Celtic Mythology: Captivating Celtic Myths of Celtic Gods, Goddesses, Heroes and Legendary Creatures

by Matt Clayton

  For a long moment there was silence in the hall. Then Iseult stepped forward and said, "Noble father, there is one knight here who would gainsay him, and he is none other than the knight who did slay the dragon indeed. But before he comes before you to make his claim, I first ask that you pardon any wrongs he may have done you in the past, whatever they may be."

  The king readily agreed. Then Iseult brought Tristan into the hall, and when she did so, the hundred strange knights bowed to him, so that all might know that this was their lord. Some of the Irish knights recognized him, saying that this was none other than the knight who had slain Morholt. A few drew their swords and would have done battle right then and there, but Iseult cried out, "My lord king! You have given your word to pardon this man all his wrongs. Make good now on your promise."

  The king ordered his knights to sheathe their swords, and he said that all was forgiven of Tristan, for the king was a man of his word. Then he said to Tristan, "What say you of the Seneschal's claim, and of the reason for your presence here in our kingdom?"

  "My lords," said Tristan, "it is true that I slew Morholt. But you fail in courtesy when you think to punish me for that deed: I did battle with him, but only after Morholt came to Cornwall and threw down his challenge at your behest. I stand before you now having repaid the debt of that loss, for truly it is I who slew the dragon. This I did not for myself, but on behalf of King Mark of Cornwall, that he might wed the fair Iseult and by this union thus put an end to all grievances between our two countries. I and the hundred Cornish knights who stand here do swear solemnly that this is our errand, and that we will ever be faithful to Iseult as our lady queen."

  Then the king and the lords of Ireland said that they were well answered. And so the king received of Tristan his vow to convey Iseult safely to the land of Cornwall and to King Mark. When all had been made ready, Tristan and his companions took ship for Tintagel, with the Lady Iseult and her maid and squire among them as honored guests, and other servants to do for the lady as she might require.

  Now, before Iseult had taken ship for Cornwall, her mother prepared a love philtre, put it in a stoppered flask, and gave it into the keeping of Brangien, telling her to pour it out for Iseult and Mark on their wedding night as though she were giving them a drink of wine, but to keep the flask safely hidden until then, for the philtre had the power to make the two who drank of it love one another with the deepest of loves for the rest of their days. Brangien vowed that she would do as the queen commanded, and so hid the flask among the goods taken into the ship.

  The ship sailed towards Cornwall with fair winds, but soon they found themselves becalmed near a little island. The sailors bent themselves to the oars and beached the ship, thinking that all might take their ease on land while they awaited a freshening breeze. All disembarked then, save the Lady Iseult, who stayed on board, sorrowing that she must go to a strange country to be wed to a man she did not know.

  Tristan went back to the ship to see what he might do to ease Iseult's grief. The day was hot, and Tristan asked whether the lady might like somewhat to drink. She said she did, so the little serving-girl who was with Iseult went below to see whether she might find some refreshment. Looking about through the hold, the girl found the flask that the queen had prepared. Thinking that the flask held cool wine, she brought it above to her lady, with two beakers, and poured it out for them. Tristan toasted the lady's health, and then they both drank.

  It was then that Brangien returned to the ship and saw them both standing there, gazing at one another transfixed. Also she saw the empty flask nearby and knew that the pair had drunk the love-philtre. "Alas!" she cried. "That was no common wine you have drunk, but death."

  Tristan knew that Brangien spoke true, for he knew that he loved Iseult more than his own life itself, and that thereby he had betrayed his king, whom he loved like a father. Iseult for her part found her sorrow abated. Within her she felt only love for the handsome knight of Lyonesse, and her hatred of him and of her betrothed husband banished entire. And there on the deck of the ship Tristan and Iseult pledged their love to one another, but Brangien despaired. Telling her friends that their love was but the effect of the potion brewed by Iseult's mother was of no avail: the lady and the knight were in the thrall of love, and vassals of that love they would remain, whether they willed it or no.

  When they arrived at Tintagel, King Mark came out to greet Iseult with great courtesy. He welcomed her joyfully to his court, and thanked Tristan and his knights for their courage and steadfastness. Some days later, the wedding of Iseult and Mark took place with great ceremony in the castle chapel. But on the wedding night, Brangien it was who shared Mark's bed, taking the place of her mistress in the dark without Mark's knowledge, for Brangien felt the weight of guilt for Tristan and Iseult having drunk the philtre, and also she did not want to see such a pure love sullied.

  Although Iseult was well loved by Mark and by all his court, and although she lacked for nothing in raiment or food or occupation befitting a lady, she could not be happy, for the one she truly loved she could never have. Daily she loved Tristan with all her soul, and daily she sorrowed and feared over it, for she might show that love to no one without imperiling both herself and her beloved. But always Iseult showed her love for Tristan, in glances or in small signs of friendship, nor could he stay his own gestures of love towards her, although these were but moments quickly stolen with the constant hope that they had not been noticed.

  The fears of Tristan and his lady were well founded, for the four envious nobles who had first demanded that Mark be wed saw the signs of love between the pair. This they thought to use against Tristan and Mark alike, by poisoning the king's love for his queen and turning him against the nephew he cherished so dearly. The four therefore begged an audience of the king, and told him that Tristan loved the Lady Iseult, and that he had betrayed the trust of his liege lord thereby. Mark refused to hear them, saying that he would yet trust Tristan, who had been ever loyal and who had defended him and the realm of Cornwall with his body against both the knight Morholt and a dragon.

  Despite Mark's stout defense of Tristan, an evil seed of doubt had been planted in the breast of the king, and he began to watch Tristan to see whether there were any signs of the love of which he had been told. Mark tired of this ere long, for although he saw the affection between the pair he could find no reason to think theirs was anything but a fond friendship, nor that they had betrayed him in any wise. Nevertheless, the doubt remained, until finally the king could bear it no longer. He called Tristan to himself and told him of the rumors spread by the nobles. "I do not think you have betrayed me," Mark said to Tristan, "but nevertheless I think it best that you remove yourself from my court, both for the ease of my own mind and to stay the foul gossip against your honor and that of my queen."

  Tristan sorrowed to hear these words, but he obeyed his lord without protest. Taking only his squire Gorvenal with him, he left the castle Tintagel that very day. He could not bring himself to go far: finding lodgings for himself and Gorvenal in Tintagel town, he there bided his time in hopes that Mark would relent and take him back into his service. And there he found a trial sorer than anything he had endured, more painful even than his combat with Morholt, and more trying to his courage even than his battle with the dragon, for he might not catch even a glimpse of the Lady Iseult by day or by night.

  Iseult suffered grievously also. For it was her part to feign love for King Mark, and to lie by his side each night as his wife though she loved another. Iseult no longer had even the quick stolen glances nor the courtly speech she had exchanged with Tristan when she could, and so she pined for him and began to waste away.

  Brangien saw this, and knew that if Iseult could not see Tristan she would die. Brangien sought out where Tristan had gone, and found him in his lodgings in the town, where he likewise had begun to wither. Brangien told Tristan to come to the castle orchard and stand under a certain pine, where he should throw chips of
wood into the spring that ran past the pine when he wished to see Iseult, for the stream ran through the women's quarters in the castle. This Tristan did, and betimes he and Iseult would meet in the orchard, then part and return to their own abodes before they could be discovered. And in this wise did the health and joy of both return.

  King Mark was well pleased that his queen had regained her former vigor, though little did he know the cause thereof. The four evil lords saw this also, and their cunning hearts suspected the reason. Therefore they sent for a magician they knew, to seek his help in discovering how it was that Iseult and Tristan met one another still. The magician cast a spell and saw thereby how Tristan and Iseult were meeting in the orchard. The evil lords brought the magician back to the castle, where he told King Mark that he was yet betrayed by the lovers, and how to lie in wait for them so as to catch them in their disgrace.

  That night, King Mark went into the orchard taking with him his bow and also the magician, to see the truth of his claim. Mark hid himself in the pine tree where the spring was, and bade the magician hide himself also. Mark saw Tristan put the chips of wood into the spring as was his wont, and soon the Lady Iseult came through the trees towards him. Mark nocked an arrow to the string, thinking to slay Tristan at the first sign of betrayal. Tristan heard the sound and knew they were being watched. But he could neither stir nor cry out to the Lady Iseult for fear that the bowman might slay her.

  Even in the gloom, Iseult could see Tristan's distress in the way he stood. She looked about her, thinking also that mayhap they had been discovered. When saw the shadow of King Mark in the waters of the spring, she knew what she must do, and could only hope that Tristan would understand her design.

  "O Sir Tristan," she said, "why have you called me hither? It is not meet that you should do this, as well you know. You have asked many times before and I have never answered, but I am come tonight in the hopes that your pleas will cease thereafter."

  "My lady," said Tristan, "it is true that I have asked many times, but I have done so only to discover whether you know why it is King Mark has turned himself against me, for I know of no fault I have committed that might anger him so. I come to beg your aid, for surely he will listen to his queen."

  Iseult replied, "Do you not know that the king thinks you have betrayed him with me? And I who have only ever loved he who first pledged love to men. Were the king to know of my coming to you, both our lives would be forfeit."

  Then Iseult turned and began to walk back to the castle.

  "Lady!" cried Tristan, "In God's name, I beg you: plead to the king for me, for I have done him no wrong."

  Iseult turned and said, "The Lord God knows you to be innocent, even if the king does not. Be content therefore."

  Then she passed among the trees and out of sight. Mark watched her go, and saw that Tristan made no move to follow, but turned about and left the orchard. The magician saw this also, and so he fled Cornwall lest the king think he had played him false and so kill him. But Mark returned to the castle, and on the morrow sent word that he had pardoned Tristan, saying that he knew the rumors were lies, and that Tristan was once more welcome at court.

  The four envious nobles saw this and their hatred of Tristan redoubled. Again they tried to poison the mind of the king, but he would not hear them. Again and again they approached Mark with their complaints, and finally the king's resolve failed. He agreed to allow the magician another trial. This time, the magician told Mark to send Tristan on an errand far from Tintagel, for surely Tristan would not be able to resist speaking to the queen before he left, and this would be evidence of the love he bore for her. Mark ordered it done as the magician said.

  Tristan arose before dawn to take the message. The whole castle seemed still to be asleep, so Tristan thought it safe to say a farewell to the queen before he left. He went to her chamber, and when he opened the door he saw that a trap had been laid for him: fine flour was scattered on the floor between the door and Iseult's bed, the work of the magician. Thinking to foil the trap, Tristan made a great leap between the door and the bed. But he also had been wounded earlier that day in a boar hunt. Tristan's leap made the wound bleed afresh, and so drops of blood there were scattered in a trail between the door and the queen's bed, but Tristan did not feel it and so noticed it not.

  The magician had followed Tristan secretly, and when he saw him go into Iseult's chamber raised the alarm. Mark and the four nobles rushed into the room to find Tristan standing there, the blood from his wound giving sure proof of his guilt. The nobles rushed upon Tristan and took him prisoner, and the queen as well, and Mark said to them, "I see now that your guilt was not a mere rumor. You shall die for this."

  Tristan begged to be allowed to prove his innocence and that of the queen by test of arms, but the king would not hear of it. He locked them in cells in the dungeon, and on the morrow prepared a pyre on which to burn the lovers. When the people of Tintagel found out what the king intended, they cried that he was a false king who burned the accused without even a trial. But the king's heart was now so sorely aggrieved that he would not hear them, and called for Tristan to be taken to his doom.

  Now, between the dungeon and the place where Mark had made the pyre there was a chantry standing on the edge of a cliff. As Tristan was taken past the chantry, he begged his guards to be allowed to go within and say a last prayer before he died. "For there is but one door," said Tristan, "and you are armed but I am not; surely I could not leave without your knowing it, nor could I fight my way free of you."

  The guards agreed to this request. They cut from Tristan his bonds that he might more easily say his prayers, and let him into the chantry. Tristan made straight for the window behind the altar, for below it was a sheer drop onto the beach below, and he thought to take his own life thus rather than be burned as a common criminal. The young knight burst through the window and plummeted towards the earth, but as he did so the wind caught his cloak and slowed his fall so that he was neither killed nor badly hurt. There he found Gorvenal waiting for him with a horse, for the squire had seen Tristan go into the chantry, and reading what was in his friend's mind had thought to help him escape. And so together Tristan and Gorvenal went to a place where they might lie hidden while they waited for news of what had befallen Iseult.

  When Mark heard that Tristan had escaped, his wrath redoubled. He ordered Iseult brought forth straight away and burned. Now, a company of lepers had come to see the burning, and no sooner had Iseult been brought before the king than the leader of them, a man called Ivan, shouted out, "My lord, if you would punish the queen more surely, send her to live with us. By fire she dies but once, but in our company her torment will be the longer." For Ivan was a cruel man, and jealous of the beautiful queen, and he hoped to make her his own slave.

  Mark thought on this for a moment, and then agreed to Ivan's plan. He ordered the queen handed her over to the lepers, who bore her away with them. Soon enough, the gang of lepers approached the place where Tristan and Gorvenal lay hid. Seeing his beloved so roughly handled, Tristan sprang into the road and cried out to them to stop. Goaded by Ivan, the lepers took up their staves and crutches and advanced on Tristan, thinking to kill him where he stood. And they would have succeeded had Tristan been alone, for although he could have killed them all in a trice even without his sword, he could not bring himself to strike such pitiable creatures even with his fists.

  Gorvenal it was who came to the rescue, swinging a stout branch of oak and buffeting away the lepers. Those he did not strike took flight, but Gorvenal did not pursue them. Rather he gathered to him Tristan and Iseult and after loosing her bonds together they went into the woods of Morois. Gorvenal gave to Tristan a bow and some arrows, and also his sword, then bade the lovers farewell, saying that he would tell no man where they were but would come to the woods from time to time to see how they fared.

  And so Tristan and Iseult lived in the woods, making rude huts for their shelter and eating such food as the fores
t provided. Although they soon became gaunt with hunger and their clothes mere tatters, yet the lovers were content, for they were together and there was none to gainsay them. In such bliss as this they lived, until one day a woodsman by chance found Tristan and his lady asleep inside their hut, with Tristan's naked sword between them. The woodsman rode at once to King Mark and told him where Tristan and the queen might be found, for the king had offered a rich reward to the one who would bring him this news.

  Mark then went into the forest with the woodsman, and when they were near the place where Tristan and Iseult lay, the king bade the woodsman begone and went on alone. Mark drew his sword, thinking to slay the lovers. But when Mark saw them, he wondered at their beauty despite their tattered clothes and gaunt faces. Also he saw that they slept with a naked blade between them, and thus he knew that their love had been chaste all along. Mark sheathed his sword, then stepped quietly up to the hut where he gently took Tristan's blade from between the knight and the queen and left his own in its stead. He took a royal ring from his finger, and placed it on the hand of the queen. Mark then withdrew as silently as he had come, and returned to Tintagel.

  So deep was her sleep that Iseult did not wake, but she dreamed that Mark had come to her, and told Tristan of this when she woke. When they saw the ring, and that Tristan's sword was missing and the king's in its place, they knew that Iseult had dreamed true. Fearing the king's wrath, Tristan and Iseult fled farther into the depths of the forest.