Chapter 7
Several more months passed without incident and Viviane almost began to believe that her sister had given up any hope of a victory against her, but it was not to be. Nimueh still had one last shot, which, conveniently enough, Merlin dropped right into her lap.
Viviane stood on the balcony of her rooms, looking out over Avalon, deep in thought. An urgent rapping at the door brought her attention swiftly back to the present and, upon her command, the door opened revealing a very flustered looking young maid. Viviane recognised her as one of the maids who helped to look after the seers.
“My Lady High Priestess,” she said as she bowed low, catching her breath back. “You are requested urgently by the seers, ma’am, as a matter of great importance.”
Viviane nodded curtly and followed the girl back down to the chambers of the head seer.
“Tyronoe,” she said calmly, “you wanted to see me my friend.”
“My Lady!” Tyronoe ran up to Viviane and clasped her hands. “I have terrible news; a questing beast has neared Camelot!” Viviane cast her eyes to the floor for a moment as she processed this.
“You have seen this Tyronoe?” she asked calmly.
“Yes my lady, and more. I have seen the lady Nimueh.” Viviane’s head shot up at this and her eyes darkened. Placing an arm around Tyronoe she led her towards a chair and, pulling one opposite her, sat down and looked directly into her eyes.
“Tell me everything you saw, leave nothing out.”
Tyronoe nodded and, taking in a deep breath, she began.
“I saw a hunting party in the woods outside Camelot, they were stalking something. Prince Arthur and my lord Merlin were at the head of the party.” Viviane felt her stomach clench but motioned for her companion to continue. “The questing beast came upon them and, as they fled, it claimed the lives of three or more knights. Merlin fell but Arthur pulled him to safety.”
A stab of pride mingled in with a cold rush of fear within Viviane as she listened.
“Continue…” she said softly.
“The vision changed then my lady. It was clearly later in the day and I saw the same hunting party, only this time attired in full armour, apart from my lord Merlin who was without armour. They went into one of the caves in the woods where they split up and Prince Arthur and my lord Merlin went deeper in together. They came upon the questing beast there and they fought it. My lord Merlin used his powers and Prince Arthur’s sword to slay the beast, but not before…” she paused looking terrified.
Viviane swallowed her rising dread and took Tyronoe’s hand in a comforting gesture.
“But not before what?” she whispered gently.
“My lady, twas not before the beast struck Prince Arthur down and bit him.”
Viviane closed her eyes in despair. The bite of the questing beast meant death to anyone who suffered it.
“My lady, there’s more.” Tyronoe said nervously. Viviane looked at her.
“What else did you see?”
“My lady, I saw my lord Merlin talking to the Great Dragon. He told my lord of the Isle of the Blessed and my lord went there. There he met the lady Nimueh, who offered him a deal to save Prince Arthur’s life in return for another. In return, I fear my lady, for my lord Merlin’s life.”
Shock descended on Viviane’s face as ice clutched her heart in a ruthless grasp.
“Tell me Tyronoe,” she said quietly, “is this a vision of what is, or what will be?”
“I do not know my lady.”
“Then there is a chance it may not have happened yet, so I may have the chance to stop it.” She stood and made to leave but Tyronoe grabbed her arm.
“My lady, you must know, someone you hold dear will not survive this.”
“Do you know who?”
“That I cannot say. The future is changeable, but the gods must have a death for a life.”
“I understand,” she gently prised Tyronoe’s hand off her arm and kissed it respectfully before departing.
The Dragon barely flinched as Viviane appeared before him.
“This is becoming frequent my lady, should I be flattered?”
“I have no time Dragon, I am here as a matter of urgency. Tell me, has anything serious happened recently?”
“Define serious,” the Dragon said casually. Viviane attempted to keep her temper in check, succeeding, barely.
“I do not have time for games lizard! Answer me! Has anything happened to Arthur?”
“I assume you are referring to the questing beast? Then yes, he has been bitten and is this moment lying in his father’s chambers above, barely alive.”
Viviane felt herself go weak at this and was forced to lean on a nearby rock for support.
“Tyronoe was right, oh gods! What am I to do?” The Dragon smiled coyly.
“There is nothing to be done my lady, the Prince will live.”
“What do you mean?” she asked nervously.
“I directed Merlin to go to the Isle of the Blessed and he returned today with the water of life for the young Prince. Ergo, Arthur will not die.”
“The water of life! No!” Viviane’s shout echoed around the cavern.
“I would have thought you would be glad for this news. So why this sudden outburst?”
“The water of life means that Merlin had to have made a pact for Arthur’s life! He has forfeited his own!” Her legs gave out under her and she collapsed on the stone ledge.
“It would seem that way, yes. However, that is not the case.” Viviane’s head shot up and she glared at the Dragon.
“What do you mean?”
“Merlin did not forfeit his life, although that was his intention.”
“Then who’s….”
“That I do not know,” he said calmly. Relief hit Viviane like a wave followed by a renewed sense of dread as to who it was that was going to have to pay the ultimate forfeit.
“I must go to the Isle,” she said, more to herself than to the Dragon. “I must find out who will pay.”
“Be warned my lady, for I have a good idea who you will find there waiting.”
“Nimueh,” she said softly, “I am well aware.” She looked up at the Dragon again. “If anything happens, summon me. The slightest bit of news. Even if the wind changes a fraction I want to know, am I understood?”
“Yes my lady,” the Dragon bowed as she vanished. He smiled to himself as she left.
Nimueh stepped out from behind a large collection of rocks and walked to where her sister stood a moment before.
“I’m surprised she didn’t sense me,” she said absently.
“I cloaked you my lady, I have my uses.”
“So it would seem. So she is going to the Isle?”
“Yes, so may I suggest you go also?” Nimueh prepared to leave. “Oh and, my lady?” the Dragon asked. Nimueh paused. “Just out of curiosity, who is the forfeit?”
Nimueh chuckled.
“You’ll know soon enough, lizard.” With that she vanished.
Seconds later the sound of footsteps and the flicker of torchlight signified Merlin’s arrival.
“Am I never to have a moment’s peace!” the Dragon exclaimed. He descended to the stone ledge and waited as an angry Merlin rounded the corner.
Viviane heard the echo of the Dragon’s anguished cry in her mind as she walked into the stone circle. Blocking it out she called to her sister.
“Nimueh, I know you’re here. I need to speak with you. I am unarmed.”
“You’re never unarmed.” Nimueh’s voice floated to her as her sister emerged from behind one of the large, erect stones.
“Who is Arthur’s forfeit?” she asked.
“Ah Viviane, always straight to business. Whatever happened to hello?”
“I don’t have time for this Nimueh! Who did you set as Arthur’s forfeit?”
“Not Merlin, if that’s what you’re really asking.” She studied her sister for a moment before continuing, a sly grin distorting her features. “I chose someone else, although it will still cripple Merlin.”
“Not Gaius?” Viviane asked desperately.
“Oh no, someone even closer.”
Viviane thought for a moment then her eyes widened as she realised the truth.
“Hunith!” she gasped.
“Well done!” Nimueh’s tone was mocking.
“No!” Viviane said sharply. “You can’t choose her! Think of how that would affect Merlin!”
“I care not for your precious Merlin! Do you think that he would let this happen to her? He will be back, and when he comes, I will give him what he wants.” She circled her sister. “Do you know what he said to me when he came here to bargain for your precious prince’s life? He said “I willingly give my life for Arthur”. Now isn’t that just sweet? I felt all warm inside, don’t you?”
“Stop it!”
“Ah, but why should I? I have everything in my favour. Merlin will come to offer his life for Hunith’s, and who am I to refuse the great warlock himself? Besides, it’s not like I can reverse the deal, otherwise Arthur will die. Looks like its win-win for me.”
Viviane couldn’t deny that what her sister was saying was the truth, but she couldn’t accept it either. Her mind worked furiously to find ways around this. Nimueh laughed at the look of concentration on her sister’s face.
“Don’t even bother Viviane. Not even you can figure out a way out of this.”
“Don’t be too sure,” Viviane stated simply. Nimueh merely smiled.
“You can’t get out of this one,” she said as she started to fade. “Say goodbye to your beloved warlock.”
Viviane knelt down on the mist covered ground, just as her late sister had done all those years ago, and wept.
The rain fell softly around her and mingled with her tears. Then, slowly an idea formed in her mind. If she could just go and speak to Merlin, without revealing herself to him… If she could dissuade him from offering his life to Nimueh, why, she’d even give her own life for that! She stood with a determined air and vanished, her mind filled with the image of many towered Camelot.
Viviane stood on the balcony of her rooms, looking out over Avalon, deep in thought. An urgent rapping at the door brought her attention swiftly back to the present and, upon her command, the door opened revealing a very flustered looking young maid. Viviane recognised her as one of the maids who helped to look after the seers.
“My Lady High Priestess,” she said as she bowed low, catching her breath back. “You are requested urgently by the seers, ma’am, as a matter of great importance.”
Viviane nodded curtly and followed the girl back down to the chambers of the head seer.
“Tyronoe,” she said calmly, “you wanted to see me my friend.”
“My Lady!” Tyronoe ran up to Viviane and clasped her hands. “I have terrible news; a questing beast has neared Camelot!” Viviane cast her eyes to the floor for a moment as she processed this.
“You have seen this Tyronoe?” she asked calmly.
“Yes my lady, and more. I have seen the lady Nimueh.” Viviane’s head shot up at this and her eyes darkened. Placing an arm around Tyronoe she led her towards a chair and, pulling one opposite her, sat down and looked directly into her eyes.
“Tell me everything you saw, leave nothing out.”
Tyronoe nodded and, taking in a deep breath, she began.
“I saw a hunting party in the woods outside Camelot, they were stalking something. Prince Arthur and my lord Merlin were at the head of the party.” Viviane felt her stomach clench but motioned for her companion to continue. “The questing beast came upon them and, as they fled, it claimed the lives of three or more knights. Merlin fell but Arthur pulled him to safety.”
A stab of pride mingled in with a cold rush of fear within Viviane as she listened.
“Continue…” she said softly.
“The vision changed then my lady. It was clearly later in the day and I saw the same hunting party, only this time attired in full armour, apart from my lord Merlin who was without armour. They went into one of the caves in the woods where they split up and Prince Arthur and my lord Merlin went deeper in together. They came upon the questing beast there and they fought it. My lord Merlin used his powers and Prince Arthur’s sword to slay the beast, but not before…” she paused looking terrified.
Viviane swallowed her rising dread and took Tyronoe’s hand in a comforting gesture.
“But not before what?” she whispered gently.
“My lady, twas not before the beast struck Prince Arthur down and bit him.”
Viviane closed her eyes in despair. The bite of the questing beast meant death to anyone who suffered it.
“My lady, there’s more.” Tyronoe said nervously. Viviane looked at her.
“What else did you see?”
“My lady, I saw my lord Merlin talking to the Great Dragon. He told my lord of the Isle of the Blessed and my lord went there. There he met the lady Nimueh, who offered him a deal to save Prince Arthur’s life in return for another. In return, I fear my lady, for my lord Merlin’s life.”
Shock descended on Viviane’s face as ice clutched her heart in a ruthless grasp.
“Tell me Tyronoe,” she said quietly, “is this a vision of what is, or what will be?”
“I do not know my lady.”
“Then there is a chance it may not have happened yet, so I may have the chance to stop it.” She stood and made to leave but Tyronoe grabbed her arm.
“My lady, you must know, someone you hold dear will not survive this.”
“Do you know who?”
“That I cannot say. The future is changeable, but the gods must have a death for a life.”
“I understand,” she gently prised Tyronoe’s hand off her arm and kissed it respectfully before departing.
The Dragon barely flinched as Viviane appeared before him.
“This is becoming frequent my lady, should I be flattered?”
“I have no time Dragon, I am here as a matter of urgency. Tell me, has anything serious happened recently?”
“Define serious,” the Dragon said casually. Viviane attempted to keep her temper in check, succeeding, barely.
“I do not have time for games lizard! Answer me! Has anything happened to Arthur?”
“I assume you are referring to the questing beast? Then yes, he has been bitten and is this moment lying in his father’s chambers above, barely alive.”
Viviane felt herself go weak at this and was forced to lean on a nearby rock for support.
“Tyronoe was right, oh gods! What am I to do?” The Dragon smiled coyly.
“There is nothing to be done my lady, the Prince will live.”
“What do you mean?” she asked nervously.
“I directed Merlin to go to the Isle of the Blessed and he returned today with the water of life for the young Prince. Ergo, Arthur will not die.”
“The water of life! No!” Viviane’s shout echoed around the cavern.
“I would have thought you would be glad for this news. So why this sudden outburst?”
“The water of life means that Merlin had to have made a pact for Arthur’s life! He has forfeited his own!” Her legs gave out under her and she collapsed on the stone ledge.
“It would seem that way, yes. However, that is not the case.” Viviane’s head shot up and she glared at the Dragon.
“What do you mean?”
“Merlin did not forfeit his life, although that was his intention.”
“Then who’s….”
“That I do not know,” he said calmly. Relief hit Viviane like a wave followed by a renewed sense of dread as to who it was that was going to have to pay the ultimate forfeit.
“I must go to the Isle,” she said, more to herself than to the Dragon. “I must find out who will pay.”
“Be warned my lady, for I have a good idea who you will find there waiting.”
“Nimueh,” she said softly, “I am well aware.” She looked up at the Dragon again. “If anything happens, summon me. The slightest bit of news. Even if the wind changes a fraction I want to know, am I understood?”
“Yes my lady,” the Dragon bowed as she vanished. He smiled to himself as she left.
Nimueh stepped out from behind a large collection of rocks and walked to where her sister stood a moment before.
“I’m surprised she didn’t sense me,” she said absently.
“I cloaked you my lady, I have my uses.”
“So it would seem. So she is going to the Isle?”
“Yes, so may I suggest you go also?” Nimueh prepared to leave. “Oh and, my lady?” the Dragon asked. Nimueh paused. “Just out of curiosity, who is the forfeit?”
Nimueh chuckled.
“You’ll know soon enough, lizard.” With that she vanished.
Seconds later the sound of footsteps and the flicker of torchlight signified Merlin’s arrival.
“Am I never to have a moment’s peace!” the Dragon exclaimed. He descended to the stone ledge and waited as an angry Merlin rounded the corner.
Viviane heard the echo of the Dragon’s anguished cry in her mind as she walked into the stone circle. Blocking it out she called to her sister.
“Nimueh, I know you’re here. I need to speak with you. I am unarmed.”
“You’re never unarmed.” Nimueh’s voice floated to her as her sister emerged from behind one of the large, erect stones.
“Who is Arthur’s forfeit?” she asked.
“Ah Viviane, always straight to business. Whatever happened to hello?”
“I don’t have time for this Nimueh! Who did you set as Arthur’s forfeit?”
“Not Merlin, if that’s what you’re really asking.” She studied her sister for a moment before continuing, a sly grin distorting her features. “I chose someone else, although it will still cripple Merlin.”
“Not Gaius?” Viviane asked desperately.
“Oh no, someone even closer.”
Viviane thought for a moment then her eyes widened as she realised the truth.
“Hunith!” she gasped.
“Well done!” Nimueh’s tone was mocking.
“No!” Viviane said sharply. “You can’t choose her! Think of how that would affect Merlin!”
“I care not for your precious Merlin! Do you think that he would let this happen to her? He will be back, and when he comes, I will give him what he wants.” She circled her sister. “Do you know what he said to me when he came here to bargain for your precious prince’s life? He said “I willingly give my life for Arthur”. Now isn’t that just sweet? I felt all warm inside, don’t you?”
“Stop it!”
“Ah, but why should I? I have everything in my favour. Merlin will come to offer his life for Hunith’s, and who am I to refuse the great warlock himself? Besides, it’s not like I can reverse the deal, otherwise Arthur will die. Looks like its win-win for me.”
Viviane couldn’t deny that what her sister was saying was the truth, but she couldn’t accept it either. Her mind worked furiously to find ways around this. Nimueh laughed at the look of concentration on her sister’s face.
“Don’t even bother Viviane. Not even you can figure out a way out of this.”
“Don’t be too sure,” Viviane stated simply. Nimueh merely smiled.
“You can’t get out of this one,” she said as she started to fade. “Say goodbye to your beloved warlock.”
Viviane knelt down on the mist covered ground, just as her late sister had done all those years ago, and wept.
The rain fell softly around her and mingled with her tears. Then, slowly an idea formed in her mind. If she could just go and speak to Merlin, without revealing herself to him… If she could dissuade him from offering his life to Nimueh, why, she’d even give her own life for that! She stood with a determined air and vanished, her mind filled with the image of many towered Camelot.