Thalmor vs Fin's company

The days have gone by and the day with capital D arrived. On the early morrow we bid a farewell to Cir and Viran.

And so I led Ondolemar and Gelebor to the hunter's trail. I didn't like the sky this morning – it showed signs of a approaching ash storm. We should hurry. My companions were fully armed to the teeth – I lent Ondolemar some of my unused weapons yesterday and he accepted them without a word.

Back to the business at hand. "Od Ah Viing!" I shouted and we patiently waited for the snowy hunter to show up with Paarthurnax. Gelebor climbed onto Odahviing without problems and my high elven companion sceptically looked from me to the ancient dragon. "I told you I don't like this..." He started and I cut into his tirade. "Yes, yes, we know. You hate heights. That's why you'll be riding with me. I'll help you get on."

Paarthurnax gave a guttural sound that could be considered a chuckle and Ondolemar gave him a quick glare, but then gave in. "Fine. I see protesting is pointless." The old dragon let me hop on and I swung up my mage partner behind me. He latched on to my waist and I suppressed a tiny cackle. "We are still on the ground..." He let go and then Paarthurnax took off and he grabbed on to me.

Gelebor and Odahviing were far ahead and it best stay that way. After all, he was the bait and we the switch.

Approximately hour and sixteen minutes later, at Labyrithian...

Parathurnax landed by the entrance to Shalidor's maze and Ondolemar seized the opportunity, slipping down to the solid ground and I dismounted more gracefully, Paarthurnax was too conspicuous, so I had him leave. Dragons could be used in battles, but if I had to use a dragon, it would be Durnheviir, since he wouldn't die, technically. We hid close by, the Thalmor could arrive at any time and Gelebor was in place, standing before the ruins of Tribune, as was written in the letter.

The tension in the air could be cut in half and then some more. Before going here, we went over the plan six, no seven times. First stage – the scums approach Gelebor under the false notion he's Vyrthur and he brought me here to sell me out short to them, second stage – to confuse the hell out of them, I use Thu'um, Throw Voice to divert their attention from Gelebor, third phase – Ondolemar joins the little party, effectively freezing them in place with leveled frost spells and Gelebor disarms as many as he can and finally, I enter the stage, casting the Thu'um Cyclone. The cooldown is minute and we'll use it to dispatch as many as we can. I'll brandish my weapons and fight alongside Gelebor in close melee combat while Ondolemar keeps backing us up with frost spells, seeing as slowing them down is our best course of action. Hopefully, there won't be left many standing, since they are only seven. I suspect the persistent bastard Absolon will be still alive along with three or four others. That's when I'll deal the finishing blow, casting the Crystal Prison on them.

I can only hope it goes as we want.

The high elf nudged me in the side. "They're here." He whispered and I snapped back to present, making use of my time as guild master of thief's guild, sneaking to the other side of our battlefield. I went unnoticed. I gave the mage a nod and we waited for the conversation to start. All were dressed in those Thalmor robes, but they had no hoods, like Ancano and Elenwen. I saw the golden hairs of my enemies that glistened on the sunny midday. A tall, even taller than Ondolemar elf stepped forward and I gathered it must be that bastard, Absolon. "So, you're Vyrthur?"

Gelebor turned at the mention of his brother's name and like we discussed beforehand, he nodded. "Yes. And you are the righteous that will be the judges and bring Glorfindel to justice."

Absolon laughed. What's so damn funny? Did he see through our ploy already? He threw something at the snow elf's feet and I caught a glimpse of something small, possibly golden. My... heirloom?

"I believe this belongs to our evasive friend. So, where is he?"

Gelebor picked up the ring and put it on his finger. Well, at least it won't be lost in the aftermath of battle. Cir and mom would have my head. The snow elf shut eyes. "He'll soon be here. Glorfindel will rue the day he crossed my brother and killed him."

Absolon cocked his head. "Oh, is that so? Tell, me "Vyrthur," do you know why we're after him? And do you know he's traveling with a traitor of our kind. Maybe the traitor is following the Mer Dragonborn, because he's like his sister. A deserter. She foolishly fell in love with a Dunmer we captured for investigation. So, they had to be disposed of. As for the traitor's parents... they were far worse. They leaked information to the said Dunmer's parents about the Elder Scroll we had in our possession, foretelling about a traitor in our midst that would liberate the Third Aldmeri Dominion from "tyranny." As you can imagine, the traitor's parents were killed by my men and the Dunmer's parents perished in ash storm on Solstheim, but their son made it out to Windhelm and that's where we captured him. He swore he didn't tell anybody of the Elder Scroll and its knowledge, but we knew that family was trouble. We jumped at the opportunity to hang their daughter and executed the Dunmer. And now, only one remained, but we weren't sure it was him, the one who would end the reign of Hammers of Justice. So, we had him sent to Skyrim and he was monitored the whole time and when he spoke with that Mer Dragonborn, we knew he was the one."

Gelebor listened with blank face, I for one was shocked to hear the truth and Ondolemar's expression was unreadable, his fists shaking with the ice magic that was threatening to soar at Absolon and his men, but he held back and I sighed in relief. But why the hell was he telling this to Gelebor? It seemed like the snow elf read my mind. "And why are you telling me this? I don't know any of your race, I lived in seclusion for centuries."

Absolon drew closer with undoubtedly murderous intentions. My cue arrived sooner than I thought. I took in the air, directing my Thu'um at the far western end. "Zul Mey Gut!" and it translated to: "Hey, skeever butt!"

That caught attention of all Hammers, brandishing their weapons and readying destruction spells. "What was that?!" Tariel said, going after the voice and other five went with her. Absolon stayed where he was and he looked straight at my location. Damn! Has he got eyes on his back, too?

I hid before I have been discovered. My distraction maneuver won't last much longer. The high elven mage on the other side caught my gaze and we both nodded an okay to the next stage.

Ondolemar launched from his hiding spot, sending huge snowstorms at the unsuspecting five members of Hammers.

Absolon finally pieced the pieces together and turned his blade on Gelebor who was already engaging him. The snow elf will keep him busy while I and Ondolemar deal with the six members who didn't know that they're in store of a windy encounter. I joined the fray, running at fast speed to the clearing. Three of them send spells at me ( fire and thunder) and I dodged as best as I could, but it hit me. Uh, this is nothing. I have fared worse when battling Alduin. I also pulled the Mace of Molag Bal from its protective sheathe and clashed steels with a fervent gold haired battle maiden. She gritted teeth. "You are disgrace to all elven kind!" She said, swinging at me furiously and I took a split second to look at other's fights – Ondolemar was preoccupied with five battlemages at once, Gelebor was in a heated dodge and slash dance with Absolon. I sensed I can create and opening and Shout, helping out Ondolemar, he's probably running low on magicka.

"Ven Gaar Nos!" A whirlwind formed up and the force send some flying, the whirlwind absorbing the Hammers into its core and flung them good twelve feet in the sky. They tried casting restorative spells, but it was in naught, they splattered on the snowy ground, gurgling up blood as three of them had broken limbs and jerked in painfully looking position. Meanwhile, the fierce elven woman was adamant in her assault. It's time to end this.

Two others have escaped the wrath of cyclone and re -joined the battlemaiden. Wow, this is highly unfair. Three on one. "Little help?!" I still couldn't Shout. Forty seconds to go. I did my best to evade the two Hammers, the woman hurled herself forward, jumping and spiraling downwards. I had no way to evade and Ondolemar didn't want to risk hitting me with his high level spells. Her long blade buried itself in my side, I hissed from pain.

"Glorfindel!" I heard the battle cries from both mage and paladin. I backed away, pulling the damned blade out and throwing it away. Twenty five seconds.

I've no choice. When I can, I use Thu'um immediately, encasing them in crystal. They are the quite tenacious, I'll give them that. Someone joined my side, warding off the dauntless trio who left us no opening to strike.

Ten seconds.

Gelebor wasn't doing so well. Absolon was a capable fighter by the looks of it, as he took his weapons, picking him up and sending him flying. The snow elf hit the stony wall and gasped, collapsing on the ground. Absolon was encroaching the fallen paladin...

I can Shout! I grabbed Ondolemar's wrist and pushed him from the harm's way and he caught wind of the distress in my eyes, focusing on Absolon. He attacked him from a distance with thunder magic and they began circling each other.

The three members all switched to fire magic and created a fiery mass of one huge firestorm, heading for me. I smirked. That was a mistake. "Horvutah Slen Ulse!"

The crystal prison lived up to its name, absorbing the firestorm and the Hammers scattered, each casting ice spells at the crystal and fire mass that was spreading in the open space. The elven woman shrieked, observing how her other two were trapped in the crystal and the fiery mass was heading straight for her. "Nooo! Absolon, save meeee!" She ran in his direction and he tried to break the Thu'um with another fire spell, but it had no effect. She ended up trapped, the horror and knowledge of death frozen on her face. I huffed, casting rapid healing Close Wounds spell, applying it to my side. It helped, a bit.

Now the pests are gone, Absolon is alone, and we are three, (Gelebor is incapacitated still) two on one. The leader of Hammers and the only member left alive was giggling like crazy as I stepped to stand by Ondolemar's side. "Give it up! You are alone. We killed your best men the Hammers had to offer."

He wasn't looking at me whatsoever, smirking at the scowling mage beside me. "I guess your sister and you share the same tastes with Dunmer."

Ondolemar groaned like a wounded animal, taking the glass mace from his belt and pointing it at the other altmer who didn't cease grinning. "Hahahaa! And your parents were highly regarded, as you can surely remember, and it was them that recovered the Elder Scroll, it messed up their beliefs and they were of no more use to Aldmeri Dominion. I'll tell you something really funny, Ondolemar. I not only killed your beloved sister Goldanna, but also your parents, in the heart of Alinor after my spies reported about the leak. For what reason, we never knew and it wasn't relevant; all that mattered was killing all who knew of the prophecy. Then, in Cyrodiil was read the Elder Scroll about Alduin and the one with the power of Voice. We waited for the person to appear, but even in our slightest dreams we didn't think it would be a Mer. That changed things. We had you both followed by my agents, but they are all dead. No matter, they can be replaced. And now, the people from the fabled prophecies stand before me, united and ready to kill the reformers of Mer." He extended a hand to us.

"You two are too talented to be killed. Come and join me. Ondolemar, I'll clear your name and you can return back to Alinor anytime you want. As for you, Dragonborn, we'll forge an alliance profitable for us both. You'll be my ears and eyes and I'll let Ondolemar be. Do we have a deal?"

I glanced at the mage who had a really disgusted expression on, like he swallowed a giant's toe. I would kill him, but this clearly wasn't just about me hunted by Thalmor. Absolon made it personal by revealing he killed his family because of some stupid prophecy. And now, the question is – what will the mage do?

"Do you have any push effect Shouts?"

Oh, I have... but I didn't know what plan he had baked in his mind. "Yes..."

Ondolemar hurled a barrage of ice spikes at Absolon who grunted and countered with fireballs and we had to dodge, the mage grabbed me, yelling in my ear. "NOW!" The magics collided and created a mist sort of and I knew, he had it planned.

So, that was his distraction maneuver! And now, we had the bastard cornered. I saw his silhouette in the gathering mist and filled my lungs with air. "Fus Ro Dah!"

The Thu'um was empowered with Paarthurnax's expertise on Words of Power and it gave the Thu'um the extra push. "What's th- Gaaaaaaagh!" Absolon got the wind knocked out of him and met the far wall and groaned on impact. Direct hit! Mist was dissolving, but it didn't matter – we (mostly Ondolemar) had other plans now for Absolon.

"Can I borrow something from you really quick?" He asked suddenly. "Uh, yes."

"That cursed sword you prefer to call mace. I have a score to settle and I'll send then his soul to Molag Bal with vengeance." I've never seen him so angry. I dispatched many foes to Molag Bal, but none deserved it more that the heap of shit over there. I offered him the Mace of Molag Bal and he took it, his eyes glinted with the righteous intent.

I was left with Auriel's Bow as my only weapon, but I knew I needed none, this wasn't my fight to get involved in; this was the ex – Thalmor's fight. Instead, I went to rejuvenate Gelebor. I ran to him and knelt, measuring his pulse. Thank you, Lady Azura. He's still alive. With a sigh of relief, I casted Heal Other on him and he opened eyes, a bit dazed. "What happened?" He asked as I helped him stand up, then I pointed towards the slumped along the wall Thalmor scum and Ondolemar who loomed over him. "I take it he's the only one left?"

"Yes."

"Shouldn't we help your friend?"

I shook head. "No. This is his fight more than mine. Let's just watch. It'll be over soon." I predicted, observing.

Absolon was slowly coming to. Before he could register what happened, he was picked up by Ondolemar and hoisted in the air, his free arm was holding onto the Mace. "This is for my parents and Goldanna, you dirty family killer!"

The Mace pierced through the other high elf's chest and even me and Gelebor heard the whine of immense pain. It looked like the ex – Thalmor was done; he let go of the dead altmer on the Mace's end and dropped him. Strangely enough, snow started falling in succession.

"Go to his side. He needs you." Gelebor prodded me and even pushed me in the direction. I strained myself to fall into his arms and rejoice our victory over the Hammers. My legs felt like they were made of ebony, it felt excruciating just walking to him.

He saw me and something in his expression changed, the frown I grew to love was replaced with a radiant smile. "Glorfindel! We did it!" He ran at me and hugged me tightly, and I found myself blushing madly. It was good he didn't see my reddish face. "It's finally over. The Thalmor won't go after us longer."

"And I got to kill the murderer of my family. Because of a stupid reading of Elder Scroll, my family was eradicated, because they feared they would be overthrown one day. Now I can relate to you, Fin. We didn't choose to be in those prophecies, yet we had no choice but follow the path pre -ordained for us from birth." He let go and I blinked. "I would like to travel across Tamriel, with you. Our work is only getting started."

I smiled. "You mean almost finished. We still have to seal Red Moutain, then we can travel wherever we want. Also, the obligatory victory celebration stay at my home, because Cir will have my head."

We were joined by Gelebor and Ondolemar gave me back the Mace. "Now that we are finished here, we should head back to your home, Glorfindel. Your family is waiting. The Mountain won't be disturbed until we go there. Also, please take it back. It's yours." The Knight - Paladin gave me back the Girethi ring and I slid it on my finger and it shined upon contact.

It was hard to believe we won our fight without any injuries – unless mine counted. "Time to go home. I'll call them." My gaze halted at the scattered agents of Aldmeri Dominion. The feeling this wasn't over hung over me like a dark cloud on sunny day. No, it must be over now. After all, only Absolon was after me and Ondolemar, no one else. I searched for a clearing for two dragons to land. We left the site of Tribune, heading down the stairs and further from the battlefield.

A suitable spot was found by Gelebor. "Look, over there."

Okay, it looks as goos as place as any. The two made a step back. "Od Ah Viing!"

The dragons came soon after, the small whirls of wind as they spiraled down. Paarthurnax stared at me directly. "Krosis, you live yet. Odahviing wasn't sure he'll hear your summon again."

I snorted. "We had trouble, but nothing we couldn't handle."

The ancient dragon turned the sharp gaze at me. "Krosis, sil huzrah dii rot. Rok los ahraan nau ko ahrk tiid fen bo fod rok kod hi. Rok fent kos fin gein daar fen drun him dinok. Los hi yuvon naal grik oblaan?

I countered: "Dii dez lo wah rok. Zu'u los fen wah praan tum dii laas fah aan miiraad kos wah rok erei fin dinoksetiid."

Paarthhurnax acknowledged my decision to stay with ex – Thalmor with a curt nod and said nothing else. Odahviing had to comment, that sarcastic lizard. "Joor los kril ko fin luft do daan."

I was getting slightly irked by the snowy hunter's unnecessary comment which made the ancient dragon puff small flames from his nostrils. "Alright, enough you two. We are going back to Morrowind, exactly to the place I called you several times by now. Gelebor, you'll ride back on the overly smart dragon who will keep his nose out of my life." The dragon snorted haughtily and let Gelebor climb on. The Knight – Paladin was smart enough to not ask what did the conversation entail, but Ondolemar had to ask. "So, what did you talk about?" He conversed with me as I climbed on Paarthurnax's back and swung the mage up. I wasn't planning on answering, but the ancient dragon was of other mind. "Dovahkiin and sorcerer must ask this themselves." Great, thanks, lizard dad. Now the mage behind me will think we talked about something dirty or something.

"I will have a talk with him soon enough, mister dragon. Until then, could you take off? The other dragon is airborne as we speak."

Parathurnax grunted in response and his wings caught the wind, catapulting us to the heavens, following after the smartass dragon and his rider who were pretty far in the distance. I noted how Ondolemar almost instantly clung on to me for his dear life, his strong arms wrapped around my waist.

We flew back and to avoid detection from the Skyrim's people, we flew all th way up to the clouds, racing with the winds. Now this is the essence of freedom.

Freedom. I chuckled and it piqued Ondolemar's curiosity and he finally peeled his eyes open and I peripherally glanced behind my back. "Why did you laugh?"

"I was thinking about the concept of freedom. I thought this would be the perfect description I could offer – to be able to fly so high, you can touch the heavens."

His breath ticked my ears as he exhaled deeply, his clutch at my torso a bit weakening. "It's... nice. To be up here. I have just thought of my own definition of your concept on liberty – the wings of freedom. It has a nice ring to it." He said and I nodded. Yeah. "It sure is a nice tho-!" He held my chin in place and planted a kiss on my parted lips. He, he, he... kissed me?! For real, I wasn't daydreaming, was I?! I blankly stared at the smirking high elf who flicked my nose. "No, you aren't dreaming, Fin. I realized that my sister saw something in that Dunmer for a reason. You are the most loyal folk I have ever had the privilege to know more personally. The traits I value in you the most is loyalty, bravery, honesty. I hope I'll get to see more of them in the near future." He said in my ear and I found myself flaring up from head to toe. Good thing I had armor on, then.

Ondolemar, the mer who was indomitable to my flirting attempts, finally, finally confessed!

…. This was a confession, wasn't it? He didn't say the three words I wanted to hear, but it'll do for now.

"I will try to not let your hopes down, then." I retorted, the flirting tone resurfaced and I caught glimpse of that tiny curl of his lips and I rather turned to look at the horizon. And then, Paarthurnax let himself be known. "I rejoice for you, krosis, but continue this when you are not on riding on my back."

I completely forgot about him! Talk about setting the awkwardness to the maximum. "Um... sorry about that."

The ancient dragon stayed quiet and I felt shame ( the same like being caught by parents doing something lewd when I was younger), after all, he was some sort of parent figure to me. The months I spent learning the Dragon Tongue with him and Greybeards...

A head and warm upper muscular chest was pressed against me. By the Divines! Ondolemar curled closer and the smallest gaps that once were in between were non – existent. I felt him relax. He must be tired, I was tired and Gelebor must be tired, too. Soon, he was snoring and I found myself smiling.

I'll wake him up before we reach the hunter's trail.

We still had ways to go...

Author's Notes – Here is the translation from Thu'umdocorg:

Paarthurnax: "Krosis, sil huzrah dii rot. Rok los ahraan nau ko ahrk tiid fen bo fod rok kod hi. Rok fent kos fin gein daar fen drun him dinok. Los hi yuvon naal grik oblaan? Translation:Sorrowful soul heed my word. He is hurt on inside and time will come when he uses you. He shall be the one that will bring your death. Are you fine with such end?

Glorfindel: "Dii dez lo wah rok. Zu'u los fen wah praan tum dii laas fah aan miiraad kos wah rok erei fin dinoksetiid. Translation: My destiny lies with him. I am willing to lay down my life for a opportunity to be with him until the end of time.

Odahviing: "Joor los kril ko fin luft do daan. Translation: Mortals are brave in the face of doom.