A/N 7/29/15: (Please bear in mind that this story is a bit outdated. I'm currently working on a complete re-write of Azure's story on AO3 under the same pen name. I hope you all enjoy this one, nonetheless, and I hope you'll give the re-write a read as well.)

Happy birthday to me.

I peeled myself off the cell floor, which was somewhat sticky with gods-know-what. The sun struggled to penetrate the pathetic excuse of a window. I sat up and scooted over to where the sunbeam touched the floor, hoping it would provide some warmth, but alas, it didn't help much. I sighed. Exactly 3 years ago today, my sorry arse was tossed into this cell. How, you ask? Short and simple.

Thieves Guild, huge heist, screw-up, prison.

Why did I think that a 17-year-old thief could take on breaking into the Imperial palace? It was my birthday, and my fellow guildmates were showering me with praises, and mead. So I guess it's only natural I got cocky. I breezed through the Old Way, and screwed up when I didn't calculate the guards' shifts properly. To add insult to injury, I stumbled into the bloody guard quarters, to find over 15 men in the process of changing out of their clothes.

Had the circumstances been different, I would have laughed at the looks on their faces.

The icing on the cake though was being "apprehended" by two guards. They offered to take me to the Imperial prison.

They didn't.

Instead, they complimented how "physically matured for my age" I was, and how my "silky black hair and sky blue eyes were a nice contrast". Red flags went up right then and there. They took me into a storeroom, and tried to force themselves on me. In the struggle, I managed to kick over a weapons rack, and luckily one of the other guards heard it.

Problem is, it was Hieronymus Lex.

Lex and my parents were really close. They loved him as a son, and pretty much took care of him when he first came out to the Imperial City. I've known him ever since the day I was born. So picture if you will, the expression on his face when he saw me, the top part of my armor removed, and two men holding my arms down.

Needless to say, he was pissed.

Now imagine the hurt and look of betrayal, when I had to tell him that I was the thief that broke into the palace.

Even to this day, that look on his face still haunts me.

A wonderful birthday gift. Failure to carry out the greatest heist, almost being raped by two corrupt guards, removal from the guild you were with for so long, and…

When someone who was practically part of your family wouldn't even look you in the eye when he threw you in here.

That night, I cried my hardest. Fear, shame, disappointment, and distrust all made a nest in my chest that night.

I swore I would never drink mead again.

I wrapped my arms around my legs and shivered at the somewhat sudden cold air that always seemed to be present. The Dunmer man who was in the cell across from mine, took notice. "What's wrong, Imperial maiden? Are you cold? If you want, I could ask one of the guards to put you in my cell. Then I could warm you up."

My face burned with anger, but I refused to engage him. The Dunmer, named Valen Dreth was unbearable to be around. He was drunk off of fantasies that he'd become some big-shot noble after he gets out of prison. When the guards came around he'd assault them countless times with his plans.

I'd bet my life other prisoners would choose the death penalty than be stuck with this guy.

My heart sank as I looked at Dreth from the corner of my eye. Would that be my fate? Stuck rotting in a cell until my sanity would all but desert me, and I'd only be running on impossible fantasies? I buried my face in my arms.

So is the fate of the thieves and murderers, huh.

My waterfall of thoughts ran dry as I heard voices coming down the upper hallway.

Dreth grabbed the bars of his cell and cackled. "Well, I guess they're coming for you!"

I stood up in a heartbeat. "Wh-What do you mean?!" I demanded, unable to hide the scared squeak in my voice. He gave an evil smile and silently turned away. My legs started shaking. What if they decided the death penalty for me? I didn't steal anything that night! Sure, I picked a few locks and trespassed, but that's hardly worth a person's life! The armored footsteps grew louder and louder. I sucked in a breath and tried to hold my head up high. The most honorable thing to do at this point would be to accept my fate.

Azure, the Imperial woman whom at the tender age of 17 got overconfident and had herself thrown in prison. Such a shame, executed at only 20 years of age. She had barely begun to live…

I frowned disdainfully.

Don't you love it when your mind writes your obituary for you?