Chapter Twenty- Closing Thoughts
It's been five years since that day- the day many say the Stormcloaks destroyed the Empire. It simply wasn't true, but there is nothing we can do to change what the world might say about us. We can only tell the truth and let men decide in their hearts what to believe. It doesn't effect us either way. We have won and Skyrim is free. I think that's why I decided to write this memoir. We may all die one day and no one is left to know the truth. Let this story stand in remembrance of the day fear lost and love won.
Upon returning to Cyrodiil, Emperor Titus Mede II kept his word to Ulfric and I. He fully withdrew his troops from our lands, much to the Thalmor's displeasure. Without them, every Elven sanctuary scattered across Skyrim became easy pickings for the Stormcloak army. It took no more than a handful of campaigns to completely drive the Aldmeri forces out of the land entirely.
With them gone, there was no longer a fear amongst the people. Talos was restored as their God King once more. I remember when I finally told Aslaug what we had done. The blind, mute priestess could do nothing but cry tears of joy. Her suffering was for nothing; her sisters' deaths were avenged. Skyrim once again began to feel like her home.
On a less serious note, it took Galmar and Kaita no longer than a month to finally fast hands. My Shield-Sister's constant pestering had nothing to do with his decision he told us. He was planning to wed her after the war anyway. They bicker and argue now just as much as ever, but it seems nothing can shake their love. Bjorn still thinks of them as his parents and has taken on the role of big brother to their daughter, Freyya. The girl is barely big enough to walk but has her father's temper. Talos help us when she learns to wield a sword.
When it came to choosing the new High King, there were mentions of crowning the young Dragonborn. Favnir quickly turned the opportunity down. He made it known that he fully supported Ulfric and would much rather stay in the skies with Odahviing, hunting down dragons that refused to live peacefully. To this day, he wanders across Tamriel like the great beasts themselves. I still see him on occasion. The boy has grown into quite the legend.
With his refusal of the crown, it was no surprise when the Moot decided that Ulfric would be the next High King. His strength in leading the war as well as efforts to rebuild and unite the torn country following it's end made him the obvious choice. With his new title, the High King chose to stay in Windhelm, moving the capitol back to the Palace of Kings, where the original Kings and Queens used to reign on high. Despite attempting to bring Skyrim back to its former glory, Ulfric kept his eyes open to the plights of the rest of the world. He wanted to keep relations with the Empire, even if they were done in private. I volunteered to be his ambassador to Titus Mede II and with a little convincing, he let me continue in my dangerous career of espionage. The Emperor doesn't mind my coming home to visit. I think he misses my uncle; I am all he has left of the man.
Ulfric and I finally did marry. Like I expected, it wasn't received well by all. How could a Nord King defile himself with an Imperial? Was I trying to give the throne back to Cyrodiil? I contended with these questions for years, but it helped that the soldiers I fought along side could vouch for me. I was no daughter of the empire. I was Talia Bear-Tamer, Killer of Generals and Liberator of Skyrim.
I've been asked if it was worth it more times than I can count. There are days where I miss my family more than I thought I ever would. On cold days, I miss the warmth of Cyrodilic summers. When Ulfric and I argue, I miss being able to talk with my uncle and hear his level-headed thoughts. Still, it was worth every heartbreak. I would do it all over again.
I'm reminded just how grateful I am in little moments like this. I can hear Ulfric and Gaius laughing in the other room. I never thought Ulfric would love someone more than me, but it seems our son has won his heart. The boy is so much like his father. His hair is the same rural brown, his eyes the same piercing hazel. I hear Ulfric in Gaius' laugh and strong Nordic accent. He loves to play “soldier” and “king”, his young mind not fully understanding what it is to be either. He will one day. I will show him what we've done.
Some would call this a happy ending, but I disagree. This is far from the end. For me, this is the start of the life I never knew I wanted. For Skyrim, this is the start of something much bigger. We may be working towards a brighter future for all of Tamriel, but I know our true enemy still lurks in the shadows. The Dominion is coming. But as long as I live, I won't let them take root again. I won't be blind. I won't be afraid.
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