Tales From Camelot Series 1: PENDRAGON

by Paul Green

  Another special and surprising thing that had happened, was that Arthur had secretly managed to locate Luella's family. She hadn't known that Arthur had been searching for them, and it took two of his scouts nearly three months. But find them, they did. And it was during this time of Birth Celebration that Luella had gone for her first visit with them in over ten years. Camelot would always be her permanent home. But over the years, Luella would eventually end up 'wintering' with them each year, for there was little she could do in the gardens during the times of bad weather. She would always return in the early spring and it would always be a joyous reunion; especially for Morgan.

  Another special thing that had happened, was that Arthur had brought on three more new servants.

  A Royal Horsemaster who was completely lame, after being accidentally run over by a merchant's delivery cart in the Marketplace. But the older man seemed to know and love horses, for he had once raised them, and Arthur saw that he had a good heart. Though the man would likely never be able to ride them again, at least this way he could be around them all the time, something which he greatly treasured.

  Arthur bought him and his wife a house, as well.

  Then there was the new Master Tailor. Who had been an apprentice tailor in another kingdom, but had managed to lose an arm while out chopping wood with a drunken friend. Arthur had stumbled upon him by accident, also in the Marketplace. Literally. For Arthur had tripped over a cat and the man caught him in his one good arm as Arthur fell. When Arthur offered his thanks, the apprentice tailor surprisingly began scolding Arthur for the 'hideous' condition of his clothing, which in his estimation looked 'horrid' and not at all befitting that of a High Prince. Arthur immediately took a liking to him for his unabashed honesty, and the next you know, Camelot now had a one-armed Master Tailor.

  Morgan was the one who had helped with bringing onboard the Master Jeweler. He had a table on the outermost fringe area of the Marketplace, but he was rarely able to sell anything. Not because his jewelry wasn't exquisite or his skills weren't considerable, but because he stuttered. A lot. And it tended to drive customers away.

  Morgan actually thought his jewelry designs were the most 'wondrous' of all the jewelers in the marketplace, and so ... now they had a new Royal Master Jeweler; complete with full salary and a house. And each week, he would always make Morgan a little something; some little knick-knack or trinket or some small dangly thing. It always had to be little and it always had to be small; for Morgan could never take something she considered as 'valuable'; the latest new word she had learned from Alfred.

  Which now brought the grand total of servants at Castle Camelot to six. Which meant the staff had doubled in only two years!

  Arthur never could find someone who liked to clean; though it wasn't for lack of looking. So ... Arthur took on that responsibility himself. Morgan would usually help him, of course; but the higher-up windows were exclusively his.

  But there was one more person who was added to the castle's growing list of occupants. And that person showed up at the castle on the night of Arthur's thirteenth Birth Celebration.

  While the others were in the large kitchen and toasting their ale ... and Morgan was eating her cake ... of all people, it was High King Uther Pendragon who showed up for the party.

  Everyone gasped as he walked into the room. Uther had looked pale and thin before, but now he looked emaciated and frail. Nevertheless, the man who looked like he was close to approaching death offered Arthur and Morgan a smile and a nod.

  Just then, Frederick jumped up and walked over to greet him. "Hello! Welcome to Castle Camelot!"

  Uther smiled at Frederick, and then pointed at his throat, indicating he was unable to speak.

  But for the moment, anyway, Uther appeared to be lucid; and he had come all that way just to wish his son a blessed Birth Celebration.

  Arthur instantly leaped to his feet and pulled out his chair for his father. But Uther shook his head and pointed upstairs; indicating he needed to rest. Arthur ran to his side and offered to help him upstairs, to which Uther nodded his gratefulness. But before he turned to leave with Arthur, his father motioned for Morgan to come forward.

  Morgan obeyed; albeit very nervously. For she had sometimes heard Gorlois cursing Uther and accusing him of all sorts of terrible things; even raping and killing her mother, Igraine. Not to mention some of the things she had unfortunately overheard in the marketplace.

  Arthur nodded that it was okay and safe for her to approach, and so Morgan did so. Uther continued smiling at Morgan, and shakily learned over and kissed her on the forehead. Uther then nodded at Morgan one last time, and turned towards Arthur to lead him away.

  *** *** ***

  "That..." said Accolon after they left, "...was an amazing thing he has done."

  Sagremor nodded. "If you refer to his traveling all this way, in his condition? Just to wish Arthur a happy Birth Celebration? Then yes, I agree. I never would have thought it even possible."

  Accolon and Sagremor looked over at Bors who had not said a word. In fact, he seemed to have a slight frown on his face.

  "Is ... something the matter, Battlemaster?" Accolon asked.

  Bors didn't reply for a time, as he rapped his fingers on the table. Finally he shook his head. "I had not expected to see him again, either. That is all."

  *** *** ***

  Arthur took Uther to his room, and helped him lie in his bed. Once he was settled, Uther looked up at Arthur with a proud smile. And he held his scarred palm up to Arthur's face.

  "I love you, father." Arthur said simply.

  Uther nodded and lowered his hand back down onto his chest. And he closed his eyes ... and within moments, Uther had fallen asleep.

  Chapter 52

  Two years later

  Uther never woke up after that. He remained in his bed, asleep; never moving, and only just barely breathing.

  Yet somehow, he still managed to remain alive.

  The Master Physician had to pour liquids down his throat for food; but he always came away shaking his head when he was done; indicating he didn't think Uther had much time left. Yet, Uther still hung on. After two long years, he was still alive.

  It was three weeks following after Arthur celebrated his fifteenth Birth Celebration, and Morgan her fourteenth, and it was during the middle of the day while Arthur was with the Knights and while Morgan was in class with Alfred.

  Bors came up to visit Uther.

  No one knew he was there.

  All of the original Knights-in-Training had just recently graduated; almost one hundred Knights in all. Arthur had finally completed his education, as well. He was now an able-bodied 15-year-old man and with a full company of well-trained Knights, to protect him and help watch over the Kingdom. Bors had decided that Arthur was now fully capable and prepared and ready to ascend to the throne.

  Bors entered Uther's room, where Uther had lain asleep for two years. He brought with him a tankard of his finest and most expensive ale; in order to toast the High King; who was also once a friend, a very long time ago.

  Bors sat in a chair next to Uther and raised his tankard high. Then he took a long drought. Then ... Bors set the tankard on the nearby bed table, and pulled out a pouch from his pocket. He opened the pouch, and poured a white powder into the tankard that was still partially filled with ale.

  Bors sloshed the white powder around in the tankard until it had dissolved, and then sat upon the bed next to Uther.

  He raised Uther's head.

  "I am sorry, old friend." Bors said with a tear in his eye. "But this if for the best. The kingdom needs Arthur now, more than ever."

  Bors then placed the tankard to Uther's lips and poured the mixture into Uther's mouth, and waited long enough to make sure Uther had swallowed it.

  Then he tenderly lowered Uther's head back down onto to the pillow.

  And walked away.

  Chapter 53

  One week later

  "I do not wish t
o attend the funeral, Bors. Why may I not remain here?"

  "I am sorry, young pup. It is your duty."

  "I do not wish to remember my father in this manner."

  "It is a time to honor your father and his legacy. It is important for you to remember such things."

  "I prefer to remember other things."

  "Things such as?"

  "I prefer to remember the times we were together; my father and I. You of all people know how few those times were."

  "It is true."

  "Bors, I truly do understand the importance of such things as honor and legacy."

  "Yes, I know that you do."

  "But I find the rare times with my father to be of greater value."

  "You are very different from Uther, young pup."

  "Perhaps. But he was my father, still."

  "He cared a great deal for his kingdom."

  "I care less about his kingdom."

  "Your kingdom now, Arthur Pendragon."

  "Must we speak of that now? My father is not even yet buried."

  "Would you have your sister face this time alone?"

  Arthur sighed. "No, Bors. You know I would never wish that upon her."

  "You are the only family she has left."

  "You are right. I was not thinking of Morgan; I am ashamed."

  "You care deeply for your sister."

  "You of all people know that I do. As you have spoken, she and I are all that remain of our family."

  "You cared for her while you still had your father."

  "Very much so. As you well know, she did not have a ... pleasant ... experience from her ... other family. I still do not know much of what happened to her while she lived among them."

  "Her mother tried to protect her until her passing; when Morgan was very young. After that ... you do not want to know what happened, after that."

  "Someday I intend to find out, Bors. I swear they shall know retribution for what harm they have caused my sister. For now ... all I can do is show her kindness in her new home - as I have sought to do for the past three years."

  "And as such, she has always been fond of you. Indeed, you are the only one she would speak to for the first year."

  "Yes, it was during that first year that she refused to sleep anywhere except upon the floor near my bed."

  "I remember it took us another year to wean her away from your floor to the bed in her own room, even though it was next to your room."

  Arthur chuckled. "You were not so successful, Bors. She sleeps in my room, still."

  "What!?"

  "Not always, but more often than not, I shall see her upon the floor near my bed. By morning, she is always gone. She does not think I know, and I have never spoken of it to her."

  "You have a good heart, young pup. I have always believed such. It is truth that you care not for your father's kingdom. Rather you care more for the people within the kingdom."

  "Such flattery shall not gain you access to our kitchen's pantry, Sir Bors. We must draw the line, somewhere."

  "You wound me deeply, Your Majesty."

  "Do not even consider calling me such a thing! I shall have you removed from the supper table this very night!"

  "And who would you have attempt to do such a dangerous thing ... as prevent me from my meal?"

  Arthur grinned. "I shall, of course!"

  Bors shot out a hand and grabbed Arthur by the ear.

  "OUCH! UNHAND YOUR KING!"

  "Nay. Not unless my King withdraws his portentous threat."

  "I shall not! Even upon loss of ear!"

  Bors smiled and let go. "I am sorry, young pup; but in the presence of other rulers, kings and dignitaries, I shall henceforth be referring to you as protocol demands."

  "Protocol be damned; my name is Arthur."

  "Speak such words again and I shall most certainly turn you over my knee!"

  "You have not turned me over your knee since I was four years of age! What makes you think you could catch me now, old Knight?"

  "Nevertheless, young pup, upon arrival at your father's grave, I shall indeed address you as befitting a king."

  Arthur sighed.

  "I am sorry this has befallen you at this time; you are now but of fifteen years of age."

  "Bors?"

  "Yes?"

  Suddenly with tears in his eyes, Arthur threw his arms around the giant man. "Thank you, Bors."

  Bors nodded and patted Arthur's head, trying to hold back a tear of his own.

  "You have been as a father to me."

  "No, young pup! Do not speak of this! You are a Pendragon. Red and black are your colors. Constantine was your Grandsire! You are of royal blood; you must never consider otherwise."

  "Have I ever spoken of my dislike of your lectures, Bors?"

  "Not since this morning, you have not."

  Arthur finally let go and stepped back. "Thanks, Bors. I just needed ... you know."

  "More than you know, young pup. More than you know."

  "Bors, do you believe the rumors that my father was poisoned?"

  "I have already told you many times; they are only rumors."

  "Have you learned if the rumors are true?"

  "They may be true or they may not; no one knows this for certain."

  Chapter 54

  Immediately after the funeral

  It was tradition for the new high ruler to first enter his ruling chambers, alone. So it was that Arthur Pendragon walked alone into the quiet and empty royal Throne Room of the High King, as Bors closed the massive doors behind him with a loud echoing clang.

  To his left were empty suits of armor standing as silent guardians of the highest power in the land. To his right were candlestands which remained lit. They had been relit the day Ambrosius had first taken the throne back from Vortigern and would never go out for as long as the current blood line remained upon the throne.

  Above Arthur was an impossibly high vaulted ceiling which had stood for centuries, and from which hung three massive wooden chandeliers filled with brightly lit candles.

  Royal flags of red and black hung from the high wooden beams overhead, upon which were embroidered the names of those kingdoms who were loyal allies to House Pendragon.

  The flags were far too few in number.

  Directly ahead of Arthur was the Great Royal Throne, upon which sat an empty tall sculptured chair made of the finest woods of the known world. And behind the throne were tall massive windows of the finest stained glass.

  It would be an overwhelming sight for any young boy of fifteen years of age. But it was far more overwhelming for this young man, as the crushing weight of not just a kingdom but an entire nation now bore down heavily upon his very young shoulders.

  As the new overlord of all the lands, Arthur had never felt more inadequate or more vulnerable or more alone.

  Even though Uther rarely sat upon that throne, at least the great burden remained upon his father's shoulders and not upon his. But Arthur had no more covering. Not even a missing father whom he at least knew was still out there ... somewhere.

  And the terrible aloneness had never been more smothering or terrifying than it was at that very moment.

  Arthur had always felt alone; though he had never told anyone. Knowing what would one day fall upon his shoulders was never anything that Arthur had especially looked forward to.

  Over time, Bors had taught Arthur to keep the things he saw in people to himself. His ability to see the true hearts of others certainly contributed immensely to his great aloneness; and truly his gift was a curse.

  Even those he thought he could trust.

  For Arthur had known that Bors had lied to him about poisoning his father.

  ~ Epilogue ~

  In a remote part of the kingdom, hidden deep within the Great Forest, a lone horseman traveled along no particular path towards a very specific destination.

  The horse was pulling a wagon, inside of which lay a body covered by layers of sheets and leaves.
r />   The horseman continued quietly and steadfastly as he had done for days, until he came to a small remote village few people knew existed.

  The clip-clop of horse hooves and the splurging of the wagon wheels rolling in the mud came to a stop, as the horseman reigned in his horse in front of a small, primitive ramshackle hut made of grass, twigs and mud.

  As the horseman dismounted, an elderly man came out of the hut to meet the visitor.

  "I have come to see your medicine woman." said the horseman.

  The elderly man nodded and gestured back towards the hut he had just come out of.

  The horseman walked around to the rear of the wagon and pulled the body out. Then, carrying the body in his arms, he entered the old hut of the village medicine woman.

  Inside the old one-room hut, the woman was sitting upon the floor beside an empty pallet of bedding, as if she had been waiting for the body to arrive.

  "It is strange I must follow a raven to come here." said the horseman, after he lay the body down upon the pallet.

  "We move." the medicine woman replied. "It is how we remain hidden."

  "When the raven first came to me, I thought I was going mad. This is my second occasion to follow him here. I still wonder if I am not going mad. Birds do not talk."

  "Did the drug I gave to you work?"

  "Yes. Everyone believes Uther is dead. Arthur is now ascended to the throne."

  "Has Uther awakened?"

  "No, he still sleeps. Can you awaken him?"

  "It may take days, but he shall revive on his own. But perhaps it may be I can hasten his awakening."

  "Uther is no longer fit to be king. But my heart grieves as to the terrible thing I have done to his son."

  "You have only done what the raven has asked you to do."

  "Having done this thing and keeping this secret from Arthur causes me great distress. I have done this thing at the behest of a talking bird! Surely I have gone as mad as Uther."

  "The raven had only asked you to bring him here. Blame me for the rest, for I am the one who has insisted upon secrecy."