The Mists of Avalon

Igraine helps Gwenhwyfar prepare for her wedding, wondering if Gwenhwyfar is suited to fill the role of High Queen. Igraine’s train of thought is interrupted when Lancelet comes to visit the church in preparation for mass. Though he addresses both of them, he is only looking at Gwenhwyfar.

Arthur is incredibly nervous and sends for Lancelet. Gwenhwyfar is amused by this, thinking that “this marriage is more of an ordeal for him than for me—at least I have nothing to do but obey the will of my father and king!” (277). As he prepares to leave Gwenhwyfar’s side, she can see that he wants to stay with her. She orders him to tell Arthur she is ready for him and is surprised at her own boldness. Lancelet obliges, and Gwenhwyfar wishes she had stood her ground when Leodegranz told her she could not marry him.

Igraine, who has seen this play out before, seeks out the Merlin and asks if there is any way that Arthur can avoid the marriage: Lancelet and Gwenhwyfar clearly have feelings for each other, and this can only end disastrously. The Merlin says that publicly shaming Gwenhwyfar would make a permanent enemy of Leodegranz, which is something Arthur cannot afford to do. Igraine, feeling resigned, goes to join Taliesin and Kevin for the ceremonies. She notices Lot and Morgause and immediately begins looking for Morgaine. She finally sees her near the priest and notices Arthur staring at her as well.

When Arthur introduces Morgaine to his queen, she is shocked to see Gwenhwyfar. Despite her initial fear, Gwenhwyfar treats Morgaine kindly, asking if she can call her “sister.” Morgaine listens to a performance from Kevin, who asks her to sing. This outrages the Christians, who believe women should not play music. Morgaine disagrees, saying, “If music is evil, then it is evil for men as well; and if it is a good thing, should not women do all the good things they can do, to make up for their supposed sin at the beginning of the world?” (288). Morgaine wonders why Arthur has not stopped this debate since he is sworn to Avalon.

Kevin tells Morgaine that Viviane is growing old and misses her dearly. She thinks Morgaine is dead since she has lost much of her control over the Sight. Morgaine refuses to return to Avalon but says Kevin can tell Viviane that she is alive. Kevin confesses that Taliesin told Arthur his marriage would be unhappy, and Morgaine realizes this is because of Gwenhwyfar’s feelings for Lancelet. She considers seducing him, knowing that she would save Arthur pain in the long term.

Morgaine intercepts Lancelet while he is talking to Arthur and Gwenhwyfar. They go to the stables, where Lancelet shows Morgaine a horse he tamed for Arthur. As Lancelet explains the thought that went into choosing the horse, Morgaine realizes that “he loves Arthur; this is why he is so tormented. It is not that he desires Gwenhwyfar that tortures him […] he loves Arthur no less” (295). Suddenly, Lancelet kisses her, and they fall into the hay. Morgaine is happy until she understands that Lancelet simply wants to forget Arthur and Gwenhwyfar. They are interrupted, and Lancelet tells his court that Morgaine fell in the hay when a horse startled.

Later, Lancelet is injured while showing off on the horse. Morgaine takes him to his room, staying with him so that she can heal him. Morgaine tells Arthur to return to Gwenhwyfar, but he tells her he is too scared. Arthur begins to say that he still thinks of their night together, but Morgaine stops him. In another room, Gwenhwyfar is racked with guilt, praying that she can force herself to love Arthur as he deserves to be loved.