So, today at Darkwater Crossing some Hired Thugs came up. Said they were gonna teach me a lesson. I just smiled at them for attacking right in front of Guardsmen. I wasn't a very high level, and they were packing some serious heat, but, against my better judgement, I pulled out my sword an+d started swinging. The leader one shotted me with a power attack, and then walked off, the Guards sitting there, watching.

I ended up having to kite them with Sparks because the guards just stood there watching. Why do they not assist the player?

they took a arrow in knee?

Were you lollygaggin?

they trying to find the missing sweet roll for someone...

They have no problem killing me, though.

I remember I rolled into Solitude, summoned two Shock Thralls, put on Dragonhide, pulled out a Legendary Daedric Sword with amazing enchants in one hand and some expert Destruction spell in the other, and used Storm Call. The guards had no problem throwing themselves against me.

A couple of thugs? Derp wat is garding

In my defense, Derk was taking his sweet time getting back the Darkwater.

This has been brought up before. The most realistic answer I've heard is that the hired thugs probably bribed the guards to not intervene, as in medieval society, the town guard was often known for being fairly corrupt.