Chapter Two: Her Dream and His Amulet

Our heroine becomes acquainted with goblins, stages a rat's revenge and learns a little bit more about herself. She is also tasked with finding a certain monk.

I haven't followed the game's events quite as much as in the last chapter, mostly to allow some character development for our heroine, so the order of events won't be quite right. The necessary bits are still in there, though. I hope you enjoy! And don't forget to review (:

Excellent, I thought, as I picked up a shortsword, bow and some arrows. I had a quick practice against an old bucket, and whilst the shortsword was much better for quick attacks, I felt so much more comfortable holding the bow. I was no master smith, but I could tell they weren't in the best condition. Still, it didn't seem to matter much, anyway, as there didn't seem to be anything that would attack me down here.

As I carried on through the dark, rather humid tunnel, I began to examine my wrist cuffs. I had always been something of a curious and easily distracted individual, so it's a surprise I hadn't begun such a task sooner. I noticed they were made of a thick, rough iron, that was slightly rusted in places, but, more importantly, I noticed that there seemed to be a hinge on one side, and a crack on the opposite. They opened, I thought happily, as by this point they had begun to chafe my wrists slightly. I unsheathed the sword attached to my thigh, and tried to prise open the cuffs. No luck there. I glanced around the gloom and found exactly what I was looking for: a large and jagged rock. I inspected the rock, and noted that if I wasn't careful, I'd end up with a nasty cut. I swivelled the wrist cuff so that the crack was on the side of my wrist, prayed to the Nine and brought my wrist down, hard, on the point of the rock. It hurt like a bitch. Although I'd managed to avoid tearing my hand off, the impact had rendered my wrist dizzy feeling and painful. At least I won't really be needing to use any weapons for a while, I thought.

I winced, and repeated the motion for my right arm. I was about to leave the cuffs where they lay, until a small glint of light caught the inside of the cuff.

Prisoner number: 4827

Prisoner name: Efendril

Prisoner date of birth: 19 Rain's Hand 409

Date of imprisonment: 24 Last Seed 433

Well, that clears a few things up, I thought. So, I'm 24 years old, and my name is Efendril. Efendril. Hmm. That might take some getting used to, I'm not entirely sure if I like it, but it's a start. The words faded away with a blue sheen, and I realised that the cuffs must've been enchanted, which at least explained my fried arm hairs.

I realised then, that I was aware of something. There were goose pimples on my arms, and the hairs on the back of my neck were on end. I heard a slow, low creak from behind me, and whirled around, hoping very faintly that it was one of those wonderful armoured guards (us women have needs, you know). Alas, no, I was faced with a skinny green something with a horrific underbite. My skin barely had time to crawl as the little bastard raised a crude mace towards me. Reacting at a pace I didn't realise possible, I ducked back and held my sword up against the handle of the mace. The impact sent a shudder down to my shoulder, but I stood firm as it was sent backwards onto it's arse. I regained a fighters stance, and sent my shortsword through it's neck. Wrenching my arm, I took off it's head in a fluid motion. Well, I don't want the little bugger to suffer, I thought, as I was drenched in a sickly red spray. I cleaned my blade on its shirt and noticed it carried a bag. Inside the bag were a few lock picks, and the word 'GOBLINS' had been crudely stitched to the inside. So it was a goblin, or it's name was Goblin- at this point, I was willing to incinuate that both of these things were true. The term 'ugly little fucker' seemed far more appropriate, but who was I to judge?

I decided to proceed with much more caution. I crept towards the doorway where the goblin had come from and a pungent smell of burning flesh and hair hit my nostrils. Were they burning people? I thought, as I carried on sneaking towards the doorway, and a feeling of nervousness rose in my stomach. I really wasn't prepared for this. Despite my three day slumber, the suddenness of today's events seemed to have put my body in a state of anxiety: my limbs felt heavy, and I could really use a bed right now.

I peered around a steep corner very carefully, and caught a glimpse of the source of the smell: a giant rat on a spit roast. Though I was glad I hadn't just bumped into a cooked person, it was still a grim sight. There was caked blood around the rats mouth, and it's cooked skin was raw red, with patches of scorched fur here and there. If I hadn't been a vegetarian before prison, I certainly was now. When I noticed that the rats chest was still rising and falling, I wanted to vomit. It was alive! And then everything went black.

I could feel cool grass tickling at the back of my neck. I opened my eyes carefully to the bright summer sunshine. I was in a field. A long, open field with wildflowers scattered everywhere. There was a huge forest at the end of the field, and butterflies dancing in every direction. I was in Valenwood. I knew from the smell of the place, and the way that wildflowers grew waist high. Then again, by the look of my tiny felt slippers, I was a very young elf. My brown hair was a lot longer; it fell to past my waist and there were garlands of flax woven into tiny plaits that met at the back of my head. I still had enormous ears, though, a feat which made me start giggling.

"Efendril, where are you?" I heard a pleasant, feminine voice call over the field. The voice seemed to coming from near the forest, and I felt immediately compelled to run towards it. I ran, my feet cushioned by the soft grass, until I landed with a tumble in front of a petite woman, whose auburn hair was long and curly and perfect. A garland of golden peonies sat atop her hair, and her eyes were bright green- she was wonderful. She looked so soft and gentle, but the slight crease in her forehead told me she could be stern at times. She was my mother.

"Efendril, please, you need to listen to me," she said, and I could see tears welling up in her eyes, "The time where we could've been saved has gone, Efendril. Me, your father, and your brother are all long gone. You need to stay in Cyrodiil- don't even think of coming to Valenwood. It's a dangerous place for a royal now. You will be safe in Cyrodiil, I promise. And now, darling, my wonderful darling princess, you have to go. You cannot stay any longer," she paused to wipe tears from her face and gave me a once over, "I would like to see my girl grown up, though."

In a flash, I stood at her height, my hair was short and I was dressed in the prison rags.

"What have you done to your hair? And what are you wearing? Oh, my little baby!" she burst properly into tears now, pulling me close to her for a hug. I went willingly, and cried a few myself. I needed this woman, where had she been for the past 18 years of my life?

The ground began to shake, and my mother looked worried, "You really must leave now, I can't keep you any longer."

I shook my head and stood firm, "No, I won't leave you. I need to be with you! You're my mother!" I cried.

She returned my headshake sadly, "No, my little Effie, I'm your sister," and Valenwood disappeared.

Lying on the cold floor in a ramshackle pen, I wanted nothing more than to cry. Seeing that I was penned in with about four rats, though, convinced me that I needed to get moving. I crept towards the gate and picked the lock. It was fairly easy, and didn't take long. When I had finished, I turned around to look at the rats. Surprisingly, they had all gathered around me, staring with pleading eyes- I made the executive decision to allow them to have their revenge. I ruffled the biggest one's ears and smiled at them.

"I'm going to summon you to help me fight the goblins, ok?" I'm conversing with rats! Now I've actually gone insane. But when I looked at their bright eyes, I knew they'd understood me, "I'll keep you safe," I murmured. I cast and held a Convalescence spell over all four rats, which was incredibly draining. I opened the pen door, and held a signal to the rats to remain quiet and motionless for the time being. Sneaking slowly out of the room with the pen, I headed down a dark corridor until I heard the screeches and grunts of the goblins. I cast a powerful Beast Tongue spell, and the four rats from the room behind me swarmed the goblins. Taking out a bow and some arrows, I quietly picked off each goblin, until none were standing. The rats began to scamper around the room, playing with bits of bone, and nibbling on the goblins. I smiled to myself, and proceeded down another corridor.

After what seemed like hours wandering in the clammy subterranean, I began to wonder if I was ever getting out of this place alive. I turned another corner, sure I had already seen that particular tangle of tree roots before, until I saw a light at the end of the tunnel. I carried on cautiously towards it, I'm either about to die, or to find something different, and so I rushed towards the light. There was a hole in the wall, that lead to a seemingly ancient room. There didn't seem to be any real light source, but the place was abuzz with the tingle of old magicka. It finally seemed that I was getting somewhere, especially when I could hear human voices, though they were very muffled by the thick stone walls.

A metal door I hadn't noticed burst open, and the emperor and his Blades strode in. They were a guard short, and spattered with blood- I needed to help him. Maybe it was because I now knew I was a refugee in his province, but I felt I owed this man a great deal. I stepped out from the shadows, wincing, with my arms in the air, half expecting to be slain before I could open my mouth.

"Prisoner," growled Baurus, as he pulled his sword from it's sheath.

"Leave her be," the emperor commanded, his hand in the air, "we need her help."

"How do we know she isn't one of them? With all due respect, sire, she could well be an assassin," he said, but he sounded uncertain.

"No. You haven't seen what I have seen, and so I know I cannot expect you to understand this, but, Baurus, we need her," he seemed to be on the verge of pleading, and it was then I understood that at this moment, my life was worth something. I was here for a reason. Who even said I had committed any crime to land myself in the Imperial Prison? Without sounding like a conspiracy nut, it was totally possible that the most powerful man across the provinces had planted me where I needed to be, although his seemingly kind nature made this thought unlikely.

A few flashes of magicka startled me, and men in dark red and black armour appeared, shouting battlecries at the top of their voices, and wielding nasty-looking swords and axes. I pulled my shortsword from it's sheath, ready for a fight to protect my emperor. Working in automated sync with the two Blades, we circled the emperor, leaving enough room to swing weaponry without injuring his majesty or ourselves. All we could see of the opposition was their eyes, which I won't deny unnerved me slightly. I parried with a man ferociously, and whilst I couldn't match his strength, my agility surprised him. Catching him off guard, I thrust my sword into his chest, gasping at the range of emotions his eyes betrayed. First shock, then pain, followed by sadness until there was no life and he stared blankly at the ceiling. His armour vanished, and he was left with crimson robes and a hood. I closed his eyes gently, and let him lie. The Blades had made short work of the other three assassins, and Baurus gave me an approving nod. Despite the situation, I blushed. I had just fought to protect the emperor alongside the most fierce and honourable fighters in Tamriel, and they seemed glad of my help.

We carried on through to a small room, where there were no doors or windows. The sound of apparition rang out behind us, and Baurus seemed at a loss of what to do. With a swift gesture, the emperor made the Blades leave, and implied I was to stay with him. When they had left, he turned to me.

"My Blades are strong and valiant, but even their might cannot stand alone against what will rise to destroy us. The Prince of Destruction awakes, born anew in blood and fire. These men are but his mortal pawns. You must take the Amulet of Kings to Jauffre. He alone knows where to find my last son. Find my son, and close the jaws of Oblivion for good." he looked at me and smiled, "Efendril, I knew your family well whilst they reigned, and I can say your father would be so proud. Your sister wouldn't approve," he chuckled softly, "but she never did."

"Your amulet? Then this is goodbye? But what about my family?" I stammered, feeling tears start to roll down my face.

"Alas, that is perhaps a tale for another time. This is where my journey ends, Efendril, and I almost wish I could say the same for you. Your journey will be long and dangerous, but, please, give me your hand." He placed a handsome red stone set into ancient gold into my palm and my hand closed around it tightly.

"With all my heart, farewell, emperor. I will never forget you."

"Stand true, my dear, and remember my words. May your heart be your guide, and may the Gods give you strength, for this burden is now yours. The future of Tamriel is in your hands." He stood firm, and before I could raise a sword in defence, was slain by a cloaked assassin. His body fell to the ground in a rumpled heap, and I slaughtered the assassin violently out of sheer fury for the man who had just been murdered.

"You couldn't have done anything. He knew." I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder, and sank back into Baurus' armour, tears still streaming down my face. He turned me around, and gently wiped my cheeks with his leather gauntlets.

"I'm going to get you out of here, through the sewers, ok? As long as you can handle the smell, it won't be a particularly difficult journey. And, it seems like you can handle yourself." He smiled at me, but I couldn't return any of his warmth. It was my fault. Had I not been dwelling on my family, I could've reacted quicker. I could've saved him.