Just a Skyrim fanfic: Extended cut

The ebony blade (Side)

Maximus: Leonidas! There you are! I need your detective skills to help me solve a mystery

Leonidas: Murder? Thievery? Break-in?

Maximus: I would not waste your time with such trivial offences. It's Jarl Balgruuf's children

Leonidas: What's wrong with the children?

Maximus: One's turning wicked. And the others have an ill favored look to him. I suspect that it may be magic related, but I have very little magic experience

Leonidas: Magic? Wouldn't Farengar be more of help?

Maximus: Farengar's away studying dragons. You're the only other mage powerful enough to help me

Leonidas: Ok. I'll see what I can do. But come with me. I may need your help

(Leonidas and Maximus head up to dragonsreach and walk into the throne room)

Maximus: Here he is, sire

Leonidas: I hear you've been having trouble with your children

Balgruuf: Yes. It's my youngest son, Nelkir. He's a dark child. I don't know what to do with him. He was always a quiet lad, but lately... something has changed. He's become brooding. Violent. He won't say a word to me, but I don't know how I upset him. Please speak to him. Draw out the truth. I would be immensely grateful

Leonidas: It sounds like it may be magic related, so it may not even be your son in control of his body. I'll go and investigate immediately

(Leonidas walks upstairs while Maximus and Irileth watch the door with the guards)

Nelkir: Another wanderer here to lick my father's boots. Great job...

Leonidas: Nelkir. Your father said to speak with you

Nelkir: So that disgusting pig sent you to bother me now? One day I'll tear his face off so he can leave me alone. My father doesn't know anything about me. But I know about him. And about the war with the Thalmor. More than he might think

Leonidas: Impressive. What things have you figured out?

Nelkir: I know that he still worships Talos. And that he hates the Thalmor almost as much as the stormcloaks do. He worries about them destroying Whiterun. And I... I don't have the same mother as my brother and sister

Leonidas: How did you figure all of that out?

Nelkir: This castle is old. Lots of places that nobody's been in a long while. Places that you can overhear things. And see things. And the whispering lady

(Leonidas's eyes widen under his mask)

Leonidas: Who's the whispering lady?

Nelkir: I asked, but she won't tell me her name. I've gotten pretty good at listening to the keyholes in this castle. At the door in the basement, I can hear her talking to me. I thought I was caught, but she started telling me more and more secrets. But the only thing is, I can't open the door

Leonidas: I'm going to let you in on a little secret. I have a magic key that can open any door. It's called the skeleton key. Where is the door? I might be able to open it

Nelkir: It's in the basement. Trust me, you can't miss it. I bet she'll talk to you too

Leonidas: Thank you, Nelkir. You have been most useful

(Leonidas walks down to the basement of dragonsreach, leaving everyone a little bit confused)

(He listens through the keyhole of a wooden door and he hears a voice)