Week 11 Storytelling - Arthur's death

Arthur's body collapsed on top of the pile of many deaths. He was wounded. He knew he would not recover from his injuries. Arthur saw his dear friend Sir Bedivere. Arthur gave his precious sword Excalibur to Sir Bedivere. The sword thought to itself while it was handed to Sir Bedivere.  

'You would not recover.'

Excalibur Arthur's wounds would eventually lead to his death. In fact, Excalibur was the thing that was holding the last breath of Arthur. He would have died long time ago if Excalibur was not there. But that was it. The power of healing belonged to scabbard. 

'If you had my scabbard, you would have recovered.'

Excalibur thought, but its scabbard was stolen by Morgan. Excalibur had to admit Arthur would no longer be with him in the battle. It knew that this was the end. 

'Fair well, my friend.'

Although Arthur could not hear, Excalibur said good-bye to Arthur. Excalibur did not want to leave the side of its friend. But that would be too cruel to Arthur. Even without the scabbard, Excalibur has its own power to continue the life of Arthur without curing him. Arthur would live with his wounds and pain if Excalibur stayed. 

Sir Bedivere left with Excalibur in his hand. However, he did not return Excalibur to the lake right away. He hid Excalibur and went back to Arthur to lie. Excalibur waited. Arthur would knew if it was returned to the lady of the lake, so Bedivere's lie would not work. Eventually, Bedivere picked Excalibur and threw it to the lake. The hand came out of the lake and caught Excalibur. It was the hand of the lady of the lake.

"Welcome back, my child."

The lady of the lake spoke. She knew Excalibur would be returned. She was waiting for Excalibur. 

"How was your journey?"

Excalibur answered with its thought. The lady of the lake could understand what it was thinking. She smiled. 

"I am glad you enjoyed your journey, my dear."

She gently touched the blade of Excalibur. The work of Excalibur was done. It was born to be wielded by a king Arthur. Since Arthur's journey was done, Excalibur's journey was done as well. The end of Arthur was near so the end of Excalibur was near.

"Farewell. Rest yourself in Avalon."

Excalibur slowly disappeared from the hands of the lady of the lake. Excalibur joined Avalon where his friend, master, and king Arthur joined after his death. 

(The lake by Mouser Williams)

Author's note: The story is based on the tale 'King Arthur'. It was really interesting story to read and I really enjoyed it. There were many parts that I really enjoyed but I think the most impressive and memorable part was the end of Arthur. I was thinking since Excalibur is not just an ordinary sword, it might have it own 'I' or ego. So I decided to write the story about how Excalibur would have felt during the end of Arthur. The original story is same. Arthur was wounded and he wanted to return Excalibur to the lady of the lake. Sir Bedivere lied twice before returning Excalibur to the lady of the lake. 

Bibliography: The End of Arthur from King Arthur: Tales of the Round Table by Andrew Lang 

Week 11 Reading Diary - King Arthur

I really enjoyed the second part of this tale as well. Overall, this reading was very interesting and fun to read. The most interesting story of this second part of the tale was The end of Arthur.

"'Alas!' said the King, 'My time flieth fast. Therefore, Sir Bedivere, cease moaning and weeping, and take Excalibur, my good sword, and go with it to yonder water side, and when thou comest there, I charge thee, throw my sword in that water, and come again and tell me what thou hast seen.'"

I really enjoyed the battle but I think it was more interesting to read about how he died. From the paragraph above, I think it was interesting how words are so unfamiliar to me. Moreover, I think it was interesting how a king Arthur wanted to return his Excalibur to the lake because he obtained the sword from the lady of the lake.

The most interesting part about Arthur's death was returning Excalibur. Arthur wanted to return Excalibur to the lady of the lake.

"My lord,' answered Sir Bedivere, 'your commandment shall be done,' and he departed. But when he looked at that noble sword, and beheld the jewels and gold that covered the pommel and hilt, he said to himself, 'If I throw this rich sword into the water no good will come of it, but only harm and loss,' so he hid Excalibur under a tree, and returned unto the King, and told him his bidding was done. 'What did you see there?' asked the King. 'Sir,' answered Sir Bedivere, 'I saw nothing but the winds and waves.' 'You have not dealt truly with me,' said the King. 'Go back, and do my command; spare not, but throw it in.' But again Sir Bedivere's heart failed him, and he hid the sword and returned to tell the King he had seen nothing but the wan water."

I think this may be related to the power of Excalibur. Arthur could not die because of the power of Excalibur that is why he wanted to return the sword so he can rest in peace. This is my assumption so I would like to write everything about the sword Excalibur for this week.

(Arthur by Moyan Brenn)

From : The End of Arthur from King Arthur: Tales of the Round Table by Andrew Lang

Week 11 Reading Diary - King Arthur

From the beginning of this class, I wanted to read this tale. I have heard a lot about King Arthur yet have never read his tale. I really like the first part of this story. It was hard for me to pick which part I would write about. However, If I have to pick, my favorite part of the story would be The Sword Excalibur.

Until now, I thought the sword that Arthur drew from the rock, that made him a king of Britain, was Excalibur. I was surprised when I was reading this part of the story because this story explained that Excalibur was in fact from the Lake.

"In a little while they came to a large lake, and in the midst of the lake Arthur beheld an arm rising out of the water, holding up a sword."

So the sword that he had was broken and he need a new sword. Merlin took Arthur to where the lady of the lake lived and she gave him Excalibur.

""Well," said the maiden, "get into the barge yonder, and row yourself to the sword, and take it and the scabbard with you." For this was the sword Excalibur. "As for my gift, I will ask it in my own time."

I was more surprised when Merlin said the sword is not as worth as the scabbard of the Excalibur. I wonder how this would have affected the fights of Arthur in the future.


""You are not wise to say that," replied Merlin, "for the scabbard is worth ten of the sword, and as long as it is buckled on you you will lose no blood, however sorely you may be wounded.""


I think this was a great story. I really like this part because I learned a new thing about the tales of king Arthur. I would like to pick a part to rewrite after I finish reading this tale completely.

(Excalibur by Matt Rye)

From: The Sword Excalibur from King Arthur: Tales of the Round Table by Andrew Lang