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strain on his deep wounds, leaving Sir Bedivere to attend to the King. Arthur commanded Sir Bedivere to take his sword Excalibur and cast it into this lake so it could return to the Otherworld. For two times Sir Bedivere went to the lake but could not bear to do the deed, and on the third time Arthur sternly said, "Would you betray your King for the price of a sword? Do as I bid you, before I die." This time Sir Bedivere took Excalibur and threw it far out into the depths of the lake. As it fell downward, a long pale arm reached up and caught it by the hilt, waved it three times in the air, and slowly vanished. It was a sign that the Lady of the Lake had her gift once again. Sir Bedivere returned and told Arthur what happened, and the King was satisfied. Arthur then commanded Sir Bedivere to take him to the shore. When they reached it, a white barge came into view. On it stood three queens and countless ladies, all veiled in black, weeping and moaning at seeing the wounded, dying King. The King's lifeless body floated away on this barge, leaving some to believe that he will one day return and his great kingdom would be restored.
Bradley, Marion Zimmer. (1982). The Mists of Avalon. New York: DelRey.
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King Arthur |
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Summary 3 |