King Lot deployed groups of enslaved peasants from Bedegraine on the front lines of his forces, to absorb the first charge of the knights of Logres. Sir Fflergant rode ahead of the line, and called out to them to fight for their homeland and for the true king. He rode through them, and struck down the mercenaries who were driving them. His words and deeds inspired them, and a regiment defected to the side of the High King! Sir Fflergant led them on into the fighting. Howling Pictish mercenaries, their hair spiked and clad only in blue war paint, came forward and engaged the knights, attempting to destroy their effectiveness by attacking their horses. Sir Fflergant directed his new allies against them, and bloody fighting ensued.
It was at this point that Sir Edwin, Sir Mabon and Lady Svenhilde arrived on a hilltop overlooking the battlefield. They could see the battle raging below them. They could also see that King Lot was holding part of his force in reserve to flank King Arthur's armies. He had to be warned! They rode with all haste to the thinnest part of the lines, and broke through them to reach their friends. At the same time, Sir Fflergant's position came under heavy attack. He was struck down, and his new allies dragged him out to the healing tents. There, he was reunited with his allies. Lady Elspeth, his wife, glared at Lady Svenhilde, but let her tend to her husband. The sorceress' healing powers were able to mend Sir Fflergant's wounds.
A heavy rain began to fall, turning the battlefield into mud, and both forces withdrew until the deluge passed. Sir Edwin went to the commanders' tents, where he helped advise King Arthur and the other generals on strategies for the next day. Sir Fflergant arranged for food, shelter and ale for his new-found loyal peasant followers, with Sir Mabon. As she sheltered from the rain, Lady Svenhilde saw a crow land on a tree by her - and was surprised when the crow began to talk to her! It was the crow from the Forest Sauvage that had pecked her. Now, the crow, Hermes, was convinced that she was his wife ("But I'm already married!" "Crows don't judge.") and magical familiar, since he said that he was a wizard. "Can you fly? I am wizard." Hermes had also brought a present for his new 'wife' - a seed radiating powerful magic. It was the seed that would summon the arborial army of Gwydion ap Don, which the three companions had sought in Faerie. Hermes had completed the final challenge and obtained it for them.
The group found Merlin, or rather, he found them the next day, when the rain had stopped. The master magician seized Svenhilde and Sir Mabon before daybreak and dragged them out into the forest. He would need Lady Svenhilde's assistance to use the seed, while Sir Mabon would be needed to guard them in case anyone should intrude. Sir Fflergant also found himself in the forest, leading his peasants in a skirmishing action in case King Lot sent any troops into the woods to flank King Arthur's position. Meanwhile, Sir Edwin took his place in the main force, as one of the foremost champions of the British.
As the battle began, Sir Fflergant and his followers soon came across a group of mercenary irregulars attempting to move through the forest. A brief affray followed, in which Sir Fflergant easily got the upper hand. The few mercenary survivors fled, and encountered Sir Mabon and the two magicians. Sir Mabon drew his blade and bravely struck his enemy down. Merlin and Svenhilde completed the ritual, and the trees came to life, stepping forth as a mighty army of men with spears and shields and leather caps. Sir Fflergant gave a speech and rallied these new soldiers about him, and then charged into the flank of King Lot's army!
Meanwhile, another army arrived, all unknown, upon the battlefield. King Ban and King Bors, the brother kings of Benwick and Gaunnes, from the mainland, and their armies had come to aid King Arthur. Duke Ulfius and Sir Brastias had traveled to France and sought their aid, and their return had been hastened by Merlin. During the fighting, King Ban was dismounted, but rescued by Sir Edwin, who remounted him. King Lot now found himself assailed upon all sides by the three armies. Defeated, his force fled the battlefield, and returned home. King Arthur had won!
After the battle, the tree-men rooted themselves and became trees once more. On Merlin's advice, King Arthur gave all the plunder of the year to King Ban and King Bors, who returned to the continent. The next day, Merlin revealed that an ancient treasure hoard had been exposed when trees fell fighting for King Arthur, and so Sir Edwin, Sir Fflergant, and Sir Mabon were sent to retrieve it. There was a great reward for all! The King remained in Bedegraine and recuperated from a wound that he suffered, and it was rumoured that he became intimate with the Earl's daughter. The vassals were released from their service and allowed to return home. Later that year, King Ryonce of Norgales attacked Cameliard, but was driven back by King Arthur in another battle.
The days of the King had begun!
