The King Stag

There is peace in the land. Arthur invites knights to tournaments to show off their skills at a time when there are no wars. Women talk of children and households.

There is still has no son and heir, even after the love tryst between Arthur, Gwenhwyfar and Lancelot.

Gwenhwyfar disregards good advice but fortunately (or not?) lives to regret it - why has she been so harshly punished for doing nothing wrong? Lancelot rescues his damsel in distress and Gwenhwyfar, tested beyond her endurance, refuses to be parted from him again, even though her husband shall return.

Whether with noble intention or nae, Morgaine then traps Lancelot into marrying Gwenhwyfar's cousin Elaine.

Tormented to have Lancelot torn away from her and insulted to have his son by Elaine about to be named heir, throwing her barrenness back in her face before the full court, Gwenhwyfar confronts Arthur over his son fostered at the Lothian court.

Arthur summons Morgaine to force Gwenhwyfar to retract what he believes are her lies. Morgaine confesses to bearing a child to the King Stag, ten moons after Arthur's victory on Dragon Island. Arthur is devastated his sister has suffered so. Gwenhwyfar is incensed at this incest and Arthur's concern for Morgaine, blames this for her childlessness and demands Arthur confess his great sin to the priests. Arthur sees no sin, as both were representations of God and Goddess and were unknown to each other until after but agrees, to appease Gwenhwyfar.

Another example of a manipulative woman, twisting the situation to fit her own agenda in her righteousness . . .