"People of Windhelm! The traitor, Ulfric Stormcloak has been slain and the rebellion has been halted! I ask for you cooperation in this time of uncertainty and chaos. We must put aside our differences, so peace can once again reign in Skyrim! Skyrim is a proud and diverse land, one that can only function when people put aside their differences and work together. All I ask of you is one thing. I request your loyalty to the empire and to the high queen, Elisif. Give me that and I have faith that we can forge a new, better path for Skyrim, one of peace and prosperity for every citizen of Skyrim!"

As General Tullius' speech drew to a close, the assembled crowd erupted into noise. Some people cheered, but more noticeable were the cries of "Skyrim belongs to the nords!" and "Thalmor lapdogs!" As he walked away, the shouts got louder and louder, while the imperial officers began to disperse the angry crowd. When Tullius had entered the palace of kings, he saw the dragonborn standing discreetly to the side, leaning on the wall, arms crossed. "Nice speech. I hope that in time, the people can see that this was the right decision." Tullius sighed and walked over. "Unfortunately, decades of discord and strife can't be undone in a single night." I shrugged. "Maybe. The graybeards wouldn't like it, but I could use my influence as dragonborn to people over." A pained look appeared on Tullius' face. "Are you expecting conflict then?" I grinned. "Of course I am. I live for the thrill of the fight. It's quite literally in my blood." He sighed once more. "You're impossible. We may be approaching another war with the Thalmor. Try to take this at least a little seriously." My grin widened even further. "Come on, you know you love me. Where would you be without the dragonborn after all?" He walked off, clearly not wanting to talk anymore. "Just, go away. I don't want to have to deal with you right now." I shrugged. "Ok then. If you need me, I'll be out somewhere in the frozen wastes, probably fighting some ancient evil or demonic overlord."

I walked out of the palace and through Windhelm, humming the song of the dragonborn to myself. As I walked through the gates, I felt Skyrim's cold wind begin to blow. "Ahh, this is where I belong. I'm tired of those stuffy war meetings and rigid regulations." The wilderness is really the best part of Skyrim. "Well, time to start the long trek home." I made my way to my house in the Pale, crossing mountains and occasionally enjoying a scuffle with a group of bandits. When the two moons start to rise, I find an abandoned fort and make camp for the night. As I lay out my bedroll, I feel a strange sense of nostalgia. I would do this all the time in Hammerfell, but it's been awhile since I've slept alone and isolated like this. "Talos… I haven't done this since I joined the legion." I roll over to try and get some sleep, but something feels like it's keeping me awake. When I finally manage to fall asleep, I find myself under a purple sky and hear a voice from behind me.

"Greetings, Dovahkiin."

I whirl around, drawing my sword as I do. "Parthurnaax? But, I killed you. You're dead." He chuckled, the sound reverberating through my entire being. "I am not truly gone. I still exist within you." I bow, humbly, tears filling my eyes. "Master….. I'm glad. I have so many things I want to say. I don't know where to start, but I shouldn't have killed you and… I'm sorry." A clawed hand raises me up. "You need not apologize. I do not hold grudges. There is one thing you must do however. I come with a warning. The world is on the verge of a disaster even greater than Alduin. The Thalmor are…. What?! Something's wrong. I am afraid I must leave you Dovahkiin! Wake up!" I jolt upward, to see the fort collapsing around me. "What in Oblivion?!" I hurriedly grab my things and scramble outside. I make it outside just as it collapses completely. When the dust clears, I see dozens of draugr surrounding me. "This could be bad." As I draw my sword, I feel it ripped out of my hand as my vision goes black. The last thing I see is the faceless skull of a draugr grinning at me.