Week 11 Storytelling - Arthur's death

Arthur's body collapsed on top of the pile of many deaths. He was wounded. He knew he would not recover from his injuries. Arthur saw his dear friend Sir Bedivere. Arthur gave his precious sword Excalibur to Sir Bedivere. The sword thought to itself while it was handed to Sir Bedivere.  

'You would not recover.'

Excalibur Arthur's wounds would eventually lead to his death. In fact, Excalibur was the thing that was holding the last breath of Arthur. He would have died long time ago if Excalibur was not there. But that was it. The power of healing belonged to scabbard. 

'If you had my scabbard, you would have recovered.'

Excalibur thought, but its scabbard was stolen by Morgan. Excalibur had to admit Arthur would no longer be with him in the battle. It knew that this was the end. 

'Fair well, my friend.'

Although Arthur could not hear, Excalibur said good-bye to Arthur. Excalibur did not want to leave the side of its friend. But that would be too cruel to Arthur. Even without the scabbard, Excalibur has its own power to continue the life of Arthur without curing him. Arthur would live with his wounds and pain if Excalibur stayed. 

Sir Bedivere left with Excalibur in his hand. However, he did not return Excalibur to the lake right away. He hid Excalibur and went back to Arthur to lie. Excalibur waited. Arthur would knew if it was returned to the lady of the lake, so Bedivere's lie would not work. Eventually, Bedivere picked Excalibur and threw it to the lake. The hand came out of the lake and caught Excalibur. It was the hand of the lady of the lake.

"Welcome back, my child."

The lady of the lake spoke. She knew Excalibur would be returned. She was waiting for Excalibur. 

"How was your journey?"

Excalibur answered with its thought. The lady of the lake could understand what it was thinking. She smiled. 

"I am glad you enjoyed your journey, my dear."

She gently touched the blade of Excalibur. The work of Excalibur was done. It was born to be wielded by a king Arthur. Since Arthur's journey was done, Excalibur's journey was done as well. The end of Arthur was near so the end of Excalibur was near.

"Farewell. Rest yourself in Avalon."

Excalibur slowly disappeared from the hands of the lady of the lake. Excalibur joined Avalon where his friend, master, and king Arthur joined after his death. 

(The lake by Mouser Williams)

Author's note: The story is based on the tale 'King Arthur'. It was really interesting story to read and I really enjoyed it. There were many parts that I really enjoyed but I think the most impressive and memorable part was the end of Arthur. I was thinking since Excalibur is not just an ordinary sword, it might have it own 'I' or ego. So I decided to write the story about how Excalibur would have felt during the end of Arthur. The original story is same. Arthur was wounded and he wanted to return Excalibur to the lady of the lake. Sir Bedivere lied twice before returning Excalibur to the lady of the lake. 

Bibliography: The End of Arthur from King Arthur: Tales of the Round Table by Andrew Lang