2 Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2 How Merlin Brought King Arthur Away from the Field of Battle, How the King Found a Noble Sword, and How He Again Fought with It and Won That Battle Merlin brought Arthur to a part of the forest where there lived a holy hermit,

known for his ability to heal. Together, Merlin and the hermit gently removed Arthur from his horse. They bathed his wounds in pure water and laid him upon a soft couch of moss to rest. The next day, the hermit received some more visitors in the form of the Lady Guinevere of Cameliard and her court. They, too, had with them a suffering man. When Guinevere learned of the wounded knight, she asked to be taken to him. She had in her court a very skillful healer, often used to cure the hurts of knights injured in battle. When Guinevere was brought to Arthur's side, it seemed to her that she had never seen quite so noble a knight. And as Arthur looked up at the lady, it seemed to him that he had never seen quite so beautiful an angel. The Lady Guinevere offered Arthur not only the famous healer, but a box filled with soothing cream to help heal his injured body.

Guinevere had to leave right after that, but her visit did the trick. Arthur was much uplifted in heart and, within three days, was entirely healed. Arthur vowed he would never forget Guinevere. He would not forget his unfinished battle with King Pellinore either. Arthur was sure things would have gone differently if only his sword had not broken. He wanted to try again, but the fight had left him without any weapons. Merlin told Arthur of a magical place—the Lake of Enchantment. In the very center of the lake, a woman's arm had often been spotted holding the brightest and most beautiful sword in the world. It was many times more amazing than the sword that Arthur had pulled from the anvil. This sword was known as Excalibur. Many a knight had drowned trying to get hold of it. "I want to try," Arthur said, and the men

set off. After a long journey, they found the lake. It was surrounded by lilies and daffodils. Almost at once, a woman's arm came out of the water. She was holding the most beautiful sword Arthur had ever seen. It was made of pure gold and many beautiful jewels. Just then a fairy approached. Her silky jet- black hair was so long that it brushed the ground as she walked. Arthur got off his horse to greet her and learned that she was Nymue, chief Lady of the Lake. Because she sensed something good in him, she told Arthur a secret. She and the other ladies had created the lake to hide the beautiful castle that lay beneath from human eyes. She also told Arthur that there was only one way a human could ever cross the lake without dying. "Will you show me?" Arthur asked. "No man may win that sword," Nymue

replied, "except he who is beyond fear and blame." Arthur sighed, for although he tried to be brave, he often scolded himself. Still, he told Nymue, he wanted to try. That was all she needed to hear. Arthur thought he would need to swim, but Nymue blew a whistle and a magical boat appeared at the shore. That

boat took Arthur into the center of the lake. From there, he was able to reach out and take the sword no knight before him had even been able to touch. Just like that, Excalibur was his. With that great sword, Arthur returned to the bridge made of stone and beat King Pellinore. He was able to do so, in fact, without getting even so much as a single scratch. Toward the end of the fight, King Pellinore begged Arthur for mercy. He promised to surrender if Arthur spared his life. Arthur decided he would not only spare King Pellinore, but would give back his power. In exchange for this, Arthur asked Pellinore to give two of his sons, Sirs Aglaval and Lamorack, as more hostages of peace. The boys would go on to become famous knights. On the ride home, the wizard Merlin