'Gelebor. We are not going to discuss this any further. Do I make myself clear?'
Nysteris' eyes blazed with rage, her teeth clenched as she clawed the arms of her throne.

'Please understand, my queen. It was you who so openly proclaimed to your subjects that you would hold fast to the old ways, and to great acclaim. They grow impatient and concerned. I merely communicate their wishes to you.'

Gelebor's face was pained and drawn. He understood the delicate nature of the subject, and he understood that the queen's reaction would be powerfully negative. He did not want to handle the subject any more than she did; but something had to be done. 'Your people have obediently followed your guidance, and produced many children. Our numbers are still few. Did we not enact the great Cleansing Of The Vale to preserve their purity and secure the prosperity of our race?'

Nysteris stared at him in stunned disbelief. Although she knew he was only trying to enact the wishes of the subjects, it did nothing to lessen her outrage.
'What does the Cleansing have to do with selective breeding? If we hadn't killed the Betrayed, they would have killed us! We aren't Altmer! This is The Vale, not the Summerset Isles!' Her voice was loud and filled with anger.

'It has been the way of the Falmer nobility since the very beginning, my lady. Even the lost colonies practised it up until the day we came to guide them home. You have raised no issue with its continued enactment since The Homecoming. It ensures the strength and prosperity of our race, and we are too few in number to allow ourselves to falter.' He paused, the awkward embarrassment weighing heavily upon him as he sighed. 'Your subjects desire an heir of pure Falmer blood. They look to you to uphold the ancient and long-honoured traditions of your people as you have promised; to give your contribution to the kingdom as they have.'

'I will not be a brood mare for anybody.' Her nostrils flared as she hissed at Gelebor. 'I did not win the throne from passive compliance. I am a warrior and a Herald. I will do as I please. If the people want an heir, and if the desire ever takes me to comply, they will have to accept one of Dunmer heritage. Teldryn is as capable and fit, and as good a sire, as any Falmer in The Vale.'

'Please, my queen,' he gently pleaded. 'I know that you are reluctant.'

'Reluctant? Reluctant?!'

'The people love and accept the honourable ambassador with great enthusiasm. They always have. But this is what consorts are for. You are not being made to give him up, my queen. But the pedigree tradition has been a part of the culture of Falmer nobility since the dawn of our race. Your own pedigree, and mine, are testament to this.'

'Then I will abdicate.'

The frustration roiling in Gelebor's mind was almost palpable.

'Your leadership is the glue holding the new kingdom of your people together. You are the one who has revived the glory of the Falmer, my queen. And our alliance with the Dunmer of House Redoran, and the tenure of Teldryn, is conditional upon your position as ruler. All your predecessors bore pure blood children for their subjects while maintaining their true loves, even in the public eye. It is not unexpected. You are at liberty to produce children with your consorts after the first heir has been born.'

Nysteris sighed loudly, her heart burning with conflict and insolent anger. She gripped her head roughly, a deep furrow on her brow as she closed her eyes.

'Your court and council have expressed their wishes for these traditions to be followed and have chosen a sire.'

'What!' She roared in disbelief. 'Who?'

'General Virdanyis.'

She merely stared at Gelebor in open-mouthed shock as he shifted uncomfortably where he stood, averting his eyes respectfully.

'How do you expect Teldryn to react to this?'

'He is a seasoned military man. I would expect that he would understand the importance of self-sacrifice for the good of one's kind, and of the importance of keeping tradition.'

'Get out.'

Gelebor sighed as he exited the throne room, bowing to Nysteris as he closed the door behind him.

The court and council gathered quickly in the great hall, their curious expressions of anticipation written on their faces.

'What of the Queen? Did she yield? Was it a successful meeting?'

He sighed loudly as he looked up at them, his expression stern.

'It went... about as well as expected.'