I NEVER REALIZED! I NEVER SUPPOSED ARTHUR WAS THE Sleeping King.
Now I know he’s not in Caer Caradoc. Or Weston. Or Panpunton. He’s here in Tumber Hill.
Where he and Guinevere held their wedding feast.
In the hall everyone was still asleep. Sian and Grace, Slim, Tanwen and Kester, Ruth, Robbie. I snapped my fingers and Tempest and Storm jumped up.
It was so light outside. So bright.
First I walked right round the bottom of the hill, keeping my eyes open for any sign of an opening. That took a long time. Maybe it’s higher up. There must have been a lake here once. I’ll go on searching.…
Then I hurried to the little green glade and my climbing-tree. I remembered the wandering scholar reading in the glade near Verona. I sat in my high perch amongst all the beech leaves just bursting out of their wrappings.
I ran up to the crown of the hill. I stood and stared out across the whole world of our Middle March. The row of beehives. The shining stream. Our scarlet flag dancing. Gatty’s cottage, empty now. Pike Forest, the shadowy hills. The way to Catmole.
The hounds chased round in giddy circles, barking themselves hoarse.
Somehow I left all my fears and sorrows at the bottom of the hill. My head and my heart swelled with such high happiness. I opened my whole self, and shouted.
Lady Alice met me as I came down.
“Leaping like a deer! How do you do it?”
“Yard-skills!” I gasped.
“Now, Arthur! I want you to come to Gortanore as soon as you can.”
“I will!”
“But before that, I’ve arranged for you to meet your mother.”
“My mother!”
Lady Alice nodded. “Mair,” she said gently. “You’ve waited so long.”
“When?” I panted.
“Tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow! Where?”
“Where do you suppose?”
“The Green Trunk?”
Lady Alice smiled.