THE WORLD THIS IS BASED IN IS THE WORLD OF THE ELDER SCROLLS, BUT ALL CHARACTERS ARE OF MY OWN IMAGINATION.
THIS IS MY FIRST FANFIC, PLEASE REVIEW AND GIVE CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM. THANK YOU.

PROLOGUE

It was Turdas, Frostfall 29, 3E 450. It was storming in Windhelm, Skyrim. Count Beirir Ulfgar was running down the hall to the birthing chamber. The whole castle was restless. The chamber maids were getting the nursery ready. Count Beirir was shouting orders as he ran down the hall. He called for the castle priest and mage. He heard the countess scream all the way down the hall. The midwife suggested he wait outside the chamber while the baby was born. While waiting for his child to be born, Count Beirir started remembering his past. The swordsman training with his father in the courtyard and his acrobatics and athletics training. Running in the armor his father had made for him.

Count Beirir growing up, spent a lot of time in the blacksmith shops, learning the art of sword making and armor making. He had the dream of making the armor and sword that every other province of Tambriel would envy. He wanted to arm his armies with it once he was Count of Windhelm. He remembered the day he met his wife, the future countess. She walked in to the smith shop, requested a sword for her younger brother. She didn't recognize him as the count's son. Beirir was immediately in love with her. He personally made the sword for her brother. He made out of the best steel he could have sent here. Perfectly balanced, sharp enough to shave with. He spent more time with the young woman, who's name was Kirsten. Kirsten loved him and he loved her. Unfortunately she was betrothed to the owner of the local taven and hostel. Beirir had a plan.

That night he went to his father and told him about Kirsten. The young count never asked for anything from his father. He told his father how he was spending his time at the smith shop, and how Kirsten came in and ordered the sword for her brother. He went on how he spent time with Kirsten afterward and they loved each other. He wanted to marry Kirsten, but she was promised to someone else. His father was unsure of how he felt about this. But it was his only son and he wanted him to be happy. He thought of the future of Windhelm. It would be better to have a count and countess that know the people. At once, the count ordered his wagon to be readied. Beirir, the countess, and the count got in to he wagon and went to Kirsten's house.

Beirir had told Kirsten before that he was the count's son, but she didn't believe him. As he walked up to her door, and knocked. Kirsten's father opened the door and told him it was a little late for Kirsten to go out. Then her father saw the count behind Beirir. He immediately invited them in. The count talked to Kirsten's father about what Beirir had asked him and hen knew the circumstances. The count ask Kirsten in to the room where he was at. He asked her if she loved Beirir and is willing to be wed to him. Without hesitation she said yes. The count paid the dowry and had oversaw the wedding preparations. The countess worked with the birde's mother on getting the dress made. Kirsten's family moved in to the castle. The wedding went off with out any complications.

A couple years after the wedding, the count fell ill. Beirir knew that he would have to act as count until his father got better. But his father only got worse. The castle priest was doing everything he could. The castle priest made potions and elixirs that didn't help. Eventually the count had passed. A week later, Beirir was crowned Count of Windhelm. Kirsten became countess and still talked with the townfolk. Beirir held court everyday except Sundas. The people of Windhelm loved Beirir and Kirsten.

Now Beirir is having a child of his own. He hopes that the child is like him. He heard a baby cry from where he was standing and knew he was father now. Then he heard his wife scream again. He wanted to know what was going on. Twenty minutes later he heard another baby cry. Twins. His wife gave birth to twins. The Midwife came out holding a two children.

"My lord, the countess is fine and she is resting. It is the counts duty to name the children. You have a boy and a girl." the midwife said.

"My daughter, as beautiful as her mother. She has hair yellow as the sun like her mother. She will be named Estelle. My son, string as his father. Has hair black as mine. He will be name Marc."

"Very well my lord. I will have the council set up a feast in honor of Marc and Estelle." the mage had said.

The midwife and Beirir walked in to the birthing chamber together. Kirsten beat red and sweating. The midwife placed the children in their mothers arms. Beirir told Kirsten the names of the children and Kirsten approved. Beirir called for the mage to come in.

"Hirtel, set the feast for one week from tonight. Also have Llensi send a messengers to every count in Skyrim, and let them know of this joyous day. Have the town crier put out the news to everyone."

"Yes, my lord." Hirtel said.

Beirir and the midwife carried the children to other end of the castle so Kirsten's parents and Beirir's mother could meet the children. Beirir's mother cried at the site if her grandchildren. She held her granddaughter close and whispered to her. She gave the first gift to the children. She went to the closet and opened a trunk and pulled out a blue velvet dress that she made before Beirir was born.

"I had this made in case I was given a daughter. I pass this on to Estelle. In the trink is also your first outfit." As she pulled out a Black and gold outfit. "You wore this to your name day feast."

"Thank you, Mother. I just wish father was able to be here. At least Kirsten's parents could be here for her."

"I agree. I wish your father was here too. But I also know he is always here for you. He raised you good. You will be as good a father as you are a count. I know this to be true."

"Thanks mother. Would like to help me put the babes in the nursery? The wet nurse will be there for the children tonight while Kirsten rests."

Beirir and his mother walked to the nursery. They talked along the way and met the wet nurse in the nursery. They placed them in the cradles and kissed each on the forehead. They were walking out when Hirtel walked in. He had a small chest under his arm.

"My lord. I had these made in honor of the children's birth. Rings with your family sigil. I placed them on chains until they are old enough to wear them with out them falling off."

"Thank you Hirtel. I'm sure Kirsten will appreciate it as well."

Hirtel walk away and hung the chains above each cradle. They will stay there until they are old enough to wear them around their necks. Beirir and his mother walked out and left the wet nurse be with the children. He hugged his mother good night and went to his chambers.

It was the middle of the night when Hirtel came knocking at his door. He was in a panic. The Altmer was sweating and had hurried breathing.

"My lord…The castle is being stormed. The guard has been dispatched. The banner is that of Blacklight."

Beirir got out of bed and dressed in a hurry. Blacklight has never attacked. They were great allies. Just across the border in Morrowind, they both watched the borders. What is Count Ravel up to? He went to the nursery with Hirtel.

"Get them out of the city safe. Do whatever you need to make them safe."

"Yes my Lord"

Beirir went to the birthing chamber and got his wife. She wasn't ready to move. He decided to stay with her. His mother would be the regent until his heir came of age should anything happen to them. I hope Hirtel is able to the children to safety. He looked out the window and saw Hirtel was surrounded by Blacklight guards. He heard Hirtel yell something and in a flash Marc was gone. He saw Hirtel run with Estelle out of the city. I hope he knew what he did to Marc. My I hope my son is safe. That's when the door slammed open. Blacklight guards came in one shot Beirir through the heart and throat. Then aimed at Kirsten and shot her in the back. Kirsten's face was the last sight Beirir saw before everything went black.