The Wolf Queen Awakens

Chapter 32

And so day one of the new regime came and went, and the world didn't end. Windhelm gossiped and fussed, and the new regime wasn't universally beloved. But no one was actually murdering anyone or performing necromancy on the streets, so people were on edge but not rioting. It was probably for the best that Rolff Stone-Fist and Angrenor Once-Honoured had been killed in the battle, the only civilian casualties. Some believed this was not coincidence.

Madanach had already repealed laws forbidding Argonians from entering the city, and guard patrols were as frequent in the Grey Quarter as in the market. Shops opened by noon and the blood and bodies had been removed with commendable swiftness.

The Aventus Aretino incident had tongues wagging, and the sight of Forsworn removing a box full of remains and returning them to Helgird at the Hall of the Dead had people whispering about what the boy had been up to, and how sad it was he'd turned to dark magic, and maybe that was why the new Jarl had taken him into the palace, to use him in some ritual or other.

And everyone whispered about the Dragonborn, the High Queen for sure now Ulfric was dead, how she was living at the palace and friends with the new Jarl, officially signing a pardon for all offences he or his people had committed and declaring Madanach as Jarl of Eastmarch. And Alduin's name was whispered, how the World-Eater lived and was in Sovngarde, feeding on their war dead. And some said if the Dragonborn was so powerful, why hadn't she killed him already?

But Windhelm did nothing other than whisper, and Madanach had plenty of Forsworn to police the city. He'd sent the more fanatical ones off to deal with the Stormcloak stronghold at Fort Amol, and there was a party off to Fort Kastav as well, all making use of Stormcloak documents and intelligence that had proven very interesting indeed.

All in all, the operation had gone as well as it could have. And so Elisif had spent the day resting and the night sleeping and in the morning gathered a small group of volunteers willing to help trap a dragon.

Cicero. Eola. Aela. Ria. Farkas didn't want to leave Argis, who was doing well but not quite entirely recovered yet, and Vilkas didn't want to leave Madanach on his own in charge of a Nord city. Sapphire and Brynjolf were serving as eyes and ears in the city for Delphine, and Aranea and Erandur were needed to help with the wounded. But Karliah was along for the ride, and the more top archers along the better.

And so the little group were assembling at the gates of Windhelm, saying their goodbyes.

"Now you be sure and say goodbye to the High Queen," Madanach was telling his new fosterlings. "She's going off to trap a dragon and save the world so say goodbye and wish her luck."

"Goodbye, Jarl Elisif," both children chorused.

"You go tell those dragons," Aventus added, having been very impressed indeed to find the Dragonborn was here, right here, and had lots of fascinating stories (although Brynjolf actually told them better, if Aventus was honest). "You kill 'em all!"

"Take care and don't get hurt!" Sofie said, looking worried for her and giving Elisif a hug. "You're too pretty to die!"

"I don't think Alduin will agree, but thank you," Elisif said, giving the girl a cuddle and wondering if she could adopt her... but no. Best not to. Sofie couldn't gain a new parent only to lose her so soon.

Then goodbyes to Vilkas, and Farkas, and then Argis, now up and about but still aching.

"You take care, High Queen," Argis said sternly. "No doing anything stupid just because I'm not there to save you. Skyrim needs you alive."

"I'll try," Elisif promised, feeling comforted by the bear hug Argis gave her. It was like having an older brother looking out for her, who loved her and cared for her but didn't want anything more from her. She could do with that in her life. If only she could keep him as housecarl once she went back to Solitude, and the thought of being back in Solitude all on her own with all her new friends going back to their own lives depressed her no end.