Chapter 5

It was said, in those years when the stories about King Arthur and his court were becoming legends, that the King dearly loved to hunt. His court sorcerer and companion, Merlin, complained loudly and bitterly about each and every hunt that Arthur insisted upon, but he never missed one. In fact, hunts were rescheduled if his attendance was not possible. He was a familiar sight to all of Camelot, riding beside the King.

It was said that Arthur would sometimes give chase to as many as three to four animals in a day, dashing from one end of his hunting lands to the other. Merlin frightened most of the game away by stepping on branches, and rustling tack, and later, when it became more accepted, with magical means. The king would berate him long and loud, for ruining his shot. He called him a girl and mocked him for not wanting to hurt the fluffy animals. And Merlin was well known to have responded with wide ranging insults, and clever, disruptive comments upon the weight of his King, and his general cabbage headed ways. A gamekeeper never accompanied them on their hunts, and they lost many fine quarry into the borders of the King's lands, but it never appeared to bother either one of them, nor did any of the knights complain. Late at night after a day of hunting, the King and Merlin could be heard laughing and talking long into the night, and if that made no sense after the long tirades and recriminations of the hunt, there were none who questioned that their behavior was entirely normal.

What was not well known, and in fact was a deep, dark secret, was that Old Margo, and later the Queen herself, would gather information about the need of various townships and villages surrounding Camelot. And if any one had cared to inquire, they would have realized that the quarry the King lost was always near one of the neediest locations. It was not remarked upon.

But there was many a mother who blessed King Arthur's name as she lay down to sleep. because her bairns little bellies were full. And it was commonly said that when King Arthur hunted, his people rejoiced.