Elisif II
It was to have been my special day. My wedding to the High King of Skyrim. I had left my father's court in Bruma only to now have my own court. Well it was another's court that I called my own. A steward who by all means was the real ruler, thanes who thought they were better than I, a housecarl who scared me, and a court wizard who I could not figure out.
I need my husband here with me. We had grown close during the engagement, even if it was an arranged marriage. He had become my closest friend and only real friend in Skyrim. I needed him and he was not here. I could only hope he was in Shor's Hall drinking mead with his ancestors.
Mead. Mede. Now I had the uncrowned Emperor of Tamriel breathing down my neck. He was wanting me to marry Falk Firebeard and name Erikur as Steward of the city. It was the smart political decision to be made, but I refused.
My first reason for refusing? Well for one thing my husband was gone. I would never see him again. It was true that our marriage was short, but shouldn't I get my time for being in mourning. Honestly what was sacred anymore? Did I not deserve to go lay in what was supposed to be our bed and cry, cry myself sick?
My second reason? Falk was in love with someone else. A thane of the court. I could not force him to marry me and take him from her. Although he has so far refused to get serious with her. I can't say I blame him, what with the war knocking on our door.
Thirdly, Erikur is dirty. He is corrupt. My husband has been gone for a few months and he is already foaming at the mouth about all sorts of things. He is certainly a dog that is all bark and no bite. He is in bed with the Thalmor and would even serve Ulfric if the rebel could pay Erikur off. He thinks no one knows but Falk has figured all of these things out.
I was still in my bed at midday when I heard a soft knock on the heavy wood. "Come in." I called.
Falk and Sybille both walked in. Her voice was as peculiar as always. "Careful, my Jarl. Can't tell just everyone to come in. Never know, one day Erikur may try to come by."
"Ah, yes the city's most eligible bachelor. I don't think I am quite his taste. We have too many Wood Elf girls come in to complain about him." I laughed.
"Yes, well I don't trust the man not to push himself on you then force you to marry if you get pregnant. Then he becomes Jarl of Solitude." Falk stroked his beard.
"Why, Falk, we could take care of that problem couldn't we?" The mage laughed, hinting at something that was over my head.
"If you are referring to the general wanting Elisif and I to marry, I will say no yet again." Falk groaned.
"No, I meant we send him to the dungeon. I can remove him as a threat." She smiled and I saw something dark in her eyes.
"No, we have been over this. You are allowed to experiment on the criminals we capture if their crimes are harsh enough. You do not get to torture innocents… well people we have nothing on to prove guilty."
"Is there a reason you have come here?" I yelled over the two arguing advisors.
"Oh, yes. We came to check on you. It is midday and Falk has been seeing to all of the people who come asking for things." The court mage replied.
"Not only that, my Jarl." Falk gave her a pointed look.
"Well, what is it? Speak."
"My Jarl, Captain Aldis wants to know what you would like to do with Roggvir, and the Bard's College has been asking you about the annual Burning of King Olaf Festival.
"I want the man executed!" I rose out of bed. I was unconcerned that I was still in my sleep wear, I am sure Falk was no virgin.
"I will pass word to Ahtar to ready his axe." The court mage quickly said. Then Falk stopped her from leaving.
"Hold, Stentor." He barked, anger strong in his voice. "Elisif, are you sure? You could be condemning an innocent man to death for doing nothing more than his job."
"Of this I am sure. Roggvir helped the murderer of my husband escape from the city. We had every door put on lockdown yet he opened his anyway. I have heard reports from other Jarls concerning the actions of Roggvir and I can't stand for him to walk the streets of my city." I stood, my anger far outreached Falk's.
"Yes, my lady. I just wanted to make sure." Falk bowed. "But what would you have me say to the Bards?"
"Tell the Bards to get their heads out of their asses." I did my best not to shout.
Sybille laughed, in no way quietly. Falk gasped, "My Jarl?"
"Tell them it would be in bad taste to hold a festival concerning the burning of a king in the very streets where we recently held a funeral pyre for our own High King and Jarl." I looked at the steward like he was lacking common sense.
"Yes my Jarl." They both bowed out and headed back to the court. I guess it's time I dress for the day and go sit on Torygg's throne and get told how I should rule.
One day this throne will truly be mine. I will make sure Ulfric Stormcloak is dead, his memory is that of a usurper and rebel, and that Tullius is back in the Imperial City where I don't have to see him grinding his teeth at me in disappointment.
Until then, I will sit my dead husband throne.