Disclaimer: Only my OCs and the plot belong to me.

A/N: Hi everyone! This is my very first story so please bear with me. The prologue is just going to be a summary of events. The nect chater will be much longer and get to the point. All reviews are welcome.

Prologue

Throughout the halls of Marmora Manor, chaos had erupted. Screams of pain could be heard from the eastern wing and echoed off of all corners of the dwelling. Maids were rushing in and out of the master bedroom, all exhausted and wishing for peace to come. Some carried pitchers of hot water, others linens, and a few held baskets of herbs which possessed powers of healing or were used to lessen pain. Others exited with soiled towels covered in blood and sweat. However, most were crowded around the foot or head of the bed as well as a midwife. Two were holding the hands of Lady Amora Kortson, who was gripping their hands so hard that the maids feared their blood circulation had stopped in their fingers.

Amora was biting down on a sheet, her chin pressed against her chest as she felt another onslaught of contractions coming. Her golden locks were damp with perspiration and her usually smiling, golden eyes were filled with desperation and pain. Another scream of agony was ripped from her raw throat. The pain between her legs was now unbearable as she had been in labor since the early hours of the morning into the afternoon and then nightfall. She hoped by the sunrise that her babe would be here as she feared for her child's health as well as her own. She pushed and strained, but no progress was being made. She felt as if she should give up. This child did not want to enter the world, a cruel place in which the child would be condemned to a harsh fate because of its mother's reputation and position in life.

Amora was the mistress of Henrik Amundson, a nobleman of the court of Asgard. He had served as a general during the war against the frost giants when they attempted to overtake earth with the Casket of Ancient Winters and plunge the world into an eternal ice age. In the aftermath, he became a close advisor to the All-father and took up a permanent residence near the sea of Marmora, henceforth the name of the manor. During one of his journeys between the capital city and his personal domain, he had met Amora whom was the daughter of a lowly soldier and a seamstress. The two quickly became enthralled with each other and he proposed that she become his mistress with the consent of his dying wife, Brynhild, a gentle woman whom had suggested Henrik find a true companion to live out his days with.

Amora became his wife in all but name as a commoner could never marry a noble as stated by the law of Asgard. When the time came for Henrik to be married again out of duty, Amora was supportive and understanding of the situation. She did not try to sway or delay his course of action. She knew Henrik was hers, body and soul, as she was his and she remained faithful and true to him. A marriage was arranged with Sigrid Snorredottir, a beautiful woman with light hair and dark eyes known for her wit and sharp tongue. She brought a hefty dowry to the marriage as well as several well-made connections. Two daughters were soon begot from this marriage. However, her true personality began to arise soon after the birth of her two children. She was jealous and spiteful, enjoying others fawning over her for attention and waiting on her hand-and-foot. Sigrid despised Amora when she learned of her existence and became envious of the love Henrik had bestowed upon Amora and not herself. She tried to interfere with Henrik's affairs and persuade him to be rid of Amora, but he refused. A rift was caused between the married couple and they became estranged much to the displeasure of Sigrid who yearned for the day when Amora would reach her downfall.

Currently Sigrid was pacing the confines of her own chamber much alike that of nervous animal circling within its cage. Listening to the cries of her so called enemy, she was silently cursing under her breath, wishing for a mishap to occur so she would be the only woman in Henrik's life. Her two daughters were present, watching their mother with curious eyes and wondering what thoughts were running around aimlessly in her head. Margarethe, the eldest of the two, was much like her mother. Haughty and cruel, she only cared for pretty clothes and dance lessons as well as ordering others around. She too wished for the downfall of Amora. In comparison, the younger daughter Inga was modest and soft spoken. She was often seen as the forgotten sister, lost in the shadows of her sister's praise and did not understand the tension between her mother and her father's mistress. Another scream was heard. All eyes jerked to the door of Sigrid's chambers and all ears waited for the sound of a mewling child.

"Nearly there my lady," cried the midwife, "one more push". Amora let out a sigh of relief. The birth was finally coming to an end. She let out a final effort, pushing as hard as she could bear and gritting her teeth through the pain. The child's head slipped into the midwife's capable hands followed by the shoulder and then the rest of the newborn's body. A lusty cry was heard throughout the room. "A fair girl madam," announced the midwife while she rubbed the remains of blood and such off the infant and swaddled her in freshly cleaned linens. Amora held out her arms and the child was given to her. She showed a small smile as she brought the infant to lay upon her chest. Her daughter was a perfect combination of her parents, unruly chocolate curls and small golden orbs that shined with innocence. As she gazed upon her baby, rays of light filtered through the shades of the windows onto the newborn and mother. Dawn had arrived. Amora pressed a kiss to her daughter's little wrinkled forehead. "I know just what to call you little one," she crooned," you shall be my Aurora."

Eight hundred years had passed since the birth of Aurora. As time passed she grew into a lovely young woman who possessed grace and poise and showed knowledge beyond her years. She enjoyed the luxuries of being the daughter of a noblemen, but she showed humility and was grateful to her father for the opportunities he presented her. Henrik doted upon his daughter much to the discomfort of Sigrid who believed he should only show that kind of affection to his legitimate daughters and his sons from his previous marriage. The child had only showed that her marriage to Henrik was in a constant state of decadence and Sigrid begun to hate Amora even more for taking all Henrik's attentions. She had halted all arguments with Henrik on the matter as he would tell her it was not her place to meddle in his affairs as well as the fact he did not love her and that he never would for she had shown her true colors. Henrik cared for her though as she had given him his two precious daughters and he would always make it a priority that his children as well as their mother, lived a comfortable lifestyle and had everything they needed. But Aurora was his special girl, his little angel, his child conceived out of love and not duty.

Unlike her two older sisters, Aurora's upbringing was slightly more rigorous. Amora did not want her daughter to be restricted to a society of female dependency and male domination. She wanted Aurora to be headstrong, determined, and independent whether she defied the norms of civilization or not. Aurora was taught things that many believed only men should know such as philosophy, law, the different languages of the nine realms, archery, sword-fighting, and hunting. She became an intellectual and often engaged in conversations over government or economics with her father and brothers. She was eloquent with her words and could often hold up an argument. Her education also included dancing, stitching, sewing, and cooking although she did not care for those simple pastimes and nor did she show any deft skill in those subjects. Amora had hoped her daughter would take an interest in playing instruments as she herself did, but alas she would never pay attention to her tutors nor would she sit still enough to even be able to practice. Aurora did excel at singing, although one would never know due to her modesty and shy nature.

As Aurora aged, Amora's health began to deteriorate. Her strength began to leave her gradually. Normal tasks became difficult and her breathing often became labored for no reason. Her looks began to fade. Her once golden hair began to darken; bits of dark brown began to filter in through the golden tresses. Henrik sent for physicians to investigate the cause of his sweetheart's condition. Some said it may have been caused by her daughter's birth. She had nearly lost consciousness during the birth due to the amount of blood loss and the amount of time she had been in labor. Others said her symptoms were related to the change of seasons. Lastly many believed it to be just a passing illness that would disappear in time.

Amora then discovered that she was with child again. She was jubilant and pleased that she was to make Aurora an elder sister and that she was to give Henrik another child, but thoughts of dread still plagued her mind. Would this pregnancy make her condition worse? Would she be able to carry the child to full term? Would she die due to the harshness of labor? Her pregnancy proved to be difficult. She was put in confinement in the fourth month due to excess bleeding and early contractions. When the time came to give birth, Amora again endured a brutal labor. She awoke covered in her own blood at twilight and screamed for her ladies. Her contractions were excruciating, becoming more painful and closer together by the minute. She lay there, tears staining her face, contemplating whether she should welcome the pain and drift off into darkness or at least try to save her child. She was dying. She could tell by the looks of her midwife and ladies.

"You must try my lady," cried Inge, Amora's closest confidant and dearest friend. "You must try to push through the pain. Think of Henrik and Aurora. They cannot live without you. You are their everything."

The midwife began to shake her head in concern. "We are losing her," she stated, looking upon Amora with a sad gaze. "She must deliver the child or both will die."

The ordeal continued on for a few more hours. Amora's pain suddenly ceased. A lusty cry was heard and the child came bursting into the world, a bundle of bloodied limbs and golden ringlets. "A girl, my lady," cried the midwife, relief appearing on her face.

The doors to her compartments crashed open. Aurora entered the room red faced and exhausted. She had been up since she first heard her mother's cries, but she had not been allowed in the birthing room.

"Mama," she cried, rushing to her mother's side, grasping her fragile hand.

Amora turned her face to gaze upon her daughter one last time. "You are so precious to me Aurora, you and Kajsa "she muttered to her firstborn. "You must always remember that mama loves you, father loves you, we are so proud of you."

"What are you saying? What's wrong?" Aurora asked, fear etched upon her face.

The midwife turned her eyes to Aurora. "She is too weak child. The birth has taken its toll on her body." She then passed the swaddled infant from her hands to Amora's. The child was perfectly healthy, that much was evident. Amora could barely reach her arms up to grasp the child and she struggled to breath with her labored efforts to hold her child. Aurora then stepped in for her mother and cradled her newborn sister in her own arms, letting their mother observe the two together for the first and last time. A glimpse of a smile passed across her lips as her last breath left her body. She was gone.

A cry of anguish escaped from Aurora's lips. Hot tears ran down her face as her baby sister started to cry as well.

Inge began to pull Aurora from the room as maids began preparing the body and cleaning up the disaster inside, whispering that all would be well in time and that she would care for the two. Aurora followed not having the energy in her to refuse leaving her mother's body. She looked down at the infant in her hands. Kajsa was fussing, her wrinkled forehead signaling her discomfort. They exited out of the room and continued down the hall. "Do not worry little one," she said, "I will take care of you," she whispered. Inge turned back to look at the two girls now in her charge. Seeing the love in Aurora's eyes as she looked upon her sister's face, she agreed. All would be fine.