The grand chamber, usually bustling with activity, now felt vast and empty, amplifying the quiet contemplation that hung in the air. Delphine finally stirred, her boots echoing softly on the stone floor as she began to pace. Her hand unconsciously went to where her sword hilt would rest, a phantom sensation of its familiar weight.
"Serve a king," she muttered, more to herself than to Esbern. "After all these years… after everything…"
The thought felt jarring, a discordant note in the symphony of her life. The Blades had served the Dragonborn Emperors, figures of myth and legend, beings touched by divine power. To pledge fealty to a mere king, a ruler of a single city-state, felt like a profound demotion, a betrayal of their ancient purpose.
Esbern, who had remained by the table, his gaze fixed on the intricate carvings of its surface, finally looked up. His brow was still furrowed, his expression etched with deep thought.
"It is… unorthodox," he conceded, echoing Harin's earlier words. "But these are unorthodox times."
He paused, his gaze drifting towards the empty throne where Ibnor had sat moments before.
"Dawnstar… it is more than just a city," he mused, his voice low. "It is a beacon of stability in a troubled land. And Ibnor… he is not a typical ruler."
"What do you mean?" Delphine stopped pacing, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Esbern turned to face her, his gaze intense.
"He knows the Thu'um," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "He was present at Alduin's defeat. He has seen things, experienced things, that few mortals can comprehend."
He paused, a flicker of something akin to respect in his eyes.
"He is… touched by destiny, in his own way."
Delphine remained skeptical.
"That hardly makes him a Dragonborn," she countered. "Or an Emperor."
"No," Esbern agreed. "But it makes him… significant. And the Dragonborn... Harin, she trusts him. That should not be dismissed lightly."
He gestured towards the doors through which Harin had exited.
"She has faced countless dangers, made countless difficult choices. Her judgment is not easily swayed."
Delphine sighed, running a hand through her hair.
"I know," she admitted, her voice laced with weariness. "But the Blades… our purpose… it was always to serve the Dragonborn, to protect the Empire."
"The Empire is fractured, Delphine," Esbern reminded her, his voice firm. "And the Dragonborn… She has chosen her own path. Perhaps… perhaps it is time for us to do the same."
He stepped closer to Delphine, his gaze meeting hers.
"Perhaps this… king… offers us a chance to continue our mission, not as the Blades of old, but as something new, something… adapted to these new times."
He paused, a hopeful glint in his eyes.
"Perhaps," he said softly, "this is the road not taken."
Delphine looked at him, her expression a mixture of doubt and reluctant curiosity. The weight of Harin's words, the weight of their past, the weight of the uncertain future, pressed down on them. Finally, she nodded slowly.
"Perhaps," she echoed, her voice barely a whisper. "Perhaps you're right."
"There is only one way to know for sure," Esbern said.
He turned towards the doors that led to the rest of the keep.
"Let us speak with King Ibnor," he said, a hint of his old decisiveness returning to his voice.
Delphine nodded, a newfound resolve hardening her features. The idea, once so jarring, now held a glimmer of possibility. It was unconventional, yes, but the world had changed. The old ways were fading, and perhaps it was time for the Blades to adapt, to find a new purpose in this new era.
They left the main hall, their footsteps echoing softly in the quiet corridors of the keep. As they approached the study, they encountered a guard standing watch outside the door. Delphine approached him.
"We need to speak with His Majesty again," she said, her voice firm but respectful.
The guard nodded.
"Of course," he replied. He knocked firmly on the study door and waited for a response. After a moment, Ibnor's voice could be heard from within.
"Enter."
"Delphine and Esbern to see you again, Your Majesty." The guard opened the door slightly and announced.
A soft murmur can be heard from the inside. The guard then stepped back as Illia came to the door, opening it wider and offering them a polite smile.
"Welcome back. I suspected you might return," she said. "His Majesty is just reviewing some maps. He invites you in."
She gestured for them to follow her and led them back into the room.They found Ibnor in his study once more, poring over a large map of Skyrim, his brow furrowed in concentration. He looked up as Delphine and Esbern entered, a polite smile gracing his lips.
"Delphine, Esbern," he greeted them. "I didn't expect to see you again so soon. Has Harin…?"
"We have spoken with the Dragonborn, Your Majesty," Delphine said, her voice firm and direct. "And we have come to discuss… her proposition."
Ibnor raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. He gestured towards two chairs near his desk.
"Please, sit," he offered. "Tell me what you think."
Delphine and Esbern took the offered seats, exchanging a quick glance before Delphine began to speak.
"Harin suggested… that we serve you, Your Majesty," she said, her voice carefully measured. "As the Blades once served the Dragonborn Emperors."
Ibnor's eyes widened slightly, a mixture of surprise and genuine interest flickering in his gaze. He leaned back in his chair, considering her words.
"That is… quite a proposition," he said slowly. "I must admit, I am… flattered."
He paused, his gaze shifting between Delphine and Esbern.
"I understand the history of the Blades," he continued, his voice thoughtful. "Your dedication to the Dragonborn, your role in protecting the Empire… it is a legacy of great honor."
He paused again, a hint of seriousness entering his tone.
"But the Empire is not what it once was. And the Dragonborn… she has her own path to follow."
He looked at them, his expression earnest.
"I am not a Dragonborn," he said, his voice firm but gentle. "And I do not claim to be. But I am the King of Dawnstar, and I am committed to protecting this land, to ensuring the safety and prosperity of my people.
He leaned forward, his gaze meeting Delphine's directly.
"I understand that this is a significant change, a departure from your traditions," he said. "But I believe that these are times that call for new approaches, new alliances. If you were to offer your service to Dawnstar, to me, you would not be abandoning your purpose. You would be… adapting it. You would be continuing your mission of protecting Skyrim, but in a new way, under a new banner."
He paused, allowing his words to sink in.
"Tell me," he said, his voice soft but firm, "what do you truly want? What is it that you seek?"
Ibnor's question hung in the air, the weight of it pressing on Delphine and Esbern. Delphine looked at Esbern, a silent plea for guidance in her eyes. Esbern, however, remained focused on Ibnor, his brow furrowed in thought.
"We seek… purpose," Esbern finally said, his voice low and measured. "The Blades were formed to serve the Dragonborn, to protect the Empire. With Alduin defeated and the Empire… changed, we have found ourselves adrift, without direction." He paused, a flicker of pain crossing his aged features.
"We have made mistakes in the past," he admitted, his voice barely a whisper. "Mistakes that haunt us still."
Delphine nodded slowly, her gaze falling to the floor.
"We sought redemption," she added, her voice laced with regret. "We thought that by continuing to hunt dragons, we could somehow atone for our past actions. But… It feels hollow. Without a true purpose, without a leader to guide us, we are merely… remnants."
Ibnor listened intently, his expression thoughtful. He understood their plight, the weight of their history and the burden of their uncertain future. He knew that the Blades were more than just warriors; they were an order, a brotherhood bound by tradition and duty. To ask them to abandon that tradition, to pledge fealty to a king instead of a Dragonborn, was a significant request.
"I understand," he said finally, his voice soft but firm. "You seek purpose, redemption, a way to continue your mission in a world that has changed. And you believe that serving the Dragonborn is the only way to achieve that."
He paused, his gaze sweeping between Delphine and Esbern.
"But I offer you another path," he continued, his voice regaining its strength. "A path that allows you to honor your past while embracing a new future. A path that allows you to continue protecting Skyrim, not as remnants of a fallen order, but as a vital part of a growing kingdom."
He leaned forward, his eyes meeting theirs directly.
"I offer you not just service," he said, his voice filled with sincerity, "but a place within my court, a role in shaping the future of Dawnstar, and by extension, the future of Skyrim. I offer you a chance to build a future with your own hands."
The phrase hung in the air, a new concept, a new possibility. Delphine and Esbern exchanged a long, silent look, the weight of its implications pressing upon them. The idea was audacious, unconventional, but it also held a certain undeniable appeal. It offered them not just a new purpose but a chance to rebuild, to redefine themselves, to find redemption not in the echoes of the past, but in the promise of the future.
Esbern finally broke the silence, his voice low and thoughtful.
"Building the future," he repeated, the words sounding strange and unfamiliar on his tongue. He looked at Ibnor, his brow furrowed. "What… what would be expected of us?"
Ibnor leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"First and foremost," he said, his voice firm, "loyalty. Not blind obedience, but a commitment to the well-being of Dawnstar and its people. I would expect you to offer your expertise, your skills, your knowledge of dragons and other threats, to the defense of this hold."
He paused, his gaze sweeping between them.
"You would not be mere guards," he continued. "You would be advisors, strategists, protectors. You would have a voice in the affairs of Dawnstar, a role in shaping its future. You would be… my closest confidants, those I trust implicitly to carry out my will."
Delphine remained silent for a moment, considering Ibnor's words. The idea of serving a king, of being part of a court, was still unsettling. But she couldn't deny the appeal of having a purpose again, of being able to use her skills to protect people. And there was something about Ibnor himself, a quiet strength and sincerity that inspired a flicker of trust within her.
"And what of the Dragonborn?" she asked, her voice hesitant. "Our duty was always to serve the Dragonborn."
Ibnor smiled gently.
"Harin has her own path to follow," he said.
"But our paths… They are intertwined. By protecting Dawnstar, you are also protecting her, ensuring that she has a safe haven, a place to return to when her journeys are complete. And," he added, a glint of steel in his eyes, "should the dragons truly return in force, I will stand by her side, and I would expect you to do the same."
Esbern nodded slowly, a hint of understanding dawning in his eyes.
"So we would not be abandoning our duty," he mused, "but… adapting to it."
"Precisely," Ibnor confirmed. "You would be forging a new legacy, one that honors your past while embracing the future. You would be… the protectors of Dawnstar, allies of the Dragonborn, and guardians of Skyrim."
He paused, offering them a sincere and open look.
"Think about it," he said. "Consider what I have offered. There is no need to decide immediately. But know this: I offer you not just a job, but a home, a purpose, and a chance to truly make a difference."
Delphine and Esbern exchanged another long look, the weight of the decision still heavy upon them. But in their eyes, Ibnor saw a flicker of hope, a spark of renewed purpose. The seed had been planted, and it was beginning to take root.
The silence stretched for a moment, thick with unspoken thoughts. Finally, Delphine spoke, her voice low and measured, the remnants of her former Blades authority returning.
"This… it is a great deal to consider, Your Majesty," she said. "The traditions of the Blades are… deeply ingrained."
Esbern nodded in agreement.
"We have served the Dragonborn for generations," he added, his voice tinged with a hint of melancholy. "To shift our allegiance, even under such… unique circumstances, is not a decision to be taken lightly."
Ibnor nodded understandingly.
"Of course," he said, his voice gentle. "I understand the weight of your history. But these are not the times of the Reman Dynasty, or even the Septims. The world has changed, and we must adapt with it."
He paused, his gaze sweeping between them.
"I believe that this… arrangement could be beneficial for all of us. You have the skills, the experience, the dedication to protect Skyrim from the threats that loom on the horizon. Dawnstar can offer you a sanctuary, a base of operations, and a renewed purpose."
Esbern, ever the pragmatist, focused on the immediate concerns.
"What of our… current situation?" he asked, his brow furrowed. "The Thalmor still seek us. If we were to openly serve you, would that not put Dawnstar at risk?"
"You speak truly, Esbern," Ibnor replied, his gaze hardening. "The Thalmor are a persistent shadow, a threat that will not simply vanish. Whether the Empire prevails or the Stormcloaks secure victory, their insidious influence will continue to plague Skyrim. The weakened state of the Empire only emboldens them, and Ulfric's ambition, should he triumph, would undoubtedly lead to open conflict with the Aldmeri Dominion."
He paused, his eyes meeting Esbern's directly.
"Therefore, I believe that facing this inevitable confrontation with preparation is our wisest course. Dawnstar, fortified and under my command, offers a strategic advantage. Our defenses are strong, and my… methods of ensuring order are effective." He subtly alluded to his trained guards and the capabilities of his elite forces.
"Furthermore," Ibnor continued, a spark of determination in his eyes, "your knowledge and experience, coupled with the Dragonborn's power – Harin's power – could be invaluable in such a conflict. By working together, by preparing now, we increase our chances not only of survival but perhaps even of pushing back against the Thalmor's tyranny. Who knows what the future holds? With unity and strength, victory might not be an impossible dream."
Delphine and Esbern exchanged a look, considering Ibnor's words. The logic was sound, and it offered them a sense of security they had not felt in a long time. The weight of their past, the burden of being hunted, suddenly felt a little lighter.
Finally, Delphine spoke, a new firmness entering her voice.
"Your Majesty," she said, meeting Ibnor's gaze directly, "we accept your offer. We will serve you. We will become… your Blades."
A slow smile spread across Ibnor's face, a look of quiet satisfaction.
"I am honored," he said, his voice clear and strong. "I believe this is the beginning of a… fruitful partnership. One that will benefit not only Dawnstar, but all of Skyrim."
He rose from his chair, extending a hand to Delphine, then to Esbern. They each took his hand in turn, a silent agreement passing between them. As they clasped hands with their new king, a sense of finality settled in the room, the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the Blades, and in the history of Dawnstar.
As they turned to leave, Delphine paused, looking back at Ibnor with a thoughtful expression.
"Your Majesty," she said, her voice quiet but firm, "now that we are to serve you… what shall we be called?"
Ibnor paused for a moment, considering her question. A slow smile spread across his face, a look of quiet satisfaction settling in his eyes. He met Delphine's gaze, then Esbern's.
"Henceforth, you would be known as," he said, his voice clear and strong, "the King's Blades."