Jaye Marie and Anita Dawes

I am sitting in front of Jaye’s computer, looking at all the things she works on, wondering if there is anything I can do. Maybe I could try an interview.

I went back to my pen and paper.

Jaye was gardening, so I stayed in her seat, which made me wonder if this had anything to do with the strange feeling creeping over me. Someone stood behind me. I could feel the energy, like pinpricks on my skin. I could smell the wild woods, all the strange scents he brought with him.

I felt afraid to turn.

I knew Merlin stood behind me and didn’t want him to vanish. I wanted to see if he had a long white beard. That’s when he spoke.

‘No beard, no pointy hat, I do have a staff.’

I pulled out the chair beside me, the one I sit in when giving Jaye my work. He sat, and I was looking at a legend. My breath stuck like a hot potato in my throat. I am looking at his blue-green eyes that should be in the crown jewels.

‘Ask away,’ he said, with a voice that will replay in my mind forever. Forget Chopin, Brahms, Beethoven, Liszt, this voice is music.

‘Why Camelot?’ I asked. ‘Why make a King?’

As he answered, I saw the light in his eyes change, like strobe lightning.

‘To rid the country of Roman law, to unify the people.’

I held the moment, asking about the Roman blood running through the veins of the British people. ‘You cannot be rid of all the things they leave behind.’

His body went rigid, and I think I have offended him.

‘What they leave behind will soon be forgotten.’

I didn’t want to comment again for fear he might smite me with his staff. I noticed the slight grin on his face, forgetting he could read my thoughts.

‘If you could do it again, would you do the same?’ Again, that voice, the dancing light in his eyes, made me wish that I had a thousand questions to ask.

‘Yes,’ he said, ‘The same, yet different. I would take my time, make sure there would be no betrayal of Arthur by a French Knight. There would be no need of the grail.’

I tried not to think about his answer. I could tell he knew by the shifting of his weight in the chair.

‘You think I am wrong?’

Looking sideways at him, I said, ‘Maybe. It could be a more modern idea that would be relevant in the now. I know some of your ideas were good. Chivalry, Valour, truth, they should be shown differently. We have too much machinery, kids with their eyes on the future. How to be famous, how to be rich. You need a new game, Merlin. One that can combat the invisible while you’re at it. We have too many germs. Too many people are trying to get rich from disasters. Little has changed since Arthur’s days. The crafty always know how to make money from misery. Often as not, causing it in the first place.’

Before leaving, Merlin said he was glad he popped in. ‘I have much to think about before I visit again…

( Next time I will be ready for him. I will have my questions written down!)