Northbound Pilgrimage III

Chapter XXXVII - Time Together

Elisif never liked welcoming her friends surrounded by guards and soldiers.

But it was always the reality of it now. As the war progressed, so did the need for security everywhere. She still remembered when she greeted Idgrod the first time at the Palace. Torygg was by her side, eager to introduce the two of them. Somehow he knew they would like each other. He knew them both well, it appeared. And there were no guards to make anyone uncomfortable. They always made themselves scarce for these meetings.

Now it was quite different. There were two men standing by Elisif's throne as Idgrod approached with four of her own behind her back, watching everyone tentatively.

But there was still one thing that remained the same. Before the formal niceties, the two women shared a small smile between themselves – their own greeting that didn't need anything else. No pomp, no ceremony, just a smile of two friends seeing each other again.

"Your Majesty," Idgrod gave her a curtsy right after that. "It's a pleasure to be here again."

"It's a pleasure to have you, Jarl Ravencrone," Elisif promptly replied. "How fares your Hold?"

"Tense, Your Majesty," the older woman scowled. "The forces are attempting to retake Fort Snowhawk, but they have had no luck yet. And the fort is... uncomfortably close to Morthal."

"The reinforcements from Cyrodiil have arrived, Jarl Ravencrone," Elisif gave her friend a sympathetic nod. She knew the situation was dire. Fort Snowhawk was a great loss. She couldn't claim to be a military mastermind, but she needed to understand these tactics at least a little. And she understood all too well – Ulfric had taken the two most strategic positions he could. And now nobody would be able to tell where he was going to attack. Fort Sungard was at the border of the Reach and Falkreath Hold, leaving his men plenty of opportunity to target both these cities if he chose to. And Fort Snowhawk was not only a big threat to Morthal. It was a big threat to Solitude as well. The only good thing was that the fort was taken through an elaborate covert operation and not a military march. Something that couldn't be done with a city of Morthal's and definitely not Solitude's size. Ulfric had a clever tactic. But he could not march his men through Morthal and attack Solitude. But it was still a dire situation. Morthal needed to be protected at all costs, otherwise it would leave a clear path for the Stormcloaks to take the capital. And there weren't enough men to protect the cities and forts they needed to protect now, let alone to strengthen the forces in one Hold.

But there was no other choice. That's why Elisif and the General pleaded for more reinforcements. It was lucky that the High Chancellor approved their request. Now they could, with some luck, retake Fort Snowhawk and secure Hjaalmarch once more. She only hoped that Ulfric's people would not resort to worse tactics in the meantime. His actions already closed the trade route with Morthal – Idgrod had to travel through Whiterun to get here. And if they wanted, they could try to gain a foothold in other strategic spots and actually surround Morthal, cutting it off from all supplies and necessities. Morthal did not produce much on its own. The swamps were not exactly fertile ground.

"They will march in a week and attempt to take back the fort by force," Elisif reassured her friend, but she knew that until this actually happened, there would be no peace of mind for her. For either of them.

"I appreciate your assistance, Your Majesty," Idgrod nodded. "And send my thanks to the General as well, please." She didn't sound too sincere. Elisif knew she was thankful for the reinforcements, but there was clearly something else on her mind, plaguing her endlessly regarding these issues.

"It is our duty to protect our Holds," Elisif answered with the monotone mandatory reassurance she was so used to. But she soon changed her tune to a warmer one. "Would you join me for dinner, Jarl Ravencrone?"