chapter two

She came to me one morning,

One lonely Sunday morning,

Her long hair flowing in the midwinter wind…"

"And not one scrap of food until that firewood is chopped!" Her father screamed, his awful breath flowing across her face as he yanked her short hair back, causing the cowering young woman to look up at him again. He sneered in disgust at his own creation, and though tears gathered in her warm brown eyes that could break the most ruthless of leaders, he met her gaze with nothing but burning hatred. Could she really blame him? He had always been right about one thing, she wasn't pretty like her older sister. Between her short scrawny frame, choppy short hair, the dark circles beneath her eyes, the bloody scars all over her form and her horrible teeth. His meaty hands took her by the scruff of her thin threadbare clothing like a naughty cat. Her heart pounded in terror though she should have been used to it by now. He tossed her into the snow, and though it broke her fall it was cold and wet and she had many hours before she'd be allowed back indoors again. She gritted her teeth from the pain but knew better not to cry out, lest his wrath grow. Her mother had stared ahead at the trail and she'd be no help either. She looked up at her father yet again who pressed a huge boot against her shoulder, applying pressure. She stifled the cry that lingered in her throat.

"And if we get back from mass and see it's not done, you'll get worse. Worthless stupid girl. Oh, and we'll be sure to tell father Stromboli why you're not in mass today. Perhaps he'll deal with your silly picture drawing and daydreaming during confession." He gave her a nasty smile as he sauntered towards the trail towards the newly built Roman Church down the road. A shudder went down her spine and not just from the snow. For the most part, she like many other girls in the Roman Church who were seen as unworthy were kept at home, and even worse because she was disabled it was assumed that no one would marry her. So instead of going to school as the boys were allowed or spending her time learning how to be a good wife and mother like her sister was allowed, she worked both inside and out. But she had been at that priest's mercy. While regular school was forbidden, Sunday School was to be attended without question. That priest and the nuns always bruised her knuckles horribly for not being able to repeat the verses and prayers. She was thought to be insolent. She wished she could tell them that she couldn't speak and had trouble remembering because of how tired she was. Even now as a grown young woman they'd swat her hands without thinking.

Well, she could wallow in how unfair it all was, but there were chores to be done. Life was not fair. She grunted and used her walking stick to get to her feet. Lately the pain had become worse. Though eighteen seasons old she was aging quickly from a hard life, and though she looked younger than her actual age her body felt older. That had to be it. What other reason could there be for her bones to ache so bad? Sighing, she looked at the huge pile of unchopped logs. Oh well. At least swinging an axe was better than listening to mass. She hated going to worship. Not that she would dare say anything about it, not only because she was mute but out of fear..but it seemed wrong. It was an entire hour and a half of god's wrath and anger, followed by apologizing in Latin for being born a sinner and being grateful for him allowing the people he created to exist, even thanking him for pain. Honestly God sounded very much like her father. At least working out alone she had time to think about ways to ensure the animals she protected would survive through the winter.

An hour passed and the snow began to fall. The midwinter wind ripped through her thin clothes. The dampness gnawed at her aches. The axe felt heavier in her hand and her raw fingers. She could barely see past a few feet but spotted something strange in the distance. A person could be seen coming towards her, and for a moment her heart lurched. She remembered her father's threat. Half the wood still remained. She was in for it now. But as the figure drew closer, she could see that it wasn't her father, nor was it her mother. It was another woman. She was a stranger. In a panic, she squeaked, hobbled and hid behind the firewood she already chopped, slinking down like a lynx in the brush. No one the had ever met treated her gently so her first instinct was to hide. If her own family was cruel what would a stranger do to her? However, her own damn curious nature got the best of her. She couldn't resist peering up above the logs to get a glimpse of her.

It was a woman. She was dressed in a flowing black cloak, which shimmered like the feather of a raven. She now looked into her face. She was greeted by a golden skinned creature that stared back into her eyes. The woman's skin glittered in the pale winter light, illuminated by the snow. The golden woman caught her eyes and Elizabeth immediately froze in fear. She had heard stories about a powerful witch also known as the dark one who matched her description. She was known by the religious village as a servant of the devil and had murdered her true love along with several other humans who had not lived up to the ends of her bargains. And she was coming straight towards her. Her heart thudded against her chest and her shivering became shaking. Something however was amiss. When she looked into the golden woman's eyes she didn't see hatred as she usually did. The dark one's amber eyes instead showed a look of pity and sadness. There was a deep sadness in her eyes mixed with pity and a softness she had never seen before. And to Elizabeth's amazement, she smiled. She had never seen anyone smile at her like that before. A strange sensation of warmth washed over her, and for a brief moment the cold didn't seem so harsh. She should have run but for some strange reason, for once in her life she felt safe. Her shuddering calmed.

After a few moments of her taking a few steps forward, the dark one spoke in a voice much softer and far more gentle than she expected from a dark sorceress. "It's alright, dear one. You need not fear me. I am not here to harm you. Why do you not come out behind those logs and say hello? I promise I will not harm you." The woman extended a wiry willowy hand, her palm open like she was attempting to tame a feral stray. Elizabeth despite herself began to move from the logs. She should have stayed hidden, but her voice was so inviting. She spoke with a gentility towards the girl that had never before been known. Her parents were going to hurt her later anyway. Perhaps the dark one was a much more merciful sort. She outstretched her clawed hand. Tentatively, she shakily stood up and came out to greet her. Having never known a kind touch, she was curious as to what the witch was doing and tilted her head. The woman in black laughed. "Here. Put your hand in mine." Elizabeth hesitated for a moment but only for a moment. She carefully laid her calloused hand in Nimues. It was rough, most likely from the gold that covered her skin, but it was warm. The warmth felt good against her frozen numbed skin. Her parents had made her work without gloves. The dark one gently shook her hand up and down. "That's it." She smiled at her and Elizabeth felt warmth move through her once again. "This is how to say hello to someone you've just met. My name is Nimue."

Elizabeth didn't know what to say, even if she could. No one had ever spoken to her this way. And she didn't know the dark one even had a name. The woman smiled sadly. "Poor creature. You're half frozen." She waved her hand. To Elizabeth's astonishment, a flame appeared in her other hand. It was amazing and beautiful. It wasn't even burning her. Though she kept it a secret from her parents, she did believe that some magick was a good thing. After wishing on that star the night before however she thought it didn't work. She didn't care how it worked. It was warmth. She started rubbing her hands over the flames. The dark one let go of her hand for a second. She unclasped the cloak from around her body and from her long red and black leather and silk dress and wrapped it around Elizabeth's shoulders. "Here." The lady in black spoke in a warm Scottish accent. "I have no need of it." Tears gathered in the girl's eyes. Nimue wasn't the monster that everyone assumed her to be. It wasn't just that. She had never known that it was possible to be treated like that. She didn't deserve it. Her parents had always said she was a horrible girl. Yet the dark one was treating her much better then her own mother ever did. A rush of gratitude went through her. She thought that she should give her something in return. No one had ever shown her kindness just…like that. She was taught that love was conditional. Everything came with a price...even love. But for a moment she looked around in a frenzy, her eyes welling. She had nothing that belonged to her. Elizabeth had nothing to give to her in return for the kindness the dark one had shown her.

A thought suddenly came to her. She did have something. Elizabeth had kept the drawing of the castle she had made the night before. She had wanted to try to hide it, but she wanted Nimue to have it. The mute girl handed over the drawing and she saw the dark one's eyes welling with tears. Was lady Nimue...crying? "For me?" The dark one spoke softly, and seemed as surprised as she was when Nimue took her own cloak off her back. The imps voice sounded shaky, the power within her not being able to hide her emotion. "Thank you. It's beautiful. I shall hang this on my laboratory wall." Elizabeth could only nod but for the first time a small smile crossed her face. Nimue was giving her the same look that she had seen less harsh mothers giving towards their children. She wanted to spend time with her, to keep her with her, and for the first time she didn't need to cower around another person. She was about to let her know her name. "E..E…" she stuttered, for this was the first time she felt safe enough to even say a word. She wanted to tell the dark one what her name was. Howwever, it was soon revealed for her.

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