Prologue

The kingdom was, at last, silent. The freezing night air hung like icicles around the dark, forlorn castle. The moon was clearer than usual, and shooting stars were constant in the navy blue sky. The snow gleamed in the moonlight, shining as if it was simply the dust that had fallen from the stars flying across the night.

Yet despite the beautiful winter night, the mood in the dark castle was the complete reverse. Inside was a great but miserable king, shackled to the walls of his own dungeons. His army had fallen, his wife murdered in front of his very eyes, and his people burned alive. His son was in the cell next to his, young and naïve. He knew nothing of war and death. Someday he would understand, and he would rise as a wise ruler.

The king thought of his late wife, the brightness of her blue eyes seared into his eyelids. There was nothing to be done. He did not practice magic, or else he would find a way. But even then…would his lovely Lilliane be happy to be resurrected?

He shook his head and cradled the bundle in his arms more gently. The baby girl was asleep and had to stay that way. She would soon be safe, in a new kingdom, away from this horrible place they used to call home. She was his heir, no matter her age. If she was to be safe in another land, then she was his only hope of restoring his kingdom.

The king closed his eyes and held the girl close. Her auburn curls were soft and her little fingers wrapped around one of his own. A tear trickled down his cheek, but he did not care to wipe it away. This was not going to be an easy departure.

"Father," the boy whispered. "Father, it is Sir Bartholomew."

The king looked up to see a shadow standing before him. He saw the face in the moonlight streaming in from the grates above the man's head. It was his most loyal knight, Sir Bartholomew, dressed in all black with a sling on his torso. He was here for the baby.

The king choked on his words as he offered the child up to the knight. "Please get her there safely. I owe my life to you."

The knight tenderly placed the girl in the sling, her eyes fluttering lightly. She rolled over onto her side and sighed. The king put a hand to his mouth to keep from sobbing.

The little boy in the next cell scurried up to the bars and put a hand on the girl's head. "I'll miss you, sissy. I love you."

The king could bear this no more and buried his face in his hands. He knew his fate. Lilianne had seen it in the crystal many years ago.

He placed a hand on Sir Bartholomew's arm, looked up, and said, "Someday, you will be repaid. My son and I are greatly indebted to you. Now go, before the guards catch you."

The knight put his hand on top of his king's for the last time.

"It has been an honor serving you, my lord. Thank you," he whispered. "I will always remember you."

Then he turned to the boy. "Sire."

The boy nodded back, knowing the custom. But his father said nothing and removed his hand, then turned away to the back of his cell. This was to be his last hour, this he was sure of.

Sir Bartholomew made his way out of the dungeons, creeping quietly through the once lively streets of his home town. He found his way across the broken cobblestones and wrecked marketplace.

Once by the city walls, he clambered onto his black steed and rode off into the night. He was not noticed by the guards nor the animals of the forest. It was as if magic was protecting them.

For several days and nights, Bartholomew rode with the girl, feeding her when needed and changing her nappies when they were soiled. But he never grew weary.

On the fifth day, he saw the turrets of a shining castle. Camelot. They had succeeded in making the journey. But he needed to find her a place to grow up. He couldn't leave the baby with just anyone. The king had specifically said to leave her with people who made a difference in Camelot; somebody who could teach her the ways of manners and respect.

As he entered the town, the baby started to wake. She opened her sleep-filled eyes and blinked at the man holding her. Her purple eyes were full of life and adventure.

Sir Bartholomew couldn't help but smile as he rode through the lower town. The girl was making cooing noises and babbling on about who knows what. She laughed whenever the horse would jostle a little. She was trying to sit up most of the time, but her head was too heavy for her to do it on her own. She wanted to observe the world around her, which was intriguing for a child of such a young age.

The knight entered the palace courtyard, hoping to seek an audience with King Uther.

"Hello, there," said an older man, walking up the knight. His clothes were not as shabby or worn as some of the other citizens of Camelot and his bag rattled and clanked as if full of glass.

"Good afternoon," greeted Bartholomew, nodding once politely.

The baby girl made a loud squealing noise as the horse stopped completely. The older man looked puzzled at this until the knight was standing in front of him.

"Who are you?" he inquired suspiciously.

"My name is Bartholomew," the knight explained. "I am here for this girl to seek refuge in this kingdom. She is but an orphan in need of a loving family."

The old man looked into the sling to see the purple-eyed girl staring right back at him. He chuckled and tickled the baby's stomach, the baby giggling in response.

"I am Gaius," declared the old man. "I am the court physician here in Camelot."

Sir Bartholomew could tell that Gaius was a man of his word and took a deep breath. "Would you be willing to take her in, sir?"

Gaius's eyebrows rose up past his hairline. "Me? I'm but an old man who's just lost the love of his life. I've never raised a child before."

But as soon as the words left his mouth, Gaius regretted them. He'd always wanted a child to call his own.

"Tis a shame," Sir Bartholomew said sadly. "Her father and mother died wanting her to make a difference in this world. They knew she would want to accomplish great feats."

Gaius again, hesitated. Was this really the best choice for him? He was only in his early fifties. How hard would it be, really? He could always use an apprentice and some company.

"I will take the child as my own kin, sir," the physician concluded. "I would be happy to raise her as my daughter."

Sir Bartholomew handed the girl over, along with clothes and blankets.

"You are doing a great honor, sir," he told the older man with a grin. He turned back to his horse and jumped on with ease. To Gaius, it was clear he was a knight of sorts or else just a talented rider.

Gaius, shocked at what he had just done, shook his head and pulled himself back to reality. "Wait, what is the girl's name?"

The knight pulled on his cloak hood and, just before he rode off back to his own kingdom, said, "Marsella."

And with that, Gaius walked back to his own quarters, wondering how to start life with the baby and how to tell King Uther that he would need some time off during the day.

Hi everyone! Thanks so much for reading the prologue of my first Merlin fanfic. I hope you enjoyed it. If you guys like the story so far, please review, follow, and favorite! I don't want to continue if nobody wants to read more. :)