Advantage (Nim)

[Jayden Philips]

Keleth watched as the night was young as a slight breeze based through the forest outside of Camelot. There were sightings of bandits near the cave, so Keleth took the pleasure of going on night watch to protect the small village of druids. Everything was clear and smooth in the forest, nothing out of the ordinary. Keleth's mind was calm and he could hear no one coming in the forest.

Keleth stood leaning against a tree as he watched the night sky. The sky was dark but the stars and moon shined as it lit up the sky. Keleth smiled as he enjoyed the full moon that was out, it was such a site to see. A tweak of a branch was heard from a few yards away from him and it had right away caught Keleth's attention. "Who's There?" Keleth shouted out loud trying to figure out who was near the cave.

Tag: Nim
Time: Night time
Timeline: Season 3, after Nimeuh was resurected

(sorry such bad post)

[Deleted]

The night air was crisp but still bearable, and the cloaked figure moving swiftly through the moonlit forest didn’t show any sign of discomfort. Whenever the cloak shifted, caused either by the figure’s determined stride or by a sudden gust of wind, the pale, almost translucent skin of bare arms could be seen, as if the nightly wanderer was more of a ghost than of a living human being. But no ghost roamed the forest outside of Camelot tonight, it was Nimueh Ó Liatháin, the High Priestess of the Old Religion, recently liberated from the land between life and death.

She aimed for the druids hideout, a remote cave deep inside the forest. Her reasons were various, but whatever those reasons for seeking out the druids might be, they all worked towards her everlasting, final goal: The destruction of King Uther and the restoring of the reign of the Old Religion. Her well-nigh death had been a horrendous setback to all plans she might have fostered in her ever-plotting mind, and finally she had come to realise that operating alone was, albeit pleasing and less of a risk for a lone warrior as she liked to be, more prone to fail if certain things had to be considered.

So, to put it short, Nimueh was searching for allies. And she hoped to find them here, although the druids were said to be mostly peaceful. Uther had pursued them enough so that a little coaxing and reasoning might push them in the right direction.
The cave was close now and Nimueh slowed down her pace, wincing as a branch suddenly snapped under her left foot. Great! Talk about losing the element of surprise!
The answer was immediate, some male voice called out into the night, close to her right.

She strained her eyes, and then she saw him, formerly leaning against a tree, now alert. Still, she herself had not been spotted yet, and Nimueh would not be Nimueh if she didn’t like to play a little game first. Enhancing her voice so that it was loud enough to be heard like it came from everywhere at once, but not so loud it would alarm more of the probably sleeping druids she let go a dark chuckle.
"Merry meet, druid. Or at least I am sure it’ll be merry for both of us unless you decide to do something foolish!"

[Jayden Philips]

Keleth heard the voice call out to him but it had sounded like it was from all over. He turned as he tried to pin point where the voice was coming from but he could not find the females voice. "Ava Akee!" Keleth whispered to himself as his eyes turned white and light shinned to the left of him passed a few trees which showed the direction of the voice. Keleth began to walk toward the voice as he listened to what she was saying. Something foolish? Taking a deep breath he could see a figure from a far.

Keleth could only guess this female was a witch of some sort, how esle would she know he was a druid. It was his duty to protect his village from any vistors that could cause any type of damage. Keleth was one of the gifted druids in the camp and most talented beside the leaders in the group who was indeed his own father. "Show yourself! If you don't do anything foolish then, I will not do anything foolish." Keleth shouted out toward the figure that was walking toward him. "What buisness do you have with the druids?"

[Deleted]

A slight gust made Nimueh’s skin on her bare arms prickle. Someone with no sense for magic maybe would have thought it just another gust of wind, but the High Priestess knew better. The man in front of her had used magic, probably a spell to locate her. Oh well, she would not hide herself from this, because it would actually be pointless. She had come here to talk, so she sooner or later had to step out of her hiding anyway. There was a time for games, and there was a time for business.

“As you wish, druid!” Her voice was still enhanced, but now she withdrew that power bit by bit, all the while treading closer, carefully but still in a determined stride. We would soon know who was visiting him tonight, and in such talks it was important to draw lines from the start. She did not come as petitioner, as someone pleading for help, no, she was the one offering something!

As the sorceress and the druid were maybe seperated by only three yards, Nimueh slowly raised both of her naked arms against the sky, closing her hands into fists bit by bit, and therefore drawing power towards her, the power bestowed on her as High Priestess of the Old Religion. Although it was still dark, her figure suddenly seemed to be bathed in moonlight and her whole body radiated pure magical essence.
“I am not known for folly” she said, and although her voice was not loud, it vibrated with the power as well.

Then she raised her right hand again and slowly slid the hood of her cloak back, revealing her face and her braided hair. “I am Nimueh Ó Liatháin, High Priestess of the Old Religion, and I have come to talk to you!”


[Song: Allies (sorry the only recording I could access...)]

[Jayden Philips]

Keleth was watching the female approach him in mere seconds. He could feel much power from this female then it had hit him. She was one of the high priestess of the old religion which ment she was a very powerful witch with magic. Walking a few steps closer Keleth looked at her and nodded, "It's in honor to see the precence of a High Priestess of the Old Religion....What do you have to talk about?" Keleth spoke as he was highly impressed to see her in just a few yard ofs him. Though he kept acting serious as he began the conversation with Nimueh.

(Love the song and sorry for short repley)

[Deleted]

If he was in awe, the druid definitely didn’t show it. He was lucky she planned on getting him and his friends as allies, otherwise she might have been tempted to show him a little lesson. No bow or even kneeling in front of her? Hm… once again, what had happened to the world while she wasn’t looking? Didn’t these people know respect anymore? Of course this was mostly Nimueh’s pride and vanity talking, having imagined a more pompous welcome.

“’A’ High Priestess?” she replied with a sickly sweet voice that belied her annoyance. “The last time I was around there was only one, and that was me!”
The magical world seemed to be even in worse shape than almost two years ago. Could it be some people hadn’t even noticed she was gone? Was the presence of a High Priestess dispensable nowadays?
There was a new generation of sorcerors growing up that didn’t even get a proper teaching, because they had to constantly hide from Uther’s long arm. The druids still had some kind of rough organisation and that was why she had turned to them in the first place, but this… this could be almost considered wild magic!

Wild, untrained, uncontrolled magic was almost as worse as no magic at all! Most of those poor people would probably never know their full potential! A new idea quickly flamed up in Nimueh’s mind, but she forced it away for now. She needed to stay focused!
On the other hand while still being annoyingly unworshipping, this man was straightforward, getting right to the point. Nimueh liked that in people and especially in men, who could be very long-winded often enough.

“Anyway, yes, the reason for my late visit.” She continued because even if her thoughts had been running wild, not much time had actually passed.
“I have come to make you an offer. Hopefully one you will realise you neither can nor will want to refuse!”

[glad you liked it^^]

[Jayden Philips]

Keleth notice what he had spoken had upset the one and true high priestess. He was not scared of her and was not going to fall for her intimidation. He wanted to laugh out loud but he sustained himself to do so. The fact that this high priestess thought so much of her that she could only see herself as the ultimate power made Keleth laugh inside. "I'm sorry High Priestess, there just rumors around in the druid camps. There are said to be another in the midst. But it's all talk so you can't take it for granted." Keleth spoke as he apolgized to the lady since he didn't want to be on her bad side which could get himself killed due to the fact that he could feel the powerful magic run through her entire body.

Keleth focused more as he cut to the chase and told him the reason why she came to him. Offer? What kind of offer would a high priestess want with a druid like himself. She was serious no doubt Keleth thought. Pondering his thoughts he decided to speak, "And what's this offer you speak off that I would not be able to refuse?" Keleth asked the high priestess.

(I was thinking maybe when keleth aggress that she maybe be able to help him in his magic lol)

[Deleted]

Rumors about a new High Priestess? Who on earth could have fabricated such rubbish?! This was ridiculous, outrageous even and definitely something Nimueh would have to investigate! Was there someone rising up to steal her rightful status away? Who could that be? Morgause? Well, she had been the one resurrecting Nimueh in the first place, so why would she do that if she planned on taking her place? Morgana? Oh no, this was even more ridiculous! For all her feisty attitude Morgana was still nothing more than a child, and a spoilt one at that. She might fancy herself High Priestess, but Nimueh doubted she would ever actually plant such rumors.

But for now, she had more important things on her mind, and maybe the druid was also right. Rumors could be just that: rumors!
The druid in front of her lacked the right attitude towards her considerably. Wasn’t there even a glint of amusement in his eyes or was it a trick of the moonlight? Ally or not, if he carried on being so aloof towards her, she would have to teach him a little lesson. Nothing drastic, just a little reminder…

“Before I tell you, might it not be convenient for you to tell me your name? Unless you want me to keep calling you ‘druid’” She shrugged. It was not really her concern, she wasn’t out to make friends. Allies and friends where two entirely different things, but keeping the balance between allies turning into enemies was a challenge. Not that Nimueh didn’t feel up to any challenge thrown her way. Truly, she could manage without the druids. This was simply a test, right?

[Jayden Philips]

Of course it had seem Keleth never had introduced his self to the high priestess. Looking at her he nodded as he knew she was serious about calling himself druid. It wasn't that he was trying to be secretive, he was only acting in a manner guarding his small camp and trying to figure out who was intruding. Anything could happen so he wasn't going to let down his guard but in fact Nimueh did deserve his name if she has an offer for him. "Name is Keleth Silverkin." He spoke toward the female as he crossed his arms waiting to here this offer.

(Ughhh sorry its another short one....i promise ill be better once we begin the discussion lol....im just really tired haha)

[Deleted]

The man before her was seemingly not out for making friends either. His demeanor was all distant and down to earth, and even if she would have liked a little more admiration for her status, she could not help but admire his courage. It took some guts to stand there before a High Priestess and show not the least bit of devotion. And courage was what she needed in an ally. It would not be easy to achieve what she wanted to do: Kill Uther and bring magic back to Camelot for all eternity, best with her as the unquestioned highest authority concerning magical affairs. Oh yes, she would like that!

But before that could happen, a lot needed to be done. She was just getting started.
“Keleth it is then!” Nimueh nodded, also standing there rather nonchalantly, but no arms crossed of course, because that would look so undignified with her womanly figure, just like a little girl pouting and that was the last impression she wanted to give.
“Now, Keleth. Let’s get down to business, because I see you are straightforward like myself. I seek an alliance with you and your friends. I say we join forces against the man we both hate: Uther Pendragon. Once he is gone we can start to bring magic back to Camelot!”

She waited for his reply, not entirely to be called anxious, but definitely tense, though she would never admit that to herself. She still fancied herself to be the master of every situation. That that might be wrong, Nimueh had learned the hard way with almost dying. But this was the past, and she would never understimate Merlin again. If she had any say in this matter though, he would only learn of Uther’s death when it was too late!

[Jayden Philips]

Keleth watched Nimueh as she began to bring up her reason why she was here in the forest. But everything changed, the moment the words of an alliance was spoken, Keleth was indeed interested but he almost wanted her to stop talking as he turned his head to look back to make sure no one was around them. Calming looking at Nimueh he smiled at her, "An Alliance would bring both of us happiness for the future. There is only a few of my friends that are with me but my group will be indeed growing bigger in numbers soon. If the elder druids hear any information about this....well lets just make sure it stays between the two of us!" Keleth spoke to her as he dropped his hands that were crossed his chest. He walked a little closer to Nimueh and smiled as both shared a common interest to bring magic back to camelot. But how was all Keleth could think of. There had to be a thought out plan for anything to work because it seem the pendragons had always luck on their side.

"It is aggreed we shall both be allies. What is your plan to bring back magic?" Keleth nodded to her but then his mood changed as he began to think and wanted to know how this plan would work. Keleth still doesn't trust this Nimueh just the fact she is a high priestest and could back stab him at any given time which ment he was going to have to keep his guard up at all times. He indeed had a advantage over the pendragons due to the fact that he had saved Arthurs life in the forest without knowing he was the prince. Keleth can easily be able to get the trust of arthur if it came down to it he thought.

[Deleted]

It was not like Nimueh to allow anyone too close into her personal space, and so when Keleth treaded closer, the High Priestess would have liked to step back to increase the distance again, but that of course was out of question. It would be considered as weakness, and Nimueh couldn’t afford to be seen as weak by anyone. She wasn’t weak! It was him who would have to step back again, and so she locked Keleth’s gaze in a challenging manner, her eyes still gleaming with the power she had evoked mere minutes ago. Once again, she was seeking allies, not friends, and this druid better learned soon who was still in charge here!

She followed his glance back to the cave and nodded curtly. “I see. Yes, the elders still are much too peaceful for my taste, or maybe even… scared?” She let it sound condescending, shrugging as if she couldn’t think of any reason why anyone should be scared of Uther. The older druids of course had witnessed the Great Purge at first hand, the horrifying scenes still branded into their minds, the fear at that time still omnipresent. But really, so had she and yet she hadn’t given up yet!
“I know very well who I picked to talk to, Keleth Silverkin”, she added ominously. Should he rack his brains about what she knew about him already! It was better to keep a few things to herself, mystery was a better ally sometimes than honesty.

Now they were getting down to the matter, and Nimueh took a little time to think. She didn’t have any accident-proof master plan yet, her ideas were sketchy at best, but one thing was clear. “My first and foremost goal is to kill Uther and let Arthur take up the throne. But if he proves to be a failure like his father he is to be taken care of as well. That remains to be seen. There are multiple ways to kill a king, some sneaky, some obvious. But we might have only one clear chance to do it, so planning is the key.”
She leaned forward with a thin smile on her lips. “You mentioned friends? Can you organise them in some way? A group is always better than lone fighters.”