Return to Camelot by Jeffrey Allen White (the reading strategies book .TXT) 📕

this be the same mark? Could it mirror the one he carried on his own back?

Mordred continued. ”There was no doubt in my mind about the boy. The mark on his back was that of a sword or rather of Excalibur, your sword. The same mark you have on your back. I know of its existence as I had seen you bathing in a stream years ago. I was amazed at its exact likeness and clarity. The priest spoke of the boys mark.

There was the proof. It was your son. Tolemac is your son. But not for much longer.”

Arthur felt his strength return to him. He jumped up from the bed and charged Mordred or at least where he thought he was. He followed his voice and pounced on him, knocking him off the bed and onto the floor.

Mordred, taken by surprise broke free of Arthur’s hold. He had not intended to let his guard down this much. He was surprised to see the potion had worn off that was weakening him. However, blindness still hid the world from him.

“You devil from hell. I swear I will kill you with my own hands!” Arthur reached out towards Mordred who was now standing in front of him.

“Where is he? Where is my son? What have you done to him?” Arthur tried to get hold of Mordred.

“He is with me, brother. I have him. He is safe for the time being. However, not for much longer. He too will die, as you will. I leave you now but I will return to finish what I started and oh, don’t worry, I’ll give Tolemac your best regards.” Mordred stepped out of the way just before Arthur rushed at him. Arthur flew through the air missing Mordred and landing on the chair, shattering it.

Mordred heard some voices from outside. He moved to the door and out into the corridor. “Maybe now Arthur, you will see what it is to lose a blood relative. It is not pleasant. It rips your heart out. That is what I intend to do to you and to your son.”

The door closed behind Mordred and Arthur fell slumped to the floor. His son, his only son was in danger. That is what Merlin said. He had to find him, to save and protect him.

Arthur felt the warmth of the disk in his hand. He still had the golden disk. Merlin said to use it to find and protect the boy. Arthur raised the disk into the air. Its’ light penetrated his eyes. They burned with the heat of a thousand hot daggers. He screamed in pain. Arthur thrashed on the floor holding his eyes with his hands still clutching the disk. A strange feeling came over him. His burning eyes now were less so. The feeling was returning to normal. The burning had stopped.

Arthur sat against the wall trying to compose himself, his head propped in his hands. He had started to cry from the pain and from the hopelessness of the situation. Through his tears, Arthur could make out some faint light. Not much but light it was. He raised his head and looked around the room. He could make out pale images and there was the window. Its light flooded the room. His sight was returning. Arthur stood and staggered to the window, throwing open the shutters. He could see now. He could see! The sun was bright and he could see the green hills and trees.

Arthur turned into the room. He walked to the table. The disk in his hand still glowed with its warmth. This would help him find Tolemac. This would help him find his son.


Chapter 6

Guinevere had awoken suddenly, her hair was wet and she was breathing hard. She had been dreaming. It was a nightmare. She could not remember what it was about other than it had scared her.

It was still dark outside. The whole convent was asleep. Guinevere got out of bed and stood in the radiance of the moon light that shown through her small window. It washed her face with light.

The moon was full and quite brilliant in the night sky. She had often watched the moon when it was large and full. Ever since she was a small child, she remembered. She and Arthur would go riding late at night and then rest under a large oak tree and watch the moon drift across the sky, wrapped in each other’s arms.

This was not proper thoughts for a nun, a Mother Abbess at that. Guinevere returned to her bed. It was a cool evening and the covers gave her warmth.

She sometimes missed her old life. However, it was gone. This was her life now. She had given herself to God and with time, He would forgive her for what she had done. If only Arthur would forgive her. That was not possible.

The last time she had seen him, he looked at her with so much hurt, and she could not bear it. She left England for Wales, traveling with Lancelot as her escort.

Lancelot never spoke to her during this time. He only brought her here and then he was gone. He gave no good-byes or farewells. He was too ashamed of what they had done. They both would have to live with this the rest of their lives.

How could she have been disloyal to Arthur, her husband? He was so good and kind. She loved him with all of her heart. To this day, Guinevere cannot understand what made her so impulsive and irresponsible.

Nevertheless, she was responsible. She was to blame for what happened. Guinevere felt it was all her fault and that even Lancelot was not at fault. She had taken the burden of sin herself.

Guinevere turned over onto her side. Lancelot was her husband’s friend, his best friend, his right arm. He was her best friend also. Lancelot could be arrogant and egotistical. He was so full of himself and his many accomplishments. He was also sweet and kind. She loved him as Arthur did. He was their true friend. Lancelot would defend either of them with his life if it need be.

Then it happened. She felt herself longing for him. To be with him was a curse. Arthur never knew of her thoughts. They were unspeakable. Guinevere could not stop thinking of her betrayal. It came on her suddenly, as if she was not in control of her thoughts, actions or desires. This was not like her. She loved Arthur and Lancelot loved Arthur. They would never do anything to hurt him. However, they did.

One night when Arthur was away hunting with Pellinore, she had felt herself drawn to Lancelot as if in a trance. She went to him and woke him from his sleep. She does not remember much after that except they were both ashamed of what they had done. Lancelot could not look her in the eyes the next morning. She could not look Arthur in his eyes. They had betrayed the man they both loved.

Lancelot had decided to leave Camelot. He thought it best. He had come to her to say goodbye one night and to beg forgiveness for himself. He could no longer face Arthur everyday and stand beside him. Everyone had been whispering about them. The guards and women of the court spoke in hushed tones when they were together.

Finally, Lancelot could take no more. It would be best for him to leave and never return to Camelot. He would live his life without the two people he loved most in the world.

Mordred had been spying on them, watching them. Guinevere had no plans of seeing Lancelot ever again. Not the way she had the night before. It was wrong, they both knew it. It was a mistake, a great mistake. It should have never happened.

Mordred and several of his men ambushed Lancelot and Guinevere as they bid their farewell. Arthur, according to the laws of the land was to execute them both for reasons of treason and summoned them. It was treason of passion. This was punishable by death and no less. Guinevere went along with the guards willingly. Lancelot escaped to France where he plotted Guinevere’s rescue.

Days passed and it was time for Guinevere to face her executioner and the fires of the stake. Law decreed it; Mordred had reminded Arthur of his duty. Mordred had control over Arthur now. The king had to uphold the law. He had to kill the woman he loved. As for Lancelot, he could never return to England, exiled in disgrace.

As the time neared for the execution, Lancelot rode into Camelot fighting with a rebel group of knights to free Guinevere. Many knights had lost their lives. Arthur felt helpless.

Guinevere had escaped with Lancelot. He was sure of that and he was relieved. They would both live although he would never see them again.


Lancelot took Guinevere to a convent in Wales where she would spend the rest of her life in repentance. He then rode off to France where he would fight for his homeland. England and France had declared was on each other because of their short-lived unfaithfulness.

Lancelot left her with the sisters of serenity. She closed herself in the stoned walls and devoted her life to God. After several months, she discovered she was with child. She suspected the child to be of Lancelot’s. She spent the next several months praying for forgiveness and guidance. Her child, the child of Lancelot would never know his parents love. This was the only choice she had. She could not hurt Arthur any more than she had already done. He had become ill and his Camelot was at war with the world. She had heard that Arthur had banished Mordred from Camelot. If only he had done so sooner.

Knights would fight among themselves taking sides for or against the king. She had to spare Arthur this anguish, she could not tell him or Lancelot who the father was. Guinevere did not want either of them to suffer the shame of her sin.

The moon meandered silently below the far side of the window. It was close to morning. She had been awake for hours. Thinking of what was and what would have been. What should have been?

Guinevere arose from her bed. She would wash and ready herself for the day. She thought of going to the chapel to pray but her mind was elsewhere.

Her habit was lying on the chair back. She picked it up and felt it’s’ texture. Black, course, woven material it was.