PROLOGUE

A great scream of pain flew across fields as Lidian pushed with what was left of her strength. Her husband stood by helplessly as he watched his wife in labor pains. The midwife hurried around ordering her assistants to ready everything for when the child came.

A final scream of pain erupted from the small lips of the lady as she pushed with all the strength she possessed. A small squealing baby emerged from his mother and was quickly cleaned and wrapped in cloth by the midwife.

Meanwhile the assistants wiped Lidian's face with cool water and helped her drink down a potion to help ease the pain. Arsen bent down and kissed his young wife's forehead and whispered in her ear.

' Hush my love 'tis finished and all is well. You should be quite proud of yourself, I know I am. We have another son and from what I can see from here he dost look like you my sweet.'

The midwife called for Arsen to come to her and he patted his wife's hand and went.

' What is it?' asked Arsen.

' I'm sorry Arsen I truly am but just look at the baby.' Arsen did and he had to bite his lip to keep from gasping. He had flaming red hair and bright red eyes.

'What's wrong? From what I see is a baby who happens to be born with more hair than others and has red eyes of fire.'

'Arsen, do you not see that the child is as weak as a seedling? I'm very sorry but I cannot help him, I wouldn't count on him living more than a week.'

'Woman you speak madness!' Arsen said in a harsh whisper. ' I don't care what you think will happen to him but this child is my child and I say he will live!'

' Arsen? Is something wrong? Why are you shouting?' Arsen snatched the child away and quickly rushed to his wife's side.

' Nothing is wrong my love, nothing is wrong. Tell me my dear what do you wish to call our new little one?'

' I wished to call him Merlin after my grandfather. Would that please you my husband?'

' It would please me very much. I greatly respected your grandfather during his life and 'tis a wonderful idea to pass on his name to our son.' Arsen smiled and kissed his wife who quickly fell asleep.

The midwife and her assistants were packing their things and the midwife said she would come back the next day to check on Lidian and Merlin. Arsen took the now sleeping baby and went out of the room to find a little pile of clothes sprawled on the floor snoring next to the door.

Arsen crouched down low and whispered to the small boy.

'Panath. Wake up and meet your new little brother.'

' Huh?' said Panath rubbing his eyes. His father held the baby in front of him and Panath stared in wonder at his new little brother. ' Can I hold him' Panath asked. To his surprise the baby was carefully placed in his arms.

' Isn't he beautiful? See he has you face and your curly hair.' Arsen smiled looking at his two children together.

'But Papa he has red hair and I have brown hair.'

' Yes he does doesn't he. Very good observation.'

' His name is Merlin. That was your mother's grandfather's name. I think your great grandfather had red hair to. He was a very powerful magician who saved a princess and he even had a dragon who would take him places really fast.'

' Papa, will baby Merlin have a dragon to?'

' I don't know. Maybe he will.'

' Do you think he'll take me places on his dragon?'

' Of course he will. You're his big brother. Come along now 'tis very late and the two of you are very tired. In the morning you can go help your mother feel better because she's very tired too.'

' Will you tell me more stories about grandpa Merlin?'

' Yes, when I come home tomorrow I will tell you all the stories I know. Okay?' Panath nodded, a bit sleepily, and his father smiled and took the baby and sent his elder son off to bed.

Looking down at his precious little bundle he saw that what the midwife had said was true. Tears welled in his eyes as he realized just how weak his new son was. He walked back into his room to find his wife awake.

'Lidian? Why are you awake dearest? Is something wrong?'

' Arsen is what the midwife say about the baby true?' she looked at her husband who sighed heavily and sat next to her on the bed.

' I'm not sure anymore. He acts healthy but looks as though he is already dying. I had thought to wait until morning to discuss this until morning, you are still weak.'

'But milord what if he were to die tonight while I slept? We should speak of it now. How can we save him do you know away?'

' We could dedicate him. We would lose him a little but he would live.'

' You mean dedicate him to the Goddess?

' Arsen nodded. There was silence for a moment as the two pondered over the matter. Should they dedicate their son to the queen and live forever knowing that at any moment he could go crazy or mad with her power? Or should they allow him to live his own life no matter how small of a time that may be.

' What other choice do we have? If you see it fit my husband than I completely trust in you.'

' I will go in the morning. You should sleep now.' And with that Arsen left the room to go collect an offering.