The Mists of Avalon

Viviane reflects on Morgaine’s harsh words, balking at the thought that she could hate her. She wonders if she is actually power hungry but concludes, “What I have done […] I have done to save this land and its people from rapine and destruction, a reversion to barbarism, a sacking greater than Rome suffered from the Goths” (191). She wonders who will be the next ruler of Avalon; she feels that Morgaine is not yet ready because she still resists fate.

As Viviane prays for a longer life to retain her stewardship over Avalon, she sees the shape of a great red dragon in the sky alongside a shooting star. She realizes that Uther has passed, and she takes a moment to mourn him. Shortly after, a Sending of Uther—the same one that appeared to Igraine all those years ago—manifests in her room. He tells her that she must ensure that Arthur is crowned the next High King. Viviane suggests that he will be able to unify them under the name of Avalon, but Uther says it will take more than her magic. Suddenly, the Sending changes into a man that Viviane recognizes from her dreams and realizes “why no man had ever been more to her than duty, or a path to power, or a night’s pleasure” (194): She and Uther were also connected in a past life.