AN: Jarius: Because when I tried publishing professionally, my type of writing wasn't commercially viable, and this was well before Amazon's self-publishing. But you can find a bit of my independent stuff, if you're interested, at Gutenberg dot org, search Ann Wilson Terran Empire. Oh, and please give me a way to reach you privately, so I can answer without distracting other readers.

Chapter 3 - Surrender

26 First Seed, 5E 3

Yssha waited quietly with the Emperor and Marcurio in His Majesty's office. Andreius had said King Imiril would like to speak to her, and the Emperor thought an informal talk before the formal surrender might be a good idea, especially if he joined in. Andreius had also cautioned them that while Imiril was more mature than he'd expected, at least where his responsibilities were concerned, in other things he was more like a ten-year-old human boy.

It was hard to reconcile that with the tall, young-adult-looking Altmer who was escorted in, along with Andreius and Sorcalin, but she'd promised herself to keep it in mind. When Andreius had completed the introductions and the two of them were seated, she smiled at the youngster. "My Family thanks you for your message, Highness. It was a most generous thing for you to do. For what it may be worth, I regret your loss as well ... for your sake, and that of your remaining family."

"Thank you, Dovahkiin. But he wasn't really much of a husband or father." Imiril grimaced. "Andreius - uh, General Hargan - tells me that I was well trained for rule, but otherwise ... " he shrugged. "I can't say I'll really miss him."

Yssha winced inwardly. That was a harsher judgement against the mer than her own. But it meant the youthful King should get over his loss fairly quickly. "How was your trip from Alinor?"

The young Altmer's face lit up. "It was wonderful! We flew here on Durnehviir, and now I know six words of Dovahzul ... maybe eight, I'm not sure if dovah and zul count."

"They do," she assured him. "You wish to learn our language?"

"Who wouldn't? Oblivion - excuse me - if I didn't have to be King, I can't imagine wanting to be anything but a dragon rider, and they have to know the language."

Andreius chuckled. "Master Sorcalin and I've been learning, Highness - we'll teach you, or Durnehviir can teach all of us."

"YES!" The boy-King was obviously gleeful, and the Emperor chuckled.

"You don't sound too disappointed to be integrated into the Empire, Highness. At least as long as it involves dragons."

Imiril sobered. "Majesty, you may not believe me, but it's a relief. My father made sure I was kept informed, and even though I couldn't say it, I knew it was only a matter of time before we were brought back in. The First Great War was over long before I was born. studying it as history, I realized it was a huge mistake, and would be reversed. At least the Second Great War only cost us one city, instead of all of Alinor and Valenwood being completely devastated."

Yssha and Titus exchanged glances, and he nodded. "I see what General Hargan meant about you, Highness. I could almost regret having to put you through the surrender ceremony."

Imiril grinned. "Don't regret it - make use of it instead, if you can think of some way to get Morrowind back in."

Yssha chuckle-purred. "Highness ... you sound as pro-Empire as any I've heard - and you were raised by Thalmor."

"I was indeed." Imiril rose and began pacing. "But ... remember some time ago, when Talos spoke even to us?"

"Of course," Yssha replied. "I was in His Temple in Windhelm, and it was only a short time later that Franken Hard-head pledged to me and I named him head of what became the Skyguard."

"Yes. We were told it was Talos' ghost, but it didn't feel to me like a ghost - it was much too strong for that." He paused. "I never dared to say anything before, you know. But I knew it had to be either a Divine or a Daedric Prince, and there was no ... I don't quite know how to put this."

"Perhaps I can help," Yssha said. "I have dealt with both Daedra and Divines. There is a distinctive difference in what I suppose you could call 'feel' between them. Even the most benevolent of the Princes have a certain arrogance and desire for dominance, where the Divines are benevolent but more remote."

Imiril nodded eagerly. "That's it! There was no arrogance or the other about him. And I know both very well, thanks to the Thalmor. I can't say I started worshiping him, but ... I knew what I'd been taught about him was wrong."

The Emperor chuckled. "It's a good thing you didn't, at least openly, and it'd be unwise to do so even now. But at least you know the truth."

Imiril nodded, and changed the subject. "I know this is supposed to be about the surrender, but it'll be what you want - unconditional - so can I ask about other things, if there's time?"

"Certainly," Yssha replied. "We made time, since you wanted to talk; the ceremony will not be until after lunch."

"What's on your mind?" the Emperor asked.

"Two things, mostly. First, I became King the instant my father died, but I'm going to need to be crowned. Next, I'm going to need an heir, and my sibs ... well, I don't think any of them would be acceptable."

"I think you got those backward," the Emperor said. "Your Heir is more important than your coronation, and from General Hargan's reports, you're right about your sibs. So I'd recommend that you find yourself a woman and take care of the job yourself."

Imiril flushed. "I'm several years too young to marry by our custom, Your Majesty," he objected. "And our rulers must be legitimate."

"Then do what I did, and legitimate him or her once you're old enough to marry the mother," the Emperor said with a shrug. "Though I was old enough; the marriage didn't happen for other reasons. But Gaius is my son by the woman who's now my wife. Nothing in Imperial law against doing it that way."

"Um." Imiril's flush got a bit deeper, and Yssha hid a chuckle. "Yes, I suppose that would be possible. Would she have to be Altmer?"

Andreius chuckled. "Thinking about Arenim, Highness?"

Imiril couldn't blush any harder, so he gave his Imperial Advisor a scowl that gradually relaxed. And then, very slowly, he nodded. "She's beautiful, she's exotic, and she rides a dragon. And I don't think she hates me."

Yssha looked at Andreius curiously. "Odmer? Or human?"

"Odmer," Andreius replied. "One of the Skyguard assigned to his bodyguard. Rides Odkiinbrii, solo."

Yssha decided to take pity on the boy. "No, mixed race is perfectly acceptable. Crown Prince Gaius is Imperial and Redguard; my own heir will be Khajiit and Imperial. So court your exotic beauty, Highness, and may Mara bless you both."

A brilliant smile was her reward. "Thank you, Dovahkiin - I'll be more than happy to do so."

And he will be successful, a silent voice assured her. That made Yssha smile, but she didn't say anything except, "Treat her well, please. I have a certain affection for those I have been privileged to Restore."

"Oh, I will," Imiril assured her. "My mother gave me a concubine for my fifteenth name-day, with orders to teach me how to please a woman. She's benefited from her own lessons, she told me, and she went on to found her own pleasure-house. I hope she survived the attack."

"Then for your sake, I hope she did as well." Yssha sighed. "I could wish my vahrinne had been less thorough, though dovah know little of restraint when angered."

"We noticed," Imiril said drily. "But we've already started rebuilding - or at least cleaning up the mess - with their help. And hard as it is to believe, the youngsters are starting to think the dragons are the next things to gods."

"NID!" That sent a shock of horror through Yssha, and her denial was a Thu'um that shook the Palace.

The next thing she knew, she was in Marcurio's arms, and he was soothing her. "Easy, dearling, easy. He didn't mean anything by that, I'm sure."

Yssha shuddered. "No dragon-worship, please!" She shook herself free and rose to her full height, unimposing as that was. "The worship of dragons is what caused the enslavement of vodov that led to the Dragon War. That must never happen again."

"But, Stormcrown," the Emperor protested. "You are worshiped!"

"Because Talos told me I could not prevent it. But I dislike it, rather than encouraging it." She turned back to Imiril. "Discourage it as strongly as you can, please - I do not wish to have to kill any more of my kin."

"I'll do my best," Imiril promised, soberly.

After Yssha calmed herself, and apologized for her involuntary Thu'um, they adjourned for lunch. It was a pleasant meal, and Yssha was pleased to see the Emperor and young Altmer king seemed to enjoy each other's company.

Then they split up to get ready for the audience that would double as Imiril's surrender ceremony. As with the Hammerfell reunification ceremony, Yssha and Titus took their thrones before a signing table, but the throne room was much fuller this time - Jarls from Skyrim and Kings or Queens from every other province of the Empire, most with at least one courtier.

When Imiril was admitted, he was almost as pale as the Odmer at his side, but he approached without hesitation, and bowed. "Your Majesties' reception is most gracious, and I thank you."

That got murmurs from the audience, mostly about his youth and proper attitude.

Emperor and Stormcrown stood, and Titus smiled. "We understand Your Highness wishes to offer your formal surrender."

"Correct, Majesties. The Aldmeri Dominion was defeated in honest combat, physical and magical, although your allies were ... unexpected."

"Not allies," Yssha said softly. "The dovah are Imperial citizens, and have been since Odahviing and the rest swore fealty to me."

Imiril sighed. "All right. I've already told Your Majesties that the Dominion's surrender is unconditional. What more must I do?"

"The surrender documents are on the table. You sign them, then we do, and it will be official." He paused. "Then you must take an oath of fealty to the Empire as a whole, or to the Emperor or Stormcrown personally, though you may wait a day or two for the latter, if you need to decide."

Imiril nodded, and sat at the table to sign the documents, then rose and watched while Emperor and Stormcrown did the same. He knew from Arenim that the Skyguard, dovah and vodov, was sworn to Dovahkiin personally, so when they returned to their thrones, he was able to speak decisively. "I will swear now, Majesties, and since I have those options, to the Stormcrown."

Yssha stood again and went around the signing table to accept his oath. When that was completed, she smiled. "If I may make a suggestion, King Imiril? And bear in mind that it is only a suggestion, not an order."

"Of course, Stormcrown."

"I think it would benefit you to travel the Empire for a few months. A small group, traveling incognito, so you can experience more than Alinor and Valenwood. Perhaps brief breaks in your incognito to speak with your counterparts, particularly High King Balgruuf of Skyrim, and if you wish, some of his Jarls. I would be happy to welcome you to my own Skyhold."

"Why Skyrim in particular?" Imiril asked curiously.

"Because in a way, Skyrim is the Empire in miniature, more so than even Cyrodiil. It is also the place I have made my home, and I am proud of it."

"Now that's a very good idea," the Emperor agreed, after a moment's thought. "Skyrim to start with, yes, and while you're doing that, Prince Gaius can get some practical experience as your regent. So that means you could take General Hargan and Master Mage Sorcalin as teachers and bodyguards, plus a Skyguard team for communications and air cover. Perhaps that Odkiinbrii and Arenim pair you told me earlier were part of your bodyguard."

Imiril bowed, glad he'd learned to keep his face impassive in public years ago. "I would be happy to follow both of your suggestions, Majesties. I will make arrangements as soon as I return to Alinor."

The Emperor smiled. "That is well, Highness. The reception is prepared, so it's time for you to meet your fellow provincial rulers."

The reception wasn't as bad as Imiril had feared. His fellow rulers (or their representatives, as for the Mane of Elsweyr) might not be too fond of Altmer, but they were well trained in diplomacy, so there was no overt hostility, and some sympathy for his loss of his father and city he felt might actually be sincere, especially from High King Balgruuf. But mostly it was innocuous chat, accompanied by a nice meal with a surprisingly pleasant drink he found out was Nord mead. By the time the reception broke up and he headed for bed, he was thinking that being a part of the Empire might not be as bad as he had feared.