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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 26.3
(Anonymous) 2014-04-04 10:23 pm (UTC)(link)“Out of the question!” Balgruuf roared. “You want me to put my palace, my people at risk, because of some story Alduin's come back...”
“He has come back!” Elisif cried. “I've seen him, I've fought him! Please, you have to help, it'll be a lot more than Whiterun at stake otherwise!”
“I have to do no such thing!” Balgruuf snapped, folding his arms and staring down at her. “I am Jarl of this city, Elisif! And you may be High Queen in waiting, but you have not yet been mooted, nor can you be while Ulfric is still out there! What do you think he'd do if he found out about this? Do you think he'd sit idle while a dragon was burning down my city and slaughtering my people? No! I'm sorry, Elisif, but this plan is insane.”
It definitely was, Elisif had no doubts about that, but it was also the only plan she had. However, Balgruuf was also right that she couldn't order him to do it, not without the Moot. Not while Ulfric was still out there.
“But if Ulfric was gone, if the war had stopped,” Elisif said softly. “Would you do it then?”
Balgruuf stopped, saw she was serious and sighed. “By the gods, Elisif... you're not going to give up on this, are you?”
Elisif shook her head. Balgruuf looked away, shaking his head and then shrugged.
“All right. Fine, if Alduin really is back and you think it's the only way... Take care of Ulfric for me. Either overthrow him or use whatever means you can, but bring the war to an end or at least a temporary peace, and then once that's done, I'll be honoured to help you with your mad dragon trapping scheme.”
It was all Elisif needed to hear.
“Thank you!” she gasped, giving the surprised Jarl of Whiterun a hug and then stepping back, feeling a little self-conscious. “I'll sort Ulfric out, don't you worry. He's had it coming for a long time. I think I'm ready to face him now.”
That changed Balgruuf's mind in a hurry. “Wait, you're what? Elisif, you can't challenge him one on one, it'll be suicide!”
“Not one on one,” Elisif said, considering her options. Not many, but she did have contacts. “Let me talk to General Tullius. About time I went back to Solitude anyway. Don't worry, Balgruuf. Just let me handle it.”
“Do you know what you're doing?” Argis asked once they were out on the steps of Dragonsreach.
“Not as such,” Elisif admitted. “But once I go to General Tullius and tell him how important this is, he'll have to help, right? I mean, this isn't just a country any more, this is the whole world and all our Nord war dead! We need to take the war to Ulfric and quickly.”
“No objections here,” Argis grinned. “But you really think General Tullius will authorise all out invasion of Windhelm for you? He's never seemed like the reckless type.”
No, he never had, and it worried Elisif. But maybe Rikke might help talk him round.
“What choice do I have?” Elisif said softly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
They'd stayed at Jorrvaskr that night, Argis getting to see Farkas again and say goodbye, and Elisif's tale of her fight against Alduin entertained them all. She purposely did not mention he'd gone to Sovngarde to feed on the souls of the dead. If they didn't know that piece of lore, Elisif wasn't going to panic anyone by enlightening them.
She also explained the dragon trapping scheme, admitting it was a bit of a long shot and she needed to sort Ulfric out before Balgruuf said yes, but Jorrvaskr had been unanimous in agreeing they'd love to help – after all, how often did someone trap a dragon in your city?
All well and good, but Elisif had to trap the beast first. Which brought her to Solitude, Argis in tow.
The city looked much as she'd left it, but something about the atmosphere had changed. The guards on the gate started to give her the usual spiel about seeing Rikke if she was here to join the Legion, then one recognised her, stared and promptly saluted, while the other gasped and whispered “My Jarl!” in absolute awe.
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 26.3
(Anonymous) 2014-04-04 10:25 pm (UTC)(link)“You seriously are Jarl, aren't you?” Argis whispered as Elisif walked in, head held high.
“I seriously am,” Elisif said quietly, the Jagged Crown making it near impossible to move with anything other than her neck straight and head raised.
People turned to look at the two heavily-armoured warriors who'd just walked in. As in Whiterun, there was whispering, but unlike in Whiterun, no one was stopping her, although a few surely recognised their Jarl.
But the guards stood to attention, saluting her as she passed, and the Legion guards at Castle Dour did likewise, and as she walked into General Tullius's strategy room, everyone fell silent, staring in shock, eyes all turning to Tullius to see how he'd react.
“Elisif. You're...”
“Alive,” Rikke breathed, looking delighted to see her again. “Jarl Elisif, I thought we'd seen the last of you.” Rikke strode forward, making her way round the table and clapped hands on Elisif's shoulders. “Are you all right? We heard you'd ended up in Cidhna Mine and disappeared when the Forsworn broke out!”
“Legate,” Tullius said sharply. “I'll handle this. Elisif.”
“Of course,” Rikke said, stepping smoothly back and letting Tullius approach. He had his arms folded, glaring at her.
“Do you mind telling me where in the blazes you've been?”
Once, Elisif would have been scared and fearful like a little girl being told off by her father. Not any more. She had faced assassins and Forsworn and Kings in Rags and Companions and Stormcloaks and Falmer and Dwemer automatons and last but not least Alduin himself. She had survived all that and she was not going to be talked down to by Legion soldiers in her own city.
“Serving my country, General,” Elisif said coldly. “I had to leave Solitude due to a threat to my own safety, and I've since been travelling Skyrim dealing with that threat and many others.”
“Is that – Jarl Elisif, is that all you have to say?” Tullius snapped. “You disappear the night of Elenwen's party, there was an attempt on your life, then you're leading troops at Whiterun-”
“I'm the rightful High Queen, I'm allowed to do that!”
“It's true, sir, Nords respect a leader who's got proven military experience and she did actually fight,” Rikke put in. “It's likely swayed most of Whiterun to back her, and I've got evidence her presence was instrumental in persuading the Companions to aid in the defence of the city. We gained considerably from her being there.”
“Hmm,” Tullius grunted. “And Markarth? We followed rumours of a sighting there and heard you'd been abducted by the Forsworn after the Silver-Bloods threw you in jail! Elisif, I had to unseat a Jarl for you and put a Reachman who is most likely a Forsworn agent himself in charge.”
“I know, I heard,” Elisif said, pointedly not looking at Argis, who was probably grinning. “And it is true, I did get arrested and I did escape with the Forsworn. But they didn't take me prisoner, Madanach let me go!”
“You expect me to believe that murdering traitor just let you go,” Tullius said suspiciously. “What did he want in return, I might ask?”
Never you mind, General. “I told him I was learning the Thu'um so I could use it to kill Ulfric,” Elisif replied. “He liked that idea and said he wasn't going to stand in my way, so he brought his jailbreak plans forward and let me go. I've not seen him since.”
“I hope not, he is not a friend to Skyrim or the Empire,” Tullius growled. “But if he's not holding you captive, I suppose I can let the Forsworn be. The Stormcloaks are a more pressing threat right now.”
“Not as pressing as the dragons,” Elisif said, steering the conversation to where she actually wanted it to go. “General, they're going to wipe out all of Skyrim if we don't do something.”
“I wasn't sent here to fight dragons, Elisif,” Tullius said guardedly. “Although they are getting to be a problem. What exactly did you have in mind? I don't have many troops to spare, but it's possible I could spare men to help deal with the worst-hit areas – if we control them obviously.”
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 26.4
(Anonymous) 2014-04-04 10:27 pm (UTC)(link)“No!” Tullius snapped, staring at her as if she'd gone mad. “Are you out of your mind? I don't have the manpower for a full-frontal assault on Windhelm, any ships I send have to pass through Stormcloak waters, any troops have to pass Fort Dunstad, and there's Forts Amol and Kastav and the entire Rift waiting to take us from behind. Even if Ulfric dies, that doesn't mean his cause will, and I'm not having valuable Legion troops trapped in Windhelm while the rest of the Stormcloak army starts moving to take it back – I'm especially not having the High Queen among them! No, Elisif, what you're asking is impossible.”
“But General, it's what the Empire sent you here to do!” Elisif cried. “Now you're telling me Ulfric's unstoppable?”
“I did not say that!” Tullius snapped. For a moment, General and Dragonborn faced off across the room from each other, military reality versus the idealism of youth. Alas for Elisif, idealism had never won this battle yet.
“Look,” Tullius sighed. “I was sent here to win this war and that's what I intend to do. But you need to let me do this my way, Elisif. I can't just order the Legion to sweep across Eastmarch and strike Ulfric down. If it was that easy, don't you think I'd have done it by now? The cost in lives and coin would be astronomical and we run the risk of wiping ourselves out and leaving ourselves wide open for Ulfric. I know you want revenge, but we need to take our time and do this properly to have any hope of-”
“We don't have time!” Elisif cried. “Alduin the World-Eater's in Sovngarde feeding on the souls of the dead and every battle, every skirmish, sends more people to him! We need to strike now!”
“Elisif-” Tullius began, but it was Rikke who'd stepped forward, staring at Elisif in horror.
“Alduin the World-Eater? Say it isn't true. Sir, we can't-”
“Legate!” Tullius snapped. “I can't authorise a costly and suicidal assault on Windhelm on the basis of an old Nord legend.”
“But my husband's in Sovngarde!” Elisif cried, doing her best not to let the tears show, trying not to think of Torygg lying bleeding in Alduin's maw. “General, Legate, please...”
“General, there must be something,” Rikke said desperately. “Nords fight and die with courage and honour knowing that Sovngarde awaits, you can't expect me to send men to their deaths knowing all that awaits is Alduin.”
“Legate!” Tullius snapped. “I expect you to follow orders, and the Legion is home to more than just Nords. We'll fight this war, but I'm not throwing lives away. Elisif, if you can find a way to stop Ulfric that does not involve tearing the Legion apart, either by persuading him to agree to a ceasefire long enough for you to do what you have to, or if you think you can raise your own forces and lay siege to Windhelm yourself, then fine. But do not expect my army to be at your disposal. I swore my oath of allegiance to the Emperor, not the High Queen of Skyrim. And you aren't High Queen yet.”
No, nor would she be at this rate. She'd be dead, Skyrim would be in flames, everyone going to Sovngarde to find only death waiting there too. And the bloody Legion were no use at all.
“Fine, if you won't help, I'll do it myself!” Elisif snapped, turning and leaving without waiting for a dismissal, Argis falling into step behind her.
It was only when she got out of Castle Dour that she let the tears start to fall.
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 26.5
(Anonymous) 2014-04-04 10:29 pm (UTC)(link)Tullius had said no. The Legion had said no. The army she'd been relying on, however subconsciously, to win the war for her and solve all her problems had said no. The power relations laid bare for all to see – the Empire held the power here, they had the troops, they had the army, and she couldn't command any of them. She was a queen – no, not even that yet – with no army and no real power. She could Shout a man across a room and breathe fire, she'd fought a dragon god and lived, but she couldn't get the Legion to help.
It was so unfair. She was so close, but the goal seemed as far away as ever. What was she supposed to do, go to Windhelm on her own, challenge Ulfric, either beat him and get killed by his guards, or die at his hands, and go to Sovngarde that way?
It would be an awful lot quicker, no fussing about with a portal or dragon trap.
No, certainly not, Skyrim needs you to be queen!
As if, the Empire would find someone else to be Jarl of Solitude, put down the Stormcloaks and then the Moot would choose someone. She hoped it was Balgruuf.
What about the Blades, Delphine might be able to help?
Possibly she might, but this was a tough one, and Elisif wasn't sure sending Cicero in to stab Ulfric in secret was the way to go, in fact now she thought about it, the more she wanted to do the deed herself.
Or organise a peace conference, Tullius said he might consider it.
Absolutely not, the last thing Elisif wanted to do was sit across a table from that murderer Ulfric. She'd rather die.
Madanach wants you to get his kingdom back, you can't do that if you're dead.
Yes, well, Madanach wouldn't have anywhere left to rule if the dragons destroyed the world, would he? There was a Reachman on the Mournful Throne loyal to Madanach, it was the closest the Forsworn had got in years. She'd kill Ulfric for him, avenge his daughter, he'd have to be content with that.
Dying is permanent, you could never come back, are you quite sure about this??
Elisif thought about it, staring out at Solitude, eyes falling on the Blue Palace where she'd been so happy once, safe and loved in Torygg's arms. It was all she'd ever really wanted, someone to love her, a husband, children. Wealth had been nice, but she didn't need it, and she'd never really wanted power.
If she went to Sovngarde, she'd see Torygg again and once she'd killed Alduin she need never leave him.
That decided her.
“High Queen. Elisif. Are you all right?”
That was Argis, catching up with her, one hand resting awkwardly on her back, flinching as she turned round and nearly took his eye out with the Jagged Crown's teeth.
“Sorry,” Elisif said apologetically, stepping back and trying to adjust the crown a little. “I – I'm not sure. I don't think so. Not really.”
“Understandable,” Argis nodded. “But you kinda had to expect that, right? And you've got a back up plan, right? Right?”
Sacrificing myself to save the world. But she couldn't tell that to Argis, not yet.
“Come on,” she said quietly. “Let's get inside. Want to see the Blue Palace?”
“You don't have a plan, do you?” Argis said, and the alarm in his voice was breaking her heart. “Si – Aedra help us.”
“I've got a plan!” Elisif snapped. “It's just I don't want to talk about it out here – look, let's get inside. I want a night in my own palace if nothing else.”
~~~~~~~~~~
“You can't do this to me! I'm a damn Thane!”
Elisif stopped, hearing Erikur's furious voice echo around the Blue Palace. What? They were arresting Erikur? Whatever for? She made her way closer to see what the fuss was.
Sure enough, Erikur was being manhandled down the steps by a number of Haafingar guards, Melaran protesting without much luck, Bryling sitting back in her chair and looking pleased, and Falk Firebeard supervising the whole thing with a face like thunder.
“Not any more!” Falk roared. “Thanes do not betray their Jarl, Erikur!”
“You're not Jarl!” Erikur shouted back.
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 26.6
(Anonymous) 2014-04-04 10:31 pm (UTC)(link)“No. It won't,” Elisif said, stepping into the light. She was sure Falk wouldn't have an innocent man arrested, but Erikur was still one of her Thanes at the end of the day. She couldn't see him arrested without knowing what he'd done. “Falk, what's happening?”
Everyone stopped dead, all staring at her as if she'd come back from the dead, eyes flicking to the Crown, and that did please her. She was Jarl after all, about time they acted like it.
“Elisif,” and there was Falk hurrying down the stairs, racing over to her and then Elisif found herself swept into a bear hug. “You're alive. Thank the Eight. After you disappeared, we all feared the worst... thank the gods you're all right.”
“I'm fine,” Elisif whispered. “I – well, my people – got rid of the Dark Brotherhood, I'm safe from them now. You don't need to worry.”
Falk hugged her again silently. It was some moments before he let her go.
“You're my Jarl. Of course I worry.”
Guilt stabbed at Elisif's heart. Falk had been nothing other than loyal, decent, hardworking, kind, the perfect steward in fact. And here she was preparing to leave him with Solitude for good, after weeks away, after just disappearing.
“Thank you,” Elisif whispered, before nodding at a nervous Erikur. “Why are you arresting him? He's a Thane, I find it hard to believe he was out there murdering people.”
“No, he had his friends in the Dark Brotherhood to do that for him,” Falk said viciously. “Here, read this, the last page with writing on it has the information you want.”
He handed her a book with a black leather cover and a red hand embossed on the front and Elisif could feel her blood starting to chill as she realised what it was. The Dark Brotherhood's ledger, a record of their contracts.
“Where did you get this,” Elisif whispered.
“A red-haired Nord man in black armour and a purple-eyed Dunmer woman in some weird grey getup delivered it to me about two nights ago,” Falk said. “They said I'd find it of interest. Was taken from their Sanctuary after it was destroyed. Elisif, do you know anything about that, because everyone is saying it was you...”
“Not in person, but I know who was responsible,” Elisif said, guessing who the man was. “I had some good friends of mine take care of it, sounds like they brought evidence to you.” Steeling herself, she flipped the ledger open and scanned down it, recognising the names of some of the assassins sent out on jobs. Gabriella, Veezara, Arnbjorn, and Astrid's signature at the bottom of each page.
“It's genuine,” she said quietly. “I recognise the names of the assassins. What, don't look so shocked, I have my sources.” She quickly turned to the back page, knowing in her heart what she'd find there... and sure enough, there it was. One contract on the Jarl of Solitude, price ten thousand septims, payable from Erikur Thane of Solitude, five thousand already paid, the rest on completion of the job.
“You utter BASTARD!” Elisif shouted, flinging the ledger at him. “This court has given you everything – power, respect, a title – and how do you repay us?? With this? Why, Erikur? I know you're not the most honourable, but I thought you were at least a bit better than this!”
“We needed a Jarl, Elisif!” Erikur snapped. “Not some idiot girl who when she actually bothers doing any ruling and isn't either moping after her dead husband or off playing dragon hunter is sitting there giving orders without any real clue what she's actually ordering! Solitude needs someone competent, someone who understands how the world really works, someone with a head for business.”
“Solitude has her,” Elisif said softly. “And I was not playing, Erikur. They say I got given my sword to rid the world of corruption – well, that's not strictly true, I actually got it to rid the world of undead. But parasites and traitors, I can deal with those as well.”
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 26.7
(Anonymous) 2014-04-04 10:33 pm (UTC)(link)“Get him to the Hall of the Dead,” Elisif said, wiping the blade clean and resheathing it, trying to work up some shred of guilt over having just killed a man – not an innocent one, certainly not, but she'd just killed someone she knew. Not an enemy soldier, not a beast or Falmer, but a man she'd seen in court every day, dead at her hands. And her dragon blood was rejoicing.
Maybe it was best she sacrifice herself. Die a hero rather than live to see herself turn into a monster.
“Elisif, are you all right?” And that was Falk, fussing again as if she needed it.
“Fine,” Elisif said, her voice devoid of emotion. “I'm fine. He's not the first person I've killed. He won't be the last.”
“I know,” said Falk, rubbing her back. “But all the same, it's not easy. Er, my Jarl, you need to sign the death warrant, we'll all say you did it before he died.”
Elisif nodded, signed the warrant, and turned to head for her room. Argis made to follow her... until Falk barred his way.
“Hey. Are you with her? Because unauthorised individuals are not allowed in the Jarl's quarters.”
“Falk, leave it, he's my housecarl. Jordis's replacement,” Elisif said quietly, exhaustion starting to set in. “He can come into my quarters, although if you could sort out a room for him to actually sleep in, I'd appreciate it. We're staying here tonight. Heading out tomorrow though.”
“But you only just got back!” Falk protested. “You can't be fleeing the Dark Brotherhood now!”
“I know, but it's important!” Elisif sighed, frustrated. “I have to stop the dragons or... or we're all doomed. You've been taking care of things well enough without me all this time.”
“I'm not a Jarl, Elisif,” Falk said. “Every day I get people coming here wanting to know when you're coming back, or if the latest rumour's true. Elisif, they said the Forsworn took you prisoner!”
“Well, clearly they haven't or I wouldn't be here now,” Elisif said wearily. “Falk, listen, I know it's difficult running this Hold on your own, but please believe me, I need to do this.”
“I do,” Falk said, giving in and letting her go. “I just wish you weren't constantly in the firing line, that's all.”
“So do I,” Elisif said, finally managing a smile. “But I'm glad it is me having to do it. I wouldn't wish this on anyone else.”
Would anyone else be willing to sacrifice their own life to save the world? Elisif really didn't think anyone else would.
“I'm High Queen after all, Falk. Might as well be me. That's what kings and queens do, isn't it? Sacrifice themselves for their country?”
“The good ones do,” Falk said, sounding proud of her, so proud and it was breaking her heart, it really was. She could never tell him her plans, that she knew. But she could at least make sure Solitude was taken care of.
“If anything happens to me, you're the next Jarl,” Elisif said, hands on his shoulders, staring him in the eye. “I'll set it in writing before I go, witnesses and everything, make sure the General knows. Erikur's dead, you can marry Bryling at last, I don't mind at all.”
Falk stared back at her, speechless, then he bowed his head.
“I – I don't know what to say. It's not an honour I ever wanted or deserved, you know that... but if you think it's for the best, I accept.” He looked up then, shrewd look in his eyes. “You are coming back, aren't you?”
“I will do my best,” Elisif promised, hoping he didn't see through her smile. “But I'm going into danger and if I die without heirs... Falk, I can't leave the Jarldom in the air. I can't leave Solitude without a leader. You don't have to contest the Crown, I'm happy for Balgruuf to be High King if you don't want the job. He's loyal to the Empire and he's a good man, I don't think the General will object.”
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 26.8
(Anonymous) 2014-04-04 10:35 pm (UTC)(link)“Of course not,” Elisif laughed brightly, a little too brightly. “But let's get those documents signed anyway, right?”
~~~~~~~~~~~
Much later, a will signed, sealed and witnessed that in the event of her death, the Jarldom was to be Falk's, Elisif finally closeted herself in her bedroom, collapsing on her bed, still in her Blades armour with the Jagged Crown cradled in her arms. Not the most comfortable of outfits but she couldn't face getting changed at the moment. Couldn't face being vulnerable. Now she was alone, the reality of it hit her. She was out of options. She'd have to face Ulfric down and fight him, and she wasn't entirely sure she'd win. Even if she killed him, his men probably wouldn't let her go free. She'd likely be killed herself in revenge.
Torygg. I get to see Torygg again.
It'll hurt.
So did losing him.
I don't want to die!
I don't care if I live or not.
“Elisif?”
Argis, and what was he doing here? He had his own room.
“What?” she said, rubbing her eyes as she sat up.
“Came to see if you were all right,” Argis said, sounding a little awkward. He was standing at the end of the bed, also fully armoured still. Looked like there were two of them on edge.
“I'm fine. But thank you,” Elisif said, forcing herself to smile. “Did you need anything, Argis?”
“Mind if I sit?” Argis asked. Elisif motioned at a chair and he wasted no time in sitting down, something clearly on his mind.
“What's up?” Elisif asked, wondering what he was thinking. Argis had always given the usual housecarl impression of the passive protector but when he'd talked about his previous life, something else had shown through – a man smarter than he let on, far more complicated than he let on, and more of a Reachman than a Nord in a lot of respects (although he had all the Nord willingness to charge into foes screaming and waving a weapon about, as Elisif had seen for herself on the road). He definitely had a mind of his own and opinions, even if he didn't talk about them much.
“What are you planning?” Argis said, his voice brusque and tone sharper than one would expect from a housecarl. “I mean, Tullius said no but you're not going to give up, are you?”
“Of course I'm not giving up!” Elisif sighed. “Alduin's in Sovngarde feeding on Nord dead, I promised I would go to Sovngarde after him and fight him, and I will! I've just had to rethink how, that's all.”
“And?” Argis said quietly, looking rather shrewd, reminding her a little of Madanach if he did but know it. “Got any thoughts on that, High Queen? You said it'd be dangerous... and you didn't look any too sure when Falk wanted to know if you were actually coming back.”
I'm not. Except Elisif didn't want to admit it out loud, because that would make it horribly, terrifyingly real.
“Do you think Sovngarde's nice?” Elisif said softly. “Peaceful, I mean. Pretty. Because a hall full of warriors all drinking mead doesn't sound it.”
“You're asking me?” Argis snorted. Then he shrugged. “Yeah, I guess it's probably nice. Ma said it was. Said there'd be endless fields and woods to hunt in whenever you liked. Not sure if she knew any more than either of us, but I could live with hunting.”
“I could live with woods to go walking in,” Elisif said quietly. Romantic walks and picnics with Torygg for the rest of her afterlife – she could definitely cope with that. Took her mind off the dying part.
“Except you wouldn't be alive, that's kinda the point...” Argis had looked up, staring right at her, eyes accusing. “Elisif. Lady Queen. Tell me that isn't the plan.”
Damn him for realising, and weren't housecarls supposed to serve without question?
Re: The Wolf Queen Awakens 26.9
(Anonymous) 2014-04-04 10:36 pm (UTC)(link)“Lady Queen, what if I said I could help with that?”
“Help how? You don't have a horse, and last I checked, you can't fly and can't do magic.” Elisif looked at him curiously, seeing a knowing grin that really didn't suit him on his face, and then he produced a small silver necklace with what looked like a small soul gem attached to it.
“What is that?” Elisif said nervously. It looked enchanted, in fact it looked like witchcraft of some sort.
“A little present from the King. For use in emergencies. One-time only charm that lets the wearer and anyone they're touching disappear and reappear somewhere else. In this case, it's blood-linked, only works for me and will take me straight to where my bloodkin are. They'll be where Madanach is. Did you want to give it a go tomorrow? Takes you straight to the King in seconds and then once you've spoken to him, we can get moving for Windhelm.”
“That's... possible?” Elisif said, staring at it. “I... Aedra help me, Argis, what sort of magic created that thing, and can the Forsworn really do that at will??”
“Not exactly but one of the Matriarchs has been researching it. It's a bit experimental but she assures me it'll work.” Argis put it away, looking altogether too proud of what was almost certainly the product of dangerous dark magic. On the other hand, she had promised Madanach and it would save her time.
“I really don't like this, but I suppose we don't have much choice,” Elisif sighed. “All right, but we leave Solitude first, get out of sight where no one can see us. And it had better work!”
“It will,” Argis promised. “Matriarch Keirine wouldn't hand over anything she wasn't sure worked properly.”
That did not reassure Elisif in the slightest. Submitting herself to dangerous Forsworn magics just to go reassure Madanach – or not reassure him, as the case may be.
Nothing about this appealed in the slightest, but at least it prolonged the end.
~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: Of course it was Erikur. Sleazy, ambitious, actually intended to be Elisif's replacement in a quest that got cut from the game, and easy prey when Elenwen starts dripping poison into his ear...
And next chapter, things start coming together as Elisif finds out just what her various allies have been plotting without her.