The Mists of Avalon

Gwenhwyfar and Lancelet are helping tend to Arthur, who suffered a great wound in battle against the Saxons. Arthur is grateful for their loyalty, as he finds it difficult to walk on his own. He asks Lancelet to send for Viviane, an experienced healer. When Gwenhwyfar tells Arthur he should thank God for his survival, he corrects her, saying that he remained safe because of his enchanted scabbard. Gwenhwyfar, knowing this is an argument she cannot currently win, goes to fetch Taliesin to play music for Arthur.

Gwenhwyfar notices Elaine sitting close to Lancelet and wonders if they should marry. She briefly allows herself to think about what it would be like to be with him, knowing that Morgause sleeps with many men in Lot’s court. She grows ashamed, wondering how “she, a chaste and Christian woman, [could] have such evil thoughts?” (332). Gwenhwyfar tries to do what she was told in confession and distracts herself by praying for Arthur’s well-being.

Later on, Gwenhwyfar and Lancelet help a limping Arthur back to his chambers. Lancelet tenderly kisses her forehead, thinking that Arthur is asleep. However, Arthur calls out to her. He tells Gwenhwyfar that Lancelet is a good friend to both of them and says that he himself may be the reason for their inability to conceive. Arthur tells Gwenhwyfar that should she sleep with another man and get pregnant, he would accept that child as his own; if this happened to be Lancelet, they would have his blessing. Gwenhwyfar, ashamed that she has given him reason to doubt her loyalty, resolves that “she would continue to be […] a good and virtuous queen and a Christian woman” (336).

Now losing command over the Sight, Viviane is on a dangerous journey to heal Balan’s foster mother, Priscilla. She cannot help but think of Morgaine and where she might be. She knows she has left Caerleon and is not with Igraine in Tintagel or in Orkney.

Priscilla’s husband, Gawan, greets Viviane. Priscilla is sicker than she was when Viviane tried to heal her the year before, and she asks Viviane to make her comfortable as she passes. Viviane reflects on how she and Priscilla have come full circle, bearing children and now approaching death together. She informs Gawan and Priscilla’s sons, Balan and Balin. Balin does not understand what Viviane has done and curses her as a sorceress and murderess. The experience convinces Viviane to appoint a successor, and she asks Balan if he knows Morgaine’s whereabouts. Balan says that he last saw her in Caerleon several years ago.

They bury Priscilla the next day, and Viviane leaves, wishing she was with Morgaine. Her worries only intensify when she arrives at the Lake and cannot immediately recall how to summon the barge. Viviane asks if she has “the right to continue as Lady when the Sight has left [her]” (348). She knows it will soon be too late for her to train a successor, and looks to the House of Maidens for a candidate. One of the women informs her that Taliesin has a young daughter named Niniane who might have the Sight. Viviane takes Niniane to her chambers, where Niniane says she only has a little of the Sight but is willing to learn how to use it. Viviane places her in front of a mirror and instructs her to tell her where Morgaine is. Niniane only tells her that “she sleeps in the arms of the grey king” (350).

Gwenhwyfar journeys to Cornwall to visit Igraine as she lays dying. Though the journey frightens her, she agreed to go since Arthur is away at battle. When Gwenhwyfar arrives, Igraine asks where Morgaine is. She explains that Morgaine has been missing for years but is likely with Morgause in Orkney. Igraine frowns, thinking that Morgaine must have known of her condition due to the Sight.

Igraine asks Gwenhwyfar if she is happy with Arthur. Gwenhwyfar tells her she loves him and is faithful to him. Igraine says these feelings will only grow, as Gwenhwyfar is pregnant. Gwenhwyfar is shocked, saying she had no idea, and confesses that she has miscarried twice. Gwenhwyfar feels conflicted about learning she is pregnant through Igraine’s access to the Sight but wonders, “How could it be wicked […] It has come, the answer to all [her] prayers” (357). Despite her joy, she finds herself worried, thinking that Lancelet will find her ugly once she is visibly pregnant.

Gwenhwyfar offers to bring Igraine a priest. Igraine refuses, saying that she does not wish to be around priests in her last moments. This shocks Gwenhwyfar, but Igraine simply laughs, saying, “You thought me so pious, that I retired to a convent in my last years. But where else should I have gone?” (358). Gwenhwyfar spends the rest of the day trying to keep Igraine comfortable, but Igraine keeps calling out for Morgaine.

Igraine passes away in the morning. Gwenhwyfar has trouble mourning knowing that Igraine was living in the convent under false pretenses. The abbess tells Gwenhwyfar she is welcome to stay as long as she likes, but Gwenhwyfar is anxious to inform Arthur of her pregnancy. Another nun warns her that traveling is currently unsafe due to Saxon hordes. Gwenhwyfar says she will be safe since the Southern Saxons are under treaty with Arthur.

As Gwenhwyfar and her escorts ride back to Caerleon, they pass a village decimated by Saxons. Gwenhwyfar is terrified but realizes she cannot ride any faster due to her unborn child. She thinks, “I must not be such a coward. Arthur must have the news of his son” (365). Gwenhwyfar and Sir Griflet, her primary escort, are intercepted by Gawaine, who came to encourage them to stay in the convent or at Tintagel. He says he must rally any men who are sworn to Arthur, signaling that the situation is more serious than Gwenhwyfar thought.

When Gwenhwyfar returns to Caerleon, she learns that Arthur intends to send her and the rest of the women to Camelot, the new site of Arthur’s court, for safeguarding. She sees the signs of Arthur’s allies, including the eagle of Uriens, King of North Wales, and the cross, the sign of her father Leodegranz. She wishes that Arthur would adopt the sign of the cross instead of the Pendragon.

As Gwenhwyfar prepares to leave, Meleagrant, Leodegranz’s bastard son, asks her to make him a knight. When she tells him she cannot guarantee that, he erupts. The knights jump to Gwenhwyfar’s defense, and Meleagrant tells her she will regret spurning him. Lancelet escorts her inside and confirms that there will be a conflict between Arthur and the Saxons. She weeps, thinking Lancelet will die, but he tells her he is willing to do so for Arthur. Meanwhile, all of Arthur’s allies must leave for Camelot, as Caerleon is almost under siege. Gwenhwyfar is worried about traveling while pregnant, but does not complain.