Chapter 6 – Daddy's Little Girl

Hilde was taking one last look in the mirror to make sure she looked every bit the innocent girl she was. On occasions like this she let her long auburn hair hang freely from her shoulders which made her look younger than her nineteen years.

She had a very important position at court and she had always had to look older than her age to be taken seriously, but in her heart she still felt like a little girl.

Childhood had slipped away silently when her dear mother had died. She had only been eight years old at that time, but she had had to step into her mother's shoes as the court sorceress. It had been a great responsibility on the shoulders of such a young child, but she had been trained for that role since birth and she hadn't disappointed.

At court she had never been treated as girl whose only use was to marry a prince or a king someday. Though she had had difficulties at first, after a short while people had started to listen when she had had something to say. Her father had made sure of that.

For this not only her two sisters hated her, but also her two brothers. After the passing of the first beloved queen, the mother of her siblings, King Klogard II had married his court sorceress. A move of which a lot of people had disapproved, but they had learned to accept it. The new queen had been regal all the way, from a very rich and ancient family, and with the talent of seeing the future. And after Hilde had been born, she had become not only the king's youngest, but his most favourite, in whom he had seen the reflection of the last love of his life, and the woman who would sweeten his last years on this earth.

Hilde had known perfectly how high her father had put her on a pedestal and she had been aware of her footing at court. She always played her cards well to get her own way, and she never admitted defeat.

As she walked through the castle towards the throne room she rehearsed inwardly the words she wanted to use to persuade her father to let her travel to prince Alric's wedding. She had already tried many ways to convince him to send her instead of her brother. She only had one method left. The dirtiest.

"My sweet angel!" The king rose from his seat to greet his beloved daughter when she entered the room.

"I've just heard the news, father! You're sending Clodio to Nemeth! I thought I would be the one to have the honour to give Austrasia's good wishes to princess Mithian's brother!" She said accusingly.

"We've talked about this, Hilde. A journey like that is very long, and I need you here. The delegation from Lombard will be here in three weeks!" Klogard started to see where this conversation was going and he feared the outcome.

Hilde pouted. While she hadn't inherited her mother's seer powers, there was one thing she was exceptionally good at: reading people. Whatever their intention or feelings were, Hilde could sense them. Her powers weren't great, but the king trusted her with his life, and she in turn told him who he could and couldn't rely on. She didn't know if it was part of her magic or just a natural talent, but it had saved the kingdom a lot of trouble, for which she had been grateful.

She knew her father counted on her to be there and help him with the Lombards, but she had already made her own plans and she had actually managed to trick Sichar into taking her with them. She couldn't let this opportunity slip.

"You'd just need to keep them here for a while until I get back. But I'm sure you'll do fine without me. I haven't seen Mithian in ages, and the last time she was here we understood each other so well." She replied with the sweetest naiveté.

"It's not just that. You'd need to travel through Camelot. We're on neutral terms right now, but Uther hates everything that has to do with magic. I fear…"

"Uther doesn't know about me, and I promise, it'll stay that way. We'll travel straight to Nemeth, and won't seek Camelot's hospitality." She said convincingly, taking a step closer to the throne on which his father sat down on once again.

"You've never left Austrasia before. You have no idea of the dangers that can lie in your path." The king tried to explain, but he had the feeling that he was slowly losing this battle.

"Please, father. Count Sichar, Count Bertram and Count Rathar will accompany me. And Gisela and Alan will be there too. I'll be protected, have no fear." Hilde wrapped her arms around the king's shoulders and sat on her father's lap, kissing his cheek.

"Oh, Hilde, don't do that. It's really not fair." Klogard complained.

"Please, father." A single tear slipped from her right eye, staining her cheek. "This is really important to me."

"It is not nice to take advantage of an old man's adoration." Sadness laced his voice, because he knew at that moment that he couldn't deny his daughter anything she'd ever ask for. He knew exactly how manipulative Hilde could be when she wanted to.

"I know. But we both know you can't say no to me. "

"Yes, I know. But will you promise me to not stay in Camelot? Please, that's all I ask."

"I promise. We would…" She started but her eyes betrayed her.

"No! I want you to promise this, and mean it. I know your mother stuffed your head with stories of Camelot and Emrys, but forget all about that. For now, at least. It's far too dangerous."

Hilde wasn't sure if she could lie through her teeth like that, but she tried. She loved her father dearly, but this was one thing she couldn't promise. If the king knew that her real destination was Camelot he'd never let her go. She looked into his eyes with all honesty.

"I promise that I'll not search for Emrys, and I won't challenge Uther. I'm only looking forward to spend time with Mithian." And she meant all that. In the very short time she had known the princess they had become quite close. They had a lot in common.

Klogard's eyes were full of worry. Hilde could see the doubt in them, but he had let her go and that's all that mattered.

Her plans were set in motion and she couldn't wait to find out what destiny had in store for her. But whatever it was, it waited for her in Camelot, she was sure of that. Because her mother had told her so a long time ago.