User blog comment:Spritydove/Deeper Thought into the Civil War/@comment-24.127.149.128-20120714023416/@comment-217.21.232.237-20120720102255

Heh, no that wasn't why.

There was no direct threat, it was when they talked before the fight I believe.

Tullius made Balgruuf think the whole thing was his idea when it wasn't.

Adrienne makes and sells weapons to the legion.

And no matter how loudly Whiterun claims neutrality, their allegiance is clear.

They are an imperial loyal city in an imperial controlled hold.