A/N: I never saw a story out there where the PC from the game is dead and still guiding, so here one is.

Disclaimer: I do not own Oblivion, but I own all but one of the characters in this.

Tomb robbing wasn't a young thief's idea of a good thing. The gods hated tomb robbers, but it was work he needed. Slipping past the guards, a young Imperial boy darted down one of the corridors. He passed by coffin after coffin, it unnerved him how each one had a carved figure on it. They were watching him, he was sure of it, but none more so than his target. He came to an unmarked tomb at the end; it lay in the middle of a small circular dead end. Torches flickered all around illuminating the area; sending uneasy shivers down his spine. The light gave the impression the small area was not part of the world. What stopped him the most was that he couldn't see the end of the chamber, surely the light would have reached it. Something was hidden in the darkness, was ever it was it wasn't dangerous. Just forbidding to his thieving self, not anything else about him; taking a deep breath he stepped through to the forbidden area. Just like that, the end was lit. A marble carved armor woman stared down at him. Stone hair hung loosely down; there was no color to her eyes, yet somehow he knew they had been green.

No, he thought, backing away, never. Only a fool would desecrate her tomb. There wasn't a curse, but it was just improper, after everything she had done it was improper. If anyone was a symbol for justice, honor and integrity it was her. No amount of gold on the world or beyond could bring him to rob her tomb. His employer obviously didn't agree with him, other wise he wouldn't have offered the commission. All he could wonder was how anyone could want to, was it for some sick pleasure? Dropping his lock pick, he turned to leave, but the corridor was gone, lost into the darkness. Oh how he hated mage's and their tricks! This had to be some form of protection against robbers. It was just to make him think the corridor was gone. He twitched slightly, there was no way he was going insane. All the priests had said his mind was sound, so the corridor had to be there. Thus it was just all some mage's trick.

Turning back he walked around the coffin to face the kind faced statue, "I'm sorry ma'am, if I'd known I would never have come here; or even ever taken the commission." He said the words as sincerely as he knew how, hoping she would hear from beyond the grave and let him go.

"You are one of few to speak out of regret than fear." A soft soprano voice said from behind him.

He whirled, pulling his dagger free, thinking it was an armed guard. No it was a ghost identical to the statue behind him. Falling to his knees looked up at her pleadingly, "Have mercy Champion, I meant no disrespect in coming here."

She shook her head, ghostly hair flying around her, "You came to deliver disrespect to one of my Knights, until you learned it was my tomb you were to rob. Do not lie to me child, for I will know."

Bowing his head to her justice, he just whispered, "I am truly sorry my lady, I never should have taken the commission." There was no reply, he began to sweat as the silence in lengthened. After a while his frozen mind began to work again, and he realized she was looking for something other than penance; but what, an excuse or a reason? Yes he thought, that had to be it, she wanted to know why he had come; "Ma'…Ma'am… I… I…nee…need th…the money… it was such a large sum, and would feed me for a year or more…" He began to babble, until a cool translucent hand lifted his face to look her in the eye.

A total lack of anger confused him, she wasn't angry yet he had come to steal from her. Why? Why wasn't she angry? Had he said what she was waiting to hear from him? Which of the many things he had babbled? Looking her in the eyes he saw compassion and understanding reflected at him. He then realized it wasn't a ghost in front of him, but her spirit. Everything she had ever been in life, he felt impossibly small at the realization. How could he a simple thief have warranted her full attention? Could it be his countless petty crimes?

"Child, you hold more potential than you realize," she said softly, kneeling with him, hand moving to his cheek. "You need not fear me, for how could I harm someone so innocent?" Smiling at his shocked expression, "Yes, innocent, but not in the manner your thinking. This will pass as you grow older, but it need not be lost like it is in so many others. Child, would you like a chance to turn your life around? I myself received one from the Aedra and embraced it. Take the chance child, for it may be you last."

The boy just started her in wonder, a chance at a better life… It seemed too good to be true, to good for a thief.

"You think this chance isn't worthy of a thief, but it is. Everyone deserves the chance for redemption. I was a thief to you know, until the Aedra saved me. Take the chance child, you will not regret it. Do not go down in infamy; go down a knight, a hero. This future is not out side your grasp."

Deep down the boy realized he wanted this chance more than anything in the world. He had never thought it would ever, yet here was a hero of the past age offering him redemption and salvation. Nodding quickly and repetitively, he accepted her offer.

"I will not promise this path will be easier than any others open to you, it will be long and hard, you should know this." When the boy didn't appear to change his mind, she stood pulling him up with her. One thing he didn't get was how substantial she was; most ghosts attacked or could be passed right through. Taking his hand she led him to the formerly darkened corridor, a pair of Knights were watching them and he shrank back. "This is the chance I mentioned Squire." She pushed him forward and spoke to the Knights, "Look after him, his heart is nobler than his past deeds." They nodded and took the boy to be trained and educated as one of them. "Until we met where no shadows fall." She whispered watching the boy leave, knowing he would do well.

Another ghost appeared beside her, "He'll make the whole family proud." The knew ghost spoke in a baritone voice. "Come Ariel, we must return for now."

She smiled at the love of her life. They had been separated by death for fifteen years, both dying young for their respective races. Him only forty-three, her at a hundred and ten; that had been a good thirty years ago, "I just wish we could do more for him Martin."

The last Septim pulled his love close, "just like Calandra, he will do well now his feet are on the right path."

"I know." Arielwin whispered as the pair vanished, leaving the tombs alone again.

A/N: alrignt, so I couldn't keep out the standard femalehero/Martin relationship. I'll let you guess who Calandra is. Oh, anyone pick up the odd ball quote in here?

Pronuciation note: Arielwin (Are-e-el-win)