The Pagan King

A historical retelling of King Arthur's rise to power. "The Pagan King" is set in a world where the Romans' departure, now some generations past, has left civilisation crumbling in England and all sorts of factions and races at each other's throats. Vortigern, a ruthless tyrant, has kept himself in power and the land fairly peaceful by playing his enemies one against the other, but is universally hated, and faltering. However, but nobody has the guts to stand up to him. Ambrose, as he is first called, goes to the pagan fertility feast of Beltane at Vortigern's court with his cousin and trainer Gerald, a young man of Roman ancestry. There the young Ambrose meets the love of his life, Elian of the Lake, daughter of Llewelan of the Lake (Lancelot). But here, unlike the courtly Arthur of medieval romance, this teenager is just plain horny, and hopes to take Elian off to the bushes for some traditional Beltane fun. However, Mordred, the suave aristocratic playboy arrives and nothing is consummated. After the next day, when Ambrose defeats Mordred in combat, and his true identity is revealed, Arthur and Gerald must escape Vortigern's assassins on the way home to Cambria. There begins Arthur's ascent to power according to the prophecies of the Song of Camlon. But Arthur, while a great warrior, is neither a politician nor a bastion of morality. While betrothed to Wander of Cornwall (Guinevere) for political reasons, Arthur beds the exciting but dangerous witch Vivain, while in his heart remaining desirous of Elian. (from the review at sf site)