Author's note:
My dear readers, here I am with the last chapter of the month. I take the chance to inform you that from now on my updates will go back to the usual "one new instalment every two weeks" schedule - unfortunately, that's what work does to people who cannot balance free time, working hours and writing.
Before we begin, I want to thank Elspeth and ShipperofTrashyShps for their comments about chapter 68. January has been a busy month for everyone and this has caused the number of reviews I usually get to drop - either that, or my writing is getting worse chapter after chapter. Anyway, given the situation, your comments have been even more appreciated than usual :) I'm particularly glad you enjoyed the fluffiness and the cuteness of the previous chapter: it wasn't very exciting, but it was one of the "calm before the storm" instalments I love so much.
Speaking of storms, in this update we have some very important changes taking place. I was really looking forward to posting it and I can't wait to know what you think of it.
Enjoy!
29th of Sun's Height, 4E 203
Steinarius nervously eyed the room and his occupants. He was in the meeting chamber of High Hrotghar, surrounded by people who didn't care about his fate and who hated each other more than anything else in the world. Also, to make things even worse, he was wearing the most elegant and uncomfortable robes he had in his wardrobe. The whole situation made him want to scream in panic and exasperation; luckily enough, a gentle touch on his hand was enough to make his uneasiness disappear.
"All will be well", Agda softly whispered - and as he locked eyes with her, Steinarius couldn't help but think of his luck in meeting such a wonderful woman.
That morning the Archmage of Winterhold was absolutely stunning. She had tied her hair in a pony-tail that underlined her elegant neck and features, then she had used some red war-paint on her already full lips. Her brown eyes were adorned by black make-up that created a stark contrast with her pale complexion and with the white lacey dress she was wearing. Around her neck the girl carried the star-shaped jewel Steinarius had bought for her in Whiterun, whereas on her wrist laid a little bracelet she had created starting from the golden enchanted pendant the Dragonborn had given her almost two years earlier.
As he looked at the smile on the lips of his lover, Steinarius remembered their discussions from the previous days. It had taken Ulfric and Tullius more than a fortnight to organize the journey to High Hrotghar and during that amount of time Agda had recovered from her flu. Even after that, however, convincing her to take part in that meeting had been more complicated than expected. The mage had claimed that she had no right in attending it, as she wasn't involved in politics; also, she wanted to keep her neutrality as the head of the only magic school of the country. Steinarius, however, had luckily managed to make her change her mind; as a consequence of his efforts, Agda had agreed to attend the meeting not as the Archmage of Winterhold, but as the most loyal advisor of the Last Dragonborn.
As he thought about that pompous title, Steinarius sighed with a mixture of nervousness and fear. He wanted the meeting to be over soon, but at the same time he didn't want it to begin. Torn by confusion, the man couldn't help but feel himself grow more and more anxious.
"I'm afraid I won't be able to lift my arms for the following couple of hours", he suddenly whispered to Agda. "Right now I feel as though the Divines were creating a new, improved version of Lake Ilinalta and Lake Horrich right under my armpits".
The Archmage scoffed at that confession, but she didn't have the time to reply: the Greybeards had just asked the occupants of the room to stop talking so that the discussions for the peace treaty could finally begin.
Sighing, Steinarius stood up from his seat and thanked each and everyone of the attendees for accepting his invitation to High Hrotghar. Now that the game was on, he had to forget about his nervousness and focus on the task at hand.
As he spoke, the Dragonborn noticed many familiar faces. Elisif was sitting between General Tullius and Legate Rikke and seemed intimated by the many people inside the room. She was wearing a stunning black dress adorned by golden and red embrodery and kept her eyes fixed on her hands. It didn't take much for Steinarius to realize that the dark clothes were a sign of mourning for the death of her husband, whereas the embarrassement came from Ulfric's presence at the other side of the table.
Unlike Elisif, the leader of the rebels seemed perfectly at ease in that situation. He was wearing elegant dark robes and had a heavy grey fur on his back. His greatsword had remained at the entrance of the monastery, just like the weapons of everyone else; yet, the cautious and dangerous light in his blue eyes let Steinarius understand that Ulfric didn't feel intimated at all.
I can use the Thu'um, just like you, those piercing eyes were seemingly warning him. And I have already used it to kill Elisif's husband.
Much to Steinarius' dismay, Ulfric wasn't the only one from his party to seem unmoved by the presence of King Thorygg's widow. The Jarl of Windhelm observed that shy girl with intensity and sterness, whereas Galmar often smirked at her. Eidan Stormblade, instead, watched her with a mixture of hatred and disgust.
Steinarius had heard a lot about Eidan and was very surprised by his appearance. The young Nord had a cold, hardened demeanor and, with his pale eyes and hair and complexion, he was a true son of the winters of Skyrim; yet, something in his lanky figure and in his swift movements betrayed him for what he actually was: a boy of seventeen who had been involved in matters that were much bigger than him and who felt unease in the presence of so many important politicians.
Just like Eidan, also Legate Rikke was tense, but she hid her nervousness well. Actually, Steinarius noticed her irritation at Ulfric's presence only because he knew her habits: after years of cooperation, the Dragonborn was well aware that every time the experienced Nord kept her fists and her jaw clenched for many minutes, it meant that she was having a hard time not unsheating her sword and launching herself against an enemy.
Not far from Rikke, Tullius looked calm and focused. The man was old and experienced and had dealt with similar meetings on many occasions; also, he knew that his intelligence and firmness were going to act as a barrier against Ulfric's demands.
Sitting between Tullius and Eidan Stormblade, Jarl Balgruuf was the most dignified member of the group. When he locked eyes with his blue him, Steinarius understood that, of all the people inside the room, the ruler of Whiterun was probably the only one who understood why that peace treaty was so necessary for the future of Skyrim.
There was a sudden cough and Arngeir, the leader of the Greybeards, appeared on the threshold. Steinarius hadn't even noticed he had left.
"You may excuse me, Dovahkiin", the old monk told him. "We have some other people who insist on taking part in this meeting".
Steinarius was shocked by those words, and he was even more shocked when he saw Elenwen and another couple of Thalmor appear behind Arngeir and apologize for the delay.
"No way", the Dragonborn blurted out, his voice full of anger and disgust. The Thalmor had tortured Agda, were the sworn enemies of Ulfric, had nothing to do with the future of Skyrim; how dared they show up at that meeting?
"Steinarius, Elenwen is here on my invitation", Tullius unexpectedly intervened. "You can't dictate who I bring to this council".
As Steinarius looked at his former commander, he felt completely at loss for words. Was Tullius trying to hijack that meeting by provoking Ulfric before the negotiations could even begin? Was he trying to make fun of Steinarius because he had chosen to leave the Legion once and for all? Or had he been forced to invite Elenwen by someone else?
While Steinarius was lost in those thoughts, the Stormcloaks were quick to jump on their feet and protest vehemently against Elenwen's presence.
"By Ysmir's beard, the nerve of those Imperial bastards!", Eidan Stormblade barked.
The words that left the boy's lips were enough to take everyone in the room by surprise. Eidan wasn't only good on the battlefield - he also looked very talented at insulting his opponents.
"To think that we would sit down with that Thalmor bitch!", Galmar added. "Either she walks or we do!"
"Bringing her here is a deliberate provocation", Ulfric commented. Steinarius hadn't missed the satisfied sparkle that had lit his blue eyes right after Eidan had insulted the Imperial delegation. "As Galmar said, either she goes, or we do".
"I can't be making concessions before negotiations even start!", Tullius rapidly replied. "It makes the Empire look weak!"
"It is a weak Empire indeed if you cannot negotiate a truce without supervision from the Thalmor!", Ulfric cried. "If I win this war, I swear I..."
As the two parties started screaming louder and louder, Steinarius was overrun by panic. He had worked hard to bring the Legion and the Stormcloaks to that table and now everything was about to blow up because of the Thalmor. Had that been the case, he would have never been able to organize another truce - and if he couldn't organize another truce, then...
"ENOUGH!", someone suddenly screamed. Steinarius was surprised when he saw that that loud yell had been produced by Agda. "Enough!", the mage repeated. "Th meeting has barely started, and you're already arguing! Aren't you ashamed? Maybe I should remind you why we're here: Alduin, the ancient God of Destruction, is set on destroying our world; luckily for humanity, Steinarius Crepusculus has been chosen by the Divines to stop him. To stop Alduin, however, Steinarius needs to organize a truce between the Legion and the Stormcloaks - and to organize this truce, he needs your help. Given the situation, can't you just stop arguing for a moment and do what has to be done to save our world from destruction? If Steinarius fulfills his destiny, we all gain!"
As soon as Agda stopped talking, Arngeir took the floor.
"The Archmage is right", he calmly said. "Rebels or Legionnares, we all have much to lose here".
The intervention of the old monk seemed to definitely calm down the attendees. This time, when Ulfric Stormcloak spoke, he sounded much more tranquil and respectful.
"You both are right", he solemnly stated. "Yet, I will not allow Elenwen to..."
"We have no wish of interfering in your civil war, Ulfric", the woman broke Ulfric off. It was the first time she spoke since entering the room. "The Thalmor merely want to observe the course of the negotiations and make sure that the agreements between us and the Empire won't be broken by your decisions".
As he heard those words, Steinarius realized what he needed to do to solve that situation. Agda and Arngeir had helped him calm the attendees, now it was his turn to let them know that he was the one in charge.
"You've just said something very interesting, Elenwen", the Dragonborn edged himself into the conversation. "Since the Thalmor have no intention of interfering in the civil war, they have no real decisional power in this meeting: they are only here to observe. Therefore, Elenwen, given that your role in this council is a marginal one and your presence is clearly angering the Stormcloaks, I deem it wise for you and your friends to abandon High Hrotghar immediately. You will be informed as to the details of the peace treaty by General Tullius, who is competent enough to make sure that the Empire won't break the agreements made with the Dominion ".
There was a moment of astonished silence as the people inside the room registered Steinarius' words. Elenwen had made a mistake by claiming that she didn't want to interfere in the war and the Dragonborn had been quick to take advantage from it. The woman's eyes were now full of hatred, whereas Elisif let out a little cry of protest. Eidan and Galmar grinned in victory, while Ulfric pulled a little, satisfied smile. Past his cold demeanor, Steinarius could tell that even Tullius was satisfied with his choice.
Unfortunately, the Dragonborn had rejoiced too early.
"From what you've just said, I take it that the people who attend this meeting are required to have decisional power over the future of Skyrim", Elenwen said with her most mellifluous tone. "Am I correct, Dragonborn?"
"They need to have decisional power, yes", Steinarius reluctantly replied. The Thalmor had addressed that question to him, a fact that made him unease. "Eidan, Galmar, Rikke and Tullius instead are here to help their leaders take delicate political decisions".
"What about Balgruuf and Arngeir then?"
Steinarius was surprised by that question, but he replied without hesitation.
"Balgruuf is here because this truce affects his city; as for Arngeir, he was so kind as to offer us a place in his monastery".
Elenwen pulled an evil grin.
"So we can say that the people who are here either have political power, or are affected by the decisions you are about to take in this room. Is it correct?"
Sensing a trap, Steinarius didn't reply.
"You don't have to worry, Dragonborn", Elenwen said as soon as she realized the reason for his silence. "I just need to explain my chieves why I wasn't allowed in this meeting".
Forced to reply to the previous question, Steinarius looked for advice in Agda's eyes. The mage seemed as hesitant as him, but when she scarcely nodded, the Dragonborn realized that he had no other way out of that situation.
"It is correct", he told Elenwen. "The people who are here either have political power, or are affected by the decisions we are about to take in this room".
The smile Elenwen produced in that moment was a perfect combination of happiness and evilness.
"Perfect", she purred. "Now tell me, Dragonborn: is the College of Winterhold affected by any of those decisions? And what political power does the Archmage of a magic school possess?"
Realizing what Elenwen was about to do, Steinarius felt his eyes become golden with rage. Trying to fight off his inner beast, the man gripped the edge of his seat so hard that his knuckles became white.
"Don't you dare involve Agda in this, otherwise...", he hissed.
"Are you perhaps threatening me, Crepusculus?", Elenwen said when she noticed the hatred in Steinarius' eyes. "I thought you to be neutral to the war, instead you are openly threatening the allies of the Legion just because Agda of Anvil..."
"Don't you dare address my woman by her name!", the Dragonborn replied with a yell. "After all your people have done to her, you should..."
"Alright, alright, we all know where this is going", Agda suddenly said while standing up from her seat. She made to retrieve all her quills and paper, then she laid her hands on Steinarius' shoulders. "I'm sorry for thinking I was welcomed here", she said, her cheeks red from faked embarrassement. "My man didn't want me to wait for him in Ivarstead, so he invited me over. None of you protested, so I thought it wasn't a problem. Now, however, I see the error in my ways: as the Dragonborn explained, the people who are here either are affected by the decisions you are about to take in this room or have political power over Skyrim. For this reason, Elenwen and I shall immediately take our leave, as the development of the civil war does not regard us in the slightest. I wish you a proficient discussion!"
By the time anyone could protest, Agda had already grabbed a very shocked Elenwen by the elbow and escorted her outside the room. When the mage closed the door behind her, Galmar Stone-Fist and Eidan Stormblade burst into an open laughter.
"She said that the war doesn't regard the Thalmor", the boy pointed out. Amusement and admiration well evident in his pale eyes.
"Crepusculus, I'll give you that: your woman has guts", Galmar added, his voice full of respect. "Too bad that she chose to be with an Imperial like you".
"Agda is a true daughter of Skyrim", Ulfric remarked in a whisper.
Steinarius vaguely noticed a little nod on Balgruuf's part and almost didn't listen when Tullius commented on Agda's behavior as well. The man simply felt as though he had just been robbed of the only support he had in that room - and for some reason, he believed that Agda's actions in the monastery would not pass unnoticed.
Agda looked around the deserted halls of High Hrotghar. After leaving the meeting room, the girl had made sure Elenwen left the monastery; she, on the other hand, had been invited to stay by Arngeir himself. In that moment the girl's respect for the old monk had increased vastly.
As she heard some shouts from the council room, Agda sighed. With her remarks about the College of Winterhold, Elenwen had forced Steinarius to take a difficult decision: he could have either ignored her complaints or taken them in consideration. In the first case, the man could have let Agda stay even though he had asked Elenwen to leave; unfortunately, in that way Steinarius would have betrayed the trust of the people who were about to listen to his opinion about delicate political matters in the belief that he was a just and impartial man. In the second case, however, Steinarius would have been forced to face the rest of that difficult meeting without his advisor, his lover, his rock.
As she had crossed eyes with her man, Agda had understood his inner turmoil. She had sensed his hesitation, his fear, his rage and she shad realized that his irises had become gold, that his face was a mask of disgust and dismay, that his heart and his brain were battling against each other in order to make the right choice - and in order to help his mind win over his feelings, Agda had volunteered to exit the room before Steinarius could even say 'ah'. Now, however, as she listened to the loud yells coming from the meeting room, the mage wished she could go back on her word and attend the rest of the council. Luckily enough, when she heard someone knock of the huge doors of High Hrotghar, the girl could finally forget about the peace talks.
One of the Greybeards went to summon Arngeir and, when the monk arrived in the hall, his colleagues proceeded to open the door. When she saw the new visitors, Agda deadpanned. Now there was no way she could go back to focusing on the peace talks again.
As she walked inside the ancient monastery, Delphine looked as fierce and arrogant as ever. She was clad in a Blade armor and on her face was a smug smile. Unlike her, the other members of the Blades looked rather unease.
"We are here to attend the peace talks", the Breton said before anyone else could recover from their shock. "As allies to the Last Dragonborn, we think we deserve it".
The woman's request was met by a snort.
"I have never met you before, but your arrogance and your armor betray your identity, Delphine", Arngeir said, his eyebrows furrowed in a stern expression. "And these people must be your followers and helpers".
"Erik, Faendal and J'zhargo are my warriors, yes", the Breton confirmed. "Esbern instead is the greatest dragon expert of Tamriel".
"I don't care who these men are", Arngeir replied in a surprisingly disrespectful manner. "I only know that you are not welcomed here - not after your plot to murder our Master".
As she remembered how upset Steinarius had looked after Delphine had ordered him to kill Paarthurnax, Agda could perfectly relate to Arngeir's rage. Take that, Delphine - something in her mind whispered at that moment.
"Welcomed or not, you cannot turn us away", Delphine replied. Her demeanor showed no signs of surprise. "The Dragonborn has got this far only because of us. We were the ones to train him, to guide him, to talk him into fighting rather than sitting back and watch the world end; we were the ones to lead him to Alduin's Wall and discover what he needed to do to defeat his enemy - and now we won't tolerate being sent away by a monk who doesn't care about the destiny of the world".
Agda had expected Arngeir to Shout Delphine off the threshold of the monastery, so she was deeply surprised when the man sighed.
"I will ask the Dragonborn what to do", he said, defeat evident in his voice. "After all, he knows what's best for himself".
To Agda's dismay, Delphine stopped Arngeir before he could go back to the meeting room.
"Tell Steinarius that only Esbern will attend the meeting. The boys are here for protecting us on the way home - and as for me, I need to talk to someone else".
As Delphine spoke, her eyes fell on Agda - and as they did, the girl felt a cold shiver run down their spine.
If her former employer wanted to speak to her, something big had probably happened.
The courtyard of High Hrotghar was even more silent than usual. All the monks were inside the monastery, therefore Delphine and Agda were the only ones walking outside. The mage felt deeply unease and wished she'd had enough sense to keep the small Elven dagger Alvon had smithed for her. Unlike her, Delphine seemed calm and serene.
"That path is impressively narrow", the Breton said while looking at the road that led to Paarthurnax's lair. "I suppose this is why Arngeir allowed me here without supervision - he knows that I can't get to his Master without the Dragonbor. Listen, Agda, do you know what Paarthurnax is?"
"As you said, he's the Master of the Greybeards", Agda snorted without looking the Breton in the eyes. "And as I understood from your hatred towards him and from the way Steinarius avoids my gaze when he speaks of him, Paarthurnax is probably the very same dragon who once acted as lieutenant to Alduin".
Delphine smiled at that reply. Agda had come a long way, but she was still the observant innkeeper she'd hired back in Riverwood.
"When I first met you, I didn't believe that one day I would be talking to you on the Throat of the World, Agda", the Breton admitted. "Life, however, can always surprise us. You are an amazing alchemist, a hardened survivor, a clever Archmage and a passionate lover to the Last Dragonborn - and I deem you wise enough to make the right choice".
Those last words caused Agda to raise her eyebrow in suspicion.
"There's no need to flatter me, Delphine - and now I would be glad if you got to the reason of your visit. The peace talks were just an excuse to meet me, weren't they?"
The Breton smirked at that question. Agda was the cleverest woman she knew indeed.
"You probably don't remember what we talked about during our last meeting", she said with a chuckle. "Before you tied me to a pillar and threatened to kill me, I mean".
"I remember you said a lot of rubbish about helping me grow. Also, you were willing to send Steinarius to find an Elder Scroll without any backup. Last but not least, you confessed that you'd stolen all the letters we had written to each other over the previous six months".
Delphine grinned, a fact that deeply unnerved Agda.
"My dear girl, you only remember what you want to remember", the experienced warrior in a very patronizing tone. "The important pieces of information I gave you, instead, were forgotten as soon as Steinarius appeared on your threshold".
"I don't know what you're talking about", Agda muttered, her anger growing within her. "I only know that I wished I'd never see you again and that I really believed that I would never come across this smug face of yours for the rest of..."
"Agda, calm down and try to think about what I'm telling you", Delphine broke the girl off. Her tone was now serious and surprisingly worried. "When I met you the last time, I gave you a warning. About the Thalmor".
Frowning, Agda stopped walking and tried to remember that conversation. When the girl had told Delphine that sending her to Winterhold could have led to her death, the Breton had been quick to reply.
But you didn't get killed, Agda - on the contrary, you gained the respect of the Thalmor themselves. Had they thought you weak, they would have already avenged Ancano and their other men.
When Agda had asked for an explanation, Delphine had immediately complied.
The Thalmor will wait until you feel safe and secure, then they will hurt you with all their force. I thought you should be informed, she'd said - and when Agda had resumed criticizing her for her reckless behavior, Delphine had suddenly lost it.
I may be reckless, Agda, but I always had someone keep a close eye on you. You may not remember it, but I perfectly do.
As she recalled those words, Agda frowned. She'd finally realized the reason for Delphine's visit.
"You're here to warn me against the Thalmor", she said, her brows furrowed in concentration. "Your mysterious helper told you something about their plans for revenge".
Knowing that she finally had Agda's undivided attention to herself, Delphine nodded.
"Thanks Talos, you have a very good memory", she said with a half smile. Before Agda could get the evil reference hidden behind those words, Delphine resumed speaking. "After Ancano's death, I made many enquiries about his role in Skyrim - and thanks to my 'mysterious helper', as you call them, I discovered some of the letters he had sent to Elenwen. That woman is completely crazy, Agda: she thinks that Steinarius is too weak to defeat Alduin and she thinks that the only one who can save the world is an Altmer. She's found a promising girl back in the Sumerset Isles and she's training her to become a warrior. She's even plotting to teach her the Thu'um, as though that was something people could simply learn".
As she spoke, Delphine let out a snort. Agda understood that she was very worried by the Thalmor madness.
"I don't see why that should bother me", the mage nervously murmured.
"It should bother you, Agda, because the Dominion has always believed Steinarius to be a nuisance. Your man is strong and brave and respected by everyone; also, he's managed to organize a peace treaty between the Legion and the Stormcloaks without involving the Thalmor in the discussions, thus showing the whole of Tamriel that he doesn't care about their opinion. The Dominion can't have such a person save the world from the end - and now that they've found an 'Altmer Dragonborn', as they call it, they're finally ready to get rid of your man".
Agda felt her blood freeze in her veins.
"Are you implying..."
"You know exactly what I am implying. There is another important reason behind the Thalmor's desire to get rid of your man, Agda", Delphine continued when she realized that the mage seemed temporarily unable to speak. "They believe that, if a member of the Dominion saved the world in Steinarius' stead, the population of Tamriel would become meeker towards their attempts at conquering their lands. To have an Altmer kill Alduin in stead of Steinarius, however, the Dominion first needs to get rid of your friend".
Agda paled at the news.
"They surely cannot..."
"They can, Agda, and they will", Delphine broke her off. "Actually, I'm afraid that your decision to kick Elenwen out of the peace talks has increased that maniac's hatred towards your man. When I met her along the Seven Thousand-Steps, she didn't seem happy at all".
Shocked by that remark, Agda felt as though she was about to faint.
"What have I done", she whispered, desmay well evident in her voice.
"There is still a chance to change things, Agda", Delphine unexpectedly reassured her. "You must talk to Steinarius about this threat and ask him to be careful. Also, you should talk him into accepting protection from the Blades. Faendal, J'zhargo and Erik are excellent warriors, whereas Esbern is very good at smelling danger. It won't be for long, Agda: once Alduin lies dead, the Thalmor will have no reason to kill Steinarius. We just need to keep your man safe until then".
The young mage remained silent for what felt like a lifetime. Her mind was overrun by disbelief and worry and rage, by memories of her past and fear for her future.
As she tried to reflect upon Delphine's warning, the girl suddenly remembered what Ancano had shouted to Steinarius on the day of his death:
I should probably go to Elenwen and tell her that she's right: a weak man like you has no chance to save the world, Crepusculus. Hopefully we'll soon find an Altmer who can take on your role as the Last Dragonborn, so that Alduin will be defeated and Skyrim will be at our feet once again. On a side note, that will also mean that we won't need you anymore, Crepusculus, and that we'll finally be able to wipe off you and your family from the face of Nirn.
As those words replayed in her mind for what felt like years, Agda shook her head. Delphine's warning was serious; yet, she had no desire to let the life of her man in the Breton's hands.
"I believe you", she eventually said. "Nonetheless, I won't let you or your men near Steinarius".
Confused by that decision, Delphine frowned.
"They are excellent warriors, Agda - much better than..."
"I don't doubt their value, Delphine", the mage broke her former employer off. "Yet, I doubt your reasons for helping me".
For once in her life, the leader of the Blades seemed was left completely speechless.
"Agda, I live in this world too", she said when she recovered from her surprise. "And if Steinarius..."
"There has to be another reason", Agda commented. "And as long as I don't find out about it, I will not accept your help".
"Agda, please, try to be sensitive". For the first time since she'd met her, Delphine was openly begging Agda. "I care about you and Steinarius and I don't want..."
"You want him to kill Paarthurnax, don't you?", Agda said when the truth dawned on her. "This is why you came here here: because in your best dreams, Steinarius walks out of the meeting room, I talk to him and he decides to kill Paarthurnax in exchange of your protection and support. I'm right, aren't I?"
When Delphine didn't reply, Agda let out a humorless chuckle.
"You're always the same", she snorted, disgust evident in her voice. "Always plotting, always scheming, always toying with people so that they can do what you want; this time, however, I will not fall for it. Actually, neither of us will: nor I, nor my man".
"Agda, this time is different", Delphine replied. Her voice was almost desperate with worry. "Steinarius really is in danger and if he dies..."
"He won't die", Agda broke her former friend off. "Not as long as I protect him. And now, please, fetch your warriors and your plans and go back to Karth".
Delphine made to say something, but Agda was faster: she cast an invisibility spell, then she transported herself to the top of the meditation tower of High Hrotghar. She was thankful to the Breton for the warning, but she wasn't ready to do as she pleased. No, Agda decided: I will keep Steinarius safe without involving anyone else. After all, she thought, in all her life she'd always been alone against the world.
It was late in the evening when Steinarius finally bid the attendees of the peace council goodbye and went to meet Agda in their room at High Hrotghar. The man looked tired, but he also seemed much more relieved in comparison to that morning.
"It's done", he sighed before slumping down on the bed Arngeir had provided him inside the monastery. "It's finally done".
As her man spoke, Agda got up from her chair and approached him. The Dragonborn had dark circles under his grey eyes and many worried wrinkles at the corner of his mouth.
"Was it that horrible?", the mage asked as she sat down beside him. Her voice was soft and her hands soon came to massage Steinarius' chest. That morning the Dragonborn had chosen to wear black, velvet robes with silver embellishments that helped him look incredibly elegant and handsome despite his tiredness.
"You have no idea", the man said in reply to Agda'squestion. "Ulfric thought I was plotting against him for the whole time, whereas Elisif burst into tears at least a dozen of times. Also, when Esbern showed up, I felt the wish to leave the room and retreat to the Throat of the World with Paarthurnax. Those Blades and their arrogance!"
Agda tried to calm Steinarius by caressing his cheeks, but the man sighed and kept on complaining.
"I hated everything in that meeting. The way Tullius and Ulfric argued every two seconds, the fact that I didn't eat for the whole day, the coldness of that damned Stormcloak brat who kept looking at me as though I was a two-headed monster... Not to mention that Elenwen showed up without invitation. Gods, how I hate her".
Smiling softly, Agda began to massage Steinarius' shoulder. When the man closed his eyes, she thought whether she should tell him about Delphine's warning or not.
"Do you think we will have problems for what happened with the Thalmor?", the man asked without even opening his eyes.
Agda felt as though Steinarius had just read her mind and was forced to take a quick decision. By telling her man that Elenwen meant to kill him, the mage would have probably got him angry and worried - and considering that Steinarius was still worn out as an effect of the peace talks, the mage decided to spare him the news for another couple of days.
"Nothing will happen, love", she told him as she continued to caress him. "They won't dare touch you".
Steinarius nodded without convinction, then he sighed.
"It was really horrible, Agds", he repeated for what felt like the thousandth time. Agda had never seen him so depressed. "Tullius and Ulfric asked me to choose what cities should go to the Empire and what cities should go to the Stormcloaks. How can one decide the fate of so many people while sitting at a table? 'Yes, I like Lake Horrich: keep the Rift to yourself, Tullius. What, Markarth? Naah, the place is a mess: Ulfric, you can have it in exchange of Falkreath'. That was what the whole meeting was about: trading cities and fates and lives a though they were nothing but pawns in a child game. If I think of all the people who died on the battlefields to protect Riften, or Markarth or Falkreath against their adversaries in the war, I..."
When Steinarius trailed off, Agda realized that his face was a mask of rage and uneasiness and irritation. A moment later, when he pressed the heels of his hands against his eyes, she also noticed that he was truly worn out. No, the young Nord thought to herself: her man definitely deserved some peace - and for that reason she decided to avoid mentioning Delphine's warning at least for another couple of days.
"Stein, let's forget about politics for a while, shall we?", she said instead, her worries hidden behind an affectionate smile. "After all, you shouldn't go to bed while you're dressed; at least, that's what an Imperial friend of mine always says".
Steinarius scoffed and made to reply, but had to stop when as Agda leant towards him and placed a long kiss on his lips. When he realized that the mage wanted him to stop talking about the peace talks, the man finally relaxed and closed his eyes. Confronted with his finally calm expressio, Agda laid down next to him and started massagging his scalp. The Dragonborn let out a few soft moans which caused the girl to smile at him. When he opened his eyes and looked at her, however, the young Nord realized that her partner was still very nervous.
"Arngeir told me that you and Delphine..."
Before Steinarius could finish that sentence, Agda broke him off with another long, sweet kiss on the lips.
"Let's not talk about that Hargraven", she whispered, her eyes locked with Steinarius'. "Let's just have some rest, shall we?"
Steinarius seemed hesitant for an instant, but forgot about Delphine and the Blades as soon as Agda began unbuttoning his robes and resumed massaging his shoulders, his chest, his hair. Despite the man's tiredness, they made love to each other slowly, tenderly, with all the calm and the sweetness of the world - and when Steinarius fell asleep shortly afterwards, Agda kept on caressing his blonde hair for what felt like years.
Later that night, tha mage looked at the peaceful expression of her partner and allowed his calm breathing to accompany her tormented thoughts. Eventually, when the Dragonborn whispered her name in his sleep, the Archmage of Winterhold made up her mind: she would protect her man without telling him about the threat to his life - after all, Steinarius already had enough to worry about as it was. Agda had already defeated the Thalmor once and she felt no fear at the thought of facing them again.
If Elenwen wanted to challenge her, the Archmage of Winterhold was ready to show her the proverbial strength of the Nords.