So here we go, the long awaited sort-of-but-not-really prequel to my other fic, Innocence Maintained. This takes place way back when Danica's line began, with young Alasdair, queen of the Hawks. There will be spoilers for Falcondance, but not yet. This idea has actually been biting at me for a while. As a shamefully strong supporter of forbidden love in stories, I thought I'd give it a try. I've read Falcondance, and though I started writing this before I had, I thankfully did not have to change much. For those who haven't ready Falcondance, it's better than Snakecharm, and I do recommend it.

And as always, the trusty disclaimer making another appearance: I don't own any of this.

Full Summary:
Doubt has shadowed young Queen Alasdair's decision to allow the Serpiente into the Hawk's Keep. Nearly a year has passed since she took the title of Tuuli Thea, and just as long since the sun god granted her the second form of a golden hawk.
The blessing has made the fourteen-year-old queen a symbol of strength and hope amoung her people, but will the Serpiente view it in the same way? Kiesha Cobriana and her seven followers are now at the Hawk's Keep, there to learn and study from the rising civilization. Emotions will be unlocked, motives discovered, history rewritten, and…the start of a war?
Taking an oath, Alasdair swore to serve and protect her people with her last breath; will this decision be the end of her young reign?

Chapter One
My sister's eyes were as distant as I'd ever seen them. Distant, and cold—it was her guard against showing her true feelings. It was her guard against me. Her own blood, her sister. I had only seen that mask once before—the night our parents died. At the time I was too young to understand. To understand that Mel was all I had left. To understand that one day I'd be standing here, asking for her support on an endeavour I prayed would prove to be a success, and not a disaster that could cost the lives of my people.

To them, I was their Tuuli Thea, their leader, the one they were proud to serve. My people looked to me for answers, and I had to give them answers. And if I didn't have answers, I would give them hope. They looked for guidance, and I had to be there with a ready ear. I had to do all of this. Where had my childhood gone?

They call me the golden one. My people do, that is. It is a title that has been whispered amoung them ever since I'd been granted my second form of a hawk by our sun god. Ever since my hair seemed to become brighter in the sunlight, my eyes sharded with specks of gold and bronze, been able to shift into a hawk at will.

I was the golden one, and I had barely seen fourteen years of life.

My sister's voice brought me back to the present. "You grant snakes an audience with the only queen to ever rebuild our civilization, give them as many chances to kill you, and you want my blessing for such an invitation to destroy you?" It wasn't a question; Mel's voice was laced with disbelief. And I didn't blame her. But I had to stay strong, this had to work, if not for me, for our people's future.

"I ask only for your support, sister," I said gently.

She cast a glance at me and resumed pacing the length of the room. Her nervous habit. Or one of them at least, that I had discerned from having her as a sister for so long. "They say they want to learn from us, to trade with us—it is just a ruse, don't you see?" Mel stopped and caught my gaze again, her mask weakening as she continued. "Think, Ali. You were made queen at the age of thirteen. I will not lie to you: no one thought you would succeed at such a young age. But now nearly a year has passed and look at us now, look at your people. For the first time in a long time they have a place they can call home, and a queen they can look to for strength.

"It gives them hope—and inviting those snakes, Serpiente though they are, and descended from that fable of a god Leben, is not a good idea. I don't trust them. They know it was our sun god who granted you your second form of a hawk, a symbol of faith that could be viewed as a challenge against the Serpiente. Please do not give them the chance to take that away from your people."

Her tone was one of a plea, her mask gone. And what's more she had called me by my childhood nickname, one she hadn't used in years. I was grateful for her concern. And though on the inside I wanted to simply agree with her, and all she was saying, I knew at the same time I couldn't. Not when it meant losing an opportunity to learn from the Serpiente.

Mel was three years older than me, and the only family I had ever known. This was the hardest part about having an older sister when you were the sole monarch of your people–they looked to me for answers, guidance and strength. What kind of child such as me could ever live up to that? But I had learned to adapt to their expectations, and to meet them in full with Mel's guidance.

Maturity, as my personal guard Cairbre had said, dawned early in me. I knew the words were true, and it was a blessing and a burden to have to grow up so fast.

I shook away the thoughts, clearing my mind. I could not let Mel see me falter. Not now.

"If there is a chance for our two cultures to learn from each other, I will not deny my people the opportunity." My people. Mel and I were sisters, and I loved her, but at times I had to remind her of my position to give me strength. To win the debate.

My sister nodded already slipping behind her mask again, then spoke. "To the people, I will, to all appearances, support your decision in the matter." Born my sister, Meliana could at times seem a stranger to me, her tone alien. Why did she feel she had to hide from me so? We were sisters, bound by blood. It was an unbreakable bond. So why did she insist on hiding herself from me?

After another moment she amended in that same detached tone, "I give you my blessing, Alasdair."

Before I was able to thank her, a sharp rap on the door both drew us out of conversation. When I opened the door, Cairbre stood there. Though he stood tall, his shoulders were stiff with tension, traced in every line of his face.

"They have just arrived, my lady. In the courtyard," he said, apprehensively. "Eight of them."

I nodded and then turned to Mel.

"Sky guide you," she said.