A Tale of Two Swords 33

good enchanter appeared from the deep

wood and made his way to Londontown—
there to speak with one as wise as he, the
Archbishop of Canterbury.

ARCHBISHOP: (questioningly) Who’s

there?

MERLIN: Only an old man like you. One

who wants to see this dark land healed.

ARCHBISHOP: (amazed) Merlin the

wizard! The last time you were here, the
people almost burned you at the stake for
your sorcery. Luckily, I convinced them not
to.

MERLIN: Ha! I would have liked to see

them try! Archbishop, I come here on a
most important errand. Our land is in
turmoil without a king. You must pray for
A TALE OF TWO SWORDS Heaven to give us a—a—what do you call
those things?

CAST
ARCHBISHOP: Miracles?
ARTHUR Foster-Son of Sir Ector
MERLIN The Good Enchanter MERLIN: Yes. That’s it. One of those
ECTOR Arthur’s Foster-Father would do most nicely.
KAY Ector’s Son
ARCHBISHOP Religious Leader ARCHBISHOP: What should this miracle
LOT King of Orkney be?
LADY Lady of the Lake
SQUIRE Servant to a Knight MERLIN: (irritably) How should I know?
THIEF Roadside Bandit Whatever it is, it should bring us a king.
The land is dying.
NARRATOR: Times were dark in Britain
during the years following the death of ARCHBISHOP: Very well. I shall pray,
Uther Pendragon. His knights, becoming and God will bless us with a miracle.
base and greedy, fought amongst
themselves for the power to rule. Yet the MERLIN: Pray it comes quickly! It’s not
throne remained empty. The land was even safe for old wizards to travel alone
broken and black, and many saw that anymore! (sigh) I must be off.
something must be done soon, lest the land
fall into ruin.
One day, quite unexpectedly, Merlin the
34 The Road to Camelot

ARCHBISHOP: Thank you for this news, ARCHBISHOP: A sword in a stone! A

but, Merlin, please do not return here. I’d sword in a stone—driven there by the hand
hate to see you burned at the stake. of God himself!

MERLIN: Ah. Don’t worry. I’m not very NARRATOR: The archbishop rose and
fond of burning. It tickles. moved closer. Upon the hilt, he could
discern letters of gold.
NARRATOR: The old wizard left the
churchman’s chamber and slipped back into ARCHBISHOP: (reading) Whoso pulleth
the night as easily as he had come. The out this sword from this stone and anvil is
archbishop prayed, and on Christmas Day a rightwise king born of all England.
miracle came.
Many knights of England were gathered NARRATOR: The people gasped and
in Londontown for the Christ mass, and marveled at this. (sounds of people gasping
they packed the great cathedral. The and marveling)
archbishop was giving a joyous litany but
then stopped in mid-chant, his lips ARCHBISHOP: We shall have a king
trembling. again! And he shall be chosen by this
miracle—this miracle of God!
ARCHBISHOP: (whispering) It has
happened. NARRATOR: Soon a great murmur ran
through the crowd, and many good knights
NARRATOR: The knights and gentle men stepped forward to try their hand—but
and women stared in shock as the none succeeded. The sword would not be
archbishop ran from the church and into the moved. Man after man approached the task,
courtyard shouting. but all left defeated. It would not budge an
inch.
ARCHBISHOP: Heaven be praised!
ARCHBISHOP: (worried) What can this
NARRATOR: The people thronged after mean? Heaven would not send this miracle
the archbishop, and they found him for nothing! A king must be chosen!
prostrate before a strange object in the
churchyard—one that had not been there NARRATOR: When all had tried and
when they entered. failed, the heart of the archbishop dropped.

ARCHBISHOP: (joyously) It has happened! ARCHBISHOP: Hope is extinguished.

Heaven has sent us a miracle!
NARRATOR: But he then remembered
NARRATOR: They all gathered around that while many knights were present in
closely and marveled at the shrine to which London for the feast, not all had been
the archbishop bowed. A magnificent summoned. There were many country
sword had been driven—almost to the plantations that harbored noblemen as well.
hilt—into a coal-black anvil, which rested He needed a way to bring them all there.
atop a large stone amid the courtyard.
 A Tale of Two Swords 35

ARCHBISHOP: (shouting) Attention! ARTHUR: (happily) Of course, you could,

Attention! I decree that we must have a Kay! You’re the greatest fighter I’ve ever
joust. Heaven has ordained it. All knights seen.
must attend, and whoever wins our
tournament will be the bearer of the sword KAY: (hatefully) What do you know?
and king of all England.
ECTOR: Arthur! You shall come as well.
NARRATOR: And so was the word sent You will keep Kay’s sword and shield!
out to every sword in the land. The word
even reached the elderly Sir Ector, the ARTHUR: (excited) Really?
guardian of Uther Pendragon’s long-
forgotten son. Under the care of the kindly KAY: Does he have to?
Sir Ector, the baby Arthur had grown into a
spry young lad of sixteen years. When the ECTOR: Now, boys, at once! Prepare! We
boy had questioned his guardian as to who leave tomorrow!
his parents were, Ector could only say…
NARRATOR: Arthur had never been
ECTOR: I do not know, my boy. An old anywhere except the humble province of Sir
man brought you from the woods. He told Ector. This chance to go to London was
me to care for you—raise you as my own undreamt of. He could not sleep the night
son. And I have. I can tell you no more. before their departure.
It was snowing softly as the three rode
NARRATOR: While Arthur had many into the crowded streets of the city on New
questions about his past, he had accepted Year's Day.
this and asked no more. In his youthful
eagerness, he had grown up worshipping ECTOR: I can hear the joust!
the ground his older foster-brother, Sir Kay,
walked on. When the news came of the KAY: I think that’s just Arthur’s knees
great joust in Londontown, Ector went at knocking together.
once to his sons.
ARTHUR: It’s true. I’m a bit nervous. I’ve
ECTOR: (yelling) Kay! Prepare for a never been a squire before.
journey! We have been sent for! To joust!
KAY: Hopefully, you won’t be one for
KAY: (eagerly) Really? (gruffly) I mean, of long.
course. I’m a knight now, and I must do
these things. NARRATOR: They deposited their things
at the inn. Kay put on his armor and took
ECTOR: Of course, my boy, of course. And his lance. Arthur made sure the horse was
the prize they joust for is the greatest groomed and prepared for the tournament.
prize—the crown! When all was ready, they rode toward
the joust. The roar of the crowd echoed
KAY: (doubtfully) Father, do you think I through the streets. (cheering of a crowd)
could win it?
36 The Road to Camelot

ARTHUR: (eagerly) Kay! This is going to be ARTHUR: Now, I must get it back to Kay!
great! I can’t wait to see you charging on
your horse, swinging your sword, NARRATOR: Unaware of the miracle that
making— had just occurred, Arthur jumped back onto
his horse—sword in tow—and galloped
KAY: (shocked) My sword! I left my sword back to the jousting field.
at the inn! I’ve got to go back and get it!
ARTHUR: (shouting) Kay! Kay! I have a
ECTOR: There is no time! We are late sword!
enough! Your turn will be soon!
KAY: Amazing. Maybe you are worth
ARTHUR: Don’t worry! I’ll go back and something. Give it to me! (pause) Wait a
get it! minute! This is not my sword!

KAY: Oh no, you don’t. You should have ECTOR: Where did you get this sword, my
reminded me in the first place. boy?

ECTOR: He must, Kay. There is no time. ARTHUR: (confused) From a stone in a

Go, Arthur! Quickly! courtyard…

ARTHUR: I’ll get your sword, Kay! I ECTOR: By Jove, this boy has pulled the
promise! sword from the stone!

NARRATOR: Arthur rushed quickly back KAY: (surprised) Arthur? Him?

through the deserted streets—back to the
inn. He ran to its door but found it bolted. ARTHUR: What does that mean?

ARTHUR: (panicked) Everyone is at the ECTOR: (overjoyed) What does that mean?
tournament! What does that mean? That is the whole
point of this tournament! But you—you—
NARRATOR: At that moment he have pulled the sword from the stone!
remembered that when they had passed by
the churchyard, he had seen a strange sight. KAY: (not happy) Arthur? A king?
There had been a great sword within,
sticking halfway out of an anvil. ECTOR: (shouting) Yes, Kay, yes! King of
all England!
ARTHUR: That sword will have to do!
NARRATOR: Soon their shouting attracted
NARRATOR: He raced to the place where the attention of those around them, and
he had seen the sword, and dashing before they knew it, a great crowd was
through the snow, he ran to the great stone. gathered—all staring in wonder. They
He never thought to doubt the fact that the asked to examine the sword. It was the
sword would come loose once he pulled— Sword in the Stone. It even had the golden
and with the slightest of strength, the great letters beneath the hilt. But a boy?
weapon easily slid forth. (metallic shing)
 A Tale of Two Swords 37

ARCHBISHOP: Silence, people, silence! God has sent us this miracle to show us our
true ruler. Let none doubt and everyone
NARRATOR: The archbishop had pushed swear their loyalty if this act is done.
his way through the crowd.
NARRATOR: It was agreed. Arthur sheep-
ARCHBISHOP: Who has pulled out this ishly walked toward the handle. It had
sword? seemed so easy before. Why, with everyone
watching, was it so much harder now? Fear
KAY: (still confused) Arthur? seized him. It had worked the first time, but
what if it did not work again?
ECTOR: This boy!
ECTOR: Go on, son.
ARCHBISHOP: Boy, what is your name?
NARRATOR: Arthur reached up and
ARTHUR: Arthur, sir. grasped the cold handle and slowly applied
the pressure of his arm. The sword rose up
ARCHBISHOP: I see. from the stone—just as it had before—only
this time, it sang. (angelic choir)
KAY: (angrily) He can’t be king! He’s too Light broke forth from the gray clouds,
young! He’s an orphan! He can’t be the and a single ray fell upon the boy Arthur.
king! Many swore that they heard angels singing
that day, and all present agreed that it was
ARCHBISHOP: But he has pulled out the the greatest sight that their eyes were to
sword, young man. ever see.

KAY: Anyone can pull it out once it’s been ARCHBISHOP: Hail to Arthur! King of the
pulled! Someone else removed it, and Britons! Sovereign of all England!
Arthur found it! He’s lying!
ECTOR: Bow to your king, son.
ECTOR: (gruffly) Silence, Kay!
KAY: Arthur?
ARCHBISHOP: Then—in front of all—let
us test him. To the courtyard! NARRATOR: As all bowed, Kay
scowled—but bent his knee as well.
NARRATOR: A great crowd of people
marched through the snowy streets— ARCHBISHOP: Sir Ector, is this boy your
Arthur and the archbishop in the lead. To son?
tell the truth, Arthur was a bit embarrassed
by all this attention. Kay lagged sulkily ECTOR: No, he is an orphan. He was
behind. They reached the stone and the brought to me on a cold winter night by
anvil, and the archbishop slid the sword Merlin the good enchanter. I have raised
back into its metallic grip. (metallic shing) him as my own son.

ARCHBISHOP: Now, let all look! If this MERLIN: He is the son of Uther Pen-
boy pulls forth the sword, he is the king. dragon!
38 The Road to Camelot

NARRATOR: An old man in a snow- MERLIN: (kindly) Oh yes. You.

covered traveling cloak stepped forward. It
was Merlin. ARTHUR: I know you have said that God
has picked me, but might you be wrong? I
MERLIN: He was begat long ago and don’t know anything about…anything. I
forgotten. I have seen to it that he returned can’t fight wars. I can’t govern kingdoms.
this day to claim his birthright.
MERLIN: Rome wasn’t built in a day, lad. I
NARRATOR: The people stared at the boy shall teach you—help you.
in further amazement.
ARTHUR: Yes, that will perhaps not be so
MERLIN: Well, what are you waiting for? bad.
Praise! Grovel! This is your king!
MERLIN: Bad? Heavens, no! It will be the
NARRATOR: All of this terribly best thing that ever happens to you.
embarrassed Arthur. He stood there—a
scrawny teenager who was now the object NARRATOR: Merlin made good on his
of so much scrutiny. Grown men began to word. He helped the boy-king set up his
kneel at his feet. Arthur didn’t know what court at the castle of Camelot. The call went
to do. He saw his foster-brother bowing, out to all the lesser kings and lords of
and he walked to him and put his hand on Britain for them to come to Camelot and
his shoulder. pledge their loyalty to the boy-king. It was
about that time that Lot the King of Orkney
ARTHUR: If I am to be king, Kay, I want and Lothian began to grumble against
you to be there with me. You’re my brother. Arthur’s right to reign.
I’ll make you the overseer of all my lands.
LOT: Why should an illegitimate brat be
NARRATOR: Kay looked up and smiled. our king? So what if he was Uther
Pendragon’s son? How can a boy lead men?
ECTOR: (merrily) Come, Archbishop, let us I am married to Uther’s adopted daughter. I
have a celebration! A king has been chosen! have more of a right to be king than he
does! The Sword in the Stone was just a
ARCHBISHOP: You speak wise words! A cheap trick devised by that old warlock
feast! A feast! Merlin. I say we take Britain back! Who’s
with me?
(cheers of the people)
(shouts of agreement)
NARRATOR: Arthur felt his heart sink.
What now? He turned to the old, strange NARRATOR: Lot found allies among the
man who had stood forth from the crowd. other kings of Britain, and together they
began to muster their forces. News of Lot’s
ARTHUR: Excuse me, sir. amassing army reached Merlin.

NARRATOR: Merlin slowly turned. MERLIN: Arthur, we must prepare for

war. An army of hostile knights is heading
 A Tale of Two Swords 39

toward Camelot. It is led by King Lot of oppose you are married to your half-sisters,
Orkney. who hate you with a fiery passion.

ARTHUR: I don’t understand. ARTHUR: I have half-sisters? And even

they want me dead?
MERLIN: Orkney. It’s a miserable chain of
islands off the northern coast of Britain. MERLIN: Welcome to the Middle Ages!
But as much fun as this look at your family
ARTHUR: No, I mean, why is he leading tree is, we have to prepare for war!
an army against me?
ARTHUR: I guess I was naïve. I thought by
MERLIN: Oh, that’s easy. He wants your becoming king I would bring an end to war
head. Or, more specifically, what rests upon in Britain.
it. He’s perfectly willing to remove the
former in order to receive the latter. MERLIN: Only the dead have seen the end
of war. But don’t despair. There are still
ARTHUR: I can’t believe he’d kill me just many lords who believe in you.
to get my crown. He doesn’t even know me.
ARTHUR: Maybe Lot’s right. I’m just a
MERLIN: Don’t you know anything about sixteen-year-old! What do I know about
politics? Lot has convinced ten other kings being king? Why would anyone want to
to rally to his cause. He says that you’re too follow me?
young, you have no experience—plus, it’s a
known fact that teenagers have no common MERLIN: For the kingdom that they hope
sense. All of his claims are true, of course… you will build. True, you are young, but
you have a good heart, Arthur. Many lords
ARTHUR: Hey! have faith that you will be a different type
of king. They have seen plenty of kings like
MERLIN: Yet he is missing one key Lot, but you give them hope.
point—you are meant to be the king, and he
is not. He will just have to learn that the NARRATOR: The boy-king smiled.
hard way.
ARTHUR: Then, when all of this is over, I
ARTHUR: That’s right! I pulled the sword won’t let them down!
out of the stone! Doesn’t that mean
anything to these lords? MERLIN: Spoken wisely, my boy! Now
let’s muster an army.
MERLIN: The Sword in the Stone only
showed your right to rule. It did not prove NARRATOR: When Lot and his army
your ability to rule. Besides you could walk arrived at Camelot, he found Arthur’s own
on water, and it would not change the way army of loyal knights arrayed upon the
your foes feel about you. Lot and his allies battle plain.
have been your sworn enemies even before
you were born. Two of the kings who LOT: This milk-fed brat may have more
guts than we thought! Tell the knights that
40 The Road to Camelot

the battle will begin tomorrow at daybreak. (battlecries, hoofbeats, sounds of battle)
Then Britain will be mine! (evil laugh)
NARRATOR: Thanks to the bravery of
NARRATOR: That night, from the Arthur and his knights, the army of Lot and
ramparts of Camelot, Arthur and Merlin his allies was routed. Arthur’s rule was
viewed the thousand campfires of King legitimized—once and for all.
Lot’s army.
MERLIN: Bravo! You captured almost a
ARTHUR: There are so many. They have thousand enemy knights. King Lot and his
us easily outnumbered. allies have fled to their castles. Now the
question remains, your majesty—what will
MERLIN: Don’t fret. With this battle you you do with these eleven traitorous kings?
will prove that you are worthy to be king. They have already sent envoys to beg you
Now command your men to prepare for for mercy.
battle.
ARTHUR: What would my father have
ARTHUR: But it is evening time. done?

MERLIN: (sarcastically) Really? I was MERLIN: He would have executed them

wondering why it was so dark. Of course, it and not thought twice about it.
is evening time. That’s the best time to
launch a sneak attack, wouldn’t you say? ARTHUR: What shall I do?
Lot’s knights have just tucked themselves
into bed. MERLIN: Think twice.

NARRATOR: Arthur’s army was quickly ARTHUR: Hmmm. I will spare them. If
roused, and the boy-king sat astride his they will pledge themselves to me, I will
steed at the head of his knights. Merlin rode forget the past.
forward on his white donkey.
NARRATOR: The old wizard smiled.
MERLIN: Now to give you a slight
advantage. MERLIN: The boy may make a good king
after all.
NARRATOR: The old wizard uttered some
strange words, and across the valley the NARRATOR: Soon the rebellion of the
many tents of the enemy army eleven kings became a distant memory.
simultaneously collapsed. (whooshing sound) Under Merlin’s tutelage Arthur grew into
Lot’s men—trapped beneath the fallen his position as High King of Britain.
tents—shouted in confusion. (confused
shouting) MERLIN: A king must be fair! So many
men gain power and then abuse it to keep
MERLIN: I just couldn’t help myself! Now others down. Your kingdom must be
shout, “Charge!” already! different!

ARTHUR: (shouting) Charge!

 A Tale of Two Swords 41

ARTHUR: My kingdom will be based on He’s crushed my master’s body, and I only
justice. escaped with my life to bring you this news!

MERLIN: Good, but remember justice ARTHUR: Who does this man think he is?
doesn’t mean getting your way all the time. I’ll have no rogue knights in my kingdom!
Just because you are the king doesn’t mean Ready my horse!
you are above the law. Justice means that
the laws apply to everyone—even you. NARRATOR: Arthur donned his armor
and rode forth. (hoofbeats)
ARTHUR: Of course! And what about As Arthur galloped through the forest, a
mercy? I read in the Holy Scriptures about scruffy, old beggar man shot out of a
the importance of mercy. But so many kings thicket—running for all he was worth.
are ruthless and cruel. Shouldn’t my
kingdom be based on mercy? ARTHUR: Halt! What is the meaning of
this?
MERLIN: Naturally. And service to others.
The only way to tame the beastly nature of MERLIN: (frantic, old man voice) No time!
man is through serving others. No time!

ARTHUR: Perhaps I should give my NARRATOR: A band of thieves burst out

knights the task of protecting those who are of the underbrush—following hot on the
weaker than they are. Through this they beggar’s heels.
will promote these ideas that we believe
in—truth, justice, equality, mercy. THIEF: Give us your purse, you old coot,
or we’ll cut your throat!
MERLIN: Ha-ha! Perfect, boy. Perfect!
ARTHUR: Halt, dogs! I am Arthur! Leave
NARRATOR: So Arthur ruled like no other that old man alone!
monarch ever had—showing justice, mercy,
and fairness in all that he did. As the next NARRATOR: The bandits stopped short
years passed, many knights rallied to and for the first time noticed Arthur.
Arthur’s banner and pledged themselves to
his cause. THIEF: Ah! A knight! Run!
Merlin often traveled afar for months at
a time—carrying news of Camelot to the far NARRATOR: King Arthur did not pursue
reaches of Britain and returning with them but turned to the old man to see if he
honorable knights to boost Arthur’s was all right. The beggar looked up, and
growing army of justice. beneath his scraggly beard was an all-too-
Once while Merlin was gone on one of familiar face.
his missions, a terrified squire brought
news to the young king. ARTHUR: (amazed) Merlin? What are you
doing here?
SQUIRE: Sire! A rogue knight has set up a
tent along the roadside. He’s challenging MERLIN: (huffing, puffing) Running for my
any virtuous knight who passes to combat. life. What does it look like?
42 The Road to Camelot

ARTHUR: It thought you were away on MERLIN: Fine! Don’t say I didn’t warn
one of your missions. you! You young people think you know
everything! Why listen to Merlin? He can
MERLIN: I was, but when I arrived in only see the future—nothing much!
Camelot, they told me that you had ridden
out to challenge a rogue knight yourself! NARRATOR: Arthur had been on the
You know, most kings just send their receiving end of Merlin’s tantrums time
knights to do this kind of thing for them! enough, so he quietly rode on while the
magician continued to rant.
ARTHUR: I know. But I’m a different kind
of king, remember? I believe in equality. MERLIN: I’m just like Cassandra of Troy!
Besides, why should my knights get to have Nobody listened to her either, and then
all the fun? guess what happened?

MERLIN: Yes, but if you are killed in battle, NARRATOR: The old wizard suddenly
all of this land will be lost. The hope of a realized the king was gone.
thousand people will be extinguished.
MERLIN: Oh thank goodness. I thought
ARTHUR: Don’t be so full of gloom and he’d never leave. I’ll let him try it on his
doom. I think I can handle a simple battle. own for a while and see how it goes.

MERLIN: Ha! Don’t grow too confident NARRATOR: Much satisfied, Merlin laid
that you lose sight of your own human down beneath a tree and fell asleep to the
weaknesses. sounds of swords crashing far away. Now,
it should be noted that wizards do not
ARTHUR: You are one to talk. You were actually sleep when it seems that they are
just being chased by that band of ruffians. doing so. In actuality, they’re doing deeds
Even with all your magic, they would have miles away. Because of this, they never
cut your throat if I hadn’t stopped them. oversleep or miss important events—unless
they mean to. Merlin awoke, we shall say,
MERLIN: Exactly, you dunce! I was trying precisely when he meant to, and at once,
to prove a point to you. Even I—an all- rushed off through the forest to find Arthur.
powerful wizard—am mortal, and I should
be careful what situations I put myself in. MERLIN: (happily) He will have himself in
a fine pickle by now, I assume.
ARTHUR: Merlin, thank you for the lesson.
But I am off to challenge this rogue knight. (distant clanging of shield and sword)

MERLIN: This challenger is a mighty foe NARRATOR: And, sure enough, he came
named King Pellinore, and he will cut your into a clearing where an enormous knight
head off if you are not careful. stood with his sword raised over the
weaponless Arthur.
ARTHUR: We shall see, Merlin. We shall
see. MERLIN: (booming) King Pellinore! Stay
your hand!
 A Tale of Two Swords 43

NARRATOR: Merlin’s cry caused the huge MERLIN: (angrily) Who are you calling a
knight’s descending blade to stop in midair. “court magician”? Would you like to find
Indeed Pellinore had almost brought Arthur out what it’s like to be a horse’s behind?
to the point of death.
ARTHUR: I’m sure you would know
MERLIN: Do not slay this man! Do you not plenty about that!
know who he is? He is King Arthur, and if
you slay him, this kingdom will fall into MERLIN: Hmph! You young people are
utter darkness. simply infuriating!

ARTHUR: (angrily) Merlin! I have this NARRATOR: Merlin stuck the end of his
completely under control. beard in his mouth and chewed it angrily. A
slow smile spread across Arthur’s face.
MERLIN: (parent-like) Shush!
ARTHUR: I am sorry, Merlin. Forgive me. I
NARRATOR: Merlin flailed his arms about just wanted to prove that I am capable of
in the air, babbled some strange words, and keeping my kingdom safe.
the massive form of Pellinore fell backward
into the grass. (crashing sound) MERLIN: Well, try to see reason! (softly)
Arthur, you are destined to lead. But you
ARTHUR: You killed him! cannot put yourself in dangerous situations.
And you must be willing to take help
MERLIN: Relax. It is only a sleep-spell. whenever you can get it!

NARRATOR: Loud snoring escaped the ARTHUR: I am willing and thankful for
visor of Pellinore’s helm. (snoring) your help. But, just for the record, I had this
knight mostly beaten. You just came in at
MERLIN: That should hold him for several the last minute and finished him off.
hours. He will catch up on his beauty rest,
and you will get safely on your way. MERLIN: Keep telling yourself that.

ARTHUR: (furious) I can’t believe this! I NARRATOR: Merlin motioned to the

had him right where I wanted him. sleeping form of Pellinore.

MERLIN: Really? Standing over you ready MERLIN: You may not believe it, but one
to slay you was right where you wanted day he will be one of your greatest allies.
him? Interesting. You will give many aimless knights like
him a cause to fight for. But for now let’s
ARTHUR: Well, I would rather die than be leave him to his dreams of dragons and
called a coward. damsels. We have adventuring to do.

MERLIN: So said Caesar—and he did. ARTHUR: I can’t. I have broken my sword

in battle. It just shattered in my hand!
ARTHUR: I can’t be saved by my court
magician every time I get into a scrape!
44 The Road to Camelot

MERLIN: I expected as much. That sword MERLIN: Beyond the mist lies the isle of
has outlived its usefulness. Let’s go. Avalon and further on the plain of
Camlann, where the last battle shall be
ARTHUR: But where? fought—where you shall be killed by an evil
knight.
NARRATOR: Merlin was already walking
briskly away through the trees. Arthur ARTHUR: (determined) I shall face that day
dashed to catch up. bravely.

ARTHUR: Hey! Wait up! MERLIN: And that is what will get you
killed! But I have said too much. Behold! In
MERLIN: There is a sword that was crafted the middle of the lake, what do you see?
by the magic of the faeries—on Avalon, the
isle of magic. ARTHUR: (looking, slowly) I can barely see
…a hand! A hand coming up from the
ARTHUR: Is it a sword for me? water! It’s clad in a shining material
decorated with sparkling jewels.
MERLIN: No, it’s for Henry the stable boy.
Of course, it’s for you! The sword is MERLIN: That is pure samite, my boy!
Excalibur, and none may stand against it.
ARTHUR: And it’s holding something out
ARTHUR: It sounds like a mighty weapon. of the depths…a sword! The finest I have
ever seen.
MERLIN: It is. You will require only the
finest of swords to protect you. With MERLIN: As it should be. It is Excalibur!
Excalibur you will bring freedom and peace
to Britain for many years. But a sword is ARTHUR: How shall I reach it, Merlin?
only as good as the man who uses it. So you
must guard it—and yourself—very MERLIN: Don’t ask me! Ask her!
carefully. Now, watch your step.
NARRATOR: Then Arthur beheld her, the
NARRATOR: They descended down a glowing image of a woman, walking across
slippery pile of rocks. Merlin almost fell the misty lake. Where her feet touched the
several times and grumbled loudly. Finally, water’s surface, no ripples appeared, and as
they reached the bottom, and through a she came, Arthur heard a faraway music.
small stand of trees, Arthur saw a great lake (heavenly music) He was entranced.
spread out before them.
ARTHUR: (stunned) Who is she?
ARTHUR: (in awe) Heaven preserve us!
MERLIN: The Lady of the Lake. Don’t just
MERLIN: Nice, isn’t it? stand there like a stump! Go out to her!

NARRATOR: The water was of the clearest NARRATOR: There was a tiny boat on the
blue Arthur had ever seen. Mists covered shore of the lake. Arthur heard that in the
what lay in the distance. lady’s song she was beckoning to him. He
 A Tale of Two Swords 45

got into the boat, and it began to move MERLIN: (shouting back) Of course, it is!
across the waters of its own accord. Now row back here quickly!

LADY: (musically) Arthur. Arthur. I am the NARRATOR: Arthur found the oars
Lady of the Lake. Do you desire the sword within the boat and grudgingly put down
in the midst of this lake? his new sword to take them up. As the
sword moved through the air, it sang the
ARTHUR: I do, my lady. same song he had heard the lady sing.
Somehow, it soothed him. Arthur’s boat
LADY: Then bring your craft forward and once again reached the shore.
take it. For many years, I have guarded this
sword. Now, I give it freely to you, if you MERLIN: Did you get the scabbard as
will give it back when the time comes. well?

ARTHUR: I will, my lady. ARTHUR: Yes. I have them both.

NARRATOR: Arthur was in the center of MERLIN: (calmly) Come. Let us go. Tell
the lake now. The samite-clad hand was me, which do you like better? The sword or
within his reach—dutifully holding the the scabbard?
sword aloft. He noticed draped across the
arm was also a shimmering scabbard of ARTHUR: The sword, of course! With it, I
gold. may cut down any enemy with a single
stroke.
LADY: Take the sword. It is Excalibur. It
shall serve you well. NARRATOR: Arthur gleefully swished the
sword through the air.
NARRATOR: The music grew louder in
his ears, and he reached out. His fingers MERLIN: But the scabbard is the true
brushed upon the sword-hilt, and he felt its prize. It is worth ten swords.
power go through him. He gripped it
strongly. The mystical hand let go and sank ARTHUR: How?
beneath the waves. Excalibur and its
scabbard were his own now. MERLIN: Well, when the scabbard is worn,
no matter how badly you are wounded, you
ARTHUR: (breathlessly) Thank you! This is will not bleed. Keep it close. One day, a
the greatest gift I have ever received! woman will steal it from you if you are not
careful.
NARRATOR: Arthur looked up to thank
the Lady of the Lake, but she was not there, ARTHUR: (laughs) A woman? Come on,
and, indeed, the mist had risen. All magic Merlin. Surely, you do not think me weak
had left the place. enough to be tricked by a woman.

ARTHUR: (shouting) Merlin! Look! The MERLIN: We shall see. Now, my young
sword is mine! king, let us return to Camelot. You are still
very green—a sapling—and you have many
46 The Road to Camelot

things to learn before you become a mighty

oak. Now you have Excalibur, and like the
sword that you pulled from the stone, it will
help guide you to your destiny.

NARRATOR: And so the two left that

place, and far away, the Lady of the Lake, in
her invisible kingdom, began to sing once
again. Excalibur was in the hands of a good
man, and there would be peace in Britain—
for a time.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Even though Merlin has magical

powers, why does he tell the archbishop
to pray for a miracle?
2. How did Arthur’s childhood with Sir
Ector make him a better person than if
he had been raised as a prince?
3. How do the two swords in the story
resemble and differ from each other?
What purpose does each one serve?
4. The sins of Uther, Arthur’s father, will
follow him all the way through his life.
Some decisions parents make affect their
children positively, and others affect
them negatively. What are some
examples of both from real life?
5. What role does Merlin fill in Arthur’s
life? Explain.
6. What qualities will make Arthur a good
king? Explain.
7. If you were made the ruler of the
country at age sixteen, do you think
anyone would oppose your rule?
Explain.
8. How would the world be different if
young people ruled it?