Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

A/N: I was reading some fairy tales and I was inspired to write this. It's based on one of the Prologues to The Song of Gudrun entitled Hagen of Baljan. It's loosely based and I've expanded upon it a lot, changing details where necessary. The story will have canon pairings but they will be all human and are sometimes OOC. Please bear in mind that the language is from a far more formal time. I hope you enjoy it!

Clash! Clang!

I could hear the warriors practicing in the fields below. There was to be a grand tournament soon. My father, the King, had decided to celebrate the harvest with great fanfare. There was to be a competition amongst the knights involving swordsmanship and jousting. I was excited my brothers would be participating and I would be helping my father. My behavior was less than princely or gentlemanly as I raced down the hallway.

The nurse who had tended to me as a child did not find my behavior at all becoming. She was chasing me down the hall, calling my name breathlessly, "Master Edward! Master Edward! Come back here. What would your mother think of this behavior?"

At mention of my mother and how she would feel seeing me running down the halls like I was seven caused me to pause in my revelry.

"I'm sorry, Dame Olga. I am just excited about the coming tournament." I bowed low then glanced up at her with my emerald eyes shining. I flashed her the crooked grin I knew got me out of trouble most days.

"You are going to be the death of me, Master Edward." She laughed and reached up to tousle my hair. I dodged her hand, not at all liking my hair being messed with. I liked the way it fell messily in whatever manner it wished. I didn't want her trying to straighten it out as she ruffled it.

Laughing once more, she gently nudged me, "Come on, Master Edward. Master Banner is waiting."

I sighed, but followed obediently. It wouldn't do to upset either Mother or Father at the moment. They might tell me I couldn't attend the tournament and I was so looking forward to seeing my brothers in action.

Once I was in the library where I studied, my mind began to wander. I thought about ways I might try and convince my parents to allow me to participate in the upcoming challenges. Perhaps I could persuade them by explaining how maturely I had been acting or maybe I could tell them how much it would mean to me to compete with my brothers.

"Master Edward! Are you paying attention?" The voice of my tutor cut through my thoughts and I grinned sheepishly at him. Normally I was very attentive during my lessons, even if I found them to be boring and repetitive. Now was my time to act maturely and show my parents that I was ready to compete in the challenges.

"I apologize, Master Banner. With the upcoming festivities, my mind was wandering." At sixteen I was flawlessly polite. I had been taught manners by Mother from the time I was a toddler. If nothing else, I understood the need to always be polite while dealing with others. It left a favorable impression upon people. Appearances were very important when you were a Prince.

Not only had my parents impressed on me the importance of appearances, they had also made sure to bring me up with kindness. It wasn't good if your people feared you. Respect was earned and fear of a person was not the same thing as respect. Therefore my parents held court twice a week to help the peasants with any quarrels they might have.

They insisted my brothers and I attend this. I found it boring most days, however there were times when Emmett made it much more exciting. He once let a chicken out of its coop and it flew all over the throne room. That particular prank had earned him a week with basic rations to eat. Emmett was constantly hungry so putting him on basic rations was punishment for him.

My other brother, Jasper, was the most charismatic person I've ever met. I once saw him talk one of our cousins into swimming in the moat because he convinced her that it would impress me. It made an impression all right. On that day I learned my cousin, Tanya, could be completely gullible and a little scary when it came to something she wanted.

That was the day I had learned she wished to marry me. She was older than me by two years and I knew most of the boys at court found her pretty. She had strawberry blond hair and blue eyes, but I honestly wasn't interested in any of the court girls and princesses which I had met. I just was not attracted to her. Perhaps it was the way she thought she could get anything she wanted simply by batting her eyelashes. This worked on most of the boys in the court. My brothers and I were immune to it, no matter how many times she tried. I knew it infuriated her, but we were far too focused on our own dreams. I knew my parents wanted us to marry soon but Emmett, Jasper and I still hadn't found anyone who we connected with the way my parents connected and that was something which was important to all of us.

Emmett had already achieved the dream of becoming a knight and my parents were pushing him to find himself a bride. He enjoyed torturing the ladies of the court far too much though. I think he enjoyed the screams that echoed down the halls and the disruption he usually caused. Often when someone was doing paper work, he either spilled the bottle of ink all over what they were doing or the papers ended up being thrown in the air before the sand could be put on them to help the ink dry. Even at eighteen he still enjoyed playing childish pranks. If a frog was found on one of the ladies pillows or dirt in their shoes, the first name they screamed was his.

Frankly, all three of us found the attention of the young women at court to be unnerving. I especially found Tanya's disconcerting. I had politely refused her on numerous occasions but she still had this delusional idea that I would suddenly wake up one day and decide she was the one I had been waiting for my entire life. I had no idea why either. She could have almost any other male in the entire court. I just couldn't understand why she was so fixated on me.

I liked Tanya. She was my cousin and I grew up with her. There were plenty of things to like about her. It was just that I knew what I was looking for and nothing any of the Ladies of the Court offered fit into my criteria. I did my duty as a Prince and danced with all of them during court functions but frankly, they were all a little too petty and conniving. I never knew if they liked me for who I was or if it was really my title they were looking for.

The week leading up to the tournament I spent much of my time in the company of my brothers. We were very close and I was disappointed I would not be able to participate in the tournament, but Father had been adamant. I was too young and if anything were to happen to Jasper or Emmett then I would be the one taking the throne.

Again, my thoughts were interrupted, "Master Edward!"

I glanced up at Master Banner. The sheepish grin flashed across my countenance once more. I really was having a difficult time concentrating on my lessons this morning. It didn't help that he was reviewing material which I was already very familiar with. I didn't understand why he continued to drone on over material which I had a firm grasp upon.

"I'm sorry, Master Banner. It's just difficult to concentrate right now."

He sighed and shook his head. "You've always been such a good student. I don't see the harm in allowing you some time off until after this tournament is over."

I couldn't believe my luck. I was actually being rewarded for being such a good student, instead of having harder assignments piled upon me. This was the best news of the week so far. Now if I could convince my parents to allow me to participate, it would make my week that much better.

I stood and bowed as I said, "Thank you, Master Banner. I promise to work hard once this festival is over."

Grinning, I made my way out the door, not waiting for his response. I decided to head to the throne room. If only my luck would hold, maybe my parents would allow me to enter into the swordsmanship contest or the joust. I was adept at both. I had been training from the time I could properly lift a sword and ride a horse.

I made my way down the halls. They were more crowded than usual. The servants were preparing the castle for our guests. They had taken all the tapestries out and beaten them to give them a good cleaning and currently they were cleaning the walls before hanging them up again. It was tedious work and I did not envy them their responsibilities. I tried to act kindly to them and remark upon what a wonderful job they were doing making the castle look so nice.

It wasn't hard to be nice to them. I didn't always know their names because they changed positions, died or were replaced, but I tried to learn as many names as I could and use them. The little kindness I showed gave them a great sense of pride and they worked harder to make it even cleaner. Someone had noticed what a good job they were doing, so they tried to do better. It was a sign of mutual respect.

I noticed the woodwork gleamed and included a compliment upon it as well. I would have to mention to Mother and Father how grand the castle was looking and what a wonderful job everyone was doing in sprucing it up the way they were.

I entered the throne room through a side door. I didn't want to interrupt whatever my parents were in the midst of. By coming in through the side door I could catch their attention without alerting many to my presence there. It was then that I overheard the conversation.

"Surely you've seen how he cares for my daughter?" I knew that voice. It was my Uncle Aro, Tanya's father. Apparently he thought one of us cared for her? I mean we did, but no more than as a cousin.

"Are you sure? He's never mentioned anything to either Carlisle or me." Esme, my mother, was such a blessing and so perceptive.

"He really does your majesties. Edward would just never say anything because he's too shy. I think he might be afraid that you wouldn't approve because I'm older than he." I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I was glad now that I had. What was this? I was never shy about my feelings. I cared for Tanya, but as a cousin. That's where my affection ended.

"Hmmm…" Father mused this over and I managed to catch his attention and shake my head to indicate that they were being lied to.

I was beyond furious such a tactic would be used to try to force me into marrying her. Honestly, what was she thinking? Even if I hadn't been here eavesdropping, Father and Mother would never have consented to anything without talking to me about it first. I had a feeling they knew they were being lied to though. They knew how I felt about the ladies of the court. We talked frequently and I had made it clear that none of them interested me. I wanted someone who had ideals closer to my own.

"Are you quite sure you aren't just misinterpreting his actions? You are his cousin. Perhaps he is just being friendly and you are construing it to be more than that?" Father's eyes were still on me, waiting to see how Tanya would respond and judge my reaction to it.

"Oh no, Uncle," Tanya simpered and the mere sound of her voice had me wincing. "He quite clearly said that he loved me."

I could take no more and stepped out of the shadows where I was hidden.

"…As nothing more than a cousin! And that's all you shall ever be. I have no desire to marry you. I've told you this many times over. Just for clarification, so none are confused on this issue again, I love you as a cousin, Tanya. No more than that. You are a friend, yes, but there is no love between us. My heart does not belong to you and I do not wish yours."

I was as polite as I could be under the circumstances. But honestly, to hear that she was trying to bypass my wishes by coming directly to my parents and lying to them! It was so ridiculous. She was obviously deluded or something.

"Aro, this is simply unacceptable. Asking to meet privately so you can lie to us about my son's intentions? Do you not find yourself reproachable?"

I could see that Uncle Aro was rather upset at having been caught in his own web of lies. He simply shrugged and placed an arm around Tanya who was crying. I was fairly sure her tears were nothing but show.

"I'm sorry. Tanya must have misinterpreted your advances."

I held my temper and responded in as cool a manner as I could muster. "What advances? I have made no advances toward Tanya at -"

I was cut off as she wailed, "You promised you'd marry me!"

My jaw fell at that statement as I'd said no such thing. My parents saw my expression and guessing that this was all part of some scheme to trap me, they intervened.

"I'm sure that if Edward were going to make such a decision he'd consult both Esme and me, as he'd need to get the engagement ring he knows we have for each of our boys when they decide to marry."

Tanya's face fell then and it was obvious that that was her last trick. She wasn't aware that my parents had rings set aside for my brothers and me for when we wished to become betrothed. Furious, she turned and stormed from the room.

"Carlisle, Brother…surely you can see how she loves your son."

This was Uncle Aro's attempt at trying to guilt Carlisle into doing what Aro wanted him to. He should have known it would fail, but Aro underestimated how close our family was. He never understood why Emmett, Jasper and I rarely fought. He didn't understand why we went to our parents when we were troubled. He was so different from Carlisle and I wondered how far he would go to hurt my family. The thought was fleeting though, because I was naive enough to believe that there was naught he could do.

"Aro, our parents never forced us to do anything. I'm not about to force Edward to marry someone he does not want."

"You will regret this Carlisle…" were Aro's last words before he stormed out of the throne room.

So far it had been a very eventful day. I knew this wasn't the best time to ask, but I had little time, and surely luck was on my side. I had had a good day so far this morning.

"Mother, Father…I'm sorry to have been eavesdropping. I have come to request permission to participate in the events this coming week. I wasn't intending to walk in on a conversation such as that. I apologize for interrupting, although I can't say that I am sorry for the outcome."

Mother came down and wrapped her arms around me, hugging me tightly. "You are always welcome in this room. You know that, Edward. You were not eavesdropping."

Father sighed and ran his hand through his hair. He looked weary after the conversation with Aro. I knew dealing with his scheming brother tired him. Now it was unlikely that I would get to participate as he was in a bad mood.

"Edward, son, we've discussed this already. I need you to help me with my duties during the event, as your brothers are participating. I'm sorry that you find it challenging not to compete but this year you must learn what is expected of you, just as your brothers did. Next year you may participate."

I nodded. It wasn't what I wanted to hear, but it was what I expected to hear. I hugged my mother and nodded. "I'll take my leave of you now then. I hope your day brightens, Father. I like you not in this mood. While I know even if you were in a good mood, you would have responded as you did, I still do not like seeing you like this."

He smiled at me then and Esme hugged me once again. As I turned to leave, I remembered the resolve I had made while I was walking down the hall.

"The servants are doing a wonderful job cleaning the castle. I've been sure to note as much when they are around. The wood is gleaming, the tapestries are almost completely dust-free and the walls look wonderful as well. I'm sure they'd appreciate hearing such from their sovereigns."

I was graced by both their smiles then as I nodded and slipped back out the door as a peasant came through the main doors with a dispute.

I wandered the halls aimlessly until I reached a window facing out toward the grounds and the river which sprawled beneath. Our castle was located between two lakes with a river that connected them both. There was a bridge that separated the castle from the town. Most of the villagers who worked at the castle walked over the bridge in the mornings and left that way at night. Fishing was abundant and also part of our livelihood. The grounds were expansive and well maintained.

My eyes swept the grounds and I saw that a large tent had been erected within the castle boundaries. The contestants were beginning to arrive. Their standards and tents could be seen within the boundaries as well. Sprawled over the grounds were the different areas for the vast activities planned: The joust, the arena for the sword fights, the merchants' area.

Esme had decided that she wanted to hold a contest for the local merchants. She determined that there would be a meat smoking contest, a stew contest, a fishing contest and a pie contest.

The merchants in town were thrilled that they would be able to have their wares tasted and judged, hoping to draw in more business. Even the peasants were looking forward to this festival. Some of them were looking for mates so this would provide them the opportunity to find someone. Perhaps even my brothers and I might find someone if there were courtiers coming that we had never met before.

My eyes lingered on the tents and standards that were erected. I was trying to recognize some, but I was too far up in the castle to get a good view. I often wandered up to the tower that overlooked the river because I found the view so calming. There was a window seat here and it was a good spot for reading, which was my usual pastime. My father insisted that the three of us be literate and able to perform sums well. It was all part of our duties as princes. I enjoy reading and I also want to be a knight. I think that a man can be more than one thing.

Sighing, I headed down the stairs in search of Jasper or Emmett. Perhaps they would have the time to spar a little with me. I needed to siphon off my excess energy before I began skipping and dancing down the halls once more like a ninny. Although I'm sure any of the ladies of the court who might stumble upon me doing such activities would be pleased to see such a side of me. I preferred to keep that side hidden - at least until I met someone that could bring that side of me out without trying.

I searched the castle and they were nowhere to be found. Shaking my head, I headed to the stables and grabbed my mount. I brushed him down, his black coat gleaming, before I threw the saddle on him and settled on his back. Taking off at a run, I set him toward the forest and just let him gallop for a time before turning around and cantering back.

Alone with my thoughts, I mused over the afternoon. It wasn't that I didn't want to find love. I was just far too focused upon becoming a knight. Not to mention, I just hadn't found her yet. Perhaps at this tournament I would. There had to be someone out there who would compliment me and who would love me for who I was, not for what I was. One who would not mind supporting me in my dreams. Someone who I could support in her dreams as well.

I had the impression that Tanya wanted me more because I was a handsome face that came with a title more than anything else. I know her father, Uncle Aro, desired power. He was younger than mine and thus had been denied the throne. He was more conniving and manipulative than my father. So it was better that he wasn't King. Still it bothered me the lengths that he was willing to go to get Tanya into a place of power.

I wished I could meet someone who would like me for me and not the crown that I wore or the fact that I was a prince of the realm. I didn't know how I was going to find a lady like that, especially at court. Lady Angela seemed very nice, however I knew she was involved with Lord Benjamin and they were very happy. I would not dishonor myself or them by even considering pursuing a relationship with her. Besides, while she might be sweet and different from the others of the court, there was no attraction there for me. I couldn't see myself spending my life with her. I could however see her spending her life with Lord Benjamin.

I had absolutely no interest in Ladies Jessica and Lauren, though they continued to pursue me almost relentlessly. A couple of years ago, there was a Lady my Mother had wanted me to meet, but that meeting had not come to fruition and I did not know why. Neither Mother nor Father had ever told me why I had never met the Lady they had spoken so highly of. I had simply thought that she had married someone else or something terrible had happened and she passed from this life.

I was deep in my thoughts and did not hear my brothers' approach.

"Edward!" They boomed together, sending my name echoing in the small enclosure. I jumped, startled by their entrance, and turned to smile at them.

"Emmett, Jasper…to what do I owe this visit?" They laughed at my question and both of them dropped to a crouch. I knew what was coming and I had nowhere to run. Normally I could escape their clutches because I was faster than either of them. However I was trapped in this room and they were blocking the only means of escape.

I glanced between the two of them; trying to spot a weakness I could exploit in order to escape their clutches. No such opening appeared and I did not like the odds. They sprang at me just then. Emmett tackled me to the ground while Jasper assaulted my sides with his hands, tickling me.

"Sssstop! St-t-t-op!" I cried as the barrage continued.

Their laughter loosened their grip upon me and we all collapsed on the ground together amid gales of laughter. When we'd managed to calm ourselves, we sat up and they grinned while I shot murderous glares between the two of them.

Emmett draped his arm over my shoulders and laughed. "It's not often we are able to surprise you and get the better of you, brother. Let us have our fun," he said.

I shook my head but couldn't help the smile that lit up my face. They were correct. It wasn't often that they were able to get the better of me. Most times I snuck up on them. I was usually so guarded and aware of everything that it was difficult for them to sneak up on me. Emmett was right; they did deserve to have some fun with this.

"So, to what do I deserve this pouncing?" I relaxed and gave Jasper a friendly punch in the arm. It was nice to be with my brothers. Around my family was the only time I felt I could truly be myself. When anyone else was around I felt like I had to wear a mask and put up a wall. It was how I protected myself from those at court. They couldn't hurt me if they couldn't see who I truly was.

"Mother and Father said they hadn't seen you since you came to ask them about participating in the tournament. They thought that perhaps you went some place to go sulk because your request was denied. We were sent to fetch you for dinner. I see they were correct. You were sulking." Jasper was usually good at reading emotions, but not very good at guessing why those emotions were being felt.

"Actually, I understand and accept why I am not allowed to participate. I wasn't sulking about that. Honestly, I was thinking about how Tanya tried to trap me into marriage this afternoon. She went to Mother and Father behind my back with Uncle Aro. They tried to convince them that I had feelings toward her that I certainly do not have. I don't know what they thought they were doing."

Emmett and Jasper gasped. Apparently Mother and Father had not told them this piece of information yet.

"They what…?" Emmett yelled so loud, I had to clasp my hands over my ears.

"How could they?" Jasper yelled simultaneously. The sounds of both their voices nearly deafened me, even with my hands over my ears.

I dropped my hands and glanced between the two of them. They both looked furious. Emmett had a hard time standing up to the ladies of the court and allowed them to walk all over him. Jasper was cunning enough to convince them that their feelings were misplaced and that they were truly in love with another…whether it was true or not. I was the one who politely refused them. My polite refusals earned nothing but scoffed remarks and protestations to the contrary. I would tell them that I did not feel what they thought I felt and then they would tell me that wasn't true and that I did, in fact, love them.

I simply did not comprehend how the minds of the ladies of the court worked at all. All they seemed capable of thinking about was themselves and their intrigues, which mainly consisted of how they could get themselves into a place of power. It was all very puerile. I had no interest in ladies who sought nothing but power and ambition for their own selfish desires and to make others feel badly about themselves.

"It's fine. Mother and Father did not believe them and defended me when things began to get out of hand. I had no idea how conniving Tanya was to try and force my hand as she did. Perhaps she's more like her father than I had originally thought." Sighing, I pinched the bridge of my nose with my thumb and forefinger. "Shall we adjourn for dinner before Mother and Father send anyone else to look for me?"

They took a few deep breaths to calm themselves after hearing that our parents had defended me and then nodded. "Aye…Mother and Father might send a search party out to look for all of us."

We entered the dining room laughing and our parents looked up at us smiling. "I see we didn't need to send the search party out to look for the three of you, after all."

At our father's words Emmett, Jasper, and I collapsed in laughter. Esme and Carlisle joined in as we settled at the table with them. My mother's warm voice could be heard above the laughter.

"I understand that you boys came down because you knew we were discussing sending a search party to find you if you didn't appear soon."

Jasper grinned at her and nodded. "How well you know us, Mother."

This seemed to distress her for a moment, though she hid it quickly if she had actually been saddened. I wasn't sure. I thought I had seen a flicker of it upon her face. Shrugging that thought off, I smiled.

"I heard the cavalry was sent to fetch me because I was moping about?"

Carlisle laughed then. "Your Mother and I were worried about you. After what happened this afternoon, we did not want you wallowing for too long."

I smiled to put their fears at ease. "Do not worry. I was not wallowing. I retreated to the tower to think for a bit. I did not realize the late hour; otherwise I would have been here before now. Thank you for sending Emmett and Jasper to find me. I would have regretted missing dinner later when I became hungry."

Esme smiled at my reassurances. "If you were not sulking, might I ask what you were thinking about?"

I debated momentarily about whether to tell her the truth or to make up some happy lie. I finally settled on the truth. She was my mother after all and it would be unfair to tell her a fabrication. "I was thinking about the ladies of the court and how callow they are. I was wishing I could meet a Lady who was not like that."

I knew right away that I had upset my Mother, though I didn't know how. Her face had dropped and her eyes were brimming with tears. What had I said?

"Please excuse me." She rose fluidly. I rose with her and ran over to give her a hug.

"I'm sorry, Mother. I don't know what I did, but I'm sorry."

She smiled genuinely and shook her head. "You did nothing wrong, Edward." She directed her gaze at Emmett and Jasper for a moment. "The three of you deserve better than these Ladies of the Court."

Her statement was so mysterious, as though she were hiding something. It certainly seemed that way as she broke from my embrace and fled the dining room.

"Father, is everything alright?" I turned and saw him staring at his plate. When he looked up, his eyes were haunted.

"Everything will be fine, Edward. Your Mother is upset about what happened this afternoon. I'm going to go comfort her. You boys finish up your dinner and I will see you in the morning."

I took his words on faith. After all, I had seen how angry and upset she had been earlier. After giving a bow, I sat back down and began eating.

My brothers and I ate in silence, each of us wrapped in our own thoughts. Mine were echoes of what I had been thinking about this afternoon while staring down out of the window. When we were finished eating, we each retired to our rooms. The day may have started on a high note, but it had taken a wrong turn.

I was determined not to let where the day had led bother me. I resolved to wake tomorrow with the same attitude I had this morning. I would be positive and helpful and do what I could to help make my Mother happy.

I did not know what bothered her so much, but I felt it was more than just Tanya and her tricks. I determined then to discover the source of her sudden bouts of sadness. Little did I know at the time that a journey I would soon take would not only help me discover the source of her happiness but bring about my own as well.