Title: Which do I choose?
Summary: What would happen if Nimueh survived Merlin`s attack on the Isle of the Blessed? Enjoy.
Nimueh sighed. It was hours after she had seen Merlin and Arthur, and she still hadn`t come up with a damn thing! Surely it couldn`t be this hard to think of a way to get revenge? She had thought up many things to do to punish Uther, after all. Could it be that the Gods didn`t want her to hurt the boy? No, surely they understood that she had to make him suffer as she had.
Wham!
Blinking, Nimueh opened her eyes groggily. Pushing herself to her feet, the sorceress inspected her surroundings. Thick, oaken walls and a beam-supported ceiling surrounded her. A stone fireplace with a soot-blackened hearth blazed with a bright fire. The only window was covered with wooden shutters made of something like elm, or maybe pine, she thought.
Soft footsteps behind her caused Nimueh to start and whip around. Merlin stood behind her, his ratty brown jacket and frayed red scarf the same as before.
"How did you find me, boy?" She hisses, afraid because she does not know where she is and thus cannot teleport away. Merlin simply grabs a small stool and sits, watching her warily. His stormy blue eyes shine strangely in the firelight, almost mesmerizing her. Turning her back angrily, Nimueh locates the door and strides toward it. Then, his voice cuts through the soft crackle of the blazing fire.
"You were injured. I don`t know how, but you were just outside this place. It is my home at night."
Nimueh stops, turns around slowly. His eyes betray nothing, but there is the light of truth in his words and heart. Hesitantly, she steps toward him.
"What are you saying, Merlin?"
"I do not expect any thanks from you, but perhaps we can come to an agreement. You could stay here, and in return leave Camelot alone."
"You really would offer me that?" She feels a twinge of sadness. The last time she set foot in a house like this was when her parents and sister were alive. Unshed tears fill her eyes at the memory. Merlin`s answer makes her look up.
"Nimueh, I doubt you`ve lived in decent shelter for a long time." Standing, Merlin comes over to her. "It is the right thing for me to do." Looking into his eyes, she cannot keep herself from crying now. These tears are pent up from years of regret. Regret of what she`s turned into, the slaughter she`s caused. Opening her mouth, she finds no words that can express what she feels. Closing it, she then sinks to her knees and simply cries. Why should she bottle up these tears any longer?
Merlin, looking down at this worn, sad, scared outcast, kneels and awkwardly slips an arm around her shoulders. She simply leans into his side, needing the comfort. Nimueh has been without friends and a true home for so long that it`s a wonder that she hasn`t simply gone mad.
Through the sadness, Nimueh feels shame surface. Has she become so weak, so unable, that she turns to another for comfort? For the first time in years, her child-like side comes out. She needs comfort and someone to lean on when life gets unbearable. Looking up, she sees Merlin`s face. He`s so close to her now, even touching her. How in the world can she not mind after the hatred that she has had for him?
"I…well…" she starts tentatively. His hand squeezes her shoulder slightly. "I`ve been so alone for so long that being here is strange to me. You actually care, and I barely know you. How can you?"
"How can I what?"
"Care, Merlin, care! Why do you care?" Her eyes are searching his, her voice is desperate. With a sigh, Merlin considers her question.
"I care because I know what it`s like when you feel alone. I have felt neglect, hunger, and had to make do without much shelter. So I feel like I need to help you." She closes her eyes, drinking in those words. Perhaps she isn`t alone after all, perhaps he is like her.
Whooo! This chappy was fun to write! Review please.
