Skyrim V: Shadow over Markarth

Chapter Five: Capture

I sat in horror as Serana, bruised and bloody was being treated by Ronthil as she told us everything that happened this night-- The Abandoned House calling to her while being possessed by Molag Bal, followed by Arodil rescuing her, and then his arrest by Ancano and the Thalmor.
   Vilkas didn't look so happy about about the part of Arodil rescuing her, but he looked even angrier about how Serana was treated. 
"We have to do something." I say, as I wrap my my robe around my night shift. "We have to rescue him."
"Arodil told me to tell you to stay out of this." Serana said, her blue eyes wide. "He knows that if the Thalmor find you, they will kill you." 
I get up, and shake my head, "I don't care. He's my brother, I have to save him."
"Remember, you are also a wife, and a mother, Tanii." Vilkas said, his voice low. I exhale and look at Sinding. "I'm sorry." I whisper, but he shakes his head, squeezing my hand. "Don't be, it doesn't feel right with me either for just leaving him in there." 
I sigh with relief as Vilkas says, "What do you suppose we do then, Sinding? Walk right into Cidhna Mine? And free him? This will surely cause our meeting with the Jarl of Markarth to go sour."
  "Or....." I say, crossing my arms. "Just go up the the Jarl and ask for his freedom." 
"With the Thalmor around, good luck with that." Vilkas said, shaking his head.
"I'm the Dragonborn." I say, "I'm sure I have some rank as to get out my own family member."
"And I'll be with her in the morning." Sinding said, nodding at me. "We will speak to The Jarl first thing and see if we can get Arodil freed from Cidhna Mine."
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      I gave Lucia a kiss on the forehead as she ate her breakfast. I had just finished feeding Aaiden and laid him down in his crib as I looked up at Serana. Her face was still bruised from the night before, but she seemed more determined. "Are you sure you don't need me with you?" She asked. I shook my head, "It's probably safer if you stay here, especially since Ancano saw you."
I squeeze her hand and she gives me a sad smile. "You be careful. I don't trust this Ancano. He was one of those Arodil mentioned yesterday as well."
I nodded, remembering. "I remember. I'll try to see what I can do. We will get Arodil out of the prison safely."
 Sinding comes up to me and ruffles Lucia's hair. "We will be back soon." Serana smiled. "We will be waiting for you."
"Watch your brother for us, will you, sweetheart?" Sinding asked Lucia and she nods. "Always, papa!"
Vilkas stands at the edge of the room while Ronthil puts more food on the table. "You all be careful." He says.
I nodded and Sinding opens the door for us as we head out. 
We walk down the path, listening to the business of the city as we head up towards the Understone Keep. I look around as it suddenly gets really quiet. 
Thalmor Soliders surround us before we can get to the great hall. "Halt, in the name of the Aldermari Dominion." My stomach lurched as Sinding says, "What's the meaning of this, officer?"
"You are the meaning of this, through the orders of Ancano, Thalmor Legate, you are both under arrest, for the murder of Vulono."  The solider said. "If you are to arrest anyone, arrest me, I was the one who killed the bastard." Sinding growled.  "Leave her out of it." 
I look at Sinding in surprise as a new voice approaches. "Oh, you will find that both of you are guilty of that. Vulono had it coming, he was always such a cruel man with taste for bloodlust, but we have to do something about that." A high ranking Thalmor officer stood before us as the guards now pointing swords at our throats. "Ancano, what would you have us do?" The main soldier asked. 
"Oh, now, well we mustn't let family be parted. Arodil and the the grandfather await for them. Once we find the others, they will join to." My heart surged as I thought of my children and I lunge forward and wrap my hands around Ancano's throat. 
"Taniiaae!" Sinding said as he is restrained and then I see stars.
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   I wake up and nearly jump out of my skin at the sight of the leering Altmer before me. Vulono stared down at me, and I tried to jump from the chair I was sitting in, but then I realize, my hands were chained to the sides. I look down and was no longer wearing my normal clothes, but prisoner clothes. And my mouth was gagged. I look around the small room for Sinding, but it was only be and this elf, which faded away from Vulono to the elf named Ancano. He smiled in his seat across from me. "Apologies for the chains and rendering you unconscious my dear, but you put up quite a fight. Once you were down, your criminal of a husband submitted to surrender very quickly." He removed the gag out of my mouth as I said, "Who are you?"
"Ancano, advisor to the College of Winterhold, and one of the chief Thalmor Officers." He said. Tilting his head, "You are  pretty thing." My stomach lurched, remembering what Vulono tried to do to me. How he held me against my will and tried to do to me what he did my mother. But Ancano sat back, "You know, you are a very hard person to get ahold of. First you fight a dragon, then you disappear to Solstheim, I didn't think we would ever find you." 
I look at him. "Do we want to talk civily? Thane to Officer? Or are you going to keep me chained like a dog?"
"I don't feel safe unchaining you, my dear." Ancano purred and out of the corner of the room, I see an orc woman stand at the edge of the room. 
Ancano smiled, "Please ignore our jailer, Urzoga gra-Shugurz, she's just waiting until I give the word to unit you with your family in the prison-mine."
My sight moves from the orc woman to him, "Where's my husband?" 
"He's safely in the prison mine with your treacherous brother and grandfather." Ancano smirked.
"I don't know what you are talking about." I say, "I don't have a living grandfather." 
Ancano ignores me and says, "Once I reunite you with them, I'll find the rest of your party and children, and reunite them with them. I can't have their parents away from them for too long." 
My stomach clenched, the thought of the Thalmor having their paws around my daughter and son made me sick, so I lied. "They aren't in Markarth."
"Liar." Ancano slapped me in the side of the head, causing my ear to ring. "I've seen them. Once I find them, they will be here. I swear to you on that."
I tug at my chains. "What do you want with me?"
Ancano snapped his fingers at the jailer, "Urzoga. She's all yours."
Urzoga brushed past the woman and unlocked the cuffs from the chair, but still hand my hands chained together as I shout. "What do you want with me?!"
As Urzoga takes me out of the room, past Ancano, I spit at his feet, but he only grins. "It's beneficial in the war to have the Dragonborn and her family, everyone knows that. I'm sure Elenwen will be certainly pleased to see you again soon."