A/N: And here we are back in Solitude. Poor Elisif, she's not been looking forward to this... I however have been looking forward to this for some time. :D

Summary: Jarl Elisif returns in triumph to Solitude to the adulation of her people... but the woman under the crown feels more like a recaptured prisoner than a returning hero. However, Solitude's not quite the city it was and Elisif's definitely not the Jarl she used to be. When it turns out that one of her adventures has had unwelcome consequences, Elisif gathers her followers for one last battle.


Nearly a month after the fall of Ulfric Stormcloak, and the Imperial Legion was returning home. Troops had headed to the Rift to accept Jarl Maven's oaths of loyalty and provide aid to the dragon-ravaged Hold, the volunteers were returning home and the regulars were all returning to their usual bases. Including a large detachment returning to Solitude, led by Legate Rikke... and including as guests three armoured warriors who weren't part of the Legion but who were too important to be allowed to wander Skyrim unsupervised. The returning Jarl of Solitude, her adventures done, Alduin dead, dragons still around but being successfully hunted by guards and Legionnaires and dedicated bands of dragonslayers operating out of the Reach who were definitely not Blades, was sitting in the back of a carriage, watching Solitude loom up ahead of her.

"There it is! Solitude!" Lydia gasped. She'd visited the city once or twice but it never failed to make an impression. How the arch stayed standing was beyond her, but it looked beautiful. So why was the Jarl looking so pensive?

"Er, my lady?" Lydia asked, concerned. "Are you all right?"

"Yes," Elisif sighed. "I suppose. I mean, yes of course. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Hey. El. You're gonna be fine," Argis said, voice surprisingly gentle for a heavily armoured six-foot-tall Nord warrior. "Lydia and I, we got your back."

"Thank you," Elisif said softly, staring at her hands, and the Slayer of Alduin did not look the part of the returning hero. Lydia had seen Elisif's mood decline since leaving Windhelm, and despite the lengthy cuddle Elisif had shared with Madanach before boarding the carriage, Lydia didn't think this was because she missed her lover.

"Don't you want to go back to Solitude?" Lydia asked, frowning. "I mean, you're Jarl, don't you want to get back to your palace?"

"My husband died horribly in that palace, and I never really got the chance to be Jarl, Falk did all the governing," Elisif said, voice barely varying from the soft monotone that sounded nothing like the insistent young woman who'd demanded Balgruuf's assistance in trapping a dragon, or who'd demanded the Empire honour the agreements she'd negotiated. The contrast couldn't have been more marked.

"But... you're Dragonborn," Lydia said, scratching her head. "You saved the world. You stopped the war! You're a hero! They'll be lining the streets to welcome you home! My lady... High Queen... Solitude needs you!"

"I know," Elisif said quietly. "And I'll do my duty to Skyrim and Solitude. But that doesn't mean I like the idea."

Lydia turned to Argis, really not having expected this for a second. She'd heard Elisif came from humble origins, had neither sought nor expected the power, wasn't ambitious, and of course all Skyrim knew of how Torygg had died. But to hear she was quietly dreading being Jarl again, as opposed to roaming Skyrim having adventures and killing dragons... it wasn't at all what Lydia had anticipated.

"Is she serious?" Lydia asked Argis, lowering her voice. Argis nodded.

"Yeah. She hated being Jarl before. Sure, she was grieving Torygg, but she was also really lonely and no one was really supporting her. Course she's not looking forward to going home. When she had all the Blades together, it was different, it was High Queen this and Dragonborn that. Now she's leaving it all behind. Can't blame her for being unhappy."

"I didn't know," Lydia breathed.

"Not many do," Argis said, sympathy in his eyes as he watched his dejected Jarl stare gloomily at the Blue Palace. "Keep it to yourself."

"Isn't there anything we can do?" Lydia said, hoping her desperation wasn't showing too much. Skyrim couldn't know how unhappy its High Queen was. Now more than ever, Nords needed a leader they could rally behind.

"Yeah," Argis growled. "Stick close to Elisif and look after her. Eight know she'll need all the friends she can get."

Lydia nodded and drew closer to Elisif. Damned if the Dragonborn was dying on her watch.

And so they arrived in Haafingar, the carriage trundling over the Dragon Bridge that signified the Hold's boundary. Word had clearly arrived before her, because people were lining the road, all waving and cheering, welcoming their beloved Jarl home. This at least seemed to please Elisif, because she rallied, waving back, actually smiling, calling 'thank you!' as the carriage passed through the town, even calling the procession to a halt to chat to one Varnius Junius, asking if the town had had any more strange lights and odd noises nearby. No was the answer to that one, and Varnius was very grateful to his Jarl for acting so promptly and resolving things. True, Kilkreath was now home to a cult of Meridia worshippers dedicated to restoring the temple and quite possibly cleansing the world of undead and the necromancers that profaned people's remains, but Varnius assured Elisif the cultists had been no trouble, kept the noise down, didn't seem to perform rites at night anyway, and were bringing a lot of business to the town. What with the Restored Temple of Meridia and the Penitus Oculatus, Dragon Bridge was getting quite busy these days.

Elisif stopped dead at the mention of the Penitus Oculatus and her mood dropped yet further as a troop of said Oculatus approached her carriage.

"Eminence," the young man at their head said, bowing deeply before Elisif, who was definitely gritting her teeth, Lydia could tell. "Greetings to you and welcome back. I'm Commander Maro, Commander Gaius Maro, that is, and I now head up the Skyrim branch of the Penitus Oculatus. I believe you met my father in Windhelm?"

"I did," Elisif confirmed, weariness lurking behind the surface smile. "Now that the Emperor's returned to Cyrodiil, are the Oculatus staying here or returning with him?"

"His Eminence has decided we're to maintain a presence, both here and at Castle Dour, for the foreseeable future," Gaius replied, and was it Lydia's imagination or did he look a bit nervous? Which was probably natural, Elisif's reputation as a hero of legend was no doubt preceding her, but that he looked so proud as well... odd. "He's taken an interest in the province and is believed to be intending a proper state visit some time in the next year, so we felt it best to maintain a base in Solitude. Your Eminence, my men and I were about to leave for the city, we'd be honoured to accompany you..."

Elisif closed her eyes and sighed, as if she'd somehow expected this but also hated the very idea. Nevertheless, she assented, and the Oculatus soldiers stationed themselves around the carriage, Maro himself climbing in next to the driver.

"All right, why are the Emperor's elite guards riding with us?" Lydia whispered. Elisif didn't answer, looking away with her lips pursed. Argis shook his head.

"Not here," he said quietly. "We talk at the Palace, yeah? Need to know and all that, and yeah you do need to know, but the rest of the Hold doesn't."

Lydia looked at Argis, then back to Elisif, who'd resumed smiling and waving as if she didn't have a troop of Penitus Oculatus now guarding her carriage, and wondered what she wasn't being told, and then it occurred to her that Gaius Maro had given Elisif the same form of address he'd used for the Emperor, but surely not... All the same, Lydia couldn't help but wonder.

Past Kilkreath, and the Meridia worshippers in their white and gold sunburst robes all turned out to salute Elisif, who actually got up and drew Dawnbreaker, raising it to the sky to mass acclaim. And then Solitude itself at last. Argis was out of the carriage, helping Elisif out and giving filthy looks to the Oculatus men who'd drawn in as he'd done so, then Lydia followed, glancing at rooftops and the nearby cliffs just in case. Too easy for an assassin to hide up there, but it seemed the area was clear.

Then the gates were flung up and if Dragon Bridge had been busy, Solitude was packed. Banners and flags everywhere, a big sign across the market square reading 'Welcome Back, Jarl Elisif!' and what looked like the entire city turned out to see her.

"Oh my goodness," Elisif whispered, hand to her mouth. "I didn't expect – well, I suppose I should have – I didn't realise they'd miss me this much!"

"Of course they did," Rikke said, the Oculatus soldiers recognising the Legion's second-in-command when they saw her and falling back to let her approach, and if Legion and Oculatus didn't always see eye-to-eye, Rikke's personal reputation was unblemished. "The way my soldiers tell it, the city's been talking non-stop about you since you left. Every new piece of news, every new tale, no matter how wild it may seem, gets dissected non-stop, retold, no doubt embellished in the process, and now the entire city is convinced their Jarl is the next Tiber Septim. Jarl Elisif, I know you're not exactly fond of the limelight, but let them have their fun. They're proud of you, and so they should be."

Elisif was biting her lip and Lydia wondered if she was all right, and then a group of bards from the College started singing 'The Dragonborn Comes', all in harmony, and the citizens joined in too, and Elisif was rubbing her face, smiling despite the tears rolling down her cheeks. Lydia glanced at Argis, who grinned and patted Elisif on the back and led her forward through the city waiting to welcome her home.

It must have taken three hours to finally get to the Blue Palace, what with children wanting to know the full story, and adults who pretended they didn't, but really were as keen as the little ones, and Elisif had never been able to walk past a child without talking to it at the best of times. It took forever, and Elisif left a lot out but by the end of it there were a lot of excited children, a lot of enthusiastic adults who were already cracking the mead open, and one tired but happy Jarl with her two housecarls, finally making her way into her palace, her mood having perked up considerably.

"Jarl, you're back!" That was Falk hurrying downstairs, and he looked worried... worried?

"Falk!" Elisif cried, rushing towards her steward to hug him. "Yes, yes I'm back, I just got here! Goodness, half the city turned out to see me! I've had to promise Viarmo and Giraud a proper telling of the story later this week so they can write the saga, but everyone's talking about it! Falk, I don't know what you've heard or what to even begin telling you, but so much happened and... and... Falk, I killed Ulfric! And took Windhelm! And then I went to Sovngarde and killed Alduin!"

"I know, I know, I heard, it's frankly unbelievable – the Forsworn were involved?"

"Yes," Elisif admitted. "But they're not so bad as they say. The Empire's keeping an eye on them, and there's an agreement been signed and a draft treaty in the works. I... guess I'll have to sign it once I'm queen. Don't know how that'll go, giving an entire Hold independence like that, but I owe them."

"Never mind that," Falk said quietly, voice low and urgent. "We have more immediate problems – did the courier find you?"

"Courier?" Elisif asked, confused. "What courier? Falk, what's going on?"

Falk didn't answer, leading Elisif off to one side, his face grim. Elisif followed, giving anxious looks back to Argis and Lydia, both housecarls confused and moving in closer to hear this one. Falk glanced over at them, clearly dying to order them away, but he knew Argis and guessed Lydia was also working for his Jarl now.

"We have a problem," Falk said quietly. "Elisif, we need that Dunmer priest you brought here to go into Wolfskull Cave. We think... we think the ritual you interrupted there has gone wrong."

"Wrong?" Elisif gasped. "What do you mean, wrong? Erandur and I stopped it, we stopped Potema coming back! She didn't come back, she can't have! Has she?"

Falk's expression was all Elisif needed to know. Elisif felt everything stop as she realised what was wrong. Potema the Wolf Queen – back somehow.

"Tell me everything," Elisif said, shoving the rising feeling of panic down. "What do you know? The city's still standing and no one seems to know anything about Potema coming back."

"It happened three days ago," Falk said quietly. "I sent word to Windhelm immediately, must have just missed you. It happened in the Temple – something, a Draugr, burst through the cellar wall there, nearly killed one of the priests. Fortunately some soldiers had just got back from Eastmarch and were giving thanks for their safe return in the Temple at the time, and they killed it. I had the place sealed, closed the Temple, used your imminent return as an excuse, but I can't keep doing that. Elisif, I spoke to Styrr at the Hall of the Dead, he seems to think the binding you interrupted was left hanging and Potema's spirit got loose somehow. He thinks she's in the old catacombs down there, but no one can get in to find out. We were hoping you and that Dunmer priest might be able to help. Styrr seems to think one of you has a link to Potema."

"Erandur's in Windhelm, serving as one of their priests of Mara," Elisif said, gently patting Falk's arm in the same way he used to pat hers to reassure her. "But I'm here now, Falk. Don't worry. I'll deal with it."

"You'll deal with it?" Falk asked, staring at her hand on his sleeve, clearly not entirely coming to terms with the idea of Elisif being the one to comfort him. "But... how?"

"Same way I dealt with Alduin," Elisif said, finally smiling as the dragon within started to growl. "Trust me. I'll sort it out. Argis! Lydia! Get your things, we've got someone to kill."

"Oh! I mean, at once, my Jarl," Lydia nodded, leaving her pack to one side and making sure sword and shield were in place.

"Ready when you are, Elisif," Argis grinned, hefting his battleaxe. "Where is this sorry son-of-a-bitch?"

"She," Elisif corrected him as she led them out. "It's a she. Someone thinks she's the true Queen of Solitude and is trying to stage a takeover. Fancy helping me teach her a lesson?"

"Yes!" Lydia cried, before remembering where she was. "I mean, of course, my Jarl."

"No, you had it right the first time," Elisif flung back, already looking forward to this. At least she was... until Gaius Maro and about seven Oculatus soldiers stepped forward.

"Oh." Elisif stopped, her mood immediately plummeting at the reminder her life wasn't her own any more. "Commander. I thought you'd be at Castle Dour."

"Yes, that's where I'll be based," Gaius replied, bowing to her. "But I'll be having some of my men stationed here to supplement the palace guard and I'll need to meet with your steward to go over your security arrangements... Eminence?"

Once Elisif might have meekly gone along with all of this. But her dragon blood was fired up and ready to rip a rival apart, and she was in no mood to put up with overzealous Oculatus agents.

"Commander, I don't know what your father told you, but I am Jarl of this city and going to be High Queen, and in this Hold, this province, my word is law! And palace security arrangements fall under my purview. When it's convenient for me, my housecarl and I will meet with you and discuss anything you feel is relevant. But right now, I have an urgent matter pertaining to the wellbeing of the whole of Solitude to deal with, and I do not have time for this. So please, if you could possibly return to Castle Dour and leave me to take care of my city in peace, I would appreciate it."

"Eminence, this is highly – wait, a matter endangering the entire city?" Gaius had dropped the deference, every inch the alert soldier. "And you're dealing with it personally?"

"Of course," Elisif said, surprised. "Look, it was me who stopped the ritual that raised her, it looks like it's me who's going to have to stop her. I'm taking my housecarls for backup and I'd appreciate it if you could get out of the way..."

"What?" Gaius cried. "Out of the question, my orders were quite clear. To protect you with my life and ensure nothing happens to you! Eminence, I cannot stand by and allow..."

Elisif lost her temper.

"Listen here, you overpromoted Imperial bureaucrat," Elisif snarled, jabbing Gaius in the chest. "I am Jarl of Solitude, future High Queen of Skyrim, Slayer of Alduin, and I have faced far worse than the upstart necromancer trying to take over my city. And I have certainly faced worse than you! So you can either get out of my way and let me get on with protecting my city and my people as I see fit or... or you and your men can get behind me, take my orders and help me!"

"I..." Gaius looked over at Falk Firebeard, who'd just emerged to see what the fuss was about. "Sir, are you her steward? Can you tell her to calm down?"

"Tell her to...?" Falk raised an eyebrow. "Sir, I don't know who you are, but she's my Jarl. I don't give orders to her."

Elisif looked up at Falk, amazed to hear him say this when he'd previously done his best to talk over her at every turn. But here he was, backing her up. He noticed her staring at him and actually inclined his head, bowing a little, slight smile on his face. Elisif found herself smiling back. All this time she'd been worried and it turned out Falk had her back after all.

"Come on," Elisif told her housecarls. "Let's go. We need to talk to Styrr and after that, I need to get the Temple unsealed and find out where this Draugr came from."

She'd barely got out of the palace when she heard Gaius Maro calling after her.

"Jarl Elisif! Er, I mean, Your Eminence!"

Elisif stopped, rolling her eyes and turning around. "What?" she sighed.

"Wait," he gasped, running to catch up. "I mean, I didn't mean... I know you're Jarl and my orders were to protect you, not tell you how to do your job. So, if you're intent on doing dangerous things in the service of Solitude... will you at least let me and my men accompany you."

Elisif raised an eyebrow and glanced at Argis, then at Lydia. Lydia nodded and Argis shrugged.

"Sure... if you think he won't get in the way. Could use a few more swords and the Oculatus are good."

"Well, all right then, Commander," Elisif replied, nodding for them to fall in with her. "But stay out of the way, and do what Argis tells you. No trying to push me out of the way if someone comes at me with a sword. You're soldiers following me into battle, or you're staying here."

"Understood, Eminence," Gaius said quietly, before calling to his men to fall in line and follow the Jarl. Elisif suppressed the urge to squeal. Had that really just happened? Had Gaius Maro of the Penitus Oculatus really just fallen into line? But apparently he just had, and Elisif looked closer, realising he was barely older than her... if he was older.

"Commander," Elisif said softly, so his men didn't hear him. "If you don't mind me asking... how old are you exactly?"

"Twenty five," Gaius admitted. "But I've been training with my father since I was a boy, joined the Legion at sixteen, passed all the entrance exams for the Oculatus at twenty and rose to captain a year ago. I... may I say it's an honour to be chosen to protect the Imperial he-"

Elisif placed a finger to his lips, shaking her head.

"Don't say a word to anyone about that until it's made official. You're my bodyguards and protection service, not my spokespeople."

"Yes ma'am, I mean, Eminence, I mean... yes, of course," Gaius said, only stammering a little. Elisif smiled. All right, this was perhaps not quite the burden she'd thought.

"All right then," Elisif said, turning and striding off. "To the Hall of the Dead, and if two of the Oculatus could go in front and tell the people to clear away – Lydia, supervise them, make sure no one overreacts, these are innocent citizens, not criminals."

Lydia nodded and took charge of two of Maro's men, clearing the way ahead, and they arrived at the Hall of the Dead without further incident. Elisif hadn't been here since Torygg had been laid to rest. She tried not to think of his remains interred somewhere in Solitude catacombs.

Inside, Styrr was standing, arms folded, having a rather frustrating conversation with two visitors.

"Young lady, I appreciate your desire to help, and ordinarily I would happily accept the aid of anyone both skilled and public-spirited enough to volunteer their assistance, but this matter requires the specific assistance of the individuals present at the original binding, and I don't recall you being either of those."

"And your evidence for that is...?" Eola's voice rang out across the room, sounding every bit the imperious Reach-Princess. "My aunt has consulted with one of the eyewitnesses on the ritual used and seems to think there's no magical binding on either of them, only that the Wolf Queen's likely to recognise them and respond to a challenge. Styrr, I think I know enough to be able to persuade her to let me in, please let me try?"

"Pleeeaaassseeee?" Cicero added, wringing his hands and sidling up to Styrr hopefully. "Cicero is very good at stabbing upstart necromancers who should have died properly the first time!"

"Admirable, my boy, but I'm very much afraid one Wolf Queen can only be laid to rest by the other... and there she is!"

As one, Cicero and Eola turned and both their faces lit up to see Elisif step in.

"Hey Elisif!" Eola called cheerfully, and Cicero was his usual exuberant self, as always. Alas for him, he had no idea about the whole Imperial adoption business, and hadn't fully realised Elisif now had highly-trained elite bodyguards who had no idea who he was.

"DRAGONBORN DRAGONBORN PRETTY DRAGONB- eeeeek!" Two of the Oculatus had drawn their swords on the motley-clad lunatic trying to pounce on their charge and stepped forward, only just avoiding impaling Cicero.

"STEP AWAY FROM THE QUEEN!" Gaius roared. "ON THE FLOOR, HANDS ON YOUR HEAD, NOW!"

Cicero wailed even more, cringing back and wringing his hands and appealing piteously to Elisif.

"Elisif, help!" Cicero cried. "Tell them poor Cicero is your friend! Tell them poor Cicero meant no harm and isn't going to stab you!"

"Let him go!" Elisif cried, horrified as it dawned on her she'd need to brief Maro in far more detail than she was comfortable with on her friends. "He works for me, he's... he's not going to hurt me!"

Gaius glanced at her then nodded at his men, who backed off. Cicero whimpered and scrambled to his feet, clinging on to Eola and shooting terrified looks back at Elisif.

"I'm so sorry," Elisif gasped, making her way over to see if he was all right. "They're a bit overzealous but they're just doing their job. I've, er, got bodyguards now. Extra bodyguards. Um. Commander, this is Cicero and this is Eola, she's Jarl Madanach's younger daughter. They're friends, they're allowed to come near me, oh gods."

Thankfully, Cicero appeared to have forgiven her because he let Eola go and snuggled into her arms, whimpering and staring up at her, looking personally betrayed.

"Cicero just wanted to say hello," Cicero whispered. "Cicero nearly got stabbed!"

"I know, I know, I'm sorry," Elisif soothed. "I'll make sure it doesn't happen again, I promise."

"It better not, he's one of a kind!" Eola said, sounding a little stern as she rubbed Cicero's back. "Hey, you fetchers know my da's a Jarl, right? You can't just execute me, right?"

"Better not, she's also my little sister," Argis growled, drawing nearer to her. "You better have a damn good reason to lay a finger on her."

"Your name's been mentioned, Lady Eola," Gaius said stiffly, still not taking his eyes off Cicero. "They did mention you had a consort of sorts called Cicero, but details were a little light."

Probably because Delphine and Madanach had both gone out of their way to ensure Cicero was steered away from anyone important, which now Elisif thought about it, might not have been the best idea if it meant the Oculatus had no idea who he was and thought he was an assassin. Well, he was an assassin, but not one intending to stab Elisif.

"Well, that's him," Eola said tersely. "No more unfortunate incidents, hmm?"

"I'll see his description gets circulated to all agents in Skyrim," Gaius promised, eyeing Cicero warily and frankly Elisif couldn't fault him for that. "Forgive me, my lady, we were not expecting to see the Jarl of Windhelm's daughter and her consort here in Solitude."

"We just got off an East Empire ship from Windhelm," Eola said, brandishing a letter which Elisif could see had the official Seal of Solitude on it. "The Jarl received a letter by courier yesterday from the Steward of Solitude – well, it was intended for Jarl Elisif here but she'd just left and so Da opened it, because he's nosy like that and it looked important, and a good thing he did too!"

"It was asking for the pretty Dragonborn and her Dunmer friend Erandur to come home quickly, because something had gone wrong from a ritual you attended!" Cicero added, quite unnecessarily because Elisif had read the letter herself by that point. "So Madanach called in Erandur and Lady Keirine wanting to know more about this ritual, and Erandur said you'd stopped a group of necromancers bringing the Wolf Queen back!" Cicero looked very impressed by this, and Elisif vaguely recalled Cicero being somewhat disapproving of the entire study of necromancy, claiming that if he'd gone to all the trouble of stabbing someone, he certainly did not want them getting up and walking around again – that was very bad and would lead to terrible things like shame and dishonour and Sithis help him, refunds. This had then been hastily followed with much cooing at Keirine that her little hobbies and rituals didn't count, Sithis knew no client would be asking for any refund if Keirine had been at the target.

"Not well enough from the sound of it," Eola purred. "Auntie Keirine extensively interrogated Erandur – not like that, she just asked a lot of questions, that's all, he's fine – and guessed that if the summoning bit had worked but the binding been stopped, her spirit might well be roaming Skyrim and she'd likely return to her old haunts near Solitude. She's got to have had an old workroom near the city, right? All necromancers have a workroom."

"In the catacombs – the old ones, that is," Styrr confirmed. "They're under the Temple, but they run for miles outside the city. Plenty of old graves down there and Potema no doubt used them when she was queen here. They've been sealed for years, but with Potema's spirit back, the dead there are eager to serve once more. Elisif, my Jarl, you'll need your sword." He nodded at Dawnbreaker, gleaming away in its scabbard, and Elisif caressed the hilt. Yes, Dawnbreaker's services would no doubt come in very useful. But first, more information.

"I thought I might," Elisif said grimly. "What are we dealing with down there, and why do you need me specifically? Eola was saying there was no magical reason for it to be me."

"You were present at the ritual, my Jarl," Styrr explained. "Even if the connection is not mystical, she will likely recognise you. She's sealed the catacombs off, no one can get in... but for you, she might open the door. She'll know she owes her return in part to you. Also, she was Queen of Solitude, you are the Jarl and High Queen-elect. You're directly in her line of fire. She must know she can't achieve anything with you in the way. In order for her to bring any of her plans to fruition, she needs you out of the picture. If you come to challenge her, she'll respond, I am sure."

Which made a lot of sense, but did then lead to the question of what exactly Potema's plans might be, and Elisif wasted no time asking that question.

"Raised in spirit form is not the same as returned from the dead," Styrr told her. "She will need help before she can return to the living. All the more reason to act quickly – challenge and defeat her now while she's still a spirit, and you can nip everything in the bud. If Potema can become fully human again... she's a Septim, you know. If she were to return, she'd be Empress. Entitled to the throne by right of bloodline."

"Because she's descended from Tiber Septim," Elisif said, risking a glance at Gaius to see how he was taking this. "A Dragonborn. Well, so am I, and if she wants the Ruby Throne, she'll have to come through me first. Not that I'm planning a coup myself or anything," Elisif added quickly, seeing Styrr's raised eyebrow. "Titus Mede and I had a long conversation, we reached agreement on that."

Styrr seemed to accept that, but Eola was still frowning, mouthing the word "agreement?" to herself before looking at the new elite bodyguards, looking again and then whispering in Cicero's ear as to who they were exactly. And Cicero, having learnt all about the Penitus Oculatus as a young assassin, even run afoul of them on one job involving a member of the Imperial Household, whispered back that they looked like part of the Emperor's personal guard force, but that wasn't right, was it, they only protected the Imperial family, Eola, Eola sweetling, what is it, you look shocked.

"Nothing, sweetie, nothing, I think I need a word with Da when we get home, if he doesn't know, he really really needs to," Eola whispered back, feeling a bit faint and quite honestly it was a good thing they were here, no way was Elisif going up against the bloody Wolf Queen without mage backup and Cicero there for stealth stabbing of anyone who might get too close.

"So anyway, we need to enter the catacombs, kill her minions, find her, kill her and... will that solve it? Can she be killed?" Elisif asked hopefully. Styrr thankfully seemed to be of the opinion she could.

"I think that sword of yours can do the job," Styrr promised. "Likely there'll be part of her mortal remains buried there – if you can find them, bring them to me once you've dispatched her spirit. I can give them the proper rites, ensure this can't happen again. In the mean time, you'll likely need help with her minions – you're not a mage, are you, my Jarl? Have you got one with you?"

Two of the Oculatus tentatively raised their hands, which did surprise Elisif before she recalled Imperials were generally fairly accepting of magic, far more so than Nords, and that an elite military unit from Cyrodiil would certainly have a battlemage or two. However, there was only one mage here that Elisif really trusted to have her back.

"Teach it to Eola here," Elisif said, beckoning the Reach-Princess to be forward. "And if there's any members of the Oculatus who want to learn, I don't have any real objections."

And so Eola and a few of the Oculatus learnt how to turn the undead, which Eola remarked was useful, she supposed, although she usually just set fire to them. And then it was time to go hunt Potema.

Alone, Elisif might have found it a challenge. But she had two highly-trained Nord housecarls, and Lydia turned out to be as capable as Argis. There was also Eola's magic sending Draugr running screaming and on fire, Cicero in his Shrouded gear and the Blade of Woe, ebony dagger and a rather nice bow darting here there and everywhere and never being where you expected, and the five of them could have dealt with the situation on their own most likely. With Gaius Maro and the Penitus Oculatus rushing ahead to clear the way, it was a bit of an anticlimax. Apart from the bit where they found three rotating discs blocking the way and a vampire attacking them, and while Maro and soldiers dealt with the vampire, Cicero had darted on ahead and got stuck. Which led to Eola running after him, and Elisif gritting her teeth and following, not wanting to have to explain to Madanach his daughter had got hurt. Which meant the three of them ended up pressing on alone and running straight into a Draugr Deathlord. Which went straight for Elisif while Cicero vanished and Eola darted back and starting lobbing fire at it.

"Try using Turn Undead!" Elisif cried.

"I did! It's not working!" Eola shouted back.

Daedra take them all. Elisif bashed its axe away with her shield and Shouted it down to get a bit of space. And then the others caught them up.

Argis roared into the room first, Lydia close behind and the two of them started hacking into the undead horror. Then the Oculatus soldiers poured in and the fight was soon over.

"Sorry about the delay, Eminence," Gaius said apologetically. "It took forever messing around with those levers to get the doors lined up. Why'd you go ahead?"

"I was trying to stop those two," Elisif said, indicating where Cicero was kneeling by the Deathlord, trying to retrieve his arrows, a job made easier when Argis growled at him and wrenched a few out for him.

"Thank you, dear Argis! Lovely Argis!" Cicero cooed. Argis grunted.

"Yeah, whatever," Argis growled. "Any idea how to get through that door?"

The Oculatus soldiers were already looking it over and preparing to batter it down. Elisif had to wonder if there was a better way. Maybe Eola should have brought Karliah along. Or maybe someone had a key.

A search of the Draugr's body revealed only some septims and an ebony war axe which Elisif gave to Lydia. But the fledgling vampire that Cicero had shot dead on sight when they first got here turned out to have a key. Which got the door open.

"All right, let's go!" Elisif cried, and her soldiers swarmed out ahead.

The rest of the minions weren't much of a challenge after that, and it was only when they reached the final chamber that things got tough. Potema's voice rang out, daring them to face her inner court, and lightning speared down from the sky, hampering the mages no end. Eola staggered back, sword out and even the Staff of Magnus not helping that much. Elisif fell back to protect her, Dawnbreaker lashing out and carving into Draugr where the Thu'um wasn't sending them falling back. And then Cicero popped up, daggers weaving as he stood in front of Eola, for once not striking from the shadows, just darting around and stabbing viciously into the Draugr daring to menace his pretty Eola. Unfortunately for him, the Draugr was bigger than him, and its ebony sword speared Cicero right through the stomach. Clutching his abdomen, Cicero collapsed to the floor in agony.

"Eola?" he wailed and Eola's inhuman shriek of rage rattled everyone's ears.

"YOU FOUL-TASTING ABOMINATION!" Eola raged, fire blasting from one hand and the Staff of Magnus in the other sucking in magicka as fast as she expended it. Elisif dispatched the Draugr she was fighting and turned to help Eola... but it was Gaius Maro whose blade sheared the head off its shoulders and dropped the undead thing to true death, and two of his men who ran to help Cicero, high level Restoration magic at the ready.

"Are you all right, Eminence?" Gaius asked hesitantly. Elisif nodded, gazing at the bodies littering the place, mostly Draugr but there were two of the Oculatus who wouldn't be getting up again too, and Argis was sitting on the floor clutching his shoulder, Lydia frantically signalling to one of the Oculatus healers to come and tend to him once Cicero was stabilised. This fight might have gone badly if it had just been the five of them.

"Thank you," Elisif said quietly. "Listen, I'm sorry I called you an overpromoted bureaucrat earlier. You're really not, are you?"

Gaius actually blushed, staring at his feet. "That's all right, ma'am, they did say you might be a bit resistant to the idea," he sighed. "I'm just glad we were here to help."

"So am I," Elisif said quietly, as Eola held on to Cicero, tears in her eyes as she thanked the healers, swearing she'd never have been able to heal him that well herself, and Mara knew no one else would have had a hope. Looked like the Penitus Oculatus had just saved the life of the last Dark Brotherhood assassin.

"Hey. El," and that was Argis, flexing his hand and rolling his shoulder but otherwise looking fine, Lydia grinning behind him as she patted his back. "We think Potema herself's in the next room, you ready?"

"Yes!" Cicero squeaked from the floor, or at least he did until Eola glared at him.

"I don't think so, you nearly died! I'm sorry, officer, could you keep an eye on him? He does try and overdo it when he's ill. No, sweetie, you're staying here and resting, no more stabbing for you today."

Cicero pouted but relented on learning a big muscular Oculatus man was going to be looking after him, cooing and giggling and fluttering his eyelashes and being utterly compliant for once.

"Eola, I think Cicero might be bisexual," Elisif whispered to Eola who just raised an eyebrow then burst out laughing.

"Oh sweetie," Eola laughed, drying her eyes. "Did it take you this long to work it out? Yes he is, and no I don't mind. Be a bit hypocritical of me to object about that, wouldn't it now?"

"Oh," Elisif whispered, and then the septim dropped. "Oh! You mean you as well... does Madanach know?"

"About Cicero? Sure, with the number of times he's had to peel him off him, he's surely worked that out by now. About me? Never really came up."

"You should tell him," Elisif said. "He'd appreciate knowing, I think."

"You think?" Eola asked, surprised. "Well, he was OK with Argis and Farkas, I suppose. Eventually. I'll think about it. Don't we have a Wolf Queen to kill?"

They did, and Elisif led the way into the next room where Potema's spirit was waiting, and while the Wolf Queen fought well, it ended with Dawnbreaker skewering her and the explosion ripped her to pieces, leaving just bones on a throne to mark Potema's passing.

"That must be her remains," Eola said, fascinated. "I bet Auntie Keirine would love these."

"They're being sanctified," Elisif said tersely, indicating for Lydia to collect them together. "By a priest of Arkay. So this doesn't happen again."

Eola grimaced at the mere mention of Arkay, which was odd but maybe it was a Reachman thing. But Eola let Elisif take them, and there turned out to be more loot for everyone, and everyone tracked back to Solitude, the world safe once again.

Styrr was delighted to see them despite the late hour, promising he'd see the remains laid to rest, and Gaius had Cicero whisked off to the Castle Dour infirmary, Eola in tow. Argis and Lydia followed Elisif back to the palace, two Oculatus soldiers following them discreetly to the palace itself before letting them go.

Falk was still up, tankard of warmed mead in hand, sitting quietly in the throne room, looking up as the three of them emerged into view.

"Elisif – Jarl – you're back!" Falk got to his feet, seeming unsure how to greet her now. Elisif had no such reservations, smiling and going to draw him into a hug.

"You didn't need to stay up!" Elisif told him, but she was rather glad he had.

"Couldn't sleep," Falk shrugged. "Might as well sit up and wait. So, is it done? Is Potema...?"

"Laid to rest," Elisif confirmed. "You can have Rorlund re-open the Temple in the morning."

"Thank the Eight," Falk sighed. "Thank you, Jarl. This city, the whole of Skyrim, owes you more than we can ever repay."

"I'm just doing my job," Elisif said, letting Falk go, feeling a little embarrassed, not least because it occurred to her she was going to have to relieve him of his job in the next few days, and he really didn't deserve it. He was a good man and a loyal one and she began to wonder if she could keep him on after all... but she'd already asked Argis.

"Aye," Falk said, looking a little uncomfortable, gesturing for guards to step forward. "Listen, Elisif, I already had quarters made ready for Argis and Lydia. And Maro of the Oculatus wants to meet with me for some reason – Elisif, why are the Oculatus involving themselves with you?"

"I – can it wait until morning?" Elisif asked wearily, motioning for her housecarls to follow the guards to their rooms. Neither had sufficient energy to object.

"Aye, that it can," Falk said, voice not unkind... but he seemed worried about something. "But there is something... Jarl, can we talk? Privately?"

Odd. Very odd. But Elisif trusted Falk, and so she led him to her room, lighting candles and motioning for him to take a seat.

"What is it?" she asked, sitting opposite him, finally removing the Jagged Crown and putting it to one side, relieved to get the weight off her head. He wasn't meeting her eyes, in fact he looked like the bearer of bad news. Like a lover breaking up with someone.

"Jarl, I – Elisif, I can't be your steward any more," Falk finally blurted out, and that was unexpected, to say the least. Falk not being steward? Not wanting to be steward?

"But you've been doing the job for years," Elisif said, confused. "Don't you enjoy it? Is it – is it me? Did you not like being stuck with all the work while I was travelling? Or...?" Oh gods, did Falk secretly hate her?

"What? Oh! No, nothing like that, Jarl," Falk said, shoulders sagging in relief at finally having admitted it. "No, it's... Jarl Elisif, I've served Solitude for many years and I regret none of it. But I can't... Jarl, there comes a time in a man's life when he can no longer serve two masters, and my circumstances have lately changed. I won't be able to give you the service you need as steward and I won't be the one to bring scandal to the Blue Palace."

Which was a shock, it really was... but at the same time, Elisif could only feel relieved. She didn't have to sack Falk. He was resigning. She'd need a new steward anyway. And she had one lined up. She couldn't have asked for better. Except... scandal?

"Falk, are you in trouble?" Elisif asked, worried. "What have you done? Stendarr help me, you're not turning yourself in for something, are you?"

"No, no, this one is entirely moral," Falk sighed. "Jarl, Bryling is pregnant. About three months along. I fathered it."

Thane Bryling. Childless, unhappily married to Erikur for years, separated some time ago, the two civil enough but hardly friendly, neither wanting to go through the acrimony of a divorce. Istlod had been king at the time of the split, a traditionally minded man who barely believed in the concept of divorce at the best of times and had made his views known to both Thanes that if they couldn't live with each other so be it, but he wasn't having his Thanes taking Mara's vows in vain.

Elisif had felt sorry for all concerned, especially when she'd realised Falk and Bryling had feelings for each other, but she'd had no time to think about anyone else's love life when her own was falling apart. It seemed Falk and Bryling had finally given in to their feelings for each other, and this was the result.

"If she wants to keep the baby, you're going to have to marry her, but I don't see how terribly scandalous this is..." Elisif began but Falk wasn't listening.

"She was technically married!" Falk cried. "Until I arrested her husband, and then you executed him!"

"Yes, for treason against his Jarl, of which we have proof of his guilt," Elisif sighed. "Don't tell me people think he was innocent."

"No one does," Falk had to admit. "Even his own sister was glad he was dead. Bryling's certainly not mourning. But Elisif, I had to administer his estate after he died, I was involved in that whole case. If I marry Bryling now, it'll look like I did it for my own benefit. How can I still be steward if people think I'm abusing the post for my own gain?"

"Abusing the... Falk, you did nothing of the sort," Elisif said gently. "Is anyone feeling cheated by the settlement? Gisli hasn't complained?"

"She got the house and the lion's share of the coin and contracts," Falk sighed. "She hasn't said anything, but if I wed Bryling now, and we remain here, it'll become obvious she was pregnant by me at the time of the death and..."

"And she might complain," Elisif said, feeling sympathetic but really, Falk was probably worrying about nothing at this point. "Well, don't you worry. I'm here now, and if Gisli complains, she can appeal the whole thing to me. Not that I'm likely to change much, but we'll have a look at it. Falk, tell me this. Marrying Bryling, having children with her – is that really what you want? Truly?"

"I..." Falk hesitated, then he looked up and Elisif could see tears glittering in his eyes and a smile starting to appear. "Aye. Aye, more than anything. Elisif, I'm sorry, I can't be your steward and father to a small baby, I just..."

Elisif could feel tears in her own eyes at the thought of babies, but she also remembered that it could happen now, maybe she'd have a baby this time next year, and she could hardly begrudge one of her oldest friends the same happiness.

"Then go speak to Bryling," Elisif whispered. "You go organise your wedding. And six months from now, you can step down and go be a husband and father. Maybe sooner if I can get a replacement in place in time and the handover goes well. Don't worry about money, I will make sure you get a suitable pension. Just make sure I get a wedding invite."

"I – really? You're not upset?" Falk looked like he could barely believe it. Elisif smiled and nodded, taking his hand.

"No. In fact, I'm happy for you. After everything, you deserve a bit of happiness. I can find another steward, that baby is only going to have the one father. Don't worry about me, Falk. You've given so much to this city, and to me. You deserve to be happy."

"I don't... don't believe it... thank you, Jarl!" Falk took both her hands in his, beaming with happiness. "I didn't think you'd say yes! I – I must tell Bryling at once, she'll be amazed. Thank you, Elisif, you don't know how much this means to me!"

"Oh, I think I can guess," Elisif said with a smile, getting up to see him out. "Go on, go talk to Bryling. Let her know the good news. But before you go... there is one thing?"

"What is it, Jarl?" Falk asked surprised. "Something else you need?"

"Yes – maybe. Falk... there is room in my court for a new Thane. It's an honorary title mainly but it still carries weight. Of course I can only give it out to someone known throughout my Hold and who owns at least one piece of property... but if you're to marry someone who owns property... and I know the entire Hold knows who you are. Falk Firebeard, when your service as steward ends, it'd be my honour to make you my Thane."

"Me... Thane?" Falk couldn't believe his ears. "Are you sure?"

Elisif nodded. Falk dried his eyes and smiled.

"I'd be honoured, Jarl. Thank you."

Jarl and Steward embraced and then Falk saw himself out, no doubt to go tell Bryling everything. Elisif closed the door and paused before retiring to bed. Today had been eventful. A joyful return... a threat and a battle... and the news Falk was going to have the thing she'd wanted, giving power up for his family. For a few heartbeats, she felt loneliness assail her. Happiness for everyone but not her. Not right now anyway.

But she was home and safe and alive, and she had friends in this city, and her people loved her, and on the other side of Skyrim was a man who loved her and would happily provide babies if she asked him. And he probably missed her too.

I'll write to him tomorrow. He sent Eola and Cicero to help, he'll want to know how it went and if they made it. The thought cheered her up immensely. Smiling, she put the lights out, undressed and went to bed. She was home, and things weren't nearly so bad as she'd feared.


A/N: And there you go, all working out nicely, eh? We have a couple more chapters to go, I want to take the story up to the Moot at the very least. Also there are one or two more romantic developments to settle. With any luck, it'll be out soon.