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“You're quite welcome,” he said gently, before turning to watch the other prisoners scurrying around filling their pockets.

Finally everyone had gathered back in the main chamber, all good to go. Madanach surveyed them all, nodding in approval.

“All right then, it's time to get out of here. Now, I know you're all desperate for a crack at the Nords and I don't blame you, but let me remind you this is not an uprising or even a battle, but an escape. We're not here to slaughter the entire city, we're just interested in getting out of here. By all means kill anyone who tries to stop us, but if they're not fighting us, don't start one with them. We get out of here, make for the gates, get out of the city.”

“Then where, boss?” Borkul asked. “Take it you got a camp lined up ready to take us in.”

“I do indeed,” Madanach replied. “But I've got some business to take care of first. Namely getting the Davrha-Brenhina here home... and then I want to meet these friends of hers who've been helping her kill dragons. We're off to Karthspire.”

Karthspire... Sky Haven Temple... oh gods. Even if Madanach's intentions were benevolent, which Elisif couldn't be certain of, the mere thought of Madanach meeting Delphine, and Delphine's likely reaction, didn't bear thinking about.

“You can't!” Elisif cried, and she immediately regretted that as Madanach turned to frown at her.

“Why not,” Madanach growled. “I want to meet your friends. Besides, I let you go wandering off on your own, who knows where you might end up? I want to make sure you're safe.”

Elisif had a feeling that by safe, he meant constantly guarded, as fucking always. Fortunately Cicero seemed to share her opinion, also looking a little panicked.

“Oh, but there is no need for dear Madanach to trouble himself!” Cicero babbled as he sidled over to her. “Cicero can see sweet Maia home, there is no need for the Forsworn to come.”

“I think otherwise,” Madanach said coldly. “I know you made assurances, Maia, but the fact remains your friends wrecked a camp of mine and I want to meet them for myself and ensure that it won't be repeated. I'd hate for there to be any misunderstandings now.”

Elisif did not like this one bit, but it didn't seem like she had a lot of choice. Besides, at least if she was there, she could help negotiate peaceful co-existence. And she had Cicero too. Madanach had to at least know what Cicero was capable of. Also she couldn't fault him for being wary of the rest of the Blades. Still, this wasn't the way she'd have chosen to break the news to Delphine that she'd just signed up to help the Forsworn.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The tunnel proved less dangerous than Elisif had expected, the Forsworn running ahead and dealing with most of the dangers. First the Frostbite spiders, dying in a blaze of fire. Then on through the Dwemer tunnels, which were quiet... right up until they saw the Dwemer Centurion looming up ahead.

“Is that...?” Borkul whispered.

“Yeah,” Madanach muttered. “Tread quietly, I don't want it waking up. Maia, you be sure and stay behind me.”

Slowly and quietly, the little group attempted to sneak past... but to no avail. No sooner had they set foot on the walkway, than the lights flickered on, steam jets hissed and the monstrosity began to move.

All around Elisif, mage armour flared into being and Destruction spells blazed at it. Cicero had vanished, she had no idea where, and the Forsworn were fanning out in attack formation.

“Borkul, get out of here, Kaie should be at the gates with proper weapons, get her to help,” Madanach shouted, giving his bodyguard a shove. “Maia, stay behind me, do NOT try and fight it!” Madanach shot a lightning spell at the Centurion, as Borkul leapt off the walkway and ran to find this mysterious Kaie. The robot staggered but was still very much fighting, scalding steam enveloping Braig and Duach who both staggered away, Restoration spells flaring. Then it advanced on Madanach.

“Maia, run, jump off, get after Borkul, if I don't follow, grab your things and run, and don't stop,” Madanach growled, fire at the ready in both hands.

“I'm not leaving you to fight it on your own!” Elisif gasped, panicking a little at the thought of losing Madanach. The Forsworn alliance would be dead without him, and even though they wanted independence, until that happened she was still their High Queen as far as she was concerned. She wasn't leaving him behind.

“Maia,” he snarled, unleashing twin fireballs at it. “I won't tell you again. Go!”

“No,” Elisif whispered, feeling courage come from somewhere as she stared the machine down. Victory or Sovngarde, and she'd fight with what little she had at her disposal. “FUS RO DAH!”

The Shout hit the Centurion dead centre, sending it flying back, crashing into the far wall and sliding to the floor, but still not dead. Slowly it was trying to pick itself up.

“Hit it with everything!” Madanach shouted to his fellow Forsworn. “All spells, strongest you have, before it gets up. If you're low on magicka, run! And as for you...” He grabbed her arm, and then grinned at her. “Good work, now let's go.” He led her away, running for the exit... and as it came into view, two young women, probably only a few years older than Elisif herself, came out of it, both wearing full Forsworn armour, mage armour in place.

“Glory to the Forsworn!” one shouted, blasting fire at the Centurion. The other didn't say anything, just raising her hands and dual-casting a powerful lightning spell at the Centurion, making it writhe and spasm. The thing was almost dead... and then a giggling Imperial with red hair pounced on it, one shiv slicing through cables in the thing's throat that had been damaged by all the fire magic, and the other slicing neatly under the dynamo core and sending it flying. Bereft of its heart, the Centurion finally died, collapsing on the floor.

For a few moments, silence. Then Cicero retrieved his shivs, saw the two Forsworn women, his eyes falling on one in particular, and then he shrieked in delight, the sound echoing painfully off the stone walls.

“SWEETLING! Sweetling, you came, you came, you came to rescue your sweet Cicero! Look, look, I killed a Centurion, look!”

“Cicero! You're all right!” the young Forsworn cried, ripping her headdress off to reveal short blonde hair which she shook out, swiftly ran fingers through in a way that reminded Elisif strangely of Madanach, and then ran to Cicero, sweeping him into her arms. Well now, that must be the mysterious Eola. Her attachment to Cicero seemed genuine at least, from the way they were cuddling.

Meanwhile the other Forsworn girl was running up the steps towards them.

“Da!” she cried, heading straight for Madanach, who held out his arms to her, smile on his face.

“Kaie m'inyeen, it's good to see you,” he laughed, hugging her. “Well timed.”

“Nothing attacks my father and lives,” Kaie said, her voice muffled as her father embraced her. “Even if I did manage to sneak past it and not wake it every time I came through here, and you manage to wake it on your first go.”

So this was Madanach's daughter. Elisif hoped she took after him.

“Yes, well, you try sneaking an Orc and a Nord through anywhere,” Madanach said gruffly, before letting Kaie go, turning to face Elisif. “Kaie, this is the woman I told you about. The Dragonborn. Goes by the name Maia when she's travelling, although that's not who she really is.”

“I know,” said Kaie, looking her over. Kaie's eyes had closed over on seeing Elisif, the warmth going out of them. “My father told me who you were, Dragonborn. He seems to think you're going to be a valuable friend and asset to the Forsworn. I hope so. For your sake.”

Elisif recalled Madanach telling her his daughter's mother had died at Karthspire and cringed guiltily, realising where the hostility was coming from.

“I'm so sorry about your mother,” Elisif gasped. “We didn't want to fight you, we really did just want the old Akaviri ruins. I'm so sorry.”

Rage flickered in Kaie's eyes but it was swiftly buried.

“Save your apologies, Nord,” Kaie growled. “Just get us our land back.”

Elisif nodded, flinching only a little as Kaie turned back to her father. Well, she hadn't been killed on sight, so that was something.

“Don't take it to heart, she's still grieving,” Madanach murmured to her, before turning to Kaie.

“Well, daughter, did you get everything together?” Madanach asked. Kaie nodded.

“Yes, it's all waiting, including all Maia's things, and we hardly had to kill anyone in the end. Only... only there's someone you have to meet...” She motioned off to where Cicero and Eola were still reuniting, Cicero now back in his motley, ebony dagger and ebony axe at his sides, and Eola sliding some sort of ring onto his finger. Cicero in particular was looking rather emotional and as she let his hand go, he reached up and began to kiss her.

“Do I want to know what the story is behind the jester outfit?” Madanach said, sounding unusually unnerved for him. Elisif shook her head. She didn't know the story herself, but she had a feeling it was something best left untouched.

“And he's got a lady friend,” Madanach continued, amazed. “How in the Void did he get a lady friend? And a Forsworn at that? Wait, if he's involved with a Forsworn... why didn't he say? Kaie... Kaie, what's going on? Maia, who's the girl, do you know her?”

“I've not met her, but Cicero told me a bit about her. She helped him deal with a Dark Brotherhood assassin then they went tomb raiding together and, well, things just happened, I guess. Her name's Eola.”

“Eola...” Madanach breathed, eyes widening as he turned to Kaie for confirmation. She nodded, finally smiling.

“Our Eola. She came home. Hey, gwaneth. Put your boytoy down and get over here!”

Eola turned, eyes locking with Madanach's, well, the good one anyway. He was staring back at her, stunned and Elisif looked from one to the other, trying to puzzle this one out. Eola the ex-Forsworn, and not only known to Madanach and his daughter but considered by them to be... kin.

“You're... Eola,” Madanach was saying, sounding most uncertain as they approached each other. “My Eola.”

She nodded, lowering her eyes in seeming submission, still not saying anything. Madanach stepped forward, reaching out and lifting her face up to look at him.

“You look just like your sister,” Madanach said in wonder. “Eithne, that is.”

“They do say that, yeah,” Eola whispered back, tears in her eyes. “How much trouble am I in exactly?”

Madanach didn't even answer, just taking her in his arms and holding her to him, and while Elisif couldn't see their faces, at least one of them was crying. Eola definitely, and quite possibly Madanach as well.

“I'm sorry, Da,” Eola gasped. “I'm so sorry.”

“It wasn't your fault,” Madanach whispered, kissing the top of her head and ruffling her hair. “After the way your mother treated you, I don't blame you. If anything, it's my fault, I should have been there for you and I never was. Can you ever forgive me?”

Eola just nodded, clinging on to her father for all she was worth. Behind Elisif, Cicero had crept up, peeping over her shoulder.

“Maia,” Cicero whispered. “Maia, save me.”

“Save you – what from?” Elisif whispered. Cicero pointed at Madanach.

“Cicero has kissed his daughter!” Cicero whispered. “Cicero defiled and debased Madanach's little princess! Does Madanach seem like the sort of man to take that lying down?”

“She's a grown woman, I'm sure it'll be fine,” Elisif whispered back. Next to them, Kaie was smirking at Cicero.

“So that's Cicero, is it? Not bad. My little sister has taste. Completely crazy of course, but that's nothing odd in this family. You'll fit right in, don't worry.”

“Madanach did say he liked him?” Elisif said nervously. Behind her, Cicero whimpered, clinging on to the back of Elisif's prison gear. Kaie had the nerve to laugh.

“Oh that's all right then, at least it'll be quick,” Kaie laughed. By this time, Madanach had let Eola go, both of them drying their eyes as Madanach led Eola over, eyes alive with a joy Elisif hadn't known he was capable of.

“Your sister's back, look!” he told Kaie.

“I know,” Kaie said, smiling. “Welcome back, troll-face.”

Eola poked her tongue out at her sister, but with Madanach right there glaring at them both, nothing could escalate any further.

“Eola,” Madanach was saying, leading her over to Elisif. “Eola, this is... well, let's just call her Maia for now, but she's going to help us. She's a dragonslaying hero who might be able to get us our land back.”

“I know who she is, Da,” Eola said as she lifted her eyes to Elisif's, clearly curious to get a good look at her – and apparently pleased with what she saw. “From the fact Cicero's cowering behind her, I'm going to assume this is the famous Dragonborn. Hello there. I'm Eola. Cicero invited me to join the Blades and help you kill things. Although I'm sure there's a little more to it than that.”

“Wait,” Madanach interrupted. “Blades? You? And you know Cicero?” He turned frosty eyes on Cicero, who'd squeaked and dived back behind Elisif. “Do you know, he failed entirely to mention this earlier.”

“Madanach!” Elisif snapped, feeling someone ought to stand up for Cicero here. “You leave him alone, he's done nothing wrong-” She recalled the four people Cicero had stabbed in the last day alone and mentally revised her words. “Nothing to hurt you,” she amended.

Madanach's coldest glare kept right on glaring at Cicero, before he turned back to Eola, disappointment all over his face.

“Eola cariad, please tell me you're not a Talos worshipper.”

Eola could have been a little more gracious in her response to that one, Elisif thought. Bursting into laughter wasn't exactly respectful, even if Talos wasn't a proper god any more.

“No, Da, I promise you, no,” Eola finally giggled. Madanach's expression cleared, relief in his eyes.

“Thank Magnus. Eola, you do know that little fiend presently hiding behind the Dragonborn's slaughtered half of Karthspire, don't you? The only reason he's not dead is partly because the Dragonborn and I have come to an agreement and partly because he's proved himself useful. And you're telling me you've joined the Blades with him.”

“And they're lovers,” Kaie added gleefully, seeming pleased rather than intimidated by the frosty glare she was getting from her sister. Madanach was glaring at Cicero again, who'd started whimpering in terror.

“Yes, I know all that,” Eola snapped. “But the Blades follow the Dragonborn, and you've apparently looked after her rather than killing her. I'm twenty five years old, Da, I can decide who I'm going to love. I don't tell you who you can and can't get involved with, do I now?”

There was something about the way she said that last sentence, some knowing look in her eyes, as if she knew something about Madanach's love life that Elisif didn't. Which was odd, Madanach had been stuck in Cidhna Mine for two decades, where would he have met someone new? Still, Madanach seemed to take the point.

“Fine,” he growled. “You just better hope I can agree terms with the Blades leaders, that's all. As for you, Cicero.” He walked over to Elisif, ignoring her completely as he peered over her shoulder to where Cicero was hiding. “I find you've been anything less than the perfect boyfriend to my little girl, if I find you've ill-treated or hurt her in any way... you better start running because not even the Dragonborn will be able to save you from me.”

“Yes sir!” Cicero squeaked. “Cicero will be nothing less than sweetness and loveliness itself, sir!”

“You better be,” Madanach growled, before looking up to where the rest of the Forsworn had been sitting around watching all this, all looking greatly amused – at least until their king's attention fell back on them. “Right, everyone after Kaie. My daughter has gear for you all – get yourselves out of prison rags and looking like proper fighting men again. Maia, I asked Kaie to retrieve all the things the guards stole from you too, it should all be there. Kaie, did you bring the other things I asked?”

“Yes Da,” Kaie sighed. “One set of specially blessed armour for Maia here, and at Eola's request, a set for Cicero too. It's all up by the door, come on.”

So Elisif followed, at least until Madanach recalled there were half a dozen men getting changed up ahead and told the women to wait while he returned with everything belonging to Elisif, leaving her to get changed in private while he steered Cicero off. Elisif seized on her scaled gear, feeling pleased beyond measure to be out of rags, with Dawnbreaker and Dragonbane at her side. She also examined the Forsworn armour Madanach had given her. Not bad, although the magicka enchantments weren't that useful to her. Still, she pulled the gauntlets and boots on. Better archery skills would do her no harm.

The Forsworn were all waiting for her by the gates, all watching Cicero dressed in their gear, throwing a few moves with his axe and dagger and cooing.

“Look, look, Eola and Maia, Cicero is a mighty Forsworn warrior!” Cicero giggled. He'd exchanged the motley for Forsworn armour and did look very fearsome. Eola told him he looked adorable, taking him to one side.

“Prison rags over on the pile,” Madanach told her, coming into view, dressed in his own Forsworn gear, a glass war axe at his side, all of it glimmering with one enchantment or another. “Not wearing our gear?”

“Not tonight,” said Elisif. “Might give the wrong impression.” She threw her hateful prison rags on the pile of the stuff that had formed in the corner, before taking in Madanach properly. There'd been something about him even in prison, some dignity to the man. Now he was dressed in Forsworn gear again, all fur and feathers and bone and skulls for Shor's sake, he was positively radiating menace. Strangely, Elisif didn't find it frightening. He noticed her staring, smiled and then let his eyes travel over her in return.

“Now that's a little more like it. That's a couple of nice swords you have there, ap Davrha.”

Elisif nodded in acknowledgement, not entirely sure she was able to speak. Her inner dovah, quiet for so long in the mine, was starting to growl, although not because it saw him as an enemy. No, she had a horrible feeling it liked what it saw, and even worse, she had a feeling he'd realised that too, because that was a victory smirk if ever it was one. Barely glancing at the rag pile, he flicked his wrist and sent a jet of fire into it, keeping the magic going until the whole thing went up in flames.

“King in Rags no more!” he laughed and Elisif forced herself to smile, repressing the little stab of jealousy, of him having the power of fire, frost and lightning at his command and she was a Dragonborn who couldn't even breathe fire. It was so unfair.

Not that she actually wanted to be able to breathe fire, of course. It was just a bit galling that she couldn't.

“And now,” Madanach laughed as he watched all their prison rags burn. “Gwadorai, inyeenai, Davrha-Brenhina. It's time to claim our freedom. Are you with me?”

The roar of approval from the prisoners, princesses and one red-haired Imperial lunatic shook the room like a dragon landing.

“No murdering innocent people!” Elisif shouted, reminding Madanach of his promise of earlier.

“Don't worry, if they stay out of our way, we'll stay out of theirs,” Madanach laughed carelessly. “Come on, let's go! For the Forsworn!”

“For the Forsworn!” came the answering cry as everyone else ran out behind him. Elisif chased after, just hoping that when push came to shove, Madanach would keep to that promise.

~~~~~~~~~~~

The first obstacle came as they emerged into Markarth itself, the night sky twinkling above them, Masser approaching its zenith. Elisif could have cried to see the stars again and breathe fresh air, and she'd only been down there a day. How were the others feeling, she wondered.

She shot a glance at Madanach, seeing him staring at the sky like he'd never seen it before, face open and hopeful and wistful all at once, that odd smile on his face that wasn't the usual smirk or gleeful grin. The one that reminded her he was a man like any other. The others had similar expressions as they stared at the sky, none of them quite able to believe they'd made it out. It was really quite moving.

At least until Thonar Silver-Blood's voice rang out.

“Madanach! You've gone too far this time. I'm going to put you down once and for all!”

Madanach lowered his eyes to look at Thonar and just smiled. It was not a nice smile.

“Well now. Thonar. How very convenient. Ap Davrha, you made me a promise, I believe.”

She had, hadn't she? She could feel the dragon within growling, and for once, dragon and human nature were both in perfect accord as she stepped forward to face him.

“Thonar Silver-Blood,” she announced, voice ringing out. “By my right as the true High Queen, I find you guilty of wrongful imprisonment, profiting from slave labour, hiring assassins to kill your enemies, perversion of the course of justice and treason against your true Queen.”

As she spoke, the guards flanking him had turned to look at Thonar, little gasps of shock coming from beneath the helmets as they began to realise just who Maia was.

“You're not Queen!” Thonar snapped at her. “You need a Moot for that, Empire-lover!”

“You're not Jarl, but you still have people arrested and half the guard in your pay!” Elisif cried, wishing she actually could breathe fire and burn Thonar to a crisp. But as it was, she did have people behind her who could handle that for her. “I sentence you to death, Thonar. Cicero, get him.”

Cicero didn't need telling twice. Ebony axe in one hand, ebony knife in the other, and the Brotherhood's very own spirit of vengeance pounced. Blood spurted everywhere as Cicero claimed a fifth victim, and Madanach raised his own axe. One promise kept, two to go.

“Glory to the Forsworn!” he roared. “Let's go, men!”

All around her, mage armour flared and Destruction spells fired at the guards. Cicero was done with Thonar by this point and had turned on the guards, while Madanach ran to Thonar's side, probably to make sure he was dead. After turning out Thonar's pockets, Madanach pocketed the valuables before retrieving a small journal. Elisif saw him flick through it, nod in satisfaction before setting light to it, flames reducing it to ash in seconds. Interesting, Thonar had had a journal, probably setting down their agreement in writing... evidence which Madanach had just destroyed. Which meant she and Madanach were probably the only ones who knew the truth about his bargain with Thonar now. She just hoped their own alliance held out, she'd hate to end up as a loose end herself. But he didn't seem worried, just fired up for battle as his flame cloak flared into life and he shot lightning at one of the guards racing up to join the fight, sending him sprawling to the ground. Elisif fought back a wave of nausea. Even if the Forsworn only killed those who got in their way, not all the guards were corrupt. Some were good men and women doing their jobs and they were likely to die tonight. The thought made her feel ill, although not as ill as her inner dovah growling in satisfaction. Fortunately she had little time to think on it as Eola had grabbed her arm and was leading her out, expertly slicing through the fighting as magic split the sky and arrows flew around them. Madanach finished dealing with the guard he was fighting and ran after them, firing magic at the other guards as he did so.

It wasn't far to the gates in the end, Eola's magic clearing the way, and finally they were there, the gate guards off fighting the Forsworn. Eola opened the gates, shoved her through and then they were running. The guards outside started in surprise, then as soon as Madanach followed, they cried out and sprang into battle, two of them against the Forsworn King. The outcome was a foregone conclusion, Madanach rather smartly avoiding their warhammers before spraying fire at them both. Then the gate crashed open again, and Kaie and Borkul tore through, finishing the job. Then Braig and Uraccen flung Cicero out of the city, the little Imperial covered in blood and still cackling, with Odvan and Duach bringing up the rear. Well, everyone was out at least and the rest of the stables were quiet, everything locked up and all people and animals inside. Which was a little odd, the place was usually open at all hours, it was almost like someone had warned Banning the stable master something was going down, but Elisif had no idea who Banning would know in the Forsworn.

No time to think about that though. The carriage from Solitude had just got in... and Elisif recognised the Dunmer who'd just got out of it, seen a horde of Forsworn running in his direction and was raising his hands to strike.

“ERANDUR WAIT, THEY'RE WITH ME!” Elisif shrieked, at a volume that would have done Cicero proud.

Erandur lowered his hands, the fire blinking out.

“Maia?” he gasped. “You're... with the Forsworn?”

“Yes!” Elisif cried. “I mean... sort of. It's complicated. I'll explain everything on the way, come on.”

“If you say so,” Erandur said warily, but he followed anyway, nodding once at Eola as the three of them ran for Karthspire, six Forsworn and Cicero hard on their heels, leaving Markarth behind them. Elisif for one hoped she never saw the place again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N: Next chapter, it's all back to Karthspire where Madanach returns to his people in triumph, and then it's time for Elisif to break the news to Delphine that she's made some new friends.

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