Chapter 8

Rebellion

Aurelia sat at the library desk, her hands folded neatly in front of her. Across from her Ondolemar stood, hands clasped behind his back as he spoke with the measure of a seasoned diplomat.

"The White-Gold Concordat," he began, "is not merely a treaty, but a testament to the Thalmor's unparalleled strategy and foresight. It is the very foundation upon which the peace of our age rest. Through it, the chaos of the Great War was subdued and order was restored."

He paused letting his words hang in the air, almost like a challenge. "Of course, there are those who would denounce such an achievement.."

Ondolemar paused sending something wrong. The past week Aurelia had not been her usual self. The usual spark of curiosity and sharp wit had been absent recently. When Ondolemar turned to face her he noticed her gaze fixed somewhere past his shoulder.

Ondolemar tilted his head slightly, his gaze narrowing as he noticed the way her posture had slouched ever so slightly.

"Princess," he said his tone cool but edged with impatience, "perhaps you would care to summarize the importance of the Talos ban for the unity of Tamriel?"

Aurelia blinked, startled by the question. She straightened in her seat, "The… Talos ban," she began, "is important… because…"

Her words trailed off as she struggled to form a coherent sentence.

Odolemar's jaw tightened, though his expression remained passive. He took a step forward, his boots clicking softly against the stone floor. "Aurelia," he said, without his usual formality, "you are not paying attention."

Her cheeks flushed, as she realized she had been caught, "I-I'm sorry," she stammered, attempting to mask her fatigue, "I was thinking."

Ondolemar raised an eyebrow, "thinking?"

He studied her closely, his piercing eyes scanning her face-the faint shadows under her eyes were clear signs of exhaustion.

"You're not yourself today," his tone shifted from stern to measured.

Aurelia opened her mouth to respond, but no excuse came to mind. She dropped her gaze down to the table, her hands tightening into fist in her lap. Ondolemar regarded her in silence a moment longer.

"Very well," he finally said, stepping back and clasping his hands behind his back again. "Let us continue. I trust I won't need to repeat myself."

That night, Aurelia packed her bag full of bread, cheese, and various fruits she had been collecting throughout the day, and she left the palace quietly with Halbjorn close behind her. Together they snuck past the Solitude gates and made their way down the road towards Dragons Bridge

Little did she know, Ondolemar had been up late writing reports, when he heard soft footsteps about the palace hallways.

Ondolemar sat motionless, the quill in his hand pausing mid-stroke, as he listened to the faint, deliberate footsteps slipping through the hallways. His eyes flicked to the door where the sound seemed to grow louder. Aurelia.

He rose from his desk, a sense of unease gnawed at him as he approached the door and carefully opened it. No one was there.

The corridors of the Blue palace were eerily quiet, but he could feel the cold night air telling him the path was still fresh. He turned back grabbing his cloak and slipping it over his shoulders. There was no time to waste. Aurelia had a habit of finding solace in the quiet of the night, but tonight, something about her silence unsettled him. She had been to withdrawn, he couldn't shake the feeling something was wrong.

A few moments later he was outside moving swiftly through the back gates.

It wasn't long before he saw he saw her in the distance as she walked briskly down the path with Halbjorn trotting loyally beside her. She had managed to make it half way round Dragons Bridge by the time he caught up to her.

He called her name softly, his voice cutting through the night. "Aurelia."

She froze in place, before turning around to face him. A mix of surprise and guilt on her face.

"What are you doing out here?" Ondolemar asked her.

Aurelia hesitated, her eyes flickered back to the road ahead. "I… I was going to Dragons Bridge."

He took a step closer, scanning her with his eyes intensely. "Is this why you've been so exhausted? You've been sneaking out in the dead of the night and to do what?" He motioned toward the bag she carried.

She looked away, avoiding his gaze. "I just need to help them," she said, her voice soft but determined. "I didn't want to sit back and do nothing."

Ondolemar's expression softened as he moved closer. "This is dangerous. A princess should not be sneaking past the city walls at this hour."

Aurelia's jaw tightened as she met his gaze. "They have so little, Ondolemar. And I…" she hesitated for a moment before continuing, "I don't want to be this useless figurehead princess everyone wants me to be. I want to help the people of Skyrim, Ondolemar."

Ondolemar studied her intently, "and you believe running off into the night with a sack of provisions will change their fate?" He asked, his tone calm but laced with skepticism.

Aurelia's fist clenched at her sides, "it's better than sitting in a palace all day, pretending everything is fine!"

"What happens when you're caught? Or worse, attacked? Your intentions may be noble, but they are reckless. You put yourself- and your people at risk by acting alone."

Her shoulders slumped slightly, "I-I'm sorry… but if I just sit by while others suffer, what kind of a leader does that make me?"

Ondolemar's expression softened further, a flicker of something akin to respect crossing his features. "A wise leader knows when to act and when to seek allies. If you truest wish to help do it in a way that ensures your safety- and theirs."

Aurelia hesitated once more, as his words sank in but she refused to lose her determination, looking down at her bag she says, "they need this." She whispers, her voice cracking ever so slightly, "They need to know someone cares."

"And they will," Ondolemar said firmly, "but not like this. You're better than this, Aurelia. You're clever, resourceful, and capable of far more than sneaking off in secret."

Her gaze flicked back to his with uncertainty, "do you mean that?" She asked, her voice quiet but earnest.

"I wouldn't say it if I didn't," he said, his tone softening. "If you want to find a way to help them, we'll find a way. For now we need to get back to the palace, before anyone notices you're gone."

Halbjorn let out a low growl in approval as they turned back and made their way back to Solitude.

Ondolemar walked ahead, with Aurelia and Halbjorn walking side by side behind him.

The stillness of the night broken by the faint murmur of voices coming from the trail ahead. Aurelia's steps faltered, she turned toward Ondolemar, whose expression had hardened instantly. His hand shot out, gripping her arm gently but firmly.

"Hide." He ordered in a low, urgent tone. His eyes scanned the road ahead.

Aurelia's heart hammered out of her chest as she glanced towards the trees lining the path. Reluctantly she darted off the path and into the shadows of the trees, crouching low behind a cluster of bushes. Halbjorn followed close behind her, his movements surprisingly quiet as he nestled against her legs.

The voices grew louder, and a few moments later two thalmor soldiers emerged from the darkness.

"Justiciar Ondolemar," one of them said, his tone was casual but respectful, "what brings you out at this hour?"

"I could ask the same of you," Ondolemar replied smoothly. "If you must know, I've heard rumors of Talos worshiping just outside the city."

The soldier tilted his head, "that would explain the increased patrol orders."

The second soldier stepped forward, "and yet, you're out here alone, without an escort or reinforcements. Odd for a justiciar of your rank."

Ondolemar's expression remained calm thought his tone had grown colder, "I am capable of handling matters on my own, as you well know. Patriots like these are better suited for soldiers. Perhaps you should focus on the task at hand rather than questioning my methods."

"Of course sir, but you understand how it looks- to be out on this road, at this hour." The first soldier said.

Ondolemar's eyes flicked to the tree line where Aurelia and Halbjorn hid in the shadows. He remained perfectly composed, "perhaps I should remind you two of your station." He said icily, "my movements are neither subject to your scrutiny nor require your approval. Unless you wish to report otherwise to the Dominion, I suggest you return to your patrol."

The second soldiers jaw tightened, "very well sir."

The first soldier nodded in agreement, though his eyes narrowed and scanned the area intensely. His gaze swept the road and then the trees lining the path. Aurelia's breath caught and her body stiffened as she pressed herself lower.

"You're alone, are you?" The soldier asked, he spoke casually but ondolemar could hear the suspicion beneath it.

"Do you intend to challenge my word?" He asked.

The soldier hesitated, "of course not." He responded smoothly, though the tension still hung in the air, "we'll continue our patrol."

A few moments went by, once ondolemar was sure the soldiers were far enough away he called out softly, "you can come out now, Aurelia."

She emerged cautiously with Halbjorn following closely from behind. Her eyes were wide with fear, "that was close."

Ondolemar regarded her with a hard expression, his usual demeanor edged with frustration, "do you understand now? This is dangerous. One misstep could cost you everything."

"I-I'm sorry…" she whispered, her voice trembling.

Ondolemar's face soften once more before turning back to the road and saying,"Let's get back to Solitude before anyone else crosses our path."