Chapter 3: Prologue to The search begins Pt. 1
"Delphine, Esbern; Serana and I are going to go rest up for a bit before we begin our search for the heir."
"That is fine Dragonborn, Esbern and I have some business of our own to attend to at the moment and will contact you when we are ready."
"Do you know where we are going to start searching?"
"Yeah, we are going to start our search in Cyrodiil. Our first destination is the abandoned Blades fortress of Cloud Ruler Temple. With any luck, we might find some knowledge in the depths of the vaults in that ruin."
"All right, in one week we will meet at the border between Skyrim and Cyrodiil."
"Ok, we will meet you there in one week. Come Serana, let's go home to rest and prepare for our next journey."
One day later: Proudspire manor, Solitude.
"So, any idea how we are going to find this person Olaf?"
"I have no idea Serana, but I suspect that Delphine and Esbern are already on that and are checking with their contacts as we speak."
"So, what is so important about this person that we are looking for Olaf?"
"Well, apart from this person being the last of the Septim dynasty, is the true heir to the throne of the Empire, if he even exists that is."
"What makes you think he does not exist?"
"Well, during the Oblivion Crisis, which ended three hundred years ago, the last of the Septims gave his life to forever seal the gates shut between Nurn and Dagon's realm of Oblivion. In order to do so, he became the Avatar of Akatosh, and the Avatar battled Dagon and banished him from our world for good; however, it was at a great cost as Martin Septim sacrificed his life and the Avatar became petrified in the Temple of the One."
"I see, so is there anything else that is so special about this family?"
"Yes, you know how I am Dovahkiin, the Dragonborn right?"
"Yes, I do Olaf."
"Well, according to legend, the founder of the Septim dynasty was a Dragonborn and it is rumored that his desendents were Dragonborn as well; however, I have serious doubts that the vast majority of them were even Dragonborn. In fact, there are only two that I am certain is Dragonborn, and that is old Tiber himself and Martin."
"Interesting, do you know how many Dragonborns there have been in history?"
"No, I wish I did though. In fact, there has only been one Dragonborn that I have actually met face to face, and that was Miraak."
"Anyways, enough of this talk about other Dragonborn's Olaf. I am going to go write in my journal."
"Ok, have fun."
"Always."
"Hey Olaf, do you know how interesting our weeding was?"
"Yeah!"
Flashback: Wedding day
"General Tulius, Legate Rikke; did you need to see me?"
"Yes Olaf, we have some word about who will be attending your weeding, and it is Emperor Titus Mede II."
"Any idea why he is coming General Tulius?"
"The only thing that I can think of is he wants to personally meet the Hero of the Legion as well as the Hero of Skyrim."
"I can understand that, but we are still in the middle of a civil war and the Stormcloaks are sure to send an assassin or several to assassinate Emperor Mede."
"The only group that would even be able to get close to Emperor Mede are dead Olaf; killed by your hand if I recall correctly from the Report given to me by Commander Maro of the Penitus Oculatus. In fact, Commander Maro and his son are going to be attending the weeding as well; in order to both protect the Emperor and also to talk to you as well."
"Yeah, don't remind me of the Dark Brotherhood; they were a pain in the ass to get rid of too."
"Exactly, and seeing how both you and the Penitus Oculatus will be here, than the Stormcloaks will think twice before attempting an assassination on the Emperor."
"Makes since I suppose, but how do you know that Ulfric won't try and take advantage of having the Emperor in Cyrodiil in Skyrim. You know that if he is assassinated, than that will only further to strengthen Ulfric's cause and also make the Thalmor more eager to have another war with us."
"I know; however, it is a chance that we are going to have to take. I suspect that if the Emperor comes under attack, than you will know what to do."
"I know what to do, but are you saying that you want the groom of the weeding to also be on guard detail?"
"I understand that it might be upsetting to you Olaf, but having the Emperor as an ally can be a major advantage for your political future if you wish to compete for the title of High King of Skyrim."
"Who said I wanted to be high king General Tullius?"
"Well, it is a common consensus amongst all of the Nordic population in Skyrim that once the civil war ends, you'll be elected high king and Elisif the Fair will be elected as Skyrim's advisor to Emperor Mede himself."
"So, in other words, Elisif has decided that she does not want to be high queen and wants an even higher position of power."
"Olaf, it is not that she is getting greedy, but she said that she believes that she can better serve Skyrim's interests in the Imperial court than as being High Queen of Skyrim."
"Leave it to Elisif to try and better herself for Skyrim's future."
"Yeah, pretty admirable if you ask me." Legate Rikke
"General Tullius, I have one important question for you."
"What is it Olaf?"
"Are the Thalmor coming, and is their bitching Elenwen going to be with them?"
"Because of the White-Gold concordat, they have permission to be at the weeding, though I believe that we might have forgotten to send them an invitation as per Mede's request."
"Interesting, but what is going to stop them from coming if they find out?"
"Unfortunately, if they find out we can't stop them. The only thing that we can do is disarm them; which I highly doubt that they would more than thrilled about that."
"Haha, you're right; however, if they do try to come than I won't hesitate in attacking them General Tullius."
"Olaf, that is highly inadvisable; if you do that, than it might as well spark another great war, and the Empire is not yet ready for that war. However, if they do pose a threat than I can use my power to have them removed as according to the treaty of the White-Gold Concordat."
With the women in the Blue Palace
Serana was currently getting into her wedding dress that Vittoria Vicci had personally ordered from the heart of the Imperial capital.
"How can any women wear this outfit?"
"What do you mean Serana."
"No offense Vittoria, but are the women in the Imperial city even allowed to breath?"
"Of course we are; this is what all the Gentry and Nobility are wearing. It is far more modern than your robes that you normally wear, and it also shows off your petite but fully developed figure." Vittoria Vicci
"Besides, I am pretty sure that Olaf will love that dress, it shows so much of your feminine beauty off that he would be an idiot not to like it." Elisif chimed in.
"I can understand the part about showing Olaf my body, but does the chest piece have to so tight?"
"Does it really matter Serana? After today you won't have to wear it again, and I am pretty sure that Olaf will probably tear that gown apart to get to you." Vittoria said making Serana blush a very red crimson.
"Look at that Elisif, I made our little girl blush as red as a fire."
"Yeah, more from embarrassment than her sexuality though I am pretty sure."
"Why do you say that Elisif?"
"Because Vittoria, if you did that when Torygg and I got married, I would have been a red as those Elder Dragons that seem to love coming to town every so often."
"Would have been a beacon for those dragons as well I bet." Chimed one of the hand maidens
"Idiot, there wasn't any dragons when the Jarl was married to her husband. They only started coming back a few months after Torygg's death." Chimed another hand maiden
"What do you suppose the men are doing right now?"
"I would guess that they are going over the last of the security measures Elisif; seeing how my cousin, the Emperor will be attending the weeding."
"What, you mean even the Emperor himself will be attending Vittoria?"
"Yes Serana, which is why you must look very good at the presentation before you start your walk down the aisle."
"Well, tomorrow will be the big day. Serana, I suggest you go home and get some sleep, oh, and you can leave that dress here in the palace."
"Good, I am glad I can finally get out of it. Oh, maybe not tightening it so much would be better tomorrow than it was today."
A few minutes later.
"Well ladies, I'll see you all tomorrow first thing in the morning."
"Good by Serana, see you tomorrow."
Proudspire manor
Olaf had gotten home a few hours before Serana and was in the process of making food for both him and her. It was also at this time that he was planning on telling her about his past that he never liked to talk about much.
Authors note: I intend on making the prologue into two parts, with the second part finish the first part and going through the entire weeding ceremony. After part two of the Prologue, I will begin the arc for "The Search Begins." Please read and review, but no flaming reviews. Also, I am still looking for Beta readers. If you are interested in being a Beta reader, please PM me.
