I do not own Merlin or any of the characters.

Also this story is based on a story called Sons and Daughters written by Death Knight of Camelot who has kindly given me permission to write this as she has decided not to continue with that particular story. I would like to say thank you to Death Knight of Camelot for allowing me the chance to work on this and hope it lives up to the amazing original

Two children huddled under a tree. It was a cold and wet evening and the older of the two children was worried her baby brother would not last the night. She was so tired, she thought as she held her brother closer. They had been running for three days until exhaustion had forced her to stop. "It'll be ok Merlin, I promise I'll look after you." She gripped him closer again as she felt the tears flowing down her bruised face. Murmuring a lullaby under her breath the baby in her arms drifted into sleep content to know his sister would do everything she could to protect him.

The young girl must have fallen asleep to for when she next opened her eyes the rain had stopped and the sun shone through the leaves. It took her only minutes to realise however something was missing. "Merlin," She screamed. Scrambling to her feet she suddenly saw that she was surrounded by men. Knights. She pulled a dagger from her pocket.

"Where's my brother?" She demanded,

The knights obviously surprised by the dagger pulled out their swords.

"Don't you dare." Came a voice from behind the knights. "Sheath your swords now. She is a frightened child, there is now need to add to her stresses."

The small girl did not lower her dagger though was surprised when the knights listened to the voice. They quickly parted for the man to move forward, the baby gurgling in his arms.

"My dear child do not fear, your brother is here." He slowly lowered to the child's level and showed the happy baby who clearly relished in the joy of the man's large fingers tickling him. "We will not harm you little one, I promise. Would you perhaps be willing to lower your dagger?"

The child's eyes clearly didn't trust the knight but showed intelligence beyond her years for she clearly under stood that she would not be able to take her brother by force. She slowly lowered the dagger and returned it to its hiding place. "Please sir," the child begged I just want to take my brother, I will do any thing please?"

The knight smiled, "Of course you can have your brother, but would you not take some food with us first? Then perhaps we can help you find your family you should not be out here alone."

The girl shuddered and could not stop the tears gathering in her eyes. "We have no family, but I am quite capable of looking after my brother."

The steely gaze she gave the knight once again made her look older that her years and the man had to wonder what had happened in the past of this little girl that could put such a look into the eyes of one so young. He had also been hoping that he would have the opportunity to speak to the family of the children and make them answer for the poor state the child appeared to be in, the bruises on her face giving him the most concern.

"I never meant to say that you could not take care of him" He said softly "Only that one so young should not have to." The man slowly lifted his hand and wiped away the child's tears.

With that small gesture the girl crumpled and threw herself into the man's arms sobs racked her body. Another one of the knights stepped forward and went to remove the child, he quickly indicated for them to take the baby and rather than removing the child gripped her and gave her an embrace that only a parent can give a child. It did not take long for the small child to tell the man her story. He father, a knight had recently remarried after his wife had died in child birth with Merlin. The women had only wanted their father for his money and status within their village and did not care for the children already living in the home. She enchanted their father, the little girl explained, and her father had begun to beat her. When he had attempted to beat the baby the little girl knew what she had to do. She had stabbed her father with a dagger that had been laying on a table, grabbed the baby and ran.

The man stroked the girls matted hair gently all the while seething with rage. How could anyone do that to their children? How strong was this little girl to make that decision to protect her brother, to leave everything and everyone she knew to ensure he was not hurt as she was? He made the choice in that moment holding the girl close to his chest. He would not allow these children to be hurt again. He would take them into his family, ensure they had the life they deserved and also ensure that the ones guilty for taking the innocence from this little girl would pay.

"What is your name, little one?" the man asked her quietly

She stuttered a little through the tears, though they seemed to be slowing, "Morr..Morgana Le Fey and that is my brother Merlin Le Fey."

"Well Morgana, you don't need to worry about anything anymore. For I have decided that I will take care of you. I am going to adopt you and your brother and ensure that you get the home and family you deserve."

Morgana could not believe it and the knights that that had watched the exchange could not believe it either.

"You can't do that," Morgana whispered. "What would your wife say, and we would take too much money to look after I could never work enough to pay you for taking care of Merlin and Me."

The man shook his head, "My child, I assure you that you need not worry. My wife died seven years ago giving birth to my son. He would be very happy to know that he is to be a big brother and you will never have to work again for I shall tell you a secret young one." He lent in and whispered, "I am Uther Pendragon king of all of Camelot and you will be my daughter, Princess Morgana Pendragon of Camelot."

To be continued...