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

they all planted and tended. There were sisters washing and cleaning the chapel. Three young novices were reciting prayers according to their devotional duty. One never forgot their chores or their prayers or they would answer to the Mother Abbess.

The abbey, tucked away in the rocky northern part of Wales, was far from the English countryside and any village or town for that matter. Its’ remoteness made it possible for the sisters to devote all their time and attention to prayers and the tending of the convent.

Young women from all over the country as well as neighboring states have entered these walls to devote their life to God and His glory. Not everyone was accepted. The candidate had to pass several test to be sure they were entering for the proper reasons and of their own desires.

Candidates who did not pass these tests were scattered back to the world from which they came in disgrace. They would return to the abbey when they were truly ready and accepting of God’s laws and His plans.

Today, a young novice, who had come here from France and counseled as to her true intentions for entering the nunnery, her name was Elizabeth. She was from the south of France, a small coastal town where the people were proud and hard workers. Her parents had hoped for her to enter the convent, therefore relieving themselves of an extra mouth to feed and to ensure their blessings from God in Heaven.

Elizabeth was just sixteen. She was a small girl, dark hair and dark eyes. Her skin was white and without imperfections. She was the daughter of a farmer. There were seven other children still at home, mostly boys. Elizabeth, being slight was not much help around the farm. She was often sickly and needed tending to. Her parents decided to send her to the abbey when war broke out amidst their countryside. The boys were able to defend their land but they sent the younger children to relatives and Elizabeth to the abbey.

Mother Abbess had found out much about Elizabeth during her stay here. She was a sweet child, very eager to serve and very polite and respectful. Her only real problem it seemed was that she did not always honor the sister’s vows of silence. That is to speak only during certain times of the day and only in prayer and chore related matters.

“I have watched you for some time, Elizabeth. You miss your family I know but do you believe in your heart that this is your true calling?” Mother Abbess paced along the wall of windows in the room. The furniture was sparse but functional. Two chairs, a table and a small alter for prayer.

Elizabeth sat quietly looking out the window. It was a beautiful day. It had been raining so much these last weeks but now it was all clear and sunny. Mother Abbess continued to speak. “All of us here at the abbey, Elizabeth, have certain rules that we follow, certain laws we must obey. It has come to my attention that you cannot follow the rule of silence”. The Abbess returned to her chair. “Do you wish to continue to stay here, my child?” She asked, “It is not what your parents expect Elizabeth but what God expects. He expects you to be honest and true. You must search your heart and find the answers. There are no locks here. We are all free to stay or to leave but the choice must be made clearly and without reservation.” The Abbess took windows of the room, which were flung, and opened with a great force. The light filled the early morning countryside with its’ eerie glow.

Then it was gone. As fast as it had appeared, it had disappeared. Both the light and Merlin vanished. Arthur moved in his bed, still asleep. Tolemac and Mordred were gone. A lone wolf howled in the distance. It was now dusk. Time had moved on. Night had become day.

A servant entered the kings’ chambers. She had brought the king and the boy something to eat. They were spending so much time together and often forgot to stop and eat. She moved to the table. The room was dark except for a fire in the hearth. She noticed the boy was not there and the king was sitting in his chair near the dying fire.

Carefully placing the platter on the table, she went over to the king to ask if he needed something. She noticed his hand dangling from the side.

“Poor dear, must have fallen asleep while reading.” She went to wake the king. As she neared him, she noticed something so terrible it caused her to scream. Her cry was heard throughout the castle. Alerted guards and servants turned towards the scream.

Arthur was sitting upright in his chair. He had the bedclothes around him. It was wet from his sweat. Arthur was breathing but it was slow and labored. His hair was matted and his face ashen.

His face startled her so. From his eyes, it was if he had been crying tears of blood!


Chapter 4

The bells from the abbey rang out their morning call for devotion. Everyone had been awake and working for hours already. Several nuns had been gathering vegetables from the common garden they all planted and tended. There were sisters washing and cleaning the chapel. Three young novices were reciting prayers according to their devotional duty. One never forgot their chores or their prayers or they would answer to the Mother Abbess.

The abbey, tucked away in the rocky northern part of Wales, was far from the English countryside and any village or town for that matter. Its’ remoteness made it possible for the sisters to devote all their time and attention to prayers and the tending of the convent.

Young women from all over the country as well as neighboring states have entered these walls to devote their life to God and His glory. Not everyone was accepted. The candidate had to pass several test to be sure they were entering for the proper reasons and of their own desires.

Candidates who did not pass these tests were scattered back to the world from which they came in disgrace. They would return to the abbey when they were truly ready and accepting of God’s laws and His plans.

Today, a young novice, who had come here from France and counseled as to her true intentions for entering the nunnery, her name was Elizabeth. She was from the south of France, a small coastal town where the people were proud and hard workers. Her parents had hoped for her to enter the convent, therefore relieving themselves of an extra mouth to feed and to ensure their blessings from God in Heaven.
Elizabeth was just sixteen. She was a small girl, dark hair and dark eyes. Her skin was white and without imperfections. She was the daughter of a farmer. There were seven other children still at home, mostly boys. Elizabeth, being slight was not much help around the farm. She was often sickly and needed tending to. Her parents decided to send her to the abbey when war broke out amidst their countryside. The boys were able to defend their land but they sent the younger children to relatives and Elizabeth to the abbey.

Mother Abbess had found out much about Elizabeth during her stay here. She was a sweet child, very eager to serve and very polite and respectful. Her only real problem it seemed was that she did not always honor the sister’s vows of silence. That is to speak only during certain times of the day and only in prayer and chore related matters.

“I have watched you for some time, Elizabeth. You miss your family I know but do you believe in your heart that this is your true calling?” Mother Abbess paced along the wall of windows in the room. The furniture was sparse but functional. Two chairs, a table and a small alter for prayer.

Elizabeth sat quietly looking out the window. It was a beautiful day. It had been raining so much these last weeks but now it was all clear and sunny. Mother Abbess continued to speak. “All of us here at the abbey, Elizabeth, have certain rules that we follow, certain laws we must obey. It has come to my attention that you cannot follow the rule of silence”. The Abbess returned to her chair. “Do you wish to continue to stay here, my child?” She asked, “It is not what your parents expect Elizabeth but what God expects. He expects you to be honest and true. You must search your heart and find the answers. There are no locks here. We are all free to stay or to leave but the choice must be made clearly and without reservation.” The Abbess took Elizabeth’s hands in hers. “There was a time when I had entered the convent life, when I wasn’t sure of what I wanted. I had made a mistake and at first, I found safety behind these walls. These stoned walls sealed and protected me from the dangers of the world. Eventually I found myself in God and gave my life to Him and His ways.”

Elizabeth studied the Abbess’ face. She was very pretty, she thought. She must have been even more beautiful before she entered the convent. “Mother, I too seek shelter and protection but I also seek the Lord and His plans for me.”

Mother Abbess smiled at Elizabeth. She had hoped she would find a common ground with this child. It had only been ten years since she entered these same walls. She too was just little more than a child herself. She had made an unfortunate choice and had to pay a terrible price for her sins. The last ten years spent in prayer and service to the Lord. She had felt she had paid dearly for her sins and was now a true child of God.

“I must say, you remind me of myself when I was your age.” The Abbess smiled again.

The Abbess remembered her first days at the convent. She spent long hours in prayer and repentance. It was years before she could forgive herself, let alone God forgive her, she thought.

“I will try to be a better novice, Mother. I promise.” Elizabeth grabbed the Abbess’ hands and held them to her face.

“Now Elizabeth, all God wants from you is your unconditional love and devotion. To many it is difficult, to some, it is impossible and to others, it is a way of life. Do you understand me?” Mother Abbess stood before Elizabeth bringing her to stand also.

“Now go and finish your chores, my child. Keep your vows and pray for strength and guidance.” Mother Abbess opened the door and ushered out the young novice.

“Thank you, Mother Abbess,