The Death of King Arthur by Peter Ackroyd

he looked around. A young woman was riding in his direction and, when she saw Launceot lying on the ground, she let out a loud wail. ‘Ah, Balin,’ she cried, ‘you have slain two bodies with one heart, two hearts with one body. You have sacrificed two souls.’ She made such grievous sounds of sorrow that he wished to comfort her; she took out a sword, and Balin tried to seize it from her. But she held it tightly and then with a sigh turned it upon herself. She died at once.
    When Sir Balin saw her dead, he despised himself and his deeds that had brought doom to a valiant knight and a fair lady. ‘I repent for breaking the bond of true love between them,’ he said. But he could not stay in that place. He could not bear to see the two bodies lying upon the ground. In his sorrow he stirred his horse and rode on for miles and miles until at last he came to a fair forest; under the boughs of the trees it seemed that time itself was suspended. No wind stirred the leaves, and there was no sound of life. And then who should ride towards him but his own brother, Balan.
    When they met they took off their helmets, wept, and kissed one another copiously. ‘Brother,’ Balan said, ‘I had no notion of meeting you so soon. When I left I presumed that you were still a prisoner, but I met a knight on the way who told me that you had been seen at the court of King Arthur. That is why I rode into this realm.’
    Sir Balin then told him of his adventures at court, of his freeing the sword and of the fate of the Lady of the Lake. ‘The king,’ he said, ‘is angry with me. And the wrath of the king can mean death. That is why he sent a knight to kill me. Now he lies sprawled upon the ground with his young lover. I am truly sorry for that.’
    â€˜It is right to be rueful when mortals are slain. But be of good cheer. You must face whatever God has prepared for you.’
    â€˜That is why I am riding to Castle Terrible, besieged by King Rience. If I do battle against Arthur’s most bitter enemy, I will prove my prowess in his cause.’
    â€˜I will ride with you,’ Balan replied. ‘Brother, we are well met!’

Wherein Merlin makes a prophecy
    As they were talking here, under the ancient trees, a dwarf from the castle of Camelot came riding up on a donkey. In truth it was Merlin, the magician. ‘Ah, Balin,’ he said to him, ‘you have done yourself great harm. You should have saved that lady from self-slaughter. It was in your power to help her.’
    â€˜That is not so,’ Balin replied. ‘She took up the sword so suddenly that I could do nothing.’
    â€˜Repentance is ripe for you. Because of her death you will deliver the most dolorous stroke since that which Christ Our Saviour suffered. You will strike down the truest knight in the world, and for twelve years three kingdoms will endure endless poverty and pain.’
    He turned away, but Sir Balin took him by the shoulder. ‘Say it is not so. If I believed that you spoke the truth, I would kill myself here to make you a liar.’
    But Merlin vanished from sight. Balin and his brother then made their way through the forest, but when they moved they made no sound. All was still and silent. After a while Merlin once more appeared before them, but in disguise. ‘Where are you going, young men?’ he asked them.
    â€˜Why should we tell you?’ Balan replied.
    â€˜And what is your name?’ Balin asked him.
    â€˜At this time, I cannot tell you.’
    â€˜That is an evil sign. A good man will always give his name.’
    â€˜That may be. But I know where you are riding. You are ready to challenge King Rience. You will not succeed until you receive my counsel.’
    â€˜Ah,’ Balin said, ‘you are Merlin. Speak. We will be ruled by your advice.’
    â€˜Then follow me.’ The magician led them into a glade beside the track, where they rested their horses