Thank you for all the hits and reviews. I really appreciate you all taking time out of your schedules to read this story. In the summer I'll get Shivering Isles and Knights of the Nine so I should get more inspiration for this story as well as other stories that I shall write in the future. Thank you again for all your support, comments, and critique.

Preferred Song: 'Stupid Girl' by Cold

-+-

Their hands were harsh upon her skin as they dragged her along. She attempted to plant her feet into the soil or even fight back against these monster; however, she hadn't the strength or willpower to do so. They shoved her through the halls of the mansion with little mercy at all. She marveled at the grand columns of brimstone and bones. Her body shivered in fright of the long wide floors and all the creatures that guarded these halls. Daedric men held back chained Clannfear from running wild. The maiden gasped and attempted to move aside. So many eyes fell upon her. Silver, crimson, black, white… they all held amazement as they saw this Altmer being led to the main chambers of Dagon's Court.

Could it possibly be that this war was quickly coming to an end? Could it possibly be that Tamerial was almost in Dagon's cold black clutches? A few wondering Daedra followed the guards in wonderment. As Elizabeth approached the gargantuan godlike doors two Daedric men grasped the handles and forced them open exposing an overflowing courtroom. The stands held many a Daedra and upon the pedestals were many crimson robed court members. In the center of these pedestals was the grand master throne where Mehrunes Dagon resided. His black eyes were piercing down from the heavens and scorching the girl. Right as she had caught sight of this monstrosity, her body became petrified and her face became a ghostly white.

She jerked her body backwards in a run; nonetheless, the guards had a great grip upon her. They chuckled at her fear and all she heard were cackles as she was brought to the middle of the court. Her body shivered in fear as with each step she could see what lay before her on the horizon. Her heart rammed against her ribcage; attempting to escape from this hellhole.

The guards released their hands from the maiden and stepped back. One Daedra leaned closer to her as her eyes were fastened upon Lord Dagon. The Kynmarcher narrowed his black eyes as he snarled, "Bow, mortal." Elizabeth could hear nothing but these wild eccentric cackles around her. These creatures… this realm… this Daedric Prince… what god would even conjure such monsters into existence? The Kynmarcher removed his mace from his belt and as he raised it he snarled, "Show your respect and bow!"

Just as he was to bring it down upon her back, Broga's hand grasped the hilt of the mace and he tossed his calm eyes to the Kynmarcher. He nodded at his brethren and the Kynmarcher bowed and quickly stalked away to his post. The great black Daedra turned and leaned close to Elizabeth. His familiar rich voice hissed in her ear, "Bow."

Elizabeth's concentration was ripped from Dagon and she could feel her knees give way. She fell onto her knees and respectfully bowed with her hands spread out before her. Broga walked forward to the stand with a somber face. The Altmer closed her eyes tightly as she whispered prayers to her gods. Blood sweated from her brow as she prayed harder than she had ever before for her life depended on it.

Suddenly, the ground around her gave off a roar and the maiden flung up to see what the noise was about. From the courtroom floor, three jagged spikes rose from the marble and coiled around the girl. She gasped and grabbed her head; protecting herself. The spikes spun around and the barbs grew out soon creating a magnificent ebon cage. The maiden's crystal eyes opened and she glimpsed at the cage around her. Her eyes were shifty and her nerves were on the verge of breaking.

Broga bowed humbly and as he returned to his full height he grinned and looked up at his Master. "Lord Dagon, my liege… so you have said I have done. Here before you is the great scholar of Tamerial!"

Dagon lifted his hefty claws and soon entwined his fingers placing his hands under his chin. He growled for a second then leaned forward. "This… is the great scholar? She is just a naïve child!"

"Ah, yes!" Broga chuckled while stepping back a few steps. "Her knowledge of Tamerial surpasses her age, milord. It may be true that she is young; yet, no other scholar of Kvatch could even explain what she has to me. Go ahead, sir, and ask her anything."

Dagon shifted his eyes from his follower to the Altmer. Elizabeth cringed and backed up upon the rough barbed cage. Her breaths were rushed and she saw the great Prince sit forward and smile. How eerie it was to see such a vile man smile. "Your reputation in my realms continues, little Altmer. Tell me…" he leaned upon an armrest with narrowed eyes as his harsh eccentric voice echoed around the room, "Who are you precisely?"

The maiden licked her dried lips as she tried to conjure a voice to herself. For a few moments she stood speechless. Her eyes clenched tightly shut and she cried out in a faltering voice, "M…My name… is Elizabeth Asquerana. I was a former resident of Kvatch until… until it was destroyed." She paused while watching the ground. She knew returning her gaze to Mehrunes Dagon would petrify her even further. "I am educated in the Arcane arts of alteration, destruction, conjuration, and Restoration. M…My… my father was a teacher in the Arcane University. My mother… s-she was very… intellectually educated. She… was the one who taught me most of what I know o-of Tamerial, sir."

The stands grew silent as they listened to this mortal speak. Some Daedra had never heard or even seen an Elven woman. Many were stunned at how pale she was or even how silver her hair was. Dagon looked seemingly unimpressed. He overlooked the girl then questioned, "From what I have heard, you know much of the people and land of Tamerial. Where is your Great Champion?"

"He resides in Cloud Ruler Temple with the Blades. If… if he is not there then he will be rather going to or in one of your Oblivion gates." She had announced.

"These blades… what is there assignment?" Dagon questioned while stroking the stone of the throne with his long jagged nails.

"To protect the Emperor," said she while continuing to calm down her thrashing heart.

Broga nodded and walked to the cage soon turning back to Lord Dagon and calling up to him, "Our assassins have already gotten rid of all the Septim heirs, except his last remaining heir, Martin Septim. The Amulet of Kings is still in our possession and the grandmaster blade is still feebly wandering about trying to pinpoint an area that he might attack to hold us back from completely taking over Tamerial. Sir, if I may advise-"

"Quiet," Dagon snarled while waving him off. "I desire to hear from the Elf." Broga glanced sideways to see the pale and trembling girl. He walked back forward as Dagon questioned, "If you were in my place, Altmer, what would you do?"

Elizabeth furrowed her brow and shrugged her heavy shoulders, "I-I… I wouldn't know what to do, sir."

"Oh, come now!" Dagon chuckled loudly making the walls quiver. "Surely you must have thought about this in the last month."

The Altmer shook her head meekly keeping her eyes upon the floor. She couldn't help this Prince anymore than she already had. She couldn't allow Tamerial to fall into his hands. Mehrunes' eerie grin disappeared and he glared down upon the girl soon roaring, "… do you have any idea of what my powers are capable of, mortal?! If you do not begin to answer me you shall be suffering the same fate as your dear Xilivicus! Now tell me—WHAT YOU WOULD DO?!"

"Another Great Gate!" she cried out in fear while cowering upon the wall of the cage. "Put up another Great Gate near Cloud Ruler Temple!" Dagon leaned forward with all his attention upon the girl's words. Yes, a great gate, if it could destroy the great Kvatch it could destroy all of Tamerial. Tears clouded her eyes and she slid down the side of the cage with a sob, "P-Please… just let me g-go. There's nothing… m-more I can tell you that you don't already know."

Mehrunes leaned back upon his throne with some consideration. The guardsmen and high councilors waited for his words. Dagon nodded and then called out, "Kynmarcher Xion." The Assassin stood from the stands and waited for orders. The Daedric Prince glanced over and said, "Compile the mages and plan out the establishment of a Great Gate near Cloud Ruler Temple. I want a foolproof plan by Tamerial's Sunrise. As for the rest of you, prepare for battle! Within the next month Tamerial shall be mine at last!"

The Daedra hollered out in victory and strength as they were certain that this mortal realm would surely be their new home. Elizabeth stumbled forward and grasped the bars. Her head poked through the dark sturdy bars as she looked around curiously. Broga walked closer to the throne and looked up to Dagon, "What shall I do with the girl, my liege?"

Dagon shifted in his chair as he was deciding what to do with her in his mind. He rubbed his curved jaw with a melodious groan. Broga waited upon his orders. The Dremora stared at Dagon heavily. The Daedric Prince sighed deeply then spoke, "Hand her over to the Spider Daedra… let them rid her of that appalling Tamerial attire. She needs to be in garments fitting for her new home." A smirk pulled across his lips which made Elizabeth sob.

The cage cracked as the barbs unhooked themselves from each other and soon the cage disappeared back into the ground the same as once it came. Broga bowed and pivoted around soon storming over to the girl. The maiden flipped over and just as she leapt to her feet to run, Broga seized her by the back of the neck and took her away.

-+-

The cell door opened and the two guards tossed in the limp body of the Churl. He hit the harsh cold ground soon staining it with his own fallen blood. His eyes fluttered weakly as he was to the point of surrendering completely. Just as he was to fall out of consciousness he could see her blurred figure. Her pupils were disappearing in a sky of cobalt as she reached her trembling hand towards him. Her teeth clashed together as she stretched her body far. Her fingertips hardly touching his own. "…Xilivicus!"

His eyes ripped open widely; pupils turning to black slits. He breathed heavily soon tasting dust upon his violet tongue. He groaned as he seized the floor and halfheartedly pushed himself up. He groaned with each action for everything pained him. Each time he closed his eyes he could see the guards prying Elizabeth from him like they were two boards nailed together. He feared seeing her anymore for this caused his grieving heart to break even further and even more anxious sweat pour from his brow. His wild ginger hair stuck to the blood and sweat upon his face. He leaned his forehead against the bars with fluttering eyes. He was going to get out of here and save Elizabeth. He would find a way to save her even if it meant calling in the Hero to save her. He rested one of his firm hands upon his side and he felt something in his pocket. His eyes opened and he glanced down to see the handle of the Skeleton Key. His brow furrowed and he was about to pull it out, but he could feel himself beginning to feel faint. He would have to wait until he got back his strength before he attempted anything. He closed his eyes and hastily fell into a deep slumber.

A few moments passed and a great black shadow loomed over the sleeping Dremora. Silver eyes narrowed and Velthada looked him over silently. Her black smeared lips pursed as she made certain that he was asleep. She stepped closer to the cage and she glanced both ways down the halls to assure herself that they were alone. She slid a pale hand inside the cage and within her palm was a small purple vial. She hovered her hand over Xilivicus' body and she slowly tipped the contents out onto him. The pink elixir ran over his wounds and sealed them up as if they never had happened. Velthada pulled the vial back to herself and concealed it within the middle of her corset. She smiled sweetly and lowered herself on her jagged black legs. Her hand slipped back inside the cage and she wiped a gentle lock of hair from the Dremora's face. "Oh, my dear brethren. If only you knew that soon it shall be your day to be the Hero."

-+-

Broga pulled the maiden down the halls with no mercy whatsoever. His nostrils flared as she attempted time after time to escape from his grasp. His jagged black nails pierced her skin and she yelped in pain soon cringing and succumbing to his will. Broga's eyes cast forward and he saw the grand fiery door that led to the Web Keep. As the doors came ajar, a great domed room appeared with spider webs leading all over the room. Spider Daedra spun neat little webs as they cascaded to the ground and rushed about carrying Sigil Stones which were not bewitched with the Daedric essence. Elizabeth drew back in fear as these arachnid women moved about so gracefully and yet so horrifyingly. Their jagged barded-looking legs clawed at the walls and ground as they moved. From the darkness, Velthada appeared. Her silver eyes narrowed and she crawled forward towards the Dremora and its maiden. "Broga… when did you arrive? I didn't smell your foul stench."

Broga grinned and shoved the girl forward. He had ignored her rude remark for it would only end in brawling. "Dagon demands you to rid her of her Cyrodiilic attire. Dress her accordingly, if you will. Escort her to the Watch room and there I shall keep her until Dagon needs her once more."

Elizabeth's eyes iced over with an imprisoned misery as she was tossed towards the appalling Spider Daedra. Was she merely an animal to these dreadful people now? Just as Velthada caught her, something overcame the Altmer. A feeling of safety. She hadn't felt that with any monster in this realm. Velthada held her tightly and caringly. Her eyes were still piercing through Broga's eyes. The Black Dremora smiled and leaned a little closer, "Take good care of my little Elven flower," his jagged nails lifted and caressed through Elizabeth's long silver hair.

The Elf cringed and Velthada pulled her back. The Spider Daedra narrowed her eyes and hissed, "Thank you, commander. You will not be needed from here on out."

Broga bowed respectively and he quickly turned and left the room.

Elizabeth remained in the tight clutches of the Spider Daedra, Velthada. The Daedric woman sighed rather profoundly and with her soothing voice she spoke, "I am sorry that you had to meet such a foul man as Broga. Daedra like him give us all bad names. The good ones are infrequently seen upon the planes of Oblivion, but they do exist." Her black lips coiled into a Cheshire cat smile. "Come… let us get you clothes fitting for this realm."

As Velthada began to weave the maiden and herself through the entanglements of the web, the Altmer glanced up to the gargantuan height of the Spider Daedra. She loomed upon those jagged black legs of hers and this seems so uncanny to Elizabeth she feared being near her. Her eyes cast to the ground for it was rude to stare. "…h-how… how long shall I be here?" she managed to mutter.

The Spider tossed her silver eyes sideways with a discouraging scowl. Her lips pursed and she overlooked the question for a moment or two before answering. "… it… it really depends, I suppose. If Lord Dagon's siege on Tamerial is successful then you shall be our guest for quite a long time. Now, if your Hero happens to foil my master's plans then you might be going home sooner than you thought. But please do not speak word of this to the other Daedra here." Velthada's eyes shifted quickly around her. The Spider Daedra looming in the shadows of the web were nothing more then uncivilized monsters. "Most of them are under the spell of Dagon. There are few here that you can trust."

Elizabeth lifted her eyes and looked over the Daedra once again, "… you…" she uttered. She smiled brightly, "You were upon the plane of Oblivion I was on… you… you stopped Broga from attacking Xilivicus and I. I knew you looked too familiar."

Velthada nodded her head softly and purred, "And here I thought you would have forgotten me."

The Altmer smiled weakly. Could it possibly be that not all Daedra were cruel, unloving, and barbaric as Broga? Certainly she knew Xilivicus was righteous; however, Elizabeth thought it was the enchantments of Mara and Dibella that altered that characteristic. She never would have guessed that other Daedra had the choice to be kind or evil.

The couple approached the back of the room and upon the wall was a great door. Velthada wrapped her long white hands around the handle and pushed the door ajar. Her eyes fell back and she smiled, "This is the room where we keep most of the armor and supplies that all Dremora alike are equipped with. We have robes, cuirasses, greaves, skirts, headdresses… well… let us just say we have exceedingly list of inventory." The Spider Daedra walked farther into the room. Upon the walls were shelves and shelves of armor and weapons. Elizabeth quickly followed with ample eyes of wonderment.

"How do you have such a stock of items? It… it's astounding!" The Altmer cried out.

Velthada glanced around and called back to her, "We forge many of our things out of the lava and volcanic stone around us. Others, like the robes and dresses, we weave from our thread like webs." The Spider Daedra began opening a large dressing station and just as she was about to pull open the doors she frowned and sighed, "Broga more and likely is looking for you to be in a dress. Something very elegant, yet very Daedric. I know of only one dress and that is one given to us by Sanguine. You can only imagine what sort of dress Sanguine could make for a woman; however, he had made this dress look absolutely astonishing. I do hope you enjoy it."

Velthada drew open the doors and Elizabeth let off a soft gasp as she looked upon the dress. Its fabric was blacker than night and upon the corset were sparkling rubies that made Daedric designs all around the edges. Down upon the long drooping bells of the arms was a black needle-like lace. Upon the seam of the top leading down into the gigantic skirt there were skeleton-like fingers that stuck out and held the fabric out making it flow off the wearer's body. The neckline scooped down barely above the breasts and the back fell down to the lower back with crisscrossed black leather straps holding it together.

Elizabeth walked closer with awe in her eyes. Her fingertips slipped past the fabric and the mere touch sent shivers down her spine. Velthada crawled closer and told her, "Sanguine had made it for the great Dremora Anaxes. She was the only female that Lord Dagon had ever made. She was the fiercest of warriors and it was said that her wrath even frightened the gods. One day… Anaxes' mind began to comprehend that Dagon was only using her. At this time, Sanguine had lusted for the woman and wished for her to be upon his plane. He wove this dress as a gift for her so it might sway her mind to join him in his plane. Just as he sent it here, the Dremora Anaxes had confronted Dagon and demanded justice and to be treated as a peer not a slave…" Velthada walked closer with a profound sigh. "Lord Dagon turned her into a foolish Xivilai and that was the end of the female Dremora.

"Not that many people remember her… it was eons ago." Velthada removed the dress from its stand. Dust hadn't collected on it amazingly. "… Now that I remember it… your friend, Xilivicus, was genuinely intimate with her, and her transformation was hard for him to handle. You and Anaxes share a lot in common." The Spider Daedra grinned and held the dress up for the girl; imagining her within its tight embrace. "Two beautiful women with the soul of a warrior inside their hearts."

Elizabeth smiled brightly as she looked upon this Daedra. She was not that frightening at all. Her words were kind and true. She did not utter lies and curses like she had seen other Daedra do. She was… different. "Thank you, Dremora."

Velthada grinned and nodded, "… come… let us get you suited. Broga is not a patient man, afterall."

-+-

"F-Father! We must hurry," Daelon screamed as he belted into the Count's Arms. "She'll d-die if we don't hurry there now!"

Jerald and the guards next to him nearly leapt from their skins as this eccentric Altmer burst in without much warning. Caldwyn and Orrick leapt up from their chairs. They both harmonized and questioned, "Did you find Elizabeth?!"

Daelon's drenched hair swung as he pivoted his head to look at his brothers. "Y-Yes! … Well, no… I mean… yes, but no…"

Orrick rolled his eyes and snarled, "Which is it?! Yes… or no?"

The elder brother grabbed his head and said, "I know where she is… b-but I haven't seen her."

Jerald walked closer with a furrowed brow, "… where is she?"

"In Oblivion," a cold harsh voice called from the doorway of the Count's Arms. The Asquerana family all turned their wondering eyes to see a bulky armored figure walking into the Tavern. Thick steel boots clinked across the ground as the Hero walked in. His golden hair drenched with the Anvil rain and now hung down into his frozen eyes. He turned to Jerald and spoke once more, "I saw two Daedra at their gate which just so happens to be right outside the city. I believe they came for her and her alone."

Jerald swallowed a frightened lump in his throat. His stomach began to churn and he felt very sick. "… I-Is… there any chance we can invade and find her?"

The Hero shook his head tiredly, "Just as they escaped into the gate I could see a change in the portal. I suppose they had set certain coordinates and those changed once they entered the gate. The guards are holding off a few Clannfear and Scamps, but it won't be long until those guards will need help."

Daelon breathed heavily and nearly screamed at the Hero, "Xilivicus is with her! Elizabeth will be fine! He swore to always protect her! I know-"

"-Xilivicus walked freely into the gate with a greater black Daedra!" His eyes shifted over to Jerald and he hissed, "He's been toying with her heart this whole time, sir. Now we are right back where we started. It's only a matter of time until one of the other cities ends up like Kvatch."

The guards shivered in their greaves as they thought of all the ruin and misery Kvatch held. Daelon's eyes became fiery pools and he snarled at the Hero, "Xilivicus cherishes Elizabeth and she surely returns the affection! I am certain that he is doing everything he can to save her from Oblivion."

The knight's woodland eyes burned into black abyss and he turned to the Altmer. How he wanted to bash his silver sword into his head for even mentioning that to him. His muscles tensed and he hissed, "You sound just like the girl. I need to get back to the gate and close it before anything happens. After that, I request Lord Jerald and his family to journey with me to Cloud Ruler Temple. From there, we shall find out what to do."

The Hero turned and just as he was about to leave, Caldwyn called out to him. The knight stopped and tilted his head and listened as the Altmer questioned, "Y-You… do you think we'll get her back?"

The Champion scoffed and continued walking out, soon answering, "Get her back? Of course… but it's the condition of how she comes back that we have to worry about."

-+-

Xilivicus groaned as he began to wake up. He closed his eyes and knew that pain was about to overwhelm him—but… he was painless. His eyes slowly opened and he glanced down to his body to see his smooth royal purple skin. His brow creased and he leisurely rose to his feet. No pain? Was he dreaming? He clenched his hands a few times to make certain that there was no pain.

He smiled brightly and his jagged teeth were exposed. His eyes lifted to the cage and suddenly he remembered. The Skeleton Key! His hand dug into his pocket to find—nothing. His eyes narrowed and he checked his other pocket, but there was nothing as well. His eyes scanned the ground to no prevail. What happened to the—

"Looking for this?" a cold voice called out.

Xilivicus' head jerked up and he saw Broga leaning on the wall outside his cage. His body nearly disappearing within the darkness. The Churl gnashed his teeth together and just as he was about to curse at him, the Commander pushed off the wall and unlocked Xilivicus' cage. The Churl stood in confusion as Broga opened his cage with a smile. "What are you doing?" questioned he.

"You're working for me for three months, correct? Well… you better start working." Broga nodded and began walking out of the dungeons.

Xilivicus walked out of the cage and watched his Commander saunter away. Broga turned and stopped with a glare, "Are you coming, Churl?"

Frozen for a moment, Xilivicus began to wonder the consequences of obeying this evil man. Could it lead to his own downfall? But… it would bring him closer to Elizabeth. There was no other option. The Churl sprinted forward and followed the Commander from the hollow keeps of the dungeons, wondering just what Broga had in store for him.

Sorry for not updating for quite some time. I've been really busy with work and all. Trying to get Shivering Isle and Knights of the Nine so I understand what you crazy reviewers are talking about. R&R!! Thank you for reading. I do hope you enjoyed.