Thanks to Angerburg for this depiction of ‘Childe Roland to the Dark Tower came’…

Reblogged from Alienora’s Anthology:

Humanity would rather immerse itself in the idealised beauty, and Round Table fairness, of Camelot than risk the dread journey, through ghastly Wasteland, to the Dark Tower of Reckoning (and, if one factors in the Grail, release).

We fear Hell, the descent into Hades; we shudder at the River Styx and its terrifying boatman, Charon. We arm ourselves with light against any incoming darkness, be it from the closing eyelid of night or the dark lands of soul testing and reforging.

In the metaphorical sense, we drive, or gallop, or run, past the Wasteland as fast as we can, putting it off for a more convenient moment – not truly understanding that the merest glance, as we dash past, can ignite nightmares far more grotesque than the reality once faced.

Continue reading at Alienora’s Anthology