intensively on whom he thought was his father until now, an endless stare of disbelief, a moment of confusion and loss. The other pair watched the first’s as I watched someone’s life falling apart before me and the true horror this day revealed for him.
“He was Uther’s son!” Leodegrance exclaimed in the background. With almost inappropriate light hearted amusement he continued, “Well I never, that is something, my, my, wonderful.”
Leodegrance’s voice was a minor distraction to my thoughts and had no influence on Merlin or Ector who I noted in glancing quickly just stood there doing nothing. To say something, any word at all seemed to be at this precise time to be almost offensive. Talking was an attempt to dilute the most momentous revelation I had ever heard. I could not imagine anything more shocking to any single person, but also it was not just about a single person. This moment concerned the world, a change to the course of history!
Not that this would matter to Arthur right now or did it? I got the immediate impression that he was close to his family from just talking in the kitchens, but in truth I had known him for a just an hour or so before his world was now destroyed in a just a few words.
Leodegrance’s jovial outburst had sadly sanctioned a chorus of amazement to follow and voices of disbelief and questions sounded and echoed around the chamber. Ector still stood there, unchanged, except now gently nodding. Alain had stood back deep in thought with his hands together to his lips as if planning again.
I was drawn to watch Ector more and I frowned. His face was not one of disbelief or surprise. Instead it was the face of acceptance, no I was wrong, it was defeat as anger lifted from his face and he almost appeared to relax. Did he already know the legitimacy of Arthurs claim to the throne! But how? This was my single clearest thought that was fighting against the astonishment of the news that had just transpired.
Arthur however finally cracked. “No!” he shouted suddenly.
His yell released me from my shocked state and with instinct I went to reach for him once more to pull him back, but it was too late.
“Art…” I gasped before sense prevailed and stifled my voice.
He had now stepped further forward into the centre and this time everyone saw him, “No this isn’t true,” He bellowed, “It can’t be, none of it, I can’t be, I’m not a king!”
Ector was caught off guard and spun round to face Arthur standing there. Everyone else was immobilised in surprise and were hushed at once. I dropped back in panic behind the pillar.
“Arthur I….” Ector stammered to a halt.
“I’m your son!” Arthur declared defiantly against the truth.
I could see Arthur again as I dared to peek out. Presented on the other’s faces was the obviously belief they thought he was not Ector’s son now.
“Arthur it’s….”
“What!” Arthur interrupted again refusing the chance to hear words he did not want to listen to. “Tell me it’s not true, I’m not a king, father please it’s not true” Arthur pleaded.
The shock of seeing Arthur just standing had stunned him, but Ector started to nod his head. “You are King. Arthur, it’s true.” Ector admitted, his head hung, crest fallen.
And Arthur was made still by the truth that won at last. “And I am not your son?” He stated bluntly staring blindly with eyes glazing over towards
“He was Uther’s son!” Leodegrance exclaimed in the background. With almost inappropriate light hearted amusement he continued, “Well I never, that is something, my, my, wonderful.”
Leodegrance’s voice was a minor distraction to my thoughts and had no influence on Merlin or Ector who I noted in glancing quickly just stood there doing nothing. To say something, any word at all seemed to be at this precise time to be almost offensive. Talking was an attempt to dilute the most momentous revelation I had ever heard. I could not imagine anything more shocking to any single person, but also it was not just about a single person. This moment concerned the world, a change to the course of history!
Not that this would matter to Arthur right now or did it? I got the immediate impression that he was close to his family from just talking in the kitchens, but in truth I had known him for a just an hour or so before his world was now destroyed in a just a few words.
Leodegrance’s jovial outburst had sadly sanctioned a chorus of amazement to follow and voices of disbelief and questions sounded and echoed around the chamber. Ector still stood there, unchanged, except now gently nodding. Alain had stood back deep in thought with his hands together to his lips as if planning again.
I was drawn to watch Ector more and I frowned. His face was not one of disbelief or surprise. Instead it was the face of acceptance, no I was wrong, it was defeat as anger lifted from his face and he almost appeared to relax. Did he already know the legitimacy of Arthurs claim to the throne! But how? This was my single clearest thought that was fighting against the astonishment of the news that had just transpired.
Arthur however finally cracked. “No!” he shouted suddenly.
His yell released me from my shocked state and with instinct I went to reach for him once more to pull him back, but it was too late.
“Art…” I gasped before sense prevailed and stifled my voice.
He had now stepped further forward into the centre and this time everyone saw him, “No this isn’t true,” He bellowed, “It can’t be, none of it, I can’t be, I’m not a king!”
Ector was caught off guard and spun round to face Arthur standing there. Everyone else was immobilised in surprise and were hushed at once. I dropped back in panic behind the pillar.
“Arthur I….” Ector stammered to a halt.
“I’m your son!” Arthur declared defiantly against the truth.
I could see Arthur again as I dared to peek out. Presented on the other’s faces was the obviously belief they thought he was not Ector’s son now.
“Arthur it’s….”
“What!” Arthur interrupted again refusing the chance to hear words he did not want to listen to. “Tell me it’s not true, I’m not a king, father please it’s not true” Arthur pleaded.
The shock of seeing Arthur just standing had stunned him, but Ector started to nod his head. “You are King. Arthur, it’s true.” Ector admitted, his head hung, crest fallen.
And Arthur was made still by the truth that won at last. “And I am not your son?” He stated bluntly staring blindly with eyes glazing over towards
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