The smells in Solitude always made Akiseta feel relaxed. But today was a different situation. The conversation she was about to have would be stressful. And the fact that Serana couldn't be there made it worse.
Akiseta knew this conversation was to be between her, Elisif, and Tullius. Serana was waiting for her at the Winking Skeever.
Akiseta walked into the Blue Palace, and up the stairs. Elisif was sitting in her throne, talking to Falk Firebeard. She saw Akiseta approach, and smiled.
"Akiseta! So good to see you again. What brings you to Solitude?"
"It's good to see you again to, Jarl Elisif. I am here for a rather delicate matter. I need to speak to both you and General Tullius in private."
"I don't think that's a good idea." Elisif's housecarl said. "I should be there."
"If Akiseta need a private meeting, she'll have it." Elisif replied. "She saved our fair city, and all of Skyrim, and did me a personal favor. Come along, Akiseta. I'll send for Tullius, and we can talk in private in my chambers."
"So what do you need to discuss, Akiseta?" Elisif asked when they were all seated.
Akiseta pulled out the orders from Tullius and handed them to Elisif." I think you'll find this interesting. I acquired a similar one from Ulfric."
Elisif opened the paper and read through it. Shock spread across her face, and she looked over at Tullius in disbelief.
"This is in your hand, Tullius. Explain yourself, now!"
"I was only doing what was needed for our efforts, my Jarl. She was interfering with our fight against the Stormcloak traitors."
"She is my friend!" Elisif snapped. "We all agreed to her ultimatum at High Hrothgar, and you had the nerve to break the terms! She has every right to kill you, and I am not permitted to stop her."
Tullius gave Akiseta a hard look. "I accept whatever fate you deem fair, Dragonborn."
"Elisif is right. I have every right to kill you" Akiseta told him. "But I won't. I offer an alternative. You step down as General of the Imperial Army. We send for all the Jarls to a moot at High Hrothgar, and elect Elisif as High Queen. After, we lift the ban on Talos worship, and drive the Thalmor out of Skyrim. We procure a new trade deal from the Empire."
"What makes you think Ulfric would agree to that?" Tullius questioned.
"He has no opinion in this. He is no longer Jarl of Windhelm. I am. I gave him an alternative, and he agreed."
There was a few minutes of silence as Tullius and pondered.
"I agree with your alternative, Akiseta." Elisif said.
Tullius sighed. "So do I, Dragonborn."
Serana saw Akiseta walk into The Winking Skeever, and walked over. "How'd it go?"
"They both agreed to my alternative. All the Jarls will meet at High Hrothgar for a moot, and everything will go as planned." Akiseta spoke in a tired voice.
"You need some rest. I got us a room. Let's go on and relax." Serana told her.
The Argonian nodded, and followed her upstairs.
AN/ Hello everyone. I'm happy to post a new chapter of this story, and I'm happy to say we are close to the end as well. I can't promise I'm fully back from my hiatus, but this story will be seen to what I hope will be a wonderful conclusion.