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skyrimkinkmeme) wrote2011-10-29 12:36 pm
skyrimkinkmeme) wrote2011-10-29 12:36 pm
Meme Announcements!
ANNOUNCEMENTS: UPDATED 12/16/2017
Happy Holidays, fellow Kinkmemers! I have returned and have no reasonable excuse for my absence except LIFE. I will be working on updating the archives. If anyone sees anything amiss, please let me know.
I am also hoping to find another Mod and an Archivist.
The more dedicated people we have in this Meme the less chance of it dying. I admit that being the sole keeper of the Meme is not great for the fandom. If something were to happen to me, for good, this place would go the way of the Fallout Kink Meme. Let's not let that happen! If anyone would be interested in Modding/Archiving, please drop me a line. Thanks! <3
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 9.8
(Anonymous) 2013-10-26 02:35 pm (UTC)(link)Athis had sat bolt upright, grin spreading across his face.
“Let me get my good armour,” he laughed, before rushing off to get his things. Torvar had also sat up, blinking blearily at Kodlak.
“So what, we can join the war now?” he asked, confused.
“Not exactly,” said Kodlak, smiling a little. “But the war's come to us. For this battle only, if you want to go and help the Whiterun guards, I won't stop you.”
“Well all right then!” Torvar laughed. “Hey Athis, wait for me!” He ran off after Athis to track down all his gear. Meanwhile Njada had got to her feet, face like thunder.
“What, so we can join the Legion for a bit if honour demands it, but not Ulfric's side? What of my honour, Kodlak??”
“Njada,” Kodlak sighed. “This isn't about politics, it's about protecting our city. You don't have to go.”
“Oh, I know what it's about all right,” Njada snapped bitterly. She glared at Elisif, not even bothering to hide her disdain. “She has you wrapped around her little finger, Harbinger.” Getting up, she stormed off to the courtyard, no doubt to carve up some helpless training dummies.
Kodlak sighed, shrugged his shoulders and turned back to Elisif, looking resigned.
“It's the best I can offer, lass,” he said apologetically. “I'm sorry.”
“Don't be, it's more than I ever hoped for,” Elisif gasped, not sure what to say. The Companions were going to help! It wasn't even the extra sword-arms – three warriors wouldn't turn the tide of battle alone. But the effect it would have on those who fought alongside them, of Ysgramor's heirs joining the fight... It would help. It might just be the thing to give them the edge. “I just hope it hasn't caused trouble for you.” She'd not forget Njada's angry face in a hurry. Kodlak just sighed, his heart heavy.
“From the day word came in of the High King's death and I had to break up a particularly violent fist-fight involving her, Athis and Ria, I knew it would come to this,” Kodlak sighed. “She lost her parents in the Great War and was raised by a Talos-worshipping aunt and uncle who were later taken prisoner by the Thalmor. She's hated the Empire for letting it happen ever since. Frankly, I'm surprised she never ran off to join Ulfric weeks or months before, but she had sufficient respect for me to stay quiet and stay here.”
“Not any more,” said Elisif softly. She'd seen the hatred in Njada's eyes and it had chilled her. There could be trouble ahead and she was no longer sure Jorrvaskr was the safe place it had once been. But there was little she could do about it now.
“You leave Njada to me, lass,” said Kodlak gently. “You have bigger problems to worry about, such as the battle to come. You should get back to Dragonsreach, tell them Jorrvaskr will answer. But you also be sure to tell Balgruuf I'm not doing it for him either. I'm doing this for the innocent townsfolk of Whiterun.”
“I know. I'll tell him. Thank you,” Elisif whispered. She stopped to give Kodlak a hug then left the hall, arranging to meet with Aela up at Dragonsreach once she was ready. They had a battle to prepare for.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Stormcloaks had arrived in the late afternoon and the city had locked its gates, terrified residents from the outlying farms fleeing inside the gates or off to Rorikstead and Riverwood. The bombardment had started not long after, catapults lobbing fire into the city all night. Hardly anyone had slept, residents fleeing their homes to take refuge in Dragonsreach or alternately joining the volunteer fire-fighting crews that had formed.
Morning came and Elisif could weep to see the smoking city. The walls were standing – just. But the sentries had sent word of troops massing outside.
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 9.9
(Anonymous) 2013-10-26 02:37 pm (UTC)(link)“Well done!” Rikke laughed. “See, that was exactly what I was after! You're a natural.”
“Oh. Oh, that's... good?” Elisif said faintly. Truth be told, she wasn't sure where all that had come from. But it had felt right to say it, and she'd felt the dragon within howling approval all the way. Looking at the troops below, it seemed to have done its job. Time now to retreat to Dragonsreach and wait.
“Legate!” one of the look-outs called. “They're coming!”
“Barricades! Now!” Rikke shouted, running towards the gates as everyone made for their own positions. Heart in her mouth, Elisif ran to the top of the outer gate to get a better look, feeling her blood go cold as Stormcloaks poured up the road towards the city, all screaming for blood.
She should be terrified – she was terrified. But her words of earlier hadn't left her. There was a city full of innocents at her back, and she would protect them or die trying. And if she died, Sovngarde awaited and she'd have Torygg back.
The dragon within definitely seemed to approve of that. Elisif took a deep breath as the Stormcloak horde drew nearer. They would not take this strunmah.
“FUS RO DAH!”
The Thu'um lashed out, sending the first wave of soldiers reeling, and the Legion troops howled in awe, pressing home the sudden advantage with a volley of arrows, and a few brave souls racing out to get some easy kills in. Visions of Torygg flashed in her mind again and Elisif staggered back, feeling nauseous. May the gods forgive her for what she did this day. She wasn't sure she'd ever forgive herself.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Screaming, blood, the clashing of swords and the smell of smoke. Elisif must have spent more time dodging and running rather than fighting, but she wasn't going to flee. They'd got past the barricades, even got the drawbridge down, if she hammered on the gate to be let in now, they'd surely follow. She wasn't going to be the one responsible for letting the Stormcloaks in to Whiterun, she just wasn't.
And so she dodged and weaved and Shouted and even got a few blows in herself when some of them got close. Not that they did. Elisif was staying close to Legate Rikke and that nice young Captain Hadvar, and the Companions never seemed to be far away either. Aela's arrows zinged through the air to take down enemies from afar while Athis and Torvar were carving into the oncoming soldiers. Really, Elisif had hardly had to do much herself. This was probably for the best.
And so the battle wore on, the sun moving across the sky, and Elisif's strength was fading, her stamina potions used up, her arms feeling like they were on fire.
“Come on,” she heard Aela whisper. “Courage, sister, we can do this.”
No she couldn't, she really couldn't, she just wanted to sleep, run away, hide. But the Stormcloaks were still coming, and then she looked up to see one of the generals leaping off the wall.
“There she is!” the bear-skin clad warrior cried, greatsword raised. “The pretender queen herself! Surrender now and Ulfric will be merciful.”
Merciful?? Ulfric would never show her mercy. She'd got too renowned in her own right for that. At best, he'd make her consort so at least he could share the glory. At worst... he'd see his rival killed.
“Never!” she cried, raising Dawnbreaker and her ebony war axe with the last of her strength. “You want this city, you come through me!”
Brave words indeed, her inner dragon roared in approval – but it was only an inner dragon and she didn't actually have wings or claws or anything. The Stormcloak general just growled and ran straight for her. Elisif gave a little scream and swung Dawnbreaker.
It didn't connect properly but Torvar's blade did, the big Nord springing from out of nowhere and his greatsword neatly upending the Stormcloak. Before he could get up, Athis was there, shoving his sword into the man's back, finishing him off.
“Thank you,” Elisif gasped, about ready to collapse.
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 9.10
(Anonymous) 2013-10-26 02:38 pm (UTC)(link)“What's going on?” Elisif whispered, looking around. Not far away, Aela was lowering her bow, face aglow.
“That's a retreat call,” she laughed. “They're retreating. We won, Elisif, we won!”
“We – we did?” Elisif gasped. She scrambled up to the top of the walls, looking out on the Stormcloak camp, watching the few remaining Stormcloaks grabbing their things and fleeing, a few braver ones fighting a desperate rearguard action as the Whiterun defenders tore into the place.
“We did it,” Elisif whispered. “We won! Aela, we won!” She cried out that last and Aela laughed as she took Elisif in her arms, swinging her round and then hugging her tight.
“We won, little sister,” Aela murmured, ruffling Elisif's hair and leading her away to a quiet corner where she could sit down and start healing a few wounds she'd picked up. Elisif surveyed all the bodies lying around, brave men and women from both sides who would never fight again. Hard to feel too jubilant in the face of such death, and Whiterun still had smoke pouring from it. It would take a long time to rebuild. But Ulfric had tried and Ulfric had failed, and Elisif had survived. For now, it was enough.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Despite the destruction and the dead to bury, Whiterun still had time to celebrate. Jarl Balgruuf gave a speech to the assembled troops and citizens, including three Companions with their arms draped around each other who'd already got started on the mead.
Elisif was up alongside him, smiling faintly and hoping the feeling of nausea would go away soon and that she wouldn't actually collapse in front of everyone. She let Balgruuf do the talking – she'd already given a speech beforehand after all.
“For the Empire!” she cried as he finished, the gathered audience taking up the refrain and cheering. Finally they were done. Elisif staggered down from the walls, Balgruuf not far behind her, looking delighted.
“We did it!” he laughed, patting her on the back. “We sent them packing, eh Elisif?”
“We?” Elisif queried, sure she'd have nightmares about this for weeks. “You were in your palace! I was out there fighting!”
Balgruuf's face darkened at that. “Yes. Yes you were. Damn it, Elisif, what were you thinking? You were supposed to just give a rallying speech to the troops and get back inside! You were never supposed to be in danger! I'd even organised an escape route out of Whiterun with Kodlak for you in case the city fell!”
“Well, the Stormcloaks attacked before I could get inside!” Elisif snapped. “What was I supposed to do, Balgruuf, run away? Some Nord queen I'd be if a battle started and I ran off to let others die for me!”
“You're not a warrior, Elisif!” Balgruuf cried, and that rankled. Dawnbreaker was glowing at her side, memories of all the people she'd fought, dragons she'd killed, Draugr laid to rest, necromancers put down, all passing before her eyes, and she realised that an awful lot of people had died at her hands just lately. Not a warrior??
“I am a Dragonborn, Balgruuf!” Elisif growled, glaring at him. “These past few weeks, I've been killing people left, right and centre! Maybe I'm not a seasoned veteran, but I'm not unblooded any more either!”
Balgruuf was staring at her, and Elisif realised she'd raised her voice sufficiently that so were a number of other people. Balgruuf shook himself down and recollected himself.
“No, no, you're not, my apologies. You're right, it's not my place to tell you how to lead. All the same... I worry. You know, if you die, there's no one else to be queen, you know. You don't have any heirs.”
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 9.11
(Anonymous) 2013-10-26 02:39 pm (UTC)(link)“We are not having this conversation,” she gasped, tears in her eyes as she walked away. Balgruuf cursed quietly before hurrying after her.
“Elisif, wait, I'm sorry!” Balgruuf gasped. “I didn't mean... I didn't mean to remind you of Torygg!”
“Too late,” Elisif whispered, feeling tears rolling down her face, memories of strong arms round her, kisses in the sunshine, holding hands while he held court, taking tours of Solitude and meeting the people of Haafingar, being told how lovely they looked together and that they'd be sure to have some beautiful children. All gone, all torn apart in a day of blood.
Mara, but she needed to be alone before she burst into tears. Fortunately Irileth was there hauling Balgruuf back and then Aela, thank the gods, Aela was there, taking her in her arms and holding her, letting Elisif cry on her shoulder, rubbing her back and leading her away.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“No problem, little sister,” came the reply. “Come on, let's get you back to Jorrvaskr. Kodlak will be relieved you're not dead.”
Some part of Elisif was sad she wasn't. Some part of her would have welcomed Sovngarde. But it wasn't to be, not yet. Still, Ulfric wasn't dead yet. She'd stay alive long enough to see Torygg avenged. But after that... well, let Ulfric's guards take her after that. She'd meet death with open arms.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Torvar and Athis were still out in Whiterun celebrating and Njada was nowhere to be seen when they got back to Jorrvaskr. The Grey-Manes were clearly all still back at their house, which just left Tilma and Kodlak in the main room.
Tilma patted Elisif's hand when she saw her, smiled gently and settled her at the table next to Kodlak and poured her a mead, before leaving to get a bed put together for her. Elisif nodded gratefully, sipping her mead and wishing all of it would just go away, the blood, the death, the memories, everything.
“Well, looks like you made it, lass,” said Kodlak, patting her on the shoulder. “What of Torvar and Athis, are they...?”
“Still alive, Harbinger,” said Aela, sitting on Elisif's other side. “Out there helping to celebrate, I doubt we'll see either until morning. But it's done and we're alive and Balgruuf's still Jarl.”
Faint smile from Kodlak. “Good,” he said and he sounded like he actually meant it. “Vignar won't be pleased, he's Ulfric's through and through, but Balgruuf's a good man and a good Jarl. He has the city's interests at heart. While you won't find me celebrating an Imperial victory, I'm not displeased either. And as for you, girl, I'm very glad you're not dead. What's all this I hear about you being in the fighting?”
So then Elisif had to tell the story, and while she didn't feel she'd done anything so terribly heroic or been anything other than an average fighter at best, Kodlak actually seemed proud.
“But I hardly did anything,” Elisif protested. Kodlak just smiled.
“Maybe you weren't in the worst of it, but the fact remains you were there and you didn't die. Well done, lass. Lass? Are you all right?”
Elisif shook her head, tears rolling down her face. “No!” she cried. “No, I'm not all right, I ran away from Solitude because the Dark Brotherhood were trying to kill me, and then I get here where I was hoping I'd be safe for a bit and then I find the Stormcloaks are here and there's a battle?? Of course I'm not all right!”
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 9.12
(Anonymous) 2013-10-26 02:41 pm (UTC)(link)“The filthy cowards,” he growled. “Who would dare call them in?”
“I don't know,” Elisif whispered tearfully. “It could be anyone!”
“Well, it's no one in Jorrvaskr, I can promise you that,” said Aela fiercely, stroking Elisif's hair. “Kodlak, she can stay here, can't she?”
“Ordinarily, I'd say yes of course,” Kodlak sighed. “But Elisif, the entire city knows you're here, they just saw you lead troops into battle.”
“I didn't lead anyone!” Elisif protested but Aela brushed that right off.
“Of course you did, you stood up there and gave a pre-battle speech and you fought alongside them, they'll all be singing of Elisif the mighty Dragonborn warrior queen tonight.”
“Oh gods,” Elisif whispered, not feeling at all mighty. “So what do I do? Word will get round, if I'm not in Solitude, this is the first place they'll look!”
“I don't know, Elisif,” Kodlak sighed. “If I had more people, if the twins would come back from whatever insane venture they're on... but no matter. Elisif, could you go back to High Hrothgar? If you went there in secret, the trail might grow cold...”
“The hunt won't go away though, will it?” Elisif sighed. “And I can't hide with the Greybeards forever. We're Nords, we're Companions, we face our problems head on!”
“Well said,” said Kodlak, patting her hand proudly. “I'd help, we all would... if only we knew where their Sanctuary was. Do you think anyone in the Legion would know?”
Elisif didn't know and wasn't hopeful. The Legion didn't concern itself with local law enforcement issues. No, what she needed was someone in an entirely different agency. Someone used to watching from the shadows, making things happen from behind the scenes. Someone good at ferreting out secrets.
“No,” said Elisif softly. “But I know someone who might. Kodlak, can I stay here tonight? I'm exhausted and need to rest, and this place is probably safer than Dragonsreach. But tomorrow, well, there's someone not too far from Whiterun who might be able to help.”
“Yes,” said Aela thoughtfully, “I do believe she might. I'll come with you tomorrow. Someone should be watching your back, make sure you get there in one piece.”
Elisif squeezed Aela's hand in gratitude. Maybe she was in danger, maybe half of Skyrim was out to get her... but she still had her allies. Things weren't as dire as they seemed.
~~~~~~
A/N: And next chapter the main quest reconvenes as everyone meets up in Riverwood and plans their next move. I think you will enjoy it. :)
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 9.9
(Anonymous) 2013-10-31 07:48 am (UTC)(link)to
The roar that greeted this could have shaken the very heavens and Elisif blinked, suddenly coming back to herself as she realised everyone was cheering and Rikke was patting her on the back.
It seems like Elisif should have given a speech, but it doesn't seem to be in the story?
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 9.9
(Anonymous) 2013-10-31 08:22 pm (UTC)(link)Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 9.8a
(Anonymous) 2013-10-31 08:21 pm (UTC)(link)“I hope you're not expecting miracles,” Elisif sighed. “I'm just me. I'm not a mighty warrior like Ulfric is.”
“You can Shout,” said Rikke, sounding far more confident than she had any right to.
“I know precisely four, only one of which might be any possible use to you in this conflict!” Elisif protested. “I can't call an army of dragons out of the sky to deal with the Stormcloaks!”
“I don't expect you to,” Rikke replied. “With any luck, we won't need it.”
The combined Legion and city guard force was amassing outside the gates, manning the outer walls and barricades. The Stormcloaks hadn't attacked yet, but it was clear they were gathering.
“All right, soldiers!” Rikke shouted, parading in front of her troops like the seasoned commander she was. “This is it! This is an important day for the Empire and for the Legion. And for all of Skyrim. This is the day we send a message to Ulfric Stormcloak and the rebel Jarls who support him. But make no mistake. What we do here today, we do for Skyrim and her people. By cutting out the disease of this rebellion, we will make this country whole again! We will heal our divided land and reunite our people under the true High Queen, Elisif Dragonborn!”
Massed cheering and it was all Elisif could do to force a smile and wave back to the gathered soldiers. Then Rikke was nudging her in the side.
“Say something,” she murmured. Say something? Elisif truly had no idea what to say, she wasn't a gifted speech-giver or anything. Then her eyes fell on a red-haired figure elbowing her way to the front, and a Dunmer and Nord behind her. The Companions, coming to support her. Elisif took one look at Aela and felt her nerves easing. She wasn't without friends here. She'd talked Kodlak into sending help, and it was then that Elisif knew what to say.
“Thank you, Legate,” she began, feeling a little nervous but doing it anyway. “We're here today to help reunite and heal Skyrim, yes, and to avenge my husband too. We're going to teach Ulfric that you don't get to be High King just by murdering your predecessor!”
That got a roar of approval and Elisif couldn't help but smile at that. Ulfric was a man you either loved or hated, and there weren't many Ulfric lovers in this crowd.
“But it's not just about the war,” she continued. “It's not just for the Empire! It's not just about bringing peace and healing our country, or about revenge. Here, now, on this day, it's about the city of Whiterun, a city full of innocent men, women and children, many of whom don't care about the war or the politics or who's in charge of Skyrim. It's about keeping that city, all those people, safe from Ulfric's forces. It's about stopping the Stormcloaks from getting in and killing them all, because they won't care who backs the Empire and who doesn't! Ulfric says that anyone who's not for him is against him, which means once his troops get inside, it'll be a bloodbath! That's why we're doing this today, that's why we're fighting. We're fighting so the innocent people of Whiterun can get on with their lives in peace! We're fighting so that others don't have to! We're doing this to defend ourselves and our city and we are going to win this day! Because that lot are fighting to further Ulfric's ambitions while we're fighting to bring the war he started to an end! That is why we are here and that is why we will fight to keep this city safe or die trying! When this day is done, we will have victory or we will be with our ancestors in Sovngarde, nothing else! Because we are true Nords and we will NEVER back down!”