Prologue: Legends are Lessons

They named the child Cennwe, after the woman who had given so much for both of them.

I penned the final word and stretched my aching hand. It was finally done. Daylight was beginning to fade and soon it would be time.

There was a quiet, fast knocking on my door. Well, actually the time was now.

I couldn't help smiling as the tiny, red-haired girl bounded into my room.

"Grandma! Grandma, I'm here!" She launched herself into my lap and hugged me tightly around the middle. I grunted quietly as all the air was forced out of my lungs.

My granddaughter looked up at me with wide blue eyes. "What are we doing today Grandma? What do you want to do?"

She was still quite effectively choking me. "Aleia child, didn't I tell you last time you were getting too big for jumping on me?"

She let go and backed away, hiding her hands behind her back. "Sorry Grandma… I forgot." I smiled kindly at her as air returned to my chest.

"What's that?" She had caught sight of the empty pen and the inked pages upon my desk.

I smiled. "That cariad is today's story." I stood and shuffled to my rocking chair by the window. Each day it seemed to get further away, as if it were taunting me about my age.

Aleia followed and immediately plopped down at my feet, staring up at me in quiet anticipation. I chuckled and began to gently rock back and forth.

"You remember the story I told you about Merida and her mother Queen Elinor?" She nodded, giggling softly. "Well, this is the story of the great love of your great-grandmother, Queen Merida DunBroch. It is a tale of love and family, of betrayal and loss and great sacrifice. A tale of magic and fate and mystery. And it is a tale only to be told once…"

Aleia nodded, eyes wide. "Tell me Grandma…"

I stopped rocking briefly and leaned forward so my face was very close to hers. "I warn you child, it is not a happy tale. It is not the kind of romance you're accustomed too."

She blinked in confusion but nodded. "Alright Grandma. Tell me."

I gave her a very serious look. "Are you sure?"

Aleia stood and climbed into my lap. She sat straight and patient, wanting only for me to continue. My Aleia, the listener.

I waved my hand at the candles and the flame burned a little lower. The dying sunlight streamed in the window and painted us both a deep reddish-gold. I took a deep breath.

"Now… let's start with the day they met…"