Page 34 of The White Enchantress

“Mother?” I quickly unlatch the door, swinging it open to find Vivienne standing alone. “What…how are you here?”

“I had a vision a few days after you and Guinevere left Avalon. May I come in?” I step aside, admitting her, then secure the bolt inplace. “I took a boat down the coast but it still took me five days to get here.”

“What was the vision?”

“It was of Guinevere. Is Merlin here?”

“Yes, most likely helping Arthur calm everyone downstairs. Mother, what was your vision?”

“Guinevere, becoming possessed by something. I am unsure if that something is good or evil. It did not feel like a malevolent being, but it was powerful. Did it happen already?”

“Yes, Excalibur absorbed itself inside her. She fainted afterward.”

“Let me see.” Vivienne pushes past me, taking a seat on the bed beside Guinevere. She raises her hands to Guinevere’s face, closes her eyes, and remains silent for some time.

I look over at Elaine, feeling sorry for her. She is terrified of my mother, terrified of anything she cannot explain. I need her to understand what she witnessed downstairs was not an enchantment or witchcraft. If she spreads her opinions around the castle, the entire country will think that Guinevere is a witch, not to be trusted. After what happened, Arthur needs Guinevere. She is the sword now. At least that is what I believe. My mother would surely testify to this.

“Elaine, I know you do not truly believe that Guinevere did this intentionally. If you despise her simply for being my friend, I ask you to consider what she means to Arthur, our king. He needs her right now. He needs the people to believe in her. If they think sheis a witch, and I can assure you she is not, then Arthur will lose everything. Do you understand?”

“You really are not in love with her?”

“Why should that matter? I am speaking of Arthur, of his kingdom. Would you let your petty feelings about how I could potentially love someone other than you get in the way of unifying the Britons?”

Sighing loudly, Elaine responds. “No, of course not.”

“My son, you are correct. Excalibur lies within the body of Guinevere. I can feel her spirit. Not quite possessing Guinevere’s soul, residing within it. I did not sense any malevolence, which means we can assume that Guinevere is safe for the time being.”

I breathe a sigh of relief. “Will she wake up soon?”

“That I cannot say. She seems to be unharmed and stable. Elaine, you may leave if you wish. I will stay with Guinevere.”

“Arthur ordered me to stay with her, and that is what I will do.” Elaine’s voice shakes in fear at speaking so directly with Vivienne. I cannot help but be amused.

Guinevere jolts awake as I laugh, her breathing shallow and wild. I am at her side instantly, the smile vanishing from my face. She is warm, too warm.

“Mother, she is running a fever. Elaine, go fetch some cold water.” Elaine hesitates, frightened at the sight of Guinevere’s state. “Arthur would want you to help the lady. She needs water. Please, Elaine.” My begging works. Elaine dashes out the door, letting it close back on its own.

“Lancelot, you are here?” Guinevere whispers.

“Where do you thinkhereis, Guinevere?“ Vivienne interjects.

“Home?” She shakes her head and lies back down, closing her eyes tightly. When she opens them back up, she is fully awake. “Oh, I’m still in Camelot?”

“Yes, my lady. Though you gave everyone quite a fright. How do you feel?” I ask, attempting to hide the worry in my voice.

“Meh, my head is on fire and my chest aches. What exactly happened? Did I give the sword to Arthur?”

“No. Excalibur blasted the throne room with a bright, white light and then absorbed into your body. Can you feel it?”

Guinevere takes a moment, looking inside herself for something new. “I don’t know, but I do feel different. Am I glowing? It looks like I’m radiating a soft white light.”

“I do not see–”

“Yes, I can see the light. It is faint but there. Excalibur has chosen you to be its vessel. I do not think she means to possess you or harm you in any way. This does not mean that Arthur was not the one in Merlin’s prophecy, or mine. It could mean that he was destined for you.” Vivienne’s eyes shift to me as she says this to Guinevere.

“Do you mean I must marry him?” She looks up at me after asking my mother this question, but I cannot hold her gaze. If she looks into my eyes, she will see the sadness and longing within. I believe in Arthur. With that belief comes sacrifice. If Guinevere must marry Arthur to secure a peaceful, unified kingdom, then Iwill keep my feelings to myself. I will never act upon them. And I will never know if Guinevere feels the same for me.

“That is up to you. Marriage is a strong binding contract between man and woman. Marrying Arthur means that he would own you; thereupon, he would own Excalibur. There are other options if you still do not wish to marry him.”

---