Author's Note: I've been stuck on this story for a while now and I've finally gotten around to writing a few chapters. To be honest, I've been kind of nervous to post this, because I know I've still got another story to finish and I've gotten a couple of messages asking me to update. I'm definately planning on getting back to "Walk Upon Water" as well at some point. But for now, I really hope you enjoy this little fairytail story. Just as a little disclaimer: this story is not going to be historically accurate!

Prologue - Things I Almost Remember

Paris, France

December 1916

The lively sounds of the music flowed through the room and into the hearts of everyone in the glittering ballroom.

Michonne loved nights like tonight; everyone laughing, dancing, the merriment present on everyone's faces. She had attended many balls in her family's ballroom, but that night it was decorated more extravagantly than she had ever seen it before: in reds and golds and violets, brocades and velvets, jewels shining everywhere. The entire country was celebrating in honor of the King's birthday, Michonne on the other hand was merely celebrating her fathers.

Admittedly, it had been a long and tiring day for her. Days like these always meant she would have to sit through multiple hours of preparation. While she was aware of all the privileges that came with being a member of the royal family, it were days like these that made her long for an ordinary life that allowed her to go to town, see life outside the palace walls and have friends that were actually her age.

Ever since the passing of her mother, her father had become fearful of losing his daughter too, and the rules around the palace have become a lot stricter for the future heir to the throne. Most memories of her mother had slowly faded in Michonne's mind. Sometimes, when she embarked on one of her little explorations through the colossal palace, she'd stop at the giant painting of her parents. She'd stare at it for a while, mesmerized by how the two of them gazed at each other with such adoration in their eyes. The memory of how truly in love they had been had made her wonder if one day she would be lucky enough to find a husband to rule by her side who would love her just as much.

Yeah, Michonne was able to enjoy a life full of expensive presents, extravagant dresses and grand parties. It was a life that a lot of girls could only dream about, and yet this life had cost Michonne her mother. She often found herself feeling incredibly lonely. She didn't have any siblings, let alone friends. All she had left were her father and her grandmother, though she only came to visit Paris a couple of times a year.

So she spent most of her free time tip-toeing around the palace, driving the handmaidens who were assigned to watch the little girl completely insane. And when days like these finally came, where the palace would be filled by people and she knew her grandmother would finally visit her again, she'd sit through all her lessons and those agonizing hours of doing her hair and getting dressed.

In events like these, the palace gates were open to everyone; the ballroom filled with people of all backgrounds and professions, even at the age of eight Michonne could understand this wasn't royal protocol in many other countries, which is why she treasured her home so much.

She spotted her father across the hall. He always lit up the room when he walked in. The greatness of the king came from the way he loved his people. He truly listened, with the heart as well as the ears and eyes. He greeted a few people before opening his arms upon seeing his daughter to welcome her into his arms.

"Chonne! My precious girl, are you having fun?" Her father took her into his arms, readjusting the jeweled tiara that adorned her head - "the symbol of your duty to the country and its people." he had explained in that soft, deep voice of his on the day that he had gifted it to her. She had just looked over the crown in her hands, onyx and silver and diamonds, and thought she'd never held anything so beautiful before.

"Yes Papa, but Grand-maman Josephine isn't here yet." Michonne pouted slightly at the realization, she was always so excited to see her grandmother - she enjoyed hearing her stories and her wisdom seemed endless to her.

Pressing a gentle kiss to her cheek her father chuckled, "Darling don't fret, Grandma will be along shortly. She's just always late, you know that by now."

"Grandma says Queens are never late, everyone else is simply early," Michonne stated proudly.

Rolant couldn't hide his amusement, knowing that's exactly something his mother would say. Shaking his head, he pressed one more kiss to his daughter's cheek before taking her hand into his.

There really was nothing else in this world that he loved more than his daughter. He took a few seconds to really look at her. He loved to see her so happy. That smile looked exactly like her mother's.

He squeezed her hand and swiftly pulled the small girl towards the ballroom's dance floor.

"May I have this dance, madame?" he asked. Michonne could only think about how much she loved basking in his affection, a blinding smile on her face as she nodded her head.

The song changed and her father lifted her into the air, spinning her around in time with everyone around them. She began to giggle at the action and gripped the sleeves of his jacket to stop herself slipping. Her father's deep laugh only encouraged hers and people looked on at them in fondness. Their King and Princess showing genuine emotion, it was rare for royalty.

Looking towards the back of the room, where the thrones were placed for her family, Michonne saw her grandmother taking a seat. Gasping, she squirmed out of your fathers hold, squeezing through the crowds of people and pranced over to her open arms, wrapping herself into her embrace.

Her grandmother's fingers ran through her hair in a comforting gesture and she melted into her familiar touch. The feeling of family overjoyed the little girl. Such valuable moments were rare due to the demanding nature of her family's jobs and so she learned to treasure every moment like this, where she could just spend time with the people she cared about.

"I missed my girl." The Empress said softly as she pressed a kiss to the little girls head.

"I missed you, too!"

The old woman reached for her clutch, fishing for the box hidden inside. Her grandmother was still full of life for her age. She was thin and rather tall and she always wore her hair in long locs. Her skin was radiant and Michonne thought she was one of the most beautiful women in the world. And she was an energetic woman, who never stayed in one place for too long. Most of her time she spent at her residence in London. She loved to travel and see the world, and every time she'd come back to Paris she would bring gifts from around the world for her little granddaughter to see.

"I got something, something just for you. I meant to give this to you tomorrow before I leave, but I think now is the perfect time." She opened the case to reveal a little music box.

"Mémère!"

Small hands reached for the box, finding the ornate key and a small silver 'M' and 'J' attached to a delicate chain beneath it. Josephine slipped the necklace over the little girl's head, while she tilted the box to catch the light and put the small key into the little keyhole at the side of the box. She twisted it a few times until a soft melody started to chime.

"It plays our lullaby!" She turned the key over, spotting an inscription on the back of it, but the room was too dim to make it out.

"What does it say?"

"It says, 'Together in London.'"

A few seconds passed as realization crept it's way into the little girl's mind.

"You're... You're taking me?"

The woman nodded slowly and Michonne launched herself into the waiting arms of her grandmother once again, hugging her as hard as she could. "Thank you," she whispered.

As the night went on and she danced more, laughed at her Grandmother's stories and when the music was lowered to mere background noise and the king stood forward to make his speech, the entire room looked upon him with devotion.

Just as he opened his mouth to address the people, the grand doors to the ballroom violently swung open, followed by multiple men dressed in black with masks covering their faces swarming into the room. Michonne's eyes widened in fear as panic spread across the room, her gaze fleeted to her father as the palace security ran towards the intruders. The ringing sound of gunshots and the falling bodies of the security was like a flame to gasoline. Chaos gripped everyone in the room, everyone scrabbling to get away from the raiders. Panic seized her body as she watched them approach her father, who stood strong, unwavering even in such fear. She clutched the arm of her grandmother tight, watching as her father turned to her.

"Get Michonne out of here, now!" His voice was controlled but she could see the fear in his eyes, and it only served to terrify her further.

The queen mother pulled her away from the scene, towards the back exit, her eyes not once leaving the frames of her father.

Though Michonne froze in place as the leader of the group advanced further, making an announcement to the now mainly empty room: "This is the final day of the Valois reign, you and your family will be dealt with accordingly. France will fall under our control."

One last time, the King turned to his daughter, who's blood ran cold and eyes widened as she watched the disguised man raise his gun, pointing the barrel towards her father before pulling the trigger. His body seemed to fall in slow-motion and the screams of the people around her seemed muted to her. She couldn't bare to look anymore.

She tore away her eyes and helplessly looked up at the Empress, who was still holding on to her tightly while staring at her son's lifeless body and watching his blood pool beneath him. Michonne had never seen such a look on her face.

Suddenly, the woman came to life at the realization that the intruders attention was now on her granddaughter. Pushing aside the heavy sadness weighing her heart down, she sprang into action, hurriedly dragging Michonne away and down the corridor. The palace was practically deserted at this point, the siege causing everyone to flee for their lives. She pulled Michonne into a small room off of the corridor and barricaded the door shut as her granddaughter stood there, numb to everything going on around her.

Hearing the heavy footsteps of the men coming down the hall, she knew it was only a matter of time until they'd find them in there.

Panic once again threatened to seize Josephine but she stood strong, the same defiance in her as their had been in the king during his last moments. A pounding could be heard on the other side of the door, and even though it was barricaded it began to shake under the force of the hits - Michonne knew it wouldn't hold them for long.

Just as she thought all hope was lost a small section of the wall opened, previously concealed before by the wallpaper camouflaging it, and a boy appeared in the entry.

He appeared to be the same age as her, if not then only a few years older, his striking blue eyes seemed filled with relief to find her and he didn't hesitate to pull her and the Queen Mother towards the hidden passageway.

She had seen him before. He was a servant boy she had ran into one day when she was strolling through the palace and ended up in the kitchen. He had been carrying a potato sack over his shoulder that he was probably supposed to bring into the kitchen. She told him not to tell the maidens that he had seen her and when he promised that he wouldn't she had meant to go about her way, but curiosity had eventually taken over her and she ended up asking him if he wanted to play a game.

At first the boy had looked at her confused for a minute. After a few seconds of seemingly contemplating his answer he adjusted the potato sack on his shoulder and told her that he has work to do. This time his voice sounded deeper, more mature.

But Michonne couldn't take no for an answer. It wasn't often that Michonne ran into children that were her age and she was yearning for a few minutes of freedom and carelessness.

And it looked like she wasn't the only one. After all, the boy had eventually given in and ended up running through the many corridors of the palace, playing catch with the strange girl he had just met. They laughed and giggled and tried not to get caught and Michonne had trouble remembering the last time she had had so much fun.

It had been cut short though, when the boy brushed against a pedestal and she heard a vase smash against the floor. She'd seen the boy's terrified expression and assured him that there's nothing to worry about. She told him to rush back and she'd take the blame for what happened.

It surprised her that the kid had trouble accepting her proposal, as she knew how worried he must have been about getting in trouble. After assuring him that it was fine, he finally gave in and ran back before her maidens had found her, scolded her and dragged her into her father's chamber.

She still remembers she made him promise not to tell anyone her secret, and how he laughed when she told him what had actually happened. He looked at her bemused and simply said, "You really remind me of your mother sometimes."

It pained her to think of her father. And now, she couldn't believe this strange boy was risking everything in order to help her.

Michonne and Josephine followed the boy into the passageway and closed the door shut behind them.

She could hear the loud crash on the other side and the invaders enter the room. Her heart rate spiked in fear of what they would do if they found them.

"God damn it, where are they?!" Although it was muffled she recognized the gruff voice of the man who killed her father and the tears began to flow down her cheeks once again.

Watching everything through tear-blurred vision, the overwhelming numbness only seemed to get worse, taking over her body and mind. Once the three of them had made it outside, the passageway leading to just outside the palace gates, they were met by more disguised men standing in the distance. One of them had spotted them immediately and informed his comrades. Her Grandmother, seemingly losing hope by the minute, had turned around and kneeled down in front of her, telling her to run towards the gates as fast as she could. Her voice sounded as weak as she felt, and Michonne shook her head as her tears came harder, sobs threatening to spill over her lips. Josephine grabbed her arm, her own tear-filled eyes meeting her granddaughter's, silently begging her to leave her behind. She then turned to the boy, desperately looked him in the eye and said,

"Take her away. Quick."

Before she knew it, the boy had taken hold of her hand and started running, dragging her along with him, away from the last remaining family she had left.

The rest seemed to pass her in a whir. She didn't understand how her legs were still able to carry her as she ran for her life. She doesn't remember how the snow crunched underneath her shoes and how tightly she held onto the boys hand. She doesn't remember the loud gunshot that suddenly rang out or the boy falling down to his knees and the snow slowly turning dark red around him.

"Don't stop." He managed to choke out. She was trembling and still holding onto his hand. Only when he snatched his hand away from her did she manage to snap out of her trance.

"You need to... go. Run!"

She looked over their shoulder and found three men still close on their heels. Her heart was beating furiously and her breathing became frantic.

"I'll be fine! They're after you, not me. Now run!" He urged again, and she finally took off running.

She tried not to think of the injured boy who she had just left behind, or her grandmother, who's fate remained unknown. All she did was run as fast as she could, not caring about where she would end up.

Her senses were threatening to turn numb. Her vision became blurry once again, tears were streaming down her face and all she could hear were her rushed footsteps in the snow - until, once again, a loud gunshot cut through the silence.

Author's Note: The lullaby that is played by the music box is called "once upon a december" and you can listen to it on youtube! I'd really love to hear your thoughts on the first chapter and let me know if you're interested in me continuing the story. Thank you for reading! x