Chapter 28

Turmoil

Word of the engagement of Princess Aurelia to Commander Justiciar Ondolemar spread through Skyrim like wildfire, igniting outrage, disbelief, and uneasy whispers in every hold. How could the daughter of High King Torygg be promised to a Thalmor Justiciar, the oppressors of Skyrim. Many saw it as the ultimate betrayal, proof that Thalmor's grip on their land had tightened beyond measure.

When news of the engagement reached Ulfric Stormcloak, he was silent at first. Those closest to him knew that this kind of silence was far more dangerous than any kind of shouting. When he finally spoke, his voice was cold. "They mean to humiliate us. To make Skyrim bow in the most dishonorable way imaginable." His words held a burning fury, but they also carried a sense of loss.

Galmar Stone-fist was not as restrained. "A Nord Princess wed to a damned Justiciar?!" He yelled, slamming his fist against the war table. "We should march on them now. Kill him before he lays a hand on her. I'll gut the knife-eared bastard myself."

Ulfric's gaze sharpener when he spoke again. "And if she's agreed to it?"

Galmar scoffed, his face twisted in disgust. "Then she's a damn fool. Or worse."

The two men fell silent. Neither of them wanted to consider the possibility that Aurelia may have chosen this path willingly. If she had been forced, there would still be honor in reaching her. But if she bent the knee to the Thalmor…

"No…" Ulfric said, his voice low but firm. "She would not willingly do this. Torygg-there was something… desperate in his voice when he asked me take Aurelia's hand."

"Desperate? Bah. He's always been just a boy playing king. You were the best damn match he could've hoped for, and he knew it."

Ulfric shook his head. "No, it was more than that." He paused, searching his memory. "When Torygg asked me to marry Aurelia, it wasn't just about uniting Skyrim. There was… urgency in his voice. As if he were afraid of something."

"You think it was the damned Thalmor?" Galmar scoffed, "probably whispered in his ear, made him doubt, made him hesitate. And now his daughter, promised to a Justiciar." He said shaking his head.

Ulfric furrowed his brows in deep thought. "What if this was their plan all along? Pry their way into Skyrim's politics, offering one of their own to bind the bloodline of High kings to the Dominion?"

"Damn it. If that coward hadn't bent to the Thalmor, you could have married her and none of this would've happened."

"If Torygg had ever truly intended for it to happen." He exhaled sharply.

Galmar frowned, "what do you mean?"

Ulfric met his gaze. "Think about it. He made the offer. Gave me time. And then… nothing. No follow-up. No summons. He was avoiding me Galmar. Something must have made him afraid to follow through."

Galmar expression darkened. "You believe the Thalmor threatened him?"

Ulfric's silence was answered enough.

"By the Nine." Galmar exhaled, shaking his head. "We should have seen this coming. We should have acted before they got this far. And now they've taken the Princess and thrown her to the wolves."

His gaze hardened as he looked at Ulfric. "Tell me you're not going to stand for this?"

Ulfric's jaw tightened. "I won't."

It had only been a couple of days since Ondolemar had left for the Thalmor Embassy. He had told her it was only for a report concerning the engagement announcement, but Aurelia couldn't help but to worry. She had spent the days pacing about her room, wondering if Ondolemar would keep his word or if he would be distant when he returns. Would he even let me know when he is back? She thought to herself. No, I shouldn't expect that. Things are… complicated. Besides, he's gone to the Thalmor Embassy many times and we've always picked up where we left off, haven't we?

But she knew things were different. No longer were they just a Princess and a Thalmor representative, bound only by duty. In private, in shadows away from prying eyes, they would continue to see each other-is what they had agreed to. To pick up where they had left off-well, she wasn't sure what that meant anymore.

Before there had been boundraries, they had become blurred, yet they had remained. A lingering touch, a stolen moment, there was an unspoken understanding between them. But now there was no denying what they had become to one another. Even if Aurelia did not yet know what that was.

She continued to worry as she paced. She feared he would return and pretend none of it had happened. That he would retreat behind logic and duty, speaking behind carefully measured words as if the stolen moments they had were fleeting mistakes. Would he claim it was another lapse of judgement?

The thought made her heart twist. That was her buggest fear right now-she did not want to be something that he regretted.

Ondolemar left the Embassy as the sun was beginning to rise. He had spent the whole night tossing and turning. The thought of Rulindil harming Aurelia kept him up most of the night.

Rulindil was cruel, calculating, and utterly devoted to the Dominion's interest. To think he had once been meant to have her. That fact alone made Ondolemar's stomach twist with something dangerously close to anger.

Ondolemar mounted his horse, gripping the reins a little too tightly. He had given her his word, sworn they would continue to see each other in private despite everything. But now he wasn't sure he could keep that promise. He knew there was risk, but the realization that someone like Rulindil could take his place forced him to reconsider.

Ondolemar reached the gates of Solitude late in the evening.

Just one last time. He thought to himself. I will explain to her the dangers. Though he knew deep down, Aurelia would not care about the risk. She was far too stubborn, too defiant. Perhaps that was what drew him to her in the first place.

Then the thought of Aurelia worrying-waiting, wondering if he would keep his word-unsettled him. I cannot allow her to think that I have abandoned her. I will see her one last time, reassure her that everything is-

He stopped himself. What was he reassuring her of? That he would return? That they would continue this dangerous, reckless thing they've started?

That he wouldn't leave her?

As he walked through the streets of Solitude he continued to convince himself this was the last time he would allow it, the last time he would seek her out like this. But Ondolemar was not a fool. If he truly intended to stop he would not be here right now.

Before approaching the Blue Palace, he stops and lets the familiar hum of Magicka dance at his fingertips. Invisibility and muffle, it had been ages since he had use the spells. This absurd, reckless, undignified. He reprimanded himself, sneaking into a woman's chambers? That was something a youthful lover might do, not a hardened Thalmor Justiciar.

And yet if he truly wants to see her, nothing can stop him. And that's the problem-he doesn't want to stop.

He slips through the corridors of the Blue Palace, invisible and silent, like some lovesick fool. The thought frustrates him, but he cannot deny the thrill of it. His heart raced in his chest as he silently moved through the dark halls of the palace. His mind, usually disciplined and clear was now muddled with frustration and longing. He had promised himself that this would be the last time, but with each step he took he knew that promise was further and further from his grasp.

Once he reached the doors to her chambers, Ondolemar hesitated.

For a moment, he stood there in silence, a fleeting He could hear the faintest sound of her voice-likely speaking to a maid or her lady-in-waiting, Seraphine. He stepped to the side as he heard the sound of footsteps nearing. The magic around him held firm as Seraphine opened the door. He took the opportunity to slip inside.