EPISODE 109 

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MERLIN :
This will help you reach out to the Otherworld.
This will anchor you in ours.
So that you may speak with⎯

PERCIVAL :
I know, Merlin.
I know what all this is for.

MERLIN :
…
Have you ever attended a funeral wake, Percival?

PERCIVAL :
Yes.
One night, old baron Colwyn, the one who oversaw the village, passed away. At the time, we brought dishes and gifts so they could be put in his grave.
Isn’t it the same for knights?

MERLIN :
You could say that.
Your offering will be their own horses.
They will guide them to the Otherworld.

PERCIVAL : 

…

MERLIN :
Once the last offering is made, we’ll speak their eulogies before the fires…
…then the tomb will be sealed.
Go, Percival of Wales.
It’s important that you do. 

[ percival approaches the cairn, and ties the horses’ reins to a pole in front of it. he gives their snouts a pet, then turns to face the entrance. ]

PERCIVAL :
…
( What makes a knight, really ?
It’s been over a year since I left my mother’s lands,
and I still don’t know the answer.
…
[ he sets his torch up into one of the sconces. ]
Perhaps it’s nothing but the privilege
to keep your horse to guide you into the Otherworld. )

[ cut to arthur staring out a window in camelot. the door swings open. ] 

ARTHUR :
If you’re here about the signatures on those decrees again…
… tell Kay he can shove them up his ars⎯
…Oh, Percival.
It’s customary to announce yourself before coming in. ( And give the door a knock. )

PERCIVAL :
… Apologies, my lord.
Sir Bedivere said you wanted to see me… ? 

ARTHUR :
…
Ah, yes!
Please, take a seat.
There is
much I could say about the situation.
I’ve lost many a knight over the years, and just as many friends. Time hasn’t dulled the pain of it, I’m afraid.
I do not claim to understand what you’re going through, but know I grieve with you.
It is with great honor
that in their graves, your brothers will join the Round Table’s greatest.

PERCIVAL :
…

ARTHUR :
With that said…
I did not summon you here only to offer you my condolences.
You are king now,
or king-in-waiting, at least.
[ percy’s grip tightens. ]
And the situation you find yourself in feels… rather familiar.
I myself was thrust onto the throne without any preparations,
or at least, not conventional ones.
To be king
is no simple task.
When I was your age, I was convinced all would be well so long as I kept my ideals in mind.
But it isn’t easy to manage one’s kingdom while contending with others,
all without losing sight of what matters most.
And it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that so long as you mean well, everything will work out.
The truth is,
you’ll need reliable allies, Percival.
Allies that, if they cannot reason with you, will support you.
That’s what I’d like to offer you in the future.
To renew the alliance between Logres and Listenoise.
If you do not feel up to it just yet, I understand.

PERCIVAL :
!!
I…
I don’t know what that entails.
I don’t…
I don’t know anything, I…

ARTHUR :
You don’t need to give me your answer just yet, young Welshman.
I understand you may not feel up to it right now.
My first suggestion for you would be…
… to stay in Camelot.
For a few months, you could learn what it means to be king.
The queen could teach you, as could Merlin, or so I hope.
Just as he taught me.
And so, as soon as you feel ready,
we can start thinking about getting you knighted, giving you a seat at the Round Table and going through with your official coronation.
Of course, you’d need to sign a decree and pass it on to your seneschal, so that⎯

PERCIVAL :
I’d like…
…
… to stay with Sir Tristan.

ARTHUR :
…
I see.
Even so, I ask that you take some time to consider it.
But I won’t keep you any longer today, Percival.
Go back to the ceremonies. I’ll be the one to begin the eulogies.

[ percy stands and exits the room. ]

ARTHUR :
…
( The poor boy is so lost.
So many responsibilities, all suddenly thrust upon him, and he hasn’t even been knighted yet. )

SERVANT :
Good evening, my lord.

ARTHUR :
Good evening.
( Being a knight seems so simple in comparison.
Maybe… maybe I would’ve liked that simple life, too.
And maybe it’s my desire for such simplicity that led to my past misconduct.
It’s easy to turn to pride, or resentment.
To get this sense of impunity…
Being a king means you need reliable allies. )
There’s your damn decrees.

KAY :
You go and see Guinevere, she wanted to see you.

ARTHUR :
( But above all, a king needs trustworthy companions.
Wthout them, without my family… )
Guinevere, it’s almost time for the eulogies, you⎯
( I cannot imagine what would happen
if I were to lose them. )

ROUND TABLE TRIVIA
Funeral rites have several variations depending the deceased’s kingdom and rank.
The higher ranked they are, the more items they bring into the grave :
dishes,
clothes,
weapons,
means of transportation.

Halen and Pupur (salt and pepper in Welsh), Aglovale and Lamorak’s horses, ready to join their knights.

All is made ready for the deceased to bring into the Otherworld.
Fire is always part of the rites : it leads the dead’s souls to the Otherworld, and is sometimes used to cremate the bodies.

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