When Reman woke up, he noticed a distinct, and pleasant, lack of medical technology. Despite the thick gauze wrapped around him, the Imperial managed to sit up, pain lanced through his body. There was a surprising amount of moisture present under the heavy bandages, perhaps some sort of ointment, or Reman's injuries leaking fluids. Even the man's hands were wrapped, with the fingers separated and tenderly cared for, the tips exposed to the open air. Using a single, bandaged digit, the Imperial peaked under the gauze, revealing the wet, regenerating flesh of his arm, he choked back a hiss, the air burned worse than the flames.

“Conjurer's burns, eh?” The lycan whirled his head to the side, and regretted it as the scorched flesh protested against the movement. Sitting in the chair across the room, was Hircine's Aspect of Guile. The Dwemer had a cocky grin showing for the entire world. “Surprised? I am, too.”

“I'd get up and fight you, but these hurt way too much.” Reman coughed, his body was having trouble regenerating the destroyed tissue, burns had that effect on him. “Shouldn't you be back in the Hunting Grounds?”

“I am.” The Daedric Dwemer chuckled at Reman's perplexed expression. “Unlike mortals, we can exist in more than one location at once.” Understanding was established between the two, a welcome relaxation in tension. “But this Aspect of me is stuck in Equestria, permanently.”

“Is that so?” Reman was more than skeptical, a Daedric Prince could do what it wanted. “I really don't see how that's possible.”

“Your binding magic had quite a bit of force behind it.” Hircine acted like that was a decent answer. “And before you even ask, a Prince's power in severely diminished outside of Oblivion or Nirn, even my main consciousness is unable to free me.”

“Something tells me to be wary of your words.” Instinct can be a powerful thing, and Reman trusted his gut. “I can't really believe you, not after you threw the fight at the end.”

“Caught that, didn't you?” The hunter chuckled, mortals were so amusing to manipulate. It was only sweetened when they knew that they were just puppets in a grand show. “I was under the assumption that you would just destroy this body, not bind it.”

“I'm having a difficult time believing that I bound a Daedric Prince to another world.” A flying pig-cow hybrid made more sense than any of this.

“You haven't bound me, only this small part. Think of this body and its power, it is a small fraction of a whole, like a tooth.” The analogy wasn't lost to the Imperial, but it still left him with a few questions. One didn't retain control of a lost tooth, so why did Hircine still rule the Aspect? “Losing that power actually hurt me, I mean the me in Oblivion.”

“How's Glade?” The Imperial couldn't be more apathetic to the Daedra's situation, so long as the mare was okay.

“She's doing just fine, but she's still a lycan.” The Prince reclined in his chair, seemingly unaffected by the news he had just delivered. Things just couldn't go the Imperial's way for long, could they?

“And why the hell haven't you cured her?” The injured lycan sat in an aggressive posture, though he was essentially harmless from here he was.

“She just wished for me to ignore her soul after she dies.” Wait, what? Glade just found a way to keep her powers and go to whatever afterlife ponies went to when they died. “Clever loophole, actually.”

“I can't imagine the Princess is too happy about you being stuck here.” The Ascended Dwemer gave a mirthless laugh in response.

“Actually, she has me on a very short leash.” To emphasize his point, Hircine acted like he was about to punch the Imperial, only for a barrier to block his fist. “See?”

“Yeah.” Reman was silent for a few minutes, allowing the events of the past few days replay in his mind. “Is there a way home for me?”

“That was the first thing I took care of after you lost consciousness.” For all the negative stigma given to the Princes, they knew how to keep a bargain. “But, you'll want to see a few ponies before you go home, the task the Gilded One gave you can wait.”

“Finally figured out who it was, eh?” Reman hadn't really made it difficult, the Emperors wore golden Dragon Armor into battle, and Talos was the god of war and governance, hence Gilded One.

“What was that spell you used to destroy me earlier, anyway?” The Huntsman had never seen anything like it, nor had he ever felt magic that was near its class.

“Conjurer's Folly, it's a powerful spell, but anyone can use it, regardless of skill.” The enchantment didn't even have a magicka cost. “The only drawback is that you lose skills when you cast it, the stronger the target, the more you forget.”

“The conjurer's mistake for summoning something he can't control.” The Dwemer looked like he had learned a deep and mysterious secret. Mages valued their abilities more than life, and forgetting years of experience would truly be torment.“He pays the ultimate price for his arrogance.”

“Exactly.” If someone had told Reman that he would be having a pleasant conversation with Hircine, he would have punched them in the face. They sat without speaking for the longest time, with the Imperial trying to ignore the huge gap in knowledge he felt in his mind.

@#@#@#@#@#

“Reman, I have a proposition for you.” For once, Princess Celestia was using a tone reserved exclusively for business. Of course, she would likely get what she wanted, the Imperial sort of owed her one. “I'm certain that you'll enjoy it.”

“That really depends on what it is, Princess.” The lycan took a moment to scratch his chest, damned skin was itching like crazy. Why did regeneration have to fire off the newly reformed nerves?

“With our worlds bridged, it is likely that Equestria and the Empire will have some form of contact.” Was this going where Reman believed? The answer was undoubtedly to the affirmative. “I need someone who understands how the Empire works, and you just so happen to fit the bill.”

“Never going to happen, Princess.” Reman was not an emissary for anyone, even if he was being payed.

“I think this is a fair trade, considering the damages you've caused.” The Solar Princess wore a triumphant smirk, as though she had some way to win this argument. “Should I list them all?”

“It can't be that much, just let me get to my cache and I can pay you in full.” Despite his low means of living, Reman had quite the hoard of gold and gems stashed away, being able to transmute mineral ores really help. The Imperial made a silent note to relearn that spell soon.

“You're in the hole by a half-million bits.” Reman choked on his own breath.

“I may be swayed to listen to your offer, now.”

@#@#@#@#@#

The palace gardens were a sight to behold, and the image was only enhanced by the glowing portal that now stood amongst the statuary. Reman had seen a number of gates like this, white marble etched with glowing runes. All in all, Hircine kept it from being one of the spewing hellholes that had dotted Tamriel during the Oblivion Crisis. Speaking of the bound Aspect, it was leaning against one of the garden walls, surrounded by a number of Unicorn guards that were ready to incinerate the Daedra. With a motion from Celestia, Hircine moved towards those gathered to wish the Imperial the best.

“Huntsman, I have defeated you in combat, and honor demands that you grant me a single request.” Reman did his best to sound commanding, but he wouldn't use his racial ability at the moment. “Do you accept your defeat, and the contract that you must fulfill?”

“I accept, and ask what you seek as a reward.” Of course, the Huntman knew exactly what the man wanted. One didn't fuse with their lycanthropy and then throw it away like a piece of garbage.

“If you will allow it, I wish for my soul's freedom.” He was exploiting the same loophole that Glade had used. With the amount of knowledge and skill that he had lost, Reman needed every ounce of power that he could lay his hands on. “All you must do, and the task must be simple on your end, is allow my soul to pass to whatever afterlife I have earned, barring the Hunting Grounds.”

“I agree to your terms.” The two extended their hands, a handshake so seal the contract, and bind both parties to their respective ends. “Good luck, mortal, and know that my fellow Princes and I will be watching you.”

“I wouldn't have it any other way, but keep Dagon out of my business, would you? I don't need the Prince my ancestor trounced pestering me.” The two shared a laugh much to the disbelief of the ponies. Without another word, Hircine returned to his spot on the wall, leaving the floor open for Celestia to speak.

“Reman of Cyrodiil, in you brief time here, you have accomplished more than most of my ponies could in their entire lives.” The Solar Princess' voice held a tone of praise, a quality that quickly changed. “You have also managed to cause more damage than any of my subjects, and that is over the course of my rule.” She sounded like she was joking, a mirthful tinge colored her words. “And it is with great pride that I name you my emissary to the Empire, with all the powers and duties that come with the position.”

“It's like an ambassador, but you don't get payed.” It takes skill to ruin a moment as thoroughly as the Princess of Night, and she loved displaying the talent.

“As I was saying,” Celestia cast a stern look to her sister. “You will be responsible for scheduling our first meeting with somepony, sorry, somebody who holds authority in your Empire.”

“I have just the people in mind, Princess.” Celestia looked surprised, Reman certainly hadn't been too keen on the idea earlier.

“And these people would be...?” In truth, the Solar Princess had no idea about who the lycan was referring to, and she likely wouldn't until the meeting. But, it was better to be somewhat prepared, besides, Luna might have learned something about them.

“Jarl Balgruf the Greater, of Whiterun, and Kodlak Whitemane, of the Companions.” Despite knowing absolutely nothing about the two, Celestia nodded her agreement. The monarch took a step back, and allowed for the Elements to say their goodbyes, Glade had all ready said what she needed. It struck the Princess as odd that the mare wanted to send him of with farewells, they would, after all, see him again at the meeting, and any subsequent gatherings.

“Thanks fer savin' mah sister, an' sorry fer attackin' ya like ah did.” Applejack didn'y really say anything that counted as parting words, but the meaning was clear.

“For a light show, that fight was awesome, I want to more when we visit your home.” The cyan Pegasus known as Rainbow Dash high-five'd the Imperial, and was practically bouncing at the prospect of his world.

“Farewell, Reman, you have been the utmost joy to know, and Sweetie Belle owes you her life, you are a gentlecolt of a caliber that is rarely in Equestria.” Rarity was secretly hoping to learn about the fashions and garments that were prevalent in the Empire, having had no real example to work with.

“I can't wait to see you again, there'll be cake and dancing and ice cream and magic and all sorts of stuff!” Pinkie was planning a party all ready, even before the man had left. The bubbling ball of energy was starting to grow on Reman, even though people like this drove him up the wall.

“I, uh, hope that you do just fine with, erm, whatever you do after this.” Fluttershy had stopped stuttering around the Imperial, quite the accomplishment. She had been the one to bandage his burns after the battle, so there was a small bond formed between the two.

“Bye, I hope that's not too forward of me.” Twilight looked a little embarrassed that she hadn't prepared any sort of speech for this moment, so she merely said what she felt. “I can't wait to learn all about Nirn, your magics must be amazing, and your level of science and technology may be unheard of, here!”

After the final words were spoken, and every guest was satisfied, Reman departed for his home. This would begin the long road to ensuring peaceful relations with the Empire and Dominion, and the Imperial only hoped that there wouldn't be a second Great War sparked over the nation of Equestria. With a heavy mind, Reman would start walking to the city of Whiterun, where he would write to his contacts across Skyrim, and ask them to prepare for the worst. If his new friends were going to involve themselves with Nirn, he would be certain that they were safe. However, the biggest threat may not come from anything living on Nirn, or even Oblivion.

For, during the excitement of the day, nobody noticed a certain statue begin to crack.

@#@#@#@#@#@#

23.5 weeks, that's how long this took to make, and I loved every minute of it.
I also think that it's odd that the epilogue be longer than most chapters, but what can you do?