A/N: My first Oblivion fic! This will only be two or three chapters, and is mostly scenes in between certain quests near the end of the main quest line. Reviews are appreciated as they help me know if I am doing okay or if I should just give it up.

Cloud Ruler Temple stood starkly against the Jerall mountains, an impressive fortress for the Blades. A lone black horse rode up the path from Bruma below. On the horse's back, a woman in mages robes and a black traveling cloak rode. As she approached the gate, shouts could be heard on the ramparts. Slowly, the gates opened, and the woman slid off the horse. She pushed back the hood of her cloak to reveal dark red hair, and ice blue eyes. She shouldered her pack, greeting the Blades as she climbed the stone steps. At the top, she paused and bowed to Jauffre, the Grandmaster of the order.

"Welcome back Karis. What have you to report?" he asked. Karis set her pack down.

"Oblivion Gates are cropping up all over Cyrodiil. I've almost lost track of how many I've had to close. But every city is sending troops to aid the Bruma guard. The Imperial Legion is stretched too thin to help, according to Ocato, but Arch-Mage Traven has pledged several battlemages. They should begin to arrive by dawn. Even some of the Kvatch guard will join us." She said.

"I am very impressed. I'm sure Martin would like to see you. He's still going over those books." The concern in Jauffre's voice was evident.

"I understand. I have a few things for him as well." Karis replied, picking up her pack. She entered the main room of the temple, where a roaring fire offset the cold air from outside. Hunched in a chair before a pile of books sat Martin, heir apparent of Tamriel. Karis came forward and sat down next to him, dropping her pack at her feet. Martin jumped when he heard her. His blue eyes were rimmed in red, and he looked as if he had not slept the entire week she had been gone.

"Karis. Thank Akatosh you're safe. I worried so much." He said, smiling warmly. Karis grinned at him.

"It took a little longer than I expected. Arch Mage Traven needed me to do some tasks for the council. The Necromancers are getting ready for something big. Tomorrow, I have to ride to Silorn and meet with a group of battlemages to intercept something. Before that, I wanted to bring you this." Karis reached into her pack and pulled several sigil stones out, letting them roll about the table as she pulled a few more odds and ends out of her pack. Finally, she clutched something with both hands and lifted it with both hands. Soft blue-white light filled the room as the Great Welkynd Stone emerged from her pack. Martin's eyes widened in amazement.

"You did it. You got the stone. It's a terrible shame that we have to destroy it for the ritual." He said, taking the stone. Karis shrugged.

"At least I don't have to worry about that dammed ruin again. You know the legend of the king haunting it? He wasn't haunting it, he was a lich king!" she cringed at the memory. The lich hadn't appeared until she took the stone, and she had barely escaped. She rubbed her shoulder where the raised scar would forever remind her of that mission. Martin reached over and placed on hand on her cheek, where she felt the warm healing spell flow across the healing scar there.

"Damn Necromancer. They wiped out the guildhall in Bruma. The only survivor was J'skar. He's really good at Alteration magicka. These bastards are planning something big." She said. Martin nodded, glancing at the book before him.

"I still haven't figured out what this symbol means. I know it tells the last item for the ritual, but I have no idea what it could be." He muttered. Karis placed a tender hand on his shoulder.

"Martin, when is the last time you got any sleep?" she asked tenderly. He looked at her for a moment, but didn't reply.

"That's what I thought." She said, flipping the book closed with a telekinesis spell.

"Karis, what are you doing?" he demanded.

"As a Blade, it is my duty to protect you, even from yourself. You need to rest. As your friend, and as a wizard in the Mages Guild, I have no problem spelling you so you will get some rest." She said, staring him down. Martin looked ready to protest when a yawn escaped him.

"You win. I promise to get some sleep, but I want you to promise me something." He said.

"Of course."

"Tell Baurus how you feel." He whispered. Karis stared at him, eyes wide in surprise.

"How did you know?" she breathed.

"I'm not a fool. I have seen the way you look at him when you think he isn't looking, the way you linger around the temple until you can say goodbye to him. I was a follower of Sanguine once, and I know what love looks like." He said. Karis bowed her head, feeling a tear slide down her cheek.

"It isn't meant to be. I'm sure all he sees is the Breton girl who couldn't protect the emperor." She whispered. Martin reached over and gripped her chin in his fingers, forcing her to look him in the eye.

"That is far from the truth." He said, and pulled her into his arms, allowing her to weep on his shoulder. Unseen by the pair, Baurus closed the door to the dormitory, a single tear sliding down his cheek.

A/N: Poor Baurus! I figured it would be a change from the usual loving the guy who dissapears at the end of the quest line. That just seems mean to the pc. So, push the button! Don't make me sic Karis on you!