The damsel walked up to Merlin and with an infatuating voice that could be heard by all in the dining hall spoke. “This sword may only be drawn by the most virtuous of knights and whoever does is prophesied to defeat the killer of my father, brother, and mother. If they do then I promise that they shall inherit great wealth, status, and me as their bride.” The damsel said as she paraded the sword around as if she was one of the girls showing off prizes on a gameshow.

Merlin pondered this for a moment but realized that many of the people in the room wished to try. Figuring that it wouldn’t do any harm and it would probably lift up the peoples spirits he let her pass. Knight after knight and peasant after peasant tried with all their might. Even children who could barely pass for pubescent tried and failed.

Since none of the men who tried could remove the sword and the men who hadn’t were already married, many of the unmarried women tried. Though none could pull the sword from the sheath. Some looked far more disappointed that they failed than others. Then Balin, who had been too drunk to stand before had finally sobered up and poorly meandered his way over to her. She looked disgusted by him but since she had no real right to refuse she held out the sword.

“What has everyone been drinking that they can’t remove a sword from a scabbard?” Balin said drunkenly as he gripped the sword handle. Without so much as an ounce of effort the sword came free of its scabbard and he fell to the floor, passed out. The damsel looked in shock at the fact that such a man pulled the sword from its scabbard. However, so was everyone else.

The man who was drunk, passed out, and smelled awful had pulled the sword as if it were nothing. No one could believe it so they began squabbling over how Balin could be considered anywhere near virtuous. Though, Merlin was the most wary. Not because of who drew the sword nor because of the fact that he was drunk but because of what the sword may allow him to do, so he got up next to the damsel who was still racking her brain for an explanation.

“Tell me, what is that sword and what can it do?” Merlin asked.

“Well, uh…” the damsel said.

“What does it do?” Merlin asked.

“It’s unbreakable and is used to lead its user to a specific person.” the damsel spat out.

“Anything else?”

“Once it leads them to said person, it will lead them to an ancient magic relic.” the damsel stated.

“What relic?” Merlin asked with a bit of annoyance.

“The Holy Grail…” she said with a tinge of worry in her voice. Merlin stood with his mouth agape.

“You and I both know that the Holy Grail is not holy. It is simply a cup of youth. Any who drink from it gain back their youth so long as they drink from the cup at least once every year. However, if one discovers that the cup can grant such powers then it disappears and finds a new master. If you have drank from the cup for a long time then you will age rapidly before dying within the hour.” Merlin explained.

“Yes, it was in my fathers posssession for a long time and he was far too stupid to realize what it was. Those of us that did know refused to tell him so that he could live longer.” the damsel said.

“War’s have been fought over that cup that have destroyed entire civilizations. Some have claimed it to be from their God just for incentive or to gain power. Allowing anyone, let alone a drunk like him to have such power would be devastating.” Merlin said in a threatening tone.

“I know. However, I am set on finding the man who killed my family. I would do anything, even put the world in ruin to do so.” she said with conviction. Merlin gave her a look of defeat.

“Fine then. Though, I will not allow it to come to pass. He will kill your family's killer and then he shall have the sword removed from him\s person or die.” Merlin said before walking off.

As Merlin walked off many of the jealous or angry people in the room began trying to take the sword from the sleeping Balin. As they did though, the sword released a field of electricity that shocked any who attempted to remove the sword from Balin’s hand. Since it was no use to try, everyone left him alone. After everyone had calmed down from the excitement of possibly drawing the sword and from the shock that Balin had been the one to pull it from its scabbard everyone went to bed.

I too went to bed without realizing what had happened while I was talking with Arthur nor was I privy to what would happen the next morning. Before I was woken up the Lady of the Lake appeared in Camelot with what could be considered the epitome of rage boners. She was livid, and her anger was directed at Arthur. Having Merlin wake him up and drag him out to speak with her in the main hall.

“And what pray tell would allow me the honor of having you grace these halls with your presence at such an early hour?”Arthur asked in such a way that sounded polite but was actually every sense of the word, rude.

“I’m here to talk about Balin.” The Lady of the Lake said.

“Not this again, freya. Multiple witnesses prove that he killed your friend in self defense. I would be going against the law had I had him executed.” Arthur replied with a winy tone.

“I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about the fact that he was given a magical sword that could lead him to the Holy Grail by some random harlot last night!” Freya said while not trying as hard as much as she should have to control her anger.