Authors Note:Do note, if you review I will accept CONSTRUCTIVE criticism. Any flaming will be ignored. I'll likely be re-writing this(once I finish the full piece), as currently I am writing as I play through the game with this particular character. This will not be your typical main quest story and such - it will involve things that I create and believe would happen between the various questing and such. It will also go a little beyond the end of the main quest.

The Elder Scrolls III

Morrowind

Heaven and Hell

The Dream

That night, the seas were rough The Imperial prison ship, HMS Keeper, sailed across the violent seas and through the mighty storm. Within its hold, prisoner Juib was returning his pathetic lunch to the world by vomiting into a bucket. He lay in his hangar, too immersed in regurgitating his food to be concerned about his cell mate. In the rear cabin, on the bear floor, a tall Argonian lay sleeping. Not a single noise came from him other than his heavy breathing. He was not bothered by the storm one little bit – for the goddess Azura was sending him a vision. A vision that told him of his future in the world, he just didn't realise it yet...

"They have taken you from the Imperial cities prison, to the east, to Morrowind. Fear not, for I am watchful." - Azura

Porologue

The smell. It was the first thing I noticed as I stirred from my lengthily and quite painful slumber. I could smell a mixture of damp wood and stale bread all around me. My double lidded eyes blinked rapidly – glancing round, I recognised the familiar wooden panels of an Imperial prison ship. I was lying down on a hard, damp wooden floor with my feet's rear claws embedded deeply in a small bucket. Gently, I released my claws and rose from the ground. It was all coming back to me now...

"Are you ok?"

The voice made me jump slightly. Glancing round frantically, I discovered the familiar face of my 'cell mate': Juib. Juib was a middle aged, Dunmer man, with a scar running across one of his eyes. I suspected he had lost that eye in a desperate fight for freedom many years ago. For you see, he and I were both prisoners. Together, we had been released from our prison and placed on a boat. We were told nothing of our destination nor fate, only that we were 'being taken away for your own good'.

"Yes, I will be fine thank you."I replied. Juib seemed slightly sad for a brief moment as he frowned. The frown was barely noticeable, however I could understand why. Usually, when my kind said 'Yes', it came out as a hiss of sorts."How long was I out for?"

"I don't know. Even last nights storm couldn't wake you. What's your name?"

"Ral-Jille."

"I heard them say we've reached Morrowind: I'm sure they'll let us go!"Morrowind?

Great! I thought angrily. I'm being taken to the homeland of my arch nemesis!

"Quiet, here comes the guard."Juib whispered sharply. Glancing out of the door and towards the stair well, I could clearly see a young Imperial dressed in some kind of light armour heading towards us.

"You – come with me."the guard order gruffly, gesturing half-heartedly at me. Part of me pondered whether or not I would be successful in pouncing him...after all, my claws were awfully sharp right now. Quickly, I discarded that thought. There was a slim chance I was alas destined to be released from the Imperial prisons. Slowly and not so gracefully, I followed the Imperial guard. I hear Juib whisper in my ear as I 'waddled' out.

"You better do what they say..."

Great, now I'm taking advice from a Dunmer! I thought angrily. The guard was awfully slow for my liking. It seemed like years had passed before we reached the latch to the deck.

"Lets try to get this a civil as possible..."the Imperial remarked snidely, making a face at me as I ascended the ladder slowly. I hated climbing ladders – this was due to the shaping of Argonian feet, which sadly meant the easiest way to climb was to claw the ladder to pieces. With my left hand, I nearly clawed the latch open. As the wooden door flung open and made a loud thudding noise on the deck, an overwhelming blast of fresh air flew into the ship. Oh, how refreshing that was! Instantly, my snout picked up the familiar scent – the scent of a swamp.

I think...I might just enjoy my stay here...

"Excuse me?"

For the second time this day, a voice made me jump. I had just climbed out of the ship(the guard closed the latch behind me of course) when a young Redguard interrupted me. He was staring at me and if you observed him closely enough, you could see a hint of fear in his eyes.

New recruit... I mentally decided. Of course, I was quite an intimidating sight: my claws on both my feet and hands were of incredible length and my clothes were just slightly bloodied from an unfortunate accident before boarding.

"Yesssss?"I hissed back. The young man jumped backwards slightly. If I could smile, I would of.

"T – this is where they want you. Head down to Census office so they can r – release you." Just as the words were leaving the guards mouth, a second guard was striding up the dock platform. I moved swiftly towards him – the man bore the outfit of the Imperial Legion, therefore he was not working with the guards, merely co-operating with them. After I nearly fell off the gang way, he began to speak.

"Ah yes, we've been expecting you. We just don't know exactly where it is you come from..."I sighed – though that also resembled a long hiss.

"Despite your incredible idiocy, I am an Argonian from the Black Marsh."I replied slowly, to make him feel stupider than he already was.

"Yes...well..."he continued, brushing off the comment."If you'll follow me up to the office we'll finish your release."Once more, I found myself behind a dawdling Imperial. I took the opportunity to look around me – the town they'd deposited me in was only small. In front of us, there was a large building (I expected it was the Census Office), with an indoor bridge of sorts connecting to a moderate sized warehouse. From my vantage point, I could make out a handful of houses and a small two storied building. It was a truly beautiful morning – there were only a few clouds, the sun was shining...however the horizon was gloomy. Towards the sea, the storm that had savaged the HMS Keeper was still going strong. I suspected that it would hit the swampy region in a day or two. Not that it bothered me much – there were regular rain storms back in Argonia.

Inside the office, I was greeted by a balding and ageing monk. Most people would of called it cosy – luxuriously decorated, a large desk, comfortable chairs, a blazing fire, plenty of books...however, cosiness is not the same for my kind, for we are reptilian after all. The only cosiness we really know is sunlight. Nevertheless, the blazing fire provided some comfort.

"You'll have to fill out your papers before you're released."the monk told me. He was awful...joyous. He kept smiling and speaking in a light hearted voice throughout the whole time I was there."First, would you please inform me of your profession?"

Profession? Hmm...I've never considered that...I suppose I'm a good marksman and decent with a long sword...I'm fast and agile...

"I am an Archer."I am informed him. This was a lie really – I just decided on it based on my best skills. There was a reason my simple name was 'He-Who-Misses-Never'.

"Very well..."the old monk wrote something on a piece of parchment he had laid out on his desk."Now, according to the letter from the prison, you were born under a certain sign...and what would that be?"

"I was born under the sign of the Lady."This was a fact. Unlike the majority of my species, I speak quite clearly and very well. This could be considered as a characteristic of the Lady, due to the personalities and persuasive skills associated with her. In fact I wasn't quite sure how I knew this, as in Argonia we didn't bother with constellations as much as the easterners.

"Yes, well everything seems to be in order...if you would just review it please and tell me if there are any mistakes.."the monk passed me a scroll with my details written neatly on it. My eyes examined it for every little detail it possessed.

"Yes, everything is in perfect order."I informed him, blinking rapidly as I did so.

"Proceed to the captain to finish your release...take a left when you go through that door, straight through and then into the other part of the building."Following his instructions, I found myself in what appeared to be a dining room. Various dishes of food were laid out, various books and drinks were on shelves, a dagger impaled a piece of paper firmly on the dining table and a small box was laid at the bottom of the bookcase to the left. After much investigating, I discovered the box contained some gold. Not exactly a massive fan of the Imperials right now, I pocketed it along with a drink, a piece of bread and the dagger. I proceeded through the door and outside. A stone wall blocked me from continuing any further, so I went left. After investigating a barrel and taking a small ring(which was engraved with strange symbols), I finally found the captain. I handed in my papers and received 'orders' to deliver a package to Caius Coasades in Balmora. Finally, I stepped out of the door and into the marsh land I now knew to Seyda Neen. And It reminded me greatly...of home. Most importantly though, I was free. Free after a long life of slavery and prison.

Little would Ral-Jille realise however, that his role in events to come would restrict that freedom very much so...

A/N: If you're wondering where the character actually begins to think about the dream, look for the end of Chapter 1.