Survivor (A Skyrim Fan-Fiction)

Chapter Fourteen

Solitude had now been my home for nigh on a week now, but I was still barely adapted to the ways of court life. Tomorrow would be the ceremony to officially crown Ulfric the High-King, the day he had been waiting for decades.

The evening was hazy but it had been one of the hottest days of summer this year, yet summer in Skyrim felt like Cyrodiil's winters.

Inside the Blue Palace Ulfric was sat lazily on the throne, feeling the exhausting and lengthy day of ruling an entire Kingdom; rather than just one hold. Jorleif was still Ulfric's advisor, but he now also did most of the admin that involved ruling. He stood before the throne going over the current affairs and the petitions Ulfric has agreed to hear.

"Firstly the Bard's College has informed us that their compositions for tomorrow and the royal wedding have been completed, the latter going into rehearsals soon. Next, repairs to the city need to go ahead as soon as possible but we're lacking the materials, builders, and most importantly coin."

He sighed heavily, scanning through the parchment in his hand.

"Then...hm, let's see. Influential leaders from around Tamriel are to arrive in the next couple of days for the wedding: notable members of the Great Houses of Morrowind, a handful of Counts and Countess' from Cyrodiil, the Lord and Lad-"

"Yes, okay Jorleif. What else?" Ulfric cried in disinterest.

Hesitantly, the steward lowered the list with a disturbed look in his eye.

"There is  one more thing, my King... a matter arousing suspicion among the common folk, well, of those who care."

The High-King leaned forward attentively, eyes narrowing with burning curiosity.

"Go on," he drawled.

"Maven Black-Briar and her entourage have not yet returned to Riften. When the journey would only take a day at most, there have been no reports or sightings of her for almost three weeks. I have sent a patrol eight times along the main road and wilderness in search of any signs of kidnapping or bodies, but unfortunately to no avail."

"Well where do you think she's gone?"

"No one knows. Twenty people completely vanished, with no explanation."

I was standing at the very corner of the courtroom, silently listening to the news. This...conundrum, was certainly interesting and worth investigating. Not out of love for Maven - no, no, no. Merely because it was rather peculiar.

"Were there no tracks from their horses? No camp fires? No other travelers?" I questioned.

Jorleif shook his head. "Nothing, my lady."

Ulfric stared at the floor deep in thought, searching for a possible solution to this impossible problem. When he sat upright again, it was clear he had no answer.

"With all that is brought to the table, I'm afraid there's nothing else we can do. I will write a letter to the Jarl of Riften informing her of Maven's disappearance, and most likely death."

"Yes, of course. That is all, my King."

"I'll have a look," I offered suddenly.

Ulfric sighed tiredly and furrowed his brows. "Aemilia... I don't think it's the place of the future High-Queen to go out searching for a lost cause. Besides, you and Maven hardly saw eye-to-eye."

"I know," I said frustrated, slapping my hand to my forehead, "but people just don't disappear. There's got to be a source, and if it's enough to abduct Maven and her company, than it's enough to attack a bigger host. I want to get to the bottom of this before it becomes too dangerous and starts threatening others."

"Aemilia-"

"No! I'm doing this Ulfric. It's my duty. I leave for Windhelm the morrow after next."

And with that, I promptly left the court and went into mine and Ulfric's room to find solace in the silence, perhaps find a new book to read to fill the time.

Our room was only down the hall and was the largest bedroom throughout the Blue Palace. It had the usual paned rectangular windows which were around the palace as well as the decorated blue marble pillars and the mosaic flooring, but there was a lot more space and light than any of the other rooms.

Ulfric had made it known that he wanted a huge domed library to be built in the place of the long abandoned Pelagius Wing, just because he knew how much I loved books. He claimed that it was part of his "Renewing Project", which involved rebuilding from the aftermath of the war, increasing our annual harvest levels, strengthening our naval defenses by building three new man-of-war ships, and there was talk of bringing in a writing and reading system for children.

All of this, and Ulfric wasn't even officially crowned yet.

The room was still furnished with Elisif's chairs, dressers and whatnot, but mine and Ulfric's small amount of belongings were piled in the corner intending to be put away when the new furniture arrives.

The Jarl of Solitude, which still remains Elisif the Fair, has travelled to Cyrodiil to stay with Emperor Titus Mede II on "urgent business". I think it's because she can barely stand being near Ulfric for ten minutes, let alone all day every day. I'm highly doubt he's offended.

Outside, darkness had descended quickly, and the air had grown chilly even inside, sending goose bumps up my arm. Instead of reading, I thought it would be a better idea to get to bed early for the coronation tomorrow. No doubt it will be history in the making, so I best look the part of the Dovahkiin and future Queen.

~The Next Morning~

The benches lined in the Temple of the Divines was packed with nobles, commoners, foreigners and Talos knows who else, and even more were filling out into the aisle and out of the doors.

I was standing in the front row along with Galmar, Jorleif and Yrsarald Thrice-Pierced, along with a handful of Jarls who had decided to show their loyalty by making an appearance.

Ulfric stood ceremoniously at the head of the temple before Lortheim, the new High-Priest of the Nine Divines. Talos had been restored and the White-Gold Concordat demolished under Ulfric's new reign, which no doubt will cause unease with the Thalmor and Empire.

The High-Priest had already been through the tedious vows of bidding Ulfric to ultimately serve the Gods, and to lead the people he swears to protect to peace and safety, in the hopes that once the day comes when their days are up, they will find eternal happiness in Sovngarde.

A long, flowing blue cloak hung heavily from his shoulders with the golden bear of Windhelm largely sewn on, and he was holding an ornate, richly jeweled orb and scepter in each hand.

"Under the holy gaze of the Nine Divines, I give Ulfric Stormcloak, the Jarl of Windhelm, the highest responsibility of guiding our land to prosperity, virtue, and greatness. With this crown, and with the Divines and people of Tamriel as my witness, I now name this man as High-King of Skyrim. Long live Ulfric! Long live the King!"

"Long live the King!" the crowd cheered.

An eruption of applause echoed around the temple as the people rejoiced to a new beginning, and to a new High-King. Ulfric turned solemnly toward the crowd with a dignified yet pleased look on his face, with the crown perched perfectly atop his head. The cheers faded down to silence, all eager to hear what Ulfric was to say.

"Brothers. Sisters," he began. "Today marks the start of a changing time for Skyrim...History in the making, I tell you. Together, we will make our land glorious once again, a land which will make us and our forefathers proud."

He set the orb and scepter down on a red velvet cushion on an altar, completely wrapped up in the moment of his speech.

"I will not lie to you and I will not sweeten the truth. Restoring Talos in his rightful place as one of the Divines will no doubt welcome a war with the Thalmor, and the abandonment of the White-Gold Concordat only seals the deal. More will surely run to their side if war is to come, but who said none shall aid us if it should come to that? There is no need to bring up such matters at the time and ruin the day, but I promise each and every one of you - greatness is on the horizon."