Almost. Just almost he could have tricked himself that things were normal that he'd had a splendid day with his lover. They had shared food and wine and stories over candle light, Nimue's fascination with the land of magick intrigued Merlin because though once fascinated himself he'd grown bored. Nimue seemed to thrive upon the glitter and wonder. He had told her of his life in the forest and the animals he spoke with, of a baby bird he'd nursed to health then freed. She seemed to like that. Faeries would occasionally flutter round them within the enclosure of the maze just to have a peek at the couple. Nimue would hold out a hand to let them rest upon her finger and Merlin didnt seem to find them nearly as annoying any more. They played games and chased each other around the maze and it seemed so sweet and heavenly. Merlin fell asleep on the blanket with the young woman holding her in his arms this was how it was supposed to be.
Unfortunately things were never that simple and the candles burned to the end of their wicks as the lovers slept. Merlin was awoke by his arm being gently shaken and he slowly opened his eyes to find Frik staring down at him. 'Master Merlin,' he whispered. 'sorry to wake you.' Merlin sat up slowly slipping out of Nimue's sleeping arms. 'What's wrong Frik?' he sat up stretching. Frik glanced at the sleeping woman and then beckoned Merlin to follow him over so as not to wake her up. The gnome darted off into the trees and Merlin followed after stiffly pushing himself up off the ground.
'Have you come with a message from Mab?' Merlin asked in annoyance.
'No master Merlin quite the opposite,' the gnome whispered. 'Im here to warn you about Mab.'
Merlin's sleepy stance seemed to vanished and he drew himself to pay attention.
'Im listening.' he said firmly.
Frik's eyes traveled over to Nimue keeping a watchful gaze.
'You were right master Merlin, Mab has been drugging Nimue she spells the very pillow she sleeps on and I cant live with that on my conscience any longer.' he swallowed.
Merlin sighed and nodded not having expected any different.
'I knew Mab would be committing some trickery but how do I break her hold over Nimue?' he asked the gnome desperately.
Frik reached into his pocket and took out a small phial and held it up at eye level it contained liquid as clear as water.
'This will render Nimue unconscious slip it into her wine tonight I will have the boat ready and take you both to the human world. With time Mab's grasp will ware off on the girl she may even be able to reunite with her father if we move quickly.'
Merlin bit his lip staring at the little potion he did not like the idea of tricking Nimue even if it was for her own good with a sigh he took the phial in his hand.
'I'll make sure she drinks it tonight but what about Mab? She isnt likely to let me just walk out of here with Nimue in my arms.'
Frik nodded.
'Dont worry master Merlin I have a distraction in the wings waiting for her highness, she will be far too busy dealing with other affairs to stop you and the princess.' he gave a knowing smile.
Merlin frowned then pushed the little potion into a pocket of his robes.
'Thank you for this Frik, you are a true friend.' he put a hand on the gnomes shoulder.
Frik was beaming with pride at Merlin's words clearly overjoyed.
'Just doing what any gnome would Master Merlin. You ought to get back to her side before she wakes and questions your activities. I will see you tonight Master Merlin.' Frik vanished.
Merlin gave a sigh and went back to Nimue laying down on the blanket beside her he took her in his arms and she snuggled into him but he did not sleep. His eyes remained open and alert not feeling nearly as content as he had before Frik's appearance. The wizard's mind swam with thoughts of the night to come, and what about after it? How long would it take to break the Queen's curse on his beloved? Nimue lay in his arms sound asleep completely oblivious to all of the thoughts churning in her lovers brain. When she woke Merlin had pretended to sleep and opened his eyes to find her stroking his hair once more. 'You were sound asleep Merlin.' Nimue said in a gentle voice. 'You are more comfortable here than in your chambers in a real bed?' she gave him an amused look then laughed. 'You are strange.' she beamed.
'Perhaps it is sleeping by your side that made it so peaceful?' he suggested absentmindedly.
'Then you shall sleep beside me in my bed tonight.' Nimue declared causing Merlin's eyes to widen.
'I didnt mean...I wasnt trying to..' he stammered over a blush.
Nimue merely laughed at his embarrassment something the girl he once knew wouldnt have done which only made him more focused on completing his mission.
'I know what you meant Merlin, but there is no reason why we should not share a bed, we have waited long enough. Besides the room Mab has given me is terribly large and I get lonely at night.' she tilted her head causing her long ebony locks to cascade.
Merlin smiled with unease he didnt want to bed Nimue not whilst she was under Mab's control it would be wrong but still the invitation would make it easier to slip her the potion.
'Then I would like nothing more than to share a bed with you.' he leaned over kissing the top of her head and she blushed softly.
The walk back towards the marble palace was a quiet one the couple held hands they looked care free and normal there was no sign of what was truly within either's minds. That was the great thing about the land of magick creating illusion was simple. Nimue stopped as they reached the bottom of a marble staircase she looked up them.
'Talk to her Merlin give her a chance.' she took his hands in hers. 'Get to know her you may change your feelings about her when you see who she truly is.' Nimue kissed his cheek then walked off. Merlin sighed he looked up the stairs knowing Mab would be around somewhere best to get it over with he didnt want to give either woman cause for suspicion. He walked up the stairs and closed his eyes to sense where she was he found himself walking to the library.
There she was the cause of all his problems in life sitting by candle light bent over a book. He walked in pushing the door open with a creak she didnt look up.
'Id have thought you'd have read all the books in here a hundred times over by now.' he spoke looking over at her.
Mab smoothed over the page she was reading with a snow white hand her ruby ring glinting in the candle light. 'Yes, does that forbid me from looking at them again?' she tilted her head.
Merlin shook his head with a sigh.
'No it doesnt.' he walked over to her and nodded at the seat. 'May I?' he asked politely obviously finding the situation awkward Mab however seemed to be intrigued.
'Of course Merlin.' she rasped and gestured with her hand.
Merlin sat down beside her but had moved the chair further away from the table than necessary after a moment of him saying nothing Mab went back to reading. Merlin continued to stare at her silently till Mab looked up again.
'Did you come here because you wanted something other than to observe my literary choices?' she looked more than amused by this turn of events. 'Have you had a change of heart my sweet?' she purred leaning closer to him causing him to recoil.
'Nimue suggested I spend some time with you that perhaps it change how I saw you Im fulfilling her wishes.' he answered and Mab saw the Merlin she really knew.
'Ahh I see and you thought watching me read would give you that?' she smirked.
Merlin stood up throwing his hands up.
'Nevermind, forget it.' he stormed out and Mab sat back in her chair in thought.
'Merlin.' she rasped causing the wizard to stop and turn to her.
'I think I can show you something that will explain my situation to you perhaps you will not judge me so harshly if you could see what I am truly up against?' Mab offered.
Merlin reasoning that it wouldnt do him any harm not if Mab wanted to keep Nimue on side nodded in agreement. 'Very well Mab show me.' he clasped his hands.
Mab stood and made her way out of the library and the wizard followed her down to her inner sanctum. The goddess slowly walked around the palely lit room running her fingers over her precious crystals the wizard watched till she picked one up and passed it to him. He took it in his hands regarding her suspiciously. 'Look into it Merlin, see what I have seen.' she rasped her wolf eyes lingering upon him.
Merlin sighed and did as he was told looking into the crystal it flickered before he found himself lost in the vision within. A middle aged woman, a high priestess, exhausted and badly hurt crawled up through the dirt towards an altar stone she propped herself up against another half broken stone. 'Mab! Queen Mab! Queen Mab!' she cried out. Merlin could do nothing they couldnt even see him it was just a memory after all he wasnt even their. He watched as a figure formed out of the rock, Mab, darkly beautiful, powerful and charismatic dressed sleekly in glittering robes.
'Ah Lady, why didnt you come before? Ive followed you all of my life and now it is ending. We are in Hell! You must stop the killing.' the dying woman pleaded.
Mab approached her and crouched down beside her. 'I no longer have the power, Gudrun...too many of my followers have forsaken the Old Ways and become Christian.' she admitted sadly.
The woman looked up at her and though dying and a fierce look in her eyes. 'Fight! Come out of the land of magick and fight for what we once had! Then the people will come back to the Old Ways as if newborn, fight, Lady!' she said with her last strength of determination she held out a bloodstained hand and Mab took it. 'I swear to bring back the Old Ways!' Mab vowed.
'Raise me up, I want to see the sun go down for the last time before I die.' Gudrun said faintly. Mab helped her follower stand upright painfully as it was for her and the two women watched as the sun sunk below the horizon and darkness descended. The vision came to an end and Merlin felt his heart ache for Mab he came face to face with the real goddess who's expression was solemn as he sat the crystal back down.
'If Vortigern attacks Uther now he will have a higher chance of defeating him.' the wizard had said breaking the silence. Mab at this, studied his face when he looked at her. 'Is this one of, your, tricks Merlin? Men do not fight in winter.' Mab rasped trying to suss what he was up too. 'Not a trick. I swear it.' Merlin stated. Mab watched him with narrowed eyes for a moment before speaking. 'Men do not fight in winter.' Mab repeated. 'No, not normally, but if you whispered the idea into Vortigern's head he'd do it and I believe him brute enough to succeed. I've spent time in his company I can assure you he acts before he thinks, he could take out Uther and his men he'd be the one on the throne.' Mab nodded at his words impressed at watching his mind work for something other than her defeat.
The goddess slowly approached him. 'Very well, I whisper to Vortigern to attack Uther in Winter they fight Vortigern wins. That does not help me get any closer to the people I already told you Vortigern doesnt believe in anything.' Merlin folded his arms. 'Yes this is true but those who follow him will need something to believe in. If Vortigern got rid of Uther you would have one less enemy, Vortigern is an ally but he wont stop you from being forgotten. It would buy you time to plan your next move.' Merlin explained. Mab regarded him for a moment before nodding. 'Very well Merlin we will do this your way, my son.' she rasped softly and regarded him with respect for probably the first time since he'd known her before she vanished. A small part of Merlin actually felt guilty that he'd ignited some sort of hope in the queen that he had finally came around to her.