The Iron
Crown

Suddenly we found ourselves almost blinded, coming from the dark passages into a bright hall, thronging with people.

The men stumbled and fell but I managed to keep walking forwards, and my eyes soon got used to the light.

The hall was completely white with wide windows looking out over a busy harbour.

But though there were many people present there was, as I had expected, not a sound.

After a while, I could make out some sort of podium at the other end of the hall but veils of a lace-like material hung before it.

I turned and beckoned my men to follow, and they obeyed, marching in solemn single file a little way behind me.

I stopped before the curtains, and showed the scroll with the golden ribbon and the ring on my finger to my guard.

He motioned my men to remain where they were, while the curtain was opened by some unseen hand, and I saw at last what we had endured so much to find.

Before me, on a high throne, sat the great Queen who had no name.

And for the first time I understood her namelessness, for those her subjects were powerless to speak.

Now I stood before her.

The great moment of the occasion and the Queen's own splendour overcame me and I fell to the ground.

I awoke with the good Queen's hand lovingly in mine and for a second seemed to be back in my forgotten castle.

Was there a similarity in the dressings and ornaments of this lady?

But I was not to be tempted a second time.

Already great enough sacrilege seemed to have been done with the Queen having risen from her throne, and myself prone on the ground.

Was not she the intended of my own King, for whom life and limb had been risked, and frequently lost?

I thought of the quest, and wondered if now was the time for my revelations.

But the oppressiveness of the black hangings was yet on me, and the Queen teetered visibly, as one unused to walking.

I summoned my strength and rose to her aid; soon she was stationed on the iron throne again.

I noticed an iron crown on the ground at her feet, but thought nothing of it.

Now seemed the time for my deeds.

I took this most regal lady's hands in mine, and, leaning forwards, kissed her, three times, on the mouth, most tenderly.

Then, in awful shame, I knelt, and hung my head as low as it would go.

It felt heavy with blood and it seemed I should burst with my blushing.