The story opens describing Arthur and Merlin's fight with the tallest knight in the kingdom. Though he's a great fighter, he had received major wounds and probably would have died had Merlin not intervened and cast a spell that put the opposing knight to rest. They found a healer to fix Arthur's wounds thankfully.
The two are looking for a sword and Arthur is eager to get there because he has none currently. When they arrived, there was a lady standing over the water. The Lady of the Lake comes up to Arthur with the sword and tells Arthur that he can have it if he does something for her. She wants a gift. She tells him where to find the sword and that she will ask for the gift later. Excalibur is obviously a special sword.
Merlin and Arthur go to retrieve the sword in all of its glory. Merlin asks Arthur if he likes the sword or scabbard best. The sword is coolest... duh. Merlin thinks that isn't wise because the scabbard is worth more, but the sword is most definitely cooler. The scabbard will allow Arthur to lose no blood as long as its attached to him, which is also a pretty neat thing.
I like this story in its simplicity. The sword itself is famous for being, well, itself. Getting to read the legend in this form is nice. Not everything is crazy complicated or dramatic. I feel like most Arthurian legends I read, they are just... horrific or sad. I was glad this one wasn't. I mean I know the fate of everything for Arthur and everyone, but seeing this nice moment was good. I would want to do something equally as simple of a story for this. Maybe write some funny dialogue between Arthur and Merlin. I'm not sure, but I that that would be fun!
The Lady of the Lake gives Excalibur to King Arthur (Wikimedia Commons)
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