BOOK V - The Coming of the Bear

(the title refers to the a previous prophecy made by Merlin in which he referred to Arthur, a name that was misunderstood by those who heard it as artos or the bear)

CHAPTER 1

Summary

A great dragon star blazed across the sky at the time of Ambrosius' death and from it, Uther takes the name of Pendragon. But it becomes a baleful herald for his new reign. The old enemies begin to rise up again, including Octa and Eosa who break their promise to stay on the other side of Hadrian's Wall. This is followed by remnants of Pascentius' Saxons and Gilloman's Irish. Eventually, Octa destroys cities and fortresses clear down to York. Uther's forces come up to meet him, but they are outnumbered two to one and it is a bloody, disastrous campaign. The British cut and run and then hole up on the top of a small hill called Damen. The Saxons camp at the bottom waiting to rout them out at daybreak.

Uther settles down with his weary officers and at the suggestion of Gorlois of Cornwall, they decide to once again try the element of surprise and attack down the hill in the dark. Helped by a little mist that begins to creep up the hill, the British come down in a silent rush when there is just enough light to see their way. They sweep across the half-sleeping Saxons and cut them to pieces. By noon, the battle is over and Octa and Eosa are taken prisoner. It is all Uther needs: men begin to forget the slow start of his reign and hale him as a new sun rising.

Merlin, in the meantime, is finishing his work of raising the stones at the Giant's Dance. He designs a wooden crib like the one mentioned in the song of the blind singer. It is primitive, but it works. It takes two hundred men to move each stone and they do so while singing the old songs as a rhythm, giving rise to the legend that Merlin moved the stones with magic and music. He is the last one to leave the sight when the job is done. He looks down at his father's grave, where the great king has been buried with his sword, and promises him to return at the winter solstice.

Notes

It is interesting to note two aspects of this first battle testing Uther's ability to rule: one is the mist which rises up the hill to hide their numbers, a mist which in its mystery seems to be yet another deed prepared by the god; two is the fact that Uther is hailed as the rising sun after he defeats the Saxons, just at the moment when the sun itself really rises. It all seems part and parcel of the destiny mapped out by the god for Britain. It is also ironic that the man who comes up with the plan which saves Uther and his reputation is Gorlois of Cornwall, the very man Uther will later betray by stealing his wife. Merlin is far away from this battle, but creates his own magic by raising the standing stones at the Giant's Dance. This time the magic is man-made but those around him are so awed by it that they still only see the Prophet at work again. His final promise to his father before he leaves the site foreshadows what he will later learn about the Giant's Dance.

New names in this chapter: Pendragon, the name Uther takes as King when the King-Star crosses the sky; Damen, the hill where Uther's troops hole up waiting to siege Octa's troops

CHAPTER 2

Summary

Uther rides from London to Winchester for Christmas. Merlin and Cadal return to the Giant's Dance and camp out waiting for Uther, who Merlin knows will come. Merlin has requested that Uther come here to see what he has done, which can only be seen properly at dawn. While they wait, Merlin confirms to Uther that it is true that Ambrosius had spoken to him, Merlin, as he was dying and that Merlin was there in some way. Uther is angry that Merlin did not tell him at that time that his brother was dying, but Merlin says he did as Ambrosius had bid him. Uther warns Merlin that he cannot serve him as he served his brother, because he wants nothing to do with Merlin's prophecies. Merlin says he understands, but that their paths will still cross and they will deal together whether they want to or not. He tells Uther is can find him whenever he needs him at his cave in Maridunum and that the only thing he holds against him is a girl - Keri - he had in Caerleon. In the end, though, even that doesn't matter to Merlin.

Soon, Merlin interrupts Uther's tales of battle and has the king stand with him at the foot of the king-stone, facing east. When the sun of the winter solstice rises, it hits exactly on the king-stone, fulfilling what Merlin had told Tremorinus, I will deck his grave with nothing less than the light itself. Uther is impressed with the love that made Merlin create the monument for his father at the Giant's Dance and asks him to spend Christmas with him at Winchester. But Merlin refuses, saying that he will see him in the spring at his coronation. Uther then gives him ownership of the hill and the cave which men are now calling Merlin's Hill.

Notes

It is ironic that Uther is so adamant that he cannot use Merlin as Ambrosius has, because before too long he will seek out Merlin for his greatest power: to help create the love of a woman. Merlin is only at the Giant's Dance to show Uther what he created, not with the god's power, but with his own intelligence, as a monument to his father. He knows that their relationship is far from ended.