Hello all! New Chapter WOOT! Once again, thank you to everyone for your reviews, its so great to get feedback! And i hope all who are reading this story enjoy this chapter!
Elisif sat in silence as her carriage moved swiftly through the night, headed towards what could become an ambush. Against Falk's advice she had only taken a minimum amount of guards with her on the journey. She knew that if she went in with an army the Stormcloaks would take on battle stations without question. She hoped that with only three soldiers by her side they would at least let her have an opportunity to push her point.
They had travelled quietly along the road, Elisif riding in a normal travel carriage rather than her normal royal one, as not to arouse suspicion of the local farms and villages. She heard Bryn's voice call out to her as the carriage came to a halt.
"My Queen we have arrived at Dawnstar. Would you mind terribly if we stopped, we have been travelling for some time without rest."
Elisif opened the door of the carriage and stepped out.
"Of course Bryn, you have done very well. Go have a meal at the tavern and then meet me at the Jarls Longhouse when you are ready to move on. I would like to be on the move by evening though."
Bryn and his two fellow soldiers bowed and made their way over to Winpeak Inn, while Elisif walked over to the Jarls Longhouse to see new Jarl Brina Merilis.
Opening the door quietly she heard Brina listening to one of her townsfolk. Of all the new Jarls, Brina had settled in the best. She was already well liked and respected in the community making the transition from a retired legate to the new Jarl easy. With the attention on the town person and her decision to wear a plain dress, Elisif was not noticed as she stood quietly at the back.
"My Jarl, the Stormcloaks have taken over Nightcaller Temple! The city is in danger! What if they try to invade Dawnstar?" Rustleif the blacksmith said worriedly.
"The legion is aware that the last of the stormcloaks has taken to Nightcaller temple, and they are monitoring any movements that they may make. You have nothing to worry about Rustleif." Brina smiled as she calmy replied. This seemed to calm the blacksmith down somewhat but he continued on.
"But surely Jarl Brina, the High Queen should at least send some more soldiers into the area, what if they start recruiting again?"
"I will be dealing with those in Nightcaller Temple myself. Jarl Brina is right, you have nothing to fear." Elisif cut in walking towards the Jarls throne.
Brina's eyes widened and a couple of gasps could be heard from her court.
"My Queen, I…" Rustleif bowed in her presence, and the rest of the court and Brina followed.
Elisif smiled and motioned for them to straighten up.
"Thank you Queen Elisif, thank you very much." Rustleif bowed once again before leaving and Elisif turned to Brina who had gotten off her throne and came to stand before her.
"My Queen, what do I owe the pleasure? I did not know to expect you." Brina shot a stern look towards her steward who looked embarrassed and unsure of herself.
"And you weren't to," Elisif smiled apologetically to the inexperienced steward who smiled back in relief. "This is an unexpected call. But I am indeed here to try and deal with the last of the Stormcloaks. My guards have travelled a long way without rest, they are having a meal at your tavern as we speak."
"Well if they're dining then you must be hungry yourself. Lina, can you please rustle up something for the Queen."
"Of course, my Jarl." Lina the steward made her way towards the kitchen and Brina and Elisif made their way to the Jarls quarters. Sitting down Elisif commented on the changes she had noticed.
"You've made some improvements to the Longhouse I see. It's a lot bigger than last time I was here, when Torygg and I had our first tour of the holds after we were married."
"Yes we have extended it by some bit. Added a little bit of class as well I think. Skald did pretty much nothing while he was Jarl. As I remember you weren't too fond of our Dawnstar." Brina gave Elisif a wry smile and Elisif chuckled.
"Yes well, to be honest I didn't think there was a place smaller than Morthal and then I came here. But I was a but younger then, I find it quite nice now, especially after Mikhail fixed the problem with the towns nightmares."
"Yes, he absolutely has done us a great service. He is an incredible human being, that Dragonborn."
A knock came at the door and Lina brought in the food.
Elisif and Brina started to eat and there was a silence before Brina continued.
"So what are you going to do with Nightcaller Temple? My understanding is that there are hundreds even maybe a thousand loyal Stormcloaks hiding out."
"I'm hoping I can convince them to fight for us. I am almost positive the Thalmor will make their move and Emperor Titus has ordered all non Nord Legion soldiers to return to Cyrodil."
"What! That cannot be?" Brina replied alarmed.
"Unfortunately it is. So I need their support if we are to defend this country." Elisif sighed as she finished off her cake.
"I must be going, it's getting dark and I want to be on the road." Elisif got up and Brina walked her towards the door.
"Are you sure you will be safe my queen? You only have three men with you." Brina pointed at the guards who were preparing the carriage.
"I'll be fine." Elisif smiled reassuringly as she walked over to the carriage. She waved as she entered and Bryn shut the door and mounted his horse.
"Let's go!" He yelled and they made their way towards the temple.
…
"Stop the carriage!" Elisif yelled at her men. Pulling their horses up Bryn looked worried as Elisif exited the carriage.
"My Queen, are you all right?" He asked
"How far away are we?" Elisif asked looking ahead she could see the top of the temple.
"Not long, definitely walking distance."
"Then we shall walk."
The soldiers looked alarmed and glanced at each other nervously.
"You heard me, we walk. Bryn bring the white flag." Elisif ordered.
They made their way towards the temple, boots crunching the small snow cover on the road.
"That's close enough" A Stormcloak soldier yelled at them, her eyes squinting trying to see who they were.
"Any closer and I'll….the divines!" The soldier recognised Elisif standing between the two soldiers and then noticed the white flag. She lowered her bow slightly and called out to the young queen.
"What business do you have here Elisif!"
"That is High Queen to you!" Viktor, one of the Solitude guards bellowed back.
"She is not my Queen!" The Stormcloak soldier bellowed back.
"Silence, both of you!" Elisif yelled and the two soldiers immediately quietened.
"I am here to speak with the leader of the Stormcloaks. I want them to hear what I have to say." Elisif took a couple of steps towards the entrance before noticing another Stormcloak guard running towards his comrade.
"What is going on here Jesk?" He asked
"It's…it's Jarl Elisif. She wants to speak with Hjornskar."
"It's a trap!" The older guard yelled and readied his battle axe.
Elisif took another step forward, not being intimidated by the guards.
"I have come here with three men. The rest of my army are in Solitude preparing for an attack by the Thalmor. But if you want your country overtaken by elves that's fine, I'll leave."
"What?" Jesk lowered her bow completely.
"You heard me." Elisif stood her ground.
"I think we should let her in Barton." Jesk turned to her superior. "What if she's telling the truth?"
Barton stayed silent while considering the proposal. "All right, but she comes in alone."
"You can't be serious!" Bryn argued. Elisif put a hand on his arm and spoke calmly.
"It's fine Bryn, I will be back soon."
She walked into the fort, the stormcloaks at either side and three guards stood and watched helplessly hoping that their Queen knew what she was doing.
…
They walked down a long flight of stairs into the forts main hall. Stormcloak soldiers turned and gasped as they realised who their comrades were escorting.
"What on earth is she doing here?"
"The divines! You have got to be kidding me!"
They watched in shock as Elisif passed and nodded her head in greeting to them. After moving down many narrow and low lit hallways they finally reached the quarters of Hjornskar. Jesk knocked on the door.
"What is it?" He bellowed back, his voice slightly muffled by a mouth full of food. Jesk opened the door and they walked in and stood in front of Hjornskar's table. He didn't look up as he continued to munch away on walked looked to be venision and potatoes. Finally finishing he looked up and his eyes widened in surprise as he realised who was in front of him.
"Well then, what on earth are you, a milk-drinking traitorous bitch, doing in my castle?" He raised an eyebrow to her.
Taking a seat without an invitation, Elisif mirrored the arched eyebrow and replied sarcastically.
"I think you'll find that this is in fact, my castle. I did win the war after all."
Hjornskar pouted slightly, "I see you have no guards with you, I would advise you watch your tongue."
Elisif forced a fake smile at him. "Fair enough," she pulled a roll of paper from inside her robes and handed it to him.
"This is why I am here."
He looked it over and his eyes widened. He handed it to Barton who had the same reaction.
"Hjornskar, it must be a mistake! Ulfric would never….the Thalmor."
"I don't believe this. It must be a fake." His voice faltered.
"It's true Hjornskar, it is unfortunately all true. But whether you believe me about Ulfric is not the point. The point is that we are going to be under attack by the Thalmor any day now. This war, whether you believe it to be intentional or not, has weakened Skyrim, and they are going to capitalise on this."
"What are you saying Elisif?" Hjornskar asked his arms crossed over his chest.
"That the stormcloaks join me in defending Skyrim."
He looked at her like she had grown a second head, before bursting out in laughter.
"You have got to be kidding me. Why on earth would we join you?" He managed to ask between fits of laughter.
Elisif stood solid. "Because if you don't, the Thalmor will take control of the country and everything Ulfric and the stormcloaks fought for will be gone completely."
Hjornskar calmed down and gave her a pointed look.
"Don't you have your precious legion helping you out?" He sneered.
"I assume you heard that the emperor was murdered?" Elisif asked, his face became puzzled.
"Yes of course, such a tragedy." He voice laced in sarcasm. "But what does that have to do with this?"
"The new emperor has ordered all imperial soldiers back to Cyrodil."
A look of glee flashed across the Stormcloak officers face before a sense of realisation set in.
"All of them?"
"Yes all of them." Elisif replied pointedly, "Don't you see, the army is the only thing standing in the way of the Dominion, and right now there is no army."
No words were spoken for several minutes while Hjornskar mulled over his thoughts. Elisif watched as he pulled the letter towards him and re read the contents. After a few moments he sighed, not looking up at her he spoke.
"Are you absolutely sure?" He asked
Elisif nodded in reply, her face showing she was completely serious.
"What's in it for us? I can't just suddenly support someone who we have fought for years without something in return?"
Elisif nodded her understanding. She knew this would be coming, there was only one way she could get the Stormcloaks onside. After everything that had happened it was completely ironic to her.
"If you join me and we successfully hold off the dominion," she spoke slowly and surely, "We will then fight for and declare our independence from the empire."
All three of the Stormcloak soldiers were shocked, not sure of what they heard.
"What about the worship of Talos?" Barton piped up.
"You're welcome to worship whomever you please." Elisif glanced at him
"Are you serious?" Hjornskar spoke sternly.
"Absolutely, you have my word on this. Skyrim will be independent under my rule."
…
As Elisif walked back towards her guards she noticed there were four men instead of three. Not thinking much of it she continued towards them.
Finally reaching them she smiled a bright smile.
"We have reached an agreement with the Stormcloaks." She announced before noticing their faces. She suddenly became nervous as she saw how worried and pale they all looked. One of the guards had a letter in his hand, a message.
"Your highness," Bryn turned to her, "Your highness, um, its…"
"Spit it out Bryn!" She demanded.
"It's your thane, the Dragonborn." Viktor supplemented. "He has been gravely injured, they believe he may be on deaths door."
Elisif suddenly felt numb and her knees buckled, she felt Bryn's arms on her own and he helped her up.
Her head started to throb as she tried to steady herself. She turned to the messenger and rasped.
"Where is he?"
Another Cliffy! I hope you enjoyed the chapter! PS - stuff is going to go down next chapter. Get excited WOOO! LOL!
