My first Oblivion fic. May be a bit AU as I haven't finished the game yet. Having said that, I got it into my head to do this. The first in a slow series of oneshots regarding the life of the Chamion of Cyrodil. He's not named in this chapter, but he will be in future ones.

Agronak gro Malag remembered the boy. He remembered the first time the kid had come to the arena and had taken up the battle raiment for his first few fights. The young imperial had looked slightly more than nervous before his first fight. Even so, his grip on the broadsword he carried was a firm one. In seeking distraction from his first bog fight he had struck up a conversation with the orc champion. For some unknown reason Agronak had been drawn to the young man's charisma. He had an honesty about himself that was not patronising and he had listened to the tale Agronak had had to tell. Perhaps he had been mistaken at the time, but the man had seemed to be interested, then he had asked if he could help. After several fights the boy had vanished and Agronak remembered the feeling of regret at his duplicity.

It had been his surprise when the boy had returned, stronger, more mature, with a darkness around his eyes that was the remnants of his trials. He hadn't noticed at the time, but Agronak realised that the boy carried a touch of genuine regret. Even when the elated Grey Prince had taught him some of the best fighting moves in the arena the boy had still had the look of sadness in his eye. Then the awful truth and Agronak's despair, the boy disappearing into the arena and coming back, time and time again victorious. Then he had vanished. Disappearing completely. Agronak had been sorry to see him go. Despite the pain he had been brought by the young man, he was still honourable enough to carry out the mission.

Back he had come, time and again to fight maybe one or two fights at a time, but he never talked to Agronak again. Out he'd go and he wouldn't been heard of until he came back. The reports had started to return to the city by that stage, to the point where even a reclusive disgraced Arena fighter could hear of them. The Hero of Kvatch! People sang his praises everywhere they went, taking courage from his deeds in these dark times. Then had come the cheers that were for the Divine Crusader and the Knights of the Nine. Ancient heroes had come to life and were resisting the daedra.

All of that changed when the war fully broke upon them. Agronak had fought the daedra as all had, their skills as warriors being more valuable than that of an Imperial Legion soldier. It had been one week of hellish battles, overrun with nightmare the type of which had never been seen before. But the news, the news of victory, of the Emperor having been found safe and well and of the hero of Kvatch having been at his side for the entire battle, save his duel with Dagon. Now word of the mysterious hero was starting to spread. An imperial, a member of the Blades, not only that but a Knight of the Nine, the Divine Crusader himself! But when asked about his description, none knew. But the Grey Prince wasn't stupid.

The Emperor had returned. Martin Septim led the victory parade through the streets of the Imperial city, always stopping and giving thanks to the Nine. But as Agronak watched from his place on the wall he noted something else. The dark head of a young man in blade armour, but bareheaded, riding alongside the Emperor. And it was then he knew. Days later, after some semblance of order had come to the city, Agronak was training in the arena Bloodworks.

"Agronak, my friend."

The voice was the same, but it wasn't the same youth who stood before him. Clad in armour, a long Akaviri katana over his shoulder and another at his waist. He had cast aside the Blade armour in favour of the Kvatch cuirass and the Divine Crusader helmet he carried under an arm. Agronak straightened and looked the man in the eye.

"Yes?"

The Champion of Cyrodil stretched out a hand which the Grand Champion shook. "Thanks for everything you taught me."

Read and review. Let e know what you think and if you have any suggestions, I will include them if I can in future chapters