The Hollow Hills

Merlin believes that his main purpose in life is to help bring into the world and then bring into power a man who can truly unite Britain. He is convinced that this purpose is why he has been given his magical powers from God in the first place. This is the basic story of THE HOLLOW HILLS.  The great warriors, Ambrosius, Merlin's father and Uther Pendragon, his uncle have paved the way for a new era and Arthur, Uther's son steps up with all the qualities appropriate for a great leader .

Mary Stewart makes it all seem so real, as if it were truly a history of the past that she is reciting. I am enjoying this series tremendously.

Tintagel Castle, Cornwall

The story tells of Arthur's birth at Tintagel Castle on a cold Christmas eve and how Merlin took him from his mother Igraine and hid him in plain sight elsewhere in England. Uther did not want the child around and had great expectations of having other male heirs. He already had one daughter, Morgous from another of his paramours and he and his new wife were young and healthy. Tintagel is a real place and remnants of it exist today.

Merlin knew that Arthur had many other enemies, others who had pretensions to the throne and who wouldn't hesitate at infanticide.Once he feels the child is safe Merlin began to travel to throw people off scent by keeping a low profile. He visited countries like Egypt and some in the far east where he learned a great deal about medicine and other esoteric subjects.

By the time Arthur was fourteen much had changed. Uther had no other male heirs, just a daughter Morgause who was illegitimate, and  Morgana and so the king called for Merlin to bring him his son. The story of the sword in the stone as told by Stewart is intricate and compelling as the readers follows this well known story written by and enthralling story teller.

The next in the series is The Last Enchantment and I am looking forward to it.