Nerys: A Fictional Narrative
A few more silent moments passed and her hesitation increased. If it had been an easy decision, they should've been back by now. Even Nerys knew it.
"Seems the decision isn't as easily come by as you all think," Nerys said. "Perhaps they're seeing reason and sense."
No one gave her the pleasure of a retort though Merlin's hand tightened on hers.
Finally, the door opened and the sound of the creaking hinges in the otherwise silent cottage made Della jolt in her seat. Elgan and John stood at the front of the room and Elgan started.
"Young Owen's recovery is mysterious. However, since no spells or enchantments were heard or seen by anyone in the cottage at the time, Della cannot be condemned as a sorceress."
Della let out a breath of relief …show more content…
while Merlin let out a happy cry.
Nerys stood up out of her chair in a remarkably quick movement for one her age, so quickly that the chair nearly tipped over. "You are fools. The lot of you! Others in town believe me too. Do you not see the crowd in the streets?"
"That crowd has since gone home," Elgan said. "I have let them know of our decision. Most seemed satisfied with the outcome."
"Lies!" Nerys said. "I'll have you known Mistress Joyce, Master Neil and Mistress Nellie all felt the same as I and—"
"Three people is hardly a majority," Merlin said.
"Nevertheless, the people aren't as stupid as you lot here," Nerys said. "They'll come to see I am right and—"
"Why can you not let this go?" Della said. Enough was enough. "The elders have come to their decision, regardless of your or anyone's opinion. Please, if you still have a heart, let this pass and let us all live our lives in peace."
For once, Nerys didn't have a sour retort. Her nostrils flared and she walked to the door. She turned and pointed her finger at Della. "You'll show your true colors soon enough. You'll make a mistake someday and everyone will see I was right to have called for your banishment. I just hope the village is still left standing by then." Then she walked out in a huff.
Della shut her eyes and steadied her breath. Her words brought her back to the fate of her former village. By the gods, she prayed Ealdor would be spared such a fate.
"Well, that unpleasant business is done with," John said. "There is something we need to address."
Here it comes. "Yes?"
Elgan and John exchanged glances. Elgan spoke. "It is the general opinion, amongst John and I—and the rest of the village—that magic was used."
"However," John continued, seeing Della's worried look, "since there were no eyewitness accounts we felt it would be unfair to...cast you out, as Nerys requested."
"We've all seen magic firsthand, years ago, when raiders attacked our village," Elgan said. "Many still remember that it saved us that day. And we've been fortunate enough to have been spared the evil that has befallen Camelot from the High Priestesses. That being said," Elgan looked at her unblinking, "people are still hesitant regarding its use. And another such…miraculous healing at your hand cannot be overlooked so easily. Do you understand?"
Della nodded. Essentially they were saying, We know you used magic and we won't fault you for it since you used it for good, but don't use it again. "I understand."
Satisfied with her answer, Elgan nodded. "Well then, I think we are done here." He said, standing. "Let's put this incident behind us. Tomorrow is another day."
Everyone else stood up as well. Ceridwen began to head to the door but Della stopped her. "Thank you," she said.
Ceridwen squeezed her hand. "Without you, my son would be dead. There's no thanks needed." She smiled. "Will you come and visit tomorrow? I know Owen will love to see you."
"I promised him I would," Della said. "Tell him I look forward to it."
Ceridwen nodded. "I will." She nodded at Hunith and Merlin and left.
John followed shortly behind. "Nerys may still be a bit of a thorn," he said. "My advice is to try and stay out of her way. The woman thrives on conflict. Don't give her any more cause to start a stir. The villagers may view her as a cantankerous old lady, but they still listen to her venomous words. "
Della nodded, knowing that would be the case. Nerys seemed the type who felt easily threatened by anyone who dared to be encroach on her "territory." She would do her best to stay out of the old woman's way, even though she knew it would be a challenge in such a small village.
Hunith left next and she and Merlin followed. Just as she exited, she turned back to Elgan, clasping her hands in front of her nervously.
"I'm sorry to have caused such a stir," Della said. "I'm sure this does not help my reputation."
Elgan shook his head. "It was Nerys who caused the stir, not you," he said, putting a hand on her shoulder in fatherly regard. "Don't let it trouble you. As for the villagers, I can't speak for all of them, but what I said before stands true. Don't think they haven't noticed you toiling in the fields alongside them. They may be a bit uneasy for a time but you are still well regarded, even after this accusation. You did save a life today, regardless of the uncertain means. They will not forget that."
"All right," she said. She wasn't sure she believed him entirely but that would remain to be seen.
"Go on home now," Elgan said. "Enjoy the company you have. " He smiled and looked between her and Merlin, a knowing look in his eye, and Della felt her face warm.
"Good night. And thank you for giving me another chance at making a life here."
He nodded and went back inside.
Merlin, who had been strangely quiet, came up next to her then. "You were amazing in there," he said. "You didn't need my help at all."
Della smiled at his compliment. "Knowing you were there beside me helped," she said. He grinned at her compliment and laced his fingers with hers.
"I hope you know now that you're not alone," he said. "You have more support here than you think. The town elders, Ceridwen, little Owen, Mother…" he brought her hand up to his lips and lightly kissed the top of her hand. "And me."
The touch of his lips against her skin sent fire through her veins. New anxiety welled up within her at the progression of their relationship. She couldn't deny she'd been drawn to him shortly after she'd met him, the man of her visions now a reality. But she never let herself hope or dream that it would be more than an attraction on her end. Knowing that he harbored similar feelings for her made her heart race and her throat dry.
It was all happening so quickly. She'd lost so much, and felt so uncertain about everything lately. Would it be wise to risk her heart? And what happened if her visions returned and showed a future in which he was needed elsewhere—without her? Could her heart take it? Her mind spun with all the possible outcomes and her anxiety grew.
For now, though, she would take this moment for what it was, his hand protectively in hers as they walked home together in the stillness of the night.
Shuffling feet, the rustling of fabric and the creak of the cottage door opening stirred Merlin on the edge of wakefulness. His mind was in the middle of a dream—a rather pleasant one, filled with kisses and caresses that made him shudder.
His eyes opened, adjusting to the reality of a darkened cottage, lit only by the dimming embers from the hearth. Curse his mind for giving him false hope. But damn, that dream was so real, he could almost feel the featherweight touch of her kiss, her arms wrapped tightly around him…
You're getting ahead of yourself, mate.
Take it easy. They hadn't even kissed once yet, though he hoped that was coming soon.
His mind still focused on her, he drew his hand over his face, suddenly remembering the noise that woke him. He looked around the thin fabric that served as a partition between his sleeping area and Della's and saw her cot empty.
Curiosity laced with concern came over him as he pulled off his nightshirt and put on his blue linen one. He walked to the door and placed his hand on the handle and suddenly hesitated. Perhaps he was acting too quickly. She could've just been out due to nature's call—that would be beyond mortifying for both of them if he came upon her then.
He glanced over at her cot, though—it was already made, her linen nightgown folded neatly on the end. She obviously was up for the day already. It was past the darkest part of night, but before the pre-dawn crow of the roosters. It would still be too dark to see very far ahead along the street. He reached for the candle holder set on the small window ledge for late night calls of nature, but it was already gone. There was another one somewhere in the cottage, but he didn't want to go making noise enough to wake up Mother, who was still sleeping soundly on her bed in the far …show more content…
corner.
Well, magic it was then. He hesitated at first, but no one else would be out at this early hour at their end of town.
He exited the cottage and out into the street, the edges of the other houses visible in the pre-dawn starlight. Judging by the look of the sky and the position of some of the stars, dawn was an hour off yet.
"Leoght." With the faintest of whispers, he brought forth a small flame in the palm of his hand and walked towards the back of the cottage.
It didn't take long to find Della; she hadn't gone far. He saw the faint glow of her candle when he turned the corner and found her sitting on the stone bench at the edge of their small vegetable garden. She had her shawl wrapped tightly around her shoulders, her tell-tale braid brought over her shoulder. She was gazing up at the sky, lost in thought it appeared.
He approached slowly and her gaze turned towards him as he walked closer, his small flame floating just above his palm.
"I woke you, didn't I?" she said quietly and he watched her quickly wipe her face. Now that he was closer, he saw she'd been crying. "I'm sorry. I couldn't sleep."
Concern rippled through him. He closed his palm, extinguishing his flame. "What's wrong?" he asked as he sat next to her. Perhaps the loss of Ealhwyn and what happened in Havenswood was catching up with her. He rarely saw her cry or even mention it, despite it being so recent.
"I've a lot on my mind," she said.
"Anything you want to talk about?" he
asked.
She looked away and he almost didn't hear her. "You'd think me silly for it. Or childishly naïve."
He took her hand and wove his fingers through hers. "Never," he said.
She took a shaky breath. "I…I've been thinking about this," she said, lightly squeezing his hand. "You and I. Together. It…" in the candlelight he saw her chew her lip, "It's…intimidating for me." She said. "I suppose I'm scared because I don't know what to expect." She paused once more. "And it's all happened—"
"—So fast," Merlin finished.
"Yes. We've only known each other for a few weeks and in that time, we've both been through so much…" she trailed off. "I don't want to rush into anything heedless of the consequences and then have both of us come out even more damaged than we already are." She swallowed. "I'm rambling now, aren't I?"
"No," he said. "To be honest, I've had the same misgivings." He still did to some degree, but the words Mother said earlier stuck fresh in his mind. "Perhaps being together will help us heal."
She nodded slowly, taking the words in. Wordlessly, she leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. He let go of her hand and wrapped his arm around her back and waist and drew her close. He rested his head gently on hers, as her hair softly brushed his cheek. He reveled in the stillness of the simple moment between them. He wasn't certain how long they sat there together, but he was perfectly content to let this last as long as she needed.
"I want to be whole again." He felt the quiet tremor of her voice reverberate through his chest. "Not only for myself, but for you. I don't want to be…broken anymore." Her voice caught at the last part and he heard her hold back a sob.
"I'm just as broken," he said, a twinge of sorrow running through him. He kissed the top of her head gently in reassurance. "But I know one thing: you've helped me these past few weeks more than I ever thought possible. When I think of you—your smile and your laugh, our talks together—it gives me hope to go on, to see that there's still a light in the darkness. And that light for me is you."
Della lifted her head from his chest and she looked up at him with those soft brown eyes and lightly freckled face, her cheeks an ever so light shade of pink in the dim light. "You're my light, too."
He smiled and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, the edges of his fingers lightly tracing the smooth skin along her jaw to her chin and lips. "It's hard to be so close to you and not kiss you," he said, his thumb grazing her bottom lip.
Her response was soft but firm. "Then what are you waiting for?"
He couldn't help but grin widely at her response. He moved his hand—and somewhat unsteadily—cupped her cheek. His heart was beating so loud he was certain she could hear it. All that he wanted now was to feel her lips on his.
Her eyes closed in anticipation. He leaned forward, feeling her breath warm on his lips, and kissed her.
It was better than he could've ever imagined. Pure joy radiated through him as they connected and he felt as if the world cracked open. He drew her close and she leaned into him, kissing him again. Two kisses became three, then four. Everything became clearer for that one glorious space in time. Everything felt right. Complete.
All too soon, it ended. The sound of a crowing rooster startled them both as they broke their locked lips. Della laughed softly. "I guess that means we should head back inside," she said.
"Mmhmm," he murmured. He gave her one last, lingering kiss, wishing the magic of the moment could last forever. He leaned back and rested his forehead on hers. "I don't know about you, but I'm not sure I'll be able to get anything productive done today."
"I'm sure you'll find a way," Della said, taking both of his hands, "Maybe think about kissing me again later tonight?"
Merlin laughed. "I'm fairly certain that'll do the opposite."
Della shrugged slightly. "Well, I guess I'm no help then," she said. The rooster crowed again as the edges of the sky turned lighter with the impending dawn. She pulled away reluctantly standing up as Merlin followed. "Are you ready for a new day?" she asked.
He brought her hand up to his lips brushing a kiss over her knuckles. "More than anything."
"Seems the decision isn't as easily come by as you all think," Nerys said. "Perhaps they're seeing reason and sense."
No one gave her the pleasure of a retort though Merlin's hand tightened on hers.
Finally, the door opened and the sound of the creaking hinges in the otherwise silent cottage made Della jolt in her seat. Elgan and John stood at the front of the room and Elgan started.
"Young Owen's recovery is mysterious. However, since no spells or enchantments were heard or seen by anyone in the cottage at the time, Della cannot be condemned as a sorceress."
Della let out a breath of relief …show more content…
while Merlin let out a happy cry.
Nerys stood up out of her chair in a remarkably quick movement for one her age, so quickly that the chair nearly tipped over. "You are fools. The lot of you! Others in town believe me too. Do you not see the crowd in the streets?"
"That crowd has since gone home," Elgan said. "I have let them know of our decision. Most seemed satisfied with the outcome."
"Lies!" Nerys said. "I'll have you known Mistress Joyce, Master Neil and Mistress Nellie all felt the same as I and—"
"Three people is hardly a majority," Merlin said.
"Nevertheless, the people aren't as stupid as you lot here," Nerys said. "They'll come to see I am right and—"
"Why can you not let this go?" Della said. Enough was enough. "The elders have come to their decision, regardless of your or anyone's opinion. Please, if you still have a heart, let this pass and let us all live our lives in peace."
For once, Nerys didn't have a sour retort. Her nostrils flared and she walked to the door. She turned and pointed her finger at Della. "You'll show your true colors soon enough. You'll make a mistake someday and everyone will see I was right to have called for your banishment. I just hope the village is still left standing by then." Then she walked out in a huff.
Della shut her eyes and steadied her breath. Her words brought her back to the fate of her former village. By the gods, she prayed Ealdor would be spared such a fate.
"Well, that unpleasant business is done with," John said. "There is something we need to address."
Here it comes. "Yes?"
Elgan and John exchanged glances. Elgan spoke. "It is the general opinion, amongst John and I—and the rest of the village—that magic was used."
"However," John continued, seeing Della's worried look, "since there were no eyewitness accounts we felt it would be unfair to...cast you out, as Nerys requested."
"We've all seen magic firsthand, years ago, when raiders attacked our village," Elgan said. "Many still remember that it saved us that day. And we've been fortunate enough to have been spared the evil that has befallen Camelot from the High Priestesses. That being said," Elgan looked at her unblinking, "people are still hesitant regarding its use. And another such…miraculous healing at your hand cannot be overlooked so easily. Do you understand?"
Della nodded. Essentially they were saying, We know you used magic and we won't fault you for it since you used it for good, but don't use it again. "I understand."
Satisfied with her answer, Elgan nodded. "Well then, I think we are done here." He said, standing. "Let's put this incident behind us. Tomorrow is another day."
Everyone else stood up as well. Ceridwen began to head to the door but Della stopped her. "Thank you," she said.
Ceridwen squeezed her hand. "Without you, my son would be dead. There's no thanks needed." She smiled. "Will you come and visit tomorrow? I know Owen will love to see you."
"I promised him I would," Della said. "Tell him I look forward to it."
Ceridwen nodded. "I will." She nodded at Hunith and Merlin and left.
John followed shortly behind. "Nerys may still be a bit of a thorn," he said. "My advice is to try and stay out of her way. The woman thrives on conflict. Don't give her any more cause to start a stir. The villagers may view her as a cantankerous old lady, but they still listen to her venomous words. "
Della nodded, knowing that would be the case. Nerys seemed the type who felt easily threatened by anyone who dared to be encroach on her "territory." She would do her best to stay out of the old woman's way, even though she knew it would be a challenge in such a small village.
Hunith left next and she and Merlin followed. Just as she exited, she turned back to Elgan, clasping her hands in front of her nervously.
"I'm sorry to have caused such a stir," Della said. "I'm sure this does not help my reputation."
Elgan shook his head. "It was Nerys who caused the stir, not you," he said, putting a hand on her shoulder in fatherly regard. "Don't let it trouble you. As for the villagers, I can't speak for all of them, but what I said before stands true. Don't think they haven't noticed you toiling in the fields alongside them. They may be a bit uneasy for a time but you are still well regarded, even after this accusation. You did save a life today, regardless of the uncertain means. They will not forget that."
"All right," she said. She wasn't sure she believed him entirely but that would remain to be seen.
"Go on home now," Elgan said. "Enjoy the company you have. " He smiled and looked between her and Merlin, a knowing look in his eye, and Della felt her face warm.
"Good night. And thank you for giving me another chance at making a life here."
He nodded and went back inside.
Merlin, who had been strangely quiet, came up next to her then. "You were amazing in there," he said. "You didn't need my help at all."
Della smiled at his compliment. "Knowing you were there beside me helped," she said. He grinned at her compliment and laced his fingers with hers.
"I hope you know now that you're not alone," he said. "You have more support here than you think. The town elders, Ceridwen, little Owen, Mother…" he brought her hand up to his lips and lightly kissed the top of her hand. "And me."
The touch of his lips against her skin sent fire through her veins. New anxiety welled up within her at the progression of their relationship. She couldn't deny she'd been drawn to him shortly after she'd met him, the man of her visions now a reality. But she never let herself hope or dream that it would be more than an attraction on her end. Knowing that he harbored similar feelings for her made her heart race and her throat dry.
It was all happening so quickly. She'd lost so much, and felt so uncertain about everything lately. Would it be wise to risk her heart? And what happened if her visions returned and showed a future in which he was needed elsewhere—without her? Could her heart take it? Her mind spun with all the possible outcomes and her anxiety grew.
For now, though, she would take this moment for what it was, his hand protectively in hers as they walked home together in the stillness of the night.
Shuffling feet, the rustling of fabric and the creak of the cottage door opening stirred Merlin on the edge of wakefulness. His mind was in the middle of a dream—a rather pleasant one, filled with kisses and caresses that made him shudder.
His eyes opened, adjusting to the reality of a darkened cottage, lit only by the dimming embers from the hearth. Curse his mind for giving him false hope. But damn, that dream was so real, he could almost feel the featherweight touch of her kiss, her arms wrapped tightly around him…
You're getting ahead of yourself, mate.
Take it easy. They hadn't even kissed once yet, though he hoped that was coming soon.
His mind still focused on her, he drew his hand over his face, suddenly remembering the noise that woke him. He looked around the thin fabric that served as a partition between his sleeping area and Della's and saw her cot empty.
Curiosity laced with concern came over him as he pulled off his nightshirt and put on his blue linen one. He walked to the door and placed his hand on the handle and suddenly hesitated. Perhaps he was acting too quickly. She could've just been out due to nature's call—that would be beyond mortifying for both of them if he came upon her then.
He glanced over at her cot, though—it was already made, her linen nightgown folded neatly on the end. She obviously was up for the day already. It was past the darkest part of night, but before the pre-dawn crow of the roosters. It would still be too dark to see very far ahead along the street. He reached for the candle holder set on the small window ledge for late night calls of nature, but it was already gone. There was another one somewhere in the cottage, but he didn't want to go making noise enough to wake up Mother, who was still sleeping soundly on her bed in the far …show more content…
corner.
Well, magic it was then. He hesitated at first, but no one else would be out at this early hour at their end of town.
He exited the cottage and out into the street, the edges of the other houses visible in the pre-dawn starlight. Judging by the look of the sky and the position of some of the stars, dawn was an hour off yet.
"Leoght." With the faintest of whispers, he brought forth a small flame in the palm of his hand and walked towards the back of the cottage.
It didn't take long to find Della; she hadn't gone far. He saw the faint glow of her candle when he turned the corner and found her sitting on the stone bench at the edge of their small vegetable garden. She had her shawl wrapped tightly around her shoulders, her tell-tale braid brought over her shoulder. She was gazing up at the sky, lost in thought it appeared.
He approached slowly and her gaze turned towards him as he walked closer, his small flame floating just above his palm.
"I woke you, didn't I?" she said quietly and he watched her quickly wipe her face. Now that he was closer, he saw she'd been crying. "I'm sorry. I couldn't sleep."
Concern rippled through him. He closed his palm, extinguishing his flame. "What's wrong?" he asked as he sat next to her. Perhaps the loss of Ealhwyn and what happened in Havenswood was catching up with her. He rarely saw her cry or even mention it, despite it being so recent.
"I've a lot on my mind," she said.
"Anything you want to talk about?" he
asked.
She looked away and he almost didn't hear her. "You'd think me silly for it. Or childishly naïve."
He took her hand and wove his fingers through hers. "Never," he said.
She took a shaky breath. "I…I've been thinking about this," she said, lightly squeezing his hand. "You and I. Together. It…" in the candlelight he saw her chew her lip, "It's…intimidating for me." She said. "I suppose I'm scared because I don't know what to expect." She paused once more. "And it's all happened—"
"—So fast," Merlin finished.
"Yes. We've only known each other for a few weeks and in that time, we've both been through so much…" she trailed off. "I don't want to rush into anything heedless of the consequences and then have both of us come out even more damaged than we already are." She swallowed. "I'm rambling now, aren't I?"
"No," he said. "To be honest, I've had the same misgivings." He still did to some degree, but the words Mother said earlier stuck fresh in his mind. "Perhaps being together will help us heal."
She nodded slowly, taking the words in. Wordlessly, she leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. He let go of her hand and wrapped his arm around her back and waist and drew her close. He rested his head gently on hers, as her hair softly brushed his cheek. He reveled in the stillness of the simple moment between them. He wasn't certain how long they sat there together, but he was perfectly content to let this last as long as she needed.
"I want to be whole again." He felt the quiet tremor of her voice reverberate through his chest. "Not only for myself, but for you. I don't want to be…broken anymore." Her voice caught at the last part and he heard her hold back a sob.
"I'm just as broken," he said, a twinge of sorrow running through him. He kissed the top of her head gently in reassurance. "But I know one thing: you've helped me these past few weeks more than I ever thought possible. When I think of you—your smile and your laugh, our talks together—it gives me hope to go on, to see that there's still a light in the darkness. And that light for me is you."
Della lifted her head from his chest and she looked up at him with those soft brown eyes and lightly freckled face, her cheeks an ever so light shade of pink in the dim light. "You're my light, too."
He smiled and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, the edges of his fingers lightly tracing the smooth skin along her jaw to her chin and lips. "It's hard to be so close to you and not kiss you," he said, his thumb grazing her bottom lip.
Her response was soft but firm. "Then what are you waiting for?"
He couldn't help but grin widely at her response. He moved his hand—and somewhat unsteadily—cupped her cheek. His heart was beating so loud he was certain she could hear it. All that he wanted now was to feel her lips on his.
Her eyes closed in anticipation. He leaned forward, feeling her breath warm on his lips, and kissed her.
It was better than he could've ever imagined. Pure joy radiated through him as they connected and he felt as if the world cracked open. He drew her close and she leaned into him, kissing him again. Two kisses became three, then four. Everything became clearer for that one glorious space in time. Everything felt right. Complete.
All too soon, it ended. The sound of a crowing rooster startled them both as they broke their locked lips. Della laughed softly. "I guess that means we should head back inside," she said.
"Mmhmm," he murmured. He gave her one last, lingering kiss, wishing the magic of the moment could last forever. He leaned back and rested his forehead on hers. "I don't know about you, but I'm not sure I'll be able to get anything productive done today."
"I'm sure you'll find a way," Della said, taking both of his hands, "Maybe think about kissing me again later tonight?"
Merlin laughed. "I'm fairly certain that'll do the opposite."
Della shrugged slightly. "Well, I guess I'm no help then," she said. The rooster crowed again as the edges of the sky turned lighter with the impending dawn. She pulled away reluctantly standing up as Merlin followed. "Are you ready for a new day?" she asked.
He brought her hand up to his lips brushing a kiss over her knuckles. "More than anything."