'It has been a while, Dragonborn.'
There was a great, subdued affection in High Queen Elisif's voice as she addressed Nysteris; I stood aside respectfully and watched on as she kneeled at Elisif's feet before the throne.
Even though her face was concealed beneath the nightingale hood, I could see the gentle benevolence in Nysteris as she bowed her head slowly, becoming still.
'Please, let me see your face.'
She slowly moved her white fingers up to her mask and began to remove the hood; her black hair fell about her shoulders as she pulled it free, raising her face toward the Queen with a small, soft smile on her face as her pale skin glowed in the sconce light.
Elisif slowly reached out to touch her cheek, sighing gently as she made contact with her skin.
'Still so lovely. You really never change, do you, Nysteris?'
The look of affection on their faces made it a touching and tender moment; I had rarely seen Nysteris show such fond respect for anybody.
'I was barely a young woman when we met. But look at me; this grey hair and wrinkled skin. I am a feeble old woman now.'
'I still see that nervous young lady at her coronation in the Blue Palace all those years ago. You have ruled wisely and strongly ever since that day. You are still beautiful to me, my Queen.'
The expression on the old woman's face was as if she were be holding a long-lost daughter; someone very dear to her.
I knew that Nysteris had strived to protect Elisif from the threat of the uprising during the war all those decades ago, while she had still been a vampire. It would seem that the two of them had formed a strong bond during that time; almost as if Nysteris had acted as her personal guardian.
I couldn't help but smile.
It was always bittersweet to behold the bonds of friendship between man and Mer; how time ravaged one while leaving the other behind.
The lives of men burned brightly like a blinding light, only to fade away so soon. It was strange to think that Elisif's entire lifetime, from birth to her death as an old woman, would be finished during only a fraction of my own.
I remembered when Marcurio had died in his seventy-ninth year, with his Breton wife and his children at his bedside in Lakeview Manor as he had peacefully passed away.
The words that my grandmother had spoken to me when I was a boy in Blacklight came to my mind again:
'Heavy is the burden of a Mer who gives their heart to a Man, for they will watch him wither away and die long before their loving is done.'
'This one is your husband? I never thought I would live to see the day.'
She smiled at me warmly, happiness glowing in her pale eyes. I bowed respectfully, returning her warmth with a kind smile of my own.
'It is an honour, my queen.'
'My, he is a handsome one.'
'Nysteris smirked, still bowing on one knee. 'Thank you, my queen.'
'Rise.'
Nysteris stood up straight, the benevolent smile still upon her face.
'What brings you here after all these years?'
'I have problems of my own to address now, my queen.' Her face became somber. 'The unrest in Skyrim threatens my interests.'
'As it does to us all.' Elisif sighed heavily. 'The Thalmor continue to bear down on us as they grow in strength and The Empire weakens.'
'The Empire has weakened?'
Nysteris already knew that it was true. The statement was an invitation for Queen Elisif to elaborate.
I had noticed that despite her affection for the High Queen, Nysteris had not mentioned that she was now a queen herself.
It was, perhaps, a wise omission.
The Snow Elves were not yet numerous enough to place their pawn on the board in the cutthroat politics of Tamriel. Their offer of allegiance to House Redoran had been borne of Nysteris' need to secure my honourable release from service; nothing else.
'Indeed.' Elisif's tone became sad as she spoke. 'My subjects have always been reluctant to accept The Empire's rule. After Ulfric Stormcloak's uprising, the seed of dissent has always taken root in their hearts. The Thalmor can sense it and brace for their moment to come and enforce their rule.'
'You must not allow your people to weaken.' Nysteris' voice became a little stronger. 'The Nords are not the only ones to be threatened by The Thalmor's advancement. We will all lose.'
The High Queen turned her troubled face to look at me briefly; I merely smiled softly at her.
'Can we count you among our allies, Dragonborn?'
'As always, my Queen. As I can count you among mine.'
She bowed again, her hair falling over her shoulders and forming a curtain around her face.
'You there.'
I prickled as I recognised the voice ringing out behind me.
Elenwen.
I saw Nysteris stiffen as she straightened herself, not turning her face away from Elisif.
'What is your reason for interrupting the court in this manner?' The High Queen's voice suddenly became sharp and authoritative. Her seasoned strength was showing.
'My most sincere apologies, your highness. I do not mean to offend. We have been looking for your... Friend here for some time now. She is difficult to find.' Elenwen's slightly nasal voice whined through the throne room as she spoke; I turned to look at her, a hard expression of coldness on my face.
'Ambassador.'
'Elenwen.' My voice was a low and hostile growl.
The two hooded justiciars by her sides glared at me as I scowled at their mistress, their hooded Thalmor robes partially obscuring their faces. 'Fancy seeing you here.'
'No need to be so unfriendly, Teldryn Sero. We merely wish to seek an audience with your Queen.'
'Can you not see that I am busy?' Elisif snapped at her. 'This is most inappropriate. Leave here at once.'
'A thousand pardons, your grace. I should have been clearer. We have come seeking Queen Nysteris.'
The look of confusion and surprise on Elisif's face was profound. She quickly passed her wary gaze between Elenwen and Nysteris as her mouth hung slightly ajar.
'Forgive me, my Queen...'
I froze as Nysteris slowly began to turn her head over her shoulder, and I saw her eyes.
They were huge and pale, rimmed with black, the dimly defined pupils as small as pinholes.
A tiny, almost manic smile cracked her face as she pierced Elenwen with her gaze.
I had seen the look on her before; when she had been a vampire.
It was a vicious type of thrill. A desire to do harm.
This was not going to go well.
'...I should accommodate our guests.'
Elenwen's eyes became wide as she met her glare and recognised the face.
'You!' She breathed in shock.
I quickly stepped forward, attempting to prevent a confrontation as a wave of mild panic coursed through me. 'Not here.'
They both acted as if they hadn't heard me; Elenwen's expression one of indignant rage, and Nysteris wearing one of fevered malice.
'Pardon me, my Queen. We must leave you.' I hurriedly bowed to Elisif as I pushed the door open behind me, standing aside to allow them to pass through.
Nobody moved.
The justiciars slowly reached for their weapons, angry snarls upon their faces.
Nysteris continued to ignore me, locked in a stare down with Elenwen, the frenzied, vicious smile widening upon her face.
I had thought Nysteris would be fearful upon encountering Elenwen and her entourage; I was wrong.
It was Elisif who eventually broke the tension, slowly standing up and making her way toward the doors. 'Thank you, son.' She held her head high as she left, and as she passed I could see the twinge of fear in her expression that she had been trying to conceal.
'You were looking for me, Elenwen?'
Nysteris' voice was deceptively calm; it didn't match her expression.
'You can't be the Queen of the Snow Elves. You're the one who slaughtered everybody at my embassy!'
'That was so long ago.' Her evil smile widened. 'Surely you've moved on.'
Elenwen's hand quickly shot out to her side, staying her guards; I gripped the hilt of my sword and quietly dropped into a ready stance.
This could be a disaster. Nysteris killing the Thalmor ambassador in the throne room of the High Queen of Skyrim.
I felt sweat begin to bead on my forehead as Elenwen's voice broke the silence again.
'Suppose that I have... Moved on. All could be forgiven. There are great benefits to forging a mutually beneficial relationship with the Thalmor. And we are interested.'
'In what, exactly? My dragons?'
'You're quite perceptive, your highness.'
'And what benefit would I receive from this?'
'Our unequivocal support for the continued prosperity of your kingdom. And our allegiance. All we require... Is your cooperation.'
'You will receive no such thing from any kingdom I lead,' she hissed. 'The only way you will ever meet my dragons is while they are levelling your armies to the ground like cut grass.'
The justiciars drew their swords immediately as I began to draw mine; I was about to charge in to attack when Elenwen shouted out over the sound of singing metal.
'Stay your weapons!' She roared.
All became silent again as she continued.
A dim glow began to emanate from Nysteris' eyes as she glared at Elenwen viciously, almost goading her on to make the first move.
'We will meet again, Nysteris.'
'I look forward to it.'
I sheathed my sword and exhaled as a sense of relief rolled over me, the heavy doors of the throne room shutting with a dull thud as Elenwen and her justiciars left.
I spoke to Nysteris in a flat, factual tone.
'We need to talk.'
