Madouc

King Casmir roared in sudden fury: "Madouc, be silent! From this moment henceforth you are no longer princess at Haidion, or anywhere else! You are the nameless whelp of some prurient halfling and a hedgerow vagabond, without pedigree or known parentage! As such, you have no personal voice at this table of notables; be silent!"

King Audry cleared his throat. "The point raised by King Casmir is well taken, even though his terms were immoderate. I rule that the maiden Madouc may no longer speak in her own voice at this colloquy, no matter how entertaining her observations."

"Very well, Your Highness!" said Madouc. "I will say no more."

King Casmir spoke in a heavy voice: "I see no point in pro longing this discussion, certainly not under conditions as they now exist."

King Audry said unhappily: "Today we have heard some divergent points of view, and indeed not a few sparks of contention! But perhaps these sores can be soothed and our differences reconciled at a later session-perhaps at the end of the after noon, or even tomorrow. At this time, we shall have ordered our dispositions and resolved on the concessions which we all will choose to make, for the general weal."

‘Concessions'?" demanded burly King Dartweg of Godelia. "I have no concessions to make. To the contrary! I want Audry to chastise his Wardens of the March! We have no goodly forests in Godelia, and when our huntsmen venture into Dahaut to track down a fine stag, they are set upon by the damnable Daut patrols! There must be a cessation to this boorish practice!"

"That is quite unreasonable," said King Audry coldly. "I make a far more urgent complaint against you: to wit, your support of the Wysrod rebels, who give us no surcease!"

"They are good Celts," declared King Dartweg. "They are deserving of land, and Wysrod is their choice. Every honest man should lend his hand to help them. It is shameful that you, King Audry, bring this case out into the open!"

King Audry spoke angrily: "My attempt to bring wise men together for a feast of logic and a banquet of reason has lured a number of lackwits and mooncalfs into our august presence, though protocol forbids me the naming of names! I have lost hope, faith and patience and I hereby declare the colloquy terminated."

IV

The dignitaries and their ladies who had assembled in the Hall of Heroes filed slowly out: through the Court of Dead Gods, into the reception hall, where, with many a glance to right and left, they gathered in uncertain groups to discuss the morning's events in guarded voices. When the ladies spoke, they tended to focus their attention upon Madouc. Her behavior was analyzed from a dozen directions; terms such as ‘brave', ‘stubborn', ‘theatrical', ‘vain', ‘madcap', ‘intractable' were all used, as well as the word ‘precocious'. While no one could exactly define the manner in which the word applied, all were in tacit accord that the word was appropriate.

As for Madouc herself, she went to sit unobtrusively to the side of the reception hall, in the company of Prince Jaswyn. For a time the two sat in silence, with Madouc gloomily wondering what to do with herself next.

Prince Jaswyn presently found his voice and put a tentative question, in regard to the mystery surrounding her birth. "Your mother is truly a fairy?"

"Yes. She is Twisk of the Blue Hair."

"Do you love her, and does she love you?"

Madouc shrugged. "The word means something different to a fairy than it does to you - or to me."

"I never noticed before, or thought to wonder, but now, when I look at you, the fairy phase is plain to see, as well as a certain jaunty carelessness which could only come from Faerie."

Madouc smiled a wan smile, and looked off across the room to where Casmir stood talking with King Dartweg of Godelia. "At the moment I feel anything but careless, and far from jaunty. My fairy blood runs thin; I have lived too long away from the shee, among human men and women."

"And your father: is he man or fairy?"

"His name is Sir Pellinore: so he spoke it to my mother, but both were in a fanciful mood. I have learned that ‘Sir Pellinore' is a creature of fable-a wandering knight who slays dragons, punishes caitiff knights by the dozen, and rescues beautiful maidens from horrid enchantments. He also plays the lute and sings sad songs, and speaks the language of the flowers."

"And this brummagem Sir Pellinore beguiled your mother with false entitlements!"

"No," said Madouc. "This is not at all the way of it. He spoke in a mood of romance, and never suspected that I might some day wish to find him." Looking across the hall, Madouc noticed the approach of Damsel Kylas. "What do they want of me now?"

Prince Jaswyn chuckled. "I am surprised that they so much as recognize your existence."

"They will not forget me so soon," said Madouc.

Kylas came to a halt and studied Madouc with care. After a moment she spoke. "Strange things are being said" about you."

Madouc replied in a toneless voice. "I am not interested. If that is all you came to tell me, you may go."

Kylas ignored the remark. "I bring word from the queen. She commands that you make ready for departure. We will be leaving shortly. You are to go to your chambers at once."

Madouc laughed. "I am no longer a princess of Lyonesse. I have no place in the queen's company."

"Nevertheless, you have heard the queen's command. I will conduct you."

"No need. I am not returning to Haidion."

Kylas stared with mouth agape. "Do you defy the queen's will, stark and outright?"

"Call it whatever you like."

Kylas swung about and departed. A moment later, Madouc saw Queen Sollace march heavily to where King Casmir stood with King Dartweg. The queen spoke, fluttering her white fin gers toward Madouc. King Casmir turned a single glance across the chamber; the impact of his eyes caused Madouc's stomach to knot. Casmir spoke a few terse words to Queen Sollace, then continued his conversation with King Dartweg.

Someone had come to stand by Madouc's side. She looked up, to discover Dhrun. He bowed before her with full formality. "If Prince Jaswyn permits my intrusion, I would invite you to walk with me in the gardens for a period."

Madouc looked to Prince Jaswyn, who politely rose to his feet. "By all means! Our gardens are famous! You will find them refreshing after the turmoil of this morning!"

"Thank you, Jaswyn, for your courtesy," said Dhrun.

Jaswyn moved away. Dhrun and Madouc went out into the gardens which surrounded Falu Ffail, and sauntered among the fountains, statues, flower beds, topiary and patches of green lawn. Dhrun said: "I noticed the maiden Kylas speaking to you. What was her message?"

"She brought the queen's command! I was ordered to my chambers, to make ready for the return journey to Haidion."

Dhrun laughed incredulously. "And what did you say?"

"I said: ‘No!' of course. Kylas was amazed, and departed in shock. A few moments later I saw Queen Sollace complaining to the king. He looked at me, and I was very much frightened."

Dhrun took her hand. "You shall come to Troicinet. Are we agreed on this?"

"Yes. Especially since I have nowhere else to go. I doubt if ever I shall find my father, which perhaps is all for the best."

Dhrun led the way to a bench; the two seated themselves. He asked, "Why do you say that?"

"In truth, I am afraid of what I might find. When Sir Pellinore met my mother he was carefree and full of artful gaiety. Now, all is changed. The years have come and gone; perhaps he has become austere and aloof, or settled in his ways, or married to a woman of severe character, who has given him several unpleasant children. None would like me, or take me warmly into their family."