The Mists of Avalon

Viviane tells Morgaine that Uther has passed away. She presents her with a sacred sword called Excalibur that will one day defend Avalon and tells her that she must create a scabbard for it. If she does her job correctly, the scabbard will prevent its owner from ever losing blood in battle. Morgaine works in ritual silence for three days, realizing that the scabbard is for Arthur. Throughout the process, Morgaine feels weak and sick.

Morgaine is tasked with delivering the sword and the scabbard to Arthur upon his arrival in Avalon. After a brief but uncomfortable silence, Arthur confesses that he still thinks of their night together, which Morgaine quickly rebukes, saying that remembering it fondly is blasphemy. He recounts the day of Uther’s death, saying that as he was leaving Ectorius’s home, he was caught up in a battle with the Saxons, where he saw Uther wounded. The Saxons attacked again at Uther’s ceremony, and Arthur fought in his first battle. He recalls grabbing Uther’s sword from the bier and defending himself. This noble display led the Merlin to tell the kings that Arthur was fated to take Uther’s sword.

Viviane leads Arthur to the lake to present him with the sword, accompanied by Morgaine, the Merlin, and Kevin. Viviane reveals Excalibur to him, stunning Arthur with its beauty. Viviane tells Arthur that he can only have the sword if he swears that he “will deal fairly with Druid as with Christian” and create a kingdom in which both religions live in harmony (203). Though he is briefly conflicted as someone raised Christian, he recalls how the Old Gods served him during the ritual when he killed the deer, and he ultimately agrees to serve both equally. Before the barge leaves, Arthur requests that Morgaine join him for his crowning.

Morgaine, Viviane, and the Merlin make their way to the Isle of the Priests, Ynis Witrin, for Arthur’s coronation. Morgaine reunites with Igraine; though initially happy, Igraine is upset by the blue moon on her forehead, showing her newfound piety. Morgaine is sent to lodge with Morgause and Lot of Orkney. Morgause now has four children and is quick to remind everyone that Gawaine, her firstborn, is next in line for the throne. As Morgause asks Morgaine about children, she remembers her recent sickness and realizes that she could be pregnant. Morgaine resolves that Arthur must never know and considers poisoning the baby when she returns to Avalon. After Igraine returns to the nunnery, Morgause tells Morgaine that she can tell she is pregnant.

During Arthur’s crowning, Morgaine sits with her family. Arthur emerges heroically into the church, carrying Excalibur and bathed in sunlight. He decrees that he rules “For all the peoples of Britain […] [his] sword for [their] protection, and [his] hand for justice” (214). The Merlin and the Bishop of Glastonbury stand by his side, symbolizing Arthur’s devotion to both religions of Britain. He goes to greet his allies. Lot of Orkney is quick to swear fealty and offers Gawaine as a companion and a knight.

At Lot’s lodging, Morgause helps Morgaine get ready for bed. Morgaine is increasingly sick from her pregnancy and threatening again to abort the baby. Overwhelmed, Morgaine begins to weep, and Morgause offers to foster him for her. Morgaine resolves not to tell anyone else but remains uneasy about taking her child to Avalon, feeling as though it is no longer her home due to Viviane’s betrayal.

In Avalon, Morgaine seeks out herbs to abort her baby. As she wanders into an unfamiliar grove, she realizes she is no longer in Avalon. As she tries to find her way out, a mysterious woman who does not seem to be a priestess or a human confronts her. She knows what Morgaine intends to do and implores her not to. The woman reminds her that this child is a gift from the King Stag, which causes Morgaine to sob uncontrollably. She knocks the root from Morgaine’s grasp and tells her that she can stay here and bear her child in peace, and that she herself will raise him. If this child is allowed in the outside world, the results will be catastrophic: “[H]e will try to do good, and like most of your kind, he will do only harm” (226). Morgaine realizes this is a fairy woman and tries to escape. The woman shouts after her that her son will kill Arthur.

Later in the night, Viviane enters the House of Maidens to watch Morgaine sleep. She notices her exhaustion but acknowledges that she would not be a good maternal figure if she did not expose Morgaine to some suffering. When Morgaine wakes, Viviane confronts her about her pregnancy. Morgaine collapses, cursing Viviane for what she has done and swearing that she has “worked upon [her] and played with [her] like a puppet for the last time!” (228). In an attempt to punish Viviane, Morgaine says she will not give birth to the child in Avalon and flees the Isle, renouncing her priestesshood. She flees for Orkney, taking the herbs with her but dumping them in the Lake.