Temptation At It's Finest [Nimueh]

[Catalina Regalis]

She was there. In the crowd. A large crowd that was filled with whispers that she couldn't quite hear. It was confusing for Catalina as she tried to get through the crowd, her red hood up to cover her hair from the snow that fell from the sky. She felt so cold on the inside, felt as though she was was frozen from within and nothing would ever warm her up. She was numb and she didn't know why. The whispers that had surrounded her as she pushed her way through the crowd changed into near-deafening roars that surely rose above the norm. Despite her discomfort and fear, she could stop her steps, it was as though she was not in control of herself, she had to get to whatever the crowd surrounded. She had to see it.

Her heart seemed to quicken with each step, the heat of flames licking at her skin yet they were nowhere to be seen. What was going on here? Her fear tripled as she finally made it through the crowd. She then saw what awaited her and it nearly caused her to fall to her knees. It was a pyre meant to burn those with magic. No! She wouldn't burn! She had done nothing wrong! She wanted to run, tried to will her legs to do as she commanded but they ignored her and continued walking towards the pyre that had not yet been set alight. Uther stood there, watching her as she walked forward, a look of hatred and disgust crossed his face. He hated her, hated what she was. How could he? She had never hurt a soul.

She wanted to beg, to plead for her life but no words passed from her lips as she continued her death march. "You have been accused of using magic. You are a danger to the realm and are hereby sentenced to death by burning." That was it, no trial, no way of declaring her innocence. She wouldn't lie because she did practice magic but she hadn't done anything wrong, she hadn't! "No!" She screamed as the fire was lit, beckoning her to it, demanding that she accept her fate as it was. It was her destiny to burn... As her mother and father had.

"NO!" She screamed again, jerking herself awake in absolute terror. It had been a nightmare, nothing more. Tears sprang from her eyes as she lay there on her pallet, her heart racing now. The stars still hung in the sky above her as did the lunar sphere above her. Her heart was still racing as it had been in her dream and for a few faint moments, she could still almost feel the flames against her skin. How horrible it would be, burned to death because you were born with a gift that couldn't be understood. It was not a prophetic dream, Catalina knew that, it was because of her fear of suffering the same fate as her parents that led her to have such terrible nightmares.

Figuring that she could hardly fall asleep again, she pushed herself up from her pallet and looked around at the sleeping camp that she was with. It was her home and yet it wasn't, she had no home because of Uther. They continued to move to keep from being caught unawares and thus had no resting place for longer than a few days at best. It was a sad sort of life but Catalina was used to it really, she would rather move with her kin and continue to survive than seek to settle down and be burned for being a druidess. Not something that she wanted to happen to anyone much less herself. Grabbing her cloak, she raised the hood and wandered off from her camp, not too far of course but far enough that she could have some privacy. In her left hand she held a small wooden bowl.

Finding a small stream not far from her encampment, Catalina bent down to scoop up some water before taking a seat on a stump not far from the creak. It was a serene moment for her, she enjoyed the solace of being on her own. A tear fell into the bowl and she had to take a moment to compose herself before she cast the simple spell. "Scéawere." Her eyes hazed with gold before the surface of the water flickered before she saw what she wanted to see, her nightmare playing out for her. She was often told by her Uncle that she could learn from their dreams and she had to face her fear but it was still hard to see even now.

[/size]
-----------------------------------

Tags; Nimueh
Word Count; 782
Lyrics; "It's Not Over" Daughtry
Time-frame; Early Morning – Before ‘The Poisoned Chalice’

[Deleted]

Druids… it was all coming back to the druids. When you were in search of allies with magical abilities you almost certainly had to come back to the druids. In a way they were perfect. Little bands of nomads scattered across the five kingdoms. Easy to trace when you could command the very essence of magic, as magic always left a trace… Most of them had lost family members to Uther’s crazy purgatory, and so they surely hated him. Another bonus. The problem only was, most of them were still peaceful. Peaceful! As if that helped them in any way should Uther ever lay hands on them. That was the worst minus. They were horribly naïve, like children.

There were other’s though. Druids who could be swayed. Who weren’t blinded with pacifism yet. Mostly it was the young ones, the next generation, who had been brought up in fear, who didn’t remember a time other than terror and constantly being on the run. They were asking questions, uncomfortable questions. And that was where Nimueh could tie in with them. She could provide answers their parents or friends would never give in fear of spoiling them, hardening their hearts. Nimueh had no such fears. She had an army to gather, and she would not act gingerly about that.

That was why she was here today, seeking out another druid herd flocking together like sheep, hiding out in the Forest of Balor, doing what druids supposedly did. Being in touch with nature or something similarly pathetic.
She had just approached the place where the group dwelled – invisible for now, you never knew! – when she saw a young girl emerge from the camp, a bowl at her side. Curious, the High Priestess crept closer. There was a distinct air of distress about this girl, even if the day had just begun and scarcely anyone was around who could have upset her. Hmm… that could prove interesting.

Nimueh followed the girl to a little stream where she settled down and worked magic. Nimueh recognized the spell, as she used it herself often enough with her scrying font. Was this girl a seer then? Oh, this could work out fine! But then again, this spell could be used for all kinds of things you wanted the water to show you. Memories, dreams… the list was endless. So maybe not a seer after all, just a girl who tried to relieve her boredom, using a learned spell to create a mirror out of water. But then again, why should she let the opportunity to speak to a youngling alone pass her by, if that had been the reason why she came here?

Creeping closer still so she could now look over the girl’s shoulder, she witnessed a truly ghastly sight, which sent even her hard-boiled guts into a twist. A burning. Yet again. Oh she knew all about them! Had witnessed a few of them herself, had saved on or two people from it herself, had lost her own mother to one without knowing it until it was too late… Seeing this made Nimueh so very angry she couldn’t uphold the illusion of invisibility any longer, but she had wanted to speak up next anyway. It was only a minor glitch.
“Horrid, isn’t?” She spoke softly, though her voice was still trembling with surpressed rage. “Makes you oh so scared and angry. Though of course, a mirror can show many things. Things that were… things that are… and some things… that have not yet come to pass. Which of these were you looking at, my child?”

---

Note: Sorry for the copycatting pun... I simply couldn't resist

[Catalina Regalis]

The nightmare was nothing more than the dark manifestation of what Catalina was certain would someday be her fate. To burn to death as others looked on, indifferent to her screams of pain and death. It was a horrid thought to have and it terrified her to no end but as she peered into the rippling waters that replayed her nightmare to her, she figured that she could either fear it or accept it. Not accept that she would someday burn but rather accept that some things were unable to be changed, such as Uther’s hatred for all things magical and his vindictive need to destroy them all due to his anguish over the loss of his wife. He was a man to be feared and yet to be pitied as well, for he was suffering too but he had no right, regardless of his title, to project his own pain onto others. It wasn’t right nor was it fair. Another tear fell into the waters as she watched her nightmare more intensely. She watched herself walk towards the flames and watched as Uther condemned her to death. Unable to plead or make him see reason, she had continued to walk as though perfectly alright with the sentence despite the inner turmoil she had felt as she neared it.

It ended with her body burning on the pyre, the flames surrounding her, stealing away her life. Lost in the intensity of the nightmare in her bowl, she had not taken notice of the Priestess behind her. Not that she ever believed herself to be truly alone, only a fool would believe such a thing but she hadn’t expected Nimueh to be there. Of course Catalina knew of the Great Nimueh, the powerful Priestess of the Old Religion and a definite enemy of Uther. She had heard many stories of the Witch’s great power and how she used her magic for evil purposes as well. It was for that very reason that Catalina had been warned by Aldriv that she was never to associate with her because she was dangerous and so very different than the peaceful druids. Nimueh wished to revenge against Uther for the crimes against her friends while the druids simply wished to be left alone. As far as the druids were concerned, revenge never made anything right. Death was never the answer.

Also the thought of burning just made her sick anyway. Surely being beheaded had to be more merciful for it was over in an instant while being burned took time and you suffered as it happened.

The young druidess could not help but jump at the sound of the unexpected voice, causing the bowl to slip from her lap and dump onto the ground, the spell ending. For a moment she had thought the voice to be that of her elder sister Samara and was going to ask her why she would sneak up on her like that but upon glancing upwards, she found a dark haired beauty standing there. She should have known that it wasn’t Samara for her sister never had such rage in her voice and this woman did, albeit suppressed but definitely still noticeable. “Makes you oh so scared and angry.” Well it was true that it frightened her deeply but the anger didn’t seem to set in with her. She suppressed that because she felt it was wrong to get angry over things that have happened in the past or things that have not yet happened. Who was this woman? She was so familiar to her and yet she was unsure. She knew magic but she didn’t have the presence of a druid. She had a confidence about her.

It took a while but it finally dawned on her who this woman was as Nimueh asked her question. She stumbled a bit in her wording as she bent down to pick up the overturned bowl off the ground. “I..um…” What was she to do? She had been told not to consort with such a devious and power woman as Nimueh and yet here she was. Why was she there? “It truly is horrid.” She finally found her voice as she rose to her feet to fully regard Nimueh, showing her the respect that she was due. She thought over what Nimueh had said in regards to what a mirror could show, the ‘things that have not yet come to pass’ made her shiver at the possible implications. “I can only hope that the things I saw in my mirror never come to pass.” Her voice was soft and filled with sadness as she looked away for a moment, trying to think on what she could do. Running would be rude and may draw the witch’s wrath upon her, something she did not want. “What can I do the Great Lady Nimueh this eve?” She finally said as she looked back at her.

[/size]

-----------------------------------

Tags; Nimueh
Word Count; 836
Lyrics; "It's Not Over" Daughtry
Time-frame; Early Morning – Before ‘The Poisoned Chalice’

[Deleted]

Nimueh had thought nothing could surprise her any more, but here it was, the biggest surprise in quite a while – and a positive one at that. Right when the druid girl jerked her head around to see who was disturbing her the High Priestess thought she saw something like recognition flame up in the girl’s eyes. Recognition, and a curious mixture of fear and childlike curiosity and fascination. It was enough to make anyone wonder.
Had she been recognized? Just by sight?! When was the last time this had happened? She hadn’t even had to say her name and hope THAT would be thing sparking up at least some recognition. How come this girl knew her? Was her memory porous like a strainer and she had met her before, maybe even done something to her? Or was she simply stumbling upon the only druid community that still held her in some regards? That would be like digging up a gold mine! Though, if that was the case… why the fear?

Trying to hide just how very impressed she was, Nimueh bowed her head in a formal greeting. “Merry meet, child. You seem to have the advantage of me. You know my name and yet I don’t know yours. Would you be so kind as to tell me?”
This girl was truly intriguing. Nimueh had to solve this mystery, and fast. Not being on top of a situation made her uneasy. She had not expected this, and it might well turn out to be a disadvantage after all. Only knowledge was power, not fumbling around in mist.
But Nimueh would not be Nimueh wouldn’t she already think about how to exploit this situation to her advantage. She had not only seen fear in the girl’s eyes, but also curiosity. That could be a good start. Nothing was so promising as curiosity, it made your mind more open to anything new. But first she had to find out what sort of picture the girl had of her in her mind, what she had been told. And sometimes honesty was the best way to gain someone’s trust. Even for a treacherous creature such as this very High Priestess.

“Would you mind if I sit for a while?” she asked and offered a friendly, motherly smile. “What I came here for can wait a little, for now I would like to clear a little haze over my mind. How come you know me? It’s only right and just and I am happy people still know me by sight, but I must admit I am a little surprised.”
Yes, Nimueh could be friendly if the situation asked for it. Every possible ally needed a different approach. Some needed to be shown their place from the beginning, some needed to be lured there, deceived and played against their better knowledge, and then there were those she counted this girl, however her name would be, to: Those who needed to believe that she could be better than her reputation, that she still was a woman with whom you could talk.

[Catalina Regalis]

It was true that not many were knowledgeable enough in the ways of the Old Religion to recognize the powerful High Priestess but Catalina was one of the few that were. Though she could not claim all the credit for herself for it was her Uncle who had placed the image of the beautiful woman in her head. He didn’t wish for her to fall to the temptations of the Witch thus sought to arm the girl with knowledge regarding the High Priestess. However, he didn’t take into account the curiosity that often came with the younger generation, their need for questions to be answered and as well as the fascination that the Old Religion. The druids followed the ways of the Old Religion as well but not like the Priestesses, it was different. The thought of his young niece wanting revenge for what had been done to her parents had never crossed his mind, not once because Catalina was too peaceful and mature for such a thing.

He also knew to tell Catalina about the Witch before she had already approached him, not long ago about joining her bloody cause against the tyrant known as Uther. The man responsible for the deaths of so many innocents, including his sister and brother-in-law had made so many enemies, many of which believed that he deserved to pay in blood for his crimes against those with magic. There was some hard feelings of course, the old man would be lying to himself if he denied feeling anger towards the King but his anger was tempered with understanding that could only come with age. He pitied the King who was so blinded by the loss of his wife that he felt he had to punish magic because of it. Still, war solved nothing and thus he turned Nimueh down on her offer for him and his people to join her. He would not and neither would any of them. They wished to be left alone, not retribution.

Still, despite what her Uncle had said about the great sorceress, she didn’t feel ill at ease around the woman. There was a certain degree of fear within her but that came more out of respect for the woman and her power than actual fear of what she may do to her. Catalina had done nothing wrong against Nimueh so the woman would surely wish no harm on the young druidess and even if she did, surely Catalina would already have been struck down for her power was nothing compared to Nimueh’s. She had caught the woman by surprise in her knowledge of who she was, Catalina could see that despite Nimueh’s effort to hide her surprise. Did people really not know Nimueh by sight? Was the Old Religion really that forgotten? Given that Nimueh did not know her name or at least said she didn’t, Cat figured that it was not her that the woman was looking for. “My name is Catalina.” She said with a smile. Her Uncle had warned her of this woman and so she would tread carefully but she would not be rude. “I apologize for my reaction, you simply startled me.” The serenity of the night had vanished and was instead replaced with a sense of uncertainty. What was Nimueh doing here?

Nimueh spoke again, asking if she could sit for a while. Catalina was not one to be inhospitable and it was not as though she owned the spot. “Of course not.” She arched a brow at the first of Nimueh’s statement, what she had come for? What was that? She was even more curious than she had been before but she wouldn’t ask because it was not her business. Her next question was not a surprise, she asked how Catalina had known her. How was she to explain that she had been warned by her Uncle of the Priestess? Wouldn’t exactly be the nicest way to say that. “My Uncle,” she started, looking at the now empty bowl on her lap. “He is the elder of my people and he told me of you.” Now that didn’t sound too bad…did it? “I’ve heard stories of you and your power and I must admit that I never thought I’d meet you.” It was an honor that was tinged with fear and uncertainty. “May I inquire as to what you are here for? Not that I mind your company but it is unexpected.” ‘And you don’t exactly have a reputation of good deeds’ Cat thought to herself as she smiled at Nimueh.

[/size]
-----------------------------------

Tags; Nimueh
Word Count; 778
Lyrics; "It's Not Over" Daughtry
Time-frame; Early Morning – Before ‘The Poisoned Chalice’

[Deleted]

Catalina… an interesting name. Last time she looked, hadn’t that been a roman MALE name? She thought she remembered someone from the old stories… a traitor of the worst kind, which Nimueh had quite enjoyed. That guy had brought one hell of a turmoil to the roman state if you were to believe the stories. Oh wait, CatIlina had been his name… whatever.
In any way, the name proved not to be the missing link to any story she could connect the girl to, so they had not met before. That was a little relief, if only for her memory. Seems she was not going insane after all. Good to know. So… what was she going to do with this situation? She had approached Catalina out of sheer curiosity, her interests in talking had laid elsewhere. Now she was getting vibes she might not be very welcome here in the first place, being a known face amongst these druids. Picking up the slight hestitation in Catalina’s behaviour had been an easy task to the High Priestess, now she might have to readjust her plans. Why not starting right here?

“Oh, don’t worry, child. It’s me who must apologize!” Nimueh and apologize? Yeah, whatever. It seemed like this encounter would need a very different approach from her usual way of taking things. But where was the harm in it? You could always be generous to the weak and lose none of your majesty and pride. That’s a lesson Uther would never learn. In her eyes, wasn’t it a true measure of grandness if you could make yourself humble before someone that didn’t pose a threat to you. This girl really was by no means a threat. She was scared of her own possible future and had been brought up by druids – what more possible way to be harmless was there? But Nimueh wouldn’t be Nimueh if she didn’t already plan on changing that particular character trait.
“I’ve been sneaking up on you, and that’s not very polite. In these times, people like us cannot be careful enough.”

With a graceful movement she lowered herself into the grass beside Catalina and squinted up into the sun. Never give your counterpart the impression, you’re too busy to enjoy his company. All the more if you want to make a friend of him!
Her uncle had told her? Now that was interesting! He was the leader of this band as well? A druid leader who knew her well enough to tell his niece scary bedtime stories of the infamous Nimueh? Who could that be? She definitely needed a name!
”I see…” she mused with a secret smile. “And I fear what you heard of me was not all nice, judging by the well-deserved reserve I feel in you. I know I have not the best of all reputations.” She left it there, to venture further on that path later on. Never push too much in one direction! “And yes, of course you may inquire. It’s no secret after all. As High Priestess of the Old Religion I am blessed and cursed alike with a grave responsibility for my people – people with magic. I see it as my duty to check on them every once in a while. See if they need anything I can provide.”

Alright, that maybe was a very whitewashed version of her intentions, but it was no lie. Deep down inside her, underneath all that hate and thirst for revenge, Nimueh still believed strongly in what she had been brought up to: To serve her people to her best ability, to be a vessel for the power of the Great Mother herself, her spokeswoman on this earth. And that of course included a care for everyone of magical blood.
“So your uncle told you about me, I hear?” she took up the thread of the passed conversation casually. “I have met many druids in my life, and I might have to know who I am dealing with before I go and pay him my respect. So, could you tell me his name?”

[Catalina Regalis]

To say that this wasn’t a tense situation would definitely be a lie despite the serenity of the surroundings as well as Nimueh’s casual mood. Catalina had no reason to fear the Priestess other than the stories she had been told of the woman’s power, ambition, and at times her cruelty. She was not the sort of person that Catalina was to be associating with and yet here the woman was. It wasn’t in Catalina to be rude though and so she smiled sweetly and answered the woman’s questions as best she could, dangerous priestess or not, she was not rude to anyone. She gave her name with slight hesitation though she was smart enough to not let that hesitation show. She didn’t wish to seem like she was afraid because she didn’t want to give Nimueh reason to get annoyed at her. Cat had magic, a way of protecting herself but her power was no match for Nimueh, she knew that much.

Apologize for what? She didn’t bother to echo her thoughts but she was curious nonetheless. Nimueh had done nothing that required an apology other than coming across the young druidess when she had been deep in thought but she hadn’t done that on purpose. Smiling, Catalina found herself nodding in regards to her comment about their kind needing to be careful in these times. It was true enough. It could have been something different sneaking up on her. Not exactly more dangerous than Nimueh but rather posing a different sort of threat. A Knight or guards that sought to do Uther’s bidding by killing her and the other druids simply because of what they were. Of course they were in the forest of Balor and as far as Catalina knew Uther had no jurisdiction there but still, the danger remained looming always. One wrong move, one show of magic and her nightmare could come to fruition. Shuddering visibly, Catalina brushed her hands against her skin as though to soothe the imaginary flames. “It was not your intent I’m sure, so I suppose there is nothing for either of us to apologize for.” There, no more “I’m sorries” for now.

Taking in the scent of the night air, the druidess sighed softly as Nimueh took a seat on the grass. It seemed that her unexpected companion had chosen to grace Catalina with her presence a bit longer than the druidess had expected. It put her on edge to some degree as well, she was scared of what the woman may be planning. That being said, perhaps Catalina was in the wrong for her assumptions. Maybe Nimueh was there simply for a chat. Cat owed her the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps Catalina had been wrong for mentioning her Uncle but it was the truth so why bother lying? Her Uncle was powerful and could handle himself, so she didn’t worry about him too much.

Biting her lip, Catalina couldn’t help but feel as though she had been caught doing something wrong when Nimueh mentioned the girl’s obvious reservations regarding the Priestess. It wasn’t wrong of course but she had thought she’d hidden it better than she really had. She could hardly lie because Nimueh would see right through it. Cat was not a good liar, not by a long shot. She simply looked down as she nodded a little. “My Uncle has told me many things, some good, some…not so good.” It was true. “I always believed them to be mere stories though he did make me believe you did exist.” How long had the woman been alive? Far longer than Catalina had, no doubt there. Need anything she could provide? What did she mean by that? Of course Catalina was curious but given her reputation and the warning her Uncle had given, perhaps that was a question best not asked. Still, she couldn’t help but ask aloud. “What would you be able to provide?”

As she had figured, the conversation turned to her Uncle and she asked for his name. Was it wise to give his name? Lying would do her no good and the wrath of Nimueh was not something Catalina wished to call down upon herself or her people so honesty was indeed the best policy here. “Aldriv.” She looked to the camp where all slept still and smiled. “He did not say whether he had met you or not but he does seem to know a lot about you. He says that you are powerful and not to be trifled with.” Surely that would be a compliment to the Priestess. Of course, he also said she was not to be trusted either. Looking down, Catalina couldn’t help but ponder on things that Nimueh would surely know. “I was told by my Uncle that you have been around for a long time, though he didn’t say how long. I know not if you know but I must ask. Do you know what started the Great Purge?”

[/size]
-----------------------------------

Tags; Nimueh
Word Count; 852
Lyrics; "It's Not Over" Daughtry
Time-frame; Early Morning – Before ‘The Poisoned Chalice’

[Deleted]

Wasn't it sweet how the mere mention of danger, the mere bringing it to the forefront of the mind could fluster this girl so much? Nimueh surely thought so. Ah, the innocent, they were always so easy to play with. Had she been another person this young girl might have triggered some protection instincts inside the High Priestess, and maybe some twenty years ago, that might have been the case. Now, however, she rather classified people in categories of :“Easy to trick“ „some challenge“ and „cunning – almost equal“ rather than: „worthy of affection“ „needs my protection“ or „enemy, stay away“. From what Nimueh could say even now, Catalina belonged to the first, easiest category, but the first impression could be a false one. What was clear though was that she definitely didn't belong to the highest rank. No one could hide his true personality THAT well!
The way how she shied away from conflict, giving Nimueh an unneeded and uncalled-for absolution, just added to the picture. Though, there was one ground rule: Never show what you truly think of your counterpart if you want something from him or her.
So Nimueh played the docile and irenic mother type, smiling and nodding in agreement. „You are a smart girl indeed, Catalina, I have to say. Truly there is no need for blaming. Such conversations can go on for hours and hours without anything forthcoming.“

And that she wanted something forthcoming went without question, though you never should state that so bluntly. Gaining someone's trust, especially someone who had imbibed resentments against you from her infancy, was like walking a tightrope. Not that she didn't think she could do it, but she had to weigh every step very carefully. That uncle of hers surely had some severe hold on her mind, and the art and challenge was now to correct Catalina's views of the world without forcing it on her. The best way was to make herself appear half as dangerous, half as cunning and whatever else this ominous uncle had made her believe to be typical 'Nimueh' by simply acting 'normal', nice and by no means aloof. She could do that. She had put on more challenging acts.
„Goodness, I wonder what these kinds of stories were about!“ she replied with a merry laugh, throwing her head back. „As you can see, I am real, and you know the stories about the giants. When you meet them in real life they're half as tall and half as strong as stories make them. I never thought I would be part of a child's scary bedtime story...“

She had to admit though, this girl called Catalina was not half as daft as she might have seen in the beginning. Had she caught on the secret meaning behind Nimueh’s sentence by luck, because she was negatively predetermined by her uncle or because she was actually able to look behind what was said? Hmm… maybe that needed another test, later; for now the High Priestess had to steer out of these dangerous waters.
“Protection, for one”, she explained with a lenient smile, like a teacher answering his pupil’s eager questions. “I might not think myself dangerous, but I can’t deny that I have access to powerful magic. Saying otherwise would be a lie and I want to be honest with you.” Nice wording … not that bad after all. “Have you ever heard of the Isle of the Blessed?” Back in the days before Uther went wild, every living being had known about this place, if only by hearsay. Nowadays, even the mentioning of this name could get you killed when saying it in front of the wrong person. So people chose to rather forget it an act of pure self-preservation.

The uncle’s name was truly the last piece of the puzzle Nimueh had needed. Adriv… of course! That made things a hell lot more difficult, but seeing as she was already chatting so nicely with his niece, also a lot of more fun and challenging. Oh, wouldn’t he hate to learn his beloved ward or whatever she was, had taken the turn to the ‘dark side’? Exactly!
“Aldriv… I see…” she replied with a secret smile, leaning back. “I am glad to hear he is still alive and thriving. And now I also understand a bit more why you seem to know so many bad things about me…” She brought her knees up in front of her chest, hugging them in a very youthful, almost girly motion. “He and I, we know each other ever since he was a young man. Back then… we were close. But destiny choose different paths for us and also choose to make these paths incompatible… at least in his eyes.”
Alright, this might only be half of the truth, but it was a good story. Last time Nimueh looked, young girls thrived on such stories… so –romantic!
“As for your last question…” she had to stall a bit, as she had been severely taken off guard by it. “Yes, I know how it all started, but I have to make sure first you really want to know the reason. The true reason.”

[Catalina Regalis]

It was frightening to be in the presence of one so powerful and imposing as Nimueh, a woman of legend. Her Uncle had spoken of the woman often, mainly to warn Catalina of the woman’s treachery and deceit. She was not one to be trusted, that was what Aldriv often said, a sort of acidic tone to his voice when he spoke of the beautiful woman. Catalina had reason to believe that there was such animosity when he spoke of the High Priestess but he never went into his past nor did he bother to explain just how he knew that Nimueh was a treacherous snake. Even still, Catalina had to admit that Nimueh had been nothing if not polite and kind to the druidess. Naïve and innocent, Catalina liked to believe that there was good in everyone. It was a childish point of view to hold, especially in a world like this but it was just who Catalina was. She couldn’t change just because it might be foolish or dangerous to be as she was. She didn’t trust Nimueh but she would not seek to insult the woman either, not out of fear but out of a mixture of respect and curiosity.

Her uncle would not be pleased if he knew that Catalina was speaking with the High Priestess. Looking back towards the encampment, she wondered if perhaps she should rouse her Uncle or remain where she was. She could use magic to do so but Nimueh would surely know and possibly take offense. She hadn’t done anything threatening to Catalina after all. There was no need to behave rudely. She complimented Catalina on her intelligence though she did so as an adult would to a young child. Cat was no child! Well, compared to Nimueh she probably was since the legend of Nimueh went back years and years ago and yet she looked no older than Catalina did herself. Magic. What power one had to have to remain youthful for so long, not that Catalina knew just how old Nimueh was but she’d have to be older than she appeared if she and her Uncle had known one another as they did. “You are too kind.”

It was nice to have some company at least and it was someone that knew magic as well so that was a weight off her mind. She didn’t have to hide who she was. Every so often Cat would look over her shoulder, expecting her Uncle to walk over disapprovingly and send her off to bed like the child he seemed to believe she was. Would he be angry with her? She was suddenly feeling quite guilty sitting there speaking with someone that she had been warned about since she was a young child.

Nimueh seemed to laugh at the girl’s fears, trying to make herself seem less frightening then Cat had been led to believe. Was it true? Catalina smiled softly, a bit unsure on what to believe now. Perhaps that was all it had been, bedtime stories to frighten her and Samara. But if that was the case then why didn’t those stories stop once they reached adulthood? “Yes, very real and not all that frightening at all.” She would go along with it since logic dictated that ‘if’ Nimueh was as dangerous as her Uncle had warned then it would be best to remain on her good side. “Still, is it true that you are a High Priestess of the Old Religion or was that too simply a fable?”

Protection? She was not stupid, she knew very well what she meant by protection. The Great Purge had destroyed so many lives and continued even still, Catalina could be killed if she was found using magic in Camelot and other Kingdoms that banned magic simply to gain an ally from the powerful King of Camelot. It wasn’t fair of course but life was far from fair anymore. “Why?” She asked curiously. “Why would you wish to protect me?” She tried not to sound suspicious but the thought of what she would want in return came to mind. Very few wished to give without expecting something in return first and Catalina didn’t think to count Nimueh in those few, not yet anyway. “My Uncle Aldriv says that those with powerful magic often misuse it.”

The Isle of the Blessed. “Of course I have.” There was a certain amount of awe in her voice when she answered. As much as her Uncle had spoken ill of Nimueh, he had told her of the beautiful and magical Isle of the Blessed. Cat figured he had been there before though he says he hadn’t. “Do you live there? The Isle I mean.”

Nimueh’s ploy to make herself look almost pitiful worked and Catalina actually felt bad for her. So Cat had been right after all, Aldriv knew so much about Nimueh because he had actually known her. Cat wondered just how ‘close’ the two had been but that was a personal question that she had no right to ask. Incompatible? “Just how incompatible?” Surely druids and those of the old religion could not be that different, though druids practised the ways of peace, perhaps that was what she meant. “I see..” She wanted to know more, to ask more but she didn’t wish to push.

“Yes, I know how it all started, but I have to make sure first you really want to know the reason. The true reason.”

“What would you know of truth Nimueh?” A voice rang out from behind Nim and Cat, a familiar voice to the both of them though Nimueh handn’t heard his voice in ages. He was not happy to see Nimueh there, chatting up his niece so sweetly. Catalina was an innocent, pure and sweet and he didn’t wish to have Nimueh corrupt her. A white staff was clutched in his hand as he walked over, unafraid to face such a powerful woman as Nimueh. There was a flicker in his dark eyes, old emotions that he pushed to the back of his mind for the time being. She looked as beautiful as she did the day she had met her but she was not the same. Time and tragedy had changed Nimueh, The Great Purge playing a very big part in that change.

Catalina stood up rather quickly, eyes wide as though she had been caught doing something she knew was wrong and in a way she had. She had been right, he was not happy with her though most of the anger in his gaze seemed to be directed at Nimueh rather than Cat. “You seek to poison my niece’s mind with your bitterness and hatred and I will not stand for it hag.” It was hard seeing her after all this time but he would not let her know how it affected him. This wasn’t about them, it was about him protecting Catalina from her.

-----------------------------------

Tags; Nimueh
Word Count; 1150
Lyrics; "It's Not Over" Daughtry
Time-frame; Early Morning – Before ‘The Poisoned Chalice’ [/size][/color]

[Deleted]

Nimueh saw Catalina’s casual look back towards the druid camp and also noticed a little stiffness in the girl’s voice as she thanked her for the compliment. Hm… maybe the mentioning of Aldriv hadn’t be very fortunate for this conversation after all. She could imagine that this man would have done anything in his power to prevent his niece from ever taking even so much as a peek towards what he would call the ‘dark side’. So many years and still he hadn’t forgotten… well, at least that meant she had had a lasting impression on him, and that was more than many women could say for themselves for any man. Whether that impression was good or bad didn’t matter that much, right? It was the power that counted, the power over the mind. And she surely had achieved that with Aldriv, if he still kept on telling stories about her that should scare a little girl. In a way it was quite amusing, but she still needed to have a chat with him about that. Telling lies was not very befitting for a druid, and such a superb one at that! Tsk, tsk indeed!
Or did she just want an excuse to talk to him again? Just for once? To see how it still fazed her?

“I am sorry if my words came across a little snobbish”, she mused with a smile. “You must forgive me, as I have seen more summers than I could possibly tell you right away. The innocence of youth fascinates me. Sometimes I wish I could still be that … optimistic in my view of the world.”
She was downtalking herself now to an extent she had never done before, at least not as far as she could remember. Normally she didn’t mince matters when it came to her point of view and her powers, but now that she knew who Catalina had grown up with, she knew she needed to be thrice as careful in winning her over, if not even more. Only if she could create the most radical and still believable contrast between what Aldriv had told her and what Catalina could see with her own eyes, there was a chance of winning. Maybe the girl was already rebellious enough to put her own judgement before that of a bitter, old man? It would certainly make things easier!

Chuckling to herself, she quickly thought about Catalina’s next question. “That, my dear, I can safely say is no fable. I was bestowed with the essence of magic, I am the vessel of the Great Mother of All, and as such I also wield the power over life and death.”
It sounded grand, didn’t it? Nimueh surely liked the sound of these words, though nowadays they were mostly empty. Twenty years or so ago, these words would have made a peasant tremble in fright and awe and any king bow his head in front of her. Uther had destroyed that, now she was only a fugitive and a revengeful shadow of the powerful woman she once had been.
Nimueh had to admit, she rather liked this girl’s curious questions, as long as they were not turned against herself. In different times, Catalina might have made a promising candidate for a priestess, as curiosity was always the first step to knowledge. But she also knew she had to be careful, Aldriv’s influence seemed to run deep. Contradicting him in everything certainly wouldn’t draw Catalina on her side.

“Of course your uncle is right, there are some who dearly abuse their power. Have you ever heard of Cornelius Sigan?” she inquired curiously. In Nimueh’s eyes, this man was far more suited to be used as a scary bedtime story. “It’s his magic that built Camelot, but he grew too strong and was corrupted by his power. He was executed… but people say he one day will return and bring Camelot to life… to turn it against its inhabitants!” Her voice had dropped to a hoarse whisper just like that of a good storyteller. She let Catalina in suspense for a little, then she smiled warmly. “So that is rather someone you should be afraid of. I only want to protect those with magic that escaped Uther’s claws, so they stay alive.”

They were now closing in on Nimueh’s favourite subject: The Isle of the Blessed. The tales of wonder about this remote and protected island had served as an incentive even in old times, luring those with magic from far and near. Maybe this was the right way to get Catalina on her side?
“Yes, I live there. Once it was a place of miracles and magic, now it is shrouded in mist and it’s grand halls are in ruins.” Her voice turned almost wistful. “But the sacred groves and henges are still intact, and the most powerful magic can be wielded there. You could visit me once, if you like. These days it gets rather lonely there.”
Now there was it, she had the girl where she wanted her. She was just about to launch into a sad tale about hers and Aldriv’s past, and then get to the true reasons of the Purge, which would surely shock Catalina enough to turn her against Uther – when she heard a voice she really hadn’t expected to hear anytime soon. And she also had not forseen what this voice would make her feel.

“What would you know of truth Nimueh?”
Nimueh nearly jumped to her feet and darted around, to face Aldriv. She didn’t feel guilty like she should, she didn’t even feel annoyance of being interrupted, but she felt a surge of confusing feelings roaring up inside her that brought back memories from old times.
Time had not been as kind to him as it had to her, he seemed to refuse to mask his true age, but it didn’t make him look weak, Nimueh had to admit. He had always been powerful and awe-inspiring, but with this fragile frame he oddly enough didn’t look any less mighty, maybe even more so. Certainly she would not let herself be fooled by the exterior, she needed to be cautious.
Belatedly, she forced a rather sweet smile on her face that held a wistful edge. “Aldriv”, she greeted him softly, her voice a true siren’s call, seeking to make him let go of his obvious hatred.

“It seems it is not me who has become bitter and hateful, old friend”, she mused, still using the same soft voice. Hesitantly she took a step forward and raised her hand to touch his crinkled face. “What has time done to you, my Prince of Sorcery?” she asked, purposefully using her old nickname for him. That brought back even more memories, and she would have to be careful not to be swept away by them.