Nimue groggily opened her eyes dreams had danced through her head and visions of Mab, Vortigern, her father and that strange frightening creature. As her vision focused she took note of the high purple canopy, silk bed sheets and comfortable pillows. Slowly she got up the room was lit by a fire which crackled away merrily. Nimue saw something in the corner of her eye and jumped as she realised a tiny faerie had been braiding her hair with flowers as she slept. The small creature fluttered back in fear. Regaining her composure a little Nimue observed the creature it was beautiful slowly she out stretched her hand to it. 'It's okay I wont harm you.' she assured.
The faerie fluttered back over to her touching her index finger causing Nimue to smile brightly. 'You did this?' she gestured to one of her braids and the little faerie nodded causing her to laugh. 'Thank you.' she inclined her head. The faerie bowed and fluttered away.
The young woman got out of bed and surveyed the room even though she was a lady she had never been in a room quite like this. She wasnt sure if it was different from any other room she'd been in or if it was the magickal air that was making her so intoxicated. There was a knock at the door and Nimue quickly snapped around.
'Who is there?' she called.
'Only me!' called the voice of the strange creature she had heard earlier. Nimue shrunk back in fright practically pinned to the wall.
'I dont wish to alarm you again my lady but madam has given me orders to tend to your every beck and call. I am nothing to be afraid of.' he offered.
Nimue bit her lip she still felt frightened but she should but she should not judge people by their appearance that would be rude perhaps Frik was a perfectly nice chap underneath his strange features and Mab seemed to approve of him anyway.
'You may come in.' Nimue called unpeeling herself from the wall.
The door opened and Frik came in smiling brightly. 'Ah thats much better than talking with a wooden door. Im sorry for screaming earlier you gave me quite a fright. Why dont we start things over? Im Frik, Queen Mab's serving gnome, her most loyal and trusted employee.' he beamed proudly.
Nimue still felt quite scared of the creature with the goggling eyes but she was beginning to relax. 'I am Nimue, Lord Ardent's daughter.' she greeted courteously.
'Please forgive my rudeness I had never seen a creature like you before.' she explained.
'Oh...Oh! Of course I must have frightened the life out of you, allow me.' he spun round taking the form of a handsome blonde man.
Nimue's eyes widened and she clapped her hand over her mouth, Frik gave a lowly bow. 'At your service my lady.' he said in his most charming voice.
'Oh my!' Nimue grinned in delight. 'Can everyone here do magick?' she asked excitedly all sense of fear leaving her.
'This is the land of magick.' Frik pointed out in his best school teacher voice.
'What about me? Will I be able to do some magick too?' she queried.
'Perhaps.' Frik smiled feeling very important.
Nimue could just imagine the look on her father's face when she turned into a- her heart sank remembering how they had left things.
'Whats wrong?' Frik asked looking concerned.
'Nothing.' Nimue said quietly staring at the ground.
Frik decided it was best to change the subject.
'Madam will be back soon. You should eat something teleporting for the first time can leave one rather drained. Follow me.' he smiled brightly.
Nimue returned the smile half heartedly and followed him down to the great hall to find the table covered in food. She sat down and begun picking away at it and found it did help raise her spirits soon she was gulping down the food and drink even though she'd no memory of being hungry.
'Ive never tasted food like this before!' she exclaimed to Frik who was tackling invisible enemies with his sword as she ate.
'You wouldnt have, humans have no sense at all when it comes to growing food.' he shook his head at the idea. 'If our kind did not help your food to grow you would have all starved centuries ago.'
Nimue frowned slightly at Frik finding him to be rather patronizing at times. She dabbed her mouth politely indicating she was finished. Just then Frik yelped. 'Excuse me madam is calling.' Nimue hadnt heard Mab call for the gnome but shrugged it off as he vanished she'd jumped slightly again she really would have to get used to that. Frik entered Mab's inner sanctum to find her staring into her crystals.
'Madam?' Frik queried. 'Where is Master Merlin?' Mab shot him a death ray glare and threw him against the wall so hard it cracked.
'He's grieving the viper tongued witch.' she rasped.
Frik painfully uncrumpled himself from the floor. 'Ambrosia is dead?' he winced standing up.
Mab didnt answer him instead she concentrated on her crystals as a vision of Merlin appeared knelt before Ambrosia's grave holding a knife.
'I swear on auntie Ambrosia's grave and the grave of my mother I'll only ever use my powers to defeat Queen Mab.' his voice echoed throughout the cave and Mab went into a fit of rage breaking things the likes of which Frik had never seen and it lasted hours.
When she finally calmed down she rounded on Frik who whimpered in fear.
'Where is the girl? Or have you lost her in your incompetence too?!' she rasped angrily. Frik would have liked to point out that it wasnt him who lost Merlin but did not feel brave enough.
'I think she returned to her chambers after she finished eating.' he was met with another hard slap. 'You "think"?! You're stupidity is astounding!' she rasped. 'See that she is bathed and clothed then have her meet me in my chambers.' Mab left the room her long purple robes flooding behind her as she did so she vanished into thin air.
Frik narrowed his eyes and mimicked the Queen behind her back before setting out to complete his tasks.