Author's Notes: This is an adaption of 'The Wild Swans' by Hans Christian Andersen, with TTTE characters. I only own changes made to this story; both the fairy tale and Thomas and his friends belong to their owners.

In addition, I am altering Sudrian history for this AU.

….

Once upon a time, a handsome, good hearted and judicious king called Godred I ruled a tiny but wealthy kingdom which ran from Vicarstown to Brendam. He loved his subjects and ensured the laws were fair, and justice delivered promptly and fairly in the courts.

In addition, he adored his wife, Queen Margaret, and together, they cherished their three children- their two sons; Prince Edward, the elder son and oldest child, and Gordon, the youngest child and their younger son. And lastly, they had a beautiful daughter named Rose, or Rosie, after her glowing red cheeks, who was their only daughter.

Our story begins approximately three months after the eldest prince celebrated his 13th birthday, as Queen Margaret was with child once again, and she was both joyous and content, for she knew that, once he or she was born, her royal brood would be complete.

"I hope to bring you all a little brother or sister," she told the children with a smile on her fair, kind face, lined with traces of middle age.

"Whichever it is, we love the baby already, Mother," Smiled Rosie lovingly.

"Yes, indeed!" Agreed Edward. Gordon said nothing, but they didn't need an answer from him; they knew already that he was excited about their new sibling- for the three children were extremely close and knew each other almost as much as they knew themselves- even their most innermost emotions.

But the king was less delighted with the news, and, out of concern for the welfare of his wife, he spoke with her in private once the children went upstairs to read. "My dear, the royal physician said that another pregnancy could potentially kill you. I do not want to lose you, Margaret." He reminded her seriously- for Gordon's birth had nearly robbed Margaret of her life after enduring a difficult labour.

"Dear, Dr. Hans said that to me nearly ten years ago." She replied boldly, her sky blue eyes blazing with determination into his own hazel ones. "I will have this baby. Besides, if I die having this child, it is God's Will; no more, no less."

King Godred, not seeing his wife swayed from her oath of motherhood, knew he could not argue more on the matter. "Very well, my love; I cannot argue with you anymore. I just do not wish to lose you nor the child. I love you."

"I love you too," Replied Queen Margaret, and the couple delved into a rare, unroyal passionate kiss to express their love, before breaking away. He took her hand in his, and they shared a loving smile at the thought of their newborn child.

…..

The months went by; Rosie turned 11 years old in the autumn of that year, Gordon reached his ninth birthday in the spring; and two weeks before the baby was due, Edward celebrated his 14th birthday. They were getting more and more excited for their new baby sibling, especially after the Crown Prince's birthday. Once Edward's birthday celebrations had tided over, the three royal siblings counted down the days until they would finally have a new little brother or sister to love and care for.

…..

So, it came as no surprise that when the due date for the baby finally came, and the queen went into labour, the three children were bursting with excitement at having their new baby brother or sister at last- but they were also awfully bored at how long the labour was taking. 'Surely it couldn't take that long to have a baby!' they all thought. The three hovered outside the room in which their mother was delivering their sibling, so that they could all the quicker at seeing him when he was finally born.

"So, do you think we're getting a new brother or sister, Rosie?" Asked Edward, to pass the time. Also, Edward was a very curious young prince, who liked to ask questions and learn about the world. But, he was also rather wise for his age, so he'd make a perfect teacher for the baby.

"Well, I wouldn't mind if it was a new brother or a new sister- I'd still love them." Rosie answered, honestly. She supposed a new sister would be interesting- but she was used to having brothers, and she often played games with them.

"Well, I hope it's a brother!" Gordon boasted.

"… I'm with both of you," Finished Edward, ignoring how Gordon just announced his opinion without being asked. "I'd also love our new sibling, regardless- but I am leaning for a new brother." He finished, with a sheepish smile at Rosie.

"What do you think it'll be called?" she asked, to change the subject. The trio pondered this; they remembered a great deal of their parents' friends and relatives who could become the baby's namesake.

"Well, I do think Thomas would be a nice name if it's a boy," Edward mused, to which Gordon merely snorted.

"What, after mad old Uncle Thomas, Duke of Crovan's Gate?" He asked his older brother, prompting Edward to hold a hand over Gordon's mouth.

"Shush! Do you want Mother to hear you?" But he was silently laughing. Rosie too was trying to hold back her amusement at her brother's bluntness. "And, Gordon, I merely thought it would be a good name for our brother, if we have one."

Before Gordon could answer, a loud cry was heard from behind the door- the wail of a newborn infant.

The trio looked at each other and grinned from ear to ear. Their new sibling was here! They almost lost it when the midwife opened the door, holding the newborn babe in her arms. But they were confused to see the midwife frowning, not smiling.

…..

The King was promptly summoned, and he was informed, with no small amount of sadness from the doctor and the midwife, that Queen Margaret had sadly passed on to the next world, living behind a newborn son.

The King sighed and mopped his brow. He could not grieve yet- his children must be told they were now motherless and must learn to live without her.

Understandably they grieved for their mother when they learned the news. They wept, and Gordon became angry as well that she had to leave without saying goodbye. But there was nothing that could be done. She was gone, and arrangements had to be made for her funeral.

As for the newborn prince, he was christened Prince Thomas, after the dead queen's poor, mad brother- whom had once been a grand and loyal duke, and a loving brother to the queen before he allegedly travelled to Scotland and built a manor for ducks.

…..

That night, the nursery door swung open, and three shadowy figures swooped in, as silent as Death. They tiptoed to the cradle in the room, which was lit by a shaft of moonlight streaming in from a long window. On the bed nearby, a nurse was fast asleep, snoring as loud as a pig's, but they paid this no heed. Three curious faces peeked over the top of the cradle.

Their baby brother was a precious sight to behold. His little face was pale and smooth, like a cherub. His lips looked like a little rosebud, and his little hands were smaller than Rosie's smallest finger. He was covered in white blankets and wearing a matching nightgown.

"He's so small…" Rosie whispered in awe, admiring how her brother's skin was almost glowing in the moonlight.

"Indeed…" Breathed Edward.

"And we're his older siblings." Gordon finished silently. They looked down at him, allowing silence to take over as they gazed and reveled in the new addition to their family

"When he's older, I'll teach him what I know," Edward vowed solemnly, crossing his left hand over his heart.

"And I'll protect him from all that is wrong in the world, no matter what," his brother swore.

"And should any misfortune befall him, I will gladly commit any sacrifice to save him." Rosie spoke, her words ringing round the three- both in the moment, and for a long time to come.