The Mists of Avalon

Kevin tells Morgaine that Viviane intends to come to Camelot at Pentecost, hoping to make Arthur remember his oath. He is about to speak to Arthur about the state of Avalon:

Avalon will not have it that he rule as a Christian king, whatever his private faith may be. […] And if he does so, then I am to say to him from the Lady: the hand which gave him the sacred sword of the Druids can turn it in his hand to smite him (436).

Arthur and Gwenhwyfar prepare for his customary Pentecost feast, in which all of his Companions eat with him at the round table and he hears from prospective knights, no matter their rank.

As Morgaine creeps into Kevin’s chambers for the night, he tells her that Arthur did not listen to him: “[W]hile he would not persecute any man for following what Gods he liked, still he would stand with the priests and the church […] [I]f [the Lady of Avalon] would have back the sword, she could come and take it” (438). Morgaine’s heart sinks, fearing for the futures of both Avalon and Arthur.

Gwenhwyfar awakens on Beltane sickened by the holiday and its fertility rituals. She is upset that many pagans will likely fall pregnant tonight, while she remains infertile. She seeks Morgaine for counsel. Gwenhwyfar tells her that she thinks she is cursed and pleads with Morgaine to use magic to help her become pregnant. When Morgaine refuses, Gwenhwyfar tells her she will go to Dragon Island and participate in the Beltane rites as an absolute last resort. Recalling her own experience there and the fear she felt, Morgaine tells Gwenhwyfar she must not go. Impulsively, she tells Gwenhwyfar that Arthur has a son he is unaware of, whom Morgause is fostering. Gwenhwyfar still resolves to produce an heir on her own, and Morgaine finally agrees to give Gwenhwyfar a charm, warning her that charms are bound by their own magic and that it may not work as she hopes.

Later in the night, Arthur and his companions enjoy a drunken feast. Lancelet and Gwenhwyfar carry Arthur back to their chambers, and as Lancelet prepares to leave, Arthur calls him back. He says that he has something to say that he would never have the courage to bring up if he was sober. He tells Lancelet about the proposition he once made to Gwenhwyfar, saying that if she were to get pregnant by another man he would claim the son as his own. Since it is obvious that Lancelet and Gwenhwyfar have feelings for each other, he proposes that they all sleep together. This way, if Gwenhwyfar conceives, she will not be able to conclusively say the child is not Arthur’s. He and Lancelet decide that the choice is ultimately Gwenhwyfar’s. She agrees, accidentally discarding the charm as Lancelet kisses her.