Prologue
The rain lashed at the window, streaming down so quickly it seemed to be an endless waterfall. Lightning flashed, illuminating her sweat and tear-streaked face. Thunder screamed with her creating a melodious mixture of pain and terror. Tara, Queen of the Dawn Elves, was giving birth to her first child. Her attendant, Mai, held her hand in a bone cracking grip, whispering over and over alternating between a prayer and telling her it was almost over. The mid-wife looked at Mai and shook her head. The child wouldn't be born until late the next day, even though the queen had been in labor for most of the night. Mai pressed her lips together and prayed for her lady to live through the birth. As the Queen gasped for breath she looked to the mid-wife for help.
"Just breathe my Lady it will be over soon. Mayhaps the child will be a strong healthy son for you! With all the trouble it must be a boy-child.", said the mid-wife. But despite her comforting words the mid-wife looked worried. She heard a slight noise behind her, looked around quickly and saw that infernal wizard sitting the shadows. The fear and worry left her face to quickly be replaced with anger.
"Here, what are you doing? I told you! You should be with his Majesty right now! Besides this is woman's work. Be gone!" said the mid-wife.
"I am here to help after the girl is born." Said the wizard quietly. "Only after, not before."
"Fine, stay but don't be doing any tricks while she's in labor." Said the mid-wife going back to her work. "Come on little- Hang on, you said it was to be a girl, how do you know?"
The wizard stayed silent and merely pointed to the queen. The mid-wife turned back and her eyes opened wide. The child had crowned and the head was fast coming.
"How could this be? The child was due later!" Said the mid-wife in disbelief as she supported its head. In the room's only window the sky lightened in beckoning to the dawn. As the sun and storm broke over the horizon, the child was born to the world. The Queen collapsed back on the bed and gasped a name to her attendant. Mai rounded the bed to find the wizard holding the child as the mid-wife looked in horror at them.
"What is the matter? Is the child deformed? Is it dead?" asked Mai frantically as she walked over to the wizard. She brushed by the mid-wife who let out a shriek of terror and ran from the room as fast as she could. The wizard shook his head at Mai's questions, and held out the baby to her. For a moment Mai thought the baby was wrapped in black cloth. Then she realized that the black was the baby's skin. Mai had only heard of such skin once, though she had never seen it herself. But it was enough to send her running and screaming from the room as well. The wizard smiled and shook his head at the child.
"So much commotion for so small a baby. Well I'll do what I can before his majesty comes in." He looked at the girl, who looked back at him with, what could that emotion be called? Fear…or hatred? He dismissed the notion as he worked his magic on her. The girl's black skin lightened to tan, her hair turned from stark white to a silver color. The only thing that did not change was her eyes. Her eyes stayed the same twilight blue as her mothers.
"The enchantment will last for as long as you are alive unless you do something to change it.", the wizard laughed as he told the baby. "So much for the pure-blood first born of the gold elves!"
"Mai?" said a weak voice from the bed. "Where is my child? Is he alright? Mai?" Queen Tara tried to rise but couldn't find the strength.
"My Lady, the baby is fine." Said the wizard as he came to her and placed the child in her arms. " You may want to find a new name for the baby."
"Why?"
But the wizard was already in the throws of another spell. There was a bright flash of white light, then three soldiers and King Janxe burst into the room.
"Where is it? Where is the Abomination!" Shouted King Janxe, looking around.
"Janxe! Stop at once, you will wake the baby!" Said Queen Tara quietly. "And what's this nonsense about an abomination? The only thing that is an abomination is that mid-wife and attendant of mine who left me here alone!
"Now come and see your new daughter. Isn't she beautiful?" She said as King Janxe came to her side.
"Yes, she is beautiful." He turned to the guards. "Leave us and send a message to our people." he smiled at his new daughter. "We have an heir!"
When the soldiers had left the room the king turned to his wife and sat by the bed. She placed the sleeping baby in his arms.
"What is her name?" asked the king.
"She was born in the dawn. So her name will be Althaena Maj'antha. She will grow to be a fine wife to Baryon Del'Adigo!"
"Yes. Yes, of course." whispered King Janxe to himself.