Dormant asset, uncooperative - 3rd of Heartfire - 4 E 201 - Windhelm
Windhelm is not the best place to wander when you're not a Nord. It is not the best place to wander when you're half- elf. And it is definitely not the best place to wander when you're a mage!
But she knew she was being tracked down and the ancient city seemed a better place to hide than Whiterun! Only a few hours ago, Eliana crashed the Thalmor Embassy reception. Elenwen knew both her face and her name (since Delphine had not been witty enough to get her invited to this silly little party under an alias!) and had acknowledged her as the Dragonborn. Now, here she was, exposed, discovered, hunted down not only by Alduin but also by Thalmor Assassins.
She had run from Solitude to the swamp circling Morthal and lost her chasers in the wild. Then she headed east, carefully avoiding Whiterun, not wanting her friends, her jarl or anyone she knew, to get involved in this little man-hunt with the most dangerous pawns of the Aldmeri dominion.
She had reached Windhelm by night, unseen, unfollowed, unharmed, but completely exhausted!
Eliana almost crashed into a dark-elf upon entering in the city. She muttered an apology but the dunmer woman gave her an angry look.
"Do you hate the dark-elves?"
"I beg your pardon?"
"I asked you if you hate dark elves.", she repeated bewildered. "Are you here to bully us and tell us to leave?"
"No.", the girl said. "I don't hate your people."
The grey skinned woman sighed.
"You've come to the wrong city then! Windhelm is a place of prejudice and narrow thinking! Unworthy of one such as you."
There were rumors all across Skyrim about the jarl's hatred towards the non-Nords, especially the elves. After her own encounter with the Thalmor and what she had discovered about Ulfric's past, Eliana could barely blame him but witnessing it with her own eyes shook her indulgence away. The former Snow Quarter, now known as the Gray-Quarter was hardly more than a slum where the refugees from Morrowind could barely live a peaceful life, constantly insulted as they were by the 'true sons of Skyrim'.
The mere thought of being rejected, despised and bullied because of one's origins made her sick! She had suffered too much from prejudice and ignorance back in Falkreath, and she started to fear for her own safety within the walls of the ancient city.
She remained in the Candlehearth inn for the night. Exhausted from her two days of constant running, she could not have been happier to finally crash on a warm soft bed, and take a hot bath.
She pulled clean clothing from her bag. A red leather-covered file fell from her pack with a thud. The Thalmor dossier about Ulfric Stormcloak.
"Dormant asset.", she read out loud. "Uncooperative."
She couldn't help but smile. 'Uncooperative' might be a bit of an understatement. But on a more serious note, she felt like the jarl had the right to know about this file and how the Thalmor considered him and his cause. She had to give him this file! But how? There was no way he would not question the origin of the dossier, then what would she say? She could explain him the whole story…
"No! Not the whole story…", she corrected herself. "Let's forget about the 'half-elven' part, already."
There was no way he would trust her if he knew… but there was no way he would trust her either way! The only reason why he could lower his guard was because she was the Dragonborn… But if he knew, he would try to use her, to win her to his side, then she would not have a chance to make her own opinion about him and choose either side with a clear conscience.
She angrily stuffed the file back in her bag. Her hand found the two empty phials she had used in the Embassy. She looked at the glass container for a moment, a plan forming in her mind. If she was able to sneak in the Embassy and get this file out, she could sneak in the Palace of the Kings and get the file in.
4th of Heartfire - 4 E 201 - Windhelm - Palace of the Kings
The courier collapsed on a bench and handed Galmar the newest report from Haarfingar camp.
The general frowned as he read the message and almost choked on his breath.
"The Thalmor Embassy?!"
The stormcloak soldier, exhausted by his ride through Skyrim could do nothing but nod.
"Is this sure?"
"Positive, General."
Galmar sent the courier away and headed to the war-room where Ulfric and Yrsarald Thrice-Pierced-And-Will-Be-A-Fourth-If-He-Keeps-As king-Me-If-I-Hibernated-On-The-Wrong-Side-Of-The-C ave were studying the later reports from their encampments all around Skyrim.
"A giant has been attacking our outpost by the White River these last few days, stealing our food, slaying our horses. No human casualty yet but I fear…"
"I cannot send you back-ups for the moment, Yrsarald.", the jarl answered. "Your men will have to defeat it themselves I'm afraid."
"Or we could offer a reward for its death.", Jorleiff proposed. "I think I heard of Alik'ir mercenaries wandering the hold, they might take care of it… for a price, of course."
"Mercenaries… If that can spare valorous stormcloaks lives… Jorleiff, would you write that bounty note for me? Just the usual dullness."
"By order of Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak: To all able bodied men and women of Eastmarch. The Giant located in Broken Limb Camp has been harassing, robbing and attacking citizens and visitors. A reward will be offered to anyone who kills it."
"That will do.", the jarl muttered. "Any news of the Dragonborn?"
"Not a one.", Yrsarald sighed. "The woman's hard to track."
"Not that much.", Galmar laughed upon entering the room. "Just follow the flames."
Ulfric gave him a questioning look and the housecarl handed him the message from Haarfingar. The jarl read the paper twice before a smile formed on his lips, then changed in a thundering laugh.
"She burned down the Thalmor Embassy! The woman sure knows how to pick her enemies."
He couldn't wait to meet her, at last! The tale of how she destroyed the Embassy would be much entertaining for sure… so would the rest of their conversation.
4th of Heartfire - 4 E 201 - Windhelm
The White Phial, the apothecary on the northern side of the marketplace, provided her the ingredients needed for crafting her invisibility potion. Not wanting the disaster of the Embassy happening again, she made sure to prepare four phials. Two, for her way in, two for her way out… And a last one, just in case! Five phials, then…
She hoped it would be enough, but she had it all planed: She overheard someone say the jarl often went to the Temple of Talos in the evening. She just had to wait for him to leave the palace, so the security in would be minimal, and sneak in so he could find the file when he'd return.
It was just about ten in the morning. She had a whole day to kill.
She pushed the door to the Temple. This way, she would know exactly when to proceed with her plan, and, even more important, she could use her remaining time to try and gain some help from the Gods… She might be needing it!
She place a thistle and some blue mountain flowers on the shrine in offering and sat on the first bench praying for everything to go right the way she planned.
Nothing went right the way she planned!
It was almost ten in the night when she gave up hope of seeing the jarl show up at the Temple.
'Sweet Talos… Why you abandon me?'
She pulled her hood on, trying to protect herself from the snow storm raging outside. There was no turning back now. She entered the Avenue of Valor and hid in the shadow to drink her invisibility potion. There was no time to lose!
"Feim!"
4th of Heartfire - Windhelm - Palace of the Kings
"Balgruuf won't give us a straight answer."
"He's a true Nord. He'll come around."
"Don't be so sure of that.", the housecarl growled. "We've intercepted couriers from Solitude. The Empire's putting a great deal of pressure on Whiterun."
"And what would you have me do?", the jarl asked, weariness audible in his voice
"If he's not with us, he's against us."
"He knows that. They all know that."
The two men remained silent for a few seconds. Ulfric took the red flag marking Whiterun off the map and stared at it both saddened and resigned.
"How long are you going to wait?", the housecarl said, taking the flag of his hands and putting it back in place, as if to remind him of the situation.
"You think I need to send Balgruuf a stronger message." It was more of a statement than a question.
"If by message you mean shoving a sword through his gullet."
Eliana passed the door to the first floor before her ethereal state failed her but remained there, eavesdropping to the rest of the conversation.
"Taking his city and leaving him in disgrace would make a more powerful statement, don't you think?"
"So we're ready to start this war in earnest then?"
"Soon."
"I still say you should take them all out like you did Deadking Torygg.", she heard the stormcloak officer mumble quite audibly.
"Torygg was merely a message to the other Jarls.", Ulfric answered, his voice steadier than before. "Whoever we replace them with will need the support of our armies."
"We're ready when you are."
"Things hinge on Whiterun. If we can take the city without bloodshed all the better. But if not..."
She had heard enough. Her time was running out. The invisibility potion would not last for more than a few seconds now. She had to get to the jarl's chamber and get out as quick as possible!
She climbed the stairs and instinctively followed the corridor to the last bedroom. She carefully sneaked in and closed the door behind her.
Her back leaning against the metal door, she took a moment to collect her thoughts. The strange feeling that had bloomed in Helgen showed back only stronger than before. Fascinating. There was no other word to describe him. His voice, his eyes, his resolve, his sadness… Yes, there was another word: Regal. Half of Skyrim claimed Ulfric Stormcloak was the true High King, now she understood why.
Her heart beating frantically, she desperately tried to fight her own thoughts!
"Have a grip on yourself Elie! Half of Skyrim is already obsessed with the man. You are better than that!"
It wasn't entirely true, though. All Skyrim was obsessed with him! Be hatred or love, distrust or loyalty, there was no way to ignore him! The only way to break away from the rest of the arguing crowd would be cold indifference… And how could anyone be indifferent to him?
Eliana pulled the dossier out of her bag and gave one last look to the red leather file before she left it on the desk for the jarl to find it. She let out a relieved sigh. Things could have been worse!
No… no they couldn't!
The young woman froze when she heard the door open.
Ulfric's eyes met hers.
The Gods have a wicked sense of humor!
Yeah, I'm a cliffhanger bit*h ! ^^ Still better than a Thalmor bit*h! XD
Well, obviously, they finally got to meet! ... or at least, eye contact ^^ What next?
Well... the next chapter is giving me quite a hard time, to say the least! But I'll work hard and will most probably be able to update before the end of the week! So... stay tuned! Don't forget to review!
And! Since we're talking about reviews...
A big thanks to all of you who have favorited, reviewed, follow or simply read my story, it means a lot to me! :) Almost 1400 views! You guys are amazing! :)