Arthur: The legend and Myth Chapter 93

93.

It was that morning when Morgan Le Fay stood by the wall opening of her chamber looking down at her son Mordred taking his morning rides on the pony. He was past three years then and it was the wish of the father that he learned to ride. She felt his hands on her waist and then the lips on her right shoulder. It was a warm feeling to be loved on the cold morning.

“Are you concern on the child, my love?” Morgan heard her lover asked. She did not reply for there was none to give to the man who had wedded her. He has been a good lover, and father to her child but he was not of her choice in wedding.

“I forbid you to be wedded to the druid/” That was her mother Lady Igraine words while she laid on the bedding with her other daughter Elaine at attendance.

“Mother, I am with a child. His child.” Morgan hit back. She also rejected the mother’s advice to drop it. “My child stays with me.”

“If that is your wish, then you will be wedded by the next moon. I have many suitors for you.” Her mother’s wishes were carried out and three years have passed since. She left her teaching master for her new life as mistress of the house across the sea at Gaul.

“I must be going now.” Morgan pulled her body away from the man she had wedded. “Accolon, I will be with Queen Morgause the whole day.”

The man known as Accolon stepped away from his wedded lady. He was a tall figure with dressed in the green tunic and loose pants to the ankles. His hair was blonde with this high cheekbone and square jaws he was the awe of many damsels but in front of Morgan he was a mere servant to her bid. He stepped away to retrieve his belt with the sword on it. He took his turn to follow Morgan out and watched while she mounted the horse. The maid holding the baby waved at her departure

“How is he this morning?” Accolon asked of his son with Morgan.

“He cries for his mother but other than that, he is a fine boy.” The maid replied. The father of the child then turned away and took to his own horse. He in turn rode for the training ground to be with his men. It was where he found peace and sanctuary.

There was no peace in Camelot or more precise down in the cavern. Merlin tossed the jar that he held. It was his umpteenth try to conjure up the spirit from the bones but the Lioness ignored his calling. He felt dejected at the effort, and then with Morgan taken away from him, he felt as it all was against him.

“Morgan…” Merlin for once in those lonely hours called out her name.

“She is not here anymore, Merlin.” The voice was Ninianne from pool of water in the huge bucket by the far wall. She was a water spirit and she travelled through the water. She formed up from the water surface to appear in her full form. She was seen then in her white flowing gown but it was unmistakable that she was a beauty that once entranced the druid.

“I am not to listen to you…..” Merlin meekly at her and then he bend down to pick up the bones.

“The spell of the bones? Surely Merlin, I am ever surprised by your fascination with the spirits.” Ninniane voiced out in mockery tone. “I was all bones then when we met.”

It was years ago, before even the reign of Vortigen when Merlin chanced on a young lady by the lake in the forest. He saw the frail looking lady there crying and looking at the lake. She was covered in the flimsy white materials and yet when seen by the eye, it waved as if the water waves flowing on it and thus giving the lady the required covering her modesty. The lady hair was greenish yellow and yet in then the morning sun reflected with an aura of soothing shades. Merlin approached her and when nearer, he asked of her name. She looked up with her eyes then swollen from the tears but it was the blue green shades that sparkled in them that intrigued him.

“I do apologies on my intrusion at your sanctuary, nymph.” Merlin stepped away. Nymph dwelled in the forest and most of them sought the water for its comfort. They liked to bathe in it while they rejoiced with the water which will rejuvenate their form. The area of the water filled was their sanctuary.

“No, druid. You are not intruding but I am not at my ….allowed into mine.” Ninniane then replied. “My name is Ninniane. I am …”

Arthur was then surprised by the surge of water that sprouted upwards on the lake as if it was bursting out but not a drop of water reached the dry banks. The sprout of water subsided and a feminine form was seen on the surface of the lake. It was another nymph but that one had one a reddish yellow gown with her hair reddish in the shade.

“Druid, you should know the laws of the dimensions. You must not intrude on the others unless its banishment you sought.” The reddish one cautioned him. The world of the physical beings was not to mingle with the spirits beings, and it was a sound rule then. Merlin knew of that and stepped back but the call of Ninniane to her sister nymph stopped him.

“I beg of you, my sister, Viviane. Forgive me and have me come back.” Ninniane begged from the sister. “I can’t survive here….. alone.”

“Your error in the ways is unforgiveable.” The reddish one replied. “Banishment is the result but we heard your cries. We are sisters and it pained us. We have sought the keeper of the lakes to …ease your pain.”

“You will need to be with the other beings in their form for a period of time.” The reddish one replied. “That is all I can tell you.”

With that, the reddish spirit named Viviane dived back into the lake depths while the one named Ninnane remained there. The nymph cried out in pain at the lake but there was returning echo to her call. Merlin approached close and offered to take care of her.

“I live nearby and will …take care of you until you can return to them.” Merlin helped the nymph to her feet and then carried her to his home then. It took some time for him to get her back on her own feet, and from there to be his companion while he continued his works on the potions he once learned from. Soon she was learning from him and with him she learned more of the nature of life. With each full moon, Ninniane will come to the lake to sought her sisters but none came.

But soon Merlin appeared with her there with his arms to protect her.

Merlin, I cannot be with you.” Ninniane once told him. “It was this doing that made me get banished but I cared not.”

It was her decision and she lived with Merlin. And he betrayed her then.

“I sought Ninniane.” Viviane arrived one day but it was only Merlin she was at the lake side looking for the errant sister. Merlin told her that Ninniane was away then picking up herbs and flowers. He invited Viviane to their home then. She took to visit it and from then to more visits but each visit was when Ninniane was not around.

It was then Viviane asked him of the subject of love. It was forbidden among the nymphs.

“Love is a feeling which words cannot describe.” It was Merlin words but it took more than words before Viviane was soon in Merlin’s arms until he was caught at it when he told the truth about love.

“Yes, I loved both of you. You are nymphs and only you can love what another cannot do. There is an attraction that only nymph could do.” Both the spirits were hurt by the druid then and they left. At that moment the lake took them back and Merlin was left alone once more. He recalled standing there thinking that he could start anew but the pain and longing was there. He stayed by the lake and waited for them.

It took years and then Ninniane one day appeared. She was back to her full beauty and she asked the druid.

“We have been forgiven and within us, we have forgiven you too. We enjoyed our moments but our call must be heeded as the keeper’s servant. Leave us and be on your way, druid.”

Merlin took to his feet and turned away. His steps were few when he turned to look at the nymph.

“Ask what in your mind, druid. I need to hear it before I can reply you.”

“During our time, you mentioned of Excalibur….”

“The sword of the King of the Kings. Yes, I did and only the rightful one may wield it. He who holds it will rule the land and the other Kings. He will be known when he is found.” Niinnane replied. “The King must of the land and more specific from the tribe of Bedyr. When he is found and the time calls for that King, that King will be handed the sword and it will returned upon his death till another moment in time when a new King will be called upon.”

“Bedyr? What in…” Merlin exclaimed.

“Seek it and it may be discovered when it’s ready to be.” Ninianne replied. “I must go now, druid. You can ask me in time to come but find it before coming here. The closer you are to the quest then you may get closer to the sword.”

Merlin was confused then. He felt as if there was something he missed then. Ninianne answered his confusion but it will take him years later to piece it all together.

“Nothing is ever clear unless you can see into it, and then from it.” Ninniane told him then. “I was not banished without a purpose and you were here without a purpose. Or a King will be needed without a purpose to be that King.”

Merlin took years to understand and from it he took to find the King from Bedyr. It was simpler than to love a lady and be left by her.

“Merlin, you were always a fool when its love.” Ninniane reminded him that day in the cavern. “Your Queen will topple your King.”