Chapter 64 -- Crowning Glory
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I think the word to describe my return to Solitude would be triumphant. No doubt the city had been told of what had transpired at the Moot. The road leading up the gates was lined with well-wishers, and once I entered the city on horseback, alongside the Emperor, the other Jarls following us, the crowds... roared. Elisif may have been loved but the chant of my name was almost deafening.
Dragonborn.
We stayed on horseback until we reached the Blue Palace, the crowds being kept back a distance so we could dismount and peace and head in. It appeared preparations were already underway for our coronation. During our journey back north, we hadn't talked business at all. Once we were inside, the first thing I did was excuse myself, take Elisif by the hand, and lead her to her private quarters. Asking for privacy before shutting the doors, I took her in my arms and held her tight.
"Ragnar, I'm fine," she murmured, "It's... actually a relief, in a way."
"Eli..."
She leaned back, one of those grins I loved. "Ragnar, I knew they were going to make that decision. I made the best choice for both of us, but also the people of this city. I know the city will be safe hands with you in charge. And... I want you to marry Mirabelle. I know how much you love her. And you are her heart and soul. I know you love me in your own way, as much as I love you, but trust me, all of us know what Mirabelle means to you."
"Will you stay within the court?"
"Of course. I don't plan on moving out exactly. I'm sure you have plans for us."
"I do," I admitted, "Been thinking about it for a little while, just in case."
"So while this may no longer be my permanent bedroom, I appreciate knowing I can still call this palace home." She paused before adding, "And I'd love a child. I'm still taking potions, of course. I'm sure we can all come to an agreement, how it will all work."
"Are you sure you don't want to find a man to call your own?"
"I may do one day, Ragnar, but right now, I'm happy." She grabbed both my hands with hers. "And please believe me. I know you have doubts about all of this. Mirabelle tells me you often express reservations about this arrangement. Trust me, the six of us love you and we know how much you love all of us in return. None of us are jealous, or if we do feel it, we don't feel it for long. We are all with the Dragonborn because you chose us, but more importantly, we choose to be here. If we didn't, we would have left."
"Hmmm. Maybe I should look at it like that."
The smile on her face only broadened. "Exactly. I'm here because I love being with you, Ragnar. Whenever we are alone like this, you make me feel like the most special woman in the world, like the only woman in the world. And it would be my pleasure to continue my service to both Solitude, its Jarl and also the High King."
I gave her a hug, holding her tight against my chest for what felt like a long time, before there was finally a knock at the door, asking if we were available.
The first matter of business was the abdication of Elisif. It was only after she finished signing the paperwork that she showed the first real signs of emotion, needing to wipe her eyes after she had signed the final page. I got down on a knee next to her chair and gave her a hug. She didn't sob but only the hardest of hearts wouldn't have understood what she had just given up. But I know she had the respect of everyone in that room. Even Ulfric...
Solitude would now be leaderless until my coronation as both Jarl and High King. It was agreed that it would take place the very next day. Therefore, the only question I had was about the fact I was still a bachelor... technically, at least. And then there was the question of the life I did leave. I sat down with the Emperor, Balgruuf and Elisif to raise my concerns.
"You can marry after you've taken the crown," the Emperor stated, "You won't be the first nor the last to become a ruler as a single man."
"As for your lifestyle, no-one will really care if you deliver what you promise," Balgruuf added, "It will only be if the people are hungry and afraid that they will turn on you."
"Again, won't be the first or last," the Emperor added.
"You are intending to marry?" Balgruuf asked.
"Aye."
"It would certainly be cause for celebration after your coronation. Who would you marry, if I may ask?"
"Mirabelle Ervine. She was once a member of the College of Winterhold."
"Hmmm...." Balgruuf stated, stroking his chin, "She's Breton, yes?" I nodded. "Positives and negatives to such a marriage. You can marry whoever you want, of course, but there will always be a political element. Marrying a Breton will please the rulers of High Rock. And if she's a mage, that will hopefully change the minds of some of those who have a real dislike for those with expertise in magic."
"I'm marrying her because I love her, Balgruuf," I stated.
Moving away from my private life, the trio explained the procedure of how I would be crowned. I would leave the city the night before, returning the next day, walking through the city through the crowds, before entering the palace. I would then take my place on the throne, where the High Priest from the Temple of the Divines would invoke the will of the gods before the Crown of Solitude would be placed upon my head, followed by the Crown of Skyrim. And that would be it. Solitude would have a new Jarl, and Skyrim would have a new High King.
My girls wanted to join me outside the walls the night before my coronation, but Mirabelle and Lydia would have found it far too uncomfortable, while Aela was just about starting to show now. I insisted they stay within the walls. Once the coronation was over, I would immediately make plans about moving all of them into the palace.
I didn't camp alone the night before my coronation. I happily built a small tent and sat by the campfire, enjoying what was definitely going to be my last ever night of peace. At least six soldiers patrolled around me, though stayed far enough away not to bother me. Not that they would have done so. I did tempt a couple of them to join me for at least a drink, but they were under orders to ensure no-one approached me, even if they looked like city guards or other soldiers. They were taking their roles very seriously.
Despite the impending coronation, I found sleep easy that night, rising with the sunlight the next morning, enjoying a simple breakfast before I dressed. I had been deciding between fine clothes or armour. Then I figured I was the Dragonborn. Most people who knew me as a warrior, so I would enter as one. I wasn't hoping to look like a conquering hero. I was arriving as the man the Jarls of Skyrim had voted for. I liked to think I had at least the respect of most people of Solitude, if not Skyrim.
I could have entered on horseback but I chose to walk towards the gates of Solitude, flanked by the six soldiers, three to either side. Not too tight to me, but I don't think anyone would have been dumb enough to try anything. I had my sword and shield regardless, and if desperate, a dagger I always kept sheathed.
The gates opened once I crested the hill, immediately greeted by a cacophony of noise. Guards and soldiers kept the crowds back as I slowly walked by them, though I quickly stepped to both sides, grasping the hands of the citizens. Colourful flowers were being thrown by well-wishers as I slowly made my way along. I recognised a few faces in the crowd, but I had a feeling people would have quickly made their way to Solitude from around Skyrim to catch a glimpse of what was happening.
The Emperor, the Jarls, and all my girls were waiting for me to arrive at the Blue Palace. Alongside them was the High Priest and other members from the Temple of the Divines. After greeting all of them with a handshake, I was led inside by the High Priest, only the local nobility waiting inside as I was led towards the throne. The High Priest asked to take the throne. Once I was comfortable, he invoked the will of the Divines before he took the first crown, that of Solitude, and placed it upon my head. I was then asked to repeat a sermon, where I promised to fulfil my obligations to the people of Solitude.
Once that was done, the crown was removed as the next ceremony took place immediately. I was certainly liking the fact it was taking place without any pomp and ceremony. I had suggested more than once that, if I was to be made ruler, I wanted it done with a minimum of fuss. Considering the carnage that had taken place across Skyrim, everyone had agreed, simply that it would keep costs down. An ostentatious, obviously expensive ceremony would have put many noses out of joint. Not the best way to start my rule of both city and nation.
There was a little more to becoming High King of Skyrim, at least in regards to the oath taken. Holding the crown in his hands, he held it high but did not place it on my head as he asked a series of questions.
"Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the Peoples of Skyrim, according to the respective laws and customs?"
"Aye, I do."
"Will you to your power cause Law and Justice, in Mercy, to be executed in all your judgments?"
"Aye, I will."
"Will you to the utmost of your power maintain the Laws of the Divines?"
"Aye, I will."
"Oh Akatosh, the crown of the faithful; bless we beseech thee and sanctify this thy servant our king, and as thou dost this day set a crown of pure gold upon his/her head, so enrich his royal heart with thine abundant grace, and crown him with all princely virtues through the Divines."
Gesturing for me to lower my head, I did so, feeling the crown places upon me as he added, "Divines crown you with a crown of glory and righteousness, that having a right faith and manifold fruit of good works, you may obtain the crown of an everlasting kingdom by the gift of they whose kingdom endureth for ever."
Sitting back, the High Priest bowed his head as he stepped aside. The Jarls of Skyrim then stepped forward to swear fealty to their new High King. An old friend obviously made sure he was the first to bend the knee before me.
"I, Jarl Balgruuf of Whiterun, do become your liege man of life and limb, and of earthly worship; and faith and truth will I bear unto you, to live and die, against all manner of folks. May the Divines bless you, King Ragnar of Skyrim."
All the other Jarls followed. Even those who had not voted for me did so willingly, or so it seemed. Maybe the fact I'd had such support had changed their minds, or they were willing to give me a chance. Or maybe they were hoping it would just blow up in my face. There was still a chance the second thing could happen if I made the wrong decisions.
Once fealty had been sworn by the Jarls and then the local nobility, I thought I'd have to swear fealty to the Emperor. When the High Priest suggested it, the Emperor actually waved it away. "I know King Ragnar is loyal to Empire and its Emperor. He is the one that ended the civil war on our behalf. I know where his loyalties lie."
"I serve Skyrim and the Empire, Your Majesty," I stated, standing from my throne and bending the knee in his direction.
