Nimue undid her robe as she entered the marble bathroom the bath was large and square made of shining crystal and marble she dipped a toe into the water which was shimmering on the wall. Slowly she slid in as the steam filled the air she could smell lavender and violets. Closing her eyes she begun to relax and soon the steam completely filled the room completely. After a while Nimue felt hands upon her in her relaxed state she didnt seem to mind but when reality hit her she jumped in fright. Then through the steam she could see two women were also in the bath with her with strange markings across their skin. She recognised one as the small faery who had braided her hair, the fae smiled reassuringly and pressed a light finger to her lips, the other was younger looking with braided red hair. Nimue made to leave looking completely scarlet the women wore scraps of glittering material covering the more intimate parts of their bodies. Yet the fae she recognised stroked her cheek. 'Queen Mab has sent us my lady we did not mean to frighten you.' she spoke Nimue heard her but she did not see her lips move.
Nimue swallowed nervously she didnt like this at all and felt very vulnerable and exposed but nodded not wanting to offend she allowed them to bath her, and wash her hair not recalling another time where she had been subject to such contact. So this was how the feared magickal creatures lived? Nimue couldnt help but think she'd rather be on the side of the old ways the more she relaxed. Feeling one of the fae between her legs she tried to close them feeling uncomfortable once more but the red head carefully slid behind her wrapping her arms around the young princess she pressed a kiss to her shoulder causing it to glitter. Nimue felt disorientated and made no further complaint about how they chose to bath her. Once the ritual was complete she was lead out of the bath water, her skin was dried, rubbed down with scented oils and her hair had a small braid at either side and hung freely down her back with fine jewels woven into it. To her dismay her old dress was gone and the fae had insisted in putting her in a violet gown which though beautiful was a little revealing for Nimue's taste.
The two fae lead Nimue to a full length mirror and she truly did not recognise herself, she was beautiful. The red head and her friend remained unnecessarily arranging her hair but the young woman didnt care. She had never saw herself look this beautiful consumed by her own vanity Nimue could barely tear her eyes away from her own beautiful reflection. It wasnt something a proper woman should do she knew this very well that it would not please god, but god was not here Mab was.
'Ah Lady Nimue.' Frik entered her chambers once the fae had told him she was properly ready.
'Oh my you do look breath taking, Queen Mab will be pleased.' he said happily.
Nimue smiled at him softly as she rubbed her bare arms.
'You are kind.' she slowly approached.
'Queen Mab is in her inner sanctum. She will see you now. Just be careful.' he warned.
Nimue looked confused.
'Be careful? Why?' she didnt understand following him along the darkened stone hallways as little faeries fluttered past them..
'Queen Mab is….in a fragile mood she received some unfortunate news.' he put delicately.
Mab stood staring at her crystals emotionlessly, Merlin's words kept running through her mind again and again. "I dont care if you die and disappear." Mab shuddered and lifted a lock of silky black hair finding some strands of grey in it. She stared at it curiously changing it back with magick when she felt a hand on her forearm she snapped round ready to attack. Seeing Nimue she remained calm she must have let her shields down sometime during her tantrum.
'Nimue.' Mab rasped taking in the new look which the woman held without all the plainery of the human world Nimue was quite beautiful. She would be a suitable mate to lure Merlin with.
'Ah the freedom of the binds of humanity suit you.' Mab smirked but seeing the look in Nimue's eyes she worried yet another plan was about to go to ruin.
'What is wrong?'
Nimue took Mab's hands in hers giving them a light squeeze.
'Your servant, Frik, informed me all was not well. Is there anything I can do?' she asked with concern.
'Did he now?' Mab rasped quietly. Of course Frik had not meant the Queen was in need of comforting what he'd actually meant was dont piss her off if you want to live. Upon realising that Nimue was trying to console her she almost laughed and it was a trial not too.
'No my sweet there is nothing you can do.' she stroked the young woman's hair causing her to smile. 'How are you enjoying my lands?' she rasped.
Nimue smiled brightly at this looking around. 'It's...it's...Ive never saw anything like it, it's more beautiful than I ever dreamed heaven would be. Thank you for bringing me here.' she spun around Mab's inner sanctum her new gown fanning out around her. 'What are these?' she touched the crystals.
'Amethyst.' Mab replied.
'What are they used for?' she queried.
'I use these to store up my power.' she picked up a crystal smirking she passed one to Nimue who took it nervously. She shook, she could feel the magick pulsing from the rock.
'Ow.' Nimue winced cutting her finger on the crystal a piece sunk beneath her flesh she dropped the rock but it didnt fall Mab made it hover into her hand.
'Sorry.' Nimue held her hand and sucked her bleeding finger as Mab placed the crystal in the middle of her inner sanctum and it became attached with a glow.
'It's quite alright.' Mab took her hand and pressed a kiss to her fingertip it healed over.
'But I...' Nimue looked at her hand and watched a dark purple vein slide from her finger tip up her arm and vanish.
Looking at Mab her hair quickly became dark as the nights sky, her skin pale as snow, and her irises changed colour to a light purple.
'I feel strange.' Nimue murmured.
Feeling the room begin to spin she was grateful for Mab taking her in her arms and helping her onto the crystal table she lay down and drifted off into a deep sleep.
'Shhh.' Mab whispered and stroked her hair back from her face, Mab looked over her shoulder watching young Merlin in the crystals continuing on with his life. Oh she would make him break his oath, Nimue would see to that.