This is an AU take on events regarding how Sara and Nyssa met in Arrow. Given the significant relationship between the two, it's somewhat disappointing that their past isn't explored more in a series that involves constant flashbacks. Some events are altered for ease of storytelling. Constructive criticism is welcome- bashing is not. Both Nyssa and Sara are in their early 20s.
The first part of the story is character and relationship development, with limited eroticism and sexual content. Fear not, there will be plenty of that coming soon!
*****
Sara Lance was barely conscious when she washed ashore on Nanda Parbat. She was dehydrated, exhausted, and had no idea where she was. She had survived the storm by clinging to a piece of
The Queen's Gambit
for her dear life, and she was now just thankful to be alive. All her other problems could wait, she told herself.
Like Oliver. Last she had seen him, he had been on a raft with his father, reaching for her, when the swirling waves forced her away from her boyfriend. Had he survived? If so, did he still believe that she was alive, or had he assumed she had drowned, as she very nearly had?
She crawled toward the shore. There was lots of dirt and vegetation nearby- a forest, it looked like. That meant fresh water was nearby, she reasoned. Her muscles trembled as she crawled. She felt cold and miserable. How long had she been tossed around by the sea? Minutes, hours, days? The dark skies had given no indication of passing time, and she hadn't been completely lucid most of the time she was awake, as dehydration and lack of rest took their toll on her.
No idea how to start a fire or hunt for food. This could be rough if I'm here alone- hopefully there are people nearby.
"Hello?" she shouted in a hoarse voice.
Nyssa Al Ghul was on patrol duty in the forest when she heard the nearby voice. One would think that the Daughter of the Demon did not have to patrol the land surrounding the League of Assassins headquarters. However, Ra's Al Ghul would not bear any favoring of his daughter- which Nyssa found somewhat amusing. If there was one thing Nyssa could attest to, it was certainly that her father did not grant her any preferential treatment.
Nyssa al Ghul was dressed in a forest camouflage variation of her typical leathers, armed with both bow and scimitar. The fact that someone had just carelessly spoken in such a manner alarmed and intrigued her. No fellow League member would bother with social niceties while on duty- nor would he reveal his position so carelessly. At the same time, no enemy of the League would shout "hello," either.
Nyssa moved like a wraith toward the sound of the voice. Climbing a tree, she spotted a limp form up ahead on the shore. Blonde hair and female. She was soaked to the bone and looked in poor shape.
Nyssa pursed her lips. If this was an enemy scouting out her father's headquarters, she was a rather poor scout. Was it possible that she had washed ashore by sheer dumb luck? It was unlikely, as Nanda Parbot was a remote location, but it was indeed possible. If that was the case, Nyssa pitied the woman. She couldn't have found a worse place to wash ashore.
She could move in a bit closer, put an arrow in the woman, and the problem would be solved. That would be her father's solution- a quick way to deal with the fact that someone had discovered the League's location.
But Nyssa was curious- how had this woman ended up here, of all places? She suspected it would be easier to get answers with honey than vinegar. She came down the tree and stashed her armor and weapons nearby, but carefully out of sight. She brought with her only a small vial of smelling salts, something the League members carried during training sessions for when things got a little rough.
Sara woke to a nauseating smell- had she passed out? A beautiful brunette woman hovered over her, holding a vial of something. She appeared to be dressed in a white tank top and leather pants.
"Um, hi. Who are you?" Sara asked. "Do you live here?"
"My name is Nyssa. And yes. You look like you've been through a lot. Come with me- I will bring you to my home. As we walk, why don't you tell me how you wound up here."
"It's a short story. My boyfriend and I were on a yacht on the South China Sea when a storm hit us and we got shipwrecked. I managed to hold onto some wreckage until I wound up here. My name is Sara."
"You're on the island of Nanda Parbot, a very remote location. We don't have much in the way of technology on the island...but we can spare you food, shelter, and a change of clothes."
"Thank you. I thought I was going to be like Tom Hanks in Castaway, making friends with a volleyball." At Nyssa's blank look, she said, "Never seen it? Great movie."
"We will be at the monastery in a matter of minutes," Nyssa stated as they walked. "I need to change back into my...formal attire. Would you mind giving me privacy for a moment?"
"Um. Sure," Sara said, nose wrinkling in confusion. She turned her back on Nyssa, figuring the woman had a change of clothes somewhere. "So you...are part of a monastic order? A nun, then?"
"Not quite." There was a brief, musical laugh. "If there is one thing I should not be described as, it's a nun. You may turn around now- I am decent."
Nyssa knew Sara wouldn't take the deception well. The question was how badly she'd take it.
Sara let out a startled sound and took an alarmed step back. "Why are you dressed like some sort of medieval warrior?" she asked suspiciously. "What is with the weapons?"
"I am sorry for the deception, Sara. You are on the island of Nanda Parbot, home to the League of Assassins. You must either join us...or die," Nyssa said sorrowfully.
Sara took another step back. "You're...you're crazy!" she sputtered. "Help! Somebody help me!" she yelled.
Nyssa tackled the young woman and pinned her down onto her stomach. Her legs rested on the woman's back, while she used her hands to set Sara up in a sleeper hold.
When Sara woke up, she was bound and gagged in a fetal position, in a room lit only by braziers. Her body rested on rough stone. Before her stood Nyssa- if that was even her real name. And an older man sat in a polished throne, his hair dark with tinges of gray.
"This is highly unusual, Nyssa. League policy is to kill uninvited guests, and this woman certainly does not look like she wishes to join the League, despite your claims," the man said in an irritated voice. But perhaps we should hear your guest speak for herself and resolve the matter, hmm? Looks like she is awake now."
Sara was startled by the perceptiveness of the man- he hadn't paid her any attention whatsoever. Nyssa marched over to her and knelt down beside Sara. "Say that you wish to join the League and become an assassin," she hissed as she undid the gag from Sara's mouth. "It is your only chance for survival. If you claim anything else, my father and his men will immediately kill you."
