The Shadow Land (An Elder Scrolls Story) [ON HOLD]

Chapter One

Author's Note: My latest work! Started writing this about a day or so ago. This is my take on The Elder Scrolls Lore. It isn't a story from a game, it is based on my imagination. It takes place in Tamriel. That is part of Bethesda. Locations and/or provinces are not mine. Characters and plot are of my property. I hope you guys like it!

Enjoy!

~Sthenomilke

The Shadow Land

Chapter 1

Three hundred years have passed since the World Eater's banishing in the tamrielic province of Skyrim, by a hero known as the Dragonborn. Well, he was vanished in Sovngarde, Shor's Nordic realm. Nothing has happened in Tamriel since then. A war has taken its toll on Oblivion, a war that will mean the end of man and mer. Only I can put an end to this madness. But I will certainly need help from a mortal. I will have to train him so he is at the peak of my skills.

My quest has just begun, Tamriel.

Seven years have passed since I uttered this phrase. I find myself in High Rock, land of the Manmeri people. A quiet place, but its peace has been corrupted by its selfish people. These people are so uniformed, so dry, so abstract... yet, they are wonderful in so many ways. It comes to be intriguing.

I was on the hunt, but something stopped me. A commotion. I quickly crouch and hide behind a bush. The bush was a bloom and the beauty of purple mountain flowers covered the everlasting green of the forest. I was in the Gavauden Forest, this forest is near the city of Farrun, which was destroyed long ago, North of High Rock. I was in the heart of the forest. I hear a woman talking in an Aldmeri accent. Much authority in her tone as she said:

"Finally, we have chased you long enough. How dare you steal from your Elven ancestors, thief? What say you in your defense?"

The wind brushed the air as the forest went quiet. I caught a glimpse of the situation, but not the thief.

"Not speaking? Very well, we will take you back to our embassy. Our leader will know what to do."

She whispers to another elf, this one a male:

"Lidiann will smash him into bits, hahaha!"

I decide to follow them from a fair distance. They will not detect me. I am curious to see what his fate shall be.

The embassy was quite hidden. Only recently had the Dominion established in High Rock. They are planning to invade, like they did with Valenwood. I nibble on some bread while I watch the show. The thief was bound. Lidiann, a fair Altmer, stood in front of his desk.

I had view from his office's window. I was outside. It was dark and moonless, beautiful darkness surrounds me.

"Ah, finally, You've caught the mutt." Said the tall elf.

The others grinned.

"Send him to a cell, I'll deal with him myself in the morning. May Auri-El have pity on your soul."

The thief was sent away. I am curious about this man. He is hooded and I cannot see him at all. The only thing visible is his tan-ish hands. I will save him and see if the will of the Shadow Mistress has put him in my path.

My plan will take its course.

"By Mara's compassion! I have found the Embassy." I yell in a weird and mixed accent. A mixter of Aldmeri and bretonic tongues. I changed my black armor and put on a black dress that I had in my endless satchel.

"Halt, citizen." Said a mer.

"Please, I beg of you. I am looking for my cousin. I got word that he is in jail here. I come to pay his debt and take him home to Jehanna. He is ill and I must tend to him soon."

"Who is your cousin?"

"Gailen. The thief you just took."

Gailen, what a name.

"We just took him in, how come you received word so quickly?"

"I was tracking him down. I saw when you took him." I made tears fall.

"Alright, lady. I'll see what I can do. Please, come inside. It is not safe to be outside for such a beauty."

I smiled and the elf blushed. Fool.

He got me in the cells. It seemed that he was the only guard awake at this hour. Poor elf, his life will end. He takes me to the thief. He looked like a ranger, an assassin. He looked dangerous. I like it.

I looked deep into his olive green eyes and I made contact with his mind. I uttered Play along, thief. I will get you out of this. Tag along or you shall die. He nodded.

"Gailen." I said smiling. I am your cousin, Miriah.

"Miriah." He said. His voice is fairly deep. I still could not see his face, only his glowing eyes.

"Behind this cell you lack power, my Gailen. How are you feeling?"

You are ill. I am aware you stole food. Use that as your advantage.

"Bad," he looks at the elf "I am sorry I stole some of your supper. I ran away from home and had no food. I'm very ill and I needed food to survive."

I pretend to sob and hug the elf. I scream in his chest. "Get him out of there! I must get him to Jehanna!" The elf opens the cell. The Breton rises. He is even taller than the Altmer. Next to him, I feel like a dwarf. Strange, a tall Breton. I run and hug him. Good boy.

We make our way out of the embassy. The elf had offered to give us supper and a horse. I only said yes to the food, claiming I had two horses a few miles away. I will not kill this one. I do not want the Dominion following us. The nice thing is I cast an Illusion spell over myself and I gave myself another appearance.

As the spell faded after an hour of the exit from the embassy, the thief looked impressed. I am sure he has never beheld such beauty in his miserable life. My black long wavy hair moved with the wind slightly. My hair is a bit too long, but I love it. My pale skin showed, my real height came to view and my purple eyes have been discovered. I am even shorter than a Breton.

The thief chuckled and said: "Short much?"

"Tall much?" I replied in a serious tone.

He laughed. I said: "What is your name? I don't feel like calling you thief forever."

"Arrund, yourself?"

"I am Moon."