Every time I see Thalmor hauling off a Nord prisoner, I free him and kill them. But the prisoner always gets killed in the process. When freeing him, it gives me the option to "share items", so I give him a weapon amd any armor I can spare. But he doesn't use it, fighting only with his fists.

How can I protect the prisoner from the Thalmor, especially the frost antronichs they summon?

I always provoke the Thalmor into attack me first. After they're dead, I find the prisoner and free them then.

Don't give him any items and they proabably won't attack him unless he attacks first.

I don't think the Thalmor will attack the prisoner. Are you using area effect spells like fireballs that catch the prisoner in the blast radius? Bow or sword, mass paralysis spell, paralyze poison tipped weapons might help you sort out the good from the bad guys.

I attack the thalmor and draw them to me. The prisoner just stands there. I've not had one die on me. Are you running up to him and freeing him first or are you waiting to do so until after the thalmor are dead?

Those prisoners are ridiculously squishy. Even if they manage to make it out of the battle alive, something else always manages to take them down seconds later. I once fought off four Thalmor for a guy only to have him fall victim to a mudcrab. Feeling somehow responsible for his death, I resurrected him through console commands. A few steps later - boom! Skeever chow. Annoyed at this point but still sympathetic, I resurrected him again. Just as I'm waving goodbye - bam! Wolf food. At that point I just figured somehow up high wanted him dead and gave up.

I free the prisoner first, then the Thalmor attack. I alwaya see the prisoner punching the frost atronach, which stomps him to the ground. I'll try attacking the Thalmor first. Thanks.

Yeah, do that...and back away from him while fighting.

I've had a few survive an all out fight, but usu they die. At least they died free and fighting.

On one character of mine I stocked up on paralysis poisons and whenever I'm worrying about an npc dying I use the paralysis poison to take them out of a fight.

The key with the Thalmor patrols, with or without prisoners, is to provoke them to attacking you (there are a couple of guaranteed "we're going to kill you!" responses - the one about worshiping who you please, and the one about "you got me, I worship Talos"). Once they attack, the prisoner generally runs off a ways, and hunkers down. Kill the Thalmor pack, and then give him stuff - if you can catch up to him.... Usually they run off so fast you can't....

I freed one Thalmor prisoner once, and he told me (while my companion and I were in full Imperial outfits) that the next Imperial soldier he sees he is going to kill.

I cut his head off then and there. Ungrateful bastage!

Wow..... WHAT an ingrate!

I usually attack the Thalmor first because of course, and the prisoner acts as a witness to my crimes so I usually have to off him. Damned ingrate.

The Prisoners can be protected with Illusion Spells. I have never cheated and had a Summoning present when I free the Prisoners who are being escorted by the Imperials

The key with the Thalmor patrols, with or without prisoners, is to provoke them to attacking you (there are a couple of guaranteed "we're going to kill you!" responses - the one about worshiping who you please, and the one about "you got me, I worship Talos"). Once they attack, the prisoner generally runs off a ways, and hunkers down. Kill the Thalmor pack, and then give him stuff - if you can catch up to him.... Usually they run off so fast you can't....

When you get to that point, if you are asked "Is there anything you'd like to confess," all three responses result in fighting. Because obviously worshipping Talos means you're a criminal, "anyone you want" would only be said by a heretic, and silence means you're trying to hide your heresy.