Once upon a time, long ago in an enchanted land, a young deer poacher was hauled before King Arthur by Cuthbert of Sodshire, the local sheriff, who threw down the slain deer on the stone slab floor before King Arthur\u2019s feet.<\/p>\n
\u201cLook Sire, as you can see, this strapping young miscreant was caught in the act of poaching in the King\u2019s forest. Sire, he deserves to be hanged,\u201d proclaimed Cuthbert of Sodshire solemnly.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe shall see, sheriff Cuthbert of Sodshire,\u201d said King Arthur.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s your name, lad? Your face seems familiar,\u201d asked King Arthur, leaning forward with interest.<\/p>\n
\u201cJohn of the Brook, Sire,\u201d answered the lad timidly, brushing his blond locks away from his eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI say, John of the Brook, are you the son of Gorlois of the Brook, the blacksmith, who saved princess Evaine from a roaming, fire-breathing dragon by burning its foot with a red hot iron?\u201d inquired the King, indicating the fair princess Evaine by his side, who was looking on with interest.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, Sire, I am the son of my brave father Gorlois of the Brook,\u201d said John of the Brook, legs trembling less.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell then, John of the Brook, I will ask you a question. If you can answer it correctly you will go free, otherwise, to maintain discipline, you will be hung from the tree Yggdrasil forthwith,\u201d said King Arthur solemnly.<\/p>\n
\u201cSire, I eh say, what\u2026 what is the question you would ask?\u201d stammered young John of the Brook.<\/p>\n
King Arthur spoke gravely, raising his scepter: \u201cI am thrice as old as my sister Morgan le Fay was when I was her age. When she is as old as I am the sum of our ages will be 91. What are our ages?\u201d he said, looking attentively at John of the Brook.<\/p>\n
\u201cSire, please give me a moment to think, and I will answer you true,\u201d said John of the Brook, took a deep breath and entered into a meditative state, fixing his gaze on a distant horizon.<\/p>\n
After a few minutes of contemplation, John of the Brook gave his answer resolutely to King Arthur.<\/p>\n
\u201cCorrect you are, John of the Brook, well done,\u201d exclaimed King Arthur. \u201cSheriff Cuthbert of Sodshire, take this clever lad to Merlin for an apprenticeship and arrange for a venison feast,\u201d commanded King Arthur.<\/p>\n
John of the Brook bowed before King Arthur and broke out in a wide smile as he was escorted off by the scowling sheriff Cuthbert of Sodshire.<\/p>\n
Princess Evaine retired demurely to her quarters to prepare for the feast.<\/p>\n
What do you say are the ages of King Arthur and Morgan le Fay?<\/em><\/p>\nShare this:<\/h3>