Read Online The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights by John Steinbeck - Free Book Online

you?”
    â€œI am Merlin the old man. But I was also Merlin the child to teach you to pay heed to everyone.”
    â€œYou are a man of marvels,” said the king. “Always you move in mystery like a dream. As a prophecy, tell me—is it true that I must die in battle?”
    â€œIt is God’s will that you be punished for your sins,” said Merlin. “But you should be glad that you will have a clean and honorable death. I am the one who should be sad, for my death is to be shameful and ugly and ridiculous.”
    A heavy cloud blotted out the sky and a quick wind rattled in the tops of the forest trees.
    The king asked, “If you know the manner of your death, perhaps you can avoid it.”
    â€œNo,” said Merlin. “It is there as surely as if it had already happened.”
    Arthur looked upward and he said, “It’s a black day, a troubled day.”
    â€œIt is a day, simply a day. You have a black and troubled mind, my lord.”
    And as they talked, retainers brought up fresh horses, and the king and Merlin mounted and made their way to Caerleon, and the dark sky fringed and steely rain fell sullenly. As soon as he could the troubled king called Sir Ector and Sir Ulfius to him and questioned them about his birth and forebears. They told him that King Uther Pendragon was his father and Igraine his mother.
    â€œThat is what Merlin told me,” Arthur said. “I want you to send for Igraine. I must speak with her. And if she herself says she is my mother, only then can I believe it.”
    Then quickly the queen was sent for and she came bringing her daughter Morgan le Fay, a strange fair lady. King Arthur received them and made them welcome.
    And as they sat in the great hall with all the court and the retainers seated at the long tables, Sir Ulfius arose and spoke to Queen Igraine in a loud voice so that everyone could hear. “You are a false lady,” he cried. “You are a traitor to the king.”
    Arthur said, “Beware what you say. You make a serious charge—one you can’t withdraw.”
    And Ulfius said, “My lord, I am well aware of what I say, and here is my glove to challenge any man who disapproves. I charge that this Queen Igraine is the cause of all your trouble, the cause of the discontent and rebellion in your kingdom, and the real cause of the terrible war. If while King Uther was alive she had admitted that she was your mother, the troubles and mortal wars would not have come. Your subjects and your barons have never been sure of your parentage or believed your clear claim to be king. But if your mother had been willing to take a little shame to herself for your sake and the sake of the country, these troubled times would not be on us. Therefore, I charge that she is false to you and to your kingdom, and I offer my body in combat against anyone who says contrary.”
    Then all eyes turned to Igraine beside the king at the high table. She sat silent for a while with her eyes cast down. Then she raised her head and spoke gently, “I am a lone woman and I cannot fight for my honor. Is there perhaps some good man here to defend me? This is my answer to the charge. Merlin knows well, and you Sir Ulfius know how King Uther by Merlin’s magic contrivance came to me in the likeness of my husband, who was already three hours dead. That night I conceived a child by King Uther, and after the thirteenth day he married me and made me his queen. By Uther’s command, when my child was born, it was taken from me and given to Merlin. I was never told what had become of him, never knew his name, never saw his face or knew his fate. I swear that this is true.”
    Then Sir Ulfius turned on Merlin and said, “If what she says is true, you are more to blame than she.”
    And the queen cried, “I bore a child by my lord King Uther, but I never knew what happened to him—ever.”
    Then King Arthur stood up and he