Work Text:
Nimona left.
Not for long, not forever. She just needed air, a new place where no one would know her, a new point of view.
After all that had happened, she couldn't stay here any longer. It felt like the walls were closing in on her, and this entire situation unbearably suffocated, poisoned her with its influence. Like the kingdom itself was chasing her away.
For a while, she was still with Ballister, even though he couldn’t see her – at his wedding, workplace, when he was shopping at the market, you name it. But then, after making sure that he was doing well, Nimona decided to take a break from this kingdom.
She desperately needed it.
There were too much in that place that reminded her of that evening, and Ballister had good people by his side who loved him with all their hearts and to whom Nimona, albeit with the heavy heart, could entrust him.
That's why she left.
Nimona traveled a lot during this time. Majestic mountains, vast seas, cities that never sleeps – she was everywhere. She had seen a lot of things, both good and bad, and got to know all sorts of people. She tried to help some of them a little, but she showed others their place.
Has Nimona made any new friends? Has she opened her soul to someone else?
That was too complicated.
Yes, for the most part she wasn't lonely; there were people around to talk to, but that didn't stop her from feeling that way. Nimona kept everyone at a distance, didn't let anyone to truly know her. She just couldn't make the same mistake twice.
So Nimona never stayed in one place for too long. She always disappeared at some point, and she always knew when her time had come. Nothing held her back, and in this she was freer than birds, animals and any other creatures.
Freer than anyone.
It took several years (Nimona didn't count) before she felt something else. Perhaps time really heals, or the memories were just dulled, but Nimona realized that she missed him.
This came as a surprise to her. She thought that she could last longer, much longer, as it was before and always has been. A loner through her entire existence, a wanderer, she could only look at other people's lives, never to hurt someone dear to her ever again.
But one day, sitting on a branch of an old oak tree in the middle of a gloomy, quiet forest, Nimona realized that she was ready. Just take a one little, small peek at her Boss, find out how he’s doing without her and lives his hard-earned, peaceful life.
She wanted to know so much that he was happy, that everyone loved and accepted him. After all they’ve been through, this would be absolutely perfect (and well-deserved) “happily ever after”.
Maybe he would even be glad to see her. Maybe their friendship will pass the test of time. Things won’t go back to the way they were, that’s for sure, but at least she’ll feel a bit better. Maybe he’ll too.
…
The very next morning, Nimona embarks on her quest with a single goal in mind – to track down Boss and remind of herself. To finally see him, and not as outsider or in guise of someone else, but as Nimona – ready to share her stories about distant lands and have a sincere, honest conversation. Face to face.
She would give anything right now just to see the look on Goldie's face when he recognises her.
The road takes a fair amount of time, but luckily, Nimona remembers well where they settled. A quiet place in a far corner of the Kingdom, close to the laboratory and hospital, everything you need for a perfect life together.
A twinge of guilt immediately pierced her heart. She could only hope that he would be able to forgive her.
After a long, exhausting flight, Nimona finally finds herself on their doorstep. The sun flooded the surroundings with the golden warm light, the trees whisper softly with their green leaves, and the shapeshifter felt oddly at peace. She hadn’t felt such a deep sense of serenity in a long time, the feeling that everything will be alright, no matter what happens. She'll take that as a good sign.
Before knocking on the heavy oak door, Nimona checks herself once more. A big backpack with everything she needs, a hat on her head, long dark hair neatly combed.
Yes, she turned into a completely unfamiliar girl to them, but only because Nimona wouldn't be herself if she hadn't tried to surprise them somehow. The plan was simple: they let a poor, lost traveler into the house, offering her a shelter for the night, while she, in turn, would find the right moment to totally shock them.
On paper, everything should go smoothly, but in practice she will have to put in some effort. Well, at least it's not her first time pretending to be another person.
With one final deep inhale and exhale, Nimona knocks on the door three times. There's no one in the backyard – she checked – so now she just have to wait.
After a few long minutes, during which she had already changed her mind several times, someone opens the door. Unfortunately, it wasn’t Ballister, no matter how much she wished him to be here, but rather someone more unwanted. And, oddly enough, practically grey-haired.
The sight of Ambrosius standing right in front of her wasn’t just surprising – it actually scared her. Of course, she should have taken into account all these human things like growing up and aging, but so quickly? Time can't fly by so fast, can it?
Well, as it turns out, it can.
Ambrosius, visibly getting old (it was safe to say so), asked her how he could help. After trying to regain her ability to speak, which cost her a lot of effort, Nimona began to tell her pre-invented legend. A traveler, got lost, looking for shelter for the night, etc. Perfect cover, and very similar to the old fairy tales she'd read as a child.
Ambrosius, like a real knight – retired, she should add – lets the poor girl in. No questions asked, which seemed rather odd to Nimona, although it kind of made sense. Why should he be afraid? Ambrosius probably had an old sword hidden somewhere, and besides, Ballister definitely wouldn't mind trying out his new inventions on some thieves.
O-oh, she couldn't wait to see all of this.
Inside, the house was decorated quite nicely and somehow felt especially cosy. Handmade knitted blankets, large bookshelves filled with all sorts of books, and lots of plants, even more than in the backyard.
While the homeowner was trying to start a friendly conversation about his new kind of lavender, Nimona was looking at the decorative items that attracted most of her attention – photos.
There were a lot of photo frames in their living room, and the lack of dust on them made it clear that these memories were important to them. One of them pictured Ballister, who looked even older than she remembered.
He seems to be around 55 years old, or maybe older, and it looks like he's attending the grand opening of his new laboratory in one of the nicest parts of the Kingdom. He has one arm around Meredith's shoulders, smiling so happily into the camera, that Nimona immediately feels better. He certainly wasn’t bored without her here.
She's not as interested in the wedding photos, the honeymoon photos, and she prefers to ignore any other images of Ballister and Ambrosius kissing.
The kitchen is just as spacious and cozy as the rest of the house. While the kettle is boiling, Ambrosius tells her about “a good friend of his who always makes the most amazing tea,” and Nimona thinks she could get used to it.
She also takes the opportunity to ask him about their life without her. Fortunately, Ambrosius is doesn’t suspect a thing, and willing to share the details with her.
He tells her that Ballister and Meredith had been working on an anomalous energy enhancer for years, striving to improve upon the original version. As a result, they were able to create an alternative source of energy and help many people. Its main advantage was its safety, and, Ambrosius adds with a laugh, Ballister made sure that it wouldn't harm animals either. His only regret was that he couldn't guarantee that for sharks, as there was no sea nearby.
Nimona smiles. She's happy that her boss has finally been recognized, and that he can enjoy his old age without any problems on his way. As long as he doesn't worry too much about her, the rest doesn't matter.
Ambrosius is about to finish his story about Meredith's work as a professor at the university when Nimona decides to ask him main question.
"How fascinating! Judging by your stories, it seems to me that your husband is very interesting person. May I ask where he is?"
Ambrosius falls silent, and looks at her with a strangely sad expression. His eyes immediately dim, and he turns his entire body towards the kettle to grab the handle. Trying not to look at her with that pathetically empty eyes, he finally responds.
"He passed away last year."