User blog comment:JediSpectre117/Two more Skyrim DLCs to come./@comment-5046408-20121214132604/@comment-5046408-20121218130506

In that case, it's even easier. Thalmor decide "Our whelps, the Legion, have squashed the even more piteous rebellion that merely struck our heel. This just proves our magnificence even further because our prowess far surpasses that common-rabble Legion. Now that the rebellion is suppressed, let's get to the matter of electing one of our elite strategists as the new High King...and at the same time let's ensure our pets don't get cocky after their victories..."

And then they proceed to send an army of Thalmor to show a brief demonstration of their power by attacking a low-class fort. First quest begins!

And then, if we want to fully elaborate, if neither side has won in the Civil War questline, it's even simpler:

"These petty mortal men are so wretched they just murdered their own High King and are now more focused on fighting each other than they are to maintain control of the province, which pales in comparison to our governmental abilities. Let's elect one of our elite strategists to take the throne and maintain peace, since we're so much better at that than the incompetent men are."

Then proceed to send an army of Thalmor yadda yadda yadda. =3