Lady of the Lake: Chapter 15 – Storms Over AvalonThat evening, storm clouds gathered as the people of Avalon grieved individually for the loss of their King and protectors. In the morning, they began preparations for their departure. For the first time in living memory, Avalon experienced driving rain throughout the day. The torrential rain indicated that the enchantments over Avalon were failing and hindered the loading of carts and other outdoor preparations. Previously the rain had never fallen till after sundown.
With the destruction of Camelot and the disbanding of the Knights of the Round Table, the small population of Avalon knew their beloved island would soon be overrun. In the outside world, stories had flourished of the wealth of Avalon and for many years, fearless and greedy souls found their way into the narrow valley only to be repelled by the brave guardians. But the true wealth of Avalon was neither gold nor coin, but the richness of its soil and the abundance of its produce. Blessed by Mother Nature to be fertile and lovingly tended by fairies, witches, elves, water sprites and wood nymphs, the small fields of Avalon yielded more than sufficient produce for its populace.
Historically, the people of Avalon had thrived happily in isolation but for one small drawback. No male of any species had ever been born there. As with other enchanted forests and islands, Avalon was designed by Mother Nature to be a feminine domain. Thus, all horses, calves, lambs, chickens, ducks, cats or dogs born on Avalon were always female. Even the women of Avalon who had found a husband or mate in the outside world, always gave birth to daughters. Fortunately, stallions, bulls, roosters and such were easily sourced from nearby villages to continue a steady supply of livestock.
Happily too, husbands were not difficult to find for the women of Avalon either since Avalon females tended to be prettier than most and blessed with robust health. Some girls left the apple isle never to return, while others, with Morgan le Fay’s permission, brought their new husbands to live on Avalon. Alun had been the third son of poor merchant and happily forfeited any share of his meagre inheritance to marry the lovely Bronwyn and live with her on the island. That Alun would have no son to follow in his footsteps bothered him not at all. His life had been long and happy with his wife and their four daughters, who had all married well and now lived in the outside world. Alun and Bronwyn would go to live with their youngest daughter who was soon to have her first child. But some of the other inhabitants of Avalon had no idea where they would go.
Morgan le Fay, quietly mourning the loss of her only child Sir Ywain, her brother and King, Arthur, and her oldest friend, Merlin, gently guided her people’s preparations. Morgan le Fay had more reason than most to mourn the loss of her home and sanctuary. This was where she found ease after the failure of her unhappy marriage to King Urien of Gore. This was where she raised her son. Over time she gathered around her people who did not fear the presence of a fairy. Soon after Merlin delivered the infant Lady Valerie to her, Avalon became a refuge for those in need of peace and solitude. Some were blessed with supernatural powers while others were children who needed to be raised in secret, such as Lancelot, or orphaned royal children like Bors and his brother Lionel. But all things must end sometime and Morgan le Fay knew her work on Avalon was done. Now she was needed in the north and would go there and start again.
As the wet afternoon drew on, two riders approached the hidden entrance to Avalon. The riders wore the tunic of the Knights of the Round Table. “Sir... eh... King... eh my Lord,” Alun said hesitantly. “Two riders from Camelot approach wearing tunics in your colours.”
“Thank you Alun. Please continue to call me Sir Bors as you have always done. My Pentecostal Oath of loyalty and chivalry remains until the next Pentecost Sunday.”
“But you are also the King of Gaunnes,” said Alun.
“Yes, but I as I still have a quest to fulfil, I would prefer to be known as a simple knight,” smiled Sir Bors.
The riders were soon to be revealed as Sir Bors’ son, Sir Elyan the White, and his new squire, Aeron, son of Cai. Father and son hugged each other in greeting. Although sired by deception involving a magic ring, Sir Bors loved his son and it had been many years since his presence had served as an unpleasant reminder that he had been tricked into breaking his vow of celibacy.
Alun and two other Avalon men met with Sir Bors, Sir Elyan and Aeron to listen to the epic tales of the ferocious battles, inspired tactics and courageous feats of the final battle of the Knights of the Round Table. The stories told by Sir Elyan at the table that evening would be retold for centuries to come. But for Sir Bors, the discussion of battlefield glory and deaths triggered an avalanche of regret. Many brave knights he knew and trusted were lost.
Eventually the conversation of battle was exhausted and turned to the people of Camelot. Most had returned to the kingdoms from whence they came. Some knights who had no kingdom to return to, had joined Sir Lancelot on his trek north to Joyous Gard. Others decided they had seen enough of death and destruction and went to join the ranks of the monks.
Sir Bors advised his son that Abbot Owen and Brother Berian would never make the journey back to Gaunnes. Sir Elyan digested this news with sorrow for he knew what his father was saying, but hoped he might persuade his father otherwise. When Aeron heard this, he believed his benefactor was dead. Aeron quietly grieved and said silent prayers for the man who had spared his life. Sir Bors eyed the young squire he’d saved with interest. Sir Elyan saw his father’s gaze and told him how fortuitous it had been to receive the services of a new squire who happened to save his life and his horse, not once, but twice. Sir Bors smiled to himself, for his son’s praise for his new squire validated Sir Bors’ decision to spare Aeron.
“The destruction of Camelot has left a vacuum and nobles across the lands vie to fill it for themselves. Father, we must return to Gaunnes immediately,” Sir Elyan said. “Claudas’ sons will wage war to retake Gaunnes now that our kingdom is without the alliance of the kingdoms of England provided by King Arthur and Camelot. The King of Kent has already declared war on the King of Sussex. On our borders, the Frankish armies are gathering strength. Your skills and wise leadership is sorely needed at home now.”
“No. My son, it is your time to rule for I have one last quest King Arthur has entrusted to me. But I do have one request for you. There are people here on Avalon who have no place to go. Please take as many as would want to travel to Gaunnes with you when you return. But now, happier events are called for. There is one new Knight to make.” Bors stood and walked around the table to talk to Aeron.
“Aeron, son of Cai, Abbot Owen chose you wisely. Although your training is not yet complete, I feel justified in placing faith in you to become a knight my son would have proudly introduced to the Round Table. Aeron, son of Cai, kneel before your king.” Aeron did so with haste. “For your service to my son in the heat of battle, I dub thee Sir Aeron of Gaunnes. I grant you the Manor House and lands of West Almandy in Gaunnes. Arise Sir Aeron.”
“Thank you your majesty,” replied a humble Sir Aeron. Sir Elyan congratulated Sir Aeron on his elevation to knighthood. Aeron did not know what to make of his King who spoke softly and quietly. Sir Bors the Younger had a reputation as a fierce and cunning knight. On the battlefield, some of the other squires had said Sir Bors was the greatest living Knight of the Round Table because of his purity: albeit with one remarkable exception. A few argued that while Sir Bors upheld the Code of Chivalry in every way shape or form, his phenomenal strength and sheer brutality in battle made him the most fearsome knight. Others said that Sir Bors’ astute battle strategies had been the reason for his astounding successes more than sheer brute strength. But all of Aeron’s new friends attested that Sir Bors was an exceptional knight and many of them had envied Aeron his apprenticeship to the House of Gaunnes.
Aeron had wanted to travel to Gaunnes to meet Sir Bors and see the legendary figure for himself but principally he had wanted to again see the kindly Abbot Owen who had spared his life. Aeron knew he had a debt to repay the Abbot. A debt Aeron could now only ever repay by serving the House of Gaunnes to the very best of his ability. Aeron looked at his mentor-Knight, Sir Elyan. Father and son looked and even sounded alike, as had the kindly Abbot Owen. Although he did not get a really good look at the Abbot, Aeron was fairly certain they must all be kin, never knowing how close to the truth his assumption was.
Sir Bors turned to his son. “Sir Elyan, you have prudently and capably served as steward of Gaunnes in my long absences and have proven yourself valiantly in battle. Gaunnes will need a young and courageous hand at the helm over the coming years. Sir Aeron and all gathered here, bare witness that I, King Bors the Younger of Gaunnes, relinquish my kingdom in favour of my son, Sir Elyan the White, henceforth to be King Elyan of Gaunnes. All hail, King Elyan.”
Sir Bors bowed to his new king. Cheers erupted among the men gathered. Alun brought out bottles of nectar so tankards could be refilled to celebrate the new king.
The men again sat at the table and toasted the new King of Gaunnes. Joviality again broke out as the men talked on. Sir Bors turned to his son and King and spoke in a soft voice. “Your majesty I have one favour to ask of you.”
“Father, I would be honoured to grant your favour if I can.”
Sir Bors looked around the happy men celebrating something good during this trying time and lowered his voice so only his son could hear.
“Should Lady Valerie fail in her quest or I fail to protect her and she lives still, marry the fair lady, for her dowry from King Arthur is now worthless and no abbey would take her without a dowry? Lady Valerie is clever, strong and healthy and could bear you many fine sons and beautiful daughters.”
“My dearest father,” said a humbled King Elyan, “ask me anything but this. For I have already pledged my heart to Lady Myfanwy, the daughter of King Pellinor.
“Which one of King Pellinor’s daughters is the Lady Myfanwy?”
“The fairest and most beautiful of them all,” replied King Elyan. “She is the youngest one. She has hair the colour of fire and eyes the colour of stormy seas. When she smiles at me my senses dance with joy and my heart yearns only to be with her.”
“Ah that one,” Sir Bors responded, realising that his son was completely besotted. Although King Pellinor had many passingly pretty daughters, the redheaded Lady Myfanwy was, in Sir Bors own opinion, neither fair nor beautiful, especially when compared to the exquisite loveliness of Lady Valerie. “Does Lady Myfanwy return your affection?”
“Yes father. We had planned to tell you at the Yule Ball for I needed your permission to break my vow of celibacy to marry her. That vow is now voided, of course, but we would like your blessing to marry.”
“You have it. I wish you a long and happy marriage with many strong sons and fair daughters. Promise me this instead: should I fail, find a suitable home for Lady Valerie. You know where the Gaunnes riches are hidden. Make arrangements to provide for her and make sure she is protected and happy all the days of your life and beyond. Should Lady Valerie desire a husband, find the strongest and kindest Knight in the land to marry her. For she is headstrong and will drive a weaker man to strong drink.”
“This father, I will do to the best of my ability,” replied a grateful King Elyan. “But, father, this will never come to pass. You will not fail. You are the only knight to return from the Grail Quest and unquestionably the Round Table’s cleverest knight. You will not fail in Camelot’s last quest.”
Sir Bors hugged his son, said his goodbyes and left him to his dreams of marrying the cousin of Sir Galahad for King Pellinor was the brother of King Pelles, Sir Galahad’s maternal grandfather. The marriage would also be a good alliance for Gaunnes in these difficult times.
Sir Bors turned to walk away, deep in thought. He realised that he knew his son was deeply in love because he had similar feelings. How cruel life was that he should, at last, recognise that he loved the fair Lady Valerie with all his heart when she was destined to love another. His mind flew immediately to the tortured soul of his cousin Sir Lancelot: a man devoted and loyal to his beloved King, all the while irrevocably in love with his Queen.
And now, how ironic it was that Sir Bors had tried so virtuously to counsel Lancelot to cease his affair with Guinevere, when he would have given everything he owned to have the right to hold Lady Valerie in his arms. Lost in such disturbing thoughts, Sir Bors almost walked into the very object of them. Fortunately he stopped short in time to raise his head, only to be caught off guard by the angry eyes of Lady Valerie.
