Random Pov.
I am no lord, no knight, no wielder of prophecy, only a humble professor of history within the Merlin's Enclave. Yet on this morning, beneath the living boughs of Avalon, I found myself facing the future of Britain.
The children before me were scions of ancient houses, with bright eyes, embroidered sleeves heavy with lineage. They sat on benches grown from living oak, their feet swinging, smiles sharp with curiosity. I returned their eagerness with one of my own and rapped my staff gently against the stone-root floor.
"Very well," I said. "Let us begin."
"Tell us of the Targaryen kings!" one boy blurted, barely containing himself. "All of them!"
A few others nodded eagerly.
I smiled despite myself. "Straight to dragons, then. As expected."
I turned, drawing a line in the air with my staff, and began.
"So we begin with Aegon I Targaryen, called the Conqueror. He ruled from the first year after the Conquest until the thirty - seventh. With dragon fire, he united six of the Seven Kingdoms, Dorne, stubborn as ever, joining later."
The children listened intently.
"Then came Aenys I (37–42 AC), Aegon's son, whose reign was a bit troubled. A gentler king. Too gentle, some would say. Rebellions plagued him and his rule because people were still adjusting to Targaryen rule."
A few of the older students nodded solemnly.
After Aenys came Maegor I (Maegor the Cruel), brother to Aenys, who took the throne from his brother. He ruled from forty-two to forty-eight AC. He was known for his harshness and brutality. He took a heavy-handed approach to ruling and caused a lot of bloodshed. History remembers him as the Cruel. He brought Order, yes, but order paid for in corpses."
I let that sit.
"After Maegor, the realm finally breathed again under Jaehaerys I, the Old King. From forty-eight to one hundred and three. Laws were written, roads built, peace enforced. Many call his reign the closest the Iron Throne ever came to wisdom. A golden age of sorts."
"After him, there's Viserys I (103–129 AC). His reign was peaceful, but after his death, a succession crisis led to the Dance of the Dragons, a civil war between Targaryen factions."
I paused.
"From that ash rose Aegon III, the Dragonbane. He ruled from one hundred and thirty-one to one hundred and fifty-seven, and during his reign, the dragons died, hence the nickname."
A hush fell.
"Skipping forward, you eventually get," I said quietly, "Aerys II, the Mad King. His cruelty ignited Robert's Rebellion. His fall ended the Targaryen dynasty in Westeros."
A hand rose immediately.
"What about before the Conquest?" a girl asked. "You know, the time period of Old Valyria? When did the Doom happen exactly? And how long did Old Valyria exist for?"
"Ah," I said, pleased. "Now we walk further back."
"Old Valyria rose some five thousand years before its fall. They were an ancient and incredibly powerful civilization located on the Valyrian Peninsula, which is in the eastern part of Essos. They were known for their dragons and their advanced magic and technology. Shepherds, at first, until they found dragons in the Fourteen Flames. From there, they forged an empire of fire and sorcery. For centuries, they were the only civilization powerful enough to stand against Britain itself."
A few chests puffed at that.
"The Doom of Valyria came roughly one hundred years before Aegon's Conquest. So, if the Conquest started around 1 AC, the Doom happened roughly around 100 BC. Volcanoes, sorcery gone awry, or divine judgment, no one agrees. Only that Valyria ended in a single day."
Questions came in a rush after that.
"The Citadel, when was it founded?"
"The Faith of the Seven?"
"What came before it?"
I answered patiently.
"The Citadel in Oldtown is ancient it is the headquarters of the maesters, founded around the time of the Andal invasions, some six thousand years ago. Its origins are… disputed. No single founder, only generations of men who bound knowledge into chains. The maesters formed it to train and educate those who would serve the lords of Westeros, and over the centuries, it grew into this institution, where maesters earn their chains and study all sorts of knowledge."
"The Faith of the Seven actually originated with the Andals, who introduced it when they invaded Westeros, approximately 6,000 years ago. The Faith of the Seven has been around for millennia and has become the main religion in most southern parts of Westeros, particularly in places like the Reach, the Westerlands, and the Crownlands.
Before the Faith of the Seven, the main religion in Westeros was the worship of the Old Gods. This is the religion of the First Men, who were the original human inhabitants of Westeros. They worshiped nature and the old gods associated with weirwood trees, and that faith is still strong in the North among the Starks and other northern families."
"Where did the Andals come from exactly? And, is there a name of a man who founded the Faith of the Seventh and the Citadel? Or is it just obscure legends in history?" another asked.
"The Andals came from a region in Essos known as Andalos. This is an area located on the western coast of Essos, north of the modern-day Free Cities. They migrated to Westeros roughly 6,000 years ago, and when they came, they brought with them iron weapons, the Faith of the Seven, and they basically changed the cultural and religious landscape of southern Westeros.
As for a single founder of the Faith of the Seven or the Citadel, it's a bit more obscure. The Faith of the Seven is said to be based on the visions of the "first High Septon" or the "Crone" who supposedly revealed the Seven-faced God to the Andals. But it's more legend than a concrete historical figure. It's not like there was one identifiable founder that everyone knows by name; it's more of a religious tradition that evolved.
Similarly, the Citadel doesn't have one legendary founder whose name stands out in history. It's more of an institution that grew over time as maesters gathered and formalized their order. So a lot of it is just this deep, ancient history that doesn't have a single famous founder but rather a collective effort over the centuries. Remember, history remembers outcomes better than origins."
A boy frowned. "What about the 14 cities of Essos? They are 14, right? What about them? When exactly were they funded by Old Valeria? Were they all funded by Old Valeria? And why did they fund it?"
I chuckled softly. "Essos is definitely full of interesting cities, but they're actually known as the Free Cities, and there are nine of them, not fourteen. Maybe the confusion is coming from the idea of the Fourteen Flames in Valyria, which were the volcanoes that were central to Valyria itself. But when we talk about the Free Cities of Essos, there are indeed nine major Free Cities.
These cities are Braavos, Pentos, Lys, Myr, Tyrosh, Volantis, Norvos, Lorath, and Qohor. Most of these were founded after the rise of Valyria, and yes, many of them were indeed colonies or trading outposts established by the Valyrian Freehold. Over time, as Valyria grew in power, it set up these cities to expand its influence and control over trade routes, resources, and other territories in Essos.
When the Doom of Valyria happened, these Free Cities became truly independent because there was no longer this big Valyrian empire overseeing them. Each of them has its own unique culture and history, but their origins are often tied back to Valyria as either colonies or as cities that grew under Valyrian influence."
"What about the cities of Slaver's Bay, Mirin, Astapor, and..." A boy said then went quite "I forgot the third one's name."
"No worries at all! So the three major cities of Slaver's Bay are Meereen, Astapor, and Yunkai. These cities are located along the eastern coast of Essos, along the body of water known as Slaver's Bay, and they are notorious for their slave trade.
Each of these cities has its own history and culture. They were built on the backs of slavery and have been centers of the slave trade for a very long time. They were not founded by Valyria; instead, they have their own origins, and over time, they became rich and powerful through the buying and selling of enslaved people." I chuckled and answered the boy's question.
A blonde girl, Lancelot blood, if my eyes were true, raised her hand.
"The First Men. Were they savages? were they really cannibals?"
"No," I said firmly. "That is Andal arrogance. The First Men are often painted in a certain light, but they weren't really just savages or cannibals. That's more of a misconception. In fact, the First Men were the original human inhabitants of Westeros long before the Andals or the Targaryens arrived.
They came to Westeros about 12,000 years ago, crossing a land bridge from Essos. They brought with them their own culture, their own ways, and they worshipped the Old Gods of the forest. They carved faces into weirwood trees, they had a strong connection to nature, and they lived in a way that was actually quite organized.
They did have a more martial and warrior-based society, and they were definitely fierce and proud, but the idea of them being just pure savages or cannibals is more of a myth or exaggeration. In reality, they formed kingdoms, they had leaders like the Starks in the North who traced their lineage back to the First Men, and they created a lot of the early traditions of Westeros.
So, in short, they were more complex than just "savages". They were the foundation of many of the noble houses and customs that persisted, and definitely not just some sort of barbaric group."
Then came the question I had been waiting for.
"Professor," a boy said, leaning forward. "Tell us of our kingdom."
I smiled.
"In the dawn age," I began, "when the world itself was young, Arthur Pendragon, first of his line, stood against a great black dragon that threatened to end all things."
The room stilled.
"He did not stand alone. Around him were the Knights of the Round Table, each not merely a man, but a vessel of divine virtue."
"Lancelot, avatar of Valor. Gawain, embodiment of Honor. Galahad, bearer of Purity. Percival, keeper of Wisdom. Tristan, lord of Loyalty."
"Together, they slew the dragon. And from that victory, Britain was born."
"Our faith," I continued, "teaches that Arthur was chosen by the King of Gods, and that every Pendragon king is his mortal representative. Thus, chivalry is not law; it is worship." I pointed at the Lancelot girl, "Open your history of Great Britain book and read from the first passage. page 36 to be exact."
"Yes, sir," she said, " In the ancient times of the Kingdom of Britain, it is said that Arthur Pendragon, the first of his line, and his legendary Knights of the Round Table faced a great and cataclysmic black dragon that threatened to end the world. In that fateful battle, each knight of the Table stood not merely as a mortal warrior, but as the earthly vessel of a divine force. Each of these knights became the living avatar of a god, a patron of a particular virtue.
Lancelot, the god of valor, embodied unmatched courage and chivalry. Gawain, the god of honor, stood for unyielding loyalty and truth. Galahad, the god of purity, represented spiritual questing and the pursuit of the highest ideals. And so it was with each knight, Percival, the god of wisdom; Tristan, the god of loyalty, forming a divine pantheon.
At the head of them all was Arthur himself, the King of Kings, the chosen son of the greatest god in this pantheon. Through his leadership and the unity of these divine knights, the black dragon was slain, and the Kingdom of Britain was founded as a realm blessed by these gods.
From that day forth, each Pendragon king was seen as the earthly representative of the King of Gods, and each noble house of knights traced its line back to one of the divine knights of the Table. Thus, the faith of Britain is a chivalric code, a living religion where every knight is both a warrior and a prophet, and every king of the Pendragon line is the mortal son of a god."
"And the Merlin's Enclave?" another asked.
"In the Grove of Avalon stands this very place," I said, gesturing to the living hall around us. "Founded by Merlin himself. Druids, healers, scholars. Few are true Merlins. Fewer still live long. Read from the second passage, page 255 to be exact."
"In the heart of the Kingdom of Britain lies the Grove of Avalon, an enchanted sanctuary where the wisdom of the ages is kept. Unlike the stone walls of the Citadel in Westeros, the Grove of Avalon is a living hall of wisdom, its pillars formed from ancient, living trees and its chambers woven with magic. Here, the druids, scholars, and mystics of Britain gather to study the secrets of the world, to heal the wounded in body and spirit, and to commune with the divine forces of the land.
This Grove is known as the Merlin's Enclave, for it is said that the first Merlin, the great enchanter, wizard, and counselor to Arthur, established this place as a beacon of knowledge and enlightenment. Within the Grove, the leaves whisper secrets, and the stones themselves remember the deeds of heroes. It is a place where the lines between the mortal world and the mystical are thin, and where the wisdom of the Pendragons is passed down through generations.
In this sacred enclave, the Merlin, the title given to the wisest of the scholars, guides the seekers of knowledge, blending the arts of healing, the study of the natural world, and the spiritual teachings of the Round Table gods. It is here that the wisdom of Avalon shapes the destiny of the kingdom, and where the light of knowledge never fades."
"I feel like the writer of the book looks down on the Citadel?" a tall boy asked me, based on his features and body, a Gawain through and through.
"Indeed, you see my young lord, all respectful scholars should look down on the Citadel; they believe that knowledge should not be shared with everyone, and they fear the unknown," I answered with a measured laugh.
"But isn't it normal to fear the unknown?" a girl asked meekly, hmm, a Galahad clearly, pure and kindhearted.
Before I could answer, another girl answered her "Don't be dimwitted, fearing the unknown is an engraved instinct in every living being but what make us better than mere animals is the ability to fight our instincts, fearing the unknown meaning never improving, if we feared the unknown and kept running away from it we will end up understanding and knowing nothing " a Percival indeed full of wisdom but so extreme with it.
"What of our cities and keeps?" another asked
"History of Great Britain, second book, fourth passage, page 567." I answered, and he started reading after finding the page.
"In the realm of Britain, the great cities stand as living testaments to the Pendragon legacy, each one a jewel of chivalric splendor and mythic grandeur. At the heart of the kingdom lies Camelot, the resplendent capital and seat of the Pendragon kings. With towering white walls that gleam in the sunlight and a castle that is both fortress and palace, Camelot is home to nearly a million and a half souls. It is a place of legend, where the Round Table convenes, and where knights and scholars walk the same streets as merchants and poets.
Beyond Camelot, other cities flourish under the Pendragon banner. Londinhold, or Tristan's port. a bustling port city stands as the kingdom's gateway to the world, a hub of trade and commerce where cultures mingle and markets thrive. Its population nears half a million, and its streets are lined with grand guild halls and vibrant marketplaces.
Gawain's Keep, a fortress city of unyielding stone, is renowned for its knights and military prowess. Home to over a hundred thousand, it is a bastion of honor, its walls and towers standing as a testament to the valor of its people.
Galahad's Sanctuary, a city of peace and reflection, is known for its serene temples, a place where the faithful. Its population is smaller, around fifty thousand, but its influence is felt throughout the kingdom as a center of spiritual enlightenment.
Percival's Reach stands as the realm's biggest granary and home to the biggest forest of the realm. It's known for its breathtaking beauty and its libraries, a place where knowledge and wisdom thrive. a population of over 600 thousand, and a place where seekers of wisdom gather. and its where we currently are.
and lastly, Lancelot's hold, a place of valor and knighthood, filled with knights and warriors.
In all, the Kingdom of Britain is home to several million souls, a tapestry of cities and strongholds, each reflecting the virtues of the Round Table. From the majestic Camelot to the vibrant Londinhold, from the steadfast Gawain's Keep to the tranquil Galahad's Sanctuary, these cities are the lifeblood of the Pendragon realm."
"Our armies? How strong are we exactly?" came the next question.
"The Kingdom of Britain stands unmatched in military strength, a realm whose martial prowess has deterred the ambitions of would-be conquerors for millennia. From the days of the first Pendragon king, the kingdom has forged a legacy of unrivaled military might. At the heart of this power are the knights of Britain, over fourteen thousand strong, each one a paragon of chivalry and martial skill. These knights are the epitome of human prowess, trained from youth in the arts of combat, and each one sworn to the Pendragon line.
But the strength of Britain does not rest solely on the shoulders of its knights. The kingdom boasts a standing army of one hundred thousand soldiers, ever loyal to the crown and ever ready to defend their homeland. They are seasoned warriors, masters of both land and sea, forming a force that can stand against any invader.
The kingdom's fleet is equally formidable, a vast navy that sails the seas as both protector and deterrent. With mighty warships and skilled sailors, the navy of Britain ensures that no enemy fleet can threaten its shores.
In every era, whether facing the ancient might of Valyria or the ambitions of the Seven Kingdoms, Britain has stood firm, its armies and fleets a shield against any foe. It is this unparalleled military strength that has kept the kingdom sovereign and its people safe, a testament to the enduring legacy of the Pendragon kings."
"Valyria challenged us. Westeros tested us. All failed."
"Were we always enemies of the Iron Throne?"
"No," I said. "Read the seventh passage, page 455."
"While the Kingdom of Britain was often a fortress unto itself, there were times when diplomacy and alliance intertwined its fate with that of the Iron Throne. In one notable chapter of history, a queen of the Pendragon line was herself a Targaryen princess, brought to Camelot in a marriage that sealed a pact of peace and mutual respect. Through this union, the blood of the dragon mingled with the blood of the Pendragon, and the line of Britain gained a touch of Valyrian heritage.
This marriage did not alter the sovereignty of either realm, but it created a thread of kinship between the two houses, a reminder that even the most powerful kingdoms could find common ground. Thus, the legacy of the Pendragons was enriched, carrying a trace of dragon fire in their veins, yet always remaining steadfastly Pendragon in spirit and name."
"And Excalibur?"
At that, I lowered my voice.
"Excalibur is not merely a sword. It is judgment."
"It grants its rightful king power beyond mortal limits—but it will never be drawn for conquest. To invade is unchivalric. To conquer is to betray the gods."
"Thus, Britain has never bent the knee and never sought to make others do so."
"Read the 29th passage, page 78." I said simply.
"In the annals of Britain, Excalibur is more than a mere sword; it is a symbol of the kingdom's unyielding strength and divine protection. Forged in legend and bestowed upon the line of Pendragon, Excalibur grants its bearer the power to stand against legions. The moment the true king of Britain lays both hands upon the hilt, a surge of ancient magic courses through him, granting him the might to face Hundreds of foes and emerge unbroken.
This legendary blade is the secret behind Britain's enduring sovereignty. Neither the dragons of old Valyria nor the armies of the Iron Throne have dared to press their claim, knowing that to invade Britain is to face a king who can single - handedly turn the tide of battle. Alongside Excalibur stand the mages of Merlin's line, wielders of arcane arts who add another layer of defense against any would - be conqueror.
To this day, long after the fall of the Targaryen dynasty and into the reign of Robert Baratheon, Excalibur remains in the hands of the Pendragon king. It is a symbol of a kingdom that has never bent the knee, a testament to the power that has kept Britain free and sovereign through the ages."
"What about the relationship between Britain and every single one of the remaining seven kingdoms?" a girl asked.
"Seventeenth passage, ninth book, page 14." I stated, and she started reading.
"Throughout the long history of the Seven Kingdoms, the relationship between Britain and its neighbors has ebbed and flowed like the tides. With the North and the Starks, the Pendragons found a kinship in shared antiquity, both houses rooted in ancient traditions and mutual respect. There were times of alliance and times of distance, but never outright conquest.
With other realms, the Reach, Dorne, and the Westerlands, relations were equally varied. At times, Britain and these kingdoms were close allies, exchanging courtesies and mutual defense. At other times, misunderstandings or shifting politics turned them into rivals. There were even moments when several of the Seven Kingdoms attempted to unite and invade Britain, driven by ambition or fear. Yet each time, they were repelled, pushed back, but never crushed, for Britain's creed forbids conquest. The Pendragons, guided by their gods, have always fought in defense of their land, never in pursuit of empire.
And so, Britain remains a kingdom apart, respected, sometimes feared, but never an aggressor. Its strength is tempered by its faith, and its history is one of resilience rather than conquest."
questions kept coming,
"Traditions and Festivals?"
"Legends and Prophecies?"
"Wonders and Geography?"
And so did answers,
"In the Kingdom of Britain, the calendar is dotted with grand festivals that breathe life into the land. Each summer, the people celebrate the Festival of the Round Table, a grand tourney where knights from all corners of the kingdom gather to compete in feats of arms and chivalry. There are also mystical ceremonies held in the Grove of Avalon, where druids and citizens alike honor the gods with songs, dances, and rituals that have been passed down for generations."
"Among the whispered legends of Britain, there is a prophecy that speaks of a future Pendragon king who will unite all lands against a darkness yet unseen. It is said that this king will wield Excalibur in a final battle that will determine the fate of both Britain and Westeros and the whole world. Such prophecies are woven into the very fabric of Britain's history, giving its people a sense of destiny and purpose."
"The landscape of Britain is as enchanted as its history. From the mystical forests of Avalon, where ancient trees whisper secrets of old, to the sparkling lakes said to be portals to other realms, the kingdom is a land of natural beauty. There are sacred mountains where the wind carries the voices of the gods, and hidden valleys that bloom with eternal spring."
I finished with the houses, the Pendragons, the five great ducal lines, their banners and words, every child listening as if memorizing a prayer.
"The noble houses, first passage, page 14."
"In the noble hierarchy of Britain, the Pendragons reign supreme, but beneath the royal line stand the five great ducal houses. Each of these houses descends from one of the legendary knights of the Round Table, those who fought beside Arthur Pendragon in the age of myth.
The House of Lancelot rules over Lancelot's Hold, a city renowned for its knights and feats of valor. The House of Gawain presides over Gawain's Keep, a fortress city that stands as a bastion of honor and chivalry. The House of Galahad holds dominion over Galahad's Sanctuary, a serene center of spiritual wisdom and purity.
Meanwhile, the House of Percival oversees Percival's Reach, known for its scholars and seekers of knowledge, and the House of Tristan governs Tristan's Port, guarding the coastal lands with unwavering loyalty.
These five ducal families are the pillars of the kingdom, each with their own castles, banners, and storied histories, and they remain the most noble lines of Britain, forever linked to the Pendragons by bonds of history and duty."
"Oh, noble ranks you ask? The book of the noble houses, go to the thirtieth passage, page 677."
"In the noble hierarchy of Britain, the Pendragons reign supreme, their banner a majestic golden dragon and a golden lion with a sword between them all on a field of crimson, and their words: "By Sword and Sovereign Grace." or "For I am thesword.", some say "For we are the sword."
Beneath them stand the five great ducal houses, each descended from the legendary Knights of the Round Table.
The House of Lancelot rules from Lancelot's Hold, their banner a silver sword crossed with a lily on a field of deep blue, and their words: "In Valor, There is Virtue."
The House of Gawain holds Gawain's Keep, their banner a green shield with a golden sun, and their words: "Honor Above All."
The House of Galahad presides over Galahad's Sanctuary, their banner a white dove on a field of silver, and their words: "In Purity, We Find Strength."
The House of Percival governs Percival's Reach, their banner a golden book on a field of azure, and their words: "Knowledge is Our Light."
The House of Tristan guards Tristan's Port, their banner a silver ship on a field of sea-green, and their words: "Loyalty Through Storms."
Beneath the dukes are the marquises, who guard the borderlands, counts and earls who oversee prosperous counties, and barons who hold smaller estates. Each noble house bears its own banner and words, symbols of their heritage and duty within the kingdom. Together, they form the noble tapestry of Britain, each house a vital thread in the realm's enduring legacy."
............
When it was time, I dismissed them.
They ran laughing into the sunlit paths of Avalon.
I watched them go, wondering which of them would be the most extraordinary in service of the would be 333th King of Britain when he takes the throne, and whether I would be there to see his reign.
The reign of Arthur Pendragon, the 7th of his name, the king of kings, the king of knights and scholars, the son of the king of gods, king of Great Britain, lord commander of the Round Table, and protector of the realm.