Merlin sat up taking another sip of his wine and was not remotely surprised when he looked up to find Mab had appeared and was currently standing with her back to him staring into the fire.
'Perhaps you would like me to take you to your chambers?' the Queen rasped.
Merlin got to his feet and slowly walked over to the fire standing beside her he watched from the corner of his eye as the flames glowed against her fair skin.
'I remember where they are, what game are you playing Mab?' he demanded watching for some flicker of understanding.
'You have not been listening Merlin.' she rasped snapping round to him her eyes narrowed in anger. 'I am not playing a game I am fighting for people!' she tried again to make this sink into the wizard's seemingly thick skull. 'I need you to continue your studies to be the greatest wizard this world has ever seen. I will train you myself.' she explained. 'Then you will be fit to take control of the kingdom and Nimue will be your Queen.' she smiled triumphantly.
Merlin listened to her as she told him how she had planned things to be but these were not the choices he had made, he had made an oath. An oath to only use his powers to defeat Queen Mab to avenge his mother and Ambrosia.
'It is you who has not been listening.' he said in a dangerously low voice taking a step closer to her Mab stood her ground.
'I dont care if you die. I dont care if you disappear. I dont care about you at all. I will not help you.' he growled staring into her eyes for a moment he thought his words had hit home. Then she gave him a beautiful smirk she tilted her head and leant in even further to him her lips almost touching his as she whispered back.
'Ah but I dont think Nimue would be very happy if she heard you say that.' she was so close he could smell the wild flower scent in her hair, he could feel her breath on his skin. He wondered if it would be possible to reach up and squeeze her lilly white throat till death took her.
However before he could spend a second longer on that thought she had moved away from him returning to the table and sitting down. She gestured to the chair by her side.
'What have you done to her?' Merlin demanded staring down at the witch.
Mab sat with her back straight looking perfectly relaxed her arms draped over the chair.
'I havent done anything, I freed her from the shackles of humanity and that vulgarian Vortigern some people are capable of appreciating my kindness.' she quipped.
Merlin snorted and rolled his eyes at her words as he folded his arms refusing her gesture to sit by her side.
'I thought you favoured Vortigern?' he asked ignoring her others remarks. 'He isnt Christian.'
The Queen smiled brightly and leant forwards.
'Very good Merlin.' she spoke as though praising a child who had said his first word. 'I would prefer Vortigern to be on the throne than Uther, but Vortigern doesnt believe in anything he is no friend to the old ways. I would rather see you on throne.'
Merlin remained with the same unimpressed look on his face as she spoke.
'Im flattered.' he replied sarcastically. 'But that is your problem not mine and not Nimue's she is innocent Mab.' he decided it was time to try a different tactic. The wizard walked over to the Queen and knelt down by her chair Mab watched with a raised eye brow.
'You once told me you had nothing to do with what happened to my mother and Ambrosia. Prove it, prove you truly mean me no harm and let Nimue go. I am begging.' he stared into her wolf like eyes perhaps trying to find some sort of humanity but found none.
'I am not holding Nimue here, she likes my company. Once you have saved our people you and Nimue will be free to live a long and happy life together.' she told him matter of factly.
Anger shot through Merlin and he made to live his fantasy of squeezing the life from her when she vanished in clap of thunder causing the fire to blow out, he released a pent sigh as the extinguished smoke flooded into his nostrils and the cold air replaced the warmth.
Mab reappeared in her inner sanctum she picked up a crystal staring into it then dashed it angrily on the floor causing it to shatter. Why must he be such a stubborn creature!
'He'll come round, in the end.' Nimue spoke from the corner of the room, Mab's eyes darted towards her in surprise she hadnt sensed the girl at all. 'I mean I assume you're adding to a certain gnomes workload is because of Merlin.' she smiled softly and slowly walked across the broken crystals to her mistress. Her feet were bare and cut on the pieces but she didn't seemed to mind the pain at all.
'He hates me, it will be up to you, Nimue. You must make him see.' Mab rasped watching her.
Nimue shook her head smiling warmly.
'Of course he doesnt hate you my Queen, he is grateful to you for protecting me from those christian's.' she hissed the word in disgust. 'But he is also male and half human if I have remembered what you told me correctly. It's in his nature to be difficult.' she explained. 'All men are.' she could only ever look at Mab with adoration.
Frik kept his hand over his mouth trying not to drunkenly hiccup his shirt was half off and he wobbled from side to side as spied on the two through a crack in the door. Despite his inebriation he could see what happened clear as day. Nimue was giving Mab counsel and the Queen actually seemed to be listening. She wasnt being thrown against the wall or anything, Frik felt enraged after all his years of loyal service Mab would rather seek advice from a silly human girl.
He stumbled away in anger not wanting to watch a second more of the treachery.
Mab nodded slowly in agreement with Nimue after all in the case of humanity Nimue had a rare insight that Mab found completely foreign.
'I will help him see my Queen.' she promised. 'No matter what.'
'Over worked and underpaid!I dont, I dont even remember when I started working for her you know? Countless years, countless! Of serving her loyally should have ran off with Ambrosia, "followed my own art!" yes that's what I should have done. Clean that up Frik! If I want your advice I'll advice I'll ask for it Frik! You've been my loyal servant since the beginning of time but why dont I ask the silly human her opinion instead! Well Frik is sick of it!' The gnome ranted to himself as he rattled around the lower caverns the gnome eventually curled up beside a cold rock and nodded off into a drunken sleep. It wasnt till glimmering light begun attacking his closed eyes did he finally wake up. Groaning in pain he rubbed his sleep filled eyes blearily looking around his memories of the previous night returned.
'Hello Frik.' a serene voice spoke causing the gnome to jump looking up at the light he saw the Lady of the Lake floating above him.
'My lady.' the gnome greeted politely and pulled himself to his feet as quick as he could.
'How may I be of service to you?' he brushed down his messy clothing trying to look as respectable as he possibly could.
'I am worried Frik my sister Mab is up to her old tricks again meddling in things which she shouldnt.' her voice echoed through the damp cavern.
Frik frowned. 'This is hardly news, besides it would hardly do for me to work against my employer madam.' he pointed out.
'We must stop her Frik before she uses the girl to corrupt Merlin too. She is a terrible employer I heard you speak of your grievances it brought me such sadness to hear how unhappy you were.' she floated closer to him. Frik took a step back yet was clearly touched by her concern.
'I...thank you madam.' he said gratefully. 'But I still cant work against Queen Mab where would that leave me?' he pointed out the difficulty of his position.
The Lady smiled as she continued to float around in her glowing light before him.
'You could join me in the Lake after we set Merlin and the princess free, I would see that you had a comfortable and deserving life befitting a courageous hero.' she slowly swam around him.
Frik was enchanted by the offer a life of comfort and the respect he deserved not to mention the beautiful mermaids which he knew lived in the lake The gnomes greed had him changing sides almost instantly.
'Tell me what I need to do.'
Merlin had returned to his chambers looking around it was almost creepy it seemed Mab had not changed a single thing since he had left. Kicking off his boots and taking of his raven feathered cloak he climbed into bed and eventually managed to doze off. Morning made it's way soon enough not that one could tell in the Land of Magick the light always remained the same unchanging glow. Merlin was awoken by gentle fingers stroking his brow he slowly opened his eyes and caught a glimpse of the purple gown. He jumped up quickly slapping the hand away believing it to Mab but after rubbing his eyes he saw a sheepish looking Nimue.
'Im sorry I didnt mean to frighten you, you look so peaceful when you sleep.' her pale skin managed to go a rosey pink colour.
Merlin groggily stretched and managed a faint smile. 'No need to apologise you just caught me by surprise. How are you this morning?' he asked politely.
Nimue flashed him a smile and crawled up onto the bed. 'Much better than you by the looks of things, you dont look like you have slept well. I thought the luxury would have been a grand change since your stay in Vortigern's cells.' she twisted herself round so she could sit before him.
Merlin frowned gloomily. 'Ive moved from one cell, to another the furnishings may have improved but my captor has worsened.'
Nimue listened to his words and her eyes widened then narrowed. 'That's enough! Have you any idea how much you hurt your mother when you say things like that?' she asked angrily.
Merlin's expression changed to a smile and he laughed. 'Hurt? Mab? She doesnt have a heart to hurt and Ive had two mother's in my life Mab was not one of them.'
Nimue growled in exasperation it was like trying to speak to a brick wall, the young woman jumped back up off the bed and pacing the room.
'It would appear we share very different opinions about Queen Mab, I would like with time to be able to change your mind. Give her a chance for me?' she squeezed his arm her wide violet eyes staring into his.
Merlin sighed sadly what had Mab done to his beautiful Nimue?
'I will try.' he offered not sure if he maybe could learn to forgive the goddess.
Nimue beamed with delight and flung her arms around him hugging him tightly, this brought a smile to the wizards lips the feel of her in his arms.
'Get dressed I've something I want to show you.' she ran from the room without further word.
Merlin had to admit to himself as concerned as he was about what the Queen had done, he was also relieved to see Nimue so happy and full of life. Perhaps she truly was better here and she had made the decision to go with Mab so she could find her way back to him. He got up, washed and dressed then left to find Nimue, he felt her hands cover his eyes and smiled warmly.
'Guess who.' she whispered with a grin against his ear.
Merlin laughed and put his hands over hers giving them a squeeze. 'Mmm is it Frik?' he replied with a smirk.
Nimue gasped in mock horror removing her hands. 'Why how very dare you sir!' she touched her pale chest.
'Id recognise your fair hands anywhere.' he took her hands pressing kisses to them causing her to smile sweetly. 'Where is it you wanted to take me?'
Nimue's violet eyes glistened brightly she tapped her nose and grabbed his hand running off and dragging him behind her. They made their way through the land of magick it was filled with life yet empty at same time, it was closed suffocating yet the vibrant taste of magick made it freeing. Merlin followed her until they came to a great maze which she proceeded to draw him through. 'Where are we going?' he tried again.
Nimue spun backwards into his arms she leant up and whispered against his lips. 'Close your eyes.' Merlin watched her closely and did as he was told. 'Now find me.' she whispered against his ear but when he opened his eyes she was completely gone.
The wizard couldnt help but grin curiously. 'Nimue?' he called out and begun walking through the maze. 'Nimue!' he called out again beginning to run a little bit. There was no reply he was beginning to think she had left him when without warning she slammed into his body knocking him to the ground.
Nimue winced then begun laughing. 'Did I scare you?' she grinned brightly. Merlin groaned in pain then begun laughing along with her he sat up dusting off his shirt sleeves.
Nimue got to her feet and held out a hand to help him up he took it gratefully. 'What's this?' he queried nodding over at a large space in the maze. There was a blanket laying across the ground with a basket it on it.
'It's a picnic.' Nimue smirked. 'I just I thought we could spend some time together without Mab or Frik I have missed you terribly all these years.' she admitted sadly.
Merlin leant over pressing a kiss the top of her head gently. 'Im here now.' he ran his fingers through her inky black locks. 'We should eat.' he walked over with her and they knelt down on the blanket opening up the basket. Nimue removed the different fruits and cheese with a loaf of bread as Merlin popped open the wine cork and poured it into the glasses.