For this chapter the rating is a little higher coz there's a sex scene so just be aware of that

Chapter Eleven

As Merlin walked more sedately to his bed chamber, he waved his fingers experimentally. A small flame sprang up from the unlit candle in his left hand and he smiled to himself. He had been practicing his magic ever since he had left Mab's dominion. It was good policy to know your enemy and to know their weapons. He sighed. Defeating Mab would not be easy. If he was honest with himself, he knew she was still to powerful.

It was so unfair. She who had nearly seduced him, nearly used him was just too strong. In his flash of anger, Merlin lost control of the flame. Melted wax flicked onto the ground and sheepishly Merlin tried to calm his thoughts. After all, eventually he would find a way. That was why he had enlisted the aid of Nimue and the Lady of the Lake.

Opening his chamber door, he quickly took in the disarray at his work desk perplexedly. Bare weeks ago, King Vortigan had summoned Merlin to his castle and he had been appointed head councillor to the King himself! It had been odd; in a day Merlin had gone from forest exile, to one of the most influential men in the Kingdom. And all on Vortigan's whim.

The last councillor had been executed unceremoniously; leaving behind the yearly tariff's to sort through. Before Merlin had left for Nimue's chamber, they had been sorted out neatly in piles. Now the sheafs of parchment were strewn across the wooden surface. With a grunt of annoyance he noticed that the shutters were open. The wind must have blown the sheets out of order, he though, irritated.

He pointed his hand at the shutters, concentrating hard, grinning as they shut as though of their own accord. Rather than expend himself on magic a second time, he quickly arranged all of his parchments in a pile on his desk. He would sort them out on the morrow.

Shivering a little, he sat on the edge of his bed, longing for the warmth of his sheepskin rugs. He nearly screamed in fright as he felt someone under the covers. In confusion, he threw them back to see the shape of a lithe woman unfold before his startled eyes. Her face was hidden in shadow.

Well, under the circumstances he had the right to go in for a little pomp. With a dramatic flourish, he conjured up a small ball of flame to rest in the palm of his hand. The girl gave a gasp of fright. Perhaps she had been shown to the wrong chamber?

But no, the blonde hair, the wide blue eyes were Nimue's, and she was not lost. Even in the half light Merlin could still see the dewy innocence that lit up her eyes and he was, for some inexplicable reason, relieved.

"Nimue, what are you doing here? If anyone sees you…"

She let out a girlish giggle, "Oh Merlin, what can they do to me now? I am a hostage who has had all of her freedom taken away from her like a bird in a cage. Why shouldn't I have something precious, something God given like love for myself alone?"

Merlin blushed. He was still very much a virgin. "But…but…our argument earlier. I was sure we would never speak again. I came to see you… but you weren't in your chamber."

Nimue smiled gently, "God teaches his followers to be compassionate and forgiving. It behoves me to exercise both for your actions earlier. But I love you Merlin and Love always wins in the end."

Merlin smiled as he removed his garments and slipped beside her naked body into the bed. "Aunty Ambrosia used to say much the same thing. 'Magic has no power over the human heart… not over love.' And she was right."

Nimue shyly stroked his cheek murmuring, '"yes love is very powerful. You have taught me that Merlin." Her lips fluttered against his cheek, his chin, his mouth as Merlin felt himself harden with desire.

And then they were kissing passionately, Nimue's tongue wrapping around his, her nipples erect as he stroked her, nearly insane with desire and passion. Ha, Merlin thought, and I thought Mab had taught me lust. She could learn much from Nimue.

He sighed as Nimue's hands slid between his legs, fondling him till he came wet and sticky. She took his hand and placed it between her thighs, allowing him to afford her the same pleasure. Aunty A had never told him about this! He stopped embarrassed. He didn't know what to do next. What if he hurt Nimue?

Nimue stopped kissing his chest to say, "Whatever is the matter Merlin?" her face crumpled, "Don't… don't you like me… quite enough?"

"No, of course I do. It's just… I've never… I've never…"

Nimue laughed easily, "You'll learn." She began stroking him again till he lay atop her, her breasts cupped in his hands. And she was right, it was easy. She let him in and it was pleasure like he had never known before. Even their sweat seemed romantic.

He fell asleep with his mouth nuzzling between her thighs, head held down by Nimue's hands as her hips thrust against his mouth in orgasmic spasms.

The look on Nimue's face as Merlin slept was an odd one. It could only be described as a look of triumph.

When Merlin woke, it was still dark and he estimated that it was early morning. He rolled away from Nimue gently to get a better glimpse of her face, but without the moonlight to aid him, it was still too dark to see. Instead, he settled for running his hands over her face like a blind man, feeling her features gently. Her soft lips, carved cheeks and lids delicately closed.

He quickly moved his hand back lest he wake her. He gazed at the ceiling, flat upon his back. In moments he was dreaming again. Dreaming of Nimue telling him a story in his forest hut, of her sitting by the fire singing a prayer, of her delighted face at his simple tricks. But instead of Merlin she was listening to, it was Frik, as he transformed himself into a handsome cavalier, complete with swashbuckling sword and now Nimue was Mab and she kicked Frik to the ground, shattering crystals carelessly.

His dream began to fray at the edges; wisping away like fog. This had only happened once before and it had been in Mab's crystal cave. It was the first power given to him and it would be the last to leave him, the Sight had called to him and the Sight never lied.

With a gasp, Merlin opened his eyes once more, to quickly conjure up a flame. The visions never lied and they had told him that the woman he had slept with was not Nimue.

His face was strained and frozen as he looked into the pale, glittering face of Queen Mab. Her full lips were cruel even in sleep; her lids painted the green of envy. In that second, Merlin was terrified. What had Mab done with Nimue? And more importantly, what would she do with him?

As the shock wore off, he gagged. He had slept with not just an incorporeal creature…but…but his own mother and what was worse he had enjoyed every second of her attentions. Why? Why? Why? His mind sounded over and over. Why had he been so arrogant? So smug? So sure of himself? Any man could have seen that they coy girl in his bed had not been Nimue. The truth was… he just hadn't wanted to really see. He had wanted someone to love him.

Fear coursed through him again as he remembered the passionate kisses shared between him and Mab in the crystal cave. He had wanted her then and damn the consequences and he knew, without any need of the Sight, that the second Mab woke he would drown in her eyes all over again.

But even as he thought it, it was too late. Mab's mouth was curving upwards, her eyes fixed on his and even as he tried, he couldn't look away.

"Poor Merlin," a voice sounded in his head, "this time there is no Lady of the Lake to save you."

Apologies for my crappy sex scene. I tried, I really did