The Mists of Avalon

The night before Pentecost, Gwenhwyfar frets over Galahad, who is to be made a knight at the feast. When the guests arrive, Arthur finds Morgaine and Uriens. Uriens tells Arthur that Accolon is now second in line for the throne. Galahad and Lancelet ask how Nimue is, but Morgaine can only say that she is presumed well.

Galahad takes his place between Arthur and Gwenhwyfar, and Arthur tells him he is excited to have him as a knight and a member of the court. The arrival of a mysterious young man who bears an incredible resemblance to Lancelet interrupts them. Morgause escorts the young man and introduces him as Morgaine’s son, Gwydion. Galahad is eager to make friends but takes offense when Gwydion jokes about hating him. Gwenhwyfar can’t help but think of the similarities between Gwydion and Morgaine: “[H]e actually took pleasure in the discomfort of the people around the table […] he was Morgaine’s son, if only in that touch of malice” (690).

The Companions discuss Galahad’s upcoming vigil, and Gwydion remarks that it is a different form of the pagan kingmaking rituals. As Galahad protests, Accolon mentions that he will ensure that they continue when he takes over Uriens’s throne.