Author’s note: This is my first fill, so please let me know if I’ve messed up anything! I’d prefer not to repeatedly screw up protocol, posting, tags, etc. I’ve taken a few liberties with the timeline and circumstances, so those who want lore purity may not like this. Please don’t hurt me! But for the most part, I’ve tried to remain faithful to the spirit of things. Special thanks to the Passerby!Anon who kindly provided the context for this prompt!
Warning: Spoilers ahoy!
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“You were not invited here. You are not welcome here.”
Perhaps it was his imagination, but Einarth was fairly certain he saw the Dragonborn flinch before dropping her gaze to the floor. The statement was not meant for her, but Arngeir’s disapproval of her association with the Blades was palpable.
“We have as much right to be at this council as all of you.” The woman ploughed on, “More, actually, since we were the ones that put the Dragonborn on this path.”
There was no mistaking the expression on the girl’s face this time. Her shame was plainly visible to anyone who saw her…
“Were you? The hubris of the Blades truly knows no bounds.”
Well, he quietly amended, it was obvious to everyone but Arngeir. The look he leveled at the girl while he addressed the female Blade was completely unnecessary. Einarth knew the girl well enough to realize that she had already been punishing herself for this summit. It was entirely possible she had been doing so before she had even mustered the courage to request the assistance of the Greybeards. At this moment however, the girl kept her silence, even as the older woman continued to press the issue...
“If it were up to you, the Dragonborn would sit dreaming on this mountain doing nothing!”
It was then that her companion cut in, “Delphine, we're not here to rehearse old grudges.” He then turned to address Arngeir: “The matter at hand is urgent. Alduin must be stopped. You wouldn't have called this council if you didn't agree. We know a great deal about the situation and the threat that Alduin poses to us all. You need us here if you want this council to succeed.”
At last, a voice of reason. Einarth surmised that it might have been this man, and not Delphine, whose council the Dragonborn child had heeded. He may not have appreciated the source, but he did not need to in order to recognize the pragmatism driving the man’s words. The man may be a Blade, but he had demonstrated good sense and an understanding of what was at stake. A bit dramatic perhaps, but it might prove advantageous to have a well spoken participant whose position was relatively neutral in the proceedings. Be that as it may, Einarth knew that it was not his place to speak for the Greybeards. The girl would have to speak up, and soon, if she wanted the Blades present at this event.
She did not get the opportunity, for Arngeir heaved a sigh and granted them entrance, and the Blades moved past the old masters into the room that would host the peace council. The child made no move to follow them, but stood before her teacher, struggling to find the appropriate words to speak. This time too, Arngeir did not give her the chance. “So, you've done it. The men of violence are gathered here, in these halls whose very stones are dedicated to peace.”
A Hero for Skyrim 1/?
Summary: Einarth reflects on the disciple Arngeir wanted and the one he got.
Tags: char:arngeir, char:delphine, char:einarth, char:elenwen, char:elisif, char:esbern, char:F!NPC, char:F!PC, char:galmar_stone-fist, char:general_tullius, char:jarl_balgruff, char:legate_rikke, char:M!NPC, char:ulfric_stormcloak, kink:angst, kink:family, kink:rivalry, es:skyrim, race:altmer, race:breton, race:imperial, race:Nord
Author’s note:
This is my first fill, so please let me know if I’ve messed up anything! I’d prefer not to repeatedly screw up protocol, posting, tags, etc. I’ve taken a few liberties with the timeline and circumstances, so those who want lore purity may not like this. Please don’t hurt me! But for the most part, I’ve tried to remain faithful to the spirit of things. Special thanks to the Passerby!Anon who kindly provided the context for this prompt!
Warning: Spoilers ahoy!
-----------
“You were not invited here. You are not welcome here.”
Perhaps it was his imagination, but Einarth was fairly certain he saw the Dragonborn flinch before dropping her gaze to the floor. The statement was not meant for her, but Arngeir’s disapproval of her association with the Blades was palpable.
“We have as much right to be at this council as all of you.” The woman ploughed on, “More, actually, since we were the ones that put the Dragonborn on this path.”
There was no mistaking the expression on the girl’s face this time. Her shame was plainly visible to anyone who saw her…
“Were you? The hubris of the Blades truly knows no bounds.”
Well, he quietly amended, it was obvious to everyone but Arngeir. The look he leveled at the girl while he addressed the female Blade was completely unnecessary. Einarth knew the girl well enough to realize that she had already been punishing herself for this summit. It was entirely possible she had been doing so before she had even mustered the courage to request the assistance of the Greybeards. At this moment however, the girl kept her silence, even as the older woman continued to press the issue...
“If it were up to you, the Dragonborn would sit dreaming on this mountain doing nothing!”
It was then that her companion cut in, “Delphine, we're not here to rehearse old grudges.” He then turned to address Arngeir: “The matter at hand is urgent. Alduin must be stopped. You wouldn't have called this council if you didn't agree. We know a great deal about the situation and the threat that Alduin poses to us all. You need us here if you want this council to succeed.”
At last, a voice of reason. Einarth surmised that it might have been this man, and not Delphine, whose council the Dragonborn child had heeded. He may not have appreciated the source, but he did not need to in order to recognize the pragmatism driving the man’s words. The man may be a Blade, but he had demonstrated good sense and an understanding of what was at stake. A bit dramatic perhaps, but it might prove advantageous to have a well spoken participant whose position was relatively neutral in the proceedings. Be that as it may, Einarth knew that it was not his place to speak for the Greybeards. The girl would have to speak up, and soon, if she wanted the Blades present at this event.
She did not get the opportunity, for Arngeir heaved a sigh and granted them entrance, and the Blades moved past the old masters into the room that would host the peace council. The child made no move to follow them, but stood before her teacher, struggling to find the appropriate words to speak. This time too, Arngeir did not give her the chance. “So, you've done it. The men of violence are gathered here, in these halls whose very stones are dedicated to peace.”