The crystal cave - Mary Stewart [160]
"What did Tremorinus tell you?"
"That it was thought some kind of monument to your victories should be erected, and to commemorate your kingship of a united kingdom. I agreed with Tremorinus that to build a triumphal arch here in Britain would be absurd. He did say that some churchmen wanted a big church built -- the bishop of Caerleon, for instance, wanted one here. But surely, sir, this would hardly do? If you build at Caerleon you'll have London and Winchester, not to mention York, thinking it should have been there. Of them all, I suppose, Winchester would be the best. It is your capital."
"No. I've had a thought about this myself. When I travelled up from Winchester, I came through Amesbury..." He leaned forward suddenly. "What's the matter, Merlin? Are you ill?"
"No. It's a hot night, that's all. A storm coming, I think. Go on. You came through Amesbury."
"You knew it was my birthplace? Well, it seemed to me that to put my monument in such a place could give no cause for complaint -- and there is another reason why it's a good choice." He knitted his brows. "You're like a sheet, boy. Are you sure you're all right?"
"Perfectly. Perhaps a little tired."
"Have you supped? It was thoughtless of me not to ask."
"I ate on the way, thank you. I have had all I needed. Perhaps -- some more wine -- "
I half rose, but before I could get to my feet he was on his, and came round the table with the jug and served me himself. While I drank he stayed where he was, near me, sitting back against the table's edge. I was reminded sharply of how he had stood this way that night in Brittany when I discovered him. I remember that I held it in my mind, and in a short while was able to smile at him.
"I am quite well, sir, indeed I am. Please go on. You were giving me the second reason for putting your monument at Amesbury."
"You probably know that it is not far from there that the British dead lie buried, who were slain by Hengist's treachery. I think it fitting -- and I think there is no man who will argue with this -- that the monument to my victory, to the making of one kingdom under one King, should also be a memorial for these warriors." He paused. "And you might say there is yet a third reason, more powerful than the other two."
I said, not looking at him, but down into the cup of wine, and speaking quietly: "That Amesbury is already the site of the greatest monument in Britain? Possibly the greatest in the whole West?"
"Ah." It was a syllable of deep satisfaction. "So your mind moves this way, too? You have seen the Giants' Dance?"
"I rode out to it from Amesbury, when I was on my way home from Winchester."
He stood up at that and walked back round the table to his chair. He sat, then leaned forward, resting his hands on the table. "Then you know how I am thinking. You saw enough when you lived in Brittany to know what the Dance was once. And you have seen what it is now -- a chaos of giant stones in a lonely place where the sun and the winds strike." He added more slowly, watching me: "I have talked of this to Tremorinus. He says that no power of man could raise those stones."
I smiled. "So you sent for me to raise them for you?"
"You know they say it was not men who raised them, but magic."
"Then," I said, "no doubt they will say the same again."
His eyes narrowed. "You are telling me you can do it?"
"Why not?"
He was silent, merely waiting. It was a measure of his faith in me that he did not smile.
I said: "Oh, I've heard all the tales they tell, the same tales they told in Less Britain of the standing stones. But the stones were put there by men, sir. And what men put there once, men can put there again."
"Then if I don't possess a magician, at least I possess a competent engineer?"
"That's it."
"How will you do it?"
"As yet, I know less than half of it. But it can be done."
"Then will you do this for me, Merlin?"
"Of course. Have I not said I am here only to serve you as best I can? I will rebuild the Giants' Dance for you,