Prologue

The Elder Council

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Noemie stared out the window, her green eyes seeing not the tall imperial city buildings or even the towering dragon statue in temple district that was once her best friend- no, she saw only memories. Laughs and smiles, teasing and jokes shared between two childhood companions. She missed Martin.

It had been a month now since Martin's selfless sacrifice, the sacrifice that resulted in the destruction of the amulet and in effect, the banishment of Mehrunes Dagon and his own untimely demise.

It wasn't fair.

A person, a selfless, kind-hearted person that had to die! She had only just found him again, separated after all those years… her best friend Martin. Martin, priest turned emperor. He should be alive, should be down there celebrating in the streets.

And that was the real problem. No one cared. Their savior… their hero… was dead, and there they were out celebrating in the streets. Noemie gave a growl, tears of frustrated rage leaking from her eyes. She turned away from the jubilant scene, squeezing her eyes shut in an effort to block out the merry making.

"It's not their fault." Noemie sighed before turning to look back out the window.

"I know, Baurus." Her voice was flat, and slightly raspy from the last few days. Her hands clenched on her lap as she tensed, waiting for the 'There-was-nothing-you-could-do-so-come-have-fun' speech. She had heard it entirely too much throughout the last three days.

"Who all knew Martin? I mean knew? The blades, his people at Kavatch, of which there are few left. Out of the vast majority of people living in Cyrodiil, just how many are truly mourning his death? To most he is an elusive vision. To those people in the street, he is just a grand idea of a man who they never met."

Noemie shut her eyes tears –of acceptance this time- leaking out from beneath her eyelids. Baurus eyed the silent woman as her body lost some of it's tenseness. "Those people down there have been besieged of daedra for months. The daedric prince himself came and started to lay waste to the city. How else are they going to release stress than by throwing such a celebration? They've had enough fear and sadness for now For now, let them celebrate; they will mourn in their own good time. True, not as deeply as you or I, but they will mourn.

Noemie gave a small, mirthless chuckle. "Since when have you been so wise?"

"Always have. You just never noticed."

"It's rather hard to when I see you stuck peeling potatoes for 'wasting time on useless tasks'." Noemie rose and smoothed her hands over the silk dress, ensuring any wrinkles were corrected. "Now, I think it's time to join the other blades, don't you?"

Baurus grinned in return as pushed off from the wall, waiting as Noemie shut and locked her door. "I must say, you clean up nice, Baurus. Dressing up for a particular girl are we?" Noemie gently teased, some humor returning to her eyes and voice.

"I-I have no idea what y-you're talking about!" the redguard denied, stammering and blushing beet red.

"Sure." The woman drawled, voice sly. The two started down the hall, Baurus stammering denials as they descended The Tiber Septim Hotel stairs. Paying only half a mind, Noemie's grin soon slid off, revealing frowning green eyes and furrowed brows.

Finally seeing the new expression on his companion's face, Baurus started telling loud off-color jokes to her, something she couldn't stand. Distracted from her thoughts, Noemie turned and started scolding her comrade as he guided her through the rejoicing crowd. They were the only two people wearing somber dark colors in the swirling crowd. They were the only two attending a funeral instead of a party.

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~That Evening~

Noemie blinked her eyes shut against her tears, striving to bring up happy memories to ward against the grim, depressing speech being given by the priest. Her hand brushed against a smooth item hanging from her sash. Her hand compulsively grasped it, recognizing it as her Skeleton Key. It was a slim, slightly crooked but polished bone with black rippling amongst the predominant creamy color in large swirls.

'The merchants of Cyrodiil would sleep more soundly, knowing this key is gone from the world. But why tell them?'

The memory of the mischief in his eyes at that moment made Noemie press the heels of her hands to her eyes to keep the tears in. 'Martin would be disgusted at my behavior.' Hearing muffled sobs coming from her right, the brunette glanced to the side only to see Jena, tears streaming down her face. Baurus had an arm around her waist, attempting to comfort her. Moving over on the bench, Noemie reached over and put her arms around Jena, marveling at the normally reserved blade member.

'Today is a day of mourning. Tomorrow I will get my life back in order.' She promised herself, allowing her own tears to fall unrestricted over her cheeks.

'Happy afterlife, cousin.'

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~Three days later~

"I now call this meeting to order." The reedy voice of the magistrate echoed over the still room. He was a tiny man, so old and fragile looking that Noemie wouldn't be surprised if he fell over when breathed at. "We are gathered here to discuss the matter of Martin Septim's passing and the problem of crowning the new emperor."

"Honored Magistrate, surely there is nothing to debate about. The choice of who should be the next emperor is clear. Ideally, the position should fall onto you-"

"Yes, yes! We all know that you are the best choice. There are circumstances however!" The magistrate's voice interrupted chancellor Ocato's with surprising strength and firmness. In the back of her mind, Noemie wondered if this is how most council sessions went.

"Magistrate Vagnus?" It was odd seeing Jauffre so deferential to anyone other than Martin. "Yes Blade Master?" Vagnus questioned, eyes flicking to the standing Jauffre.

"You mention circumstances? Just what circumstances could there be?"

"If everyone will be quiet, I will explain!" Vagnus answered, eyes reprimanding, voice sharp. It was a combination sure to make everyone in the room feel two foot tall and four years old again.

"On the day when Mehrunes Dagon appeared in our city, Martin Septim arrived in the city escorted by Noemie Dubois. Before coming to meet with the council and myself, he and mistress Dubois stopped by The Tiber Septim Hotel. There Martin gave a sealed letter to Augusta Calida, the innkeeper. Is this not true, Mistress Dubois?" Vagnus' eyes snapped to Noemie as did everyone else's making her swallow before answering.

"It's true."

"And do you recall what he said to mistress Calida?"

"He asked her to see that it reached the proper receiver in three days if he didn't return for it." The woman answered, starting to see Vagnus was going with his questions.

"I don't see how his asking mistress Calida to send a letter is of any import." Lord Myntonus spoke up, causing Vagnus' eyes to focus on the imperial. The lord squirmed in his seat.

"If you thought as much as you drank lord Myntonus, you would have figured out where this was going!" Vagnus snapped, voice acerbic.

Noemie struggled to keep her laughter in as she stared with glee filled eyes at the sheepish but irritated councilor.

"That letter was supposed to be given to Chancellor Ocato or myself, but said chancellor turned mistress Calida away. As a result she turned to Mistress Dubois who had been accompanying Martin. Mistress Dubois was able to deliver the letter to myself who then read the letter." At this point Vagnus held up an unsealed letter, allowing all the council, Jauffre and Noemie to see.

"That letter so kindly delivered by mistress Dubois contains Martin Septim's last request."

The council erupted into chaos at those words while Noemie gaped at the magistrate. Jauffre grabbed her shoulder, turning her so that they were face to face. "Did you know?" He demanded. Noemie shook her head in denial, eyes wide with surprise.

"Well aren't you the sly one Martin." She muttered under her breath, a smirk curling her lips as Vagnus attempted to bring the council back to order.

"IF YOU WILL BE SILENT!" Vagnus finally roared, shocking Noemie with the volume that his frail body produced. Silence fell but not as quickly as Vagnus would have liked, considering how his eyebrow was jerking up and down in irritation.

"THANK YOU." He irritably reprimanded. "If you will stay quiet, I will now read his letter." Vagnus cleared his throat as silence think enough to cut fell.

"Dear Magistrate Vagnus, Chancellor Ocato. If you are reading this, then it means that my instincts are right and I am no longer among the living. As the would-be future emperor and rightful heir of the dragon blood, I feel that it is my right to choose the next ruler of Cyrodiil. That being said, I choose my cousin by marriage, Noemie Dubois."

Chaos erupted.

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AN:

Hi all! I know I haven't been… faithful to my Naruto fic, but I feel that I will be more motivated to finished this fic with other marvelous oblivion fics to read such as Raven Studios'.

I'm actually doing research for this fic, and I hope to make it unique and different! I can promise that Noemie will not just be handed her ruler ship, if she even accepts the position. You'll just have to wait and see. I would appreciate no flames, though constructive criticism is ALWAYS appreciated. I'll attempt to make my people act like real people, so I welcome any comments you may have on this subject. I'm also going to work on making transitions smooth and maybe trying out first person point of view. So, I hope to hear from you!

EDITED on Sunday August 2nd

~Foxluvr