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Ancient Princess | The Witcher

Chapter 2. Nim

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An Elven Princess awakens and Jaskier handles it surprisingly well.

Her eyes were golden, not the bright and strong eyes of Witchers, they were soft and seemed more natural. For a moment, all Jaskier could do was stare into her eyes, still shocked by what had just happened moments prior. It wasn't until she began to speak that he was able to snap out of his shock.

'Shi Va? Sharti nha salen o'su?"

She was speaking in an ancient form of elder speech that Jaskier only had limited understanding of, leaving him unsure on how to respond. Seemingly noticing his confusion the young elf tilted her head slightly, before holding her hand out in front of her while muttering.

"Yewl tel'quiet van shou."

Somehow Jaskier was able to understand her request and placed his hand on hers, allowing her to gently clutch it. She then began to utter more of the ancient language, it appeared to be some type of spell as He felt the familiar warm ripple of magic flow from his palm through his whole body. He noticed a brief glow within her golden eyes as she finished the spell and released his hand.

"Apologies, I hope you can understand me now?" She suddenly spoke in perfect common speech.

"What just happened? He asked in amazement, "How did you do that?"

She smiled softly before replying, "It's a simple spell really. It allows me to learn whatever language the person I'm touching uses most."

"Never heard of that spell before."

"Really?" She tilted her head again in confusion, "Even the most beginner mages in the kingdom can do that spell."

It was in that moment, as she stared at him in curiosity, she noticed he was different than the average elf. Most notably she noticed his ears which seemed to curve at the top rather than pointing upwards like hers did.

"Who are you? Your ears are very peculiar."

"You may call me Jaskier, Travelling Bard." He replied paired with his standard performer's bow. "I'm a human, so my ears aren't pointed like yours."

"What is human?"

"Well it’s another species, very different from elves."

"But we don't look that different?" She queried further.

"Well others would say otherwise." Jaskier muttered with a slightly bitter laugh.

After his little remark there was a small pause as she took in this new information, before she softly nodded her head in understanding.

"I see, well it’s nice to meet you Jaskier my name is Nim, daughter of King Faladinn of Muire Dol."

"So that's what this place is called?" He questioned as he took another glace around the hidden room.

"Yes," Nim confirmed as her eyes began to show a deeper understanding of the situation, she took a deep breath before asking, "I'm not sure how long I've been sleeping but it must have been quite a long time, correct?"

"I believe so Princess, at least over a thousand years I can say for certain."

With a small sad smile she replied, "I don't think I'm really a princess anymore."

"Well you have a crown and a palace, which to my knowledge are the main requirements for being a princess." Jaskier winked and grinned brightly at Nim, who began to laugh in response.

Sitting up, Nim adjusted herself to the edge of the platform previously covered by the glass casing. Slowly she stepped down and attempted to stand, only to stumble forward. Before she was close to hitting the floor, Jaskier quickly reached forward and caught her by her arms.

"Are you okay?" He asked, pulling her up while giving her a once over and making sure to hold her firmly.

"Yeah, just been a while since I've stood I suppose."

"Just take your time, I hold onto you as long as you need me to."

While gently holding onto Jaskier, Nim slowly made her way out of the mausoleum. As they made their way through the servant's quarters and into the main halls of the palace, Nim stared in awe. She had never seen the palace halls so empty before; so quiet.

Everything was so raw for her, even though she had slept for over a thousand years it only felt like an overnight sleep. She remembers everything, remembers the panic throughout the castle as she was pulled from the throne room and down into the cold, dark mausoleum. She remembers being told to lie down and the next moment she opened her eyes to a face with a pair of soft periwinkle eyes.

"I think if we're going to travel together we'll need to find you a change of clothes," Jaskier spoke, interrupting her thoughts. "That is of course if you'd like to join me, I didn't mean to presume.

For a moment in panic, he slightly loosened his grip on Nim. He shouldn't have presumed like that, She was a princess why would she want to travel with him? Thoughts of self-doubt and rejection filled his mind. Yet, in response she gripped his arm tighter and pulled him closer.

"Of course I want to travel with you." She smiled at him reassuringly, "I still need to figure out why I was asleep for so long and what happened to everyone, I don't think I'll find answers here."

At Nim's words Jaskier began to relax, "Right, well princess shall we find a change of clothes for you my dear?"

"There should be something in my room, I can lead the way."

Walking through the palace halls and up a few flights of stairs, they soon came across a single white arched door at the end of an empty corridor. As they approached Jaskier noticed an intricate circular, stain glass window that appeared to look out onto a small courtyard.

"This is my room, I specifically requested the flowers to be painted on." Nim said as she pointed at the blue and yellow flowers scattered across the white surface connected by several green vines. "They're supposed to be bluebells and buttercups."

"Really? Buttercups are my favourite flower, of all time."

"Bluebells are mine." Nim mused as she reached forward and turned the golden handle before pushing the door open to reveal her room behind it.

The room is exactly how you'd picture a elven princess' room to look like. Across the wall and ceiling were gorgeous murals depicting several constellations and the night sky. Her bed laid at the centre of the back wall, it was made out of pure white wood which had been delicately carved with various flowers as well as depictions of the sun, moon, and several constellations. Laid across her bed were soft midnight blue sheets to match the equally blue pillows placed along the headboard.

Jaskier let out a low whistle at the sight, "Oh what I would I pay to sleep in a place like this. No seriously I give up music- actually no I wouldn't but still you get my point."

"Let me pack a bag and we can get some rest before we leave" Nim suggested, "To be honest I'm suddenly feeling quite tired myself and it's nightfall now." She then walked towards a large wardrobe by the eastern wall, it was made from the same white wood and had similar etchings. When Nim opened it wide, Jaskier saw a gorgeous collection of colourful and fine fabrics.

Nim began to pulling various fabrics from the wardrobe and laid them gently on the bed. Finally, she turned back to the wardrobe and reached deep into the back before pulling a simple grey travel bag. She moved back to the bed and began stuffing the different fabrics and clothing into it. Jaskier was pleased to noticed she had also packed a scarf and fur outer coat for the colder weather they may face.

"That should be everything, we should probably go rest for the night." Nim stated, before moving back to the wardrobe and pulling out what Jaskier presumed were some night clothing. "This was my brother's, I think it will fit you."

Jaskier took it gratefully, "Just tell me where I can go princess, perhaps you could show me the room."

Nim then looked down and fiddled with her hands before speaking softly, "Is it okay if you stay with me? I don't mind sharing the bed, It's big enough."

"Are you sure?"

"I don't want to be alone again." She stated plainly.

"Okay, then let me get changed and we can both get some rest." Jaskier then moves behind one of the elegant changing screens and changed into the silk, green sleeping wear. It was the most comfortable thing Jaskier had worn in years.

When he came back from behind the screen, he noticed that Nim had also changed behind the second screen and was already lying on the left side of the bed. Jaskier followed suit and tuck himself into the right side of the bed, it was then Jaskier noticed that Nim was right. There was plenty of space, in fact Jaskier was sure that even if he stretched his arm out, he still wouldn't come close to Nim. Nim blew out the light that was surprisingly still lit on her bedside table, leaving them in darkness.

"Goodnight Jaskier, thank you for waking me up." Nim muttered into the darkness.

"Goodnight Nim," Jaskier replied in kind, "I should say thank you for letting me sleep in this bed, feels like it’s made of cloud."

They both laughed softly at his little quip, before they both drifted of to sleep, anticipating what's to come on their journey ahead.

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