Marion Zimmer Bradley gives to us the story of King Arthur in a different way, only this time the female characters are highlighted more than the male. The main character in the story is Morgaine whose mother marries right after the death of her father. It is after her marriage that a son is born whom the parents name as Arthur.
Thus Arthur proves to be Morgaine’s half brother but the whole of Avalon thinks that his birth is illegitimate because the man named Uther had a relationship with Morgaine’s mother before marriage. The son was also born right after the wedding. When Arthur grows a little older he is sent to a far off place for security purpose and Morgaine is also sent for her training. When Uther dies Arthur becomes the king but with his crowning the troubles start in Britain.
The Knights of the Round Table serve him well but still he gets the wound in an epic battle which results in his death. In the end Morgaine takes her brother back to Avalon where he dies and finally rests in peace. The Forest House and Rediscovery were fictional but this story is like a history book only this time the history looks more pinching.
King Arthur’s fate makes many of the fans sad because no one ever thought of his life in such a miserable state. Also the role of his half- sister was new to the scene, previously other books never discussed about such characters in detail. Davina Porter finishes in a mourning tone when Arthur dies in front of everyone in the hands of his only relative alive.
