Chapter 457: PTS-Duck the Elves
A day later, the Jarls returned to continue their discussion, unfortunately, the arguments also began anew, annoying everyone involved, despite the fact that most were contributing to it to some extent.
No one could agree on what exactly should be done... Some suggested just allowing each individual Jarl to field their own military. The way it was now basically had the town guard as the only force the Jarls could use, making them rely on Solitude and the Empire.
Of course, this didn't really matter to Ulfric and the other rebels, as they needed to field their own armies in order to wage war, so it was given. Torygg was actually for this, despite the many words spouted by their resident Thalmor Ambassador to the contrary.
Unfortunately, it was already too late to employ this measure to assist loyalist Jarls lands since most of their able-bodied men had already been drafted.
The only real adversary to this was Jarl Igrod, since she wished for the safety of her hold to be in High King Torygg and the Empire's hands, taking no personal responsibility for the matter.
In the end though, it was enacted, allowing every Jarl to create their own military force separate from the town guard.
Many hours later with many other ideas enacted or rejected, the discussion was put on hold for the next and last day.
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Ulfric shuffles out of the hall with an exasperated and tired expression, Galmar quickly making his way to his Jarl's side.
"How did it go, Ulfric?" the large Nord asks, leaving the potential duel left unsaid.
"As you'd expect." Ulfric huffs, "Things proceed normally while the elf bitch squawks from the sidelines. Torygg sits there like a silent priest, waiting for solutions to be handed to him, and the loyalists seem to think that I'm evil incarnate... Well, Igrod does, Igmund and Balgruuf seem to be apathetic to the Empire right now..."
"And the new Jarl, Brynjolf?" Galmar questions as the duo exit the Blue Palace and into the streets of Solitude.
Ulfric lets a smile show, "The leader of the Thieves Guild is the same as always, searching for cost-effective means, and schemes that'd grant him leverage." he pauses, "He did seem strangely insistent on Michael Tahlin's innocence... Do we know if they have any relation?"
Galmar shakes his head, "Not that I know of, Michael was apparently in Riften a while ago though...? It's possible, likely even."
They continue quietly discussing things until they find themselves in Solitude's marketplace, both ignoring the glares they received from the citizens who recognised them for who they were. By now everyone in the city knew they were here, so almost everyone was talking about it, along with what they thought of it.
"Thinking about something, Ulfric?" Galmar asks after noticing his friend's forlorn look.
"No... Just wondering if what we're doing is the right thing. Whether it'll be for the good of Skyrim in the end."
Galmar drops a hand on Ulfric's shoulder, "I know it is, you know it is, stop-" he starts but is interrupted as three figures approach...
Elenwen and two robed Thalmor mages.
She steps forward with a 'friendly' smile, "Oh, bonding here in public? Who would have thought the traitor liked to frost someone else's sweet role?"
"Fuck off, bitch." Ulfric growls as he stops Galmar from attacking her.
"So impolite. I thought you would have recognised an old acquaintance, we used to get on so well..." she drawls, confusing Ulfric.
"What do you mean? Did I run your father through in the Great War? Did I slaughter your kin?... Good."
Elenwen shakes her head, "No... I'm surprised, it was unforgettable. You listening so attentively you were unable to move, me poking and prodding you..."
Ulfric growls, "Get to the point, I don't have time to listen to you squeak."
Elenwen grins, "Don't you remember? 'South of the Imperial City, weakness in the infrastructure.'"
Ulfric's eyes widen as the realisation hits him, phantom pains returning in full force, almost causing him to stumble to his knees were it not for Galmar's sudden support.
He remembered those words well, words he forced himself to remember despite the agonizing torture he'd been put through at the hands of the elves during the Great War. He heard conversations including the phrase many, many times, and only after the war had he realised that it was only a plot. A plot to brainwash him into tricking the Imperial forces to reinforce the wrong defences... It didn't matter in the end, since the Imperial City had already been taken by the time he returned so he'd not spoken the phrase to anyone... Meaning, it was her.
Elenwen had been one of the elves that'd tortured him, scared him even to this day.
Elenwen, who had plotted to have him inadvertently betray the Empire.
Elenwen, who'd murdered his men in front of him because he refused to say anything.
Rage like no other hit him, forcing him to stand straight as he glares hatefully at the elf, his throat itching to shout her to Oblivion.
"Ulfric!" Galmar exclaims before turning to Elenwen, "What did you do, elf-bitch!?"
Elenwen shrugs, "Nothing, I did nothing as you and everyone else saw." she says, gesturing to the citizens gathered around to observe the happenings.
"You... I had no idea I could hate you even more than I did... But you've managed it, my feelings towards the evil Daedric Lords look cold in the face for what I feel towards you." he says, barely loud enough for the elf to hear.
Ulfric pauses, mentally slaughtering Elenwen as many times as possible in his mind, before eventually recovering his senses.
What was her goal here?
He glances around at the observers and the answer hit him.
She was goading him into attacking her... To force him out of Solitude before discussions could end?
Or...
To stop him from achieving something...
Did she know?
"Enough. Galmar, let's return, we have much to discuss." he says through gritted teeth, resisting the urge to tear the elf to pieces.
Elenwen momentarily looks surprised at his reaction, but forces her expression into a neutral one. Leaving as soon as Ulfric does.
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