Creator of all creation.

So be it.'

Then, coming once more before Arthur, he said, 'Bow before the Lord of All, and swear your fealty to the High King you will serve.'

Arthur prostrated himself face down before the altar, stretching out his hands to either side in the manner of a vanquished battlechief before his conqueror. Teilo and Dubricius came to stand at either hand, and Illtyd stood over Arthur at his head.

Dubricius, at Arthur's right hand said, 'With this hand you will wield the Sword of Britain. What is your vow?'

Without lifting his face, Arthur answered, 'With this hand I will wield the Sword of Britain in righteousness and fair judgement. By the power of God's might and through his will, I will use it to conquer injustice and punish those who practise harm. I will hold this hand obedient to my Lord God, used of him to do his work in this worlds-realm.'

Teilo, at Arthur's left hand said, 'With this hand you will hold the Shield of Britain. What is your vow?'

'With this hand I will hold tight to the Shield of Britain in hope and compassion. By the power of God's might and through his will, I will protect the people who keep faith with me and hold Jesu for their lord. I will hold this hand obedient to my Lord God, used of him to do his work in this worlds-realm.'

Illtyd, standing at Arthur's head said, 'Upon your brow you will wear the Crown of Britain. What is your vow?'

'Upon my brow I will wear the Crown of Britain in all honour and meekness. By the power of God's might and through his will, I will lead the kingdom through all things whatever shall befall me, with courage, with dignity, and with faith in the Christ who shall guide me.'

Whereupon the three priests replied, 'Rise in faith, Arthur ap Aurelius, taking the Christ to be your Lord and Saviour, honouring him above all earthly lords.'

Arthur rose, and Illtyd placed the slender golden circlet upon his head. Dubricius turned to the altar and took up Caliburnus – that is Caledvwlch, or Cut Steel, Arthur's great battle sword – and placed it in the king's right hand. Teilo took up Prydwen, Arthur's great round battle shield, which had been white washed anew and painted with the cross of Jesu.

Myrddin held before Arthur a wooden cross. 'Arthur ap Aurelius ap Constantine, who would be High King over us, do you acknowledge the Lord Jesu as your High King and swear him fealty?'

'I do,' replied Arthur. 'I pledge fealty with no other lord.'

'And do you vow to serve him through all things, as you would be served, even to the last of your strength?'

'I vow to serve him through all things, as I am served, even to the last of my strength.'

Myrddin nodded solemnly and continued. 'And will you worship the Christ freely, honour him gladly, revere him nobly, hold with him in truest faith and greatest love all the days that you shall live in this worlds-realm?'

'I will worship my lord the Christ freely, honour him gladly, revere him nobly, and hold with him in truest faith and greatest love all the days that I shall live in this worlds-realm,' declared Arthur.

'And do you pledge to uphold justice, grant mercy, and seek truth through all things, dealing with your people in compassion and love?'

'I do pledge to uphold justice, grant mercyi and seek truth through all things, dealing with my people in compassion and love, even as I am dealt with by God.'

Upon receiving Arthur's vows, Myrddin stepped close and unfastened the cloak from Arthur's shoulders. Teilo and Dubricius brought forth a fine new cloak of imperial purple with gold edging. This they fastened at Arthur's shoulder with a great silver stag-head brooch. Myrddin raised his hands and said, 'Go forth, Arthur, to all righteousness and good works, rule justly and live honourably, be to your people a ready light and sure guide through all things whatever may befall this worlds-realm.'

Arthur turned, holding the sword and shield, the new purple cloak falling from his shoulders to brush the floor stones.

'People of Britain, here is your High King! I charge you to love him, honour him, serve him, follow him, and pledge your lives to him, even has he has pledged his life to the High Ring of Heaven.'

The people stood and opened their mouths to acclaim him. But before anyone could raise voice the heavy doors of the church burst open with a loud commotion and in swept twelve fierce warriors with spears. Cai and Bedwyr rushed forth with swords drawn, and would have fallen upon the strangers. But Dubricius put out a hand to stay them, saying, 'Hold, men! There will be no bloodshed on this holy day. Put up your weapons and we will see what they desire in coming here like this.'

The strange warriors advanced fearlessly to the very altar of the church where Arthur stood. Without a word they ranged themselves around the altar and stood with their spears raised high. Then appeared a most unusual sight: sixteen beautiful dark-haired maidens, arrayed all in white, each holding a white dove in her hands and walking barefoot towards the altar.

Upon reaching the place where Arthur stood, the maidens halted and turned to face one another. No sooner had they done this than approached three tall battlechiefs dressed all in green and black. Each held a naked sword upright at arm's length, and each walked backwards.

Turning neither right nor left, these men took their places beside the dove maidens. Thereupon the twelve warriors brought their spears down upon the stones with a sharp, resounding crack. At once appeared another maid, this one more beautiful and more graceful than all the others, carrying a new-burnished spear in one hand and a dove in the other.

This singular maid wore a cloak the colour of fine emeralds, edged in purple, and a long mantle of yellow bright as sunlight. Her raven hair was loose and long, and plaited with summer wild flowers of white and gold; her fair cheeks blushed the colour of foxglove on the moor; her noble brow was high and smooth and white, lifting with noble pride, and her eyes held a playful gleam. She wore no shoes but nevertheless walked purposefully, yet with great elegance and dignity, to the altar.

Everyone in the church strained eyes to see this strange maid; they murmured aloud to one another, 'Who is she? Who can she be? Why does she carry that spear? What does she want?'

'But Arthur knew who she was, and though her appearance surprised and amazed him, he knew also why she had come.

'What is it?' demanded Myrddin of Bedwyr in a harsh whisper. 'What is happening? Tell me, man!'

'It is Gwenhwyvar,' Bedwyr replied uncertainly. 'She has come to honour Arthur, I think.'

'Honour him!' sneered Myrddin. 'She has come to claim him!'

Gwenhwyvar halted before Arthur and bent low, laying the spear cross-wise at his feet. She straightened and placed the white dove in Arthur's hands. Then she reached out a bold hand and took from the High King the Sword of Britain, which she grasped by the blade, wrapping her long fingers around the bright steel. And, raising Caliburnus to her lips, she kissed the crosspiece of the hilt and then' cradled the naked blade to her breast.

It was so swiftly done. No one suspected what had taken place – except Myrddin, who knew well what the swords and doves signified; and Arthur, who knew in his heart that he had found the one woman in all the world his full equal in courage, and above all others worthy of his love.

In this way was Arthur made High King of all Britain. And in this way was Arthur also wed.