Arthur Rex by Thomas Berger

Author:Thomas Berger [Berger, Thomas]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-4804-0092-4
Publisher: Open Road
Published: 2013-01-28T19:23:00+00:00

BOOK XII

How Sir Accolon, who was assotted with Morgan la Fey, made an attempt on King Arthur’s life.

NOW MORGAN LA FEY HAD long been married to old King Uriens of the land of Gore, and he was as good as she was evil, but he was not a shrewd king and he did never suspect her of wickedness.

And King Uriens gave little thought to ought but hunting, on which he was so keen that he did little else now that there were no wars to fight, for like all other kings on the British isle he was a vassal of King Arthur and under his protection. And Morgan la Fey despised her husband and therefore, though she knew no sexual pleasure, she took to bed many other men for to make mock of him, but if Uriens were aware of this (and she did nothing to keep it secret) he did not so much as chide her, let alone burn her at the stake, and he was indifferent to all that did not pertain to the chase.

Now there came a time when he did invite his brother-in-law and liege lord King Arthur to come to Gore to hunt stags in his park, and King Arthur accepted this invitation with pleasure.

Now when Arthur told Guinevere he would be away from Camelot her heart leapt secretly, for though she and Launcelot had been lovers for several years they met always in a clandestine fashion. But as time went on she no longer worried much, for never did King Arthur intrude upon her privacy, and it was as if when Sir Launcelot broke his vow of chastity King Arthur did assume its obligation. And in a strange way King Arthur and Sir Launcelot were ever reciprocal.

And Guinevere first heard with pleasure of King Arthur’s intent to go to Gore, but next she felt guilt for having such a feeling, and somehow it seemed less indecent for her to make love with Launcelot when the king was there to catch them than when he would be far away, for never at any time did the queen forget that what she did was a great sin and a crime against the state as well, and there was in her heart a certain desire to be apprehended and punished, and in this she was utterly different from Queen Isold. (And unlike Sir Tristram, Launcelot was not a passionate man.)

Therefore Guinevere did urge King Arthur to remain at Camelot.

“Well,” said he, “having accepted the invitation, I can not now decline it except for a very grave reason, and do you have such?”

Now Guinevere’s protest had been the impulse of the moment, and she had no argument to support it. Therefore she said quickly, “I have a premonition that harm may come to you.” Then she turned her face away and she said, “Arthur, ’tis a delicate matter, and forgive me please for treating of it, but your sister Morgan la Fey is spoken of with small honor.”

Now King Arthur was greatly vexed.

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