Illustrations for "The Light of Arthur"
"The Book"
He stopped, and breathed as heavily as he dared without tempting another coughing fit. He must have looked horrible; Arthur put his free hand on Merlin’s shoulder and clasped it tightly.
(Artist's note for "The Ceremony": I enjoyed painting this picture so much that I got rather carried away and put a moon in it. However the sky shouldn't actually be moonlit in this scene. I've posted the whole version here, complete with the erroneous moon, however when it comes to the story, you should imagine the sky cropped out of it.)
"The Ceremony"
Arthur held the torch to the oak brand and set it alight, then handed the torch to Merlin. Merlin touched it to the pine brand, and it crackled alight immediately. He put the torch on the ground and snuffed it out so that the only illumination would come from their offering to the Lady.
They stood there, quiet, shoulders touching, and let the light and heat play over their faces. Merlin suddenly felt too covered, too occluded from the air and water, earth and sky. He wanted the blessing of the light and heat closer to his skin. He unfastened his cloak, and let it drop behind him. Arthur looked at him, startled, but accepting; Merlin unclasped his, too, and let it drop.
The night was quiet. There was no wind in the dell. The birds had retired for the night. There was only the gentle crackle of the flames, and the rich smoulder of burning pine and oak.
"Arthur, The Oak King"
