Nimuë, also known as the Lady of the Lake, is a mythical being from the Legend of King Arthur.  She is a fairy-like enchantress who seems to have more power than typical fairies.  She appears in various stories associated with the Arthurian Legend, and her motivations are frequently unclear.  Is she a protagonist or an antagonist?  Is she good or evil?  The answers to these questions are shrouded in mystery.  In some accounts, she is the guardian of Lancelot or the love interest of Merlin.  In another story, she gives the magic sword Excalibur to King Arthur, yet in another legend, she traps Merlin in a tree or tomb – an act which (sometimes) kills him – either because she detested him or to escape his advances.

This tone poem captures the mysterious qualities of Nimuë and the fairies that are associated with her and perhaps even do her bidding. The music is meant to capture her multifaceted character as a sorceress and to convey an atmosphere of mystery and intrigue.