~oOo~
Through her prison window the moon could be seen. Transparent clouds traveling at the sphere's side veiled it in shades of violets, grays, and tones gold-blue.
Nimue watched the clouds sailing across the sky; they separated the moon's light from her room. Candles were lit on corner tables, and in their different light lingered the man she loved. He too, was observing the moon. His arms were folded over his chest as he leaned against the wall. His profile was half-seen, half imagined against the dark.
There was a weakness about Nimue, as though she had mournfully cried. With that weakness her body sought sleep. She knew with Merlin near, she would feel a peace that normally eluded her. Yet, as he smiled at her, she wanted to resist the beckon of her body.
"Merlin," she started, "please let me hear your voice."
He turned to her, sweetly amused, caught off guard.
With her eyes closed she smiled. "I would love to hear a story."
"Oh, it's a story you want? From the looks of things, you'll probably be asleep before you hear the ending."
"Then you can tell me a story I've already heard before, that way it won't matter."
"Very well." Merlin's gaze returned to the moon as he tried to settle on a thought. "Ah, I know just the one. And it is a story you have heard many times. One that you're undoubtedly tired of."
Nimue tutted.
He sighed then rolled up his sleeves. "Let me provide a bit of a distraction first."
Nimue watched as he quickly created symbols with his hands that she couldn't decipher; minute waves and rolls of his wrists, and soon a progression of fireflies entered the window. Slowly floating, they bobbed in the wind that was to them the same as tides. The candles dimmed with Merlin's silent command, making the fireflies glow like a hundred small stars.
Merlin paused as he watched Nimue's face in the dark. She was so beautiful, so kind and wise beyond her years. In Nimue there was no corruption of spirit, and he loved her all the more for it. She was unique in his life.
He caught her warm eyes, fixed on him. For all the fire in them, he knew it must also be displayed in his own gaze, even if only minutely.
He loved her with all his being.
"Now let me think, where to begin... "
~oOo~