A/N: Hello everyone! I'm BACK! I'm not too sure if it's for good this time, but I know that I'm full to the brim with stories. I've been gone for a while: I'm in my second year of university now. Nevertheless, I've got a new story to share with you all! This is an old story, one that I've had sitting on my hard-drive for years, and I finally tinkered at it, and think it's ready to show off! This is a Merlin AU, where Merlin has a half-sister who comes to Camelot and gets tangled up with a certain young knight who we all love to hate (and hate to love).

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: I do not own these characters, although I do love them very much. These characters belong to the BBC and the relevant production companies. Any characters that are of my own creation will be listed below.

OCs: Maelane and Derien

PROLOGUE

"Oh Hunith, she's beautiful!" The woman said. It had been a week since the birth, and Hunith was worried about taking her daughter into the village; Gaius calmed her fractured nerves, saying that the babe was strong, so winter would be kind to the family.

"Thank you. She's a noisy one, that's for sure," Hunith looked down at her sleeping daughter; wisps of her hair poking out of the blankets. "Merlin was always the quiet one."

Matthew smiled, "And how does the little man take to his new sister?"

Merlin hadn't met his baby sister yet. When the time came, Merlin was given to the care of Maelane, Farmer Ailig's daughter, and she had been caring for him well. "I'm going to introduce the two of them tonight. I pray to the gods that all goes well."

The sound of laughter echoed from the nearby farmhouse. A small boy came running toward the adults, Maelane chasing after him. "Oh Merlin! You shouldn't run off like that!"

"Oh! Here comes the little devil now!" Matthew laughed, scooping Merlin into his arms, making the young boy shriek louder.

"Been giving you trouble, Maelane?" Hunith asked.

Maelane shook her head, "No, no. Just been a cheeky little boy, like always."

The babe began to gurgle and wriggle.

"Looks like someone is awake," Maelane cooed. "Shall I take Merlin again whilst you feed her?"

Hunith shook her head. "Merlin has already spent far too much time away from me. I would like it if you stayed for supper, however, as thanks."

"Oh no, Hunith, no need to thank me. You've taken care of me and my sisters since my mother passed. Being charged with the care of your son is thanks enough."

"You're sure? Gaius left me with enough meat and grain to last the winter!"

"Of course," Maelane bowed her head. "Besides, my father has been granted a meeting with Davin, a farmer from three towns over. There's talks of my hand being given to his son!" The young woman giggled, her cheeks flushing pink.

"You have my blessing, that is for sure," Hunith said. "Now, you run along. I don't want to keep your father or Davin waiting!"

Merlin sat eagerly at the crib, his mother's hand guiding him to rock it. "And babby sleeps here?" He asked.

"Yes," Hunith nodded. "The baby sleeps here, just like you did when you were that big."

"Mumma, will you love babby more than me?"

"Of course not, my love." She pulled Merlin close, stroking his hair and slowly rocking him. "I will love you always, as I love your sister."

Merlin gazed up at his mother, the light of the fire twinkling in his blue eyes. "But you'll love me more?"

"I will love you just as much as I love your sister." Kissing his forehead, Hunith carried Merlin to his bed. "You will always be my Merlin. And I will always be your mumma."

Later in the night, Hunith, having being woken by the crying baby, wandered around the empty village, her daughter wrapped up safely in a woollen blanket.

"It's dangerous to be wandering the village at night." A gruff voice said. "You'll never know who you'll run into."

Hunith turned to see a tall man, with dark hair and green eyes. "Oh Derien!" She grinned, running toward the man. "I thought you were stationed in Cendred's guard! How have you come so far away?"

"I was able to sneak off," Derien said. "Some of the lads covered for me."

The two adults kissed softly.

"It feels like it has been far too long," Hunith whispered.

"I know," Derien replied. "So long, in fact, that I now have a babe to call my own?"

Hunith smiled, unwrapping the babe a little. "Here she is."

"She?"

"You're offended?"

"Offended?" Derien laughed. "No! I couldn't be any more proud to call this girl mine! Son or daughter, I do not care. So long as you both are safe and well."

"She was born with a strong set of lungs, I can tell you," Hunith giggled. "And she has your hair."

Taking the child, Derien cooed softly, tracing a finger over the babe's pink cheek. He held the babe close to him, revealing pale pink skin and tufts of dark hair. Tears prickled at his eyes, but Derien was able to hold them back."Gods she's like glass."

"Small but mighty, Gaius said to me,"

"What of her eyes?" Derien asked. "Brown like yours, or green like mine?"

"I saw a hint of green the other day, but it could've been the light."

The babe wriggled a little, making soft noises. Derien gently stroked her soft hair. "Oh I think she'll be a green-eyed beauty. Just like her mother." Both smiled as they kissed once more.

"Does she have a name?"

Hunith shook her head. "I wanted to grant her father the privilege."

"Alara." Derien said. "After my grandmother."

"Alara." Hunith breathed. "Alara and Merlin. I like that."