Chapter 23

Meetings

After Aurelia left the library she returned to her chambers. Halbjorn was patiently waiting for her beside the door. As soon as Aurelia entered, she went straight to her favorite chair. Sensing her distress, Halbjorn quietly followed her. He rest his large head on her lap and growled softly, his ears twitching.

Aurelia began scratching behind his ears. "What do I do now, Halbjorn?" She said, letting the tears fall freely now. "I don't think Ondolemar will want anything to do with me now."

Halbjorn nuzzled his head against her in response.

"Thanks boy." She said softly as she continued to scratch his head.

There was a soft knock on the door followed by seraphine's voice, "Princess, may I enter?"

Aurelia quickly wiped the tears from her face. "Yes, enter." She called.

Seraphine opened the door. Once she saw the state Aurelia was in she quickly closed the door. "My Lady." Seraphine said, worry evident in her voice. She quickly grabbed a cloth dabbing Aurelia cheeks as she reassured her, "everything is going to be alright."

Aurelia tried to smile but it didn't reach her eyes. "Thank you Seraphine. I-I'm okay." She let out a long breath. "Is there something you needed to tell me?"

Seraphine smiled kindly. "Yes, My Lady. Your father has sent for you. He ask that you join him in his study."

Aurelia nodded. "Thank you, Seraphine. I'll be right there."

"Would you like me to accompany you?" Seraphine asked as she squeezed Aurelia's hand.

"No. No it's okay. I'll just need a moment. Please tell father I will be there shortly."

"Yes My Lady."

The princess quietly entered her father's study, softly shutting the door behind her. She pressed her forehead against the door , letting out a deep shaky breath, grounding herself before turning to face her father.

"Aurelia," King Torygg began. He gestured to the chair across from his desk, "please have a seat."

Aurelia took a seat. "Father… is there something you need to tell me?"

Torygg clasped his hands together on his desk, he looked down as if searching for the words. "I do." The king hesitated. He had know this wouldn't be an easy conversation, but he hadn't expected it to be so hard to find the right words.

"Aurelia," he began again. "There are times when duty must take precedence over everything else."

"Father-does this have to do with a marriage?" She asked, her voice just above a whisper.

She knew the answer. At this point she had already pieced everything together, but she needed to hear her father say it.

Torygg looked at her for a long moment, the guilt in his eyes was undeniable. "Yes," he said softly, "it does."

Aurelia's heart clench, but she did not look away. "To Ondolemar," her voice trembled despite herself.

Torygg nodded slowly. "I see you've already deduced as much." He leaned forward, hands still clasped on his desk. "I wanted to spare you of this until the time was right. I had hoped to not burden you with this."

Aurelia's composure faltered, her voice was shaky. "Was-was there no other way?"

"Aurelia," he said, his voice almost pleading. "You must understand. I could not refuse-the Thalmor do not make empty threats. This marriage…" he paused, considering his words. "It is a safeguard. It ensures your survival."

"But father, I don't understand. Have I done something wrong?"

King Torggs expression crumpled at her words. "No," he said quickly. "You've done nothing wrong. Nothing at all. This is not a punishment. This… is just the only way to keep you safe-to keep Skyrim safe."

"Why? Why do they want this?" She asked, her voice wavered.

"The Thalmor want control, Aurelia. And you… you are a symbol of Skyrim's future. They believe binding you to one of their own will tie Skyrim closer to their cause. It's a show of dominance."

Aurelia's stomach churned. "So after everything, I'm just a pawn to them," she whispers, the bitterness in her tone unmistakable.

Torygg winced but didn't deny it. "I would never see you as that. To me, you are my daughter. But I could not refuse this arrangement, the consequences could be devastating for Skyrim."

Torygg let out a long sigh. "Aurelia, please. I need you to do this. You must endure-for Skyrim."

Aurelia looked away from her father, a tear ran down her cheek. "I understand Father. I will endure." She said barely above a whisper.

His shoulders sagged with a mix of sorrow and relief. "Thank you." He said softly, his voice heavy with guilt. " I wish things could be different. That I could give you the life you deserved. But this is the burden of royalty."

"Is this all it ever will be? A burden?" She asked.

Torygg hesitated, searching for words that could ease her pain, but he could find none. "Sometimes," he admitted. "But there are moments of joy. And in time, I know you will find those moment. Even in this."

After Aurelia had left the library, Ondolemar did not grab a book, he simply sat in a nearby chair replaying the conversation. The hurt and confusion on her face was etched into his mind. A lapse in judgement. What a cruel thing to say.

He wanted to pull her back, to apologize, to tell her the truth. He'd spent years convincing himself that his allegiance to the Thalmor, his position, was his only priority. But ever since Aurelia had become apart of his life she had become more and more important to him. And now there was a risk she could become more important than anything else.

The thought was both terrifying and intoxicating, though he did not want to admit it. He had spent decades dedicating his life to the Thalmor. The Thalmor had been his purpose, his identity. Every decision he had made had been in service to their cause.

Until Aurelia.

At first she had been little more than another assignment, an obligation tied to his duty. A Nord princess, carefully guided by the Thalmor, a pawn in their endless game of power. But as time passed she became something else entirely.

Ondolemar stopped himself from completing the thought. He couldn't afford to think like this. This-Aurelia-has become a distraction and he needed to remain focused on his duties. Whatever had transpired between him and Aurelia was nothing more than a fleeting distraction, he told himself as he left the library.

As he entered the Thalmor Headquarters, Ondolemar was immediately stopped by First Emissary Elenwen.

"You look troubled Commander," she said smoothly, her piercing gaze studying him.

Ondolemar straightened his posture, clasping his hands behind his back. "I am merely preoccupied, Emissary. There is much to oversee."

Elenwen tilted her head, her lips curved into a knowing smile. "Of course," she said. "Walk with me, Commander. There are matters we must discuss."

She turned gracefully, her robes flowing as she led him down a corridor. Ondolemar followed, his mind was racing. Elenwen rarely did anything without an agenda, and he had no doubt this conversation would be no exception.

After a moment she spoke. "It is a rare privilege, to be chose for such a… delicate task. I hope you understand the value you have for the Thalmor."

Ondolemar inclined his head slightly, "I am aware of the importance of the arrangement."

"Yet you seem less than enthusiastic," she said, her voice growing softer, more insidious.

He hesitated a moment as he carefully chose his next words. "I am honored to serve the Thalmor in whatever capacity is required."

She stopped abruptly and turned to face him. "Do not mistake this for a mere service to the Thalmor, Commander. This marriage is a tool. And the Princess is irrelevant beyond her utility. Do not allow sentiment to cloud your judgement."

"I understand, First Emissary." He said, meeting her gaze unfazed.

"See that you do." She said. They continued walking in silence for a moment more. "It is unfortunate the King had acted so recklessly, forcing us to intervene. Attempting to arrange a secret marriage between the princess and the Jarl of Windhelm," Elenwen continued. "It was a foolish and dangerous move by the King." She let her word linger.

Ondolemars jaw tightened, "I hadn't been aware the King had taken such a step." There was a hint of unease in his words. "If I had known, I would have taken steps to ensure it was prevented."

She glanced at him, her eyes narrowing slightly. "You didn't know, commander? How… continent." She said coldly. "It matters not. The situation has been resolved. The princess will be under our control and you will make sure of that."

He met her gaze with a stoic expression. "Of course, First Emissary. I will see to it that the princess remains under control."

her gaze softened, she studied him for a moment before speaking again. "Good." She said her voice firm. "Your commitment to your duty is all that matters now. Do not forget it."

With that, she turned and left. Leaving Ondolemar standing in the hallway. His mind was racing from the implications of Elenwen's words.