Chapter 27

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The next day saw Elisif leaving early – although not so early the townsfolk didn't see her leave. She'd already said an emotional goodbye to Falk, and it appeared someone in her court had gossiped, because as one, the citizens of Solitude stopped what they were doing and stood up to watch as she passed.

"Elisif!"

"Jarl Elisif!"

"High Queen!"

"Dragonborn!"

"You tell 'em, High Queen! You put those dragons down once and for all!"

Small crowd of people – bards, guards, beggars, market traders, a few Legion types – all staring at her, all smiling, all proud. All there to see their Dragonborn Jarl off.

"Thank you!" Elisif cried, raising her voice to be heard as they all stood around expectantly, waiting for something.

"I think they want a speech," Argis murmured.

"A speech??" Elisif hissed back. "I didn't write anything!"

"Well, just make something up then, Da does it all the time!"

"Your father makes a lot of speeches, does he?" Elisif muttered, fairly certain the Forsworn weren't big on public speaking.

"When he has to," Argis shrugged. "Go on, say something."

Elisif shook herself down and stepped forward to speak. What could she say, really? But these were her last words to the people of Solitude – her people, no matter what happened in the war – and she had to at least say goodbye.

"My fellow citizens, people of Solitude!" Elisif cried, suddenly very aware of how quiet everyone was. "I know I've not been here much these past few weeks. I wish it could have been otherwise but events forced my hand." A bit of an untruth that, secretly she'd rather enjoyed the responsibility off her shoulders for a bit. There were cheers anyway, and a few cries of 'down with the Dark Brotherhood!' Elisif smiled and carried on.

"Events have forced my hand again, my friends. The dragon attacks have been getting worse, and while I've had victories and faced dangers you can barely imagine, I need to put an end to it once and for all. People of Solitude, I need to ask your patience once again while I go off to make the world safe for my people, and indeed all people, whether they call me Queen or not. Stormcloaks, Imperials – what does it matter, the dragons don't care whose colours you fly! So I need to go, to make this world safer. And... and I might not come back." Elisif felt her stride faltering as the untruth bit at her, the guilt taunting her – but she couldn't tell them. She couldn't take their hope away. "So if the worst happens and I fall defending you all, I have left instructions Falk Firebeard is to be the next Jarl. He's a good man and a fair one and I have every confidence he will lead this Hold as well as I have. Whether he seeks the Moot's nomination as High King is his choice and I have told him he's at liberty to say no."

Silence and a few worried faces. She couldn't blame them. This city had seen so much blood and death lately. Losing another Jarl so soon would be a major blow, especially their beloved Dragonborn Queen, and Elisif began to wonder if she could really do this – give her life for Skyrim, go to Sovngarde, save the world but sacrifice herself. Could she really let them down like this?

Letting Alduin win would be the true betrayal. So she steeled herself and decided to try for a happy ending.

"Don't mourn me long if the worst happens," she cried, trying to smile. "I'll be in Sovngarde with my husband, don't worry about me. You take care of yourselves... and each other... and Solitude!"

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