Chronicles of the Brittany Kings Chapter 47

 47

 

“The stones are known as the Giant’s Dance and were from another land far away. I have not been there. It was below the land of the Pharaohs.” Merlin explained. “The stones were moved from there by giants.”

“Hence the name Giant’s Dance?” The King asked. “Does that mean the giants dance there?”

“You have been there before, my King.” Merlin was agitated that the once traveling companion of his was then arrogant when he was King.

“Aye, I been with you to many of the stones.” The King then spoke of his call. “I want to build a monument for the fallen heroes of Britons.”

“Tel me more of the stones once more.” The King sat on this throne and leaned back to listen.

“The stones were from another land and were carried here by the giants,” Merlin repeated the claim. “It was carried to Mount Kiliaraus and erected there. Once it was done, the giants left but the locals claimed that the giants danced there. It could have been seen as a dance when the giants erected it. I don’t know the truth, for it was heard from the ancients.”

“Why the stones from afar?” The King asked. That question was replied to by Merlin years ago but he chose to entertain the King once more.

"Our land here… Your land here holds many stones too and again, I will say that the fables that the stone came from afar." Merlin explained.” As the stones were brought by giants, it could have been the event.”

“Nephilim, you once told me?” The King jolted the memory of Merlin.

“Yes, Nephilim. They were for only them could be those giants.” Merlin added.

“Nephilim? Those are the abomination of the Fallen.” A clergyman spoke out. “They …”

“Did exist and by now, probably extinct.” Merlin cut in. “If you recall Brutus was cautioned of giants in his vision, and he found none at Totnes.”

“You once told me that the druids held their ceremonies there. And there some who were healers that the local consult on.”  The King moved the subject from the giants.

“Yes, I did say that. The circle of the stones held a mystifying aura that the …locals will create events there. It does not…” Merlin was once more interrupted by another clergyman.

“A ritual by the pagans there.”

“All of us hold some beliefs in some, as your forefathers would have done the same.” Merlin stirred the accusations toward the clergyman.

“I forbid…” The clergyman was cut off by the King.

“Leave us all of you. Merlin stayed as…” The King was then interrupted by the offended clergyman.

“My King, you must not listen to that …”

“Leave us!’ The King raised his voice. The gathered were dismissed and the King looked at Merlin. He had asked Uther to remain behind.

“All I wanted to know was if we could move the stones here. I need a …miracle. The people will …”

“My King, you may move the stones if they can be moved.” Uther was direct. “But why those? There are other stones. New ones that you can carve from the mountain. Or was it the stones are …to the land of the Anglo-Saxons?”

“Nay, I …” The King was then interrupted by Merlin.

“The stones there were ancient and the tales of it moved by the giants may be the Gods then. The Gods of ancient times were claimed to be huge. The stones were also claimed to be of healing properties.” Merlin explained to Uther as he did once to the King then. 

“Merlin knows of my intentions. I want the stones moved to be near the monastery to appease the souls of the fallen heroes.” The King sighed. “I heard their cries for redemption there.”

“We shall then move it there.” Uther was ever the one who take what he wants.

“If it can be moved, young Prince. I am unsure whether the stones can be moved.” Merlin looked to the King. “It’s a …. monumental task. We may need many masons and wagons.”

“It shall be done,” Uther spoke out.

“The physical move is not the main concern. If the stones are truly placed there by the Gods, then the real task will be…if it can be moved?” Merlin looked at Uther. “The Gods may have their reason to place it there. And not …here.”

“Merlin, that is the task for you. Talk to the Gods to let us have the stones.” The King command. “Uther, take …fifteen thousand warriors with you… able-bodied ones and go with Merlin. Once Merlin has done his task, you may do yours. Spare me no excuses.”

The words reached the Gillomanius, King of Ireland was enraged at the arrogance of the Briton King to take the stones on his land.

“The young prince, Uther. . He rides with the army of fifteen thousand. There are loads of wagons with servants. They will e land on our coast near here.”

The spot was marked by the Lord of the land.

“Stop them at the landing. I refused to yield.” Gillomanius gave the command to his army. “Bring our own to stop them.”

The Irish army assembled and marched to challenge Uther. They met near the coast where Uther was still arranging the disembarkation.

“My Prince, the Irish are coming. They are more than our numbers.” Uther was told.

“Leave the wagons here. Take the archers to deployed on the ships to lay their volleys on the Irish. Leave a detachment on the ships to land when we battle. The rest of the foot soldiers will take their places there and there.” The bulk of the army was moved from the beach.

“We ride ahead.” Uther was accompanied by Merlin.

“Your strategy sounds good.”

“Druid, it’s how I hunt. I leave the bait for the predator and the snare will shut when the bait is taken.”

“What is the bait then?” Merlin asked.

“The ships. The Irish knew that without the ships, we won’t reach our borders.” True to the prediction, the Irish army went for the ships which had left the beach but to a distance where the archers can release their volley of arrows. The detachment retreated to the sea, and that drove the Irish to pursue the edge of the waves. Just when victory for the Irish was seen, they found themselves attacked from both sides.

“Hold the line!” King Gillomanius rallied his army, but their numbers were reduced by the archers, thus they had to retreat. Uther fought on harassing the flank of the Irish while the wagons were unloaded.

“It’s a victory to us, Uther. Well done.” Merlin praised the young prince.

“Victory will be when we bring the stones back.” Uther reminded the druid.