Jennifere softly opened the door. "Elenwen, I need to ask you something."
Elenwen put down her book, and her gaze arose from her bedside chair to look at the disturber; the last light of the sun strayed the window. "Ah Jennifere. Why could this not wait until the morning?"
"Because... The opportunity is very time-sensitive."
Elenwen's brow narrowed into a scowl, but she stopped short of actually telling her to get out. Jennifere took it as approval. "I've had an idea about how to resolve the present circumstances in a better way for the Dominion."
Elenwen stifled a laugh. "Jennifere, if you were anyone else that statement would get taken as treacherous."
"But, I'm not anyone else." She smiled.
Elenwen shook her head, but smiled too. "No, you aren't. What is your idea?"
Jennifere shuffled slightly, moving inside the room to close the door. Elenwen's smile stopped. Jennifere took a deep breath. "I marry Ulfric Stormcloak."
Elenwen barely had moments to register what she said before she roared with laughter, bending double; more than a minute shocked. When the incredible suggestion stopped being so funny - Jennifere wasn't trying to make her laugh - Elenwen took her seriously. She pulled up a second chair, and invited the younger woman to sit. She spoke carefully, yet considerately. "Jennifere, the very concept of that borders on insane. But, I will hear you out. What exactly are you thinking?"
"Well, I am the Dragonborn after all; we already dictate the Imperial course, but all our means of influencing Ulfric and the Stormcloaks are indirect. A compromised position, no?"
Elenwen thought carefully; yes, she was her usual naive self, but theoretically she had a point. "You want to have yourself as our agent on the inside of the highest levels of the Stormcloak leadership? I apologise for laughing now that I understand your reasoning."
"Yes - he gets the Dragonborn as his wife, and that puts him in a very strong position; strong enough to abandon the Empire entirely."
Elenwen smiled in approval. "Divide and conquer. You are learning, girl."
"Exactly; no longer a local conflict in just Skyrim, but one that takes the stage to a higher level."
"And this time, we control both sides through your influence on Ulfric."
"That's what I'm thinking."
Elenwen stood, and paced the room for a little while, mulling the concept over, pausing to light candles. "It is risky."
"Agreed. Especially for me."
"Yes - if Ulfric ever finds out, then your husband will kill you. And that is only the beginning of how such an operation could go wrong. It could lead to all out war, before we are ready for the second war."
"Equally, it could mean a Skyrim under me as High Queen after Ulfric's life ends who chooses to be a vassal instead of choosing bloodshed. And we are already preparing for the second war anyway."
Elenwen folded her arms. "Yes, we are. But we want to start it on our terms. You being caught and then executed as a Thalmor spy at the highest level of mannish government leading to all Tamriel rising against us is extremely disadvantageous."
"I'm willing to risk my life to do this."
"It's not just your life at risk Jennifere, although your acceptance of the risk of dying for our mission is admirable."
"I believe I can make this work. After all, my being a Justiciar is known only within the embassy."
"Yes, it's why you are on a high degree of freedom operative level, building your alibi as the Dragonborn."
"And the Dragonborn has easily justifiable motives for wedding the leader of a free Skyrim."
This gave Elenwen a little bit of a pause for thought, as her initial thought was Jennifere specific. "She would indeed, as an act towards peace, and defiance against the Thalmor."
"Exactly my point. No one would suspect that she's a spy."
"Yes." Elenwen paced around the room. "I believe your idea has merit. However, this is beyond my level to sanction Jennifere. This has to get the approval of those higher up than myself."
Jennifere gulped. "I understand."
Elenwen stroked her cheek. "But don't worry; if this is approved, you'll have the full backing of the Thalmor behind you, because this is an opportunity that we either refuse, or change all our planning to act upon."
--------------------
Jennifere walked the steps, and the yellow-bearing guards opened the door for her. "Welcome back my Thane."
Jennifere smiled. "Thank you, it is good to be back."
She strode in, catching the last of Balgruuf arguing with Proventus. Balgruuf roared, throwing his arms in the air. "For the last time, Whiterun must stay neutral; I'm not having this city seiged and destroyed by either side."
Jennifere interrupted, as sweetly as she could. "My Jarl."
Balgruuf smiled, welcoming the interruption. "Jennifere, it is good to see you."
"Could I talk to you about Ulfric?"
Balgruuf scowled. "I have already said my piece."
"I understand, but I have a very different proposal in mind."
Everyone looked at her. Balgruuf spoke. "What?"
"I'm debating asking him to marry me, which naturally changes a huge amount of the politics involved in this war."
Balgruuf turned red with... Jennifere wasn't quite sure what he was feeling, but he held far better than she thought he would. "Jennifere, have you lost your mind?"
"No, I have thought this through."
Proventus turned and got a drink. Balgruuf sat down, his hand rubbing his head. He opened his mouth a few times, trying to find words, but in the end, he just looked at her.
"I know this is a fairly outlandish suggestion, but I would like to know how you respond to the concept of a Ulfric and Jennifere pairing as High King and High Queen."
"Fairly outlandish?"
"I'm being tactful."
Balgruuf hung his head in his hands. "Well, I'd be happier with him being High King knowing you were High Queen."
"In the same way you'd prefer to be stabbed by a kitchen knife over a longsword?"
Balgruuf smiled at her joke. "You jest, but you aren't wrong."
"Would you accept it if it was made clear that it was because of me?"
Balgruuf stroked his chin for a while. "Yes. But don't go to him unless you have the support of the other Jarls Jennifere; I do not want my city to burn as other cities have."
"I've already been in touch with other Imperial Jarls; this can end the war."
"I hope you can, Dragonborn. Why come to me last though?"
"Because I figured you would be the second-hardest."
Balgruuf saw it in her eyes. "Then good luck with the hardest."
--------------------
Jennifere walked through the snowy wind, on the cold stone of Windhelm. All she had to do was propose to the one person who is not directly under Thalmor control who possibly might know who she really is; would Ulfric remember their brief shared look back in Helgen? Would he recognise her as Thalmor without her armour on?
She arrived at the Palace, her mind a blur. "The Dragonborn seeks an audience with Ulfric Stormcloak."
The guards acknowledged, and opened for her. She walked slowly towards the throne, before sitting to wait her turn. Galmar and Ulfric were discussing matters of the war, and Jennifere took out her letter from Tullius, signed by each of the Imperial Jarls. Jorleig approached her."You may speak, Dragonborn."
Jennifere stood, holding the letter. "Ulfric, I have something I wish to say about this war, and coming to a lasting peace."
He stood from his throne. "Spit it out."
She held out the letter. "I bring a letter supporting my proposal." she knelt in front of him. "Ulfric, I offer you my hand in marriage, if you will accept an end to the war."
Ulfric ignored her, focusing on the letter. "So, I become High King, you as High Queen, an end to hostilities, with special dispensation for allowing Talos worship. Interesting." He began to pace around the room. "I trust you have personally spoken to all these people?"
"Yes. I met with Tullius first, who needed a lot of persuasion, but the Imperial Jarls saw the advantage of our co-regency. Balgruuf agreed to support our co-regency."
He looked at the kneeling woman, before taking her hand. "So, I get everything I want."
"It took a lot of persuading."
"I can imagine." He let go, and paced around the room a bit more. Jennifere had a quick look around, and saw the number of guards had increased. "Of course, there are some questions unresolved. There's the matter of Northwatch Keep and the Embassy." He now came down to her level, staring into her eyes.
Jennifere tried to control her heart rate. "Tullius has talked with the Third Emissary."
"Or was it you, you who saw her just a few nights ago, in her own bedroom at night?"
Jennifere's eyes went wide; he knew. They kept staring into each other; his eyes flared, her breathing rapid. He knew. He knew exactly who she was. She didn't dare close them. She had seconds to think through her options, and she chose honesty. "Your informant is correct. I am a Thalmor operative." She felt the blade at her throat from behind, and then closed her eyes, expecting to die.
The soldier spoke next, lifting Jennifere up, binding her hands behind her back. "Shall I dispose of the Thalmor trash?"
"No. I want to understand her first. Not a word of this leaves this room, on pain of death." Ulfric took her hand as the soldier let go of her, and took her into his room, alone. He pushed her onto a chair. "I knew you were working with the Thalmor, Jennifere."
"I am. Here on official policy."
"I knew that too. My informant told me about your visit to Elenwen. And the others, I've heard you visit Elenwen often at night."
"Elenwen is my mentor, and she is most free for mentoring at night."
"My informant says you are more than that."
"Elenwen is ten times my age Ulfric; we are not in a relationship. Is it true that I am secretly a Justiciar, yes. But I am not having an affair with Elenwen."
"I see. Did Elenwen put you up to this policy?"
"No, this was my idea."
Ulfric paced around the room, never letting his eyes off her. "What I don't understand is why you are here."
"I'm here because the Thalmor see the value of the Dragonborn marrying Ulfric Stormcloak and therefore escalating the conflict by inducing a collapse of the Empire."
Ulfric paused his pacing, and sat beside her. "And inside your heart? Or have they ripped yours out?"
She looked deeply into his eyes, hoping he'd understand. "Ulfric, I... It's complicated."
Ulfric raised his eyebrows. "They set you up because you've actually fallen for me?"
Jennifere blushed. "I volunteered."
Ulfric stared into her eyes again. "Can I trust you, Jennifere?"
"Ulfric, I am genuine with my offer of marriage."
"Why?"
"I'd have to tell you my whole life's story to explain..."
Ulfric loosed her binds. "Jennifere, I'm going to take a step of trust." He took her hands with his, and held them gently, looking into her eyes to reassure her. "I look in your eyes, and all I see is how scared you are. So, all I will do is hold your hands like we have a relationship, and let you talk."
"I'm terrified."
"No one will hurt you."
"Ulfric, how much do you know about what life is like in the Summurset Isles?"
"Very little."
"I'm descended from the royal family of Firsthold; my family was purged when I was nine years old. I was taken alive, and moulded into an obedient little soldier for the Dominion. That was all I knew for the last ten years."
"What changed?"
"I became Dragonborn. Or learned I was. Somehow, ever since I defeated Alduin, I feel myself returning."
"Suddenly there's a conflict inside you."
"Yes. I want peace for Skyrim. I don't want the second war the Thalmor are planning. But, I'm trapped in the Thalmor."
"You see marrying me as a means for peace."
"Exactly; I can bring unity. I'm the Elven Dragonborn."
"And Elenwen sees us having a relationship as a way to vassalise Skyrim."
"Exactly. Along with all Alinor, the Thalmor know I am here tonight."
"So why should I take your offer?"
"Because if my power as the Dragonborn keeps growing, I can overthrow the Thalmor. But not while under their control."
"Playing both sides to get the time you need to grow your own power."
"Yes. And then I can make good on my dream."
"Your dream?"
She kissed him. "I dream of a world where Elves and Men are one people, with all the fighting between us in the past."
Ulfric looked at her, holding her hands. She was beautiful, no question. Naive to such a high level of danger it was amazing she survived at all. And Ulfric found himself thinking of her. She was sweet. She was idealistic, hopeful. "Jennifere, if you do this, if the Thalmor realise that you are going to betray them, they will kill you."
"I know. But, I would rather die as Jennifere Stormcloak. If I have to die, I would rather die for what I truly believe in."
"To die as an Elven Woman beside a Human Man."
"Yes." Jennifere looked into his eyes, reaching out her hand to touch his face. "And I want him to be you, Ulfric."
They stared into each other's eyes. Ulfric began to feel like there was nothing else in the room, except her. "I never thought about marrying an Elf."
Jennifere smiled. "Then marry the Dragonborn."
Ulfric thought about it. It made a lot of sense; the gamble was Jennifere was playing both sides. But, Jennifere was hopeless at deception - she truly believed in her ideas of Elves and Men as one. So, yes she was a double agent, but she was his double agent. The question became how to spin the politics; obviously marrying the Dragonborn had advantages, but if her nature as a Thalmor spy came to light, it could end her. And him. And she wasn't powerful enough yet to defeat the Thalmor; even Talos had needed some help to conquer the Aldmeri, and Jennifere wasn't on his level.
But that was the thing - she wasn't on his level yet. But if she was allowed to grow, who knew where she would end up?
"Jennifere, what do the Thalmor want me to do with your proposal?"
"If you kill me, they propagandise my death both domestically here in Skyrim and abroad. If you marry me, they will accept the compromises relying on the assumption that I play the part of dutiful vassal, not knowing that it was a gamble that I believed I could get strong enough to defeat them before they realise the deception. Send me away and we have the status quo. Expose me as a spy, and it means war."
"That's two bad options, more of the same, or one good option." He smiled as he held her hand. "I do accept your hand in marriage."