Chapter 9

Ondolemar

The next morning, Ondolemar began his day just as any other. The events of last night lingered in his mind, but he remained resolved to set them aside and focus on his duties.

His morning routine was methodical, almost soothing in its familiarity. He donned his uniform, every clasp and buckle precise, ensuring he presented the look of the immaculate image of the Thalmor Justiciar. His boots echoed sharply against the marbled floor as he made his way through the halls to his office.

He reviewed reports with his usual intensity, his sharp gaze scanning each line for discrepancies. His quill moved swiftly across the parchment. The rhythm of his work was steady, almost mechanical, until a soft knock at the door interrupted the silence.

"Enter," he called, his voice steady and authoritative.

The door slowly creaked open, and in stepped Aurelia, her golden hair catching the morning light.

"Good morning, Justiciar." She said with a faint smile, "I hope I'm not interrupting."

Ondolemar straightened in his chair, masking his surprise with a neutral expression.

"Princess," he said, inclining his head."To what do I owe this visit?"

Aurelia clasped her hands in front of her"I wanted to thank you-for last night." She began, her voice quieter now. "You didn't have to follow me, let alone cover for me with those soldiers. I… I know I put you in a difficult position."

'Apologizing for breaking the rules? At least she understands the value of protocol. More than I can say for most of the nobility in the land.'

Ondolemar's eyes narrowed slightly as he leaned back in his chair. "You certainly did," he replied. "It's not every day that a princess decides to wander off unattended and put herself in potential danger."

Aurelia winced at the reprimand, even though there was no malice in his voice- just a matter-of-factness that still stung. "I'm sorry… it won't happen again."

Ondolemar studied her, the sharp edge of his irritation softening as he saw her sincerity. "See that it doesn't," he said. "I cannot always be there to protect you from your own recklessness." His gaze held hers for a moment longer before he added softly, "but your gratitude is noted."

Aurelia's shoulders relaxed slightly, "thank you, Ondolemar."

She turned to leave, but hesitated at the door before turning back with a small smile. "Thank you for protecting me, my friend." She said in Elvish.

'So, she remembers her lessons. I admit, her pronunciation is near flawless. How curious… and impressive. Certainly better than most humans who butcher our tongue without a second thought.'

Ondolemar glanced up from his work, his expression shifted slightly, the corner of his mouth twitching with a hint of surprise and amusement. "Your pronunciation has improved."

Aurelia's smile widened, a glint of playful pride in her eyes as she leaned forward, her voice carrying a teasing undertone. "I'll take that as a compliment."

She straightened, her posture radiating confidence and grace, but with an undeniable hint of mischief in her eyes. With that, she turned and left the room.

As the day progressed, Ondolemar's thoughts returned to the report he still needed to complete. He had been avoiding it.

Every month he reported to the Dominion concerning Aurelia's status and development. The Dominion prided itself on its ability to manipulate and influence events across Tamriel, and Aurelia's position as future heir made her a figure of significance. His superiors demanded meticulous documentation of her progress, her behavior, and most importantly- her potential usefulness to the Dominions interest.

It was not out of ordinary for Ondolemar to leave out certain details that he considered irrelevant- or more accurately, details that served no purpose beyond satisfying the Dominion's need for power.

'The Dominion does not need to know everything,' he thought to himself. 'Aurelia sneaking out in the dead of the night to help the impoverished populace of Skyrim? Admirable, perhaps, but irrelevant to the grander schemes of the dominion. It was, as he reasoned, an act of youthful defiance that could be corrected with proper guidance.

"Youthful defiance" had been the excuse ondolemar used as a means of justify omitting certain details in his reports. It was a convenient explanation that allowed him to downplay Aurelia's more impulsive actions without raising undue alarm to his superiors.

After all, what royal adolescent didn't exhibit the occasional rebellion?

Ondolemar had just began to write when the sound of clicking heels echoed down the corridor, causing him to pause. The noise stopped just outside his door, followed by a sharp knock.

"Enter," he said, his tone calm but firm.

Elenwen swept into the room, her robes flowing behind her. Her lips curved into a faint, predatory smile as she regarded Ondolemar.

"Justiciar," she began, her voice silky smooth. "It seems you've had an eventful evening."

Ondolemar looked up, his expression unreadable. "I fail to see how my evening warrants the First Emissary's interest."

Elenwen's smile deepened as she moved closer, her eyes scanning him as though searching for weakness. "Rumors, Ondolemar. Whispers of you wandering the roads outside Solitude well past midnight. Unaccompanied, no less. It's unlike you to be so… clandestine."

'Of course, Elenwen would choose now to darken my door. One late-night patrol and she's already weaving some sordid tale about my supposed 'nocturnal activities.' The imagination of a bored diplomat knows no end.'

Ondolemar's jaw tightened ever so slightly, though his expression remained composed. "I am a servant of the Thalmor, First Emissary. My movements are dictated by duty, not whimsy."

"Of course," Elenwen replied, her tone laced with feigned understanding. "But you must admit, it's rather curious. Some might even assume you were meeting someone. A midnight rendezvous, perhaps?" She leaned slightly closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "If that's the case, Ondolemar, you could have simply come to me instead."

'Why would I waste my time with moonlit strolls and whispered secrets when I could bask in the joyless company of Elenwen herself? Truly, a dream come true.'

Ondolemar's eyes flicked up to meet hers, cold and unyielding. "If the Dominion's business required my presence at your chambers, I would be informed."

Elenwen chuckled softly, a sound both amused and calculating. "Always so disciplined. But even the most loyal Justiciars have their… needs. And I'm more than capable of fulfilling them."

Ondolemar set his quill down deliberately, folding his hands on the desk. "Your insinuations are misplaced, First Emissary. My actions last night were in pursuit of our mission here in Skyrim. Any rumors to the contrary are baseless and unworthy of your attention."

Elenwen's gaze lingered on him, searching for any crack in his armor. Finding none, she straightened, her smile cooling. "Very well, Ondolemar. But do remember—should you ever tire of solitude, my door is always open."

She turned and made her way to the door, her presence leaving the room as sharply as it had entered.

Ondolemar sat in silence for a moment, the faintest flicker of annoyance crossing his face before he returned to his work.

'Every visit from her is like enduring an extended frost troll attack- grating, uncomfortable, and leaving you with the vague sense that you've lost something important, like your patience.'