Return to Camelot by Jeffrey Allen White (classic fiction .txt) 📖

stopped just feet from Arthur.

Arthur’s heart raced. Could this be an intruder who means him harm? How could anyone pass by the guards? “You leave me no choice.” Arthur pulled out a dagger that hid under his cloak. He advanced towards the shadowy figure and brought his hand up to strike at it. The figure backed up and Arthur followed. The closer Arthur neared it, the further it would retreat. He may not have respect for the king’s privacy but it did fear weapons.

The figure backed into a corner. There was no place else to escape. It was trapped. Arthur was pleased it took that course and it was now at his mercy. Arthur closed in on the figure. He could see its’ face now. There was an old black cloak covering it’s’ body. He was hunched over in an attempt to avoid light, and, of course, his dagger.

“I say speak intruder! Who are you? I command you to state your reason for this violation of my chamber.” With that, the figure stood up from its’ bent position. What was only a hunched over shadow had now grown to the height of Arthur himself. The figure turned to face Arthur. His hand slid out from under its’ cloak. It was old and gnarled. More bone than flesh.

Arthur again asked, “Who are you?” The figure, now standing fully erect turned to face Arthur. His head now almost in full view. The room grew dark all around him. His sense of time and space seemed to melt away from him.

The figure brought his hand up to his cloaked head and pulled away at it exposing his face slowly. Arthur stared in disbelief. “Could it be?” Arthur leaned on the table for support, his knees weakened with age and disuse now completely gave way to the force of the earth below him. His strength to stand was taken from him. He sank to his knees. Still holding on the table for support, he braced himself to see the cloaked figure more clearly. His head was uncovered now. His face and features, although old and twisted were familiar to him, though somewhat, strangely distant. He knew this man, he thought. Somewhere, he knew him. He was older but there was no doubt in his mind.

It was Merlin!…

This was the last thing Arthur remembered before falling into a deep sleep. One who would take him to a place so far and yet so near?

Arthur’s body floated around in a mist of some unknown origin. His sense of time was distorted. He strained to see his surroundings but it was difficult. His mind and body were disconnected. His thoughts and senses were not together, as they should be. He was asleep and yet aware of something.

After several minutes or what he thought were several minutes, Arthur felt himself seated on the ground. The ground of what he did not know. The mist, now bathed him in an eerie glow of emerald light. It started to dissipate and clear gradually.

Arthur could see his hands now. He could see them but there was not any feeling of any kind in them. Just cold, unfeeling cold. However, not the stinging frigid cold he knew of in his own world. This was different.

The mist swirled and spun, clearing more area, making his surroundings more visible. He was in a strange place, a cave or an underground cavern. Arthur could see rocks and walls of earth with what appeared to be passageways. The emerald green light was now intensifying. He could stand now. Arthur steadied himself against a wall of rock and looked around. He was definitely underneath the surface of the land. The emerald green light emitted from the rocks themselves, glowing and showering everything with its unfeeling rays of light.

Suddenly, Arthur noticed some movement to his side. He turned and tried to make out what it was. A demon perhaps? A beast of the dark that has stalked him? Could this be death? Could this be eternity in hell? Arthur searched his mind struggling for answers.

The movement continued. Arthur saw what it was. It was the cloaked figure from his room. He could remember that he somehow knew it. Nevertheless, how? He walked to it and stood before it. The figure dropped its’ cloak. Arthur remembered now. It was Merlin!

“How can this be? How are you to be here and I with you? Is this a dream?” Arthur wanted to embrace his friend and yet he was afraid. It was Merlin, although much older and more slight of stature.

Merlin held out a withered arm. There was something in his hand. Arthur reached for it fearing the image would vanish before his eyes and he would awaken from yet another nightmare. However, this one seemed different. No dragons, no Guinevere and no Lancelot. Only Merlin.

Arthur took what was a small cloth bag from Merlin’s hand. He was about to speak to Merlin again. This time to demand answers and before his eyes, the emerald green light that was around him started to merge into a small whirlpool.

Merlin was in the open with the green light encircling him, through him as well as around him. Merlin’s appearance started to change. His emaciated body took fuller form and his flesh started to fill out. His wrinkled features became less so. His face became more human, more recognizable.

The light glowed all around Merlin. He was now as Arthur last saw him, ten years ago, his teacher and his friend. Merlin was here before him...alive!

“Arthur, I have come from far away to warn you as I should have done many years ago. I have little time to speak.” This was Merlin’s voice. He knew it. There was no mistake. “You are in great peril as is your Camelot. I am sorry that I was not there for you to warn you years ago of Lancelot and Guinevere. Nimue had taken me away. She has kept me prisoner all these years.”

Arthur was in shock. “Merlin, what are you speaking of? What kind of sorcery is this? What peril? Where have you been? I don’t know....”

Merlin interrupted, “I have little time Wart. Now listen and listen carefully.”

Arthur recognized his childhood name. “What peril am I in? My kingdom is in ruins, my wife is gone and Lancelot has killed our bond with his lust for my wife.”

“There was not anything I could do to stop it. What is gone is still gone. Lancelot is still your brother knight and Guinevere, you true and only love. Many years have passed but now an evil has come back to take what is left.”

“There is nothing left. I am old and close to death. Guinevere is gone. She disappeared into the night. Lancelot is dead for all I know. What else could possibly happen?” Arthur struggled with his question.

“You must prepare yourself for battle. Not a battle of which you have fought before but one that is not only for your sake but also that of your son.” Arthur stood back in disbelief.

“What son? What do you speak of Merlin?” Arthur was confused at this announcement.


“Guinevere was always your true love. She was only under a spell cast by Morgan Le fey. She knew not what she was doing or of Lancelot for that matter. They both were bewitched by the evilest of shrews. Take heed Arthur. You must find you son.” Again, Merlin had spoken of a son.

“Bewitched? My son? What are you saying Merlin? I have a son of my own? My son? How can this be?” Arthur sat on a large stone.

Merlin walked closer and handed Arthur a disk of gold. “Take this. This will help you find your son. You must find him and protect him. Great evil is about to spread throughout your kingdom.”

“But, how and where am I to look? Is he with Guinevere?” Merlin shook his head no.

“No, the boy was given away when his mother gave him birth. She felt disgraced thinking it was not your child but that of Lancelot’s. No one knew of the boy child except for a few. They swore to secrecy. Guinevere gave him up so that both you and Lancelot would be spared anymore pain.” Merlin backed away as he spoke.

“But where is he? How old is he? Is he well? What is his name?” Arthur pleaded with Merlin for more information.

Merlin’s image started to fade. “My time is short. Take the golden disk and the cloth bag. You will find what you need and you will know when to use it. Forgive your Guinevere and Lancelot. They love you as you truly love them.”

“Merlin, there are so many questions. I cannot understand what is happening. Merlin, I want...” Merlin had now faded completely. Arthur felt the cold closing in on him again. He fell to the floor. Weakened again by the cold, his head slowly dropped to the ground. His body was now floating upward and then darkness again.


Chapter 3

Tolemac had entered Arthur’s room. He had been coming to visit the king and help everyday for several weeks now. The king seemed pleased to see him when he arrived everyday.

The king was asleep in his bed. Tolemac thought he looked as if he were resting well. He closed the door behind him quietly as to not disturb the sleeping monarch. He went about readying the king’s garments.

The room looked different today. Maybe it was more light from the windows as they have been cleaned or was it the missing the cloud of dust and cobwebs that were now gone? However, there was something different. Tolemac could feel it. He just could not explain why.

Arthur turned in his sleep that had startled Tolemac. He turned to see that the king had now sat upright in his bed. However, his eyes closed tightly.

“Sire, let me help you.” Tolemac went to the king’s side and was just about to assist him. With an abrupt jerk, the king screamed in anguish. His head rolled back, he fell down onto his pillows, his back arched in spasms, and his eyes shut.

Tolemac tried to shake Arthur awake but the king did not respond to his touch. His eyes opened. They were glassy and he had a far away, fearful look.

Shaking with fear, Tolemac backed away from the bed. His eyes still fixed on the king; he stepped backwards from him, passing a table and the book that Arthur was to have