For two hundred years and more Ren had endured the harsh winters here on the hill top in the fortress he had built to guard against the primitive warriors from the west. As his own clan had grown in number so had the others about them. Worse the aboriginals had become aware of them and rumour of their difference had spread far and wide. For as the indigenous tribes were squat, broad of build and dark haired his own were slender and light haired. Whenever the two peoples had met there was conflict and misunderstanding. When game was scarce during a prolonged winter the others starved and many died yet the fair ones prospered as though no hardship touched them.
Even though on more than one occasion he had healed their sick with the knowledge the others lacked, they still mistrusted him. The animosity had been festering and growing to explosive point so that now it was a choice of fight or flee. Ren chose to flee as it was ordained he must.
And so they prepared to depart the only home most of them had known. They packed some provisions and a few of the tools and the weapons they had. Other things they buried deep within the hill upon which the fortress sat. They couldn't carry that with which they communed with the heavens. They had to leave the sacred relics, chambers and the beacon that were too heavy to carry. These things could not be destroyed yet couldn't be left for the others to find. When all was interred Ren set spells of enchantment and protection about the place naming it holy with signs that the others would understand. It was all he could do but it was enough at least until memory faded over the centuries to come.
It was a hard hike because the land was covered with primary forest and the tangled tree roots made foot travel slow and hazardous. Ren was taking his people to a place several miles distant that he had found and prepared many years earlier during his initial reconnoitre of the area. It was a place of hard rock that could provide the means of the group's escape and ultimate survival. As they labored on they were aware of the other tribe's scouts hard upon their heals.
The others were not closing in as they were certain of their ability to overtake and defeat their quarry. They had superiority of numbers and plenty of time. They were unburdened with the young or old and carried no unnecessary baggage.
Ren gathered his people around him and they numbered six hundred and sixty six. Some were his own family whilst others the families of his old travelling companions. Turning from them he faced the rock wall and lifting his left arm skyward he raised his right arm and directed the palm of his hand at the very base of the hard surface.
An area some six feet in diameter shone with a white light. Ren walked forward his followers behind. They kept walking until all were deep within the hill. When the tribe were some distance from the entrance Ren retraced his steps along the tunnel he had created. He stood and looked out for the last time - out over the forest and at the gaping tribesmen who stood in wonder. With a flourish of his hand he caused the rock face to solidify and walked back to his family and friends.
The others stared in amazement at the bare and solid rock face. They shook in disbelief. Terror was in all their eyes save those of one old man as they turned and ran in disarray. The lone figure remaining stood for several moments slowly nodding his head. At last he moved forward until he could touch the cold stone. He reached up as high as he could and using a stick of charcoal drew a runic message. Such was the power of the runes they were still legible thousands of years later.
Merlin the Wise was not often bereft of invention. His agile mind could usually conjure an answer to any problem he set it. On this day though he knew he would have to resort to the most fundamental method of divination at his disposal. He told his followers to leave him alone and prepared for the deepest of meditations within his capacity.
Sitting with his back to the stone wall he rested his hands on his knees, closed his eyes and thought upon the void. He went quickly into a deep level trance state. He felt still the world about his body and heard all, even the wind in the trees close by. But his minds merged and he knew the bliss of absolute transcendency. Knowing where he knew he was though, was he knew, not enough. Did he have to go perhaps to the source of all that is? Well he would go where he must. Such was the peril of his master's kingdom that only dire measures would aid it.
For forty days and forty nights he sat comatose. He soared through space covering time and distance at the speed of thought. He beheld the centre of the universe and joined with it to know a great oneness. He asked no questions but found the answers he sought. His attendants waited as he had bade them do on pain of death.
At last he rose and turning to face the stone touched it with his staff and muttered words of power. Silently there appeared an opening. How long it would remain and where it led were matters unknown to Merlin but it mattered not as need was upon him. He must enter and trust to the powers that be.
Merlin called for Sir Samuel the knight to attend with the utmost urgency.
"You must trust now in the power of my protection, Sir Knight. We must go with all haste taking only the ablest of soldiery in our company. I will go by your side as we enter yon cave. I have been given sign to descend within its walls and follow a path to rescue and victory."
The Knight gathered his troops and they found they could ride four abreast into the tunnel. Their march only continued for long enough for the whole party to be within the rock before an opening appeared ahead of them. They found themselves to emerge on a hill side and it was Glastonbury and before them they saw their king beseiged by enemy forces.
"For God, King Arthur and England" cried Merlin.
The Knight and his men charged the enemy relieving their comrades and yet it was too late for King Arthur who lay dying on the battlefield. The great sword of power clutched in his hands.
When later they looked for Merlin and the cave no sign of either could be found.