Chapter two

Boldness

Aurelia started her morning the same way she had for the past few weeks. She woke to the Sabre cat cub curled up sleeping peacefully beside her. Gently she nudged him, "Good morning Halbjorn. Time to wake up."

The cub stretched and let out a big yawn before slowly opening his eyes and meowing at Aurelia.

She picked him up and sat him on her lap and began brushing his fur with a comb. "Come now Halbjorn. Today is special. We start your training after my lessons. Ok?"

The cub meowed and purred in response.

Aurelia was determined to teach Halbjorn some discipline today and perhaps some tricks. She had a stash of sweet rolls she had been collecting hidden in her drawers and she intended to use them for her cubs training.

Aurelia smiled as Halbjorn curled into her lap, his soft fur warm under her hands. She carefully worked the comb through his soft fur brushing out the tangles with ease. The cub purred contently.

Later that day Aurelia sat in the palace library at the oak desk, her quill scratching away on the parchment as she diligently practiced writing in Elven. She could feel the weight of Ondolemar's sharp gaze on her as he paced back and forth.

"You've improved," he remarked without looking at her. "But your form remains stiff. The fluidity of the language comes with time and care."

Aurelia paused and looked up, raising an eyebrow,"time and care," she repeated, placing her quill down. "Does that mean you've had both of those in abundance when you learned?"

Ondolemars lip twitched slightly, a hint of amusement on his normally guarded face. "I had other things to worry about."

Aurelia tilted her head, curiosity had gotten the better of her. "I'm sure you did. But tell me Justiciar Ondolemar… how old are you anyway?"

The question was casual, but she couldn't deny the boldness of it. She couldn't resist the temptation of pushing the boundary just a bit. Just enough to see if she could get her mentor to say one simple, personal thing about himself.

He looked at her now, his eyes narrowing with a trace of irritation flickering on his face.

"What does this have to do with your lesson?" He replied

Aurelia leaned back slightly, the corners of her mouth curling into a playful smile. "You seem like you've been doing this for so long. Surely you've had time to age a little." She crossed her arms studying him for a moment, "Though it's hard to imagine you wereany younger than this."

He stared at her for a moment. Then he let out a quiet sigh. "Age is of little consequence when one is focused on matters of greater importance." He said cryptically, "but if you must know, Lady Aurelia, it is a number you would not likely comprehend."

Aurelia frowned, this only increased her interest. "A number I wouldn't comprehend? You make it sound like you're centuries old."

Ondolemar's lips curved ever so slightly, his voice softened but the amusement never fully left his eyes. "I would tell you my age, but you would not believe me. Now, my age does not matter. What matters is your focus. I suggest you redirect it, Lady Aurelia."

Aurelia gave him a sly smile while picking up her quill again continuing with the lesson as before. Though she didn't get the answer she was hoping for she did get a reaction out of Ondolemar.

After her lesson, Aurelia returned to her room. She quickly grabbed the bag of sweet rolls she had been hiding and she carried Halbjorn quietly down the stairs. Once she made it to the palace garden she placed him down carefully. "Ok Halbjorn your lesson begins now."

The cub meowed in response. Aurelia smiled, pleased, she had started to feel that she and Halbjorn were beginning to understand each other. That or the little cub just wanted more sweet rolls.

Aurelia pulled a sweet roll from her bag, "Now sit Halbjorn"

The cub stared up at her, his yellow eyes wide as he stared at up at the sweet roll. He pawed at the air in front of him, his tail flicked with excitement.

"Sit" she repeated firmly.

Halbjorn paused, confused for a moment, but then realization crossed over his face, be plopped down onto his haunches, tail wagging in delight. Aurelia rewarded him with a small piece of a sweet role as her heart swelled with pride.

"Good boy!" She praised.

Aurelia crouch slightly, gesturing with her hands, "now, roll over!" Halbjorn tilts his head, confused. He meows, eyeing the sweet roll in Aurelia's hand.

"You can do it Halbjorn, you're the smartest cat in all of Skyrim! Surely you can-"

"Aurelia," a stern voice cuts through the quiet, crisp air.

Aurelia freezes mid gesture and slowly turns around to see Ondolemar standing at the edge of the garden, arms crossed and eyes narrowed. His Thalmor robes gleam in the sunlight making him look even more imposing than he usually is.

"What are you doing?" He steps forward without hesitation.

"I am… training Halbjorn.." Aurelia says lifting her chin up and gesturing to the cub behind her legs. Halbjorn meows as if to confirm her response.

Ondolemar closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Aurelia," he began carrying the weariness of someone teaching a child something so obvious,"Sabre cats are not pets. They are predators. They kill. They-"

"They learn," Aurelia interrupted, "I've been training him and he's so sweet, ondolemar. He's just a baby," she says as she reaches down to pick up the cub, cradling him in her arms, she scratches his belly as he purrs in delight.

Omdolemar's eyes snap back towards hers, irritation flickering in his eyes, but there was also a spark of amusement as he watched her cradle the Sabre cat in her arms. "I take it you're an expert in taming predators now?" He said dryly.

She tilted her head undeterred and placed the cub down, "Halbjorn already knows some commands. Watch this."

She crouches down beside the sabre cat, "Halbjorn, sit!"

Halbjorn stared at her for a moment, then plopped down.

"There! See?" Aurelia beamed up at Ondolemar, her eyes filled with triumph. "You can't argue with results, justiciar," she said cheekily.

Ondolemar sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose again, "Aurelia, what would your father say?"

Her smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered, straightening up, lifting her chin, "he wouldn't mind. He trust me."

Ondolemar folded his arms, arching an eyebrow, "trust, perhaps. But that is no excuse to act recklessly. "

"I'm not reckless," she shot back, hands on her hips,"I'm teaching him discipline."

Ondolemar glanced down at the sabre cat, who was now battling with the sleeve of Aurelia's dress with his sharp claws. "Disciple," he repeated dryly, " That's certainly a word for it. "

Aurelia crouched down, gently pulling her sleeve from Halbjorn and distracting him with another piece of sweet roll. "Don't tell him," she said, her voice softer than before.

Ondolemar regarded her for a moment, his stern look softening just slightly, "Aurelia-"

But before he could finish what he was saying, another voice interrupted, low and calm.

" Have you been taming beast Aurelia?" High King Torygg stepped out of the shadows, "I've been wondering where all of the sweet rolls have been disappearing to. "

"Father!" Aurelia cheeks flushed red from embarrassment, "he's not a beast, he's… Halbjorn and he's just a baby."

The kings eyes lingered on the cub, who meowed innocently, a faint smile tugged at his lips, "Halbjorn you say?"

"Yes," Aurelia said cradling the cub in her arms once again. "I've been training him. He listens to me. Please, don't make me let him go. "

Torygg regarded her quietly for a moment, before turning towards Ondolemar, "what do you think?"

Caught off guard, ondolemar straightened, " your majesty, I'd strongly advise against keeping a sabre cat in the palace, regardless of its current temperament, it is a predator by nature, and-"

"Thank you, Justiciar," king Torygg interrupted raising a hand. His gaze retuned to Aurelia, " Aurelia, this isn't a decision I can make lightly. If anything happens -anything- Halbjorn is gone. Do you understand?"

Aurelia nodded. " Yes father, I promise. He won't hurt anyone."

Torygg sighed, shaking his head as a faint smiles fell on his face, " I sure hope you're right."

He turned and walked back to the place, pausing briefly beside Ondolemar, " Keep an eye on her, Justiciar."

Ondolemar had inclined his head, " of course, Your Majesty. "

When Torygg was out of earshot, Aurelia let out a breath she hadn't realize she was holding.

"I told you he wouldn't mind," she said, her voice triumphant once more.

Ondolemar groaned softly, muttering something in Elvish as he turned to leave.