Morrowind, A fanfic Options

[Alexander]

Another fanfic about Morrowind you must be asking yourself? Do we really need yet another one? I've asked myself the same question
As some of you might know I tried a hand at writing some two+ years back, resulting in two chapters of something I didn't really like looking back. Though even back then, I'd had the idea for another, a different fanfiction.

For some reason despite the fact that I was very much convinced I was not a good writer, this idea stayed with me through all this time and kept nagging at me. Then early this year I decided to simply give it a go again, and the result is something I'm actually quite fond of. This is the result.

It's a fan fiction about Morrowind, set in the time after the events in the game Morrowind but before the events in Oblivion. It's told from the perspective of three people who play a large part in Morrowind's future, at least the future I've created with some parts told by other characters.

As you'll notice, some events in chapters start a little while before the end of the past chapters, just a heads up there.

And lastly, before I bore you all to death with my rants I'd just like to extend a very large thank you, firstly to everyone who ever read "Alexander in Morrowind" and told me it was good (whether they meant it or not ) and second a very special thank you to Treydog who sacrificed quite a bit of his spare time in order to proof read this story, and who played the role of Editor for me. I'm very grateful for that.

Now, on to the story.







The year is 3E 432 many things have changed since the return of the lord Nerevar, and even more things are changing. Four Great Houses have a new head. The Tribunal gods are slain. Temple doctrine is falling and failing rapidly. Oppression of other faiths has been removed. Many rumours float around, rumours of things unheard of in the very near past; The lord Nerevar wants to abolish slavery, Indoril generals are taking bribes and forsaking their honour, some or all of the Tribunal gods were killed by the lord Nerevar, the lord Nerevar used the powers of the heart of Lorkhan to make himself immortal and godlike, secret cults are rising in Cyrodiil, Imperial legions are being recalled to Cyrodiil to quell the unrest, king Helseth poisoned the last king, Mehrunes Dagon has come to earth in the guise of queen Barenziah, Sheogorath has started a love affair with Azura, Bosmer everywhere are planning the end of the world, Orcs have taken to worshiping Khajiit instead of Malacath.

Some rumours are a bit wilder then others of course, but if only half of them are true the future promises to be spectacular.

This story starts in Ebonheart, in the Grand Council chambers where the lord Nerevar is preparing for what could be the most important council meeting in many years.

[Alexander]

Chapter 7. Ascension.

The funeral had just ended; it was something Helseth would likely never forget. He had enjoyed giving that speech; no one had expected him to free the slaves, but he was two steps ahead of everyone. Not even his allies had known about it, but Helseth knew that keeping them in the dark was the only way for them to look surprised. They were terrible actors. What Helseth liked best though, was when before the funeral even started, he had been able to sneak into the Imperial cult shrine just before they had put lord Nerevar into his coffin. He had been composed, and even managed to look sad and wipe away a tear, but all the while he had wanted to laugh right into lord Nerevar’s dead face, laughing, pointing and gloating over how he had won, how he had outsmarted lord Nerevar after all. Yes, that truly was a happy day for Helseth. He had stayed there even when the priests put Nerevar into the coffin, he could tell the priests didn’t think it proper for him to be around during that, but he wasn’t worried about upsetting a few Imperial priests.

Now though, the funeral had just ended, and Helseth saw Crassius Curio walking away with Dram Bero. His guard Drusus had told him Crassius had refused to relinquish command of house Hlaalu to Helseth. Apparently after hearing how four Councillors already supported Helseth, Curio had been very close to agreeing, so very close, but then Dram Bero had walked in, and after hearing the entire story he had been able to talk Curio out of it. There had always been a dislike between Helseth and Bero, but never like this. Helseth knew he would make Bero pay for this with his life.

Helseth strolled along to catch up with Curio and Bero, and was able to catch them before they were at the docks.

“Councillor Curio, my guard tells me you’ve been most hospitable to him. My thanks for that.”

Curio inclined his head, “It is but my duty as host, my king; it was no trouble.”

Helseth smiled, “And Drusus tells me we’re very close to coming to an agreement about my proposal- isn’t that so, Councillor? I’m sure you’ve found my offer more then fair.”

Curio snorted at that, “’Fair’? You would call that ‘fair’? You’re trying to get me to retire, virtually hand you house Hlaalu and spend the rest of my days on some deserted farm where no doubt my death will somehow come much faster than in my fortified mansion. Probably stress related, but still.”

Helseth smiled his innocent smile, “My dear Councillor Curio, all I wish is for you to be able to live the rest of your life out in wealth and comfort, as is befitting a noble of your stature.”

“Sure,” Dram Bero interrupted him, “you mean it from the kindness of your heart, right Helseth?” Subtlety had never been his strong side.

Helseth sighed. There was just no talking to these men; for nobles of the house of thieves, they were surely honourable.
“As you wish, councillors. I see my good wishes are wasted on you, but I will wish you good evening, and a long and prosperous life anyway.” And with that Helseth walked away. When he was away, his sad look turned into a smile. After tonight, Dram Bero at least would no longer be a problem. While the two councillors had been looking at Helseth’s face, his hand had signalled to Garding, the Nord guardian of Dram Bero, that tonight it should happen.

Bero really was a fool, taking a Nord for a guardian; everyone knew they would sell themselves to the highest bidder, not to mention run around half naked to please one or another witch. Nah, Nords were fools. Helseth saw his own guard Drusus approach, and gave him his orders:

“Drusus. Go back to Vivec, and wait for Curio there. Give him one more chance to do the right thing. If he refuses, you know what to do.” Drusus bowed and left. Helseth smiled. Everything was going according to plan. After tonight, house Hlaalu would be his, as it should be.

When he got back to Mournhold, Gavas Drin, the local head of the temple, was waiting for him.

“My king, I’ve done as you asked, I’ve upped the medicine dosage for her highness the queen mother.”

“Good,” Helseth smiled, “and can you make sure she won’t be able to fight the medicine like last time?”

Gavas shook his head, “Her highness is very resilient; the medicine is effective right now, but I can’t estimate how it develops.”

“Well, I guess it will have to do. A few months should be all it takes. Once I’m really in control of Morrowind, I can send her to prison and won’t have to worry about someone objecting.”

Gavas looked shocked, “But- my king, why do that to your own mother? Surely there are other ways.”

“Gavas, let me tell you something. Not too long ago my dear mother found out I was behind the death of the old king. I begged and pleaded with her not to tell, but in the end, if I hadn’t given her your medicine in the first place, she would have gone off and told lord Nerevar. Do you realise that Gavas? My own mother would have betrayed me. No. After the coming war is won, she will have to go.”

Helseth looked into Gavas’s eyes, “Don’t worry, Gavas, you will get your just reward. After everything is set and done, you will become head of the entire Tribunal Temple.”

Any objections Gavas may have had vanished when Helseth said that, and he turned and left.