Merlin's last letter to Arthur

An inscription over Merlin's grave:

Here lies the enchanter Merlin so-called. He dared to defy the Lady of the Lake

His letter to Arthur:

N.B.: If this note be found, please deliver it to His Majesty Arthur, King of the Britons and Emperor of the North, posthaste.

Ambrosius Merlinus to His Majesty Arturus Rex, greetings!

Once before have you sailed across the seas, and came back successful, if you can call the almost complete extermination of your army, successful. Of the seven who survived the raid on Annuvensis, only five yet live: you, Kae, Bedeveris, Gaveinus, and Griviletis. I fear you would now squander their lives, and the lives of Palamedis and your other warriors, if you persist in our plan to carry the Graal over the pole. I have recently returned from consulting in the East, and I believe that records there indicate that the “black and high rock” is protected, not merely by dwarves and monsters, but by terrible whirlpools that make the Maelstrom look like an eddy. I tried to warn you, but the Lady feared I would dissuade you, and she still believes in the plan; she has imprisoned me inside a tree, of all things, and although I will be making one last attempt at escape, I fear if she catches me, she will slay me. It does not do to attempt to defy the Lady!

It is well known that I have requested that my body be delivered, in the event of my death, to the Elves, and I trust the Lady will not begrudge me this wish. Should I perish, you need not; when my body is then deposited in Hibernia, the elves will be able swiftly to send word to you before you launch.

So, lest I be ambiguous, let me reiterate: to pass over the pole is suicide, and your mighty navy will be destroyed. A new route must be planned to surprise the enemy, perhaps even one that arcs far to the south. I fear your court will not survive another disaster like the one thirty years ago.

Let’s hope I get out of this one. If not, rule well, Wart. You may be humanity’s last hope.