The Bridei Chronicles, book 1: The Dark MirrorJuliet Marillier2004

In the mid 6th century, the homeland of the Picts in northern Britain was under threat from the Gaels, who had invaded the west coast and established themselves in their new kingdom of Dalriada. At the same time, the Christian faith was taking hold in the southern part of the Pictish kingdom, and the leaders of the northern realm were struggling to maintain their ancient traditions.

In young Bridei, a little-known son of the royal line, king's druid and powerbroker Broichan sees the perfect candidate for future kingship. The child is sent to him for fostering. At his remote forest home of Pitnochie, Broichan sets about training his protege in the ways of the ancients and in the all-important preparation to be a leader of men.

But Broichan has not allowed for the Good Folk, well-known workers of tricky magic. When young Bridei discovers a strange baby girl abandoned on Broichan's doorstep in the chill of the winter solstice, he takes her into the house. And the druid discovers that there is one power at work that may be too strong for him to control; one unpredictable factor that could become the death of his dreams.