Note about my second story: The amount of messages and reviews I got in such a short time were amazing. While most of the choices were popular, Elenwen/Female Dragonborn took the cake. I plan on doing a Lydia/Female Dragonborn and Serana/Female Dragonborn later, but only after I finish one of my two current stories. Now, onto The Queen and Her Cat.
Mercenary POV:
The first thing I notice when I wake up is the extreme thirst in my throat, the second is the queen's face inches away from mine. I slowly sit up, the sunlight causing my skin to itch. I roll off of Elisif's bed, more confused than ever. The last thing I remember is fighting Husir. I suppose I can ask the queen, but first I need to dress. I find my armor repaired and cleaned in the chest in my room. My helm is even repaired, the teeth and horns back to their former glory. I quickly slide into my armor and walk back out, the queen still fast asleep. I'm walking over to her when I feel the intruder. She makes no sound, but I can sense her. I quickly turn, my ears now pressed back against my skull. Sybille is standing in the doorway, eyeing me. I feel fear begin to spread in my body as Sybille begins walking towards me.
"Sybille.". I whisper as she walks closer, her long teeth flashing in the sunlight. She smiles and tells me, "And so the mighty vampire awakens.". I stop breathing as I realize what she just said. I clumsily feel for my pulse, but find nothing. I barely manage to choke out, "I turned.". Sybille nods and tells me, "In the middle of the fight. You killed Husir, turned feral, and destroyed my bed.". She must see my eyes widen because she quickly says, "I mean you tore it to shreds. You have a filthy mind.". I instantly ask, "What did I miss?". Sybille shrugs and tells me, "I made you bags of fake blood to feed on, Elisif arranged a meeting with Tullius today, and Yoar was chosen as the new leader. That's about it. Elisif will take you to the meeting today, but when you return come to my room.".
I can't help asking, "Why?". She rolls her eyes and tells me, "I need to tell you how to feed, when to feed, and other important things. Now Elisif is waking up and I fear I must go.". Before I can say anything, the woman is gone as quietly as she entered. I turn and see Elisif stretching, examining the empty spot beside her. "My queen.". I tell her as I walk over to her, kneeling before the sleepy queen. Elisif squeaks in surprise and tells me, "Arise, there's no need to kneel. Now, what do you remember?". For some reason I see fear in her eyes. I calmly tell her, "I don't remember anything after fighting Husir, but Sybille filled me in on what I missed. When is the meeting with Tullius? And, what's the meeting even about? Can I come or do you want me to stay here?".
Elisif chuckles as she rises to dress, but tells me, "After breakfast, what to do about The Reach, and of course. I waited until you returned to normal to speak. But now I have a question. Will your other leaders care if you go to the meeting?". I nod and tell her, "They don't care, but keep in mind I only speak for the Cathay-raht Khajiit. I can make them follow me to the bowels of oblivion, but I only have thirty or so men. Not to mention the fact we aren't exactly the fiercest Khajiits. And, the other leaders will get pissed if I leave Solitude without them. So, it's really a all or nothing kind of thing.". She nods, offers me her arm, and says, "Shall we go to breakfast?". I nod and take her arm, allowing the queen of Skyrim to lead me to the great hall.
Elisif POV:
Tullius is tapping his feet when we arrive late to the meeting. He glares daggers at the mercenary, but doesn't bother her. Legate Rikke returned to Solitude last night, but she looks exhausted and travel weary. The mercenary sits down beside me, Rikke separating the Khajiit from Tullius. Instantly Tullius stands up and looks at the table. Tullius, Rikke, the mercenary, Falk, Sybille, and I are all crammed around the table. He clears his throat and says, "You all know why we're here, now I have a few questions. First, Rikke. What do you think we should do about Markarth?". The aging legate sighs and says, "Attack it.". Tullius glares and she says, "Send any legate you want, but don't look at me. I've seen enough men die for twenty life times. Count me out.".
He groans and looks at Sybille and Falk. "Any ideas?". Falk says, "Trade him Riften for it.". Instantly Rikke is snarling, "I just spent five weeks, a hundred men, and thousands of gold in supplies to get Riften! And, now you want to trade it back?!". Tullius clams her down, then turns to Sybille. She shrugs and says, "Assassinate the jarl and plant our own men in the city, then take over in the chaos.". Tullius shakes his head and says, "We did that with Winterhold, they'll see that coming.". He turns to me, but I shrug and he groans. He sighs and says, "I think we should send all of our men to take it, and leave no rebel survivors.". The mercenary has been silent, but scoffs at that plan. Tullius growls and ask, "You have a better plan?". The mercenary smiles and nods.
"Have some of the mercenary troops patrol your borders, and recall a few of your own men. Then, send as many men as possible and the rest of the mercenaries to Markarth. Leave the other cities untouched, we don't need to plunder or raid. Markarth has no farming ground inside the walls, no area to store a great amount of food, and Ulfric is horrible at planning. Starve the city out, then attack when it's weakened. The citizens in the meantime will eat their beloved pets, any hides or pelts they own, and eventually each other. They'll see the Stormcloaks as the evildoers that sat back while they starved, and the Empire as the hero who came in and fed them, cleaned them, and staunched their bleeding wounds. Clean up the city, and it won't be a bad thing to have.".
"Let the Stormcloaks either convert for the Empire, and let the others go. Make the ones that don't convert swear an oath not to raise their sword against the Empire. Most of the Stormcloaks I fought with valued honor and a man's word more than anything else, but not all of them. One out of every ten men may actual hold up that vow, but that's one less soldier we have to face. And, the citizens will tell stories of our kindness to our enemies, and our enemies themselves will remember it. That's my plan, and it's more detailed than all of yours combined.". Her plan doesn't sound bad, but I don't like the idea of letting Stormcloaks live. But the mercenary is cunning and smart, and if that's her plan then we'll do it to the letter.
Tullius is instantly shooting it down, but Rikke groans and says, "Tullius what does it matter? You're just going to sit in Castle Dour while Markarth is taken. Just let the mercenary do her plan, it's better than yours.". Tullius splutters, but when he calms down her snarls, "Fine, but you're helping her and leading our men.". Rikke groans, but agrees. After a few more minutes of talking, we all decide we're done and leave, the mercenary trailing behind me. Suddenly, I realize she's going to lead her men to Markarth. She's going to leave the city. For some reason that makes me extremely sad. When we enter the palace the mercenary clears her throat and I turn. "Yes?" I ask her. She quickly tells me, "I need to speak with you in your room, urgently.". I nod and begin walking to my room, the mercenary behind me.
When we enter my room I lock my door out of habit, preventing anyone from coming in. I turn to the mercenary and ask, "What is it?". The mercenary blinks and tells me, "Have you ever thought about going with the men to Markarth?". Her question takes me by surprise and I ask, "What?". She clears her throat and says, "Just hear me out. Seeing their leader would energize the men, rouse them, and make the enemy nervous. You won't be in any danger, I can see you're going insane cooped up here all day, and I think you could do more out there than in here.". In truth I couldn't care less about the men, but it means I get to stay with the mercenary. After hunting with her, her saving the city, and killing an assassin, I've come to find the mercenary's companionship enjoyable.
I tell her, "I'll have to talk to Tullius. It doesn't sound like a bad idea to me, Falk can hold down the fort, and Sybille can come with us to make potions for you.". She nods, but starts to leave. "Where are you going?". I ask. She turns and answers, "To speak with the other leaders, I might be able to get a few more men for the attack on Markarth. And, they need to know what's going on.". I nod and allow her to leave. I feel a sudden urge to pace. After a few minutes I turn and leave, my feet leading me to Castle Dour. I need to talk to Tullius about the mercenary's idea. I'm the queen and can go even if he refuses, but that doesn't stop the feeling of dread in my stomach as I open the door to Castle Dour.