Meme Announcements!

[skyrimkinkmeme]

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

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

This is a repost of a prompt posted way back - it did get filled, but as the prompt was a very open-ended one, I thought I'd post it again.

Basically, instead of a player character Dragonborn, an NPC ends up getting called. Which one is entirely up to you, although I have particular soft spots for:

- Brynjolf (the Dragonborn of legend turns out to be a smooth-talking thief with extremely flexible morals - how doomed is the world?)
- Elisif ("I can't do this, I'm in mourning, I have a Hold to run, I can't be expected to kill dragons - wait, does this mean I could shout like Ulfric? Better than Ulfric? Falk, look after Solitude for me, I have a husband to avenge")
- Farkas (the man's perennially underestimated and could do with the limelight plus Vilkas' reaction at it not being him would be priceless)
- J'zargo (just because)
- Madanach (the scourge of the Nords finds out he's now part of their oldest legend - Season Unending just got interesting)
- Mirabelle or Rikke, because frankly Alduin should just go home now if either of those two get on the case.

But absolutely anyone who you think would make an interesting Dragonborn. Crack or serious, I don't mind. All I ask is not Cicero, because it's been done. :)

Smut optional, but no non-con if you do pair your NPC DB up with anyone.

[(Anonymous)]

OMG, this. This would be amazing. I'm already giggling wildly at some of your suggestions - Farkas complete with Vilkas' reaction, Elisif ("Falk look after Solitude, I have a husband to avenge"), MADANACH AT SEASON UNENDING OH SWEET TALOS THE CHAOS. Any one of these would be epic. And quite possibly HILARIOUS.

[(Anonymous)]

Oh Father Akatosh, I want to see this filled with Elisif so badly. Can you see Erikur's face? Or Ulfric's?

Bryne would also be awesome though. I'm sure he'd love Throw Voice. And then, all the Greybeards' stuff goes missing... O.o

Seconded with a burning passion!

[(Anonymous)]

Shaking with barely-controlled want for this with Elisif, J'zargo, or Mirabelle.

[(Anonymous)]

If I were Alduin and Rikke were the Dragonborn, I'd start searching for another Elder Scroll to banish myself back into the time-wound.

Cackling at the idea of Brynjolf swiping all of the Greybeards' stuff.

[(Anonymous)]

Definitely seconded, especially for Elisif.

The Wolf Queen Awakens 1.1

[(Anonymous)]

A/N: I have had this on the back burner for months while I wrote another fic - I am still not quite done with that one and this one definitely is nowhere near finished, but my latest playthrough with a Nord DB inspired me to write it again, and so I'm posting the first chapter. I hope you all like it and that the commenters who wanted an Elisif Dragonborn fill (for that is what it is) are still around. :)

Pairings: past Elisif/Torygg, presently none as our heroine is a grieving widow who'd fall apart completely if presented with sex.
Relationships: gen, mostly
Kinks: smut-free and likely to stay that way, but you can class this as au genfic, with a Nord female DB. Definitely a little bit angsty too.
Summary: Dragons may signify the world's end but as far as Elisif's concerned, her world ended well before that when Ulfric Stormcloak murdered her husband. So it is that no one's more surprised than her when a dragon attack on Solitude reveals that there's more to the High Queen in waiting than anyone suspected.

“It's dead then?” Falk Firebeard asked the guard bringing news of the latest dragon attack on Solitude. It was the third this week, and even with Castle Dour's soldiers in the city, they were suffering. Elisif didn't even want to think about how the rest of Skyrim was doing. Badly, she suspected. A whole month since the Helgen attack, and the dragons were everywhere, it seemed. The attacks had started in the east, but since then, they'd spread. Nords were tough, Nords were brave, Nords were fighters. But what could even Nords do against foes that seemed to rise again days after they died?

Elisif didn't know, but she hated feeling so helpless. She was supposed to be queen in waiting, she was meant to be a Jarl! And yet her guards were barely holding it together, the Legion was stretched because of the war and Tullius kept brushing off her concerns. Elisif had a definite feeling she was being given the run-around, but she didn't know how to confront Tullius directly. Wasn't there anything she could do? There had to be something.

“Where's the body?” Elisif asked, interrupting the conversation, and that was another thing, the surprised and slightly annoyed look on Falk's face whenever she ventured an opinion. He was her steward, he was meant to answer to her! And yet somehow she always ended up giving in to him because he was older and experienced and had served as steward to both Torygg and his father.

“Out in the market, my Jarl,” said Falk, gritting his teeth a little. “For now, anyway.”

“I want to see it,” said Elisif, feeling a little reckless, more so than usual. Ever since the dragons had come back, she'd felt restless. Penned in. Feeling like she was meant to be doing something, she didn't know what. And the dreams, always the dreams, dreams of flying, soaring through the air with the whole of Skyrim below her. She liked those dreams.

She was less keen on the dreams of blood and death and fire and screaming, especially the ones where she was not an innocent bystander on the ground, but descending from the sky causing it.

“My Jarl,” Falk began, “you don't need to see the body for yourself, they all look much the same.”

“I agree,” Sybille put in, “I've already thoroughly examined the body of two previous kills, you're not going to notice anything I missed.”

Elisif could really slap her court mage sometimes.

“I. Want. To. See it,” Elisif snapped, her voice coming out in a ferocious low growl that surprised even her. Falk flinched back, Sybille looked a little nervous, and even Erikur had reacted. Good. She'd have to raise her voice more often if that was the result. “In fact, I'm going to see it. I am Jarl and I can go where I like in my own city.”

Without waiting for an answer, she got up and strode off, making for the door.

“Oh for Divines' sake,” she heard Falk cry before snapping at Bolgeir to get after her. Elisif allowed herself a small smile. She'd won this victory at least. Falk might be used to getting his own way, but he couldn't actually override her.

The Wolf Queen Awakens 2.1

[(Anonymous)]

Pairings: Mostly gen
Warnings/kinks: au, gen, char:elisif, race:nord
Summary: Elisif sets off for High Hrothgar, leaving her true identity and the responsibilities of Jarldom behind her. The responsibilities of Dragonborn don't rest any easier though, so it's a good thing she finds some allies...

A/N: YAY, people are reading! I'm so pleased. Here is the next chapter - a bit longer, this one. Elisif's not a brilliant fighter on her own, so I felt it a good idea to get her some help.

In the end, things had gone fairly smoothly – everyone was agreed she had to follow the Greybeards' call. So off to High Hrothgar it was. She'd kitted herself out with a full set of finely crafted scaled armour – not terribly substantial, but she could barely move in steel plate. It would do. She'd also got potions, an axe and sword, Elven bow, a few glass arrows and lots of steel ones, some food for the road, and a full coin purse. She'd also talked Sybille into teaching her some basic spells – nothing fancy, just healing, the three basic Destruction spells, how to cast mage armour, how to conjure a familiar, and spells for clairvoyance and candlelight. She'd never be a wizard but it wouldn't hurt to know a few spells.

About the only stumbling block had been her insisting on going alone. Falk had put his foot down and insisted she take guards, she'd shouted back that the whole point of this was to get to know her country and discover what she could really do, and she wasn't depriving Solitude of its protectors. Falk had asked what about her protection and Elisif had just shrugged.

“I'm Dragonborn. I don't need it like you do.”

“At least take Bolgeir,” Falk sighed.

“And won't you need a guard?” Elisif had asked.

In the end, they'd compromised. Which meant Elisif set out on her journey accompanied by a troop of Haafingar guards escorting her as far as Dragon Bridge, and then the rest of the way by one of the housecarls in training, Jordis the Sword Maiden. Falk had seen her off at Solitude gates, giving her a hug and telling her to take care, and she'd hugged him back and told him to look after her city. Then she'd left, feeling a lump in her throat as she'd walked away. Dragon Bridge had arrived all too soon, and she'd stared at the bridge, knowing once she crossed it that would be it. She'd have left Haafingar and she wouldn't be Jarl any more, just one warrior and a not terribly experienced one at that.

Elisif took a deep breath, whispered a prayer to Mara, and started walking.

Once over, it was amazing how the fear just seemed to slide from her, like a weight had just lifted from her shoulders. Elisif walked on and kept walking, and then started running, running and squealing like a little girl until she got tired and had to stop. She was free! She could do whatever she wanted! Go wherever she wanted! She didn't have to worry about being Jarl or Queen or about Ulfric or the war or anything. She was just Elisif, on her own, ready to start exploring.

Well. Not quite on her own.

“My Jarl!” Jordis gasped, running after Elisif in her steel armour, slowed down a little but Jordis' stamina far outstripped Elisif's. “Wait for me!”

“Sorry,” Elisif said, waiting for Jordis to catch up. “I got... carried away.”

To her surprise, Jordis actually giggled, and Elisif realised that for all the woman's strength and prowess, she was no older than Elisif herself, not by much anyway.

“Oh that's all right, Jarl,” Jordis laughed. “It's exciting, isn't it? I've never been up to High Hrothgar before. I wonder what it's like?”

The Wolf Queen Awakens 3.1

[(Anonymous)]

Pairings: gen so far, previous Elisif/Torygg
Summary: Elisif gets her first real taste of adventure as Dragonborn, although all the death is going to take some getting used to. However, word of her true identity is spreading and the Draugr may prove to be the least of her worries.

Kodlak looked up from his seat at the small table outside his quarters as Balgruuf approached, Dunmer housecarl and guards behind him, and Maia walking alongside him, looking a little nervous... but not as nervous as you might expect a young woman faced with the Jarl himself to be. Almost as if she knew him somehow. Jordis was alongside her, impassive, and that was something else, the woman having a highly trained bodyguard. Maia of Solitude, Dragonborn, and Vilkas' suspicions she came from a wealthy family and sheltered background were probably spot on. Kodlak began to regret not following politics a little more closely, or perhaps he might be able to guess her family. Was her father the steward? One of the Thanes? Someone in the East Empire Company? Was she one of Elisif's relations? Who knew? But there was some mystery to Maia and while Kodlak had no doubt her heart was true, she was hiding something.

“Jarl Balgruuf,” Kodlak greeted his guest, standing up and offering him a chair. Balgruuf accepted and indicated for Maia to join them. She took the third chair, waiting expectantly. Once again, Kodlak had to wonder why the Jarl wanted to speak to the new Dragonborn – well, he could think of many reasons why, none of them exactly honourable, but that was politics for you. Maia didn't seem that bothered though, in fact she seemed quite cheerful compared to when the Jarl had first walked in. Whatever conversation had transpired, the outcome was something she could live with.

“So, assuming you're not here just to interrogate my Companions, to what do I owe the pleasure?” Kodlak asked. Balgruuf actually laughed at that.

“Hardly an interrogation, Kodlak. You can't blame me for being curious about the Dovahkiin. I just wanted to make sure she was all right and settling in and to make sure she knew I'd assist her if she needed it.”

For a price, perhaps. But Kodlak wasn't so mean-spirited as to say that to his Jarl's face, privileges of age and Harbingership notwithstanding. Besides, Maia actually seemed to be smiling, so presumably he'd at least come across as genuine. Definitely a mystery here, and they definitely knew each other, no doubt in Kodlak's mind now.

“I'm sure she'll call on you if she needs anything, but I assure you we Companions look after our own,” said Kodlak, feeling a little protective of his newest recruit. “Now, was there anything else?”

“Yes, actually,” said Balgruuf. “I wasn't going to come in person, but we do have a job that's ideally suited to one of you. We've been looking to recruit someone since the dragons came back, but no one was really willing to do it. However, I know you don't shirk from a job because it's unpleasant or dangerous.”

“As long as it's honourable,” Kodlak replied, curiosity piqued. “Since the dragons came back – is this to do with dragons then?”

Balgruuf nodded, and Maia perked up immediately. Why did Kodlak have a feeling she was about to volunteer for it?

“What is it?” he asked.

“My court mage is looking into why the dragons have come back,” Balgruuf replied. “He's not got terribly far, but a contact of his seems to think a nearby ruin might have something that could help. Apparently the ruin called Bleak Falls Barrow may contain something called the Dragonstone which may contain information crucial to his research and we need -”

“I'll go!” Maia cried. “I mean, it sounds really important and could be useful and -!”

“Maia,” Kodlak sighed. Oh good, she'd volunteered, no doubt exactly as Balgruuf had intended. This was why he hated politics and disliked most politicians as a rule. Most of the time, it didn't apply to Balgruuf, but sometimes, Kodlak could apply it even then. “Maia, just because you're Dragonborn doesn't mean you have to...”

“I want to,” said Maia stubbornly. “It sounds important and if it helps stop the dragons then it's my duty to help.”

The Wolf Queen Awakens 4.1

[(Anonymous)]

Pairings: gen so far
Warnings/kinks: au, gen, char:elisif, race:nord, minor character death this chapter
Summary: Elisif visits the Greybeards to learn more of her power, but while she fears the dragon within, it's the enemy without she needs to watch out for...

High Hrothgar wasn't much warmer inside than out but at least she was out of the wind. Quiet and dark it was, peaceful after the long trek up the mountain. She'd heard it was far removed from the cares of the world, and it seemed it. Up here, she could almost forget about Torygg and the war and Ulfric. Almost.

“Hello?” she called out. “Anyone here?”

Movement and then four of them emerged, four Nords in furred robes assembling in the hallway, three of them standing quietly in the background while the fourth made his way over.

“So, a Dragonborn comes at this turning of the age.” The Greybeard looked her over and Elisif couldn't tell if he approved or not. “I am Master Arngeir. I speak for the Greybeards. Tell me, why have you come here?”

A question with many different answers and it was hard to pick one, but Elisif did her best. “Because I think I'm Dragonborn,” she sighed. “And I need help.” Because I'm scared of the power, scared of myself, scared I'm turning into Ulfric...

Arngeir nodded, actually seeming sympathetic – pleased, at any rate. “Well, that is what we are here to do, guide and guard the Dragonborn on her way. If, that is, you really are Dragonborn. Come, let us taste of your voice. Do not fear harming us, we are all trained to withstand the power of the Thu'um.”

“What... you mean, Shouting?” Elisif asked, exchanging nervous looks with Ria and Jordis. Aedra, no, the Shouts seemed to make it worse somehow. Arngeir nodded, waiting expectantly, as were the other three. All waiting for her to prove she was Dragonborn. All waiting for her to Shout. In order to win the Greybeards' help, she'd have to do the very thing that made her more dragon-like. Not like she had a choice, did she? Steeling herself, she took a deep breath.

“FUS!”

Arngeir staggered back, the Greybeard behind him staggered back, vases and pots went flying and the room seemed to shake. Elisif felt the voice in her head howl in delight, a savage joy that her voice was so strong even the Greybeards had trouble withstanding it. All shall fall before me and I shall be Queen!

Elisif caught her breath as the delight faded. Dear gods, what was she turning into?? She'd never wanted this sort of power before. Now here she was craving it?

“Dragonborn,” said Arngeir, marvelling as he recovered his balance. “It is you. Welcome.”

“Thank you,” Elisif whispered. “I'm Dragonborn. Now what?”

Arngeir smiled, reaching out a hand and leading her forward. “Now, Dragonborn, it's time for you to learn.”

The Wolf Queen Awakens 5.1

[(Anonymous)]

Pairings/relationship: gen so far, Elisif-centric
Warnings/kinks: none this chapter
Summary: Elisif's back behind Imperial lines and safe for now with Aela at her side, but she's still got the guilt and recriminations to deal with, not to mention finding the Horn of Jurgen Windcaller. Not an easy task, especially not when mysterious strangers start interfering and Elisif's not even sure she can trust her own side...

A/N: Took a few slight liberties with the game here - as there's been about a month between Helgen and Elisif getting called as Dragonborn, there's been more time for Alduin to raise dragons, so he's got a bit further by this point. Also, what with Elisif being on the guest list of Elenwen's parties and quite well known to the Thalmor, Delphine is going to be changing her strategy somewhat...

The two of them kept moving – there was a heartstopping moment when Stormcloak soldiers tried to stop them on the road, and then one of them recognised Aela and believed her when she told them she was just on her way back from a job in the Rift with her little sister Maia, newly recruited into the Companions and having been given the good weapons to make up for a relative lack of experience. Elisif just smiled sweetly and said nothing, and after a bit of banter between Aela and the soldiers, they let them both past. Then came Helgen, or what was left of it – Aela's arrows dealt with a few bandits that tried to attack them while Elisif Shouted a few off the walls with Unrelenting Force and somehow managed not to be sick afterwards. It was frightening just how used to all this death and blood she was getting.

Finally they got to Riverwood and the comfort of the Sleeping Giant Inn. Elisif had never been here before but apparently Aela was something of a regular.

“Don't worry, this place is safe,” Aela reassured her. “I know Delphine, the innkeeper. She's a friend of mine. Used to me pitching up at odd hours in need of somewhere to rest. She's discreet. You can trust her.”

Sure enough, despite the late hour, Delphine, a blonde Breton who might be late forties, early fifties perhaps, didn't bat an eyelid to see the two of them pitch up, Aela requesting beds for the night, food and a certain loss of memory regarding their presence here.

“Ran into trouble, did you?” Delphine asked, producing two bottles of mead for them and pocketing the gold Aela passed her, rather more than was warranted for two beds and some food.

“You might say that,” said Aela grimly. “This is my little sister, Maia. She's decided to follow in my footsteps and join up at Jorrvaskr. We were out hunting in the Rift when we ran into the biggest camp of Stormcloaks I've ever seen.”

Delphine glanced around the empty inn, devoid of anyone other than Orgnar the bartender who was pointedly not looking in their direction. She slid onto the bench opposite them, looking intrigued.

“Stormcloaks giving Companions of Jorrvaskr trouble?” she asked, one eyebrow raised. “Now that does surprise me. Aren't you lot meant to be above politics, respected by all Nords?”

“They didn't realise we were Companions,” said Elisif softly. “They thought we were working for the Empire.”

“Why does that not surprise me,” said Delphine, shaking her head sadly, face shadowed in the inn's dim lighting, the central fire burning down to embers. She looked thoughtfully at Maia, seeming curious. “So you're Aela's sister. She never mentioned one before.”

“She's very protective of me,” said Elisif, hoping Delphine would believe that. Something about the innkeeper told Elisif that this woman noticed everything and was a very good judge of people. Not uncommon traits in someone who ran an inn, but there was more to Delphine than met the eye, Elisif could tell. She seemed smart for one. Not to mention agile. She carried a dagger at her side, as did a lot of tradesmen and women, but Elisif had a feeling it wasn't just for show – that Delphine really knew how to use it.

The Wolf Queen Awakens 6.1

[(Anonymous)]

Pairings: gen at present, Elisif-centric
Warnings/kinks: au, npc Dragonborn, lengthy epic saga
Summary: Elisif's flight into the wilderness leads to another adventure and a new friend... and once she's back in Solitude, she needs all the friends she can get.
A/N: A bit of a filler chapter but it does do a lot to set up the next part of the story arc.

Elisif hadn't stopped running, using Whirlwind Sprint and her own stamina before finally she exhausted both and had to stop. And promptly realised she was lost, with no idea where she was or what direction she was heading in. Only that there was no one around and it was dark and late and... Elisif shivered in the cold and decided to press on. As long as she kept moving.

She finally found a road and followed it and before long it led to a town. A fishing village by the sea, with a ruined tower overlooking the place. Dawnstar. She'd just walked right into a Stormcloak town.

Fortunately, it seemed word hadn't got out this far yet, because the guards barely spared her a second glance. Elisif glanced down at once-shiny but now bloodstained and battered armour, realising she now looked nothing like a queen and everything like the mercenary she'd claimed to be at first. Time to be Maia again and hope this worked.

The first inkling she got that something was up was one of the guards warning her about nightmares. The second hint were the terrified miners in the inn pleading with a priest of Mara to help them. Huh. Mara. Once Elisif's favourite of the Eight as she'd prayed for a handsome prince to sweep her off her feet as a girl, and then she'd grown up and it had happened.

Then Ulfric Stormcloak had killed him and while she'd made offerings to the Eight after he died, she wasn't sure she could ever really bring herself to believe in Mara again. So she ordered a drink and some food and listened.

“But it's the same dream every night! How can that be natural?”

“Patience, my daughter. Just have faith in Lady Mara and she will protect you all.”

Faith? Elisif had had faith once, but Torygg was still dead. Where had Lady Mara been then, hmm?

The miners seemed reassured and left, and the priest sat down at the table next to her. Elisif risked a look over at him. Now that the townsfolk had gone, his confidence seemed to have evaporated. In fact, he looked terrified and a little guilty. Elisif felt a little bit sorry for him and began to realise priests were human like anyone else (or mer in this man's case), they just had to sound confident in their gods to reassure everyone else. Just like a Queen or Jarl had to sound like they knew what they were doing too. Well, she could certainly empathise there.

“Excuse me,” she began. “I couldn't help but overhear you talking with those townsfolk. Is everything all right?”

The Wolf Queen Awakens 7.1

[(Anonymous)]

Pairings: Elisif/Torygg (past)
Relationships: het
Warnings/kinks: none this chapter
Summary: Haafingar has a necromancer problem, and its Jarl has had enough. However, Elisif may find that finally flexing her muscles may bring both benefits and a downside...

Erandur knelt before Mara's shrine in the Temple of Divines, hoping he passed for an ordinary worshipper. He'd spoken briefly to Rorlund who'd looked a bit confused at the name Maia before seeming to realise who he was talking about and reassuring him he'd go get her, and to make himself comfortable in the Temple in the mean time.

So here he was, praying quietly to Mara and hoping she'd come soon.

Footsteps on the Temple floor and then a cloaked figure kneeling beside him, the hood falling back to reveal red hair and a golden circlet.

“Hello!” Maia gasped, sounding a little out of breath but definitely pleased to see him. She'd had her armour repaired and cleaned up, but otherwise looked much as she'd done when he last saw her. “You made it! How was the journey?”

“A little rough but no bother,” Erandur replied, getting to his feet with a smile. “Maia, my friend, it's good to see you.” He held out his arms for a hug, which she gladly returned, happy smile on her face... and it was then that he noticed the steel plated Nord behind her, glaring at him and reaching for his sword.

“Maia, look out -,” he began and Maia turned around. To his surprise, she actually glared at the big Nord, tapping her feet.

“Bolgeir!” she snapped. “He is a friend, and a sworn priest of Mara! Stand down immediately!”

Bolgeir let his sword go and stood back, folding his arms but still glaring at Erandur, who was now a little puzzled. Clearly a bodyguard of some sort, so why call on him? Had to be something requiring a priest's assistance, but this city had the Temple itself and a Hall of the Dead. Why him in particular?

“Is he a friend of yours, Maia?” Erandur asked, wondering just what her situation was in this city. Rich, clearly, but he also had the sense she wasn't in charge of her own destiny. Was her father someone powerful, a controlling man who loved his daughter but also didn't like her risking herself? Maybe this was why she'd taken up mercenary work, to get some freedom.

“Bodyguard,” said Maia tersely. “Gods know why I need one in my own city with guards on every corner, but apparently it's dangerous for me to step outside alone. But there I go, talking about my problems. How are you, Erandur?”

“Very well, thank you,” Erandur replied, fairly bursting with questions by this point. “So, you needed my help.”

“Not here,” said Maia, lowering her voice as she glanced at the other visitors. “Come on, come with me. We need to talk.”

Erandur followed her out, that bodyguard of hers falling into step a few paces behind, not taking his eyes off Erandur. Something was very wrong here, in fact the entire city seemed on edge. Could be the war. Could be the trauma of having its High King murdered. Maybe even dragons. But Maia seemed like a different person here. Angrier and yet more vulnerable, if that made any sense. Back in Dawnstar, he'd worried for her physical safety but she'd seemed calm, even cheerful, most of the time. Even when he'd confessed about Vaermina and his history with the cult, she'd been angry briefly, even a little disappointed... but she'd sighed, forgiven him and told him as long as he wasn't still in league with Vaermina, it was fine. Everyone had their secrets after all. Something in the way she'd said it had made him wonder what her own might be... but he'd not felt confident enough to ask. Now he had a feeling they might be to do with this city.

The Wolf Queen Awakens 8.1

[(Anonymous)]

A/N: DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY! I hope you like this one, I had a lot of fun with it, I've been itching to post it for ages. We've got thieves, Thalmor, shenanigans, ironic turns of events and then something unexpected to round off with. Enjoy!

Summary: Thanks to Elisif already being known to the Thalmor, Delphine's had to hit up Skyrim's underworld for assistance. But while she gets what she came for, the price may be more than she's prepared to pay and not just in coin either. Meanwhile, Elisif's attending her first party since Torygg died and she's not coping well...

Riften. City of sin. Well. Not so much that, nothing so interesting. City of crime then. City of various monetary acts of wrongdoing, with that same down to earth grubby charm it had always had. A city that was welcoming to all as all it cared about was your coin. Technically Stormcloak and that at least meant no Thalmor. But in reality, it belonged to the Black-Briars and Thieves Guild and always had done, and that was precisely why Delphine was here.

“Make love like a sabre cat! Grow back that missing limb! Learn a new language in seconds, all thanks to my genuine Falmer blood elixir!”

And there he was. Her old friend Brynjolf at his market stall, selling his usual wares. A few passers-by stopped to have a look, but most of Riften's citizens knew Brynjolf all too well.

She stopped by the stall, glancing up at him from under her hood.

“Hello there lass, can I interest you in my genuine Falmer blood elixir? Only twenty septims-” He stopped, seeing first the hood of a fellow Guildmate, then under the hood, someone he'd likely not thought he'd see again.

Delphine wasn't proud of her Thieves Guild years. But she'd been on the run after the war, was running out of hiding places and in desperation had ended up hiding out in Riften's Ratway, paying the Guild to bring her food. Most had just brought the food, taken the coin and gone on their merry way without asking questions. Not so Brynjolf. He'd brought the food, taken the coin and started chatting. First asking questions but when she'd shut the door and ignored him, he'd stopped expecting an answer and started monologuing. Despite trying to block him out, he had a way of making the mundane sound interesting – and he'd been a useful source of information. One day he'd mentioned something about Thalmor agents in town and she'd opened the door to ask more without even thinking. He'd just stopped and grinned, knowing he had her and then proceeded to start asking a price.

The sexual favours he'd initially suggested had been met with a right hook to the jaw. He'd taken the hint and the following day, he'd revised his price. Not coin, no, but her joining the Guild, helping them out. So after a bit of thought, she'd said yes and there had followed six, nearly seven years of thieving all over Skyrim, her espionage skills being put to a use her trainers had never anticipated. During that time, she and Brynjolf had become friends, partners in crime – until she'd been spotted by a Thalmor agent while on a job, killed to protect her identity and been forced to leave the Guild. She'd taken in more than enough coin to buy the Sleeping Giant by that point though, and retiring to Riverwood had proved to be a good option. Ten years she'd been there now and the Thalmor hadn't found her yet. Talos willing, they never would.

The Wolf Queen Awakens 9.1

[(Anonymous)]

Summary: Elisif flees to the safety of Jorrvaskr, only to find Balgruuf's been busy and the city's not the haven she imagined. Meanwhile the Thalmor Embassy job went off without a hitch, but it occurs to Delphine just a little too late that the Thalmor have files on more than just dragons...

A/N: In which there is a little snogging (not involving Elisif), but not much else. Also the nice thing about not being bound by game mechanics is that you can change the order if you like. So I've done just that.

It was the early hours of the morning, but Delphine hadn't gone to bed. She'd only just got back from seeing Brynjolf off at the Solitude stables. A risk, going there in person, but she'd had little choice. So she'd handed him his party outfit, looked the other way as he got changed and told herself seeing Brynjolf all suited and booted and grinning at her and asking “well lass, will I do?” had definitely not had any sort of effect on her, nor was she worried about him. She just wanted this job to go well, and for her old friend Brynjolf to not get hurt, that was all.

A knock on her bedroom door and that could only be Orgnar. No one else would dare disturb her, other than Brynjolf, but she had a feeling he'd never have knocked.

“Who is it?” she called.

“Orgnar,” Orgnar called back. “Delphine, you've got a visitor. Some Nord called Brynjolf.”

Delphine practically leapt off the bed, wrenching the door open, barely nodding at Orgnar, who returned to the bar, hiding a knowing grin as Delphine just about stopped herself hugging Brynjolf.

“Well, you made it out alive at least,” Delphine said, hiding her relief at seeing him. He shot her a smile back but it wasn't his usual cheery grin. He'd found something all right but it wasn't good news.

“I did, just about,” Brynjolf said, glancing about the deserted inn. “Listen, is there somewhere we can talk...?”

Delphine let him into her room, closing the door before running to her wardrobe and unsealing the entrance to her secret room. Brynjolf followed her down, looking amazed at the supplies she'd stockpiled.

“You've got all this down here, lass? Colour me impressed, you've got a proper little headquarters!”

“It serves a purpose,” was all Delphine felt like saying in answer to that. “But never mind that, what have you got for me? If it's coin you want first, I've got your money in that chest over there along with the stuff you left with me.”

Brynjolf checked the chest and cleared its contents out, nodding in approval at the gold before reaching into his pocket for the Thalmor files he'd found.

“Well, I found their dragon files – turns out they don't know any more than we do.”

“They don't?” Delphine took the paper marked Dragon Investigation: Status and cursed at the lack of information. “Well that's not good. But they mentioned a lead, a prisoner. Did you get the chance to talk to them?”

“Yeah, turned out to be one of our guildmates, young Etienne. I wondered where he'd got to. Found the lad shackled up in one of the cells, don't think he's ever been so pleased to see me. He's safe and sound, on his way back to Riften now, and I managed to slit the throat of the worthless scum who informed on him while I was there.” Brynjolf looked rather pleased with himself at that.

“What did you find out?” Delphine asked, curious. Why would the Thalmor want to interrogate one of the Guild? They surely weren't likely to be worshipping Talos in the Ratway.

“Well, there were a couple of other files too,” said Brynjolf, throwing one onto the table. “One on Ulfric Stormcloak – seems he was a Thalmor asset at one point. I imagine that would fetch a pretty penny or two – you know, Delphine, it's a good thing I'm a man of honour. A lesser thief would already be blackmailing Ulfric or negotiating a price with Tullius for that. Or negotiating a price with you, for that matter.”

The Wolf Queen Awakens 10.1

[(Anonymous)]

A/N: This chapter. Oh my word, this chapter. The key character in this one wasn't even supposed to be in this fic, but he managed to worm his way in anyway. On the other hand, it was a lot of fun to write.

Summary: Elisif turns to her Blades for help, and receives a couple of new allies and a place to run to. However, it's the encounter none of them expected that might just prove the most useful of all.

Morning found Elisif saying goodbye to Kodlak, leaving a note for Balgruuf saying she had urgent business elsewhere and couldn't stay but that she was sorry for getting upset at him the previous day. Then Aela was sneaking her out of a secret tunnel under the Skyforge, whispering for her not to tell anyone any of this was here, and the two of them were fleeing south to Riverwood in the early pre-dawn light.

The sun was up by the time they reached the Sleeping Giant and while a few villagers were up and about, the place was still quiet. Delphine was nowhere in sight, but Orgnar pointed them at her bedroom.

“She said to send you both in if you turned up,” Orgnar told Elisif. “She only just got back in herself late last night, mind. Had to leave in a hurry on an urgent trip east. You're lucky you caught her.”

Elisif thanked him and pushed the door open. A very loud and ominous creaking sound echoed through the inn as she did.

“Oh yeah,” Orgnar grinned. “It does that. I keep offering to oil it for her, but she keeps saying no. I think she makes it do that on purpose.”

Sure enough, it had woken Delphine, who was sitting up in bed, rubbing her eyes and blinking in the sunlight.

“What – El – Maia?” she asked, recollecting herself in time and glaring at Elisif as her eyes focused on the young Jarl. “You are supposed to be in Solitude!”

This. This was why Elisif hadn't wanted to come.

“Well, something came up and I had to leave in a hurry,” Elisif hissed, closing the door behind her once Aela and she were both inside. “And a good thing I did, the Stormcloaks attacked Whiterun!”

“What??” That had Delphine's attention. Flinging herself out of bed and reaching for her leather armour, the Breton woman was now fully awake. “What happened? Is the city still standing?”

“Don't worry,” Aela grinned. “The city held. Balgruuf had the good sense to send to the Legion for help, we sent the Stormcloaks packing.”

Delphine sat back down on the bed, pulling on her boots and looking relieved. “Good. If Whiterun had fallen... I haven't always seen eye to eye with Balgruuf, and Ulfric and I go way back. But Ulfric's playing right into Thalmor hands with this war – well, that shouldn't surprise me. But never mind. You both look fine and Whiterun's still standing, so that's the main thing. I imagine you want to know how the job at the Embassy went, don't you?”

Among other things, yes. Elisif nodded and Delphine got up and went to her wardrobe, flinging it open and unlocking the door.

“Come on,” she said, motioning for them both to head down the tunnel. “We've got a lot to discuss.”

Elisif followed Delphine, looking around her in awe at the secret cellar filled with secret supplies.

“How much stuff have you got in here?” she whispered.

“Enough,” was all Delphine would say to that. “Now, I hope you don't mind, but I've got a couple of guests staying over. I believe you've already met one of them.”

Two men were lying on bedrolls on the floor, one old man in a filthy tunic that had once been white, and the other a familiar face in black leather armour this time.

“Hello there, lass,” 'Ragnar' grinned as he got to his feet, brushing the dust off his clothes. “Good to see you again. You're looking well. Recovered from your big night at the Embassy?”

“I'm still not interested,” Elisif growled, folding her arms and glaring at him. Maybe Delphine trusted him, that didn't mean Elisif was going to. He was clearly some sort of rogue – no one who'd spent their entire life on the right side of the law would have got in and out of the Thalmor Embassy as easily as he'd appeared to.

“Brynjolf,” Delphine sighed as she made her way over to the table. “Elisif's a young woman of refined tastes, she doesn't need you bothering her.”

The Wolf Queen Awakens 11.1

[(Anonymous)]

A/N: All right, I am a bit concerned as this post is up to 5000 comments and there's a comment cap on LJ posts of around 5000 comments. So, if this story cuts off suddenly and unexpectedly, that means I literally can post no more. For reference, I've got up to end of ch 13 written already, so if this looks abandoned before then, it's actually not. Fear not, this is on Fanfiction.net and Archive of our Own, go to either of those and search for this fic by title. That should get you the rest.

Summary: The Blades take Sky Haven Temple, despite the dragon and Forsworn getting in their way. However, the Forsworn aren't the disunited barbarians everyone thinks, and when one of their camps is wiped out, word can't fail to get back to their leader... and he is not a man to be crossed.

A/N 2: If you've read my other Forsworn fic, you will almost certainly recognise a few people. ;)

Another great victory for the Forsworn, it appeared. A dragon had attacked their camp (again), they'd killed it (again) and now the thing was lying dead, its corpse draped over the Karth Double Bridge... for now.

“Well, we killed it, Ma,” Kaie ap Mireen said, smiling despite the nervousness she always felt when her fearsome mother, Mireen ap Cordach, Matriarch of Karthspire, was less than pleased. “It won't be bothering us again.”

A lie and the entire camp knew it, but Kaie had to stay optimistic. If the rest of them saw her or Mireen lose it, they'd all panic, and then they might as well end their lives on the spot.

“It's still warm,” Mireen growled, claws skittering over dragon scale. “I think its soul may still be... daughter, we did cast soul trap on the beast before killing it, did we not?”

“Yes,” Kaie said, fingering the shattered remains of the black soul gem in her pocket. “Only... well, this happened.” She held the fragments out to her mother, wincing in anticipation of the inevitable fury and she could see half the warriors nearby withdrawing to a safe distance.

Mireen hissed, lashing out at the soul gem fragments and sending them flying, heedless of Kaie's muffled cry of pain as her claws raked Kaie's hand in the process. Kaie bit her lip, shielding her hand as she poured Restoration magic into it. She loved her mother, yes, would follow her as Matriarch until the day she died... but her mother was a cruel woman and not just to outsiders.

“Damn it!” Mireen hissed. “That means its soul is still intact, which means when that other one comes back, as it will, we shall have to do this all over again!” She flicked fingers out at the camp, bits of it still smoking from the last attack. “Ask yourselves how often we can keep rebuilding. Ask yourselves where we're meant to get food from if we have to hide in the Karthspire all the time. Ask...”

“Mother,” Kaie whispered, shooting glances at the others, all looking worried. “Mother, stop, they'll hear you!”

“Ssss, let them,” Mireen growled. “They will do nothing. Still they wait for someone to save them, still we all wait for the orders, for the Sacrament to do something, for our beloved King to actually lead us instead of cowering in that mine like the coward he is.”

“He's not cowering!” Kaie snapped, feeling someone ought to stand up for her father at this point. “He didn't ask to be imprisoned!”

Mireen's eyes darkened, as if she knew something Kaie didn't. “And yet he remains,” Mireen murmured. “Mining their silver and murdering their enemies – he can give orders from there and yet he's never requested the death of any of Thonar's people, don't you think that odd, daughter? Only the odd crony here or there.”

“I'm sure he's got a plan, Ma,” said Kaie softly as the two of them made their way back to the camp, leaving the warriors of the Forsworn to poke at the dead dragon in the early morning haze. “He knows we're not ready to strike yet.”

“Nor will we be if he does not organise us properly,” Mireen murmured. “We have a King, and yet no King worth the having. He is of no use to me, to us, in that prison!”

The Wolf Queen Awakens 11.1

[(Anonymous)]

A/N: Right, I am a little worried about the posting cap - as you may know, LJ's comment cap for a given post is around 5000, and er, we're at 5000. So I am going to post this, but fear I may only be able to post a little before it cuts off. For reference, I've got material at least up until chapter 13, so if it appears abandoned before that point, seek the fic out on FFnet or Archive of our own to read the rest.

Summary: The Blades take Sky Haven Temple, but have to get past a dragon and a Forsworn camp to do it. However, the Forsworn are not the barbarians they appear and word of a destroyed camp can't fail to get back to their leader... and he is not a man to be crossed.

A/N 2: Readers of my Forsworn fic are likely to recognise a few people. ;)

Another great victory for the Forsworn, it appeared. A dragon had attacked their camp (again), they'd killed it (again) and now the thing was lying dead, its corpse draped over the Karth Double Bridge... for now.

“Well, we killed it, Ma,” Kaie ap Mireen said, smiling despite the nervousness she always felt when her fearsome mother, Mireen ap Cordach, Matriarch of Karthspire, was less than pleased. “It won't be bothering us again.”

A lie and the entire camp knew it, but Kaie had to stay optimistic. If the rest of them saw her or Mireen lose it, they'd all panic, and then they might as well end their lives on the spot.

“It's still warm,” Mireen growled, claws skittering over dragon scale. “I think its soul may still be... daughter, we did cast soul trap on the beast before killing it, did we not?”

“Yes,” Kaie said, fingering the shattered remains of the black soul gem in her pocket. “Only... well, this happened.” She held the fragments out to her mother, wincing in anticipation of the inevitable fury and she could see half the warriors nearby withdrawing to a safe distance.

Mireen hissed, lashing out at the soul gem fragments and sending them flying, heedless of Kaie's muffled cry of pain as her claws raked Kaie's hand in the process. Kaie bit her lip, shielding her hand as she poured Restoration magic into it. She loved her mother, yes, would follow her as Matriarch until the day she died... but her mother was a cruel woman and not just to outsiders.

“Damn it!” Mireen hissed. “That means its soul is still intact, which means when that other one comes back, as it will, we shall have to do this all over again!” She flicked fingers out at the camp, bits of it still smoking from the last attack. “Ask yourselves how often we can keep rebuilding. Ask yourselves where we're meant to get food from if we have to hide in the Karthspire all the time. Ask...”

“Mother,” Kaie whispered, shooting glances at the others, all looking worried. “Mother, stop, they'll hear you!”

“Ssss, let them,” Mireen growled. “They will do nothing. Still they wait for someone to save them, still we all wait for the orders, for the Sacrament to do something, for our beloved King to actually lead us instead of cowering in that mine like the coward he is.”

“He's not cowering!” Kaie snapped, feeling someone ought to stand up for her father at this point. “He didn't ask to be imprisoned!”

Mireen's eyes darkened, as if she knew something Kaie didn't. “And yet he remains,” Mireen murmured. “Mining their silver and murdering their enemies – he can give orders from there and yet he's never requested the death of any of Thonar's people, don't you think that odd, daughter? Only the odd crony here or there.”

“I'm sure he's got a plan, Ma,” said Kaie softly as the two of them made their way back to the camp, leaving the warriors of the Forsworn to poke at the dead dragon in the early morning haze. “He knows we're not ready to strike yet.”

“Nor will we be if he does not organise us properly,” Mireen murmured. “We have a King, and yet no King worth the having. He is of no use to me, to us, in that prison!”

The Wolf Queen Awakens 12.1

[(Anonymous)]

Pairing(s): past Elisif/Torygg, growing Delphine/Brynjolf, Cicero/Eola
Kinks/warnings: murder, blood, cannibalism, Cicero and Eola being themselves
Summary: A simple day trip to Markarth turns into the stuff of nightmares as Elisif witnesses its corruption firsthand, the Dark Brotherhood are in the city and Cicero finds a friend who... understands him.

A/N: I am so sorry about this one. Basically, the entire second half of this chapter is probably going to squick half the readership. To sum up, Cicero ends up doing the Taste of Death, because he's a disturbed and depraved individual willing to do virtually anything an attractive woman tells him to. So, if this is likely to offend you, and frankly I quite understand, skip the second half, starting from when Cicero sneaks into the Hall of the Dead. All you need to know is Cicero does the Namira quest and being the good, obedient boy he is, gets the Ring of Namira and Eola as his new lady friend and Blades recruit.

Three days later, and Elisif was starting to go stir-crazy. Yes, there'd been the excitement on the first morning when the second dragon had attacked the courtyard, but the six of them had made short work of it. But that was two days ago now, and Elisif was bored.

Brynjolf had left for Riften on day two to see about running a few jobs, get some coin pulled together to fit the place out properly. Delphine and Aela had gone to see if the remains of Karthspire camp had anything worth having, but it appeared the Forsworn had returned in the night to clear the place up, because the entire place had been uprooted and cleared. Even the bodies had been claimed. Aela had sworn she'd seen a few in the undergrowth, but they'd fled at the sight of them.

“We've got them on the run, Delphine,” Aela had said, sounding rather proud of herself. Delphine hadn't been so sure.

“Those are just scouting parties, I think,” Delphine said, brooding. “They know we're here, they know what we did to that camp. They're a lot more unified than people think, I think they're just biding their time until they know more. We'll have to be careful.”

Elisif wished there was some way of negotiating with them. She didn't want to hurt them, she might even be able to agree to them having their land back, or at least having a Reachman Jarl. But Igmund's family had been in charge of the Reach for years. She had to be fair to him as well.

Well, all this was academic anyway. Not like she'd ever end up having to negotiate with whoever led the Forsworn. Did they even have a leader? Delphine seemed to think so, but who knew.

Aela had left on day three to go back to Jorrvaskr, see how Kodlak was doing and see how the city in general was managing. And if rumours of Dark Brotherhood activity could be gleaned too, Elisif was fine with that. Brynjolf had already promised to talk to his own sources in the Guild, but Elisif wasn't sure how far she could trust the thief. Sure, he was friendly and charming and seemed genuinely fond of her, but the fact remained he was still Thieves Guild and who knew how intertwined they really were with the Dark Brotherhood.

The Wolf Queen Awakens 13.1

[(Anonymous)]

A/N: Next chapter is up already due to several reasons: it's ready, I really enjoyed it and wanted to share it, and given that at least some of you will have skipped half of last chapter, here's something to compensate. Also you want to know what happened to our heroine, right?

Summary: Cicero returns from his night out with a new lover and new recruit in tow, one with Forsworn ties and a Daedra's power, so Delphine will be pleased, right? Wrong, as it becomes apparent the Dragonborn's in trouble, having wound up in the toughest prison in Skyrim surrounded by Nord-hating Forsworn, with only her wits and her courage to sustain her.

Warnings/Kinks: Angstiness, but other than that, nothing to worry about.

It was early when Cicero and Eola snuck into Sky Haven Temple, arms round each other and giggling as Cicero explained all about the place, enthusing about the running water in the bathrooms – boiler needed stoking first of course, but hot baths!

“You can stoke my boiler any day, cariad,” Eola murmured in his ear and that set Cicero off blushing and giggling again. At least up until Delphine's voice rang out across the main hall.

“Where the fuck have you been, Cicero?” Delphine shouted. Cicero went still, gulping nervously and with good cause, because Delphine was advancing, hair down and unbrushed, face pale and worried, clearly furious with Cicero.

“Er... look, Grand Master, Cicero found a new recruit!” Cicero cooed, hoping to distract her. Eola smiled too, but Delphine barely noticed her.

“Never mind new recruits!” Delphine snarled. “All the recruits in the world are no use to me if we've got no Dragonborn!”

Cicero's smile faded, a horrible sense of foreboding settling upon him. No Dragonborn... but surely Elisif had gone straight home as he'd told her. Had something happened to her on the road? Or... no. No, she wasn't that stupid. Surely even the idealistic young High Queen wouldn't have gone off meeting strange young Reachmen in isolated places.

“Oh, but Cicero told Elisif to come home right away while he dealt with the Dark Brotherhood assassin!” Cicero trilled. “Surely she arrived back long ago!”

Delphine advanced on him and grabbed him by the shirt. “She never came back last night,” she growled. “I waited up till midnight then fell asleep. Woke up an hour ago and her bed's not been slept in. I was hoping she was with you and you'd spent the night in Markarth.”

Cicero shook his head, torn between tears and shrieking rage and howling, hysterical laughter.

“Cicero sent her back... Cicero thought she was here. Cicero did not know... did not know she'd go after that Reachman!”

“What Reachman?” Delphine and Eola said in unison, then both turning to look at each other properly for the first time.

“Who is this?” Delphine asked, frowning. “You're... you're a Reachwoman, aren't you?”

“Am I ever,” Eola sighed. “Ex-Forsworn in fact. Don't worry, that was a long time ago. I don't have a problem with Talos-worship as long as I don't have to participate.”

“Ex-Forsworn,” said Delphine, looking thoughtful. “Hmm. Interesting. Could be useful. All right, I can use all the help I can get, especially right now. I take it Cicero told you everything.”

“He did that,” said Eola, rubbing Cicero's back, cuddling him now Delphine had let him go. Delphine didn't miss the gesture, raising an eyebrow as she watched him snuggle up next to Eola.

“So that explains where you were all night,” Delphine remarked, faint grin on her face. “Well, far be it from me to kick Cicero's girlfriend out. All right, Cicero, tell me about this Reachman. Who was he and what did he want with Elisif? Does he know who she is?”

So Cicero explained, telling Delphine everything, with much wailing about how he'd told her to walk away, leave it alone, no good could come of it, and Delphine listened, both resigned and appalled, while Eola listened in utter shock.

“And so she went to meet him as soon as you left her,” Delphine sighed. “Damn it, Cicero, you know she can't resist a sob-story! Although I suppose if there was a known Dark Sister in town, you'd have to deal with that first. So, this murder. You think the perpetrator was a Forsworn agent.”

The Wolf Queen Awakens 14.1

[(Anonymous)]

A/N: And here's where it all gets interesting as everything starts coming together. We've got Madanach point of view bits as the King in Rags starts plotting, Eola's past coming to light, and Cicero being Cicero.

Notes on the Reach-tongue:

Cariad - beloved

Keteen - compensation, blood money, weregild

Admor - Nord (i.e. someone from Atmora, the Nords' real home, and if they could go back there, the Forsworn would be very pleased about this)

Brenhina - Queen

Gwaneth - sister

Bach - little

Rhan-Brenyeen - Reach-Princess

Brenyeenma - my princess

Summary: The High Queen of Skyrim's fast asleep in Cidhna Mine and the King in Rags can't quite believe his luck. However, before he can start making plans, he first needs to make sure the rest of his family are on side. Meanwhile, Cicero and Eola are in Markarth figuring out a rescue plan of their own, and while Cicero goes to make sure there's a Dragonborn left to rescue, Eola's forced to face her past.

The message had gone out. Kaie was on her way. Leaving Madanach sitting alone in his room, busying himself with disposing of all his various top secret Forsworn documents. Easy enough when you had the power of fire and frost at your command.

Over in his bed, Jarl Elisif the Dragonborn stirred but did not wake. Good, he'd need to have a rather delicate conversation with his daughter and he didn't want Elisif waking up half way through. Hopefully the wine would keep her unconscious for a while.

Jarl Elisif. Here. In Cidhna Mine. A Nord Jarl, for Anu's sake. Not even on the opposing side in the war, it was one of her own supporters' Holds. Poor girl, to come all the way out here and end up embroiled in this. At least Madanach had made his own choices. It didn't sound like she'd had that option. Poor girl.

Never in his life had Madanach ever thought he'd be feeling sorry for a Nord Jarl. He'd never expected to offer hospitality to one either and here he was doing just that.

He'd definitely not expected to have a grief in common with her, and he'd certainly not expected to find himself liking her. That she was remarkably easy on the eye didn't hurt of course, but he'd also enjoyed her company. She'd made him smile, and that wasn't something that happened often. Which was why the resignation in her voice and the hope as she talked of going to Sovngarde to join her husband had stung like it had. It just seemed so wrong for a sweet young thing like her to end up lying dead in a pool of her own blood. The first Nord he'd actually enjoyed spending time with, and she was dead set on throwing her life away? Not on Madanach's watch.

Besides, if she was dead, she couldn't grant him that full and unconditional pardon, or make him Reach-King, or indeed skewer Thonar for him. And once all the treaties were signed, clearly it would be in everyone's interests for Skyrim and the Reach to be ruled by two people who got on. Who understood each other. Who could talk business and then relax afterwards with a nice glass of wine or Reach jenever and just enjoy each other's company over dinner. Obviously. Which meant Elisif couldn't die. Elisif would just have to keep on living. Not like Sovngarde was going anywhere after all.

Rattling of the gate in the tunnel, which meant Kaie was here. Retrieving his key, Madanach went to let her in.

“Da! I got your note!” she gasped as he unlocked the gate to the secret escape tunnel and let her in to the mine. “Is it really happening tonight?”

“Depends, what time is it out there?” Madanach asked, having long since lost track of that sort of thing.

“About two in the morning,” Kaie replied. “Are we going now? I brought all the gear, it's waiting by the door.”

“Not yet,” said Madanach softly, although the thought of freedom being so close was almost too much to bear. Patience, Madanach. He could hardly just abandon the High Queen, could he now? “Come on, come with me. There's something I need to show you. And keep your voice down.”

The Wolf Queen Awakens 15.1

[(Anonymous)]

A/N: JAILBREAK CHAPTER! As promised, there is a suitable amount of death and destruction, mixed in with a touching reunion or two, and some flirting. I had fun with it, let's put it that way.

Summary: Night falls and it's time for the jailbreak. But things don't go entirely to plan and freedom was never won without birthing pains.

Notes on the Reach-Tongue:

Ap Davrha - child of the dragon, or Dragonborn.

Gwadorai, inyeenai, Davrha-Brenhina - Brothers, daughters, Dragon-Queen.

“Elisif.”

Elisif smiled, feeling the sun's warmth on her face as she rested in bed, eyes still closed, just enjoying the moment before she had to get up.

Someone nudged her shoulder again.

“Five more minutes, Torygg,” she said sleepily. A pause and then he was shaking her shoulder.

“Elisif, wake up,” he said again, and his voice sounded off. Was he ill? She hoped he wasn't losing his voice. He sounded awfully gravelly.

“All right then, my love,” she whispered, turning over and opening her eyes, smile on her face as she reached out for her husband.

It wasn't daylight. She wasn't in their bed at the Blue Palace. Rough earth walls all round her, a magelight on the ceiling... and that wasn't her husband kneeling by the bed, it was the King in Rags whose cheek she was stroking.

Elisif recoiled like she'd been struck, feeling her cheeks blazing. He was looking at her rather strangely, although not angrily. Just... surprised.

“I'm so sorry,” she whispered, mortified as she shrank back into the furs. Bad enough she still dreamed of happier days, but to start dragging strangers into them?

“It's fine,” he said, voice sounding a little strangled and he didn't look entirely fine, there was something about the way he was staring at her, probably thinking she was completely insane.

“I thought you were my husband,” she whispered, feeling wretched and embarrassed and oh gods, she'd never live this down. At least she'd not actually kissed him. That would have been just the end.

Another pause, and then a low chuckle from him.

“Get me my kingdom back, and I'll consider it. But until that happens, I'm afraid you're going to have to remain disappointed.”

That got her attention.

“That is not what I meant!” she snapped, sitting up and glaring at the insufferable man. He was smirking back at her, and trust him to find it amusing. “You... you... I don't want to marry you!”

Now it was his turn to sit back, all righteous indignation.

“Well I'm very sorry, Brenhina, but while you may be used to Nord men hanging after your every utterance, pining for every scrap of attention, us Reachmen are harder to woo than that. It's marriage or nothing, Elisif, I'm not being your concubine.”

“I am not after a - !” Elisif shouted, about ready to hit him... and then she saw the mischievous shine in his eyes as he began to laugh. Elisif stared and then shook her head, wondering why on earth she'd not just crept up on him and killed him to start with. But even as she thought it, she knew the answer. Damn him for doing it, but somehow she'd grown to like him.

“You are impossible,” she told him sternly, trying not to smile herself or it'd just encourage him. “No, don't look pleased about it! You're supposed to be in trouble!”

“Get me my kingdom back and marry me, and you can tell me off all you like, and I will take it with a smile on my face,” Madanach promised, still grinning, and honestly, no wonder he'd ended up in prison. The man never knew when to stop. All the same, he was making her laugh for the first time since Torygg died, not to mention having cured her embarrassment over nearly kissing him.

“I'm not marrying you,” she told him firmly. “You're a wanted criminal, known insurrectionist and not only that, I think you might actually be insane.”

The Wolf Queen Awakens 16.1

[(Anonymous)]

A/N: A slightly slower chapter but I still like it. The calm before the storm that is next chapter. The Forsworn war songs are sung to the tune of 'What Shall We Do With the Drunken Sailor?' and 'Bread of Heaven'/Cwm Rhondda respectively.

Summary: Elisif's got her freedom back but not without having incurred obligations. There's also the little matter of introducing her new allies to Delphine...

The little group fled through the night, not stopping, not looking back, although once out of sight of Markarth, the guards were no longer chasing them. Something to be thankful for.

Eola ran by Elisif's side, saying very little but smiling, always smiling. Madanach's child, and there was something about her that definitely reminded Elisif of her father. Same pragmatism and cunning.

Erandur was behind them, but he was getting old by Dunmer standards and was falling behind. It hadn't taken long for Madanach to catch up, Kaie alongside him and Borkul behind them both.

“Dragon-Queen, I take it the Dunmer's with you?” Madanach growled, narrowing his eyes at Erandur.

“He's my friend,” said Elisif firmly. “And he's one of my Blades, aren't you, Erandur?”

“Anything I can do to help, I will,” Erandur replied, looking Madanach over curiously. “You're a little old to be in the Forsworn, aren't you?”

“I founded the Forsworn, elf,” Madanach growled, and Erandur backed off on hearing that, moving closer to Elisif and wondering just how on earth High Queen Elisif had ended up working with the leaders of the Forsworn.

He didn't have a lot of time to wonder, as the Karthspire double bridge loomed up and Elisif led them over it. Then round the Karthspire itself and... Braziers were lit, torches were burning, tents were pitched and a group of Forsworn were approaching with magic going and weapons raised.

Elisif stopped in her tracks. The camp had been gone, they'd driven the Forsworn off and then they'd come by in the night to claim the remnants. She'd not expected a new camp to form so quickly.

“Names and business, strangers,” one called out, clearly hoping for an excuse to slaughter them all. He was to be disappointed.

“Madanach ap Caradach,” Madanach called, pushing his way to the front. “Here to lead us all to glory!”

Gasps from the warriors, at least one of whom dropped his bow from shock.

“It can't be...”

“Is it really him?”

“Old gods, it is!”

“We're sorry, sir, we had no idea...” the lead Forsworn gasped, motioning for him to enter. “I mean, er, welcome back, my lord!”

“Ah, don't call me that, leave all the milords to the Nords!” Madanach laughed, patting the man on the shoulder. “Come on, let's see what you've managed to put together at short notice!”

“He really did found the Forsworn,” Erandur whispered, drawing closer to Elisif and watching in awe as half the camp swarmed, all wanting to get a look at the king who'd been in prison longer than some of them had been alive.

“That's my dad!” Eola whispered, wiping a tear from her eye as her father stopped to shake hands with practically everyone, slowly making his way to the entrance to the Karthspire. Elisif followed after, unsure what exactly happened next, but she had Eola taking her by the arm, Erandur and Cicero behind her and the Forsworn from Cidhna Mine surrounding them all, Kaie leading the way and calling for people to clear a path, the Reach-King's guests were not to be held up.

“Reach-King! Sir! Are you going to clear the intruders out of the ruins?”

“Are we going to shed some outsider blood tonight, sir?”

“We'll follow you anywhere, sir!”

Madanach had reached the top of the steps by this point and was motioning for quiet. Elisif found herself right at the front of the crowd, Cicero bouncing up and down behind her while Erandur and Eola flanked her.

The Wolf Queen Awakens 17.1

[(Anonymous)]

A/N: So here it is, due to popular demand - the Thieves Guild arc! No Elisif for the next few chapters, I'm afraid, as a) most of this takes place while she's off in Cidhna Mine negotiating for assistance with Madanach, and b) even once out of there, she's got a Dragonborn mission and no time to spend gallivanting round the Rift. But fear not, I'm sure you'll find Brynjolf's adventures to be more than satisfactory... if a little, um, traumatic in parts.

Warning for an awful lot of character death quite early on - you don't see it, just the aftermath, but, er... there's a lot of it.

Summary: Brynjolf returns home, in need of a line of funds to sort the Blades out with, and wondering how he's going to explain all this to Mercer... only to find out that's the least of his problems, as the Thalmor Embassy job has had unintended consequences.

Early morning as Brynjolf got into Riften. Not like he didn't like Sky Haven Temple, or the Reach, but it was a long way from anywhere. It was good to be back in civilisation again, with no Forsworn lurking, all the guards and indeed criminals nodding as he passed, Riften not the prettiest city in the world but still a sight for sore eyes in Brynjolf's mind.

At least until he reached the mausoleum and saw the blood trail. Leading out from the tomb that concealed their hide-out and trailing off into the grass.

What in the name of Zenithar... Brynjolf slammed the button to open the entrance as hard as he could, seeing the opening grate flung open – no, smashed to pieces, wood littering the small hideaway.

The Cistern had been compromised. Fucking Oblivion, the Cistern had been compromised – who, how?? Had Maven turned on them??

Brynjolf dropped into the Cistern, fighting back the urge to vomit as he realised it was worse than he'd feared. Cupboards ripped open, gear everywhere, Mercer's desk kicked over and worst of all, the water in the central pool a vivid shade of scarlet from the bodies everywhere. And there were bodies all right. Vipir lying near the ladder, cut down as he'd tried to run. Niruin slumped by the wall. Thrynn and Rune face down in the water. Cynric cut down in the hallway leading to the Flagon. No sign of Mercer anywhere, but plenty of signs of the bastards who'd done this. Thalmor, two justiciars in their blue robes and several footsoldiers in their gold armour.

“Fuck,” Brynjolf whispered, horrified and shaking all over as he realised what this was about. Revenge for the Embassy job, that's what it was. Someone had sold them out, but who? Not Elisif, she didn't know where the Cistern was. Surely not Delphine, she'd barely left his side since the job, even if she had wanted to sell out the Guild. Which she wouldn't, not to the Thalmor anyway. Didn't leave many people who'd known a Guild man had robbed the Embassy. Maven? She'd recognised him at the party, been furious with him but had stopped at just warning him that if there were reprisals, not to come running to her. Even Maven's influence had limits.

Noise from the training room and Brynjolf nocked his bow, sneaking down the corridor. If there were any more of them...

“Etienne, ssshhh, drink your potion. It'll be all right, I promise you.”

Sapphire, Sapphire was all right, and that made Brynjolf's heart leap. Ex-Dark Brotherhood, very talented cat burglar, one of Brynjolf's better protégées, Sapphire wasn't just a capable thief, she was a very skilled and ruthless fighter. Of course she'd made it.

“It won't be!” Etienne Rarnis sobbed. “I only just escaped from them, I thought I was safe! Now they came here?? Where've I got left to run to, Sapphire?”

Poor bastard. Captured by the Thalmor, rescued by Brynjolf, only to have the Thalmor raid the Cistern.

“I don't think they were after you,” Sapphire said, her voice hard and fierce and really the Thalmor were in for a truly terrible time when Sapphire found them.

“They weren't,” Brynjolf said, emerging into the room, putting his bow away and raising his hands. “They were after me.”

The Wolf Queen Awakens 18.1

[(Anonymous)]

Summary: The Nightingales avenge their Guild - but the aftermath leaves them all wondering where to go from here. Fortunately for them then that fate drops them right into the laps of someone needing assistance from thieves.

A/N: This one was interesting to write, I've never really written Blindsighted into a fic before, and doing so really brought home how Nocturnal's influence works for thieves. It's your skills that get you through Irkngthand and kill Mercer, but you're sealed in, nearly drown, and it's only luck the roof caves in and you're able to get out. Skills get the job done and luck saves your life. Never really thought about it that way before...

Irkngthand was as horrible as Sapphire had thought it might be, in fact it was worse. She'd always avoided Dwemer ruins on principle – why fight all those automatons and Falmer when there were easier pickings in Skyrim's towns and cities? But she had no choice in the matter this time.

So there they'd been, making their way through a ruined city, fighting off automatons and Falmer, avoiding traps and seething as Mercer fled ahead of them. He'd left a shadowmark and bottle of Black-Briar reserve for them near the entrance, and Karliah even spotted him below them in the lower chamber.

“We're not too late,” she'd gasped, relieved. Brynjolf had cracked his knuckles, growling.

“We've not caught him yet,” he'd muttered. “If he gets those Eyes ahead of us...”

“We can't let him get away,” Karliah had said, leading the way. “It's too important.”

So on they'd battled, Karliah obsessing over the Key, Brynjolf over the Eyes and Sapphire... Sapphire just wanted revenge. He'd let her entire Guild get murdered to cover his tracks. This one was personal – although the coin from the Eyes would be nice too.

After slogging through a particularly densely infested settlement of Falmer, they finally arrived at a door, behind which could be heard the sound of tools on metal.

“He's still here,” Karliah whispered.

“And so are the Eyes,” Sapphire said, nudging the door open and creeping in. That was right, concentrate on the coin, on the gemstones, thinking of the shiny gleam of a sapphire took her mind off all the blood in the Cistern after the Thalmor had finished with it.

Despite everyone moving silently, somehow Mercer heard them. Grinning from where he was dangling from the crown of the biggest statue Sapphire had ever seen, prising the left eye out of it, Mercer laughed at where the three of them were crouching.

“When will you learn, Karliah, you can't get the drop on me!” Mercer sneered.

“Mercer!” Karliah shouted. “Give us the Key, Mercer. It's over.”

“I don't think so, Karliah!” Mercer laughed. “Here, time for you and Brynjolf to get reacquainted.”

A blast of some strange magic, and Sapphire threw up her hand instinctively, some power coming from her and she'd have said it was Nocturnal's had she not done the same thing when the Thalmor came, throwing up some sort of aura that had absorbed their magic and left her virtually unharmed. That same aura was buzzing around her now and Mercer's stolen gifts breezed right past her... but Brynjolf wasn't so lucky. He drew Chillrend and turned on Karliah.

“Brynjolf, what-!” Karliah cried, drawing her dagger.

“I can't stop, lass, I'm sorry!” Brynjolf cried, doing his best to not swing Chillrend at her but not entirely succeeding. Sapphire tried to grab Brynjolf's arm but he was too strong and just shrugged her off. Sapphire had no choice but to leave them both. Maybe if she killed Mercer, his spell would die with him.

“So, little Sapphire, you're still alive,” Mercer growled, approaching with sword drawn. “Crawled to safety over the bodies of all those Thalmor like you did before, hmm?”

“I crawled nowhere, Mercer,” Sapphire snapped, Nightingale Blade standing ready to avenge its former owner. “I stood and fought and I won. And I'll do the same today.”

“Spoken like a true Nord. If only they let thieves into Sovngarde,” Mercer sneered, his own Dwemer blade at the ready.