Hey guys! sorry it took so long, I have a new job which takes over my usual writing hours (at night when i can't sleep.) I also had to re write a couple of things after watching the 3rd series and rethink some ideas.
Anyhoo... enjoy!
A~
Arthur shuddered. He had been told about Nimueh after Merlin had been poisoned. She was a evil sorceress who had tried to kill him and his father on many occasions. Knowing that Elaine was related to her made him extremely wary. There was still a small amount of the trust she had built up with him; but it had shrunk rapidly with her new family member. Surely she wanted him dead; or at the very least his father. Arthur had unconsciously stepped back from Elaine; she, on the other hand, had noticed. She smiled grimly.
"I don't blame you for stepping back," She turned and stared out at the lake. "Unfortunately, you can't change family. Although she tried."
"Tried?" Arthur muttered, his hand had found its way to the hilt of his sword. Elaine nodded, still staring thoughtfully out at the lake.
"Tried to kill me and successfully corrupted our younger sister." She turned back to Arthur. "Thankfully, it didn't work, but her second attempt to get me out the way, did. Any way," she shook her head. "we have no time to reminisce; Merlin is still in danger."
Arthur's head finally caught back up with the situation; he had to trust her to help Merlin. He nodded and stepped hesitantly toward Elaine. She bowed her head gratefully and stepped up to him.
"It takes a lot of courage to face what you fear the most." she stated, extending her hand. Arthur managed to give some semblance of a grin as he prepared to be turned to smoke.
It was a shorter time spent in travel this time around. When the world stopped moving, Arthur carefully opened his eyes and glanced at the scene before him. The Isle was situated in the middle of a lake, with some kind of ruins taking up the majority of the space. It didn't look like it housed the most powerful object created.
"This is it." Elaine stated serenely, looking out at the Isle. She turned to face Arthur. Arthur noticed she looked sad and every year of her real age at that moment. "It would probably be best if you went alone. I cannot step foot on the Isle, but I can hover above as Archimedes." Arthur nodded. It made sense in a way, but he wasn't happy about it.
"Fine. How do I get across?" Arthur asked bluntly. This place made him nervous. Elaine pointed to a small row boat, with no oars. Arthur raised his eyebrows and gave Elaine a look that clearly said 'how is this any help?'
"It will magically glide across." Elaine answered the silent question with a slight grin. Arthur gave a small inclination of his head to show he heard as he made his way to the boat. He turned to ask Elaine a final question, only to see the thick grey coat and her grey streaked hair thicken and thin into a feathery texture. Everything seemed to shrink and meld into itself and in what seemed like no time, the greying owl that was Archimedes fluttered in the space before Arthur. He had to admit; he was impressed.
"I was going to ask you something, but now there is no point." Arthur remarked strolling to the small boat. He stepped inside and glanced nervously, contemplating finding another way to cross. Before he could even put that thought into action the boat began to sail smoothly toward the Isle. Stumbling slightly at the sudden movement, Arthur sat on the bench carefully,glancing up to make sure Archimedes was still there. The owl glided smoothly above, which made Arthur feel slightly better, knowing that there was someone watching over him.
The journey, although only took a matter of minutes, felt like a lifetime. The mist circled around him and seemed to swirl away at the same time. The air around him seemed to vibrate with life, causing the hair on the back of his neck to stand on end. The mist thinned and for the first time Arthur registered his surroundings. The Isle of the Blessed seemed to consist of a single ruined castle, which over time had melded into the Isle, making it difficult to distinguish what was castle and what was not. As he peered to examine the ruins for signs of whoever built it, the boat came to an abrupt stop.
Arthur stood and once again turned his attention to the sky. Archimedes was circling lower now, he could almost feel the golden gaze on his every action. Carefully, he stepped from the boat onto the first of a series of stone steps. Slowly he made his way to the top, his senses on high alert and hand on the hilt of his sword. Arthur glanced around as he moved through the ruined archways and once grand rooms. He couldn't help but be mesmerised by the size and intricacies of the remaining architecture. Only magic could have made this, he never realised that it could make something so beautiful. He hesitated with that thought. Nimueh was beautiful, but evil to the core. Arthur mentally shook himself and continued; ignoring the thoughts of the surroundings.
Approaching an open space with what looked like an altar at one end, a flash of movement caught Arthur's eye. On reflex, he moved silently behind the remains of what might have been a wall. He peered round the broken edge. The movement was cloaked figure, who was moving around in such a way, that Arthur was sure they were looking for something. He was about to step out to confront the stranger, when the fluttering form of Archimedes beat him to it.
"What are you doing here?" came the voice of Elaine as Archimedes swiftly changed. Outrage was written all over her face. "You dare steal from the sacred Isle? The magic here is not a play thing!"
The figure had stopped and turned slowly, dropping the hood of the cloak as they turned. Arthur gasped. The blonde flowing locks and dark eyes were impossible not to recognise.
"I didn't think you would be here." was the only reply Elaine got. "This of course, is the place where the High Priestess was killed." the shock on Elaine's face was clear, but quickly vanished. "And I intend to complete her work. You could help, sister?"
Arthur blanched. Sister? Elaine gave the blonde a look of disdain and a smirk that clearly showed her thoughts on that idea.
"Just because I have magic, does not make me your sister." Elaine sneered. "The high priestess on the other hand, was my sister." The air chilled. "And I say give the person a medal who killed her."
"How can you turn your back on your own kin? We could be free without Uther on the throne."
"And who, exactly, are you, little witch?" The annoyance was clear, if Arthur were the blonde he would have run away in fear at the icy glare and equally icy air surrounding them. "Where were you when 'our kin' turned their backs on me?"
"I am Morguese of Gorlois," came the answer Arthur already knew. Elaine merely cast her a glance of curiosity. "If you won't help me then you are in my way."
A spark of lightning flashed across the heavens. Morguese's eyes glowed gold as she raised her hand toward Elaine; who stood still and looked uninterested. A muttered phrase and fire leapt from the palm of her hand, speeding toward the still Elaine. Quicker than the flash of lightning, Elaine's eyes gleamed and the fire dispersed like steam. Morguese's shock and fear on her face was not a flattering look. Elaine carefully raised her hand, without so much as a word, the ruins behind Morguese began to shake and crumble. Large chunks just missed Morguese by inches; who raised an arm to shield her eyes from the dust as she ducked away from the falling debris. As soon as it had started, it stopped. Morguese lowered her arm and turned round into Elaine, who had moved toward her. She gripped Morguese's arm and gave a last growl of a warning which Arthur just made out.
"I am the Lady Elaine, Priestess of the old ways," Morguese's eyes widened. "if our paths cross again I will not be as lenient again. Leave. Before I change my mind." Elaine gently let go of Morguese's arm but continued to glare. It was a warning that didn't need telling twice, as Morguese immediately fled from Elaine.
Arthur stood still, he realised he hadn't moved at all during the whole thing. Not even a millimetre. Arthur tested moving his arm; nothing. Arthur threw a annoyed glare at Elaine, who shrugged and winked. Arthur felt his limbs release from their constriction.
"I thought it best if you didn't get in the way," Elaine explained. "It wouldn't do well to have someone like that," Elaine's anger flared again, "Seeing you here."
"You seemed in a hurry to defend what is here?" Arthur questioned. "I thought you didn't care for the Old Religion?" The air chilled and Elaine looked outraged, not at Arthur, but the situation.
"The artefacts here are sacred," she fumed, "It would be like someone going into one of your churches and stealing the cross. Although I have turned my back on it, I will not allow this. They are part of something bigger than any of us and deserve respect for their power. A power, that, if misused, is dangerous." Arthur listened. He had been doing a lot of that recently. Elaine clearly had trouble letting go of the religion that betrayed her. He would ask more but time was of the essence.
"Do you know where the cup is?" Arthur asked. Elaine sighed.
"With Nimueh dead," Elaine pondered aloud. "I'm not certain. I imagine that's what she was looking for."
"So you don't know." Arthur concluded. Sadness took over, they weren't going to be able to save Merlin.
"No." Elaine admitted, but her eyes gleamed brightly. " But I can find out."
Once again the air stilled. The world seemed to stop. Elaine gleamed as she once again became the ethereal form in misty silks. The world misted over and, there, by the alter, the murky form of a woman appeared. Nimueh. Arthur shuddered.
"What is this?" Arthur whispered.
"The last moments," Elaine's voice seemed to echo and sing in his ears. "the last time the cup was used."
Nimueh stood. Arms raised to the heavens, a goblet raised as she chanted mythical words.
Arthur could make out the shadow of a person at her feet, but they seemed to be just that. The only figure that had any features, was Nimueh.
An angry cry breaks the High Priestess' concentration. She glances over toward the entrance Arthur had come through. She seemed to smirk as she glided toward the altar.
"Back again so soon, warlock?" she sneered as she gently placed the goblet on the altar.
Arthur glanced to where Nimueh was looking. There was a shadow, nothing more.
"Why can't we see them?" Arthur asked.
"Nimueh was the keeper," Elaine whispered. "It only recognises her. Anyone else will merely be figments and distortions"
The shadow that had just entered spoke in low and distorted tones, as Elaine said, that Arthur could make out, but not recognise the voice behind them.
"What have you done?" came the plea. The figure edging closer.
"You're mother is safe," Nimueh assured the shadow, stalking closer to them. "Isn't that what you wanted?" she seemed to tease.
"Have you killed him?"
"It was his wish." she replied without emotion. The echo of a dry sob reverberated around the ruins.
"I bid my life for Arthur's!" came an angry, no, furious cry.
Arthur flinched. Someone had just sacrificed themselves for him?
… "Not my mother's and not Giaus'"
Giaus? Was the figure lying at the altar Giaus? Arthur was confused. Who was the shadow arguing with Nimueh?
Nimueh's eyes flashed with rage.
"The Old Religion does not care who lives and who dies," she spat back furiously. "Only that the balance of the world is restored." Nimueh calmed herself. "To save a life a life must be taken." she glanced back to the shadow at the altar. "Giaus knew this." The shadow arguing was having none of this.
"It is not the Old Religion that has done this," they retorted, "It is you!"
Arthur could almost feel the crackle of anger flowing between Nimueh and the shadow. He backed the shadow all the way, even if they were a warlock.
Nimueh smirked and gazed at the shadow standing up to her.
"Come now," she began silkily, her voice edged with danger. "We are too valuable to each other to be enemies."
"No!" came a yell, "I share nothing with you!"
"With my help Arthur will become King!" Nimueh stated proudly.
"I will make Arthur King." the shadow assured the witch. "But you will never see that day." they promised. The shadow raised an arm and called out the words needed.
Arthur watched as a beam of shadow made it's way toward Nimueh. As it drew nearer to the only clear figure, the shadowy beam slowly became clearer. Fire.
Nimueh stopped the fire without so much as a word or hesitation. Anger was etched on every feature.
Arthur finally saw some family resemblance. Elaine had that same confident way about her.
Her hand raised and glaring at the shadow, she slowly circled her hand in the air, which crackled with magic.
"You're childish tricks are useless against me," she smirked, "I am a Priestess of the Old Religion"
With one word she sent the blazing fire back to the figure, who dodged out of the way just in time and shadowy rubble fell from the fire's impact zone. As the shadow stumbled to their feet, Nimueh prepared another ball of fire and gracefully strolled closer to her target. "You too are a creature of the Old Religion. You should join me?"
"You think I would join forces with such a selfish and cruel magic?" the shadow retaliated, their words dripping with disdain. "Never." was the brave answer that followed.
Arthur smiled, but knew what was coming. Nimueh would not let this warlock live.
"So be it." Nimueh sighed and released the fire forcefully at the figure, who failed to move out of the way this time and flew through the air landing several feet away. Nimueh strolled over and seemed to contemplate the figure. "Pity. Together we could have ruled the world."
Dry gasps echoed from the figure, as Nimueh turned her back and wandered away with complete disinterest.
Arthur's eyes followed Nimueh as she strolled back to the altar, where the shadow-Giaus was still lying. How does Giaus get out of this? Arthur was certain it was over. And was prepared to return to the real world, when an echo whispered around the ruins.
"You should not have killed my friend." were the cold words; words that held a promise. The shadow stood up from the place where they landed and raised a hand toward the heavens.
Nimueh turned curious at this new development. The wind began to howl and lightning flashed through the air. Nimueh gazed up at the sky with a look of confusion. The shadow slowly lowered their arm to Nimueh and in a flash of the lightening, and a cry of anguish, Nimueh was gone.
Arthur mentally cheered the warlock. The shadows began to dissipate as the shadow ran to the side of the shadow-Giaus and by the time they had reached the altar, they had disappeared.
The world sped up again and Elaine was once again the greying woman in a dusty old coat.
"What happened?" Arthur's curiosity was at an all time high, "How did Giaus survive?" Elaine turned quickly.
"I imagine the balance was restored when my sister died," she stated harshly. Arthur winced at the tone. "A life for a life."
"I'm sorry," Arthur lied. He had hated Nimueh and even though Elaine assured that she had too; Nimueh was still her sister and it seemed it was inadvertently his fault.
"Thank you, what a touching little lie." she replied softly. "I'm not. Nimueh was misusing the role she was placed in. I am glad to know there is a warlock of such strength as to control the very balance itself, who is such a good soul." Ealine explain passionately. "You look on the good sorcery as being the exception, when really it's the other way round."
"The Cup of Life?" Arthur remembered. It must have been the goblet in the memory. Elaine smiled and walked to the altar. When she reached it, she place a hand gently on top and turned toward Arthur.
"Here." she grinned, raising her hand. A light seemed to shiver in the spot just beside her hand, as the light grew it took the shape of a goblet. Arthur looked on in awe.
They had the Cup of Life.