Skyrim
06 - The history between Martin and Arakuria Septim

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Author's note: This is going to be a long one as this will recount the story in Oblivion as imagined for my character in that game. Stick with me on this and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed reminiscing my experience in Oblivion. :P

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Salutations Chancellor Ocato,

I apologise for the tardiness of this letter but the alliance between our two parties have piled on the administrative and record-keeping duties. Even as I pen this letter, I have a small veritable hill of paper on my desk and even with the help of the resident Selde Onored (Onored is the plural form of Onore) here in White River Cottage, I have failed to see any progress on flattening said hill. 

Nonetheless, this letter takes precedence as Master Glen Audito has informed me that you yourself handle all the correspondences and paperwork for your organization. Therefore, as a token of our first writing, I have packed an empty remembrancer to accompany this letter for your own use. Instructions on how to utlize the remembrancer are also included - You can follow these instructions to reuse the two remembrancers already in your possession. The twins have said to allow you to decide whether or not to teach any other in your organization on the use of remembrancers - we leave it to your discretion.

Formalities aside, there is no need to give us anything for the remembrancers. However, I personally would like to know more of the history of the twins' parents. As you are most likely well aware, I am... ... new to the current state of Tamriel and although I have studied every book I can find about the Oblivion Crisis, all I could glean were vague legends and myths. You would be granting me a great personal boon if you could describe the history of Emperor Martin Septim and Matriach Arakuria - the twins can be very infuriating in the manner they avoid the subject, especially when Linya acts adorably irritating while Kinya pretends to be deep in thought about something.

With thanks and regal regards,
Serana the Ecilpser
Mistress-Scribe of the Selde Sisterhood
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Greetings Serana, Redeemer of the Children of Nights

Firstly, I wish to confess my skepticism when I heard that you were the Mistress Scribe for the twin princesses - vampires have always possessed cruel elitism and you being a Daughter of Coldharbour further fueled the caution. However, I felt ashamed afterwards as there have been examples of vampires protecting the meek and innocent. Glen have already informed me of the circumstances and transpiration of the recent Vampire Crisis in Skyrim and I am proud to count you as one of the noble vampires I know who include Count Janus Hassildor of Skingrad.

Secondly, I will be happy to recount the story of Martin and Arakuria.

As you may well already know, Arakuria was the Heroine of Kvatch when she liberated the city from dremora siege and rescued Martin, then a priest-brother in the Temple of Akatosh in doomed Kvatch. Following their departure from Kvatch, Arakuria gathered what remained of the Blades, the predecessors of the Penitus Oculatus, and they escorted Martin to Cloud Ruler Temple, north of Bruma. Along the way, Arakuria tutored Martin on swordplay and it was around this time when they fell in love.

Once they arrived at Cloud Ruler Temple, Arakuria returned to the Imperial City to recover the stolen Amulet of Kings and then infiltrated and dismantled the Mythic Dawn Shrine to Mehrunes Dagon. Alas, the amulet was stolen again by the Mythic Dawn.

When she returned to Cloud Ruler Temple, Martin and the Blades needed to research for a plan to end the Oblivion Crisis and during this time, Arakuria defended the temple from spies and incursions by the Mythic Dawn. During this two months of nerve-wrecking vigilance and studying, it was no secret that Arakuria often slept in Martin's chambers within the Temple. Jauffre, then Grandmaster of the Blades, speculated that Arakuria became pregnant during this period of time.

Let it be known that I write the following numbered paragraphs with renewed awe.

1. Arakuria's pregnancy was discovered by the Blade's medical team during her 2nd month of pregnancy, 4 months after Martin first arrived at Cloud Ruler. During this time, Martin required several unique and arcane items for a plan to recover the crucial Amulet of Kings. The lovers had a falling out as Martin did not want Arakuria to be the one to quest for these items as the danger to both her and their child were insurmountable (none knew that dear Arakuria was carrying twins then). Arakuria snuck out of their bed one night and went anyways. By the end of this 2nd month of pregnancy, she returned to Cloud Ruler Temple with a Daedric Artifact (I was told it was the Sanguine Rose), the Armour of Tiber Septim from the catacombs of Sancre Tor and a Great Welkynd Stone from Miscarcand, one of the largest Aylied ruins in Cyrodiil.

2. During the 3rd and 4th month of pregnancy, Arakuria traveled around Cyrodiil, closing all the Oblivion Gates she could find and earned herself the gratitude and respect of everyone in Cyrodiil, from the nobles to the commoners. Baurus and Jenna, both best friends of Arakuria in the Blades, once told me that though Martin was oblivion-bent on making sure the plan worked, he was sick with worry for Arakuria whenever he was not working. Perhaps the focus on his work helped to alleviate the ultimate fear.

3. With three of the four ingredients essential for the plan secured, the fourth was the most difficult. It required a deliberate opening of a Great Oblivion Gate outside Bruma. Never had there been such a gathering of so many heroes. There were the most elite of the Blades, every guard captain and their handpicked men from all the cities of Cyrodiil. At the front of these gathered heroes, stood Arakuria... ... ... and Martin. Accounts from those present at the battle claimed that Martin fought with so much skill and zeal that it shocked even Jauffre and inspired all present--- Arakuria was clearly a good teacher. As the battle raged on, Arakuria entered the gate and within ten minutes, the gate closed and she emerged with the last item needed for the plan - a Great Sigil Stone. The following morning, Martin and Arakuria married in the Chapel in Bruma. In attendance were all the surviving heroes of the legendary battle and the Countess Narina Carvain of Bruma.

4. When the plan commenced, Arakuria was 5 months pregnant. The idea was to open a miniature Oblivion Gate to infiltrate Mankor Camoran's "Paradise" and retrieve the Amulet of Kings to ultimately relight the Dragonfires at the Temple of the One in the Imperial City, effectively locking out all Daedric invasions. Arakuria succeeded, killing Mankor Camoran and reclaiming the Amulet. When she returned, Cloud Ruler Temple was then emptied, with the entire roster of Blades en route to the Imperial City. Martin first entered the White Gold Tower to re-establish order in the Imperial City's defense... ... this was... regrettably, the first and last time I ever met and spoke with Martin.

5. Afterwhich, Martin, Arakuria, Baurus and Captain Steffan raced to the Temple of the One. Baurus and Steffan defended the Temple's entrance with the surviving Imperial Guards as the newly wedded lovers entered to relight the Dragonfire. Only... Martin could not - the barrier between Nirn and Oblivion had dissolved, relighting the Dragonfires would have done nothing. From here on, what you read in books are pure speculations as Arakuria was the only witness to what happened in the Temple. She has told me personally that Martin, seeing the Dragonfires not igniting, suddenly had an epiphany and gave her the longest yet saddest kiss they ever had. When the gigantic Mehrunes Dagon finally broke the roof of the Temple and stepped in, Martin gave Arakuria a last affectionate squeeze on her buttocks and proceeded to crush the Amulet of Kings... ... ... and became a dragon. You should already know how it ended. Martin did not return --- he left behind a lamenting yet grateful Empire and Arakuria... beautiful... sad... grieving Arakuria. She returned to Cloud Ruler Temple with the Blades and was never seen publicly again. Despite that, I found a fast friend in her and her insight and wisdom were greatly appreciated during the recovery period after the Oblivion Crisis. Also, she plays a mean game of chess. (My record stands at 5 wins and 49 losses.)

6. 3 months after the end of the Oblivion Crisis, I received an urgent missive from Captain Steffan at Cloud Ruler Temple. The heavily-pregnant Arakuria (it was her 8th month), Grandmaster Jauffre, Baurus and Jenna had gone missing. Steffan had already sent out half of the Blades in search for them and the Imperial Guard and Legions were soon added to that search. No trace could be found. In the months following, the Blades stayed vigilant and awaited the return of Arakuria - they believed that she went somewhere to give birth in peace and secrecy and would return with the beautiful legacy and heir of Martin Septim. Suffice to say, she did not. During that time, there was much political uncertainty as there was already an unanimous decision in the Elder Council to name Arakuria Empress. What happened after, I rather not say... too unpleasant...

That is the end of what I know of the Twins' parents.

Before I sign off, I wish to stress the following. The news of the Twins' existence, along with the confirmation that Arakuria is still alive somewhere, were the best news I have had in four centuries. Serana, it clear that you care for the Twins and I thank you profoundly for that. 


For Martin and Arakuria Septim, Emperor and Empress,
Ocato
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Mod mentioned:

White River Cottage: 
http://www.nexusmods.com/skyrim/mods/54479/?

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