He didn't have time to react. Somehow they had stumbled into each other, the Thalmor Justiciars evading his keen senses, and he himself avoiding theirs. Sindathiel was the first to draw, his bow quickly aimed at the first Thalmor, and arrow subsequently finding it's way into his targets left eye-socket. The remaining five were bearing down on him with deadly maces that were masterpieces of Elvish smithing. Two were beginning to recite the arcane words for spells that would certainly destroy him if they were to be cast. Sindathiel readied two arrows instinctively and shot off them off seconds later before readying two more. The first hit one of the targets hands, the glowing orb of fury dissipating along with his targets momentum; the second missed the other Justiciars hand hitting her in the right hip instead. It still sent her to the ground for a few precious seconds allowing a follow up shot that executed her with perfect accuracy. The fifth arrow felled the remaining caster hitting his jugular sending blood onto the cold ground.
Three on one should be interesting. They spread out to surround him but he had predicted this, aggressively engaging the lead Justiciar. Sindathiel avoided his mace swings that were extremely well executed but not good enough. A quick backwards thrust with his dagger cut into the Thalmor's side, spin kick hitting into the Mer's neck breaking several bones and a finishing drive of his sword responded all within seven seconds. The Justiciar to his right charged in landing a direct hit with his mace. Sindathiel felt the excruciating pain of his right shoulder being nearly shattered. His armor deflected the deadlier amount of force but the damage was definitely done. Off balance, Sindathiel staggered onto one knee as the attacker rose above him for the killing blow. For a few seconds he thought about letting the Thalmor do it. What did he have to life for? Protecting the ignorant and the same people that hated him? Being constantly hunted by his enemies? A haunted past? Fighting against the world alone in a foreign land? No; he wouldn't die today.
Sindathiel quickly rolled out of the way and swept the would be killer off of his feet before he could complete the downward bash. He reached behind him with his good arm, quickly removed an arrow and jammed it into the back of the staggered Thalmor's skull. It was definitely improvised and surprised the remaining Justiciar who snarled. Readying himself, Sindathiel re-positioned himself and taunted the final attacker. One on five advantage and they still couldn't kill him. It seemed like the Falindien had lost all of their good warriors.
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That is my take on a recent encounter near Morkthal. I don't remember attacking the Thalmor but apparently they have a death warrant for me and happened to be right around the corner along one of the many roads. I survived the encounter with a lot less fancy moves, flair and skill but it gave me some inspiration. The Falindien are a Altmer family who saw Sindathiel as not just another Bosmer from the woods and more of a very valuable tool, a pawn for their schemes and future weapon. Sindathiel was to marry one of the higher ranking daughters in the family but his cold feet and subsequent escape into the wilderness caused a lot of strife. Years and years of training, molding and influencing had failed. Just allowing a worthless Bosmer into their ranks was hard enough but his betrayal made things even worse. Along the way Sindathiel kills his would be wife before escaping in a fit of rage. Our "hero" definitely isn't the usual good, just and true character.
His beliefs have been so radically changed since his earlier life in Valenwood through his experiences. Because of the things he's seen as a Ranger, had to do and his past, the view of the world isn't pretty. Good and bad have no meaning as everything and anyone is capable of evil. His prayers were never answered by the Gods and he will always be a pariah. Thus his current goal is to continue to survive in Skyrim, either avoiding his hunters eventually or killing them, and returning to Valenwood one day Even for all the downsides the path of the Ranger has given him the chance of a new life and purpose. There were no promises of a better tomorrow or forgiveness but it gives him a purpose to live. The Falindien are big supporters of the Thalmor so they count many of them within their own ranks. Not only does Sindathiel have to deal with a corrupt and powerful family that is obsessed with his capture, torture and or death in any order but also the Thalmor and by proxy the Aldermi Dominion. As if being a ranger wasn't difficult enough...
Edit: I changed the name of the family from Canne to Falindien to match the background story.
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