The Lost Princess of Camelot: Book One

Merlin's Castle, 1493 Nimue lay in the dimly lit chamber of Merlin's castle, the air thick with the scent of herbs and the sound of her own labored breathing. A soft, rhythmic pain coursed through her body, each wave stronger than the last. She gripped the edge of the bed, her knuckles turning white as she tried to focus on the task at hand. "Ah, man, this stuff hurts," she gasped, her voice barely a whisper as another contraction seized her. The midwives bustled around her, soothing her with gentle words, but the intensity of the moment consumed her. The room was filled with the flickering light of candles, casting shadows on the stone walls that had witnessed centuries of history. Outside, a storm raged, echoes of thunder mingling with her cries, as if the very world was aware of the birth of a royal heir. "Serena," her mother said softly, her voice barely a whisper as another contraction seized her. The midwives bustled around her, soothing her with gentle words, but the intensity of the moment consumed her. "You're going to be alright. You can do this." Nimue's breath hitched as another wave of pain crashed over her. She could feel the weight of her mother’s gaze, filled with encouragement, yet all she could focus on was the storm within her. "I can't do this," she gasped, her voice trembling. "I can't," she repeated, desperation lacing her words. Her mother reached out, taking her hand firmly. "Nimue, listen to me. You are stronger than you know. You have to believe in yourself." But the fear was overwhelming, and all she could think was how impossible it felt to bring new life into such a world. The midwife leaned closer, her voice steady and reassuring. "Nimue, it's almost time to push," she said, her eyes locking onto Nimue’s. The urgency in the room heightened, yet all Nimue could focus on was the storm within her. "I can't do this," she gasped, her voice trembling. "I can't," she repeated, desperation lacing her words. “Just breathe,” the midwife encouraged softly, guiding Nimue through each inhale and exhale. “You can do this. Focus on the life you are about to bring into the world.” The storm inside her raged on, but as she squeezed her mother’s hand, a flicker of hope emerged. About twenty minutes later, the midwife leaned closer to Nimue and said, "It's time to push." Yet all Nimue could focus on was the storm within her. "I can't do this," she gasped, her voice trembling. "I can't," she repeated, desperation lacing her words. The midwife maintained her steady gaze. “You are stronger than you know, Nimue. Trust yourself. Trust your body.” With each word, the midwife helped to anchor Nimue, urging her to find strength amidst the chaos swirling in her mind. With the midwife's gentle guidance and her mother’s unwavering support, Nimue took a deep breath. She closed her eyes, visualizing the moment she would finally hold her child. The chaos within her began to subside as she channeled her energy into the task at hand. With each push, she felt a mix of pain and determination. As the midwife counted, “One… two… three,” Nimue focused on her breath, letting it flow through her body. The world outside faded, leaving only the rhythmic sound of her heartbeat and the reassuring presence of her mother beside her. With every push, she felt the strength of generations of women who had come before her, their resilience flowing through her veins. The pain was intense, yet it was accompanied by an overwhelming sense of purpose. She was bringing new life into the world, and with each contraction, hope surged within her. The midwife encouraged her, “You’re doing wonderfully, Nimue. Just keep pushing.” With that encouragement, she summoned every ounce of strength she had left, determined to meet her child. Ten minutes later, the midwife leaned in closer, her eyes filled with excitement and reassurance. “Nimue,” she said gently, “I can see the baby’s head.” A wave of anticipation washed over Nimue, mingled with the intensity of the moment. The realization that she was so close to meeting her child fueled her resolve. “You’re almost there,” the midwife continued, her voice steady and calming. “Just a few more pushes.” Nimue focused on the rhythm of her breath, channeling the strength of the generations of women who had come before her. With every contraction, she felt the power of their resilience flowing through her, urging her forward. Gathering her strength, Nimue pushed with all her might, her heart racing with hope and determination. She could feel the moment drawing near, the culmination of her journey into motherhood right at her fingertips. The midwife encouraged her, saying, "Here it comes, here it comes—a few more pushes." Nimue screamed in pain from the pushing, her body straining against the waves of pressure. As the intensity of the moment reached its peak, Serena leaned closer to her daughter, her voice filled with warmth and support. "You're doing great, sweetheart," she said, her eyes shining with pride. "I know it’s tough, but I believe in you. Just keep pushing. You're stronger than you think!" Nimue took a deep breath, inspired by her mother’s encouraging words, and summoned every ounce of strength she had left. The love and encouragement from Serena fueled her determination, pushing her closer to the finish line of her incredible journey into motherhood. With a final surge of energy, the midwife leaned in closer, her voice calm yet firm. "One more big push, Nimue, and the baby is here." Nimue focused on the sound of the midwife's voice, blocking out all distractions. With her heart racing and adrenaline coursing through her veins, she gave it everything she had, feeling the overwhelming joy of new life just within reach. Nimue then pushed one last time to the finish line of her incredible journey into motherhood. As the pressure eased and the cries of a newborn filled the room, Nimue let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. Tears of relief and happiness streamed down her face as she cradled her baby for the first time, the weight of her journey melting away in that moment of pure love. However, as she listened closely, she realized that the baby's cries were low and soft, a sound that stirred a hint of concern within her. She looked down at the little one, noticing a slight bluish tint to her skin. A wave of worry washed over Nimue, igniting a fierce determination within her to ensure her child was safe and healthy. The midwife gently placed a hand on Nimue's shoulder, sensing her rising anxiety. "It's normal for newborns to experience some initial difficulty," she reassured her. "Your daughter will be just fine," the midwife said softly, her voice low and calming. Nimue could feel the tension in her body begin to ease, but the worry lingered as she watched the tiny infant struggle for breath. The midwife continued, "Her color will improve, and her breathing will regulate. Just give it a moment." Nimue nodded, taking a deep breath as she focused on the soothing presence of the midwife and the precious life before her. "Did you say a girl?" Nimue asked the midwife, her voice a blend of hope and anxiety. The midwife looked up, a gentle smile on her face. "Yes, a beautiful girl," she replied, her tone reassuring. Then there were sounds of soldiers outside of the castle. The distant clanking of armor and the muffled shouts echoed through the stone walls, a stark contrast to the intimate moment within the chamber. Nimue’s heart raced as she glanced toward the door, the noise stirring a sense of unease. The midwife, sensing her worry, placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Focus on your daughter, Nimue. She needs you now more than ever." Suddenly, they heard the soldiers outside say, "We need to get in there and kill the child! We must not fail our mission!" Nimue's breath caught in her throat, fear gripping her. The midwife's hand tightened on her shoulder, and she whispered, "Stay calm. We must protect the child." Serena then says to her daughter, "We need to get you and the baby out of here." The atmosphere was thick with unease. Nimue took a deep breath, trying to steady herself as adrenaline coursed through her veins. "There's one place where both of us can find safety," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Serena's heart raced as she processed her daughter's words. "Wait, are you thinking about...?" she began, her voice trailing off in disbelief. The midwife's grip on her shoulder tightened further, urging her to focus. "We need to act quickly," she reminded them both, her tone steady despite the turmoil around them. Nimue nodded, determination shining in her eyes. "Yes, it's the only way," she replied, her breath quickening. In that moment, they understood that their next steps could mean the difference between safety and danger. With a swift motion, Nimue raised her hands, channeling her energy as she began to weave intricate patterns in the air. The atmosphere around them shimmered, and a soft hum filled the space, resonating with the magic she was conjuring. The midwife watched in awe as a swirling vortex of colors and light began to form before them. "There," Nimue said, her voice strong and confident. "It's ready. I must go now!" As the portal widened, the sound grew stronger due to the magic. Serena stepped forward, her heart racing as she caught a glimpse of the swirling portal. "Nimue, wait!" she called out, urgency lacing her voice. "You can't take the baby through that. You can't stop your daughter from fulfilling her destiny." "I have to try, Mom. I'm sorry," Nimue replied, determination shining in her eyes as she took a step closer to the shimmering gateway. The soldiers were close, and with each heartbeat, the urgency grew. Nimue hesitated, torn between her love for her mother and her unwavering resolve to protect her child. "I have to do this," she insisted, her voice firm despite the tremor of fear beneath it. "Please, just think this through," Serena pleaded, reaching out as if to physically pull her daughter back from the brink. "There has to be another way." The soldiers broke through the door to the chamber. "Stop her!" one of the soldiers shouted, his voice echoing off the stone walls. The urgency in his command only heightened the tension in the room. With a final glance back at her mother, Nimue stepped through the portal, feeling a rush of energy envelop her. The moment she crossed the threshold, the portal closed behind her with a resounding thud. "Damn it, she escaped with the baby!" one of the soldiers exclaimed, frustration evident in his tone. The realization set in, amplifying the chaos that erupted among the troops. They exchanged frantic looks, knowing they had to regroup quickly to formulate a new plan. "Retreat! Fall back!" another soldier shouted, urgency lacing his voice. The command cut through the turmoil like a knife, prompting the soldiers to scramble into action. They began to withdraw, their hearts pounding with the fear of failure as they retreated from the scene, desperately seeking safety and a moment to regroup. Merlin came into the room a few minutes later and asked his mother where Nimue was. The atmosphere in the room is filled with tension. "Mom, where's Nimue?" He repeated, worry etched on his face. He could see the concern mirrored in his mother's eyes as she paused, processing the question. She opened her mouth to respond, hoping to ease his fears and provide some clarity amidst the turmoil of the moment.