DISCLAIMER: I do not own TES: OBLIVION or any characters from the elder scrolls lore.

Enjoy the story lovelies! :3

Chapter Eight: Martin Septim

"What happened in there?" Jauffre demanded Espen as he and Martin tried to get me on Martin's horse as I held my wounded shoulder. "Everything was fine till we got to the sigil stone. We were outnumbered by some dremora as I was about to destroy the stone then…" I tried to force myself to tune Espen out, not wanting to hear what happened. I just wanted to get as far away I could as possible from everyone and get to the nearest tavern even though I knew I couldn't cause I want to get paid. Though I would understand if Espen decided it would be best if I find another patron.

I could hear someone whispering, "Ikke trygt, kan ikke bli her." over and over softly. I wanted to get away from here, and away from whoever was reminding me it's not safe and whatever was jostling me. It wasn't helping me block out the memories or the numbness creeping in. "Serena?" Martin called to me gently, pulling me away from where my thoughts were taking me. I looked over at him and noticed we weren't in the forest. We were in the Jerral Mountains. Martin grabbed my hand gently, no doubt sensing my alarm to the change of location. How long was I in my thoughts? Why wasn't I hearing the whispering anymore?

"We're here. I'm gonna help you down from the horse." He informed me as he helped me down. I hated the fact I was being treated like I was some frail lost child or some doll. "Jeg er ikke et barn." I reminded him, but I didn't argue as he placed a gentle hand on my good shoulder. Despite the way he was talking to me, his presence was very welcoming. Maybe it was his demeanor that reminded me of Fennorian's when he was my healer, or maybe it was the fact his scent reminded me of home...just not when it was time for the vampires in the castle to eat thank the divines for that.

Either way, it was welcoming, and I wasn't gonna fight him. The gates opened and a man dressed in the Blades armor stepped out and walked towards Jauffre as he kept an eye on Martin and me. "Grandmaster is this?" He trailed off. "Yes, Cyrus, this is the emperor's son. Martin Septim." Jauffre explained.

"I'm sorry…what did you say?!" I gasped as I stepped away from Martin and looked around everyone in shock. They seriously were not going to tell me that Martin was our late emperor's son?! Forget the shock that Jauffre is the grandmaster of the Blades…honestly, that information doesn't surprise me. It's the fact I was traveling with our future emperor and no one said anything to me! "Oh good, you're no longer speaking to us in that weird language! Serena, I'll explain everything to you soon." Espen assured me. Was I not speaking Tamerlic? Cyrus decided to ignore me and looked over at Martin. "My lord, welcome to Cloud Ruler Temple! We have not had the honor of an Emperor's visit in many years." He announced.

"Ah…well, thank you. The honor is mine." Martin informed him though I did notice he seemed a bit hesitant. Jauffre place a hand on Martin's back as he motioned Martin to proceed forward. "Come! Your blades are waiting to greet you." He informed him. I followed the men up the steps and spotted that there were indeed members of the blades waiting for their emperor. I decided it would be best to follow Espen since he might know where to stay positioned.

Jauffre led Martin to the front entrance and they looked at the group of blades waiting for their Grandmaster to speak as Espen led me to stand with them. Not what I thought would be appropriate, but not a single one of them has qualms about it.

"Blades, dark times are upon us! The emperor and his sons were slain on our watch, and the empire is in chaos! But there is yet hope! Here is Martin Septim, true son of Uriel Septim!" Jauffre announced. Espen silently scoffed at that and I glanced over at him puzzled. There's something Jauffre didn't tell these guys that Espen knows.

"Hail, Dragonborn! Hail, Martin Septim! Hail!" The blades cheered as they unsheathed the swords and held them up in the air.

"Your highness, the blades are at your command. You will be safe here until you can take up your throne." Jauffre informed Martin. "Hopefully, they do a better job at keeping a Septim safe." Espen whispered to me. "Jauffre, all of you, I know you all expect me to be emperor, and I'll do my best. But this is all new to me, ahem. I'm not used to giving speeches, but I want you to know I appreciate you all welcoming me here. I hope I prove myself worthy of your loyalty in the coming days. Ahem…that's it, thank you!" Martin announced.

I may need to teach him how to make better speeches since clearly, he didn't pay attention to his noble etiquette classes when he was a child. Judging by Jauffre's look he was thinking the same thing. "Well then…thank you, Martin," Jauffre looked over at his blades as they sheathed their swords," We'd all best return to our duties, eh Captain?" Jauffre announced which the blades took as their cue to separate and return to their stations. "Cyrus, I need you to take this young lady to the infirmary. She was injured during a battle on our way here." Jauffre commanded the blade that greeted us earlier. The blade looked over at me then at Jauffre and nodded before coming towards me. "This way, my lady." He informed me as he motioned me to follow.

Author's Note:*TRANSLATING TIIIIIIIME!*

Ikke trygt, kan ikke bli her: In Norwegian according to google translate it means, 'Not safe, can't stay here.'

Jeg er ikke et barn: In Norwegian, according to google translate it means, 'I'm not a child.'