Authors Notes: Here it is My first fanfic, Its going to follow the Dark Brotherhood Quest line and maybe a few others. I'm not going to make this a word for word DB fan fic. I'm adding my own twists and turns, I hope you like it! R+R would be nice. Look on my page for the disclaimer, I own only my ideas and characters.

Envy

Prologue: Nerah Vlando

Have you ever had the feeling you were being watched? That you were being followed or hunted? Have you ever been so paranoid that you ran away from your home? Have you ever killed a man? I have, and its no surprise that now I'm scared to death because of it. Fear is an ugly thing.

Ah, listen to me ramble. Have I gone insane with the guilt already? Have I been 'touched' by the Mad God and not been aware? Hmm. No I don't think so, but perhaps I should explain some things first. Well, for starters my name is Natily Veetour. But I am currently going by Nerah Vlando; all my friends call me Envy. Get it? N.V, my initials? I'll admit, a bit cliché.

You see, I had to change my old name. When being on the run its not entirely smart to waltz around with the name everyone knows you by. And to put it bluntly, I prefer Nerah. There is nothing wrong with Natily of course, but I am entitled to my opinion.

Now with that little tidbit cleared up, onto my current state. It's simple really, I'm running away from my home, Chorrol. I got into a little 'scrape' with my no good, money grubbing step brother. That's all, really.

Oh, and I killed him.

xxxx

I know what your thinking, how could I possibly do such a thing? My answer, easily. But that is a story for another day, I'm not one to talk about my problems. Or family problems rather. Not that they were much of a family anyway. But what's done is done, no need to dwell on it. So I'm doing the next best thing. I'm running like hell.

I have been running straight along the Black Road for two hours or so. I am far beyond Chorrol. I just passed Weynon Priory, and I know that place rather well. I had been dragged there on many occasions during my youth, and I know for a fact that its well outside of Chorrol.

My legs are starting to throb painfully, and I need to rest. Hell, I'm no fighters guild associate. I'm lucky I made it this far without the contents of my stomach spilling onto the pavement. A two hour run is like a years worth of exercise for a hotel maid!

Yes, yes, hotel maid. My parents owned a little rag-tag inn on the outskirts of Chorrol. I had to work there against my will. Step mother, step brother, it's like I fell out of a fairy tale isn't it? Well in reality I'm anything but your wand waving, flower picking, golden haired princess. Quite the opposite actually.

Unpleasant, stupid, rude, and arrogant looking. That's how everyone describes me. But they really don't know a thing about me. I'm not as dumb as they think I am. Could an idiot plan out and execute such a perfect murder?

Strike that, nothings perfect. And it didn't go over as smoothly as I had imagined either. I honestly didn't mean to burn down my fathers inn. I just wanted to get rid of my step brother. But everyone makes mistakes. They would have known it was me who did it. I always threatened him, I told him I would burn him alive if he kept it up.

Men, they never seem to listen. But I am being judgmental. Not every man is like…

Was like Peter.

xxxx

So, here I am now trudging along the worn down path, on my way to the Imperial City. Everyone can make it there. From the stories I hear, the damned beggars get better meals than I. At the thought of food my stomach has started to growl angrily. I am hungry, I am always hungry. I think its time for a little break.

I stepped off the path and made my way over to a large set of trees. The place I made my campsite was not very far from the road. I never really traveled much, and am not looking forward to getting lost out in the Green Forest at twilight. I have no sense of direction you see, best not wander off. I dare not risk losing the road.

An odd feeling came over me though, like I was no longer alone. That same feeling I had when I was staring down at my fathers burning Inn. Watching the embers slowly die. It feels like every shadow is alive and beckoning me to come closer, to enter the darkness. The thought gets me a bit frightened to say the least. Now I'm not afraid of the dark, but I do fear what hides within it. So, I made haste to check out my surroundings.

It took me about several minutes of craning my neck to peek around the large pine tree trunks, to insure that I was alone. Once satisfied I flopped down near some largely exposed roots and rubbed my now aching neck. What can I say? I'm a bit of a baby when it comes to tender muscles.

I debated on using a healing potion to take the pain away. But soon decided against it. I didn't have enough potions to waste on the minor complaint, so I would bear the small pain. I hadn't packed much for my little journey, but I had enough supplies to get me through a couple of days.

I reached for my enchanted rucksack, my favorite birthday present. Given to me by my now deceased uncle, Talos bless his soul. He knew I always wanted to be an adventurer, but he also knew of my lacking strength. The bag could hold as much weight as I can carry, and fit even the most large and oddly shaped objects.

Why did all my loving family members have to die?

I rummaged through my bag until I found what I was looking for. My all time favorite food, an apple. No I am not a vegetarian, nor am I a health fanatic. I just love apples. When I was younger, when my mother was alive, I grew up on an apple orchard.

The very smell of cider brings back the wonderful memories. I rubbed the apple on my grey tunic, and then took a bite. The sweet juices of the apple immediately sent me into a euphoric state. It quenched my parched throat and more than sated my hunger, as I ate it nearly to the core.

I tossed it aside once finished and took in a deep breath. The sun was beginning to rise, and I was not surprisingly, very tired. I wiped my sticky fingers on my sodden brown skirt and looked around. The scenery was always lovely here, it was the only reason why I had ever stayed with my father. Just to see that sun rise or set on the green hills, the pink and orange gleam of dusk or dawn reflecting on the pines, is just so beautiful.

I ran my hand through my coal black hair, and soaked everything in. The air was crisp now, Heartfire was just beginning. The leaves had already begun their change; green with flecks of gold and brown. It was going to be a long winter. I could already tell.

xxxx

I found myself slowly nodding off under the brush. I was desperately tired. Up all night killing and running will do that to you I suppose. I needed sleep, and decided it was best to postpone my travels until tomorrow. That way I could ketch up on my rest and arrive in the Imperial City on Morndas, sometime in the early afternoon.

I yawned loudly and snuggled up to the tree bark. Sure it wasn't what I would call comfortable but it was my current bed. I was not worried about being found by the guards. I was far enough away form the main road and well hidden by clumps of trees and underbrush.

My heavily lidded eyes slowly began to close, and I found myself in a wonderful dream. I was back at the old orchard with my mother, she was humming one of her old imperial tunes. And I was listening, snuggled up to her chest and eating an apple.