Chapter 19: A Close Escape

Emelin...

It was strange, staying in a place that was so full of history. The houses the snow elves stayed in were below the mountain, in a village that seemed prosperous. There were farmers, shop keepers, just like back in Skyrim. The snow elves that lived there reminded me of the mer back in my home, back in Cyrodiil. There weren't that many, perhaps fifty, but their lives seemed uninterrupted by the harsh weather they had to endure or the supposed threat of the Dwemer. Though, part of me believed that they did not know of the Dwemer's disappearance and that maybe it would be worth telling them when they trusted me.

Nirithur's house was one of the larger houses, built from stone and ice. I had stayed there for many days and in that time I got to know quite a lot about him. He was an alchemist. He spent most of his days locked up, secluded from the rest of his kin in pursue of knowledge of the Betrayed, which fascinated him. I had asked my fair share of questions, like how his kin found the mountain in the first place and why they hadn't communicated to others from other lands, but he never answered. He stated soon after that it was not his place to tell and that some secrets were better left unknown.

The snow elves themselves, the village folk, weren't fond of my presence. That was for certain. I couldn't blame them though. As one of their first outsiders I wasn't to be trusted, or so they thought.

My mind didn't stay on them for long though, as my focus was soon drawn to the worried look on Nirithur's face and the way he hurried across the study in search of books and tomes.

"Is something wrong?" I asked at his strange behaviour.

He hadn't stopped. He hadn't faltered. His fingers moved noiselessly through the many tomes on the shelf. Pages were brutishly opened as he searched through them. If one hadn't had what he wanted, he simply threw it behind him and began on another. Eventually I got tired of watching and took one of the books.

His focus was soon drawn to it and to me. "Nirithur, what's wrong?"

"Your friends," he began in between breaths. "You said one of my race, correct?"

"Yes?"

"And the other, she is a Nord?"

"Yes!" I almost yelled. "Have you seen them? Are they alright? Are they safe? Are they here? I-"

"Slow down, little mer," Nirithur said with his hands up. "I'm asking because the guards have come back with two outsiders whom match your description."

At first I smiled, excited that I would be able to see them and that they were unharmed, but after a moment I began to realise that something was wrong and frowned. "Then why are you rushing through these tomes? Why aren't they here?"

The elder mer sighed and sat back in his chair with his hand on his chin. "Your mer friend says that he is a Knight Paladin of Auri-El, and if that is true, he should be deemed with much respect, but it is not that simple. Most of my kin has long since abandoned the belief of the Aedra. Only a select few even remember them, I included."

"You turned your backs on your own faith?" I asked in surprise. "Why?"

Nirithur's gaze flickered to the fire. His eyes shined through the light and stare lingered, like he was re-living a memory. "There were dark times, many centuries ago. My ancestors gave up on the Aedra after their imprisonment by the Dwemer. Some few mer kept held of the belief, even during their escape, but after survival became a priority as did secluding themselves from the Dwemer, their need for a God was forgotten. Only a few tomes hold information about the Aedra Auri-El. The other Aedra are almost lost to us. The mer you mentioned, Niribor Angnar, was one such believer, but he left us in our time of need."

"So, the journal I found belongs to one of the believers?"

"Your friend mentioned a chantry for the Aedra. I recognised the name from the tome in your hand. With permission from the Lord, I and a few other mer went out searching for it, but we were stopped by my deformed brethren, or better known as Betrayed. Many of my kin died at the hands of them. Niribor must have escaped and found his way to the chantry." His lips pursed slightly before they formed a thin line. With a heavy breath, he closed his eyes and ran a hand over his face. "I... cannot believe he made it, and that you brought with you a snow elf that can remember the Gods."

I smiled slightly and touched his shoulder. "I'm sure he'll be more than glad to meet you. I can't imagine what this must be like for Gelebor, knowing he's no longer alone."

My hand left his shoulder and I wrapped it around my waist by the fire. "So, why can't I see them?"

"It's like I said, most of my brethren have forgotten the Gods, and so his position as a Knight Paladin won't save him in a trial. Being a mer would have if he wasn't the companion of a Nord."

"What's wrong with Nords? I don't understand-" that's when I realised. The Nords were partly responsible for the snow elves' suffering. They drove them away from Skyrim. "So, you have forgotten the Gods, but you haven't forgotten about an enemy that you haven't been in contact with for centuries?"

The corners of his lips tugged into a small smirk. "Ironic, wouldn't you say?"

"Then what can I do? There has to be something."

"I was about to take that tome to my Lord before the trial began," he said. "Perhaps I could have shed some light on the paladin's authority and power. Maybe give him some more respect. It might help free him. Your Nord friend however will be difficult to save."

My fingers tightened around the tome and I kept it out of his reach. "If you're going then I'm coming too. I can be pretty influential when I want to be."

"You know, these past few days I have learned a lot about Dunmer pride and stubbornness."

I took a step closer to him. "And you have yet to challenge that pride and stubbornness. You're taking me with you."

He folded his arms and raised his head. "If you say anything that may upset the Lord then you might just risk the lives of all of us. He is a wise mer, but set in his ways. Persuading him to accept a Nord is almost impossible."

"You said it would be difficult, not impossible. If you saw some of the things I've experienced then you'd learn to believe that nothing is impossible."

With another smirk he shook his head and took the tome from me. "This race needs more Dunmer like you. It'd make for more interesting and definitely entertaining conversation."

~~o~~

"You must let them go, my Lord," Nirithur said with the tome in hand. "Though they are outsiders and bring a Nord, the fact that one of our kin is with a Nord has to mean that there is trust between them. If there is trust, then surely there is no threat, for who of our kin would dare befriend a traitor?"

I caught Artanor's sneer out of the corner of my eye. I glared back, but that had little effect.

"We all know that Nords are the reason why our ancestors were left with no choice but to seek help from the Dwemer in the first place. If it wasn't for them, we wouldn't be here!" Artanor argued.

"You cannot seriously blame the whole race for the decision of a few humans, can you?"

"And why not? They didn't show us mercy when our children and elders begged for their lives. No, the Nords slaughtered them like cattle."

"It's been eras since that battle even happened!" I insisted. "Most of the Nords have forgotten that battle even happened. Snow elves haven't been seen in the land of Skyrim for so long, you're just a myth to them. You can't blame my friend for something she isn't even aware of doing."

"Enough, you filthy Dumner," Artanor growled before I felt a quick flash of pain to my cheek.

I fell back and stifled a curse.

"Don't speak unless spoken to again, do you hear me?"

The palms of my hands glistened with fire and ice; magic that I knew I could use to wipe that smirk off his face in one swift movement. My sense of reason held me back, but one more threat and I wouldn't have a problem setting him alight.

"Enough!" the Lord yelled, his voice echoed through the air and struck fear into many hearts. "These debates are pointless. Send in the prisoners."

I looked towards the door. It opened. I felt my insides churn at the sight of them.

Chains bound their wrists and there were gashes on their faces and arms.

What happened to them?

Sceolang barked at me and I sighed in relief. At least he was unharmed, though he too was bound by a leash.

"Emelin?" Serana and Gelebor called in union.

I couldn't help but smile at them, but it was a sad smile and was full of guilt. It was my fault they were with me. It was my fault that they were in the condition they were. And if our trial turned sour, their deaths would also be my fault.

They were dragged in between Nirithur, Artanor and I and made to kneel in front of the Snow Lord. Serana struggled through her bindings but Gelebor didn't. He remained still and kept his head bowed in... respect.

"Rise," the Lord commanded. "You are here because of the crime that has been the death of so many of my kind." He directed his attention to Gelebor. "I hear you are someone of importance. One respected by my kind, my family. Tell me, why would one such as you dare make alliances with a traitor?"

Serana frowned. "Traitor? You haven't even told me what I've done wrong!"

"Silence, Nord. Brother, speak. Why should I spare both your lives and the Dunmer?" the Snow Lord asked.

Gelebor's back straightened and slowly, he raised his head. "I swear to you that my Nord companion had no involvement in our kin's defeat. You must understand, this was many centuries past. My brethren before their demise held no grudge towards the Nords and neither do I. I cannot speak for all but I can speak for her. She helped me in a time of great need, as did Emelin. If it were not for them, I fear that I would not be here today."

"I see," the Lord whispered. "Even so, she is the first Nord to step into our borders. Many of my people will demand blood. Should I deny them that which they deserve?"

I shook my head. "She's innocent. Who cares what your people want. You should do the right thing."

"The right decision is not always the easiest, Dunmer, nor is it the best."

"My Lord, please reconsider-" Nirithur interrupted but was pushed back by one of the guards.

"I must put the needs of my people before the needs of outsiders. I am sorry, but this must be done," the Lord decided before Gelebor and Sceolang were forced away from Serana while she was pushed to the floor.

A guard drew his blade. Artanor's smirk grew wider and wider with each step.

"No, Serana!" I yelled against my captors, but no matter how hard I tried to get to her, the guards kept me back.

"Get off me," Serana yelled. "Get off!"

Memories of the headman's axe flashed through my mind. The chopping block in Helgen; the Nords that watched as I was forced to place my head on there. Forced to watch the axe tilt back; watch in horror as the blood hit the ground mere feet from my face.

I shut my eyes. It wasn't real. I was alive. I wasn't back at Helgen. It wasn't going to happen to me, but it was to Serana if I didn't do something.

"You're no better than the Dwemer than enslaved you," I said, which gained the attention of the Lord. "All Gelebor told me were stories of your great race. A race that far succeeded others. A race that was kind, wise, mer from out of legend, but you're not. Some of you are, but not you. If you can find it in your heart to murder an innocent, then you're no better than your underground masters."

"How dare you mention them in our halls," the Snow Lord shouted, his anger apparent in his glare. "How dare you-"

"No, how dare you," I replied and shrugged out of my captor's grasp. "We came all this way just to find you, and this is how you treat us? All Gelebor wanted to do was find the last of his people when the ones he knew were slaughtered by the Betrayed. Serana helped him, she helped me. If she hated your kind, she would have killed him the first time she laid eyes on him."

"My Lord, I beg of you, hear what she is saying. She speaks the truth," Nirithur pleaded.

"There's no point in holding a grudge when the Nords have forgiven your people for what you did to them," I said. "I know the Snow elves were the first to attack, and the Nords retaliated. You can't blame them for doing that. Maybe they were a bit extreme, but you can understand why they did it. They were angry, as are you."

The Snow Lord sighed in his throne. "Your point, Dunmer?"

"My point is that they forgave you."

"Because they thought that our race was extinct," Artanor interrupted.

"Look, I wasn't there eras ago to know for certain what happened," I added. "What I do know is that the Nords no longer remember what happened. The only stories the Nords tell their children are the tales that are revered by them. Tales of the great Snow Prince, that even though he killed many of their people, that he was still respected as a fine warrior. That they buried him as an honoured Nord. I'm not saying that is what you have to do. What I'm trying to say is that it's better to forgive and forget then let this hatred continue."

The Lord's featured softened slightly. He stroked the end of his long beard as he contemplated on my plea. "You are wise past your years, Dunmer. It is a rare quality. But, what would you have me do? Let you go?"

"Let us help. We came to find you. We have much to teach you."

"Teach?" the Lord chuckled. "What could you teach us?"

"Religion. Your history. You know parts of your history, but not as much as Gelebor knows. Aren't you even a little bit curious about your ancestors that weren't captured by the Dwemer?"

He gestured to Serana, who looked like she was ready to kill any snow elf that dared to go near her. "And you wish us to spare this human?"

"Let her help us," Nirithur suggested. "You know the threat of the Dwemer and Betrayed are close at hand. This Nord, along with her companions, can help us fight them."

"The Betrayed?" Artanor laughed. "How do they pose a threat?"

"Many of our kin keep dying because of them. People go missing at night. Their bodies are never found. The threat is worse than you know. Besides, if you do not believe in it, then the least the Nord can do is farm work."

"Farm work?" Serana whispered with wide eyes. "You want me to work? I haven't done anything wrong."

"If it saves our lives then you'll agree with it," I said.

She let out a heavy sigh. "Great. I'm looking forward to it."

"Your fate is not your decision and my Lord has made his decision. Behead them already," Artanor ordered but the Lord stopped him.

"No. No, you will not. Dunmer, you make a good argument. Perhaps you are right, to some degree. Set them free," the lord commanded the guards.

"Finally," Serana said and rubbed her wrists.

"For now, you will be watched," the Lord explained. "Nirithur, since you made such an effort to keep these outsiders alive, they will stay in your care. If anything happens then I know who to blame."

Nirithur's eyes widened, but he bowed his head and clasped both hands behind his back. "Yes, of course."

"Good, now leave us before I change my mind."

One by one, we were guarded out of the hall and into a corridor. Once the door closed behind us I let out a sigh of relief and slumped against the wall. My knees still shook.

"Well played, Nirithur," Artanor congratulated from behind. "But your little union won't last, that I can assure you."

Nirithur frowned. "We shall see, Artanor. Now don't you have somewhere to be?"

With a sneer, Artanor followed the rest of the guards and disappeared around the corner. Nirithur shook his head and leaned back against the wall.

"I am never doing that again," he said.

"I don't think I will either," I sighed.

Sceolang barked as he ran over to me. I laughed and stroked him behind the ears.

I looked up to see Serana a few inches from me. She smiled and held out her hand. "Thanks. You saved my life back there."

"What are friends for?" I smiled back and stood.

"To be honest, I don't think I would have made a very nice head mount."

I shrugged. "You never know until you try it."

"Yeah, well I don't think I will."

I looked back at Gelebor who remained strangely silent since our leave. He looked deep in thought. His eyes were downcast and arms crossed. Hesitantly, I reached up to touch his cheek.

He flinched. I pulled back.

"Sorry, I was just wondering if you were alright," I blurted out without much thought. Heat rose across my cheeks and I ducked my head in embarrassment.

"No, no it is alright. Thank you, Emelin," he replied with a small smile. "I just did not expect this to happen, is all."

"I don't think any of us did, but we're alive."

"Yes, that we are."

"Gelebor," I said and dragged Nirithur to us. "This is Nirithur. Nirirthur, this is Gelebor."

Nirithur stretched out his hand. "It is good to finally meet you, Knight Paladin." He gave him a short bow in respect.

With a furrowed brow, Gelebor shook his hand. "It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Nirithur."

"I think you two are going to get along just fine," I smirked.

I knew Nirithur could learn a lot from Gelebor and that maybe a conversation with Nirithur could take Gelebor's mind off whatever was troubling him. Besides, it was good to know at least one other snow elf that didn't want us killed.

Nirithur clasped his hands together and headed down the corridor. "Please, follow me. I will show you where you will be staying for the meantime."