Thank you as always for reading. Hope you like it.
AndreKl: Hope you like the pay-off.
The simmering energy that filled the overgrown clearing began to build. Slowly at first then suddenly like a fire bursting to life. Fear that she would not be able to control, guild this excess, leftover magic to do what she wished it to began to clod her mind. The fact that there would be this much magic here, that she could potential use was a surprise to Morgana, but a pleasant one. In a low deep voice the witch spoke words not heard in this place for decades. Feeling a little more confident she began to take real control and began to carry out the ritual she had come her to perform.
One again sitting hunched over on his bed, Merlin read the scroll over for the third time. Some parts he could read easily, others he could only make out a word or two. He was able however to get the basics of the ritual the scroll was meant to instruct on. The high priestesses of the triple goddess performed rituals the required them to link their magic. Combining it to achieve things they could not do alone. They were stronger together. Knowing how formidable a single high priestess was Merlin was glad he had not had to face them as the united group they had once been. Each time he read it all over again, a feeling of sadness began to grow in his gut. Such unity, and community gone. Washed away by one mans hate and fear. With a deep sadness the ritual he was reading about became clear. A ritual called Binding.
If the high priestesses could combine their magic, then they had to trust each other fully. Because letting your magic be in even a small way be controlled by another, left you in turn vulnerable to them. Having access to that kind of power could also be a powerful draw for some. Though there was deep trust and loyalty between the priestesses, there was still the need to protect ones self. Thus binding was developed. It was a ritual that was only ever used a handful of times. As a very last resort.
Binding, bound the induvial that it was being performed on from accessing their magic. It was impossible to permanently or fully stop a person with magic from using it, but binding was the closest you could get to it. The bracelet that Morgana had been forced to wear when she returned to Camelot was the closest thing others with magic came to finding a way to do the same thing.
Years ago, during the year she spent with her sister recovering from Merlin killing her, Morgana had came across almost the exact same scroll that Merlin was reading now. She had read it with little interest at the time. What was the point in learning how to bind someone's magic when there was so few left. If anything she wished there was a ritual that let you help people with the possibility of magic, reach that potential. Now she was just glad that she could remember it.
She was taking a huge risk. Doing this would alert Nimueh to her location. It would bring the fellow priestesses wrath down further upon herself. There was also guarantee that the binding would work. She was just one, when it took many to perform effectively. All that could come from this was to antagonize someone that had already wanted her dead. What worse could Nimueh do to her.
The words she spoke became lower and lower till they drifted into nothing. The magic energy began to ebb away, until she could only feel it like the air on her skin. The cold air helped her steady her sensitive nerves. There was no way of knowing if she had succeeded in her goal. Not unless she sought Nimueh out. There didn't seem to be any point in doing that. Nimueh would no doubt make herself know when she wanted to.
Not knowing what she should do now, Morgana took a minute to look more closely at the alter before her, which she had placed her hands upon as she tried to perform the ritual. It was hard to make out with all of the cracks that had marked the alter over the years, but it was covered in numerous carvings. Symbols that would be clearly understood if they had not been so worn down. Slowly Morgana began to move around the alter, pulling away more vines and leafs as she did. Bringing more of the alter into the light. The ruins and symbols began to make sense to her the move she uncovered them. They spoke of unity and sisterhood. Of the power of their united magic, and warned to not be consumed by it.
So engrossed in the past coming to life before Her Morgana didn't notice a figure moving nearer.
Needing to get back to his work, Merlin hide the scroll under his bed and left his room. Making his was quickly to the laundry to collect Arthurs clean clothe, then to the king's chambers to put them back where they belonged. While he did this he thought over the ritual that he had just read about. It could be helpful, but he didn't know how it would be possible with only one high prestresses performing the ritual. He could help, but the scroll didn't say if others with magic other than high priestesses could perform it. He and Morgana may not be strong enough to perform it themselves. He was also unsure how effective it would be. Surly Nimueh would know what they had done if they tried. He doubted they could truly bind her magic, but maybe they could at least weaken her. That might be enough to give then an advantage.
The warlock's mind still raced with possibilities as he pushed the door to Arthur's chambers open with his back. His hand full of freshly cleaned clothes. Turning round once he entered the room he saw Arthur standing at the large table in the center of the door pulling a small pack. A look of confusion and worry worked its way across Merlin's face.
Not wanting to have to explain himself, be talked out of what he had decided to do, Arthur spoke first before Merlin could as the many questions that now filled is head.
"I'm going to look for Morgana." The king said firmly. Making it clear he was not going to be swayed.
Merlin franticly tried to think what he should do for the best. Should he lead Arthur subtly to where Morgana was or should be lead him the other way. What Arthur be swayed by his suggestions on the direction they should go. He seemed to not be in the mood for any input from anyone right now. He could maybe tell Morgana that Arthur was looking for her. Let her decide if she wanted to be found. Most likely she wouldn't. So maybe he should make sure Arthur found her. They need to talk. Arthur also stood more chance than anyone to get her to return to Camelot. It wasn't entirely fair to ambush her like that, but he didn't feel right leaving her on her own.
Arthur picked up the pack and moved o leave. Merlin had to act now.
"Okay...I'll get-"
"I'm going alone Merlin."
It took a few seconds for the words to sink in. He had just expected he would be going with Arthur. It was far to dangerous for the king to just leave on his own. With no clear plan where he was going. Not when there was a powerful enemy out there somewhere, who could pick anytime to make their next move.
"What." Was all he was able to get out as Arthur moved passed him.
Arthur's shoulders deflated as he stopped and slowly turned to face Merlin again. He had hoped to have left before Merlin returned from his lunch. He didn't want to have to try and explain himself. Risk being talked out of this. He had to act now before he changed his mind., before he realized how reckless this was. Gwen had said he should look for Morgana, but she hadn't meant for him to go alone. She would never have meant that.
"I have to go alone. She spoke to me before...maybe if I'm on my own..."
He didn't finish. As he said it out loud he realized how stupid it sounded. Merlin didn't need him to finish to understand. The last time Morgana had spoken to Arthur, she had done so when he was alone. It made sense that he believed he would stand a better chance of finding her if he was along. That was of course if he went in the right direction.
"Where are you going to start looking, do you have any idea where she is." Merlin rushed out, in case Arthur moved to leave again.
Arthur didn't answer right away, but he didn't try and leave Arthur. Trying to be subtle as he could Merlin took the chance to gently guide Arthur.
"If she was held in the north, I think she would want to get as far away as possible from there. Maybe South."
Arthur still didn't answer, but he gave a small nod. Seemingly agreeing with what Merlin suggested. Then he turned and walked on.
Merlin watched him, waited for him to turn the corner and be out of view. Then he quickly ran back in to the room. Dropping the clothes on the bed, then ran back to servants back door of the castle. If Arthur had listened to him he would most likely take the side door and follow around the outer wall to head south. By taking the back exit Merlin hoped he could get ahead of Arthur and be able to follow him form a distance. As much as he did trust Morgana not to try and harm Arthur, there was still another witch that did mean the king harm.
The longer she spent in this forgotten place the calmer Morgana began to feel. There was a tranquil energy here, enhanced most likely by it being abandoned for so long. This feeling of peace and tranquility that she was not used to stopped her from noticing the presence getting closer. Gradually coming trough the dark forest and into the dime light of the clearing. They made no real sound as they drew ever nearer. They where only noticed by Morgana as they finally stepped into the clearing. Hearing a noise behind her, she spun around to face who it was.
From the second she felt someone approaching behind her, Morgana knew who it was. When she was face to face with them it just confirmed to her she was right. She did not recognize them, but she didn't have it.
"Did you really think that would work."
Her cold voice sent a chill down Morgana's spin. For a second she drew back a little, her instinct was to run away as fast as she could. Seeing the smug look on the other priestess, wanting to wipe it, made her stay and stand her ground.
"I think we both know it worked better than either of us expected."
Surprisal Nimueh didn't argue instead with this, just gave a slight shrug. "Maybe so."
Silence feel over the clearing again. Nimueh slowly moved further into the clearing. As she did Morgana instinctively moved back a little. Appearing to have lost all interest in Morgana and their conversation, Nimueh began to reach out to touch the alter. Unlike Morgana she could read all of the carvings, even the ones that had all but warn away. She couldn't remember how many times she had been to this place with her sisters. She could almost hear them. Their low, steady voices joined together. If she tried she could almost see them too. These memories cut deeper than the wind that began to pick up. She missed them so much. All she had ever truly known was her life with the high priestesses. They had been her family, her only family. Taught her everything she knew. Now she was the only one left. The only true one left.
As Morgana carefully watched every move that Nimueh made, she caught the briefest flash, peaking out from the sleeve of the light grey cloak robe that she wore. Her heart skipped a beat. It was her healing bracelet, that her sister had given her, that had once belonged to her mother. Her body wanted to spring forward and snatch it back. That wouldn't work. She had to remain calm. She couldn't show how the very sight of it effected it or any sign or weakness of fear or anger.
"What do you want." Morgana spoke up in a stronger voice than she had expected.
Tearing her eyes form the alter Nimueh locked eyes with the seer. Gradually she began to move around the alter. Morgana in turn did the same, wanting to keep distance between them.
"Don't waste time with questions you already know the answer to."
Her tone was light, playful even. If Morgana didn't know anything else about the women in-front of her then she would believe her to be genuinely warm and amiable. Looking more closely at her as they circled the alter, she saw Nimueh's eyes were cold as ice. There was no warmth or even life there. Her skin while flawless was also frozen. No lines or signs of life had left there mark. How much of this was vanity or just the result of however she had been able to stitch herself back together. Merlin had said that Nimueh's magic was like fire, but she thought ice was accurate.
"Uther is alone, no one would stop you if-"
"You think so small." Nimueh interrupted. "That is why you failed."
"As did you." Morgana bit back. "At least I had the crown on my head, and I'm the one who ridded Camelot of Uther's tyranny."
Nimueh scoffed. "And yet what has changed."
All of this seemed familiar to Morgana but she was on the other side of the conversation. It was normally her that was chastising someone, Merlin mainly for not doing enough. She was normally defending herself when people thought she had gone to far. She was not used to being accused of not going far enough. Knowing how this kind of conversation could go, how long it could drag on for she choice to change tact.
"Why have you tried to kill me." Morgana innocently asked.
Nimueh smiled as she finally stopped circling the alter like a animal circling her pray. "You think we should work together."
"Not know." Morgana snapped. "Not after what you did to Aithusa." She added with a sneer.
Nimueh should no emotion on her unblemished face. Stepping forward she rested both her hands on the alter. "You are Uther's daughter and a poor excuse for a witch, why won't I want you out of the way."
"Uther is not my father." Affirmed
"That is what you want to believe-"
"No." Morgana asserted firmly.
Once again Nimueh gave, what could only be called a shrug. Brushing off the topic of conversation. "Why do you trust Merlin."
"I don't."
"Maybe not fully-"
"I know the ancient prophecy-"
"We all know that." Nimueh once again began to circle the alter, but Morgana stayed standing. She was not going to be moved. "I thought you broke the veil, changed things." She mocked.
Nimueh now stood to Morgana's right. Who only turned her head to face her. "And what have you done. Apart for torture an innocent creature and try and fail to kill me. On that subject, why am I still alive. Why haven't you just killed me."
"You have no idea what I have done. You, Merlin and all of Camelot have no idea what I've done, what is coming." As she Spoke in a low voice just above a whisper, Nimueh circled Morgana, moving to her left side. "You are still alive because I want you to see what is to come. I gave you the chance to work with me. I took pity on you, felt sorry for you. I thought you wanted the same thing I did." Slowly the older witch leaned in a little closer. "To see Camelot burn."
For a reason she didn't understand, Morgana felt a deep sadness gnawing at the pit of her stomach. Tear began to burn her eyes as she fought them back. "not everyone thinks like Uther-"
"They still did nothing to stop him." Nimueh voice rose as she spoke. "They watched as we were burnt and hung in-front of them."
"What could they have done." A single tear slid from Morgana's eye.
Looking closely in the dime light Morgana saw that Nimueh's ice cold eyes had thawed. Shacking her head she tried to fight it back. "It won't change anything."
"It will change everything." Nimueh smiled a faint smile. "This world need to burn, be pulled down. So from the ashes a new one can grow."
"What can grow from that." Morgana gently asked. A part of her wanting to know, hoping it might be better than the world they lived in now.
"Dose it really matter. All that matters is that this world is brought down." As she spoke Nimueh stepped back from Morgana. Trying to show that the younger witch's words had no effect on her.
"Do the druids deserve to be burned away. After all they have suffered."
"I gave them the chance, as I did you."
Utter disbelief spread across Morgana's face. "What chance was that."
"More than one chance." Nimueh warned in a even voice.
"Work with you or be killed. Is not much of a choice."
"Its better than the one we were given. Deny who we are or die."
Morgana couldn't argue with that. It was the truth after all. Harsh as it was. All that Nimueh was saying she herself in a way had said too. This was a conversation she had had many times before. She was just on the other side of it and she didn't like it. It was getting harder and harder to argue against what she felt, knew to be true. The only thing that was keeping her from siding with the women standing in-front of her was what she had done to Aithusa. Not what Nimueh had done to her herself. After all she had found a way to trust, work with Merlin and he had killed her. Nimueh had only tried to. Over and over again.
"It won't work." Morgana finally said defeatedly.
"It already has." Morgana stared her down defiantly, but Nimueh carried on. "Camelot stands on a foundation of fear and hate. It will fall." Again Morgana couldn't argue this. She was sure she had said words almost exactly the same words herself.
"What comes after." Morgana gently tried to press. Hoping to finally get any answers.
Nimueh gave her most flippant shrug as she took a step back from Morgana. "Dose that really matter."
"Yes, its all that matters."
"So moral. Are you not the one that not long ago plotted to kill those that you called friends. All so you could sit on a throne."
"It wasn't like that."
Nimueh's face, as much as it could feel into a grotesque mockery of sympathy. "Of course not. You planed to kill those that cared for and trusted you."
She tried to hide it, but Morgana was hurt by Nimueh's honest words. Seeing this the older priestess took a step back towards her younger sister. Part out of a deep need to hurt Morgana and part out of genuine sympathy. Morgana was after all the last sister she had left. When she had burned the world that had turned its back on her to the ground, then there would never be the chance of having more sisters.
Reaching out with her right hand, the bracelet she had stolen form Morgana clearly on display, Nimueh tucked a stand of hair behind Morgana's ear. Stepping directly into her space. "I so wanted to meet you." Placing her hand on Morgana's shoulder, she could feel the weight of it pressing down on her. "A seer. I had such plans for you." Suddenly she took a step back, so she could get a better look at the seer. "But you gave up. Choice to side with those that hunted and killed your kind."
"No you are the one that kills our kind." Morgana bite back, finding her strength again. Taking a step forward she showed she would not be intimated. "And you have no idea what I'm capable of." Before Nimueh could form a reply, Morgana lifted her right arm and thrust it forward.
Placing a firm hand on Nimueh's head she tried to reach her magic out and into her mind. She would not be able to do this for long. Nimueh would break free quickly. It was also not garneted that this would work. Like the binding, this was a risk. Trying to stay focused Morgana pressed forward. Forcing her magic energy forward like a wave over the fire that was Nimueh's. flashes, feelings of the other women's life played out in front of her. It was all happening so fast nothing was leaving a impact. With Merlin it had been clear, and she was able to take in all that she saw. Remember it, process it. Even the first time, when she thought he was Emrys. It was just the one memory, but it was clear. This was all a constant swirling, spiraling mess of images and feels. It made her stomach churn. How long had Nimueh been alive to have this many memories.
Fighting back nausea Morgana tried to focus on flashes that may be important. She saw the Sarrum, but could only focus on him for a second before the memory was pulled away from her. Then for a second she saw her sister. One of the things that Morgana had wanted an answer to, was what Nimueh had said to her sister. How she had heeled her. There was more important things to concentrate on. She didn't have the time to be distracted. But she couldn't help herself. This was use of magic was not one she had control over, but she tried her best now. To bring back that memory, to know what happened. The longer this went on, the more control she felt she had over it. In-front of her she saw her sister, watched as a hand came up to touch her broken head. Then it washed away like a wave.
The longer it went on, the more Nimueh was able to gain control too. Not as much as Morgana, but she could pull a memory away and push one forward.
A single memory now played out before her. It was someone she knew both very deeply and not at all. Her Mother.
At first it was a dull pain in he lower back, but it grow. Until it was all that Morgana could focus on. Gradually it became clear that it was not part of a memory, it was real. Eventually she could fight it no longer and she had to let Nimueh go.
The world around her came back into focus. She could see Nimueh's smug face. The pain was greater now, it really was real. Cautiously Morgana turned her head to face the person that had stabbed her in the back. A sob wanted to escape her mouth as she came face to face with them. A look of utter betrayal in her eyes as she looked into their ashamed one.
Hope you liked it. As always any feedback, advice or ideas are very much welcome. Hope to hear form you.