Legends of Avalon: The Second Knight

As Merlin’s orb began to gleam, With threads of dawn and waking dream, The crimson flame to gold did yield, As sunlight broke across the field.

From mist and morn the vision grew, A tale reborn, both old and true. For now the light of Radiant Gold, Spoke of a knight both brave and bold.

He was a child of noble line, Where valor flowed like ancient wine. Nephew to Arthur, kin of kings, Whose heart was bound to higher things.

Beneath the sun he learned his art, With tempered steel and steadfast heart. He rode through storm and shadowed plain, And swore to live without disdain.

His courage fierce, his spirit kind, A lion’s heart, a gentle mind. He sought no crown, nor prideful name, But honor’s call and duty’s flame.

When Camelot’s horns rang clear and far, He rode beneath the morning star. Before the throne he knelt in grace, And sunlight crowned his earnest face.

Then Arthur spoke, with voice so bright, “That golden fire marks thee, knight. Rise, Gawain, of the steadfast hand— A beacon sworn to guard the land.”

The Round Table stirred with silent might, As runes awoke in golden light. The orb of Merlin shimmered high, Reflecting sun and endless sky.

One stone now burned in radiant hue, Its warmth across the chamber flew. Where it shone by fate’s sure art, A seat received the brave of heart.

Upon that place the knight did rise, And took his seat ’neath vaulted skies. Clad in mail of dawning flame, The golden lion bore his name.

Across the board, in crimson blaze, Lancelot sat in lake-born grace. Two stones now burned — as fire paired — Crimson and gold the hall declared.

Arthur watched with steady eyes, As silence filled the vaulted skies. And Merlin spake in words untold, “The second flame now burns in gold.

Yet ten remain whose fates lie dim, Till time reveals each destined limb. But dawn and dawned-soul stand as one— Two lights for Camelot are won.”

Thus burned the two in hallowed glow, While ten lay bound in time’s tableau. And in that hall where legends bide, The flames of Lancelot and Gawain did abide.