Chapter 65 -- Rise
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Six weeks after our wedding, Mirabelle gave birth to a perfectly healthy baby boy. I doubt any birth was easy, but both mother and child came through with flying colours. Sitting by her side, watching her hold our first child, she could only weep while I certainly felt nothing short of proud. The gods had finally been kind.
We named our son Ragnar, taking the name of his father. When he assumed the throne, he would be known as Ragnar Dragonborn II.
And from that day on, it's fair to say Mirabelle was simply Queen of Skyrim... and a mother. She was delighted the day we married, and the smile hadn't left her fact since that day. After giving birth, her purpose in life was now our family. That's not me putting words in her mouth, it's what she told me barely days after she gave birth. All she wanted was another child as quickly as we could manage. We couldn't have sex for a few weeks, but that didn't mean we didn't sleep together nearly every night, already planning for the future.
Within a month, Lydia gave birth to our son. She gave birth slightly prematurely, though there was never any danger to mother or child. Mirabelle held her hand the entire time, almost coaching her through it. We named our son Havardr Dragonborn, an old Nordic name meaning 'highest guardian'. He might never become High King like his brother, but I would ensure I instilled the right thoughts into his mind about protecting his family and Skyrim.
Once they gave birth, Mirabelle and Lydia were closer than ever. In fact, I would say all six women were. Haelga, Serana and Elisif simply doted on the pair of them, Serana and Elisif both suggesting we should start thinking about children. Aela, now heavily pregnant, simply wanted to give birth. I delayed any suggestion of leaving Solitude until she gave birth as well. Just like Mirabelle, she proved to be rather horny the longer it went on, Mirabelle proving how open-minded she was by escorting me by hand more than once to Aela's bedroom, where my cock was ridden almost red raw by Aela. No complaints from me. Just like Mirabelle and Lydia, she was just as beautiful as always.
Six weeks after Lydia, Aela gave birth to our daughter. The Divines were certainly looking after us, another healthy child given to our rather unusual family. All the girls were present once again, Mirabelle and Lydia helping Aela through the worst of it. I stood to the side. I had held the hand of Mirabelle during her birth, but now that two of my girls had been through it, they could give advice to Aela, knowing what she was feeling.
I had promised Aela I would have no say if she gave birth to our daughter, that she would be free to choose her name. As soon as she held our child in her arms, she whispered that she wanted to name her after her mother, Freida. I think the name fit regardless. I knew, in that moment, Aela would solely focus on raising our daughter and that she wouldn't want another child. That didn't bother me for a second.
The palace now had three babies. One would have thought it would now be a madhouse but the six girls came together straight away. In fact, I was left with the feeling that they made sure I was left to start actually ruling the kingdom while they looked after our children. Even Haelga, who had no desire for children, would happily wake up to look after a crying child in the middle of the night. I helped out where I could but, in those early stages, it was more about keeping them alive more than anything.
Mirabelle agreed that, at six months of age for our child, we would go on a tour of Skyrim. My girls joined us, of course, and during the following month, the crowds turned out to greet their king and queen, while also catching a glimpse of their future king. I didn't make many speeches. I wasn't really one for that. But I had no problem mingling with the common folk. I might have been a jarl and a king, but I knew my origins. I was only king due to a set of circumstances, mostly out of my control and due to the Divines. But, all in all, I liked to believe that, in these early days, we were popular across Skyrim, even in cities such as Windhelm. Our reception from both the common folk and the nobility was positive. Every Jarl was willing to work with me as I shared ideas of how to improve the lives of everyone, from those tilling the fields and working the mines, to those in control of coin that flowed around Skyrim but also across the borders into Cyrodiil, High Rock and elsewhere.
Having established a working relationship with General Tullius, I asked if he would be willing to remain in Skyrim as my military advisor. He took some time to think about it, and suggested Legate Rikke, a fellow Nord, should be offered the role. I did so, definitely taking her by surprise, but she accepted it immediately. She would remain part of the Legion but effectively in command of all Legions currently in Skyrim. That allowed Tullius to finally return to Cyrodiil.
Though trade was important, I wanted to make sure Skyrim was secured. Sitting down with Rikke and other advisors, I set out my ideas. A map of Skyrim served as an assistant. "During the civil war, certain forts were taken by Imperial forces to help bring order back to the Holds formerly under Stormcloak control. However, there are at least a dozen other forts out there that remain outside our hands, generally in the hands of bandits and other brigands. I wish to see every fort in Skyrim back in the hands of either the Legion or the people of the Hold in which the fort resides. Can that be done, Rikke?"
"Aye, lord." I didn't want to be called 'Majesty' or 'Highness'. Since I had to take a title, I said 'lord' was suitable enough. "We certainly have enough soldiers to do so, and the offer of bringing further security to each Hold would certainly lead to help being provided by the Jarl."
"The Reach will probably be the toughest challenge, given the presence of the Forsworn that still linger in the hills. Markarth is rather isolated in the west, and the trade routes in and out of the city have suffered due to the Forsworn activity."
"If you agree, lord, we can send a full Legion into the Reach and begin there, moving our way eastwards once we have secured the region."
"Works for me. So planning after we take any fort, I want to institute a rebuilding program. Many of these forts of little more than crumbling ruins. Once the coin starts to flow again, I want to start rebuilding some of these forts, particularly those along major routes, that can provide safety and security for merchants, and these will also be perfect outposts for Legion soldiers. In addition to forts, I'd like to see improvements of some of the roads around Skyrim. Can the Legion assist in those?"
"Certainly, lord."
"While all this is going on, trade must flourish again. Skyrim is rather impoverished after the war. Things are slowly improving, though it's obvious the Thalmor are trying to squeeze us at the same time. We see next to no trade across that border. The Emperor has assured that goods will start flooding across the border once again, same with High Rock, and I will send emissaries to Hammerfell and Morrowind as soon as possible. Elisif, any suggestions and ideas you have in regards to building trade revenues, let me know but you also have free reign to do whatever you can. A prosperous Skyrim will enrich the lives of all of us."
She nodded. "To be honest, lord, once the Legion start securing the forts and roads across Skyrim, merchants will feel safer travelling our roads."
