Something Beth might've overlooked in the dialogue.

In Season Unending, after the negotiation is over and all attention is drawn to how to lure a dragon to Dragonsreach, Esbern offers the solution, saying this:

"I anticipated the problem. While you were arranging this meeting, I was busy in the library of Sky Haven Temple. An unguessed trove of lost lore… but the important thing is that the Blades recorded many of the names of dragons they slew."

The thing is, he still says that even if you decided to let Elenwen stay at the beginning.

Of course, there are no consequences because this is entirely optional and the devs probably didn't give it much thought anyhow.

Still, it's odd that it's possible to have him openly mention the Blades hideout in front of the Thalmor first emissary. A slight dialogue change for that scenario would've made more sense.

Even more surprising that an 'accident' or assassination didn't happen to Delphine and Esbern as they left the negotiations. Surely the ambassador would have an escort of outriders and scouts in a land where she's hated. Any half rational commander would then stalk the duo till they were alone and kill them. Besides, plenty of time to call for reinforcements during the negotiations. With Skyrim, it's just best not to read too much into this sort of thing to maintain suspension of disbelief.

If the Thalmor managed to rout all the Blades agents within their Dominion, I am fairly certain that Elenwen already knew the location of Sky Haven Temple.

Then they would have gone there. I honestly think this kinda shows which direction beth was sailing. A few things seem to point to this, if you get my meaning.

Not necessarily, the Thalmor are known to let enemies live in order to attempt to help their own cause. It does not always work in their favor though. Besides the Thalmor seem to want Esbern alive as

Going there doesn't mean killing him. They could easily go there and capture him if they got this info.

And obviously Ulfric, Tullius and Elisif wouldn't have gone alone, either. Ok, Ulfric has Galmar and Tullius has Rikke, but where's Elisif's housecarl? And I doubt any of them would go to the meeting without an escort of soldiers/guards, if nothing else just to impress the opposite side. (Compare this to how Ulfric was captured before Helgen, he was apparently travelling, and he wasn't alone.)

But this is obviously game mechanics at work. "We need to get these npcs there and no others, why bother with more npcs messing up things with their AI?"

He would probably put up enough of a fight to where he would be killed if they went there, that said they are also probably afraid of the Dovahkiin who can still come and go as they please (you can still have your followers that you recruited into the blades following you but you can't do the quests because the Blades practically swore loyalty to you already if you think about it.

I'm sure they know that and likely don't care. Death is always a risk for capturing people. If they want him enough, which clearly they do, they're not going to avoid him because he may die. They already sent people after him. And as for the dragonborn, they send assassins after you constantly, and it doesn't stop after they find out what you are. I can't see them not making some kind of attempt on him when they know exactly where he is.

They send assassin's after you because they are not smart enough to stop trying.

You would think that after their one millionth hit squad being killed that they would get the message that it is pointless to even try. That said the Blades could easily do something to make sure the Thalmor are unable to reach them in there but also have a means of the Dovahkiin and Blades being capable of entering and leaving without being harmed.

I think http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Elisif_the_Fair was protected by both Tullius and Rikke, but IIRC Elisif doesn't have a housecarl since she inherit the title of being a jarl of Solitude.

I think she would still have a Housecarl due to the fact that she was married to the High King and thus his housecarl may very well have been hers as well

Maybe Esbern has discovered a back door, but i dont think Thalmor would get in without a big fight anyway due to the "other" presence-large numbers of Forsworn nearby which would certainly alert the Blades to an attack. I usually cant be bothered with killing them and just climb the cliff face leading to the outdoor area.

It was empty until recently, though. She probably knew when it became inhabited again, but if she didn't Esbern just made sure that she did. As noted, one has to suspend disbelief in this game, on this and many other points.

Elisif has a http://www.uesp.net/wiki/Skyrim:Bolgeir_Bearclaw. You can see him in the Throne Room of the Blue Palace.

So what?

Op seems to have overlooked the fact that the Thalmor had sent hit squads to off those two before. What happened to them?

Oh right...

Also the Rift is likely Stormcloak held territory at the time of the summit.

Sneaking a hitsquad or two through hostile territory to take out two bonafide badasses that the Thalmor have failed to kill in the past, not so logistically sound.

Also it is just a name.

How are they going to find it?

And then the whole area is crawling with Forsworn, dragon spawn and Skyhaven Temple itself is a highly defensible stronghold with several totally sweet kill zones.

Even if they DID know where the Temple is it wouldn't do them much good.

Didn't think of that didja?

I have great solution for this situation. Kill Elenwen after the negotations (essential flag is gone from her after the peace meeting) - Done, and the story is flawless (in this part).

This isn't a problem if the Stormcloaks win.

Unless you never got a hitsquad before. You assume people have fought a bunch previously. The second bit is wishful thinking. What could they do to easily allow you to come in but not them, short of closing Reman's head? But then esburn couldn't get in without you.

I am Exalted Blood and I approve of this message.

Say it with me, Fus Ro Dah!

Is your information accurate?

If so then I am totally going to do that from now on.

One of the most compelling reasons to join the Stormcloaks.

I think no one know Sky Haven Temple, so Esbern said that doesn't reveal anything. It is like Batman saying "i know about those criminals, i have check on their profile in my mega computer at Bat Cave"

I...I...I....

*rushes to Xbox*

True, the place looked like it hadn't been used since the wall was built for some reason.

The forsworn know its there. They probably sacrificed many virgins trying to figure out how to get in.

Just because the Forsworn know it is there does not mean everyone else does.

Esbern only found out by reading a book on the Blades which may or may not be extremely rare and the reason you can get multiples is probably because of game mechanics.