Just a Skyrim fanfic: Extended cut

Return of the Thalmor

(Leonidas, Maximus, Serana, and Miraak finally arrive back in Skyrim from their journey in Solstheim to be met by a surprise)

Courier: Where in oblivion have you been? I've been looking all over for you! I've got something I'm supposed to deliver. Your hands only. It's a letter. I have no idea who it was sent by though. I have a very tight schedule, so I have to go

(Leonidas reads the letter)

Miraak: What does it say?

Leonidas: It says... "Leonidas and Maximus. You do not know me, but I know both of you. You must meet me in the castle dour in Solitude. It is of utmost importance that you arrive as soon as possible. Please, do not tell anyone what you are doing and come alone. MV"

Serana: It has to be a trap

Maximus: MV... Where do I know that from? It sounds awfully familiar...

Leonidas: I say we go for it

Miraak: You can't be serious

Leonidas: Just stay nearby. We'll signal you if things go sideways

Serana: I'll trust your judgement

(Leonidas and Maximus head to the castle dour. Miraak and Serana are nearby to provide backup)

Malpen: Ah, good. You arrived. Did you tell anyone where you were going or what you were doing?

Leonidas: No. I haven't

Maximus: Me either. What's going on, knight?

Malpen: I suppose we can lose the secrecy. I am Malpen Velvus of the knights of Skyrim. A veteran of the imperial legion. I'm one of the knights in charge of leading the defense of Skyrim against the aldmeri dominion

Leonidas: I thought we were kicking their behinds in the war

Malpen: It turns out Achilles was taking advantage of you two leaving Skyrim to start launching Thalmor operations. He was gathering strength until that opportunity presented itself. Speaking of which, what word from the east empire company?

Maximus: Thanks to Hemraus Mora, pirates, monsters, and a number of other factors, the east empire company's efforts are stretched thin in Solstheim. They'll only be able to give us things like food, metals, supplies, and a small number of soldiers

Malpen: Well, something is better than nothing. Well done. But here's the bad news. The Thalmor launched a surprise invasion on Cyrodiil

Leonidas/Maximus: WHAT?

Maximus: How can they just invade?

Malpen: I know. It surprised me too. Those Thalmor are slippery bastards. We could be next for all we know

Leonidas: Well, I guess me killing their ambassador to Skyrim and a large number of their forces was a pretty sucky political move

Maximus: Something the Thalmor sparked after they tried to kill and deceive us all

Leonidas: Point taken

Malpen: All they had to do was bribe and blackmail the right people. No one knew they were coming until they were marching on Cyrodiil's border

Maximus: How far have they gotten?

Malpen: They've already taken southern Cyrodiil. Half of the emperor's elder council is dead. Cyrodiil wasn't expecting the Thalmor attack, and it's struggling to defend itself. WE, however, are more lucky in the fact that we have the time to prepare. Because you can bet there's a force coming for us too. Plus, we have a dragonborn helping us