AN:

A MerlinxNimueh set during The Poisoned Chalice.
I'm honestly suprised no one has done this before.

~ Nimueh's POV ~

It's working. Thought Nimueh. Merlin was as gullible as a child, of course he was still rather young and unexperienced. Soon she would plant the poisoned chalice and 'warn' Merlin, he would sacrifice himself so very eagerly and be rid of him. Pretending to be one of Bayard's servants wasn't her greatest choice but it got her close to both Merlin and the chalices. Unfortunately it also meant she had to do some actual chores which she absolutely loathed. Had they known who she really was, they would've bowed to the High Priestess. She finished making some nobleman's bed and as she left the room tried to figure out where they kept the damn chalices. It was just her luck that outside the nobleman's chamber was Merlin running an errand.
"Cara." He had greeted her with that boyish smile of his, she enjoyed flirting with him last time but that was business and now he was being an obstacle once more.
"Merlin." She smiled at him flirtatiously, she did have to keep up appearances or he wouldn't trust her when she'd poisoned the chalice.
"I... Ehm, I was wondering whether you were doing anything later this afternoon." By the Triple Goddess, was he really that gullible? At least he had the balls to do something with those feelings of his.
"I might be able to find some spare time." She teased him. "What did you have in mind?" She wondered what he would do if she were to indulged him.
"It's a surprise." Great, a suprise, she didn't like them, couldn't use them in any way.
"I don't like suprises." She slightly complained but was afraid she'd seem too much of an annoying child and added "If I'm gone too long..."
"Just give me a chance, I wil not disappoint." He assured her. She smiled, he could be quite persuasive and she so very curious.
"Alright, when and where?" She could always say no, of course. 'Prior engagement' had always been a valid excuse, why not now?
"The stables in, say, one hour?" The stables, really? Hardly romantic in her opinion. Was this how the common folk went about the business nowadays?
"I'll be there." She said, curiosity winning her over once more.
"See you there." He smiled. She caught herself giving him a genuine smile, his bright mood was very contagious.
What would the night bring?

The stables

She wondered what he would do seeing as it were the midsts of day. Still, he did say he would not disappoint.
"Cara." Someone whispered. Looking up she saw Merlin smiling down at her from the hayloft. He disappeared for a moment and a ladder was brought down so she could join him. The hayloft had lots of candles around that burned blue. Those who didn't know magic did know there were some expensive candles that burned blue but she could sense magic. The magic also prevented that the hay would catch on fire. She saw two wineglasses standing near two bales of hay along with a bottle of red wine.
Thus far she wasn't very impressed though Bayard's inexperienced servant would be.

While she was admiring the view, Merlin had retrieved the ladder, as not to be disturbed, and was now pouring the wine.
He handed her a glass and she found it of good taste, nothing mind-blowing but a good taste even for a prince.
"Where did you get this wine?" She asked though she thought she could guess it already.
A roguish smile crept across his face and answered "I kind of stole it from the cellar." She though as much but it was of course romance at it's sweetest. It was cute to see him like that, so happy, so carefree, so unaware that he was drinking with the enemy.
They talked for quite a while, both of them having a lot to tell. It wasn't hard for Nimueh to fake her history as she had made quite a credible one over the years, years spent hiding and lying to everyone you knew.
"I don't know Camelot very well, nor its people. I was wondering what your thoughts were on the banishment of magic."
"The Great Purge began for a reason but no one seems to know why." Except she, of course. "Whatever has happened, magic was once part of this land and it should be part of it once more."
"And Arthur? How does he feel about it?"
"Although he might listen to him, he doesn't always agree with his father's choices. I believe that, under Arthur's rule, magic may be permitted once more."
She knew Arthur was destined for greatness. Merlin, however, was a puzzle. She knew he was a sorcerer and yet he put faith in Arthur. Her powers of foresight were strong but still his future eluded her.
"But why do you ask? You fear for a sorcerer's life?"
"I..." She had always been so set on vengeance that she never really took the time to remember what she had lost. On the rare occasion someone asked about them, she would tell them it was Uther's fault. But not now, not when it would ruin her plan. The thought forced her to dig deeper, dig beyond the frozen surface that had become her way of life. But the hole she dug beyond the ice brought more than just memories, they brought emotion. "I had friends amond the druids." It wasn't a lie but neither was it the truth. The people she called friends died during the Great Purge and those like them, those who still lived, had become druids. But she had never been a true friend of the druids. She felt tears welling up, it had been so many years since she had last mourned them.
"I'm sorry, I..." He couldn't find the words and put his arm around her instead, pulling her close against his chest. Then everything was too much for her. It had been so long since she had cried for her dear friends, so long since anyone even cared for her. With Uther killing everyone she knew, she became cold, isolated and a different person entirely, all so she would survive. And then survival was not enough, she wanted vengeance. Now, after all those years, there was someone who cared for her once more. It was true her cared for Cara, but did he care for Nimueh? At this point it didn't matter, for the moment the two were one and Merlin was comforting her whilst doing nothing but hold her. She sobbed as she began to recall their names and faces. They just sat there for a while and Merlin wrapped a strand of hair around his finger again and again. It pained her to admit she was actually enjoying it, for once it wasn't the wind that played with her hair and it weren't bugs that sought to nest, it was having someone so close to her. Nevertheless, she broke away from the warmth of his arms. Looking into his eyes she no longer saw the naïve servant of the prince. She saw a kind and gentle soul that had been capable of reviving what she thought dead.
"I should go." She wiped away the tears and already put the ladder in place when Merlin called her back.
"Cara?" She turned around, different eyes looking back at the young warlock.
He hesitated, something was on his mind, but he went for a very understanding "Goodnight.".
"Goodnight." She whispered and quickly left the hayloft. A shiver went down her spine, it unnerved her that Merlin was capable of getting under her skin like that. He was the enemy, she had intended to kill him and now she had something she hadn't had in a long time, doubts.

Merlin. What was she to do with him? He spoiled her plans time and again, he was an annoyance. But he had also helped her, comforted her, when she shed tears for all she had lost. He was a kind and caring soul that stood in the way of retribution and still she couldn't choose which was more important, which was worth the sacrifice? The opportune time to strike was NOW but the decision remained difficult. She had tried to kill Uther before though Merlin prevented it. There would be opportunities in the future but there was only one Merlin. With that settled another question came up. Was he friend or foe?

AN:

It started out as a oneshot but seeing the ending it could become a twoshot, but only if I get some positive feedback.
Carry on? Yes? No? Leave me a review.