The Call of Camelot

Chapter 15 - A Disney Movie

Knights in shining armour, beautifully dressed damsels and juggling jesters, the image of these three things would always be at the forefront of my mind anytime I envisioned a celebration during the Medieval age. Stereotypical, and slightly Disney-esque I know, but whenever my imagination would delve into the image of the Medieval world that is what it would come up with! So, to actually be amongst a real Medieval celebration was a thrill! And to my surprise, did involve courtly entertainers who juggled!

Walking into the Great Hall was like walking into a wall of noise, the excited chatter and laughter of hundreds of guests filled the room, which just like the town, had undergone a transformation all its own in honour of Arthurs celebrations.

Gone were the dusty animal skins that littered the floor, the weaponry that adorned the walls now covered with colourful, richly decorated tapestries. The hearth had been removed to create more space for guests to mingle, the round table also missing and in its place, rows of long tables and chairs, which at their top on a raised platform stood the Kings head table, and my seat for the evening.

It was clear that Arthurs banquet was quite the occasion, everywhere I looked there were clusters of guests all dressed in their finest clothes, laughing and mingling with one another and taking advantage of the goblets of free wine that were being offered by the servants. The whole scene took me back to a few weeks ago, to the meet and greet at the hotel the evening before the first day of the dig and how, just like now, I'd felt awkward and out of place amongst a room of people who all appeared to know one another well. It was strange though, although that party had only been a few weeks ago, it felt like another lifetime. And in a way, I guess it was!

"Lord Mordred, Cara, I'm so pleased to see you" Merlin appeared through a cluster of guests, looking quite handsome in his finest navy dress robe

"Mordred, would you mind if I stole Cara away from you for a moment?" even if Mordred had wanted to say no he wouldn't of been given a chance, with Merlin taking my hand and pulling me through a crowd of people to the side of the room

"I'm pleased to see you Cara, truly I am, you haven't been yourself these past few days"

"You said yourself Merlin, magic can be exhausting, I've just been tired"

Merlin saw through my lie immediately and I admitted to him how my frustrations on not being privy to Arthurs plans were beginning to take hold. But Merlin had good news for me, the relief overwhelming as he shared the Kings plans to meet with me after the tournament the following day, where he promised I was to be told on what was to happen next in Camelots ongoing war with the Banduri

"Foremost the King has been concerned about your safety, and with that the safety of his realm, surely you can understand that Cara?"

I took another large gulp of wine from my second goblet, feeling significantly cheerier than I had been all day

"I can" I admitted, the knowledge that I was finally being involved in what had been happening, plus the alcohol, helping me to feel far more friendlier towards Camelots King

I was mingling with some of the knights, including Gawain and Lancelot who were both behaving like they'd already had far too much fun, when a flurry of servants began spilling out of doorways, carrying platters laden with delicious smelling meats and seafood. Their appearance was the signal that everyone was to sit to dinner, with the small clusters of people separating and scuttling off to compete for the best seats, the better seats apparently meaning the chairs closest to the Kings table. It made me grateful that I didn't have to fight for a place to eat.

My seat was between Merlin and Arthur whose throne was noticeably empty as well as Guineveres, considering they were the guests of honour I only then realised that I hadn't seen either of them since arriving. The reason for their absence was revealed a few moments after the final guests were seated, with the double doors leading to the Great Hall bursting open to allow Arthur and Guinevere to stride into the hall in all their splendor.