The main conflict in this last part of the book is Mordred's undying will to upend his father's kingdom and do unto Arthur what was done unto him. First, Agravaine and Mordred try to get Lancelot and Guenever killed by exposing their relationship. As Gareth explains it, "They hate you. Or Agravaine does. He is Jealous. Mordred hates Arthur most"(White 593). Agravaine and Mordred lure Lancelot and Guenever into a trap and then try to kill them both, but Agravaine ends up getting killed instead. Not too long after, Guenever is set to be burned to death, which overjoys Mordred. Arthur exclaims as Mordred goes to give the order to start Guenever's execution, "He might not have done it with a little more decency. He might have tried to show that he was not so pleased" (611). After Lancelot saves Guenever, mordred is furious that yet again his plans have been foiled. He decides that because of Arthur's incestuous relationship with Morgause, his only way to get back at Arthur is to marry Guenever. Mordred very bluntly puts this as, "Yes. My father committed incest with my mother. Don't you think it would be a pattern, Jenny, if I were to answer it by marrying my father's wife?" (625). THe book ends only twenty pages later and tells us that Arthur grew old and was a wise, fair king, Mordred was slain, and Lancelot and Guenever lived happily together until the ends of their lives.
The themes of loving more than one person remind me of ELIC, but the idea that there are grey areas between good and evil make me think of Terry Malloy from On the Waterfront.
I overall enjoyed the book and found it challenging, but a rewarding read.
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