Prologue

Once upon a time there was a King and Queen who ruled over the mighty and peaceful Kingdom called Camelot. The King, Uther Pendragon and his Queen, Ygraine Pendragon, had a beautiful daughter they named Morgana, but Uther wanted a son to take over the throne when the time came. Unfortunately they had no luck having another child, and they both decided to go to the court sorceress and friend, Nimueh.

"For a life there has to be a price." Nimeuh warned Uther and Ygraine, "The price is death." Uther looked to Ygraine and wondering if the price was worth it.

"It's alright." Ygraine held onto Uther's hand.

"I will give my life for a son to be born." Uther looked at Nimueh who nodded and began speaking in the language of the High Priestesses holding a goblet out of the window. Rain began to fall slowly into the cup as she spoke. Once she finished the spell she turned her attention back to the King and Queen.

"Your majesty." she handed the goblet to Ygraine, "You must drink it the water if you desire to have a child." Ygraine nodded as she drank all the water.

"How will we know it worked?" Uther asked.

"All in good time, m'lord." Nimueh replied. Uther nodded and taking Ygraine's hand left the Court Sorceress chambers.

9 months later...

"Your majesty." Gaius, the Court Physician bowed, "You can go in now." Uther nodded and walked into his own chambers and smiled at the sight of his wife holding a baby.

"What shall we name him?" Ygraine asked handing over the child over to Uther.

"How about Arthur?" Uther suggested.

"Sounds like a wonderful name." Ygraine smiled, "Arthur Pendragon, it suits him." Uther leaned down and kissed Ygraine's forehead gently. Suddenly Ygraine started to scream in pain and gasping for breathe.

"GUARDS!" Uther yelled handing Arthur over to the nearest servant, "GUARDS!"

"Yes sire?" two guards asked as they ran in.

"Bring Nimueh here!" the guards bowed and ran out of the chambers.

"I... l-love you." Ygraine smiled and touched Uther's cheek, "A-and I'm... g-g-glad I got... to...see Arthur..." Uther let the tears fall down his cheeks as Ygraine took her last breathe before going limp. Gaius came up from behind him and placed a comforting hand on Uther's shoulders. The doors opened to the chambers as Nimueh came rushing in.

"What is wrong, m'lord?" she asked and then turned her attention to Ygraine and gasped, "Oh no..."

"You did this!" he yelled at Nimueh wiping his tears and turned to the sorceress.

"I warned you Uther." Nimueh reminded him, "I had no control who would be taken."

"Lies!" Uther yelled, "Guards, seize her!"

"Uther, I am your friend!" Nimueh yelled, "I would never do something like this intentionally, I knew your wish was your life, but I had no control over that." Uther grabbed his sword from it's sheath and pointed at her.

"I thought we were friends too." Uther shook his head, "I was wrong, magic is pure evil, you are pure evil." As he was about to run the sword through her, he was thrown back to the wall by magic, along with the guards and Gaius.

"You have betrayed me Uther." Nimueh spoke with anger, "And for that I place a curse on your son that on his twenty first birthday, he will prick his finger on a dagger and fall into a deep sleep." she spoke in the old language towards the baby that was cradled in the servant's arms, "And only when his true love kisses him will the spell be broken." And with those words she disappeared into thin air. Uther felt the magic holding him to the wall release and he ran to the servant and grabbed Arthur into his arms.

"Guards, I want every dagger to be thrown into the lake." he ordered and the two guards bowed as they left the chambers to put out the orders to every Knight and guard of Camelot, "Don't worry, Arthur, I will protect you from her evil curse."

One Year Later

"Oh, Hunith." Balinor exclaimed as he held their new baby child in his arms, "He is wonderful!" Hunith smiled as she watched her husband cradle the child. She had not seen him smile in a long while. It was tough times in Ealdor, the village they called home, with raiders coming every month to collect the crop, and terrorise the villagers. Even going so far as taking over the village for the week.

"What should we name him?" She asked. She already had a name in mind, but she wanted Balinor to have a say in naming their child.

"I have not idea." He chuckled, "Do you have a name in mind?"

"I was thinking Merlin." Hunith replied. Balinor handed the child to Hunith and kissed her forehead and the boy.

"Merlin Emrys." Balinor smiled, "Perfect." Suddenly the quiet of the village was interrupted by a loud scream from a female villager and the sound of men yelling.

"Oh no." Hunith cradled Merlin in her arms.

"Run Hunith!" Balinor ordered, "Run and don't look back!"

"Where will I go?" She asked as she sat up and put the baby in the cradle to collect a few provisions.

"Camelot." Balinor replied as he helped pack. Once finished Hunith took Merlin into her arms and wrapped a shawl around herself hiding him from view.

"What about you?" She asked as Balinor opened the back door.

"Do not worry, my love." He kissed her cheek, "One day we will be back together." Hunith felt tears brimming her eyes, but nodded and ran out of the door. Just as Balindor closed the door and hid it from view the front door opened.

"Don't worry, Merlin." Hunith spoke softly as she ran, "Everything will be alright, once we get to Camelot." Hunith looked back quickly to see the house up in flames. Shaking her head she continued running until she reached the border of Camelot and Essiter.