The Mammoth Book of Merlin Read online

  Mike Ashley is a full-time writer, editor and researcher with almost a hundred books to his credit. He has compiled fifty Mammoth books including The Mammoth Book of Extreme Science Fiction, The Mammoth Book of Extreme Fantasy and The Mammoth Book of Perfect Crimes and Impossible Mysteries. He has also written the biography of Algernon Blackwood, Starlight Man, and a comprehensive study The Mammoth Book of King Arthur. He lives in Kent with his wife and three cats and when he gets the time he likes to go for long walks.

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  This book was originally published as The Merlin

  Chronicles, copyright © 1995 Mike Ashley.

  This expanded compilation and all additional material is copyright

  © Mike Ashley, 2009 (unless otherwise indicated).

  All rights reserved. This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, hired out or otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

  A copy of the British Library Cataloguing in Publication

  Data is available from the British Library

  UK ISBN 978-1-84901-111-2

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  First published in the United States in 2009 by Running Press Book Publishers All rights reserved under the Pan-American and International Copyright Conventions

  This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system now known or hereafter invented, without written permission from the publisher.

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  Digit on the right indicates the number of this printing

  US Library of Congress number: 2009923257

  US ISBN 978-0-7624-3830-3

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  CONTENTS

  Acknowledgments

  Dramatis personae

  Introduction

  Dream Reader

  Jane Yolen

  The Temptations of Merlin

  Peter Tremayne

  Infantasm

  Robert Holdstock

  The Pledged Word

  Marion Zimmer Bradley

  The Horse Who Would Be King

  Jennifer Roberson

  A Sword for Arthur

  Vera Chapman

  The Rite of Challenge

  Peter Valentine Timlett

  Merlin’s Dark Mirror

  Phyllis Ann Karr

  Merlin and Tom Thumb

  Dinah Maria Mulock

  The Seven Champions

  E. M. Wilmot-Buxton

  Morte d’Espier

  Maxey Brooke

  King’s Mage

  Tanith Lee

  A Quest Must End

  Theodore Goodridge Roberts

  Cauldron of Light

  Diana L. Paxson

  Namer of Beasts, Maker of Souls

  Jessica Amanda Salmonson

  The Corruption of Perfection

  Mike Ashley

  The Sleeper and the Seer

  H. Warner Munn

  Midwinter

  David Sutton

  The Death of Nimuë

  Esther Friesner

  The Knight of Pale Countenance

  Darrell Schweitzer

  The Castle of Kerglas

  Emile Souvestre

  Ogier the Dane

  William Morris

  Merlin Dreams in the Mondream Wood

  Charles de Lint

  The Dragon line

  Michael Swanwick

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  My thanks to Larry Mandelsburg for his help in the compilation of this volume. The following stories are copyright and are reprinted with permission as stated.

  “Dream Reader” © 1986 by Jane Yolen. First published in Merlin’s Booke (New York: Ace Books, 1986). Reprinted by permission of the author and the author’s agent, Curtis Brown Ltd.

  “The Temptations of Merlin” © 1995 by Peter Tremayne. Original story, first published in this anthology. Printed by permission of the author and the author’s agent, A. M. Heath & Co.

  “Infantasm” © 1995 by Robert Holdstock. Original story, first published in this anthology. Printed by permission of the author.

  “The Pledged Word” © 1995 by Marion Zimmer Bradley. Freely adapted by the author from chapter 12 of “The King Stag” section of The Mists of Avalon (New York: A. A. Knopf, 1982). Printed by permission of the author.

  “The Horse Who Would Be King” © 1992 by Jennifer Roberson. First
published in Marion Zimmer Bradley’s Fantasy Magazine, Spring/Summer 1992. Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “A Sword for Arthur” © 1995 by Vera Chapman. Original story, extracted from the novel The Enchantresses, and first published in this anthology. Printed by permission of the author.

  “The Rite of Challenge” © 1995 by Peter Valentine Timlett. Original story, first published in this anthology. Printed by permission of the author.

  “Merlin’s Dark Mirror” © 1995 by Phyllis Ann Karr. Original story, first published in this anthology. Printed by permission of the author.

  “Morte d’Espier” © 1955 by Maxey Brooke. First published in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, June 1955. Reprinted by permission of the author’s estate.

  “King’s Mage” © 1995 by Tanith Lee. Original story, first published in this anthology. Printed by permission of the author.

  “A Quest Must End” © 1948 by McCall Corporation. First published in Blue Book Magazine, April 1948. Reprinted by permission of Mrs Dorothy Roberts Leisner.

  “Cauldron of Light” © 1999 by Diana L. Paxson. First published in Merlin edited by Martin H. Greenberg (New York: DAW Books, 1999). Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “Namer of Beasts, Maker of Souls” © 1995 by Jessica Amanda Salmonson. Original story, first published in this anthology. Printed by permission of the author.

  “The Corruption of Perfection” © 2000 by Mike Ashley. First published in The Doom of Camelot edited by James Lowder (Oakland: Green Knight Publishing, 2000). Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “The Sleeper and the Seer” © 1966 by H. Warner Munn. First published in Weird Tales, September 1939 as part of serial King of the World’s Edge; reprinted New York: Ace Books, 1966. Reprinted by permission of Mr James E. Munn.

  “Midwinter” © 1995 by David Sutton. Original story, first published in this anthology. Printed by permission of the author.

  “The Death of Nimuë” © 1985 by Esther Friesner. First published in Fantasy Book, June 1985. Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “The Knight of Pale Countenance” © 1995 by Darrell Schweitzer. Original story, first published in this anthology. Printed by permission of the author.

  “Merlin Dreams in the Mondream Wood” © 1990 by Charles de Lint. First published in Pulphouse #7, Spring 1990. Reprinted by permission of the author.

  “The Dragon Line” © 1989 by Michael Swanwick. First published in Isaac Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine 1 June 1989. Reprinted by permission of the author.

  DRAMATIS PERSONAE

  A GUIDE TO ARTHURIAN CHARACTERS

  The following is a short guide to the Arthurian characters and names you are likely to encounter in this anthology. There are so many names in Arthurian lore that it’s not always easy to know whether you’ve encountered someone of significance or not, and when those names can be subjected to so many alternative spellings, it can become very confusing. I hope the following helps. It does not include minor characters or those invented by the writers.

  Agravaine. Son of King Lot and Morgause of Orkney, and brother of Gawain, Gaheris and Gareth. Sided with Mordred in the plot to reveal the adultery between Lancelot and Guinevere.

  Ambrosius Aurelianus, also known as Emrys. Historically “the Last of the Romans”, he governed Britain in the last half of the fifth century and helped stem the tide of Saxon advance in the days immediately prior to Arthur. In Arthurian legend he is sometimes depicted as Arthur’s uncle. It was during his reign that Merlin raised Stonehenge.

  Arthur/Artorius/Artos. High-King of Britain, son of Uther Pendragon and Igraine, raised as foster-son of Ector of the Forest Sauvage and foster-brother of Sir Kay. Founded the Fellowship of the Round Table, married Guinevere. By his half-sister Morgause he fathered Mordred who later waged war against him, resulting in the final battle at Camlann where both Arthur and Mordred fell.

  Aurelianius, see Ambrosius.

  Balin. A Northumbrian knight who was imprisoned by Arthur for killing the king’s cousin. He also angered the king by beheading the Lady of the Lake.

  Bedivere/Bedvir/Bedwyr. One of Arthur’s earliest and most trusted knights who served him as his aide. It was he who restored Excalibur to the Lady of the Lake upon Arthur’s Death.

  Blaise. A hermit monk to whom Merlin’s mother went for her confession. He became Merlin’s tutor.

  Bors. Son of King Bors and cousin to Sir Lancelot. In one tale he is amongst the successful knights in the search for the Holy Grail.

  Cae/Cei, see Kay.

  Cerdic. A Saxon invader (though his name is Celtic) who landed with his son Cynric near Southampton in AD 495. He is claimed by the annalists as the first king of Wessex, though little is known about him.

  Cissa. Son of Aelle, king of Sussex, and his companion in his battles against the British.

  Constans. The elder brother (or in some stories father) of Ambrosius Aurelianus and Uther Pendragon, who was raised to the High Kingship of Britain by Vortigern only to be murdered.

  Constantine. Son of Cador, duke of Cornwall and the successor to Arthur as High King. He took revenge upon Mordred by killing the usurper’s children.

  Culhwch. See Kilhugh.

  Cynric. Son of Cerdic and king of Wessex from around AD 534–560.

  Drustan, see Tristan.

  Dubric/Dubricius/Dyfrig. Celtic bishop of Caerleon (or Carlisle) who crowned Arthur.

  Ector. Sir Ector was the foster-father of Arthur and the father of Sir Kay.

  Elaine. There are three Elaines in the Arthurian cycle: Elaine of Garlot the half-sister of King Arthur; Elaine de Astolat, a maiden who fell in love with Sir Lancelot; and Elaine of Corbenic, daughter of King Pelles and, by Lancelot, the mother of Sir Galahad.

  Emrys, see Ambrosius Aurelianus.

  Ewaine, see Owain.

  Gaheris. Third son of King Lot and brother to Agravaine, Gareth and Gawain. Half-brother of Mordred.

  Galahad. Son of Sir Lancelot and Elaine of Corbenic and the purest of all the Knights of the Round Table. With Sir Bors and Sir Percevale, he was one of the successful Grail Knights. He was the only knight able to sit at the “Siege Perilous” seat of the Round Table.

  Gareth. The youngest son of King Lot of Orkney and brother of Gawain, Gaheris and Agravaine. He first arrived anonymously at Camelot and was given the nickname “Beaumains” by Sir Kay, owing to his fine hands.

  Gawain/Gwalchmai. The eldest son of King Lot of Orkney and brother of Gareth, Gaheris and Agravaine. He was one of the strongest knights of the Round Table. He features in the earliest legends of Arthur and appears in the Celtic texts as Gwalchmai, meaning the Hawk of May. He undertook the challenge of the Green Knight, Sir Bertilak.

  Gorlas/Gorlois/Gorlodubnus. Duke of Cornwall, husband of Igraine, and father of Morgan le Fay, Morgause and Elaine of Garlot.

  Grainne. See Igraine.

  Guinevere/Gwynhwfar. Daughter of Leodegrance, King of Cameliard, and wife of King Arthur. Her adultery with Sir Lancelot caused the downfall of the Fellowship of the Round Table. She was condemned to death by Arthur but rescued by Lancelot and ended her days in a nunnery.

  Gwalchmai, see Gawain.

  Gwenddolau. A British chieftain who died at the battle of Arfderydd in around AD 573. Merlin was believed to be his bard and adviser.

  Igraine/Igerna/Ygraine. Wife of Duke Gorlois of Cornwall and, by him, mother of Morgan le Fay, Morgause and Elaine. Seduced by Uther Pendragon and became mother of Arthur. Later married Uther.

  Iseult/Isolde/Isolt/Yseult/Ysolt. Wife of King Mark of Cornwall but lover of her husband’s nephew, Tristan of Lyonesse. Not to be confused with Iseult of Brittany whom Tristan married after his banishment from Cornwall.

  Kay/Kai/Cai/Cei/Caius. Son of Sir Ector and foster-brother of Arthur. He becomes the king’s High Seneschal and is noted for his sour temperament. In the earliest legends Kay is an heroic knight, but in later versions he becomes Arthur’s irascible steward.

  Kilhugh/Culhwch. A
cousin of Arthur who was under an obligation to marry Olwen. Olwen’s father, the giant Yspadaddan (or Thornogre Thistlehair) would only grant her hand if Kilhugh could complete a set of impossible tasks. The story is told in the Mabinogion.

  Lamorack of Gaul. Son of King Pellinore and one of the strongest knights of the Round Table. He became the lover of Morgause after the death of King Lot and was killed by Gawain and his brothers.

  Lancelot/Lancelet/Launcelot/Lancot. Son of King Ban and greatest of the Knights of the Round Table. His castle was called the Joyous Gard. His love for Guinevere led to the downfall of the Fellowship of the Round Table. After the deaths of Arthur and Guinevere he became a hermit.

  Lanval/Launfal. One of the Knights of the Round Table who is beloved by Guinevere. When rebuffed she beseeches Arthur to punish him. He is saved by his beloved lady of Avalon.

  Leodegrance/Lodegreaunce. King of Cameliard and father of Guinevere.

  Linet, see Lunetta.

  Lot. King of Orkney who opposed Arthur for the crown of Britain. He was the husband of Arthur’s half-sister Morgause and father of Gawain, Agravaine, Gaheris and Gareth. He was killed by King Pellinore and his sons.

  Lunetta/Lynette/Linet/Lunet. Sister of Lady Lyonesse and Sir Gringamore of the Castle Perilous. She led Sir Gareth on his first quest. Although she later fell in love with Gareth she was given in marriage to his brother Gaheris. In Celtic myth she is the mistress of the lady of the Fountain.

  Margawse/Margause, see Morgause.

  Mark/Marc. King of Cornwall and husband of Iseult.