The Lady of the Lake

It had been a long time since I had been called up to the surface by a mortal. Usually I did not like to interfere with the affairs of those fleeting human lives. Petty grievances, that's what they came to me for. They did not understand.

Magic was not to be used for selfish reasons and there was always a terrible price to pay.

I am known by many names in this land; Nimue, Sabrina, Dame Du Lac, Viviane. But these names do not matter to me. I am simply known as the Lady of the Lake.

People feared me, called me things like a witch, an enchantress, a sorceress and a fey. But as I mentioned, these names mean nothing to me. They are as fleeting as the lives of men, mortals and even the world itself. Time is naught but a moment to me.

But on this day, he called out to me, summoning me from the crystal lake where I made my home. How did he find me?

I emerged from the watery depths to the surface to see him. Handsome, majestic and he was dressed royally like a king. And he was.

They named him Arthur.

Tales came to my waters of a One King who would someday unite the lands of Albion under his rule. Not that I believed such nonsense. Kings came and went with the passing of time and Arthur would be no exception to that rule.

Immortals like myself are the exception to this rule. Time can show us infinite pleasure and infinite cruelty as the years roll by.

Arthur stood on the shore of my lake. His eyes were misty with wonder as I emerged. He looked as if he were in love. But I had already known the true face of love. It was like a rose. Beautiful petals on the surface. But, thorns hide beneath the loveliness.

This witch's heart had already felt the sting of those thorns.

I saw Arthur had his sword ready, in case I decided to attack. But the weapons of men were no equal to my powers of magic. Only 2 rivalled myself.

"I am Arthur, son of Uther Pendragon and heir to the royal throne of Camelot" he said proudly to me.

I did not answer, I merely examined this boy who would be king. His blonde hair was quite like mine. Standing out within the mists of the lake.

"I have come to seek an audience with you my lady, I request your help with saving the kingdom" he told me. I chose not to listen, I was ready to descend back to the depths to be in peace but the look of desperation in his eyes convinced me to listen. Against my better judgement.

"The enchantresses Morgana and Morgause have laid waste to the forests around Camelot, we fear they may strike at the heart of our kingdom. Please can you give us your assistance with defeating them?" pleaded Arthur.

My heart stirred. It was clear Morgana and Morgause had fully lost themselves to the darkness. As I feared they would.

I remembered seeing them flourish with their magic. They could make the stars in the sky dance and call upon nature herself. But they had a taste for the dark magicks. Like a forbidden fruit, once they got a taste. They wanted more.

Arthur had a look of worry and stress upon that handsome face. He was cleared terrified by the threat those dark enchantresses posed to his home and kingdom. Only magic could stop them, and I did not want to interfere in something that I had no concern of.

"I care not for the fate of Camelot or the lives of mortals" I told him. Arthur looked crestfallen and began to put his hand on the handle of his sword. But I was too quick, a whip of water I conjured seized his hand "I do not like violence or threats in my home" I said dangerously to him