The Mists of Avalon

Elaine is excited to see Morgaine and asks about Lancelet and Camelot. Morgaine reminds her of the chief reason for her visit, which is to take Nimue to Avalon. Elaine cries, but Morgaine says that if she breaks her oath, she will tell Lancelet about the role Elaine herself played in orchestrating their marriage.

The next day, Nimue and Morgaine leave for Avalon. Morgaine is struck by Nimue’s inquisitiveness, but “remember[s] how she had questioned Viviane” (632). Nimue begins to cry, thinking that she was sent away as a punishment, but Morgaine assures her that her mother did not want to leave her. Morgaine worries about finding Avalon since it has drifted so far into the mists. As she approaches the shores with Nimue, she tries to call the barge, and eventually, “in the dim, dull waters of the Lake there was a little stirring, like mist boiling…and then a shadow, and then long and dark and shining, the Avalon barge moving slowly out of the patch of mist” (635). She realizes that her ultimate test is to lift the mists, which have grown thick. She succeeds and leads Nimue into Avalon.

Niniane greets them, telling Morgaine that Avalon sorely needs an ally in the outside world. She suggests trying to place Accolon on the throne. Niniane also asks if Arthur might reswear allegiance to Avalon. Niniane says that if Arthur does not uphold his oath and wield the sword properly, it should be taken from him. Gwydion interrupts, and while this is the first time Morgaine has seen him since his birth, they immediately recognize each other. Gwydion tells her he holds no ill will toward her and that his one request is to let him see Arthur, even if Arthur does not acknowledge him as a son. Morgaine gives him her blessing.

Gwydion reunites with Morgause after fighting alongside Arthur’s armies against Emperor Lucius. Arthur won easily, but Gwydion chose to remain anonymous, hiding even from Gawaine and Gareth. He tells Morgause that he met Morgaine, saying only that she looked old. Morgause is relieved that he still cares for her as his mother. He asks Morgause what she knows about Avalon’s plan, and she implies that Gwydion will usurp Arthur. Gwydion says that will be difficult since Arthur is well loved. Morgause says that Gwydion must find some way to diminish Arthur’s profile.

Gwydion says that Morgaine has been tasked with taking Excalibur from Arthur if he will not uphold his oath. He prefers Arthur, viewing Morgaine as the bigger participant in the “evil” ways of his birth. Gwydion complains that everyone is enamored with her, and Morgause recalls that people regarded Viviane in the same fashion. Morgause asks if he hates her, and Gwydion says he doesn’t know: He is “weary and sick of fighting” and hates that “this great king, this great man, is [his] enemy and that for the sake of Avalon [he] must bring him down to nothing, to death or dishonor” (650).