Guardian of the Balance — Irene Radford

HER NAME WAS ARYLWREN--
Wren to those she considered friends. She was the child who should not have been, daughter of Myrddin Emrys--The Merlin--and Deirdre--The Morriganhigh priestess of the Druids. For Myrddin, gifted with prophecy from childhood, had been sworn to eternal celibacy in exchange for the Sight. But in an age when the followers of the old ways were greatly diminished and the number of believers in the White Christ were growing, both Myrddin and his daughter would have destinies to fulfill. And so those to whom Myrddin was sworn made him violate his own oath--and Arylwren was born.

As a child Wren roamed the land with her father so The Merlin could secretly watch over his other charges: Arthur, who would one day be king, and the other youths who would prove Arthur's most loyal followers. During their travels Myrddin taught Wren the old ways, the small magics, and bardic skills. Yet he feared he could not teach her enough to insure her safety in an ever more perilous world.

But even The Merlin could not foresee the power with which Wren had been blessed. Nor did she tell him of the visions which had been given to her alone: images of war to come, of a forbidden passion brought to fruition, and of those whom she loved in peril of being devoured by all-consuming forces of darkness. She only knew she must master the talents she'd been born with, for a time would come when she must be both sword and shield for The Merlin, for Arthur, and for the people who would be put in her charge....