The Silent Heart

It was the final battle of King Arthur. Though they were able to drag him from the battlefield before he was killed, he was mortally wounded and there seemed to be little hope. The few knights left were determined to find a way to save him. Sir Melion had shifted to a wolf and scouted for any sign of a healer or a village. Arthur’s nephew, Sir Gawain kept his uncle’s body on his horse, and Sir Gareth, his younger brother, furrowed his brow and remarked that the Merlin or the High Priestess of Avalon should have warned them. No one wished to tell him that they had been warned, that all of this was foretold. There was a howl from the wolf. They followed and they raced to find what he had alerted them to. By the time they had arrived by the lake, Melion was shifting back to his human form, and clothes were passed him.   “It’s a lake, Sir Melion. I see no one here to help us.” Sir Gareth complained.   Melion simply smiled and came over to clap him on the back. “Aye, a lake it is, son. However, it is the mists on the lake that are important.”   He gestured and all eyes went to the lake. It was not the lake of the lady, they were too far away for that, yet, the familiar mists were there. Mists that on any other lake would have dispersed in the early dawn. Gawain motioned for his brother to help him get Arthur down and to the shore. Once laid, they checked to find him still unconscious and his breath was so light they had to use a feather to see that he was indeed breathing. Before the young Gareth could again complain, Melion took Arthur’s sword. Gareth stood quickly drawing his own sword and everyone froze. Gawain stood and put a hand on his younger brother’s arm.   “Cease, we are all friends.” Gareth looked at Melion and knew the man was not simply taking the sword for his own use. He nodded for him to explain. Melion sighed, “Son, I would never betray the king. I am simply trying to summon help.” He put his hands up and slowly returned to the lake. Gareth glanced at his brother and sighed to himself, then put his sword away, watching Melion carefully. Closing his eyes, Melion muttered, “Goddess let this work.” He dipped the blade and heard the gasp behind him and opened his eyes to see it glow. With a smile, he relaxed and watched the light from the sword flow out into the water and into the mists. They all followed it with their eyes and stared expectantly at the mists. After a moment, a movement was seen, the hull of a small boat broke through the mists. Melion took the sword and thrust the tip into the lake still in the water and took a knee. Gawain did the same and grabbed Gareth to follow suit. Once the small boat was entirely out of the mists, they saw the ravens follow, slowly circling and one alight on the boat itself. Three women, one obviously the High Priestess, the other two with hoods over their faces and waiting behind her.   The boat came to shore and the High Priestess spoke. “Rise Sir Melion, child of the Moon Goddess, Sir Gawain and Sir Gareth, sons of the bear.” They did and Melion reached for her hand to help her and the two to shore. Immediately, the ravens descended and hopped around as if looking over Arthur’s body. Gareth went to wave them off and the High Priestess came over and gestured for the knights to back up. “They are here to help. Their healing is necessary if we are to hold his spirit to his body.” She knelt by Arthur and brushed the hair from his forehead with a deep sigh. “I so had wished it could have ended differently.” She whispered before a tear fell. She gestured and the two other priestesses brought a litter to put the body on and to take onto the boat. As the High Priestess stood to leave, Melion blocked her way, his eyes wide and worried. “He is still alive, my lady. Surely it is not done. Camelot, it can not be. . . “ He saw her raise her head and pull the hood back. Her hair was dark like the ravens that followed her, her eyes almond-shaped and her skin bronzed. Her face was angular enough to be regal and he immediately felt unworthy, almost falling to one knee again. She reached and took his elbow before he could and helped him to stand by the other two knights before addressing them. “Camelot is gone. As was foretold, the actions that were taken, the jealousy of the knights, of Mordred, of Morgause, and the weakness of a man, yes, even one such as Arthur, had brought it all to fruition.” She saw Gareth starting to open his mouth to complain, and she raised a hand to stop him. “Still young knight. While it is lost, what is lost can be gained again. We will take Arthur to Avalon to keep him safe and, if possible, to heal him. So that one day he might return. Avalon, as you can see, is where it is needed. When that time comes, there will be signs to look for. Mark my words; as you protected your king, protect these prophecies. First, there will come five priestesses, lost souls in the world found and brought together by the wolves that have protected the silver lake. A world that has done away with kings and queens will have a hidden royalty, their children will dethrone their own parents to do away with corruption, and with their clear eyes and open hearts will reunite Arthur’s bear family and his knights, still hidden among the world. Finally, the ravens will join the wolves and find Avalon to bring it forth from the mists. Then and only then, shall Arthur rise again.” Gawain bowed his head in thanks, “Thank you, Lady. We will keep your words and we will keep the bear line alive and waiting.”   Melion bowed his head, “Thank you, Lady. I will keep the wolves to the lake once found. We will protect it and wait for the priestesses.” Gareth bowed his head and swallowed back the tears, “Thank you, Lady. I will keep the knights to fight injustice where we find it and wait for Arthur to summon us back.” She nodded and headed back to the boat. “This will be the last time the three of you will see or know each other until Avalon and Arthur rise again. Though your form will be different, and a new life awaits you, you will know and remember.” The boat pulled out by itself and started back towards the mist. While Gawain and Melion watched, they realized the priestesses had taken the sword and laid it with Arthur. Gareth was unable to stay still and ran for the water. “My Lady! Please, your name? You are the Lady of the Lake, yes?” He had never laid eyes on her, though he had heard the tales. He knew it was inappropriate but the moment he had seen her dark chocolate eyes he had to know her name. She smiled at him, “It is Morgaine, young knight. Though you will find me again with another name. Your heart and mine are linked, but not in this life.” She stated sadly and they were gone in the mists. The three stood there for a long time and then each saluted the other and left. All three went in different directions and never saw each other again. The devastation from the fall of Camelot was complete. While those that brought its downfall had no idea that hiding among the land were still knights, wolves, and bears keeping that spark alive, neither were they aware that Mordred and Morgause had somehow survived and, in a deep healing sleep, to rise again.