A Story in 26 parts - O

“Okay - let that be a lesson to you all. Please, let’s just get on with an ordered court - can we?  Once we’re done we can get some lunch.”
A general murmur of agreement went round the hall.  Michael wondered if there would be cucumber sandwiches - he did like those, especially with the crusts cut off… (sorry, it’s near lunch and I’m hungry too. Frog)

“Now you - the one with the feather.  I will deal with you when the time is right - which will be after Arthur has told his tale.  Being someone who is immortal, it’s important that we get them to get on with it - otherwise we’ll be here for forever”.  The knight nodded his head… the green skinned one just wondered what this “lunch” thing was.

“Arthur. Please tell your tale.  Not the whole thing - just why Aragog has such a dislike for you.”
Arthur walked round the stone bench, his sword slowly dragged across the rough surface to emphasise that he really was not going to let go of his sword.

“My tale only goes back a few hundred years. Shortly after I had left Merlin’s training camp as a qualified Magician I saught employ with King Dyffedd of the Hills. Dyffedd was a good man, but could be easily hoodwinked by those who sat by his side.  From my time with Merlin I had learned to read Auras so could quickly identify those who saught Dyffedds power for personal gain.  I identified some of these people to the king, but his eyes and judgement had been clouded by these men - and they turned Dyffedd against me.  As a “punishment” they set me a challenge.

“”If you are as wise and clever as you say you are” said the advisers “you should be able to retrieve the golden chalice that is held by the Dragon of Erinmore”  They knew that this would be certainly result in my death - for popular heresay had told tales of knights seeking their fortunes, only to be killed by the Dragon”.

Merlin interrupted.  “The dragon - is this Aragog?”
Arthur replied,
“Yes sir.  I left the king’s side - but before I did I cast a protection spell to protect the King so that no mortal harm could come to the king by another man until I returned.  I then walked out from the castle walls.  I slept by the crystal lakes, using the fir tree branches as bedding and walked during  the day until I finally arrived at the cave entrance.  All around the entrance were the remains of bodies that I had assumed were the knights.  I waited for days until I was certain that I could plan my entrance to the cave.  Of course, my size was always going to be an issue - I’m not a small person.  Anyway, when the sun reached the hottest part of the day - when dragons sleep the most soundest - I crept into the cave.  My eyes quickly adapted to the dark, and I could see Aragog… more importantly, I could see the chalice.  As I crept forward to pick up the item Aragog opened one eye and saw me.  Although groggy, Aragog raised himself up and breathed fire all about.”

“You stole the Chalice!”  Cried Aragog “My chalice! Mine!”

“Aragog, I have done a great many things I am not proud of.  I had intended to return the chalice after the challenge - the kings councillors had said nothing about keeping it.  However, the fire burned my face and my skin, so I ran from the cave and dived straight into the crystal waters.  What I did not know at the time was that Dragon’s breath contains a great many crystals - and these had burned into my skin - including Tourmaline.  When I dived into the crystal clear lake the cool waters had caused my skin to rapidly contract with the cold - and the Tourmaline had set into my skin.  This is why I now have a blue appearance.”

“So what happened to MY Chalice?” Said Aragog. “You just said you were going to return it!”

“I returned to the King and presented him with the Chalice.  His advisers called me a trickster a cheat and many other things.  They said that I could not have stolen the chalice and lived.  In front of my face, they broke the Chalice into 2 pieces - as the chalice split it disappeared into dust.  They all knew at that point that I had not lied - and that King Dyffedd knew if I hadn’t lied about this, then I would not have lied about them either.  If you recall I set a spell to protect the King until I returned.  They knew that - and whilst one adviser distracted me the other took my sword and swiftly beheaded the King.  I could bear this no more.  I dealt immediate revenge on the advisers - save one, who I cast a truth spell so that all would know what had happened.  I then left the castle, never to return.

“So that’s my tale.  That’s why Aragog is rightly angry with me - and Aragog, why I was unable to meet my promise, something that has haunted me for years.  Merlin, you are wise - what is it for me?”

Merlin stroked his beard.

“I think I can make a decision - but first I want to hear from the knight.  Sir - please engage the court with your tale”

The knight stood and turned to the court….
[CONTRIBUTORS: What is the knights tale?]