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Post by Lady Iseult of Ireland on Oct 30, 2011 23:22:31 GMT
"I am, but does that mean I cannot find out about the beliefs of others. Ireland does not have Christianity, so it is all new to me," She explained, with the same expression, "There must be some reason so many people converted over here, I could not, if you would prefer?"
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Oct 30, 2011 23:27:34 GMT
Arthur smiled apologetically.
"I meant no offence, my lady. I was simply interested. There are not many pagans willing to embrace the ideas of Christianity. I imagine it is because of Rome's influence when we were part of the Empire. I think it is a most worthy goal of yours."
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Post by Lady Iseult of Ireland on Oct 30, 2011 23:34:03 GMT
"I took no offence, sire, sorry if I seemed brusque. I do not like to make judgement about things I do not know about when I can, and besides, you can never know too much." She said, "May I ask what book you are getting?"
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Oct 30, 2011 23:41:15 GMT
Arthur grinned boyishly at her. It seemed all was well again.
"A tome on giants. I am curious about people and places I have not seen. Merlin taught me much but I know there is much still to learn. So it seems we are alike."
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Post by Lady Iseult of Ireland on Oct 30, 2011 23:54:54 GMT
"It seems we do" Iseult said with a grin back to him, "Giants you say? Ireland supposedly has lots of giants. I have never seen on... which is strange, I would think they would be hard to miss." Iseult said, her smile widening, "Merlin seems like a great man, you are lucky to have him, I think."
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Oct 31, 2011 0:02:28 GMT
"I think so too. He is the cleverest man in the world, he must be. There's a Giant's Causeway in Ireland, isn't there? It must be called that for a reason. Geoffrey says the giants like wild territor, forests and mountains and the like. He's almost as clever as Merlin, except that he's not a sorceror. He knows a lot about the Christian God, though. Perhaps he will recommend something for you. And I will be happy to help too."
Geoffrey could be seen heading back to them with a huge volume.
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Post by Lady Iseult of Ireland on Oct 31, 2011 0:19:02 GMT
"There is indeed, I have seen it, it is very impressive." Iseult said, "You seem to be surrounded by intelligent men. I do not want to be a bother to anyone, but I would like to talk about it sometime, if you ever find yourself wanting to get away from ruling the kingdom for a time," She said, glancing past Arthur to Geoffrey over his shoulder for a second, "Your sister told me you favoured Christianity."
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Oct 31, 2011 0:27:36 GMT
"I assume you mean Morgan?" Arthur said, taking the book from the older man. "I know you and she have grown friendly. It is true, certainly. Geoffrey and the other priests at Court have shown me the benefits of Christianity. I must balance the old religion and the new but my heart believes in the faith of the Christians."
"Your Majesty's heart is true," Geoffrey murmured. "I am not the kind of Christian who thinks pagans devil-worshippers, though some do. The pagan gods are but aspects of our own God."
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Post by Lady Iseult of Ireland on Oct 31, 2011 0:38:16 GMT
"That is a very interesting idea," Iseult said considering and curtsied to Geoffrey, "I had not thought of that, but the Pagan gods are all so different, how can they be aspects of a whole? But what benefits does Christianity give that Paganism cannot?" She asked, her tone making it clear it was a genuine enquiry rather than a confrontation.
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Oct 31, 2011 0:47:38 GMT
Arthur exchanged a glance with Geoffrey, who said "Christianity grants salvation for your immortal soul, my lady, and will bring you into God's graces when your life ends. As for your gods being a whole, they all have the divine spirit, do they not? Our own god created them to help your people understand His nature. That is what I and my more enlightened brethren believe."
"That makes sense to me," Arthur agreed. "All gods are one god. Yes, I like that. It's like me, Lady Iseult, do you see? Merlin says I am destined to be High King of all Britain and I have some of the kings sworn to me already and they are like your own gods, part of the whole."
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Post by Lady Iseult of Ireland on Oct 31, 2011 1:04:45 GMT
"Does that not presuppose than my immortal soul is in need of saving?" She said, but she did not really want to push the point, having a god with many aspects seemed ridiculous to her, but until she knew more about it, she was not going to judge, fighting fire with fire only made the blaze worse after all.
She smiled at Arthur, "all of Britain?" She asked thinking of Ireland and what her own father would think of that, "When you put it like that the idea that the gods man all be part of one does make a lot more sense," She thought the allegory could do with a bit of work though, "The other kings being extensions of yourself, I suppose?"
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Oct 31, 2011 1:22:45 GMT
"Yes, and aspects of my kingdom," Arthur confirmed. "But I am their head. The father of the kingdoms. I must guide and protect them, and I hope they will all accept my protection in time."
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Post by Lady Iseult of Ireland on Oct 31, 2011 2:09:43 GMT
"I am sure they all will." Iseult said, reminded by Arthur's wide eyed optimism that they were the same age, she thought he presented a much older figure sometimes, "But if some of the kingdoms refuse to accept your protection?"
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Oct 31, 2011 10:13:42 GMT
"There will be war," Arthur said simply. "I wish it were not so, but any king who will not become my friend will be enemy. The kings of Sussex and Cambernic are known to be hostile, as is your own father. We know little of the kings of Wales and northern Scotland. I have been told it is my destiny to unite them all. Only then will there be peace in the kingdoms."
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Post by Lady Iseult of Ireland on Oct 31, 2011 17:03:09 GMT
"Peace is always an admirable aim, if I were my father I would have declared for you, but then my father does not know you at all, I do not think." Iseult replied honestly, though she felt there was more to peace than having everyone else under you thumb.
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