Disclaimer: I do not own Skyrim or any other Bethesda works.
State of Tamriel and Major Factions in the 202nd year of the 4th era
Imperial Empire of Tamriel Capitol: White-Gold Tower, Imperial City, Cyrodill Provinces: Cyrodill, Skyrim (in rebellion), High Rock, Morrowind Races: Imperials, Nords, Bretons, Redguards, Dark Elfs, High Elfs, Wood Elfs, Orcs, Kahjit, Argonians Head of State: Emperor Titus Mede II (Imperial)
Military Might: 82 Legions, 451,000 strong (25 Legions guard the Imperial/Dominion/Black Marsh Border)
Relations: Cold War with Aldmeri Dominion, Process for reannexation of Hammerfell, hostile with Black Marsh Age: 3500 years Founded: By St. Alessa in the late 1st era-early 2nd era Goals: Destruction of the Aldmeri Dominion, Tamriel United under the Empire, Eventual Conquest of the continent of Akavir
Aldmeri Dominion Capitol: Crystal Tower, Firsthold, Summerset Isles Provinces (all formerly Imperial Provinces): Summerset Isles, Valenwood, Elsweyr (Client State)
Races: High Elfs, Wood Elfs, Kahjit Head of State: High Queen Eruwen (High Elf)
Military Might: Unkown, Estimated between 300,000 to 350,000 strong Relations: Cold War with Imperial Empire of Tamriel, hostile with Hammerfell, friendly with Black Marsh Age: 160 years Founded: By High Queen Eruwen in the 40th year of the 4th era Goals: Destruction of the Imperial Empire, Enslavement of the races of Man, Rise to Godhood
Independant Provinces Hammerfell (Former Imperial Province, currently in negotiatons to rejoin the Empire)
Race: Redguards Military Might: Estimated 250,000 to 300,000 strong
Black Marsh (Former Imperial Province)
Race: Argonians Military Might: Estimated 150,000 strong
Imperial Legion Army Structure and Ranking System Ranks:
Emperor/Empress (Also head of state)
Lord General General Legate Centurian Prefect Tribune Questor Auxiliary
Structure:
Field Army, 27,500 men (General)
Legion, 5,500 men (Legate)
Cohort, 150 men (Centurian)
Cabal, 30 men (Prefect)
Squad, 10 men (Tribune)
Important Characters: Maximus Aurelius Optimus age 29, Hadvar age 28, Serana Volkihar age 4325, General Tullius age 51, Legate Rikke age 48, Emperor Titus Mede II age 69, Aureleth Aurelius age 19, High Queen Eruwen age 451, Lord General Jonna age 61, High Queen Elisif age 23, Jarl Ulfic age 49, Jarl Balgruuf age 47, Parthurnaax age unkown, Odahving age unkown, Alduin age unkown
Imperial Line of Succession: Emperor Titus Mede II (Current ruler), Alessia Mede, Vittoria Vicci, Lord General Jonna, High Queen Elisif, Maximus Aurelius
21st Cohort:
Commanding officer, Centurian Maximus Aurelius (1st Cabal) Imperial male 2nd in command, Prefect Hadvar of Riverwood (2nd Cabal) Nord male 3rd in command, Prefect Aureleth Aurelius (3rd Cabal) Wood Elf female Quartermaster, Prefect Murgud Gurbesh (4th Cabal) Orc male Head Battlemage, Prefect Breia Morvayn (5th Cabal) Dark Elf female
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Rise of the Aurelius Dynasty chapter 1
"Maximus wake up!" Yelled a male voice. Instantly Maximus Aurelius woke with a jump falling out of his cot, only to hear a guffaw from the male voice soon joined by a laugh from a lilting female voice.
After some grumbling from the floor, Maximus stood up and while attempting to wipe the last vestiges of sleep from his blue eyes, tried to glare at the 2 laughing figures in his still blury vision. When his vision finally cleared, Maximus fully turned to the figures to see his protege and adopted daughter Aureleth and his best friend Hadvar.
Maximus had first met Hadvar 11 years ago when they joined the Imperial Legion and had both been assigned to the same Cohort after their 6 months of basic training was finished. Maximus had been born in the Imperial City in Cyrodill while Hadvar had born in the village of Riverwood in the Province of Skyrim, 8 years and dozens of battles later they had proved themselves as 2 of the Tamrielic Empire's best soldiers. Maximus was promoted to Centurian and given command of the 21st Cohort with Hadvar his 2nd in command and promoted to Prefect and were then assigned to the 4th Legion stationed in Skyrim under the command of General Tullius and Legate Rikke.
In the first few months of their Cohorts tour of duty in Skyrim, the Stormloak Uprising began when Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak of Windhelm murdered Skyrim's High King Toryyg. The 21st were assigned patrol duty in areas with a suspected heavy Stormcloak presence due to Maximus's reputation of getting the job done no matter the odds. While returning from one such patrol Maximus and his men found a wrecked refugee camp with thousands bodies everywhere, bodies that were primarily elven and while searching for survivors he met Aureleth.
-FLASHBACK- 3 years ago
"By the nine..." Whispered Maximus in horror as he crested a hill and layed eyes on a horrific scene below. As the rest of the Cohort joined him they too whispered in horror, cried out or vomited in the case of one member. For below them was a sight that would not of been out of place during the oblivion crisis 200 years prior. Thousands of bodies lay butchered before them, most were elven with a fair number being human, and fellow legionaires who had been assigned to escort the refugees out of Skyrim.
Quickly turning Maximus yelled out "Hadvar take your men and comb the southern part of the camp, Murgud you take the Northern side, Ironhand you take West, I'll take East, Breia have your men set a perimeter." Maximus watched in satisfaction as his men quickly carried out their tasks before joining them in his."
For hours they searched finding only death in the ruined camp. Maximus had all but given up hope of finding survivors until at last he heard a sound so faint he at first thought it was his imagination. But after a few more moments of listening he heard it again, a soft wimper of pain coming from a blood soaked tent near him. As he entered the tent the first thing he noticed was the strong smell of blood followed by the sight of a young bloodied wood elf maiden with long blonde hair and slanted emerald eyes, laying in the corner holding a fine bow with a weakly notched arrow aimed at him...
Aureleth had never felt as much terror as she did now. She was very young for an elf, even by human standards she was still barely an adult having lived for only 16 years and yet never had she thought she would face death at such a young age. She could'nt walk for both her legs were broken, she had cuts all over and felt very weak from blood loss. The previous day Stormcloak soldiers had come and killed everyone in the camp including her mother and older brother. She only survived due to being knocked out early in the fighting. When she awoke a few hours later all she could smell was death, blood and smoke as she desperately crawled to her families tent only to find her entire family dead, her father had abandoned them over a decade ago so he didnt count as family to her anymore. As she crawled through the tent she had hoped to find some healing supplies but soon found it all gone.
Knowing that without any supplies and being as weak as she felt now that she would die. Aureleth began to cry before passing out soon after. She next awoke the next day to a strong commanding voice being shouted out from the otherside of the camp, she panicked for she did not know if the voices were the soulless stormcloaks who hated her kind for events in the Great War 30 years previously or the Soldiers of the Imperial Legion.
Quickly she looked around for a weapon before noticing the family bow in her mothers dead hand with an arrow still notched. She hurriedly reached for the weapon, failing to stifle a wimper of pain from her lips. As she pried the bow from her mothers rigid grip another wimper left her as she finally loosed her mothers hold on the bow before drawing back the string and aiming at the tentflap. She soon heard footsteps appoaching her tent and her fear rose. She knew that if a Stormcloak entered and she missed that she would die a slow and painfull death. She could only hope that an Imperial entered.
Soon the tentflap was pulled open and Aureleth was temperarily blinded by the harsh sunlight streaming directly into her eyes. As her eyesight adjusted she noticed the man was in heavy Legion Armor and before she could stop herself she loosed her arrow...
As Maximus looked at the young elf he could see was blinded by the sudden light he saw her grip on the bowstring slacken before releasing fully. Quickly Maximus twisted his upper body to the side, out of the arrow's path. When he turned backto the elf he said "I'll assume you thought I was a Stormcloak."
The young elf weakly nodded before saying in a croaked voice. "I was scared and didnt know who would enter."
Maximus then noticed the full extent of her wounds. "HEALER!" He shouted out from the tent before quickly moving to the elf. "Just lay down, help is coming." He continued while pulling out various potions, bandages and salves from his satchel. As he did this he decided to engage with small talk to help distract the young girl from the obvious pain she was in.
"So whats your name?" He asked
"Aureleth Elrond (wishing she didnt have her fathers last name), yours?" The young elf Aureleth Replied.
"Centurian Maximus Aurelius of the 21st Cohort, 4th Legion. At your service milady" Maximus quiped
Aureleth let out a weak laugh as the Imperial, Maximus introduced himself.
'So Aureleth how old are you?" He continued. "Im 16." She replied.
"Thats..." He stopped as the tent was pulled open again and a man in robes entered, obviously a mage and most likely the healer Maximus called for.
"How bad is she?" The healer asked as he rushed over.
'Both her legs are broken, cuts all over, definite concussion, along with bruised ribs..."
For hours the Imperials worked to save her life. The Leader Maximus not once leaving her side, making conversation or joking all in an effort to distract her from the pain. When she was no longer in danger of dieing she was moved to cot in a tent the Cohort had set up on the outskirts of the camp.
When they had finished Maximus had asked her if she hadany family left that she knew of.
With tearful eyes she replied. "No everyone I knew was in that camp." Thats when it hit her. She had no one left, no family, no friends, nothing. "I dont know what to do, everything is gone." She let out as sobs wracked her body.
Maximus sat with her on the cot before pulling her to him in an effort to comfort her.
Aureleth was clutched as tightly as she could to the Imperial for even though she barely knew him, He was her only rock.
What seemed like hours later Aureleth pulled back, noticed the tears all over Maximus's armor.
Giving a chuckle he replied. "Its alright, but my men and I will need to head back and report to Solitude. Your welcome to tag along if you wish."
"Alright, let me get my bow and a change of clothes and some sleep as well." She said with a yawn.
"You do that.I'll wake you when its time to head out." Maximus said to her before leaving the tent.
During the 7 day journey back to solitude Maximus showed Aureleth how to properly handle a bow before commenting that she is actually quite skilled and would make an excellent archer and scout. He also briefly showed her some Imperial swordplay techniques, they talked about their lives and so on. Also that if she wished she would make an excellent addition to the Legion.
"Do you really think I should join Maximus?" Aureleth asked nervously, not really believing she was good enough. As they approached the gates of Castle Dour in Solitude, headquarters for the 4th Legion.
"Of course. In fact I'll see what I can do about getting you into the 21st Cohort when you finish basic."
"Really?!" She asked excitedly. Even though she had only known Maximus for a total of 7 days, he was already the closest thing she ever had to a father.
"Yes really" Maximus replied with a chuckle. Before noticing Legate Rikke approaching.
"Legate Rikke." Maximus said with his right fist over his heart and a bow of his head, the traditional Imperial Salute.
"Centurian Aurelius" Rikke said back while copying the salute. A moment later she continued with a small smile. 'I see you've made a new friend Maximus. Care to share the story?"
"Of course ma'am" Maximus replied before telling Rikke what happened.
30 minutes later Maximus finished with "... and so told her she would make a great addition to the Legion."
"I see, well I'll take your word for it." Rikke said to Maximus. She then turned to Aureleth and said. "Meet me in my office an hour from now and we'll see about you joining the Legion, I need to bring my report to the General. Carry on." Rikke then saluted before leaving for the Keep.
"Come I'll show you towards Rikke's office." Maximuse told Aureleth before heading in the direction of the office.
"But she said an hour?" Aureleth asked confused on why heading there immediatly.
With a chuckle Maximus replied. "When Rikke says you should meet her in an hour, she really means half an hour. Hadvar and I learned that the hard way."
They soon arrived at the office and only had to wait 10 minutes for Rikke to arrive and let them in.
As they sat down Rikke grabbed a quill and parchment. "Im going to need your full name for the roster." Rikke told Aureleth.
After a few moments hesitation in which Aureleth glanced at Maximus she said in a clear voice. "Aureleth Aurelius"
Rikke stared at Aureleth for a moment before bursting out laughing. Maximus just stared at Aureleth in shock.
"Looks like you've been adopted old friend." Rikke said to the shocked Maximus while still laughing.
-FLASHBACK ENDS-
Maximus chuckled as he remembered how he adopted Aureleth or more precisely how she adopted him.
"What are you chuckling about Max?" Came the lilting musical voice of Aureleth. The beautiful young Wood Elf Maximus and his Cohort saved from death 3 years prior. She was taller then most humans at 6'1' with shoulder length blonde hair, slanted emerald green eyes and deeply tanned skin. She is known as the angel of death in the 21st Cohort and even though she has only served 3 years in the legion she has already reached the rank of Prefect, a previously unheard of feat.
"Just remembering how we met and how you basically adopted me." He replied with more chuckling.
"Im glad I made an impression." She said with a smile at the man she considered her father in all but blood before continueing with. "But we've just recieved our orders."
"Alright what have we got?" He asked them.
It was Hadvar who answered. "Travelors have been disappearing near the mountains between morthal and Whiterun. Our Cohort has been assigned to investigate." Hadvar then handed Maximus their orders along with supply requisition forms.
'Any leads?" Max asked looking over the Orders and filling the supply forms.
"Bandits" Hadvar said at the same time Aureleth had said "Stormcloaks" with an evil grin.
Both males turned to Aureleth. "What? You both know how much I hate them." Max couldnt help but shake his head sadly. After what happened to her family Aureleth had develped an almost fanatical hatred for the stormcloaks, often killing them as painfully as possible. It was part of the reason why she was promoted so quickly another reason was her complete loyalty to the empire as thanks for saving her life.
"Your scary sometimes, you know that right?" Hadvar asked Aureleth. "If I scare you Hadvar then I must terrify the Stormcloaks." Aureleth replied with a grin. It was true the Stormcloaks were literally terrified of her. Once the 21st went against a whole battalion of Stormcloaks, the Stormcloaks threw down their weapons and begged for mercy when they saw the Banner of the 21st Cohort.
"Enough you two. Hadvar go assemble the men. Aureleth if it does turn out to be stormcloaks please try and show some restraint. We need prisoners to lead us to Ulfric."
The name Ulfric caught Aureleths immediate attention. "Its soon isnt it?" She asked.
Knowing exactly what she was talking about Max replied. "Yes Aureleth it is. By this time next year Ulfrics head will adorn a spike on the walls of the Imperial City." Aureleth let out a wide smile at that before saluting and leaving for the courtyard of Castle Dour.
Maximus soon finished the paperwork before he too left for the Courtyard where the 21st lay assembled.
As Maximus entered the courtyard he noticed General Tullius speaking with High Queen Elisif so he made his way over.
"Ah Maximus. I hate sending you out there with next to no intel, but we've lost contact with all the scouts we sent ahead of you. All I have is a name sent by messanger bird. Dimhollow Crypt. A name like that guarantees trouble." Tullius told Maximus after the salutes were exchanged.
"Its no problem sir. Hadvar thinks its bandits but Aureleth believes it to be Stormcloaks. Personally I agree with Aureleth. Worst case, Ulfric is trying to sneak an army between Whiterun and Morthal. Unlikely but possible. Maximus replied to Tullius. He then turned to Elisif.
"Its great to see you again cousin. I trust you are well?" Maximus asked Elisif.
"I'm fine Maximus. I was just asking if the General could spare a Cabal to investigate these strange reports I've been getting from Dragon Bridge."
"Dont worry your majesty, I'll get some people on it." Tullius said before leaving for the Castle's War Room.
"Trouble?" Maximus asked.
"I dont know Maximus. Falk keeps giving me these strange reports from Dragon Bridge. Everything from strange lights to disappearing villagers. I'm worried." Elisif replied.
"I'd take the 21st and check it out but we already have a mission." Maximus told Elisif regretfully.
"I'm sure who ever Tullius sends will be more then adequate." Said Elisif.
"I'm sure as well. I need to brief my men. Take care cousin." Maximus said before heading towards the assembing 21st.
When Maximus reached his men he called out. "ATTENTION!" Immediatly the 21st Cohort snapped into formation.
"Alright men. We have recieved intel suggesting that the Stormcloaks may be trying to sneak an army through the pass in the mountains between Morthal and Whiterun. Our mission is as follows, investigate the area and confirm presence of Stormcloak forces. If Stormcloak Presence is confirmed then we will send a messanger bird to fort Snowhawke requesting reinforcements to eliminate the Stormcoak force. Our first area of operations will be in the vicinity of Dimhollow Crypt. Any questions?"
"SIR, NO SIR!" yelled the Cohort at once.
"Excellent now we march! FORWARD!" Maximus called, nodding in satisfaction when his men marched in perfect lines to the city gates.
"Here Max." Aureleth called out as she came up to him on horseback while holding the reins for his horse named Alfsingr. After mounting up himself, they followed the rest of the Cohort through the gates and began their long march to Dimhollow Crypt.
AN: Ok, so this is my first fanfic. It will be mostly AU and will barely keep to the main storyline. Constructive criticism welcome. Also could use a Beta.
