Disclaimer: All of the following belong to the fabulous TP except perhaps a couple of minor detials.

A/N: the first couple of chapters will be very similar to the books except a few details. DOn't worry - it's not all going to be the same - just the beginning to set the scene a bit

Chapter 1 -Twins.

A village healer knelt before a hearth with two children either side of her. The boy and girl, Thom and Alanna, were twin and both had hair match the hungrily burning fire crackling before them and purple eyes to rival the brightness of their hair. The only difference between them, as far as most people could tell, was the length of their hair; dressed alike, they would have looked alike.

The woman reached beside her, picked up a packet of leaves and tossed them into the fire as her lips moved silently with sacred words. Power them her and from the twins slowly filled the fire as it gradually turned purple with green flecks. The woman drew a deep breath and grabbed the twins' left hands, thrusting them into the fire. Power shot up their arms. Thom yelped and wriggled with the pain of the magic now filling him up. Alanna bit her lower lip till it bled, fighting the pain her own way. Maude's eyes were wide and black as she kept their intertwined hands in the flames.

Suddenly Alanna frowned. A picture was forming in the fire. That was impossible – she wasn't supposed to See anything. Maude was the one who had cast the spell. Maude was the only one who should See anything.

Ignoring all the laws of magic Alanna had been taught, a picture grew and spread. It was an image of symbol of some kind, carved into what seemed to look like a stone wall. Alanna leaned forward squinted to see it better. She had never seen anything like this symbol before: the All Seeing Eye over a crossed wizard's rod and scroll, half covered by a tendril of ivy.

Maude let go of the twins. The picture vanished. Alanna was cold now, and very confused. What was that symbol? Where was it?

Thom examined his hand. There was no burn marks, or even scars. There was nothing to show that Maude had kept their hands in the flames for long minutes.

Maude rocked back on her heels. She looked old and tired. "I have seen many things I do not understand," she whispered finally. "Many things-"

"Did you see the symbol?" Alanna wanted to know.

Maude looked at her sharply. "I saw no symbol."

Thom leaned forward. "You saw something?" His voice was eager. "But Maude cast the spell-"

"No!" Alanna snapped. "I didn't see anything! Anything!" She turned to Maude. "Well?" she demanded.

The healing woman sighed. "I did not understand many things but one thing was clear." She turned to Alanna. "You path does not lead to the Palace."

"But-" Alanna immediately began to argue as she turned pink with irritation.

"No! That is final. There are many paths that lead to the same place, Alanna, but going to the Palace to train as a knight is not part of the path set for you. No arguments. The Goddess' will is not something to be toyed will."

A/N: OK - i know there's not much to review but just tell me if you like the fact that it is based on the original. Be nice - it's my first attempt! And don't worry, the story will get more original later on...