Prologue: 13 years before.

"So..What is her name?" The busy matron asked the young woman lying on the bed, sweating slightly after her child birth exertions. It was no doubt the the young lady in question was stunningly beautiful, and was every man's dream.

After a few moments thought, the young woman answered:" Bryony Gwendolyn..."

When the young lady didn't finish her sentence, the kindly matron then asked: " Who is her father, dearie?"

Hesitating ever so slightly, the young lady laughed slightly. " I suppose it cannot be a secret forever. I may as well make clean breast of it to someone. Her father is the famous detective Sherlock Holmes."

The matron gave a little gasp. " So... She is Bryony Gwendolyn Holmes, am I right?"

" No, she will retain my surname. She is Bryony Gwendolyn Adler until the day her father claims her as his daughter. I wish her not to know who her father is until the time is right, if you understand, matron."

" Indeed.. Well, it is your choice, dearie."

" It damn well is." The young lady on the bed said suddenly, quite vehemently.

" Calm down. You are not fully recovered yet. You will need to rest here for at least three nights." The matron said, slightly alarmed at such a sudden outburst. She soothed her patient.

" Thank you matron. Perhaps you would like to retire to your rooms as well? It's been a long night for both of us."

" If you will be alright, I see no reason why I should keep you from your rest."

" I will be perfectly fine, matron. Goodnight."

And as the matron left the room taking a last glimpse of her patient, it was the last sight of her that she would ever have.

" Goodbye, my darling Bryony. May the gods be with you, and I pray that you may be as smart as your father, and as charming as me. Farewell, and may we meet again in a more favourable time." Kissing the sleeping child, the young woman climbed out of the window, making sure to be as silent as a cat.

The next morning, when the matron arrived to check on her patient, she discovered her gone, and with two letters on the bed. One was addressed to none other than the elusive Sherlock Holmes himself, and the other to herself. Not being a sneaky woman, she opened the letter addressed to herself first. It ran:

Dear Matron,

Thank you so much for the help you have given me as a confidante, midwife and helper. Now, i wish to request you services just one more time.

One: My child Bryony is to be raised in your orphanage, with absolutely no clue as to who her parents are.

Two: The letter addressed to Mr Sherlock Holmes is to be given to Bryony when the time is right.

Three: Under the pillow of mine is a locket. It is to be given to Bryony, and she must never take it off. EVER. Her father will recognize her by it.

Once again, thank you in advance for these services. Under my pillow, you will also find 50 shillings, my offering to you.

Sincerely yours,

Irene Adler.

After reading the letter, the matron reached out for the locket and put it around the sleeping child's neck.

" Bryony Gwendolyn Adler, welcome to this world. May you be blessed, sweet child." The matron said.

And that was how Bryony came into existence.