Nimueh couldn't believe her luck. The room was so nice and she had absolutely no intention of sleeping. In fact, she just wanted to start her plans. The sooner that the Pendragons were gone, the better. She didn't think that she'd be able to cope with a besotted Arthur for much longer. Even though Arthur wasn't destined to die by her hand, she may just have to do something about it. If he made eyes at her just one more time, just once more then… Well, perhaps she was over reacting slightly, but even so, it was getting rather annoying now. She wondered just how Alethea managed to cope, and she felt a tiny little bit of admiration, but instantly removed it. After all, she was supposed to be destroying Camelot in Alethea's name. Can't go having second thoughts, if they were even second thoughts.
Anyway, she stayed in the room, deciding it best not to go walkabouts just yet. Taking a walk around the room, she stood by the window and looked out at the kingdom that would all too soon be hers. Uther had made a bad enemy of her twenty years ago, and now he would pay. She sat down on the bed and lay back, staring at the ceiling. At some point she must have fallen asleep for when she woke, she found herself staring into a pair of bright blue eyes, much like her own. He had been about to kiss her awake, and Nimueh was somewhat glad that she had decided to open her eyes then. Realising that she wasn't quite ready, she dived behind the wooden screen in the room and quickly got changed for the feast. Taking Arthur's arm, she smiled as she sat beside him.
As the night wore on, Nimueh became more and more bored. There was only so much food a person could eat and wine to drink before they could have no more. In fact, it wasn't the food or drink that was bothering her, it was the talk. She was being asked so many things which she couldn't really answer and she slipped up on quite a few things. She hoped that Arthur was too drunk to notice, but she couldn't be too sure. She was half expecting him to realise that this wasn't the real Alethea sat beside him at any moment, but he didn't, or if he did he didn't show it. This wasn't getting a little too close to comfort though. If Nimueh made just one more slip up then her plan would all fall to pieces. Stifling a yawn, she was glad to see Arthur notice it. On the suggestion of returning to their rooms, Nimueh practically jumped at the chance. Walking down the corridors, she smiled slightly at Arthur as they reached her room. She knew he wouldn't let her go too easily.
"Good night my Prince." she told him, in a way that Alethea may probably have done.
"Sweet dreams my lady." Arthur said, not letting go of her hand. Nimueh rose one eyebrow, bemused as to why he wouldn't let her go.
"Forget something?" she asked as he held her close to him.
"I did as a matter of fact."
"Oh really? What did you forget?"
"A kiss good night." he whispered softly in her ear as their foreheads met. Soon their lips were merged and Nimueh hated each second of the kiss. Breaking away, she headed inside and waited for the Prince to leave. She had something that needed doing and tonight was about the best time to do it. Changing into her other dress which was much easier to move in, she wrapped a cloak around her before sneaking out onto the corridor. Looking both ways she smiled when she found no sign of any guards. Walking quietly down the corridor, she grinned when she heard snoring from Arthur's room. Perfect. She needed complete invisibility for what she was about to do.
She managed to get through the castle unnoticed and found the stables unguarded. Finding a horse, she quickly saddled it before riding out of Camelot towards the forest. Reaching her cave where she usually resided, she tethered the horse outside before stepping in. Everything was how she had left it and so she quickly managed to find what she was looking for. Thinking of where she wanted to go, she quickly muttered some words and when she opened her eyes, found herself in front of a camp. Seeing one of the fires lit, she went towards it.
"…for ages now. Why can't we just attack?" moaned one of the men.
"Because we're waiting for our orders. So far we have had no news to attack."
"I wish they'd hurry up though. It's getting colder now and our supplies are…"
"Hello boys." Nimueh said, back to her original form. The soldiers who had been sat around the fire stood alert. "now now, put those weapons away. I need to see your commanding officer. Which one of you strong men will show me to him?"
After a little scuffle, a young man called Ben ended up taking Nimueh to their leading commander, a Sir Ethelbert.
"Who is this?"
"She wanted to see you Sir."
"Very well. You are dismissed." The young soldier disappeared whilst Nimueh curtsied before the knight. "Now, what did you wish to see me about?"
"I have a proposition for you."
"You? A woman? I hardly think so."
"If you will not take me seriously then I will go elsewhere."
"I suggest you go back to your kitchen."
"I'd be careful of what you're saying. Now, this proposition..."
"What is it?"
"If you help me to attack Camelot then I will give you the lands." Of course, she had absolutely no intention of doing this. If this army managed to help her defeat Camelot then they would have served their purpose and Nimueh would have no need of them. She wanted the lands for herself, so Sir Ethelbert didn't seem to have much of a bright future.
"And why should I attack my neighbours?"
"Because Wessex may just be in need of a few more acres. I heard some of your men. They're itching for a fight. Surely this one battle won't do them any harm."
"What's in it for me?"
"A promotion. You could become King."
"What is in it for you?"
"Revenge." There was silence for a few moments as the knight considered it.
"When do we attack?"
"How long will it take you to get there?"
"About three or four days."
"Then that's when you will attack." They shook hands on the deal and then Nimueh returned to her cave, her resources of magic beginning to weaken. She just had enough to turn herself back into Alethea before it ran out. Untying her horse as dawn began to break, she rode back towards Camelot, praying that no one would see her. Stabling the horse, she got back into her room just moments before the rest of Camelot woke.
Resting for the most of the morning, she turned around from the window at the sound of someone coming in. It was Merlin, and he'd brought her some food. She smiled at him and conversed with him, not being able to hide the malice in her voice when he said he was glad she was back. They made light conversation, but she soon became confused about arguments and books. Perhaps she had bitten off more than she could chew here. After all, Merlin was the person who had spent the most time around Alethea and would definitely spot her mistakes straight away. Speaking of which…
"Alright, enough is enough. Who are you and what have you done to Alethea?"
"Merlin, I am Alethea." She told him, trying to make him believe her. It didn't work. So she didn't quite tell him her name, but waited for him to realise who he was against. Then she sprang her attack.
"And your kindness brought me back. You're Alethea is probably dead by now, or well on her way to death. You sent her straight into my arms and now it will be your fault that Camelot falls." She smiled cruelly at Merlin's look of hurt. He seemed upset at the news of Alethea's death, even though Nimueh hadn't a clue whether she was dead or not at that moment in time. She decided to show him and let the image form in the mirror. Seeing the girl stood limp tied to a tree, Nimueh smirked. Alethea was alive, but to Merlin she would look dead.
"How could you do that? How could you kill her?"
"Quite easily. She got in the way." She laughed as Merlin tried to open the door, which was locked. She wasn't going to let him go now that he knew the truth.
"Do you really think I'll let you go now that you know who I am? You're stupider than you look. I can't let you go telling Arthur now, can I?" With a flick of a finger, she sent the young magician flying back into the wall. It was a shame to have to do that to him, but it was necessary for her plan to work, and hopefully it would remove his memory for a little while.
She moved his body away from the wall and made it look like an accident. He'd fallen over whilst bringing the food in and knocked his head on the table. That was what Nimueh would claim if asked. He had been too close for comfort though. If he could tell who she really was, then what about Arthur? Speaking of which, she decided that it would be best to raise the alarm now and get the physician. It would be what Alethea would do. Running out onto the corridor, she ran straight into Arthur and so she faked a few tears as she held onto him.
"Alethea? What is it?"
"It's…It's Merlin…He… He's took a bad fall…"
"Where?" She pointed to her room. Arthur took a look and sent someone for Gaius before making her sit down. Nimueh did as asked and quickly told him her story just as the physician came in. Not being able to see if Gaius would guess the truth, she got to her feet and headed outside. Arthur followed her, saying soothing words all the way. Nimueh dried her eyes as they walked around the town, somehow ending up in the forest.
It was here that they both sat down and Arthur turned to face her. Nimueh smiled gently as he took her hand. If he guessed her truth now then she knew exactly what she was going to do with him to keep him out of the way.
"I'm sure he'll be alright."
"Hm?"
"Merlin. He'll be right as rain in a few days."
"Yeh…" but that wouldn't matter much. In a few days it would be too late.
"That's not what is really on your mind, is it?"
"I…"
"I understand. You're worrying about home still, aren't you?"
"How did you…"
"I know these things Alethea. Something made you stay here, but you will still be curious as to what you're missing. You'll find out one day."
"When? Because I don't know if I'll want to leave." Arthur smiled slightly.
"You will. I know you will. You're too used to your own life and society and you'd always be an outcast here because of your knowledge. You'd get bored, so how about we make the most of what we've got?"
"But Arthur…"
"Alethea, we both know that this will never last, no matter how much we want it, so why not make the most of it?"
"Alright then."
"So shall we head back to the castle? Check on Merlin?" Nimueh just nodded and took Arthur's hand. Together they walked back to Camelot and visited the physician on their way. Merlin was sleeping peacefully and Gaius told them that the young servant would soon be back on duty. They then went towards Arthur's room and it was here that Nimueh sat on the edge of the bed whilst Arthur searched for something. As they talked though, Nimueh began to grow tired and all too soon fell asleep. Her magic had run dry and there was only so much a human body could take. Closing her eyes, she felt a blanket being thrown over her before she fell into a very deep sleep.
