Legacy

Greetings peasants, I’ve a tale to tell you that I dare not tell other Royalty.  I’m Prince Harlon, son of King Arthur. I’m 21 years old now and considered a man.  When I was younger and considered a stripling, Royal yes, but still a stripling, Merlin was my mentor and teacher and I dare say friend.

Not one normally being inclined to tell tales out of school, I however am compelled to make this an exception. Even though I was sworn not to tell the King, Merlin didn’t say I couldn’t tell a peasant.  Maybe that’s because he thought the peasants would think it but a big joke.  But I assure it’s not funny.  And I’ve got to tell someone or I’ll just burst.

I like to hunt in the nearby woods quite a bit.  It sharpens my skills and provides meat for the table.  As everyone in the kingdom knows, a deer or boar shot by a Prince always tastes better than any other kind.  Or at least that’s what my father King Arthur always said; and he wouldn’t lie, well maybe just a little.

One day while out hunting I spied Merlin standing at the edge of the lake waving goodbye.  I couldn’t see anyone.  I thought that odd. Maybe he had set a bird free and was wishing it luck, or a friend had rowed away in a boat and even though out of sight, Merlin’s wave hand was stuck in high gear..  That idea made me laugh, but then again Merlin had some strange habits he’d exhibit on occasion.

I never mentioned to him that I saw him acting what seemed to be goofy, after all he was also a friend.  Castle life went on as usual with Merlin performing his Wizard like magic as it pleased him.  Of course he was discretion ate about displaying it too much. He always told me that there was no such thing as magic, just science and knowledge.  I was never sure what that word science meant, sounded suspicious to me.

I more than once suggested he should tell me another one, if you get my drift.  I jumped him about the time I definitely saw him conjure up a dragon, and said don’t tell me you are not a Wizard.

Merlin said “Your eyes deceived you, I did not conjure up  a dragon, I merely called one to me; one that is tame and an old friend at that.  A pet in a way.  I occasionally ride him into the high mountains where I find peace and quiet in which to study and meditate.”  I said called him, I didn’t hear a thing, and what is his name?  Merlin said “his name is Tobias, and the reason you didn’t hear a thing is because I called him with my sonic whistle.”

I said sonic what?  He said it’s a whistle scientifically designed to make a pitch only dragons can hear.  Its beyond what humans can hear.  I thought there’s that science word again.  No point in pushing it as Merlin always has an answer for everything.

Meanwhile back at the castle it was time for the annual joust competition.  It was a gala affair as usual and a great host of spectators were on hand.  After much time and many knights getting dumped on their backside; Lancelot came out as champion as usual.  No one could beat him but they kept trying year after year.  Maybe when he gets old enough that he has to be helped on his horse a youngster will unseat him.

Personally I didn’t like Lancelot much; he was always making with the goo goo eyes towards Guinevere my mother.

Well its time to go hunting again, so back to the woods.  I saw Merlin again, being his usual mysterious self.  This time he walked into the lake clothes and all until submerged out of sight.  I though maybe he’s just taking a swim or a bath, I know he could use one and his clothes a good rinse also.  Maybe he was double tasking.  My friend had his ways.  I kept watching for his head to bob back up, but it didn’t.  I was getting worried.

I was relieved when I saw him wading about waist deep about seventy feet to my left.  Apparently I’d been so focused on where I seen him go in that I hadn’t notice he must have swam under water a bit and come up farther down the shoreline.

I didn’t make my presence known as I figured  if he’d wanted me to see him bathe he would have invited me along.  The bath idea seemed good as I was getting a little ripe myself.  I went back to the castle and bathed in a nice wooden tub with soap and pleasantly warm water.  Better than cold lake water.

A few days later I was back in the woods, not to hunt, but to contemplate something’s.  I’d been there awhile just walking quietly when I spotted Merlin with a beautiful Lady.  So, Merlin’s got a girlie, Merlin’s got a girlie, I mused to myself.  Again I figured not prudent to present myself.  Back at the castle I whistled a happy tune around him, grinned and winked, so he would know that I know.  He didn’t get it, just looked at me like I was nuts.

Well, I thought look innocent all you want, I know what I know because I saw it and that makes it so, or so I thought.  Aw gosh! Now I’m mixing myself up.

About a month went by and it was daily routine at the castle, nothing special.  Merlin was still teaching me this and that and tossing that word science around like I should know what it meant.  I wondered if it might be part of an incantation; spooky.  I thought since I hadn’t had Pheasant for awhile, I’d just go shoot me one, or maybe a Grouse.

So back in the woods again and down the usual paths. I figured there would be a bird somewhere. Wasn’t having any luck when I started to come to the lake again.  There was Merlin and the beautiful lady again.  I thought indeed they are an item.

Then the most peculiar thing happened, they both walked into the lake together.  Whoa Nellie! I had to get a closer look at that.  Just as I got to the waters edge both of their heads went under.  Something sure seemed not right here.  I waited and I waited, and I looked to my left and to my right; nothing.  I was getting panicky, did Merlin my friend and the beautiful lady just commit suicide?

About then Merlin’s head reappeared and he saw me sitting there, so he came on out, but before he could speak I jumped him and said what was that, a lovers quarrel, and you drowned her.  He said    “you have me at a disadvantage, I assure you nothings wrong, and if you swear to secrecy I will explain all.”  I wasn’t to keen about swearing to anything after what I thought I’d seen; but Merlin was a friend so I agreed.

Merlin related that the lady in question wasn’t a lover, but his sister and she hadn’t drowned but merely returned to their under water base.  He went on to say they were both amphibious and had no problem under water or on land.  He then lowered his high collar and showed me his gill slits.

Whoa! I said are you half fish?  He said “No, just amphibious as were all Venusians. “  He went on to explain that he and his sister had come from the planet Venus to help man end his feudal ways, and establish peace and order.  That they had arrived in a space ship which they submerged in the deeps of the lake so not to cause fright.  Now space ship meant as much to me as the word science.  Merlin said he under stood that, but he would teach me until I could grasp it all.

Merlin went on to say his sisters name was Karimona, and that she was known to my father King Arthur as The Lady of The Lake who presented him with the sword “Excalibur”. That the sword was created in their under water space ship and that its many abilities were due to the sciences not magic.

I agreed that my father didn’t need to be burdened with that information, nor any of the other Royals.  I just hoped someday it would really be clear to me.