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skyrimkinkmeme) wrote2011-10-29 12:36 pm
skyrimkinkmeme) wrote2011-10-29 12:36 pm
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: UPDATED 12/16/2017
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The Wolf Queen Awakens 25.1
(Anonymous) 2014-03-23 02:06 pm (UTC)(link)Summary: Elisif's return from hiding goes far better than she thought, thanks to the actions of her allies, but the actions of one ally in particular prove unexpected and not entirely welcome. However, as Elisif goes to battle, she realises she'll need all the allies she can get, as Alduin threatens all she holds dear.
The low profile part died as soon as they got within patrol distance of the city. Guards stopped, took one look, and began whispering.
“Is that her?”
“Looks like her!”
“What's that on her head?”
“I don't know but you can tell she's Queen!”
It got even worse when she entered the city. As one, Whiterun's citizens stopped what they were doing and started following, all whispering to each other, and when she got to the marketplace, she found half the city staring at her. It was young Ysolda who was brave enough to actually talk to her.
“Elisif! I mean... Jarl Elisif! Er... High Queen! It is you, isn't it?”
No sense denying it at this point.
“Yes,” Elisif sighed. “Yes, I'm Jarl Elisif. Did you need something?”
Ysolda was not the shy type, and had a Nord's spirit. Now she'd started, she was determined to go on.
“Is it true what they're saying?” Ysolda said. “About you and... the Dark Brotherhood?”
As one, Dunmer and Companions drew closer to Elisif, reaching for weapons and casting armour. Elisif took a few deep breaths, touched the Jagged Crown for support and stood her ground.
“What about me and the Dark Brotherhood?” she said, hoping she sound calmer than she felt.
“That you and your DragonGuard warriors stormed their Sanctuary and destroyed it!” Carlotta put in. “Anoriath rode out there when he heard the news, went all the way to Falkreath and found the place wide open and the Falkreath guard all saying no one was allowed in due to all the blood.”
Anoriath confirmed the truth of this and Elisif felt her knees go weak. The Dark Brotherhood... gone. Their Sanctuary destroyed. Someone saying she'd done it – well, she had a fair idea who'd started that rumour. It wasn't far from the truth, she supposed. She strongly suspected her Blades at work, and to know she was safe, finally safe from a knife in the dark... Elisif could cry. But she was Dragonborn and Queen and neither cried in public.
“Yes,” she admitted. “I mean, I wasn't able to be there in person, you understand. But the Brotherhood are a menace to any civilised society, a blight on Skyrim's national character, and I refuse to be Queen of a land that harbours murderers like that. So I placed some trusted friends in charge of hunting them down, and now they're no more!”
Whiterun as one got to its feet and cheered, chanting her name, and it was all Elisif could to do take her leave, making her way through the crowds to Jorrvaskr, Farkas and Vilkas carefully urging people to step back and let her through. By the Eight, if this was queenship... Elisif had better be careful. This could easily get out of hand. It was a nice feeling though.
Kodlak was waiting for her inside Jorrvaskr, smiling broadly and opening his arms for a bear hug.
“Lass, it's good to see you. I heard the noise and guessed who it was. Aela brought us the news a few days ago.”
Aela was getting up, Blades gear matching Elisif's own, and Elisif laughed as she hugged her as well.
“Did you wipe the Dark Brotherhood out for me?” Elisif asked, guessing Aela must have been one of those invited along.
“Of course!” Aela laughed. “We showed those backstabbing cowards a thing or two. Killed them all, and it turned out they had a Word Wall in their Sanctuary too. Here.”
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 25.2
(Anonymous) 2014-03-23 02:08 pm (UTC)(link)“I thought I'd never see you again,” Aela said, holding on to Ria.
“So did I,” Ria admitted. “But Vilkas and Farkas found some friends of Elisif's who got me out of Ulfric's prisons.”
“I can see there is a story to be had here,” said Kodlak, arm around Ria as he looked from Ria to Elisif, clearly very proud of them both... and intrigued as to how they'd managed all this. “Probably several stories – is that the Jagged Crown?? Wherever did you find it? And... sweet breath of Kyne, is that an Elder Scroll?”
“It's a very long story,” Elisif said. “Best told over dinner and drinks. And, er, Kodlak, these two are Erandur and Aranea Ienith. They're priests and they're good friends of mine. Could we all three stay here tonight? Please?”
Kodlak looked the two elves up and down, and if he suspected at least one of them wasn't exactly a priest of the Eight, he didn't say anything. After a few moments, he nodded.
“Very well, if you vouch for them. And speaking of which... Elisif, you have a visitor.”
Elisif turned around to see a figure sitting quietly in the corner, drinking mead and watching her intently. Nord, male, mid-thirties maybe? Dark blonde hair, same braids as Madanach had, very broad shoulders and Blades armour, how had he got Blades armour too? Well, only one answer to that.
“He turned up a few days before Aela,” Kodlak continued. “Had a note from her apologising and saying could I let him hang around until you turned up? Seeing as it's you, I let him stay – turns out he's a very capable warrior. His name's Argis, do you know him at all?”
Elisif shook her head, staring as Argis got to his feet. Six foot something, built like Farkas, one eye sightless and scars on his cheek and war paint on the other. She would definitely have remembered this one... although he reminded her of someone. She wasn't sure who. Someone else scarily intimidating probably.
“Who sent you? What do you want?” she whispered. He finally smiled, handing her a couple of letters.
“A mutual friend. He heard your last housecarl died, so here I am, ready to serve, High Queen. Got some notes explaining it all, and Aela's met me.”
“He's genuine,” Aela said wearily. “Apparently one of your less sensible choices of ally decided you needed a replacement housecarl and found this guy. We were afraid to ask where from, but we kitted him out and sent him here. We knew you'd come here sooner or later.”
One of the less sensible choices – well, that was just Cicero and Madanach really, and Cicero was unlikely to have tracked down a replacement housecarl, he'd have just turned up in person if he'd felt she was in need of protection. Eight knew what Kodlak would have made of Cicero. At least Argis seemed sane.
Elisif opened the first letter and saw Delphine's handwriting staring back up at her.
“Dragonborn,
In case you were wondering, somebody managed to tell your friend from the Reach that your first housecarl was killed by Stormcloak soldiers and said friend decided you needed a new one. Where he found this man from is anyone's guess, although I am assured he's loyal. Who to is another question, but apparently he's worked for the man who sent him for over two decades now. Half-Reachman, lost his Nord mother to Ulfric's men in the Markarth Incident, so I suppose that's reason enough for him to want to help you out. He's definitely a capable fighter though, and we could use the help. I'd take him into your service with the caveat that he's as trustworthy as the one who sent him.
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 25.3
(Anonymous) 2014-03-23 02:11 pm (UTC)(link)Good luck with the dragonslaying. Aedra guard you.
D.”
Oh gods. The Legion thinking she was a Forsworn prisoner – that wasn't good, not good at all. She made a mental note to leave a message for Balgruuf and send letters to Solitude to let them know she was all right. And then there was the second letter and she knew the handwriting on this one all right. Bloody Madanach again.
“My dear Brenhina,
My daughters tell me you had a housecarl when you left Solitude, a sweet young Nord girl called Jordis who died saving you from Ulfric. That's a crying shame to happen to anyone, especially as it means you're now relying on a crazy singing jester, an old Dunmer priest, a bunch of mercenaries and whoever else you can persuade for your protection. Clearly it's not enough, seeing as you managed to wind up imprisoned by your own people and had to rely on a convicted felon to break you out, so I've decided to find you a proper bodyguard.
His name is Argis, apparently called the Bulwark as nothing gets past him (Nords and their nicknames, I ask you...) and he used to help get things in and out of the mine for me. Thonar was under the impression Argis was a true Nord who hated the Forsworn, Argis cheerfully encouraged this and somehow failed to mention Stormcloaks killed his mother in the Markarth Incident and that it was only his Forsworn father's contacts that saved his life. He can be so scatterbrained sometimes.
Be that as it may, he's a very capable warrior. Not terribly stealthy, and no magic to speak of, but he's strong, talented, smarter than he lets on, once punched a bear unconscious, and he's very loyal. So as I no longer need him in the guards, and as job opportunities for Thonar's former employees are rather thin on the ground in the Reach at the moment, I'm sending him to you. Try not to get him killed, he's difficult to replace and we're a bit fond of him. No getting yourself killed either, you're my best hope of a legitimate kingdom, and who would I pour my heart out to on the page then, hmm? Nepos, my sister and my daughters, that's who, and you should see the sarcastic remarks I get back off them.
Also it's come to my attention the Legion think you're a Forsworn prisoner. They seem to think I'm the sort of degenerate who when presented with a pretty and unarmed young Nord woman would take her captive and haul her off to a Forsworn camp to subject her to unimaginable torments. I really have no idea where they get such terrible ideas about me from. (Unless you want to be hauled off to a Forsworn camp, held prisoner and subjected to unimaginable torments, in which case say the word and I'll happily make arrangements.)
Our friend tells me she's off to deal with your less obvious enemies for you, so when she's done that, could you possibly see your way to letting the General know you're alive and well? I think he's worried about you and I would prefer the Legion to not rip my country to shreds on your behalf.
Good luck with the killing of dragons, wreaking bloody vengeance on your foes, and other feats of bravery ranging on the suicidal. DON'T get yourself killed.
Madanach”
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 25.4
(Anonymous) 2014-03-23 02:18 pm (UTC)(link)“You really worked for...”
“Yep,” Argis said proudly. “I know I don't look like one of his people but I served him faithfully for years. Now he says you need a bodyguard so here I am. Here to serve. And help you kill dragons.”
Elisif really hoped that was all Argis was sent here to do, but an extra bodyguard was useful, especially as she'd doubtless have to leave Ria and the twins here. Jorrvaskr needed its Companions back after all.
“All right then,” she said. “We'll be sleeping here tonight, most likely in the dormitory. This is Erandur, that's Aranea Ienith, that's Ria, those two are Farkas and Vilkas, except the three of them are staying here when I leave. I think Kodlak will want his Companions back.”
“It has been a little short-handed at times,” Kodlak admitted. “It's good to have you all back at last. I'll let you all get settled in to your accommodation, then all meet back here for dinner and sharing stories. We're having a feast tonight, lads and lasses!”
The Nord contingent cheered at that, although Erandur and Aranea looked a little nervous.
“The mead's optional, right?” Erandur murmured in Elisif's ear.
“I don't know,” Elisif whispered back. “Just pretend to drink during the toasts and no one will care about anything else.”
“A Nord mead hall,” Aranea said, shaking her head. “Wonders will never cease – wait, is that young Athis?”
“Aranea Ienith!” the Dunmer warrior laughed, emerging from the courtyard. “You're not joining, are you? I don't think we take mages, muthsera. Not even if Azura commanded it.”
“Oh, I'm just passing through with the Dragonborn – Athis, gods, it must have been decades since you showed up at the Shrine wanting guidance, how've you been?”
The two Dunmer settled into a corner, chatting merrily away, and Elisif realised Erandur was glaring at Athis, gritting his teeth.
“Don't tell me you're jealous,” Elisif sighed.
“No,” Erandur said, unconvincingly. “I'm sure she can spend time chatting with an old friend if she wants. Just because he's young and handsome...”
“I swear I need to get you both drunk and leave you in a bedroom together,” Elisif said wearily. “Erandur, ask her out. Seriously. I am sure Mara wouldn't mind.”
“It's not that simple,” Erandur sighed, but his eyes trailed after Aranea. Giving up, Elisif headed for the dorms. Some people were beyond help.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There was feasting and stories, and Aela's no doubt edited tale of the taking of the Sanctuary thrilled them all, although when Aela said they'd handed Astrid over to someone she'd wronged for justice and refused to give any other details, Elisif could guess who'd been the one to kill her.
Then there was the tale of Ria's Rescue, and while Kodlak frowned a little at getting thieves in to help, nevertheless he was glad to see Ria free again with a minimum of bloodshed, apart from that one guard who'd clearly deserved it. Then came Elisif's story, only a little edited in that she said a Greybeard had told her of Dragonrend but not that said Greybeard wasn't actually human, of the finding of the Jagged Crown and the Elder Scroll.
“Azura?” Kodlak said guardedly, eyes narrowed at Aranea. She stared back, unfazed.
“The Mother of the Dunmer people means you no harm, Nord,” Aranea said tersely and Athis did actually get up at that point.
“Harbinger, I can't in all honour let a law-abiding priestess of the Twilight Lady be harassed or ill-treated.”
“Kodlak, she's helped me,” Elisif sighed. “She helped get Ria free by making sure Farkas and Vilkas were in the right place to meet Brynjolf and his friends, and I wouldn't have known about the Crown or how to find the Scroll without her.”
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 25.5
(Anonymous) 2014-03-23 02:30 pm (UTC)(link)“I should hope not,” Kodlak growled. But he did relent and incline his head at Aranea. “The offer of hospitality still stands, Madam Ienith. Just don't start performing any Daedric rites while you're here.”
“I think I can manage that,” Aranea promised and Athis settled down, looking much relieved at not having to fight his Harbinger over this. Erandur had remained quiet throughout, fingers clutching at the table while he glared at Athis. Elisif really needed to do something about these two, she could see this. Well, she'd be on the road with Erandur and Aranea in the morning, and Argis of course. Maybe she could arrange for them to have a bit of alone time, let them talk things over. Maybe.
The stories continued and the celebrating went on late into the night. The only down part was Elisif admitting Njada had died, and if Elisif hadn't actually killed her, they'd been on opposite sides. Jorrvaskr went quiet to hear it and at length Kodlak raised a tankard to her name.
“To Njada,” he announced. “True to her principles if nothing else and a fighter to the last. At least she died with honour. May her soul find peace in Sovngarde.”
That they could all agree on and Elisif joined the toast. Njada at least had believed she was doing the right thing, even if she'd disagreed with Elisif. Elisif wasn't entirely sure the same could be said for Ulfric. But these were thoughts for another time.
At length, Elisif made her way down to the sleeping quarters. Erandur had already turned in, pointedly turning his back on Aranea and Athis who were having a whispered conversation in Dunmeri while seated on the beds opposite. Aela had gone to her own room, Vilkas to his and Elisif wasn't entirely sure she'd not glimpsed Ria with him. Argis was behind her, impassive – at least until Farkas caught up and slapped his back like an old friend.
“Hey there. Argis. Sleeping in the quarters?”
“Where else would I sleep?” Argis growled. He'd been quiet all evening, smiling at the interesting bits, but otherwise not contributing much. An introvert clearly... but something about Farkas had got to him, and something about the irritability reminded Elisif of someone.
“Can join me if you like,” Farkas said cheerfully. “Not had any company for a while, and you're very easy on the eye. You want to share my bed, door's wide open.”
“Farkas!” Elisif gasped, not quite able to believe she was hearing this. Not only was Argis her housecarl, wasn't there supposed to be a courtship process first? Flowers or dinner or something? Had a man propositioned her like that, Elisif was fairly certain she'd stab him or breathe fire or something. Well, she would these days anyway. Argis was glaring at Farkas in such a way as to suggest one of those two things might be about to happen to him as well.
“It's all right, I didn't mean nothing by it,” Farkas said quickly. “Just – no harm in asking, right? You don't need to worry, I'd never hassle a man who wasn't interested. Just wanted to make sure you knew I was. You change your mind, come find me. G'night, Elisif, sleep well.”
With that, Farkas was gone, making his way to his own bed, leaving Elisif blushing and Argis really not sure what to make of it.
“I'm so sorry,” Elisif gasped. “I had no idea – well, I knew he liked men, but I didn't know... I'm so sorry.”
“Ah, don't trouble yourself, Brenhina,” Argis said wearily. “Kinda nice to be asked, it doesn't happen often. At least he's not being an arse about it.” Argis realised a second too late what he'd said and actually blushed. “Um. I probably shouldn't swear in front of the High Queen, should I? Sorry.”
“It's all right,” Elisif said, stifling a giggle. The poor man looked so embarrassed. “Listen, I'm going to turn in. I don't think anyone's going to sneak into Jorrvaskr and kill me, so you get some rest. Tomorrow we've got a bit of a journey and I've got to write some letters in the morning too, but tonight you do what you want.”
“I think that's mostly gonna be sleeping,” Argis said, collapsing on a nearby bed. “Thanks though, Brenhina.”
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 25.6
(Anonymous) 2014-03-23 02:35 pm (UTC)(link)“That I am,” Argis said sleepily. “Not something it was ever really safe to talk about... but things are changing out there. They got a Reachman Jarl now, you know.”
“They... what?” Elisif sat up on hearing that. “Since when???”
“Since someone let the High Queen of Skyrim get arrested without a trial and got deposed by the Legion,” Argis said, grinning. “Only person of any seniority left in the city was old Nepos the Nose so they put him in charge. Pretty good, huh?”
“Goodness,” Elisif whispered, her head in a whirl. Nepos the Nose... who'd been next on her list after visiting Thonar, suspected of giving out kill orders to Forsworn agents in the city. And he was Jarl. “Isn't he one of...?”
“Us? Yeah, he trained me in the arts of spying and that. It's hysterical, it really is.” Argis seemed highly amused by the whole thing. “Good on him.”
“But do the Legion know?” she whispered. “I mean General Tullius wouldn't... and Rikke never would, surely?”
“Dunno, but they did,” Argis grinned. “Boss went nuts when he heard, apparently. Luckily for us all he saw sense and calmed down and ordered an armistice. Said he was going to do that anyway, but honestly it's a lot easier to persuade the rest of them to calm down when one of our own's in charge.”
Elisif could imagine and it did make it a lot easier to possibly get the Forsworn their land back. She'd have to see what happened. Goodness, the Legion really had been worried, it seemed. She'd not thought General Tullius worried about anything, but she guessed the legitimate ruler disappearing and last being seen fleeing with the King of the Forsworn would worry anyone. She really should have checked in sooner. Never mind. She'd write in the morning, maybe send Ria or someone off to Solitude with a note.
Settling into the bed next to Aranea's, Elisif pulled her armour off and dived under the covers. The Throat of the World tomorrow, and after learning Dragonrend, it was time the High Queen returned to her people.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was about half an hour later Farkas heard the knock on his door. He'd stripped down to his loincloth and was about to go to bed when he heard the sound. Grinning to himself, he pulled on a tunic and went to open it.
Sure enough Argis was standing there, armour off and just wearing a simple wool tunic himself, glaring at Farkas.
“Just so you know, this isn't a marriage proposal or anything,” Argis growled. “I don't normally go for men.”
Farkas grinned. He'd heard that line before. There were an awful lot of men out there who didn't normally go for men but couldn't quite resist, or they got curious or horny or bored or... Farkas didn't greatly care. If he got a shag out of it, great. If it led to anything more, even better, but if not, well, he'd live.
“Sure you don't,” Farkas said, opening the door and beckoning him in. “You were just bored, right? Couldn't sleep?”
Argis came in, firmly shutting the door behind him.
“Listen up, Nord, and listen good. I've been assigned as bodyguard, housecarl, whatever, to a very pretty lady, but not only do I not think she's interested, someone else is interested in her and that someone else is someone I don't want to upset. So seeing as you're here and apparently think I'm easy on the eye and you're really not shy about speaking up, could you possibly get your hands on my cock and get me off and we can all get on with our lives?”
“You say that like you're not one of us,” Farkas said, confused. Argis looked pretty Nordic to him.
“Long story,” Argis growled. “Ma had a fling with a Reachman, she died in the Markarth Incident, Da's people got me to a Forsworn camp, I grew up there until I moved back to Markarth in my teens. You done or can we get to it now?”
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 25.7
(Anonymous) 2014-03-23 02:38 pm (UTC)(link)“Nords,” Argis said, shaking his head as he hauled himself on to a bar stool. “Knew this was a bad idea, but all right. I will drink some ale with you and then can we rut like sabre cats in heat?”
“Yes,” said Farkas, feeling his cock twitch at the mere thought of pinning Argis to the bed and frotting against him. “But first, can I ask you something?”
Argis looked vaguely pained but nodded. “What is it?”
“How'd you get the scars?” Farkas motioned at Argis' blind eye and scarred cheek.
“The... scars?” Argis said, looking confused. “Why'd you want to know?”
“All the best scars have stories. Been thinking about yours all evening, Half-Nord.” Farkas poured himself a drink and leaned forward, grinning at Argis. Now that was true enough, it wasn't often a broody, battle-scarred warrior showed up in Jorrvaskr exuding strength and fierceness like Argis did and Farkas wanted to know more. “I wanted to know what got the better of you.”
“Who said it got the better of me?” Argis smirked and Farkas knew right there he'd won him over.
“So tell me,” Farkas murmured, grinning as he leaned closer, and Argis obliged.
“All right. Among the Reachmen, you get your adulthood by doing two things. You have sex with someone and you kill something. Start a life and end a life, or well, potentially anyway. It's symbolic, see. Saying you're willing to start doing grown-up things.”
“Right,” said Farkas, although he didn't entirely understand it, but he'd killed an awful lot of things and shagged an awful lot of things in his forty years, so who was he to judge. “So you went out to kill something.”
“Yeah. Normally kids just sacrifice an animal the hunters have caught for them, and then it's open season on getting them laid. But the Nords had wiped the camp out before I was ready. I was living in Markarth by then with a friend of Da's looking after me, but I still wanted to do the rites the old way. Wanted to impress him.”
“What, the friend?” Farkas asked. Argis shook his head.
“No, Da. He's, well, tough, even by Forsworn standards. Most kids just do a sacrifice and that's it, but he was a runaway city boy when he was a kid and he was sick of the others in the tribe thinking he was soft and pushing him around. So he went out and hunted an elk down, killed it with just a hunting knife and brought the carcass back, throwing the head at the camp chief's feet and announcing he'd done the rite of death, he'd be in his tent if anyone fancied helping with the other one. I'm not sure he was even sixteen at the time.”
Farkas made a mental note to find out exactly which camp this man lived on, if he was still alive, and avoid any jobs involving it. Not only was killing Argis's father not likely to impress Argis, said father sounded dangerous.
“And did anyone help?” Farkas asked, already guessing the answer to this one.
“About three different women turned up apparently. He wouldn't tell me any more than that, saying it was personal. But it did the job, and he was a man from that day onwards. I wanted to follow in his footsteps.”
“You went out and hunted an elk?” Farkas asked, but deer did not leave scars like that. Argis nodded.
“Tried to. Found one too, only I wasn't the only one tracking it. A sabre cat had the same idea. We both cornered it at the same time, stopped, looked at each other, and then it decided I'd make an easier target. Bastard clawed my face but I had the last laugh. I bashed it with a shield and caved its skull in with my axe. Not sure how I got to Markarth, but I did and I'd killed something. Worked though, no one ever saw me as a boy again.”
“Did you have women lining up as well?” Farkas had to ask. Argis grinned, nodding.
“Oh yeah. Half the city wanted to fuss over me and tell me what a brave young man I was. Ladies love scars.”
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 25.8
(Anonymous) 2014-03-23 02:41 pm (UTC)(link)“That was... um... where's your bed?” Argis gasped.
“Behind you,” Farkas growled, emerging from behind the bar and pulling Argis to him for another kiss, feeling Argis hard up against him, and while he might not normally have gone for men, Argis the Bulwark was clearly going for Farkas and that pleased him greatly.
Farkas pushed Argis back on to the bed and crawled on top of him, slowing down the pace as he helped strip Argis off before removing his own clothes, one battle-scarred warrior admiring another. He stretched out on top of him, kissing him rather more gently this time.
“Anyone ever tell you you're really fucking hot?” Farkas growled, nibbling at Argis's ear. Argis held on to him, mumbling incoherently. Farkas grinned and reached down to get his hands on Argis properly. This was going to be a good night.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Argis wasn't in his bed when Elisif woke up. He wasn't upstairs either, and a quick chat with Aranea revealed he'd slipped out about half an hour after lights out. Farkas wasn't anywhere to be seen either.
So it was when both men finally made their separate appearances, Elisif finally sealed the letters for General Tullius and Falk Firebeard, passed them to Ria for delivery to Dragonsreach that afternoon to go in the Legion's next dispatch, and grinned up at her new housecarl.
“Took him up on it, did you?” she asked. Argis's impassive expression didn't shift but there was the faintest hint of a smile there.
“Yeah. And before you ask... it was all right.”
Farkas, on the other side of Jorrvaskr, glanced up from breakfast and grinned at Argis, raising a tankard. A faint shade of red crossed Argis's cheeks but he nodded quietly back. Well, at least someone knew a thing or two about how to handle their love life. More than the two Dunmer mages seemed to. Erandur was still glaring every time Aranea went anywhere near Athis. A good thing they were leaving today really.
“So where to,” Argis asked once they were on the open road. Elisif pointed up at High Hrothgar's silhouette, high up on the Throat's western shoulder.
“We're going up to the very top of that mountain. Argis, Aranea, when we get there, you're going to see wonders, and you have to promise not to tell another living soul. It would be very bad if you told anyone about what's up there.”
Aranea stared up at the clouds, tilted her head and smiled. “You know, I think I saw a vision of it once. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone.”
“Sworn to serve, High Queen,” Argis promised, although he was frowning up at High Hrothgar. “So we're going up the Throat. Spiritual heart of Nord-dom. Huh. Never thought I'd be going there. My Da's going to have a fit when he hears this. Not that I'll tell him secret stuff, but meeting Greybeards – he'll never get over this.”
“Your father's not fond of Nords?” Aranea said, pondering this. “But he must have got a bit friendly with one to have you.”
“He's Forsworn to the core,” Argis agreed. “But Ma saved his life and he made an exception for her. She died years ago, but I've still got him. Sort of.”
Elisif guessed a Forsworn father probably wouldn't be able to have a Nord son visit him very often, even if Argis had proved his loyalty to their cause. Maybe she could talk to Madanach, make inquiries, see if she could build bridges somehow. Although if she could get Madanach the Reach, the problem might solve itself.
But before that, she had a Shout to learn and she wasn't going to learn it down here. Sighing, she set off for Ivarstead. She had a long way to go.
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 25.9
(Anonymous) 2014-03-23 02:43 pm (UTC)(link)Alduin was going to kill her. Alduin was going to kill her, destroy the world, and Torygg would never be avenged, Skyrim never healed, the Reach never free, Erandur and Aranea never happy together, Cicero and Eola, Delphine and Brynjolf, both couples ended before they really got off the ground. Argis never getting to see if Farkas could make him happy.
Elisif never even thought to regret no happy ending for herself. It was the disappointing her friends that hurt the most. She'd already come to terms with her own future looking bleak.
Then the vision was over but she'd known Dragonrend, hearing the words and needing no dragon soul to teach her the meaning of mortality. She'd seen the evidence of life's fleeting finality for herself when Ulfric had killed her husband.
And then Alduin had turned up and now she was staring certain death in the face as the World-Eater arrived, vicious red eyes glaring down at her as she reached for her swords.
“Dovahkiin,” Alduin growled. “So you have learnt it. It did not save the Tongues. It will not save you.”
Elisif clutched Dragonbane, weapons at the ready. Maybe it hadn't helped poor Gormlaith. Maybe she'd still die regardless. But she would die fighting. When she got to Sovngarde, at least she wanted to be able to say to Torygg that she tried.
“That's not what will save me,” Elisif said through gritted teeth. “JOOR ZAH FRUL!”
Dragonrend hit Dragon-God and the battle was on.
The sky broke, rocks fell, Aranea's magic flashed into the sky, Erandur sent fire flying at Alduin, Paarthurnax whirled above them, and Argis's arrows did not miss often. But Alduin was a tough fight and Elisif could only Shout every minute or so, and Dragonrend didn't always hit him. But it hit often enough. Alduin would have to land and then she'd be able to strike, Argis at her side while the Dunmer sent spells flying in, and Dragonbane bit deep into Alduin's scaly hide.
It felt like hours but at long last, Elisif realised that Alduin was bleeding, wings torn and scales dented, breathing heavily and slouching away from her.
“Dovahkiin,” he growled. “You have grown strong.”
“I will not grow weaker,” Elisif gasped, dragon blood fired up by combat and fuelling her bravado.
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 25.10
(Anonymous) 2014-03-23 02:45 pm (UTC)(link)With the last of his strength, Alduin took to the air before Elisif could strike again, flying off into the distance. Elisif sheathed her weapons, feeling her blood chill as she processed his parting words.
Paarthurnax came in to land on the Word Wall and Elisif turned to him, hoping Alduin hadn't said what she thought he had.
“Tell me it isn't true,” Elisif gasped. “He's not gone to Sovngarde, has he? He's not going to feed on the souls of the dead there.”
“He's going to feed on the sillesejoor there, yes,” Paarthurnax confirmed, tilting his head at the distress on Elisif's face. “Yolaazov, I know this troubles you, but...”
“Of course it troubles me!” Elisif cried. “My husband is in Sovngarde! Alduin can't eat him, he can't!”
Tears in her eyes, and then Erandur was on one side of her and Argis's solid arms on the other, both holding her up, and she looked up to see Argis looking as terrified as she felt. Half-Nord maybe... but even a half-Nord could never be indifferent to Sovngarde.
“My mother's in Sovngarde,” Argis said quietly. “Dragonborn... High Queen... you have to stop him, you have to.”
“I will,” Elisif said, tears rolling down her cheeks. “I will stop Alduin, I don't care what it takes.” She looked up to Paarthurnax, hoping beyond hope he'd have answers.
“Then listen well, Dovahkiin,” Paarthurnax said, leaning closer. “This is how to find your way to Sovngarde... without having to die.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: And now let the fun begin... Next time, we see how Season Unending plays out in a world where the last thing the Dragonborn's going to want to do is negotiate with Ulfric.
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 25.10
(Anonymous) 2014-03-25 03:34 am (UTC)(link)OH DIVINES I NEED THIS IN MY LIFE