The Elder Scrolls

[God of Nothing]

Yeah, the Civil War, that's what I was talking about - I'll edit that right now.

It does feel like something of a cop-out, really, but at the very least it answers the question of "which side would hurt the Thalmor more".

An independent Skyrim is all but certain to support the Empire against the Thalmor regardless of previous conflict. More out of sheer spite and hatred for those knife-ears, but really who can blame them. All the good Aldmer became Chimer and migrated to Morrowind ages ago or bred the almighty Breton into existence, thus becoming them. Lorkhan was right.