I do not own TVD or TO.

This is an Alternate Universe inspired by Alice in Wonderland and its many incarnations. Truly it was first inspired by this picture of Nate in fedora and a pile of antique keys. I've also made mood/character boards for each of the main characters and the series as a whole. If you like you can view them on my tumblr account:

missnmikaelson

They said there was a touch of madness in the royal family. It was a cruelty that ran deep in the bones. Viper's venom made up their marrow; deadly nightshade raced through their veins. They thrived on deceit and consumed all that was light.

Some in the realm, the wishful thinkers, the ones that still clung to hope for a bright future, for a return to the days peace, said only the weak were cruel and that it took true strength to be gentle and kind. They believed having a soft heart in a cruel world was courageous; that love was an individual's greatest strength.

Such things were said in the quietest of whispers, for if they were to be heard the speaker was struck down in the cruelest of manners.

Each generation of royals grew stronger even as their hearts grew crueler; their villainous nature knew no bounds. They even struck down members of their own family; this was due to the prophecy that threatened their twisted throne and cruel crowns.

There will come a time when three will rise.

The first a mistress of cruel deceit,

Will break the bonds once thought complete.

The second an emblem of false innocence,

Will bring false hope and numb common sense.

The third a symbol of shinning hope,

Will crumble the house with a golden rope;

Breaking through lies will forge new ties.

Two will fall and one will rise.

Many took this to mean three born within the same year. The royals so feared the end of their wicked reign that whenever such an instance occurred all three children were immediately put to death.

That was until the fateful night when the queen delivered three identical daughters. The guards were called, the poison was readied, but by the time they arrived in the royal suite their services were no longer required.

Two princesses wailed in their bassinets. The third crib, the one brought for the youngest of the three, held a blue babe; the breath had been stolen from her lungs.

Fate had decreed that these were not the three of legend; the midwife was her mouthpiece.

None questioned the missing key; none so much as noticed it.

I'm planning on most chapters being between 1500-3000 words, but this one as the prologue is much shorter.