Author's Note: Hey, guys! Marie here with a brand new story! I've adored Merlin ever since Lindsey introduced me to it (thank you, by the way. I love you more than chocolate chip cookies), so when she told me it was time for a new story, I decided to unleash this puppy on the world! Please let me know what you think! Allons-y!
Prologue
She watched carefully from a corner, barely holding the fear back.
The woman in front of her had tears rushing down her face, squeezing her husband's hand with all her might. The woman in the corner had never experienced it, but she had heard childbirth was a painful thing.
The woman in front of her was proving that point very well.
"Just one more push," the physician encouraged. Gritting her teeth, the woman did as she was told, and a small, innocent cry broke the thick, sweaty air.
"It's a boy," the physican announced, giving a helper the crying newborn as he gasped for air. She exited the room to find a towel for cleaning and a warm blanket for the child.
"A boy," the new mother smiled, squeezing her husband's hand with relief. The new father, in response, smiled at her warmly, his eyes shining.
The woman in the corner lowered her eyes from the young, new parents. She knew what was to happen next, and it scared her.
"Wait," the physican said quietly, not moving.
"What is it?" the father asked.
"M'lady, you need to push," the physican said quickly, sending a sharp order to the nearest maid for more towels.
"What is it?" the father repeated.
The physian raised his eyes to the father. "Another child."
Everyone-including the woman in the corner-blinked in shock. Another child? No one expected that, especially in this situation.
Quietly, the woman in the corner slipped away before the father could notice her absence. Honestly, she didn't know what was to happen now, but the sinking feeling in her stomach told her it would be bad-especially for her. She had seen something in a dream that she feared; it twisted her very core in a terrified knot.
However...
With what she witnessed just now, this would give her a little bit of leverage. If he struck at her, she'd be more than ready to strike back.
Swinging onto a horse, she heard a distant baby's first cry. Perhaps this could work to her advantage.
After all, she thought, two children are a bigger advantage than one.
If he struck, she'd be ready.
Under her hood, Nimueh smirked.