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Post by mysery on May 27, 2011 8:10:09 GMT -5
The Isle of the Blessed was the only home she'd ever known. And Morgana didn't care to know another. Here, she was happy. With the priestesses and the blood guards. Nimueh had taken her in, raised her as her own and little nine year old Morgana's magic was coming along very nicely. Sitting as she was beside one of the stone tables, Morgana read her book as a small ball of light hovered around her head. The first thing she'd ever mastered and managed to call up at will. She could do other things, but those powers were erratic at best, and the books she read were supposed to help her with that.
Sometimes Morgana found herself curious about her family, about where she had come from, but Nimueh had simply replied that her family had wanted to keep her safe and so had given her to the priestess to look after. She was only now beginning to understand what that meant and why her family had been worried for her. King Uther Pendragon of Camelot. He had all but declared war on those with magic, the priestesses included, and had killed some of the men and women that Morgana had come to know over her short life.
Which was why she disliked him already. He had taken some of her friends from her and made Nimueh sad. She hid it well, and Morgana didn't know the full story, but sometimes she would see the older woman with a sad look in her eyes. That was usually when word reached them that another of their friends had been killed or captured by King Uther. Despite this though, Nimueh still urged Morgana to study as hard as she could and learn to control her magic.
Morgana was thankful for that. If she had to give up her magic, even in her young mind, Morgana knew it would kill her. Magic had become an integral part of who she was. Another reason she disliked Uther Pendragon. He forced them all to pretend and Morgana had never been all that good at pretending games.
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Setting: Isle of the Blessed
Tag: Nimueh Ó Liatháin
Timeline: During Morgana's childhood
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2011 4:42:18 GMT -5
The sun shone brightly over the ancient castle ruins of the Isle of the Blessed, over the hills and slopes, and created a net of glittering crystals on the waters of the lake guarding the last sanctuary of magic, the last stronghold of the Old Religion, and in Nimueh’s eyes took away most of ist usual mysterical gloom. After the island had emerged from the Shadow this morning, it looked so much less magical, but all the more beautiful, and for the moment the High Priestess didn’t really care what she liked better. It was a day to raise someone’s spirits, to lighten up even the eyes of those who had seen too much bloodshed, too much tragedy to not be forever veiled by a haze of sadness, pain and even hatred. This day symbolized hope more than anything, and the people Nimueh guarded under her wings as High Priestess needed hope more than anything in these troubled times.
But there was hope. A bright hope for the future that blossomed right here on this remote magical island. Hope in the shape of a young girl who would one day undoubtedly become a powerful sorceress if not even the next High Priestess. Morgana LeFay was her name, the name everyone knew, but only Nimueh herself knew the whole truth, that truth that turned Morgana from a promising pupil of magic into a deathly weapon come the time. For the name this girl should really have been given was Morgana Pendragon, she was Uther’s secret child. The child of a bloodthirsty tyrant, but also the very same child that could and probably would bring said tyrant’s downfall once she was ready. That was the reason why Nimueh had taken her from her mother’s arms those nine years ago, but not the sole reason. Truth be told, Nimueh had simply been sick of seeing yet another hope ground to dust, another child drowned for nothing but their magical blood that could or could not blossom into a danger to mighty Uther Pendragon. Even in that little worm she had carried towards the safe Isle in her own arms, Nimueh had seen something special, apart from her heritage, and little Morgana confirmed this notion every day.
Over the years, the girl had become something more than just another student of magic for Nimueh, Morgana had turned out to be the daughter the High Priestess had always wished for. A child untainted by the cruelty of the outside world, unused to hide and fear every step she took, living in sweet oblivion (as she of course knew nothing of her family roots, that was too powerful a secret to be revealed without the perfect point in time), viewing magic as the gift it was. In Morgana’s presence the stern face of the High Priestess could be seen to soften quite regularly, and nothing could make her smile so readily and brightly than one of Morgana’s cries of joy when she had mastered yet another little trick. It was an easy thing to say that Morgana could simply be called Nimueh’s heart’s desire.
Walking across the courtyard to reach the area outside the walls, looking over the tiny mole that created a natural harbor, Nimueh found Morgana sitting at one of the stone tables, studying and practising like she should. With a caring smile Nimueh came up behind the girl and lifted a hand to place it on her curly head. “That looks good”, she remarked warmly. “At your age I think my ball of light was only half as bright and beautiful.” Usually Nimueh was not known to talk down her powers, but she had long sinced learned that encouragement was a better mistress than scolding and demanding.
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Post by mysery on May 29, 2011 10:59:36 GMT -5
The study and improving of her magic had become a large task for Morgana, one she undertook with great enthusiasm. When she achieved something, when a spell went right for the first time under her control and she could finally call it at will, she always ran to show Nimueh. Ran to present the newest things she had learned to the woman she thought of has her surrogate mother. Morgana had vague memories of her parents; a delicate, fair woman flanked by a broad, shadowed man, and she knew their names, but other than the little Nimueh had told her, she knew next to nothing else about the family that had given her up.
Not that she wasn't grateful to her parents now that Uther had made it a point to kill most of the children with magic. Morgana would have been killed right along with them if they hadn't saved her. For that she would be eternally thankful.
And the pride of Nimueh, as well as the pride of those unknown parents made Morgana want to learn all she could about magic. To master these powers she had been given from birth. She'd been told she was special, that the power she had was different from most others who knew magic. All Morgana knew was that sometimes she didn't have to speak to make things happen.
The ball floating around her being a key example. No words were needed to summon it.
The light flickered for a moment as Morgana was drawn from her study by the arrival of Nimueh, who laid her hand on her head and praised her. She looked up with a bright smile, taking her attention from the book before her to look at the older woman. "I have been practicing!" she exclaimed proudly, glancing at the ball, which floated down into her hand, which was now outstretched for it to settle into.
It was just a childish thing for Morgana, but it brought her comfort.
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Setting: Isle of the Blessed
Tag: Nimueh Ó Liatháin
Timeline: During Morgana's childhood
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2011 18:49:52 GMT -5
Ah, the sweet innocence in a child’s heart and in a girl at that! Sometimes Nimueh asked herself if that was why only girls were chosen as priestesses, because only their heart could be truly described as pure and ready to be a vessel for the purest entity that was the Great Goddess, Mother of All. Once girls turned into women this innocence was often enough tainted and polluted, but a flicker always remained, even more so if such a woman had been brought up on this island. What Morgana would have to face once older was a world of treachery and hardship, of cruelty and endless struggle in the name of those she cared for. Hadn’t the cause been more important than anything else, Nimueh would have been highly tempted just to keep Morgana away from the world forever. But it could not be, and eventually Nimueh would have to play the temptress herself, being the first to poison Morgana’s heart so she could take up the fight she had been born to.
“So I see”, Nimueh replied with yet another smile as Morgana told her that she had been practising. Then she lowered herself on the bench next to the girl and looked at her expectantly. “As my best student is way ahead of her time, does she maybe want to show me anything else? How are you progressing with the elements?” Mastering the elements was a key profession for every priestess, but it also was a discipline where wheat was seperated from the chaff. Good Priestesses could master two, very good ones maybe even three, if not all equally well but only those born with the rare gift that enabled her to become a High Priestess one day, could ever think of mastering all four. Until now, Morgana’s progress on that field was nothing too remarkable, but Nimueh wouldn’t give up that hope yet. She herself had been a little late in her power development, and she still remembered that time when she had felt like a constant failure to her ever-criticising mother.
“Oh, and by the way, Morgana”, she added, acting in the spur of the moment. “If I see that you’ve done your studies well today, how about you join me on a little adventure to the other side of the Isle? Samhain is drawing near and there is still much to be prepared. I could use an extra hand.”
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Post by mysery on Jun 6, 2011 8:10:04 GMT -5
Morgana's smile never wavered as Nimueh observed her spell. It was only a simple ball of light, something most children on the Isle could do, but that in no way detracted from young Morgana's pride at having accomplished it. Every step was important in her goal of becoming the best she could be. When her adoptive mother sat down, Morgana allowed the ball to float away once more. It wasnt uncommon for it to just bob around her head and sway to and fro when Morgana was absorbed in something like her studies. The globe was almost an unconcious creation now.
The light blinked out suddenly when the High Priestess asked about her progress in learning and mastering the elements and the childs smile faltered. The elements was one area Morgana was still getting a grip on. Yes, she could summon the elements, but it was erratic at best. And sometimes, and Morgana would protest is was a very rare sometimes, she summoned the wrong one. She likened it to calling out for a deer and getting a bear instead. It embarrassed Morgana to have so little control in that area.
Looking down at her lap, she shyly rocked in her seat. "I'm getting better," she said honestly. True, she was, but it seemed slow going so far. "I am!" she added, glancing at Nimueh before returning it to her knees. "Its just... sometimes they dont work quite right. Like, I call on one but the others come instead." She hoped that made sense. The words did to her nine year old mind. Deciding it was probably best if she did as her mother asked and show her, Morgana lifted her hand and held it out. Her eyes fixed intently on her palm, willing the water to bubble up in it so the High Priestess could see it. She concentrated as hard as she could, and she felt the stirring of her magic, but it wasnt water that cropped up. It was a small whirlwind. Gasping at her failure, the wind fizzled out and Morgana looked at Nimueh worriedly. Had she disappointed the older woman?
She didn't get long to contemplate her failure before Nimueh asked for her help. Morgana siezed it with both hands. "Help out with Samhain? I'd love to!" she exclaimed, grinning once more. The joys of a child, being able to bounce from one emotion to the next in a matter of seconds.
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Setting: Isle of the Blessed
Tag: Nimueh Ó Liatháin
Timeline: During Morgana's childhood
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Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2011 7:15:36 GMT -5
Nimueh realized the change in Morgana’s mood and behavior at once when the elements were mentioned. Ah, so she still had difficulties with that? A little disappointing perhaps, but then again the High Priestess should never forget Morgana still was at a tender age. Nine years only and already her progresses on other departments were remarkable. She might just take longer with other magical talents, or she simply would never master them all. A pity that truly would be, but Nimueh had to be careful not to expect too much of the little girl. Just because she wanted Morgana to maybe one day become the next High Priestess didn’t mean she would be. Pressure and too high expectations were never a good teacher. She would demand all Morgan could give, but she would never push her further than what she was actually able to give. After all, her magic should always be regarded as a gift by the girl, not as a tool that needed to be instrumentalized and perfectioned at all costs!
“Maybe you can show me how you do it, and I’ll try to give advice?” she suggested, trying to be as helpful as possible. Providing direction and guidance was as important as giving the future priestesses space to explore and find out more about their powers themselves. As Morgana obliged, Nimueh watched closely, noticing important details in the way Morgana tried to evoke the right element. Her little face was puckered up in concentration and her brows furrowed, a tiny glint of hope in her eyes that was squished immediately when the wrong element answered her call. Nimueh couldn’t surpress a smile. Oh, she knew exactly what was wrong. She herself had had the same problem, and it had not been her mother that had been able to rid her of the fault, it had been a gentle other priestess, understanding little Nimueh’s mindset. Now, grown and experienced, Nimueh wanted to return the favor.
Taking Morgana’s little hand into her own to show that she would not scold her, Nimueh smiled. “Ah yes, wind and water, two elements closer to each other than all others.” She said softly. "It is a good sign that you at least confuse this two and not, say, fire and water who are complete opposites, or air and earth. A little piece of advice, my child.” Nimueh shifted her position to be more comfortable on the hard stone bench, then began. “You show great concentration when calling the elements, which is good, but never call them only with your mind and never force them to come. Instead, invite them. You see, when we practice magic, we have to do it with everything we are, with mind, body and soul. So, try this.” Nimueh lifted her own hand. “Do not only call the element by its name, but imagine it, feel it. Our senses are what enables us to use magic, not our mind. So, if you want to call water to you, imagine what it feels like to have water on your skin, a gentle spring rain perhaps or the feeling you have when you swim.”
While she told Morgana all this, she followed her own advice, able to practice magic and talk at the same time due to her long experience. Just as she had finished her words, a little fountain rose up in her palm, and Nimueh smiled. “Now you try! And when you manage it, I’ll see to it that you have the afternoon off and instead come with me to help me with the preparation of the rites!”
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Post by mysery on Sept 3, 2011 8:02:55 GMT -5
The fact that Nimueh took her hand first and foremost, rather than scold Morgana for what she was trying so desperately to understand and control, immediately put the younger girl at ease. Nimueh was well respected among the people of the Isle and to have tutelage from her was an honour, so Morgana had been told. For her it was slightly more personal. She had come to view Nimueh as the mother she didn't have. When she had been younger, and the confusion over why her parents would abandon her was fresh, Nimueh had taken it upon herself to help Morgana understand that it was because her parents loved her so much that she had been given to the Priestess to raise. Every now and then, she would sit by herself and wonder about her parents out there in the world, but for the most part she was happy that Nimueh was there for her. It was for her love and approval that she worked as hard as she did.
So, Morgana watched, completely rapt, as Nimueh extended her own hand and did with such ease what Morgana herself had just attempted, and failed, to do. The words were taken to heart though. She had to invite the elements to join her, not force them. It made sense. Upon Nimueh's intruction, Morgana nodded and, taking a deep breath, raised her hand once more. This time, she closed her eyes and tried as the older woman had instructed. She imagined the water on her skin, flowing over it like silk and the light pitter patter as though rain were falling. The coolness of its touch and the slight tickle it gave her. She did like water. It was refreshing, calm and serene, yet always unpredictable. It could go anyway it wanted and it couldn't always be contained. That appealed to Morgana.
Without even realising it, the water began to form in her palm. Not like Nimueh's had, a fountain sprouting in her palm, but rather like an orb, the water appeared from nothing and circled around as though caught in an invisible cup until it formed a perfect circle and filled itself. Morgana's eyes opened and then widened when she realised she had done it. She had done it! A huge smile broke over her features, like the waves over rocks did, and she giggled. "I did it!" she exclaimed, even though she knew Nimueh could see it for herself right there. "It worked! The water came!" she added, almost bouncing with her excitement. "Can you see? I did it Nim!"
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Setting: Isle of the Blessed
Tag: Nimueh Ó Liatháin
Timeline: During Morgana's childhood
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2011 10:15:18 GMT -5
Nimueh knew that she probably shouldn’t get so attached to the little girl in front of her, even less as she intended to use her as an almost violent tool in time to come. Morgana was to be raised to think in clear black and white, magic was good and those who wished to destroy it ought to be destroyed themselves. The kindness she was experiencing already did the trick probably, and it also helped that she practically had no memories of her time before she came to the island. This, and magic, was her home, the home she loved. So why did she strive so much to make the white in Morgana’s life brighter still, radiant even? Why did she give her love to this girl, even though she had never thought of be capable to love again? The answer was as complex as the whole conflict that was Nimueh’s purpose of life, but when it came down to it there was this old saying: A child can heal the wounds of time. Morgana, with her blithesome, carefree air of a typical happy child, had become nothing short of Nimueh’s personal therapy.
So now when she watched the girl heed her friendly advice, she tried to keep the bubble of pride that swelled more and more inside her at bay, to keep it from bursting and resulting in too high expectations, but too little away. Once again, Morgana showed her great powers of comprehension, richly developed for a girl her age. Inwardly, Nimueh had readied herself to grant the girl a second and third try, should her instructions not be put to use immediately, but it didn’t even need a second attempt. Wondering, the High Priestess watched Morgana creating a little orb of playful water, coiling around itself in a beautiful dance. What form the element took when evoked was always a slight reflection of the soul calling it, and it showed Morgana’s creative spirit.
The young child’s excitement was contagious, and Nimueh forgot her resolutions to stay distant and returned the radiant smile with a kind one of her own, not even thinking twice about the nickname she had just been given. “Indeed, yes, you did it, Morgana, very good!” she lauded her, reaching out with her hand to move it over the girl’s head. “You have a very quick mind. Now, take to heart what I said and always remember that elements are forces to be reckoned with. If we don’t show them due respect they will simply evade us, or come back to reprimand any disrespect.” But then she chose to dismiss the lecturing part of their conversation for now and come back to the reward she had offered. Morgana really deserved a little break from her studies, she needn’t forget that life wasn’t all about learning and striving to get better. The Samhain rites were a good opportunity to remind yourself that any struggle in life could only get you so far and that you better savored what you had before it got taken away.
“So, then no lessons for you in the afternoon. You really deserve helping me today and I’m sure Taloria will not mind.”
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Post by mysery on Sept 17, 2011 10:02:50 GMT -5
Morgana nodded feverently as Nimueh instructed her to always keep in her mind that which she had been told. One day she hoped to be as talented as Nimueh herself was, and if she practiced, maybe, just maybe she would be. Nimueh was a High Priestess of immense power and standing, but she was also revered and respected by those on the Isle. Morgana couldn't help but admire her. She was a picture of everything the young girl one day hoped to be. Her words were wise, they had to be if they were coming from Nim, and Morgana took them to heart. She was still learning the ways of magic, but magic itself was a living being to Nimueh. A being that had to be respected and understood if one wished to utilise it properly.
Her smile brightened even more when Nimueh confirmed she had achieved the prize she had set out to claim with her demonstration. The water in her hand dissolved, faded away back to whence it had come, and Morgana lowered her hand back into her lap. Her excitement was palapable, easily recognisable, and why shouldn't it be? Helping Nimueh was usually exciting anyway, but Samhain rites were an annual celebration that brought the Isle to life. Being a part of it was incredible, and now she had the chance to actually help out with the preparations for it!
"What will we be doing?" Morgana asked animatedly, as only a child could, trying not to jump around in her excitement. She couldn't wait to tell Taloria that she had gotten to help Nimueh with the preparations for the Samhain rites! "Because I can help you with almost anything! Except maybe heavy lifting, but I can do other stuff!"
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Setting: Isle of the Blessed
Tag: Nimueh Ó Liatháin
Timeline: During Morgana's childhood
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