NIMUE P.O.V
I wake up with a weight on my body and see that I am entangled by little arms and with his little head in my heart, I hug my son closer to me.
"Nimue, you've woken up!" says Pym, approaching where I was with the little one. "Gawain told us that the Hiddens took you to Merlin and that they made a ritual conversation of the ancient druids, and that was the only way to talk to Merlin, but he didn't know anything else because you fainted and he brought you back."
"Pym, where are all the others?" I ask, in the cave, because it was just me, her and my little son.
"They're getting something to eat, and getting ready for the day. I stayed here because I was afraid something bad happened to you during your meeting with Merlin," she says, patting my cheek.
"I found out some shocking things and also why my father didn't like me," I say, nudging my son. "Percival, it's time to wake up! We have things to do." But he throws himself on me, still sleeping. Pym had a laugh.
"He's just like you! A little octopus, but I remember food always wakes him up," she compared us in a humorous manner. I laugh with her, but I keep trying to wake the little one.
"Nimue! I'm glad you're awake, Gawain's crazy with worry. I sent him to find you food before he tried to wake you up," Layla says, coming in with a little smile.
"When he brought you in yesterday and put you down, he kept nudging you to see if you woke up until the little one climbed up on you and snuggled up, still asleep, then he stopped and we all went to sleep," she finished.
I smiled, but realised that I do not know her, she is my brother's soulmate and I want to get along with his love.
"Tell us how you met this fool who is our older brother, and in return, we'll tell you all his rotten things." I say, and she opens a smile and agrees. We smiled and waited for her to tell us.
"He told me, you'd try that when you met me. But he knows, I love to know things about him," she said, "We have the same temperament and we're overprotective with the people we love. He also told me that when you were little you would do anything impetuous to play with older people, but when someone stood against one of you... You could destroy the world," she sighed, but continued.
"I am the same! I had a little brother, who was super cautious and behaved, just like Gawain. I, on the other hand, was the fiery one in the family, I made all the jokes with everyone in my tribe, they called me a witch because I had the Hidden beside me. When I was twelve, I went out into the woods, and ended up stopping in the nearest town. I knew that we Feys were discriminated against by humans. I was followed by the king's men and they started throwing stones at me because I didn't give them what they wanted, I was ridiculed by the residents. There he was, the leader of the paladins, he cornered me and told me that I would burn, but I managed to lose him, camouflaging myself on the wall and he did not see me anymore and I ran away. I went back to the woods and when I found my village I had nothing else, only bodies and ashes. I lost all my family, my parents and my brother", she said with tears.
As I could not get out of my position, Pym goes to her and hugs her.
"I am the last of the ash folk, I was angry, for thirteen years I survived in the forest, training so that when the day came, I could avenge my family. Two years ago, I heard a rumor that the resistance was beginning fey, and that they had a leader, who was a warrior with the codename Green Knight, I was very excited that after eleven years of training, I would finally get revenge. In the forest, I followed every lead and found Nemus. They were very surprised that there was a people of the Ashes, still alive. Soon I entered the reconnaissance and attack group. I met Gawain, and we knew we were soul mates. I told him my story, who told me his story, and what he talked about most was the two little sisters, who looked too much like me," she says, explaining her story.
"Wow, Layla! You've been through all this, and you're still alive?" I mean, you're amazed at how much we have in common.
I tell her about our last adventures.
"And so we came here, meeting Gawaine and my Squirrel, and now meeting you."
I felt a move and I looked down, and there was my little Squirrel, with his little blue eyes, looking at me.
"Good morning, my brave warrior!" I say, lifting us up and filling his cheeks with kisses.
"Mom, I'm hungry, and by the noise your stomach is making, you'll eat a whole wolf," he says, laughing.
"Percival, don't you know? Your mother, before you, ate five rabbits, alone!" says Pym, making the little one look at me in amazement.
"Ha ha ha! Very funny, you two! Let's get ready, I have to introduce you to the others," I say, tickling him.
"So this is your son? I didn't know you'd found your soulmate," asks Layla.
"Yes, he's my son, but not from my womb, he was orphaned by his mother at the age of five, so I decided he'd be the mother he needed, but in our attack, he lost his father. Now we're together and he's got a huge family, I haven't found my soulmate yet," I answer.
"The man who is my mother's chosen one, he will have to be chosen by me. I won't let anyone get to her, he has to be the best fighter, he has to like me, he has to know how to cook, hunt and above all, he has to love her," he says, and I feel tears in my eyes, hugging him tight.
"I love you, son!" I say.
"Me too, Mom."
"Son, this is your Aunt Layla. She's Gawain's soulmate. Layla, this is little Squirrel." I present them.
"Are you the Green Knight's soulmate? He's my hero! He saved me in the woods, he can fight with a sword, he can shoot too!" and we laugh at the little guy's enthusiasm.
"I didn't know my nephew, who I had never met until yesterday, was such a fan of me!" says Gawain, entering our entourage, full of food.
"FOOD! Give it to me!" I shout as my little one speaks.
"He called me his nephew!" and with the biggest smile, he jumps into Gawain's lap and we all laugh at his clowning.
"You guys! I'd like to introduce you to the famous Squirrel, he's the most important man in my life." I say.
"But, I've known you longer!" says Gawain with a little pout. "Hey, kid, you stole my job!" and starts tickling the little guy.
"Stop it, Uncle Gawain!" says the little one, laughing.
"We have a very large entourage here to introduce you. This is Dof my soulmate, he's the first man on the Viking crew of the most fearsome ocean captain, Red Spear. Next to him is Guinevere better known as Red Spear, and on his side is his lover Arthur and we also have Arthur Morgana's sister and his girlfriend Celia. Don't worry, they are human, but they are all here because they believe in our cause!" says Pym, using the same presentation she made with Gawain.
"What happened? Nimue, you passed out, didn't wake up when I brought you back. Did the traitor do something to you?" asks Gawain, sitting next to his soulmate.
"He did nothing, we talked and found things, which were hidden by my mother."
"What are they?" says Pym.
"I'll see him in person and discuss the terms." I will not admit that Merlin is my father.
"Are you really going to give up the Sword of Power?" Gawain asks.
"It was her last wish."
"What is this Sword of Power and who will you meet?" asks my curious little son.
"This is a conversation for adults. The one I'm meeting is Merlin." I say to him.
"The Merlin of the stories, that Granny was telling me to sleep?" he asks, surprised.
"He himself, he was Grandma's friend." I answer, controlling myself not to say that Merlin is his grandfather.
"I don't think Leonore knew how the war was going and that sword could help us protect the farms. We find out the Weeping Monk is destroying our food stocks and they burn our valley. We must respond with the same force," says Gawain.
"Green Knight, must we meet the council?" comes a Fey warrior, brunette with haunting eyes. I wouldn't piss her off, because I knew she'd kill me in three seconds, it's Gawain's right hand, Kaze.
"Nimue, you know that on the road you can have a lot of paladins or thieves, I'll go as your guard, meet me on the North Trail, we'll go on horses." continues my brother, being the greatest super protector possible.
"I'm the one who's gonna go with you, Gawain. You're very wrong, if you think you will." Pym says.
"I'm part of the protection team!" says Guinevere.
"We don't need men!" I say.
"Mother, I'm going along! I don't want us to be separated again. I'll be there to save you!" says my little warrior, taking a small knife and making fighting moves.
"I still think one of us should go," says Arthur.
"If you want me to pick an escort, fine... Kaze, it seems my brother, a super-protective idiot, says I need an escort, would you accompany us?" I ask, getting up ready to leave.
"I'll get the horses, one for each!" she says.
"One for me and the little one. Another for Pym, another for Guinevere, Morgana, Celia and Layla, are you coming?" I ask for others.
"I will!" Morgana answers.
"I'll stay Nimue, someone needs to keep an eye on Nemus here." says Layla crossing her arms.
"I'll stay too. I'll be more useful helping the other children." answers Celia.
"Then let's go! We need to go fast and during the day," says Kaze, rushing us.
And we went to get the horses.
Squirrel sat in front of me, I held him in my arms and we left. In the middle of the way, my little one began to tell of his adventure the last few days.
"The last time I rode a horse was when the Crying Monk caught me, I found out he's so boring. I'd talk to him and he wouldn't answer. You'd call me impulsive, I cursed him, I called him ugly and that he was an idiot, and that you'd kill him if he touched a strand of my hair!" I couldn't stand it and laughed too loudly, this little guy learned a lot from Pym.
"Nimue, what happened?" she asks.
"That little brat learned his way of irritating people from you. He just told me his last adventure." I say between laughs. "Tell them!" and all the women were laughing after he finished his story.
"He's really your son, kitten. He'll be a brave warrior!" remarks Red Spear, and I see the little smile. His life dream was to be a warrior, he knows how to shoot arrows and use knives. We continue the path to the ruins.
"Let's go with you," says Kaze, and the others nodded in agreement.
"No! I need to find him and from my mother's memory, I have to hear what he has to say, but it's still unclear if I'm going to hand over the sword. I need to know if we have protection. Squirrel, you come with me!" I announce. "Does anyone have any more advice?"
"The king must stop Carden's attacks, that's the main one, if the king doesn't accept, the answer is no!" says Kaze "Uther must be on our side against the paladins and the Weeping Monk!"
"Hear the Hiddens!" Morgana begins.
"They will guide you, sister!" Pym says.
"One shout and we will attack!" adds Guinevere.
"Thank you!" I get off my horse and help the little one down. We entered the ruins and walked into a small courtyard.
"Mother, it looks like someone's here, look at the things here!" whispers the little one, pointing to the place. I look and there's a staff, and some other stuff.
"Hello, anyone?" I ask, taking Squirrel's hand and walking close to where things are.
"It's like looking at Lenore." says a voice.
"Grandma? Mom seems very..." I cover the little one's mouth.
"Nimue, is this boy your son?" he asks, looking from me to Squirrel.
"I had many questions since we talked, but now that I see you in person, I can't remember any of them." I say, "I adopted him when his mother passed away." And he settles down.
"I see you brought the sword?" he asks.
"She did, but she didn't tell me anything about it," says the little one, answering his question.
I smile at him, before I complete "I always carry it." I'm afraid to say something wrong asI'm meeting my father for the first time. "Did you love her?"
"Yes, she was my soulmate, the only one who could tame me in my 700 years." he laughs, reminding me, and I open a smile.
"How did you two meet? Why did you leave and abandon me? Why did I have to grow up believing that another man was my father?" I rapidly fired questions away, all the ones I have longed to ask him.
"We'd better leave those questions for a timely moment." he responds.
"I didn't wait that long." I say.
"The longer you possess the sword, the more you are in danger! Give it to me and your life will be spared," he says.
"No! My mother won't give it to you! They say you must promise the Feys will be safe. That is the only way to have the sword, even if I don't know what it's for."
"I'm trying to protect you!" he says.
"I've lived 20 years without your protection, don't pretend you care about me." And a voice whispers something I don't understand.
"It seems that the Hidden made a joke in your mind. You found your soulmate on the day of the attack, there in the temple, and now you carry the consequences of that encounter, you have a little one in your womb, and he's growing up fast, and because it wasn't the right time, they took away your memories of the encounter," he says.
"I'm going to have a brother, and my mother has found her soulmate, but the Hidden has taken away the memory. Why?" inquires Squirrel, touching my belly.
I had many symptoms, I remember seeing many pregnant women in my village. I even helped some of them improve their morning sickness. I remembered being very hungry and wanting to eat rabbit and after eating, I ended up having to vomit, I was feeling much more tired than usual, and I realized that my breasts have grown to fit the milk to nourish this little one.
"As I was dumb, I had all the symptoms and didn't pay the slightest attention, I thought it was the stress of the trip," I say, putting my hand on top of the hand of the little one who was in my womb." I don't understand, soulmates should be the perfect match for every Fey, I see my friends and they have their soulmates that complete their being, but with me, the Hiddens took that memory away?" I say with tears.
"Nimue, they've taken away your memories, because they don't think any of you are ready for it. You have more important things to do. Don't be angry, that was the best thing to do," says my father, coming closer. "I want to be a part of your life and my grandchildren. You must have heard many things, that I was a traitor to the Feys because I decided to help human kings." he sighs. "I will show you my life story."
"How?" asks the little one.
"No harm will come to her and your brother, little warrior, I chose this place because Festa e Morei will be able to bring back the memories of my past. Come on, follow me!" and we went towards a smaller patio, there was a bench and several ruins "They died on that bench, embraced. Sit down, Nimue, and you, boy, come with me, those memories are not memories for a child to watch."
"My name isn't boy is Squirrel," he says, with his chest pushed out to make himself be seen intimidating .
"Percival." I say between coughs.
"Okay, you'll hear voices, don't fight them and you'll understand my past with your mother."
I ran away, and halfway there I found your temple, where I passed out in pain, a few days later, your mother found me and realized I had an object inside my chest. I asked her to let me die, but her mother was committed to saving my life, who cut my skin and took the sword from me, when she had just sewn my wound, a wonderful smell came and I knew that she was my soulmate.
It took days for her mother to realize that we were destined and that we loved each other. But when we completed the bond and conceived you, I discovered that many tribes no longer believed in soulmates magic and began to marry the people of the tribes who lived. I found out that your mother was engaged to the son of the head of the Jonah tribe. I was angry, I tried to use my magic to end him, but it didn't work. I tried again, it seemed I had lost my magic, I fought with Leonore to know the location of the sword and she said she had destroyed it, but before, she had seen my past and told me to leave, never to look for it again and disappear from her life. She wanted to end our bond, and she would follow life as it was in her village and marry the son of the tribal chief. But, Nimue, I want to show you everything of my life, I won't hide the part where I was controlled by the sword. That is the bloodiest part of my past. I was the greatest warlock on the face of the earth, I had the shadow kings by my side and with the Feys we killed at once. We had moments that I should have been merciful, but I was not, I killed women, men and children. I thought I was doing right for my people, I wanted revenge.
And I saw all your memories, from the days of battle to your last day with my mother I was afraid. I stood up and took the sword, and pointed it at her chest.
"How can you? Did you kill all these innocents?" I ask. "Squirrel, come on!" and I pull my son behind me.
"I've lived for many years, I've made many mistakes, but before you accuse me, tell me how many have you killed since your mother gave you that sword?" he asks.
"They were murderers, they killed my mother and burned all of my tribe!" I say.
"You're sure your cause is just! I thought so too. Revenge has taken hold of me and will take hold of you, because it is in your blood, my child", he says, and I am infuriated, how can he say that just because I am part of him, I will become him?
"I will not be like you!" I shout.
"But you are! I ask you to let me destroy you, it was my true intention, to melt in the fire fey, where you will never destroy lives again!" he says.
"But what about the safety of our people?" asks Squirrel.
"I swear I will do anything to protect the Feys." he promises.
"I still don't trust you, but, I'm giving you a vote of confidence, only after you've earned our security, I'll give you the sword." I say "But, you invite your daughter and offer her nothing for dinner, she's carrying your grandson!" I play with my newest family discovery.
In a few days I discovered that I have a father, and now that I have found my soulmate and am carrying the fruit of that encounter.
"Oh, my God, I didn't even think of that! I'm sorry, but I can find something for us to eat. Come on!" and take us to an area where there's an orchard, but it looked dead. "What a sad reward."
"What? The most powerful wizard that ever lived, was defeated by dead trees!" I mock him .
"Miss, don't mock me, I'm your father! I may have lost my magic, but I remember some tricks, tell me about your connection with the Hidden." he says.
"My mother is the strongest of all the Feys, she has a very strong connection," says the little one, in joy.
"But I have no control."
"So you need to practice! Wake one of the apple trees?" he says.
"I don't feel like taking lessons."
"With this gift, you could be a formidable sorceress. But you're afraid, and it makes you weak, your mother was the same. You could have been a Shadow Lady, but you decided to be a simple healer."
I get angry and I unleash my powers.
"If you speak ill of my mother again, you will see dangerous magic!" the threat.
"Anger begets its magic!" he says, with a huge smile "I was like that in my youth."
"Very clever!" I say "You used a trick, because you knew I'd respond the same way you did!"
"Yes, Nimue, but I've learned there are others to access the Hiddens, imagine the result you want."
"I told you I can't control it." I say.
"I didn't ask you to control, just create an intention and hand it over to the Hidden ," he says, with a smile, which I always imagined Jonah would give me with pride. But now it was the great Merlin, who was proud of me. "Go ahead!"
"Try, I want to see if the old man knows anything," says my son.
"Old man is your grandfather!" says Merlin.
"But you're my grandfather!" says Squirrel, with a smile, pretending to be innocent.
"You little boy! That's not something you do with my grandfather," he says, laughing and we laugh together.
I close my eyes, and try to connect with the occult, feel them in my thoughts, and send the image of an apple tree full of apples. I open my eyes, I see that not only was the apple tree in bloom and with its fruits, but all the trees are in bloom".
"Look what powerful magic, my dear!" he says with pride.
"I was only thinking of the apple tree!" I speak, with a lip.
"What was the thought that went through your mind before that?" he asks.
"I thought of my family. My mother, you, my children, my brothers, and whoever my soulmate was," I say.
"A powerful memory, and this with your pregnancy, you share your magic with your son, in your womb, and make all the trees on the plantation grow," he says, going towards the trees to pick the fruit.
We had a delicious feast with the delicious apples, pears, plums, peaches, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries. We ate and were resting when I heard horses whinnying.
"Nimue! There are many King Uther's soldiers here!" says Morgana, with the others following her and them with our horses.
"Go! I'll lose them, you're more important! Take the sword! I've known you so little, but I want you to remember that my heart is yours. Daughter to the next!" he says, putting a little kiss on my forehead. "Go."
And we left without looking back.