Chapter 27

Thalmor

Ondolemar mounted his horse with a smooth, fluid motion, his movement precise and practiced. He had been summoned to the Thalmor Embassy to report in with Elenwen. Word of the boar incident had spread throughout Solitude, if not all of Skyrim by this point. The Engagement announcement was a complete disaster, according to the whispers of the court. He should be focusing on the investigation and recovering from the political fallout, but Ondolemar's thoughts kept going back to Aurelia.

The unexplainable gust of wind knocking them into that broom closet should concern him. Whether it was by the Divine or Daedra, Ondolemar did not care. It had given him a rare opportunity, a chance to be alone with Aurelia. He didn't regret it, but as he reflected on it he couldn't help but to feel embarrassed and frustrated with himself. Losing my composure like some lovesick fool…

And yet, not only had he let it happen but now he has promised her it would continue to happen.

Ondolemar exhaled slowly, tightening his grip on the reins. It was one thing to have a moment of weakness, an indulgence brought on by circumstance and proximity. But it was another to willingly step onto the shadows with her and promise her that it would happen again. I will be yours, as long as you are mine, he had told her.

I am a fool. This woman will be my undoing.

Ondolemar entered Elenwen's Solar of the Thalmor embassy. Elenwen sat in a chair beside Rulindil, when she saw Ondolemar enter she stood and strode over to him.

"Commander, punctual as ever," she said smoothly, "I trust your travels were uneventful? Unlike the… engagement announcement. Tell me, Ondolemar-how exactly are you going to recover from this?"

Ondolemar clasped his hands behind his back and inclined his head. "First Emissary, an investigation into the incident is currently underway."

"An investigation," she repeated. "Yes I am already aware." The irritation in her tone just barely controlled. "But what will you do now? The announcement made the Thalmor look like fools-your justiciars cowering to a boar? A boar-resting on a platter, waiting to be a grand feast, and then opens its eyes and charges at guest?"

His jaw tightened, but his expression remained composed. "The circumstances were… unusual. However, I assure you, First Emissary, the situation will be dealt with. Order will be restored."

"See that it is. This engagement is already a delicate matter." She paused before taking a step closer, lowering her voice, "there are whispers, Ondolemar. Rumors of ill omens, of divine or Daedric interference. The people are beginning to question. And when they question, they resist."

"I understand, I will ensure that any notion of 'ill omens' is swiftly dismissed. The engagement will proceed as planned."

Elenwen studied him a moment. "Yes it will. And Ondolemar, ensure that you avoid any impropriety with the princess in the future. Whispers of you, during the Queen's ball, chasing a distraught princess into the gardens only to not return have made their way to my ear. Now that you are betrothed any improper actions, no matter how innocent they may seem, could be seen as… insubordination. You are, after all, representing the Thalmor's interest as well as your own."

Ondolemar's gaze remained steady. "Of course, First Emissary. I will proceed with caution."

"Good. Now take a seat, and please relax. You're welcome to stay in a spare bedroom for the night."

Ondolemar's brow furrowed slightly, though he masked it quickly. He had hoped to return to Solitude before night fall, but he knew better than to argue with Elenwen, especially when she made a command cloaked in pleasantries.

"Thank you, First Emissary. I will take you up on that offer."

Elenwen poured him a glass of red wine. "Imported from Summerset Isles." She said as she handed the glass to him. "I'm sure you are tired of the unrefined ales of the Nords."

Ondolemar accepted the glass, taking a moment to appreciate the deep color of the wine.

"You are correct, First Emissary," he replied with a small appreciative smile, polite but guarded. "It's a welcome change."

Rulindil, who had been sitting in nearby chair swirling his wine, glanced up at Ondolemar.

"You do have a preference for the finer things, Commander. It's unfortunate, that your duties should involve such an arrangement with a Nord."

Elenwen's gaze shifted sharply to Rulindil, but she said nothing. Instead she focused on Ondolemar's reaction.

Ondolemar took a sip from his glass, his composure in tact. "I was not tasked with this arrangement because of its appeal, Rulindil. I have duties and I will carry them out, regardless of my personal preferences."

"Well Commander," he began, "I must admit, I'm glad it's you and not me who must go through with this… arrangement." Taking a sip from his wine, savoring the moment before continuing. "After all, I was a potential candidate for the Princess."

Ondolemar's grip on his wine glass tightened slightly, though he maintained his composed exterior. The thought of Aurelia—his Aurelia—being bound to Rulindil made his stomach turn.

Ondolemar was capable of cruelty when necessary, but Rulindil-he reveled in it. Ondolemar had seen it firsthand—the cold efficiency Rulindil conducted his interrogations, the way he savored the breaking of a prisoner's will. Espionage, manipulation, torment—these were not just duties to Rulindil, they were passions.

The idea of Aurelia—spirited, intelligent, and, despite everything, still untouched by true cruelty—being placed under his control? It was unthinkable.

He forced himself to take a measured sip of his wine before responding. "A fortunate outcome, then," Ondolemar said smoothly, setting his glass down. "The First Emissary must have deemed you more valuable elsewhere."

A slight smirk tugged at Rulindil's lips, but his eyes gleamed with amusement. "Yes, quite," he mused. "Though I do wonder… If things had gone differently, how might she have fared? Would she have proven as receptive to me as she has to you, I wonder?"

He knew what Rulindil was doing—pushing, testing for a reaction. But the idea of Aurelia in Rulindil's grasp, subject to his cruelty, made Ondolemar's blood run hot. He forced himself to breathe, to maintain control.

"Speculation is pointless," he said. "The decision was made. And I will see it through."

Rulindil hummed, his smirk lingering. "Yes… I'm sure you will."

Ondolemar took another sip of wine, but it tasted bitter now.

Elenwen swirled her wine, watching Ondolemar with a knowing look. "The Dominion values efficiency, Commander. We entrust our best with the most delicate of tasks."

She took a slow sip before continuing. "But if one were to falter… well, the Thalmor always has contingencies. Wouldn't you agree, Rulindil?"

Rulindil smirked, setting his glass down with a clink. "Of course, First Emissary. An operation of this magnitude requires adaptability. If one approach fails, another must take its place. The objective remains the same." His eyes flicked to Ondolemar, with the faintest glint of amusement.

She's testing me.

It was an unspoken threat. He had been chosen for this role, given this task, but the Thalmor's patience had its limits. If he failed—if he proved incapable—there were others who could take his place.

He knew what she was implying.

For a brief moment, he imagined Rulindil in his place. Watching Aurelia from across the ballroom, her gaze wary and her movements careful as he relished in every flicker of fear. He imagined the way she would shrink under his glare, the way Rulindil would savor her unease, twisting it into something he could control.

The thought made his stomach turn.

Later that night, Elenwen stood at the window of her private quarters. Behind her Rulindil sat in a wooden chair, watching her intensely.

Elenwen broke the silence. "He was agitated," she mused, turning to face him, arching an eyebrow. "You saw it."

"Of course." He smirked, "Ondolemar the loyal servant of the Dominion, doing whatever is asked of him, no matter how humiliating-growing attached to her. It's amusing really."

Elenwen crossed the room gracefully. She stopped just short of him, her proximity not lost on either of them. "It is useful." She said sharply. "Aurelia has always been… spirited. This could temper her, keep her complacent. So long as Ondolemar does not become… compromised."

"Then we will ensure he remains focused." He says, his smirk never fading. "A well timed reminder of his position in the Dominion will keep him in check."

Elenwen gave a curt nod. "I trust you understand how delicate this situation is. You are, after all, his replacement if the need were to arise."

Rulindil's smirk deepened, his gaze unwavering as he stood from his chair, closing the gap between them, "of course, First Emissary. I understand my role."