The Fall Of Gareth

And so it came to pass ordained by fate, begun in such glory, that the acts of one altered the course of great Britannia.

Gareth, clad in cloak of red torn from foe by his brother Gawain, from Orkney southward in silent excite, they journeyed.

Excite steeled to fear as their mounted band harkened the calls from Camelot’s great towers, below passing the great gates of Arthur’s hallowed Hall.

Fear unbridled, silent and humble, Gareth understood, as though touched by divine hand, that his youth now departed.

For quest and crusade, for God and glory, for King and Country before him lay; folly ceded, and fancy delayed.

“All is well, brother, sit tall and proud,” Gawain said, Gareth at his side within Arthur’s Hall. A lone seat beside empty amongst the headless table.

But no, Gareth observed incorrect, for two seats sat forlorn and neglected.

Their swords, polished glyphs adorned, lay before them on the table round. Another gift given by Gawain—A bounty unearned. Proven glory Gareth yearned. No longer Gareth, Son of Lot, Brother of Gawain, but Gareth, slayer of dragons and wise warrior often sought.

A tattoo of pikes attention signaled. All stood, a lone figured appeared. Stern was he, unlike Gareth’s dreams, fire withdrawn, beard long gray. He sat in silence, his friends abiding. Gareth sat, gaze lowered, complying.

Ten swords lay on the table round. Two slots unfilled, before Arthur, Excalibur unfound. Their king drew forth such a valiant blade, and upon the wood, with its compatriots laid.

Only Arondight was absent, its master fell. Their table rent asunder by the absence of two who’s bond foundered.

Gareth knew, Gawain admonished, his brother Lancelot’s honor now fallen. Agravain’s seat, its emptiness heavy, filled now by Gareth, still shy of twenty.

No man of honor could fill Lancelot’s seat, blackened by his feats. So eleven sat now, where there were once twelve.

“Out of darkness came our great Camelot. For a land of chivalry we fought. Our friends in glory fell, but their sacrifice proved unworthy, simply tales of honor we tell.”

He spoke and Gareth felt fatefully the strength of Pendragon unleashed finally.

“With her I found him bound, he to whose love I was bound. A Friend and lover ripped away from my soul in a single day. Lancelot fled. Agravain lay dead. Guinevere remains. Justice must prevail. Her sentence now read…

…Fire to our foes. Fire for my love relented.”

To shock, Arthur proclaimed the fate of the lady, with venom named. Her honor forfeit. No love. No compassion. Only hatred unabated.

***

They stood in the courtyard, pyre erected. Gareth and Gawain and all the rest by Arthur’s side, brotherhood poetic.

Forward they guided, the lady never named by Arthur Pendragon from that day forth. Eyes covered, hands bound, Gareth observed fair Guinevere.

In her beauty, Gareth saw, desire worth betraying all. Were he base, Gareth would cut down these guards, would spirit her away from the burning pyre before. His sword stayed–his honor never betrayed.

But fate ordained blood flow, and a scream from the gate sounded the arrival. Swords brandished, steel shown, as Lancelot’s fury from far north came down.

Tristan and Galahad were swiftly dispatched, as were Perceval and Bedivere.

Gareth and Gawain then faced Arthur’s once brother, boldness abound.

For all of his training, for all of his valor, Gareth faced fury unrequited. While Gareth dreamed of quests and glory, foe Lancelot already long and far quested. Lands and leagues knew his name, and even Mordred shuddered when Lancelot’s banner from spear did hang.

Steel sang, and crows caws echoed.

They grappled together, righteous anger and lover’s malice without inhibition, but upon only Arondight did blood glisten.

A brother’s bellowed lamented a memory of love and honor within Camelot now departed.

And so fell Gareth, name unadorned. Remembered as but a boy–never more.

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A/N:

Finished Tolkien's Fall Of Arthur and declare it truly one of literature's lost masterpieces. I'm no expert on epic poetry, verse, etc., but wanted to attempt one purely on "vibes".

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