PROLOGUE – THE LOST PRINCESS

There is a story that has been whispered into ear after ear over the years. It's a sad but hopeful story, the story of The Lost Princess of Scotland.

You should know that the story I am about to tell you is true. The horrific events within said story are real, however I should inform you that some details have been altered and exaggerated over the passing years so believe as much as you wish. With that being said, I shall begin.

Once upon a time, seventeen years ago to be exact, Queen Alana of Scotland gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. King James and his Queen were delighted with their first born and immediately wished to protect her from the world. It was decided that until the Queen was well enough to present the new Princess to the court, the birth of the child would be kept a secret between a dozen of the King and Queen's most trusted men and ladies.

In the days that passed, King James found himself consumed by the news of an attack just beyond the castle walls. The King knew they lived in a dark and power driven time. He knew that his enemies sought after his crown and any heir to the throne he produced. The news of similar attacks soon spread like wildfire across the country, each one getting closer and closer to the castle. Unnerved by the idea of a trusted ally threatening his country, the King began preparing his soldiers for battle.

As the King prepared for the oncoming attack, he was unaware of the Queen's weakening health. There had been complications during the birth and the Queen had lost a lot of blood. She had also caught a fever that grew worse with every passing day.

Queen Alana knew her fate was near and feared for her new born daughter's safety. She had heard about the oncoming attack from her most trusted lady-in-waiting, Iris. She knew that she had to keep her deteriorating health a secret from her husband in order for him to concentrate solely on the attack.

Unfortunately it wasn't enough. The enemy took the castle by surprise by attacking from inside the castle walls and then pushing through their defensive barriers. Panic and anger surged through the King as his most trusted allies turned against him.

As the battle spread across the castle, Queen Alana ordered Iris to take the baby out of the castle and travel as far away as possible until no one knew their names.

"Of course, Your Majesty. If we leave now, we will have a chance to escape." Iris moved towards the bed Queen Alana was lying in when she held out a hand to stop her.

"I am not well enough to go with you." Iris looked at the Queen's pale and exhausted face.

"But, Your Majesty-" Iris started to protest but Alana stopped her.

"Bring my baby girl to me. Please, Iris."

Iris scooped the sleeping baby into her arms and swaddled her in a silk cloth. She turned back to face the Queen and lowered the waking baby into her awaiting arms.

"My favourite flowers are Roses," The Queen whispered as she gently lulled the baby back to sleep. "Her lips are as red as their petals." She looked up at Iris, "I'm putting my trust in you Iris, to look after her with your life because I can't with mine. Her name is Rosalie, a flower like you."

Tears slid down Iris' face as she watched the Queen press a loving kiss on the baby's forehead.

"I want her to have something," Alana pulled the necklace she was wearing over her head and handed it to Iris. "This necklace has been in the family for centuries. I want her to have something to remind her of home. Please give her this for me, when she is old enough to understand." Iris nodded and took the necklace from the Queen and placed it in her bag. While Alana was murmuring her goodbyes to the sleeping baby she had grabbed a blanket, a handful of money and some food before stuffing the items into a bag.

"Come with us, please, Your Majesty-" Iris turned once more to face the Queen and found her sipping the contents out of a small bottle.

"Your Majesty," Fear overwhelmed Iris' senses as the bottle slipped out of the Queen's hand and fell to the floor. "Your Majesty, what have you done?"

She rushed over to the bed and kneeled beside it. She picked up a piece of the shattered bottle and tried to make out the markings.

"Belladonna." Iris looked up at the Queen and saw that her fever had grown worse and her breathing was unsteady.

"What have you done?" Iris pressed her fingertips to the side of the Queen's neck and felt a slow pulse. "Your Majesty?"

Queen Alana tilted her head slowly to the side so she could look at her lady-in-waiting.

"I did what had to be done. I wouldn't have made it." She coughed violently, a small trail of blood slipped out the corner of her mouth. "-slowed you down. Look after her. Rosalie."

Iris stared, wide-eyed at the Queen's emotionless face. Tears fell onto her cheeks as she stood up and gathered the sleeping baby into her arms. With one hand she pulled the covers over the Queen's lifeless body.

The sound of armour and the heavy stomping of feet snapped her back into action. She grabbed the bag and threw it over her shoulder, holding the baby close to her chest she hurried across the bedchamber. She paused before the hidden servants' entrance. She quickly looked back at the bed where the Queen lay before pushing open the secret door and fleeing down the long twisting tunnels.

"Your mother was the most loyal and brave woman I've ever known." Iris said gazing down at the sleeping baby in her arms. She stroked the light blonde curls that stuck out from the top of the blankets. "I will honour my promise and look after you always. You are the light in this dark sinister world, Princess of Scotland."

Now, there are several different versions of what happened next, the next more explicit and horrific than the other. Thousands of soldiers were mercilessly slaughtered along with the families that lived within the castle walls, no one was spared.

The King was tortured, hung, drawn and quartered, bled dry, you name it; there are endless versions of what happened that day.

That is how the story abruptly comes to an end I'm afraid. No one knows what happened to Iris and The Lost Princess of Scotland. In many countries people say they have seen her but I know none are true. You see, I know how this story ends or should I say begins... 

A/N - Hello everyone and welcome to the rewrite of Royal Blood. 

Please point out any grammatical errors, spelling etc. I would be truly grateful for your help. 

I hope you liked the new improved first part :) Do you like the name changes? I think Alana suits the Queen a lot more :) 

Until next time,

- H xx