Chapter 7: Nimue

"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Merlin! Happy birthday to you!" Nasuada, Bernie, Shiroix and Uther sang.It was November 1, 1336, Merlin's eleventh birthday. Much had happened in the last four years; Uther fought with the troops the wizards had sent to help Aurelianus, earning himself the name of Pendragon for great courage, Vortigern had been overthrown, though not killed, Aurelianus had been killed by a group of traitors shortly after his coronation, leaving Uther to the throne, and Merlin had learned a great deal from Bernie's library.

" Uther, what are you doing here? I haven't seen you since you left to fight Vortigern. You must be busy with the keeping the Saxons happy."

"Well, yes, but I couldn't miss yer birthday, now could I?"

"No, I guess not. It's nice to see you again."

"Indeed it is! My, how you've grown! Oh I almost forgot. Reli wanted you to have this." Uther said, handing Merlin a longbow and a large quiver of fifty steel-tipped arrows.

"It's magnificent! Is this of Saxon make?"

"With a little changing to make it our own."

"Thank you."

One by one, the rest of the family gave Merlin their gift. Bernie gave Merlin a book titled A History of the Vasillan Races A-Z, Nasuada gave him a green robe, much like the one he had long outgrown, and Shiroix gave him a crystal ball.

"Oh crystal ball, who is the greatest of them all?" Shiroix asked the crystal ball. Thanks to a charm he had placed on the ball, it showed his face whenever the question was asked.

After Merlin had tried on the robe, breezed through the book, and divinated the future through his crystal ball, Merlin decided he would try his bow. He set off for the Archery Range as soon as he was ready.

"Mornin' Merlin!" shouted one of the sentries, " goin' to the Archery to try your bow?"

"Yes! I'll see you a little later!"

"All right!"

Since Merlin had come to Ala Bora, he had become well-known for his duel with Vortigern. Everyone knew him, and he knew everyone.

When Merlin came to the Archery Range, everyone who was practicing stood back as they watched Merlin release his arrows, three by three, each one hitting a bulls-eye, faster than the eye could track, until he had none left. Everyone applauded Merlin's excellent marksmanship. Very few people had ever accomplished such a feat.

"Well done, Merlin, well done! Only eleven years old and already better than most of my warriors with most sword and bow!" said Geoffrey, one of the Council members, as Merlin retrieved his arrows. The Council was the three wizards who lead the Light. Each one lived in a different shire of the three shires that composed Atlantis: Monmouth, Gildas, and Anthon. Geoffrey was the leader of Monmouth shire.

"Thanks. I got this bow from Uther. It was a birthday gift."

"Uther has returned? I need to pay more attention if I didn't know that! I think I should have a word with him." said Geoffrey, his eyes curiously surveying the bow.

"Why? Has he done something wrong?"

"No, not at all. But this bow, it's amazing. I want to ask him if he would be so kind as to share with us how he made such a beautiful weapon. Anyhow, Envok of the elves has a gift for you." said Geoffrey, beckoning to King Envok behind him.

The elves were a curious race; they despised war, and yet, they were the most fearsome race when it came to war. They had skin the color of that of Europeans, slightly pointed ears, and were a good few inches taller than most wizards. They wore tight silk clothing, and were very cheerful.

Except when they helped to promote war. The elves had long adopted a policy of peace. The despised war. They had seen too many of them to love wars. They knew that the war with the Dark was necessary, but if they could find another way to supply swords to the Light without having to forge them themselves, they would do it in an instant.

"I have had my smiths working on this for many years. Today, they finished it, and asked my to give it to you, the one for whom it was made." Kneeling, Envok pulled a scabbard from his belt, and held it out to Merlin. Merlin took the scabbard from Envok, and took the sword from its sheath to examine it.The sword was beautiful. Its sides were lined with a clear streak of green, the same color as the emerald in the hilt. It was nearly as long as Merlin was tall, a great deal bigger than any sword Merlin had ever handled, yet, he felt more at home with this sword than any other. On its hilt was the word Fanomar, meaning hope in the Speech.

"Thank you. I will take great care of it."

"That is all I ask," said Envok, completing the ritual.

As Merlin walked home, he swung his sword from side to side. It felt as if he were moving his arm, not the sword. Once, Merlin swung too low, and took a patch of skin off his left arm. Merlin didn't howl in pain for their was none. He watched as his skin grew over his wound, leaving only a few drops of blood on the surface. Merlin, who had expected blood to come gushing out, was appalled by how his skin had repaired itself so quickly. Even more shocking, Merlin saw that the blood was not red; it was gold.

After recovering from his initial shock, Merlin looked up to see a girl he hadn't seen before standing right in front of him. She had long, flowing black hair, blue eyes the color of the ocean, tiny, golden rings haning from her ears, and a silver tunic.

"So you're one of them," the girl muttered, looking up at a speechless Merlin, "I never thought I'd see one."

"Wh- who are -y-y-you?" stuttered Merlin.

"I'm Nimue. And you're Merlin. I was wondering when we'd meet. This is a gift for you." the girl said, handing Merlin a staff, "My mother told me to give it to you. It's a wand." continued Nimue.

"T-t-thanks," Merlin stuttered.

"You're welcome. I hope we see each other again soon. Bye!" said Nimue cheerily as she ran off.

Who is she, Merlin asked himself, and who are them?