A/N: Hello all! Hope you had a good Christmas and are all feeling healthy and happy. It has been a while for which I do apologise. It is all Bioware's fault, they released this game in November and, well...

Anyway, to make up for it, I did some writing over Christmas, and here's the result. Two chapters! They wrap up the Windhelm section and take Elisif back to Solitude in triumph. And we all know how much she's been looking forward to that, don't we? But before that, there's some business in Windhelm remaining, namely Delphine wanting to catch up with Elisif...

Summary: With the Thalmor lurking, not all Elisif's associates have been able to check in with her as they'd like. Delphine in particular has something to discuss with the young Dragonborn... but Elisif's revelations send the conversation off in an unexpected direction.


After all the preceding excitement, the days after that were relatively uneventful, with the Legion preparing to move out and head home, as were a significant proportion of the Blades. But there was an interim agreement signed between the Emperor, Elisif and Madanach setting the arrangements down in writing at least, with Balgruuf, Nepos and Tullius as witnesses, signed off in the Great Hall of the Palace of the Kings and despite tension and not a little panic, Emperor Titus Mede II's state visit to Windhelm went without a hitch.

So it was the day after that left Elisif able to finally get out of the city for a bit to do some long overdue checking in.

Kynesgrove was recovering well from the ordeal – the tavern had been rebuilt and the Forsworn had donated tents to the rebuilding effort and a few rampart spikes, although the goat and Spriggan heads had been politely declined. Iddra was back serving drinks behind the bar, Roggi was back telling stories, and if the original population were not easily replaced, the ones that were living there now were doing their best to settle in. Even if Elisif wasn't popular among them.

"This was a bad idea," Argis murmured in Elisif's ear, glancing warily at the former members of Ulfric's army and the Windhelm guard that had been relocated to Kynesgrove with new identities, their names faked in the death roster to give the Thalmor the impression they'd all gone to Sovngarde. "You should have had her come to you."

"Hush, that wasn't an option and you know it," Elisif whispered back. "Elenwen's not left yet and I'm sure she has agents in the city. This is the safest way."

"Is it?" Argis whispered. It was him, Elisif and Farkas, just the three of them so as to avoid attracting undue attention, and even then they'd had to take a portal out to Witchmist Grove to avoid being seen leaving the city. The Aalto was down to just the little Hagraven nest that had been there before the Forsworn moved in, little or no trace of the camp left behind now, but Keirine had left a portal point set up just outside Matriarch Moira's hut, just in case. It still unnerved Elisif to be using gods-only-knew-what eldritch magic to get about but she had to admit it seemed to work. She just didn't want to know what the price was.

But they were here and the new village headman was arriving to see what they wanted.

"Dragonborn," Ralof once of Riverwood growled. "Welcome to Kynesgrove. We weren't expecting to see you here after what happened."

After she'd killed their liege, taken their stronghold and wrecked Stormcloak plans to secede, he meant. But Ralof was glad to not be dead or in a Thalmor dungeon, and conversations with Delphine had gradually won him round a little. It didn't mean he'd turned into a glowing enthusiast of hers, however.

"I felt I had to come and see how you were all settling in," Elisif said calmly, betraying no nervousness, or regret for that matter, in fact Madanach, once persuaded she was doing this no matter what, had advised to just act like it had never happened and not refer to it unless asked and never ever to concede regret or that she'd been in the wrong. Elisif wasn't sure she entirely agreed but could do the not referring to it bit. Even with grim-faced Forsworn guards patrolling the village, a reminder of who Kynesgrove owed loyalty to now.

"Did you," Ralof said, arms folded and radiating disapproval, eyes flicking to the Jagged Crown and back as he doubtless recalled the last time they'd spoken. "How kind. Well as you can see, we're doing well, rebuilding the place, getting farming going again, doing a bit of hunting, the mine's even open. You can tell the Jarl we're being good little boys and girls and he'll have his tribute on time."

"He'll be pleased," Elisif said, electing to ignore the dripping disdain in Ralof's voice. Too much to hope that a one-time Stormcloak could ever approve of Madanach, she supposed. "But that's not why I'm here. Is Delphine around?"

"In the shrine," Ralof said, turning and beckoning for her to follow. "Come on, I'll take you down there."

"Friendly," Argis muttered in Elisif's ear. "Still don't see why we couldn't just hand them over to the Thalmor."

"Because we promised Delphine and your father's no keener on the Thalmor than she is," Elisif murmured. "Come on, we got most of what we wanted, we can compromise on this."

"Also Vil and I might have given him a black eye when we last saw him," Farkas added, looking a bit guilty. "He was the one Elisif left alive to tell the story after we got the Jagged Crown for her."

That did put a grin on Argis's face and he calmed down a little after that as Ralof led them into the mine. Down the main tunnel, off down a side passage and then into a rock chamber that had been mined out years ago but did make an ideal location for the Shrine of Talos that had once been in Windhelm's Temple.

As they approached the locked gate that led to the Shrine, Brynjolf emerged from the shadows in his grey Nightingale armour – why it was called that, Elisif still didn't know, but she had a feeling she was better off that way.

"Mine's still sealed, Ralof lad. Dangerous passageways lie beyond here. One false step and you might not come out alive."

"Aye," Ralof nodded, not seeming surprised at the challenge. "But a dragon's hide doesn't fear a blade. Got Jarl Elisif and her guards here to see our landlady."

Brynjolf smiled at that, and nodded at Elisif. "So I see. Good to see you again, lass. We've been hearing interesting things about you. Something about a state visit from the Emperor?"

Elisif nodded, still feeling nervous at the mere mention of Titus Mede. She'd not told anyone about his offer to adopt her. Madanach was still the only other person who knew, except maybe the Emperor's closest associates. She was sure his Bosmer secretary had been giving her knowing smiles throughout the visit.

She'd not realised how big a strain keeping a secret like that would prove to be. Then again, it was probably about the same as being the guardian of an active Talos shrine.

"He's recognised the Windhelm agreement," she told him. "Recognised a few other things as well. But we can talk later. After I've spoken to her." With Ralof far away – he and the other ex-Stormcloaks would find out at some point about the Reach going independent but she'd like to be far away when it happened.

"Can't wait to hear it, lass," Brynjolf grinned, producing a key and unlocking the gate. "All right, you can go in. Just you, mind. Your lads here can wait outside. Not that I don't trust them around her, but the fewer people who go in there, the better, eh?"

Delphine's paranoia truly didn't know when to stop, but Elisif was used to it by now. Best not to take chances and neither Farkas nor Argis were Talos-worshippers anyway.

"All right," Elisif agreed. "You two wait here, I'll be back out shortly. No, Argis, don't look at me like that. This is just a one on one meeting with an ally, I'll be fine."

Argis growled but assented, standing back against the wall and glaring at Brynjolf as he locked the gate behind Elisif as she went deeper into the mine.

"I hear anything coming out of there I don't like, I will be going in regardless," Argis informed Brynjolf. "Don't think Farkas and I haven't got ways of getting that gate down."

"I heard," Brynjolf smirked, clearly having heard about Farkas being a werewolf. "Don't worry, lads, Elisif'll be fine."

"Brynjolf, will you be all right with these two?" Ralof asked, eyeing Argis warily. "Happy to stay and keep an eye on them if you want."

"I'll be fine," Brynjolf said, settling down and making himself comfortable. "You head back up top, send word if anyone of the Aldmeri persuasion shows up or if anyone's looking for our lass. I can handle these two."

"If you say so, Brynjolf," Ralof replied, narrowing his eyes at Argis and Farkas both but taking his leave. Argis had to raise an eyebrow at Ralof trusting a known thief over him and Farkas, and he told Brynjolf this.

"Aye, but I'm also the one who infiltrated and ransacked the Thalmor Embassy, freeing at least one prisoner, killing a few key Thalmor personnel and no doubt putting a dent in their operations for months," Brynjolf said, grinning. "They were all very interested in that story. Interested enough that I'm now one of them as far as they're concerned."

"You don't even worship Talos," Argis pointed out, being fairly certain from talking to Karliah who the Nightingales really worshipped, if worship was the right word for a cult of thieving. Brynjolf laughed, shaking his head, but there was a harshness to that laughter that belied the amusement.

"No, lad, I don't. But thanks to that little job, my name's on a Thalmor list and my Guild's been destroyed. So I will throw in common cause with anyone looking to take those bastards down a notch if it's worth my while and if they end up calling me brother, I can live with that, I suppose. Kynesgrove's not got a lot worth stealing anyway."

Now that was more like the Brynjolf Argis knew. Always came down to coin in the end with him. Argis wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. On the other hand, Brynjolf also liked not dying, and Argis was fairly certain his life expectancy wouldn't be very long at all if he knifed Delphine in the back.

So Argis settled down to wait. Elisif hated being constantly watched anyway. Maybe it was better this way.


Elisif walked into the cavern, lantern light and even glowing soul gems illuminating the rock and soil walls, and dominating the room, the statue of Talos leaning on a sword pinning a dragon to the ground, and before it the axe-headed shrine.

Elisif tried to smile but she couldn't overlook that it bothered her now in a way it never had before. It was just so... violent in its implications. Not that she'd shrink from war if she had to, but to protect herself and her people, not go conquering. When I have statues built of me, I want the dragon draped around me, like it's my pet. Dragon power used to protect the weak, not enslave them.

Her inner Dovah whined in her head, clearly not sure about this one but also quite liking the image of being draped round her shoulders rather than pinned and vulnerable. She'd take this as compliance.

Arranged in front of the shrine were wooden benches and on the front one was a woman in leather armour fingering her Talos amulet. Delphine of the Blades, and the one who'd refounded Kynesgrove as a secret enclave of former Stormcloaks and Talos-worshippers, and Elisif strongly suspected that she was using the little community as a source of future Blades, in fact she was sure the number of prisoners had been greater than she'd seen in Kynesgrove so far, which likely meant some of them had already been spirited back to Karthspire for Esbern to start inducting.

The level of organisation and planning and sheer paranoid cunning that Delphine was capable of frightened Elisif sometimes, and when Delphine and Madanach joined forces it was even worse. At least Madanach she was sure of now. Delphine was out of Elisif's control entirely, and that concerned her. Definitely best to keep her close at hand.

"Delphine," Elisif began, taking a seat next to her. "Hello. I killed Alduin!"

Delphine didn't look up at first but she did smile.

"So I heard," Delphine said, a note of quiet pride in her voice. "Welcome back. You're looking well, Dragonborn."

"Thank you," Elisif said, feeling a little nervous. "So do you. Did you really organise all this while I was gone?"

"Yes," Delphine said smugly. "Madanach might not have cared about the prisoners' fate but damned if I was letting Elenwen have the satisfaction. So I stood my ground and eventually he agreed just so he didn't have to feed them. I've got the older ones and the ones with spouses and kids moving here, with Ralof looking after them all. Whereas the young and single ones were all delighted to sign up as rogue dragonslayers and fighters of the Thalmor. They're already combat-trained and Madanach has agreed to provide training in guerrilla warfare so long as no one mentions Ulfric or Talos. We've also got a few smiths among them working on recreating Blades gear for the dragons and Shrouded Armour for the Thalmor-fighters. Let them think the Brotherhood have come back."

Elisif could live with that, even if organised crime was probably funding it all. No doubt extremely organised crime if Delphine was involved.

"Well done," Elisif said softly. "I'd never have thought of all that. Thank you. I'm not sure what I'd do without you. Certainly not sure I'd ever want you as my enemy."

"The Thalmor are and they've barely noticed me," Delphine said, a touch of bitterness colouring her words.

"Because you've been doing your best to hide," Elisif pointed out. "Well, that worked didn't it? Why not a covert campaign against the Thalmor?"

"Because it will attract attention," Delphine sighed. "It'll eventually lead to an incident or the discovery either you or Madanach is sponsoring it, and you'll have to either disavow us or declare war. A war for which the Empire isn't ready."

"No, not yet," Elisif sighed, acknowledging the truth of this... but the Dominion weren't going away and was anyone going to be able to live freely and safely until they were gone, once and for all? No, they weren't. Which meant she'd need to get the Empire ready - and that meant finally giving in and admitting she was the next Empress, didn't it? "Delphine... I need to tell you something. And you can't tell anyone. It's important and right now only three people know it, and the other two are Madanach and the Emperor himself."

Delphine did sit up at that, frowning. "A secret between you, Madanach and the Emperor? What on Nirn is it? It can't be the Reach separating out, I already had that from Sapphire, the news is spreading all over Windhelm. So what... Elisif, you're not pregnant, are you?"

"No!" Elisif gasped. "I've only been with Madanach a week if that, we're using potions!"

"So you are finally involved with him?" Delphine said, smug grin in place. "Good, about time. You two are good together. So what is it then?"

"Emperor Titus Mede wants to adopt me!" Elisif gasped, blurting it out to get it out of the way and her nerves only easing slightly as Delphine's eyebrows shot up. "He – he thinks the Empire's problems are because there's not been a Dragonborn ruler for two hundred years and as he's got no heirs, he's decided he wants me as the next Empress! Delphine, I don't know what I'm doing, please help. Er. Delphine? Say something?"

Delphine hadn't stopped staring at her throughout all this, expression turning to shock and disbelief. Elisif couldn't blame her for that – even Delphine couldn't have anticipated this one. She could barely believe it herself.

"Sweet mother of Talos," Delphine finally managed to get out. "Are you serious?"

Elisif nodded, by now faintly terrified, and Delphine couldn't go to pieces, this was Delphine, the woman coped with just about anything. She'd even taken the Brotherhood on for her and won. She couldn't fall apart now, not when Elisif needed her.

"You're gonna be Empress," Delphine whispered. Elisif nodded again, feeling very young and nervous, and almost as if she actually had been pregnant and breaking this news to a mother she'd had a difficult relationship with. Not a bad metaphor, that. Because Delphine had broken out into a smile, hands to her mouth and Elisif could swear she'd actually squealed.

"I haven't said yes yet," Elisif warned her, wary of Madanach's advice on Delphine's likely reaction. He'd not been wrong.

"Say yes," Delphine said instantly. "Lorkhan's eyes, this changes everything. All right, listen, you and Madanach need to get married soon, sooner the better, announce the engagement as soon as you're Mooted. We'll need two prongs of publicity – you'll need to get the Bards' College to present it as a tale of love at first sight after you were unjustly imprisoned and he rescued you and agreed to help deal with Ulfric for love of you. Meanwhile I'll have Brynjolf getting word of the politics out via the grapevine, that it's to make sure he behaves himself post-independence. Goodness, Titus Mede's not a young man, he could be dead within five years, you could be Empress before you're even thirty. You need heirs and you need them soon, so have a short engagement and stop using the potions the day it's announced, it'll be easier for everyone if the consort and heirs question is settled before you take the throne."

"I knew you'd do this," Elisif sighed. "Madanach said you'd act like it's a done deal and start organising it all."

Delphine pursed her lips at this, staring pointedly at Elisif.

"Elisif. You would be an idiot to turn it down. The Empire needs you."

"No, you need me, because you can't fight the Thalmor on your own forever, you need Imperial backing and when the inevitable war happens, you'll need me to help you fight it," Elisif said tersely, wise to how this dance worked by now. Delphine actually hesitated and Elisif wondered if she'd actually won this one... until Delphine hit back.

"You're right, the next war's inevitable, and when it comes you will not be ready. The Empire will not be ready... not unless there's someone in charge who can prepare, who knows what to expect. Someone who fought them last time round. Maybe I need the Imperial machine to achieve anything, but without me, you will not know enough to stop them," Delphine said, eyes unblinking as the Breton stared up at her, no willingness to compromise or give in there at all. "So you say yes to this, and then we can start working on making sure the Empire's ready for the next fight. Do we have a deal?"

Elisif hesitated, thinking this over and in principle this seemed like a good idea... but all the same she was done with people thinking they could do what they liked in her name. Being a figurehead Jarl had been bad enough. A figurehead Empress was far worse.

"You want the Imperial machinery to do something, you go through me," Elisif said tersely. "I'll give that order if I think it's needed. Even if you're not using Imperial machinery, I want to know what you're up to. Even if I don't know every detail, I want to know your strategy. You answer to me, Delphine, you're not a law unto yourself."

Delphine's eyebrows rose up, the other woman clearly not having expected this. Then she smiled and nodded.

"All right, Dragonborn. We have a deal. I'll make sure you're kept in the loop."

Elisif let out a breath she'd not realised she'd been holding. "Good. I mean, er, thank you."

"Don't thank your underlings when you're Empress," Delphine said, grinning again. "Just order them about. Or rather, thank the ones doing menial jobs but just give orders to your more senior ones. The senior ones have power and coin to make up for being snapped at after all."

"I'll keep that in mind," Elisif promised, wondering if she should run that by Madanach before recalling he was precisely the type who'd get away with murder if she wasn't a bit tough on him sometimes.

"There was something else I needed to talk to you about," Delphine was saying, and was it Elisif's imagination or did she look a bit nervous? "Elisif, I... oh Talos, Elisif, Esbern and I know about Paarthurnax."

What... oh. Elisif felt her heart sink as it occurred to her the Blades were dragonslayers and even though she in no way owed Delphine this information, nevertheless she still felt guilty. But she'd learnt a thing or two and so she tried not to react.

"And?" Elisif said, holding her ground. "All right, so he's a dragon and the Greybeards are protecting him, but he helped me, Delphine. He told me about Dragonrend and how to find it. He was the first to greet Argis and me when we got back from Sovngarde. He's not dangerous, Delphine. He's on humanity's side."

"He's a dragon, Elisif," Delphine cried. "They're all dangerous! Even if he's not hurting anyone now, there's no telling what he might do in the future. And he's immortal, Elisif. He's got all the time in the world. All he has to do is wait until you die of old age and then the world is his!"

"He's not like that!" Elisif cried, even as part of her wondered if it was true, if Paarthurnax was just playing her until she died before striking out against humanity... and then her inner Dovah growled its own response to that and it occurred to her that Alduin had been gone for centuries, there'd been no Dragonborn line since Martin died and no Blades for thirty years. If Paarthurnax had wanted to strike, he'd had all that time, and yet he'd paid no attention to the world below, his eyes firmly on the skies. If anything, it was Odahviing she needed to worry about, he'd only sworn loyalty to her, not her heirs. But he was only one dragon when all was said and done. As was Paarthurnax, and none but the First could raise them. And she'd seen to him.

"Look," Elisif said firmly, "Paarthurnax is not the violent type. Odahviing is, I admit... but I will see if any of my kids inherit Dragonborn powers and if so, Odahviing can serve one of them."

"Odahviing?" Delphine, said, voice low and dangerous. "What, the dragon you caught at Dragonsreach?"

"That's right," Elisif said, guessing she had nothing to lose at this point. "I'm going to offer him Mount Haafingar as a strunmah and have him protecting Solitude."

"You're what?" Delphine almost shrieked before finally collecting herself. "Elisif, he's a dragon, how can you possibly trust him?"

"Because he promised to serve me and he risked his own neck by bringing me to Sovngarde," Elisif said firmly. "Delphine, they are not mindless beasts, they are thinking creatures. They are wild but they listen to reason. They are savage and violent but not without honour. Do you honestly think Nords would have supported the Dragon Cult as long as they did if dragons didn't have that? Of course they have honour and rules of combat, Delphine, they're incapable of sneaking up on anyone and when you're stronger than most non-Dov, you don't need to resort to subterfuge very often. When they give their word, they don't break it. Odahviing will remain loyal as long as I live. Paarthurnax will not give you any problems. If that changes, with Alduin gone, they are just dragons. They can be killed, and I have no doubt you'll find warriors willing to do it. You might even find another Dragonborn. But while I live, no harm will come to them."

Delphine was staring back at her as if she'd grown another head, and Elisif began to wonder if she'd gone too far. Delphine looked as if she was about to walk out.

"You know, by all rights, Esbern and I should be cutting you off right now or be forfeiting our oaths," Delphine challenged, and she looked hostile enough that Elisif began to fear she'd do that very thing. "We're sworn to rid Tamriel of dragons. That's all dragons, not all except the ones you've made friends with!"

"You're sworn to serve a Dragonborn," Elisif said quietly. "You want to break with me, go ahead, but that means if the Thalmor find you, you are on your own. You get no help from me. Or from Madanach. Don't think he'll side with you over me."

Delphine was shaking her head, still looking grim... and then she sighed and shrugged.

"Damn it, Elisif," Delphine sighed. "How you manage this, I have no idea... but you're right. We'd be mad to alienate the future Empress. So I will leave the decision to you. For as long as neither dragon gets out of control and they refrain from attacking civilians, I will take no action against them. But if either breaks faith with you, if either starts going for civilians, then I will expect you to do your duty as Dragonborn."

If Paarthurnax lost control of himself, Elisif suspected he'd want someone to stop him and end it, and it wasn't a job she wanted to leave to anyone else. As for Odahviing, if he broke faith with her, she'd likely feel so personally betrayed that killing him would be the only option.

"If that happens, I will do as Tamriel will need me to," Elisif promised and Delphine finally smiled a little, sagging in relief.

"You always do," Delphine said quietly. "It'll be an honour to serve you, Dragonborn... Eminence."

The Imperial form of address, although to be fair it was often used for High Kings and Queens too. But to hear it from Delphine... Elisif never thought she'd see the day.

"Thank you," Elisif said softly. "I'm glad you're with me, you know. Despite everything. You're... dammit Delphine, I need you."

"Likewise," Delphine said, before turning to look at up at the Talos statue again. "I'll revere Talos always... but he's dead and gone and he never answered my prayers. You though, you're alive and well. And if they don't make you a Divine, well, I think you're always going to be remembered as a hero. And you deserve it."

"Thank you," Elisif said again, feeling her cheeks stain red with embarrassment. There didn't seem to be anything to say to that, so Elisif gazed up at Talos, wondering if he really was a Divine or not. She had no idea. Whether he deserved to be... she didn't know that either. But she knew one thing. He'd definitely been Dragonborn and Emperor. And now she'd be both as well. You and I are equals in that at least, and as for Divinity, I think being alive may have the edge on that. And after my death, that's for the Eight and those I leave behind to decide.

She'd not expected that resolution to bring the peace it did. Almost as if a Divine had finally blessed her. Tiber Septim acknowledging his heir? Or Talos saying he was sorry for what he did as a man, for what his followers did in his name after? Elisif didn't know. But she felt more comfortable with the Dragonborn God than she'd done for a long time. Not that she'd tell Madanach this. But as she sat with Delphine and looked on Talos's Shrine, she finally began to feel healed.


Back in Windhelm, and Elisif was surprised to see Balgruuf waiting for her in the Palace, sitting at the table and exchanging pointed glares with Madanach in his high seat. Behind him, Irileth was glancing warily around the room, a few other Whiterun warriors with her, including Lydia, the young woman who'd brought Balgruuf the news of Windhelm's fall and helped capture Odahviing.

"Balgruuf?" Elisif asked, surprised to see him here. "I thought you were leaving today."

"Tomorrow," Balgruuf grunted. "Wanted to talk with you before you left. No, don't worry, I'm not here to tell you why everything you're doing's wrong. Imagine you'll probably have enough of that when you get back to Solitude."

Very probably although what business that was of Balgruuf's, Elisif had no idea.

"So what are you here for then?" Elisif asked, waving Argis and Farkas away as she took a seat next to Balgruuf and ignored Madanach's snort of derision.

"You remember Lydia, don't you?" Balgruuf said, beckoning the girl over. Lydia smiled nervously, cheeks pink as she glanced shyly at Elisif and looked away.

"I do," Elisif said, wondering where this was going. "Hello Lydia. You're looking well."

"Thank you, my lady," Lydia said softly. Balgruuf nodded and turned back to her.

"Seems Lydia's been quite taken with your exploits. You've gained quite the admirer. Not that I can fault her for that. Half the country thinks you're a hero and even the ones who backed Ulfric appreciate the story."

"I'm sure they do – Balgruuf, where is this going?" Elisif asked, wondering what Lydia's admiration had to do with anything.

"Only this," Balgruuf said, glancing at Argis, still watching from the sidelines and his frown the mirror image of Madanach's. "That the housecarl you brought from Solitude died and I notice you never brought old Bolgeir with you. Then I find out your principal bodyguard is Madanach's son and there's even talk he's taking over as your steward? There's too many Reachfolk at your court, Elisif. You need someone there who'll watch your back, not keep balancing your interests with Markarth's, if they bother balancing them at all."

"I trust Argis to serve me loyally and tell his own father to back off if necessary," Elisif said pointedly. "He's done it before after all."

"I suppose he probably has," Balgruuf shrugged. "But that doesn't change the fact you need someone to watch your back that's in your pocket. So seeing as Lydia's become something of an enthusiast of yours, I'm offering her to you. She's a fully-trained housecarl and a fine warrior. I'm hoping you can make use of her. I'm thinking you might prefer a younger, female bodyguard instead of old Bolgeir."

"Are you -" Serious, was what Elisif wanted to say, but of course he was, Balgruuf wouldn't make the offer if he wasn't. So she turned to look at Lydia to see if she was really as enthusiastic about this as Balgruuf had made out.

"Are you sure about this?" Elisif asked Lydia. "You know you can say no, I won't mind."

Lydia did look up at that, confused. "No? Why would I say no? I get to serve the greatest hero in Skyrim, the true High Queen and Dragonborn. High Queen, it's my honour to guard you."

Bless the girl, she actually looked genuine. Even if Balgruuf was probably using this as an opportunity to have someone close to her court, Elisif decided Lydia's loyalty was real.

"You won't miss Whiterun?" Elisif asked and here Lydia's smile did falter a little.

"My family's there," Lydia admitted. "And I'll miss them. But I'm sure I'll still see them, and this is worth it. I'm not doing anything worthwhile in Whiterun. In Solitude, I could really make a difference! If you'll have me, lady Queen."

Lydia lowered her eyes, looking nervous and uncertain still, and Elisif couldn't help but smile. Bless the girl, it seemed like she genuinely had her heart set on this.

"All right," Elisif said, loving the way Lydia's eyes lit up. "But don't expect non-stop excitement all the time. Most of the time, court life's pretty boring. There'll be a lot of standing around."

"Oh I don't mind," Lydia said, sounding rather breathless. "Thank you, High Queen, thank you so much! You won't regret it, I'll protect you with my life if I have to!"

Elisif remembered Jordis telling her to run, and Argis lying bleeding in her arms, and sincerely hoped Lydia would never have to. But she'd accept the service.

Up until Madanach sidled up behind her after Balgruuf had left and Lydia been shown to her quarters by Jorleif, arms sliding around her waist as he nuzzled her neck. With Imperial authority having left the city, Elisif had finally relented on the public displays of affection front and Madanach was now taking full advantage.

"She fancies you," Madanach murmured, and she could hear the smirk in his voice.

"She does not – wait, you really think so?" Elisif could feel her face flushing scarlet as Madanach turned her to face him.

"Yes," Madanach grinned. "Don't worry, I don't mind. I'm not worried you'll run off with her and leave me or anything. Just thought I should warn you. Or enlighten you – oh look, you've gone bright red, did anyone ever tell you you're adorable when you're embarrassed?"

"Funnily enough, no, I don't recall being embarrassed this often until I met you!" Elisif hissed back. "Oh gods, look, I don't even fancy women, wouldn't know what to do if I had one. I don't – I should talk to her."

"No, no, don't do that," Madanach soothed, stopping her from chasing after Lydia. "Be a bit embarrassing to explain to Balgruuf why you sent his housecarl back, and humiliating for her. Say nothing, try and make sure she doesn't see you naked, and if she makes the inevitable pass at you, turn her down gently. Unless you realise you're really bisexual after all, of course. In which case, go for it, who am I to judge."

"Bi-what?" Elisif asked, confused. She'd not heard the term before.

"Old Reach term, means you like men and women... or people who don't really fit either of those, and there's a few of those in the Reach too. But if you're not, you're not. We can't all be," Madanach said, shrugging.

"You sound almost hopeful," Elisif said, confused. "Why would you be – Madanach, no. No, you do not get to watch!" Elisif didn't claim to know a lot about exotic sexual practices, but just lately she'd been broadening her horizons, largely thanks to drunken chats with her Blades. Cicero's knowledge alone could fill entire shelves of erotic literature.

Madanach pouted and Elisif could feel herself blushing. What she saw in him escaped her sometimes.

"I wasn't going to!" Madanach protested. "Unless you wanted me to – look, I'm just saying, if you ever realise you like women, I'm OK with that."

"And if I decide I'd rather have a handsome young man instead?" Elisif hissed. "Would you be so keen to watch then?"

Silence as Madanach stared back, frowning slightly, actually thinking this one over... wait, thinking it over? Madanach was supposed to be the type to kill rivals, not encourage them.

"Make sure it's someone cute?" Madanach finally said. "Who's got a thing for older men and no problems with magic? What? You think I never had a man in my bed before?"

Elisif frankly had thought exactly that and to hear otherwise was a bit of a shock, because in no way could she imagine Madanach of all people kissing another man, or doing other things for that matter... except apparently she could because her brain was helpfully furnishing all sorts of images and now she was wondering if Madanach gave or received or both or...

"Oh," Elisif whispered. "I... right? I don't know what to say..."

Polite disbelief on Madanach's face as both eyebrows raised.

"Of all the things to put you off me, that's it? Not the Hagravens, the murders, the forbidden magics or the age difference, but the fact I've had men in my bed?"

"No," Elisif managed to get out. "I just never thought... you? Seriously? I never thought you were the type..."

"Just because I don't flounce around like Cicero doesn't mean I'm immune to the appeal – stop looking at me like that, you like men as well!"

"Not in the same way!" Elisif hissed. "Mara, Madanach, are you the one on top or... I can't believe we're having this conversation."

"I'm not fussy," Madanach said, shrugging. "Honestly, Elisif, it hardly matters, not like I was planning on having anyone else. Elisif? Elisif, say something, you're starting to worry me."

"I... I need to think about this," Elisif whispered. "I mean, I need to... I'll be in our bedroom if anyone needs me."

Elisif fled the room, mind full of all sorts of wild and indecent images of Madanach entwined with various male members of the Forsworn, wanting and not wanting it to stop. Madanach watched her go, brow furrowed as he began to wonder if perhaps Nords weren't quite as open to same-sex relationships as he'd believed, or at least were only OK with them in the abstract, not in their partners' pasts. Such was not the case among Reachmen and Madanach hadn't realised Elisif would have a problem. It worried him. It kept worrying him. It kept worrying him until he finally called court business to a close for the day and went to find Elisif.

He found her in their bedroom, out of her armour, presumably having got some of the guards to assist, looking flushed, breathless and not a little dishevelled.

"You have to tell me!" she insisted, grabbing his furs in a panic.

"Tell you what?" Madanach asked, still a little wary.

"The details!" Elisif cried. "I need to know! Who was it and what did you do?"

He should have known it would come to this. Details. Everyone always wanted the details. It was a little wearying and the main reason he never really talked about it. But he supposed he owed her this.

"Cidhna Mine or when I was young?" Madanach sighed.

"Either. Both! I don't know!" Elisif gasped, arms wrapping around him as she started writhing up against him. "Just... just tell me something! I mean, I can't stop thinking about it but I don't know what it involved and... Madanach, please!"

He'd seen that expression before. Chiefly when she was lying underneath him begging him to fuck her. Somebody clearly had been thinking about things, hadn't she?

"Pervert," Madanach murmured in her ear as he backed her towards the bed, Elisif unresisting as he pushed her back on to the mattress. "Well now, if you insist. If you want every filthy detail of my sordid past, I shall just have to oblige, won't I?"

Elisif moaned a little in response, writhing beneath him, as Madanach proceeded to do just that, whispering filth in her ears and occasionally doing more than just whispering. Afterwards of course came serious questions and whispered reassurances that of course he wasn't going to be off hauling young Reachmen into his bed as soon as her back was turned, he was getting too old to fool around anyway, it took all his energy keeping up with her. To which Elisif whispered that was a shame, she wouldn't mind seeing that.

And with that talked over, night fell and all was well in Windhelm, and Elisif the Dragonborn was at peace. And if she'd been intending to remain in Windhelm, all would have stayed that way. But all good things come to an end... and Solitude awaited.


A/N: Come on, I couldn't kill Paarthurnax and Elisif was never going to agree to it. Didn't want to demonise Delphine either though, so I appealed to her inner pragmatist, had Elisif tell her about the Imperial Heir business first, and that was enough to persuade Delphine to relent a little.

Madanach being bi - wasn't something I was initially going to include, but it was a headcanon I used in another fic, and it's quite plausible - stuck in Cidhna Mine for twenty years with not a woman in sight? Same-sex activity's quite likely under those circumstances and we can't rule out a little fooling around pre-marriage either. So in it goes. :D (My bi readers will no doubt appreciate it.)

Next chapter is the return to Solitude... and Elisif's dreading it.