise!"
The snowy hunter snorted as he took off, carrying us back to the Girethi house. On the way, I asked for the Girethi heirloom and Cir gave it back to me without questions. It's time I set the plan in full motion.
XxXXxx
Cir was reunited with crying Viran in the entry hall. He hugged her and examined her face for injuries, if she had any. "By the Divines! I am so happy you're safe!"
I can't let this repeat. Kidnapping friends was a serious offense, but going after my family... not letting this one go. My two companions were waiting for me, each with a small smile/frown. It's time to put end to Hammers of Justice. I was certain they were after the Heart and us. We kill them, we solve two problems at once. "Viran, please take care of Cir. If anyone else decides to visit, just shout and I'll give 'em living hell. This ends now. I won't stand for them kidnapping anyone else."
I went towards my room and the two followed me. We closed the door on the latch. I sat down, giving Gelebor a dead serious look. "This will probably sound strange, but the plan is that you're the switch and I am the bait. It's a an old Dwemer tactic called bait and switch. Look, I want you to write a letter adressed to Winterhold College in Skyrim. The content must be in Falmer language. I trust you know how to write it?"
Gelebor nodded, perplexed. "Yes. I believe I am one of the last who remember how to write it – before the majority became Betrayed. I know the original scripts, but I rarely write. But why in Snow Elf language?"
"Because that's a bait they can't resist. Thalmor want to know everything about the arcane and history of all Mer and seeing as you're one of the last Snow Elves in Skyrim, they won't resist. In the letter will be written that you know me and that I killed your brother just for fun. They know all my friends, but we have an advantage – they don't know you or the whole story why Vyrthur was killed. Now back to the plan - you seek revenge for your brother's death and will gladly hand me over to them. The meeting place is Labyrinthian, near the ruins of Tribune. As proof of your claims, you'll send the letter with this." The Girethi family ring was taken from its chain and given to Knight – Paladin Gelebor. "It's special. It only glows on finger of one of Girethi blood. They know my name and thus it will be believable. You will claim I gave it to you for safekeeping as I have gone into hiding. The letter will graze their ranks and we'll get the attention of Absolon – my mortal enemy and his loyal lackeys. So... I know it's dumb, but I am not good with strategies. If you've got better, I am open to suggestions."
Ondolemar shook head vehemently. "That's the craziest idea I've heard from you."
"So it won't work?" I asked. "Actually, it might. It's crazy, but that's why it will work. Alright. I am in if Gelebor here is in, too."
The Snow Elf's lips moved quietly without a sound before he dropped a dead serious look at us, clenching the ring in his palm. "As I said, I am with you, Glorfindel. I have waited for a long time for someone like you, who would stop my brother. And you did as I asked. So now, I will do as you ask. Do you have something with what I can write? You'll tell me word by word what should be written in that letter." Gelebor offered and I picked the inkwell with feather inside. A roll of paper was on the nightstand table.
Gelebor sat down by the writing table and I stood by him. Ondolemar sat on the bed, unmoving. "Here goes- I am writing to whoever wants justice as I seek justice..." I continued and made pauses so that he can catch up. It went on until his letter was finished. He signed it with Vyrthur's name, the last clever trick that stroke my mind. Then, Gelebor read the letter to me twice and we – me and ex – Thalmor approved of it. An envelope was on the table. He put the paper inside alongside with the ring and I handed him the wax and it was sealed. "It's done. But who will deliver it?"
I grinned. "I have... contacts. You remember the Thalmor party, Ondolemar? My first contact is Bosmer who hates Thalmor with every fiber of his being. I helped him escape to Morrowind and he lives not far from here. He will deliver it to Raven Rock, in Solstheim. I know he won't say no, seeing he is going to move there gradually, but that's another story. As next, a friend with very helpful contacts will send it along to the College of Winterhold, to a certain orc in the finest library in Skyrim, Arcanaeum. He'll decipher the letter and we know that Absolon is there – it's perfect. We'll go to Skyrim under a week – maybe four days. We won't be going on foot, so be prepared for more dragon – riding."
Ondolemar's groan from the bed came to us. I held back the urge to grin at his misery. I remembered that he dislikes heights at best. At worst, he's scared of heights. I wager it's the latter. "It'll be fine. I'll ride with you. I hope you are not scared of heights, Gelebor?"
"I am not afraid of heights!" The mage snarled at me, embarrassed that I found out his weakness.
The snow elf smiled. "You do remember I live on temple balcony?"
I chuckled. "Right. You're not one to get easily scared."
"As I said, I am not afraid! I just don't like the prospect of not having solid ground under my feet." He muttered, but he didn't convince me. Right, so last time he held on so tightly just so, then. " This is a done deal. I'll go and send it immediately. Gelebor, I'll show you to your room. While you're staying here, I want you to feel at home."
We left my room and walked outside, down the hall and I took him to another unused guest room. "This is it. It's not much, but I hope it'll be accommodating enough."
Gelebor appreciated my hospitality. "It's more than fine, friend. While you're gone, I'll guard the house in case more kidnappers come."
Ondolemar joined in. "I'll be on guard, too. They attack, they die. Simple as that." His eyes glistened with determination. I was glad they were here. I didn't trust to leave Viran and Cir alone after what happened. It's good to know they are safe with ex – Thalmor and Knight – Paladin safeguarding them.
I opted to pick a weapon – Mace of Molag Bal was my companion in many fights. If it came to one on the road, (though I doubt it) I'll dispatch them. I bid them a curt goodbye and ran outside with the sealed letter in my grasp.
With this, Absolon's and Hammers of Justice fate is sealed.
